Hong Kong: Police to text anti-scam alert Police announced today that starting January 2, its Anti-Deception Coordination Centre (ADCC) will expand the Upstream Scam Intervention scheme to include sending SMS messages to potential scam victims as a means to provide timely alerts and advice. The force explained that the goal behind the move is to combat deception and minimise its impact on individuals and society. The ADCC has registered with the Office of the Communications Authoritys Short Message Service Sender Registration Scheme. Its Registered SMS Sender ID is #ADCC18222. The Upstream Scam Intervention scheme was launched in May 2023 in collaboration with 12 retail banks to enhance the efficacy of preventing deception and mitigating losses suffered by scam victims. By analysing suspicious bank accounts, the scheme identifies individuals who may be at risk of falling victim to scams. Through co-ordinated efforts between the banks and Police, potential victims will be contacted via phone calls, police visits or SMS. During such interactions, the ADCC or bank officers will provide potential victims with information such as details of the implicated bank accounts so as to facilitate the potential victims verification and assessment. As of end-November last year, 579 ongoing deception cases were intervened under the scheme. Police reiterate that officers and bank staff will never request the disclosure of personal information or banking credentials. Furthermore, they will not ask users to transfer funds to any accounts during these interactions. To verify callers identities, the public can call their banks or the ADCC directly. They are also encouraged to use the Scameter to check if the recipient bank accounts are associated with reported scams. This story has been published on: 2024-01-01. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA makes solid steps in high-quality development 13:33, January 01, 2024 By Wang Lingxi ( People's Daily The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is one of the most open and economically vibrant regions in China. Covering an area of 56,000 square kilometers, it is home to more than 80 million people. Its GDP exceeded 13 trillion yuan ($1.82 trillion) in 2022. On Dec. 21, China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued a plan for the Guangdong-Macao in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin, Zhuhai and another plan for the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone in Shenzhen. These two documents are expected to accelerate the development and opening up of major cooperation platforms in the GBA. As the GBA sees a better foundation of transportation and logistics, its steps of high-quality development have become more solid, which unleashes tremendous vitality for development. This October, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge marked its 5th anniversary. As a "golden channel" enhancing the GBA's connectivity, the bridge has facilitated trips of 36 million cross-border passengers and 7.5 million vehicles over the past 5 years. The total import and export volume through the Zhuhai land port of the bridge amounted to 718.75 billion yuan. Infrastructure projects such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, Nansha Bridge and Guangzhou-Shanwei high-speed railway, have further strengthened the connectivity in the GBA. Besides, thanks to a new policy that took effect on Dec. 12, travelers arriving at Zhuhai Jinwan Airport on the Chinese mainland are allowed to reach the Hong Kong International Airport via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to fly to overseas destinations without going through immigration in Hong Kong. The convenient and developed transport network is an accelerator for the integrated development of the GBA. Photo shows a beautiful view of Hong Kong. (Photo by Wang Gang/People's Daily Online) While improving hard connectivity on transportation, the GBA is also improving rules and mechanisms. In April this year, a total of 110 "GBA Standards" were announced in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, covering 25 fields including food, Cantonese cuisine, traditional Chinese medicine, transportation, elderly care, and logistics. Under the joint efforts of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, residents from Hong Kong and Macao have been enjoying increasingly high-quality and convenient public services in the GBA mainland cities since this year. For instance, the Guangdong-Macao social security one-stop service counters have enabled Macao residents to handle Macao social security matters in Hengqin. Guangdong and Hong Kong have set up cross-boundary public service counters to strengthen the convenience for businesses and individuals in handling relevant matters. So far, the first batch of more than 50 services has been made available. "These measures have allowed residents and businesses in Guangdong and Hong Kong to bid farewell to the hassle of running back and forth for government services, and we have all benefited from it," said Chen Chi Ming from Hong Kong who currently works in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province. These convenient services, which are accessible to the people, have made the GBA better connected, Chen added. Photo shows the Zhuhai Hengqin International Financial Center in south China's Guangdong province. (Photo by Ding Junhao/People's Daily Online) Thanks to the "soft connectivity," the investment and development of Hong Kong and Macao enterprises in mainland cities of the GBA have been further facilitated. The sound business and living environment are attracting more and more people to study, work, live, and start their businesses in the GBA, which effectively promotes the high-quality development of the area. Huang King Hei from Macao works at a law firm headquartered in Hengqin. He calls himself the "new-gen youth of Hengqin and Macao." Huang was born into a family of lawyers. He has passed the lawyer qualification examination of the GBA, obtained a lawyer's license in the Chinese mainland, and become one of the first qualified arbitrators from Macao in the Guangdong-Macao in-depth cooperation zone. "Among the some 50 lawyers in my law firm, more than 10 are from Macao," said Huang. According to him, it takes only a half-hour drive for him to go home from his office, and this has greatly facilitated Macao lawyers to work in Hengqin. According to statistics, more than 3,200 professionals from Hong Kong and Macao are currently working in the GBA mainland cities in various sectors such as law, healthcare, and urban planning, and over 3,500 individuals have obtained skills certificates that are recognized by all GBA cities. Guangdong Province has established 237 counters to meet the social security needs of individuals and businesses from Hong Kong and Macao. The number of Hong Kong and Macao residents participating in social insurance in the province has reached 346,700. Efforts have also been made to ensure that Hong Kong and Macao residents enjoy equal treatment in terms of employment and entrepreneurship in Guangdong. From the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub to the Guangdong, Hong Kong & Macao (International) Youth Entrepreneur Hub, and from the Hengqin-Macao Youth Entrepreneurship Valley to the Foshan-Hong Kong-Macao Youth Entrepreneurship Center, a number of innovation and entrepreneurship bases are nurturing the dreams of countless young entrepreneurs in the GBA. According to statistics, the Hong Kong-Macao youth innovation and entrepreneurship bases in the Pearl River Delta have incubated around 4,000 projects from Hong Kong and Macao, providing employment opportunities for approximately 5,500 young people from the two regions. The GBA has become a fertile ground of innovation and entrepreneurship for young people from Hong Kong and Macao. Nowadays, an increasing number of young people from Hong Kong and Macao have come to realize the tremendous potential for development in the GBA. They believe this region can bring them better prospects for their careers. According to a survey conducted by the Hong Kong United Youth Association this year, 65.5 percent of respondents agreed that the GBA created opportunities for their career development, and 71.3 percent were willing to work or pursue their careers in the Chinese mainland. Tourists visit the Rua do Cunha, a souvenir street in Macao, Aug. 3, 2023. (Photo by Sun Lijun/People's Daily Online) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) We should examine the past record of the Government of India when it comes to justice for those wronged by the Army. Defence minister Rajnath Singh visited the families of those Kashmiris killed in Army custody and assured them justice. He told them, it was reported, that nobody can bring those who have died back to life. But there will be justice. This was a good thing to have said, and we shall see if justice comes. We should, however, examine the past record of the Government of India (all governments, including previous ones) when it comes to justice for those wronged by the Army. Much of the focus is on AFSPA, the law that gives the armed forces immunity in so-called disturbed areas. We should try and understand it. In 2015, it was noted that the Disturbed Areas Act had lapsed in J&K in 1998, but ASPFA was still in force, apparently without sanction, but this was overlooked. The key AFSPA provision was the sweeping empowerment of individuals belonging to the police, the military and the paramilitary to open fire if he is of the opinion that it is necessary so to do for maintenance of public order. They could use force even to the causing of death and would be immune from prosecution for their actions, except with the sanction of the Centre. They could destroy anything they thought was a hideout, a fortified position or shelter from which an attack could be made. They could arrest and detain without a warrant anyone they wanted and could use force in effecting the arrest. What happens when you give armed men such freedom in a place that has been declared hostile by the State is not difficult to imagine. On January 1, 2018, the Rajya Sabha was told by the government that the defence ministry had got 50 requests in 26 years from the J&K government for permission to prosecute soldiers under AFSPA. It granted permission in zero cases. These include cases of soldiers accused of unlawful killings, torture and rape between 2001 and 2016. An Amnesty India report published in 2015 looked at over 100 cases and met 58 families and found that since 1990, no sanction was ever given to prosecute those accused by the J&K government. A chargesheet is the document filed after an FIR is registered and on the basis of investigation, meaning the police had found evidence of a crime. But the Centre approved none of the states requests for justice. The Army says it conducts its own justice system: a court-martial. These are opaque processes where the survivor or victim does not have access and shouldnt be used for any crime unrelated to military discipline. However, this parallel court system has been allowed to soldiers trying fellow soldiers of crimes against civilians. An editorial in a financial newspaper in January 2014 describes what happens in these courts-martial. The case discussed related to an attack in March 2000 during then US President Bill Clintons visit to India. The Army claimed it had attacked a hut which contained Lashkar-e-Tayyaba militants who had participated in a massacre of Sikhs in the village of Chattisingpora just before President Clintons visit. On May 11, 2006, after investigating the case, the CBI filed murder charges against five serving Army personnel from the 7 Rashtriya Rifles unit in the court of Srinagars chief judicial magistrate. The CBI argued this was a case of cold blooded murder and were not actions taken in the course of performing official duties, so the perpetrators could not be protected. The Indian Army blocked the prosecution of the five Army personnel under Section 7 of AFSPA. The Supreme Court of India upheld the Armys action and asked it to decide if it wanted to court-martial them instead. In September 2012, over 12 years after the murder of the five civilians in Pathribal, the Indian Army chose to bring the case before the military justice system and began proceedings in a general court-martial. On January 24, 2014 the Indian Army said it was dismissing all the charges against five of its personnel due to lack of evidence. According to the closure report filed in the Srinagar chief judicial magistrates court, the Indian Army did not conduct a trial but instead dismissed the charges through a pre-trial procedure known as summary of evidence under Rule 24 of the Army Rules 1954. The editorial said that the Armys self-acquittal of the Pathribal accused is a continuation of the cover-ups of human rights violations in J&K and Indias Northeast, where the military has a free hand in dealing out justice as it deems fit. This is a blot on our democracy. In another case, a newspaper reported in July 2018 that the soldiers who were convicted of murdering three civilians were nonetheless freed by an Army tribunal without any explanation. Two years ago, on December 4, 2021, soldiers from the 21 Para Special Forces Army unit shot and killed six coal miners in Nagalands Mon district. The deaths led to violent clashes between local villagers and the troops, and seven more civilians and a soldier were killed. A day later, soldiers killed another person after protesting villagers attacked their camp. In June 2022, the Nagaland police filed charges against 30 soldiers, including a major, after a special investigation team found the military had used wrong positive identification without proper application of mind, and that the miners were shot with a clear intention to kill. On April 14, 2023, the Indian government denied permission to pursue the prosecution. This is the background, and it is against this that we should judge what Rajnath Singh has said about the events in Kashmir. The Houthis have successfully rendered the Red Sea as a no-go zone for global shipping. The "CMA CGM Palais Royal", the world's largest container's ship powered by natural gas, sails in the bay of Marseille, southern France, on December 14, 2023. Ships belonging to CMA-CGM have returned to the Red Sea following attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen, and those belonging to Maersk will do the same, the two shipping giants said on December 27, 2023. (Photo by Christophe SIMON / AFP) The year 2024 brings multiple challenges, some quite unique. For one, over 40 countries will face national elections, starting with Bangladesh and Taiwan in January. The trail then runs through Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Russia and then the European Union nations, plus Britain and the United States. The UK must hold elections before January 2025 while the American presidential polls is due to be held on November 5. These elections vary from controlled ones like in Russia to some highly polarised ones in India, Europe and the United States. But three challenges will carry over from 2023. The Ukraine war has reached a stalemate phase, with Russia projecting the lack of Ukrainian gains in its counter-offensive as a defeat. President Vladimir Putin needs this as his presidential election approaches and he bags another term. The other factor is, of course, the Gaza conflict and Hamas existential, no-holds barred fight against Israels all-out attack. So far, the conflict has remained localised, except for sporadic attacks by Iranian allies in a pincer move by Hezbollah from the north in Lebanon and by the Houthis from the south in Yemen. The Hezbollah attacks have been largely stymied by the US naval flotilla in the eastern Mediterranean though they have deployed south of Litani river, forbidden under UN negotiated terms. The Houthis have successfully rendered the Red Sea as a no-go zone for global shipping. Freight and insurance rates are mounting as ships begin taking the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope. With an Iranian general in Syria killed in Israeli bombing, escalation by Iran cannot be ruled out. Especially as Iran has announced the boosting of its nuclear enrichment programme. Israel has always maintained that it would not allow Iran to acquire strategic nuclear capability, meaning nuclear devices. The third troublesome element persisting from 2023 is the state of the Chinese economy and the domestic pressures on President Xi Jinping to restore economic growth and robust employment for youth. An authoritarian Communist state which leverages the absence of freedoms by providing consistent and buoyant growth can resort to jingoistic actions abroad if the social contract fails at home. The first test will be the Chinese reaction to the expected victory of the current Taiwanese vice-president, Lai Chingte, who advocates distancing from China, short of pronouncing outright independence. China and Russia would keenly observe the US presidential election. Russian President Vladimir Putin would favour a Donald Trump win, knowing his boasts about ending the Ukraine war quickly. The implication is to have Ukraine accept the status quo, including perhaps abandoning membership of Nato. That is why Mr Putin appears to be prepared for another summer of war, hoping that Mr Trumps victory will lead to a Ukrainian capitulation. China, on the other hand, would prefer Mr Trumps defeat as their experience from his first term is of unpredictable confrontation. That may also be a factor in Chinas timing to implement its proclaimed desire to annex Taiwan, by force if necessary. A predictable Joe Biden would appear to be a better person with his finger on the nuclear button than an erratic Donald Trump. The question thus lingers whether China may prefer to move against Taiwan with Mr Biden in power? South Block may also have concluded that Russia is emerging largely unscathed from its Ukraine adventure. Laffaire Pannun, uncovering an Indian agencys alleged complicity in a plot to kill American citizens, is souring relations with Washington. What better way to warn the Americans to drop the issue than by having external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar undertake a five-day Russia trip. Russian coincidentally is his compulsory foreign language, which he learnt during his first posting in Moscow in the early 1980s. With its economy humming along healthily, India is well placed to traverse the destabilised world, provided that the Gaza conflict does not suddenly spread to the Gulf. The Bangladeshi election, despite its flawed execution, should have a pro-India Sheikh Hasina continuing in power. Bhutan will come under renewed pressure to settle its border issues separately with China. The Maldives, after the initial anti-India policy decisions by the newly elected Islamist government, may settle down to more balanced relations with both India and China. The Pakistan general election in February should throw up a Nawaz Sharif government, which a re-elected Indian government may decide to engage. One of the Pakistani pre-conditions has been to restore the status quo ante in Jammu and Kashmir before talks can be resumed. Indias Supreme Court has in any case ruled that the statehood of J&K must be restored in 2024. India needs to learn one major lesson from the Gaza war that peace temporarily obtained by the use of security forces is never sustainable. Rising attacks by militants in that UT, despite the Union governments claims of normalcy, are signs of trouble lurking below the surface. If Prime Minister Narendra Modi wins a third term, as is generally expected, he would need to weigh all these factors to ensure a great legacy. The other electoral test is in Europe. Elections to the European Parliament are due in June. A rightward shift in many nations may also get reflected in that election. If Donald Trump was to win in the US and the European Parliament gets dominated by a rabble-rousing xenophobic lot, the post-Second World War liberal order will face a serious challenge. The victory of right-wing Marine le Pen in the French presidential election and an increase of the seats of the Nazism- inspired Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Germanys Bundestag (parliament) cannot be ruled out. Thus, the year 2024 marks an inflexion point when the accepted liberal democratic order gets tested. In India, a massive win by the BJP can equip the party to move India more firmly towards a majoritarian theocratic state. In the United Kingdom, 14 years of Conservative rule is likely to end with the Labour Party capturing power. In Poland, the centrist alliance has displaced the right-wing government. In Latin America, while Brazil saw the return of a socialist order, in Argentina the reverse happened with right-wing victory. Thus, the churn is global as immigration, economic challenges and a neo-Cold War are pitting an accepted liberal model against various forms of authoritarian, theocratic, Communist or majoritarian models of governance. If the centre has to hold, the US, Europe and India, in that order, must ensure that the regressive forces do not win. India is a veritable tinderbox if not anchored to its lofty constitutional spirit of inclusivity. With all eight major religions of the world, 780 languages (according to the Peoples Linguistic Survey of India) and about 3,000 castes, with another 25,000 sub-castes, the famous quote, If India fails in diversity, so will the world, couldnt ring truer. If the prevailing social polarisation in India is anything to go by, the rising intolerance and supremacism, across the world, is hardly surprising. Indias rich diversity is also now becoming the cause of its disunity, contrary to the foundational hope of the Idea of India that envisaged unity in diversity. The civilisational fault lines and persisting societal inequities have further metastasized the us-versus-them narrative beyond the usual religious divide and expanded to other nativistic undercurrents that are generously fanned by politicians. India is a veritable tinderbox if not anchored to its lofty constitutional spirit of inclusivity. The identity of Indianness will take more than semantic conflation to Bharat (which is constitutionally mentioned), but perhaps not as intended by partisans as a means of divide. The wholesomeness of the Idea of India can never be fructified by imploring its sub-identities or force-fitting all diversities into singular denomination, but by collectively championing India, that is Bharat, without contextualising it onto any one identity, even if were the majority. That concept of majoritarianism is for small-spirited nations like Pakistan, Turkey or other illiberal sheikhdoms. Sadly, not only have we added a partisan/political context to the civilisational formulation of India, that is Bharat, but the reckless invocation of sub-identities is increasingly routine by politicians of all political parties, and even by some holding apolitical constitutional posts. As the Lok Sabha elections near, the phenomenon of thin-skinned and manufactured outrage (some naturally justified outrage too) by competitive politicians attempting to outdo each other is going to sully the environment even further. They will push the limits of theatrics and propriety to discredit the other, thus seeking to endear themselves by appealing to the baser instincts of their cadres and constituents. They will sometimes pander to selective, but telling, silences or inaction when probed about inflammatory remarks made by their so-called leaders that they could attribute to fringe elements -- but the dog-whistling, selective outrage or even plain acquiescence will be the norm. Pulling words out of context and spin-doctoring these to imply the unimplied, is another favourite. TV studios would be overflowing with venom-spewing independents (with obvious partisan loyalties) who can say the most incendiary and provocative rhetoric to stitch an explosive narrative, with plausible deniability afforded to full-time politicians, with whom these so-called independents are currying favour. Unknown and uncouth elements from across the Line of Control or even the hinterland to represent an ostensible cause (knowing that such persons would extract the exact opposite effect), will be par for the course. The othering in recent times has seen a senior MP from a southern state (ironically, a former minister of communications) stating: Hindi speakers from UP, Bihar clean toilets in Tamil Nadu. Irrespective of the supposed context, it was a poorly worded statement (or perhaps clever, given the emotive language issue) and the ruling party at the Centre had a field day exposing it. A newly-minted MLA (also a religious leader) in a northern state was heard threatening the authorities, all non-veg stalls on the streets should vanish with immediate effect and later added for good flourish: Karachi banana chahte ho? Yeh Apra Kashi hai! The innuendo and reference to Karachi was not so naive, and he presumably remains unchecked. The calls of unbridled nativism in the form of local versus outsider looms large with every regional election. A fiery chief minister from an eastern state said: Gujaratis are trying to capture Bengal by bringing goons from UP and Bihar. The holder of one of the highest constitutional posts in the land was to react to a personal taunt by unwarrantedly invoking his caste credentials, by insisting: You used the official Twitter handle of the spokesperson to demean me, insult me, insult my background as a farmer, my position as a Jat Obviously, the farmer or Jat denomination were of no consequence during the earlier farmers agitation or during the recent wrestling association drama, where many with this societal denomination were at the forefront -- but this time, the inelegant mimicry was readily conflated to identities of caste and profession. The ousted head of the wrestling federation tried to suggest his distance with his supposed nominee by suggesting caste differences: Sanjay Singh is a Bhumihar. I am Rajput, Kshatriya. He is also believed to have counterattacked by questioning his own partys Jat outreach. All over the country, the assertion of region, language, religion, caste, ethnicities to even superimposition of partisan sensibilities is flaring, and the regression of Manipurs fractured societal status is suggestive of the inevitability of pandering to such nativism for electoral gratification. Besides the falsehoods, the exaggeration of issues and even realities have seemingly been fair game in electoral times since Independence, except that these have now crossed unprecedented limits, tenor and threatens to tear the delicate fibres that bind and constitute India. As the brilliant constitutionalist B.R Ambedkar had said: I do not want that our loyalty as Indians should be in the slightest way affected by any competitive Loyalty, whether that loyalty arises out of our religion, out of our culture or out of our language. I want all people to be Indians first, Indian last, and nothing else but Indians. Regrettably, we must brace ourselves for a forthcoming open season of competitive identities, assertions and aspersions that are not anything to do with the inclusive India, that is Bharat. From Taiwan to Indonesia, it will be a crucial election year for many countries on the continent. India will see the apotheosis of Hindu nationalism with the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. China will celebrate 75 years of the People's Republic, Japan awaits its moon landing. In Baku in Central Asia in November the COP29 on climate change. ELECTION YEAR 2024 opens in Asia with a busy calendar of extremely significant elections. In particular, within a few weeks practically all of South Asia and Taiwan will vote in highly anticipated polls: January 7: General elections in Bangladesh January 9: run-off in Bhutan January 13: Presidential elections in Taiwan February 8: General elections in Pakistan February 14: presidential elections in Indonesia March 1: elections in Iran for the Assembly of Experts, the body that appoints the Supreme Leader March 17: Russian presidential elections April 10: Parliamentary elections in South Korea general elections in India (spring) presidential elections in Sri Lanka (spring) POLITICAL EVENTS South Korea begins its two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council today. As an Asian member it joins Japan whose mandate will expire on 31 December 2024. This year, Laos is the country holding the presidency of ASEAN, the regional body that brings together the countries of South-East Asia. In 2024, it will be Russia's turn to host the Brics summit - the alternative bloc of countries to the G7 strongly supported by Beijing. It will be a key moment to understand the real extent of the enlargement announced at the last meeting in Johannesburg: after Argentina's resignation, from today there should be five new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates who will join to Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. For India - alongside the elections - another symbolically significant date will be January 22nd when the Ram Mandir will be inaugurated in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, the new large temple built after the Supreme Court in 2019 awarded Hindus the disputed place where the Babri mosque stood. It will represent the apotheosis of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalism and a day of mourning for the Muslim minority. For China, the year 2024 will open with the appointment of January 22nd when the Human Rights Council in Geneva will examine the situation of the People's Republic of China as part of the fourth Universal Periodic Review on human rights violations in the world. From the point of view of the Chinese Communist Party, 2024 will be the year of the 75th anniversary of the proclamation of the People's Republic of China which will fall on October 1st. But June 4 will also be the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre which, following the crackdown imposed by Beijing since 2020, can no longer be commemorated even in Hong Kong. Political anniversaries include the 100th anniversary of Lenin's death in Russia, which will fall on January 21st. OTHER EVENTS The Slim probe is scheduled to land on the Moon on January 19, which will make Japan the fifth country after the United States, the Soviet Union, China and India to have reached the Earth's satellite with its own device. An important international event on the topic of health will then be the Asia Summit on Global Health in Hong Kong on 16 and 17 May. In 2024, Central Asia will host COP29, the UN Conference to fight climate change: the event will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan from 11 to 22 November. The Paris Olympics - scheduled from 26 July to 11 August - will also be the most important event of the year for Asian athletes: three years after the Tokyo Games, the challenge between China and the United States will be renewed also for the summit of the medal collection. In the first part of the year, the Gangwon province in South Korea will host the Winter Youth Olympics from 19 January to 1 February. RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS February 10 Lunar New Year (the Year of the Dragon begins in the Chinese calendar) March 9-April 8: Holy month of Ramadan in the Muslim world April 22: the Passover celebration for the Jewish world begins at sunset May 22: Buddhist holiday of Vesak November 1: Hindu holiday of Diwali ECCLESIAL APPOINTMENTS From the point of view of ecclesial life in Asia, the first important event will be the delicate Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church in India, which will meet from 9 to 14 January to elect the successor of the card. George Alencherry as its major archbishop. It will also be a decisive step in the clash over the liturgy, after the video message with which Pope Francis asked the archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly to conform to the unified rite. For the Church in China it will be the centenary year of the Council of Shanghai, held in 1924, a fundamental step in the path of inculturation of Catholicism in China. Its relevance will be discussed at an important conference scheduled in Macao from 26 to 29 June. Among the events promoted by the FABC - the Federation of Asian Episcopal Conferences - a seminar is scheduled in Bangkok from 15 to 20 July on the topic of leadership in the synodal path of the Church. While - throughout the year - the Churches of the continent will be engaged in the last phase of the synodal path which will see its second and final final session in Rome in the month of October. At the moment, no trips by Pope Francis to Asia are planned for 2024: given the pontiff's health conditions, his only confirmed trip will be to Belgium to coincide with the 600th anniversary of the foundation of the Catholic Universities of Louvain. It should be remembered, however, that among the invitations received recently is that of the government of Vietnam for a visit that would be the first by a pontiff to the country. Finally, 2024 will end all over the world with the opening of the Jubilee on Christmas night: the theme chosen by Pope Francis for the Holy Year is "Pilgrims of Hope". 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. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. SUV The Japanese automaker has been extremely busy in 2023, and even if we only look at the tidal wave of novelties for North America, there's still a very long list of major introductions. Think about the Corolla Cross Hybrid, the Prius Prime plug-in hybrid, the expanding Nightshade family, the trio of GR special editions (GR86 Trueno, GR Corolla Circuit, and GR Supra 45th Anniversary), plus the absolute superstars like the Grand Highlander three-row family crossoveror the N400 Tacoma.But the best is yet to come, actually. Upcoming models include the 326-hp hybridized Tacoma i-Force Max, the returning 2024 Land Cruiser, the all-new 2025 Camry mid-size sedan, and the 2025 Crown Signia crossover SUV. However, that's not enough for some folks including across the imaginative realm of digital car content creators.More precisely, many peeps would really like to see the roster of off-road-oriented vehicles get the pinnacle of mid-size SUVs a new iteration of the ruggedly charming 4Runner. The current fifth generation has been around since 2009, and while there were many model year changes and updates, it has started growing long in the tooth. Most importantly, it needs access to the great TNGA-F body-on-frame solution currently used by all contemporary rugged models from Toyota and Lexus (from the J300 Land Cruiser and XK70 Tundra to the J250 Lexus GX 550, among many others).No worries, the parallel universes of vehicular CGI are always ready to fulfill all desires especially if they're about bringing to life an all-new Toyota 4Runner. The good folks over at the Q Cars channel on YouTube are only the latest in a long line that aim to daze and amaze the audience with a potential styling of their vision for the next 4Runner. Even better, they're portraying the hypothetical 4Runner Hybrid here.Their resident pixel master is also expertly crafting a stylish yet rugged design for the unofficial project this CGI vehicle still looks very much like a contemporary Toyota from the front but comes with a 'meaty' profile that ditches the glass for the trunk space and also makes the rear seem distinctively modern with the full-width LED strip. However, if you want something more traditional, the second video embedded below comes from A1 Cars and only uses the power of AI software to make the current 4Runner seem a little more in tune with the 2020s.As for the hybrid powertrain, Toyota is expected to make the next 4Runner a sibling of the all-new N400 Tacoma, and that means it will inherit its powertrain setup, including the mighty i-Force Max system with 326 horsepower on tap. Will that be enough to beat the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco, especially the Raptor version? Tesla started Cybertruck deliveries two years later than it had planned, and the wait turned the angular pickup truck into a legend. Part of the delay was caused by Tesla's ambitions to revolutionize the way cars, especially pickup trucks, were designed and built. Although late to the table, the Cybertruck is arguably Tesla's most important model to date. EV Desirability: The Tesla Cybertruck is the most coveted car in history Technology leadership: The Cybertruck elevates Tesla above all other carmakers The Cybertruck is the first completely new model after Model 3 Tesla finally has a flagship model to boost brand awareness The Cybertruck will change the automotive industry like no other model in modern history Tesla has always been a company that challenged the establishment, even when it was inches away from being crushed by it. From the very beginning, Elon Musk's company has attempted the impossible, and against all odds, it succeeded. More than once, it almost went bankrupt, but it was saved miraculously by a genius move and a lot of luck.The hard times when Tesla struggled to ramp up Model 3 production in 2017-2019 are still fresh in Elon Musk's memory. However, Tesla has been a lot worse when the big financial crisis began in 2008. Back then, it was saved after Daimler made a sizeable investment in exchange for access to Tesla'stechnology. This helped Mercedes-Benz jump-start its EV program , culminating with the launch of the B-Class Electric Drive in 2013, using a Tesla battery and drivetrain.Tesla is in a much better position now, on a solid growth path and expanding its lines of business at a dizzying pace. Still, the struggles to launch the Cybertruck remind me of the many times Tesla had a close call . As always, these struggles were caused by Elon Musk's obsession with the extraordinary. Think about how difficult it was for Tesla to design the Falcon Wing doors of the Model X, let alone make them work as intended. When asked, Musk admitted he would not do a Model X with falcon doors if given the chance to start again. The Cybertruck had a similar fate, with the project modified and overhauled several times to include new features that Musk thought were cool. On top of this, the pandemic and, later, the chip crunch and the supply chain issues almost turned the Cybertruck into a Fata Morgana. Fewer and fewer people thought the Cybertruck would ever start production, even when all signs indicated that the Giga Texas production line was ready.Still, despite all these challenges, Tesla electric pickup finally started deliveries. About 600 units have already got into the hands of their owners, but Tesla still hasn't revealed all its secrets. Even so, it's evident that the Cybertruck is Tesla's most important model to date. There are several reasons why the outlandish electric pickup has become so crucial for Tesla, and here are five of them.Sure, everyone dreams of having a Bugatti or a Ferrari, but the Cybertruck is a desire that's within grasp for so many people. More than two million reservations have been made, and independent trackers show that Tesla added about 10,000 new reservations every week after the delivery event. This is unprecedented in the automotive industry, turning the Cybertruck into the most wanted vehicle ever produced.To be sure, Tesla is a bizarre case in this regard, being the only car brand that manages to be both ubiquitous and yet aspirational . Usually, people don't want something that almost everyone else has. The Tesla Model Y dethroned the Toyota Corolla and Honda Accord in sales last year and is on track to becoming the most-sold car in the world. Still, Tesla is perceived as cool, and everyone dreams of having one.With the Cybertruck, things are up one level. Besides being a Tesla, the Cybertruck is also unique in a way that no other pickup truck is. It comes with signature features that people want, although they never knew they needed. Take the bullet-proof body , for instance. Does anyone think it might come in handy sometimes? Definitely not, but it's one of the Cybertruck's unique selling points.Tesla was already the dominant EV maker in the market thanks to a unique blend of cutting-edge features, relatively affordable prices, and manufacturing capabilities. It's also on track to becoming the manufacturing leader, dethroning Toyota, thanks to its unique gigafactories, pioneering of single-piece megacastings, structural, and soon, the unboxed vehicle manufacturing process.With the Cybertruck, Tesla signals that it's also the undisputed technological leader. Although the 4680 battery cells developed for the Cybertruck still don't live up to expectations, they will only become better and cheaper, setting a new standard. Besides that, the Cybertruck introduces many new industry-firsts that all other carmakers will copy in the coming years.The single most significant change is the 48-volt electrical system. Tesla made another attempt at increasing the voltage of the auxiliary systems in a vehicle after legacy carmakers failed to make the change in the late 1990s. Tesla also made sure others would make the switch by offering the documentation for free to all industry leaders.This might seem like stating the obvious, but it's more than that. Tesla is among the most conservative carmakers when it comes to design changes. Even though its models have been continuously updated with new technologies and features, the design has remained basically unchanged. The Model S still looks pretty much the same as the one launched in 2012, although it's far from being the same vehicle.This goes for every other Tesla Model in production today, not to mention that the Model Y is almost identical to its smaller brother, the Model 3. With the Model 3 Highland, Tesla took a radically new approach, making drastic design changes. It also brought many new features, but that was expected anyway. Even so, the refreshed Model 3 is built using the same technologies as the original model.The Cybertruck is entirely different, with the development starting from a clean sheet of paper. Tesla could reinvent the pickup truck specifically because it didn't follow any model. And everything about the Cybertruck is new, in a high-risk, high-reward kind of way. This also required a lot of work and research and raised the development costs through the roof, but everyone drooling over a Cybertruck believed it was worth it.Although the Model S has been considered Tesla's technological showcase, it ceased to be one a long time ago. All the features introduced by the most recent variant are also present on the more affordable Model Y and the refreshed Model 3. There's one thing that the Model S has, and the others don't: the radar sensor. However, it appears that the radar is being deprecated again, as the Cybertruck doesn't feature one.The Model S has lost its magic aura, a fact that is obvious as you look at the sales figures. Combined with the Model X (Tesla doesn't break down the numbers), the Model S accounts for less than 5% of Tesla sales. Many factors contributed to this outcome, but the most important is that people don't want to buy sedans anymore, let alone $100K sedans.The Cybertruck, on the other hand, is right in the heart of the American market, attempting to conquer one of its hottest segments. Even at $120,000, the Cybertruck is perceived as good value, considering how many people want it. It has the technologies that no other car companies can offer, it has a design that is unlikely ever to be copied, and, despite being more expensive than predicted, it has the right price for current times. It's easy to understand why the Cybertruck will drive Tesla sales in the coming years, becoming the aspirational model in its lineup.Apart from being Tesla's most advanced model , the Cybertruck is also set to transform the automotive industry, or at least the way EVs are built. Even if the shape is less likely to influence car design, the Cybertruck's skin and, more importantly, what's underneath it is already causing many industry executives to lose sleep. And because Tesla is in a powerful position to impose these technologies, many will become industry standards.Starting with the 48-volt electrical system mentioned above, the Cybertruck will become the measuring stick for future electric vehicles. Ford's Jim Farley already thanked Elon Musk for the 48-volt electrical architecture blueprints and announced that Ford was already working on a similar change. This was probably not true, but it will happen in no time. All big EVs will need a 48-volt system in the future, and electric pickup trucks will be the first in line.Tesla went further and integrated the higher-voltage wiring with the Gigabit ethernet interconnect in a Power over Ethernet configuration. This will lower the costs and pave the way to adopting a faster communications backbone in future vehicles, both electrical and gas-powered. And thanks to higher voltage and very low-latency interconnect, cost-effective steer-by-wire systems are possible.It's safe to assume that steer-by-wire will at first be reserved for high-end models. With the exception of Tesla, all other carmakers lose money on EVs, and the last thing they need is a relatively expensive mechatronic system instead of a simple metal rod. However, as automated driving will catch up, having a steering shaft in the vehicle would be a waste. As an architect and the co-founder of a design studio, Sal is the sort of guy with a very keen eye for detail. He is therefore perfectly capable of appreciating a well-built custom motorcycle when he sees it and would only commission a project of his own to the most capable craftsmen out there. When it came time for his Honda CT110 to experience a custom reincarnation, Sal knew exactly who he needed to call. Hed met one of Ellaspedes founders back in college, and was fully aware of what he later went on to accomplish at the Brisbane-based shop. After a quick chat with the team, the little CT110 made its way to their garage and things got started right away. First things first, they sourced the stunning fuel tank of an older Honda and adapted it to fit its new host like it was always meant to be there.Interestingly enough, the original tank paint was retained along with its hard-earned patina. Some extensive frame tweaking was also needed for the whole setup to come together, and the bike now features a completely different anatomy to its former self. The rear end was shortened ever so slightly, then topped with a bespoke seat pan, high-density padding, and black leather upholstery.To put it all together, Ellaspede used contrasting orange stitching color-matched to the fuel tank livery a nice little touch that helps with visual continuity. You will find more snazzy leatherwork on the left-hand side, in the form of a small but useful pouch for storing a few essentials. The rear-end equipment is finished off with a compact license plate holder, Posh turn signals, and a thin LED lighting strip acting as the taillight.An identical pair of blinkers can be spotted at the front, attached to the reworked headlight brackets on each side of the stock headlamp. In the cockpit area, there is a chromed handlebar equipped with CNC-machined billet aluminum mirrors. Ellaspedes gurus kept the OEM brakes, but they had them refurbished for optimized stopping power fore and aft.The forks have also been rebuilt and subsequently fitted with fresh rubber gaiters for a fresh look. Power is transmitted to the rear wheel by way of a new drive chain and aftermarket sprockets, providing more suitable gearing for city riding. The creature's single-cylinder mill benefits from some intake andd exhaust mods, as well.Youll come across aftermarket air filtration hardware on the intake side of things, while the standard exhaust system has been swapped with a custom stainless-steel item built in-house. Despite this project being very straightforward by their standards, the Ellaspede squad still knocked it out of the ballpark and managed to make it truly outstanding. Modern cars are laden with high-tech systems, which require millions of lines of code. Many cars also happen to be fitted with emergency response systems, which in the event of a crash automatically contact and send GPS coordinates to emergency responders. On the other hand, this level of connectivity poses cybersecurity threats. Photo: SH Proshots EV kW kWh WLTP Any vehicle with a SIM card and/or an Internet connection is vulnerable, which is why both automakers and tech giants actively develop solutions to keep the baddies out of the car's electronic brains. The Ford Motor Company, for example, rolled out the heavily encrypted FNV electrical architecture for the 2021 model year in the Ford F-150 and the Mustang Mach-E.To a degree, legislators are aware of the cybersecurity threats impacting light-duty passenger vehicles. Due to growing cybersecurity concerns in new cars, UN Regulation 155 requires all new light-duty passenger vehicles in the European Union to adhere to strict cybersecurity standards to prevent malicious activity and obviously enough personal data theft.Stemmed from UNECE WP.29, the aforementioned regulation means that Porsche will kill off the internal combustion-engined Macan from its European lineup no later than July 2024. This information comes courtesy of Automotive News Europe. The Macan entered series production at the Leipzig assembly plant in Germany in February 2014, which in turn means that its electrical architecture is at least a decade old.Internally referred as 95B, the Macan was unveiled in November 2013 with Audi Q5 underpinnings. How similar are they, though? Simply put, the first-gen Q5 features the same wheelbase as the Macan.The platform in question is dubbed MLB B/C. The only MLB B/C-based models in production today are the Macan and a luxury-oriented sedan that serves as the spiritual successor to the Volkswagen Phaeton. The combustion-engined Macan's demise from the European market will certainly hurt Porsche.Not only does the Macan cost less than any other Porsche , but it sells like hotcakes. In 2022, for example, Macan deliveries totaled 86,724 units compared to 95,604 for the pricier and roomier Cayenne. Back in 2019, the Macan outsold the Cayenne (99,944 deliveries compared to 92,055 deliveries for the Cayenne).This isn't the end of the Macan in Europe, though, for the Macan EV is coming on an all-new platform developed by Porsche and Audi for next-generation electric vehicles. Based on Premium Platform Electric, the Macanhas been confirmed with 450(612 ps or 603 hp) and 1,000 Nm (738 pound-feet) of torque from a dual-motor configuration.The Volkswagen Group's PPE further supports rear-wheel drive, which if there's demand for a rear-drive crossover in Europe will be duly added to the lineup. The Macan EV's 100-battery is good for just around 500 kilometers on a full charge in the, which converts to 310 miles in old money. World-class workmanship is what weve come to expect from Tamarit Motorcycles, and the results of their painstaking labor never fail to impress. Looking back through the shops portfolio, youll find that even their older projects were absolutely top-notch by every metric. Nicknamed Veneno, the bike youre looking at here was Tamarits 101st build from a while back, but its no less intriguing than their more recent undertakings. It started out as a stock Triumph Bonneville T100, which was promptly dismantled upon arrival at their garage and set on a path toward street tracker styling. All the factory bodywork aside from the fuel tank has been eliminated, along with items such as the subframe, rear suspension, and lighting. Not even the gas tank remained unchanged, though, as it was stripped of its knee pads and Triumph badges.The latter made room for Tamarit-branded replacements with brass plating, but were far more captivated by the mods performed at the front and rear. Where the OEM subframe had once been, you will now see a bare-bones cantilever seat pan topped with thin but comfortable padding and black leather upholstery. Furthermore, the Spanish customization gurus converted the Bonneville s rear suspension for twin shocks to a single unit.Some heavy tweaking and bracing of the swingarm was needed to make the new arrangement fit, and they pulled it off in spectacular fashion. Rounding out the equipment in that area are dual multi-function LEDs and a stylish badge depicting the projects name and number, all attached to the underside of the seat base. Although things arent quite as complicated at the front, the whole setup is still a sight to behold.A tracker-style number board replaces the original headlamp, complete with an integrated LED lighting strip near the bottom. Lower down, we notice an aftermarket spotlight providing additional illumination, while the standard forks are now equipped with custom guards and spring-like embellishments. The brakes received fresh rotors for improved stopping power on both ends.In the cockpit, Veneno wears a low-profile handlebar with adjustable control levers, bar-end mirrors, and Biltwell grips. Most of the other goodies youll spot there came from Motogadgets range, including the switches, digital Motoscope Pro dial, and bar-end turn signals. The motorcycles parallel-twin mill saw its covers nickel-plated for extra durability and a lustrous finish.Tamarit swapped the factory exhaust with a high-mounted two-into-one item from Zard, while adding K&N pod filters at the other end of the combustion cycle. A drilled sump guard protects the engines underside during off-road excursions, and Continentals beefy TKC 80 Twinduro knobbies provide plentiful grip both on and off the tarmac. Lastly, Veneno s paintwork is an all-black affair, further highlighting the tasty finishes found on things like the swingarm and engine cases. 1 January 2024 09:00 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more Although many commentators have marked 2020 as the most turbulent year for Armenia, it can also be considered the most successful turning year for the future of Armenia and the security of the region as a whole. There is a saying that you can't judge a book by its cover. Although Armenia started 2020 with a defeat, we would not be wrong to say that in the end a more favorable result was reached for both Azerbaijan and Armenia. For 30 years, the frozen conflict did not bring dividends to either side. Just occupying the empty territories, Armenia could not achieve any progress due to its economic backwardness and the lack of border relations with both neighboring states (Azerbaijan and Turkiye). The empty territories in the occupied Garabagh and Zangazur regions were rendered unusable by the Armenian military units. In fact, since the 1990s, Armenia has caught up in its euphoria and could not see the realities in the region. The first Garabagh war created a deceptive impression on Armenia and had a serious impact on the country's economic development. Yerevan thought that the coming decades would gradually archive the Garabagh conflict and with the support it received from the West and the neighboring states, it would be able to freeze the long-standing conflict. But the reality did not reflect this. Because Armenia could not even imagine what the achievements of the other side, that is, Azerbaijan, would give it in the past 30 years. From the 1990s to 2020, there was already an enormous turn in the economy of Azerbaijan. In Armenia, on the contrary, what was achieved was almost exhausted. The most tragic point was that Armenia was not aware of the situation that it was in. When Nikol Pashinyan, the Prime Minister of Armenia came to power after the revolution in 2018, he was conscious of the situation in his country. Even at the initial stage of his rule, he mentioned several times that he would take a more adequate step in restoring relations with Azerbaijan. Pashinyan was aware of the fact that a criminogenic situation had arisen around him. Because the Garabagh clan, which threatened him while he was in power, was Russia's closest ally. Pashinyan, who won the prime minister's chair with the support of the Western allies, saw a concrete step regarding the Garabagh issue only in war. Because otherwise serious threats to his life were expected. In fact, the Second Garabagh War was more a war between the Garabagh clan and its separatist forces against Azerbaijan than the Pashinyan authority. Nikol Pashinyan, knowing that he would be defeated, chose this war as a guarantor of his future destiny, and with no surprise after his defeat, he was able to regain his post. But how did it happen that the Armenian government, which neglected the fate of Garabagh in the South Caucasus, was once again supported by the West, which wanted to prolong the conflict? First of all, it should be noted that Armenia has a close relationship with France, which is the leading power in the European Union, and this always creates opportunities for the forces that control Armenia from abroad to intervene in the South Caucasus region. In general, Armenia is the only springboard that can satisfy the West's interest in the region, as well as against its rival Russia. For this reason, Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of Armenia, who lost more than 5,000 manpower and nearly 38.5 billion US dollars in the war, was supported both within the country and by the Western forces he was allied with. Of course, the political position of the Armenian leadership did not satisfy Russia. The situation was already beginning to take on a dual nature Yerevan, on the one hand, recognised Azerbaijans territorial integrity, on the other hand, it supported the illegal separatist regime in Garabagh. Time was very short for Pashinyan because any decision made could have an immediate impact on the situation in the region. The only thing that was impossible was that Armenia had the potential to resort to war again. For this reason, Armenia has to sacrifice a group of separatist cliques operating illegally in Garabagh. Pashinyan defeated his biggest rivals The separatist remnants that formed terrorist groups in Garabagh were actually more of an open threat to the Armenian authorities than to Azerbaijan. Because the "heads" of representatives of the separatist forces tried to gain power by overthrowing Pashinyan at any moment. Therefore, the most reliable center for them was Yerevan rather than Garabagh. However, the spontaneously planned mission was leading the separatist forces to surrender to Azerbaijan every day - simply no option was left for them to turn back. Pashinyan's move further infuriates Russia As the Garabagh conflict was resolved in favor of Azerbaijan rifts began to grow between Russia and Pashinyan's government. Pashinyan's accusation of Russia leaving Armenia helpless was a kind of excuse to get his collar off Moscow's grips. But when the matter is approached from the context of truth, it creates a different picture. While serving the West, Pashinyan could not pursue a common policy with Russia. For this reason, the processes led to both Armenia's desire to leave the CSTO, and the demand to withdraw the 102nd Russian military base from the territory of Armenia. In 2024, leadership of the Eurasian Economic Union will symbolically pass from Russia to Armenia. At the summit held on December 25 in St. Petersburg, Russia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that the Eurasian Economic Union should be focused on purely economic issues and should not include any "political and geopolitical agenda". According to the Prime Minister of Armenia, the fact that the union is related to political ambitions is against the principles of the institution. "The basic freedoms of trade and Eurasian integration cannot and should not be restricted for political reasons, as this will lead to the erosion of the basic principles of the union," Pashinyan said. However, it is still questionable what Armenia thinks about the peace treaty with Azerbaijan in 2024. The incumbent Armenian leadership, which is trying to further distance itself from Russia, says that it will fully resolve its obligations in the peace issue as of this year. Yerevan has already received Azerbaijan's package of peace proposals, and one of its provisions is the opening of the Zangazur corridor, the most strategic line of communication. In addition, the peace agreement to be signed between the parties does not mean the final solution of all issues. All this, of course, will depend on Armenia fulfilling certain obligations contained in the package of proposals from this moment on. --- Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews Deputy Editor-in-Chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 January 2024 14:23 (UTC+04:00) Last year, Baku ranked second among the cities where Turkish citizens searched for air tickets the most through the online sales platform, Azernews informs referring to Report. According to information, the cities of Nicosia, Baku, Batumi, Tehran, and Belgrade are ranked first among the cities where Turkish citizens are looking for air tickets the most. Sofia (Bulgaria) - Thessaloniki (Greece), Paris (France) - Lisbon (Portugal) and Tbilisi (Georgia) - Baku (Azerbaijan) were ranked first among the bus tours searched by "obilet" users among foreign countries during the reporting period. Istanbul-Sofia, Istanbul-Thessaloniki, and Istanbul-Batumi were the most popular bus trips from Turkey. During this period, the price of domestic bus tickets changed from 10 TL to 1,700 TL, international bus tickets from 130 TL to 7,500 TL, domestic air tickets from 193 TL to 6,099 TL, and the price of international air tickets changed from 277 TL to 140,066 TL. It should be noted that the interest in visa-free countries has increased due to the increase in the rejection rate of visa applications of Turkish citizens. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 January 2024 21:28 (UTC+04:00) The President of the Czech Republic, Peter Pavel, in his New Year's address to his compatriots, called on concrete steps for the country to adopt a single European currency, Azernews reports, citing Novinky.cz. He recalled that when the country joined the European Union in 2004, it "voluntarily accepted" the obligation to switch to euro payments. "The time has come for us to start taking concrete steps to implement this commitment (accepting the euro - Note)," the president said. P. Pavel also reminded that the Czech Republic will fulfill its commitment to NATO by increasing defense spending to 2% of GDP in 2024. He called it necessary to take harsh measures that are not approved by the population in order to save state budget funds, which came into force at the initiative of the government. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 January 2024 12:53 (UTC+04:00) There were fireworks in Shusha on the occasion of World Azerbaijani Solidarity Day and New Year. Azernews reported that it was possible to watch the holiday fireworks from the entire city. Fireworks have painted the sky of Garabagh and ancient Shusha in crimson color. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 January 2024 09:18 (UTC+04:00) Formerly displaced persons and refugees will return to several more residential settlements in 2024. I want to share the joyful news with them today and inform that the villages of Karkijahan, Malibayli, and Turshsu will be completely restored and made available to the formerly displaced persons during the upcoming year. Residents of Khojaly and Khankendi will also return to their homes, President Ilham Aliyev said in his address on the occasion of the World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and New Year. The head of state emphasized that, in addition, several residential settlements will be ready to accommodate formerly displaced persons. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 January 2024 13:17 (UTC+04:00) Brenda Shaffer, the American scholar who holds positions as a Fellow with the Atlantic Council and professor at the University of Haifa, has shared a post on her book about Azerbaijanis living in South Azerbaijan, the present Iranian territory, Azernews reports. In her post, Shaffer says: Today marks World Azerbaijani Solidarity Day. For those interested in learning more about the Azerbaijani community in Iran (close to a third of the population of Iran), see the book 'Iran Is More Than Persia'. Today marks World Azerbaijani Solidarity Day. For those interested in learning more about the the #Azerbaijani community in Iran (close to a third of the population of #Iran), see the book #IranIsMoreThanPersia. https://t.co/Vof9UCurk9 Brenda Shaffer (@ProfBShaffer) December 31, 2023 B.Shaffer was the former research director of the Caspian Studies Program at Harvard Kennedy School and past president of the Foreign Policy Section of the American Political Science Association. She specializes in energy in international relations and energy policy in the Caspian region and has written or edited several books on these topics, including "Energy Politics" and "Beyond the Resource Curse." Shaffer has also written a number of books on the topic of identity and culture in the Caucasus including explorations of Azerbaijani literature and culture. Shaffer was later harassed by Armenian lobbyists for her pro-Azerbaijani sympathies and was later blamed for her outspoken stance. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa said it has been confirmed that many buildings collapsed after Monday's magnitude 7.6 earthquake. He made the statement at a second emergency news conference. He said the government will continue to assess the full extent of the damage from the quake that struck central Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture, along the Japan Sea coast. Hayashi said he has received information that there have been six reports of people trapped under collapsed buildings or due to other circumstances resulting from the quake. He asked people to pay close attention to emergency information and take action to protect themselves. Hayashi called on people in areas where tsunami warnings have been issued to immediately evacuate to higher ground or safe places. He said some parts of five expressways have been closed, and some Joetsu Shinkansen and some sections of Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet trains have been suspended. He said he has heard that Noto Airport is closed to traffic. He also said power is out at 33,000 households, and mobile phone communication services have been disrupted in Ishikawa and Niigata prefectures. Hayashi said a fire broke out at a transformer at a Shika nuclear power plant, but it has been extinguished and had no impact on the plant. He said no abnormalities have been confirmed at any nuclear facilities. 1 January 2024 15:21 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez. According to Azernews, the letter reads: To His Excellency Mr. Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, President of the Republic of Cuba t is on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Republic of Cuba Liberation Day that on my behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I cordially congratulate you and through you, your entire people. We attach special importance to the comprehensive development of traditional friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Cuba. I believe that we will successfully continue our joint efforts to strengthen relations between our countries, and further expand our bilateral and multilateral cooperation in line with the interests of our peoples. Taking this pleasant opportunity, I extend my sincerest congratulations to you on the occasion of the New Year 2024 and wish everlasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Cuba. Sincerely, Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku, 29 December 2023 --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 January 2024 12:00 (UTC+04:00) Russia started to chair the CIS as of the new year. Referring to Russian media, Azernews reports that the chairmanship of the organization has been transferred from Kyrgyzstan to Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier that the country expects to continue working on a more active transition to national currencies in mutual settlements in the economic sphere. He also noted the importance of joint action of the CIS countries in the fight against terrorism and extremism, cross-border crime and illegal drug trafficking, and corruption. Besides, Russia intends to focus on the expansion of cultural and humanitarian relations, and cooperation in the fields of health, science, education, and sports. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 1 January 2024 19:21 (UTC+04:00) The court of Bangladesh sentenced Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mohammad Yunus to 6 months in prison. Azernews reports referring to the Dhaka Tribune that along with M. Yunus, the head of the Grameen Telecom telecommunication company founded by him was also convicted. They were also fined 5,000 taka (US$45) on one count and 25,000 taka (US$227) on the other count. The 83-year-old economist, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his work in the field of economic development, became internationally recognized after he started providing microloans to the poor in rural Bangladesh through Grameen Bank, which he founded in 1983. It was reported that later the country's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accused Muhammad Yunus of enslaving farmers financially. It should be noted that in 2022, the Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission started investigating the charity funds of M. Yunus. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz BY: Hood Richardson Let me be careful with my use of the words of and at. I am not claiming abuse at the jail. I am aware of abuse of the jail (system). A few years ago the issue of building a new jail prompted me to ask a one word question? Why? Several Commissioners and others promptly told me that I only need to vote to spend the $25,000,000 to build the jail at Chocowinity. That was my job as Commissioner to Give people what they want. After several months of investigation, I discovered the jail was just as mismanaged as the schools and some other County Departments. The upshot was that we did not build a new jail. We reduced the population of the existing jail drastically. There were a lot of reasons why the jail was full, with projections for higher inmate populations down the road. The short answer was there was little effort on the part of all the people who had a hand in determining the jail population in getting people out in an efficient manner. We had more than 20 people who had been there more than a year without a trial date being set. To the credit of all who had a hand in determining jail population, the population was reduced. This includes Judges, the District Attorney, the Sheriffs Department, along with several other cooperating agencies. We got a good boost in this effort from COVID. The list of long-term guests who had been in the custody of Beaufort County more than 6 months was reduced to 9 according to the jail report at the end of December. One of the standouts in the jail population is Paquon Shabrien Coffey who was arrested on October 5 of 2020 and charged with capitol murder, a death penalty charge. He has been in jail awaiting trial for three years and three months. The cost to keep him there is about $50 per day. The cost to date is $59,250.00. Paquon Coffey's court appointed lawyer is Kenneth F. Crow with the firm of Greene, Wilson, Crow and Smith in New Bern. Attorney Crow has been paid $29,529.00 according to the court file. There could be more. Since Crow is a court appointed attorney and therefore his fees were paid by the State taxpayers. The taxpayers have about $89,000 invested in this individual with no trial date in sight. Looking at Attorney Crows biography, he seems to have the qualifications to keep Mr. Coffey in the Beaufort County jail for another three years. Mr. Crow is a retired Superior Court Judge (13 years) and a District Court Judge. Attorney Crow worked three years as an Assistant District Attorney The problem with this situation is that a murder trial should not take more than one year and if convicted the individual goes to the State Prison System. There are a lot of advantages to dragging out any trial. Witnesses may die, move away, or get dementia. You never know when you can get someone like Judge Braddy from Pitt County. You just may find that Judge who is willing to declare that Coffee did not intend to commit murder, so he is innocent. Attorney Crow has had some success already. On February 21, 2022 the charges were reduced to non-capitol murder. That was almost one year ago. I found nothing in the court file to indicate a justification for this reduction in charges. One would have thought there would have been a trial shortly after the charges were reduced. Maybe Attorney Crow is waiting for the end of time. Justice is missing in this case. The Taxpayers of Beaufort County deserve justice. What the Beaufort County taxpayer are getting is the abuse of the law and the jail. Surely Kenneth F. Crow spent enough time on the bench to be able to distinguish between justice" and the law. Surely Judge Crow, as an Officer of the Court understands that it is his duty to not abuse the judicial, legal and jail systems. The US Constitution says one is entitled to a speedy trial. That is unless one wants to wait for the witnesses to die. 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The NHS Confederation issued the warning as it reiterated its call for the walkouts to be called off and said trust bosses should not be forced into this position again. It said the industrial action will leave hospitals, GP surgeries and other services skating on very thin ice and in a highly vulnerable position because it coincides with what is traditionally the busiest week of year for the NHS. Flu and winter illnesses, combined with rising staff absences due to coronavirus, are set to add more pressure to services that will already be stretched by the strike. The Government and British Medical Association (BMA) union must resume talks so a lasting compromise can be found for the sake of the patients, the confederation added. Junior doctors and members of the British Medical Association on the picket line outside Leicester Royal Infirmary during their continuing dispute over pay (PA) Junior doctors are set to walk out from 7am on January 3 until 7am on January 9. The strike amounts to 144 consecutive hours of industrial action the longest in the 75-year history of the health service. The union wants junior doctors to get a 35% pay rise, which it says would restore their real earnings to 2008 levels, but the Government says this is unaffordable. An agreement allows striking junior doctors to be recalled for major incidents and in extreme circumstances. The confederation is urging the BMA to respond quickly to requests for junior doctors to be recalled and for the judgement of senior medics to be trusted when they say they need cover from those on strike. NHS Confederation chief executive Matthew Taylor said: Many NHS trusts will have thin rotas and will be in a highly vulnerable position as they enter what is widely regarded as the busiest week of the year for local NHS services. Parts of the NHS will be skating on very thin ice, and they will need the BMA to back any recall requests for junior doctors when services find themselves under extreme pressure. With the chances of the strikes being called off all but over, the focus of every NHS leader and their staff is now on mitigating as many of the considerable risks that they face as possible. But they shouldnt have to be forced into this position again, especially at such a busy time for local services. To face almost 150 hours of continuous stoppages is a serious and unprecedented risk and one that NHS leaders and their staff have never experienced before. The good news is that the NHS has again prepared extensively and has had to become adept at planning for strikes. While they will again do all they can to mitigate the risks, especially for patients needing emergency care, they have again been left with no choice but to schedule in less activity in anticipation of the strikes. That means more delays for patients who have faced lengthy waits for routine treatment. The NHS is bracing for a difficult few days (PA) Figures released last month showed more than 1.2 million appointments have had to be postponed because of industrial action in the NHS since it began in December 2022. Strikes by junior doctors last month caused around 86,000 appointments to be put back. Both strikes are expected to add to a growing post-pandemic backlog and make it harder for key waiting time targets to be hit. Comedian Kathy Griffin has separated from her husband, Randy Bick (Ian West/PA) Comedian Kathy Griffin has said she has been comforted by actress Jane Fonda amid her divorce from husband Randy Bick. Griffin, 63, married Bick in a 2020 ceremony officiated by actress Lily Tomlin, after they had been in a relationship since 2011. Court documents filed in the Superior Court of California last week said the couple separated three days before Christmas, just over a week before they were set to celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary on January 1. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Griffin shared a photo on social media of herself and Fonda eating fruit with their arms wrapped round each other. She wrote: Me: Fonda, its Griffin. My heart is broken. I cant eat. I cant sleep. @Janefonda: Come on over kid. Ill feed you and Ill listen to you. After news first emerged of the divorce filing, Griffin seemingly acknowledged the news on social media, writing: Well sh*t. This sucks. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content She was previously married to actor Matt Moline from 2001 to 2006. Griffin is known for her stand-up comedy, winning two Emmy awards for outstanding reality programme in 2007 and 2008 for her show Kathy Griffin: My Life On The D-List. She also won a Grammy award in 2014 for her comedy album Calm Down Gurrl. Griffin also appeared in TV programmes including Suddenly Susan alongside Brooke Shields, and The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air with Will Smith. In August 2021, the US star revealed she had been diagnosed with lung cancer even though Ive never smoked and was to have surgery to remove part of the affected area. She later revealed she was cancer-free in an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! Griffin also holds a Guinness World Record for the most televised comedy specials by any comedian in history, which she achieved in June 2013. Four of Northern Irelands health trusts were under extreme pressure on New Years Day, with appeals issued for available staff to report for duty. Posting on X, formerly Twitter, the Belfast, Northern, South Eastern and Western trusts also warned the public about overwhelmed hospitals. During the winter months, our hospitals are under increasing pressure and we need to ensure beds are available for patients who need them most, the Belfast Trust said. We are asking patients who doctors have assessed as being fit for discharge to work with us to get home or to appropriate community care. The Northern Trust said: Our emergency departments at Antrim & Causeway continue to be under extreme pressure today, with long waits for those whose condition is not life-threatening or urgent. Please understand our staff are working hard in difficult conditions. As of 6pm on Monday the average waiting time to be seen at the Causeway Hospital emergency department was 314 minutes, while it was 246 minutes at the Mater Hospital and 125 minutes at Antrim Area Hospital. On December 13, Peter May, permanent secretary at the Department of Health, issued an appeal to the public ahead of the expected winter surge. Services are under severe pressure all year round. However, this intensifies further in winter months when there are greater levels of illness in the community, he said in a statement. The department published a detailed Winter Preparedness Plan for the health and social care system in October, setting out a series of investments, initiatives and priorities. However, we were clear that while these measures can mitigate winter pressures, they cannot prevent them. Longer-term solutions are needed to bridge the gap between demand for care and existing capacity to provide that care. Sadly, the current gap means that many patients will face delays for care and far too many of these delays will be lengthy. Health and Social Care workers will work relentlessly to prioritise care according to need, treating the sickest quickest. I cannot praise or thank them enough and I would appeal to the public to be patient with staff and support them in every way they can. They have not created this situation and are doing the best they can to work through it. They didnt know that the man kneeling down by the heart-shaped rose petals a violent killer and a convicted domestic abuser A cold and callous killer went viral after he proposed in public despite still serving a life sentence for murder. David Monster Thompson got down on one knee outside Belfasts Victoria Square shopping centre just a few days before Christmas. The proposal was filmed by members of the public who applauded and cheered the big romantic gesture. They didnt know that the man kneeling down by the heart-shaped rose petals a violent killer and a convicted domestic abuser. And Thompson who has Fear God tattooed on his eyelids has more than a sickening murder to his name. He was also jailed last year for throwing hot coffee over his last wife, who he met while serving a minimum 15-year sentence for beating a man to death. His proud wife-to-be, Natalie Currie, told the Sunday World: Hes a gentleman, Im lucky to have him and Im the girl to change him. Two months ago, he was released from Maghaberry Prison and moved to an open jail to complete the rest of his sentence. He is still subject to strict curfews as a Phase One inmate, but he hasnt let that get in the way of his love life. Thompson, who chose Valentines Day 2022 to chuck roasting coffee over his last wife, had gathered a number of balloons, a bottle of bubbly and a busker to play a romantic tune as he carried out his seemingly heart-warming marriage request. His bride-to-be Natalie is seen emerging from a crowd of people who gathered to watch the surprise proposal. When she says yes, Thompson slips an engagement ring on her finger and the pair share a kiss, a loving embrace and a little dance, all while members of the public clap and cheer. She also posted a video to her TikTok page with the Diana Ross and Lionel Ritchie hit Endless Love playing over the montage, which shows her engagement ring. Natalie told the Sunday World she has known David Thompson for years. She believes she can keep him on the straight and narrow. Ive known him for years and years and I know all about his convictions, including the one where he threw coffee over his wife, she told us. Hes done his time and hes a changed boy. Hes found the right woman now and we hope everything will go well for us now. Hes clean from taking drugs and hes entitled to have a life now that hes served his time. Im the girl to keep him on the straight and narrow. David Thompson's 'Fear God' tattoos on his eyelids He treats me really well. He looks after me. Hes a gentleman and Im lucky to have him. Natalie was swept off her feet by Thompson last week in Belfast city centre as he dropped his shock proposal on her but she says the couple have yet to set a date to tie the knot. Im not some random girl whos just met him, she said. Ive known him for years and weve had a wee connection for a long time but weve never been able to do anything about it. I got talking to him properly when he was out a couple of years ago just before he went away for the coffee attack. Im the girl to change him. David is doing everything by the book and its going well. Hes living a clean life now. Sources who know Thompson say they cant believe he has found a second woman to marry him while serving a life sentence for murder. And they reckon its only a matter of time before he turns violent again. The 43-year-old was given a life sentence in 2001 for the murder of Ryan Neill in the early hours of St Patricks Day the previous year, and served 15 years for the killing. He was just 20 when he punched and kicked his victim, a complete stranger, in a senseless attack in Antrim. In 2019, the Sunday World revealed shocking video footage of Thompson who was out on licence beating up a teenager and a man with special needs outside a shop in Antrim in a shocking unprovoked attack. He had his licence revoked and was sent back to Maghaberry Prison. On top of his assault and murder convictions, he was also convicted of three robberies, GBH, criminal damage and escaping from lawful custody. The thugs Monster nickname was revealed by several witnesses during his court appearances in connection with the murder of Ryan Neill. Natalie Currie says Thompson is the perfect gentleman. Nobody can believe hes managed to get a second woman to agree to marry him, said a source in Antrim. Monster is exactly what it says on the tin hes a complete monster and all he knows is violence. Earlier this year, Thompson left TV viewers gobsmacked as he bragged on a BBC documentary, presented by Stephen Nolan, about how much he loved being inside Maghaberry Prison. Its brilliant. I love the staff and the prisoners here are good craic. I love it, said a smirking Thompson. Its not hard. I like the [cell] door being locked. Its my own time. Quality time. Read more Killer nicknamed Monster who claimed to love life behind bars on Nolan doc set to be freed Asked by Nolan how he copes with life in jail, Thompson replied: Its all about the mind; its all about how you use the mind... I am comfortable there. I dont come into jail and go, Aaah. What do I want out for? A burger? Sure you can get something to eat here. Sex? Sure you can do that yourself in the cell. Its no big deal. What else do you need in life? But a source told the Sunday World he was hated inside the jail. Everyone hated him because he used to... get special treatment, they told us. He ran around Erne House (in Maghaberry) bullying other prisoners for their meds. He tried to escape from the prison hospital after an overdose but he was restrained by a female screw. Monster was one of the worst prisoners in Maghaberry but he still got released at the end of his tariff date. Last year, Thompson was sent back to Maghaberry after a disgusting attack on his last wife. Ballymena Magistrates Court heard in July 2022 how Thompson and his wife had formed a relationship while he was in custody and they married in 2012. A prosecutor said there had been an argument between the pair on February 14 that year and Thompson threw a mug of hot coffee over the back of his wifes head. Read more Early release scheme for NI prisons being considered as population soars Thompson was recently moved to Burren House, an open prison in Belfast where life-sentence prisoners go in preparation for full release. He is still a prisoner despite the relaxed regime and any misdemeanour could see him returned to Maghaberry. He was returned in 2019 for the unprovoked attack on the two people at the shop in Antrim while he was off his head. He left locals disgusted after he targeted a man with special needs, leaving him dazed on the street outside the Spar in the Parkhall estate. In a three-minute rampage, Thompson was seen staggering into the car park just after 8am, wearing only a pair of trousers as children pass him on their way to school. Looking disorientated, he tried to climb over a wall and fell over it head-first. He then scrambled back to his feet and up a grass bank before lurching across a main road where he had an altercation with a tree. Its not clear in the video if he hugged it or punched it. He staggered back towards the shop and punched a teenage boy twice in the head. The victim managed to stay on his feet. As a young mum with two schoolchildren walked past him, Thompson was seen running into the shop entrance. He then reappeared seconds later and punched a second victim, who fell over a gas tank and onto the ground. Thompson stumbled towards the mum and her children and had a heated exchange with her before disappearing off camera. At the time, the UVF threatened anyone sharing the footage because Thompson was suspected of being involved in moving drugs for them. Sources in Antrim say Thompson remains fearful of his violent brother Gary, who is serving a seven-year sentence in Maghaberry Prison for his role in events connected to the 2015 murder of Chinese takeaway owner Nelson Cheung in Antrim town. He admitted a charge of robbing a handbag from Winnie Cheung, the murder victims wife. David Thompson was put under threat from the UDA in 2017 when he gave police a statement connecting Gary to the murder of Randalstown businessman Cheung, who was killed when he was stabbed after his car was run off the road. Gary posted Davids statement on Facebook and taunted him by suggesting he keep talking to the police. He branded his brother a tout and David was threatened by the UDA, while the PSNI warned him that his life was in danger. Andy McGrory wearing a Lydia Ross t-shirt after the team's win against Glenavon on Saturday. Photo: Pacemaker Press Famliy and friends carry the coffin of Lydia Ross from First Ballymoney Presbyterian Church. Image: Peter Morrison/PressEye Famliy and friends carry the coffin of Lydia Ross from First Ballymoney Presbyterian Church. Image: Peter Morrison/PressEye Lydia Ross had experienced the best year of her life shortly before her death in a crash, mourners were told at a thanksgiving service on New Years Day. The 21-year-old, who died in a single-vehicle crash near Aghadowey last Thursday, was remembered as special, caring and loved during the service at the First Ballymoney Presbyterian Church. There are no words to express the loss felt by friends and family her parents Paul and Ruth, sisters Hannah and Mollie and brother-in-law Alex. Read more New report reveals NI road deaths in 2023 reached highest level in eight years A photograph of Lydia was displayed on a screen throughout the service with the Christmas tree still decorating the church. Rev Stephen McCracken told those gathered that Lydias family decided to let the lights stay on because she loved Christmas and our hope is that God has come into the world amongst us, in love of us. Lydias family and friends gathered in the church with Rev McCracken introducing one of her closest friends, Sarah. She said there are no words to put Lydias loss into perspective. Lydia Ross. Picture: DJM Robinson & Son She added: But there are words for Lydias laugh: loud, hearty, contagious. There are words for Lydias hair: long, beautiful, ginger. And there are words for Lydia: special, caring, loved. There actually arent enough words for Lydia because we could go on all day. Read more Dad leads tributes to his football fan 'princess' after NI crash death tragedy Sarah said speaking to Lydia shortly before she died, they reflected on the past year and Lydia said: You know what, 2023 was the best year of my life. And I know there are people here today that were a part of this past year for Lydia, so all I can say is, and I know she would agree, Thank you for the memories, thank you for the moments and thank you for the music, she concluded. Sisters Hannah and Mollie then delivered a joint tribute. They said: To our little sister Lydia, what a princess you were. You were perfect in every way, especially your long, strawberry blond hair. We will never forget our dress-up days, such a good taste and style you had, photo shoots have always been our thing, no photo of you could have been bad. You were the queen of many things, from prom queen, dancing queen, to gifting and organising events. Christmas was your time to shine with the matching Christmas PJs and beyond thoughtful presents. Our memories together are endless, London getaways, and walks on the port. You told us you wanted to live life, as the saying goes, life is too short. Famliy and friends carry the coffin of Lydia Ross from First Ballymoney Presbyterian Church. Image: Peter Morrison/PressEye You will always be with us in spirit because were reminded of you everywhere we go. You made such an impact in your 21 years, you touched more lives than you know. The three musketeers will remain forever even though its not the same, one third of us is now in Heaven, its our loss but Heavens gain. A tribute by her father Paul was read out in which he described her as his princess. He said she loved dressing up and drama at Garryduff Primary School which led her on to drama school. She attended Cambridge House Grammar School where she became friends with the best bunch of kids you could ever wish to meet. At the formal she was awarded prom queen and was instrumental in organising events to keep the group of friends together. For six years Paul and Lydia travelled all over the country together supporting Ballymena United, where they made many good friends over the years. Andy McGrory wearing a Lydia Ross t-shirt after the team's win against Glenavon on Saturday. Photo: Pacemaker Press On Saturday, Ballymena players wore T-shirts carrying her photograph in tribute before kick-off at their game against Glenavon. A minutes applause was also held in the 21st minute by fans, players and club staff to remember Lydia. The tribute also took place at all other Irish League Premiership matches on Saturday. Pauls memorial concluded: We as a family had the pleasure of having Lydia for 21 years, to say we will miss Lydia is an understatement. The house will be so much quieter but we will never stop talking about her or living our lives the way Lydia would have wanted. Swimmers at Crawfordsburn Beach in Co Down for Cancer Focus NIs annual Dare to Dip challenge (Picture by Brian Morrison) Swimmers take a dip in Carnlough for the Ballymena branch of the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association (picture by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press) Swimmers take a dip in Carnlough for the Ballymena branch of the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association (picture by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press) Swimmers at Crawfordsburn Beach in Co Down for Cancer Focus NIs annual Dare to Dip challenge (Picture by Brian Morrison) Mum Sophie Moulds and dad Harry with son Alfie (Photo by Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker) People often ring in the new year with a bang, but for these families 2024 has brought in several bundles of joy. The first baby to arrive in Northern Ireland this year was Marisa McBrides son, Isaac, who was born at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast at 40 seconds past midnight, weighing 7lbs. He is Marisas first baby, and both she and her husband Michael knew that they were expecting a boy. Me and the husband were the only ones that knew [his name] until he was born, she said. Marisa McBride with son Isaac (Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker) One thing not planned was the date of his arrival. He was expected on January 7, the new mum explained, adding Isaacs early birth was a result of a medical induction. Marisa, from Lambeg, said it felt very strange to make the news with her newborn son but that it would definitely make good memories for birthdays in the future. She said she was terrified her waters would break over Christmas and was glad to be going home today. Maybe when I get out of hospital well do something nice, but not for the time being, said Marisa. Sophie Moulds and husband Harry were the next happy parents, welcoming Alfie at 12.43am on Monday. He was also delivered in the Royal in Belfast, weighing 8lbs and 4oz. Elsewhere, midwife Kiara McElroy was delighted to help with the arrival of baby Jude Reid at 9.53am at the Ulster Hospital. He entered the world weighing 9lbs and 9oz. While new mothers and fathers were welcoming their babies to the world, others were leaping into the new year with a splash. At Crawfordsburn beach in Co Down, around 250 people gathered to take the plunge for Cancer Focus NIs annual Dare to Dip swim. The event raises thousands of pounds for the cancer charity every year. The money raised this year will go towards its family support service which works with 358 parents, carers, and children in a range of one-to-one and group programmes including family bereavement, memory work and teenage groups. Midwife Kiara McElroy and Jude Reid (Photo by Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker) In Carnlough, Co Antrim, New Years Day swimmers braved the icy waters at the harbour in aid of the Ballymena branch of the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association. The event has been running for more than 50 years. This year, many of the people taking part opted to jump into the waves while wearing fancy dress. Swimmers take a dip in Carnlough for the Ballymena branch of the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association (picture by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press) New Years Day also marked the start of the Dip A Day challenge. The sustainable clothing company Wild & Free is encouraging people to embrace the benefits of cold water therapy in January to help raise money for three mental health charities. People have been asked to share their progress throughout the month by posting on social media with the hashtag #WFDIPADAY. Swimmers at Crawfordsburn Beach in Co Down for Cancer Focus NIs annual Dare to Dip challenge (Picture by Brian Morrison) For every one posted, Wild & Free will donate 5 to the challenges three mental health charities, Aware, Samaritans and Pieta House. The daily dip can be a cold shower, a sea swim or a dip in an ice bath. People taking part in the challenge are invited to join Wild & Free and wellness blogger Little Penny Thoughts for a community sea dip at Helens Bay on Sunday, January 28. Police are appealing for information after a car was set on fire in north Belfast. Videos of the incident which occurred on Saturday evening, have been circulating on social media which show the car burning next to commercial properties in the North Queen Street area. Another video appears to show masked men attacking the vehicle with bats prior to it being set on fire, however its unclear when this video was taken. Men hitting a car in north Belfast with baseball bats. Following the report, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue service attended the incident and the fire was extinguished. Its not believed anyone was injured. North Belfast SDLP councillor Carl Whyte called the scenes chilling and those responsible have no regard for residents. "This is a chilling scene that will cause serious concern across the community. Theres no justification for it and those responsible clearly have no regard for the safety of local residents, he told the Belfast Telegraph. "I would appeal to anyone with information to come forward to police as soon as possible. Alliance councillor for the area, Sam Nelson, echoed Mr Whytes comments and said incidents such as these achieve nothing. "I am appalled by this incident, which as well as damage to property, could have seen someone seriously injured or even killed, he said. Those who carried this out clearly have no regard for property or people, and they need to realise their actions achieve nothing. I condemn this attack and would urge anyone with information to contact the PSNI as soon as possible. In a statement, a PSNI spokesperson said: Enquiries are ongoing into the circumstances and anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference 1434 of 30/12/23. Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org Pro-Palestinian demonstrators followed the River Lagan through Belfast on Sunday as they demanded a ceasefire following further bloodshed in Gaza. Israeli strikes in central Gaza killed at least 35 people on Sunday, hospital officials said, as the military targeted areas in several parts of the territory a day after the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war will continue for many more months, resisting international calls for a ceasefire. Hundreds waved or wore Palestinian flags as they called for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza on a riverside march from the Albert Bridge to Pilot Street in Belfast. Among the marchers, some carried the banners of their organisation, including one of the largest trade unions in Northern Ireland, Unison, the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) and Jews for Palestine, Ireland. Similar demonstrations were scheduled to be held across the island, including protests in Londonderry, Armagh, and Newry. Israels unprecedented air and ground offensive has killed more than 21,600 Palestinians and wounded more than 55,000 others, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza. The war has sparked a humanitarian crisis, with a quarter of Gaza residents facing starvation, according to the United Nations. People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll, who attended the Belfast event, described the Israeli actions as genocidal. He said: Tens of thousands of Palestinians have now been killed, millions more have been internally displaced under hail of Israeli bombs in Gaza. This year we must all redouble our efforts to see an end to the slaughter. Though easy to succumb to despair in the face of such barbarism, the resilience and brave resistance of the Palestinian people should give us all hope. For our part, we are proud to have played a role in the mass, global movement against Israels violent and racist settler-colonial project. In every corner, the demand for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions against Israel is growing. On Sunday, the Israeli military said its forces were operating in Gazas second-largest city, Khan Younis, and residents reported strikes in the central part of the tiny enclave, after Israel this week made that region the new focus of its war. The war has raised fears of a broader regional conflagration. The US military said on Sunday that it had shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired towards a container ship by Yemens Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. Hours later, four boats tried to attack the same ship, but US forces opened fire, killing several of the armed crews, US Central Command said. Mr Netanyahu has said Israel must maintain open-ended security control over the Gaza Strip, without saying what would come next. At a news conference on Saturday, where he said the war will continue for many more months, he reiterated his intention to preserve an Israeli military foothold in a narrow strip of land in southern Gaza near the border with Egypt. (It) must be in our hands, it must be sealed. Its clear that any other agreement will not guarantee the demilitarisation that we need and require, he said. Israel says Hamas has smuggled weapons in through the Egyptian border, but Egypt is likely to oppose any Israeli military presence there. John Pilger speaking outside the Old Bailey before a hearing in Wikileaks founder Julian Assanges battle against extradition to the US (PA) Tributes have been paid to the investigative journalist John Pilger, who has died at the age of 84. A statement to his X, formerly Twitter, page on Sunday said: "It is with great sadness the family of John Pilger announce he died yesterday 30 December 2023 in London aged 84. "His journalism and documentaries were celebrated around the world, but to his family he was simply the most amazing and loved Dad, Grandad and partner. Rest In Peace." Figures across journalism and politics reacted to the news. People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said: "Very sad to hear of John Pilger's passing. His anti-war & anti-imperialist writings had a big impact on me. Rest in power. Fellow journalist Jon Snow said: "John Pilger was a great and steadfast journalist - I am sad to learn of his death at 84." We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Sinn Fein MLA Deirdre Hargey said: "His journalism and documentary making exposed so much in this world. He gave a voice to the oppressed and he will be dearly missed." The Australia-born documentary maker was perhaps best-known for his work covering the aftermath of Pol Pot's regime in Cambodia and also looked into the Thalidomide scandal along with his war correspondent work. Mr Pilger worked for the Daily Mirror, ITV's former investigative programme World In Action and Reuters. Read more Journalist and documentarian John Pilger dies at 84 Mr Pilger also campaigned for the release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has been embroiled in a lengthy battle against extradition to the US. He put up the cost of his bail. Former Pink Floyd musician Roger Waters, who has also supported Mr Assange, paid tribute to Mr Pilger. Mr Waters said on X: "John Pilger. I miss you my friend, what a great man you were. We will carry you in our hearts forever, you will always be there to give us strength. Love R." During his career, Mr Pilger made a series of remarks criticising American and British foreign policy and the treatment of Indigenous Australians. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby prayed for a peaceful 2024 in his New Year message (Gareth Fuller/PA) The Archbishop of Canterbury called on people to stand with those suffering because of war and to seek to make peace as he prayed for a peaceful 2024 in his New Year message. The Most Rev Justin Welby said wars seem everywhere at the moment as he delivered his annual start-of-the-year address. Speaking from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, he said: Wars seem everywhere at the moment. Wars we know about, wars forgotten. Ive seen for myself the ongoing human cost of war. In Ukraine I went to Bucha where evidence of atrocities was found. Ive met Ukrainian refugees, most recently in Georgia and Romania: families having to start again in a new country. Ive met refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh (a territory disputed between Azerbaijan and Armenia) after they left their homes because of conflict. And in Jerusalem last October I sat and listened to some of those traumatised by war, Palestinian and Israeli. Jesus Christ tells us to stand with those suffering because of war, and to seek to make peace. It came after Russia launched a fresh drone assault on Ukraine on Saturday night, hitting the capital, Kyiv, and border city Kharkiv after promising that strikes on the Russian border city of Belgorod hours earlier, which killed 24 people, would not go unpunished. The health ministry in Gaza said on Saturday that another 165 people were killed in the previous 24 hours. In his address, the archbishop also praised the armed forces as he said they embody the theme of the Kings coronation last year. He said soldiers were at the centre of the celebrations not just because the world marvelled at their displays of pageantry but because they, like many, many others in the country, embodied service. The Archbishop of Canterbury places the St Edwards Crown on the Kings head during his coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey in May (Victoria Jones/PA) He added: Here at RAF Brize Norton, almost 6,000 service personnel are living out that oath every day, working to keep us safe and the country secure, delivering humanitarian aid following natural disasters, like the earthquake in Turkey last year, or supporting civilians in the midst of conflict in places like the Middle East. Were learning more and more how the horrors and traumas of war impact service personnel, sometimes long after. But there are also traumas for their loved ones. Families across the country feel the absence of relatives and those they love who are serving their country abroad. We fear for those of our fellow citizens who risk their lives defending and protecting the vulnerable and ensuring security. The Archbishop of Canterburys New Year Message will be broadcast on BBC1 and iPlayer at 12.55pm on Monday January 1. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks with a member of the community during a breakfast club at Wormley Community Centre in Hertfordshire (Hollie Adams/PA) MPs started the year with a show of cross-party support, giving a rare standing ovation to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in February after he provided the House of Commons with an update on his countrys war with Russia. MPs giving a rare standing ovation after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the Commons via videolink (House of Commons/PA) Later in the month, Nicola Sturgeon fought back tears as she announced her resignation as First Minister of Scotland and leader of the SNP after eight years in the role. Nicola Sturgeon speaking during a press conference at Bute House in Edinburgh where she announced she will stand down as First Minister of Scotland. Picture date: Wednesday February 15, 2023. Jeremy Hunt delivered his first full Budget since becoming Chancellor, which included a hike in corporation tax, in March. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt leaves 11 Downing Street with his ministerial box and members of his ministerial team before delivering his Budget in Parliament (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Meanwhile, Humza Yousaf fended off competition from Kate Forbes and Ash Regan to become the SNPs new leader and First Minister of Scotland. From left, Ash Regan, Humza Yousaf and Kate Forbes after the winner of the SNPs leadership contest was announced (Andrew Milligan/PA) The Conservatives suffered significant losses in Mays local elections while Labour and the Lib Dems gained control of a number of councils. The Green Party also made record gains. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey celebrates with campaigners after his party won control of Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council from the Conservatives in the local elections (Andrew Matthews/PA) Former prime minister Boris Johnson resigned as an MP with immediate effect in June after receiving the Commons Select Committee of Privileges report into the Partygate scandal. The report concluded that Mr Johnson deliberately misled the Commons over lockdown parties at 10 Downing Street, and would be suspended for 90 days if still an MP. Three parilamentary by-elections were triggered by Mr Johnsons decision to quit, including in his own constituency, after loyalists Nadine Dorries and Nigel Adams also announced their resignations. Boris Johnson leaving his home in Oxford following his resignation as an MP (Beresford Hodge/PA) Labour and the Liberal Democrats overturned Tory majorities of around 20,000 votes in July after by-elections in the constituencies of Selby and Ainsty and Somerset and Frome respectively. The Conservatives held onto Mr Johnsons former seat with a reduced majority of 495 votes in a third by-election influenced by the proposed expansion of Londons Ultra Low Emission Zone. Labours Keir Mather delivering his victory speech after overturning a majority of more than 20,000 votes in the Selby and Ainsty by-election (Danny Lawson/PA) One year on from the only budget of her brief tenure as prime minister, Liz Truss defended her policies. During a speech at the Institute for Government think tank in September, the ex-PM said the political and economic establishment prevented her from enacting her economic plans. Liz Truss gives a speech on the economy at the Institute for Government in London (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Education Secretary Gillian Keegan was left teary eyed by Rishi Sunaks speech at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester. The Prime Minister used his speech at the start of October to announce his plan to stub out smoking and confirm that the Birmingham to Manchester leg of the High Speed 2 rail link would be scrapped. An emotional Education Secretary Gillian Keegan watches Prime Minister Rishi Sunak deliver his speech during the Conservative Party conference (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Despite having glitter thrown over him by a protester near the beginning of his speech at Labours conference, Sir Keir Starmer celebrated two more by-election wins for his party later in October as Alistair Strathern and Sarah Edwards overturned big Conservative majorities in Mid Bedfordshire and Tamworth respectively. A protester throws glitter over Sir Keir Starmer during his keynote speech at the Labour Party Conference (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Sir Keir Starmer and the Parliamentary Labour Party welcome newly-elected MPs Alistair Strathern and Sarah Edwards to Parliament (Jordan Pettitt/PA) US vice president Kamala Harris and Tesla co-founder Elon Musk were among the guests at the AI Safety Summit hosted at Bletchley Park in November, during which the Government announced a world first agreement between 28 countries on how to manage the riskiest forms of artificial intelligence. Rishi Sunak and Elon Musk in conversation at the AI Safety Summit (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA) Mr Sunak put law and order at the centre of the first Kings speech in more than 70 years. The King delivers his speech beside the Queen during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords (Leon Neal/PA) Later in the month Suella Braverman was sacked as home secretary after coming under heavy criticism forwriting an opinion piece in The Times newspaper in which she questioned the impartiality of police over the way they handle demonstrations. Suella Braverman outside her home in, Bushey, Hertfordshire, after her sacking by the Prime Minister (Andrew Matthews/PA) Her position was filled by James Cleverly who, in turn, was replaced as foreign secretary by former prime minister Lord David Cameron who received a surprise peerage which enabled him to return to the Cabinet. (Left to right) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron and Home Secretary James Cleverly at the ceremonial welcome for President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, at Horse Guards Parade in central London (Victoria Jones/PA) The Governments plan to deport migrants to Rwanda was ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court. This prompted Mr Cleverly to travel to Rwanda to sign a new immigration treaty, which he says addresses the concerns of the court. Mr Sunaks new plan was not enough to satisfy Robert Jenrick, however, who resigned as immigration minister, arguing the legislation does not go far enough. But, despite much hand-wringing by MPs on the right of the Tory party, the Safety of Rwanda Bill passed second reading in the Commons by 313 votes to 269. Two children were found dead inside the property in Colorado last month (Parker Seibold/The Gazette/AP) A woman accused of murdering two of her children in the United States has appeared in a British court. Kimberlee Singlers nine-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son were found dead in a residential property in Colorado, along with her 11-year-old daughter who was injured but alive, police in Colorado Springs said. The force said it responded to a 911 call reporting a burglary at their family home at 12.29am on December 19, a claim later discovered to be unfounded. Singler, 35, and her 11-year-old daughter are said to have been treated for injuries at the scene in the 5300 block of Palomino Ranch Point before being taken to hospital. Despite initially co-operating with the investigation, Singler reportedly disappeared on December 23 and a warrant was issued for her arrest on December 26 on murder charges. Kimberlee Singler appeared in court in the UK on Monday (Colorado Springs Police Department/PA) Colorado Springs Police Departments violent offender fugitive task force worked to locate Singler. She was arrested by the National Crime Agencys national extradition unit in Kensington, west London, on December 30 and appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday facing extradition to the United States. She has been charged with two counts of first degree murder, one count of attempted murder, three counts of child abuse and one count of assault. A spokesperson for Colorado Springs Police Department said: Kimberlee Singler was taken into custody in the United Kingdom without incident. Detectives with the Colorado Springs Police Departments homicide unit continue to work closely with multiple law enforcement agencies in pursuing the ongoing investigation. Thousands of Israeli soldiers are being moved out of the Gaza Strip, the military said on Monday, in the first significant drawdown of troops since the war began (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) Thousands of Israeli soldiers are being moved out of the Gaza Strip, the military said on Monday, in the first significant drawdown of troops since the war began as forces continued to bear down on the main city in the southern half of the enclave. The troop movement could signal that fighting is being scaled back in some areas of Gaza, particularly in the northern half where the military has said it is close to assuming operational control. Israel has been under pressure from its chief ally, the United States, to begin to switch to lower-intensity fighting. Israeli soldiers load shells on to a tank at a staging area near the border with Gaza (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) Word of the drawdown came ahead of a visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the region and after the Biden administration bypassed Congress for the second time this month to approve an emergency weapons sale to Israel. But fierce fighting continued in other areas of Gaza, especially the southern city of Khan Younis and central areas of the territory. Israel has pledged to charge ahead until its war aims have been achieved, including dismantling Hamas, which has ruled Gaza for 16 years. The military said in a statement on Monday that five brigades, or several thousand troops, will be taken out of Gaza in the coming weeks for training and rest. In a briefing on Sunday that first announced the troop withdrawal without specifying how many forces were leaving, army spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari did not say whether the decision means Israel is launching a new phase of the war. The objectives of the war require prolonged fighting, and we are preparing accordingly, he said. Palestinians look at the remains of a house destroyed by Israeli air strikes on Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip (Mohammed Dahman/AP) Israel has vowed to crush Hamass military and governing capabilities in its war, which was sparked by the militant groups October 7 attack on southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people. Around 240 others were taken hostage. Israel responded with a blistering air, ground and sea offensive that has killed more than 21,800 people in Gaza, two-thirds of them women and children, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count. Israel says more than 8,000 militants have been killed, without providing evidence. It blames Hamas for the high civilian death toll, saying the militants embed within residential areas, including schools and hospitals. The war has displaced some 85% of Gazas 2.3 million residents, sending hordes of people seeking shelter in Israeli-designated safe areas that the military has nevertheless bombed. Palestinians have been left with a sense that nowhere is safe in the tiny enclave. In Khan Younis, where Israel is believed to have thousands of troops, residents reported air strikes and shelling in the west and centre of the city. The military and the militant group Islamic Jihad reported clashes in the area. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The Palestinian Red Crescent said on X, formerly Twitter, that it had transported several dead and injured following a strike late on Sunday in Beach Street in Khan Younis. It posted night-time footage showing medics carrying casualties to ambulances. Combat was also reported in urban refugee camps in central Gaza, where Israel expanded its offensive last week. Saeed Moustafa, a Palestinian from the Nuseirat camp, said: Its our routine: bombings, massacres and martyrs. He said he could hear sporadic explosions and gunfire in Nuseirat and in the nearby Bureij and Maghazi camps. Just as we speak, there is a big explosion not far from my home, he said. The military said an air strike killed Adel Mismah, a regional commander of Hamass elite Nukhba forces, in the central city of Deir al-Balah. Hamas fired a large barrage of rockets towards Israel, including at its commercial hub Tel Aviv, as the clock struck midnight on New Years Eve. Israel has said the war will last for months. Palestinians inspect the damage in Khan Younis after Israeli air strikes (Mohammed Dahman/AP) It has argued that it needs time to clear Gaza of militants weapons and infrastructure and to prevent Hamas from being able to stage more attacks. Israel has resisted international calls for a long-term ceasefire, saying that would amount to a victory for Hamas. Shlomo Brom, a retired brigadier general once in charge of strategic planning in the Israeli military, said the troop changes may be a result of US pressure. He said it indicates a shift in the way Israel is conducting the war in some areas. The war is not stopping, he said. It is the beginning of a different mode of operation. Israelis still largely support the wars aims, even as the cost in soldiers lives is mounting. Over the weekend, the military said that, of the soldiers killed since the ground operation began 172 in total as of Monday 18 were killed by friendly fire while another 11 died by weapons or equipment malfunctions or accidents. Comedians on the ups and the downs of working with a partner Sean and Diona have plenty of irons in the fire (Photo by Stephen Hamilton) We all have different views on marriage, having kids, buying a home, and parenting. But some of us are comedians, so our views are usually more interesting to read about. Only joking, but sort of serious. I think when you tell people youre married but arent planning on having children, they look at you funny. Ive experienced the conversation enough times to know that the initial statement generates a ton of questions. Ive been doing stand-up comedy for a long time, 14 years in January 2024, which is absolutely mad when I think about it. But not as mad as the idea of me having kids and trying to do comedy and writing at the same time. Yet, thats exactly what two of my long-time comedy friends have been doing. Sean and Diona have plenty of irons in the fire (Photo by Stephen Hamilton) I met Sean Hegarty in 2010 when he was running shows in Lurgan. Hes renowned as the king of the one-liners in our scene, and weve done a lot of shows together. I met Diona Doherty while we were both filming sketches for BBC NI in 2011. Diona has a ton of comedy acting experience and has been doing very well in stand-up now for a few years, even becoming one of the regulars on BBC NIs The Blame Game. Diona and Sean got married seven years ago, and they are now raising a whole squad of five kids. Even as I write that, the level of responsibility makes me jumpy and I want to play my Xbox until I fall asleep. I caught up with Diona and Sean over a coffee recently, and we chatted about their brilliant new podcast Meet The Parents, which covers everything from parenting hacks, tantrums and IVF to comedy gigs and juggling time. Diona says: Meet The Parents is a comedy parenting podcast for parents and non-parents alike. Basically, we chat about life as parents to the five kids we have between us. We tend to focus on a particular topic in each episode, like postnatal depression, blended families and, most recently with guest comedian Conor Keys, living with a child who has special needs. I ask them if that sounds a bit serious for a podcast, but Sean assures me: Most episodes are a mixture of laughter, tears and brutal honesty. Basically, this is all about what real parenting is actually like, but were comedians, so we are finding the funny in the middle of these more serious topics. I work with my wife too, so I know it can be a brilliant thing because you get to spend a lot of time together, and you trust that person to do work the way you would do it too. Diona and Sean on their wedding day Still, I asked Diona and Sean how it works for them. Diona smirks: We love working together, just not to build Ikea furniture. Thats when things get rough. We live such hectic lives that doing the podcast genuinely gives us an hour to chat to each other. Were very different parents. I breastfed the kids and Sean taught them how to curse. Its all about striking a fine balance. Sean adds: We have different comedy styles. I usually work in one-liners and wordplay and Diona is more anecdotal, but when it comes to the podcast its more just about having fun and being ourselves. We write comedy plays together too, which is usually a recipe for a decent script. Sean and Diona currently have two shows on the go: Sunny Side Up (a one-woman play by Diona about IVF and fertility at Belfasts Lyric Theatre in April), and Sex In The City Hall (touring here in September and at Belfasts Grand Opera House from September 30). They are killing it in comedy theatre circles for sure, but this takes working together to a whole new level. Im keen to know whats best about doing a podcast together. The best is the drive home afterwards. We usually laugh quite a bit because we can be giddy for the episode, reveals Sean. And the worst? Diona cringes: The worst bit is the drive down. Were one sleepless night away from falling out at times and theres nothing worse than running late to a recording and being stuck in traffic. As a non-parent, Im eager to know what its like. Diona and Sean both say it has its ups and downs. Diona and Marty Reid in Give My Head Peace Sounding about 93, Diona explains: The days are long, but the years are short. Day-to-day parenting is rough. You spend the whole day overstimulated, up to high doh and constantly on your feet. But then come seven oclock when theyre in bed, you find yourself looking at photos of them on your phone thinking, Aye, Im glad theyre in bed. I ask Sean about juggling the time it takes to do full-time comedy and raise the kids. He tells me: Weve been known to have our kids at gigs. One time in Portrush, we were both on the bill and our daughter was only a few months old. We literally had to pass her to each other on the stage. We had to do that at the Stendhal festival too. I have trouble passing the mic to people on time at my gigs. For Diona, getting through the busier times is all about teamwork: I only took a few weeks of maternity with both of my kids, so the juggling has always been nuts. Sometimes we have to decide which one of us can get to go gig on a certain night, and other times we can get a babysitter in, but realistically, its a lot of writing in the evenings. Sean has three children from a previous marriage, and two with Diona which were the result of successful IVF treatment. Diona recalls: Going through IVF is tough, physically and mentally. Its so amazing to think that through science we were able to have a family, but we regularly are reminded that its not the same for everyone. I remember finding out I was pregnant, and immediately the guilt that washed over me made it hard to enjoy the guilt that I had been able to get pregnant and so many couples out there wont. Diona in Derry Girls Sean adds: The process was fascinating. The pregnancies and births are the same as naturally conceived babies, so we will wait and see when the kids are old enough to understand how they came to be, and we can explain it to them then. As a guy who has no intention of having children, I often wonder what it must be like to see your traits in your kids. I ask Sean if he would want to pass on his one-liner skills. Ive had to earn my title as the king of one-liners, and people dont call me it for nothing. Ive often had to pay them a pound, he says. Just like the actual royal family, my kids will have to wait for my demise to take my throne. I find it almost impossible to listen to conversation without looking for puns and words that I can twist and turn into jokes. I ask Diona how she fits all her work in around the kids and Sean. She laughs and says: Honestly, Ive a lot of spinning plates and always feel like Im about to drop one. It can be overwhelming, but I do work at a stupidly fast pace. I get quite a lot done but find it so hard to just sit and relax. I really love what I do, so it doesnt feel like Im being dragged into a project. My brains just always on. What I love about podcasting is giving listeners the opportunity to hear raw, unedited conversation that includes the good and the bad. For lots of us comedians who are also parents, its our main social lives. The Meet The Parents podcast Diona never lets the kids down when shes busy, explaining: Its my sleep that takes the hit. Ill catch up on naps when theyre bigger and when nobody wants to book me anymore. I make the classic interviewer mistake of asking them who their dream guests would be, and they nearly make me sick in my mouth when they both say each other. I mean, since hes a massive Liverpool fan, I just know Sean would love to have Steven Gerrard on there. And as shes a huge ketchup fan, I cant believe Diona didnt say red sauce. I wish them all the best and watch them return to a world of sleepless nights and Lego-related injuries. I order another latte and feel class knowing Ive nowhere to be. If you want to ask questions for the podcast, find Diona and Sean on social media. If you want to watch or listen to Meet The Parents, check it out now wherever you get your podcasts New Year's resolutions can seem, overall, pretty silly. No one ever sticks to them, no matter what plan or goal they set for themselves. Those 100 new members at your gym the Monday after the New Year? You're betting that they won't be staying. The New Year, though, really is about new beginnings. It can be a great opportunity for us to sit down and reflect on everything we have learned in the last year. As a Christian, God requires us to always be challenging ourselves. Each day He wants us to find ways that we can be better and honor Him more deeply. Instead of creating a New Years resolution you know won't make a real difference, try one of these Christian ideas instead. Those that commit will come out next December in a more intimate relationship with the Lord. Read the Bible. Unsplash.com Reading the Bible more is probably on every list of top New Year's resolution goals for Christians. While it might seem corny or basic, there is an important reason it's always at the top of the list. Getting close to God means understanding who He is. When you make reading the Bible a priority in your life, you become a stronger, happier Christian. You open yourself up to the amazing promises the Bible has to offer you. We gain deeper understandings of the stories we learned as children, and in turn become stronger in our beliefs. We are able to defend our faith because we understand it on a personal level. Volunteer in the community. Shutterstock.com Want to make a difference in your community? Volunteering is a great way to do so while glorifying God. God blessed us with gifts and talents to benefit others. The Bible says in 1 Peter 4:10, As each has received a gift, use it to serve another, as good stewards of Gods varied grace. The world has needs that you can help solve. Volunteering can be a great family activity, as well. It will help your children learn the importance of gratitude while brining you all closer together. Volunteering can be fun, too. Plant trees in a new park or work directly serving people food. You'll find the activity that is right for your crew. Better mental or physical health. Shutterstock.com When we think of honoring God, we typically only focus on our spiritual health. God, though, wants us to be better in all aspects of our life, including our mental and physical health. Our bodies are made to honor Him. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states: "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." When we don't take care of our health, we are not able to service God fully. For example, if you are packing on extra pounds you have less energy to give out during the day. You aren't able to give 100 percent of yourself to Him. These resolutions are easily broken, so lean on God for help. Share your testimony. Shutterstock.com God wants us to celebrate Him and His Word outside of the home. Like Jesus Christ, we should be sharing the Word with everyone we encounter. You probably have a few non-Christian friends, family members or co-workers. This year could be the year you choose to tell them why you fell in love with Jesus Christ, and ask them to attend church with you. Even if they say no, it puts a little spark in their head that gets them thinking about spirituality. Talking with you about your faith journey may be the only time they ever learn about Christ, so it's important to make it special and offer up helpful information as you are able. Create a tithing plan. Shutterstock.com The scriptures are clear Christians are called to be generous. That means using some of your financial income to honor God at your local church. Its a reality that every church needs money to continue to function as a place of worship. If you havent gotten in the tithing habit yet, now is a great time to start. Even if you cant give a lot, start with something. For many, 10 percent of all income can be intimidating at first. Look at what you can do, and then work your way up as your faith grows and your resolution blossoms. Learn how to properly manage your budget each month so you can feel confident in your ability to donate on God's behalf. Lean on God for support. Many Christians make New Years resolutions to pray more, to read the Bible every day, and to attend church more regularly. These are fantastic goals. However, these New Years resolutions fail just as often as the non-spiritual resolutions. We tend to forget that there isn't any real magic or power in creating a New Year's resolution. That's why, instead, one incredibly important New Year's resolution all Christians should make is to lean on God and trust in Him more. Philippians 4:13 tells us, I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. We can become better versions of ourselves to glorify God when we ask for His help and guidance to do so. When you struggle to keep up with your new fitness goal, talk with God. Complete random acts of kindness. When we see the world in the news today, we are bombarded with stories of murder, disasters, heartbreak, and tragedy. It can seem like there aren't any real beacons of hope left. This is where you can come in as a Christian. Set a goal to do a random act of kindness one a week for the entire year. That will means you will change, at minimum, the days of 52 people. You might make a stranger smile by paying for their coffee in line, or leave your grandmother feeling young again because you took her out dancing just for fun. Whatever you do, do it because of Jesus Christ. Get more active in your church. Shutterstock.com The church is an important part of the Christian lifestyle. We meet other Christians, celebrate the joys of the God, and learn about the Bible's teachings. When you want to create a deeper relationship with Christ, one of the simplest ways to do so it by becoming more active in His house of worship. Serving your church doesn't have to be boring or difficult. Look at your spiritual gifts and personal skill set and try to apply that to your churches' needs. If you are a bubbly type, then being a church greeter where you can welcome in new attendees might be the right job for you. If you have a knack with money, offer your skills to help with the offering plate or other accounting needs. Talk with your church about what roles need to be filled. Ringing in the New Year is always a fun celebration that reminds us of new beginnings. It is a chance to start over and grow from your past. This year take what youve learned and build on it to become the best version of yourself. Make your resolution as a Christian to always honor God. 1 of 10 Previous Next Megan Bailey is a former Social Media Specialist and Content Producer for Beliefnet. She attended James Madison University where she received a degree in psychology. Chairman of Grameen Telecom and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus arrives at the Third Labor Court of Dhaka to hear the verdict in a case filed against him for alleged labor violations at the non-profit telecoms company, Jan. 1, 2024. A court in Bangladesh on Monday sentenced Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to six months in prison for violating labor laws, the first conviction of the 83-year-old microcredit pioneer who faces a slew of criminal and civil cases that his supporters say are politically motivated. Yunus was convicted and sentenced along with three other senior managers of Grameen Telecom, a non-profit company he founded in 1995 to promote phone service in rural areas as a means of combating poverty. I have been punished for an offense I have not committed. It was written in my destiny, and that of the nation; I have to bear it, Yunus told journalists as he left the courthouse. Judge Sheikh Merina Sultana granted all four defendants a one-month bail, and Yunus lawyer declared his intention to appeal the verdict. Chief Prosecutor Khurshid Alam Khan told BenarNews his team had proven beyond doubt that Grameen Telecom failed to make employees permanent, provide them a share of profits and set aside welfare funds, as mandated by labor laws. The case was filed in September 2021, and indictments followed in June 2023. Abdullah Al Mamun, Yunus' defense lawyer, called the verdict unprecedented, especially in how quickly it unfolded. The case flew like a supersonic plane. The purpose of such fast disposal is to convict Dr. Yunus. This case is completely politically motivated, Mamun told BenarNews. Grameen Telecom is registered as a not-for-profit company under section 28 of the Company Act-1994. There is no provision of taking profit from the company. The profits are used for the welfare of the people, Mamun said, adding: Employees enjoy salaries and all service benefits. He argued that the case should have been tried in civil court. But lead prosecutor Khan told BenarNews: The High Court has given its opinion that a criminal suit can be filed in this case. Grameen Telecom is a sister concern of Grameenphone, Bangladeshs biggest phone service provider that revolutionized the countrys telecom sector with support from Norwegian company Telenor. The company says its revenues are used for community development. I just call it a travesty of justice. It is a travesty of justice, Irene Khan, former secretary-general of Amnesty International, who was at court Monday, told BenarNews about the verdict. In this country, there are so many crimes being committed everyday against the workers, labor unionists have been killed, factory workers who were protesting were attacked. No action is taken by the government, she said. The Nobel Peace laureate who has brought great honor to this country, who has campaigned and advanced against poverty, is being persecuted under the guise of prosecution, she said. 'Judicial harassment' In August 2023, more than 100 Nobel laureates signed an open letter to Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, urging her to end what the letter described as continuous judicial harassment of Yunus. Yunus gained global renown as a pioneer of small loans for borrowers generally shunned by banks. When his Grameen Bank won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, it had granted loans to more than seven million borrowers, with an average loan amount of US$100 and very high repayment rates, according to the Nobel Foundation. Two years later, Bangladeshs central bank removed Yunus from his position as head of Grameen Bank over a retirement age-related issue. Yunus reportedly first came to the attention of Hasinas Awami League when he formed a political party named Nagarik Shokti, or Citizens Power, in 2007-2008, at a time of political turmoil due to a state of emergency imposed in the country. At that time, Hasina, and her main rival, former PM Khaleda Zia, had been arrested in various corruption cases. But Hasina won the national election, returning to power in 2009. All the cases against Hasina were dismissed. She has been prime minister ever since and is expected to be re-elected for a fourth consecutive term in the upcoming Jan. 7 election. Responding to the letter from global figures in August 2023, Hasina called on its signatories to send international experts and lawyers to scrutinize the accusations against Yunus. For those who have signed the statement, I suggest they send specialists and lawyers to examine the evidence and documents related to the charges against the accused, the prime minister said. I dont know how issuing statements would lead to the dropping of charges. They should visit and see if there are any anomalies or inconsistencies with the process. PITTSFIELD In Clapp Park, a new handmade sled rack will soon invite visitors to take a sled and have some fun. All that is left is to wait for the snow. Lindsey Marion, co-owner of Ottos Kitchen & Comfort in Pittsfield, began organizing the Clapp Park Little Sled Library after coming across a social media post about similar programs in Canada. Since then other city residents and business owners have pitched in, donating sleds, signage, wood and more. What started off as a vision to expand access to the popular winter activity has fed a deeper investment in the pride and wellbeing of the Pittsfield community. Once snow is on the ground, Marion said she will install the Little Sled Library in Clapp Park. The library will run much like its book counterparts. Park visitors will be able to grab a sled, use it for a few runs and then return it to the rack for the next person to borrow. Marion said she hopes bringing the program to Pittsfield will make sledding at Clapp Park more inclusive. Not everybody can always afford the $20 to $25 to get a sled and there are times when they're all sold out in the middle of winter after we've just had a huge snowstorm, Marion said. It'd be great for families to just be able to show up in their winter clothes and not have to also lug the sleds over. Marion said the first step in starting the Little Sled Library was obtaining the greenlight from the city's Parks Commission. In a meeting with Marion on Dec. 19, the Parks Commission raised some concerns about liability issues but approved the program, with the stipulation that Marion maintain the area and that the rack include a sign warning park visitors to use the sleds at their own risk. Were taking the initiative to check on it every couple of days to make sure that we're not giving these people broken sleds, Marion said. So a couple of times a week, we've got volunteers to go over and check in just to make sure that nothing needs to be trashed or replenished. With the go-ahead from the Parks Commission, Marion started a Facebook account to keep friends and community members updated on the programs progress. The account quickly drew the attention of people who wanted to contribute their own resources and skills. Ashley Shepardson from the Martino Glass Co. donated wood and Chris, a friend of Marions, used it to build the sled rack with help from his son. Jake and Lindsay Locke, the owners of RSI Signs, contributed fun and colorful signage for the rack. We thought it'd be a great thing to offer to put a sign on the sled rack that would be durable for the weather, as well as graffiti proof, Lindsay Locke said. And we love being involved in the community and trying to help out any way we can. This is a great way to give back. The broader Pittsfield community has also shown up in support of the Little Sled Library. Marion said a wide array of people including elders, families and even a United States Postal Service worker have donated up to 12 sleds. When they drop the sleds off at her restaurant, Marion offers each person a free cup of coffee in thanks. I had a couple people [come] on Christmas Eve with their kids, Marion said. Their parents explained to them what we were doing and they were just really excited to have donated a sled to the sled library and with the perspective of being able to go there and use their own sled out of the library. Jake Locke said for him, the Little Sled Library is a heartening example of how Pittsfield residents can bring pride and community to the city. As a business owner and city resident himself, Locke said it is up to him and others to take the initiative to create a Pittsfield that supports all its residents and where people want to live and return to. The more you participate in your area, the more you enjoy where you live and you feel a sense of accomplishment about it, Jake Locke said. I enjoy where I live more because I can look around the city and see the things Ive helped out with. Looking to the future, Marion and the Lockes said if the Parks Commission approves the Clapp Park Little Sled Library for following winters, they plan to keep it running and are considering expanding the program to other sledding hills in Pittsfield. Marion said she has also heard from residents of neighboring cities who are eager to build Little Sled Libraries of their own. We have had lots of different people really excited about it, Marion said. We just need some snow now. Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield is asking for help for repairs to its Gilded Age building The City of North Adams told OTT Taxi to temporarily cease operations in December, but after months of trying to find a suitable location, the company has moved to Williamstown. India is among the countries with a high burden of antibiotic-resistant infections. However, in recent years, the discovery of bacteriophages, simply referred to as phages, and phage-based therapy as an alternative to antibiotics, is witnessing rapid developments. BioSpectrum brings out an in-depth report on how bacteriophages are turning out to be one of the best choices to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), its advantages over antibiotics, and how Indian researchers and entrepreneurs are striving to make phage therapy a clinically-validated option to combat AMR. But are the regulations in favour? It is known that India faces a significant challenge when it comes to antibiotic resistance and the menace of superbugs (largely owing to overuse and misuse of antimicrobials). Reports say that the economic impact of superbugs is significant in our country. Even in the United States, treating antibiotic-resistant infections costs an estimated $2.2 billion in extra healthcare expenses each year. These costs include longer hospital stays, additional testing, and more expensive medications. The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns that as these superbugs become more prevalent, our arsenal of effective antibiotics will become less potent. This makes routine medical procedures such as surgeries, chemotherapy, and organ transplants riskier due to the increased likelihood of infection. This validates the immediate requirement as an alternative to antimicrobials and researchers trust their bet on bacteriophages as that alternative. According to Rachna Dave, Founder & CEO of MicroGO, AMR is indeed a far more significant and pressing issue than it might initially appear, primarily due to underreporting. She says, Estimates indicate that the toll of AMR could result in more than 10 million deaths by 2023. This looming crisis is exacerbated by the extremely limited availability of new antibiotics in the market, making it an incredibly challenging problem to address. In this dire context, bacteriophages are emerging as one of the most promising solutions to combat AMR infections. With the scarcity of effective antibiotics, bacteriophages offer a viable alternative. In India, there have been approximately 200 patients successfully treated with phage therapy, boasting an impressive success rate exceeding 80 per cent. This number is steadily increasing as more clinicians and infection prevention specialists embrace this innovative technology. India The land of abundant bacteriophages Phages are natural predators of bacteria. They can infect and kill specific bacterial strains, making them valuable tools for controlling bacterial populations, especially harmful pathogens. Phages are known for being highly specific in their host range. Each phage typically infects only one or a few closely related bacterial species, which means they do not harm beneficial bacteria in the body. This specificity is advantageous for targeted bacterial treatment and avoiding disruption to the common microbiota of the host organism. Sharing more facts on bacteriophages, Dr Satheesh K, Senior Research Scientist, India Diabetes Research Foundation & Dr A Ramachandran's Diabetes Hospitals, says, Bacteriophages or phages thrive in environments like rivers and sewage-contaminated waters. These microscopic predators have a unique potential to latch onto particular bacterial species, inject their genetic material, and hijack the bacterial machinery to copy themselves, and in the long run causing the bacterial cellular to burst, and launch new phage particles. In essence, they are natural bacterial killers. India is home to an abundant variety of phages. Researchers of the ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, West Bengal, have detailed in a research paper that Bacteriophages are abundantly present in the river Ganga. Atif Khan, Scientist, Water and Steam Chemistry Division, Biofouling and Biofilm Processes Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Kalpakkam, says, India is considered to be the richest source of bacteriophages compared to any other country. If you like to talk about the competitive advantage, the opportunity lies in the phages of the bacterial host that rarely cause any diseases (Staphylococcus simulans). In case of multidrug resistant S. simulans infection, most of the labs and their surrounding environment may not have phages for this host. India could be a country where the phages can be found in a system like local sewage. Presently, more than 20 to 30 research facilities across the country are dedicated to isolating and characterising bacteriophages, with a specific focus on combating pathogens prioritised by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Phage Banks and Phage Engineering In India, where antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections are a significant public health concern and where biodiversity is high, the establishment of phage banks can be particularly important. These banks can contribute to the development of phage-based therapies, facilitate research into new phages, and aid in the control of bacterial infections in various settings, including healthcare, agriculture, and environmental management. Furthermore, they can play a crucial role in advancing the understanding of phage biology and their interactions with bacteria in India's unique ecological and clinical contexts. According to Dr Hiren Joshi, Scientific Officer, Bhabha Atomic Reserach Centre, Kalpakkam, It is imperative to leverage this rich resource to establish comprehensive phage libraries and cocktails. These collections can prove highly effective against a broad spectrum of bacterial infections. By tapping into the wealth of bacteriophages in India's diverse microbial ecosystems, we can potentially develop innovative solutions for combating infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance on a global scale. This approach holds great promise for the future of healthcare and pathogen control. Dr Ranga Reddy Burri, President, Infection Control Academy of India opines, Phages hold significant promise in addressing AMR due to their specificity, adaptability, and potential for personalised treatment. While there are success stories in India like AIIMS-ICMR PhageBank, ongoing research, international academia, industry collaborations, regulatory support, and clinical validation are crucial for realising their full potential as alternatives or complements to traditional antibiotics. Talking about the bacteriophage market Dr Burri says The current market size of bacteriophage-based products and therapies in India is insignificant at the moment. Even globally the estimated size is less than $50 million. The rising threat of AMR and awareness about the benefits of phage therapy is expected to propel market growth. The use in agriculture, veterinary and consumption as phage probiotics will be major growth drivers. Aristogene, Gangagen, Sciinv Biosciences, Vital Therapeutics, Proteon Pharma are visible players in this market. Sharing her thoughts on the market growth Rachna Dave, says The growth is further substantiated by recent developments, such as the establishment of a new production facility in Nasik by Proteom Biotech, a Polish company. Additionally, several other companies are currently in the process of setting up pilot-scale plants for bacteriophage production, underscoring the increasing interest and investment in this promising field. Adding her thoughts, Dr Ellie Jameson, Researcher, Bangor University School of Natural Sciences, UK says, The next developments that will be expanded in India and across the globe are well stocked and characterised phage banks combined with a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility for phage production. These central repositories will hold thousands of characterised, sequenced phages to ensure that they do not contain any harmful elements, but that phages can be quickly accessed to treat 100s of different bacteria, as needed. There is a strong call to ensure that phages are manufactured to GMP standard so that phage therapy can be controlled as a drug for widespread use. She further says To step up phage therapy I foresee that a GMP facility for phage production will need to be established in India to keep cost manageable and enable production to meet demand. This will ensure each batch is identical and that endotoxin levels are negligible to prevent adverse effects. With these in place I believe that due to the positive stories of phage therapy it will continue to grow and work with our antibiotics to help more and more patients. Scope to expand from diagnostics to therapeutics Phage engineering isn't always restrained to improving the phages themselves; it additionally opens doorways to growing novel phage-based equipment for various applications. For instance, researchers at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru have validated the capacity of engineered phages within combat in opposition to mycobacteriathe causative dealers of tuberculosis and leprosy. By modifying the tail fibre proteins of a mycobacteriophage, they were able to apprehend distinctive receptors on the floor of mycobacteria. These engineered phages successfully lysed various lines of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae in both laboratory settings and in vivo. Regulatory hurdles and market boundaries India, though, has developed a National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR) to address the growing threat of antibiotic resistance, plans that include strategies for promoting responsible antibiotic use, improving surveillance, and enhancing infection prevention and control need to be hastened along with making phage therapy a viable option. Also, Dr Burri says that regulatory authorities classify bacteriophages as biological substances and currently, there is no established framework that explicitly defines the role of bacteriophages in the context of medicinal products for human use in India and globally. Very few countries have clear regulatory pathways. One such example is Georgia, where bacteriophages have been seamlessly integrated into the healthcare system as a standard medical practice, and a range of phage preparations are available over-the-counter, along with a more extensive selection of products supplied directly to medical practitioners. The US FDA also approved several phage treatments, which are employed in the food industry, largely in the dairy and meat industry, to combat bacterial growth. To fuel rapid progress towards phage therapeutics, as a sustainable antibiotic alternative, regulatory processes must be refined and should be pragmatic to reach a tipping point sooner. We cannot deny that India has made progress in adopting phage therapy, but to make it a more mainstream solution to combat AMR, concerted efforts in research, regulation, education, and infrastructure development are crucial. Collaboration between all the stakeholders and a dedicated approach from both government and private sectors will be essential. The funding into this sector is mostly from grants, philanthropy, altruistic researchers, and good Samaritans only. There is a need to promote this therapy in the country. The level of public awareness and acceptance of bacteriophages as an alternative to antibiotics in India is abysmal, says Dr Burri and adds that compared to more established treatments like antibiotics. Even among healthcare professionals, the awareness is low, which is a significant deterrent to mainstreaming this alternative. Organisations like Society for Bacteriophage Research and Therapy, Infection Control Academy of India and others are working towards awareness and providing a platform for researchers, clinicians, and other stakeholders to collaborate. Traditional life science and biotech companies have no participation in research or investments in this segment as the perceived demand is low and the risk of return is high. Maybe, providing incentives and financial support, including grants, tax incentives, or other financial benefits, to encourage investment for budding companies could be a possible way to lure them into phage therapy development. Hence, in conclusion, it can be said that India has to step-up and establish clear regulatory pathways for phage therapy, ensuring safety, efficacy, and quality standards. The country needs specific guidelines and protocols for the approval and use of phage therapy. It is also important for the government to facilitate collaborations between pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and government bodies to foster the development and distribution of phage therapeutics. Anusha Ashwin The biotechnology industry is currently navigating a complex landscape. While revenues have normalised after the COVID's surge, the looming patent cliff and increased regulatory pressures pose significant challenges. Despite these obstacles, the industry's long-term potential remains strong, fuelled by a robust innovation pipeline and opportunities for operational efficiency. Biotech companies, according to a report by NoyMed CRO, can secure future growth and address market challenges by focusing on capital allocation, establishing beneficial partnerships, and leveraging technology. Though the path forward is complex, the future of the biotechnology industry remains bright in 2024 as India has set the target of reaching $150 billion by 2025 due to its inherent strengths and dedication to innovation. On December 2, India witnessed the first-ever meeting of the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) Society after its registration on November 10, wherein Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, who chaired the meeting, said that time has come for defining "Bio-vision" for Bharat. Describing BRIC meeting as a historical event in India's Biotech Ecosystem, where elite 14 institutions of Department of Biotechnology (DBT) are consolidating their efforts to impact the biotech R&D ecosystem, the minister said that BRIC will prospectively enrich Indias progress in every front including economy and employment. Dr Jitendra Singh also pointed out that this is one of the first Departments in the Government of India to have successfully executed Rationalisation of Autonomous Bodies for process and performance enhancement of its Autonomous bodies. He said that Indian Bio-economy recorded 13 times increase in the last ten years. It may be noted that in her Union Budget speech on February 1, Nirmala Sitaraman, Finance Minister, observed that joint Public and Private Medical research should be encouraged via select Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) labs for encouraging collaborative research and innovation. As a first step in that direction, DBT has formed BRIC Society. As part of a slew of significant changes that will be actualised by BRIC, each of the 14 subsumed BRIC Institutions will maintain their distinct research mandates, governed by one Governing Body, at BRIC. Institutes would be allowed utilisation of institutional lab space, not exceeding one third, for researchers from outside DBT institutes and their collaborators (from industry or other institutes) to carry out R&D for startups emerging out of institutional research. Dr Jitendra Singh also underlined that BRIC and its institutes can engage in public-private research partnerships and receive endowments including funds from non-governmental resources for research-related activities. This will help in achieving Minimum Government, Maximum Governance. As Global Centres of Research and Innovation Besides, at the beginning of 2023, Dr Singh launched the One Week One Lab" Campaign of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), at the 108th Indian Science Congress held in Nagpur on January 6. Each of the 37 CSIR Labs spread across the country is dedicated to a different exclusive area of work and the One Week One Lab" campaign offered an opportunity to each one of them to showcase the work being done by it so that others can avail of it and stakeholders learn about it. Common India will be turned into Global Centres of Research and Innovation in their respective fields of Specialisation. Started with 5 laboratories in 1942, in its eight decades of journey CSIR has grown into an organisation with 37 labs of 3521 scientists, supported by 4162 technical staff, 2612 administrative and other support staff and about 5500 young scholars, that addresses every facet of scientific development required in the country. There is a plethora of technologies developed by the scientists and researchers of CSIR laboratories for the society, but many of them remain confined to the laboratories. There is a need to establish the resourceful connection of people (stakeholder/ entrepreneur/ student/ industry) to know more about the technologies for the advancement of the technology and the progress of the society. Harnessing Technologies The world is on the verge of ending the first quarter of the 21st century, said Dr Jitendra Singh, adding that the next few years will be an opportunity to vindicate that 21st century as Indias century. Spelling out thrust areas for the year 2023 in the context of science, technology and innovation on January 8, the minister said Future belongs to technology blended with innovation and creative startups sustained through evolving technologies and new ideas. While inaugurating the 3rd Global Bio-India, mega international congregation on Biotechnology, on December 4, the minister said Biotechnology will provide the future value addition to Indias economy in the years to come. Biotechnology will be the key to Amrit Kaal economy and also for making India a frontline nation in the world. Indias bioeconomy experienced robust growth in 2022, surging by 29 per cent to reach a substantial value of $137.24 billion. Also, the year 2022 saw a rise in private equity and venture capital investments in the biotech industry, reaching a record-breaking $938.8 million, a 19 per cent growth compared to the previous year. The Indian biotechnology industry is expected to reach $150 billion by 2025 and has the potential to reach $270-300 billion by the year 2030. By 2025, the contribution of the Indian biotechnology industry to the global biotechnology market is expected to grow to 19 per cent. The Indian biologics market is forecasted to reach $12 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 22 per cent. With just 55 startups in 2014 to over 6000 as of 2023, the entrepreneurial landscape of the biotech industry in India witnessed dynamic growth in the last couple of years. Startups are emerging as key drivers of bioeconomic development. The number of startups is expected to reach 10,000 by 2024. Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana led the way in 2022, a year which saw a total of 1391 startups getting registered, reflecting a substantial 23 per cent growth from the previous years count of 1128. India is boosting the biotechnology sector under various flagship programmes such as Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, 'Make in India' and 'Startup India'. These government schemes and programmes coupled with the application of latest technologies such as Gene Editing and CRISPR, Cell and Gene Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Tissue Engineering and Bioprinting, Big Data, and Real World Evidence Trials, biotechnology industry in 2024 hope to develop innovative solutions in the meeting the unmet healthcare needs of the nation. Collaborative Synergy In addition to launching the new biologicals in the coming year, the biotech industry continues to witness a double-digit growth in the year 2024 by adopting or following the many well-established business approaches such collaboration with Full-Service and Specialty Contract Research Organisations (CROs), Outsourcing between Biotechnology firms (Bio-to-Bio) and M&A deals. According to NoyMed CRO, biotechnology sponsors in 2024 are poised to embrace a significant trend: increased collaboration with both biometrics and full-service CROs. This strategic alliance allows access to specialised expertise, cutting-edge resources, and streamlined processes crucial for efficient drug development. By leveraging the strengths of CROs, biotech firms optimise costs, accelerate research timelines, and enhance innovation. This collaborative synergy between biotechnology firms and CROs not only expedites market entry but also ensures adherence to regulatory standards while focusing on core competencies. As the drug development landscape evolves, 2024 will mark the rise of a strategic paradigm shift: biotechnology companies will increasingly collaborate, forming synergistic partnerships. Driven by expertise in areas like gene editing, AI-powered discovery, and nanomedicine, these collaborations unlock significant advantages. Efficiency grows as companies focus on their core strengths, accelerating development timelines and delivering life-saving therapies to patients faster. Resource optimisation takes centre stage, with shared expertise reducing overhead costs and fueling further advancements. Moreover, knowledge exchange thrives within these partnerships, fostering collaborative innovation and paving the way for groundbreaking solutions to intricate medical challenges. While challenges remain, such as intellectual property concerns and the crucial element of finding the right partners, the potential of this collaborative approach is undeniable. In 2024, NoyMed CRO further noted that the cautious optimism of 2023 might turn into a strategic focus on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) within the biotech industry. Investors, staying cautious due to external challenges, will likely be picky, seeking deals that offer clear value and specific growth opportunities. There could be more consolidation, especially in areas like gene editing and AI-driven discovery, where specialised skills are highly valued. However, the potential for increased deals exists due to the interest in new technologies like mRNA vaccines. Some companies aiming for a global presence might pursue M&A for market access, while others might surprise by acquiring promising research pipelines or startups. Navigating these uncertainties presents investment opportunities by identifying undervalued tech, anticipating regulatory changes, and predicting future successful treatments. The biotechnology industry, according to a report by NoyMed CRO, is currently navigating a complex landscape. While revenues have normalised after the COVID's surge, the looming patent cliff and increased regulatory pressures pose significant challenges. Despite these obstacles, the industry's long-term potential remains strong, fuelled by a robust innovation pipeline and opportunities for operational efficiency. Biotech companies can secure future growth and address market challenges by focusing on capital allocation, establishing beneficial partnerships, and leveraging technology. In conclusion, though the path forward is complex, the future of the biotechnology industry remains bright in 2024 due to its inherent strengths and dedication to innovation. With this India is not too far from reaching the league of top-10 countries in Biotech's global ecosystem. Narayan Kulkarni narayan.kulkarni@mmactiv.com NEW DELHI (PTI): India firmed up defence procurement worth over Rs 3.50 lakh crore in 2023 as the lingering border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh as well as the crises and conflicts around the world kept the military focused on ways to enhance the country's overall combat prowess to firmly deal with any security challenges. India also went on an overdrive in expanding its military engagement with like-minded countries in its neighbourhood and beyond in the face of China's relentless attempts to become a regional hegemon and establish its primacy in South Asia. The Indian troops guarding the nearly 3,500 km Line of Actual Control (LAC) maintained an assertive approach as the eastern Ladakh border spilled into the fourth year even as both sides held several rounds of high-level military and diplomatic talks to resolve it. The face-off between the two of the planet's biggest military forces mainly continued in Demchok and Depsang regions though both sides completed disengagement in several other friction points. In line with a growing realisation about the need to boost the national military power, the Defence Ministry accorded approval to a number of big-ticket acquisition projects including procurement of 97 Tejas light combat aircraft, 156 Prachand combat helicopters and upgrading of 84 Su-30 fighter jets. In 2023, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved in its meetings proposals worth a total of over Rs 3.50 lakh crore to enhance the operational preparedness of the Armed Forces, the Defence Ministry said in a year-end review. In June, the DAC, the Defence Ministry's highest decision-making body on procurement, approved acquisition of 31 MQ-9B high altitude long endurance remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) for the three services from the US through foreign military sale (FMS) route. In another significant decision, the DAC granted approval for procurement of 26 Rafale marine aircraft along with associated equipment, weapons, simulator and spares for the Indian Navy from French defence major Dassault Aviation under the framework of an inter-governmental agreement. The Indian Air Force formally inducted the first C-295 medium tactical transport aircraft, days after it was handed over to it in the southern Spanish city of Seville. The IAF received the first of the 56 C295 transport aircraft two years after India sealed a Rs 21,935-crore deal with Airbus Defence and Space to procure the jets to replace its ageing Avro-748 fleet. Under the deal, Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft in 'fly-away' condition from its final assembly line in Seville by 2025 and the subsequent 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) in India as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies. The Defence Ministry also maintained its focus on making India a hub for defence manufacturing in the year. In June, American defence major GE Aerospace inked an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to co-produce F-414 fighter jet engines in India, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the US. According to provisions of the deal, GE Aerospace's F414 engines will be co-produced in India to power Tejas light combat aircraft Mk2. The agreement was seen as a transformational move in further expanding the India-US global strategic partnership. In reflection of growing military ties between the two nations, two B-1B Lancer supersonic heavy bomber jets of the US Air Force joined the American exhibits at the Aero India at the Yelahanka air base in February. The bomber carries the largest conventional payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the US Air Force and is considered the backbone of America's long-range bomber force, American officials said. The defence and strategic ties between India and France also witnessed a major upswing in 2023. The two sides announced a raft of ground-breaking defence cooperation projects including the joint development of jet and helicopter engines and construction of three Scorpene submarines for the Indian Navy in July. The Government also worked on its policy to boost domestic defence production. The value of defence production in 2022-23 crossed the figure of Rs one lakh crore for the first time ever. In November, Prime Minister Modi flew a sortie in 'Tejas' twin-seater Light Combat Aircraft designed, developed and manufactured by HAL. During the 30-minute sortie, capabilities of Tejas were demonstrated to PM Modi. It was the first time an Indian prime minister flew a fighter aircraft sortie. In tune with the Government's policy priorities, the Three Services carried out numerous military exercises in the last one year with their counterparts from several friendly nations to boost cooperation in confronting common challenges. In the fag end of the year, the Indian Navy commenced focused maritime security operations in the Arabian sea in view of incidents of attacks on commercial vessels. Liberian-flagged vessel MV Chem Pluto, with 21 Indian crew members, was the target of a drone attack off India's west coast on December 23, triggering security concerns as the incident came amid Iran-backed Houthi militants launching strikes on several commercial ships. Another commercial crude oil tanker, MV Sai Baba, that was on the way to India came under a suspected drone strike in the Southern Red Sea on the same day. India also prioritised development of border infrastructure in 2023 as 118 projects of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) were dedicated to the nation by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in 2023. In September, he launched 90 infrastructure projects worth over Rs 2,900 crore, spread across 11 states and Union Territories. In February, the defence budget was increased to Rs 5.94 lakh crore for 2023-24 in a modest hike of 13 per cent from previous year's allocation of Rs 5.25 lakh crore. The year also saw women armed forces personnel shattering glass ceiling on many fronts. Captain Shiva Chauhan became the first woman officer to get operationally deployed in Kumar Post, Siachen Glacier in January. Siachen is the world's highest battlefield. In another milestone, Lt Cdr Prerna Deosthalee was named as the first woman officer to command an Indian Naval warship. The induction of women officers in the Regiment of Artillery is under progress. Ten women officers were commissioned in the Regiment of Artillery during 2023. The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed Group Captain Shaliza Dhami to take over the command of a frontline combat unit in the Western sector. She is the first woman to command any combat unit of the IAF. The year 2023 saw the Indian Army continuing its anti-militancy operations in Jammu and Kashmir besides keeping a strong vigil over the Line of Control. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code Maxy Maligisa has been crowned the winner of The Great New Year Bake Off after returning to the tent for a festive special. Four bakers from previous series returned to the show to see in 2024: Northern Irish star Mark Lutton from the 2020 series, German baker Jurgen Krauss who narrowly missed out on the final from series 12, former midwife Maggie Richardson from 2021 and Maxy Maligisa from series 13. Advertisement This is definitely an amazing ending to my Bake Off story, Maligisa said after being crowned. "Oh my god, I won! I was so nervous about all of my bakes!" Huge congratulations to Maxy for winning The Great New Year's Bake Off after wowing the judges with her awesome efforts. #GBBO pic.twitter.com/q66EVQEVtA British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) January 1, 2024 Advertisement I came in here and I didnt think I was going to win and I was so nervous about all of my bakes. Advertisement Judge Paul Hollywood, who was recently made an MBE, said: Maxy does appear to lack confidence but I hope this helps because she really did hit it out of the park. Advertisement The one-off special saw the quartet first challenged to make 12 religieuse choux buns that look like nuns. Jurgen's 'New Year's Sunrise' Smash Cake Showstopper for The Great New Year's Bake Off. #GBBO pic.twitter.com/icdYGXDBYt British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) January 1, 2024 Advertisement Krausss chimney sweep-shaped buns filled with rum and kirsch, complete with top hats, were praised by Hollywood for their beautiful flavours, really alcoholic, but he failed to get a good rise after he forgot to turn the oven on. Maligisas nativity scene religieuse were hailed for their good flavour but she did not get to finish her decoration in the allotted time, while Luttons chocolate orange choux buns were praised by judge Dame Prue Leith as so neat and jolly, absolutely delicious. Advertisement However, it was a disaster forRichardson, whose chestnut and cranberry nuns with piped collars and sparkles failed to rise after her pastry split, with Dame Prue saying: It doesnt even taste nice. For the technical challenge, the bakers were tasked with preparing a galette des rois but Krauss came last with his heavy offering. Advertisement Richardson came third and Lutton second, with Maligisa triumphing for her bake, praised by Hollywood for good height, good colour. Spot on. Maxy's 'Phoenix' Smash Cake Showstopper for The Great New Year's Bake Off. #GBBO pic.twitter.com/Zib2t6lGV3 British Bake Off (@BritishBakeOff) January 1, 2024 After two failures in a row, Krauss remarked he is not a baking god, just another human being baking. The final showstopper challenge was to create a new year-inspired smash cake a cake encased in a smashable chocolate shell. Richardsons run of bad luck continued when her chocolate, orange and chilli cake failed to impress after her dome and collar broke and Hollywood branded it very dry. Luttons boozy snowman tropical rum and ginger sponge cake was praised as delicious but Hollywood said his icing did not have enough flavour. Meanwhile, Maligisa dazzled with her lemon cake with mango and passion fruit coulis decorated with a phoenix, which was praised by Dame Prue as very very clever, I cant fault it. But it was Krausss cake that was hailed by Dame Prue as the star bake of the week. His Mount Fuji-inspired chocolate cake with matcha biscuits was described by Hollywood as beautiful, nice and light. This is vintage Jurgen coming back. Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell said there is a responsibility to address the roots of this unwarranted fear, and the harm it unleashes referring to Sundays fire at a former pub earmarked for homeless accommodation. The fire that gutted the Shipwright pub in Ringsend, was likely started deliberately on New Years Eve is thought to have been started deliberately, gardai believe. Advertisement A Garda forensic investigation of the scene has been completed, and CCTV evidence has been gathered from the area which will help identify the suspects. The building has been surrounded by false rumours that it was to be used to accommodate asylum seekers - several protests have also taken place in the weeks leading up to Sundays blaze by far-right advocates. Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said those found responsible for the arson attack will be brought to justice. Advertisement Last month, the former hotel Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill, Co Galway was completely destroyed in another suspected arson after being acquired by the Government for asylum seeker housing. Advertisement Speaking at a Mass for the Diplomatic Corps on World Day of Peace in the Church of the Holy Spirit in Ballyroan Archbishop Farrell pointed out that it is not enough to condemn incidents like Sundays fire in Ringsend". He continued: Conflicts survive on the caricature of our opponents. We make our sisters and brothers - often people weve never encountered - different to ourselves. It is this tendency, and it is in us all, that we must work to address. Here is one of the deepest roots of the fear that can prove so corrosive in our societies, a fear weve seen erupt destructively in recent days. We have a responsibility to understand and urgently address the roots of this unwarranted fear, and the harm it unleashes. Archbishop Farrell added that peace building" can be learned and taught. Advertisement In the words of Pope Saint Paul VI, as he inaugurated the World Day of Peace 1968, the world must be educated to love peace, to build it up and defend it. Advertisement The Archbishop pointed out that displacement of any person touches our lives in many ways. Clearly its cost puts further pressure on State services which are already stretched. This brings in its wake a call for solidarity and generosity in ways that some countries, including our own, may not have confronted before. Addressing the diplomats who attended the Mass the Archbishop referenced that on the days since Christmas another tranche of State Papers has been declassified. He highlighted that their hidden efforts and the values that motivate their work of fostering dialogue and cooperation between people of different political, social, ethnic, and religious backgrounds can only do any country including Ireland some good. Advertisement I acknowledge the presence of the Dean and members of the Diplomatic Corps. Without constant dialogue which is your work, no peaceful, equitable, or enduring ways forward will be found, the Archbishop noted. This ongoing work of diplomacy is vital. Of course, the test is life rather than the precision of the definitions. While our words matter; what people do is what makes the difference. In international relations, it is not what leaders and States say, it is what they - and we as citizens - do. The chief executive of the new electoral authority has emphasised that it is not its job to win referendums for the Government, as the State plans to hold every type of poll there is in the next 20 months. Two referendums are to be held in March on whether the Irish constitution should be changed to provide for a wider concept of family, and on whether to delete a reference to the role and duties of women in the home and replace it with a new article on carers. Advertisement Local authority and European Parliament elections are to be held in June and a general election could be called in 2024 although Ministers have emphasised that they want the Coalition to run its full term to the spring of 2025. Added to that is the presidential election in 2025, the Seanad elections and several by-elections, as well as a new vote on a directly elected mayor for Limerick city. Advertisement The Electoral Commission, which was established in February 2023 after 30 years of governments suggesting the idea, is to provide information on and encourage people to engage in elections and referendums. While acknowledging the challenges ahead, including how to tackle disinformation, chief executive of the Electoral Commission, Art OLeary, is not worried about resources. Advertisement He hopes to encourage people who are fed up with politicians to use their vote. Advertisement We need to be eye-wateringly ambitious, he told the PA news agency a day after moving into new offices. I like to to look at them (the series of elections) as a glorious opportunity for learning and to collect data. Were kicking off a longitudinal study of electoral events which is to last, Im projecting, for the next 25 years. We dont know why people dont vote, and we dont really know what the turnout rate is. Advertisement We need to understand why people vote the way they do, and we need to understand if they have enough information to be able to cast their vote we have no information on this. Once the Bill on the referendum wording passes both houses of the Oireachtas, the commission will formally launch its campaign to explain in simple terms what the Government is proposing. Advertisement The campaign will involve encouraging people to ensure they are on the electoral register, giving information about the referendum wording and then encouraging people to go out to use their vote on the day. Mr OLeary said 16-page booklets will be delivered to two million households across the country, at least a week ahead of the plebiscites on Friday, March 8th. Advertisement Although the referendums are being proposed by the Government, Mr OLeary emphasised that the commission was established by the Houses of the Oireachtas. Mr OLeary said that it is politically blind to political parties and its job is to be independent and impartial. Our job isnt to win this referendum for the Government. Our job is simply to explain to the people what the referendum is all about, and people can make up their own mind. This is what democracy is all about, he said. The Electoral Commission does not yet have the powers to act in relation to online political advertising, disinformation or misinformation in time for the referendums in March, and possibly not in time for the summer elections. Though those powers are contained in parts four and five of Bill, they have yet to be commenced, Mr OLeary said. Advertisement But other powers the commission has may allow it to act on something that is not right. Asked what would happen if there is incorrect information on a poster, Mr OLeary said they would not be able to take down the posters as their powers relate to online information only, but they could release a statement to set the record straight. Well call it out, I think thats probably as much as we can do, he said. Asked whether they would consider setting up a disinformation register, as Australias Electoral Commission has, he said: We may do, its certainly an option. It is our job to provide trusted information to people and if were calling out disinformation and saying what this person is saying, or what these people are saying is simply not correct, then we may look at putting that on our website in a single place where people can go. Art OLeary during a press conference at the Royal College of Physicians, Dublin, for the Electoral Commission (PA) He added: The challenge for us is speed. During the white-hot heat of an election campaign, we dont have time to sit back and luxuriate about whether something is misinformation or disinformation or not, because hours or even minutes might be important here. And this is why we need to build an organisation that is flexible enough and responsive enough to be able to manage those challenges. Advertisement The technical challenge is well still be writing the review of the referendum electoral experience during the local and European Parliament one, so the opportunity to learn from one to another wont be maximised. We cant look at this in isolation. The next two years are going to be extraordinarily busy, we accept that, but were building an organisation thats going to last 100 years. People look back at the elections in 1981 and 1982. We had three general elections in 18 months then and the ceiling didnt fall in well manage it. He added: Im not concerned about resources. We have enough people to do what we need to do for the moment, anyway. Mr OLeary, who has a five-year contract in the role, spent seven years as secretary general to the president and 20 years in Leinster House in various civil servant roles. He designed the model for Citizens Assemblies and has run three of the six held to date, and advised on the others. Asked about disillusioned parts of the electorate, he said: I was at the Citizens Assembly on drug use during the summer, and one of the speakers there was a man who worked in an addiction treatment centre treating addicts. Advertisement He said something that profoundly affected my thinking about this whole issue. He said there is no such thing as hard to reach people or hard to reach groups, there are only hard to reach services. So I think that weve been looking at this issue from the wrong end of the telescope for a long time and we might say, How will we get them to come to us?. Thats not the challenge we have to be in their communities. So we need to be on TikTok. We need to be on social media. We need to be telling the story in a way that appeals to young people and Travellers and immigrants and all of the people who are disillusioned and disengaged. More than four in 10 Irish people are dissatisfied with the way democracy works in the State, according to the findings of a major new EU-wide survey. The report, carried out on behalf of the European Commission, highlights above-average levels of dissatisfaction among Irish citizens with various aspects of democracy, including access to accurate information, expressing political opinions and engaging with politicians. Advertisement It also revealed that Irish people perceive false and/or misleading information circulating both online and offline as the most serious threat to democracy. The Eurobarometer poll also highlighted how 40 per cent of Irish respondents said they believed they had been personally exposed frequently to disinformation and fake news over the previous week the eighth-highest rate in the EU, where the average was 35 per cent. A further 34 per cent of Irish adults said they were sometimes exposed to misleading information over the same time period. Advertisement Just 18 per cent of Irish people claimed they were rarely or never exposed to disinformation and fake news. Advertisement The survey on the attitudes of EU citizens to democracy revealed 42 per cent of Irish adults expressed dissatisfaction with democracy in Ireland, including 19 per cent who were not at all satisfied with how it works. While 54 per cent of Irish respondents were satisfied with how democracy works in the State, it was only the ninth-highest rate among the 27 EU member states. Two-thirds of people from Ireland (67 per cent) agreed that they could access accurate information from multiple media sources about important national topics in their country. However, it was the eighth-lowest level of satisfaction with access to accurate information across the 27 EU member states, and below the EU average of 72 per cent. Advertisement Similarly, just under two-thirds of Irish people (64 per cent) said they could express their political opinion without fearing negative consequences, giving us the ninth-lowest rate in the EU, which had a comparable average of 68 per cent. Concern Asked about the ability to engage with politicians, 58 per cent of Irish respondents agreed they could debate issues with candidates and political parties the same level as the bloc's average but still the eighth-lowest rate within the EU. Advertisement The survey of 25,600 citizens across the EU, including over 1,000 in Ireland, found women, people under 40 and rural dwellers, as well as those with low levels of education, were more likely to be dissatisfied with democracy in their country. Asked about the most serious threat to democracy, 39 per cent of Irish respondents identified false and misleading information as their biggest concern, followed by growing distrust and scepticism towards democratic institutions (31 per cent) and a lack of knowledge among voters about the functioning of democratic processes (26 per cent). Advertisement Questioned about who was best at defending democracy, Irish people said they would have the most confidence in their fellow citizens (65 per cent), with a majority also supportive of EU institutions, civil society organisations and the court system. However, a minority expressed confidence in the media (41 per cent) and political parties and politicians (38 per cent) to defend democracy, although the rates were above the EU average. Online social networks were identified as the main source of disinformation and fake news by 69 per cent of Irish respondents. Television was named as a source of misleading information by 28 per cent, followed by online newspapers (24 per cent) and messaging apps (20 per cent). Advertisement More than half of Irish people (52 per cent) said online platforms should do more to prevent the spread of false and misleading information, while only 6 per cent claimed they should not be held responsible for reducing the spread of it. Advertisement Asked about ways to fight disinformation, a majority of Irish respondents (52 per cent) called for people using online platforms to be prompted to verify information before sharing it with others. Only 15 per cent felt internet users were sufficiently equipped to identify on their own the difference between what was true and false. Worryingly, a majority of respondents were unhappy with democracy in their country in 17 EU member states. In 11 countries, more than a quarter of respondents claimed they were very dissatisfied with the way democracy worked. They included France, Poland and Greece, while Hungary had the highest figure of any EU country at 49 per cent. The European Commission said democracy in the EU and its member states has been facing a number of challenges in recent years, including rising extremism and polarisation, perceived distancing between citizens and their elected representatives and the spread of disinformation. It claimed its European Democracy Action Plan (EDAP) is designed to empower citizens and build more resilient democracies across the EU by promoting free and fair elections, strengthening media freedom and pluralism and countering disinformation. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced a package of reform in 2022 that would deepen the actions under EDAP as well as bring covert foreign influence and shady funding to light. Ryan Tubridy will return to Irish airwaves on Tuesday morning (January 2nd). Tubridy will be broadcasting live on Dublins Q102. Advertisement The presenter joins the weekday lineup on Dublins Feel-Good Music station from 10am to 1pm where his show will cover "a mixture of great music, engaging chats, celebrity guests and audience interaction". Tubridy, who will be live from the London studios of Q102s sister station Virgin Radio UK, will also host a dedicated Irish weekend show called The Ryan Tubridy Show on Sunday from 10am to 12pm. This means Tubridy will be broadcasting to Irish audiences six days a week. Advertisement This show will broadcast across Dublins Q102, Corks 96FM, Limericks Live 95 and LMFM. Both the weekday and weekend show will be brought to listeners in association with Hyundai Ireland. Advertisement Tubridy said: Im really looking forward to getting back on the Irish airwaves and back to the listeners who have supported me since day one. I love Irish radio, so its great to be back on air six days a week especially with such an iconic station like Q102. "Its a real privilege to join their stellar weekday and weekend line-up of shows and presenters. Make sure to tune in for some great music, chats, and of course, plenty of fun along the way." Tubridy, who was RTE's highest-paid employee, recently said he was thrashed during a controversy which arose following revelations about his pay and an undisclosed commercial deal that was arranged by the national broadcaster. Advertisement In a podcast appearance, Tubridy said it was arguably the best thing that ever happened to him due to his subsequent employment with Virgin Radio in London. Tubridy said: Blessings come in strange disguises and thats what happened because arguably the best thing that ever happened to me was what happened to me. I always wanted to go to London. I always wanted to investigate radio over there and TV but I never did it. I was thinking about it but I was procrastinating. Speaking to The Laughs Of Your Life with Doireann Garrihy podcast, Tubridy said offers started to roll in across the UK and Ireland after his RTE employment ended. Sex and the City actress Sarah Jessica Parker, who is spending the festive period in Donegal ahead of her January appearance in Londons West End, has vowed to follow an Irish tradition for the new year. The Just Like That actress and entrepreneur arrived at Dublin Airport from New York on December 22nd with her family to spend Christmas and New Years celebrations in Ireland. Advertisement Ms Parker, took to Instagram in the early hours of New Years Day and posted her new tradition with the words by Brooke Hampton and added: Its forever now a tradition in the Broderick-Parker home. She thanked a friend for introducing her to it. In Ireland, on New Years Eve at midnight, its a tradition to open your backdoor and let the old year out and open your front door to let the new one in. Out with the old, in with the new. I like that. Advertisement Ms Parker added: A toast to 2023, to the year ahead, and to all of you. Hoping this finds you somewhere that brings you joy as this year comes to a close, with a loved one or a good book or a delicious meal or all of the above. Cheers to all, near and far. SJ X. The successful actress is taking a break in Donegal in the lead up to making her West End Debut in Plaza Suite at Londons Savoy Theatre later this month. Advertisement The actor will appear alongside her husband and the show which will run from January 15th to March 31st, 2024. Plaza Suite shares the stories of three separate couples, all played by Parker and Broderick. The couple play Karen and Sam who are a long-married pair whose relationship may be headed for an early checkout. Muriel and Jesse are former high school sweethearts who seem destined for an extended stay. Norma and Roy are the mother and father of the bride, ready to celebrate their daughters nuptials according to the shows official description. The play has already been staged on Broadway. The actress frequently visits Donegal as she and her family have a holiday home located there. They extended their hideaway home several years ago. Israeli strikes in central Gaza killed at least 35 people on Sunday, hospital officials said, as the military targeted areas in several parts of the territory a day after the countrys prime minister said the war will continue for many more months, resisting international calls for a ceasefire. The military said Israeli forces were operating in Gazas second-largest city, Khan Younis, and residents reported strikes in the central part of the tiny enclave, after Israel this week made that region the new focus of its war. Advertisement The war has raised fears of a broader regional conflagration. The US military said on Sunday that it had shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired towards a container ship by Yemens Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. (PA Graphics) Advertisement Hours later, four boats tried to attack the same ship, but US forces opened fire, killing several of the armed crews, the US Central Command said. Advertisement Israel says it wants to destroy Hamass governing and military capabilities in Gaza, from where the group launched its October 7th attack on southern Israel which killed 1,200 people, and took 240 people hostage, according to Israeli authorities. Israels unprecedented air and ground offensive has killed more than 21,600 Palestinians and wounded more than 55,000 others, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza. The war has sparked a humanitarian crisis, with a quarter of Gaza residents facing starvation, according to the United Nations. Advertisement Israels bombardments have flattened vast swathes of the territory, making parts uninhabitable and displacing some 85 per cent of Gazas inhabitants. Palestinians load the bodies of relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip on to a truck in Deir al Balah (Adel Hana/AP) Israel expanded its offensive to central Gaza this week, targeting a belt of dense urban neighbourhoods which house refugees from the war surrounding Israels creation in 1948 and their descendants. The fighting has left Palestinians in Gaza with the feeling that nowhere is safe. Advertisement In the area of Zweida in central Gaza, an Israeli air strike killed at least 13 people and wounded dozens of others, according to witnesses. The bodies were draped in white plastic and laid out in front of a hospital, where prayers were held before burial. They were innocent people, said Hussein Siam, whose relatives were among the dead. Israeli warplanes bombarded the whole family. Advertisement Officials from Al-Aqsa Hospital in central Deir al-Balah said the 13 were among 35 bodies received on Sunday. The Israeli military said it is battling militants in Khan Younis, where Israel believes Hamas leaders are hiding. Advertisement It also said its forces operating in Shati, in northern Gaza, found a bomb in a nursery school and defused it. Eman al-Masri, who gave birth to quadruplets a week ago at a hospital in Deir al-Balah, is now sheltering with them in a room with 50 other people at a school-turned-shelter. There is a shortage of diapers, they are not available, and no milk, she said. Israeli security forces take up positions during a military raid in the Askar refugee camp near the West Bank city of Nablus (Majdi Mohammed/AP) Hamas continues to launch rockets towards southern Israel. Israel has faced stiff resistance from Hamas since it began its ground offensive in late October, and the military says 172 soldiers have been killed during that time. The magnitude of the destruction in Gaza coupled with the wars length has raised questions about the achievability of Israels goal to quash Hamas as well as about its plans for post-war Gaza. Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu has said Israel must maintain open-ended security control over the Gaza Strip, without saying what would come next. At a news conference on Saturday, where he said the war will continue for many more months, he reiterated his intention to preserve an Israeli military foothold in a narrow strip of land in southern Gaza near the border with Egypt. Advertisement Israeli security forces arrest two Palestinian men during a military raid in the Askar refugee camp near the West Bank city of Nablus (Majdi Mohammed/AP) (It) must be in our hands, it must be sealed. Its clear that any other agreement will not guarantee the demilitarisation that we need and require, he said. Israel says Hamas has smuggled weapons in through the Egyptian border, but Egypt is likely to oppose any Israeli military presence there. In his public remarks about Israels plans for the Gaza Strip, Mr Netanyahu has also said he will not allow the internationally-backed Palestinian Authority, which administers some parts of the West Bank, to participate in any future rule over Gaza. That position has put him at odds with the Biden administration over who should run Gaza after the war. The US backs the idea that a unified Palestinian government should run both Gaza and parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank as a precursor to eventual statehood. Israeli media have reported that Mr Netanyahu has repeatedly dodged holding meetings with his War Cabinet about the post-war possibilities. On Sunday, Israels far-right finance minister said it should encourage migration from Gaza and re-establish Jewish settlements in the territory, from which it withdrew settlers and soldiers in 2005. If in Gaza there were only 100,000 or 200,000 Arabs and not two million, the entire discussion about the day after would be completely different, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told Army Radio. Advertisement Mr Smotrich has been largely sidelined by a War Cabinet that does not include him. But his comments risked worsening tensions with neighbouring Egypt, which is deeply concerned about a possible mass influx of Palestinian refugees, as well as other friendly Arab countries. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, Israels chief military spokesman, said late on Sunday that Israel was withdrawing some forces from Gaza as part of its smart management of the war. He did not say how many, and held out the possibility they would return at a later point in the war. Israeli media said up to five brigades, numbering thousands of soldiers, would be withdrawn, but it was not immediately clear if it represented a normal troop rotation or a new phase in the fighting. Mr Hagari also said some reservists would return to civilian life to bolster Israels wartime economy. A former member of Mr Netanyahus Cabinet has offered one of the partys first public apologies for the internal strife that preceded Hamass October 7th attack. Knesset member Galit Distel Atbaryan was speaking in an interview with Israels Channel 13 on Sunday. She said: Im here sitting and telling you, the democratic, secular public: I sinned against you, I caused pain for you, I caused you to fear for your lives here, and I am sorry for this. Advertisement Ms Distel Atbaryan added she was also taking responsibility for her role in the massive protests and civil discord that erupted after Mr Netanyahus right-wing government attempted to implement a far-reaching overhaul of the judicial system. Israels Supreme Court has struck down a key component of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus contentious judicial overhaul, a decision that threatens to reopen the fissures in Israeli society that preceded the countrys ongoing war against Hamas. Those divisions were largely put aside while the country focuses on the war in Gaza, which was triggered by a bloody cross-border attack by Hamas. Advertisement Mondays court decision could reignite those tensions, which sparked months of mass protests against the government and had rattled the cohesion of the powerful military. There was no immediate reaction from Mr Netanyahu. In Mondays decision, the court narrowly voted to overturn a law passed in July that prevents judges from striking down government decisions they deem unreasonable. Opponents had argued that Mr Netanyahus efforts to remove the standard of reasonability opens the door to corruption and improper appointments of unqualified cronies to important positions. Advertisement Advertisement The law was the first in a planned overhaul of the Israeli justice system. An Israeli military helicopter flies near the Israeli-Gaza border on Monday (Leo Correa/AP) The overhaul was put on hold after Hamas militants carried out their October 7th attack, killing some 1,200 people and kidnapping 240 others. Advertisement Israel immediately declared war and is pressing forward with an offensive that Palestinian health officials say has killed nearly 22,000 people in Gaza. In an eight to seven decision, the Supreme Court justices struck down the law because of the severe and unprecedented harm to the core character of the State of Israel as a democratic country. The justices also voted 12 to three that they had the authority to overturn so-called basic laws, major pieces of legislation that serve as a sort of constitution for Israel. It was a significant blow to Mr Netanyahu and his hard-line allies, who claimed the national legislature, not the high court, should have the final word over the legality of legislation and other key decisions. Advertisement The justices said the Knesset, or parliament, does not have omnipotent power. Mr Netanyahu and his allies announced their sweeping overhaul plan shortly after taking office a year ago. Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip (Ariel Schalit/AP) Advertisement It calls for curbing the power of the judges, from limiting the Supreme Courts ability to review parliamentary decisions to changing the way judges are appointed. Advertisement Mr Netanyahu and his allies said the changes aim to strengthen democracy by limiting the authority of unelected judges and turning over more powers to elected officials. But opponents see the overhaul as a power grab by Mr Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges, and an assault on a key watchdog. Before the war, hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets in weekly protests against the government. Among the demonstrators were military reservists, including fighter pilots and members of other elite units, who said they would stop reporting for duty if the overhaul was passed. The reservists make up the backbone of the military. While the reservists quickly returned to duty after the October 7 attacks in a show of unity, it remains unclear what will happen if the overhaul efforts are revived. A resumption of the protests could undermine national unity and affect the militarys readiness if soldiers refuse to report for duty. Under the Israeli system, the prime minister governs through a majority coalition in parliament in effect giving him control over the executive and legislative branches of government. As a result, the Supreme Court plays a critical oversight role. Critics say that by seeking to weaken the judiciary, Mr Netanyahu and his allies are trying to erode the countrys checks and balances and consolidate power over the third, independent branch of government. Advertisement Mr Netanyahus allies include an array of ultranationalist and religious parties with a list of grievances against the court. His allies have called for increased West Bank settlement construction, annexation of the occupied territory, perpetuating military draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men, and limiting the rights of LGBTQ+ people and Palestinians. The US had previously urged Mr Netanyahu to put the plans on hold and seek a broad consensus across the political spectrum. The court issued its decision because its outgoing president, Esther Hayut, is retiring and Monday was her last day on the job. Advertisement Eating outComing soon 13 exciting Sydney restaurant and bar openings to look forward to in 2024 High-end Korean, fin-to-tail dining, Latin flavours and live music are all on the menu for Sydney in the new year. Scott Bolles January 1, 2024 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 After a bumper crop of Sydney hospitality openings in 2023, the next vintage is maturing nicely. Expect more music with your food in 2024, some mind-bending cuisine pairings and another dose of top-shelf chef action. The relocation of Paddington fine diner Saint Peter to The Grand National Hotel, around the corner in Underwood Street, is shaping up as one of the key restaurant openings of 2024. It was initially hoped it might open in late 2023, but chef and co-owner Josh Niland says we are looking realistically like end of May. When finished, the project will include an opulent 45-seat restaurant, a 15-seat private dining room, a bar and a boutique hotel. Josh and Julie Niland are moving their flagship restaurant, Saint Peter. Dominic Lorrimer The Grounds Roastery, the South Eveleigh mega-venue from the team at The Grounds of Alexandria, suffered delays that pushed back its projected mid-to-late-2023 opening. Designers ACME are transforming the sprawling heritage locomotive workshop into a new roastery, bean-to-brew cafe and 200-seat restaurant. Owner Ramzey Choker is gunning for a late-January start. Father-and-son double act Maurice and Sylvester Terzini hoped to open Snack Kitchen, a Euro-leaning one-year Potts Point residency, in December. We decided to open January 3 [instead]. Start fresh in the New Year, says Terzini jnr. The veteran Icebergs restaurateur and his protege are pitching a tight but interesting drinks list at the 40-seater, which will serve tasty, salty snacks such as tomato carpaccio with anchovies and olives, and Spanish tortilla. Advertisement Advertisement Odd Culture CEO James Thorpe (pictured with Sabrina Medcalf, Nick Zavadzsky and Jordan Blackman) says Pleasure Club will be a game changer. Supplied The Sydney CBD will kick up another gear in 2024. Hospitality giant Merivale is opening one of the more intriguing new venues, Good Luck Restaurant Lounge, in early 2024. The Asian-hybrid restaurant, in the landmark Burns Philp & Co building on Bridge Street, is under the food direction of Mike Eggert, the chef behind Tottis. The moniker references his 2017 pop-up, Good Luck Pinbone, in Kensington. Pinbone leaned into a mix of Italian and Chinese cuisine, but Good Luck takes more inspiration from Tokyo. Think Tottis but then add soy, dashi, vinegar with fresh herbs, citrus and chilli, Eggert says. In early March, Alejandro Saravia, the chef responsible for hit Melbourne restaurant Farmers Daughters, will open 180-seat Morena in Sydneys GPO building at Martin Place, once home to Intermezzo. Morena will tap into the Peruvian chefs Latin American roots, sweeping everywhere from Cuba and Brazil to Peru. Alejandro Saravia outside his soon-to-open Martin Place restaurant Morena. Edwina Pickles Sometime around May, were expecting the relaunch of Surry Hills White Horse Hotel. The glammed-up Crown Street landmark will have WA chef Jed Gerrard leading in the kitchen (hes also culinary director at acclaimed Margaret River fine-diner Wills Domain), while sommelier James Audus will steer the wine list and Micheal Chiem will helm the bar. Advertisement Its a formidable team: Audus is co-owner of Byron Bays Bar Heather, recent winner of the Good Food Guides New Regional Restaurant of the Year, and Chiems CBD cocktail destination PS40 received the Guides Bar of the Year gong. Expect a public bar and restaurant on the ground floor, and a cocktail bar on level one. Our brief for the venue is simple a pub we would all like to go to, says White Horse general manager Craig Hemmings. Sneaking in before the end of 2023 is Archies Bar, a summer pop-up from mothership Manly Pavilion. Archies is downstairs on the West Esplanade Wharf, under the archways between Manly Pavilion and the aquarium, says an Archies spokesman. Were serving Italian-style small plates: anchovy toast; arrosticini (lamb-neck skewers with salsa verde); crab toast; gelato and sorbets. The drinks menu includes a classic spritz and mini martinis, perfect for quenching your thirst after completing the coastal walk from The Spit to Manly. Its open noon to 8pm daily from December 21 until early February. In August, hospitality veteran Rob Domjen and publican-restaurateur Ben May snapped up the Reef Restaurant and Cove Cafe, a waterside jewel in the coastal town of Terrigal, north of Sydney. The master plan is to transform the multistorey site into the Terrigal Pavilion with a major revamp in 2024. Meanwhile, Pavilion Pop-up will run through summer, offering a taste of whats to come. Weve given it a lick of paint, put in some new furniture, Domjen says. The kiosk will open at 7am, with the doors opening on different levels throughout the day. Theyve cranked up the pizza oven and will also dish up a coastal staple, beer-battered fish and chips. An artists impression of the Terrigal Pavilion. It is not Domjen and Mays only summer project. In mid-January, theyll unveil the fruits of a $7 million renovation of the Barrenjoey Boatshed. The old boatshed, a Palm Beach landmark since 1947, has undergone a $7 million rebuild from the water up and will reopen as The Joey. May and Domjen deliberately steered away from a decorative beach vibe with its interior design. Its still coastal but more refined and grown-up, May says. Expect custom tables, cork ceilings, leather banquettes, and mid-century-style chairs. Advertisement Adam Lockett was the last truck driver in the timber town of Heyfield. Now he lives on the road, on couches and above pubs, chasing temporary work across Victoria. I have no fixed address any more, Lockett said. Youre constantly chasing work, wondering where youll be, where youll end up. Adam Lockett had to leave timber town Heyfield in search of work. Credit: Luis Ascui Native logging is formally banned in the state from Monday, but most work had already wound up. First there were Supreme Court injunctions that found the state-owned logging agency VicForests had failed to protect endangered gliders. Then in May, the Victorian government gave six months notice that it would bring forward its ban by six years from 2030 to 2024. Cairo/Gaza/Jerusalem: Israeli jets have intensified attacks on central Gaza, residents and medics said, as battles raged through the rubble of towns and refugee camps in a war Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said would take many more months to end. Netanyahus comments signal no let-up in a campaign that has killed many thousands and levelled much of Gaza, while his vow to restore Israeli control over the enclaves border with Egypt raises new questions over an eventual two-state solution. Israeli soldiers load shells onto a tank in southern Israel near the border with Gaza. Credit: AP The Israeli military will release some reservists who were called up to fight Hamas in Gaza, a move it said would help the economy as the country prepares for a prolonged war. Airstrikes pounded al-Maghazi and al-Bureij in the centre of Gaza, killing 10 people in one house and driving more to flee to Rafah on the border with Egypt from front lines where Israeli tanks are battling Hamas fighters. Indias exports to Iran have been falling over the last one year, amid decline in rupee reserves of the West Asian economy. Going ahead, the possibility of augmenting exports to Iran may not be easy for India, considering the geopolitical tensions Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts and the West Asian countrys support for Russia and Hamas, people aware of the matter said. Exports to Iran saw a downward spiral since November last year. During calendar year 2023, outbound shipments to Iran contracted nearly 44 per cent to $888 million during January-October. The decline has been led predominantly by basmati rice, along with high-quality The Home Minister had chaired a similar high-level review meeting on the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir on January 13 last year Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to chair a high-level security review meeting on Jammu and Kashmir in the national capital on Tuesday which would discuss the law and order situation and issues like security grid and zero terror plan, sources said. In the meeting, which is scheduled for the afternoon, the Home Minister is to review the functioning of the security grid and various aspects related to security as well as development initiatives in the Union Territory. It is learnt that the Home Minister would review the area domination plan, zero terror plan, law and order situation, cases related to UAPA and other security-related issues. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, and Director General of Police RR Swain would be present in the meeting, sources said. The meeting will also be attended by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, Director Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, Director Generals of Police of Central Reserve Police Force and the Border Security Force besides concerned officers of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Jammu and Kashmir. The Centre had notified a New Central Sector Scheme for Industrial Development of Jammu and Kashmir in 2021 with an outlay of Rs 28, 400 crore to boost industrial development. Home Minister may review the development projects of the Union Territory. During 2022-23, an investment of Rs 2153.45 crore was realized in the industrial sector. In 2023-24, an investment of Rs. 2326.65 crore has been realized up to November 2023. The Home Minister had chaired a similar high-level review meeting on the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir on January 13 last year and said that all security agencies are fighting a decisive battle against terrorism following the policy of zero tolerance against terrorism of the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He had also said that a 360-degree security mechanism would be further strengthened to eliminate the support and information system of terrorists. The Minister had also held a review meeting of the security situation of the Union Territory of in New Delhi on April 13 last year in which reviewed the functioning of the security grid and various aspects related to security. Nora Mishanec is a San Francisco Chronicle breaking news and enterprise reporter. She joined the paper in 2020 as a Hearst fellow and returned in 2022 after a stint at The Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at nora.mishanec@sfchronicle.com. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has expressed concern over the attacks on state forces and said that a delegation will soon go to Delhi to meet central leaders and apprise them of the situation. Singh's statement came in the wake of five state police commandos injured in a attack at the border town of Moreh in Tengnoupal district on Saturday. They have been airlifted to Imphal and admitted to hospital. Taking to X, Singh said "The unprecedented attacks against the state forces in the recent times have become a serious national security threat. While the state and central security forces are actively engaged in maintaining control over the situation, it is also imperative for the combined security forces to adopt a robust and comprehensive approach to deal with these elements, who are relentlessly attempting to destabilise the state of Manipur." The CM held a meeting with BJP state president A Sharda Devi, ministers, MLAs and party leaders on Sunday and discussed the situation with them. Singh said a delegation will also be going to Delhi soon to meet the central leaders to apprise them about the situation in Manipur. "Joined a high-level meeting of @BJP4Manipur in presence of Smt @AShardaDevi Ji, President BJP Manipur Pradesh, Hon'ble Ministers, Hon'ble MLAs and party karyakarta to deliberate on a stringent approach to deal with elements who are hell bent on destabilising Manipur. A delegation will also be going to Delhi soon to meet the central leaders in this regard," he said on X. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked banks not to classify zero balance accounts, which are opened for the beneficiaries of government schemes like direct benefit transfer (CBS), even if there is no activity in the account for two years. The regulator said the central and state governments had been expressing difficulty in crediting cheques/direct benefit transfer/electronic benefit transfer/scholarship amounts in these accounts as they are also classified as inoperative due to non-operation for two years. Click here to follow our WhatsApp channel The banks will, based on the purpose of opening the account, segregate the aforementioned accounts in their CBS, so that the stipulation of inoperative account is not applicable to these accounts due to their non-operation for a period of more than two years, the RBI said on Monday. An account that has not been operated for two years is classified as inoperative. The RBI said customers have to submit KYC documents afresh for reactivating the account. Deposits maintained in any account, which have not been operated upon for 10 years or more, or any amount remaining unclaimed for 10 years or more, are required to be transferred by banks to the Depositor Education and Awareness Fund Scheme, which is maintained by the RBI. For the purpose of classifying an account as inoperative, only customer-induced transactions and not bank-induced transactions should be considered, the RBI said. There may be instances where the customer has given a mandate like standing or auto-renewal instructions, and there are no other operations in the savings or current account or the term deposit. These transactions will also be treated as customer-induced transactions, the RBI said. Customer-induced transactions can be either financial or non-financial and also KYC updating done in face-to-face physical mode or through digital channels. Following a review of norms governing inoperative accounts in consultation with stakeholders, the RBI rationalised the instructions, which the regulator said is expected to reduce the quantum of unclaimed deposits in the banking system and return such deposits to their rightful owners/claimants. The revised instructions will come into effect from April 1, 2024. Banks have been asked to undertake at least an annual review in respect of accounts, where there are no customer-induced transactions for more than a year. In cases where there is no explicit mandate to renew the term deposit, the banks should review such accounts if the customers have not withdrawn the proceeds after maturity or transferred these to their savings/current account in order to prevent such deposits from becoming unclaimed, the RBI said. The RBI said the banks should inform the account/deposit holders in writing through letters or email or SMS (if the email and mobile number are registered with the bank) that there has been no operation in their accounts/deposits in the last one year, as the case may be. The alert messages shall invariably mention that the account would become inoperative if no operations are carried out during the next one year and, the account holder would be required to submit KYC documents afresh for reactivating the account in such a case, RBI said in the revised instructions. Bulk deposit limit enhanced to Rs 1 crore for large UCBs Reserve Bank of India has enhanced the bulk deposit limit for scheduled Urban Cooperative Banks having deposits above Rs 1,000 crore. For them, bulk deposit would now mean single term deposits of Rs one crore and above. Earlier, bulk deposit meant single term deposits of Rs 15 lakh and above. For other UCBs, bulk deposit would continue to mean single term deposits of Rs fifteen lakh and above. Jessica Flores is a reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. Before joining The Chronicle in 2021, she worked for USA Today, NPR affiliate KPCC and Curbed LA. Originally from L.A., she received her masters degree in journalism from the University of Southern California and a bachelors degree from Mount Saint Marys University in Los Angeles. She can be reached at Jessica.Flores@sfchronicle.com. I was surprised when a school board member and a county commissioner recently held a press conference to announce their plan for a new elementary school in Red Bank. In all my years, including student, teacher and administrator in our schools here, I dont ever recall any individual board member holding a press conference to offer a personal plan for new construction of a school. The primary function of the school board is that of policy makers and the governing body that approves budgets and hires and fires superintendents. Its true members represent the people of their district however, their decisions and votes affect all the students and taxpayers of Hamilton County and are made in deliberations in public. Building a school is not like a home or a warehouse. Many state regulations and costs may be unknown to most. The professional staff of our school system is bound to follow state law on the awarding of contracts and selecting architects. Just because a piece of property is vacant doesnt necessarily mean you can throw up a school on it. Hopefully the other board members will continue what has worked in the past for other communities of Hamilton County when following school construction policy. Ralph Miller * * * I am a 1963 graduate of Red Bank High School. Over the years I have started and run three different businesses in Red Bank. In the 90s I served as president of the Red Bank Chamber. I know the city of Red Bank well. Mr. Miller is absolutely correct. How can one school board member and one county commissioner call a press conference and give the impression that they are speaking on behalf of those two elected bodies? (Hamilton County School Board and Hamilton County Commission). The last I checked there are 11 members on those two bodies and each has equal voice and vote. Mr. Connor and Mr. Sharpe both claim they want what is best for the 45,000 of students across the county yet all you hear from them is Red Bank. Makes sense, I suppose, since Red Bank comprises the majority of their voting bases. To build an elementary school less than a mile and a half from Red Bank Elementary School is just these two guys becoming activists for their base. Apparently these two men think they know more than the MGT study, more than County Mayor Coppingers group study, more than County Mayor Wamps group study, and more than the current HCDE staff recommendations. Surely the school board, county commissioners, and the taxpayers of Hamilton County will not get in line with the selfish demands of the leadership of the city of Red Bank and the political bullying of Connor and Sharpe. HCDE was willing to compromise with Red Bank to keep an elementary school in their municipality but Red Bank snubbed their nose. I encourage the school board (all 11 of you) to stand up to the bullying of Connor and Sharpe and the self centered political demands of a few of Red Bank elected leaders and follow through with the recommendations of multiple study groups and inputs from community meetings and recommendations from HCDE administrators. School Board, make the tough decisions you were elected to make. Charles Hunt Many folks know Linda Deffenbaugh. She and her husband, John, have lived on Lookout Mountain for 50 years, raising two sons. Linda taught at Chattanooga Christian School and Lookout Mountain School and continues to tutor and sub when needed. An empty nester with four grandsons, Linda managed to forge a close relationship with these boys despite how many miles were between them. In an effort to stay close to my grandsons living almost 2,000 miles away in Colorado and Utah, I began reading to them from an early age over the telephone. What started as our regular reading nights continued, much to my amazement, into their college years, transcending from childrens books to textbooks at the college level. Relationships grew as we read page by page over the telephone for over two decades, Linda explained. Linda always kept her plate full, fully involved in a teaching career, traveling and supporting her husband after he was elected a representative to the Georgia State House. And front and foremost, building important relationships over the telephone with her grandsons. At some point, a fellow LMS colleague suggested Linda write about how those relationships evolved and grew all via the telephone and reading. However full my agenda, a seed had been planted that grew a little more as I encountered numerous social functions within the political realm that allowed me to interact with people from all walks of life. On several occasions, while in Atlanta accompanying John with state business, I would be especially interested when an acquaintance would share their concern about a lack of relationship between their children and grandparents due to geographical distance. One friend explained, My parents live in Connecticut. The distance is too great for a close relationship. Out of sight, out of mind. Then, when I shared my solution, she suggested, You should write about that; I would like to know more. With that encouragement, Linda began to write about her experiences, including the time she told an LMS faculty member that she had just spent $15 to send her grandson a 79-cent box of lozenges because of the overnight delivery. Incredulous, the friend asked why she would do that, and Linda explained that the night before, during reading night, her grandson was coughing and she suggested he try a lozenge. The 3-year-old had never had a lozenge, but her grandmother made sure they were in his little hands the next day. Reading Nights: Growing Relationships Page by Page is the recounting of a journey that I took to grow relationships with my loved ones far away. In it, I explore different books, tips, and strategies for regular long-distance reading nights. My grandsons are now all in colleges across the United States and Canada. Yet, we stay close anywhere. It is my hope that by sharing my journey, it could become yours as well, Linda said. The paperback copies are $12.95 and are available on Amazon, as are e-books and hardback copies. * * * Ferris Robinson is the author of three childrens books, The Queen Who Banished Bugs, The Queen Who Accidentally Banished Birds, and Call Me Arthropod in her pollinator series If Bugs Are Banished. Making Arrangements is her first novel. Dogs and Love - Stories of Fidelity is a collection of true tales about mans best friend. Her website is ferrisrobinson.com and you can download a free pollinator poster there. She is the editor of The Lookout Mountain Mirror and The Signal Mountain Mirror. Ferris Robinson is the author of three childrens books, The Queen Who Banished Bugs, The Queen Who Accidentally Banished Birds, and Call Me Arthropod in her pollinator series If Bugs Are Banished. Making Arrangements is her first novel. Dogs and Love - Stories of Fidelity is a collection of true tales about mans best friend. Her website is ferrisrobinson.com and you can download a free pollinator poster there. She is the editor of The Lookout Mountain Mirror and The Signal Mountain Mirror. Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report: ADCOCK, CYRUS M 7200 TENDERFOOT TRL OOLTEWAH, 373639122 Age at Arrest: 55 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD POSS. OF HANDGUN WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE SPEEDING DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE BOWMAN, JAVIER LAMONTE 5730 LEE HWY, APT 125 Chattanooga, 37421 Age at Arrest: 48 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT (DOMESTIC) BOYD, CARINA NICOLE 1417 MARKET STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37402 Age at Arrest: 34 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DOMESTIC ASSAULT BRASWELL, ASHLEY NICOLE 3430 PLUMWOOD ROAD CHATTANOOGA, 37412 Age at Arrest: 27 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) BROWN, TORRIE DEONDRE 4905 HWY 58 APT 103 CHATTANOOGA, 37416 Age at Arrest: 44 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD FAILURE TO YIELD TO EMERGENCY VEHICLE SPEEDING DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE DRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARE DUFFY, DERRICK ALAN 1507 KARWILL STREET EAST RIDGE, 37412 Age at Arrest: 39 years old Arresting Agency: East Ridge DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE FITZGERALD, JOHN DAVID 5335 SLAYTON AVE CHATTANOOGA, 374102230 Age at Arrest: 49 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DOMESTIC ASSAULT DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE IMPLIED CONSENT LAW - DRIVERS HANSON, WILLIE C 3115 HAMILL RD HIXSON, 373433330 Age at Arrest: 38 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD POSS. OF HANDGUN WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCEOBSTRUCTING HIGHWAY OR OTHER PASSAGEWAYHEADLIGHTS ON MOTOR VEHICLES (INCLEMENT WEATHER)DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCEJONES, STEPHANIE R210 TIM JONES RD DEER LODGE, 37726Age at Arrest: 28 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffAGGRAVATED ASSAULTLAGOS ESCOTO, OLMAN4447 COMET CHATTANOOGA, 37343Age at Arrest: 30 years oldArresting Agency: Tenn Hwy PatrolDRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE BY CONSENTLAGOS-SCOTO, JOSE DANIEL1103 S. HIGHLAND PARK CHATTANOOGA, 37404Age at Arrest: 39 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffDRIVING WITHOUT DRIVERS LICENSE / EXPIRED LICENSESPEEDINGDRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCEIMPLIED CONSENT LAW - DRIVERSLUTTRELL, KASEY MICHELLE439 SEVIER ST HIXSON, 373431652Age at Arrest: 31 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDFAILURE TO APPEARMCCLENDON, JAMES TYRONE5615 OLD MITION RD APT A CHATTANOOGA, 37411Age at Arrest: 57 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDDRIVING ON ROADWAYS LANED FOR TRAFFIC, VIOLATIONDRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCEIMPLIED CONSENT LAW - DRIVERSPRATT, KADEEM KASLEF3676 BENNETT RD EAST RIDGE, 37412Age at Arrest: 33 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)REDDING, LAKORIA UNIQUE3315 DODSON AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37406Age at Arrest: 20 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDDOMESTIC ASSAULTREEVES, DEMETRIUS CORTEZ3914 JUANDELL CHATTANOOGA, 37406Age at Arrest: 39 years oldArresting Agency: East RidgeDRIVING ON REVOKEDRODRIGUEZ, YOBANY637 VILLAGE GREEN DR NW CLEVELAND, 37312Age at Arrest: 26 years oldArresting Agency: East RidgeRESISTING STOP, FRIST, HALT, ARREST OR SEARCHPUBLIC INTOXICATIONSANDERFUR, MICHAEL V716 N KELLEY ST CHATTANOOGA, 37404Age at Arrest: 46 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDRECKLESS ENDANGERMENTRESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESSEVADING ARRESTCONTROLLED SUBSTANCES SCHEDULE VISPEEDINGLEAVING SCENE OF ACCIDENT (PARKED VEHICLE)RECKLESS DRIVINGSURRENDER OF LICENSE OR REGISTRATION UPON REVOCATIDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSESIMS, DEDDRICK L1104 CARTERWOOD LN HIXSON, 37343Age at Arrest: 45 years oldArresting Agency: Tenn Hwy PatrolDRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCELIGHT LAW VIOLATION (FAILURE TO DIM LIGHTS)DRIVING WITHOUT DRIVERS LICENSE / EXPIRED LICENSEFAILURE TO MAINTAIN LANESMITH, KARLEE DION5248 ROTARTY DRIVE CHATTANOOGA, 37416Age at Arrest: 20 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffDRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCELIGHT LAW VIOLATIONPOSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCEPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIASTANLEY, NOAH RICHARD25 DEPOC STREET WILTON, 04294Age at Arrest: 33 years oldArresting Agency: East RidgeCONTROLLED SUBSTANCE IN SCHEDULE IIPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIAPOSSESSION OF MARIJUANASTARLING, DARRIUS MARSHONHOMLESS CHATTANOOGA, 374032612Age at Arrest: 32 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDINDECENT EXPOSUREPUBLIC INTOXICATIONTOWNSEND, AKIM M510 SHANNON AVE Chattanooga, 374112815Age at Arrest: 39 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDDRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALEPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIASTOP SIGN VIOLATIONTINTED WINDOWS VIOLATIONWALKER, PETER ERALDO2175 VISTORIA DR HOMELESS CUMMING, 30041Age at Arrest: 27 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDCRIMINAL TRESPASSINGDISORDERLY CONDUCTWATKINS, JAYQUIS LEBRON3810 CLIO AC CHATTANOOGA, 37407Age at Arrest: 26 years oldArresting Agency: Chatt St PoliceDRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCEREGISTRATION, SUSPENDEDFINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITYDRIVING ON ROADWAYS LANED FOR TRAFFIC, VIOLATIONRECKLESS DRIVINGWENTZ-RICHARDSON, JENNIFER NICOLE727 E. WALNUT STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37403Age at Arrest: 40 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)WILLIAMS, AUBRE ALISE751 ANDERSON DRIVE CHATTANOOGA, 37421Age at Arrest: 24 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDDOMESTIC ASSAULTWILLIAMS, MICHELLE1 E 11TH ST CHATTANOOGA, 37402Age at Arrest: 55 years oldArresting Agency: Soddy DaisyCONTROLLED SUBSTANCE IN SCHEDULE IIDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSECONTROLLED SUBSTANCE IN SCHEDULE IIPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA Here are the mug shots: ADCOCK, CYRUS M Age at Arrest: 55 Date of Birth: 11/15/1968 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): POSS. OF HANDGUN WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE SPEEDING DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE BOWMAN, JAVIER LAMONTE Age at Arrest: 48 Date of Birth: 07/11/1971 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT (DOMESTIC) BOYD, CARINA NICOLE Age at Arrest: 34 Date of Birth: 08/24/1989 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): DOMESTIC ASSAULT BRASWELL, ASHLEY NICOLE Age at Arrest: 27 Date of Birth: 08/09/1996 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) BROWN, TORRIE DEONDRE Age at Arrest: 44 Date of Birth: 02/03/1979 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): FAILURE TO YIELD TO EMERGENCY VEHICLE SPEEDING DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE DRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARE BURNS, AMANDA JOYCE Age at Arrest: 45 Date of Birth: 07/23/1978 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA DUFFY, DERRICK ALAN Age at Arrest: 39 Date of Birth: 05/03/1984 Arresting Agency: East Ridge Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE FITZGERALD, JOHN DAVID Age at Arrest: 49 Date of Birth: 07/26/1974 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): DOMESTIC ASSAULT DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE IMPLIED CONSENT LAW - DRIVERS HANSON, WILLIE C Age at Arrest: 38 Date of Birth: 09/26/1985 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): POSS. OF HANDGUN WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OBSTRUCTING HIGHWAY OR OTHER PASSAGEWAY HEADLIGHTS ON MOTOR VEHICLES (INCLEMENT WEATHER) DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE JONES, STEPHANIE R Age at Arrest: 28 Date of Birth: 04/07/1995 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): AGGRAVATED ASSAULT LUTTRELL, KASEY MICHELLE Age at Arrest: 31 Date of Birth: 10/07/1992 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): FAILURE TO APPEAR MCCLENDON, JAMES TYRONE Age at Arrest: 57 Date of Birth: 10/09/1966 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): DRIVING ON ROADWAYS LANED FOR TRAFFIC, VIOLATION DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE IMPLIED CONSENT LAW - DRIVERS PRATT, KADEEM KASLEF Age at Arrest: 33 Date of Birth: 02/20/1990 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) REDDING, LAKORIA UNIQUE Age at Arrest: 20 Date of Birth: 08/07/2003 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): DOMESTIC ASSAULT REEVES, DEMETRIUS CORTEZ Age at Arrest: 39 Date of Birth: 06/15/1984 Arresting Agency: East Ridge Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): DRIVING ON REVOKED RODRIGUEZ, YOBANY Age at Arrest: 26 Date of Birth: 03/15/1997 Arresting Agency: East Ridge Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): RESISTING STOP, FRIST, HALT, ARREST OR SEARCH PUBLIC INTOXICATION SANDERFUR, MICHAEL V Age at Arrest: 46 Date of Birth: 05/19/1977 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS EVADING ARREST CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES SCHEDULE VI SPEEDING LEAVING SCENE OF ACCIDENT (PARKED VEHICLE) RECKLESS DRIVING SURRENDER OF LICENSE OR REGISTRATION UPON REVOCATI DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE SIMS, DEDDRICK L Age at Arrest: 45 Date of Birth: 01/18/1978 Arresting Agency: Tenn Hwy Patrol Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE LIGHT LAW VIOLATION (FAILURE TO DIM LIGHTS) DRIVING WITHOUT DRIVERS LICENSE / EXPIRED LICENSE FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LANE SMITH, KARLEE DION Age at Arrest: 20 Date of Birth: 11/24/2003 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE LIGHT LAW VIOLATION POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA STANLEY, NOAH RICHARD Age at Arrest: 33 Date of Birth: 11/25/1990 Arresting Agency: East Ridge Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE IN SCHEDULE II POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA STARLING, DARRIUS MARSHON Age at Arrest: 32 Date of Birth: 08/01/1991 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): INDECENT EXPOSURE PUBLIC INTOXICATION TOWNSEND, AKIM M Age at Arrest: 39 Date of Birth: 09/27/1984 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA STOP SIGN VIOLATION TINTED WINDOWS VIOLATION WALKER, PETER ERALDO Age at Arrest: 27 Date of Birth: 12/25/1996 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): CRIMINAL TRESPASSING DISORDERLY CONDUCT WATKINS, JAYQUIS LEBRON Age at Arrest: 26 Date of Birth: 04/03/1997 Arresting Agency: Chatt St Police Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE REGISTRATION, SUSPENDED FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY DRIVING ON ROADWAYS LANED FOR TRAFFIC, VIOLATION RECKLESS DRIVING WENTZ-RICHARDSON, JENNIFER NICOLE Age at Arrest: 40 Date of Birth: 11/14/1983 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) WILLIAMS, AUBRE ALISE Age at Arrest: 24 Date of Birth: 12/26/1999 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): DOMESTIC ASSAULT WILLIAMS, MICHELLE Age at Arrest: 55 Date of Birth: 01/08/1968 Arresting Agency: Soddy Daisy Last Date of Arrest: 12/31/2023 Charge(s): CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE IN SCHEDULE II DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE IN SCHEDULE II POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 In 1950, two brothers found the remains of an ancient Scandinavian man while digging in a peat bog in Denmark. The body was so well-preserved that they thought it was a victim of a recent murder, prompting them to notify the authorities immediately. But soon, it became clear that the corpse was from an entirely different time period altogether. Due to the highly acidic water in the peat bog, the man was naturally mummified and preserved. The cold saltwater from Scandinavias North Sea contributed to the bogs high acidity levels. The salt helps peat moss grow, and when the moss rots, it releases acid. The acid prevents the growth of bacteria, which would cause human bodies to decompose. In addition, the mans remarkable preservation can also be chalked up to the fact that his body was placed in the bog during the winter when the cold temperatures of the water acted as a sort of refrigerator. The mummified corpse has been referred to as the Tollund Man. Over the years, carbon dating determined that the Tollund Mans remains date back sometime between 405 B.C. and 380 B.C., during the early Iron Age, which makes him more than 2,000 years old. He was about 40 years old when he died by hanging, possibly in a human ritual sacrifice. Experts believe that the ritual sacrifice theory holds more credibility than the idea that he may have been executed for being a criminal. This is because, back then, criminals were cremated. The Tollund Man was found with a braided leather noose still wrapped around his neck. He also wore a pointed cap made of wool and sheepskin and was curled up in the fetal position. His facial features and internal organs were in excellent condition, so scientists were even able to take his fingerprints and conduct an analysis of his stomach. The study showed that he had consumed his last meal 12 to 24 hours before his death. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Whether youre young or old, single or in a relationship, dogs have long been known to be mans best friend offering priceless companionship to people of all ages and backgrounds. But, owning a pet may be a particularly great strategy for individuals over the age of 50 who live alone to ward off dementia, according to new research. A recent study conducted by scientists in China suggests that having a pet is associated with a slower decrease in verbal memory and fluency in older adults living solo. Interestingly, though, the team realized that this advantage of pet ownership does not apply to older people who dont live alone. The study included over 7,900 participants from Britain, all of whom were over 50 years old. The average age of participants was 66, and 31.5% were pet owners. Additionally, 26.9% of the participants lived alone. Past research has indicated that older individuals who live alone face an increased risk of dementia. But while certain studies have shown a beneficial link between owning pets and better verbal memory and executive function among the elderly, other research has failed to find any substantial proof of this connection. Thats why the researchers aimed to clarify the connection between pet ownership and cognitive decline through their most recent study. The team also sought to understand how a pet owners living arrangement impacts this relationship. According to the studys authors, having a pet counteracted the link between living alone and decreasing rates of verbal fluency and verbal memory. Pet ownership was associated with slower rates of decline in verbal memory and verbal fluency among older adults living alone, but not among those living with others, the authors wrote. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Various events held to celebrate New Year in China Xinhua) 15:02, January 01, 2024 People wait for the New Year bell tolls at the Drum Tower in Tianjin, north China, Jan. 1, 2024. Various events are held across the country to celebrate the New Year. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) People take part in a New Year countdown at the Shougang Park in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 1, 2024. Various events are held across the country to celebrate the New Year. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin) People take part in a New Year countdown at the Shougang Park in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 1, 2024. Various events are held across the country to celebrate the New Year. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin) This photo taken on Jan. 1, 2024 shows fireworks above the Macao Tower in Macao, south China. Various events are held across the country to celebrate the New Year. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) People take part in a New Year countdown at the Shougang Park in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 1, 2024. Various events are held across the country to celebrate the New Year. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin) This photo taken on Jan. 1, 2024 shows fireworks above the Fantawild Adventure in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province. Various events are held across the country to celebrate the New Year. (Xinhua/Long Lei) This photo taken on Jan. 1, 2024 shows fireworks above the Fantawild Adventure in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province. Various events are held across the country to celebrate the New Year. (Xinhua/Long Lei) This photo taken on Jan. 1, 2024 shows fireworks above the Macao Tower in Macao, south China. Various events are held across the country to celebrate the New Year. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) People greet the New Year at the Drum Tower in Tianjin, north China, Jan. 1, 2024. Various events are held across the country to celebrate the New Year. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Peter Sarsgaard, left, and Jessica Chastain play high school classmates who reunite in Memory. Ketchup Entertainment Every Oscar-winning career has a key turning point, and for Jessica Chastain, it came when she landed her first paid job as an actress in the Bay Area. The Sacramento native was cast as Juliet in Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet, a 1998 TheatreWorks production at the Mountain View Center for Performing Arts directed by its founder, Robert Kelley. Travis Engle was my Romeo, and we set it in modern-day Northern Ireland. Well, not modern-day now, but you know, back then, Chastain recalled, explaining that it was set during the 30-year-long conflict known as the Troubles, when the countrys Catholic and Protestant populations clashed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jessica Chastains first professional role was with Travis Engle in Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet, TheatreWorks 1998 season finale at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. David Allen God, I feel so old, Chastain, 46, said with a smile. It was an incredible experience. While I was there, Travis got into Juilliard, and thats what kind of gave me the idea that maybe I should audition. Chastain never looked back, and has never stopped working. More Information Memory (R) is in theaters Friday, Jan. 5. In her latest movie, Memory, she stars as a social worker and recovering alcoholic whose life is turned upside down when she reconnects with a man from her traumatic past (Peter Sarsgaard), who now has the beginnings of dementia, at a high school reunion. Advertisement Article continues below this ad During a recent Chronicle interview, Chastain, who has been nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for best lead performance for her role, and Sarsgaard, who won best actor at the Venice Film Festival, where the film premiered, were sitting on separate couches in an office on the seventh floor of Skywalker Holdings in San Francisco, both trying to acclimate to West Coast time and waiting to do a Q&A after an Academy screening at the visual effects company. Actress Jessica Chastain, chair of jury for Marrakech Film Festival, poses on the red carpet in Marrakech, Morocco, on Nov. 24. Mosa'ab Elshamy/Associated Press Chastain had just returned from the Marrakech International Film Festival in Morocco, where she chaired a jury that included actors Joel Edgerton, Alexander Skarsgard and Camille Cottin as well as filmmakers Dee Rees and Joanna Hogg; Sarsgaard had flown west after appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in New York the night before. They are logging the miles to get word out about the low-budget drama directed by Mexican director Michel Franco, whose provocative filmography includes After Lucia (2012) and Sundown (2021). Its only worth doing for a film you love, and for an actor you love, Chastain said of the busy travel schedule. And Im very happy to also do this in support of Peter because I think hes so brilliant in the film. Jessica Chastain stars as a social worker who is a recovering alcoholic and trauma survivor in Memory. Ketchup Entertainment Sarsgaard, 52, who has been married to actress and director Maggie Gyllenhaal since 2009, said he leapt at the chance to finally work with Chastain. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ive just been such a huge fan for so long, and I felt like I could make it happen with her, he said. Chastain, who is married to and has two children with Italian nobleman Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo, has opened up in the past about her difficult childhood in Sacramento, where she was raised in poverty in a troubled family. She said she drew on that experience in preparing to play Sylvia. Peter Sarsgaard and Jessica Chastain worked together for the first time in Memory. JC Olivera/Getty Images I think most of us sadly know someone who struggles with addiction, and some are very close to me, Chastain said. My family was like that. So, yeah, I didnt go read books about it because I had a very close experience with someone who had struggled with that. She also drew on who she was as a person during that time, as she explained during a virtual news conference a few days before her appearance at ILM. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I look back at myself in high school, and I see myself as a very different person, Chastain said. I like this idea that Im constantly evolving and growing, and I definitely am a more complex version of myself than when I was a teenager. Jessica Chastain signs autographs for fans before the world premiere of Memory at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on Sept. 8 in Venice, Italy. Andreas Rentz/Getty Images During the Q&A at ILM, Sarsgaard said he felt that energy, and that helped him with the difficult scenes he had as the dementia patient Saul. This isnt something you want to do with just anybody, truly, Sarsgaard said of working with Chastain. I felt comfortable doing it that way because I felt comfortable with my partner. This way of filming really will expose all the flaws. Franco, who arrived about halfway through the conversation because of a travel delay, told the crowd that Chastain threw herself completely into the project. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Director Michel Franco, flanked by actors Peter Sarsgaard and Jessica Chastain, appears before a screening of Memory on Dec. 15 in New York. Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images I told her Sylvia should buy her clothes, like, in Target, and shouldnt be glamorous or anything. So she did, the director shared. She sent me photos from Target, a range of clothes How about this? How about these? And I was like, Yeah, and she said, Well, Ill get them all. Chastain was so enthusiastic about working with Franco that they have already finished another film together, which they shot in San Francisco over the summer. Other than the working title, Dreams, they declined to divulge any more about the project. The Hollywood Reporter, however, has reported the film involves a possible forbidden romance between a woman, who works for an arts foundation, and a ballet dancer, and that it co-stars San Francisco Ballet member Isaac Hernandez and English actor Rupert Friend (Asteroid City). Jessica Chastain won an Oscar as Tammy Faye Bakker in The Eyes of Tammy Faye. Searchlight Pictures But back to Memory, Chastain said she found the challenge of playing Sylvia far different than preparing to play real-life figures such as Tammy Faye Bakker, her Oscar-winning role in The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021), or Tammy Wynette in the Showtime series George and Tammy (2022). With Tammy Wynette and with Tammy Faye, I started from the outside, she said. I looked at how they presented themselves in the world. I listened to their voices and where they were pitched, how they would laugh, all of those little things. That helped me go inward after that. A Bible containing a rare record of Christian opposition to slavery is going on display for the first time in the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia. The Bible once belonged to William Turpin, who with his business partner Thomas Wadsworth bought human beings in the late 1700s. The men then became convinced slavery was immoral and freed them. Turpin recorded the names of 31 people freed from their enslavement in his Bible. CMA sees small split over women in ministry At least eight congregations have left the Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA) over women in ministry. In June, after several years of discussion, the denomination decided that women may be ordained and carry the title pastor at the discretion of local churches, while eldership, which includes the lead pastor, will remain exclusive to men. According to the CMA, the new position recognizes that people who are equally committed to the authority of Scripture interpret key passages about women in church roles differently. But some of those leaving say it is a significant step toward egalitarianism. The departing churches have not indicated whether they will form a new denomination. Canada: Court wont hear churches COVID-19 case The Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear an argument by a group of British Columbia churches that COVID-19 restrictions violated their constitutional rights. A lower court ruled the pandemic restrictions may have violated Charter rights but were nonetheless permissible as the government had to balance those protections with the legal mandate of the provincial health department. The lower court also noted the restrictions were time-limited, setting-specific, and following the best available scientific advice. Similar legal challenges have been dismissed in other provinces as well. Haiti: Church members die while attacking gangs Seven evangelicals died in a confrontation with the gangs that have taken over most of Haitis capital, Port-au-Prince. Pastor Marcorel Zidor reportedly told members of his church that their faith would make them bulletproof. Church members marched with sticks and machetes and attacked the armed gangs. Haiti has been in crisis since its president was assassinated in 2021. United Kingdom: Wycliffes Oak up for tree award An old oak believed to have once shaded Reformer John Wycliffe as he preached in Surrey, England, was nominated for a conservation charitys tree-of-the-year competition. The tree is about 800 years old, and its trunk measures nearly 24 feet around. Wycliffe is said to have preached under it in 1370. The Baptist Charles Spurgeon preached beneath it in 1872. Switzerland: WEA criticized for meeting with Iranians The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) accepted a controversial invitation to an Iran-hosted forum on religion and human rights. The country ranks eighth on Open Doors persecution watch list, and some evangelicals sharply criticized the WEA for agreeing to meet with Iranians. Johnnie Moore, who previously served on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, said the WEA is becoming part of the problem, and the head of Iran Alive Ministries said the organization was dangerously naive. WEAs secretary general Thomas Schirrmacher defended the meeting, however. He argued it is good for Christians to be seen as conversation partners by countries that usually regard them only as troublemakers. They asked us to explain: What can evangelicals contribute to the good of society? he said. I would have a bad conscience if we did not use such opportunities to testify in the court of the world. Iranian officials arrested 134 Christians last year, according to the best available records. Nearly 50 were tortured. Rwanda: Bible price increases The Bible Society of Rwanda has raised the price of Bibles by about 200 percent after seeing donations drop sharply. Antoine Kambanda, the Catholic cardinal who heads the multidenominational organization, said the Bible society had become too dependent on foreign funds, relying on Christians outside of the country to cover about 85 percent of publication expenses. It is high time Rwandans begin to contribute to that work of publishing the Scriptures, he said. The organization now sells Bibles for around 8,000 Rwandan francs (the equivalent of about $7 USD). China: Church growth stagnant, study finds The growth of Christianity has stalled in China, according to a new Pew Research Center study of Chinese academic and government surveys. Depending on the wording of the survey question, between 2 and 3 percent of adults said they are Christian. That correlates to about 18 million Protestants. While churches are seeing new converts, many Christians also leave the faith. In a four-year period, researchers found that roughly one-quarter of believers stopped identifying as Christian. The most recent data Pew evaluated is from 2018. Article continues below Japan: Missionaries get new title A3, an evangelical organization that started in the 1960s with short-term missionaries teaching English in Japan, has decided it will no longer use the word missionary. Christians sent to work in cross-cultural contexts will now be called missional partners. A3, formerly known as Asian Access, has been led by Japanese Christians since 2022. They decided missionary seemed too Western. Other Christians who do cross-cultural ministry have also argued the word is not biblical and has lost its usefulness, even preventing people from answering a call to missions. Today, A3 sends people to 18 Asian countries, as well as the Middle East and Central America, to form learning cohorts that develop Christian leaders. [ This article is also available in Francais. ] Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here. Home News Church of God suspends pastor charged with possessing over 100 images of child sexual abuse The Tennessee Church of God has suspended Rick Sentell, a senior pastor at a church in Cleveland, following his indictment by a Bradley County Grand Jury on charges of possessing over 100 images of child sexual abuse on his laptop. T. Wayne Dority, the Administrative Bishop of the Tennessee Church of God, confirmed the suspension to News Channel 9, which quoted Dority as saying that the church was informed about Sentells indictment last week. Sentell, who served at the now-inactive Cornerstone Church of God in Cleveland, Tennessee, has been suspended from all ministerial activities in line with Church of God policy. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Sentell was found with more than 100 images of child pornography. He was still listed as the senior pastor on Cornerstone Church of Gods website which was subsequently taken down after local media outlets reported his arrest, Channel 9 noted. The indictment specified that between April 1 and Sept. 7, Sentell knowingly possessed material featuring a minor in sexual activity. Sentell did knowingly possess material that included a minor engaged in sexual activity or simulated sexual activity that is patently offensive, says the indictment, according to WTVC. The Cleveland Police Departments Sgt. Evie West was quoted as saying that Sentells arrest followed a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Sentell is scheduled for a court appearance on Jan. 8, 2024. The Bradley County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Sentell made bond last week, set at $75,000, Local 3 News said, adding that he was arrested on Christmas Day and booked the following morning. The grand jury charged him with sexual exploitation of a minor, involving over 100 images. Dority noted that Cornerstone Church of God had previously been suspended as an active congregation and is no longer meeting. He expressed prayers for all involved in the matter. The Church of God Jerusalem Acres rented their facility to Cornerstone COG for Sunday services for about three years, ending this past summer. According to the COG Jerusalem Acres, the COG Cornerstone doesnt have a permanent address after selling their church building years ago. They described Sentell as a previously faithful and caring person. We knew Pastor Sentell to be a faithful man of God, a kind and caring person. His family as well. Were devastated by recent events and heartbroken for everyone affected. Were praying for all, the church was quoted as saying. Home News Nicaragua arrests 2 high-ranking Catholic priests with close ties to cardinal Nicaraguan authorities have detained two senior Catholic priests, escalating tensions between the state and the Catholic Church. The priests, identified as Carlos Aviles and Hector Treminio, are closely associated with the countrys top Catholic leader. Their arrest brings the total number of clergymen detained last week to at least six, Reuters reported Saturday. Aviles, serving as the second-highest ranking cleric in the Archdiocese of Managua, and Treminio, the treasurer, were reportedly detained for publicly praying for jailed Bishop Rolando Alvarez, according to the newswire. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Alvarez, a vocal critic of President Daniel Ortega, was sentenced earlier this year to a 26-year prison term on charges of treason. He had condemned the governments response to mass protests in 2018. Over the past few years, Ortegas administration has increasingly targeted members of the Catholic Church, citing reasons such as treasonous behavior or other alleged crimes. Nicaraguan Bishop Silvio Baez, who is in exile in Florida, has called for the immediate release of the detained priests. Martha Patricia Molina, an exiled Nicaraguan researcher, reports that the number of bishops, priests and seminarians imprisoned in Nicaragua now stands at nine. The arrest of Aviles and Treminio, following their prayers for Bishop Alvarez, indicates a pattern of arrests targeting those who publicly support the jailed bishop. This pattern was further evidenced by the Dec. 20 arrest of Bishop Isidoro del Carmen Mora Ortega of the Diocese of Siuna, along with two seminarians, Alester Saenz and Tony Palacio, according to Vatican News. Bishop Moras arrest, like those of Aviles and Treminio, was linked to his public prayers for Bishop Alvarez during a homily. An ideology in Nicaragua portrays President Ortega as being anointed by God for sacred Nicaragua. A trend of persecution started in Nicaragua after protests against reforms to the public pension system in April 2018. The protests came after about a decade of deteriorating economic conditions in the country. Protesters, mostly students, demanded democratic reforms and that Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, step down as they established a dictatorship marked by nepotism and repression. During the initial days of the 2018 protests, Ortega requested that the Catholic Church act as a mediator. But his administration also began using brutal force against protesters and later on, Catholic clergy. Catholic clergy aided and provided sanctuary to protesters and voiced support for the right to protest peacefully. But as a result, Ortega used his government and supporters to persecute clergy, worshipers and various Catholic organizations. Hundreds of people died in the protests in 2018. Home News Woman arrested for fatally shooting pastor over 'disagreement' A tragic shooting in Nevada has led to the arrest of a 36-year-old woman who is charged with murdering a local pastor following a disagreement. An unidentified woman also suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the altercation. The incident, which unfolded in the Courts at Aliante community in North Las Vegas, has sent shockwaves through the neighborhood and beyond, KLAS reported Sunday, saying North Las Vegas police responded to reports of gunfire on Friday afternoon. There was a disagreement that had happened, and it turned into something major, Jennifer Clark, who lives in the area, told KLAS. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The violence resulted in two people being injured, including Pastor Nick Davi, who succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. Pastor Davi was a prominent figure in the community and had been an integral part of Grace Point Church. Davis wife, Sarah, known for her involvement in local community activities, including attending homeowners association board meetings, is now facing the tragic loss of her husband. The couple were married in 2005 and have two children, Olivia and Christian. The suspect, identified by local news station KLAS as Joe Junio, was arrested on multiple charges, including murder and attempted murder. Junio, who resided in the same condominium building as the Davi family, also faces two counts of child abuse and/or neglect and a charge of discharging a firearm where a person might be endangered. Junio is being held at the North Las Vegas Community Correctional Center. She faces a series of serious charges that have shaken the community and raised questions about the safety and security in the area. The nature of the disagreement that led to the shooting remains unclear, but it has undoubtedly shattered the tranquility of a neighborhood described by some residents as usually peaceful. The incident has not only caused a profound loss for the Davi family but also raised serious concerns among local residents about the recent uptick in violence. Jae Dino, a resident of Aliante, expressed shock at the increasing incidents of violence in the valley. Pastor Davi had been working with Grace Point Church since 2006 and served as the pastor of operations since 2014. His responsibilities included overseeing the churchs daily operations and maintaining its extensive property, according to the church's website. Davis journey with the church began after a career spanning 15 years in public aquariums across Florida, Mississippi and Nevada. A native of eastern Long Island, New York, he graduated from Riverhead High School and later earned a B.S. in Marine Science and Biology from the University of Tampa. In response to the tragedy, Grace Point Church has reached out to its congregation, asking for prayers for the Davi family during this difficult time. A remembrance ceremony for Pastor Davi had been scheduled for Sunday morning at the church. Home News 8 Christians killed, homes destroyed in terror attack on Nigerian villages ABUJA, Nigeria Unidentified terrorists on Thursday killed eight Christians in Taraba state, Nigeria, after 13 others were slain the previous week, sources said. The assailants attacked four predominantly Christian villages in Ussa County at about at about 4 p.m., residents said. While we are still celebrating Christmas, an event which reminds us of the birth of our messiah, Jesus Christ, Muslim terrorists attacked the villages of Kpambo, Fikyu, Kpambo-Yashe and Kpambo-Kuri, Lami John told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News in a text message. Eight Christians were killed during these attacks, and most of the houses belonging to Christians were destroyed by the terrorists. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe John, a victim of the attacks, fled her village as the assailants were shooting anyone in sight and setting homes on fire, she said. Another area resident, Bulus Andeyake, said the eight Christians slain were farmers. Most Christian farmers are unable to go to their farms to harvest their crops because these terrorists lurk in bushes killing Christians they spot working on farms, Andeyake said in a text message. Its risky for us to go to our farms. In Ussa Local Government Area, many Christians have been killed by Muslim terrorists. The previous week, 13 Christian farmers were killed in Jenuwagida village in Ussa County, he said. Rikupki Urenyang Joshua, a representative in the Taraba State House of Assembly, said in a press statement on Friday that continuous attacks have resulted in the death of more than 500 Christians in Ussa County in the past few years. The murderers come in from Cameroon via the border communities and have continued to launch attacks on our vulnerable communities, he said. The Nigerian government and security agencies have failed to take proactive measures to prevent the attacks by terrorists, he said. Nigerias federal government is being called upon to deploy troops to the affected communities in order to curtail the activities of the terrorists. David Jimkuta, a senator from the area in Nigerias parliament, the National Assembly, on Friday also said hundreds of people have been killed and more than 50 villages destroyed in Ussa and Takum counties over a three-month period. Its rather sad that a total of 50 villages in Ussa and Takum Local Government Areas are in ruins because of attacks carried out by terrorists against Christians, Jimkuta said. Unfortunately, our security agencies seem to feign ignorance as to where these terrorists are to be found. Truth is, security agencies know where these terrorists are; let them flush out these terrorists from their enclave. A state of emergency should be declared in the Takum and Ussa areas, he said. Such a declaration would pave the way for essential measures to be taken, enabling Christians who have survived the carnage to return to their farmlands and begin rebuilding their lives, Jimkuta said. Two Christians were reported to have been kidnapped by terrorists on Dec. 24. Area resident Lynn Adda identified them as Ishaya Dimas Dila, a former council official, and the other only as Begwa. Nigeria led the world in Christians killed for their faith in 2022, with 5,014, according to Open Doors 2023 World Watch List report. It also led the world in Christians abducted (4,726), sexually assaulted or harassed, forcibly married or physically or mentally abused, and it had the most homes and businesses attacked for faith-based reasons. As in the previous year, Nigeria had the second most church attacks and internally displaced people. In the 2023 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria jumped to sixth place, its highest ranking ever, from No. 7 the previous year. Militants from the Fulani, Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and others conduct raids on Christian communities, killing, maiming, raping and kidnapping for ransom or sexual slavery, the WWL report noted. This year has also seen this violence spill over into the Christian-majority south of the nation Nigerias government continues to deny this is religious persecution, so violations of Christians rights are carried out with impunity. Numbering in the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel, predominantly Muslim Fulani comprise hundreds of clans of many different lineages who do not hold extremist views, but some Fulani do adhere to radical Islamist ideology, the United Kingdoms All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted in a 2020 report. They adopt a comparable strategy to Boko Haram and ISWAP and demonstrate a clear intent to target Christians and potent symbols of Christian identity, the APPG report states. Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in the Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians lands and impose Islam as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds. Home News Bishop Strickland calls Chris Christie's changing gay marriage views 'compromise with sin' Bishop Joseph Strickland, a frequent critic of Pope Francis, criticized 2024 GOP presidential candidate Chris Christie's shifting his views on marriage and pushed back against his claim that the Catholic Church's views on the subject are changing. Christie, a self-professed Catholic, said last Thursday during a town hall event in Epping, New Hampshire, that his views on gay marriage have evolved since he opposed it while serving as New Jersey governor from 2010 to 2018, as noted by Catholic News Agency. "And so you know, for me, it's still, it was a process I had to go through to change the way I've been raised both from a family perspective and what my mother and father taught me and felt and also from a religious perspective and [] what my church taught me to believe," he said. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Christie added that in recent weeks, "Pope Francis is now allowing blessings of same-sex couples; even the Church is changing." "Society has changed, and what people are accepting in our country now is different than when I was growing up, certainly than when I was your age. And you know, I don't have any objection to it any longer. In the end, I think I've been convinced," he added. While running for governor in 2009, Christie promised to veto any bill that would legalize gay marriage in New Jersey. He criticized the Supreme Court's 2013 decision to overturn Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act as "judicial supremacy." In 2015, Christie expressed his belief that defining marriage should be left up to the states. In a post to X on Saturday, Strickland, an outspoken conservative prelate who was bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tyler, Texas, before Pope Francis removed him from office in November, said Christie's shift on the issue is "the sad result of confusion and compromise with sin." Strickland responded to the former governor's claim that the Catholic Church's teachings are changing. "[T]he Church will not change to embrace sinful behavior," Strickland wrote. "Some in the Church may do so but the Church, the Bride of Christ, will continue to proclaim the truth revealed by Jesus Christ." Mr. Christies political shift is the sad result of confusion and compromise with sin, the Church will not change to embrace sinful behavior. Some in the Church may do so but the Church, the Bride of Christ, will continue to proclaim the truth revealed by Jesus Christ. https://t.co/Oty9qOBk00 Bishop J. Strickland (@BishStrickland) December 30, 2023 Strickland, a critic of Pope Francis, told LifeSiteNews hours after his removal from office that he believed there were "forces in the [Catholic] Church" that "don't want the truth of the Gospel" but instead want "it changed" and "ignored." Pope Francis signed off last month on "Fiducia Supplicans," a declaration from the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith that allows for "spontaneous pastoral blessing" for "same-sex couples" and other couples in "irregular situations." The guidance has prompted mixed reactions from Catholic prelates around the world. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) emphasized that the declaration from the Vatican made a "distinction between liturgical (sacramental) blessings, and pastoral blessings, which may be given to persons who desire God's loving grace in their lives." "The Church's teaching on marriage has not changed, and this declaration affirms that, while also making an effort to accompany people through the imparting of pastoral blessings because each of us needs God's healing love and mercy in our lives," the USCCB said in a statement. Christie, who narrowly qualified for the GOP primary debate last month, has consistently maintained low favorability ratings among potential voters. As of Dec. 22, 51.9% of Americans view Christie unfavorably, while only 22.4% view him favorably, according to FiveThirtyEight's polling average. Home News Judge blocks Iowa law barring sexually explicit books from schools, calls it 'puritanical' A federal judge has blocked Iowa from barring books and other materials deemed to be sexually explicit from public school libraries, but the state can still require teachers to inform parents if their children seek to identify as the opposite sex. On Friday, Judge Stephen Locher granted a partial preliminary injunction to the law signed by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds in May. Publisher Penguin Random House and authors John Green and Jodi Picoult were some of the plaintiffs who challenged Senate File 496. With the law set to go into effect on Monday, the Biden appointee stated that the law does not target books containing graphic descriptions of sex in any reasonable way, asserting that the measure is too broad. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe 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, Locher continued. In effect, the Legislature has imposed a puritanical pall of orthodoxy over school libraries. The judge also blocked a portion of the law that prohibits school districts from providing programs, tests or instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation to students in kindergarten through grade six. But Locher let stand a rule requiring schools to inform parents if their child requests to go by a name or pronoun that does not align with their given name and biological sex. Under the law, a school district may not give parents false information about their child expressing a desire to transition. If a school district fails to inform parents about their childs struggles with their gender identity, then the consequences for a first violation include a written warning. Subsequent violations could result in disciplinary hearings and other consequences. Gov. Reynolds expressed disappointment with the judges decision, declaring in a statement that 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 content as clearly defined in Iowa law do not belong in a school library for children, the Republican governor stated. The fact that were even arguing these issues is ridiculous, she added. 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. Reynolds signed Senate File 496 amid national discussions about school districts hiding students struggles with their gender identity from their parents, as well as concerns about the materials certain age groups have access to in school libraries. Multiple parents have filed lawsuits accusing school districts of concealing their childs transition, such as a recent lawsuit filed by Michigan parents Dan and Jennifer Mead. The parents alleged that district employees at East Rockford Middle School treated their 13-year-old daughter as a boy and referred to her with masculine pronouns without their knowledge. According to the Meads, the school concealed their daughters transition by secretly changing her records before they were sent home. The parents say they accidentally discovered the situation after an employee failed to change one of the records. Throughout the country, parents have also voicedobjections to school libraries offering books that contain sex scenes or promote transgenderism. One of the titles that has frequently come up during school board meetings is the book Gender Queer, a graphic novel by author Maia Kobabe. The book details Kobabes struggles with gender confusion and contains graphic descriptions of various sex acts. According to a September poll by the Republican polling firm WPA Intelligence, more than 90% of registered voters said the sexual descriptions and illustrations in Gender Queer are inappropriate for students. Home News Released hostage Mia Schem says she was held captive in Gaza hospital, operated on without painkillers A hostage ordeal in Gaza has come to light through the harrowing account of Mia Schem, a 21-year-old French-Israeli woman who was taken captive by Hamas on Oct. 7. Schem said she feared being raped and underwent surgery without anesthetic or painkillers. After being abducted from the Supernova festival on Oct. 7, Schem faced a harrowing 54-day ordeal, according to her media interviews. Schems initial days in captivity were spent in a Gaza hospital, where she was tied to a piece of plastic, her hand wounded from a gunshot, The Jerusalem Post said, adding that she underwent surgery in this state without any anesthetic or painkillers. The surgeons ominous words to her, Youre not going to go home alive, set a grim tone for her captivity, she said. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Following her hospital stay, Schem was moved into a residential house within the Gaza Strip. She found herself in the midst of a family, a setting that confused and frightened her. The presence of children and a woman in the house raised questions in her mind about the nature of her captivity and the people involved. Schems account reveals the psychological and emotional toll of her experience. She said she was kept in a tiny room measuring only two-and-a-half meters. It was just me and the terrorist. He would stare at me 24/7. Theres a fear of being raped, a fear that he will take the weapon and suddenly shoot me in the head. The room was closed, but occasionally, they threw food at me. The children in the family would look at me and laugh. They look at you as if youre an animal. You are afraid every second that something will suddenly happen, she was quoted as saying. The lack of movement and exposure to daylight affected her physical health, causing her legs to tremble and making it difficult for her to walk. Throughout her ordeal, Schem compared her situation to that of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier who was held captive by Hamas for over five years. She said her thoughts often turned to her family and her desire to return home, providing her with the strength to endure her captivity. Schems release coincided with the final day of a week-long ceasefire in late November and marked the end of her harrowing experience. Schem described a distressing incident where her captor, upon learning of his friends deaths in bombings by Israel, became emotionally unstable and armed himself, making her fear for her life. She feigned empathy to manage the situation. In a separate episode, she was moved to a house with three armed Hamas terrorists. To survive, she catered to them by preparing a meal, which led them to nickname her Um Sultan. This strategy was a means of coping with the constant threat of violence or sexual assault. Upon her release, one captor instructed her to convey a positive image of Gazas people. She said she was willing to be interviewed because she wanted to show the real situation of the people who live in Gaza. Who they are and what I experienced there. It is important to me that they understand that I went through a Holocaust and that everyone there is a terrorist. The Israeli government estimates that 129 people are still being held hostage, with 22 confirmed dead. Among the hostages, five to 10 are believed to be U.S. citizens. The war was sparked by Hamas Oct. 7 attacks in southern Israel that killed over 1,200, mostly civilians. As of Sunday, the death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza neared 22,000 while more than 56,000 people had been injured, according to the Qatari government-run Al Jazeera based on claims made by Hamas. . Tetra Images/Getty Images Regarding keeping Donald Trump off the ballot (State leaders rebuff efforts to exclude Trump from the California primary ballot, California, SFChronicle.com, Dec. 25). Even our governor offers the opinion that this needs to be settled at the polls. I see these opinions as cowardice. I realize Trump hasnt been formally convicted of insurrection, but at the very least, he has offered aid and comfort to insurrectionists. What is at the heart of this debate: Disqualification should have happened in Congress. Our Republican party has devolved. The GOP is more concerned with keeping power than protecting our democracy. They have stated that the matter should be decided in court. The court says that Congress should decide. So there is a stalemate. Each wanting the other to decide so they cant be blamed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This is not a question of whether or not the disgraced former president could be elected again. It is a question of if he should be permitted on the ballot in the first place. Our founding fathers understood that the voters might not understand the legality or extent of a politicians actions. Therefore the 14th Amendment is in place to protect our democracy. It is supposed to be upheld by Congress. If Congress will not act, then it falls to the judicial system to uphold it. To continue to pass this gravest of responsibility back and forth is a direct and flagrant disregard for the safety measures put in place by our founding fathers. We all saw what happened. We all heard the words the disgraced former president said. We all saw the way certain members of our government reacted. This isnt a college class room where we debate the exact wording and hope to get our argument won by defining one word. This is our democracy. Who will protect it if not the people we elected? Margaret Pratt, Napa Too little, too late After three months of indiscriminate, illegal, immoral bombing, President Biden is finally showing a little concern for civilian casualties in Gaza. Mr. Biden, you are scores of childrens dead bodies too late. Advertisement Article continues below this ad You have made Americans feel like stakeholders in the most visible and egregious ethno-religious pogrom known in the West since the Holocaust in Germany. You entered into a devils bargain with a far-right usurper in Israel and greenlighted him to act as he pleases with American arms. You collaborated, co-conspired, colluded and became deeply complicit with a man who cares not that he is smashing the liberties and aspirational lives of innocent Muslim children. You have done as much to debauch Americas ethical, legal and humanitarian urges in three months as it took Donald Trump eight years to do. Do you really think the blood of all those children stacks up that well against his lies? Kimball Shinkoskey, Woods Cross, Utah Advertisement Article continues below this ad Crossword story fan I loved Peter Hartlaubs story about the Chronicles first crossword (I tried the Chronicles first crossword puzzle from 1924. It went poorly, Chronicle Vault, SFChronicle.com, Dec. 24.) The best part was his analogy to time travel where you get back to present day and Oprah Winfrey is president. Something to look forward to in 2024? Gail Husson, San Leandro Cursive writing fan As a former educator, I totally agree with Emily Hoevens column on the value of cursive writing (Heres one bright spot for 2024 in Californias otherwise troubled education system, Opinion, SFChroncile.com, Dec. 27). I would add that cursive writing can be a form of calligraphy or the art of lettering. Every student can develop their own individual style, just as in painting, artists express their own unique creativity. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Like Emily, I struggled as an elementary school student to replicate the beautiful, flowing forms of cursive writing. I did manage to develop a style that was legible and practical in taking notes and composing essays. Later in life, the tremors that often accompany aging forced me to use printed letters for notes and hand written messages. However. I still enjoy sitting down and retracing my own original cursive style and signature. Its like looking at old photos and nurturing memories. Home Opinion Having certainty about God In Dr. Seusss Horton Hears a Who, Horton the elephant is challenged by the kangaroo over the possibility of life on a tiny speck of dust. Annoyed at Hortons insistence that such small persons exist, the kangaroo declares: If you cant see, hear, or feel something, it doesnt exist! And yet Horton remains certain they do exist. But certainty can be a funny thing. Just ask Karl Popper who is generally regarded as one of the greatest science philosophers of the twentieth century. In an interview he gave to Scientific American before his death, Popper who was known for his intense attacks against dogmatism went so far as to say scientific certainty doesn't exist, which no doubt raises eyebrows among those who think that science is the only vehicle providing us with certainty about anything. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe But what does Popper mean when he says you cant have certainty with science? Does he mean absolute truth doesnt exist? No no!, the article records Popper saying. Popper, like the logical positivists before him, believed that a scientific theory can be absolutely true. In fact, he had no doubt that some current theories are true (although he refused to say which ones). But he rejected the positivist belief that we can ever know that a theory is true. We must distinguish between truth, which is objective and absolute, and certainty, which is subjective. But is certainty a subjective thing? Psychologists and philosophers will tell you that there are two types of certainty. We have epistemic certainty, which equates to something having the highest possible status regarding knowledge, and then there is psychological certainty where you or I are supremely convinced of a truth, even though what we believe may be false. Its the latter that Popper refers to, and its also the type of certainty that Christians are accused of having without any backing of the former by those who contend God doesnt exist. This leads to the million-dollar question of whether one can have both kinds of certainty about God. Prove it Professor Paul Copan was once confronted by a student who demanded, Prove to me that God exists. Copan replied, What would you take as an acceptable level of proof?, at which point the student assumed a deer-in-the-headlights pose because hed never thought about what would be satisfactory evidence for Gods existence. How about you? If youre an agnostic or atheist, what would it take? Whether its God or anything else, having knowledge and arriving at a conclusion about something involves forming a belief based on warrant that leads to truth. Simple to say, but sometimes hard to do. Where God is concerned, its normal for skeptics to think they have the higher ground in this matter whereas in reality, the atheist, agnostic, and God-believer all make claims, with those assertions requiring justification and each bearing the burden of proof. In other words, the playing field is truly leveled where the God / no God debate is concerned. So, again, with that being the case, is it possible to have both epistemic and psychological certainty about God? My answer is yes, but its a qualified one requiring some honest admissions up front. First, lets remember that the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Its possible that God could exist even if evidence for Him was nonexistent, although, admittedly, it would not be the most reasonable position to assume. Second, when it comes to beliefs in our post-truth culture, its hard to disagree with Pascal who said: People almost invariably arrive at their beliefs not on the basis of proof but on the basis of what they find attractive. And lets acknowledge that sword is double-edged where belief in God and atheism is concerned, i.e., both can hold beliefs because they like what the worldview teaches. Next, lets also highlight the fact that the Bible concedes we dont have perfect knowledge about God, with Paul saying: For we know in partnow we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known (1 Cor. 13:9, 12, my emphasis). That said, although we know in part, what we do know what we do have is enough to reasonably believe in the God of the Bible. I go over the reasons why in my presentation series, The Essentials of Apologetics, which you can freely view. But if we have good evidence for God, then, as R. C. Sproul asks in one of his books and messages, why are there atheists? Its because, in addition to epistemic and psychological certainty, there is a third dimension to assurance when it comes to accepting truth about God. Its why the Bible says there are those who are always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Tim. 3:7). Paul underscores the reason when he says people refuse to receive the love of the truth so as to be saved (2 Thess. 2:10). Notice that its not just truth, but the love of the truth. The sad reality is were born into a natural state of rejection and rebellion against God and His truth, which is why Scripture says, a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised (1 Cor. 2:14). With this third dimension to certainty about God malfunctioning in us, were unable to achieve the state of receiving the love of the truth and reaching a state of rightly acknowledging the Creator and His place in our life. But that said, the Bible declares everyone knows God is real because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse (Rom. 1:1920). Understanding this leads to the reason why Pascals statement is so important it highlights the critical distinction between assenting to truth and consenting to it. You can acknowledge truth without ever subjecting yourself to it. We do it all the time with bad health choices, doomed relationships, etc. Pauls declaration in Romans is also why the ridicule skeptics hurl at Christians about needing faith to believe that God exists falls flat. There is an important difference between faith that vs. faith in. The latter is all about trust and fidelity that is oftentimes outside the bounds of philosophical, empirical, and historical verification whereas the former is open to all three. In the end, brilliant people achieve certainty about God and other brilliant people do not. Epistemic and psychological certainty can only get you so far. We all need God to rewire our spiritual dimension and then The Spirit Himself [will testify] with our spirit that we are children of God (Rom. 8:16). Once thats done, we can confidently nod in agreement with Scripture when it says: Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge, to make you know the certainty of the words of truth? (Prov. 22:2021, my emphasis). Fears of more attacks after Christmas massacre in Nigeria Christians in Nigeria's Plateau State are living in fear of more attacks after devastating bloodshed over the Christmas period. The death toll from the massacre of Christians in the days leading up to Christmas has reached nearly 200 and more bodies are being discovered, according to Release International. Some 80 communities were targeted between December 23 and 28 as Christians around the world were celebrating the birth of Christ. The attacks have been attributed to radicalised Fulani herdsmen. In addition to killing villagers, the attackers set fire to churches, corn stores and clinics. Buildings belonging to Muslims were left untouched. Release, which supports persecuted Christians worldwide, said that intelligence has been received of plans for further attacks in Plateau State and the area remains on high alert. "These latest attacks were timed to bring terror to Christians at Christmas," said Release CEO Paul Robinson. Nigeria was one of the countries highlighted in Release's Persecution Trends report published last week. The report predicts that violence against Christians will rise in the country in 2024. Catholic ministry, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), said that the Christmas attacks were "well-coordinated and deliberate, specifically targeting Christian communities". The areas of Pushit and Bokkos received written warnings of the attack that said Christians "will not celebrate Christmas". Release said that similar warnings before a massacre in 2018 were not acted upon by security services but this time, the military intervened after being warned of an attack in Bokkos, preventing loss of life on this occasion. Release's Nigerian partners say that "intelligence shows that the assailants are bent on continuing their havoc". They are responding to the latest violence by warning local communities of threats via text message, and providing trauma counselling for victims. "Many observers now regard the radicalised Fulani militia as a greater menace than the terror groups Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province," said Mr Robinson. "Both organisations have sworn to turn Nigeria into an Islamic nation. And the Fulani militia, in ethnically cleansing Christians from the north and Middle Belt are serving the same agenda." He continued, "Release International calls for prayer for these Christian communities and urges the government of Nigeria and its security forces to take urgent measures to safeguard these communities from attacks. "The ineffectiveness of Nigeria's security forces in protecting the country's Christian minority is being noted around the world." We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form December 31, 2023: A Ukrainian firm recently revealed it had developed the AQ 400, a cheap, long range UAV that can make attacks over 700 kilometers into Russia while carrying 32 kg of explosives. Cut the range in half and 70 kg of explosives can be carried. Each AQ 400 costs $30,000. The airframe is made of plywood. Initial production is about a hundred a month. That will gradually increase to 500 and then 1,000 a month. AQ 400 can takeoff from short runways or via a catapult. It travels at 144 kilometers an hour and can stay in the air for six and a half hours. Large numbers of these UAVs entering Russia from many different sectors of the border complicate Russian efforts to detect or defend itself against these UAVs. The long range of these UAVs means there are many more targets to attack, and Russia cannot defend them all. The development of the AQ 400 is another example of the proliferation of UAVs used as long-range cruise missiles. This is a trend that began over a century ago, during the 1914-18 World War I. That was when aircraft became a factor in military affairs. At first these new flying machines demonstrated their superior ability to see what the enemy was up to. Most of the use of air power at the beginning was about reconnaissance, and preventing the enemy from seeing what you were doing. Between the world wars, the idea of using air power as an offensive weapon developed. This proved to be more of a factor at sea than on land, where reconnaissance was still the most useful service air forces provided. Strategic bombing was greatly misunderstood by air forces during, and after, World War II. Tactical bombing and strafing was more useful because the fighter-bombers were providing reconnaissance while they were attacking the enemy opposing friendly ground troops. The U.S. Air Force, however, was not a big fan of tac air or tactical air power, because they believed they could be more decisive with strategic bombing. The problem with World War II strategic bombing was that it was a blunt instrument. A lot of damage was inflicted, but it was, for all practical purposes, random. So, while millions of German and Japanese workers were diverted because they were dead or had to deal with damage to homes and businesses from the war effort by the bombing, there was no decisive effect, as the air force generals intended. This was because of a problem the air force had then and continues to have. It's called BDA or Bomb Damage Assessment. This is the business of figuring out what to bomb, and what the impact on the enemy is after you bomb. The U.S. did a thorough survey of the impact of strategic bombing on Germany and Japan, right after World War II. It was discovered that the impact of the bombing was far different from what BDA during the war had indicated. But that was largely ignored because, right after the war, it was believed bombing with conventional bombs had become obsolete. Nuclear bombs had made strategic airpower decisive because pinpoint accuracy was no longer a factor. But during the Korean war (1950-53), it was realized that no one really wanted to use nuclear weapons again, especially if the other side had them. Thus, nuclear weapons became a threat, while conventional bombs were again the weapon of choice. But as experience in Korea (1950-3), Vietnam (1965-72), Kuwait (1991) and Kosovo (1999), Iraq (2003) and Lebanon (2006) demonstrated, the enemy on the ground continued to have an edge when it came to deceiving the most energetic BDA efforts. The only proven technique for beating the BDA problem was to have people on the ground, up close, checking up on targets. The U.S. Army and Air Force have developed special equipment and tactics to have teams of Special Forces troops on the ground to do this sort of thing. That's why air power was so successful in Afghanistan in 2001. A major breakthrough was the development of cheap smart guided bombs. Guided bombs were first developed during World War II and were quite useful for hitting targets at sea and on land. These were radio-controlled bombs that required an operator using a joystick to guide the bomb to a distant target while the controlling aircraft was out of range of defending anti-aircraft fire. The Germans were the first to use them in 1943, when they sank an Italian battleship with one. By 1945, American radio controlled bombs were taking down bridges in Asia and sinking Japanese ships in the Pacific. Because of the belief that nuclear weapons made conventional weapons obsolete, research on smart bombs stopped until the late 1950s when everyone came to their senses. By 1965 the U.S. Air Force had a laser guided bomb in service and was using it to take out heavily defended targets in North Vietnam. These were targets, like bridges, that had resisted numerous attacks with unguided bombs because of substantial anti-aircraft defenses. The first laser-guided bombs cost over a million dollars each and, by 1991, the price had come down to under $100,000. That was still a hundred times the cost of a dumb, or unguided bomb. However, in 1991 it was noted that the smart bombs were doing a disproportionate amount of damage. Later in the 1990s, the GPS guided bomb was developed. This was a major breakthrough. The GPS guided bomb was much cheaper costing about $25,000 each. This was actually a guidance kit attached to a dumb bomb. But the GPS bomb did not need someone to shine a laser on the target for the bomb to home in on. You could do without the laser by entering GPS coordinates into the bomb guidance system and then dropping the bomb. Mist, rain, and sandstorms could interfere with lasers, but nothing stopped a GPS bomb. Air power was, for once, really all powerful. There were still BDA problems, but now the air force was more enthusiastic about putting small teams of elite troops on the ground, who could be defended by GPS guided bombs, and eyeball exactly what damage the bombs were causing. That actually happened in Afghanistan, where more than one Special Forces team defeated much larger enemy forces, by calling in GPS guided bombs. Meanwhile, the U.S. Air Force and naval air realized that no one had successfully challenged them for control of the air in over half a century. The downside of this is that there has not been a new American fighter ace, or someone who has shot down at least five aircraft in over thirty years. American fighters, and their pilots, remain the best in the world. That's not preordained, or an accident, it's the result of a lot of hard work, willingness to learn from mistakes, and enormous quantities of money. Air power still has its limitations, something the professionals understand, but the rest of us don't. This was demonstrated in Lebanon in the Hezbollah war of 2006. Everyone, except the people running the Israeli air force, expected Israeli air power to shut down Hezbollah and the Hezbollah rockets being fired into northern Israel. The Israeli air force spent most of their time taking out economic targets, as they knew that most of the Hezbollah rockets had been hidden in places the Israelis were unaware of. They knew this because they had been watching for six years as Hezbollah hid their 12,000 or so rockets in hundreds of locations under schools, homes and mosques, in caves or just about anywhere throughout southern and central Lebanon. The Israelis had tried bombing suspected rocket locations many times since the Iranians sent large quantities of these rockets to southern Lebanon after 2000 when the Israelis abandoned their security zone in southern Lebanon, in return for a peace deal that was supposed to disarm Hezbollah. Israeli air attacks before 2006 had failed, and the Israelis knew the only way to hunt down the Hezbollah rocket caches was to send ground troops in. But the Israeli government did not want to risk hundreds or thousands of dead Israeli troops in a ground campaign with Hezbollah. Israeli voters would not stand for this. Israel tolerated thousands of Hezbollah rockets falling on northern Israel. That's because the rockets were mostly 122mm, unguided models and only had a range of twenty kilometers. It took about a hundred of these rockets, plus a few larger ones, to kill one Israeli. The Israelis used mostly smart bombs in Lebanon, so they almost always hit what they were aimed at and caused about one civilian death for every 5-10 bombs or missiles used. Because the Israeli air force is superior to that of any of its neighbors, most Arab nations are investing heavily in missiles. Israel has defenses like Arrow and Patriot PAC-3 missiles against the larger, guided, ballistic missiles. But unguided rockets are such an ineffective weapon that it really doesn't pay to employ an expensive system to knock them down, so Israel developed an inexpensive system called Iron Dome to shoot down such rockets. The critical innovation of Iron Dome is software which computes the trajectory of unguided rockets and only fires its Tamir interceptor missiles at rockets which might land near something worth defending. That is about 1 in 5 of all such rockets fired so far, and Tamirs have a 90 percent interception rate against those. Tamir launchers can be overwhelmed by mass attacks, which only Iranian ally Hezbollah can do, so Israel is developing an Iron Beam laser weapons to add to Tamir. Meanwhile aerial warfare power continues to evolve, as unmanned, and often robotic, aircraft are replacing those with crews. UAVs have been around for over half a century as cruise missiles, and in that time, they have become a lot cheaper, reliable, and capable. UAVs now do most of the reconnaissance work and will begin replacing fighters and bombers in the next decade or so. Without being recognized as such, smart bombs and UAVs are the most revolutionary developments in air power since World War II. Air power will never be the same because of these two innovations the current extensive use of UAVs demonstrates this evolution in action. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code December 31, 2023: Russia invaded Ukraine to prevent it from joining NATO. That has not worked out well for Russia. The question is whether Russia will invade Georgia, in the Caucasus, for continuing its efforts to join NATO. Georgia was working on NATO membership since 1994, long before Ukraine considered it. The Georgians want nothing to do with Russia, which invaded Georgia in 2008 but did not get far. Technically, Georgia and Russia are still at war. That complicates, but does not rule out, gaining NATO membership. The Caucasus is south of Russia and north of Turkey. Another Caucasus state, oil-rich Azerbaijan, has close ties with Russia. Although Russia has a military assistance treaty with Armenia, Russian officials recently pointed out that the treaty does not cover the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh area, which Azerbaijan conquered after Russia would not send troops to help the Armenians. Russia has several defense-related agreements with Armenia. The first is the 2002 CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization) that included Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. All these nations were once components of the Soviet Union, which dissolved in 1991. The CSTO restored some of the economic and military relationships these nations had before 1991. Georgia deliberately avoided CSTO. Russia considers both Armenia and Azerbaijan essential buffer states. This is what Russia calls the near abroad and considers those relationships sacrosanct. The Russian paranoia over NATO is mainly about near-abroad nations in Eastern Europe joining or wanting to join NATO. That was not a problem with Armenia, which wanted protection from Turkey, plus Azerbaijan fears of Iranian aggression. Russia did not appreciate Turkey getting involved with the near-abroad states. Russia was diplomatic about the unwelcome Turkish presence and the Turks knew that being in Azerbaijan was seen as a rare victory over ancient foe Russia. Both Azerbaijan and Armenia were formerly part of the Soviet Union and are quite different even though they were neighbors. Azerbaijan is majority Moslem while Armenia is Christian. Along with the smaller Georgia, these two are the only two nations in the Caucasus that are majority Christian. For over a thousand years Armenians and Georgians resisted efforts by Moslem neighbors to make them Moslem. Russia played a key role in preventing that and considers itself the protector of Armenia. Georgia, unlike Armenia, wants nothing to do with Russia but Russia wants Georgia to be more submissive to Russia. Thats another reason for Georgia to seek NATO membership. Armenia wants good relationships with both Russia and NATO. This annoys Russia, which does not make a big deal out of it as long as Armenia does not defy its Russian patron. In light of that, Armenia backed away from early efforts to join NATO and returned to the Russian dominated CSTO. Tiny Georgia, with a population of four million, continues the slow process of gaining NATO membership despite Russian threats and NATO reluctance to gain a member in the distant, from Europe, Caucasus. Georgia sees NATO membership as the key to its future survival. Russia is expected to revive its 2008 war with Georgia one it has extricated itself from the mess it made when it invaded Ukraine in 2022. Russia seems oblivious of how much its smaller neighbors fear being attacked by Russia and absorbed into Russia. Thats what Russia is trying to do in Ukraine and has been at it since 2014 when Russia seized Crimea and parts of two eastern Ukrainian provinces. Georgia considers itself another potential victim of annexation by Russia. NATO was created to protect members from Russian aggression and thats what Georgia wants and needs to remain an independent and sovereign state. Large insurance losses are increasingly being caused by hazardous weather events such as hurricanes, floods, lightning strikes, high winds, large hail, and wildfires. Furthermore, adverse weather is not only causing loss incidents to occur, but also making the repair process of certain projects longer and more expensive by hampering supply chains and prolonging the time for repair contractors to access loss locations. For example, in October 2023, the London Financial Times carried an article with the headline, The insurance world is flirting with its climate doom loop. It explored the challenges for insurers continuing to write policies given the trend toward more extreme weather events associated with climate change. However, it is our opinion that many catastrophic weather events and associated high value insurance losses can be foreseen when proper experts are consulted during the underwriting and risk assessment processes. This starts with forensic meteorology and forensic accounting. In this article, we discuss how a scientific approach to analyzing weather patterns can help insurers mitigate the chances of a claim arising on individual risks and minimize the costs associated with claims that have occurred. Weather risk is financial risk The role of forensic accountants specializing in quantifying interruption losses is to accurately measure the financial impact of events that have affected commercial entities. Generally, forensic accountants do not get involved in strategic decisions taken by insurers to withdraw cover from certain geographic areas and commercial risks. However, the losses that accountants do get involved in are likely to influence the strategic decision-making process of future coverage. Forensic accounting is effective at assigning a financial value on potential exposures but is of limited use in regard to helping prevent losses. On the other hand, expert meteorologists can apply a more comprehensive risk-adjusted forecast that would provide an opportunity to minimize the chances of a loss occurring in the first place. Meteorologists are also helpful in identifying the weather facts surrounding construction delay and remediation activities. Problems with historical weather data Historical weather databases across the world are limited in addressing hazardous weather events that can lead to billions of dollars in insurance losses especially in rural areas where renewable energy projects have exploded into production. Therefore, if insurance carriers rely solely on publicly available historical weather databases to assess the weather risk before issuing an insurance policy, it is possible that the weather risk is not appropriately evaluated. The reason for this is that in rural, undeveloped areas, there are few (if any) people to report observed severe weather; furthermore, there has historically been little to no infrastructure for severe weather to damage. Therefore, once new infrastructure is placed in a rural area susceptible to severe weather, it is not the severe weather that is necessarily new, it is the infrastructure located there that is new. Therefore, the presence of new infrastructure can lead to increased loss events being identified and, hence, the misconception that severe weather events are increasing in these areas. This misconception can be overcome by obtaining and correctly analyzing the appropriate meteorological data, such as identifying long-term trends in atmospheric potential for severe weather instead of observed weather often biased toward highly populated urban areas. For example, Pecos County in Texas is a large rural county and is home to many expansive solar arrays in the western part of the state. Records from the United Statess National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration only contain published reports of approximately one-third of the large hail events (i.e., 25 mm diameter or greater) which were likely to have occurred in Pecos County over a 16-year period spanning from 2007-2022. More strikingly, there was no distinguishable increasing or decreasing trend in hail events across the time period studied, inferring that a proper understanding of weather risk can be a highly reliable tool for underwriting and risk management purposes, despite climate change concerns. Global weather threats Weather is notoriously difficult to predict. However, long-term historical trends indicate that certain geographies have always been and will likely always be prone to certain catastrophic events: Tropical cyclones, as they always have, will continue to result in catastrophic losses across the warm, tropical ocean basins and unleash unrelenting winds, storm surge, and flooding across the southern and eastern U.S., Mexican and Canadian coastlines, the Caribbean, and Central America. Typhoons will continue across portions of the western Pacific into east Asia, as cyclones will continue to thrash in the warm climates of southwest Asia in India and the Persian Gulf nations, and into east Africa. Winter weather events, such as Storm Ciaran in 2023, will continue to occur across higher latitudes and mountainous areas on both sides of the equator, unleashing high winds, storm surges and large waves in coastal areas, numbing cold, and heavy snowfall and ice accumulation. Severe thunderstorms including hail, thunderstorm downburst winds, derechos, and tornadoes will continue across midlatitude regions globally not just in North America, but across southern Europe and the Mediterranean into north and central Africa, southwest and southern Asia, much of the Australian continent, and the Patagonia region of South America. In addition to severe convective storms and hurricanes, low-and-mid-latitude regions across the world will continue to experience flooding concerns due to tropical cyclones or localized severe weather events. Many times, this risk is underestimated as extensive flooding can occur in otherwise dry climates, sometimes with little or brief rainfall. Understanding the weather event: post loss While mitigating weather-related losses is an important first step, damaging weather can still occur. Understanding weather events which result in reported losses is of utmost importance. For example, if heavy rain and flooding resulted in a loss at a renewable energy complex, it is important to understand if the rainfall amount was typical and common or truly a statistically significant event on-site. Furthermore, the number of rain events, and the duration between events, are often needed as they can result in multiple deductibles under policy language and impact the time frame in which additional damage could be mitigated. Furthermore, if a solar array or wind turbine is lost due to a wind event, was that event considered a severe convective storm? Was there a tornado involved? What was the wind speed and direction? Many of these questions are important not only for determining policy coverage, but also for identifying subrogation potential due to manufacturing defects, installation errors, or other issues that may have arisen, perhaps in the process of protective stowing. These types of forensic weather investigations can be conducted even in very rural areas with limited data. Ultimately, understanding the weather conditions resulting in a loss also helps insurers update and reassess their risk by continuing to insure a particular site. The above issues are relevant to all corners of the world. Globally, despite extensive human effort, severe weather events remain untamed and unharnessed. However, by obtaining the appropriate weather data and analyzing it in a comprehensive manner, forecasting the occurrence of catastrophic weather events becomes more accurate. This type of analysis can benefit insurers by making it easier to correctly evaluate the risk of a weather event occurring, and expert meteorologists working closely with forensic accountants can help ensure that only those losses flowing from an insured event are included in the claim(s). The Jan. 13 presidential and parliamentary elections are happening at a time of fraught relations between Beijing and Taipei. China has been ramping up military pressure to assert its sovereignty claims over democratically governed Taiwan. China's "reunification" with Taiwan is inevitable, President Xi Jinping said in his New Year's address on Sunday, striking a stronger tone than he did last year with less than two weeks to go before the Chinese-claimed island elects a new leader. People attend a campaign event with Lai Ching-te, Taiwan's Vice President and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's presidential candidate, in Taipei, Taiwan, on Dec. 29, 2023. China considers Taiwan to be its "sacred territory" and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under Chinese control, though Xi made no mention of military threats in his speech carried on state television. "The reunification of the motherland is a historical inevitability," Xi said, though the official English translation of his remarks published by the Xinhua news agency used a more simple phrase: "China will surely be reunified." "Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," he added. The official English translation wrote "all Chinese" rather than "compatriots." Last year, Xi said only that people on either side of the strait are "members of one and the same family" and that he hoped people on both sides will work together to "jointly foster lasting prosperity of the Chinese nation." China has taken particular exception to current Vice President Lai Ching-te, the presidential candidate for Taiwan's ruling Democratic Party (DPP) and leading in opinion polls by varying margins, saying he is a dangerous separatist. Responding late on Saturday to Lai's comments at a live televised presidential debate earlier in the day, China's Taiwan Affairs Office said Lai had "exposed his true face as a stubborn 'worker for Taiwan independence' and destroyer of peace across the Taiwan Strait." "His words were full of confrontational thinking," spokesperson Chen Binhua said in a statement. Since 2016 when President Tsai Ing-wen took office the DPP-led government has promoted separatism and is the "criminal mastermind" in obstructing exchanges across the strait and damaging the interests of Taiwan's people, Chen said. "As the leading figure of the DPP authorities and current DPP chairman, Lai Ching-te cannot escape his responsibility for this," he added. Tsai and Lai have repeatedly offered talks with China, but have been rebuffed. The DPP says only Taiwan's people can decide their future, as does Lai's main opponent in the election, Hou Yu-ih from Taiwan's largest opposition party the Kuomintang (KMT). The KMT traditionally favors close ties with China but strongly denies being pro-Beijing. Hou has also denounced Lai as an independence supporter. The defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong's communists who founded the People's Republic of China. The Republic of China remains Taiwan's formal name. Lai said on Saturday that the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China "are not subordinate to each other." wording he and Tsai have used previously which has also riled Beijing. This picture taken from the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip shows smoke billowing over central Gaza following Israeli strikes on January 1, 2024, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the militant Hamas group. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images) Israel pulled tanks out of some Gaza City districts on Monday, residents said, as it announced plans to shift tactics and cut back on troop numbers, but fighting raged elsewhere in the Palestinian enclave along with intense bombardment. Israel says the war in Gaza, which has reduced much of the territory to rubble, killing thousands and plunging its 2.3 million people into a humanitarian disaster, has many months to go. But it also signaled a new phase in its offensive, with an official saying on Monday the military would draw down forces inside Gaza this month and shift to a months-long phase of more localised "mopping up" operations. A U.S. official said the decision appeared to indicate the start of a shift to lower-intensity operations in the north of the Palestinian enclave. The hints at a lowered tempo in Gaza came as the U.S. Navy announced that the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier was returning to its home port in Virginia after being to deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean following the outbreak of hostilities. The Israeli official said the troop reduction would allow some reservists to return to civilian life, shoring up Israel's war-battered economy, and free up units in case of a wider conflict in the north with Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah. Artillery fire between Hezbollah and Israel has rattled the border since the start of the Gaza conflict, with Israel's military saying it carried out an air strike on Monday. Residents and security sources said Israeli raids targeted houses in the Lebanese village of Kafr Kila near the border, killing three people. They identified them as rescuers, but Lebanon's Hezbollah movement later said on its Telegram account on Monday that the three were fighters with the movement. The Israeli official said the situation on the Lebanese border "will not be allowed to continue. This coming six-month period is a critical moment." Any new escalation carries risks for a wider regional war. Tehran-backed fighters in Yemen have attacked Red Sea shipping, drawing a U.S. military response, and an Iranian warship has sailed into the waterway, Iranian media reported on Monday. The Gaza war was triggered by a surprise Hamas attack on Israeli towns on Oct. 7 that Israel says killed 1,200 people. Palestinian health authorities in Hamas-run Gaza say Israel's offensive there has killed more than 21,978 people. by Marie Snyder Maybe there are seeds of potential deep within ourselves, but maybe theres nothing there but a collection of signals. Regardless the outcome, we need to dig in to see what we can find. In several classes I took last term, the idea of a core self thats fluid came through discussions of the postmodernist view of the self. But Im not convinced were still living the pomo life, and Im not sure we want to be. Taking liberally from Charles Taylor, and others, it appears that we once had some communal ideals, then flipped from seeking answers from God to proving them with science, then realized some pretty major problems with glorifying any kind of authority and renounced all of them, but now, drawing on the types of films being made and the stories told, it feels like were readjusting back to a place with more solid values and truths. I hope so, anyway. In the pre-modern time, when God was truth and miracles could happen, there was no need for individual identities. We were all divine through our very creation. Modernism reacted against random beliefs with a scientific method that began to be embraced to find the real truths out there. Suddenly individual identity became interesting. What even are we? In 1641 Descartes deduced we have proof that we exist whenever we consider our own existence because something must be there to be thinking about what we are, and we call that something I. That was a big deal. Then in 1690 Locke went further to consider a person as, nothing but a participation of the same continued life, by constantly fleeting particles of matter, in succession vitally united to the same organized body . . . inseparable from thinking, and, as it seems to me, essential to it. . . . Consciousness being interrupted always by forgetfulness, there being no moment of our lives wherein we have the whole train of all our past actions before our eyes in one view. In 1739, Hume also discussed the elusiveness of the self beyond perceptions: If any impression gives rise to the idea of self, that impression must continue invariably the same through the whole course of our lives; since self is supposed to exist after that manner. But there is no impression constant and invariable. . . . When I enter most intimately into what I call myself, I always stumble on some particular perception or other, of heat or cold, light or shade, love or hatred, pain or pleasure. I never can catch myself at any time without a perception. . . . nothing but a bundle or collection of different perceptions, which succeed each other with an inconceivable rapidity, and are in a perpetual flux and movement. change our identity by changing our stories of ourselves. Were a string of thoughts that we fit together with a story, but already its clear well never really get to the bottom of it. Our identity is the narrative we create from the memories we store, so any changes in our retrieved memories affect this narrative, which affects our identity. A TEDTalk from 2010 came to the same conclusion: Our identity is all our neurons and the signals between them, which is constantly changing as neurons grow new branches and lose old ones, synapses are created and eliminated, and neurons grow larger and smaller as they are affected by our experiences. Because we can reconstitute memories and this affects neural pathways by reinforcing or abandoning them, we canour identity by changing our stories of ourselves. The hope of science is that it would solve all the riddles of the universe, but it still couldnt reach a fixed core of the self. Worse than that failure, was that scientism removed symbolic elements of the world, the sense of the ethereal or ineffable. We lost a sense of transcendence of a self beyond electrical signals that encode memories. Postmodernism reacted against the idea of objective knowledge and overarching systems to center on the self. Importantly it brought a questioning of all systems including recognizing that history is written by the dominant class. A plurality of views and voices became possible, which was exciting. But it all went a little too far, or maybe a little sideways, flattening the moral options as if they all carry the same weight. The goal of holding ideas up to the light to check for cracks morphed into a possibility of all choices being right, and people delighted in the power and freedom of multiple alternatives. All narratives are suspect and need deconstructing, but we cant leave them lying about all deconstructed all over the place! They need to be built back up into something that works. There became no clear method for people to discern right and wrong, and I think thats why we were able to come so far only to end up living in a time with so many important values flipped on their heads. If everything is subjective, and we each need to acknowledge that we are a mere product of our culture, then that seems to cause a schism of selves. How do we get a handle of where we are within all the many environmental influences? Chomsky explained the problem like this: Even if subjective ethics isnt what postmodernists had in mind, the effect of their writing is clear. It allows people to take a radical stance without being associated with reality no responsibility. People are beginning to believe that truth is naive and old fashioned as if theres an objectivity to history. Its convenient to have no history or reality because it allows people to ignore real struggles and dichotomies between rich and poor as if thats just one perspective. It insulates people from actual activism, which is why its so readily accepted in universities. while being questioned rather than having nothing to guide us. Charles Taylor worries less about despotic control than a fragmentation of citizenry: a people increasingly less capable of forming a common purpose and carrying it out. We are less bound to one another and need to rediscover and retrieve value systems even if theyre constantly questioned and scrutinized. Value systems can be employedbeing questioned rather than havingto guide us. Back to 1777, David Hume recognized that morals and values cant be scientifically determined with certainty, but we can still have ethic in common: He must here, therefore, depart from his private and particular situation, and must choose a point of view, common to him with others; he must move some universal principle of the human frame, and touch a string to which all mankind have an accord and symphony. . . . While the human heart is compounded of the same elements as at present, it will never be wholly indifferent to public good, nor entirely unaffected with the tendency of characters and manners. And though this affection of humanity may not generally be esteemed so strong as vanity or ambition, yet, being common to all men, it can alone be the foundation of moral. We all know, dont we, that harming children is an atrocity. We have that in common. There are some universal values that we share and can find provided were willing to depart from our individual lives and take the perspective of humanity. Its possible. As far as I understand it all, we started with the idea that we know universal ideals, which allowed us to have meaning in life through an understanding of the world and ourselves, but then we gained confidence (over-confidence) with our knowledge (first with God, then with science), but lost meaning as we renounced responsibility for our lives by giving all the glory and blame to God and/or science. Meaning in life and a sense of personal responsibility and self is all inextricably tied to responsibility or taking ownership of our lives. adult freedom is one that accepts responsibilities that go with it.: Furthermore, the overabundance of choices has cultivated a sense of freedom that is divorced from an authentic freedom that is tied to responsibility. Simone de Beauvoir explains this well in suggesting that we largely try to recapture the freedom of childhood which evades responsibility. We want nothing more than to have a few rules to follow from an external authority without having to think for ourselves. Anfreedom is one that accepts responsibilities that go with it.: Conscious of being unable to be anything, man then decides to be nothing. . . . men who wish to rid themselves of the anxiety of their freedom by denying the world and themselves. Refusing to be concerned with others, living a carefree life, severs freedom from responsibility and protects us from anxiety. yourself to a point of narcissism. Meta-modernism has been around for a while as a term, coined almost Im not sure if postmodernism was wrong or if we just misinterpreted the goals of it, but either way we need a new path through this mess. Meta-modernism reacted against the extreme relativism of the pomo attitude which fostered being true toto a point of narcissism. Meta-modernism has been around for a while as a term, coined almost 50 years ago , and later discussed by Norwegian prof, Timotheus Vermeulen , over a decade ago. He said his students are living in, a world in all sorts of geopolitical, economic, ecological turmoil . . . where jobs are scarce, and where melting icebergs are no longer a projection but a reality. Todays students have learned all about postmodernism, they understand its critical value, but they find it difficult to relate to it. . . . They suddenly seem anachronistic in the contorted face of capitalism 4.0. . . . The metamodern generation oscillates between a postmodern doubt and a modern desire for sense, for meaning, for direction. Grand narratives are as necessary as they are problematic, hope is not simply something to distrust, love not necessarily something to be ridiculed. Weve tried to live with any value being as good as any other, but found it lacking. We want some answers. There might not be any concrete certainty, but there are definitely better choices to make and worse. Its vital to scrutinize ideas for veracity, but many of my generation have gone to town with criticisms without discovering and elevating a better way from all the garbage. The danger of not making clear choices in asserting values is that some noisy groups will assert their own as the best, and many who crave certainty will follow their lead, joining the group that seems to know the right ideas with the greatest confidence, often with enticing slogans, or trance-inducing chants. Whats this got to do with identity and the self? Despite just being electrical signals firing or a string of memories loosely tied together which is inevitably affected by our environment, we have to believe we have a self, whatever it may be. On the outside, our self is a list of things we might put on a resume held together by a body that were constantly working on to reach an aesthetic ideal. But without a belief in the potential for universal values, I worry that many have lost sight of developing inner character to an ideal. We can look to our character by looking back at the decisions weve made with the courage to see our own weaknesses and fallibility. Its not enough to think about what we think is important, but how we actually behave to back that up. And then, individually and collectively, spur ourselves on to do a better because we have really buggered things up! Charles Taylor considers authenticity as a highest ideal: Authenticity requires individual discovery as well as an openness to the horizons of significance . . . a self-definition in dialogue towards a moral ideal . . . dialogue binds us to others. We develop cultural values through ongoing discussions around our own efforts to develop personal values. We can get a sense of our current values by looking at recent legislation. While some new laws aim to reduce suffering of the vulnerable, many are around reducing bodily rights to women or furthering the potential for exploitation of others. Many laws all over are changing to permit atrocities. From the pre-modernist time to now, we were encouraged to serve religiously, then to discover scientifically, then to grasp for all we deserve commercially, and now we need to recover a hierarchy of secular values that encompass more than ourselves. The problem with this retrieval of values is that we run into internal conflict and anguish if were willing to acknowledge it as we recognize how much exploitation we have become accustomed to in virtually every aspect of our lives. When we encounter cognitive dissonance as we recognize an internal inconsistency between how we think of ourselves and how we actually live, we have the choice of changing it or using defence mechanisms to protect ourselves from it. Weve taken the latter route for long enough to destroy our planet in the process. limits of those childhood type of freedoms. The existentialists have been criticized for being the catalyst that took us into a time of centering values in the self, but within the realm of responsibility. The confrontation of choice means, not that anything goes, but that we have to start with the subjective experience: Encompassing other peoples and creatures and ecosystems in the values that we choose means changing how we live and how much we expect to take for ourselves. It means recognizing theof those childhood type of freedoms. The existentialists have been criticized for being the catalyst that took us into a time of centering values in the self, but Sartre makes it clear that freedom is the autonomy of choicethe realm of responsibility. Theof choice means,that anything goes, but that we have towith the subjective experience: The first effect of existentialism is that it puts every man in possession of himself as he is, and places the entire responsibility for his existence squarely upon his own shoulders. And, when we say that man is responsible for himself, we do not mean that he is responsible only for his own individuality, but that he is responsible for all men. . . . Of all the actions a man may take in order to create himself as he wills to be, there is not one which is not creative, at the same time, of an image of man such as he believes he ought to be. To choose between this or that is at the same time to affirm the value of that which is chose. . . . We are left alone, without excuse. In order to live in a peaceful plurality without the authority of the church and recognizing the limitations of science to provide us with morality, we need ongoing rational discourse to find a path that provokes compassion over destruction. I believe thats a universal desire thats become inaccessible to many because weve been swimming in unfettered capitalist ideology for far too long. We can see this in the lack of concern for protecting one another from Covid, from climate change, and from violent conflict. But we can regain our humanity again through finding our own authentic selves. 2024 is set to be a major election year, with over 75 countries heading to the polls. The Economist Intelligence Unit says that more than four billion people or over half of the world's population live in countries with elections expected this year. These range from the U.K. and the U.S., to Russia, India, Turkey and beyond. "I think any election is interesting right now, and we know that because of what happened in 2023," Steen Jakobsen, chief investment officer at Saxo Bank, told CNBC Pro, referencing the election outcome in Argentina . The country surprised markets by voting in Trump-admiring populist Javier Milei along with his radical economic policies by a wider-than-expected margin. Steen expects more of the same this year: "For 2024, it seems that most of the voters are looking for anti-establishment." While it's hard to predict how elections will impact markets, analysts say the votes in key markets such as the U.S. are, of course, the ones to watch. "The outcome of the elections will probably only affect the domestic stock markets in most countries," Lawrence Loh, business school professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS), said. "The big one that everyone is watching is the U.S., but it is also hard to say how that will swing markets because it is happening in almost a year's time," added Loh, who is also a director at the university's Centre for Governance and Sustainability. CNBC Pro did a deep dive into five elections Taiwan, Indonesia, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States to assess how the potential outcomes could affect both domestic and global stock markets. Taiwan Coming up on Jan. 13 is Taiwan's presidential elections , which will see a three-cornered race between the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Lai Ching-te and opposition members Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People's Party and Hou Yu-ih from Kuomintang. The outcome has the potential to impact testy U.S.-China relations and even security in the Asia Pacific region more broadly. For instance, DPP's Lai has pledged his support for Taiwan's independence. As for any impact on the local stock market, NUS' Loh thinks it would be minimal. "I think the impact will not be that strong but then it may affect some of the bigger companies' performance because of the impact on relations with China," he said. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company a key stock on investors' radar in 2023 is one such company. However, Loh said that any impact is unlikely to be material given that the company generates revenue across several geographies. Indonesia Hot on the heels of Taiwan's elections is another three-way vote in Indonesia scheduled for Feb. 14. The presidential candidates are current Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto with controversial running mate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, son of outgoing President Joko Widodo the governing party's Ganjar Pranowo, and former governor of Jakarta, Anies Baswedan. NUS' Loh believes the outcome of the election could impact the willingness of big companies such as automaker Tesla to set up shop in the Southeast Asian nation . The inflow of foreign investment is key for the country, which is home to several key tech companies and unicorns, many of which are in the process of deciding when and where to list. Higher economic activity with investments from abroad could potentially spur the companies to list on the Indonesian Stock Exchange, he added. India India proved popular among investors in 2023 , thanks to its strong economy, growing population and booming stock market. However, the country's slated election has "potential binary outcomes [which] sets the market up for volatility," according to Morgan Stanley. In a Nov. 12 research note called "A Year of Volatility," the bank's analysts wrote that their base case expectation is that Indian equities will rise in the lead-up to the 2024 general elections, "as the market is likely to price in continuity and a majority government." They are looking positively at several companies including insurer SBI Life Insurance and technology consulting giant Infosys . The country heads to the polls between April and May. In its elections in 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a second term by a landslide and NUS' Loh expects the incumbent leader to win again a move that he says could prove beneficial to both the country's economy and stock market in the longer term. United Kingdom Over in Europe, the United Kingdom is due to head to the polls before Jan. 28, 2025, although an election is widely expected in 2024. In a December note, Pantheon Macroeconomics Chief U.K. Economist Samuel Tombs said that the ruling Conservative Party remains about 20 points behind rival Labour in polls of voting intentions, "so the political pressure on [Chancellor Jeremy] Hunt to bribe voters [with tax cuts] is intense." However, he also noted that tax cuts are unpopular if they also push up mortgage rates as seen in the Conservative's popularity slump following 2022's disastrous mini-budget and "accordingly, we do not expect large tax cuts in the Budget." For Lindsay James, investment strategist at Quilter Investors, "the image of the [Conservative] party at least in the eyes of the investment community has been somewhat tarnished by the [mini-budget] fallout." "So given the Labour party have moved to the centre ground, marked themselves out with a green industrial policy and abandoned much of their previous Corbyn era manifesto of nationalisation, and anti-business mentality investors are I think a lot more comfortable about a potential change in the halls of government," she said in notes to CNBC. Saxo's Jakobsen says it is hard to predict the impact of the election on U.K. stocks, but sees companies in the defense and cybersecurity sectors benefiting from any boost in economic stimulus measures. United States There's no doubt that the U.S. presidential election will dominate investors' attention, however, given the potential for global market moves, especially if former President Donald Trump is reelected. "I think [investors] rightly fear what would happen if Trump came into office, because the first time, Trump was listening to outsiders. This time, he's going to come with a full market agenda ... I don't think they would necessarily be market-friendly," Saxo's Jakobsen said. BNP Paribas Chief U.S. Economist Carl Riccadonna, in a December note, said that early opinion polls are "notoriously unreliable," and "there are unique circumstances which could impair the presumed frontrunners of both major parties, Joe Biden and Donald Trump." He noted that there was an elected risk of a third-party candidate "serving as a spoiler not winning, but tilting the scales." The bank said the presidential race currently looks too close to call and a divided government seems likely, which could be welcomed by markets. "Typically, financial markets view the checks and balances of divided government favorably. One-party control of the White House and Senate would give the president greater sway over Fed and Supreme Court picks. The president can significantly affect trade and tariff policy alone," Riccadonna added. Looking beyond the candidates, Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA Research , assessed how markets have reacted in previous election years and struck a positive tone. "Investors should expect a good year, because historically, we've had positive returns in the presidential election year of first-term presidents with a very high frequency of a gain and an abnormally high return," he said. CNBC's Clement Tan and Sarah Min contributed to this report. TAIPEI, TAIWAN - DECEMBER 29: Tsai ing-wen, Taiwan's president gives a speech at the Democratic progressive party (DPP) rally in Taipei of the 2024 presidential election in Taipei, Taiwan on December 29, 2023. (Photo by Walid Berrazeg/Anadolu via Getty Images) Taiwan's relations with China must be decided by the will of the people and peace must be based on "dignity," President Tsai Ing-wen said on Monday after China's leader, Xi Jinping, said "reunification" with the island is inevitable. China has been ramping up military pressure to assert its sovereignty claims over democratically governed Taiwan, which on Jan. 13 holds presidential and parliamentary elections. Xi's comments, in a New Year's Eve address, struck a stronger tone than the previous year where he said only that people on either side of the Taiwan Strait are "members of one and the same family." Asked about Xi's speech at a New Year's press conference at the presidential office in Taipei, Tsai said the most important principle on what course to follow on relations with China was democracy. "This is taking the joint will of Taiwan's people to make a decision. After all, we are a democratic country," she said. China should respect the outcome of Taiwan's election and it is the responsibility of both sides to maintain peace and stability in the strait, Tsai added. China has cast the election as a choice between war and peace and has refused multiple offers of talks by Tsai, believing she is a separatist. Tsai has made bolstering and modernizing Taiwan's defenses a priority, including pushing an indigenous submarine program. "Everyone's home has locks on them, which is not to provoke the neighbors next door but to make yourself safer. This is the same for the doors to the country. Taiwan's people want peace, but we want peace with respect," she said. Taiwan's government has repeatedly warned China is trying to interfere in the election, whether by using fake news or military or trade pressure, and Tsai said she hoped people could be on alert for this. After China accused Taiwan of erecting trade barriers and ended some tariff cuts for the island, China last week threatened further economic measures. If you thought the pandemic and AI revolution changed work in the past four years, get ready for epic changes coming in 2024. During the past three years, the world of work was turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Technology saved the economy by enabling millions to work from home using video calls, cloud services, and collaboration software. Then last year, generative artificial intelligence (genAI) changed everything; 2023 was its breakout year, according to a survey-based report by McKinsey. The 2023 surge in awareness about large language model (LLM)-based genAI technology resulted from OpenAIs release of ChatGPT and DALL-E tools in 2022. This category of AI has been in development for decades in hundreds of university and corporate labs. But OpenAI was the first to offer the tools to the public (and to developers through application programming interfaces (APIs) as well as to users of Microsofts Bing search engine). Easy availability triggered a surge in usage. ChatGPT became a mainstream brand. Other organizations scrambled to make their own research publicly usable. Now, in the world of business technology, genAI is everything. It started last spring. By April, a quarter of C-suite executives were using genAI for work and a quarter of boards of directors were talking about using it in the workplace, according to McKinsey, even as both executives and board members remained concerned about the accuracy of AI output. That concern reveals that some view genAI tools as a kind of search engine, confusing the ability of the technology with the quality of the datasets available tools are trained on. In 2024, that confusion will be clarified for many, because companies will take a hybrid approach to implementing the fast-evolving technology at work. The big move away from canned data began in November, when OpenAIs Sam Altman announced GPTs that enable users to create custom versions of ChatGPT for specific purposes. GPTs enable the users own data to augment ChatGPTs training dataset. Over time, tools that enable organizations (or industrys) own data will demonstrate that AI chatbot hallucinations, as well as other transgressions, arise because of the data, not the AI technology. Using custom data sets will prove vastly more powerful for true insight and actionable results than generic ones. In any event, the OpenAI chatbot scenario will turn out to be a relatively minor part of the genAI contribution to productivity and knowledge work. In 2024, the technology will be baked into cybersecurity, software development, productivity, customer service, human resources, fleet management, and other software and cloud tools. In general, these AI features will help people cope with rising complexity in all things and give them an edge in analysis and pattern spotting. GenAI use will grow vastly more relevant with more specific data inputs and integration into focused applications. The integration of this technology into industry- and occupation-specific solutions will also be accompanied by a cultural backlash against the breathless hype of 2023. Companies that try to replace employees outright with AI will realize that humans empowered with well-designed AI tools are far more effective than AI working on its own. As with all new technologies, once the hype dies down and the tech becomes a ubiquitous banality, well know its become truly powerful, useful, and transformative. In general, AI will become universal and normal even as it boosts economic output, much as the PC, networking, and web revolutions did in the 1990s. Get ready for a new set of realities Weve been talking about augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) for many years. But 2024 is the year high-resolution, high-quality AR goes mainstream (and by mainstream, I mean that Apple will launch its AR product, the Apple Vision Pro). No, the Vision Pro itself wont become a mass-market product like the iPhone anytime soon, or ever. Because of the difficulty in sourcing and manufacturing, as well as the high purchase price, large size, and limited battery life, unit sales will be lower than for other Apple products. Estimates range from 200,000 to 500,000 units in the first year. Canalys estimates unit sales to exceed 10 million per year within four years. By comparison, Apple sells well over 200 million iPhones every year. Analysts expect lower-cost Vision Pro versions, as well as smaller and lighter headsets, to drive higher sales in the years to come. (And it will affect the larger AR/VR industry.) Its also worth noting that Vision Pro technologies will spill over into other Apple Products, dragooning the entire Apple ecosystem into its orbit. For example, MacBook Pro users will be doing FaceTime calls with Vision Pro users. The laptop users will have their faces 3D scanned, and theyll see the 3D scanned avatar of the Vision Pro user as a participant in the meeting. Users of Apples iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max smartphones will be able to use those devices to capture 3D spacial videos viewable on Vision Pro devices. These are two early ways that non-Vision Pro users can participate in Vision Pro technologies, and there will surely be others coming in the future. As with Apples previous entries into the music player, smartphone, tablet, and smart watch markets, the Vision Pro will put buyers, competitors, and developers on notice, focusing the industry on the new category. By the end of 2024, AR will be ubiquitous and inescapable. Dozens of major companies will offer Vision Pro-like AR/VR solutions optimized for the workplace at a wide range of prices. In this case, enterprise-specific AR solutions will lead the way, with consumer devices lagging. Another category of AR will hit companies in unexpected ways; I call it non-holographic AR, and the leader in this industry will be Meta, which is already testing something it calls multimodal AI. Ray-Ban Meta glasses, which shipped Oct. 17, have a camera, which can be used for taking pictures and videos and live-streaming to Instagram or Facebook. With a software update (available first to early adopters in December), users will be able to use the camera to recognize objects and get AI-driven information and even advice. (Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg demonstrated the feature by asking what pants might go well with a shirt he was holding.) The use of internet-connected glasses with cameras (by Meta and its many coming competitors) to augment reality (with the output coming in the form of spoken words from AI rather than holographic visual objects) is going to affect business, as a growing percentage of employees in all departments will be wearing them all day, every day. The impact will be akin to the smartphone revolution, where the power of computers, apps, the internet, and digital communication will be made much more accessible and quickly available through glasses than via a smartphone. The combination of Apple mainstreaming its high-resolution holographic AR and Meta mainstreaming its non-holographic AR means the workplace will be transformed by AR starting in 2024. Flex work will be the new normal The pandemic forced businesses to allow remote work at scale for the first time ever. Many employees got used to it, and now prefer working from home. But a large number of businesses continue to resist the trend, imposing back-to-office mandates. While the work-from-home (WFH) standoff has become the conventional wisdom, its also a misleading oversimplification. In fact, many organizations are thriving with remote and hybrid work policies. And many employees love coming to the office. A recent study by FORA found that the youngest workers, aged 18 to 24, are the most enthusiastic bracket for wanting to work in offices; this group also responds best to in-office perks like cafes, gyms, and rules allowing pets at work. Large companies that impose back-to-office mandates on employees who dont want to commute or work in an office face pushback in the form of petitions, resignations, and difficulty in hiring. Even the most strident back-to-office companies are explicitly hiring for remote positions in job areas of highest demand, knowing that the only way to hire the best workers is to offer a WFH option. Some workplace specialists say companies are even using back-to-office mandates as a way to lay off employees without laying them off, knowing large numbers will quit in response to the mandates (or can be fired for cause if they refuse to return). Still, the reality is that for many companies, allowing remote work is essential for meeting inclusivity targets and coping with talent shortages. Whats lost on many organizations is that the mandate part of back-to-office mandates is the most objectionable part. Working from home enables workers to tailor their work schedule in a way that helps them cope with the many other mandates in their lives. As a simple example, a family with two spouses and two children can be a scheduling nightmare. If both adults are mandated to be in the office until 5pm, and the school mandates that one of the children be picked up at 3pm, the problem is obvious. In reality, modern family life is far more complicated than that, and no workplace can schedule work time better than the employee. So, whether employees are working in the office, at home, or a mix of both, flex work will be the new normal in 2024. Flex work is less about where one works and more about when. Allowing employees to work when they choose and providing the asynchronous communication tools to enable that will be essential to hiring and retaining employees in 2024. Forcing employees to work in an office during set hours diminishes mental and physical health, wastes time, costs more, increases distraction, reduces productivity, degrades morale, and damages work-life balance. Companies that fail to offer flex work and remote work will have a harder time competing in the marketplace because their workforce will tend to be understaffed, overworked, and over-stressed. By contrast, companies that offer flex and remote work options will have a competitive advantage. A Darwinian process will favor those who cultivate the cultures and management styles that make flex work succeed. The dinosaurs will die out. The bottom line is that changes are surely coming to how, when, and where we work. The time to prepare for the new technology-enabled workplace the new world of AI, AR, and flex work is now. by Sauleha Kamal Narrating Pakistan: An Anthology of Contemporary Creative Writing sets a lofty aim for itself: to explore the idea of Pakistan through contemporary storiesthe term, the country, the nation, the identity. There have been a few attempts to anthologize Pakistan in the past few decades. Oxford University Press anthologies like Ill Find My Way (2014), Muneeza Shamsies two collections (which the preface to this book mentions), Granta 112: Pakistan (2011) and, as far as academic explorations of Pakistan go, The Routledge Companion to Pakistani Anglophone Writing come to mind. Ultimately, this anthology sets itself apart by telling, not the story of Pakistan but the story of young Pakistan. The characters in these stories are often young peoplechildren, teenagers and young adultsdealing with the trauma of confronting what is, what could have been and what will be. This anthology brings together various writers who write about everything from dreaming of casting off economic shacklesin small villages, giant metropolises and foreign cities that glitter with promise and dangerto confronting isolationfollowing the Coronavirus pandemic, immigration or a depressive episode. There are stories that explore humanity through the loneliness of the female experience in a patriarchal milieu and the difficulties of conceptualizing Muslim masculinity in post-9/11 America. A story about young Pakistan today cannot be told without telling the story of leaving Pakistan, as more and more young Pakistanis do every year. Many of the stories in this anthology are about the consequences of leaving and the challenges of diasporic existence. Many of these stories deal with the alienation of being a person of color in places that are not too kind to people with the wrong skin color, to paraphrase the wording of multiple stories. The idea of the wrongness of an epidermis crops up in both Syed Kazim Ali Kazmis Trans/Gress and Saeed Ur Rehmans The Sharpness of Grass Blades. The narrator in Aatif Rashids Brown Mirror yearns to peel off his brown skin. Rehmans story, which finds a Pakistani student planning to overstay his Australian visa, perhaps best captures one of the darkest manifestations of yearning to belong elsewhere. This story succeeds because of its masterful balance of light humor (e.g. the narrators reference to his roommates hobby of maggot farming in takeaway pizza boxes) and an unflinching indictment of the global inequalities that restrict the freedoms of people in certain bodies. While it never quite becomes clear what drives the narrators desperation to stay away from Pakistan, this is an answer that might complete the story of Pakistan that this anthology tells. Nostographia, Bassam Sidkis nonfiction meditation on illness and immigration turns the malaise of homesickness into an exploration of what happens when you suffer a serious illness in a new place that is not quite home. The prose in this piece, with its overly formal quirks has a distinctive nineteenth century quality which works well with the history of the clinical diagnosis of nostalgia from the nineteenth century and the after-effects of colonialism threaded through this essay as well as with the authors memory of the Pakistani English, a remnant of the British English taught at my old school alienating him from his American classmates. The final sentence strikes a painful yet beautiful chord: Longing to go home, dying to go home. On the subject of illness, Khadeeja Farooquis evocatively-titled Coughing up Glass transports the reader back to the anxiety of 2020 with its reflections on two subjects people tend to avoid: class and the coronavirus. Laying bare the contradictions exposed in the wake of suspension of normalcy, Farooqui captures a certain segment of Lahori society. Usama Lalis Khicheenk! and Hananah Zaheers Fish Tank tell two very different stories of masculinity. Lalis sublime little tale brings the rural and the urban together. The first paragraph, in its matter-of-fact plain style, recounts the story of an arranged marriage between a young widow and an older widower which was decided with the hope that the two would be less sad together. In retrospect, the decision was, to the narrator who is the product of this union, akin to electrocuting a dead frog and calling its spasming body alive. The ensuing pages are a masterclass in parsing humanity, the burdens fathers and sons place on each others shoulders and the quiet love that endures despite everything. Zaheers story, meanwhile, is chilling in its breathless portrayal of the clash between two distinct but cross-cutting spheres: gender and class. Told from the perspective of lower-level employees of the Metro and Waterways Department, the trouble in this story begins when a new manager joins the office. A young American-educated engineer who comes from money and wears red lipstick, this new manager injures the pride of the members of her staff who see it as a personal affront that a younger woman should outrank them and inspire both sexual and economic envy. That the narration is delivered without judgment makes it all the more effective. In The Program Era (2009), Mark McGurl argues that postwar American writing can only be understood in the context of the rise of the creative writing program, exploring the imprint of the MFA on American letters. This imprint is certainly visible on Pakistani writing in English as well and this anthology is a timely reminder of this phenomenon. There is the feeling that too many narrators in these stories are writers and MFA students, and while the writerly reflections are interesting in their own way, the anthology is at its most exciting when the stories move away from chronicling the Writer Experience. Some of the strongest stories in this collection take the lessons of style, attention-to-detail and tight prose learned in formal writing classes and apply them to new contexts. One example is Aamina Ahmads July Sun. Set in a village, this story portrays the tragic consequences of disrupting tradition. The hallmark of formal writing rules are visible in this story. Ahmad uses implements from her writers toolkita simple but striking beginning (Ghulam Ali pushed his way through the sugarcane) and an ending where nothing has changed but something clearly has (it was as if nothing at all had ever happened)to paint a picture of the kind of place that is hardly ever written about. Farah Alis Bulletproof Bus similarly brings to life an everyday tale of misfortune and desperation from the streets of Karachi. Her narrator is an ordinary man who dreams of a better life but struggles to find a job with his impoverished circumstances and limited English. The eponymous bus comes alive with Alis dramatization of the narrators yearning as he latches onto the hope of becoming its driver. The visceral descriptions in this story have the reader mirroring his hopes and emotions until the perhaps predictable but very effective denouement. The final storyNarrating the Cities of Pakistan by ChatGPTis a valiant effort by the OpenAI Language Learning Model which took the world by storm in 2023. With some good phrases (like Islamabad, the fortress of bureaucracy) but an ultimate lack of discernible plot and structure, this piece underscores the importance of the formal writing program. Narrating Pakistan is a refreshing anthology that is certainly impressive in its sheer breadth. The stories present a revolving carousel of tales that capture contemporary Pakistan. Despite the tongue-in-cheek nod towards Mohsin Hamid in the preface, the ubiquity of the second-person perspective in this collection suggests his enduring influence. That this anthology contains new stories and reprints creates a minor conundrum. The original stories from this collection present something new and interesting. While the reprints do help complete the puzzle of Pakistan that this anthology puts together, ten reprints out of nineteen stories in total feels like a little too much. That said, this collection is a much-needed one-stop shop for anyone looking to read about young Pakistan today. *** Sauleha Kamal is a researcher and writer. Her current academic book project looks at the connections between the anglophone Pakistani novel, empathy and human rights and problematizes these connections in terms of the economic aims of the literary marketplace. She is an alumna of the University of Cambridge, where she was a Chevening & Cambridge Trust scholar, and Barnard College, Columbia University, where she studied English and Economics. Her work has appeared in various places including The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Catapult, the Journal of Postcolonial Writing and Postcolonial Text. She is co-editing a special issue for the Journal of World Literature. She was a writer-in-residence at Yaddo in Saratoga Springs, New York in Fall 2019. Sometimes, when you wander the streets, you stumble on an object a passerby discarded. Maybe you see a soda can or a plastic bag. Or maybe you see an isolated human kidney. That aint right, you say. Litter is illegal. Correct. Also, murder is illegal, and murder is the most likely explanation. However, with the following stories, either we never do find out for sure that its murder, or theres another explanation, and its even weirder. 4 The Tennessee Salty Heart Depending on where you live, your local Department of Transportation might keep a huge load of salt on hand, to dump on roads in winter to keep them from freezing over. Such is the case in Humphreys County, Tennessee. Last December, workers around one of these DOT facilities spotted something on top of such a salt pile: a desiccated human heart. It likely had not been desiccated before someone left it there. The salt had sucked all the moisture out of it. Police dug through the salt, with the assumption that this had to be just one piece of a dismembered body. But they found no signs of other human remains there. Someone had to have extracted a human heart from a body and left the remainder elsewhere. Why? And why had they left the heart here? This spot was both a terribly indiscreet disposal site (the heart was bound to be found) and also not nearly as public a location as a serial killer would like, if terrifying the public were their goal. A couple weeks ago, Tennessees WJKL gave us a follow-up with this all-time great headline: WJKL That headlines an understatement. A year on, we have all the old questions and zero answers. Well, we have one answer: The heart belonged to a male. Scientists figured out that much by zooming in at its cells. Other than that, theyve figured out nothing. Last Christmas, someone gave them a heart. By Christmas this year, facts linger unclear. Advertisement 3 Three Chunks in Michigan Sewers Our previous maybe-killer chose to cast their evidence into earth. Our next one chose water. This story goes back to 2012, when a stretch of human skin turned up in the sewers of Macomb County, Michigan. If you were ever thinking about disposing of medium-size body chunks by flushing them, know that sewer lines have grates. Feces and properly designed paper dissolve into wastewater, but something this solid may get trapped, to be found by sewer workers. This skin was tattooed, female and came from someone 15 to 20 years old. Four months later, sewer workers found new body parts that had been flushed. This skin was also female but showed no signs of tattoos, which doesnt offer a lot of information, but its a start. Some months later, sewer workers made another fresh discovery of skin and fatty tissue. The skin was Caucasian, announced police, because skin color is the easiest attribute to announce when youre looking at skin. Marco Bicca/Unsplash If you know any Caucasian women, check to see they have all their skin. Advertisement The most obvious explanation is also the most frightening one: Someone is regularly killing women and flushing their bits. Its also possible that all these parts belong to the same victim, and a strangely motivated killer froze the body but is disposing of it piece by piece. Police are also entertaining the possibility that this isnt a matter of murder but might simply be medical waste, improperly discarded. That sounds irresponsible, but theres an old saying that goes, Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity. Advertisement That saying is called Hanlons razor. So, maybe someone cut off this womans skin with a razor. 2 The 54 Siberian Hands Those discoveries of just a few body parts would seem to be dwarfed by our next find. In 2018, a bag washed on a tiny island in a river in Russia, containing human hands. It contained 54 hands, which added up to 27 pairs of hands removed from 27 unknown people. Advertisement This seemingly horrifying event was soon declared by the Russian government not to be so horrifying after all. These trophies were not ritually removed by some especially prolific Siberian serial killer. Instead, they came from a forensic lab. Medical examiners had cut the hands off from unidentified corpses to store them for later fingerprint analysis. Siberian Times And just in case anyone needed a hand. Unfortunately for the maintenance of social order in Russia, skeptics found this explanation unconvincing. If a lab cut off the hands, what drove them to chuck the haul into the river? What sense was there in cutting hands for prints if you want to store the body, you should store the body, but if all you want are prints, you can simply photograph those. And why could no one point to any handbook that says this is standard procedure, rather than something you do to enemy soldiers during war? Advertisement So, people had earlier theorized about some lone killer. Now, they switched to some similar operation either covered up by or carried out by the Russian government. Wed consult with reporters on this story for updates, but its safe to assume all are now dead. Over in a drawer somewhere, only their hands remain. Advertisement A lot of tropes get recycled from sitcom to sitcom. Theres the dinner with the boss where everyone has to be on their best behavior, but at least one person wont be. Theres the two-timer date where our protagonist is running back and forth between a couple of different dates scheduled simultaneously. And, of course, there is the doomed wedding. Not doomed in the sense of two people calling off their wedding after realizing theyre not right for each other, but doomed in that the perfect wedding doesnt happen and there are gags, jokes and endless forks in the road before we get to the I dos. Here are just a few sitcom weddings that went horribly wrong, but definitely reinforced the idea of for better or for worse 7 New Girl When Schmidt flies to Portland in an attempt to convince Ceces mother to come to their wedding, hes the knight in shining armor. But in the case of this fairy tale, the steed is the airplane, and that steed breaks down, leaving poor Schmidt stuck on the tarmac and unable to make his nuptials. Instead of the planned multicultural blowout that had been prepared, the gang finds themselves having an intimate wedding in the loft, which almost feels more fitting. 6 Brooklyn Nine-Nine The boys and girls at Brooklyns fictitious 99th Precinct are saving the day episode after episode, so why would the long-anticipated wedding between Jake Peralta and Amy Santiago be any different? After defusing a bomb threat that was actually a jealous ex, the two tied the knot in the parking lot of their beloved cop shop. 5 The Big Bang Theory Unlike most couples on this list, Howard and Bernadette wanted their Big Bang wedding to be a modest gathering at City Hall before he goes into space, but in this sitcom, even the simplest request cant be met. When City Hall closes before they can get married (and naturally wont reopen before Howards departure), the lovable group of nerds come together, plan a wedding, get ordained in record time and celebrate the couple on the rooftop of their building. 4 Modern Family When Haley Dunphy and Dylan plan to elope before their baby is born, Claire and Phil suggest a shotgun wedding at the Dunphy house instead. Of course, everything that could go wrong at their living-room ceremony absolutely does. But by the episodes conclusion, the two get married in the kitchen with just close family in attendance for a touching Modern Family twist. Advertisement Advertisement 3 Friends This Friends wedding had everything: Monica as a militant wedding planner, two friends learning that theyre not in the wedding party and a blizzard that forces Phoebe and Mike to get married in the middle of the street instead of the beautiful venue theyd selected. All of which goes to show that a wedding can happen anywhere as long as youre with the friends that you love. 2 The Office A scrotum injury, an accidental pregnancy reveal, two bumbling men trying to hook up with anything in sight and a torn veil were the ingredients of a bomb waiting to explode during Jim and Pams nuptials. And when that proverbial bomb finally does go off, the bride and groom flee the scene and opt for an intimate union aboard a ferry overlooking Niagara Falls before returning to the church to placate their guests with the pomp and circumstance of the wedding they came for. Advertisement Advertisement by William Benzon Ive now seen Maestro twice, spread out over four, maybe five, sittings. I suppose the fact that I havent watched it straight through in a single sitting might be taken as an indication that I didnt find itDidnt find it what? Good, compelling, interesting, satisfying? If one or some combination of those is true, then why did I watch it twice? Maybe I found it disturbing and wanted to figure out what was bugging me? If it was disturbing, the disturbance was unconscious. [That I didnt watch the whole film in a single sitting is certainly an indication of the fact that I watched the film at home, in front of a small screen, instead of in a theater and with a large audience.] Was I bugged? Yes, I was bugged, about the damned prosthetic nose. I kept reading that Bradley Coopers prosthetic offended some people. Bernsteins kids defended it. There I am, watching the film. Theres the second scene where Bernstein is seated, gray hair, red shirt, smoking a cigarette, and talking about his (dead) wife. He had an intense almost vibrant tan, a color looking like it didnt quite make the cut for Rudolphs nose. Did he hang out in a tanning booth? That bugged me, a little. I dont know whether or not Id have been bugged about the nose if I hadnt heard so much about it. I never saw Bernstein live, but I certainly saw him on TV and saw lots of photos. As far as I recall I never gave two thoughts to his nose. Now my father, he had a nose. We called it a Danish nose because his parents were from Denmark. Which was bigger, my fathers Danish nose, Bernsteins (Jewish) nose, or Bradley Coopers prosthetic version of Bernsteins (Jewish) nose? This is silly. I wonder if all this fuss about a schnoz is part of the shadow cast by the awful events of October 7th? Or the resurgence of antisemitism in the country? Did I know that Bernstein was Jewish the first time I became aware of him, perhaps from one of those Young Peoples Concerts on TV or perhaps it was a more straightforwardly didactic program? Im pretty sure I knew Louis Armstrong was black the first time I became aware of him. Couldnt miss it. The color of his skin was as plain as the four-letter-word on your face. * * * * * That Bernstein was Jewish probably registered on me when I purchased his recording of Mahlers Second Symphony in 1965 or 1966. Blew my mind! That, however, wasnt my first Mahler symphony. My first was Deryck Cooks completion of the Tenth Symphony as recorded by Ormandy and the Philadelphia. Then I got, maybe the Second, or maybe the First, known as the Titan, recorded by Solti and the Chicago Symphony. Loved the slow third movement; didnt even realize that it was based on Frere Jacques until I read it somewhere. (Color me red with embarrassment, but not as red as Coopers make-up, not THAT red.) But the fourth movement, someday Id love to play principal trumpet on that one, just drive the orchestra into the ground, through the earth, and come out somewhere in the South China Sea where we could zing Xi Jinpings nose. I was in my late teens when I got caught up in Mahler, not to mention the anti-war movement. Bought all the symphonies (various conductors), Das Lied von der Erde (Bernstein on DGG I believe), Kindertotenlieder, and one or two other things. This was while I was on a break from listening to jazz and hadnt yet admitted to myself that I could like rock and roll and not feel ashamed. I was committed. I survived. * * * * * Thus, when I heard the finale of Mahlers Second welling up on Maestros sound-track, I was prepared. To be honest, I thought Coopers conducting was a bit over-the-top. Yes, I know, that was Lennys style Im just using that name to indicate the public persona he created for himself. He was much criticized for his flamboyant conducting style at the time. Back then I thought such criticism was silly. Judge for yourself. Heres the real performance on which the movies re-creation is based: In his latest film, Maestro, director Bradley Cooper stars as legendary conductor-composer Leonard Bernstein. The Netflix film (which opens in theaters November 22) features a recreation of Bernstein leading a historic performance of Mahlers Symphony No. 2 in C minor, the Resurrection Symphony. In this archival footage of the 1973 performance, recently restored, Leonard Bernstein leads the London Symphony Orchestra in the conclusion of Mahlers 2nd, with soprano Sheila Armstrong, mezzo-soprano Janet Baker, and the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, at Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire, England. Ponder this: When Lenny was conducting, was he acting or were his gestures authentic? I know Cooper was acting; after all, this is a movie, and hes the star. As I said, I did think Coopers performance was over-wrought. Could one could validate that judgment by comparing the real with the simulated performance? Its all in the details, which in this case are measured in milliseconds. Look, Im a trumpet player, and a damn good one whoops! Am I allowed to use that word in polite company? The trumpet is physically demanding. I know, from practical experimentation, that a player has some leeway in just how much they use body movement to reveal those physical demands to the audience. Its not at all obvious to me that Bernstein had to do all that dancing and gesticulating in order to direct the orchestra. Some of it, sure, but all of it, not so sure. I can easily imagine that some of that was for the public, as part of the Lenny role. Sure it was. But whats that Lenny role about? Hiding something? Revealing something? Both? And yetHere he leads an orchestra in a simple two octave scale: Very expressive, no? Yes, a bit of a stunt to be sure, but a stunt many musicians have practiced. Can you practice those scales and arpeggios with feeling? Anger? Check. Longing? Check. Desire? Check. Joy? Check. Und so weiter. Actors can do the same thing with a phone book. Still, could Lenny have gotten the same effect without the elaborate gestures? Bernstein led a very public life. Conductor, pianist, composer he composed for Broadway and film, as well as his serious classical works and he had a very well-known series of TV programs presenting classical music to young people. He had to evolve a persona to manage all that. Whats the relationship between that persona and rock-bottom requirements of leading an orchestra? For that matter, whats the relationship between that persona and his private life, which in this film centers on his relationship to his wife, Felicia Montealegre? His wife, their kids, and his male lovers. He was a homosexual or was he bi-sexual? thats not clear from the sources at a time that was much less tolerant of gay men than we are now. A public man, a gay man, a beautiful wife. What a tangled web he had to weave one of the topics of this interesting article by Zachary Woolfe. * * * * * Heres a 2-and-a-half-hour documentary of Bernstein rehearsing, performing, and talking about three Mahler symphonies, the Fifth, the Nineth, and Das Lied von der Erde. Bernstein loved Mahler. But, man, all that death, all the gloom and doom that Bernstein talks about. [You dont actually have to pay attention to all that talk. I didnt. But you should listen to some of it, the stuff about death, say at 41:33, or 48:38, later at 1:29:26, or 1:57:16. Und so weiter.] Is that what I was listening to those many years ago? A death wish set to music? It sounds like late Romantic Classical music is trying really hard to end it all. Or maybe its just deeply confused about the difference between a technical problem in musical construction, coming to an end, and the Meaning of Life Itself. Not sure I want to listen to Mahler again after all that. After all that I feel like taking a bath in James I Feel Good Brown. Hes got moves too. Oh does he have moves. Could Lenny do a split? Imagine this: Were coming up to the grand climax of Mahlers Second and, just before the end, Lenny goes down in a split and jumps up into the cutoff, just like the Nicholas Brothers. Shazam! Lets get back to the music. This is a passage from Helen Epstein, Music Talks: Conversations with Musicians (1987) p. 52, where Bernstein is talking with students at Tanglewood: I dont know whether any of you have experienced that but its what everyone in the world is always searching for. When it happens in conducting, it happens because you identify so completely with the composer, youve studied him so intently, that its as though youve written the piece yourself. You completely forget who you are or where you are and you write the piece right there. You just make it up as though you never heard it before. Because you become that composer. I always know when such a thing has happened because it takes me so long to come back. It takes four or five minutes to know what city Im in, who the orchestra is, who are the people making all that noise behind me, who am I? Its a very great experience and it doesnt happen often enough. Ideally it should happen every time, but it happens about as often in conducting as in any other department where you lose ego. Schopenhauer said that music was the only art in which this could happen and that art was the only area of life in which it could happen. Schopenhauer was wrong. It can happen in religious ecstasy or meditation. It can happen in orgasm when you are with someone you love.* WHAT is he talking about? Notice that last sentence. Is he serious? Of course he is. Thats something you do in private. You do not talk about it with your buddies over beers at the bar. Bernstein is saying that same thing happens to him, in full view of the audience, while hes jumping around flapping his arms grinning and grimacing without embarrassment. No one talks about that either. There are no words. Is THAT what Maestro is about? * * * * * Listen to this conversation between Bradley Cooper and Steven Spielberg, who produced the film (along with five others), goes through all that. At about 4:16 Spielberg says that this is not a standard biopic, which is what he would have done if hed directed: This is an anatomy of a marriage and also an anatomy of looking into yourself. How do you represent yourself to yourself and to the world, even though you and Felicia and your family, eventually, knew exactly who Leonard Bernstein was. So this became a story about a marriage. Well, if its an anatomy of a marriage, then why not make just that film? Get rid of the story about Great Lenny-the-Musician and concentrate on the marriage. Make it a complete fiction, one about a gay man gets married really loves her but has affairs with men they have three wonderful kids loving family closeted life Oh its so complicated. Why not make that film? It could be done, of course, but the reason we care about this marriage is because it is the marriage of a particular man, a musician. As Cooper says later in the interview, Bernstein was probably the most [visible musician] in the 20th century. Not sure what James Brown or the Beatles would say about that, but putting that aside, Bernstein certainly had a public life, the public life of a very charismatic musician. As Spielberg said, its about how you represent yourself to yourself and to the world. And to the world. And to the world. Its both, the private and the public, a duality Bernstein emphasized in a famous interview, restaged for the movie, where he contrasted the two, finally declaring himself to be, only half in jest, schizophrenic. Hes the prototypical 20th century schizoid man. Back to the music. Starting at about three minutes into the interview Cooper explains how hed asked Santa Claus for a baton when he was eight because he was fascinated with the idea of making music by waving your hands around. At about 17 minutes we learn that, on two occasions, Cooper was with Gustavo Dudamel when he rehearsed and performed Mahlers Second Symphony, the one featured in the movie, which Cooper conducted live with the London Symphony over a two-day shoot. He also spent 4 nights a week for 3 years watching Bernstein tapes in the library of the New York Philharmonic. Thats a lot of preparation for a mere 6 minutes and 23 seconds of film. No, the music IS central to the film, as important as the marriage. To the extent that the film has a plot, its provided by the marriage. The music is just there, unwavering, an omphalos, and the marriage winds its way around it. Both of these things, the music, the marriage, are around and about the same thing, this ecstasy, this standing outside yourself and merging with an Other, a composer, a lover, the audience the world? In one setting its deeply private and personal. In another setting its deeply public and impersonal. Somehow, they are the same. In the movie the two worlds came together in a passionate kiss after Bernsteins triumphant performance of Mahlers Second Symphony. The kiss was essentially private, between man and wife, though in full view of anyone around to see. Equally important, what Felicia said, No more hate. There was no hate left in Lennys heart, an accusation shed hurled at him during a fierce quarrel only moments before in screen time, I dont know what it would have been in biographical time. Thats what Maestro is about, the communion of public and personal, visible and hidden, love and hate. Thats why I had to watch the film twice. Maybe Ill give it a third whirl. * * * * * Lets finish with a clip from a rehearsal of West Side Story conducted by Lenny/Leonard The Schnoz Bernstein. Jose Carreras and Kiri Te Kanawa offer up a ravishing rendition of One Hand, One Heart. * * * * * * Thats one of many anecdotes Ive collected in, Emotion and Magic in Musical Performance, 50 pages worth. by David Kordahl The photograph beside this text shows two men standing side by side, both scientific celebrities, both Nobel prizewinners, both of them well-known and well-loved by the American public in 1932, when the picture was taken. But public memory is fickle, and today only the man on the right is still recognizable to most people. Albert Einstein, Time Magazines Man of the Century, the father of special and general relativity, has a place in science that remains secure, regardless of what one thinks of his life as a whole. Despite activist efforts at demystification, Einstein the scientist is unblemished by any misgivings about his personal life or political activities. Robert A. Millikan, the bow-tied man on the left, is far less secure. The posthumous charges against Millikan have been against his scientific integrity and his political sympathies, and his detractors have made headway. In 2020, Pomona College changed the name of their Robert A. Millikan Laboratory, noting Millikans history of eugenics promotion, along with his purported sexism and racism. In 2021, the California Institute of Technology, the institution that Millikan spent decades building, followed suit, renaming Millikan Hall as Caltech Hall, and discontinuing the Millikan Medal, previously the Institutes highest honor. Citing Caltechs precedent, the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) renamed its own Millikan Medal later that same year. Since I spend most of my time teaching physics, and since I am myself a member of the AAPT, it was the last of these name changes that rankled me the most. These allegations bothered me because I suspected that they werent quite fair. During the past few weeks, Ive read through the cases against Robert Millikan. The rest of this piece will summarize these discussions. In the 1980s, the argument was made that Millikan had cherry-picked his data, but that conversation was sympathetic, and Millikans reputation emerged with only minor scuffs. The 2020s have been less forgiving to him, though Millikan still has some defenders. Pessimistically, I concede that its probably unrealistic to suppose that Millikans reputation can be revived. This essay, then, acts as a sort of elegy, too late to make any difference. Who was Robert Andrews Millikan? If I feel a little protective toward Millikan, maybe its because, like me, he was an Iowan with little early exposure to physics. His start in physics, as Millikan himself recounted in The Autobiography of Robert Millikan (1950), suggests just how backward physics departments in the United States were at the time. Millikan was a classics major at Oberlin College and took physics during his sophomore year. He was then asked to teach physics during his junior year. I was so intensely interested in keeping my knowledge ahead of that of the class that they must have caught some of my own interest and enthusiasm, Millikan recalled. Millikan spent four more years at Oberlin, during which time he continued to teach physics while also working as the director of the college gymnasium. When he arrived at Columbia University to pursue a Ph.D., he was the only graduate student in physics. After Columbia, Millikan spent a year in a German laboratory, where he managed to meet most of the figures now associated with the quantum revolution. Once he returned to the United States to take up a post at the University of Chicago, Millikan alternated between research and education, culminating in a series of physics textbooks that were widely used for decades. Much more could be said about the Millikan biography. He was involved in the technical side of the American war effort during World War I, playing a pivotal role in the organization of the National Research Council. Afterward, Millikan moved from the University of Chicago to the Throop College of Technologyrenamed as the California Institute of Technology when he arrivedand served as its president (or, rather, as its chairman of the executive council) from 1921 until 1945. But the part of Millikans story that has recommended him to physics students for the past century involves two of his experiments, the two that were cited in his 1923 Nobel Prize, both of which are mainstays of the modern physics curriculum. His demonstration of the photoelectric effect, using filtered light from a mercury lamp, allowed for the best measurement of Plancks constant at the time. And before that came the oil drop experimentthe subject of much later controversy. Millikans oil drop experiment The oil drop experiment is easy to understand, and painful to execute. What you observe through a microscope is just an oil droplet falling, then rising; falling, then rising. The version of this experiment thats routinely carried out by students is a somewhat simplified version of Millikans original experiment, with somewhat less reliable results. (Fig. 1 shows the device I use with my students.) Lets review this experiment again, now with more details. A light shines between parallel metal plates, which are connected to a voltage source that can be switched on and off by hand. The experimenter can spritz the region between these plates with an oil mist. The resulting droplets are very small, with diameters on the order of 1/1000th of a millimeter, and they quickly reach their terminal velocity, which can be measured by seeing how quickly they fall. When the voltage source is turned on, some droplets will change their directions, rising upward with different velocities than they once fell. These downward and upward velocities can be measured for many different oil droplets over the course of an afternoon, or, as with Millikan and his student, Harvey Fletcher, over the course of many months. To make this clear, I have embedded a video I took recently by attaching my smartphone to the measuring microscope of the device shown in Fig. 1. More than one illuminated droplet, in this particular trial, can be seen changing its direction as the voltage source is turned on and off. Such droplets, Millikan realized, each have a particular electric charge, proportional to how strongly the electric field from the applied voltage pulls the droplet upward. Readers curious about how the upward and downward velocities can be parlayed into charge calculations can consult an online textbook (here, for instance), but the upshot of this is just that each droplets charge can be found. And so what? This experiment is classical in all its details, with techniques based in 19th-century physics, but it has a place in the development of quantum physics. This is because the charges Millikan found varied by specific amounts. Droplets possessed only integer numbers of electrons: 1 electron, 2 electrons, 3 electronsand so on. Or, to wrap it in fancy lingo, Millikan found that charge is quantized. In Fig. 2, Ive plotted some data I took last spring, using the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. I looked at 33 total droplets, which took a few hours. I measured with a stopwatch the time it took for each droplet to rise and fall over a set distance. The electron charge I found was systematically about 5% larger than the currently accepted value of the fundamental charge (denoted by e). Not too bad. Scientific fraudster, or responsible experimentalist? Results like those of Fig. 2 seem quite unambiguous, and Millikan, in his 1911 and 1913 papers, certainly presented his results that way. In The Electron (1917), Millikan wrote, this is not a selected group of drops, but represents all the drops experimented upon during 60 consecutive days, no single one being omitted. But was this true? For his influential 1978 article, Subelectrons, Presuppositions, and the Millikan-Ehrenhaft Dispute, Gerald Holton examined Millikans original notebooks, and found that Millikan had observed many more droplets than were published. Indeed, it seems that Millikan had data for 140 droplets, and only included 58 of these in his papers. Millikans oil drop experiments had the rhetorical purpose, after all, of proving that charge was quantized, while other contemporariesmost notably, the Austrian physicist Felix Ehrenhaft, who conducted analogous experimentsargued against charge quantization. Holtons long paper is remarkably even-handed, and it does not vilify Millikan. The larger point Holton makes is that experimental scientistsespecially those discovering phenomena whose basic contours are largely unknowninevitably introduce theoretical assumptions when they judge which results are genuine, and which are the result of uncontrolled, accidental flukes. There have been a few other notable reevaluations of the Millikan data. In the 1981 paper, Millikans Published and Unpublished Data on Oil Drops, Allan D. Franklin showed that, had Millikan included the excluded data, his average results for the fundamental charge would have hardly budged. Still, the idea that Millikan was thumbing the scale led him to be a featured sinner of Honor in Science, a pamphlet on research ethics published by the Sigma Xi scientific society in 2000. The accusation by Sigma Xi led David Goodstein, a physics professor at Caltech, to revisit Millikans notebooks for his thorough apologia, In Defense of Robert Andrews Millikan. Goodstein noted that any experimentalist is likely to trust more strongly those results which he obtains after long experience with his equipment. In a clear chart, Goodstein shows that Millikan was much more likely to exclude measurements early on than he was as his experiment reached its end. As a side note, I should admit that I recently tried Millikans experiment with no single [drop] being omitted. Of course, no data was intentionally omitted from Fig. 2, either, but selecting droplets that can be clearly seen and controlled is its own sort of omission. When I tried to analyze each of the 44 visible droplets that changed directions in twenty minutes of video footage (the video embedded above yielded three of these), the results were messy, with large systematic errors. The de-Millikan-ization of Caltech, etc. In his aforementioned Defense, David Goodstein commented that Millikan had been subject to criticisms of character that ranged beyond the purely scientific. In recent times, wrote Goodstein in the year 2000, Millikan has become a juicy target for certain historians because he was very much a part of the establishment, as well as being white and male, and, of course, he is no longer here to defend himself (Im trying to fill in on that last point). Goodstein quoted private communications where Millikan could be credibly be accused of antisemitism and misogyny, but his statements were certainly not the rantings of a mindless bigot. In his leadership of Caltech, Millikan attempted something like an absolute meritocracy, recruiting proven scientific talents wherever they could be found. By Caltechs own admission, their Committee on Naming and Recognition (CNR), which recommended that Millikans name be scrubbed from the central building on campus, was formed not because new information had come to light, but for the same reason that the rest of the country had been set ablaze: On May 25, 2020, police officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, killed George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man. The tragedy triggered international outrage and protests. In the weeks that followed, Institute leadership received calls for action to improve diversity and inclusion within the Caltech community. Two significant petitions, each with more than 1,000 signatures, demanded the removal from all campus assets and honors of the names of past Institute leaders who had been associated with eugenics and the [Human Betterment Foundation]. Having served on a few collegiate committees myself, I dont find it at all surprising that the CNR ultimately sided with the petitioners. Committees usually work to find practical solutions, not some abstract truth, and the attitudes of the students who led the protests (I dont want to have that constant reminder that the people who built this institution didnt want me to be there, and didnt even want me to exist) are of a sort that would be hard to dismiss without redress. The CNRs long report, which is available in full online, covers an emotional response with a fig leaf of rationality. The reports central claim against Millikan is that he joined the [Human Betterment Foundation] as a trustee in 1937, at a time when eugenics and its claims for the hereditary nature of human behavior and character had fallen into disrepute within various quarters of the scientific and broader academic community. Quotes from biological luminaries are cited to support the claim that eugenics, by 1937, was a fringe scientific belief. Thomas Hales, a mathematician at the University of Pittsburgh, compared claims from the CNR report against the historical record, in an article he posted last September. Hales discovered that some of the biologists cited by the report as opponents of eugenics were in fact supporters of forced sterilizationsometimes in the very same quotes used as evidence against Millikan. Furthermore, Millikan never attended any Foundation meetings, and saw his membership as just another of the charitable causes to which he lent his support. Robert Andrews Millikan was not a villain, wrote Goodstein in his Defensebut whether he was or not hardly matters, at this point. Once Caltech issued its judgment against Millikan, it was all but impossible for the American Association of Physics Teachers to continue to bestow its own Millikan Prize. Millikans association had been tainted; no longer a household name, and no longer around to fight his own battles, Millikan had become synonymous with scientific racism. It turns out that its easier to rename things than to advocate for historical nuance. Around the world, the British passport is seen as a trusted document, an arbiter of fact and reality. It records the most basic truths about our identity: name, face, age, nationality and sex. So the strange and troubling rules, revealed in today's Mail, that enable people to pick their own sex on their passport and have this recorded on the document are truly shocking. It is no exaggeration to say this amounts to inaccurate government ID, on demand and one that risks flouting biology. The rules allow people to decide on a new 'sex' when they apply for a passport. The implications are worrying. Apologists will claim that, by allowing people to state their 'preferred gender identity', the new passport does not confer any specific legal rights. But that is specious. In the real world, passports are sacrosanct. If you're opening a bank account or hiring a solicitor, your passport is the most important document, perhaps along with proof of address, necessary to establish your identity. The same is true in less formal settings, such as pubs or supermarkets, where young people might need to prove they are aged 18 or over. Around the world, the British passport is seen as a trusted document, an arbiter of fact and reality. It records the most basic truths about our identity: name, face, age, nationality and sex (stock photo) Trans rights demonstrators attend a rally on Buchanan Street on January 21, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland The strange and troubling rules that enable people to pick their own sex on their passport and have this recorded on the document are truly shocking. It is no exaggeration to say this amounts to inaccurate government ID, on demand and one that risks flouting biology, write James Esses (pictured) The ability to declare your own sex on your passport is therefore 'self-ID' through the back door, enabled without sanction by MPs or public debate. Although the rules in question reference 'gender', in fact they enable changing one's sex on a passport. This flies in the face of biological reality: sex is immutable. And the bar for evidence is set very low. A long set of guidelines on the 'HM Passport Office' pages of the gov.uk website suggest a multitude of ways that an applicant can specify his or her 'gender'. One proper route is the production of a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC), an official legal change of gender. To secure one of these, it is necessary to be over 18, have a medical diagnosis of 'gender dysphoria' and to have lived in that gender for two years. But new passports can also be issued on more flimsy pretexts. The Government website states: 'If a customer does not have a GRC, we will accept a letter or written statement from a medical professional.' This covers not only GPs and clinical psychologists, but 'gender dysphoria specialists' and 'specialist nurses' far vaguer titles. To make matters worse, this letter needs only to confirm the change of gender is 'likely to be permanent'. Demonstrators take part in an Anti Gender Reform Bill protest outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh January 12, 2023 There is no requirement for the practitioner to have meaningfully explored the underlying causes of the person's desire to transition. That perhaps explains why so many applications are successful. Moreover, it is alarming that opportunity to self-declare one's sex on a passport is open to children. Normally, changing your sex marker requires consent from parents or guardians. For many months, campaigners' attention has been riveted on legal wrangles in Scotland over the right to 'self-identify' that is, whether any biological male who claims to be a woman must have his assertion treated as fact. It now seems we were all looking in the wrong direction. While the Scottish government bickered over self-ID, the Passport Office introduced it almost as a fait accompli across the UK, for children as well as adults. And that should worry us all. As Britons up and down the country wake up with sore heads this morning after ringing in the new year in style last night, some people might be wishing they hadn't reached for that last glass of bubbly. Despite significant advancements in technology and science over the last few decades as modern medicine achieves things once thought impossible, it seems unfair to those of us who enjoy a drink that there still doesn't seem to be a universal cure for a good old-fashioned hangover. Perhaps it's a case of different things working for different people - with some people opting to 'sweat out' the hangover with exercise, while others praise the benefits of extra hydration the morning after the night before. And, from time to time, a new novel hangover cure is touted that claims to dust off the cobwebs and soothe that aching head. The latest trendy item said to help cure a hangover is TikTok's favourite accessory, caviar, with experts hailing its benefits in protecting liver and providing a healthy dose of vitamin B12. But does it really work? FEMAIL sent reporter Maria Okanrende out for a night on the town to investigate whether or not expensive fish eggs can really make you feel better the morning after a heavy night... Femail's Maria Okanrende has tested out whether caviar actually cures a hangover (Pictured: Maria with a cocktail at British grill restaurant 20 Berkeley in Mayfair) The fun experiment wouldn't be complete without a round of cocktails of course (Pictured: A glass of Furleigh sparkling wine (left) and a Plum and Peach cocktail (right)) Why is caviar touted as a hangover cure? Caviar is a luxury delicacy that is traditionally composed from the unfertilised eggs, technically known as oocytes, of Sturgeon fish. According to scientists, caviar can ease the symptoms of a hangover due to its high concentration of vitamin B12. When we consume too much alcohol, our body is sometimes drained of essential nutrients and vitamins, including B12, which plays a major role in the functioning of our brain and nervous systems and aids our bodies to get over hangovers. The salt-cured delicacy is also rich in choline, an essential nutrient in the body usually thought of as a B-complex vitamin, and which contributes to the maintenance of normal liver function. A healthy liver is crucial as the overconsumption of alcohol over extended periods of time can cause irreversible liver damage. Caviar is also touted as a hangover remedy due to its high content of acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter believed to play a key role in memory retention) which lines the stomach and increases the body's tolerance to alcohol. Last week it was reported that the expensive food product has seen a 76% surge in sales in recent months after it became a TikTok obsession. Gen Z revellers around the world are showing off their prowess by indulding in the caviar 'bump' trend - in which they put a pile of the roe onto the back of their hand and licking it. The night before... So back to my night... it all kicked off at the corner of Berkeley Street in London's bustling West End at around 8:30pm. Although I knew I had work the next day, I threw caution to the wind and came ready for an eventful night dressed in a black blazer, silver sequined trousers and yellow pointed heels. I dashed my winter coat behind - after all I would have alcohol to heat me up. According to scientists, caviar can ease the symptoms of a hangover due to its high concentration of vitamin B12 (Pictured: Kings Fine Food caviar) In all honesty Im not the biggest drinker and my experience with hangovers is next to none. I did enjoy my Fig and Honey (pictured) cocktail though! It all kicked off at the corner of Berkeley Street in London's bustling West End at around 8:30pm The stylish venue was decorated with the brightest of Christmas trimmings, including tinsel and festive lights, and its interior was just as welcoming. Before reporting for duty, we were treated to a tour of the building, and shown both the main restaurant and the room that was to be our home for the night - the Nipperkin bar. The petite room was nestled in a quiet spot on the ground floor and located just beneath the restaurant. It was surprisingly cosy, and featured a flirtaciously dimming atmosphere, of course apt for a night of drinking or perhaps a date. After a detailed introduction from host Cleo, assistant bar manager Eugene Kourtoulla and head bartender Giuseppe, we were handed the menu and without hesitation got straight down to business. I had my eye on champagne, after which I was recommended a glass of Furleigh, an English rose sparkling wine from Dorset. It was surprisingly smooth and thankfully not too dry, prompting me to down two glasses in quick succession - well quick for me. After 30 minutes it was on to the bar's varied selection of cocktails which extended to over three pages of the menu. First up was Sloes and Brambles, a delightful concoction of gin, spiced blackberry spirit, sloes - also known as blackthorns - and fermented brambles. This was the room that was to be our home for the night - the stylish Nipperkin bar The bar was surprisingly cosy, and featured a flirtaciously dimming atmosphere, of course apt for a night of drinking or perhaps a date Tasked with the ineffable-but-very-serious attempt at a hangover, I and a friend got straight to work I must admit, as a gal that usually can only stomac one drink, and possibly two on a special occasion - I was already feeling woozy and knew I was fast approaching my limit. However, I had work to do and so I ploughed on, right into a glass of the healthy-sounding Celery and Cucumber. Inside this one were Suffolk celeries, cucumbers, Scottish red peppers and wine. I accompanied this with a Fig and Honey; a delightfully sweet rum, fig and soda mixture, and to finish off, I downed a Plum and Peach cocktail - and through it all, I didn't eat a thing. Just before midnight, we called it quits, said our goodbyes and walked (slowly) into an Uber, where I was reportedly out like a log for the rest of the one-hour ride home. The morning after... The medical term for a hangover is Veisalgia and this term originates from the Norwegian and Greek words: 'uneasiness following debauchery' (kveis) and 'pain' (algia). No words have rung truer. One may assume - at least my pal did - that judging by my deep slumber at the back of the cab, I'd be set for the night. In fact my friend was so worried I'd snooze through my alarm she sent a text to wake me up right on the nose at 6am. The stylish venue was decorated with the brightest of Christmas trimmings, including tinsel and festive lights, and its interior was just as welcoming I must admit, as a gal that stomachs just one drink, and possibly two on a special occasion, when out on the town - I was already feeling woozy and knew I was fast approaching my limit The medical term for a hangover is Veisalgia and this term originates from the Norwegian and Greek words: 'uneasiness following debauchery (kveis) and 'pain' (algia). No words have rung truer (Pictured: Sloes and Brambles) Unfortunately, this was not my reality and instead I sprang up less than an two hours later at around 2 am feeling like I'd been deprived of water for all of eternity. Luckily, I keep a bottle of water by my bedside, but after consuming 500 ml in one trot, my mouth still felt drier than the Nyiri desert. Before I even had the chance to further quench my thirst, I immediately grabbed my head to try and prevent what felt like a mini human punching the back of my forehead. Of course I later realised it was a pounding headache. Confused, tired and I must say annoyed, I slowly crept towards my bedroom light and fumbled around for the light switch. This turned out to be the biggest mistake of my night, and not the six drinks I had downed in quick succession merely hours beforehand. The beaming light somehow made me feel dizzy and confused, at which point symptoms of nausea and body aches had begun to set in. After resuming the comfort of darkness deep beneath my blanket, it was there I lay hungover and intensely hungry - but incapable of moving - until 6am. Caviar is also touted as a hangover remedy due to its high content of acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter believed to play a key role in memory retention) which lines the stomach and increases the body's tolerance to alcohol Barely 12 hours after my night of revelry, I sat down dinner spoon in hand with a serving some of the finest British caviar fresh from the fridge (Pictured: Trying my best to bear the bright lights while hungover) I somehow managed to freshen up, drop my daughter to school and hop on a train to work, albeit without breaking a smile and feeling somehow tortured. The verdict To help me finalise my experiment, I've indulged in a few spoonfuls of caviar from Kings Fine Food - British caviar specialists appointed the Royal Warrant in 2021 by deference to the late Queen Elizabeth. A 50g can of Kings Fine Food Oscietra Caviar comes in at 83.45. I must add that I normally relish the chance to indulge in the salty delicacy, and I absolutely adore its soft, deliciously tender nature. However, this morning as you can imagine I wasn't in the mood to eat anything. Oddly I felt ravenously hungry, yet the thought of consuming any type of food moved me to purge. I was adamant that this would be the perfect time to conduct the test, so I could clearly decipher any immediate changes in my symptoms. At around 10:30am, barely 12 hours after my night of revelry, I sat down dinner spoon in hand with a serving of some of the finest British caviar fresh from the fridge Depending on your alcohol tolerance level, results of this experiment may vary, but for me, it's safe to say that the luxury treat fast-tracked my recovery and I feel 70 per cent hangover-free Both hesitant and curious, I steadily plodded around the tin while ruminating for a moment before scooping some up and placing it in my mouth. I first noticed how shocked I was to savour the taste after initially feeling repulsed. By the second mouthful, my eyes slowly widened, adjusting to what I had previously thought were painstakingly overly bright lights. I consumed two more helpings and then set off back to the office to monitor the outcome of my experiment. I was pleasantly surprised... By lunchtime, I was not yet quite the loveable Maria we all know, but I did feel more human and less like an unuseful thing. Staring at the computer screen for long periods of time no longer annoyed me, meanwhile my energy levels had perked up and I could actually commit to my working day without much intrusion. Depending on your alcohol tolerance level, results of this experiment may vary, but for me, it's safe to say that the luxury treat fast-tracked my recovery and I felt 70 per cent hangover-free. A guest has been left stunned to receive a bill for almost 14 after being invited to a dinner party by a friend. Taking to Reddit's AskUK forum, the man revealed he didn't know the hosts before the event but they 'insisted' he join them with a mutual friend - and so he brought a box of chocolates costing 12 as a gift. The evening - where there were three other guests - went well, but the man was surprised to be asked to pay 13.70 the next day, and asked for advice on the 'sour situation'. Commenters agreed that the hosts were 'rude' to ask for money after the event, but were divided over whether he should pay up or not. A group of young adults indulging in a festive feast (stock image) The unnamed Redditor started off by explaining that he was invited to a dinner through a friend of the hosts, but checked beforehand that he was definitely welcome, given they'd never met. His friend showed him WhatsApp messages where the hosts insisted on him coming, and so he decided to go along and brought chocolate as a gift. He said: 'I believe that was the right thing, either that or wine,' he said. 'But anyway then today I got asked to pay for 13.70. I am confused. 'One thing to note: they said they (the hosts) had already bought the food as well. The food was nice. I appreciate the gesture. But asking to then pay after? I was not made aware of this. 'Any advice on what to do here. It's a bit of a sour situation'. The Redditor later clarified that there were three other guests in attendance and wasn't sure if they had been asked to pay. He said: 'I had [asked] prior to the dinner if there was anything they wanted me to bring. And I wasn't told anything.' Just under a thousand Redditors chimed in with their thoughts, and one said: 'Thats so rude. If theres an expectation that people are going to chip in financially then that needs to be clear ahead of time'. Another joked: 'Deduct the price of the chocolates from your invoice of 13.70', to which another user hilariously replied: 'Agree to it, but demand the return of the chocolates by post'. A different user said: 'This. Absolutely mental. Spent about 400-500 hosting a bbq this summer for family and didnt request a thing. I would never expect to pay or ask anyone to pay to come to dinner'. 'Were the hosts Dutch by any chance? Theyre notorious for this sort of thing which never goes down well with Brits!' However, others said that they would not object to being asked for money, as long as they knew in advance. 'I think it's fine to ask but it should be communicated well in advance, as part of the invite,' another added. 'I do this for friends/family gatherings as it's nice to get together but not everyone can afford to spend so much.' One commenter suggested a more balanced approach, especially sincer the diner had got on well with his hosts and might want to continue being friends with them. 'I would check with the friend who invited you if this had been agreed before hand,' they said. 'I think if it's been a miscommunication and everyone else had already signed up to chipping in you should just pay it and mark it up as a weird experience. Friends are hard to come by in adulthood.' Another echoed the same sentiment, saying: 'If they are that tight you don't want to know them, HOWEVER, check with your mate that invited you as it might have been agreed in advance or just what they normally do, and the mate (not the host) forgot to tell you.' As Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark prepares to ascend the throne on January 14 to become King Frederik X, he and his wife, soon-to-be Queen Mary I, will begin a new chapter of their lives - and it couldn't come at a better time. After photographs of Crown Prince Frederik's night out with Genoveva Casanova in Madrid surfaced in early November, the Danish royal family was rocked as the Mexican socialite was forced to issue a statement strenuously denying any suggestion of a romantic affair. Since then, Crown Prince Frederik, 55, and Crown Princess Mary, 51 who married in 2004 after meeting at a bar in Australia during the Sydney Olympics, have put on a united front, carrying out their royal duties with a business-as-usual attitude. However, mother-of-two Genoveva, 47, has cut a much more secretive figure, having only been spotted a couple of times in the north of Spain while out walking her dogs. Spanish magazine Lecturas, which first reported on Genoveva and Crown Prince Frederik's evening out in Madrid, claims she also spent time in London with her two children, before returning to the Spanish capital for Christmas - and for keen royal watchers, an old television interview which was repeated last weekend has turned heads. Genoveva Casanova said in a TV interview that has resurfaced on Spanish network La 2 that she loves intensely and believes strong romantic love is 'worth the fall' Lecturas reports that the old interview, which was repeated on La 2 on the evening of December 29, was posted by Genoveva on her social media channels. As reported by Lecturas, Spanish TV network La 2 repeated an interview recorded at Genoveva's home in Mexico in which she opened up about her love life - including her divorce from Cayetano Martinez de Irujo with whom she still shares a close relationship. She revealed she thinks of herself as a romantic person who loves with intensity and said that if things do not work out, it is 'worth the fall' for having flown so high while in love. Although the comments are not new, Genoveva reportedly drew attention to the repeated TV interview on her social media accounts - in some of her first movements since her night out with Crown Prince Frederik in Madrid The socialite was reportedly hiding out in San Sebastian in the Palacio de Arbaizenea, which belongs to her ex-husband's family However, the socialite added that, even though she loves to love, her platonic relationships are the ones that mean the most to her, and she revealed her friends will always take priority over her romantic relationships. Elsewhere in the interview, Genoveva reflected on her marriage to the Spanish author, with whom she shares two children. After the marriage broke down and the divorce was finalised in 2007, Genoveva said it felt like a 'defeat' in her life, but added she allowed herself to feel the heartbreak. The resurfaced interview comes after reports that the Mexican socialite was taking cover at her ex-husband's home, the Palace of Arbaizenea, in San Sebastian while the fallout from the release of the photos continued. Photos taken in November showed the socialite, who was married to Cayetano Martinez de Irujo for two years, wearing a grey hoodie and a dark wrap coat as she walked along the street - speaking on the phone while walking her dogs. Spanish magazine Hola! reported that she had been staying at the mansion, which had previously been owned by her ex-mother-in-law the Duchess of Alba and was bequeathed to her son Cayetano Martinez de Irujo. Ths magazine reported Genoveva heads to San Sebastian any time she needs to 'disconnect' from public life. It also reported that the socialite and her ex are on 'excellent' terms, meaning she can stay at his family properties whenever she likes. After photos of her night out with Crown Prince Frederik emerged, a Spanish TV presenter said last week that sources had told her Genoveva was 'in hiding' and had switched off her phone. Susanna Griso said on Espejo Publico: 'Her friends have told me that she is having a very bad time of it. She is in hiding right now and has turned off her mobile phone because she doesnt want anyone to call her.' Photos of Genoveva and the soon-to-be Danish King's night out in Madrid emerged in Lecturas in November, and were said to have been taken on October 25. The magazine reported that the pair had attended an exhibition together, before walking through El Retiro Park and returning to her apartment to change before re-emerging a few hours later in dinner clothes, to go to a restaurant in the city. The magazine alleges the Crown Prince dined with mother-of-two Genoveva at El Corral de la Moreria that evening, with the pair leaving the restaurant at 1am. Following reports of the night out, Genoveva took to social media to slam 'malicious' rumours of a romantic relationship between herself and the Danish royal. A statement from the socialite said: 'I categorically deny the statements that suggest a romantic relationship between Prince Frederick and me.' She added: 'Any statement of this type not only completely lacks the truth but also misrepresents the facts in a malicious manner. 'This is already in the hands of my lawyers, who will take care of the pertinent steps to protect my right to honor, truth and privacy.' Queen Margrethe of Denmark shocked royal watchers around the world as she rang in the new year by announcing her abdication following 52 years on the throne. By stepping down, Margrethe, 83, has made way for her son Frederik to take over as king, and his wife Mary as Queen. It is a decision that has shocked the people of Denmark, as the incumbent Queen has previously ruled out any suggestion of abdicating. During an interview in 2016, she said: 'It's always been: you stay as long as you live. That's what my father did and my predecessors. And the way I see it too.' As European monarchies are rocked by Queen Margrethe's shock decision, a royal expert has suggested the Danish monarch has broken an 'invisible pact' between heads of state in the Scandinavian countries that none would step down from the throne. Roger Lundberg told STV that, after Denmark's changeover, there is a chance King Harald of Norway, 86, and King Carl Gustaf of Sweden, 79, might follow suit and step down to allow their eldest children to take the throne. Then-Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, then-Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and Prince Joachim of Denmark arrive for the Queen's 83rd birthday celebrations at Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen on April 16, 2023 After the Danish royal family spent the last two years grappling with various scandals including the Queen's surprise decision to strip her grandchildren of their princely titles and rumours of an 'affair' after Crown Prince Frederik was spotted out in Madrid with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova, the monarch's decision to retire may provide a much-needed fresh start. But Denmark is not the only monarchy in the Scandinavian nations to have had a bumpy few years - with Norway's royal family experiencing its very own 'Megxit'. Although the Swedish royals have enjoyed a relatively comfortable few years, the heir apparent Crown Princess Victoria has stepped in for her father on several occasions. The Danish head of state shocked the nation and many royal watchers around the world when she used her annual New Year's Eve speech to announce live on television that she was stepping down as Queen after 52 years. In her address the 83-year-old said she had taken stock after undergoing back surgery last year and had decided it was it was time 'to leave the responsibility to the next generation' - namely her eldest son Crown Prince Frederik. Princess Martha Louise of Norway stepped down as a working royal in 2019 after she became engaged to Shamanic healer Durek Verrett Queen Sonja of Norway, King Harald of Norway and Princess Martha Louise of Norway attend the unveiling of Norwegian Trekking Association gift for The Queen of Norway 80th birthday on July 4, 2017 King Carl Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria attend King Charles's Coronation at Westminster Abbey in May 2023 In February, Margrethe underwent a successful back surgery. 'The surgery naturally gave rise to thinking about the future - whether the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation,' she said in her speech. However, the timing of the move has raised questions, as it comes just weeks after Frederik hit the headlines when he was pictured on a night out in Madrid with a Mexican socialite, sparking rumours of an alleged 'affair'. Speculation is mounting that the decision was made to keep Frederik's wife of 19 years Princess Mary, who is extremely popular with the public, on side. Princess Mary, who is set to become the nation's first Australian-born queen in a number of weeks, has won over the Danish public with her dedication to royal duty and her fluency in the language. Her husband is also similarly popular, having turned his public image around from being a rebel tearaway and party boy during his youth to becoming a family man. However, their relationship came under scrutiny last year when Frederik was spotted on a night out with Mexican reality star Genoveva Casanova in October. While the Royal Household refused to comment on photos of the pair together, Genoveva issued a public statement denying any kind of romantic relationship and called the rumours 'malicious'. And in 2022, Margrethe stripped her younger son Prince Joachim's children Athena, 11, Prince Felix, 20, Prince Henrik, 13, Prince Nikolai, 23, of their prince and princess titles. Queen Margrethe announced she will abdicate the throne on January 14, passing it to her son Crown Prince Frederik. Pictured: Her Majesty during her New Year's speech, in which she announced her abdication The decision means that from January 14 Crown Prince Frederik will become king, while his wife Princess Mary will become queen. Pictured: Frederik and Mary at the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen in November Married Frederik was subject to scandalous headlines after he was pictured having dinner with a Mexican socialite in Madrid in October. Pictured: Frederik and Genoveva Casanova in Madrid Margrethe said at the time she hoped the move would allow the siblings to 'shape their own lives without being limited by the special considerations and duties' that a formal affiliation with the Danish Royal Family involves. She said she thought that it was better for her to take action than then leave the burden to Frederik as the future King. The decision split the family and caused a deep rift, with Prince Joachim, who was living in Paris with his family at the time, hitting out at his mother in an impromptu television interview. He said the queen's decision had 'punished' his children and claimed he had only been told the news five days before it was made public - despite the Royal Household insisting the move had been 'a long time coming'. After weeks of a deepening crisis within the Danish royal family, Queen Margrethe called her sons together for peace talks at the palace and, after issuing an unprecedented public apology for the way in which she announced the decision, she appeared to smooth things over with Joachim. Denmark is not the only Scandinavian monarchy to have grappled with adversity over the last few years, with Norway also experiencing turmoil at the heart of its royal family when King Harald and Queen Sonja's only daughter Princess Martha Louise, who was fourth in line to the throne, stepped down as a working royal in 2019. It was announced in 2022 that the mother-of-three would no longer represent the Royal household in any form following her engagement to an American Shamanic healer who had been criticised for his controversial views. King Harald said that Martha would not be allowed to use her royal title any future commercial partnerships with her partner Durek Verrett, 47. Shortly after the mother-of-three announced her engagement to Verrett, a Norweigan publishing house dropped his book 'Spirit Hacking' over pseudoscientific claims, including 'children can get cancer from being unhappy'. Among his other claims, Durek says he once came back from the dead, recovering from a month-long coma, by letting his soul 'burn' and he has also spoken of having to undergo a kidney transplant from his sister as a child. Princess Martha Louise of Norway announced her engagement to Durek in June. The princess was previously married to Ari Behn, who she wed in 2002 and had three children together Maud Angelica, 19, Leah Isadora, 17, and Emma Tallulah, 14. They split in 2016, and Ari took his own life on Christmas Day in 2019. Princess Martha-Louise of Norway and her fiance self-professed shaman Durek Verrett arrive at the government's party celebratation of Norway's Princess' 18th birthday at Deichman Bjoervika, Oslo's main library, in Oslo, Norway, on June 16, 2022 King Harald of Norway, 86, was admitted to hospital in May, where he was being treated for an infection Following Martha Louise's decision to step down, King Harald stressed that his daughter has remained a princess at his request, saying: 'She is our daughter, and she will continue to be. So she is Princess Martha Louise.' The princess was previously married to Ari Behn, whom she wed in 2002 and had three children together Maud Angelica, 19, Leah Isadora, 17, and Emma Tallulah, 14. They split in 2016, and Ari took his own life on Christmas Day in 2019. Crown Prince Haakon, Martha-Louise's older brother, is Norway's heir apparent - and the future King has already had a taste of what it will be like to ascend the throne after stepping in for his father on several occasions over the past few years. Like Queen Margrethe, King Harald has taken sick leave in the past year after being hospitalised. He suffered an infection last may and remained on sick leave for some time - during which his son stepped in to perform royal duties. King Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden has also relied on his heir apparent, Crown Princess Victoria, to step in for him in recent years to carry out royal duties. The King, 77, is the first king in the Swedish monarchy's more than 1,000-year history to reach 50 years on the throne. The Crown Princess, now 45 years old, began to assist her parents King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia with their work after turning 18 in 1995. But this came at a cost, she has explained. Being first in line to the Swedish throne meant she put intense pressure on herself to the detriment of her health. She met her now-husband, Prince Daniel, 49, who was her former personal trainer following doctor-ordered sessions as she recovered from an eating disorder. Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, The traditional King's dinner in honor for the Nobel prize winner in Stockholm, Sweden, December 11, 2023 Queen Silvia of Sweden donned a glittering golden gown as she joined her fellow European royals to mark her husband King Carl Gustaf's 50 years on the throne in September King Carl Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria attend the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum 2023 to mark the Swedish EU Presidency at the Scandinavian XPO in Arlanda stad in Stockholm, Sweden, May 13, 2023 When she is crowned, Victoria will become the first reigning queen in the royal family of Sweden since 1818 following the parliamentary change to the Act of Succession that introduced absolute primogeniture. However in 2017, the king made it clear he had no plans to abdicate. Asked when he thought he would be ready to hand over power to his daughter, he said the question was 'a matter for God'. 'I will ask God when I die,' he said, before saying he would try to remain king for as long as phsyically possible. Count Nikolai of Denmark has revealed he 'can't wait to see what 2024 brings' in a New Year's Instagram post - hours after his grandmother Queen Margrethe announced her abdication from the throne. The young Danish royal, 24, was stripped of his prince title in 2022 along with his three siblings, Felix, Henrik and Athena in a momentous move from the monarch which caused a deep divide within the family. Thankfully they appeared to smooth over their differences following peace talks and an unprecedented public apology from Queen Margrethe - and Count Nikolai has since started a new, glamorous life down under as a student at the University of Technology, Sydney, where he now lives with his designer girlfriend Benedikte Thoustrup. In a post ringing in the new year from Australia, Nikolai made no mention of his grandmother's abdication - rather, he shared highlights from modelling shoots throughout 2023 as he carves out a new life for himself in Sydney. The young royal, who took a not-dissimilar path to Prince Harry after moving abroad and starting a new life, appears to be living life to the fullest - however after 24-year-old revealed he will 'always be there' for his 18-year-old cousin Prince Christian, who is now heir apparent, the change may well prompt Nikolai to head back home and take up a more central role in the Danish royal household. Count Nikolai of Denmark has shared his excitement for the year ahead modelling in Australia after his grandmother Margrethe abdicated the Danish throne In a New Year's post today, Nikolai shared some modelling shoots from the past year, saying: 'Some of my favourite shoots from 2023. Thank you to everyone I've had the pleasure of working with! Can't wait to see what 2024 brings' Queen Margrethe of Denmark at the main entrance to Frederiksborg Palace where she welcomes her grandchildren, Prince Felix and Prince Nikolai, on the occasion of the confirmation of Prince Christian on May 15, 2021 in Fredensborg Sharing the glamorous snaps on the social media platform, he said: 'Some of my favourite shoots from 2023. Thank you to everyone I've had the pleasure of working with! Can't wait to see what 2024 brings.' His post comes little more than a month after Nikolai told Australian publication Wish Magazine that he will 'always be there' for his cousin Prince Christian as his role within the monarchy becomes ever more central. Speaking to the magazine in November, he said he was excited to 'chart his own course' in life after being stripped of his royal title - but revealed his closeness to Christian and his willingness to guide the younger royal in life. It comes after the Danish monarch, 83, announced in her annual New Year's Eve speech that she will step down on January 14 - the first abdication in the Nordic state for 500 years. In March, he launched a new Instagram account to promote his modelling career after being stripped of his 'HRH' status. However, despite tensions in the family last year - when Queen Margrethe stripped Prince Joachim 's four children of their prince and princess titles - it would appear Nikolai holds no bitterness. Nikolai pictured in September Experts have told MailOnline that they believe the abdication is also about saving the Danish royal house and also the marriage of Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and Crown Prince Frederik Queen Margrethe took the title from Prince Joachim's eldest son, as well as also taking the prince and princess titles from his younger children Athena, 11, Prince Felix, 20, and Prince Henrik, 13. They are now Counts and Countess and referred to as Their Excellencies - and in January this year the Danish Royal Family updated their website to show the new status. She insisted the move will be 'good for them in their future' and allow the children - who have maintained their positions in the line of succession - to 'shape their own lives without being limited by the special considerations and duties' that a formal affiliation with the Danish Royal Family involves. The count also said that his Australian auntie Princess Mary, now to be queen, shared a list of recommendations for enjoying her homeland when he arranged his trip, and warned him to lather on the SPF 50. Nikolai is still seventh in line to the throne. He told Wish in an interview how his style has changed since moving to Australia. 'I love the mullet and the moustache thing,' he said. 'They are really cool and I love how expressive young guys are here. Their style is just so relaxed and nonchalant. I love how they walk around barefoot sometimes not that I ever would or just in their thongs.' He explained he had a very 'conservative clothing style' growing up - but has been 'keen to explore more' of his fashion. Nikolai and his girlfriend Benedikte live together in Copenhagen, but moved to Sydney to study from August 1 to November 30. Mia Tindall looked particularly engrossed as she watched the horse racing at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. The royal, nine, appears to have taken after her parents, Mike and Zara, who are also keen horse racing fans, as she concentrated hard on the racing track. As she appeared on the balcony, the young royal was joined by her cousins Savannah and Isla Phillips, who looked equally excited by the happenings on the track. Savannah, who celebrated her 13th birthday last Friday, beamed as she and her sister lent on the balcony to watch the racing. In contrast, Mia's face was the picture of concentration as she held a glass of water and fixed her gaze on the track. Mia Tindall had a face of immeasurable concentration as she attended Cheltenham racecourse this afternoon As Mia, Savannah, and Isla were spotted on the balcony, Zara Tindall and Lena, five, were spotted in the paddocks. The King's niece, 42, accompanied her youngest daughter in the paddock at Cheltenham Races - and the youngster appeared keen to grab her mother's attention. Zara looked stylish and donned a plaid belted coat with a chocolate-coloured fascinator featuring a statement golden bow and complemented the look with a quilted black leather bag and classic leather knee-high boots. Meanwhile little Lena, who grabbed her mother's hand tight and pointed out something that had caught her eye, looked adorable in a burgundy coat. The royal cousins' outing comes after the family spent Christmas at Sandringham and attended St Mary Magdalene Church for the annual service - during which Mia took centre stage. The nine-year-old royal walked up ahead of her parents as she joined Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at the front of the procession. Mia shared a sweet moment with her young cousin, Prince Louis, as she held his hand and guided him towards the church. Mia's sister Lena, five, walked behind the Wales' holding hands with her parents Zara and Mike. Her younger brother Lucas, two, stayed at home. The oldest daughter of Mike and Zara Tindall appeared energetic are she watched the horse racing action from the balcony Mia was photographed jumping for joy as she watched the races go in her favour earlier today Mia appeared very animated as she celebrated the results at Cheltenham Racecourse Mia was gripped by the competitive event - and kept her hands in the air with anticipation As she watched the horse racing action from the balcony, Mia appeared tense with anticipation The nine-year-old was full of energy as she watched the races and cheered the competitors on Mia kept her eyes fixated on the race course at all times earlier today, and managed to keep hold of her ticket without using her hands The Cheltenham races appeared to be very entertaining for little Mia, who gripped the balcony with excitement Nine-year-old Mia showcased her love of horse racing today, and she kept her eyes fixated on the track The oldest daughter of Zara and Mike Tindall looked stylish in a classic winter coat and silver crossbody bag At one point, Mia launched her ticket over the balcony - perhaps expressing her frustration at the results The young royal seemingly launched her ticket over the balcony Mia maintained a serious concentration face throughout the horse racing event, showcasing her love of the sport Savannah Phillips and Isla Phillips also appeared at the racecourse to watch the happenings on the track Isla Phillips appeared animated as she watched the racing at Cheltenham on New Year's Day with her sister and cousin Savannah Phillips, who celebrated her 13th birthday on the 29th December, pointed at the track with excitement She won! The recent birthday girl punched the heir signalling she had been onto a winner Meanwhile Savannah's cousin, Mia, looked downcast as she looked towards the track Holding hands with her mother, Princess Charlotte looked festive in a bottle green coat with her hair tied back into plaits. Meanwhile, George, walking solo, appeared very grown up in a smart suit. Once the Christmas morning service had concluded, Mia walked out of the church flanked by Princess Charlotte, and the pair giggled together as they strolled with their families. Mia's interest in horse racing comes from her parents, Zara and Mike Tindall, who are huge racing fans. As an equestrian herself, Zara is often pictured at racing events throughout the year with her husband Mike - beyond appearances at Royal Ascot with the rest of the family. She and her ex-rugby ace husband have been known to put on cute and cheeky displays as they get animated while the races get underway. A doctor has revealed what the average size of a penis is - and it's a lot smaller than some may think. Dr. Jen Caudle, a physician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has become a viral social media sensation in recent months for sharing her health knowledge and tips on TikTok. Back in August, she posted a video discussing the average length of male genitalia, while attempting to eliminate some of the expectations that men face over how big their packages are. The clip, which has since received more than 1.4 million views, recently resurfaced - and it left many people on the web stunned. A doctor has revealed what the average size of a penis is - and it's a lot smaller than some may think Dr. Jen Caudle, a physician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has become a viral social media sensation in recent months for sharing her health knowledge and tips on TikTok She has posted a video discussing the average length of male genitalia, while attempting to eliminate some of the expectations that men face over how big their packages are According to Jen, the 'average size of a flaccid penis is 3.61 inches,' while 'the average size of an erect penis is 5.17 inches.' In her TikTok, the family practitioner explained that it was 'important to talk about' the topic to eliminate some of the 'societal pressure' that both men and women feel to look 'a certain way.' 'As a family doctor, I talk about a lot of stuff. It's important to talk about penises, vaginas, all sorts of things, so I want to impart some knowledge about what the true average size that penises tend to be,' she explained. 'One reason is, I think most people think the average penis size is a lot longer and larger than it actually is. 'Number two, there's a lot of societal pressure to be a certain way, this goes for both men and women, and I'm not a fan of it. 'So I want to tell you some facts that will hopefully help set the record straight on what really is [the average size]. 'The bigger message here is to know that you're fine just the way you are, that's the most important message that I'm trying to give with this video. 'You're fine, and the societal pressure that we put on ourselves [thanks to the] internet or television to be bigger and better, that's wrong. What matters is you.' According to Jen, the 'average size of a flaccid penis is 3.61 inches,' while 'the average size of an erect penis is 5.17 inches' In the end, Jen said that the average was 'actually shorter than a lot of people would imagine' and reminded people to focus on 'who they are' as a person rather than their size In the end, Jen said that the average was 'actually shorter than a lot of people would imagine' and reminded people to focus on 'who they are' as a person rather than the size of their appendages. She also added that penis size 'doesn't necessarily' have an impact on 'pleasure' during intercourse. 'Know you are enough and understand that a penis size does not necessarily determine pleasure between partners,' she concluded. Many people took to the comment section of the video to share their thoughts, with some men making jokes about their size and others thanking her for the information. 'Oh, we're halfway there,' one guy joked. Another quipped, 'Phew 5.18 inches I'm HUGE.' 'That means I'm packing baby. I never thought those words would ever come out my mouth,' someone else added. 'I'm running for president now.' 'I've waited my entire life to say this - yay I'm above average! Barely but above. You made my day,' a fourth comment read. Many people took to the comment section of the video to share their thoughts, with some men making jokes about their size and others thanking her for the information Back in February, a study came out that said the average penis size had grown in length by a quarter in the past 30 years A fifth said, 'Above average! Love my life!' 'Yes I've been blessed by the Gods,' another excited commenter wrote. Back in February, a study came out that said the average penis size had grown in length by a quarter in past 30 years. Stanford University researchers found that it had jumped 25 per cent in length from 1992 to 2021. While it may seem like every man's wish, the team conducting the research admitted that they were worried the increase may be due to exposure to chemicals, sedentary lifestyles, and junk food. Dr. Michael Eisenberg, a professor of urology at Stanford Medicine, said: 'Any overall change in development is concerning, because our reproductive system is one of the most important pieces of human biology. 'If we're seeing this fast of a change, it means that something powerful is happening to our bodies. 'We should try to confirm these findings and if confirmed, we must determine the cause of these changes.' Edo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice wed at the Royal Lodge in July 2020 Princess Beatrice's husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi has welcomed in the New Year with sweet black-and-white photos of the pair on the dancefloor. Anglo-Italian aristocrat Edo, 40, shared a black and white picture of himself and wife Beatrice, 35, embracing each other and smiling as they partied on New Years' Eve. The post was captioned: 'Happy New Years - Here's to a glorious 2024. Today is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.' It is believed that the pair first met in September 2018, shortly before Beatrice's sister Eugenie got married and they wed in 2020. And smitten Edoardo has form for gushing about Beatrice as in another post back in September, he shared photos of them together at the Vogue World gala. Princess Beatrice's husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi has welcomed in the New Year with a sweet snap of the pair celebrating Anglo-Italian aristocrat Edo, 40, shared a black and white picture of himself and wife Beatrice embracing and smiling with each other as they partied on New Years' Eve The post was captioned: 'Happy New Years - Here's to a glorious 2024. Today is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.' The pair looked loved up as they showed off a PDA during the night out. 'My beautiful wife. Bringing joy to my life,' Edo wrote. As they posed for photographs, Edo kissed his wife, who in turn couldn't help but giggle sweetly during her husband's PDA. The couple both appeared delighted to be at the event together, as they were snapped beaming, as they had their pictures taken. Edoardo is the son of Count Alessandro Mapelli Mozzi, a British Olympian and member of a formerly titled Italian noble family, and Nikki Shale. Edo, as he is known to friends, was educated at the prestigious Dragon School in Oxford then Radley school in Oxfordshire before studying for a Master's in politics at Edinburgh. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi has shared a gushing tribute to his wife Princess Beatrice while sharing photos from the Vogue World gala, His parents divorced when he and his younger sister Natalia Yeomans were children and his mother remarried the late businessman and Conservative activist Christopher Shale, a close friend of former Prime Minister - now Foreign Secretary - David Cameron. So devoted to his stepfather he was that he named his son Christopher (nicknamed 'Wolfie') after hm. Edoardo shares Wolfie with ex-fiance Dara Huang. Edo became engaged to the American architect in 2017 after the pair met in 2015. Their relationship was short-lived, however, and they parted ways in 2018, just weeks before rumours broke out that Edo and Beatrice were dating. It was said that Edoardo, a property developer, helped mend Beatrice's broken heart following her split from Dave Clark in 2016 after a decade together. Beatrice and Edoardo in the grounds of the Royal Lodge after their wedding on July 17, 2020 Beatrice announced her engagement to Edo in September 2019, just 11 months after the couple first started dating Edo made his first public appearance alongside Beatrice at the National Portrait Gallery's 2019 Gala. Not long afterwards, he accompanied Beatrice on a family trip with Sarah Ferguson during the Bahrain Grand Prix in March of the same year. Beatrice announced her engagement to Edo in September 2019, just 11 months after the couple first started dating, after he proposed to the princess in Italy. They said in a statement: 'We are extremely happy to be able to share the news of our recent engagement. 'We are both so excited to be embarking on this life adventure together and can't wait to actually be married.' Shoppers are rushing to get their hands on an Australian summer staple available at Kmart for a fraction of is usual cost. The retailer is slinging Havaiana thongs which usually retail for anywhere between $40 and $60 for the bargain price of just $6. Kmart stocked the brand flip flops as part of its Black Friday sale for $12 but they have since been marked down by 50 per cent. Some of the thongs are still being spied in stores for customers lucky enough to find them despite the sale ending weeks ago. One Perth shopper was stoked to find a pair of pink and rose gold Havaianas which usually go for $40 for just $6 on Kmart shelves. Kmart is slinging Havaiana thongs which usually retail for anywhere between $40 and $60 for the bargain price of just $6 Another bargain hunter, Tilly, spied a range of Havianas in Kmart in pink, brown, black and navy blue colourways and a third found a $6 kids pair. 'If your like me and seem to bust a plugger after a couple months this one's for you!' she said. Havaianas fans applauded the 'score' and said they were rushing to Kmart to pick up a pair themselves. 'They were apart of their Black Friday sale. Good score!!' one woman said and another added: 'Winning!'. 'They're really good! I've gotten two pairs in the last year or two and they're both still going strong!' a third wrote. One Perth shopper was stoked to find a pair of pink and rose gold Havaianas which usually go for $40 for just $6 on Kmart shelves 'The real deal are the only good ones in my opinion and are so worth the money, I've had mine for years now,' someone commented. However some were skeptical over the quality of the thongs and were suspicious about whether they were genuine Havaianas. 'I've notice lately they have different makes. The ones you can get at Big W are different to the ones at the Havaiana or surf shop. You can tell in the pic that the soul shape is different between the two and they def feel different,' one eagle-eyed user said. 'These are knock offs. Proper Havies will last and if they don't, return to them to retailer you bought them from, along with proof of purchase,' another claimed. A 'cheeky' sign at a New Zealand airport has sent Australians into a spin and erupting a feud between the two rival nations. The sign at a baggage claim carousel at Auckland airport read 'Home is where the pavlova was really created'. One Aussie spotted the brazen dig while flying into the Kiwi city and dubbed it a 'declaration of war'. The traveller shared a snap of the sign which was an advertisement by energy company Contact reigniting the age-old debate as to where the pavlova really originated. 'Declaration of war spotted at Auckland Airport,' they said in a Reddit post that drew in hundreds of reactions. A sign in an airport in Auckland has ruffled Australians' feathers for claiming pavlova as a Kiwi invention Aussies were quick to poke fun at New Zealanders for the bold claim. 'New Zealand bringing that BIG little bro energy,' one user joked. 'We all know that New Zealand is really just another Australian state, so the pav was created in Australia,' a second wrote. 'It's nice of them to promote tourism to Australia,' another quipped while someone added: 'Next they'll be claiming Phar Lap and thongs'. Others were declaring Australia go to war with its neighbours. 'We need to respond in full force. With propaganda about lamingtons!' one woman laughed. 'It's on, unleash the drop bears,' another said. 'It's funny cause you could air this in both countries and the people watching would be happy,' one person pointed out. The invention of the pavlova is commonly attributed to both Australia and New Zealand and dates back to the 1920s. The invention of the pavlova is commonly attributed to both Australia and New Zealand and dates back to the 1920s The festive dessert was believed to have been named after Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova after she toured Australia and New Zealand. A recipe for a 'Strawberry Pavlova' was published in the New Zealand Herald in 1911 however it was for a type of sorbet, very different to what most know the dessert as today. In 1922, a book titled Australian Home Cookery included a recipe for 'Meringue with Fruit Filling' resembling a modern pavlova. Other traces of the pavlova's beginning include culinary anthropologist Helen Leach stating the recipe hailed from New Zealand as well as Perth chef Bert Sachse claiming the dish as an invention of his in 1935. Australia's Crown Princess Mary will become queen of Denmark on January 14 - and there were some subtle signs that the popular royal was about to become Australia's first ever monarch. Queen Margarethe II used her annual New Year's Eve speech on Sunday to announce she would be abdicating the throne, leaving Prince Frederik, 55, as her successor and Mary, 51, as Queen consort. The monarch, 83, famed for her chain-smoking as well as her flamboyant sense of style, had been the longest-serving monarch in Europe following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. This may have been why Mary took a low-key and almost secret holiday to Australia and New Zealand with her family in early December. On December 6, Mary touched down in Australia with her twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, both 12, before climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge together. The trip was also used to signal that Mary and Frederik were very much united, after rumours of the prince's alleged 'affair' with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova rocking the royal family. Crown Princess Mary of Denmark will be the next Danish queen and there were some subtle tip-offs the popular royal's role was about to change Princess Mary then look a private jet to Queensland, where she was reunited with Frederik, and Princess Isabella, 16, for a much needed escape from the spotlight. Frederik had been at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai where he attended the opening of the SIDS: A Just and Equitable Energy Transition Towards a Climate-Resilient Future Conference, spoke at How to Decarbonize the Hard-to-abate Sectors, and attended a Danish reception. Mary's previous visit Down Under was in 2023 for her first official engagement in a decade. However, this time the Tasmanian-born royal kept things personal and made sure to catch up with family and friends away from prying eyes. Mary was snapped shedding a tear saying goodbye to friends on the tarmac at Queenstown airport The personal visit was the last bit of downtime before she takes the throne in two week's time. On December 20 upon her return to Denmark, Mary shared a message on the Mary Foundation website and Instagram page hinting at her future 'success' and big things to come. The letter was about loneliness and the need for positive human connection during the festive season but offered hints towards something bigger. Leading up to the announcement, Mary was spotted on holiday in Australia and New Zealand with her family on her most low-key visit Down Under She added: 'And at the same time, so much has happened that it is impossible to put it all into words.' 'We close 2023 soon and go on Christmas holidays with a gratitude for all that we humans can do when we do it together. We need each other if we are to succeed.' A gorgeous picture of the royal in the snow was posted alongside the powerful message. She wore a purple jacket beneath a warm woollen wrap and gave a soft smile toward the camera. In November rumours swirled about an alleged 'affair' between Prince Frederik and Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova after they were photographed on a night out in Spain. While the allegations could have been enough to end many relationships Mary and Frederik took a 'business as normal' attitude during their royal engagements. The pair retained a united front so as to appear as strong contenders for future king and queen. In November rumours swirled about an alleged 'affair' between Prince Frederik and Genoveva Casanova but he and Mary kept a united front while stepping out on official engagements On Christmas Eve, Mary and Frederik were seen holding hands as they entered Aarhus Cathedral for a Christmas Eve church service. The royal couple were all smiles as they stepped out alongside Prince Christian, 18, Princess Isabella Prince Vincent, and Princess Josephine before celebrating Christmas Day at Marselisborg Castle with Queen Margrethe. The Danish royals were rocked by photos published in October that showed Prince Frederik out for the evening in Madrid with the 47-year-old socialite. As Spanish magazine Lecturas published the photos and alleged the pair had spent the evening at a bodega in the Spanish capital where they watched flamenco dancing and dined into the early hours, Genoveva hit back at 'malicious' rumours she was romantically involved with the heir to the Danish throne. Since the photos emerged Princess Mary has remained tight-lipped about her husband's dinner with the socialite. Chances are, you assumed you knew everything about weeing, given that you've been doing it for decades. But experts say we're still doing it wrong. And, more worryingly, they say it could have painful consequences. Chris Blick, a consultant urological surgeon at the Princess Grace Hospital in London, shares exactly what you should and shouldn't be doing next time you get the urge to go. The average bladder holds between 400ml and 600ml - which is roughly one pint, according to Chris Blick, consultant urological surgeon at the Princess Grace Hospital in Nottingham Don't force yourself to wait The average bladder holds between 400ml and 600ml roughly one pint and people typically need to pass urine four to eight times a day. However, this varies depending on hydration levels and bladder size. But one rule for everyone is go when you need to go, or risk a bladder infection, according to Mr Blick. He says: 'Generally speaking you shouldn't force yourself to wait until you are desperate to urinate. 'Occasionally, this technique may be used as part of bladder retraining to support patients with overactive bladders. 'Holding on too much can be painful and, if you have a urine infection, can make you feel unwell. Symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) Urinary tract infections (UITs) affect your urinary tract, this includes your bladder, urethra or kidneys. The infection can be treated with antibiotics, but they are not always needed. Symptoms include: Pain or burning sensation when peeing Needing to pee more often than usual Pee is cloudy, dark or has a strong smell needing to pee suddenly or more urgently than usual Needing to pee more than usual Blood in your pee Pain in your lower tummy, in your lower back or just under the ribs A high temperature Feeing hot and shivery A low temperature below 36C Source: NHS Advertisement 'If you regularly hold in your urine, over time this can cause your bladder to stretch.' ... But don't go too often However, doing the opposite going too often can also bring a raft of problems. Many may be guilty of rushing to the toilet before a long car journey to make sure they have emptied their bladder. Although this is safe to do occasionally, frequently forcing yourself to urinate can lead to needing to go more often. Mr Blick says: 'As a general rule if you don't need to urinate, you shouldn't try to. 'This will potentially train your bladder to empty when it doesn't need to, and can create a habit leading to unwanted frequency of urination. 'Sometimes, for example before a long journey we may try to urinate if not full and this is unlikely to have any consequences.' Never push - or you'll risk painful consequences For women, relaxing before going to the toilet is also key, he says. If, after relaxing, you need to force your pee out, it could be a sign of an obstruction. Mr Blick says: 'You shouldn't need to push while urinating. 'The bladder is most efficient when the pelvic floor is relaxed and the bladder muscle will contract automatically causing you to urinate.' Pushing too much can cause your pelvic floor to weaken and even lead to a prolapse when one or more of the organs in the pelvis slip down from their normal position and bulge into the vagina if you push down for a prolonged period of time, says Mr Blick. He added: 'If you need to push when urinating this can be a sign of obstruction and you should see your doctor or urologist.' Always sit (unless you're a man) Making a habit of hovering over the toilet seat can also lead to a prolapse, he says. This is because hovering will cause a weaker stream of urine, encouraging women to 'bare down or push', which can 'contribute to a prolapse if continued for an extended period of time', Mr Blick says. This is because, unlike men, women do not have a prostate, which supports the male bladder when peeing standing up. 'By hovering over the toilet seat, you are not allowing your bladder to fully empty as the position causes your pelvic floor to tense up,' he says. 'This means that not all of the urine may be emptied from your bladder.' But for men, if they are young and healthy, it doesn't matter if they sit or stand to pee, as it triggers no difference in flow rate or how much the bladder is emptied. However, Mr Blick says that men with lower urinary tract symptoms such as a high temperature, cloudy pee and needing to pee more suddenly could benefit from sitting to help increase flow and empty the bladder. When doctors shoved a camera probe down a man's throat, they expected to see a clear outline of his heart. So they were baffled when it showed absolutely nothing. Assuming it was broken, surgeons pulled the probe out only to discover a piece of chewing gum stuck to it. Anaesthetists, who put the patient to sleep for the procedure, then shared with their colleagues that the unidentified 69-year-old, of New Hampshire, was chewing gum before the op. Writing in the journal CASE, doctors at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center said: 'When they were asked to spit out the gum, they refused and had proceeded to swallow it.' They shared a picture of the blue gum attached to the probe and said they were 'surprised'. Surgeons pulled the probe out, assuming it was broken only to discover a piece of chewing gum stuck to it. However, after inserting the probe around 30 to 35cm down the oesophagus, medics couldn't see any 'identifiable cardiac structures' The scan was part of a pre-operation check. Doctors were inserting a left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) device a potentially life-saving surgery that closes a small sac in the heart to reduce the risk of strokes by stopping a blood clot from forming. It can be offered to patients who are unable to take anticoagulants medicines that help prevent blood clots due to side effects. The patient had not had anything to eat or drink since the previous evening. Before the procedure could go ahead, doctors needed to perform an ultrasound to check if there were any clots in the left atrial appendage the small pouch on the heart that they were going to close off. To do this, they passed an ultrasound tube through the mouth to the oesophagus. If there was a clot, the operation would need to be postponed until it had cleared. However, after inserting the probe around 35cm down the patient's oesophagus, medics couldn't see any 'identifiable cardiac structures'. Doctors noted that it was 'relatively common' for trapped air to lead to poor quality images from the scan. But there was 'no difference' in image quality, even after moving the probe and changing settings on the device. Assuming the probe was defective, doctors removed it with a plan to use another. Doctors then removed the gum, reinserted the probe and were able to see the heart clearly. There was no evidence of a clot, so they proceeded with the operation, which was successful. In their report, the medics detailed that the case was the first time in their career that chewing gum interfered with the scan. 'Although this led to a small procedural delay, the patient was still able to have the LAAO device successfully implanted,' they noted. However, the team said they would have been left scratching their heads over the problem if the gum had fallen off the probe as it was removed from the patient. As well as 'opaque substances' coating the probe, device failure, patient anatomy or the probe being the wrong temperature can also blur results. Just looking at a picture of a curry could help you beat aches and pains, research suggests. Chinese scientists got 27 volunteers to look at pictures of spicy curries or noodles, as well as blander options like fruit. Participants were given a small electric shock while staring at the pictures. Experts then quizzed them on how much pain they felt. Results showed their discomfort was muted when they viewed spicier foods. This is despite being zapped at the same power in both scenarios. Researchers from Chongqing Normal University explored the spicy food cues while discussing 'potential solutions for pain management'. Chinese researchers got 27 volunteers to look at pictures of spicy curries or noodles and blander cakes, fruit and burgers. They were given a small electric shock while staring at the pictures. Experts then quizzed them on how much pain they felt. Results showed their discomfort was muted with their spicier foods. This is despite being zapped at the same power Despite showing signs of initial promise, the team said more trials are needed to see if the same theory would work for chronic pain. Academics recruited all female participants because women have a 'generally lower pain threshold compared to males'. All reported that they were healthy and had no aversions to spicy food. Their left hand was hooked up to electrodes, which zapped them for 50ms at a low then high intensity. Meanwhile, they were shown 40 pictures of food, with each shown for 30 seconds. Half were spicy such as curry, noodles and dumplings while the others were blander apples, cakes and burgers. Foods were shown against the same background and had the same calorie content. Results, published in the journal Biological Psychology , showed volunteers ranked the pain of a high intensity zap 'significantly lower' when looking at pictures of spicy food, compared to photos of non-spicy food. They ranked their pain 4.6 when looking at hot food, increasing to 5.7 when looking at mild food The group were asked to rank their pain on a scale from one to nine, ranging from 'no sensation' to 'unbearable pain'. Results, published in the journal Biological Psychology, showed volunteers ranked the pain of a high intensity zap 'significantly lower' when looking at pictures of spicy food, compared to photos of non-spicy food. They ranked their pain 4.6 when looking at hot food, increasing to 5.7 when looking at mild food. However, self-reported pain was not significantly different when they were zapped at a low intensity. The researchers said: 'This result suggested that spicy vs. non spicy food pictures relieved painful experience to high pain stimuli.' These findings have important implications for the use of spicy-arousal stimuli as a potential pain reliever, the team concluded. Do you ever find yourself calculating the next time you'll be close to a toilet? And are you often left crossing your legs and hoping you don't have an 'accident'? If so, you're far from alone in the UK, an estimated three to six million people have urinary incontinence. Half of women in the UK will develop a urinary tract infection at least once and one in 2,000 men develop a UTI each year. 'There are lots of conditions that can affect bladder function and make a person need to go to the toilet more often, such as increasing age, diabetes, infection and inflammation (cystitis), post menopausal changes and an enlarged prostate,' says Mr Christian Brown, consultant urological surgeon at The Princess Grace Hospital, which is part of the HCA Healthcare UK. Half of women in the UK will develop a urinary tract infection at least once and one in 2,000 men develop a UTI each year 'Some people can just get an overactive bladder at any time, which has symptoms such as going to the toilet more frequently and often with an urgent desire. In many cases, the cause is unknown.' He explains that a normal bladder can hold between 300ml and 700ml of urine and most people will go to the toilet every two to four hours, depending on how much fluid they consume. But all too often, peeing problems arise. Here, Mr Brown explains the five most common reasons for bladder issues and what you can do to address them. 1. YOU DRINK TOO MUCH COFFEE If you're a fan of hot drinks and some sweet treats you may be irritating your bladder without realising it. 'Caffeine can affect bladder function and make a person go to the toilet more often,' says Mr Brown. 'It's found in tea, coffee, cola and chocolate in any form and is both a diuretic, which means it makes the body produce more urine, and an irritant to the bladder.' But caffeine isn't the only food to be wary of. 'Alcohol makes the bladder more active and often comes in large volumes such as pints. 'Spicy food can also irritate the bladder particularly if you have an overactive bladder.' What you can do: Avoid the irritant foods where possible, choosing decaf tea and coffee or herbal options. 2. YOU'RE PERIMENOPAUSAL OR MENOPAUSAL What's wrong with YOUR bladder? Those embarrassing complaints explained... CYSTITIS Cystitis is a urinary tract infection (UTI) caused by bacteria that enters the bladder via the urethra. Women are more susceptible than men as they have a shorter urethra which makes it easier for bacteria to cause an infection. 'For example, if you're sexually active, use tampons, or are experiencing the hormonal changes that occur due to menopause (when the lining of the urethra becomes more sensitive).' says London gynaecologist Tania Adib. Symptoms include pain or a burning sensation when peeing, a need to pee more frequently and an urgent need to pee, plus darker urine. It can also cause pain in the tummy and lower back, as well as fever. BLADDER WEAKNESS AND INCONTINENCE Incontinence is defined as the 'involuntary loss of urine' and is divided into two types: stress incontinence and urge incontinence. 'Stress incontinence occurs when the sphincter and pelvic floor muscles cannot hold urine in the bladder and typically leakage occurs with coughing, laughing and movement,' says Mr Brown. 'Whereas urge incontinence is when the bladder contracts prematurely often whilst a person is walking towards the toilet and is often associated with an overactive bladder.' OVERACTIVE BLADDER SYNDROME (OAB) This is where you feel an urgent need to urinate more than eight times a day. 'Often it's to do with feeling anxious about having an accident, so you start to go to the toilet more often,' says pelvic physiotherapist Elaine Miller (gussetgrippers.co.uk). 'But, after a while your bladder capacity starts to reduce. Normally, we get the urge to go when the bladder is half full but with OAB, the bladder muscle becomes overactive and contracts when you don't want it to.' Advertisement Many women in perimenopause the transition period leading up to menopause notice that the need to urinate becomes more frequent, especially before their periods. According to the Bladder & Bowel charity, bladder weakness usually starts in the perimenopause stage as levels of oestrogen start to drop, causing the urethral and vaginal tissues to thin. 'And as women age pelvic floor muscles can start to relax. Both of these factors can lead to urinary incontinence.' Mr Brown adds: 'Both men and women can develop an overactive bladder at any age, but it tends to be worse with age and, for women, after the menopause and having children.' What you can do: 'Kegel or pelvic floor exercises can improve many urinary symptoms,' says Mr Brown. 'The bladder is supported by the pelvic floor muscles, if these muscles get weak, for example after pregnancy, natural childbirth or with ageing, the bladder can drop down in the pelvis. 'This can cause overactivity and incontinence which can be significantly reduced by increasing the strength and tone of the pelvic floor muscles.' 3. YOUR PROSTATE IS TOO LARGE 'As men age the prostate gets larger and can cause obstruction of the urine as it leaves the bladder and passes through the prostate,' says Mr Brown. 'This can cause a slow flow, difficulty starting and stopping, getting up to pee in the night and going more frequently during the day.' Peeing regularly during the night (waking up twice or more) is called nocturia and is one of the most common urinary symptoms in men, affecting 20 to 44 per cent of 20 to 40-year-olds and 93 per cent of over-70s. The NHS explains that as we age we produce less antidiuretic hormone (ADH) that helps us hold on fluid at night. As a result, more urine is produced when we're sleeping, causing nocturnal trips to the loo. What you can do: 'If you're drinking enough each day (between 1.5 and 2.5L depending on the climate and activity), it's safe to reduce fluids in the evening about two hours before bed,' says Mr Brown. If the problem is caused by an enlarged prostate, there are medications to relax and shrink the prostate gland. Cognitive behaviour therapy can help people develop mechanisms to cope with the symptoms of nocturia, such as anxiety and low mood. A supplement, such as Healthspan's Bladder Support with Go-Less (19.95 for 60 capsules) may help. 4. YOU HAVE UNDIAGNOSED DIABETES In some situations, constantly needing the loo can be a sign of serious illness such as diabetes. 'As the blood sugar level increases it causes the kidneys to produce more urine, called a diuresis,' says Mr Brown. 'It often makes the person thirsty as they can easily become dehydrated. 'During a diuresis a person will make more urine and so go to the toilet more frequently.' What you can do: See your GP to arrange blood tests to measure your blood glucose levels. If they're 11.1mmol/l or more you will be diagnosed with diabetes. 5. YOU'RE TAKING BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION Often the solution for one health problem can cause an issue elsewhere. This is the case with some antihypertensive drugs which are designed to reduce the amount of water the body holds. 'Diuretic medication used to treat high blood pressure, swollen ankles and heart failure will make someone pass urine more frequently and with larger volumes for two to three hours after being taken,' says Mr Brown. But that's not the only drug that can impact the bladder. 'Some medications used to treat depression, mania and psychosis can slow bladder function and occasionally cause a condition called retention of urine where a person struggles to empty their bladder at all.' What you can do: See your GP to discuss alternative treatments. While West Virginia and Louisiana are shown to be the most depressed South Dakota and South Carolina are among the happiest states in the US If youre looking to improve your mood, you might want to consider moving east. A new study found a majority of the happiest Americans live in either the central or eastern parts of the country. NowPatient conducted an analysis of all fifty states to find where Americans were happiest and found people living in South Dakota enjoy the cheeriest moods. In that state, just 24 percent of adults report they suffer from an anxiety or depressive disorder. The online pharmaceutical company said South Dakota is one of the friendliest states and residents spend a lot of time outdoors enjoying nature, which improves mood. The states happy mindset may also be because a large majority of residents report being highly physically active (75 percent) and getting the recommended hours of sleep (72 percent). South Dakota also has a slightly higher-than-average life expectancy of 76.7 years. Your browser does not support iframes. At the bottom of the list is West Virginia, where 40 percent of adults report having an anxiety or depressive disorder Following South Dakota, South Carolina, Delaware and Wisconsin residents all also reported good moods. In South Carolina, 25 percent of people reported having an anxiety or depressive disorder. In Delaware and Wisconsin, that number is 26.3 percent. South Carolina sees its residents enjoy warm weather, beaches and a vibrant cultural scene. Delaware is considered one of the best places to retire, with nice weather and plenty of scenic outdoor spaces. Wisconsin also has wide open spaces to explore and has a lower cost of living than the US average, according to NowPatient. Approximately three-quarters of residents in all top four states report being physically active and about two-thirds report getting enough sleep. And all but one of the top four states, South Carolina, sees a higher life expectancy than the US average. At the bottom of the list is West Virginia, where 40 percent of adults report having an anxiety or depressive disorder. In Louisiana, that number is 39 percent and Oklahoma and Alaska are at 38 percent. The happiest states appear to be those where residents enjoy warm weather, participate in a lot of exercise and are friendly to their neighbors This isnt the first time West Virginia has sunk to the bottom of a list ranking happiest states. Previous research has found high unemployment, violent crime, limited access to exercise opportunities and disconnected youth all contribute to the coal mining states lack of cheer. And previous research has shown the Mountaineer State also has the highest rates of depression in the US. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, 27.5 percent of West Virginia residents are depressed. The CDC research showed levels of depression were higher in women, younger adults and adults with lower education levels. Twenty-four percent of women, compared to just 13 percent of men, reported having experienced depression. Societal factors could be to blame for West Virginians' blue moods. Adults in the Appalachian region tend to have lower incomes, higher poverty rates, and lower education levels, all of which can negatively affect health and well-being, according to the CDC study. Researchers for the NowPatient analysis used data from hospitals, Google searches, the CDC and population studies to determine each states ranking. Top 5 Happiest States South Dakota South Carolina Delaware Wisconsin Illinois Advertisement Takeover tantrum: Microsoft boss Brad Smith The boss of Microsoft has performed a dramatic U-turn after previously claiming the UK was bad for business. Brad Smith launched a scathing attack in April last year after the tech giant was blocked from buying Call of Duty maker Activision for 60billion by British regulators. At the time, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) warned the deal would lead to Microsoft having a stranglehold over the fast-growing cloud gaming industry. But following his tantrum, Microsoft and Activision Blizzard went away and revised the terms of the deal, which the CMA then approved. And in a humiliating climbdown yesterday, Smith described the regulator as tough but fair. He told the BBC Radio 4s Today Programme: It pushed Microsoft to change the acquisition that we had proposed. 'I think the CMA vindicated its position but still created a pragmatic path forward for innovation and investment. Travelling on the Tube is an everyday activity that many Londoners treat as second nature, given the vastness of the network. Able to take you from anywhere in the city to the suburbs in rapid time, the London Underground is a metro system that is envied the world over for its extensive network. But which are the busiest stations on the Tube? Which are the least-used across the London Underground? Read on below as MailOnline shares the data for the most frequently used stations and the ones where it is easiest to secure a seat. A Transport for London (TfL) Underground worker passes a busy Victoria Line tube train at Oxford Circus tube station in central London on November 26, 2021 The busiest London Underground stations Bond Street - 3,137,000 passengers Located at the end of popular London shopping hotspot Oxford Street, Bond Street kicks off the list of the busiest London Underground stations with just over three million passengers passing through it in the month of August 2023. Victoria - 3,318,000 passengers Served by the District, Circle and Victoria lines, as well as being a key National Rail terminus for services from the south-east, Victoria is also a popular spot for tourists, given its relative proximity to significant landmarks such as Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament. Oxford Circus - 4,112,000 passengers The busiest station on the list to only serve London Underground routes - as it includes the Bakerloo, Central and Victoria lines - Oxford Circus can get notoriously busy at rush-hour given its location smack bang in the middle of the city. Paddington - 4,280,000 passengers Beyond its wider fame for being lending its name to a marmalade-loving bear who arrives in London from Peru, Paddington is another station that is seldom quiet due to being a terminus for services from west London, Bath, Bristol, Cornwall and south Wales. The addition of the Elizabeth Line in May 2022 will only push passenger numbers in the future, to go with journeys for customers using the Bakerloo, Circle, District and Hammersmith and City lines. Stratford (4,528,000 passengers) Another station that has seen a considerable rise in journeys thanks to the construction of the Elizabeth Line, Stratford has long been a busy hub for Essex-based commuters venturing to and from the centre of town. London Bridge (4,703,000 passengers) Located next to The Shard close to the banks of the River Thames, London Bridge station gets notoriously busy at rush, despite only being served by the Jubilee and Northern lines. A familiar location for commuters from Brighton and other parts of Sussex, London Bridge is also served by the Thameslink route that connects north and south London, but is not officially part of the London Underground itself. Liverpool Street (4,742,000 passengers) Amid the bustling hubbub of Bishopsgate and numerous financial firms sits Liverpool Street station, which has Tube routes available on the Central, Circle and Hammersmith and City lines, in addition to the Elizabeth Line and London Overground. It also has the key connection of the Stansted Express - helping customers travel directly to Stansted Airport in under an hour - alongside national trains out to Greater Anglia and Essex. Waterloo (4,837,000 passengers) Known as one of the busiest National Rail stations in the UK, with over 20 platforms, there never seems to be a time when one can enjoy a spot of piece and quiet. With connections to the Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern, and Waterloo and City lines - which is a shuttle between Waterloo and the city hotspot of Bank - you will be lucky to stumble across a seat during peak times here. Tottenham Court Road (4,843,000 passengers) The second-busiest station on the list is a key interchange with Soho and Oxford Street a stone's throw away, Tottenham Court Road was often overly congested at rush hour due to narrow walkways and high passenger numbers. However, the arrival of the Elizabeth Line has massively helped matters in that regard, creating a much bigger space for an equally high volume of commuters. King's Cross St Pancras (6,383,000 passengers) London's busiest station goes to the grand hub of King's Cross St Pancras, which serves two essential termini in King's Cross and St Pancras International, with Tube services on the Circle, Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan, Northern and Piccadilly lines. King's Cross serves routes towards the north of England and Edinburgh on the East Coast Main Line, while St Pancras is the terminus for trains running to the Midlands and Sheffield, as well as international routes on the Eurostar to Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris. NB: The data for the busiest London Underground stations is according to statistics from TfL for the month of August 2023. The emptiest London Underground stations Able to take you from anywhere in the city to the suburbs in rapid time, the London Underground is a metro system that is envied the world over for its extensive network. Pictured: An empty platform at Chancery Lane station on March 12 2020. Upminster Bridge - 1.15 million passengers Upminster Bridge sits towards the eastern end of the District Line, just one mile away from the terminus of Upminster. Upminster Bridge has particularly low passenger numbers due to its proximity to Upminster, combined with Upminster station's larger demand, as passengers east of the final stop on the line must travel there to catch a Tube. Chesham - 1.13 million passengers Although it is officially part of the London Underground network, Chesham is actually located in Buckinghamshire and not part of London at all. Located in TfL's final travel boundary of Zone 9, the Metropolitan Line station of Chesham sits 25 miles north west of Charing Cross, making it both the most northerly and western station on the Tube network. Croxley - 1.12 million passengers Similarly to Chesham, Croxley's place on the list is down to the fact that it is situated in Hertfordshire. Lower passenger numbers can also be attributed to the choice of commuters to take faster trains from Watford Junction, which is only 2.5 miles away and has services going into London Euston. Theydon Bois - 953,700 passengers Theydon Bois - pronounced 'boys' and not in the same way as the French word for 'wood' - is the first entry on the list to have under one million passengers a year. However, given that the population of this small town in Essex is just 5,000, to have nearly one million journeys at least vindicates the presence of the station. Moor Park - 938,000 passengers Just one stop away from the aforementioned spot of Croxley, Moor Park's low passenger footfall comes down to its proximity to routes on the London Overground, with several stations nearby. North Ealing - 827,400 passengers North Ealing is relatively close to central London in comparison to the other stations on this list. North Ealing makes an appearance because it is within easy reach of Ealing Broadway, which offers faster services into central London on the District Line than North Ealing's slower Piccadilly line trains. Chorleywood - 750,000 passengers Also situated in Hertfordshire, Chorleywood sits on the Metropolitan line but has a quicker route into central London. Whereas an all-stations Metropolitan Line train to Aldgate takes an hour, it takes nearly half that time to travel to London Marylebone on a Chiltern Railways service, explaining the small number of passengers for Chorleywood on the Underground. Grange Hill - 669,500 passengers Because Grange Hill is served by the Hainault Loop at the eastern end of the Central line, only three trains run per hour go each way to and from from Grange Hill, which is why it has under 700,000 passengers in a year. Chigwell - 499,000 passengers The next station along from Grange Hill and next on the list of the least used London Underground stations is Chigwell. Given it is located in Essex just down the road from Woodford, which has a quicker route to other services at Stratford, it is no surprise to see Chigwell take second place on the list. Roding Valley - 368,000 passengers The potentially unwanted crown for the least-used station on the entirety of the London Underground network goes to Roding Valley, which is just one stop away from Chigwell. Given its annual total of 368,000 passengers, it means that just over 1,000 people use the station every day on average. NB: The data for the least-used London Underground stations is according to statistics from TfL for the calendar year of 2017. An ex-SAS hero gagged from writing a book about how he single-handedly defeated an armed gang of jihadi terrorists during a hotel siege has instead released a children's novel. Sergeant Christian Craighead risked his life to rescue dozens of civilians trapped in the Dusit D2 luxury hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, four years ago. His heroics in 2019 were captured on live TV as he lead a counter-attack, sprinting in and out of the holiday complex, armed with an assault rifle, pistol and combat knife, as he lead terrified guests to safety, The 19-hour siege by Somali gunmen with the al-Shabaab terror group left 21 people dead. Off-duty Christian was later awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for his bravery - but was banned from discussing it in a memoir or speaking tour by the Ministry of Defence. Now the SAS man has penned a children's book, The Wrong Wolf, instead. Taking to Instagram, he wrote: 'Its not the book youre all waiting for, but nevertheless Im still extremely proud of it.' Sergeant Christian Craighead was gagged from writing a book about his heroics in Kenya in 2019. He is now releasing a children's novel instead Craighead (pictured far right after the incident) wanted to publish his account of the day that five terrorists stormed the Dusit D2 hotel complex in Nairobi in January 2019 where 21 people died Chris Craighead leading terrified guests to safety after storming the hotel building in Kenya Craighead was in Kenya with the SAS to train local forces and was relaxing off-duty when the siege happened. The soldier with the elite regiment - whose motto is Who Dares Wins - seized the initiative and headed to the scene dressed in jeans and a casual shirt. He pulled on a camouflage flak jacket and a balaclava and stormed the building armed only with an assault rifle, Glock pistol and combat knife, leading a counter-attack in which he almost single-handedly defeated jihadis. The soldier was seen in news footage escorting hostages from the hotel before sprinting back inside again. Craighead's book, The Wrong Wolf, comes after the MoD gagged him from writing a memoire about his heroics in Africa The bloody siege left 21 people dead, including British charity worker Luke Potter. But the death toll would likely have been much higher had Craighead not intervened. However, senior officers and Foreign Office officials were apparently horrified to see him in action because he had not sought their approval. Even though every second counted while terrorists were going from room to room executing those inside, it is alleged that they were more worried about Craigheads intervention causing embarrassment to the Kenyan government. An SAS soldier previously told the Mail: Chris has had four years of this. His colleagues said fair play to him for what he did. But the hierarchy were aghast. Theyd rather everyone sat on their hands than get stuck in. The rules on not discussing operations are there for good reason, but this incident is an exception. Everyone knows about it, everyone knows what he did. So, whats the big deal? Truth is, theres an agenda against him. Craighead breaching a door of the hotel while wearing a camouflage flak jacket and a balaclava and armed only with an assault rifle Craighead and a security officer escort an injured man who was attacked in the terror siege Craighead launched a legal challenge against a ban imposed by the Secretary of Defence and claimed that such an move was in breach of his freedom of speech. But he has now been prevented from releasing the book after the High Court ruled that the ban should remain in place to protect the SAS' tradecraft in the interest of national security, according to The Telegraph. Mrs Justice Steyn said, during a private hearing in the High Court according to The Telegraph: 'He has only been prevented from giving an account of an operation, the Dusit incident, in which he engaged as a member of UK special forces. READ MORE: SAS hero who earned global acclaim for saving hostages from jihadi terrorists in hotel siege fights Ministry of Defence gagging order that bans him talking about it Advertisement 'On the other side of the balance are the interests of the community reflected in the defendant's evidence. 'Those community interests entail the protection of lives, the protection of national security, the maintenance of the morale and efficiency of UKSF and protecting relations with defence partners.' 'On the evidence before me, the interests of the community substantially outweigh the claimant's interest in publishing a memoir about the Dusit incident (even when buttressed by the interest of the public in receiving the information he wishes to disclose, and by the interest of his publisher).' The book entitled 'One Man In: The Explosive Firsthand Account of the Lone Special-Ops Soldier Who Fought Off a Major Terrorist Attack in Kenya' was expected to be published this year. Craighead appeared on Evan Hafer's Black Rifle Coffee Podcast Referring last year and briefly spoke about confidentiality issues. He said: 'I'm working with the Ministry of Defence as we speak to do it properly, to release this book so there's no sense of information or anything. 'So that's as far as I'm willing to talk about my life in the 22nd Special Air Service regiment. I should add that the book is just about that one day, so for anyone on the edge of their seats it doesn't talk about anything I did while serving in the unit. 'It just talks about one thing I did that we all know I did.' A soldier (pictured), who uses the pseudonym Christian Craighead, has been gagged from releasing a book on how he defeated Islamic terrorists in Kenya Craighead was awarded a Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, a bravery medal second only to a Victoria Cross, for his response to the gun and grenade attack. Under strict rules, Special Forces troops must not discuss their missions in public or seek to 'cash in' on operations. The rules were introduced following the furore over books by ex-troopers Chris Ryan and Andy McNab which dramatically raised the SAS's public profile and led to concerns over Special Forces troops leaking sensitive information which could compromise future operations. Craighead's children's book is 'inspired by episodes in my life' and was written 'from the heart', the retired soldier said on Instagram. Illustrated by US military veteran Matthew Klein, proceeds from the book will go towards American armed forces organisation Frontline Healing Foundation, which seeks to provide support to traumatised servicemen. Air Force Xi'an Flying College organizes flight training China Military Online) 15:08, January 01, 2024 A fighter jet attached to a brigade of the PLA Air Force Xi'an Flying College soars into the sky at dusk during a 24-hour flight training exercise on December 23, 2023. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Cui Baoliang) A fighter jet attached to a brigade of the PLA Air Force Xi'an Flying College taxies on the runway before takeoff during a 24-hour flight training exercise on December 23, 2023. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Cui Baoliang) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) What do YOU think about the lamps? There is nothing quite as magical as walking through Westminster at night and feeling the comforting glow of London's historic gas lamps. Watching over the city since 1812, the lights have been witness to more than 200 years of change, always there to guide walkers through the dark and provide an irreplaceable sense of warmth. The future of the lamps seemed bright last year when Westminster Council largely scrapped its plans to replace the lights with modern LED alternatives - pledging to keep 174 of the 302 lamps under its control. This was after the London Gasketeers, a campaign group co-founded by Westminster residents Tim Bryars and Luke Honey, fought to stop the lamps being converted to eco-friendly LEDs. But while 138 lamps that are Grade-II listed were saved and a further 36 non-listed lamps protected as a result, 94 non-listed lights were left still at risk. The campaign group feels all the lights must be saved - after at least 70 have reportedly already been lost. Mr Bryars feels especially attached to the gorgeous historic gas lamp standing outside his vintage bookshop in Cecil Court, Westminster, which has illuminated the picturesque street since the early 1900s. He told MailOnline: 'It's a very special light, which is made to replicate sunlight and [has] an incredibly distinctive glow. When you look at it, the burners, they almost seem alive. It's a really special thing, and it's something that future generations should be able to see and enjoy.' Mr Bryars explained the lamps must be listed to ensure they have legal protection. This is a lengthy process that requires negotiations with Historic England which will then send recommendations off to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. Gas lamps have been around in London since 1812, with some still at risk of being converted to modern LED alternatives Gas lamps are seen glowing at the gates of White Hall in London in winter London Gasketeer co-founder Tim Bryars stands by the gas lamp outside his bookshop in Cecil Court, Westminster The non-listed lamp outside Mr Bryars's book shop in Cecil Court, Westminster Three gas lamps are seen glowing in New Palace Yard, London London lamplighter Aran Osman, one of the five lamplighters to remain, is seen climbing up his ladder to fix and maintain a lamp A gas lamp is seen holding up a ladder before repairs in St James's Park in London The picturesque street of Cecil Court in London, where Mr Bryars owns a book shop 'That's what we've been working on for the last 18 months or so - getting applications in to Historic England,' he said. 'As for the Cecil Court lamps, they have been there in that form for nearly 100 years. Because it's a little pedestrian street, they have not been knocked about in traffic accidents or anything like that, and so they're very very good examples of their type.' He added: 'If they won't list the Cecil court lamps I don't think they're going to list any. So that's my big worry, they're superb examples of their kind. 'They're entirely appropriate for the street. Cecil court was rebuilt in about 1890 and it was gas lit from the word go, and those were the original columns. The actual lamp itself was probably replaced around 1930, but even so it's looked like that for the last 90 years.' Mr Bryars said the London Gasketeers are determined to preserve the historic lamps and have been overwhelmed by the support the group has received. 'The London Gasketeers aren't going anywhere. We're going to see it through, and with the help of a number of friends we've compiled incredibly detailed listings for every single surviving unlisted gas lamp in Westminster,' he said. 'It's taken my breath away as to just how much public support there is for the gas lamps. There are so few, they use so little gas, there's this incredible dedicated team [...] who maintain them.' Mr Bryars claimed there is 'no viable green argument' for removing the gas lamps. Mr Bryars is fighting to get the lamp outside his bookshop listed so it has legal protection A gas lamp is fitted on the wall of St Margaret's Church in Westminster Mr Bryars said: 'It's a very special light, which is made to replicate sunlight and [has] an incredibly distinctive glow' A gas lamp is seen in St James's Square, Westminster, when it was being removed in the 1930s Mr Osman is seen repairing and maintaining one of the lamps in Westminster 'We established that the remaining gas lamps is the equivalent of 18 Australians going home for Christmas economy class. And there are 55,000 Australians in London alone. So there's no viable green argument for removing these lamps,' he said. London was a dangerous place before the lamps started to be put up in 1812, with the city in complete darkness after the sun went down. Mr Bryars said: 'It completely changed the way people lived. It meant that you could work late, you could go shopping later, they transformed the night.' He added: 'I think it's incredibly important that people still have the opportunity to see real working historic gaslights. 'Replicas, however good they are, aren't the answer to everything.' Packed with fascinating history, the lamps used to be handled by about 25,000 lamp lighters who would go out at dusk and dawn to light and extinguish the lights for their assigned row of houses. Now, only five lamplighters remain - a small group of British Gas engineers who turn on, maintain and preserve the existing London gas lamps. Aran Osman has been working for British Gas for 22 years and took on the role as lamplighter after the previous five retired. Bursting with passion for the job, Mr Osman works daily to keep the lamps in top shape and manually change their clocks once every fortnight. He told MailOnline: 'I love it. It's a brilliant job. The satisfaction you get - because we get thousands of people come a week to see them. London was a dangerous place before the lamps started to be put up in 1812, with the city in complete darkness after the sun went down A row of gas lamps are seen illuminating a gate near Buckingham Palace 'They're magic, people love them. We call it the Kensian glow that it gives off, and you can't replicate it. There are so many different types of LEDs that try to replicate it but it's not the same. People love it.' According to Ms Osman, the 1980s was the last time that someone physically went around with a pole and lit the gas lamps. After that period a mechanical clock was adapted to fit every single lamp. 'The main [way of lighting the lamps now] is a mechanical clock, that every 14 days we have to literally go round and wind up again, so it's got a key and we have to stick it in the centre and wind it up, so that will give us about 14 days. So we literally have to go round doing that,' he said. Explaining the process of maintaining the lamps, Mr Osman said: 'We go around, over the years they got a bit tired, but [] we're really updating them, cleaning them, we've scraped all the old soot off, all the old paint off, so they're really looking at their best at the moment. 'We've really brought it up to a different level, and just hopefully we can save them for another 50-200 years.' He added: 'It's so romantic, it's a lovely looking light that you see. 'The gas just sort of runs round it and when it's ignited, it gives you that beautiful little glow.' Watching over the city since 1812, the lights have been witness to more than 200 years of change The 1980s was the last time that someone physically went around with a pole and lit the gas lamps A Historic England spokesperson said: 'Gas-powered streetlights are a charming and evocative part of our heritage. In Westminster, the number and variety of these form a remarkable collection, as well as them being significant as individual structures. Many are recognised on the National Heritage List. 'Westminster City Council held a public consultation last year on proposals to replace gas lighting with LED bulbs. This would have involved the comprehensive removal of existing historic lanterns the glazed box containing the light and replacement with modern replicas attached to the existing lamppost or wall bracket. We believe this approach would cause unnecessary harm and raised serious concerns. 'Historic England strongly supports urgent climate action and is committed to achieving net zero. While we voiced serious concerns about how the City Council proposed to modify its gas-powered streetlights, we are broadly supportive of the importance of reducing carbon emissions. 'Technology to replicate the quality of gas lighting with LEDs has improved in recent years. If the latest generation LEDs are integrated into existing historic lanterns, with historic mechanisms retained, the impact and heritage harm caused by the consultation proposals could be much reduced. 'Since the consultation we have received a number of listing applications for unlisted gaslights in Westminster, which we are currently considering.' Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Cabinet Member for City Management and Air Quality, said: 'Westminster City Council is committed to ensuring that the special character of the existing lighting is retained. Our whole approach is focused around preservation that's why our partnership with Historic England is so important.' 'We understand that many people are as passionate as we are about the heritage of our city. We are waiting for the results of Historic England's inspections of our unlisted gas lamps, and depending on their recommendations, we will only consider installing replacement lamps that meet the highest possible standards of historical authenticity.' 'Streetlights are there to ensure people on our streets feel safe at night. Personal safety becomes a concern when there are long delays in our ability to repair gas lights, leaving them out of light and areas in darkness.' Campaigners have slammed a 'culture of disbelief' among police forces as figures show the number of recorded sexual offences that result in a charge or summons has fallen to below 4 percent in some areas of the UK. A Freedom of Information request found just 3.6 percent of recorded offences in the West Midlands, including rape and sexual assault, result in a charge or summons - compared with 13.6 percent in 2016. Separate figures also showed a rise in the number of victims withdrawing from prosecutions or not supporting police investigations. Data showed more than half of West Midlands Police cases, or 54 percent, ended due to a lack of support in 2021, up from 29 percent in 2016. London's Victims' commissioner Claire Waxman told MailOnline that urgent action is now needed to combat falling charge rates and revealed some victims are waiting up to five years for cases to come to court. She said: 'The stark drop in charges that we have seen until recently, resulted from a culture of disbelief, poor investigations which focused on the credibility of victim-survivors as opposed to perpetrators and a lack of victim support which led to high withdrawal rates. London 's Victims' Commissioner Claire Waxman OBE told MailOnline urgent action is needed to combat falling charge rates and confidence in police The percentage of all sexual offences recorded which ended in a charge or summons more than halved between 2021 and 2016 'We need Police and CPS to have more trauma-informed training and ensure they deliver victims their rights under the victims code. The system needs investment'. MailOnline has compared outcomes for all types of sexual offences from 2016 - or where data was not available 2017 - with 2021, the most recent representative data to allow for the delay between when an offence is recorded and when a charging decision is made. Across the 36 forces which responded in full, the proportion of reports ending in a charge or summons had halved by 2021 despite no significant change in the number of offences. While the average force saw the proportion of offences with a charge drop by 45 percent, Devon and Cornwall Police saw a drop of two thirds - from 11.8 to 3.9 percent - while Nottinghamshire Police and Surrey Police saw a drop of 62 percent. London's Met Police, which has come under fire in recent years after high-profile offenders such as Wayne Couzens and David Carrick, saw charge rates more than half from 12.7 to 5.6 percent. Just two forces, Wiltshire and Warwickshire, have seen charge rates improve since 2016. At the same time police forces are recording increases in the proportion of cases which grind to a halt because the victim drops support for a prosecution. This includes offences where support is withdrawn once a suspect has been identified, and offences where the victim declines or is unable to help police identify a suspect. Ms Waxman told MailOnline cases can take up to five years to reach courts, leading to higher victim withdrawal rates In 2021, more than half of all sexual offences recorded by West Midlands Police, Hertfordshire Police and Avon and Somerset Police ended due to victims not supporting further investigation. Sexual offences charge rates by force West Midlands - 3.6 percent Devon and Cornwall - 3.9 percent Greater Manchester - 4.3 percent Leicestershire - 4.5 percent Suffolk - 4.6 percent Nottinghamshire - 4.6 percent Sussex - 4.7 percent Kent - 4.9 percent Surrey - 5 percent Gloucestershire - 5 percent North Wales - 5.1 percent South Yorkshire - 5.2 percent Avon and Somerset - 5.4 percent Hampshire - 5.5. percent Northamptonshire - 5.5 percent Metropolitan - 5.6 percent Warwickshire - 5.6 percent Staffordshire - 5.8 percent West Mercia - 5.8 percent West Yorkshire - 5.9 percent Dorset - 6 percent Norfolk - 6 percent Gwent - 6.2 percent Derbyshire - 6.6 percent Lincolnshire - 6.8 percent Hertfordshire - 6.9 percent Cambridgeshire - 7 percent Bedfordshire - 7 percent North Yorkshire - 7.2 percent Essex - 7.2 percent Cumbria - 7.2 percent Northumbria - 8.4 percent Wiltshire - 8.8 percent City of London - 9.1 percent South Wales - 9.6 percent Cheshire - 9.9 percent Note: Data from 2021. Not all forces responded to MailOnline's FOI request in full. Advertisement As well as the lowest charge rates, West Midlands Police saw the highest victim withdrawal rate of 54 percent, up from 29 percent in 2016. Close behind were Hertfordshire at 52 percent, Avon and Somerset at 50 percent, Essex at 49 percent and Gloucestershire at 48 percent. The figure for the Met Police was 45 percent. One of the factors causing victims to withdraw their support from an investigation is the lengthy wait for a court date, amid a backlog of cases awaiting trial across the UK. Shockingly, victims can wait up to five years from the reporting of a sexual offence to the time it gets to court, Ms Waxman revealed. Highlighting one such case, she said: 'My office recently escalated a case that had been in the system for nearly five years to ensure that the victim wouldn't need to wait for another 12 months to get to court. 'She recently obtained a guilty verdict against this perpetrator but without our intervention she could well have withdrawn had her case not been prioritised.' Ms Waxman told MailOnline she began raising her concerns about declining charge rates for sexual offences in 2019. 'As I've sadly documented in my London Rape Reviews, I've spoken with many victims of crime who have withdrawn support for a police investigation for a number of reasons. 'This includes a lack of support for victim-survivors, delays in investigations and record crown court back logs, poor treatment of victims by justice agencies and intrusions into victims' privacy such as scrutinising their counselling or health records.' Ms Waxman is currently campaigning for victims' counselling records to be kept confidential, and for them to receive legal advice during an investigation via the Victims and Prisoners Bill. She also wants 'the most traumatised and vulnerable victims' to be prioritised and the implementation of specialist rape courts. She added: 'We need Police and CPS to have more trauma-informed training and ensure they deliver victims their rights under the victims code. One of the factors causing victims to withdraw their support from an investigation is the lengthy wait for a court date, amid a backlog of cases awaiting trial across the UK READ MORE: Met Police should NOT offer support to rape victims and are failing women, commissioner warns after string of sex crimes by serving officers Advertisement 'We also need high quality investigations, which should be suspect focused, and we need better protection of victim-survivors privacy rights, including by giving victims independent legal advice and good quality support. 'But for this to work, the system needs investment.' Ms Waxman told MailOnline this investment could come in the form of a Victim Care Hub, modelled on the system currently used in Quebec. This would be 'a hub to pick up and troubleshoot cases, preventing victims from experiencing unnecessary delays and being forced to withdraw and ensuring they are informed of their rights and referred to good support.' She continued: 'Currently sexual violence services in London can only meet 45 percent of presenting demand and yet we know many victims don't present to these services because of limited awareness of what is available. 'Services cannot promote to victims as they are not funded adequately to meet demand.' Ms Waxman was appointed to her role in 2017 by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. She previously spoke out about her experiences as a victim of a sustained stalking campaign and publicly called for change in how victims are treated in the justice system. West Midlands Police told MailOnline it has made vast improvements over the last few years. Detective Superintendent Clare Caddick, force lead for rape and serious sexual assault, said: 'Whilst we recognise the changes required will take some time to embed, we are already seeing improvements and the difference we are making to victims. 'Rape investigation is incredibly complex and I am committed to increasing our specialist capability and building capacity in order to truly transform the service we offer. 'We are committed to putting the voice of victims front and centre of how we investigate rape and sexual offences. We have already implemented a number of measures after listening to victims to better understand their lived experience. 'We know that our words and actions matter and we are more determined than ever to make a difference to the lives of those affected by these horrific crimes. 'We take every report of sexual assault extremely seriously. Our officers are specially trained to thoroughly investigate allegations, make sure that those reporting them are properly supported and put those responsible before the courts. 'We know there is more we need to do, and ways we can continue to improve, but we want to reassure anyone who has suffered a sexual offence that if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us, we will listen to you and treat you with the utmost sensitivity and compassion.' Dr Lauren Bull spends most of her days speaking with HIV patients and listening to schoolboys' worries about the size of their penises. Yet in recent years, a self-admitted 'mid-life crisis' has seen the NHS sex consultant dabble in a hobby outside of her day job which has, quite literally, transformed her: bodybuilding. Quite how the 41-year-old vegan has the time to lift 140kg weights four times a week while juggling work and raising three children leaves many flummoxed. But she has a simple answer: not watching television. It has been two years since she started toning up her 52kg body at her family home in Camberley, Surrey, where she is guided by her personal trainer boyfriend of 23 years Jason Bull, 45. In that short time, the 5ft 6in tall doctor has already risen up the ranks from finishing fifth in her first amateur competition to becoming a pro UK bodybuilding bikini model champion. Dr Bull can't quite put her finger on why she decided to flex her muscles, but explained she was sporty in her youth when she was a national-level swimmer. Dr Lauren Bull volunteered for two stints on a Covid ward during the pandemic. The NHS sex consultant spends most of her days talking to HIV patients and listening schoolboys' worries about the size of their penises Dr Bull only took up bodybuilding a few years but finished fifth in her first ever competition. From then she has 'taken it seriously' 'I've always been skinny all my life and went through my twenties and went to the gym a bit, but just sort of went through the motions and didn't really pay attention. 'But then obviously most of my thirties I was either pregnant, breastfeeding or running around after toddlers. I basically got to being 39 and I felt like I needed a focus point. 'Rather than say "I wanted to go to the gym", I wanted to go for a reason and I wanted to train for something. A typical day for Dr Bull as a bodybuilding bikini champion and NHS sex consultant 5.30am Wake up 15 minutes of 'grounding' (standing barefoot outside) 5.45am 45 minute to an hour gym workout 6.30am Get ready for work and the children ready for school 7.30am Go to work 9am to 5pm Work 5.30pm Take children to after school activities/ go to the gym/ see clients/ studying 8pm Meal prepping 9pm Studying/meditating/stretching/house chores 10pm Bed Advertisement 'And I think I just heard of bikini competitions because my cousin had done one and I had known someone who had done one so I just started Googling what's around what are they and what do you do.' Three months after her 40th birthday Dr Bull 'rocked up' to her first amateur competition wearing 'ridiculous' high heels she hadn't slipped into in a decade, with not having a clue what she was doing. But after finishing in a respectable fifth place she was hit with the bug for pumping iron. Now armed with the knowledge of what she was supposed to be doing, and in her own words 'taking it seriously', the teetotal gym buff spent the next 14 months training herself. That involved 45-minute workouts four days a week of lifting up to 140kg of weights, then ramping up the sessions as the competition nears to include one hour of cardio as well as 25,000 steps a day - all while juggling her work and looking after her children Leonardo, 10, Apollo, 8, and Angelica, 5. The result was a muscle-bulging oiled figure that saw her crowned Pure Elite's overall pro bikini champion. 'Even now I make myself look back at the pictures from a year ago and think "yeah you look quite different". 'I can see there's been a change but I love it. From something that was supposed to be "oh I'll do this for turning 40, that'll be good" it has literally become my whole year and I love it. I love lifting weights. I tell everyone and try and make everyone do it. 'I tell every woman over the age of 40 that 100 per cent you need to be lifting weights. It's just brilliant. 'And I've met some really awesome people as well. When you are doing shows that are about physique and are aesthetic-based you sort of have a feeling that they are going to be like American cheerleading movies and everyone is going to be a right bitch. The NHS sex consultant works out four times a week lifting 140kg weights. She has been hit with the bug for pumping iron Dr Bull has entered five competitions in the last year and was recently crowned Pure Elite's pro UK bikini champion The result of her extensive workouts is a muscle-bulging oiled figure which she says she absolutely loves The 41-year-old says she loves lifting weights and she tells everyone to try and make everyone do it Dr Bull regularly posts jaw-dropping photos of her vein-popping, six-pack toned body to her near 2,000 followers on her Instagram page @drlaurenbull 'But actually you meet some amazing people doing this. All the women are just super bigging each other up and it's really nice as to that expected level of bitchiness.' Dr Bull regularly posts jaw-dropping photos of her vein-popping, six-pack toned body to her near 2,000 followers on her Instagram page. 'It looks like I'm massive but that's actually a function of me being lean. In those photos I'm only 52 to 53kgs. I'm not big. But when you are incredibly lean obviously you can see all of the definition in your muscles. 'My people at work, my colleagues, will see me and go "how do you look like that?". They see me in normal clothes and I don't look massive obviously because I'm not massive.' Although she likes the way she looks, she stays mindful of the impact it can have on some onlookers and admits it's not something to aspire to. 'I look at photos of me in my teens and think "God my legs are so skinny" but now I look and think "yeah, I want to be quadzilla",' she says with a laugh. 'I like it. I can appreciate the absurdity to a certain extent of how extreme, and I'm conscious I do this in my posts as well as I'm a medical professional... physique competitions are extreme by definition, so you cut that much for literally a day and then you are straight back out of it. 'So it is not something to aspire to in that regards. 'I've only been doing this for a year and a bit and I've seen how much I've changed but I'm not someone who is like "right I'm onto the performance enhancing drugs". 'I'm quite happy with what I've managed to do and I think I can do a bit more but I have no intention of jumping on that train whatsoever.' It's in stark contrast to three years ago during the coronavirus pandemic when the mental health first aider led a hospital ward where she supported medics who were 'dropping to the floor' with mental and physical exhaustion. It was only recently when she went back to visit the nurses she had bonded with through the trauma that the full extent of that period really hit home. Dr Bull's days starting at 5.30am are jam-packed with her gym workouts and meal prepping fitted in around her three children Angelica, 5, (left), Leonardo, 10, and Apollo 8 (right) Dr Bull's father Brian was a British Airways Concorde pilot. He died on his 41st birthday when he collapsed on a beach in St Lucia Dr Bull's father Brian with her mother Dee who is now aged 76 'At the time you totally get on with it. It wasn't until much later when I was going back to visit the nurses to say hello and as I was running up the back staircase to get to the ward I felt my stomach drop and this feeling in the pit of your stomach. 'I just sort of suddenly realised as I was opening the door, s*** I felt like that all day, every day but I didn't realise it at the time.' The horrors she experienced during the two volunteered stints still remain raw to this day with the faces and names of the 20 Covid patients she watched die etched into her memory. 'We had a lot of patients die, and quite quickly. And it was more about not being able to do the things you would like to do. 'I would be giving patients my own phone so they could FaceTime their relatives so they could see each other. It was all just operating outside your normal parameters of what you would like to do as a caring doctor. 'One of my members of staff who works in my clinic, their mother sadly passed away so I spent as much time with her as possible.' She added: 'It just wasn't very nice.' Like bodybuilding, how and why she got into the medical profession remains somewhat of a mystery with her father a former British Airways Concorde pilot and her mother also having worked for the airline. Her brother K.J. would follow in the footsteps of his father Brian, who collapsed and died on a beach in St Lucia on his 41st birthday in 1987 when Dr Bull was only aged four. She still has her father's BA name badge and carries the sentimental heirloom with her as a good luck charm when she takes exams. While her sibling is flying planes for Virgin Atlantic, Dr Bull runs a clinic where she talks to HIV patients, women going through the menopause, as well as being the safeguarding lead overseeing mental health, domestic violence, and child exploitation. Another area close to her heart is going into schools to talk to youngsters about their sexual health worries. As for bodybuilding, she has set her sites on competing again next year and hopes she can inspire other mothers to think that their life isn't over just because they've had children. 'I just want to encourage other women to go and lift weights and just because you've had your babies it doesn't mean life is over. 'I think that's been my biggest thing is that I've found something completely different outside of having kids.' A dress worn by Princess Diana in 1985 recently fetched 900,000 ($1.148) million at auction the highest ever price for clothes worn by the princess. In November, The Crown returned for its sixth and final series, with Elizabeth Debicki reprising her role as Diana. Even haters of the series unanimously concede that Debickis interpretation was knock-it-out-of-the-park, frighteningly good. Pick up a copy of the latest issue of Tatler magazine and, looking at the photograph of Princess Diana adorning its cover, youd be forgiven for thinking the year was 1984, not 2024. The year of the portrait was in fact 1988 and was taken by David Bailey he tells a story of his assistant dropping a light on the princesss head during her sitting. The January issue of Tatler which features a never-before-seen portrait of Princess Diana by David Bailey on the cover, Netflix's shoot of actress Elizabeth Debicki recreating Mario Testino's last official photographs of the Diana, Princess of Wales. One that The Crown makes much of is that Dodi Al Fayed proposed to Diana before her death Elizabeth Debicki recreates Princess Diana's landmine campaign photo Underneath the portrait, a caption reads, Diana: a battle for her legacy. In 2023, more than any other year since her 1997 death, Diana has been discussed, dissected and deliberated over. It's been a year of Diana mania. Personally, I'm thrilled about Dianas re-entry into public consciousnesses. Well, re-entry is the wrong word, because she never left it. What I mean is that I am happy she's entered the minds of a new, younger public: Gen Z - those born, roughly, in the late 1990s and early 2000s. There are TikTok accounts with hundreds of thousands of followers whose content revolves around Diana, created by people born long after her death. Why does this make me so happy? Because, as her brother Earl Spencer said in her eulogy, Diana was unique, complex, extraordinary and irreplaceable. Eloise Moran, creator of the viral Instagram account @ladydirevengelooks (currently boasting 114k followers) and author of a best-selling book of the same name was only five when Diana died but was inspired to create her Instagram account after breaking up with a boyfriend and finding solace in Dianas post-divorce empowerment. In a world and social media landscape consumed insatiably by young adults but dominated by filtered versions of beauty and perfection, Princess Diana is - at least so far as Gen Z is concerned - a powerful dose of normality. In her willingness to discuss her struggles her crushing lack of self-worth and ensuing years of self-torture through bulimia Diana is striking a powerful chord in a world that has never been so aware of fragility and the search for well-being. Prince Diana in her 'black sheep' jumper walking with Prince Charles at a polo meeting at Windsor, June 1983 Alice Hare and her Warm & Wonderful 'black sheep' jumper is one of her key Diana looks Warm & Wonderful's Fitted "Diana Edition" Cotton Sheep Sweater for sale in 2023 for 270 Princess Diana's 'preppy' fashion has been a huge hit with Gen Z this year and can be seen in all the major high street shops I couldnt think of a better role model for my youngest sister, who is 18. Diana was a woman extraordinarily ahead of her time. A woman after Gen Zs own hearts before they even existed. She knew the power of her image and the power of tactical self-projection and played with this think of the scene in the latest series of The Crown in which Debicki as Diana bargains with photographers, saying they can take photographs of her in her leopard print swimsuit if they agree to leave her alone for the rest of the day. This is exactly what Gen Z do on Instagram they play with the power of their image and self-project in a clever, considered and curated way to influence public perception of themselves. Step aside, Kim K. Please, Diana was the original influencer. And less seriously (but still seriously clothes are important and not stupid, thank you), every generation can benefit from and delight in devouring Dianas surreptitiously-communicative style. What a revelation it was when I realised Diana used clothes to talk when she was gagged. The clothing companies she loved have enjoyed a revival thanks to a new generations fascination with her. Warm & Wonderful, makers of that black sheep sweater, are back as of 2020. Gottex re-released Dianas leopard print swimming costume this year. Eloise Moran's viral Instagram account @ladydirevengelooks boasts 114k followers Princess Diana wearing the Gottex leopard print swimsuit in 1997 The Gottex Diana halter neck swimsuit is available to buy this year for 199.99 The Princess of Wales at Alton Towers in her Philadelphia Eagles varsity jacket The iconic '90s Eagles Letterman Jacket returned and was modelled by the beautiful Kylie Kelce, wife of Jason Kelce who plays for Eagles Philadelphia Eagles made available to the public a jacket they made for Diana in the 90s for the first time ever last month. The list goes on. In June, supermodel and Gen Z quasi-deity Kendall Jenner walked the runway at Jacquemus Princess Diana-inspired fashion show in Paris in a recreated version of Dianas iconic pearl and sapphire choker. I think Diana would have been pleased with 2023. She would have been pleased that what mattered to her most her work for the repressed and voiceless has gained a new audience. Even if said audience does begin just by obsessing just over her vintage sweatshirts. Female weather presenters are fighting back against the misogynistic stereotype of the 'weather girl' after spending the majority of their careers being objectified, judged by their looks and harassed on the streets. While to some the worn cliche might seem harmless, meteorologists are speaking up about the issue, revealing they have been sent sex toys, had their body parts analysed on online 'fan clubs' and had stalkers. Sam Fraser, who has worked for BBC South Today since 2012, said that the constant emphasis on their appearances makes each turns presenters into 'competitors in an endless beauty pageant' encouraging 'judgement and criticism' from the public. Female presenters face being told they have put on or lost weight, whether their underwear is visible or if a certain item of clothing is 'too young' or 'too old' for them, all from strangers sitting in their armchairs at home. BBC weather presenter Kawser Quamer told MailOnline that the weather girl stereotype, that has been in place for decades, has been so damaging that it could discourage well-qualified women from joining the profession. BBC weather presenter Kawser Quamer told MailOnline that the weather girl stereotype could discourage well-qualified women from joining the profession BBC weather presenter Sam Fraser, who has worked for South Today since 2012, slammed the stereotype in a new Radio 4 documentary BBC weather presenter Kate Kinsella She told MailOnline: 'Weather affects all our lives, the storms we have been recently demonstrate that, and these stereotypes undermine our role and we have a responsibility to deliver these messages with authority. 'I hope to be seen as a trusted, respected broadcaster, so when you see yourself objectified and when you hear about these websites, when you are judged on your looks alone when you worked really hard to get there, it is difficult. 'I find that because we are invited into peoples homes we become regular faces and there is a sense of over familiarity, as if they can say anything and its fine. It perhaps makes people feel as though we are game for any criticism or comment.' Ms Fraser has been exploring the issue engrained in the profession for Radio 4 in a segment called Scorchio! The Story of a Weather Girl. The title of the documentary refers to the catchphrase of The Fast Show's weather presenter Paula Fisch - played by Caroline Aherene - who said every forecast was 'scorchio!'. Throughout the 30 minute episode she delves into the issues she has faced since starting her career - and talks to other well known weather presenters, including Sian Lloyd and Kate Kinsella, on the way. 'I wanted to be taken seriously,' Ms Fraser said. 'After all the time pouring over pressure charts and learning about climate subtypes, heck I even built a home weather station, I kind of assumed I would be. 'But within a fortnight of appearing on screen my arse had its own online fan club and had featured on a YouTube channel called Babes of Britain. 'It turns out the weather girl is one of the most fetishes roles in popular culture.' Ms Fraser's Radio 4 show is named after The Fast Show's weather presenter Paula Fisch, played by Caroline Aherne, who always used the word 'scorchio' Sam Fraser said she was initially flattered by comments about her appearance but they quickly became tiresome Sian Lloyd, a weather presenter on ITV who has been working in the profession since 1990, said: 'I am aware the whole weather girl thing is slightly degrading and slightly trivialises women. 'Male adults are never called weather - boys they are always called men - which kind of implies we are not fully grown up, we are not as authoritative as men and maybe do not have the credibility or confidence, this is the perception, when of course we do.' Ms Quamer said that the misogynistic stereotyping could even put some women off joining the profession. She added: 'From my own perspective as an ethnic minority and a muslim, I have a sense of responsibility and I feel like I am representing a diverse background on air and representing a career to young girls of the same background. 'Women can be hesitant and this damaging stereotype creates a hindrance. Women have to convince reluctant parents who will worry about how you will be seen and how it will affect your future. 'Marriage prospects are also a factor if you want to marry into a traditional community. Rather than being seen as a credible broadcaster, being put in the weather girl stereotype discourages people.' While most weather presenters land their roles on prime television because of their experience in meteorology or presenting, it has been claimed that looks played a larger bigger role than their skill when some individuals were hired for the difficult job. Sara Thornton, another BBC weather presenter, told Business Insider last year: 'Normally, they've been a journalist or a meteorologist, but sometimes, you get people who are neither. They were just deemed attractive enough to be on TV. Last year Sara Thornton - a fellow BBC weather presenter - spoke of the trials of being a female weather presenter Ms Thornton, who started her training with ITV in 2002, spoke of the obstacles she has continued to face over her career, pointing out that her qualifications were often 'questioned' more than that of her male counterparts 'But it's an incredibly difficult job. We have to take an extremely complicated field of science and explain it in a way in which the layperson at home will understand and make it relevant to them.' Ms Quamer added: 'I would like to say it doesnt happen anymore but that will always be an underlining thing generally within the television industry. 'Times are changing, people are making that effort to now be able to look into other factors as well but I think its a slow process and its about changing peoples attitude.' The weather presenter, who started her training with ITV in 2002, spoke of the obstacles she has continued to face over her career, pointing out that her qualifications were often 'questioned' more than that of her male counterparts. Ms Thornton even claimed that one of her female superiors had told her to not take on the job, adding that 'it'll be the biggest mistake you ever make'. The presenter, who now works at the BBC, said that female weather presenter's looks are always commented on - and not just on social media. She said that people would come up in the street candidly speaking about her weight or height. 'That doesn't happen to men,' the presenter added as she remarked that people would think she was pregnant if you 'put the tiniest bit of weight on'. New York announced its own reparations task force in December to address the state's 'painful legacy of slavery' The move is another setback for California's reparations movement after Governor Gavin Newsom distanced himself from calls for cash payments San Francisco Mayor London Breed has quietly withdrawn $4 million in funding for an Office of Reparations in the city California's reparations movement faces an uncertain future after San Francisco's mayor scrapped plans for a designated office to explore the issue. Mayor London Breed has quietly withdrawn $4 million in funding to establish an Office of Reparations as she struggles to fix a massive budget deficit in the city. The decision sparked frustration among campaigners who are pursuing cash payments of up to $5 million for the city's black residents. The decision also comes after California Governor Gavin Newsom distanced himself from demands for cash payments - a radical policy recommended by his own state-wide Reparations Task Force, which published a landmark report in June that recommended reparations valued at roughly half-a-trillion dollars. The Governor was also expected to meet with members of the California Legislative Black Caucus in December to hear their proposals for reparations legislation but it remains unclear whether a discussion has taken place. Mayor Breed axed funding for an Office of Reparations in December as part of broader cuts to services. San Francisco Mayor London Breed has quietly withdrawn $4 million in funding to establish an Office of Reparations as she struggles to fix a massive budget deficit in the city California Governor Gavin Newsom has also distanced himself from demands for cash payments - a radical policy recommended by his own state-wide Reparations Task Force In a letter to department heads, she said: 'The reductions leave intact basic City services and priorities so we can continue making progress on hiring police officers, expanding shelter beds, advancing behavioral health initiatives, and cleaning up our streets.' The decision came after the city's African American Reparations Advisory Committee published a draft plan in March with recommendations including $5 million cash payments. Other proposals included the creation of an Afrocentric K-12 School. Newsom said earlier this year that reparations is 'about much more than cash payments'. A spokesman for Breed also said 'opening a separate office is not an efficient use of funds' and told SFGate that 'the Mayor does not believe we need a new bureaucracy to implement programs to benefit the African American community'. Shamann Walton, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, said it was 'disheartening', adding: 'I understand the importance of no cuts to existing programs, but the Black community will continue to pursue justice and equity through reparations here in San Francisco. 'My hope is that the city's deficit is eliminated quickly so that we can fund the Office of Reparations and fulfill the commitment made to address the historical injustices and inequities that have persisted for generations for Black San Franciscans.' New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation on December 19 to establish a state task force that will address 'the painful legacy of slavery' The stalled reparations campaigns in California come as other continue with their own programs to explore reparations. Earlier this month, New York became the third state in the country to create a task force exploring reparations, after Illinois, whose commission is still examining the issue, and California. New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation on December 19 to establish the state's commission. 'Today, we are continuing our efforts to right the wrongs of the past by acknowledging the painful legacy of slavery in New York,' Hochul said during a signing ceremony at the New York Historical Society in Manhattan. Governor Hochul signed the legislation six months after state lawmakers passed the bill to examine the extent to which the federal and state government supported the institution of slavery. A nine-member commission will study the lasting impact of slavery and make non-binding recommendations on reparations. She said there was a 'moral obligation' to address New York's history of slavery and added: 'Let's be clear about what 'reparations' means. It doesn't mean fixing the past nobody can do this. But it does mean offering more than an apology.' Welcome to Day One of the year set to make or break Humza Yousafs leadership. That is because 2024 will be an election year. Technically, the Prime Minister has until January 2025 to go to the Palace, but it is generally expected that he will call an election some time this year. A 2024 election could be the worst of all worlds for the SNP leader. It will overshadow any legislative or policy agenda at Holyrood, especially unfortunate because Yousafs first year in Bute House was buffeted by the police investigation into SNP finances, a series of major policy setbacks, and internal party strife. Make or break - Keir Starmer looks set to give Humza Yousaf a general election nightmare Coming when it will, the general election will give Yousaf no time to establish a governing record in his own right. He has no key accomplishments to promote, meaning his campaign will have to be a negative one attacking Labour and Sir Keir Starmer. There is certainly a demographic that will find this appealing but most of these electors already vote SNP and were unlikely to switch to Sir Keirs Labour. Not only is a negative campaign unlikely to attract floating voters, there is every chance it would push them away, including those who might otherwise be leaning towards a vote for the Nationalists. There are left-of-centre voters in Scotland who find Sir Keir unappealing but whose more urgent motivation is dislodging the Conservatives from power. Ordinarily, they might be open to hearing sharp criticism of Labours political positioning or policy offering but in the heat of a general election, many will grow impatient with an SNP that concentrates its fire on the only alternative capable of forming a government at Westminster. They wont mind relentless negativity but only if its directed at the Tories. Yet Yousaf cannot afford to focus his firepower on the Conservatives. For one, they are the SNPs rivals in only a handful of seats. For another, Labours commanding poll lead makes it difficult to frighten the public with the spectre of another Tory government. The First Minister will be forced to divide his attention between two rival parties, one as an electoral necessity and the other for tactical purposes. In recent years, neither Labour nor the Conservatives has posed a serious threat to the Nationalists. This year, that will no longer be the case. The SNP will have to relearn a skill it hasnt had to call upon in some time: fighting a competitive election. The electoral landscape is also more fraught this time. There are a string of seats, many in central Scotland and the West, that would fall to Labour if the SNP merely failed to get its vote out. If Labour is able to seal the deal with some of its former heartlands, even more gains would follow. At the same time, there are a small number of seats in the North-east where an upset could see the Tories cling on or even pick up seats from the Nationalists. These are areas where the SNPs alliance with the Greens is politically toxic. Thats why we can expect Douglas Ross to speak of little else in the coming months. Against this backdrop, a core vote strategy might stand out as the most appealing option for Yousaf. However, it is unlikely that bashing Labour and the Tories would be enough for all but diehard SNP loyalists. The First Minister is going to have to talk about independence. It is his best shot at getting the Nationalist vote to come out on polling day. Of course, this comes with its own complexities. Independence supporters have heard it all before from Nicola Sturgeon and Yousaf is just a new face for the same old empty promises. The First Minister will have to come up with language that sounds robust enough to placate his grassroots while being bound by the legal realities set out by the Supreme Court in its ruling on a Holyrood-initiated referendum. Another difficulty here is that reverting to talk of independence risks pushing away floating voters who are not hostile to constitutional change but think now is not the right time. For every flag-waving Braveheart he can rile with constitutional tub-thumping, Yousaf might drive away an undecided voter. The doorsteps will be a different experience for Nationalist canvassers this time. They will have no Boris Johnson-shaped straw man and will have to contend with a Labour leader who looks like a Prime Minister, rather than a bolshie sociology lecturer from the local red-brick. Whats more, they will have a truly dismal record in government to face up to. Not all of the SNPs many scandals break through with the general public. Many wont know the first thing about deleted WhatsApp messages or abandoned plans for Highly Protected Marine Areas. But they will be familiar with the decline in Scottish education and chronic NHS waiting times. They may have witnessed one or the other with their own eyes, or heard the experience of a friend, colleague or loved one. They will be aware of the police investigation, and they will have heard about Michael Mathesons 11,000 iPad bill, ferries that still arent sailing and tax hikes and public spending cuts that are heading their way. Even those who pay minimal attention to politics will catch the scent of failure, ineptitude and desperation that clings to the SNP. Nationalist candidates are going to get many more probing questions than they are used to when they go door-knocking in this election. One advantage of an election, from Yousafs perspective, is that it will rally all but the most recalcitrant SNP politicians to a united front. Even Yousafs staunchest critics know that parties which fail to get behind their leader in an election are done for. Nevertheless, festering tensions between SNP backbenchers and the Greens will continue to play out behind closed doors. Moderate Nationalists are already fearful that the SNP has allowed itself to be dragged too far to the left by the Greens. They worry the party will pay a price for this at the ballot box. They may be right, particularly in rural and coastal Scotland, but its too late to do anything about it now. Unfortunately for the First Minister, his problems likely begin with the election rather than ending there. (That is unless the party plummets so drastically in seat tally that he is ousted soon after). The election of a Labour government at Westminster, which is what the polls strongly indicate will happen, would be a hammer blow for the SNP. It would replace their Tory bogeyman with a far less effective pantomime villain for the Nationalists. Perverse though it may sound, the worst outcome for Humza Yousaf this year might not be an electoral drubbing followed by defeat in a leadership challenge. It might be a middling performance at the ballot box that leaves him wounded but still in place. In that scenario, 2024 could be the year that kick starts a long campaign for the 2026 Holyrood elections, with Yousaf already damaged goods, unable to turn his governments record around and weak enough that his opponents, especially Anas Sarwar, grow ever more emboldened. The only outcome that would leave Yousaf in a stronger position would be a clear victory for the SNP in the general election, with no more than a handful of seats lost to Labour. Only that would put doubts about his leadership to rest, or at least defer them till a later date. As it stands, however, 2024 is likely to be regarded as a trial run for 2026. A poor showing in that contest could see the Nationalists toppled from power after two decades. If Yousaf cannot avert significant losses at Westminster, it will sound the alarm for his MSPs at Holyrood. It will tell them what Yousafs critics have said from the start: continuity isnt going to cut it. Scottish ministers were warned 16 years ago that 60,000 people could die in a flu pandemic, newly released documents have revealed. The Scottish Government was alerted in 2007 to the potential for tens of thousands of flu deaths as attention turned to what was seen as an increasing inevitability of a pandemic. At the time there was a new strain of flu spreading, with the World Health Organisation on phase three of its six tiered alert system, and ministers were told the globe was closer to another influenza pandemic than at any time since 1968. The virus was expected to cause death on a massive scale The warnings, revealed in cabinet papers made public today, echoed those made at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, which led to school closures and lockdowns. Civil servants feared that it would be impossible to forecast the precise characteristics, spread and impact of a new influenza virus strain but once in the UK it would spread within a few weeks and cause waves of infections. They warned: In Scotland projected excess deaths from pandemic flu could range from 5,100 to 63,700 deaths over the period. The papers added: At the upper end of the planning assumptions we would be entering territory of which no one has any experience in the modern era. It is not entirely clear how a highly independent, technology-driven society would cope with prolonged periods of very high absence levels and mass fatalities. The need to increase the levels of stockpiled vaccines was discussed. A framework for responding to a pandemic included advice on the possible closure of schools, nurseries and group childcare settings, public gatherings, isolation, voluntary quarantine and social distancing. There was also advice on the use of face masks and respirators, and infection control and personal hygiene. Details of the planning and response of the health and community care sector included principles of containment and infection control, coping with stress and bereavement and vaccination. The document noted: The framework also outlines an approach to wider business continuity. In particular it focuses on dealing with staff absences, large numbers of deaths, and maintaining essential services (including communications, energy supply, financial services, food supply, transport, water, emergency services, prison services, and the judicial process). Between August and September 2008 Exercise Cauld Craw was run to test the emergency response to a challenging scenario at the upper end of existing pandemic influenza models with higher infection rates and significant impacts, papers said. It followed Operation Winter Willow, with the 2007 document outlining key lessons from the exercise. In Scotland they included a focus on business continuity within the fuel and education sectors, in particular in relation to the backlog of routine work which builds up during emergencies. A five-year-old girl who suffered a devastating stroke 40 minutes after her preschool graduation has begun to make a 'miraculous' recovery. Doctors at Monash Children's Hospital in Melbourne are stunned at how well Piper Wakley has recovered after losing the ability to speak and falling unconscious. Piper, from Albury in southern NSW, went from a bubbly little girl celebrating the end of preschool to being put in an induced coma on December 18. Doctors were not sure she would survive and her family was told 'to prepare to say our goodbyes'. But on New Year's Day, her mum Tayla said 'Piper's condition is changing' and she is now sitting up in her hospital bed and talking. 'Though this is still something she will need a lot of rehabilitation for, she is doing her absolute best to try, which is a huge difference to a few days ago,' Ms Wakley told Daily Mail Australia. Doctors at Monash Children's Hospital in Melbourne are stunned at how well Piper Wakley (pictured) has recovered after losing the ability to speak and falling unconscious Piper is pictured sitting up in her hospital bed, with a present she got from one of her doctors, including a replacement for a favourite brush her mum could not find The details of what happened to Piper are shocking for any child to go through or for any parent to experience. On December 18, she was getting ready for a swim in the pool with her grandparents when she collapsed and could not be woken up. She was rushed to Albury Hospital, where a CT scan revealed she had suffered a stroke, which caused a bleed in her brain. Piper was put on life support and transferred to Monash Paediatric ICU, where she had emergency surgery to insert a drain into her brain. By December 20, she started to breathe on her own and went from not being expected to make it through the night, to being in a relatively stable condition. She could not speak, walk or use most of the right side of her body, but the fact she was alive was the best news her parents and grandparents could ever hear. On December 29, her mum wrote on the GoFundMe page for Piper that 'Our baby girl is surprising every single doctor she comes in to contact with. 'Eleven days ago, we were told to prepare to say our goodbyes, and today, we might be removing the feeding tube!' There was more good news on Sunday, when Ms Wakley wrote that 'The drain is out, and I can hold my baby again. 'I have been proud of this little girl since the day she was born, but today, I've never been prouder. 'Today, Piper went through the trauma of another painful procedure, while awake, and handled it better than any adult.' Piper suffered a devastating stroke just 40 minutes after her preschool graduation (pictured) on December 18 The mum said she had been told by some of the hospital's neurosurgery team 'that they have no medical explanation for how she has recovered so miraculously. 'Though it's a medical rarity, we know that the prayers and love from everyone, and the pure strength and determination Piper has, have gotten her this far.' Later on new year's eve, Ms Wakley shared a heartwarming tale at the end of a traumatic year for the family. 'Piper woke from her Midazolam/post procedure sleep, to a wonderful card and present from Dr Nufail (Khan). 'In my irrational emotional state yesterday, I went searching for this exact hairbrush, because Piper had been begging for it before the stroke. 'When I couldn't find it, I was devastated. Imagine the pure joy when we opened up this present. Tayla Wakley (left) is pictured with her five-year-old daughter Piper in Monash Children's Hospital Piper's recovery has stunned doctors who 'have no medical explanation for how she has recovered so miraculously'. Piper is pictured 'I am grateful to know such a kind hearted person, who was the first to put a smile on Piper's face, after the trauma of having her drain removed.' Ms Wakley said the family is 'incredibly grateful for the help we're receiving, and it has made such a huge difference to our lives. 'We are able to focus our energy on Piper's recovery and journey towards diagnosis, and we are so incredibly thankful for that.' She added, 'Happy new year, may 2024 be a bit kinder.' Despite facing a series of theft charges related to stealing airport luggage, nonbinary former Biden administration official Sam Brinton ends their 2023 a free person. Brinton, 32, was charged in three separate criminal cases in Nevada, Minnesota and Virginia, with stealing women's clothes from airports. They spent a two week stint in jail on suspicion of stealing a suitcase from Ronald Reagan International Airport in 2018 from Tanzanian-American fashion designer Asyakhamsin but were let free on June 1. The former head of nuclear waste policy at the Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy avoided jail in two of the cases, though a third is ongoing as well as a related civil suit. They are yet to speak publicly about the charges but have admitted to them in court, and they are currently free on bond. Despite facing a series of theft charges related to stealing airport luggage, nonbinary former Biden administration official Sam Brinton ends his 2023 a free person Brinton departed the administration in 2022, though their reasoning wasn't publicly given. Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming, ranking Republican member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said their hiring showed that the administration's vetting process wasn't up to standard, the New York Post reported. 'When people are appointed to critical positions with important national security responsibilities, Americans must be confident they can be trusted,' Barrasso said at the time. 'The department must launch a thorough investigation into the vetting process,' he added. 'They have to respond to legitimate oversight inquiries. It's in our national security interest.' In 2018, Brinton stole a suitcase belonging to Tanzanian designer Asya Khamsin at Ronald Reagan Airport in Virginia. It wasn't reported until this year, when Khamsin - who lives in Texas - saw photos of Brinton wearing her clothes. The images were used in reports about Brinton's other thefts - they also stole a suitcase in Las Vegas in July last year, and another in Minneapolis in September. Brinton, 32, was charged in three separate criminal cases in Nevada , Minnesota and Virginia , with stealing women's clothes from airports Brinton spent a two week stint in jail from a on suspicion of stealing a suitcase from Ronald Reagan International Airport in 2018 from Tanzanian-American fashion designer Asyakhamsin but were let free in early June In February, a shocked Asyakhamsin went public with her allegations, saying that her suitcase went missing from Reagan National in 2018, and that she had since seen photos of Brinton wearing her custom designs. The fashion guru, based in Houston, shared side by side photos of herself wearing one of her outfits next to a photo that surfaced of Brinton in what she believed is the same garment. Asyakhamsin's luggage containing the outfits she has accused Brinton of being photographed in, went missing at the airport when she flew to Washington, D.C. in 2018 for a fashion event. The outfits were meant to be on display, but the designer said at the time she was unable to participate in the event as she'd hoped after her luggage went missing. Khamsin says that the theft of her bag in 2018 harmed her business because many of the items taken were 'bespoke'. The clothes have now been returned to her, but the years-long gap without them or any information about who took them left her in the lurch, she says. Brinton's downfall began in November last year when they were caught on camera stealing a suitcase from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. They were filmed taking the suitcase from the luggage carousel, removing its tag which named Khamsin as the rightful owner, and shoving the tag in their purse. Brinton is shown stealing another person's bag from an airport in Las Vegas in a separate theft Khamsin filed a police report after seeing former Department of Energy official Sam Binton wearing her stolen clothes Tanzanian-American fashion designer Asyakhamsin (above) says that she filed a police report after seeing former Department of Energy official Sam Binton wearing her stolen clothes Brinton was arrested in November and charged with felony theft, after telling police they were 'tired' when they took the bag 'by mistake' - then too embarrassed to return it. It then emerged that Brinton had a habit of snatching other people's luggage. In December, police in Las Vegas revealed they too were investigating Brinton for taking a bag from the luggage carousel at Harry Reid Airport months earlier in July. Before their kleptomania became public, they were a celebrated member of Biden's Department of Energy. A first-time mom who carried twin babies to term before being forced to give them up has settled with the fertility clinic which 'unimaginably' implanted her with embryos from two other women. The Korean-American woman from New York City only discovered the appalling mix-up in the delivery room when the twin girls she had been told to expect turned out to be two Caucasian boys. She and her husband, named in court papers as AP and YZ, had struggled for years to conceive before spending $100,000 at the Cha Fertility Clinic in Southern California. But just six weeks after becoming parents, a court ordered them to hand over the babies they had so looked forward to. And it left them with 'permanent emotional injuries from which they will not recover', their lawsuit claimed. Anni Manukyan and her husband Ashot whose embryo was wrongly implanted in the New York woman at the same time as Anni was implanted with the embryo from a third woman AP had told the court 'I kiss his little feet every day, I give him a bath, I breast fed him' as she desperately tried to retain custody of the baby she had given birth to Cha Fertility Clinic co-owners Joshua Berger (left) and Simon Hong (right) 'They may never know what happened to their embryos, as well as whether the currently cryopreserved embryos are genetically matched to them,' it added. Custody of one of the boys was awarded to its genetic mother Anni Manukyan and her husband Ashot who also sued the clinic. Anni and the other boy's genetic mother had all been at the clinic on the same day in August 2018 when AP was implanted with their embryos, and Anni herself was mistakenly implanted with the embryo of a fourth couple. That pregnancy failed and the Manukyans were completely unaware they had become parents until they received a call from the clinic asking them to take a DNA test in March 2019. AP meanwhile had been told to ignore scan results suggesting the girls she was expecting were in fact boys, with clinic co-owner Joshua Berger telling her his own wife had seen the same anomaly while pregnant. Anni spoke of her heartbreak and the trauma of fighting the boy's birth mother in court after winning custody of the little boy she named Alec. 'They came in and they were crying, and I saw them crying and I started bawling,' she recalled. 'My husband was trying to hold me. Even the security guard was crying.' AP was told to ignore scans indicating that she was carrying boys, rather than the girls she was expecting AP had written to the court: 'I kiss his little feet every day. I give him a bath. I breast fed him. 'We're their true parents and we're the ones who want to be with him. We love them, they're ours and they're twins, they shouldn't be separated. 'They snuggle with each other, they sleep with each other every night. How could you separate them?.' Anni claimed that she broke down as the judge gave his verdict, saying: 'DNA is DNA and genetics play a big role in everything, so the baby belongs with Anni and Ashot.' As they waited for the handover a psychiatrist informed the Manukyans that they should hand over their pillowcases so their son could become accustomed to their smell, and recordings of Anni reading. 'My voice was shuddering while I was doing it,' Anni said. 'It was just heart shattering. Me and my husband, we wondered what if the pillows we slept on, what if the scent wasn't enough? We were hugging the pillowcases just to make sure.' Eventually the day came for the handover baby Alec in her lobby of a New York hotel. 'They were saying 'we're sorry, we're so sorry', Anni said. 'We should have let you guys come and take him before, it's just that we love them. We wanted to take care of them as they were our own. We love them'. 'There was no tension in the room whatsoever. It felt like we were friends It was just love, because we all have love of the same child.' When the couple handed over the baby in May, they also handed over a series of gifts for the Manukyans', including gold bracelets, one celebrating the Year of the Pig and another with a crown; and a ring emblazoned with tiny baby shoes. 'I would like you to give this to him, to know it's from me,' AP told Anni. A week after giving Anni and Ashot their baby, AP and YZ relinquished Alec's 'twin' to his biological family. AP and YZ won a $200,000 settlement against clinic co-owner Joshua Berger in October and have now settled for an undisclosed sum against the clinic. In their lawsuit they admitted they 'could not find the courage and the way to tell others about their devastating loss'. Anni who settled her case against the clinic in 2019 said she prays every day for the woman who gave birth to her son. 'She carried my child for nine months, she fed him, she took care of him, she changed his diapers. It could have ended up differently. 'I pray for her every day, she was a victim of this as much as I am. 'She's a lovely lady. She raised my baby inside of her and after he was born.' Baby Alec soon after his arrival at his new home in Los Angeles, California The little boy is now growing up with his genetic parents after a judge ruled that 'DNA is DNA' Attorney Adam Wolf, who represented the Manukyans said: 'This incredible series of events demonstrates CHA's shocking incompetence. 'While I have handled hundreds of cases of fertility-center misconduct, this tragedy at CHA is among the most egregious I have seen. 'Anni and Ashot put all their faith and trust in CHA. In return, CHA gave Anni and Ashot lies, excuses and heartbreak. 'It's fair to assume there are far more fertility clinic tragedies that happen than we know.' A Kentucky man arrested after a missing North Carolina 16-year-old was found inside a trap door at his house is speaking out from jail, claiming he was actually doing the girl a favor and 'she hid on her own free will.' Zackary Jones, 34, is facing over 30 different charges, including rape, after he was arrested by Lincoln County deputies when they responded to a report of domestic violence at his home on Christmas Day. He initally told officers the victim was not at his home on Robertstown Road in Kings Mountain, but after they arrested him on drug charges they found the missing teen in a trap door hidden underneath a rug. Speaking out from the Pulaski County jail, Jones claimed he met the girl online where she told him she was 18-years-old and insisted he was helping her, reported WKYT. 'She hid on her own free will. She was actually in the bed when police officers first came in there,' Jones said. Zackary Jones, 34, accused of raping a missing 16-year-old girl is speaking out from jail claiming she was there on her own free will and that he was helping her Lincoln County deputies found the missing teen inside a trap door when they responded to a report of domestic violence at his home on Christmas Day 'Her grandma kicked her out. She didn't appear to be that age (16). She had all kinds of piercings.' The teenager's grandfather, Eugene Baughman, said she ran away from her grandmother and then met up with Jones. Baughman said, 'She started taking her privileges away from her, her phone and stuff. That's when she got mad and left. She would not come back home.' 'I don't think he was rescuing anyone. I think he was trying to find another person to victimize.' Jones brought the 16-year-old home and told his family she was 18. It was his mother, Ronda Jones, who eventually called the police when she thought they were having a domestic dispute. 'They were arguing, yelling and screaming. It's probably the hardest thing I had to do,' Jones' mother said to WRAL. After initally denying the girl was in the house, deputies were soon after taken through the home by Jones, according to a police citation. The officers noticed drugs in plain view, which Jones then tried to get rid of in a wood stove in his bedroom. Authorities then took Jones into custody, leaving him in the backseat of a police vehicle. They then returned to try and find the missing girl when they noticed a trap door hidden underneath a bedroom rug. Zackary Jones claimed he met the girl online and that she claimed to be 18-years-old and that her grandmother kicked her out The girl - a missing 16-year-old from Fayetteville, North Carolina who has yet to be identified - was found. Officers said that the victim was 'very high' when Jones was arrested. The 34-year-old man admitted to doing drugs and 'engaging in sexual activity' with the girl. The age of consent is 16 in Kentucky. However, the girl then stated Jones had taken her from North Carolina and brought him back to his home. She told police that he had contacted her about two to three weeks earlier and claimed he was 19. When he arrived at her home, she said he looked older and he admitted he lied. However, he then lied again, saying he was 25. The victim only found out Jones' actual age when she got to his home and met his family. Jones' mother said: 'I asked him how old she was. He said, "she's 19." So, I took that as the truth. I believed him, because a lot of girls looked older than they are.' 'To me, she willingly came with him. I just feel like, they'd probably been talking. I don't know how long he's 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.' The victim told deputies that after she found out his real age, he threatened her and made her promise to tell anyone who asked that she was 18. Jones answered the door of his home on Robertstown Road in Kings Mountain and told authorities the victim was not there. They soon found her in a trap door in his bedroom underneath a rug The teen then alleged that Jones was armed with a gun and had, on multiple occasions, threatened to kill her. 'I was shocked. I'm always upset when he lies to me,' said Rhonda Jones 'No matter what he had done, he's my son and I love him. I'm sorry he did it, and that's all I can say.' The teen said that they were stopped by a deputy in Lincoln County the night he trafficked her and said he would shoot the officer if he tried to take one of them from the vehicle. Jones faces about a dozen charges, including rape, sodomy, strangulation, terroristic threatening, and resisting arrest. Police later found the fetus in the toilet. The 33-year-old has been charged with gross abuse of a corpse, a fifth-degree felony When she went to the hospital, a nurse called 911, claiming the woman said she didn't want the baby and put it in a bucket outside Watts suffered a miscarriage in the bathroom of her home in September An Ohio woman faces felony charges related to the abuse of a corpse after she suffered a miscarriage at home and attempted to flush the fetus down the toilet. Brittany Watts, 33, miscarried in the bathroom of her Warren home during the third week of September. It was her first pregnancy. Earlier that week, she was admitted twice to Mercy Health St. Joseph Warren Hospital when she experienced agonizing cramps and bleeding. However, she left both times after waiting hours to see a doctor. I was distraught, heartbroken, empty - literally and figuratively, Watts told WCMH-TV. She did not tell anyone in her family about the pregnancy. Brittany Watts, 33, was charged with gross abuse of a corpse after she suffered a miscarriage at her home in Warren, Ohio After attempting to flush the fetus down the toilet, Watts was taken to the hospital, where a nurse called 911, claiming Watts said she did not want the baby Watts was just over 22 weeks pregnant when she miscarried. It was her first pregnancy Following the miscarriage, which she suffered at just over 22 weeks pregnant, Watts flushed the toilet. When the toilet overflowed, she used a bucket to clean up. As she did not want anyone to know about the pregnancy, Watts then went to the salon for a hair appointment. But the hairdresser was concerned and called her mother. Watts was taken to the hospital, where a nurse phoned 911. According to transcripts, the nurse told a dispatcher that Watts was sent to the hospital earlier that week with bleeding and left against medical advice. She came back in on Wednesday still bleeding and said, Maybe I do need to be seen. So we readmitted her and we were talking her through everything and she disappeared, the nurse said. She said Watts admitted to placing the fetus in a bucket and putting it outside her home, and claimed that Watts told her she did not want the baby. However, Warren police found the fetus still lodged in the toilet. Watts was later arrested and charged with gross abuse of a corpse, a fifth-degree felony. According to attorney Traci Timko, who formerly served as the citys assistant law director, Watts was told that the fetus was not viable. Watts appeared in court on November 2. Her attorney, Traci Timko, says the fetus was not viable, and a forensic pathologist confirmed that it died before passing through the birth canal In the 911 call, the nurse told dispatchers that Watts had been admitted to the hospital earlier that week and left 'against medical advice' Its a lot of pain, its a lot of emotion, and she was terrified, Timko said of her client. There were so many things going on that she was trying to handle at one time. Watts said she felt anger, scared, betrayed, confused, and nervous when she was arrested. Every negative emotion you could conjure up in the English language, I felt it, she continued. A preliminary hearing was held November 2 in Warren Municipal Court. When Detective Nick Carney took the stand, he said Watts said she felt the baby come out and there was a big splash. There were no injuries found on the fetus, according to a forensic pathologist, who testified that it died before passing through the birth canal. The judge found probable cause to send the case to the Trumbull County Grand Jury for review. Last week, Prosecutor Dennis Watkins released a memo saying his office is duty bound to follow Ohio law. Under Ohio law, a person must treat a corpse 'in a way that would outrage reasonable community sensibilities' to qualify for the felony charge Ohio's Senate Bill 27 makes it a first-degree misdemeanor for fetal remains to be disposed through any means other than cremation or interment. However, this law typically applies to healthcare settings like abortion clinics The state law contains stipulations for the misdemeanor offense of abuse of a corpse and the felony offense of gross abuse of a corpse. To qualify for the felony charge, a person must treat a human corpse in a way that would outrage reasonable community sensibilities. Timko believes her client will be cleared. Ohio law is on our side, she said. Friends of Watts created a GoFundMe to help cover her legal fees, writing: We must help Brittany as she endures and fights this injustice, and we must ensure that no woman will be victimized this way again. The campaign has already raised over $200,000, more than double its goal. Ohio's Senate Bill 27 makes it a first-degree misdemeanor for fetal remains to be disposed through any means other than cremation or interment. But this law typically applies to healthcare settings like abortion clinics rather than a private residence. The bill has proven to be contentious, and in February 2022, a federal judge blocked enforcement of the law after determining that it violated clinics and patients rights to due process and equal protection. One year prior, the law was blocked from taking effect when the Ohio Department of Health failed to provide necessary documents. Enforcement of the law is paused awaiting final judgement on that case. Dame Esther Rantzen has made renewed calls for assisted dying to be made an option for terminally ill people after families watching loved ones go through palliative care have had their memories 'obliterated'. The veteran broadcaster, 83, has urged MPs to hold a debate when Parliament returns into 2024 for a free vote on assisted dying, where politicians are not controlled by the party whip. It comes just weeks after the Childline founder, who has stage four lung cancer, revealed that she had joined the assisted dying clinic Dignitas in Switzerland as an option in case her health does not improve. Dame Esther said: 'I think as a humane decision to have the debate as soon as possible, to have a free vote, would be right for millions of people - at least we would discuss it.' According to a survey by Deltapoll 71 per cent of the public supported assisted dying being made legal in the UK with 13 per cent opposing and 16 per cent being unsure. Meanwhile 72 per cent supported plans for a free vote. Dame Esther Rantzen (pictured in summer 2020) revealed that she has joined assisted-dying clinic Dignitas earlier this month Dame Esther (pictured at her home in the New Forest with her four grandchildren) explained to her family that she didn't 'want their last memories of me to be painful' The broadcasting legend said the poll indicating strong public support, is due to people feeling 'that's all we're asking for, is the choice'. 'We're not asking for this to be imposed on anyone, people have very strong beliefs, some religious beliefs, which would make it impossible for them, we fully understand that,' she told the Mirror. Is Assisted Suicide illegal in Britain? Under the Suicide Act 1961, anyone helping or encouraging someone to take their own life in England or Wales can be prosecuted and jailed for up to 14 years if found guilty of an offence. Section two of the act states that a person commits an offence if they carry out an act capable of encouraging or assisting the suicide or attempted suicide of another person, and the act was intended to encourage or assist suicide or an attempt at suicide. In 2015 MPs including former prime minister David Cameron rejected a Bill to legalise assisted dying. Opposition to changing the law has come from faith groups, campaigners who say disabled people may feel pressured to end their lives and campaigners who fear assisted dying would become a business. Advertisement 'But the rest of us I think feel that we want to be able to choose a death which does not mean our family has to watch us suffering. 'I think for me that is my principle concern because I know a memory of a bad death, a painful death, somebody who is longing to die but is being kept alive and suffering, that memory obliterates previous memories of happiness, or can do. 'What we don't want now is for people who are adamantly against assisted dying to impose their views on us.' Dying in Dignity told the paper that the poll showed 'the vast majority of the British public want to see a new law that gives dying people choice and control over the ends of their lives'. Currently, assisted suicide is banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. A bill to make assisted dying legal failed to pass in 2015. Since Dame Esther announced that she planned to 'buzz off to Zurich' if the new medication to treat her cancer stopped working, politicians have been voicing their support for another parliamentary vote. Tory MP Mel Stride, who was one of 27 Conservative MPs to vote in favour of legalising assisted dying eight years ago, said he was 'not averse' to another parliamentary vote. Speaking on the issue he made clear that the Government would not bring forward fresh legislation on the issue but signaled that he would be happy to debate it further. The minister, who was elected in 2010, told the Today Programme: 'The government has not decided to bring forward legislation, I think I need to make that very clear. Assisted dying clinic Dignitas (pictured) is near Zurich in Switzerland Pictured: A bed in the clinic Dignitas assisted suicide clinic near Zurich, Switzerland 'But if Parliament in some form or another decided that it wanted to have a fresh look at this, given it was some years ago that we last did so, that's not something that I would be resistant to.' Another Tory MP Alicia Kearns has called for another vote on legalising assisted dying. Tweeting after Dame Esther revealed her plan, the MP for Rutland and Melton said: 'Dame Esther is absolutely right, Parliament needs to have a vote on assisted dying, and it needs to be a free vote.' She said there had been a 'fundamental shift in the country' and 'in parliament' since 2015. Ms Kearns told the BBC: 'Since I was elected we've had a number of debates on this and you can barely get a chance to speak. 'The amount of my colleagues who say I've reflected, I've changed my views I really do think that the national conversation has changed.' Levelling Up minister Michael Gove also thought it would be 'appropriate' to 'revist' the issue in the Commons, despite not being personally persuaded. He said earlier this month: 'I am not yet persuaded of the case for assisted dying but I do think it's appropriate for the Commons to revisit this. Dane Estgerspent Christmas with her family. Pictured: (Seated L-R) Teddy , Alexander, Romily, Kelly Florence, (Standing L-R) Rebecca Wilcox, Joshua, Esther, Benjamin and Miriam Rebecca Wilcox previously said she fears she could be accused of murder if she helps her seriously ill mother travel to Dignitas 'I think it was in the last Parliament that we had a debate on it and as I say, I am not yet persuaded but I would want to listen with humility to Dame Esther and others outline the case.' Health Secretary Victoria Atkins, however, refused to give her personal view on the vote, citing her 'responsibility' as a minister. Ms Atkins said she recognised how 'incredibly emotional' the issue is, but re-stated the Government's line that it should be up to Parliament whether or not to have another debate on changing the law. The Prime Minister's official spokesman previously said the Government position has not changed so it remains a matter for Parliament to decide. On the other side of the bench Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting agreed that Parilament 'would probably be in a different place' now than it was eight years ago. He previously told LBC: 'When I first became an MP we had a vote on assisted dying in Parliament. It was lost heavily. I think Parliament probably be in a different place now. This will be a free vote issue anyway, so Labour wouldn't have a position.' Dame Esther revealed her plans earlier this month, telling the BBC's Today: 'I have in my brain though, well, if the next scan says nothing's working I might buzz off to Zurich but, you know, it puts my family and friends in a difficult position because they would want to go with me. And that means that the police might prosecute them. The veteran broadcaster, 83, (pictured in October 2022) has urged MPs to hold a debate when Parliament returns into 2024 for a free vote Dame Esther said that she had discussed the issue with her family and they had told her it was her 'decision' and 'choice' The broadcaster, 83, has called for a free vote on assisted dying as it's 'important that the law catches up with what the country wants' So we've got to do something. At the moment, it's not really working, is it?' Dame Esther said that she had discussed the issue with her family and they had told her it was her 'decision' and 'choice'. She continued: 'I explained to them that actually I don't want their last memories of me to be painful because if you watch someone you love having a bad death, that memory obliterates all the happy times and I don't want that to happen. 'I don't want to be that sort of victim in their lives.' Yet after the announcement was made her daughter Rebecca Wilcox spoke of how she would 'want to ground the plane' if her mother decided to fly to Dignitas. She told ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'She never makes a decision in complete isolation, but she doesn't care what anyone else says. 'It's horrific and she always promised us she would live forever. She's not usually one to break her promises so we're a little upset about that. 'I would personally want to ground her plane if she was going to fly to Zurich but I know it's her decision. I just don't ever want her to go.' Speaking after Christmas she gave a heart-breaking insight into what could be her last Christmas Day with her mother, but added she was 'determined to make the most of it'. 'Its not often that you know beforehand it will be the last time you will dish out turkey and pull crackers at the table with your mother, but thats what this year has been for us,' she told the Mirror. 'She thought she would be dead in spring, but a miraculous drug has meant that we have another Christmas with her, a wonder we couldnt have imagined possible when she was diagnosed in January. I was determined to make the most of it.' An inquiry into perspectives on assisted dying in England and Wales was launched in December 2022 and the Health and Social Care Committee is due to publish its report on the issue. With election year now upon us and his party trailing by up to 20 points in the polls, Rishi Sunak would no doubt explore any avenue that might transform his fortunes. However, there is 'blue sky' thinking and there is sheer madness. Bringing Dominic Cummings back into the Tory fold would be firmly in the latter category. It would be tantamount to throwing a lit match into a firework factory. Plenty of pyrotechnics, but nothing left at the end except rubble. So why has Mr Sunak reportedly been courting Boris Johnson's treacherous former aide? True, Mr Cummings has been a formidable campaigner in the past. But, as proved by Partygate and the Covid Inquiry, he is also egomaniacal and utterly untrustworthy. An adherent of the Guy Fawkes school of political science, he shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the PM's inner circle (or the Downing Street cellars). Bringing former special advisor Dominic Cummings back into the Tory fold would be sheer madness But while Mr Cummings clearly isn't the answer to Mr Sunak's problems, he must find one and soon. As the new year begins, he needs a reboot, the bolder and more radical the better. High on his list of priorities must be tackling the widespread public perception that nothing works properly in this country anymore, despite the highest tax burden since the 1940s. Reckless strikes have exacerbated chronic problems within the NHS, on the railways and beyond. Walkouts cost the health service 2billion last year and led to 1.2million cancelled appointments. Consequently, waiting lists are still above 7.7million with all the suffering and anxiety that entails. Striking junior doctors might think about their beleaguered patients before flouncing off the wards in pursuit of a ludicrous 35 per cent pay demand. Chaotic scenes at major terminals in recent days have compounded the belief that the rail service is crumbling, through a combination of greedy, antediluvian unions and inept managers. Meanwhile, much of the civil service has gone missing since the pandemic, refusing even to come back to the office three days a week. Strangely, they are not volunteering to take a pay cut. The public sector's plunging productivity has real-world consequences, with longer waits for everything from trying to contact the taxman for a rebate to fixing a medical appointment. Then there are those who aren't working at all. Despite nearly one million job vacancies in the UK, 8.7million people aged between 16 and 64 are not in employment. Of these, 2.6million are deemed incapable of doing any paid work at all 500,000 more than before the pandemic. Rishi Sunak should put Sir Keir Starmer on the spot over tax and borrowing, migration, support for Ukraine and Israel, spurious green levies and the threat posed by creeping wokery and identity politics Are we really such a sickly nation, or have too many just lost their work ethic? Either way, the inexorably rising benefit bill is strangling growth and must be controlled. These are not the only nettles the PM needs to grasp. He must put Sir Keir Starmer on the spot over tax and borrowing, migration, support for Ukraine and Israel, spurious green levies and the threat posed by creeping wokery and identity politics. But the overriding imperative is to reconnect with the exasperated, long-suffering public and convince them he has a credible strategy to get the public sector functioning properly again. Shelling out ever more taxpayers' money for no visible improvement simply won't do. The Conservatives famously won the 1979 election under the slogan, 'Labour isn't Working'. Mr Sunak and his ministers must try to make sure the same can't be said of the Tories in 2024. As for Mr Cummings, when campaigning for the Tory leadership, Mr Sunak assured the party membership he would have 'absolutely nothing' to do with the poisonous former aide. He should now re-state that pledge. And this time he should mean it. Pro-Palestine protesters were spotted marching just one block away from where the Times Square ball dropped Fireworks lit up the sky across the country, as some cities show off their unique traditions like a red shoe drop in Key West, Florida Times Square's ball drop rang in 2024 with an in-person audience of 1m people America is ranging in 2024 with new year's celebrations as the Times Square New Years Eve ball drop went off without a hitch after New York City prepared for pro-Palestine protests hijacking the event. At midnight the ball dropped in Times Square and kicked off the fireworks and celebrations across the country. Fireworks lit up the sky across the East Coast in Miami up to Boston - Key West, Florida had a 'Red Shoe' drop to ring in the new year. One million people were expected to watch the ball drop in Times Square in person and another billion were anticipated to watch on TV. At least one pro-Palestine group was spotted marching from 59th Street all the way down to 45th and 5th Avenue, just a block away from where the ball dropped at midnight. The marchers were singing the infamous 'from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free' chant that has been decried as anti-Semitic by members of both parties in Congress, as well as the Anti-Defamation League. NEW YORK: Fireworks explode around the Statue of Liberty during New Year's Eve celebrations The Times Square New Years Eve ball drop rang in 2024 without a hitch after New York City prepared for pro-Palestine protests hijacking the event Times Square Alliance volunteers throw confetti as the clock strikes midnight as seen from the New York Marriott Marquis People kiss as confetti flies around after the clock strikes midnight in Times Square One million people are expected to watch the Times Square ball drop in person and another billion are anticipated to watch on TV Crowds have been building throughout the day, rushing to closer to the event stage and to get the best view of the ball drop Video post on TikTok shows crowds that had been waiting since 5 a.m. eagerly waiting to get past the police barriers Revelers wait for the annual New Year's Eve ball drop People sleep on the pavement withina pedestrian pen before the ball drop Crowds in Times Square at at Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2024 A sign in Times Square says 'New Year's Eve Times Square 2024' Crowds cheer in Times Square Confetti flies around in Times Square People hold balloons in Times Square The new star of the New Year's Eve 'Red Shoe Drop,' celebrating the beginning of the new year on January 1, 2024, after being 'dropped' in a red high heel at the Bourbon St. Pub Complex in Key West, Florida The Lincoln Memorial is seen during a New Year's Eve celebration in Washington, DC At Macy's in Herald Square, at least one demonstrator set off a bright red smoke bomb and before being escorted out. The protesters - suggested to be as many as 3,000 by one reporter were also re-iterating the left-wing calls for a cease-fire in Gaza. Hundreds of thousands of people have gathered in Times Square as the New Years Eve countdown begins, and one man at the front of the live reveals how he relieves himself while waiting in line. Crowds have been building throughout the day, rushing to closer to the event stage and to get the best view of the ball drop. Video post on TikTok shows crowds that had been waiting since 5 a.m. eagerly waiting to get past the police barriers. One man at the front of the pack revealed his secret to going to the bathroom while waiting in line. 'See these pads? You have to pee in these pads. It don't matter who you are,' said the man wearing an orange jacket and Kiss hat. 'If you leave and you have to use the bathroom or even get water, that's the problem.' He said, 'Whatever you decided to do, you gotta make the best of it.' The celebrity-filled event included live performances from Flo Rida, Megan Thee Stallion and LL Cool J, as well as televised appearances from Cardi B and others. Organizers 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. CNN will broadcast Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen's New Year's Eve Special celebrations. It will be Cooper and Cohen's seventh year hosting the extravaganza. Alongside CNN, hosts from other big outlets will also be broadcasting live from Times Square, where the protests are threatening to reach. ABC's Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest will be co-hosted by Rita Ora - and performers will include LL Cool J, Megan Thee Stallion, Jelly Roll, and Sabrina Carpenter. Megan Thee Stallion wore a purple matching two piece set while performing some of her hit songs. Celebrations in Times Square kicked off at 6 p.m., when the six-ton crystal ball will be lit and raised up. At 11:59 p.m., the ball will start its one-minute drop in front of hundreds of thousands of cheering party-goers. In Nashville, stars like Elle King, Thomas Rhett, Trace Adkins, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, Blake Shelton and Morgan Wallen are expected to take the stage on New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash. In Key West, Florida, a new drag performer participated in the red shoe drop in the city's take on a ball drop. Cable networks are preparing for the worst amid fears that their live broadcast plans on New Year's Eve may have to change if disorderly pro-Palestine supporters take over Times Square. Anti-Israel protesters are threatening to derail December 31 celebrations in the Big Apple. The NYPD is pulling out all the security stops ahead of the potential violence on the streets of New York City. Protests have been occurring in the city since Hamas brutalized Israeli civilians, triggering a conflict in the Middle East on October 7. At a press conference on Friday, Mayor Eric Adams said that 'there are no specific threats to the city,' but 'as we saw last year, after having no specific threats we get a threat, and we are going to be ready.' A group plays card games in Times Square A reveller wears purple and gold 2024 glasses in Times Square People wear silver and gold 2024 glasses in Times Square Revelers sit on the ground in Times Square Crowds line up in Times Square New York Police Department officers check people entering Times Square for the celebration Rita Ora and Ryan Seacrest pose at Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve in Times Square Jonathan Bennett speaks onstage during the Times Square New Year's Eve 2024 Celebration Gotham FC Kelley O'Hara (left), Ali Krieger (center) and Midge Purce (right) speak onstage in Times Square SAFA Chinese cultural performance in Times Square Jelly Roll performs at Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2024 in Times Square Megan Thee Stallion performed during the Times Square New Year's Even 2024 Celebration wearing a purple two piece outfit Tyla performs in an all-white outfit during the Times Square New Year's Eve 2024 Celebration Sabrina Carpenter performs in Time Square wearing a white dress and white lace gloves Thomas Rhett peforms in Nashville, Tennessee LL Cool J performs at Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2024 in Times Square Elle King and Rachel Smith speak onstage in Nashville Rob Schneider speaks onstage for New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash Performers on stage in Nashville Lainey Wilson performs onstage for New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash He was referencing when three cops were attacked by a Maine man, 19, with a machete over US support for Israel on December 31, 2022. Assistant NYPD Commissioner Kaz Daughtry stated on December 29: 'We're going to have tow trucks strategically parked along the actual New Year's Eve festivities, and we're going to have drones deployed around the outer perimeter so we can monitor the protests, potential protests that are coming in real time.' Adams added: 'Hundreds of thousands of people will be out here lined up, and no matter how often we see it, you never get used to it, the excitement remains over and over again.' Times Square will be closed off from around 12 p.m. on New Year's Eve and those who want to get into the area have to go through police checkpoints and security screenings. Homeland Security and the FBI will be in Times Square, alongside state police, cops on horseback, and canine units. A cheese company accused of 'castrating' the Cerne Abbas Giant has now reinstated the iconic chalk figure's manhood on their packaging. In June, the Oxford Cheese Company was accused of 'culturally appropriating' the famous figure to help sell their Cerne Abbas Man vintage cheddar - ironically not made in the Dorset village or in Oxford. They added insult to injury when they censored the giant's phallus from the label. Following accusations they had 'emasculated' the giant, the company now appears to have u-turned on the decision. Oxfordshire resident Ivan Kirby recently bought the cheese from a shop in Yarnton, Oxfordshire. He described said the change as a 'victory for common sense'. He added: 'I think it's splendid that they've seen sense and truly made their vintage cheddar full strength.' The Oxford Cheese Company has been slammed for depicting the famous Cerne Abbas Giant on its packaging without his oversized phallus The 180ft figure, which has a 35ft manhood, is one of Dorset's most famous landmarks, thought to have been created by the Anglo-Saxons in the 8th century as a tribute to Helith, their god of health The Cerne Abbas Giant, a 180ft chalk figure cut into the side of a hill, boasts a 35ft manhood and is one of Dorset's best known landmarks. He is said to have been created by the Anglo-Saxons in the 8th century. A spokesman for the Oxford Cheese Company suggested in June that the manhood may have been removed so not to make the image on the packaging appear too cluttered. But company founder Robert Pouget then said they had sold the cheese with the uncensored giant for 15 years but had developed a second label several years ago without the manhood after complaints from a supermarket customer. He claimed the censored version is only sold in one supermarket but it appears with the censored label on the websites of several farm shops and even on the company's own website. Vic Irvine, head brewer at Cerne Abbas Brewery, which uses a picture of the giant in all his glory on its branding, said: 'It's abhorrent to castrate him' Locals criticised the Oxford Cheese Company for 'defacing' the club-wielding man on the label of its Cerne Abbas Man vintage cheddar Vic Irvine, head brewer at Cerne Abbas Brewery, which uses the giant in all his glory on its branding, said he is pleased the phallus has been restored. Mr Irvine said: 'It's obviously nice to see our Giant restored to his former glory after being emasculated so disrespectfully. 'However the original 'cheddar' wasn't even made in the Somerset parish with the famous gorge and then for the mystery substance to be marketed by a cheesemonger of Oxford smacks of desperation. 'We are proud of our Dorset heritage and we can see the Giant from our brewery and more importantly he can see us! We love our village and we love our Giant.' A spokesman for the Oxford Cheese Company last night confirmed that the manhood had now been returned to the cheese. New evidence from one of Prince Andrew's accusers is due to be presented in a US court this week. The legal documents relate to Johanna Sjoberg and could reveal more details of her alleged encounter with the royal. Ms Sjoberg has previously claimed the King's brother put his hand on her breast at the Manhattan home of multi-millionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in 2001. She alleged this happened during an incident in which a latex Spitting Image puppet of the Duke of York a present from Epstein's then-lover Ghislaine Maxwell was used to touch the breast of Virginia Roberts. Ms Roberts, who now uses her married name Giuffre, claimed that afterwards she and Andrew slept together at Epstein's house. New evidence from one of Prince Andrew's accusers is due to be presented in a US court this week. The legal documents relate to Johanna Sjoberg and could reveal more details of her alleged encounter with the royal Ms Sjoberg (pictured) has previously claimed the King's brother put his hand on her breast at the Manhattan home of multi-millionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in 2001. She alleged this happened during an incident in which a latex Spitting Image puppet of the Duke of York a present from Epstein's then-lover Ghislaine Maxwell was used to touch the breast of Virginia Roberts The duke paid a reported 12million settlement to Ms Roberts in 2022 over her claims that he sexually assaulted her when she was 17, which he has always denied. During his notorious Newsnight interview in 2019 he said he had no recollection of ever meeting Ms Roberts. The new material is part of hundreds of files from more than 170 people who were associates, friends or victims of Epstein which New York Judge Loretta Preska ruled should be made public. Ms Roberts' lawyer Sigrid McCawley calls the new material 'disturbing testimony corroborating what lies at the core of this case Maxwell was involved in facilitating the sexual abuse of young girls with Jeffrey Epstein'. The files were part of a 2015 US defamation case by Ms Roberts against Maxwell, the British socialite who supplied Epstein with underage girls. That was settled out of court but media outlets successfully fought to have the documents made public. They have been released on a rolling basis since 2019. The 30-page summary of Ms Sjoberg's evidence is expected to be unsealed this week alongside claims about a hidden Maxwell email account, which reportedly could reveal details of her conversations with Andrew, 63. The files were part of a 2015 US defamation case by Ms Roberts against Maxwell, the British socialite who supplied Epstein with underage girls. Maxwell and Epstein are pictured together in an undated evidence photo obtained by the US District Court for the Southern District of New York in 2021 Ms Sjoberg, now a hairdresser, 42, living in Florida, has previously said Maxwell recruited her to provide massages for Epstein in 2001 when she was at college. Recalling the Spitting Image puppet incident, Ms Sjoberg said in a deposition given under oath in 2016: 'I remember someone suggesting a photo and they told us to get on the couch. Virginia and Andrew sat on the couch and they put the puppet on her lap. 'And so I sat on Andrew's lap, I believe of my own volition, and they took the puppet's hands and put it on Virginia's breast and so Andrew put his on mine.' She said it was all done in 'a joking manner'. According to her previous accounts, the prince, while being inappropriately tactile, had not caused offence. Andrew denies all wrongdoing. Epstein, 66, hanged himself in jail while being held on child sex trafficking charges in 2019. Maxwell, 62, was given 20 years in 2022 for helping him abuse girls. Do you have any information about Kimberlee's time in the UK? Email tips@dailymail.com Kimberlee Singler, the Colorado mother who allegedly killed two of her children and was on the run has been taken into the custody thousands of miles away in the United Kingdom, according to police. Singler, 35, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, is wanted for alleged murder, attempted murder and child abuse. Earlier Sunday, Singler's ex-husband Kevin Wentz identified the two dead children, 9-year-old Elianna and 7-year-old Aden. Nearly two weeks after the original killings and a week after she was last seen or heard from, Singler was taken into police custody 'without incident' in the United Kingdom on Saturday, though it wasn't specified where and no photos were given. Colorado Springs Police Department says they will announce more details at a press conference but have not yet scheduled it. A spokesperson for the Colorado Springs Police Department told DailyMail.com they are not releasing any further information about her arrest at this time. Singler was also involved in a lengthy custody battle with her ex-husband, and was just days away from losing the kids. Kimberlee Singler, the Colorado mother who allegedly killed two of her children and was on the run has been taken into the custody thousands of miles away in the United Kingdom, according to police Singler is accused of murdering two of her children: 9-year-old Elianna and 7-year-old Aden Wentz on the same day she learned a Larmier County judge ordered police to locate the children after she failed to drop them off to their father Singler's ex-husband Kevin Wentz released a statement on Sunday identifying his two deceased children 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. On Sunday, Wentz released photos of his two children and their names: Daughter Elianna 'Elie' Wentz, 9 and Aden, 7. Wentz put out a press release Sunday that both revealed the names of his two deceased children and also told his side of what happened leading up to their deaths. He claims the incident is related to his divorce to Singler, which dates back to September 2018. Wentz claims that Singler made allegations of both domestic violence and child abuse against him, which a Larimer County court found unsubstantiated, with Wentz deemed not a threat to the kids. The tense battle had continued well into 2023, however, as Singler obtained a Temporary Protection Order in El Paso County against Wentz after she alleged he brandished a knife at her. Wentz denies the charge but the order stood until January 24 with an appeal hearing scheduled. Singler filed another emergency motion in county court on November 17 to try and restrict Wentz's parenting time based on those same allegations, but the court rescinded the order after they found there was no imminent threat. On Sunday, Wentz released photos of his two children and their names: Daughter Elianna 'Elie' Wentz (pictured left), 9 and Aden Wentz (pictured right), 7 Wentz claims that Singler made allegations of both domestic violence and child abuse against him, which a Larimer County court found unsubstantiated, with Wentz deemed not a threat to the kids Larimer County Court even ordered Singler to pay Wentz's legal bills and give him makeup time to cover what he'd lost from the order. Singler, Wentz claims, did not comply with those directives and did not bring the kids to Wentz on their scheduled December 16 exchange date. Both he and his legal representatives tried to contact his ex-wife but got no response. Wentz was granted an Emergency Motion for Law Enforcement Assistance to Enforce Parenting Time on December 18 and scheduled a Status Conference for two days later, ordering Singler to appear with the children. But by December 19, two of the three children were dead. He argues that he has cooperated fully with the police investigation into the killings. On Sunday evening, Wentz celebrated Singler's arrest in a Facebook post, writing: 'She's been found!!' A Gofundme has been started to help raise funds for the surviving family. 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 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 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. The Singler family said in a statement of their own Saturday: '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. A Colorado court has set a $10 million bond. 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 Authorities had 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 parent who helped raise Singler's children. Do you have any information about Kimberlees time in the UK? Email tips@dailymail.com The number of migrants arriving in 2023 on small boats was down almost 36 per cent on the previous year in a boost for Rishi Sunak. There have been no crossings since December 16, official figures, which are pending final confirmation from the Home Office, show. Some 29,437 migrants reached Britain from the start of last year up to Saturday. Arrivals were unlikely yesterday due to high winds. This means the final figure for 2023 is likely to amount to just over 64 per cent of the previous year's total, which hit a record 45,755. Channel crossings: Some 29,437 migrants arrived last year, compared with 45,755 in 2022 Rishi Sunak has said he wants the first Rwanda removal flights to depart by the spring The decline will provide a boost for Mr Sunak, who has pledged to 'stop the boats' as one of his five key commitments to voters. A Home Office spokesman said: 'The Government is stopping the boats and tackling illegal migration. Migration agreements have been signed with France, Bulgaria, Turkey, Italy, Georgia and Ethiopia. More than 5,000 Albanians have been returned and arrivals from Albania are down by 90 per cent. This is on top of signing a new treaty with Rwanda and introducing new legislation allowing asylum seekers to be relocated there as a safe third country.' Mr Sunak has said he wants the first Rwanda removal flights to depart by the spring. The policy was declared unlawful by the Supreme Court in November but ministers believe the Rwanda Bill will cancel out judges' objections. NHS trusts have spent more than 4million on gift vouchers for staff as 'tokens of gratitude', an investigation has found. It comes as NHS waiting times reach record highs and critics have questioned the diversion of vital funds from frontline medicine. Out of more than 200 NHS trusts in England approached, 51 revealed they had spent funding on gift vouchers and cards for staff. In 2020-21, these trusts spent 1.7million on rewards, suggesting this type of spending could have reached 5million across the NHS. By 2022-23, the figure was 4.3million, indicating total NHS spending of close to 13million, the investigation by The Sunday Telegraph found. Jonathan Eida, of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'Health bosses should reflect on whether these funds could be better spent elsewhere.' NHS trusts have spent more than 4million on gift vouchers as tokens of gratitude, an investigation has found University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust spent 303,000 on Love2Shop vouchers, which can be used for brands including John Lewis and Argos, for its staff in Christmas 2021 Across three years, East London NHS Foundation Trust was the highest spender with 752,000 used for staff gift cards. University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust spent 303,000 on Love2Shop vouchers, which can be used for brands including John Lewis and Argos, for its staff in Christmas 2021. NHS England said the decisions were made by local organisations but that taxpayers' money should not be used for such vouchers. East London Trust said it rewarded staff for 'their absolute commitment to patient care'. University Hospital Southampton Trust said: 'In the grip of the Covid pandemic, gift cards were sent to each and every one of our 13,000 members of staff as a small token of thanks.' A woman could lose her eye after she was hit in the face by a firework while on a Melbourne beach celebrating the new year. She was at Altona beach 13km south-west of Melbourne's CBD when the illegal firework was lit just after midnight on Monday. The 48-year-old suffered 'very, very serious' facial injuries, mainly to her eye, and was taken to hospital. A 20-year-old man from Truganina, 22km west of Melbourne's CBD, was arrested at the scene and was later released pending further inquiries. Speaking on Monday morning, Victoria's Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Grainger said there were 'a number of fireworks incidents that resulted in some really serious injuries'. A woman could lose her eye after she was hit in the face by a firework while on a Melbourne beach celebrating the new year. A firework is pictured 'There were a total of 57 illegal fireworks incidents across Victoria overnight and they all varied in severity, but three were particularly concerning. 'We had a 48-year-old woman at Altona receiving very, very serious facial injuries. 'An illicit firework exploded and she may lose an eye,' he said. In another serious firework incident, a 57-year-old woman was taken to hospital after a flare hit a window of her home in Tootgarook on the Mornington Peninsula, 62km south of Melbourne. Police allege neighbours set off flares and the woman was injured when she tried to remove the flare to protect her house. 'There was also a terribly serious fire at a house in Mill Park where at least 15 people have been injured and a number conveyed to hospital and treated for serious injuries,' Assistant Commissioner Grainger said. The cause of the Mill Park fire is not known, but is not thought to be suspicious. Anyone with information on any of the incidents is urged to contact police. Kim Jong Un welcomed in the New Year in North Korea by delivering a fresh diatribe against the US, vowing to ramp up nuclear weapons testing in 2024. Throughout his ramble Kim announced plans to launch three additional military spy satellites, produce more nuclear materials and introduce attack drones. He called for his country to have 'overwhelming' war readiness to cope with US led confrontational moves, state media reported. Kim said 'viscous' anti-North Korea moves by the US and its allies had 'reached the extremes unprecedented in history,' pushing the Korean Peninsula to the brink of a nuclear war, according to the official Korean Central News Agency. Experts believe if Kim decided to boost his nuclear capability it could give him another chance for high-stakes diplomacy with the U.S. to win sanctions relief if former President Donald Trump returns to the White House. Kim Jong Un (pictured at the 2024 New Year's celebrations) vowed to launch three additional military spy satellites, produce more nuclear materials and introduce attack drones The Grand Performance at May 1 Stadium as Kim Jong Un celebrated 2024 with a huge crowd North Korean military at the New year's Grand Performance at the May 1st Stadium Throughout his speech dictator cited the expansion US-South Korean military exercises and the temporary deployment of US military assets, such as bombers and nuclear-armed submarines near South Korea. Kim has been focusing on modernizing his nuclear arsenal since his diplomacy with Trump broke down in 2019 due to wrangling over how much sanctions relief the North could get for a partial surrender of its nuclear program. Experts say Kim likely thinks that Trump, if elected for a second term, could make concessions as the US is preoccupied with the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas fighting. Nam Sung-wook, a professor at Korea University in South Korea, said if President Joe Biden is reelected, North Korea won't get what it wants. But he predicted a Trump win could revive diplomacy, saying Trump will likely say during his campaign that he can convince North Korea to suspend intimidating weapons tests. He said Kim's vow to ramp up production of plutonium and uranium is meant to strengthen his negotiating cards. Nam said North Korea will also test-launch more intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the continental U.S. this year. 'North Korea will act to the fullest extent under its timetable for provocation until the U.S. election day,' Nam said. James Cleverly insists he wants to drive a 'rapid reduction' in net migration as the first crackdown on legal routes comes into force. Changes starting today will bar most foreign students from bringing family members to the UK. The restriction announced in May is expected to see 140,000 fewer people move to Britain a year. It comes after official figures showed net migration the difference between those coming to the UK long-term and those emigrating hit a record 745,000 in 2022, triggering a backlash from the Tory backbenches. The Home Secretary told the Mail: 'For too long, levels of migration to the UK have been far too high. I share the frustration of the British people and their desire to see a rapid reduction in the number of people coming to the UK.' James Cleverly insists he wants to drive a 'rapid reduction' in net migration as the first crackdown on legal routes comes into force It comes after official figures showed net migration the difference between those coming to the UK long-term and those emigrating hit a record 745,000 in 2022 He added: 'The changes that are coming into effect today will mean the vast majority of international students will not be able to bring family members. This will see an estimated 140,000 fewer people come to the UK.' He said the measures were part of a wider package which will see around '300,000 fewer people coming to our shores compared to last year' and would combat the 'unreasonable practice of overseas students bringing their family members to the UK'. The number of dependents coming to live in Britain with foreign students has rocketed. In the year to September, 152,980 visas were issued to foreign students' relatives, compared with just 14,839 in the year ending September 2019. From today, only foreign students on postgraduate research courses and government-funded scholarships will be able to bring family members with them. Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the visa changes were 'a sticking plaster' and blamed the Conservatives for failing to tackle labour market problems. In The Wind In The Willows, the affable Ratty - who, despite his name, was a water vole - lived an idyllic life in his riverside home. All he really had to worry about was Mr Toad's preposterous antics. But 115 years since Kenneth Grahame's classic children's book was first published, water voles are in a far more precarious position the once common species' numbers are declining faster than those of any other mammal in the UK. Loss of habitat and the escape of American mink, voracious predators which also feed on birds and fish, from fur farms in the 1950s and 1960s has seen the water vole population plummet from an estimated eight million to around 132,000. Now, however, there are hopes that Ratty and his cute, chestnut-brown, furry tailed ilk could be on the rise again - thanks to reintroduction programmes involving conservationists working with landowners and water vole 'surveyor volunteers'. Water voles are good swimmers and the 'plop' of them diving into rivers used to be a much-loved sound in the UK countryside One success story from such a project has been announced by the Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, which released 150 captive bred water voles on a stretch of the River Ver near St Albans two years ago. The guinea pig-sized, vegetarian rodents had last been seen there in 1987. The trust this week said the geographical range of land occupied by the animals has, since the release, approximately doubled year-on-year - suggesting that they are 'thriving'. There is no official figure for how many water voles there are now in the area. But some estimates based on scientific modelling techniques suggest it could be between 275 and 450. Female water voles can have three to six litters in a year, with four or five pups in each litter. Water voles can live between six and 18 months. They are classed as endangered in the UK and their burrows are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Josh Kalms, water vole officer at Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, said: 'Water Voles are a key species in wetland ecosystems and their actions are important for maintaining healthy wetland ecosystems. 'They are mini ecosystem engineers with their burrowing and feeding helping our river banks and wetlands stay in good condition. 'They have been recorded to eat more than 220 different types of plants including sedges, rushes and reeds and in doing so clear patches within the vegetation allowing light to come in and other plants to grow, encouraging biodiversity. 'Their old burrows are used by amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates to live in. And water voles are themselves part of the food chain, with the odd one taken by an owl, kestrel or fox.' As in other areas of the country where conservationists have reintroduced water voles, the area was monitored for mink and traps were placed for them just in case. Water voles are good swimmers and the 'plop' of them diving into rivers used to be a much-loved sound in the UK countryside. They dive in the water when disturbed and kick up mud as a smoke screen against predators, Mr Kalms said. But, unfortunately, mink are also adept swimmers - and can squeeze inside water voles' burrows too. 115 years since Kenneth Grahame's classic children's book The Wind In The Willows was first published, water voles are in a far more precarious position and declining faster than those of any other mammal in the UK The trust has been assisted by volunteers who were trained to look for signs of water vole occupation. The volunteers use poles to part vegetation as they search for latrines and feeding sites - water voles leave piles of nibbled grass and stems may be found by the water's edge, showing a distinctive 45 degree, angled-cut at the ends - to help monitor the new areas colonised by the little animals. Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust is aiming to have water voles back in every river in Hertfordshire by 2030. They have previously reintroduced water voles at Thorley Wash nature reserve near Bishop's Stortford in 2015 and on the River Beane last year. Similar projects are taking place elsewhere in the country. Although the water vole is famously known as 'Ratty' in The Wind in the Willows, the Wildlife Trusts say that despite being sometimes referred to as a 'water rat', there is no such thing - there are brown rats, black rats and water voles. Campaigners are calling for the introduction of a cheap social tariff on energy for struggling households as bills are set to rise 5 per cent from today. The price of gas and electricity for a typical household is set to increase by 94 taking bills to 1,928 a year. Consumer and anti-poverty groups say long-term reform of bills is required through the introduction of a social tariff for low income households. A year ago, industry regulator Ofgem said there was an 'urgent' need to examine the introduction of a tariff that 'limits the impact of extremely high prices' but nothing has been delivered. Emily Seymour, of consumer watchdog Which?, said: 'In the long term, a properly targeted social tariff is desperately needed to ensure the most financially vulnerable are able to heat their homes. The price of gas and electricity for a typical household is set to increase by 94 taking bills to 1,928 a year (stock photo) 'With prices still significantly higher than they were before the energy crisis began, some households will still struggle to afford their bill.' Simon Francis, 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 cost of living crisis continues.' Industry analyst Cornwall Insight is predicting some falls in energy bills through 2024 but warns this is not guaranteed. Dr Craig Lowrey, its principal consultant, said: '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.' The finance chief of the Daily Telegraph's parent company is set to quit, as an investigation into the planned acquisition of the newspaper by an Abu Dhabi-backed consortium continues. Cormac O'Shea, who has been chief financial officer of the Telegraph Media Group since 2021, is expected to stand down from the role in the coming weeks. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has reportedly been contacted by independent directors overseeing the sale of the Telegraph to ask for approval to appoint a replacement. RedBird IMI, a joint venture with backing from Abu Dhabi, is trying to buy the newspaper. The Telegraph is up for grabs after its former owners, the Barclay family, failed to pay Lloyds Banking Group back 1.15 billion in debts An order made by Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer before Christmas prevents the prospective owners from making decisions about the news group while regulators probe the deal. As part of this, the Government has blocked any significant changes to the management and oversight. It also stops any transfer of ownership and prohibits merging with another business. According to Sky News, the directors at TMG could opt for an interim replacement or could carry out a recruitment process for a permanent one. The reason behind Mr O'Shea's expected departure has not been revealed. Associate editor Camilla Tominey last month warned that the Telegraph should not be owned by a 'sexist regime' and expressed serious concerns about the Abu Dhabi-backed fund. Lord Rothermere, owner of the Daily Mail, has previously confirmed his interest in buying the paper. Other reported potential buyers include GB News investor Paul Marshall and David Montgomery's National World. A fisherman who allegedly illegally speared a beloved blue groper before proudly posing with the fish in his bloodied wetsuit has been fined and questioned by police. The fisherman, 26, was fined just $500 for spearing the protected species from the Oak Park rock pool in Cronulla - a no spearfishing zone - in Sydney's south on Saturday. The tiny penalty comes despite the act angering locals with the fish, affectionately known as 'Gus', having lived in the area for decades. And because the penalty does not require the fisherman to appear in court, his name has not been publicly released. Mystery also surrounds the fate of the fish after NSW Police said officers had been unable to locate the body and said they believed it had 'been returned to the water'. The 26-year-old unnamed spearfisherman with Gus, the beloved blue groper, which had lived around Cronulla for about 40 years before he was killed last Saturday Danny Greig posted this photo of himself diving with Gus the groper off Oak Park, saying the fish 'loved the company of the hundreds of divers' who frequented the waters Divers from the area, however, seemed sure Gus is dead and posted tributes to 'the amiable blue groper' which had lived in the area for at least 35 years. A photo of the fisherman shows him carrying Gus and heading away from the shoreline long before the police caught up with him and were told the groper had been 'returned to the water'. 'You were more than just a diving buddy,' one wrote on social media while another called the fish an 'adored gentle marine giant'. Despite spear fishing of blue groper being prohibited and the maximum penalty being $22,000 and/or six months in prison, the 26-year-old man was fined just $500. READ MORE: Outrage as fisherman illegally spears protected species Advertisement Officers from the NSW Police Marine Area Command were called to Oak Park around 5pm last Saturday following reports of a 'Blue Groper fish allegedly being killed by a spearfisherman'. Tenille Piek, of Lilli Pilli, who along with other scuba diving members of her family have swum with Gus at Oak Park for up to 30 years, witnessed the distressing moment alongside outraged locals. 'The man pulled the groper out of the water triumphantly,' Ms Piek said. 'My mother was the first person to approach the man requesting to take his photo. 'He smiled and showed off his killing without realising it was a protected species and could be fined.' After police spoke with the spear fisherman, and failed to locate the fish, they issued him with the penalty notice. It is not known what then happened to Gus, who is estimated to have been at least 40 years old. In a 2015 incident, at Tura on the NSW south coast, fishermen who speared a groper kept the fish, pretending they caught it on a line, but were fined when fisheries inspectors found 'a spear wound' on the groper's body. Devastated social media users took to Facebook to vent their fury at the man who had caught Gus. Others posted photos of themselves diving with Gus, one man saying the fish 'loved the company of the hundreds of divers who frequented Oak Park'. The spear fisherman heads away from the shore with Gus in his arms, but by the time police caught up with him there was no sign of the fish and police were told it was 'returned to the water' Tenille Piek, above swimming with Gus at Oak Park where the beloved marine giant let people hand feed him, said the spearfisherman had pulled the fish from the water 'triumphantly' Abyss Scuba Diving also posted a blog post dedicated as a 'heartfelt tribute to Gus'. 'You were a true companion, joining me on countless dives,' the tribute read. 'Your untimely demise on December 30, 2023, at the hands of a spear fisherman has left us devastated. 'Let's honour Gus's memory by celebrating the beauty of the underwater world he was a part of.' In March last year, Tenille Piek told the Sutherland Leader that the 'gorgeous bright blue fish' was well-known to other divers and swimmers including the 'Jellybeans' - a local swimming group. Ms Piek had been distraught when she saw that a large blue groper had been speared at Hungry Point, south-east of Oak Park, and feared it might have been Gus. Ms Piek said she had then been 'thrilled' to see Gus when diving a few days later and he was 'as friendly as ever'. 'Blue Gropers are the "Labradors of the Sea",' she said. 'They are tame and fearless, which makes them very vulnerable. 'Gus lets you hand feed him sea urchins, and it is a privilege to experience these encounters.' Ms Piek said she feared for future generations. 'We genuinely fear our children will not get to experience these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat at the shores of Cronulla,' she said. Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen knocked back shots during CNN's live New Year's Eve Show, just a year after the network banned on-air drinking during the festivities. 'Speaking of traditions, its the top of the hour,' Cohen said Sunday night as he and Cooper appeared at the annual live show in Times Square. 'Weve been here for seven years doing this, and for most of those years - well, at the top of the hour we typically have a toast.' The TV presenter continued: 'I guess Im just wondering, does daddy get his juice?' 'Can daddy get his juice responsibly?' Cooper quipped back. As per a new policy in fall 2022, the hosts were ordered to steer clear of booze during the holiday broadcast. Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper took shots during CNN's New Year's Eve broadcast on Sunday 'I guess Im just wondering, does daddy get his juice?' Cohen joked before Cooper procured a bottle of tequila The hosts were ordered to steer clear of alcohol in fall 2022, after former network CEO Chris Licht slammed the tradition as unprofessional When Cooper said he had no alcohol, Cohen procured a bottle of tequila from his bag. 'Anderson, this is why Im a really good partner to you. I got it! Were doing this!' Cohen said. After inviting the viewers to join their toast, Cohen and Cooper each downed a shot. The controversy emerged during 2022's New Year's show, where Cohen and Cooper hosted from NYC while former CNN anchor Don Lemon reported from New Orleans. Lemon, clutching a drink, proclaimed that haters could 'kiss my behind,' and Cohen launched into an alcohol-fueled rant against Bill de Blasio. The network made the decision to ban on-air drinking that fall, under the direction of then-CEO Chris Licht. In a November meeting, Licht proclaimed: 'Im not looking for a bunch of my respectful talent to be out there all night doing shots,' according to a recording obtained by The Washington Post. 'That will be different,' he continued. 'I dont think that builds credibility.' A spokesperson later acknowledged that Cohen's alcohol-fueled tirade against de Blasio was inappropriate, saying: 'Andy said something he shouldnt have on live TV.' During 2022's New Year's Eve show, Lemon drunkenly ranted to his 'haters,' telling them to 'kiss my behind' The same night, Cohen launched into a booze-fueled tirade against former NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio This year, Lemon grinned in a photo with fiance Tim Malone as the duo sat on board a boat in Miami 'My favorite night of the year...almost time,' Lemon captioned a photo of his outfit After the CEO's statements leaked, Lemon appeared on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' to down a tequila shot with the host. 'I dont know what the hell Im going to do this year,' Lemon told Colbert. 'Youre going to get me in trouble.' The former host of 'CNN This Morning' parted ways with the network in April after drawing criticism over comments that presidential hopeful Nikki Haley was not 'in her prime.' This New Year's Eve, the broadcast journalist appeared in photos with fiance Tim Malone aboard a yacht in Miami. Lemon also posted a photo of his outfit for the night, consisting of a sequined blue jacket and gray slacks, with the caption: 'My favorite night of the year...almost time.' It is unclear if new CEO Mark Thompson has reversed the alcohol ban, but Cohen beseeched him to allow on-air drinking last month. 'I havent heard anything yet, but come on, they need to let us drink,' Cohen told E! News in November. 'Its New Years Eve. That didnt go well last year in terms of viewer happiness about us drinking. People really cared and I hope CNN gives the people what they want.' Both Cohen and Cooper built up the suspense during an appearance on 'The Late Show,' with Cooper saying: 'I think you're going to have to tune in and see.' Its spartan regime was once described as 'Colditz with kilts' by the future King Charles, who endured a torrid time there. But when the Emperor of Ethiopia requested a place at Gordonstoun school for his wayward grandson, believing its harsh approach would help rein in the prince, the headmaster turned him down. Undaunted, Haile Selassie invoked one of life's oldest lessons it's not what you know but who and called on his friend, the late Duke of Edinburgh. Papers from 1963 reveal Selassie wrote to headmaster Robert Chew concerned Prince Wossen Seged, then 15 and known to friends as Paul, was going off the rails. But Chew curtly informed His Imperial Majesty: 'As I am sure you will appreciate, we are booked up for many years to come and I just do not see how I can fit in an extra boy at such very short notice.' Haile Selassie (pictured) invoked one of life's oldest lessons it's not what you know but who and called on his friend, the late Duke of Edinburgh According to The Sunday Times, British diplomats were then urged to intervene. Correspondence from the embassy in Addis Ababa to the Foreign Office in London raised fears that the snub could inflame tensions between the two countries. Sir John Russell, the British ambassador, suggested that senior figures should appeal directly to Chew, pointing out there was 'governmental interest in getting this young Ethiopian prince a sound British education', but held out little hope of him relenting. Philip attended the boarding school in Moray in the 1930s and forged a friendship with the emperor during a state visit to Britain in 1954 Months later, he was astonished to be informed by the Ethiopian justice minister that Selassie had secured a place for the boy. Russell wrote: 'The minister said: ''When you were unable to help us we had to pull a few strings of our own''. My guess is that the oracle worked through Prince Philip.' Philip attended the boarding school in Moray in the 1930s and forged a friendship with the emperor during a state visit to Britain in 1954. Prince Paul settled down and did well in Scotland. Shocking footage captured massive crowds overwhelming train stations as tens of thousands of Aussies tried to go home following New Year's Eve celebrations. Sydneysiders rung in the new year in style on Sunday, with hundreds of thousands converging on the harbour to watch the city's iconic fireworks display. More than 225,000 people crowded into 49 vantage points across the city to watch the midnight fireworks. The stunning extravaganza of light and colour - which ushered in 2024 - included more than 8.5 tonnes of fireworks as well as 80,000 pyrotechnic effects. However, the massive crowds caused commuter chaos, with many spending hours in the city trying to get home following the 12-minute firework display. Videos shared on social media showed the crowd grinding to a halt as hundreds of people waited for a train Tens fo thousands of people crowded Sydney streets and train stations as they tried to get home after watching the new years eve firework display on the harbour. It took some four hours to get home as public transport was inundated with the massive crowd Authorities scheduled an additional 1,000 trains, 1,258 bus services and ramped up the frequency of light rail and metro services in anticipation of the massive crowds. Footage shared on social media showed the crowds grinding to a halt on city streets as they tried to move towards a train station. Videos shared to TikTok on Monday showed the streets surrounding Circular Quay station packed with people. One video captioned: 'I Just wanna go home' showed the crowd still strong at 2am - well after the fireworks ended. The reveller who filmed the chaos explained the commute was 'wild' and took her three hours to get home. Other videos showed Sydney's streets packed with people, with one captioned 'send help'. Another reveller who filmed the commuter chaos claimed they did not get home until 4am and claimed in their video's caption that it would take 'way longer to get home than it took to queue' to get into one of the fireworks vantage points. Another video showed Sydneysiders squeezing into the standing room of a carriage hoping for the doors to close One Sydneysider revealed they had to wait till 2.40am when the harbour bridge was reopen before they could start their commute home. Social media users mocked those who attended, with many asking the revellers whether facing the crowds 'was worth it'. '12 minutes of Oooh Ahhhh then 5 hours of pushing and shoving trying to get back to Central Quay for the sardine ride home. Sydney Experience,' one person wrote. 'The best way to get home from the fireworks in Sydney, is to not go to the fireworks in Sydney,' another person joked. 'All that for 10 minutes of average fireworks,' a third commented. 'Did this once 13 years ago it was this bad then and this is why I've never bothered again. Watch it on TV from now on,' a fourth added. Once revellers made it onto the train station platform, they then had to wait for a train - which was packed with barely any standing room. Another video showed Sydneysiders squeezing into the standing room of a carriage hoping for the doors to close. Similar scenes were seen in Melbourne as thousands of people packed Flinders Street Station. Melbourne's Flinders Street Station platforms were packed with thousands of people trying to catch a train home after New Years Eve celebrations (pictured) The video, shared to 'meanwhile in Melbourne's platform X account on Monday showed the platform at Flinders Street Station packed with people, with some even carrying their children on their shoulders. One person commented it took their friend 4 hours to get home on the train after having to wait on the platform. However, some Sydney revellers decided to head to Bondi Beach for a sunrise swim in the new year instead of heading home. The shore was packed with people as some continued their night of celebrations by dancing on the sand while others relaxed as they soaked in the first light. Enthusiastic beachgoers also stripped down to their underwear and made a dash across the famous golden sand, before bracing the icy water. The father of a decorated Army veteran who died on his 26th birthday has spoken of his 'nightmare' after learning that eight vehicles ran over him without stopping. John 'Jack' Dyer lost control of his motorcycle on US Highway 27 west of Orlando at around 6.30pm on December 17, hitting the ground in the center southbound travel lane. By the time the former paratrooper was found, he had been repeatedly struck by passing drivers, all seemingly unaware they had just hit a person, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) said. 'The first car probably killed him. I don't think he suffered, but how did all of those cars just keep running him over?' said father John Dyer Snr, who also lost a daughter during the Covid pandemic. 'He's not a deer in the road, he is a human being.' John 'Jack' Dyer was a decorated member of the 82nd Airborne Division before his honorable discharge in March of 2023 Devastated father John Dyer Snr described the experience as a 'nightmare', 'it's horrendous, it's just crushing,' he said, 'God chose Jack's time. He didn't ask me, that's for sure' 'Jack said, 'My grandfather was an immigrant, and I'm an immigrant, and all immigrants should serve their country,' John Snr said. Hours earlier John Snr and his wife Elizabeth had texted their son a happy birthday, but their messages and a voicemail from the mother went unanswered. Two days later, officers from Suffolk County Police knocked on the door of their home in New York. 'They asked for the family of John Dyer,' John Snr told Fox News. 'I assumed he got a ticket or something and then they told me he died in a motorcycle accident.' 'It's devastating, I didn't know how to tell my wife.' John Jnr was adopted as a five-year-old from Russia and joined his new family in New York, where his dad worked as a firefighter with NYFD before joining a hospital as a reregistered nurse. John Jr was just five-years-old when he was adopted by the family and moved to New York from his native Russia They took him to Disney World after he told them that children in Russia were assured there was no such place. 'They told him in Russia it was just a made-up thing. When he came and we took him to that, he was enraptured,' John Snr said. 'He was just so excited. We couldn't hold him, he ran after Mickey Mouse.' John Jr was so taken with the experience that he moved to Orlando when he turned 19 and got a job as a security officer for Disney World. But his ambitions did not stop with Mickey Mouse and in 2019 he enrolled as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, after being scared of heights as a boy. 'I don't know how he does it, he just overcame his fears,' his father said. 'He was afraid of the water, and then he became an avid surfer out in Montauk, Long Island. He was full of life. 'Jack said, 'My grandfather was an immigrant, and I'm an immigrant, and all immigrants should serve their country,' John Snr said. 'So he said, 'I'm going in'. The young paratrooper was honorably discharged in March and still living in the state when the tragedy struck. FHP say all eight drivers stopped when requested, and the case remains an active traffic homicide investigation. 'He was afraid of the water, and then he became an avid surfer out in Montauk, Long Island,' his father said, 'he was full of life' 'He was proud to be an American and serve his country' his parents said on his tribute page 'People tell me he was the most polite, well-mannered young man they've met,' his father said The spot on US Highway 27 west of Orlando at the intersection with Frank Jarrell Road John's family was preparing for Christmas without his sister Katy after her death just two years ago when they received their latest devastating news. 'It's a nightmare, it's horrendous, it's just crushing,' John Snr said. 'People tell me he was the most polite, well-mannered young man they've ever met, and he was good. He was honest and caring and we are very proud of him. 'God doesn't tell us when we have a full life. You can have a full life when you are one month old, or a full life when you're 99. 'God chose Jack's time. He didn't ask me, that's for sure.' Friends took to social media to commemorate the life of the avid sportsman, with some describing him as a 'legend' He died Saturday following a fatal 'encounter' with a shark off the coast of Maui Carter hailed from the seaside community of Haiku The Hawaii man killed in a fatal shark 'encounter' off the coast of Maui has been identified as 39-year-old Jason Carter. Carter, hailing from the seaside community of Haiku, died Saturday. Officials arrived at the scene around 11.19am as lifeguards were carrying the man on a jet ski to shore. 'Once onshore, life-saving measures were performed by first responder personnel until medic personnel arrived to transport the male to the Maui Memorial Medical Center for further treatment,' the Maui Police Department said in a statement. The 39-year-old later succumbed to his injuries. Authorities did not characterize the incident as an attack and did not describe the extent of Carter's wounds, but the MPD extended their condolences to the man's family and friends. The man killed in a fatal shark 'encounter' Saturday has been identified as Jason Carter, 39, of Haiku, Hawaii Carter was carried ashore by lifeguards and taken to the Maui Memorial Medical Center, where he later died Authorities did not immediately characterize the incident as an attack and declined to elaborate on the extent of Carter's injuries Carter was fatally injured near Paia Bay, a stretch of sandy beach popular with bodyboarders and surfers. Following the incident, warning signs were posted a mile in either direction from the scene. Officials announced that nearby Baldwin Beach Park and Baby Beach would be closed Saturday. According to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Carter was in the water during 'mixed' water conditions resulting from high surf. 'By noon on Sunday, if no further signs of shark activity are detected, signs will be taken down,' the department said in a Facebook post. According to the DNLR's shark incident database, this is the eighth shark-related incident to occur this year. It is also the only one to have ended in a fatality. Carter's Facebook profile is full of photos of beach sunsets and the young man coasting down snowy slopes. The 39-year-old was fatally injured near Paia Bay in Maui, a sandy beach popular with surfers and bodyboarders Shark warning signs were posted a mile in either direction from the site of the incident Carter (left) was an avid sportsman who formerly worked at ski lodges in Oregon Friends commemorated the young man's life on social media, recalling his smile and describing him as a 'legend' According to his profile, the 39-year-old formerly worked at ski lodges across Oregon. Friends took to social media to fondly recall the man they knew as Jay. 'Love you Brother. You are a Legend and so loved. We will continue to shred down here and know you will too. RIP,' one man wrote. 'Oh man. Another amazing friend and an amazing person gone,' another remarked. 'Rest easy my friend.' Another friend wrote that his smile would 'always be in my head,' adding: 'Thanks for everything.' Maui Police Department did not respond immediately to a request for comment. Ron DeSantis knows Iowa is key for him gaining any momentum in the 2024 primaries and spent his New Year's Eve in West Des Moines with his family, Gov. Kim Reynolds and a ballroom full of supporters. With the two week countdown to the Iowa caucuses underway the Florida governor is focusing all efforts in the Midwest state, which will be the first to vote in the race for the Republican presidential nomination on January 15. It comes as his poll numbers in New Hampshire, which will be the second state to vote, continue to dip. Meanwhile, Donald Trump is planning a New Year campaign blitz through Iowa that includes eight rallies over the course of two weekends. The ex-president still claims Iowa is Trump country and the polls back this up with him easily in first place, holding half of the support from Republicans in the Hawkeye State. Despite Gov. DeSantis earning key endorsements in the state from Iowa's Republican Gov. Reynolds and evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats, he is currently in second place with about 18 percent support, according to a FiveThirtyEight average. To underscore how much the state means to DeSantis, the 2024 hopeful didn't put his campaigning on hold in the waning hours of the end of the year. Instead the governor, his wife and Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis and their three children Madison, 6, Mason, 5, and Mamie, 3, celebrated in Iowa. Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis didn't pause his campaign for the holidays holding a New Year's Eve rally in West Des Moines, Iowa on Sunday. The 2024 hopeful waves to supporters as he stands with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds with his wife Casey DeSantis and their three children Madison, Mason and Mamie standing by Meanwhile, Donald Trump maintains a massive lead in the first-in-the-nation primary contest state and is planning a four-day, eight-rally blitz in Iowathat spans the two weekends before the January 15 caucuses At a New Year's Eve event in a Sheraton Hotel ballroom in West Des Moines, Iowa, about 200 people joined in the celebration, according to the Associated Press. DeSantis pushed for the importance of his presidential bid with two weeks until the first-in-the-nation primary state sets the tone for the rest of the year. 'Are you ready to work hard over these next two weeks and win the Iowa caucuses?' DeSantis asked supporters who turned out at the suburban hotel Sunday evening. Trump is heading to Iowa on Friday with a two-day, four-rally run followed by another blitz of the same count the weekend before caucuses on January 13-14. While the former president is preparing his return this upcoming weekend, DeSantis didn't risk leaving Iowa alone during the week between Christmas and New Year's. DeSantis campaigned in the suburbs of Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Davenport, revisiting spots he had gone to earlier in 2023 as part of his drive to visit all 99 of Iowa's counties as a gesture of commitment to the leadoff nominating contests. But Trump holds a large advantage in Iowa polls as well as a sophisticated campaign organization in the state, threatening to deny DeSantis the win he needs to justify his claim to be the leading alternative to the former president. Appearing Sunday night with his wife, Casey, and their three young children, DeSantis urged his audience to defy the odds against him. 'I think we have an opportunity to just make a statement that in this country it's we the people that ultimately decide these things,' he said. 'Because I think you have a lot of media, they don't think you even matter.' DeSantis wasn't alone in Iowa between Christmas and New Year's, a period typically free from politics. The January 15 caucuses are kicking of earlier than usual on this election-year calendar, which lured former UN Ambassador and once-South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley to eastern Iowa stops Friday and Saturday. While trailing in Iowa, she holds just a four-point deficit against Trump in the second primary state of New Hampshire. Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy also stormed the state over the holiday with more than two dozen Iowa events last week and over the weekend. To underscore the importance of Iowa to his bid to upset Trump in the 2024 GOP primaries, Gov. DeSantis hosted a New Year's Eve party in Iowa with about 200 supporters. Pictured: The governor greets audience members during a New Year's Eve campaign event on Sunday, December 31, 2023, in West Des Moines, Iowa DeSantis greets his daughters Mamie, center, and Madison, left, on stage during his New Year's Eve campaign rally No one has more riding on Iowa than DeSantis. DeSantis and his supporters asked the audience Sunday to ignore polls that show him trailing Trump appreciably. 'Everywhere I go the polls do not match up with reality,' Vander Plaats told the crowd. 'Going up in northwest Iowa - heavy Trump country - they all say the same thing to me. They like what he did, but its time to turn the page.' DeSantis has an unrelenting Iowa schedule ahead of him beginning early this week. Trump, who has drawn hundreds - even thousands - more to fewer events, plans his own blitz over the final two weeks, including in deeply conservative northwest Iowa. An hour-and-a-half police chase has left an officer in hospital after a woman allegedly struck at least eight vehicles during the pursuit. The 30-year-old woman was seen allegedly speeding in a grey Mazda 3 along the Hume Highway at Pheasant's Nest, southwest of Sydney, at 10:30am on Monday. Traffic and Highway Patrol officers took up a high-speed pursuit for about 10 kilometres before pulling back because of 'concerns' about her driving. The car was monitored by police helicopter as it raced over 90 kilometres through Sydney's southwest before being brought to a stop in Northmead just before midday. An officer was taken to Westmead Hospital in Parramatta with a hand injury after the driver allegedly struck a police car and seven civilian vehicles during the rampage. An hour-and-a-half police chase through Sydney's West has left a police officer in hospital after a Mazda 3 struck at least eight cars during the pursuit (stock image) The male officer was taken to Westmead Hospital (pictured) while the 30-year-old female driver from Victoria being pursued was arrested in Northmead at the end of the chase Police will allege that at least two of the vehicles were struck by the vehicle as it proceeded along the Great Western Highway to Wentworthville, then onto the Cumberland Highway to Toongabbie, and Old Windsor Road. The police car and five civilian vehicles were then allegedly struck by the Mazda on Northmead as the pursuit came to an end. The 30-year-old woman from Victoria was arrested at the scene and taken to Merrylands Police Station, charges have yet to be laid. Police believe that other cars may have been damaged during the chase and have urged anyone who may have been hit to contact police. Police have also urged anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Crime Stoppers. The group claims to have found Lemire's body as well as her personal belongings, but the remains await formal identification The mother of three vanished in 2012 after she left a date with a man she met online Volunteer search group Sunshine State Sonar announced the possible discovery of the remains of Sandra Lemire A Florida-based search team claims to have found the body of a mother of three who went missing over a decade years ago after meeting up with a man she met online. Sunshine State Sonar announced the discovery of Sandra Lemire's remains in a van that had sunken into a pond near Disney World. In a Facebook post, the group claimed to have found the 47-year-old's body as well as her personal belongings. Lemire was last seen in May 2012. She hailed from Michigan but moved to Florida to care for her grandmother, Pauline Varner. 'If she said she was going shopping and would be back in an hour, she would be back in an hour,' Varner told the Orlando Sentinel after Lemire's disappearance. A Florida-based search team claims to have found the body of Sandra Lemire, 47, who vanished in 2012 The mother of three was last seen driving her grandmother's red Ford Freestyle van. She was heading out on a date with a man she met on the now-defunct website SpeedDate.com The group says the license plates of the van are a match and claims to have found Lemire's personal belongings as well as her body Police said the mother of three was heading to Kissimmee to link up with a man she met on a now-defunct dating website, SpeedDate.com. Lemire's son, Tim Lemire, Jr. told WXYZ that he had discouraged her from meeting up with strangers. 'I told her from day one just quit it, just meet the guy the old-fashioned way, not online,' he said. Lemire's loved ones feared the worst when she did not return home, not even to pick up insulin for her diabetes. Video surveillance showed that Lemire did meet with the man, a manager at a local McDonald's, for about two hours. Police ultimately ruled out the man as a suspect. The 47-year-old was last seen driving her grandmother's 2004 red Ford Freestyle van. Sunshine State Sonar claimed the car was a match to the one they found in the lake, including the license plate. They revealed that the search had taken place across 17 months as they combed 63 bodies of water with detectives from the Orlando Police Department. The 47-year-old was seen on surveillance footage meeting up with a man at a local McDonald's, but she failed to return home Police ruled the man out as a suspect. Lemire's son said he had discouraged his mother in the past from meeting up with people she met online Assisted by local police, the search and rescue team recovered the van from a pond at the Disney World exit on Interstate 4 'At approximately 1:30 PM on December 30, 2023 we got a hit on sonar in a small retention pond at the Disney World exit on I4,' the group wrote on Facebook. There, they found the minivan buried beneath 14 feet of water. Osceola Sheriff's deputies and the Orange County Sheriffs Dive team assisted in the recovery effort. A preliminary report by the Florida Highway Patrol says a Ford Freestar van was traveling on the State Road 417 southbound exit ramp to World Drive when it veered off the road and crashed into a retention pond. 'Our hearts go out to her family who supported us along the way,' Sunshine State Sonar wrote in the announcement. 'Rest in peace Sandra, you are finally home.' The nonprofit search group is comprised entirely of volunteers. Its name is derived from the sonar technology rescuers use to find vehicles, boats and people. The group works in tandem with law enforcement and has helped locate the remains of several missing persons. In April, the team recovered the body of Florida mother Sarah Dreyer. She was found just days after vanishing while dropping her children off at school. The medical examiner's office has yet to positively identify the remains as Lemire Details surrounding the crash, including the specific date and time, remain under investigation The search was carried out over 17 months and focused on 63 bodies of water Tim Lemire, Jr. posted to Facebook following the announcement of the possible discovery of his mother's remains. 'It looks like she took a exit ramp a little to quick and went straight into the water,' he wrote. 'What hurts the most is me thinking about if she suffered... or if she knew that she was trapped and couldn't get out! 'It kills me to even think that she knew she was gonna pass...I just don't know how to take it...I just wish I could of (sic) had the chance to say goodbye to her.' Details surrounding the crash, including the specific date and time, remain under investigation. The medical examiners office will provide an update once they have positively identified the remains. A new online calculator has revealed how much your gas and electricity bills will go up from today after Ofgem increased its price cap amid rising wholesale prices. The regulator's price cap has risen by 5 per cent from the previous 1,834 for a typical dual fuel household to 1,928, representing a 94 increase in the average bill. Ofgem said this was mostly driven by rising costs in the wholesale energy market due to market instability and global events, particularly the conflict in Ukraine. Households in Britain that have not yet done so are urged to submit meter readings to their supplier as quickly as possible to ensure they are charged correctly. Now, a new calculator released by AI household money-saving firm Nous.co today can help Britons work out by how much your energy costs will go up per month. Below, select whether you use both gas and electricity, if you have a prepayment meter and how much you currently pay each month. This will give an estimated consumption and will work out the change to your monthly energy payments: Your browser does not support iframes. Household finance expert Greg Marsh, chief executive of Nous.co, told MailOnline: 'Higher energy bills are the last thing households need straight after an expensive Christmas. Debt is high at this time of year, and record numbers already owe money on their bills from last winter. Energy price per unit 1 October to 31 December 2023 Electricity 27.35 pence per kWh 53.37 pence daily standing charge Gas 6.89 pence per kWh 29.62 pence daily standing charge 1 January to 31 March 2024 Electricity 28.62 pence per kWh 53.35 pence daily standing charge Gas 7.42 pence per kWh 29.60 pence daily standing charge Advertisement 'Higher bills mean many won't be able to afford to heat their homes at the coldest time of year. Far more needs to be done to help vulnerable people who are struggling.' 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'. 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 comes after the regulator unveiled plans to lift the price cap from April in order to help suppliers recover nearly 3billion 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. The rise 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. READ MORE Will gas and electricity bills go down in 2024 - and will fixed rate deals return? Advertisement It comes as Citizens Advice said it was helping record numbers of households with energy debt and seeing more people than ever who could not 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. 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' '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. READ MORE 'One-click' energy switch will let households change energy supplier in just seven days under plans considered by Ministers Advertisement '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. 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.' Maga firebrand Lauren Boebert has blamed musical legend Barbra Streisand and X-Men actor Ryan Reynolds for her decision to switch congressional districts. The Colorado Republican was facing a tough re-election battle for the state's 3rd congressional district after a series of high-profile scandals. Opponents were sharpening their knives after she was thrown out of a performance of Beetlejuice in Denver, heckled the State of the Union Address and made Islamophobic jokes about her fellow Representatives. But she has also been outraised three-to-one by Democrat rival Adam Frisch whose $7.7million war chest has been swollen by $1,500 from Streisand and $1,500 from Reynolds. 'When you have Barbra Streisand coming in and donating to the Democrat, when you have Ryan Reynolds coming in and donating to the Democrat, it shows you that Hollywood is trying to buy their way into Congress,' she told Steve Bannon's War Room podcast. Lauren Boebert announced last month that she will not contest Colorado's 3rd Congressional District - which she narrowly won in 2022 but instead switch to Colorado's 4th Boebert lashed out at Barbra Streisand and Ryan Reynolds for donating $3,000 between them to her opponent's $7.7million campaign fund The Colorado Congresswoman has been one of Donald Trump's fiercest defenders 'We have to shut down the Hollywood elites who are trying to buy my current district,' she continued. 'There has been close to $10 million poured into this district to buy this seat. 'Colorado's 3rd District is not for sale.' The 37-year-old grandmother beat Frisch to the seat by a razor-thin 546 votes in 2022 but said she 'did not arrive at this decision easily', as she announced her move. 'A lot of prayer, a lot of tough conversations and a lot of perspective convinced me that this is the best way I can continue to fight for Colorado, for the conservative movement and for my children's future,' she explained. She is now seeking her party's nomination in the distant fourth district which is rated by analysts as the state's most conservative and where current representative Ken Buck is retiring. But that has not gone down well with Republicans already in the race. 'Seat shopping isn't something the voters look kindly upon,' said state Rep Richard Holtorf. 'If you can't win in your home, you can't win here.' Boebert and her date, Quinn Gallagher, sparked outrage in September after they were caught on camera fondling each other at a Denver performance of Beetlejuice, and were kicked out of the theater Boebert was seen baring her teeth in the theater lobby after being ejected and also gave staff the finger Boebert's divorce from Jason, 36, her husband of 18 years and father to her four children, was finalized in October after the couple's shock split in May The mother-of-four made headlines over the summer after she was caught on camera groping a date, vaping and taking selfies at a performance of the musical Beetlejuice in Denver, and then giving ushers the finger when she was asked to leave and declaring: 'Do you know who I am?' She also sparked controversy by heckling Joe Biden in his 2022 State of the Union address, and caused anger by making an Islamophobic joke about Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. Streisand and Reynolds are not the only A-listers to back Frisch for Boebert's current seat with Eagles founder Don Henley, actor and director Rob Reiner, and Johnny Cash's daughter Rosanne Cash donating to his 2023 campaign. Henley has donated $6,600, Reiner has donated $3,300 and Cash has donated $550. Boebert's decision is good news for the Republican party, which feared she would lose. It does not mean the 3rd District will vote Democrat - the district hasn't sent a Democrat to Congress since 2008 - but it does mean that a more moderate Republican can take the seat. Grand Junction attorney Jeff Hurd, who is supported by a number of big-name Republicans and the conservative editorial board of The Colorado Springs Gazette, was challenging Boebert for her seat. Carbondale investor Russ Andrews and Delta County business owner Curtis McCrackin are also in the race. Boebert said last week she would move her family to the 4th District - even though she does not have to do so to qualify. At present, she lives in Garfield County, near the town of Silt - hundreds of miles from the 4th District's boundaries. The 4th District spans the entire eastern border of Colorado, and all the land east of Denver stretching from Oklahoma in the south to Nebraska in the north, and east to Kansas. The 3rd District, by contrast, stretched over the western border of the state, encompassing the wealthy mountain towns of Aspen and Telluride. Boebert, seen in October in Congress, faced losing her re-election campaign in 2024 Buck, 64, said he considers himself a conservative aligned with Ronald Reagan, and adheres to individual liberty and economic freedom. He said he was stepping down partly in dismay at his colleagues' refusal to accept the 2020 election result, and partly because Congress was no longer able to get anything done. Boebert is far from the only Republican seeking to replace Buck, but her $1.4 million war chest will certainly help her campaign. She faces competition from conservative talk radio host Deborah Flora; former state senators Jerry Sonnenberg and Ted Harvey; as well as Holtorf. Do you have any information about Kimberlee's time in the UK? Email tips@dailymail.com An American mother-of-three wanted in the US for the murder of two of her children will appear in court in London today after being arrested in one of the capital's most salubrious suburbs, MailOnline can reveal. Kimberlee Singler, 35, is in custody in the UK after she fled 5,000 miles to Britain but failed to outrun the police and will be in the dock at Westminster Magistrates later. She was last seen in Colorado Springs on December 23, after she allegedly killed nine-year-old daughter Elianna and seven-year-old Aden Wentz just before Christmas. Britain's FBI, the National Crime Agency, arrested her in Kensington, West London, on Saturday and have already started proceedings to extradite her back to the US. The case raises questions about how she managed to leave the US while wanted for murder. A NCA spokesman told MailOnline: 'Officers from the National Crime Agencys National Extradition Unit arrested a 35-year-old female wanted in the United States of America for offences including two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. 'She will appear before Westminster Magistrates Court today for commencement of extradition proceedings'. Kimberlee Singler, the Colorado mother who allegedly killed two of her children and was on the run has been taken into the custody thousands of miles away in the United Kingdom, according to police Singler is accused of murdering two of her children: 9-year-old Elianna and 7-year-old Aden Wentz on the same day she learned a Larmier County judge ordered police to locate the children after she failed to drop them off to their father Singler's ex-husband Kevin Wentz released a statement on Sunday identifying his two deceased children Singler had been in a long legal battle with her ex-husband Kevin Wentz over the custody of their three children. Police were called to her apartment in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains on December 19 to reports of a burglary. Officers found an injured Singler and her still-living daughter, 11, lying next to the dead bodies of her other daughter, nine, and son, seven. But a Colorado Springs Police Department investigation found that the initial burglary report and 911 call was 'unfounded'. It apparently came on the same day Singler learned that a judge had ordered police to locate the children after she failed to drop them off to their father. Detectives, who wanted her for alleged murder, attempted murder and child abuse, said she had last been seen on December 23 and believed that she had fled the state. But last night it emerged that she was arrested in the UK 'without incident'. If convicted when she is returned to America she faces life in prison. In 2020, Colorado abolished the death penalty. Nearly two weeks after the original killings and a week after she was last seen or heard from, Singler was taken into police custody 'without incident' in the United Kingdom on Saturday, though it wasn't specified where and no photos were given. Colorado Springs Police Department said last night that they will announce more details at a press conference. A spokesperson for the Colorado Springs Police Department told DailyMail.com they are not releasing any further information about her arrest at this time. Singler was also involved in a lengthy custody battle with her ex-husband, and was just days away from losing the kids. 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. On Sunday, Wentz released photos of his two children and their names: Daughter Elianna 'Elie' Wentz, 9 and Aden, 7. Wentz put out a press release Sunday that both revealed the names of his two deceased children and also told his side of what happened leading up to their deaths. He claims the incident is related to his divorce to Singler, which dates back to September 2018. Wentz claims that Singler made allegations of both domestic violence and child abuse against him, which a Larimer County court found unsubstantiated, with Wentz deemed not a threat to the kids. The tense battle had continued well into 2023, however, as Singler obtained a Temporary Protection Order in El Paso County against Wentz after she alleged he brandished a knife at her. Wentz denies the charge but the order stood until January 24 with an appeal hearing scheduled. Singler filed another emergency motion in county court on November 17 to try and restrict Wentz's parenting time based on those same allegations, but the court rescinded the order after they found there was no imminent threat. On Sunday, Wentz released photos of his two children and their names: Daughter Elianna 'Elie' Wentz (pictured left), 9 and Aden Wentz (pictured right), 7 Wentz claims that Singler made allegations of both domestic violence and child abuse against him, which a Larimer County court found unsubstantiated, with Wentz deemed not a threat to the kids Larimer County Court even ordered Singler to pay Wentz's legal bills and give him makeup time to cover what he'd lost from the order. Singler, Wentz claims, did not comply with those directives and did not bring the kids to Wentz on their scheduled December 16 exchange date. Both he and his legal representatives tried to contact his ex-wife but got no response. Wentz was granted an Emergency Motion for Law Enforcement Assistance to Enforce Parenting Time on December 18 and scheduled a Status Conference for two days later, ordering Singler to appear with the children. But by December 19, two of the three children were dead. He argues that he has cooperated fully with the police investigation into the killings. On Sunday evening, Wentz celebrated Singler's arrest in a Facebook post, writing: 'She's been found!!' A Gofundme has been started to help raise funds for the surviving family. 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 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 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. The Singler family said in a statement of their own Saturday: '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. A Colorado court has set a $10 million bond. 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 Authorities had 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 parent who helped raise Singler's children. Do you have any information about Kimberlee's time in the UK? Email tips@dailymail.com A Queensland man has claimed his drink was spiked when he went on a naked rampage in Indonesia. Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, 23, was locked up in an Indonesian prison on April 27 after he was accused by police of drunken attacks on multiple people, including on one man who suffered serious leg injuries. The 23-year-old was accused of running naked and drunk through a conservative Indonesian beach village, allegedly screaming and bashing into a local coffee shop before trying to take a motorbike and throwing it at the fisherman, causing leg injuries. Footage of the wild incident shows locals in the village performing a citizen's arrest and tying him up. He was released on May 26 following a compensation deal with the fisherman's family which saw the case avoid court and Risby-Jones avoid potentially five years in prison, which was the maximum penalty. Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, 23 (pictured), has claimed he was 'spiked' before going on a naked rampage in Indonesia's Aceh province and seriously injuring a local fisherman He was locked up in an Indonesian prison on April 27 (pictured) before a 'close to $100k... operation' to have him released and returned home on May 26 To wrap up his eventful 2023, Mr Risby-Jones took to social media on Sunday vowing to finally speak his truth about the overseas incident. 'What a trip,' he begins the Facebook post. 'For those that don't know the truth to what happened to me while I was on the surfing trip - in short - I was spiked in Simeulue Island Aceh North Sumatra. 'An unfortunate chain of events led to me losing myself to a mob of approximately 40 locals and injuring one of them.' Mr Risby-Jones said he woke up the following morning in prison where he remained for six weeks. 'I lost close to 10kg in two weeks due to lack of hygiene, stress ... the whole operation to get me home cost close to $100k.' 'I was facing up to 5-7 years in a third-world prison. I refused to release the true story to the media when I returned as I wanted to be able to move on to the next story.' He said he wasn't looking for pity but was 'comfortably releasing the truth' and moving on into 2024. The 23-year-old from Noosa, Queensland, claimed that he had been spiked before 'losing myself to a mob of... 40 locals', later saying he lost 10kg in two weeks in prison Following his release, a photograph emerged of the 23-year-old grinning with his thumbs up while posing with a group of Indonesian police. Two of the officers have their hands spread in a 'shakkas' while another cheekily shields her face from the camera. He also held a news conference where he apologised for his actions. 'I'm very, very relieved and happy,' the 23-year-old said at the time. 'I made a fool of myself and it was shown publicly worldwide. 'I'd like to thank the prosecutors for helping me, I'd like to thank the police and everyone who helped us finalise and finish the deal so I could go home.' The incident took place in the highly conservative Aceh province on the northwest tip of Sumatra Island. It is the only province in Indonesia governed by sharia law and prohibits the drinking of alcohol. The local fisherman who Risby-Jones injured, Edi Ron (pictured), required at least 50 stitches in his foot after being knocked off his motorcycle by the Aussie The fisherman Edi Ron, who was allegedly knocked off his motorcycle by Mr Risby-Jones, required at least 50 stitches in his foot, according to Indonesian police chief Jatmiko. The Noosa local's alleged actions reportedly caused an angry mob to threaten to burn down his accommodation. Mr Risby-Jones had reportedly been drinking a vodka before he stripped in his room at the Moon Beach Resort sometime after midnight. Local police had alleged he left his room still naked and attacked a security officer, who attempted to stop him before he allegedly went on to cause havoc in the streets. Mr Risby-Jones returned home on June 12. The Mayor's New Year London fireworks were labelled an 'ego trip' and 'the Sadiq Khan show' today as he was accused of putting himself at the centre of the display. Just before the bongs of Big Ben sounded midnight, a message saying 'The Mayor of London presents' was written high in the sky before a unity-themed display welcomed the new year with the messaging: 'London A Place for Everyone'. The celebration that lasted almost 15 minutes referenced the King's coronation and also used Charles's quote to mark the 75th anniversary of the Windrush crossing in which he said the new arrivals 'collectively enrich the fabric of our national life'. There were repeated references to London's diversity and inclusivity, with Mr Khan telling the world everyone is welcome in a city where people can be themselves. But many critics took to social media to complain that the display was packed with political messaging ahead of Mr Khan's bid for re-election as Mayor this May. Just before the bongs of Big Ben sounded midnight in London, a message saying 'The Mayor of London presents' was written high in the sky A unity-themed display welcomed the new year in the capital with the messaging: 'London A Place for Everyone' Among them was author Paul Embery who tweeted: 'London New Year's Eve fireworks: voiceover of the King preaching about 'diversity', a homage to the NHS, an advert for same-sex marriage, then a Windrush tribute. All literally within two minutes of the clock striking midnight. This stuff is like a nervous tic. It's relentless.' Who gave messages during the fireworks? Mayor of London Sadiq Khan Dame Helen Mirren Bella Ramsey Stephen Fry Joanna Lumley George the Poet Baroness Floella Benjamin Advertisement He added: 'I consider myself a political animal. But the manner in which relentless political messaging is infecting every area of public life is distinctly unhealthy.' Matthew Goodwin-Freeman, a Conservative councillor for Hatch End in North West London, said: 'They're OUR fireworks Mr Mayor, not yours. Talk about an ego trip.' Some 100,000 people in the capital cast their eyes to the sky to take in the firework, laser, and drone show. As hits by the Spice Girls, Calvin Harris, Dua Lupa and others rang out across the city, revellers were invited to look back on 2023. The display - which included more than 12,000 fireworks, 600 drones and 430 lights - also paid homage to the NHS, which celebrated 75 years in 2023. But another viewer commenting on social media took issue with the 'Place for Everyone' title of the display. They said: 'London, a place that isn't safe for everyone more like. A violent crime epidemic. Hate mobs on the streets. regular clashes between different communities. No thanks. London has been turned into a total dump.' One said: 'The Mayor of London presents The Sadiq Khan Show. Funded by the extremely p***ed off British taxpayer. #LondonNYE #LondonFireworks.' READ MORE Thousands of bleary-eyed Brits wake up with sore heads after braving rain to celebrate 2024 Advertisement Further messages throughout the pyrotechnic show were heard from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Dame Helen Mirren, Bella Ramsey, Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley, George the Poet, and Baroness Floella Benjamin, who read a poem by the late Benjamin Zephaniah. But one viewer tweeted: 'What a load of c**p. The only thing London can celebrate is being the crime capital of the world with this failing mayor. Even the fireworks were c**p.' And another added: 'Since when did you do the 'Presented by' The Mayor of London' thing? I thought the light show was down to experts. How arrogant.' A further viewer said: 'Can't we just enjoy the fireworks? Does any democracy need such Soviet or Chinese style social messaging? 'We should all resist this battering of propaganda - no matter what your political take, it's not healthy.' Fireworks light up the sky over the London Eye in London during the New Year celebrations Fireworks organised by Sadiq Khan welcome in the New Year in London overnight People watch the fireworks over the London Eye in London during the New Year celebrations Fireworks organised by the Mayor of London welcome in the New Year in the capital Mayor Sadiq Khan, who said it was London's 'best and biggest ever' New Year celebration Another tweet said: 'The Mayor of London presents.. What?! Ulez and increased TfL fares. ' The show was organised by Mr Khan who said it was London's 'best and biggest ever' New Year celebration. He added: 'Our unique combination of fireworks, drones, lighting and music have put on a fabulous show for the millions watching around the globe, sending a message of unity and showing why London is the greatest city in the world. '2023 was filled with so many special moments, and as we move into 2024, I feel more inspired than ever to continue our work towards building a better, greener and more prosperous city for everyone.' A man is spending New Year's Day fighting for life after a mysterious explosion in his top floor apartment. Emergency services raced to Angus St in Meadowbank, northwest Sydne, at about 3.30pm on Monday after flames were seen pouring from the apartment building. A man aged in his 40s was rescued from the blaze and rushed to the Royal North Shore hospital in a critical condition with severe burns to 80 per cent of his body. A firefighter suffering from chest pains was taken to Concord Hospital as a precaution. Eight fire trucks were called to the scene as the fire was extinguished at 4.20pm, no other apartments sustained any damage. A man aged in his 40s is spending New Year's Day in a critical condition after an explosion in his apartment in northwest Sydney at about 3:30pm on Monday (pictured) He was rescued from the blaze by emergency services (pictured) but suffered burns to 80 per cent of his body and is fighting for his life at the Royal North Shore Hospital A spokesperson for Fire and Rescue NSW, Phil Sheedy, said the man was found by firefighters unconscious in the hallway outside of his apartment. 'The explosion has occurred and he's obviously been able to get out through the front doorway and collapse,' he told 9News. Footage from the scene shows the man being carried in a large piece of fabric by emergency services before being loaded into an ambulance. Residents of the apartment complex had to be evacuated as firefighters fought to contain the blaze for almost an hour. It took eight fire trucks about an hour to quell the flames (pictured) with a hazardous material response unit arriving at the scene shortly after Hundreds of residents were forced to evacuate the apartment complex (pictured), many reporting the sound of an explosion and 'people screaming for help' A resident from an apartment complex across the street, David Wagner, said he saw the 'the whole thing'. 'It was just an explosion and then black smoke... You could hear people screaming for help,' he told the Daily Telegraph. Firefighters and NSW Police have cordoned off the entirety of Bay Drive as a hazardous material response unit arrived on the scene. Police have established a crime scene and urged anyone with information that can aid investigations into the cause of the fire to contact Crime Stoppers. Vladimir Putin admitted he was fuming following a Ukrainian attack on Russia Vladimir Putin has admitted he's 'fuming' after a series of Ukrainian missile strikes on the Russian border city of Belgorod killed 20 people and wounded 111. He told a group of wounded Russian soldiers on Monday that the strike was a 'terrorist attack', and that Ukraine has deliberately targeted civilians. Responding to a question from a soldier about how Russia would take revenge, he said: 'We can we hit squares in Kyiv or in any other city. 'There are children walking there, moms with prams. I understand, I'm fuming myself. But I want to ask you a question. Is this what we should do?' Putin said that the strikes, which came amid intensified Russian air assaults against Ukrainian cities Kyiv and Kharkiv, 'will not go unpunished'. Putin said he was 'fuming' over the attack by Ukraine He told soldiers at a meeting on Monday that Russia would continue to strike 'sensitive' military targets in Ukraine Ukraine announced that it had destroyed a record number of Iranian-made Shahed kamikaze drones launched by Russia with 87 out of 90 downed Putin said that Russia would continue to strike 'sensitive' military targets in Ukraine. Russia denies Western and Ukrainian accusations that it targets civilian infrastructure. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky earlier vowed to unleash his nation's 'wrath' on Vladimir Putin's forces, after Russian launched a wave of drone attacks on Ukraine in the early hours of New Year's Day. Ukraine announced that it had destroyed a record number of Iranian-made Shahed kamikaze drones launched by Russia with 87 out of 90 downed. In Odesa, one died and nine were wounded as a fire ignited as debris of a Russian drone hit a high rise building. Zelensky said in his televised New Year's address to Ukraine that Russia would soon face the 'wrath of domestic production.' 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. Ukraine is urging Western allies to maintain military support A block of flats in Odessa was set alight after being hit by a Russian drone A family with a young child from Odessa are seen moving to a shelter after their flat was hit by a Russian drone Ukraine announced that it had destroyed a record number of Iranian-made Shahed kamikaze drones launched by Russia with 87 out of 90 downed 'Our pilots are already mastering F-16 jets, and we will definitely see them in our skies,' he said. Port infrastructure was damaged after explosions triggering a fire, said Nataliya Humenyuk, spokeswoman for the Ukrainian southern defence forces. Defiant Odesa mayor Gennady Trukhanov slammed Russia for staging attack on Ukraine as New Year approached. 'They say how you celebrate the New Year is how you will spend it,' he said. 'Well, this year Ukraine will break this rule. 'We will stand and we will win for we have justice and God on our side.' Despite billions of dollars worth of Western weapons, Ukraine struggled to make a major breakthrough in its 2023 counteroffensive against invading Russia Residents of Odessa are seen sitting outside on New Year's Day after their block of flats was hit by a Russian drone Moscow has ramped up pressure along the frontlines, taking several towns and cities In the village of Belogorscha near Lviv, there was Shahed drone damage to the Roman Shukhevych Memorial Museum due to a Russian attack. Shukhevych had commanded the Nachtigall Battalion, a volunteer unit operating under the orders of the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), as a subunit commanded by German Abwehr special operations. University dormitories were hit and destroyed in Dublyany near Lviv. 'This night the enemy hit two places of national memory in Lviv: the university in Dublyany, where [Ukrainian nationalist] Stepan Bandera studied 100 years ago, and the Roman Shukhevych Museum. Symbolic and cynical. A war for our history,' said Lviv mayor Andriy Sadovyi. In Kharkiv region, Russia struck with four S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles, three Kh-31P anti-radar missiles and one Kh-59, said Ukrainian sources. Firefighting crews worked late into the night to put put fires caused by drones In Donetsk - held by Russia - the pro-Moscow leader Denis Pushilin reported four dead and 13 wounded In Donetsk - held by Russia - the pro-Moscow leader Denis Pushilin reported four dead and 13 wounded. A military correspondent was reported to have been killed. The Russian side claimed there were 15 MLRS incoming rockets. As New Year's Day dawned, explosions were heard again in Kyiv-controlled city of Kherson. Air alerts were in place in the Volyn, Rivne, Lviv and Ternopil regions of Ukraine. The number of victims from the missile attack on Kyiv on December 29 increased to 27, according to the capital city's military administration. Britain announced it would send hundreds more air-defence missiles to Kyiv Ukraine has been in the throes of an invasion for the last 22 months The rescue operation continues, and today the city has declared a day of mourning. Putin's barrage against Russia came as he delivered a New Year address claiming his troops were 'heroes'. 'I would like to address our military personnel - everyone who is on duty, who is on the front lines fighting for truth and justice,' he said. 'You are our heroes. Our hearts are with you. We are proud of you and we admire your courage. 'I am well aware that now you feel the love of those nearest and dearest to you, the powerful, sincere support of millions of Russian citizens, the support of the entire people.' He claimed 'the main thing which has united us is the destiny of the Motherland'. And he suggested the Russians were distinguished by 'mercy'. 'We are united in our thoughts, tasks and in combat, whether at work or on days off, displaying the main traits of the Russian people - solidarity, mercy and firmness,' he said in his shortest New Year address in four years. 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.' Thousands of Israeli troops are being pulled out of Gaza despite warnings from military brasses that 'prolonged' fighting is set to continue throughout 2024. In what is the biggest drawdown of forces since the war erupted 87 days ago, the troop movement could signal that fighting is being scaled back in some areas of the embattled enclave. Israel's Defence Forces (IDF) have said they are close to assuming operational control in the north of the Strip, where relentless aerial bombardments have been ongoing since Israel declared war on Hamas following the October 7 invasion. Israel has been under pressure from its chief ally, the United States, to begin to shift to lower-intensity fighting amid high civilian casualties in Gaza, where Hamas authorities say the death toll stands at more than 21,000. Military leaders however have pledged to charge ahead until Israel's war aim to dismantle Hamas has been achieved, with bitter fighting continuing across the enclave and casualties rising further on the first day of the new year. Israeli soldiers walk next to tanks near the Israel-Gaza border, in southern Israel (Jan 1, 2024) Israeli soldiers fire mortars at an area near the border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel (Jan 1, 2024) Palestinians walk past the rubble of a house destroyed by an Israeli strike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip (Jan 1, 2024) Daniel Hagari, spokesman for the IDF said in a new year's message that Israeli troops were preparing for continued fighting in 2024. 'The IDF must plan ahead out of an understanding that there will be additional missions and the fighting will continue the rest of the year,' he said according to the BBC. Word of the drawdown came ahead of a visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the region and after the Biden administration bypassed Congress for the second time this month to approve an emergency weapons sale to Israel. But fierce fighting continued in other areas of Gaza, especially the southern city Khan Younis and central areas of the territory. Attacks on Israel have continued too, with Hamas firing a barrage of rockets across the border just as the clock struck midnight and two dozen people killed overnight in Israeli strikes on the Palestinian territory. Air alert sirens sounded across Israel as 2024 began, and journalists in Tel Aviv witnessed missile defence systems intercepting rockets overhead, with some revellers in the streets below rushing for cover while others kept up the party with a shrug. Hamas missiles illuminated the sky over Israel on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day Daniel Hagari (pictured in mid December), spokesman for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said in a new year's message that Israeli troops were preparing for continued fighting in 2024 'We were all afraid on the corners... my heart was pounding,' Gabriel Zemelman, 26, said in front of a bar after the rocket fire. 'It's terrifying. You just saw the life we live, it's crazy.' The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, claimed responsibility for the attack in a video published on social media, saying they had fired M90 rockets in 'response to the massacres of civilians' carried out by Israel. The Israeli army confirmed the attack, without initially reporting any casualties or damage. Surrounded by partiers, server Ran Stahl, 24, said he didn't have the heart to celebrate, not since one of his friends was killed in Hamas's attack on the Supernova music festival. 'The minute I start to dance, I feel guilty - the sadness and mourning come back,' he said. In Gaza, overnight Israeli strikes killed at least 24 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, with attacks reported across the length of the territory. The nearly three-month war in Gaza was triggered by Hamas's bloody October 7 attacks on Israel, which killed around 1,140 people, most of them civilians, according to a tally based on official figures. Fighters also took around 250 people hostage that day, most of whom remain in Gaza, according to Israeli officials. Israel vowed to destroy Hamas in response, launching a punishing offensive in the Gaza Strip that has reduced vast areas to a ruined wasteland and killed at least 21,822 people, mostly women and children, according to the territory's health ministry. The Israeli army says 172 of its soldiers have been killed inside Gaza, with the war showing no signs of stopping. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Saturday that the fighting would last 'many months until Hamas is eliminated and the hostages are returned'. In the besieged Gaza Strip, where the UN says 85 percent of the population has been displaced, 20-year-old Hamdan Abu Arab said he hoped '2024 will be better'. 'Just a while ago, I was talking to my friends, and we remembered how... we used to go out and enjoy our time on the last day of the year. But this New Year's Eve, there are only missiles and the remains of people,' he said. Since Israel imposed a siege at the outset of the war, Gazans have been facing dire shortages of food, fuel, water and medicine. This comes as Hamas fired a barrage of rockets at Israel just as the clock struck midnight and two dozen people killed overnight in Israeli strikes on the Palestinian territory UN chief Antonio Guterres has condemned the 'epic human suffering' and 'collective punishment' of Palestinian civilians, while the WHO has warned of the risk of infectious disease. 'We are exhausted... We were displaced five times during this war,' said 29-year-old Bassam Hana. We hope things improve in 2024 and that we live just like any other human being. Currently, we live like animals.' At least 48 Palestinians were killed in strikes on Gaza City over the weekend, the territory's health ministry said, with many still buried under the rubble. 'After the explosion we arrived at the scene of the strike and saw martyrs everywhere,' said one resident after a building was hit. 'Children are still missing, we can't find them.' In his nightly briefing on Sunday, Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said several militants 'were killed and subdued during the battles in Khan Yunis' earlier in the day. 'We are continuing to handle the underground tunnels and to strike the rocket launching array, in order to reduce rocket fire into the State of Israel. 'Dozens of aircrafts are in the skies of Gaza at any given moment,' he said. International mediators have continued efforts toward a new pause in fighting. A Hamas delegation from Qatar visited Cairo on Friday to discuss an Egyptian three-phase plan proposing renewable ceasefires, a staggered release of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and ultimately an end to the war, sources close to Hamas said. Their allies Islamic Jihad said on Saturday that Palestinian factions were 'in the process' of evaluating the proposal and would give a response 'within days'. The war in Gaza has raised fears of a broader regional conflict, with hostilities flaring with mostly Iran-backed militant groups in nearby countries who say they are acting in support of Hamas. The Israeli army announced Sunday night having intercepted two 'hostile aircraft' launched from Syria towards northern Israel. Earlier it had reported launches toward Israeli territory originating in Lebanon. 'Throughout the day, IDF (military) tanks and helicopters targeted three terrorist squads operating in Lebanon,' the army said in a statement. And in the Red Sea, the US military said Sunday that Navy helicopters had fired at Iran-backed Huthi rebel boats off Yemen that were attacking a cargo ship, with Yemeni sources reporting 10 rebels killed. A survey taken days before Denmark's Queen Margrethe's surprise abdication announcement revealed that the nation was overwhelmingly happy with her scandal-hit successor, Prince Frederik. She revealed she will abdicate on January 14 next year after 52 years on the throne, she announced during her traditional New Year's Eve speech. The monarch, famed for her chain-smoking as well as her flamboyant sense of style, will be succeeded by her eldest son Crown Prince Frederik. The 83-year-old queen, who took over the throne in 1972, is the longest-serving monarch in Europe following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. An opinion poll carried out by Epinion revealed that 84% had a positive view of the soon-to-be-king, while 85% thought highly of his wife, Crown Princess Mary. Just four percent of respondents held a negative opinion of Mary, while just six percent disliked Prince Frederik. An opinion poll carried out by Epinion revealed that 84% had a positive view of the soon-to-be-king, while 85% thought highly of his wife, Crown Princess Mary The 83-year-old queen, who took over the throne in 1972, is the longest-serving monarch in Europe following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 The Danish Royal Family are incredibly well-liked in the nation, with the survey revealing that 70% of Danes are happy to carry on having one, while just 17% said they want to get rid of them. The positive views of the Royals come despite Frederik being embroiled in several scandals in recent years. Just a few weeks ago, Frederik hit the headlines when he was pictured on a night out in Madrid with a Mexican socialite, sparking rumours of an alleged 'affair.' Spanish magazine Lecturas reported that, during their night out, Frederik - who is a fourth cousin of King Charles - and Genoveva visited a Pablo Picasso exhibition, walked through El Retiro Park and later went out for dinner. At around 7pm, Lecturas claimed both Frederik and Genoveva went to her apartment building separately, and both re-emerged at around 9pm, two hours later, both having changed their clothes into evening wear. In the photos, Genoveva had ditched her chic camel coat with a tie belt in favour of a white shirt, black wide-leg trousers and a black jacket worn on her shoulders. Meanwhile Frederik appeared to have changed from a navy jacket and brown trousers into a white shirt and dark trousers with a smart dark jacket. Again, they were reported to have emerged from the building separately, but got into the same white car. Between raising her children and appearing at diplomatic events, Mary (pictured with her husband) has worked tirelessly to prove her commitment to charity, becoming a patron of more than 25 international organisations since her marriage to Frederik in 2004 Crown Princess Mary of Denmark (left) has been given the right to act as regent in place of her mother-in-law Queen Margrethe (right) when the monarch is otherwise engaged Photos of Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Genoveva Casanova on a night out in Madrid without his wife Crown Princess Mary emerged in October. Pictures, taken throughout the day, showed the pair having a stroll around El Retiro Park The magazine claimed the pair watched a flamenco performance at a Spanish restaurant, El Corral de la Moreria, which finished at midnight. It also claimed they remained at their table, which had been flanked by two of the Danish Prince's bodyguards, while other customers left, waiters finished up their shifts and the lights were being switched off. Lecturas claimed the pair did not emerge from the restaurant until 1am, when they walked out onto the street and got in a car. In a 'gesture of courtesy', Lecturas reports Prince Frederik opened the car door for his dinner companion. The next day, the magazine claims the heir to the Danish throne was taken to the airport via car where he flew home to Denmark. Publication of the pictures in Lecturas led the divorcee Mexican socialite to issue a statement 'categorically' denying any suggestion the pair are romantically involved, branding it 'malicious' and untrue, according to Hola!. Lecturas claimed both Frederik and Genoveva went to her apartment building separately at around 7pm. Genoveva, dressed in jeans and a brown coat, is seen heading into her apartment building Frederik is seen leaving Genoveva's apartment building before heading to dinner. He appears to have to have changed from a navy jacket and brown trousers into a white shirt and dark trousers with a smart dark jacket The Crown Prince is pictured heading into Genoveva's apartment building to change his clothes following a walk in the park at around 7pm The pair appeared to head into a Flamenco show at the Corral de la Moreria in Madrid. They are pictured outside the venue at around 1am. The magazine claimed the pair remained at their table, which had been flanked by two of the Danish Prince's bodyguards, while other customers left, waiters finished up their shifts and the lights were being switched off The socialite wrote: 'I categorically deny the statements that suggest a romantic relationship between Prince Frederik and me.' She added: 'Any statement of this type not only completely lacks the truth but also misrepresents the facts in a malicious manner. 'This is already in the hands of my lawyers, who will take care of the pertinent steps to protect my right to honour, truth and privacy.' Since the photos emerged Mary has remained tight-lipped about her husband's dinner with the socialite, and the pair have put on a united display in public appearances. However, during one instance after the publication of the photos, body language expert Judi James told FEMAIL that Mary looked 'disengaged' when joining the Spanish King and Queen in Copenhagen in November. Her husband, meanwhile, appeared 'hesitant' towards his wife while on the outing with King Felipe and Queen Letizia during their visit to Denmark. The couple put on a united front during an appearance at Aarhus cathedral on Christmas Eve alongside their children, before heading to Marselisborg Castle for Christmas Day with Queen Margrethe. Margrethe said in her abdication announcement on New Year's Eve that a recent surgery had forced her to reconsider her work, telling her nation: 'The surgery naturally gave rise to thinking about the future - whether the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation.' In Denmark, formal power resides with the elected parliament and its government. The monarch is expected to stay above partisan politics, representing the nation with traditional duties ranging from state visits to national day celebrations. A female cleaner has lost her case for sex discrimination after claiming a male colleague 'deliberately splattered' poo across toilets for her to clean. Jenniene Talbot was employed as a cleaning operative at Par Market - one of the UK's largest indoor markets in St Austell, Cornwall - from June 1 until June 22 last year. During an employment tribunal hearing, in which Ms Talbot represented herself, it was claimed her colleague Antony Trethewey had taken offence that as a 'mature woman' she did her job 'properly' and in response, he 'deliberately splattered/ soiled the toilets'. Ms Talbot said she was continuously tasked with scrubbing 'sh**-filled toilets' and she resigned in disgust after three weeks. Although she attempted to sue the market for sex discrimination and harassment, her case was dismissed after the tribunal ruled she had no evidence that Mr Trethewey was responsible. The hearing in Exeter, Devon, heard there are two sets of toilets at the market which receive a 'high level of use throughout the day'. Pictured, a general view of Par Market Dismissing her case, Employment Judge Ann Goraj said: 'The Tribunal is not satisfied that Ms Talbot has established the factual basis of her case namely, that Mr Trethewey took excrement into /deliberately spread excrement/ soiled the respondent's toilet.' The hearing in Exeter, Devon, heard there are two sets of toilets at the market which receive a 'high level of use throughout the day' so cleaners are required to check them regularly. During the short course of Ms Talbot's employment at the market, she raised several complaints about the cleanliness and hygiene issues on the site and highlighted an 'alleged failure' of male colleagues to clean them as required. On one shift, Ms Talbot was horrified to find an 'explosion of excrement' in the site's disabled toilet and blamed colleague Mr Trethewey for leaving the mess. For the following few shifts, the cleaner continued to find soiled toilets and baby-changing units and raised concerns with her boss. She told him she had worked in pubs, clubs, campsites and restaurants but had never encountered so many 'disgusting' and 'messy' toilets as she had at the market. On one shift, Ms Talbot was horrified to find an 'explosion of excrement' in the site's disabled toilet (stock photo) During one shift mid-way through June, Ms Talboy watched her colleague head to the toilets and emerge ten minutes later, telling her he had just checked the toilet and they were fine. The cleaner went in afterwards and was horrified to find what she described as a toilet splattered with 'sloppy poo' and complained again about Mr Trethewey. On June 22, Ms Talbot sent a 'highly emotive text' to her boss saying she was constantly coming across 's***-filled toilets with no tissue' which she also blamed on Mr Trethewey. She told bosses she felt 'threatened' and 'anxious' and would no longer be able to work at the market. Mr Trethewey vigorously denied the allegations. A controversial Islamic cleric launched a bizarre tirade against New Year's Eve celebrations, describing the festivities as a 'celebration of foreskin' and urging Muslims not to take part. Abu Ousayd in a sermon on Friday at Bankstown's Al Madina Dawah Centre in western Sydney, also said Israelis and Jews are the 'descendants of pigs and monkeys'. The rant came just weeks after investigations into alleged hate speech by Islamic clerics - including Ousayd - against the Jewish population were dropped by state and federal investigators because they didn't meet the threshold for incitement. Ousayd, also known as Brother Ismali, declared all Muslims who celebrate New Year's Eve are equivalent to the Kafir (disbelievers in Islam) because of the holiday's 'Pagan' roots in Chinese and Christian cultures. Abu Ousayd in a sermon on Friday at Bankstown's Al Madina Dawah Centre in western Sydney, said Israelis and Jews are the 'descendants of pigs and monkeys' 'The Chinese are the first to come up with fireworks to scare off evil demons... another Pagan origin,' he told the congregation. 'You as a Muslim, you have nothing to do with this day, keep away from it. Don't celebrate it, don't congratulate the Kafir.' Ousayd claimed several Christian denominations celebrate January 1 as the day Jesus Christ was circumcised. 'Now we are celebrating a piece of flesh that is cut and thrown away... I'm sorry to say this, but what you are celebrating is a piece of foreskin,' he said. The sermon ended with the cleric asking 'what is so happy about this new year?' referencing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas. 'How can you go and take your children, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Kafir and look up at some fireworks going up knowing that bombs and missiles are coming down on your brothers and sisters?' Ousayd said. 'Let us not forget what has been happening to our brothers and sisters in Palestine. 'The descendants of pigs and monkeys are stealing the organs of your brothers and sisters... But we want to watch fireworks.' The controversial Islamic cleric launched a bizarre tirade against New Year's Eve celebrations, describing the festivities as a 'celebration of foreskin' and urging Muslims not to take part (pictured, Sydney's NYE fireworks display) The sermon drew outrage from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry's co-CEO, Alex Ryvchin, who denounced the comments. 'He believes Jews are pigs and monkeys yet they have built a thriving pluralistic democracy that ingathered millions of refugees and formed one of the most sophisticated, powerful and innovative countries in the world despite facing near constant war and possessing few natural resources,' Mr Ryvchin told The Australian. 'His comments are obviously despicable and dangerous, but they also provide a study in how anti-Semitism works and the stupidity that accompanies it.' The Australian Federal Police referred one of Ousayd's sermons to its terror squad for assessment in early November, but investigators found that he had not committed any crimes. During a lecture in November, Ousayd employed traditional anti-Semetic stereotypes to label Jews 'a very mischievous people' who use their economic and media power to 'oppress the weak' and start wars for their own gain. 'Although we don't agree with Darwinism, and evolution, if the issue has to do with apes evolving into human I think it's better you speak with a scientist who holds this view, a view commenly (sic) taught it all Public schools a cross the nation,' the Al Madina Dawah Centre told Daily Mail Australia in regards to Ousayd's comments that Israelis and Jews are the 'descendants of pigs and monkeys'. The mystery surrounding the identity of who the Cerne Abbas giant is meant to be is something that has baffled people for centuries. Some believed the naked 180ft chalk figure in Dorset was a lost British god while others even claimed it was a depiction of Oliver Cromwell. But now, after hundreds of years of debate, academics believe they have the answer to the hillside riddle and declared the figure probably depicts Greek hero Hercules. Historians suggest the hill the huge chalk carving is located on could have once been a mustering point for Anglo-Saxon troops, with the giant acting as a rallying symbol. In a paper published in journal Speculum, researchers say the giant was adopted by Christians who claimed it depicted their saint. It also argues the 'British god' idea was a myth which arose from a mistranslation. Historians believe they have now answered the mystery of what Dorset's Cerne Abbas carving is meant to depict - with academics suggesting it shows Greek hero Hercules The findings follow a report in 2021 which claimed the giant was cut into the Dorset hillside between 700 and 1100AD. While the precise purpose of the work will likely remain a mystery, academics claim that their theory is the simplest explanation. 'We've tried to put together the most convincing and coherent narrative,' said Tom Morcom, of the University of Oslo. 'It's how it all fits together and how the giant could have been most likely understood.' Researchers say there are many references to Hercules in the British Isles during the time the giant was constructed, with texts about him having been written by people with connections to the village of Cerne Abbas itself. Academics also point to similarities in the design of the mythic hero himself, that suggest the Cerne Abbas is a tribute to Hercules. The giant's club, for instance, is Herculean in design. But it is different to the traditional Mediterranean one suggesting a British twist on the hero. Crucially there are British depictions of a naked Hercules that accord with the phallic and unclothed depiction of the chalk carving. Academics also suppose Hercules's mantle, or cloak, might well have featured in the original work but was lost over time. 'The position of his arm is such that it fits so well,' said Helen Gittos of Brasenose College, Oxford. 'It seems quite likely.' Researchers say the carving has many similarities to the Greek figure of Hercules The location of the giant has all the hallmarks of a military mustering point, historians argue. It is easy to spot, close to several key roads as well as sites that had been attacked by Vikings. Historians have theorised there might have been a tradition of using depictions like the giant as a military symbol. For instance, an 11th century source claimed King Harold, who was defeated at Hastings in 1066, flew a banner of a fighting man, possibly inspired by the Cerne Abbas figure. Other theories, like the suggestion the giant represented Cromwell, have been discounted. This theory followed a re-cutting of the giant during the English Civil War, which supported claimed was meant to mock the Lord Protector - with academics now suggesting this is unlikely. Another theory came to prominence after the giant was dated, with people claiming it was a depiction of an Anglo-Saxon god called Helith. This too has been discounted by modern theories. Researchers Morcom and Gittos traced the root of this idea to one text, with the name Helith coming from a 13th-century mistranslation of the Latin word for Elijah, the Old Testament prophet. It seems that Helith never existed. Despite the latest study claiming to have answered the question about the origins of the giant, researchers admit the true meaning of the Cerne Abbas will remain one that will be open to interpretation for generations to come. 'Each generation seems to have different motives, right down to the present day,' said Mr Morcom. 'This move towards some kind of pagan fertility site or having a maypole on top of it and dancing - these are all means of keeping the giant fresh within the landscape.' China's President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulations with U.S. President Joe Biden on the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries while also issuing a stark warning that Communist nation would 'surely be reunified' with Taiwan. Xi, in his message, said both countries have 'weathered the storms and moved forward in general', which has enhanced the well-being of their peoples and contributed to world peace, stability and prosperity, according to the ministry statement. Xi called China and U.S. forming ties 'a major event' in the history of bilateral relations and in international relations. The president went on to say that China would 'surely be reunified' with Taiwan during his televised New Year's address, renewing Beijing's threats to take over the self-ruled island, which it considers its own. 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 ramping up its threat to achieve that by military force if necessary. The U.S. is due its presidential election in November, in which former president and outspoken critic of China Donald Trump is campaigning against Biden to come back for a second term Xi called China and U.S. forming ties 'a major event' in the history of bilateral relations and in international relations In this file photo released by the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense, Taiwanese navy ship Keelung, foreground, a U.S. made Kidd Class destroyer, monitors the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong, background, near the Taiwanese waters in September 2023 'China will surely be reunified, and all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose,' Xi said in his annual address, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. Taiwan's citizens go to the polls in two weeks in order to elect a new leader. China-U.S. ties have been frosty but Biden administration officials have visited Beijing and met with their counterparts to rebuild communications and trust in the months leading up to a high-stakes summit between Xi and Biden in San Francisco in November, deemed an opportunity to cool tensions between the world's two largest economies. Xi said the summit has pointed out the direction for both nations' ties, under a future-oriented vision. 'I am willing to work with President Biden to continue to steer and navigate the China-U.S. relationship for the benefit of China and the U.S. and the two peoples, and to promote the cause of world peace and development,' Xi said. The U.S. is due its presidential election in November, in which former president and outspoken critic of China Donald Trump is campaigning against Biden to come back for a second term. Xi also exchanged New Year's messages with North Korea leader Kim Jong Un, and both announced 2024 to be a 'friendship year' for both countries, launching a series of activities for that, the Chinese foreign ministry said separately. Xi said China is willing to work with North Korea to deepen strategic mutual trust, enhance exchanges and cooperation, promote greater bilateral ties and make new contributions to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region. On New Year's Eve, the Chinese leader exchanged greetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin as well. This year is the 75th anniversary of China and Russia establishing diplomatic relations. Russia's economic reliance on China has grown as the country becomes increasingly isolated, hit by sanctions especially from Western countries since its invasion of Ukraine, a war which will enter its third year come February. Xi said China and Russia should 'continuously consolidate' and develop ties 'featuring permanent good-neighbourly friendship', along with comprehensive strategic coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation that would serve both countries' interests. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China by Mao Zedong, who defeated Republic of China forces led by Chiang Kai-shek in a bloody civil war. Mao declared the People's Republic of China on Oct. 1, 1949, while Chiang's government fled into exile in Taiwan in December of that year. No peace treaty has ever been signed to end the war and the Republic of China remains Taiwan's formal name. Charles III has given a new insight into his first full year as King - sharing footage from his 'Carriage Cam' with Queen Camilla during the State Opening of Parliament in an upbeat video rounding up the Royal Family's 2023. His Majesty is seen talking to his wife and waving to crowds in a rare glimpse inside their horse drawn carriage after it left Buckingham Palace and headed down The Mall on November 7 this year. The footage is at the heart of the King's first tweet of 2024, reviewing the past 12 months and his duties in the UK and the Commonwealth. It also contains a number of clips of the Prince and Princess of Wales - but there is nothing of Prince Harry, who attended his father's coronation in May without his wife Meghan Markle. Prince Andrew is also absent from the montage set to a high-tempo dance tune. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and other political leaders are in the montage. Charles' trip to Kenya this year, viewed as a success by the Palace, also features heavily, as do Camilla's public engagements, including with Brigitte Macron. England Manager Gareth Southgate also features. Sharing the tweet today, the King's official Twitter account said: 'Thank you for all the warm welcomes up and down the country, and around the world, in 2023. Wishing everyone a very happy 2024'. King Charles and Queen Camilla inside their carriage on the way to the State Opening of Parliament in November The royal couple chatted and waved. Camilla wore the same outfit that she wore to the Coronation in May The King and Queen smile at each other on the balcony at Buckingham Palace Charles, Camilla and Gareth Southgate, England manager William and Kate cycling at a charity event William with Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham - but Prince Harry does not feature The film begins with the 'Carriage Cam' footage and then on to a series of other high profile events. There are numerous clips of the King and Queen at the Coronation in May, both during the ceremony at Westminster Abbey and on the balcony at Buckingham Palace afterwards. The Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne and other senior royals are featured in the montage of images. But there is nothing of Prince Harry, Meghan Markle or their family at all. Prince Andrew is also absent, but he did go to Sandringham for Christmas with his brother this year with his ex-wife the Duchess of York. The King and Queen with stars including Hannah Waddingham, Scott Mills, Julia Sanina and Rylan Clark Charles an Camilla shortly before they were crowned Charles meets well-wishers who came to London to mark his Coronation The Princess of Wales at one of her public engagements last year The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh after the Coronation at an event Charles with leaders at a Commonwealth function Camilla meets schoolchildren in 2023 Charles and Camilla at one of their public engagements King and Queen beamed at wellwishers on their final church visit of 2023 yesterday. The pair have spent the festive period with family in Sandringham. While other members of the Royal Family have now headed off to see in the New Year elsewhere, Charles and Camilla were present for a Sunday morning service on the Norfolk estate. Both wore warm winter coats and carried umbrellas as they walked to St Mary Magdalenes Church, smiling, waving and chatting to the public. They were greeted by the Bishop of Norwich, the Right Reverend Graham Usher, and Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams. Camilla opted for a light blue coat, which she paired with a matching hat. She completed her elegant ensemble with black-heeled boots and leather-look gloves. The King wore a long, dark brown coat and blue trousers along with brown dress shoes and a white shirt. They will be staying at Sandringham until early in the New Year before travelling up to Birkhall, their Scottish retreat, for the rest of the month, the Mail understands. They can then look forward to a busy 2024, with visits to both Canada and Australia expected. Their latest trip to St Mary Magdalenes comes after the Royal Family marked Christmas Day with a traditional service at the church. For the second year running, the disgraced Duke of York was permitted to walk with the family, while his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York appeared in public for the service for the first time in years. The King on his state visit to France with President Macron Camilla with a visit to the theatre The US recorded its bloodiest year ever in 2023, new mass shooting statistics show. From Texas to Maine, there have been a total of 40 mass killings involving guns this year, annual data from The AP, USA Today, and Northeastern University has revealed. The number - fueled by tragedies at a Louisville bank and a Nashville elementary school - is the highest since the coalition began compiling the data in 2006. More concerning is the fact that it's four incidents more than the year before, when shootings at a school in Uvalde and a Buffalo supermarket also led to a record. The statistics come from what's perhaps the most reliable mass killing database in the country. They indicate an upward trend, and come on the heels of an especially bloody month that saw 18 fatal strikes alone. The US had its bloodiest year ever in 2023, statistics tracking the country's mass shootings show. The number - fueled by tragedies at a Louisville bank and a Nashville elementary school - is the highest since AP and Northeastern University started compiling the data in 2006 According to the coalition - as well as other shooting trackers The Gun Violence Archive. there have been a total of 40 mass killings involving guns this year. The most fatal occurred this past October in Maine, the data shows, when Robert Card (pictured) slaughtered 18 on October 25 That said, the new data concerns only mass killings - incidents where at least four people died, not including the shooter. That's not to be confused with a mass shooting, where victims don't necessarily need to die to be included in the casualty count. The database also requires both versions of the attacks to have occurred within a 24-hour period to be included - leaving serial strikes out. There, of course, is an overlap between the two categories, and the use of terms interchangeably often can create confusion on the frequency of the occurrences. There are also variations in how mass killings are recorded and defined, leading to some instances of disparity between data compiled by the AP/Northeastern alignment, and others like The Gun Violence Archive. The nonprofit - another entity considered to be the top US shooting tracker - released the same number on New Years Day, alleviating any doubt that 2023 was especially fatal. Both organizations, moreover, found the past year to be one of the worst in terms of mass shootings - a violent incident where one or more attackers killed or injured multiple individuals using a firearm. Within the confines of that criteria, the AP/USA Today/Northeastern alliance tallied 574 incidents, while the Gun Archive - which uses a more inclusive definition that includes shootings with no casualties - recorded 655 in 2023. That's up from last year when 647 shootings took place, and is bested only by 2021 when the US saw a record 689 gun-related strikes, per the Gun Archive. A shooting in Allen, Texas, at an outdoor mall in May left nine dead, after gunman Mauricio Garcia, dressed in SWAT gear, stormed the outlets with a semi-automatic rile at his side, before being shot dead himself. He is seen laying dead here after being taken down by cops The suspect of a mass shooting stands inside Old National Bank in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. April 10. The gunman, 25-year-old Connor Sturgeon, killed six and injured eight Both datasets show how the number of shootings - and mass murders with guns - have risen significantly over the past decade, as gun violence remains an ever-present problem in the US, especially when compared to other countries. Other concerning dynamics aired Monday with the end-of-year data was the fact that both murder-suicides and the number of teens killed or injured by gun violence have risen starkly over the years. Both orgs - along with the CDC - found that far more people kill themselves with a firearm each year than those that are killed with one, and that nearly two-thirds of the more than 40000 gun deaths that occurred in the past year are suicides. Moreover, more than half of all suicides involve guns, and 2023 served as an all-time high. Further troubling was the fact that 2023 was a record year in terms of teens being injured or killed by incidents of gun violence, with an unsettling tally of 1,381 injuries and 3,861 deaths. That's up from the 1,379 injuries and 3,814 deaths seen last year, which - as was the case for mass murders - was the most ever recorded at the time. The deadliest shooting of 2023, meanwhile, happened just over two months ago in Lewiston, the second most populous city in Maine. The deadliest shooting of 2023, meanwhile, happened just over two months ago in Lewiston, an Army reservist by the name of Robert Card opened fire in a bowling alley and a bar that had been hosting a cornhole tournament. He killed 18 before shooting himself The total surpassed the death toll from the then-worst shooting of the year that occurred just days after its start, when 72-year-old Huu Can Tran fatally shot 11 during a Lunar New Year celebration in Monterey Park, California on January 25 The third-worst, meanwhile, took place in Allen, Texas, at an outlet mall, where suspected neo-Nazi sympathizer named Mauricio Garcia gunned down eight and wounded seven before being gunned down as well That was one of ten mass murders that happened in public places, both organizations found, joined by one that occurred on mushroom farm in California (the aftermath of which is seen here) Trans shoot Audrey Hale, meanwhile, had detailed writings plotting her attack months before she butchered three kids and three adults at The Covenant School in March A separate report by the US Secret Service, published in January, found that a history of mental health and a recent life crisis were common among those who carried out the strikes, which have been on the rise for more than a decade A terrified child presses her hand against the glass of a school bus window after being evacuated from school in March. There, on October 25, an Army reservist by the name of Robert Card opened fire in a bowling alley and a bar that had been hosting a cornhole tournament, months after officials warned authorities of psychiatric problems he had been experiencing. The incident left 18 dead and 13 wounded, and culminated with Card killing himself in a trailer several miles away. While short of the 21 killed by Uvalde gunman Salvador Ramos the year before, the total surpassed the death toll from the then-worst shooting of the year that occurred just days after its start, when 72-year-old Huu Can Tran fatally shot 11 during a Lunar New Year celebration in Monterey Park on January 25. The third-worst, meanwhile, took place in Texas, at an outlet mall, where suspected neo-Nazi sympathizer named Mauricio Garcia gunned down eight and wounded seven. That was one of ten mass murders that happened in public places, both organizations found, joined by one that occurred in a bank in Kentucky, as well as a mushroom farm in California. Another, carried out by trans Tennessean Audrey Hale, happened at a Nashville elementary school in March, where the former student killed three 9-year-olds and three adults before being gunned down herself. As a new year begins, efforts to limit access to guns continue to meet pushback from lawmakers. In comments to The Wall Street Journal, Thomas Abt, founding director of the Center for the Study and Practice of Violence Reduction, called the 2023 results 'a tragic, shameful milestone that should - but probably will not - serve as a wake-up call' to those who have opposed stricter gun laws. The associate research professor at the University of Maryland would go on to state: 'The rise in mass shootings is driven by many factors, but increasingly easy access to firearms is the primary cause.' Baroness Mone and her family say they have been 'treated as a punchbag' after lying about having no connections to a PPE company awarded 200million of government contracts. Michelle Mone's husband Doug Barrowman has hit out at what he called 'lamentable failures' by ministers when procuring personal protective equipment during the pandemic. In a statement published by Lady Mone on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Barrowman said it 'suits the agenda' of the UK Government to "scapegoat' him and his wife for their part in supplying items designed to protect against coronavirus infection through the firm PPE Medpro. Lady Mone has admitted she lied when she denied having connections to the company, a consortium led by her husband, which was awarded contracts worth more than 200million to supply gowns and face masks. The lingerie entrepreneur stands to benefit from its 60million in profits that have been placed into a trust by her husband. Lingerie entrepreneur Lady Mone has shared on X, formerly Twitter, a new letter written by her husband criticising treatment of the couple over a 200million PPE controversy Mr Barrowman complained he and his family had been 'treated as a punchbag' while also receiving death threats and online abuse Lady Mone shared online the letter written by her husband in which he accuses government ministers of 'lamentable failures' in PPE supplies during the Covid-19 pandemic Mr Barrowman said he and his family have been 'treated as a punchbag by the media for the past three years' and 'received death threats and a constant torrent of online and other abuse' as a result of the row. In his statement of more than 1,000 words published today, Mr Barrowman looked to turn the debate on to what he said were failures by the Department of Health and Social Care during its PPE procurement. He branded it 'simply unacceptable' that the UK Covid-19 Inquiry was not scheduled to review pandemic PPE procurement until 2025 - after a general election expected to take place this year. He wrote: 'The stark reality is that DHSC has brought this claim against Medpro at a time of increased scrutiny of how it overspent by so much and when questions were being asked as to why the government was writing off 9billion of PPE out of the 13.1billion spent. 'How on Earth did the UK Government manage to purchase five years of PPE when it was only supposed to build up four months of stock? 'Yet no one has been held accountable at DHSC.' He suggested the DHSC's permanent secretary Sir Chris Wormald 'should resign', adding: 'Ultimately he signed off all the PPE contracts. 'So rather than focus on the real story here, it suits the agenda of the Government and their media spin doctors to scapegoat my wife and I for their own lamentable failures.' The government last December issued breach of contract proceedings against PPE Medpro over the 2020 deal on the supply of sterile gowns. The firm is defending the legal action, while it is also being investigated by the National Crime Agency over suspected criminal offences in the procurement of PPE contracts. Mr Barrowman repeated his claim that ministers were 'using the arm of the NCA to threaten criminal proceedings unless we settle' the civil case. He said it was 'curious' that 'out of 176 disputed contracts to a value of 2.7billion, no-one else, other than Medpro is being litigated against', and he said the firm was 'confident of success' in the legal dispute. A DHSC spokesman said: 'We do not comment on ongoing legal cases.' Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called for Lady Mone to be expelled from the House of Lords following the admission she lied over her links to Medpro. The fresh statement from Mr Barrowman, which follows an interview he and Lady Mone gave the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg last month, appears to have been prompted by an article Dan Neidle - a tax expert whose investigation into the financial affairs of Nadhim Zahawi saw the MP sacked as Conservative Party chairman - was preparing to publish. Mr Neidle said Mr Barrowman had not addressed in his statement that he had 'lied about his connection to PPE Medpro'. Lawyers for the couple had initially told the press they had 'no role or function in PPE Medpro'. Mr Neidle, the founder of Tax Policy Associates, speculated any failure by Mr Barrowman to inform Companies House of his role with PPE Medpro could be considered an offence. He wrote on X: 'Barrowman is shameless, and so confident that the rules won't be enforced, that even now - when he admits his role - he still hasn't corrected the Companies House entry for PPE Medpro. 'Companies House, the CPS and the police have a choice. 'Prosecute Barrowman and his team for a breach that was both blatant and impactful. Or get ready for absolutely everyone to ignore these rules. Because rules that are never enforced may as well not exist.' Do you have any information about Kimberlee's time in the UK? Email tips@dailymail.com An American mother-of-three accused of murdering two of her children fled the US to the UK and was found 5,000 miles from home by Britain's FBI hiding in a Kensington hotel, it was revealed today. Kimberlee Singler, 35, appeared in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court this morning where she revealed her intention to fight extradition back to Colorado to face trial. Singler jetted to the UK knowing exactly what was going to happen according to the British judge at her first court hearing, who remanded her in custody because she is considered a flight risk. She is wanted by police in Colorado Springs for allegedly killing her 9-year-old daughter Elianna and 7-year-old son Aden on December 19. Her ex-husband Kevin Wentz identified the bodies, while Singler went on the run for two weeks, sparking an international manhunt. But that came to an end in a central London hotel without incident when National Crime Agency officers arrested her on Saturday on behalf of the United States of America. She has no real ties to the UK, the court heard. Her case raises serious questions about how she managed to leave the US and enter the UK while wanted for murder. Today with dark curly hair, a grey prison-issue tracksuit, and legal paperwork clasped in hands in front of her, Singler appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court and announced her intention to fight her extradition. She was asked by the court clerk whether she consented to be handed over to the American authorities, she answered simply: No. Kimberlee Singler, the Colorado mother who allegedly killed two of her children and was on the run has been taken into the custody thousands of miles away in the United Kingdom, according to police Singler is accused of murdering two of her children: 9-year-old Elianna and 7-year-old Aden Wentz on the same day she learned a Larmier County judge had ordered police to locate the children after she failed to drop them off to their father Singler's ex-husband Kevin Wentz released a statement on Sunday identifying his two deceased children She is represented by Fadi Daoud who did not make a bail application but indicated one may be made on January 8. Details of how Singler was located were not read out in court save for a brief mention by Darren Watts, acting for the USA, who said: She was arrested in a hotel in central London. District Judge Billing said: These are the most serious offences. It does not seem that she has any real ties to this country. She left the USA knowing exactly what was going to happen to her and fled to this country. I cannot see that there are any conditions I could impose to give me confidence that she would return to court, knowing what is awaiting her in the USA. Singler will appear on video link from jail on January 8 and will next be in court on January 29. Her first court appearance followed police being called to her apartment on December 19, after she allegedly killed nine-year-old daughter Elianna and seven-year-old Aden Wentz just before Christmas. She was last seen in Colorado Springs on December 23, after she allegedly killed nine-year-old daughter Elianna and seven-year-old Aden Wentz just before Christmas. Britain's FBI, the National Crime Agency, arrested her in Kensington, West London, on Saturday and have already started proceedings to extradite her back to the US. A NCA spokesman told MailOnline: 'Officers from the National Crime Agencys National Extradition Unit arrested a 35-year-old female wanted in the United States of America for offences including two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder'. Singler had been in a long legal battle with her ex-husband Kevin Wentz over the custody of their three children. Police were called to her apartment in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains on December 19 to reports of a burglary. Officers found an injured Singler and her still-living daughter, 11, lying next to the dead bodies of her other daughter, nine, and son, seven. But a Colorado Springs Police Department investigation found that the initial burglary report and 911 call was 'unfounded'. It apparently came on the same day Singler learned that a judge had ordered police to locate the children after she failed to drop them off to their father. Detectives, who wanted her for alleged murder, attempted murder and child abuse, said she had last been seen on December 23 and believed that she had fled the state. But last night it emerged that she was arrested in the UK 'without incident'. If convicted when she is returned to America she faces life in prison. In 2020, Colorado abolished the death penalty. Nearly two weeks after the original killings and a week after she was last seen or heard from, Singler was taken into police custody 'without incident' in the United Kingdom on Saturday, though it wasn't specified where and no photos were given. On Sunday, Wentz released photos of his two children and their names: Daughter Elianna 'Elie' Wentz (pictured left), 9 and Aden Wentz (pictured right), 7 Wentz claims that Singler made allegations of both domestic violence and child abuse against him, which a Larimer County court found unsubstantiated, with Wentz deemed not a threat to the kids Colorado Springs Police Department said last night that they will announce more details at a press conference. A spokesperson for the Colorado Springs Police Department told DailyMail.com they are not releasing any further information about her arrest at this time. Singler was also involved in a lengthy custody battle with her ex-husband, and was just days away from losing the kids. 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 surviving daughter, 11, lying next to the bodies of her other daughter, nine, and son, seven. On Sunday, Wentz released photos of his two children and their names: Daughter Elianna 'Elie' Wentz, 9 and Aden, 7. Wentz put out a press release Sunday that both revealed the names of his two deceased children and also told his side of what happened leading up to their deaths. He claims the incident is related to his divorce to Singler, which dates back to September 2018. Wentz claims that Singler made allegations of both domestic violence and child abuse against him, which a Larimer County court found unsubstantiated, with Wentz deemed not a threat to the kids. The tense battle had continued well into 2023, however, as Singler obtained a Temporary Protection Order in El Paso County against Wentz after she alleged he brandished a knife at her. Wentz denies the charge but the order stood until January 24 with an appeal hearing scheduled. Singler filed another emergency motion in county court on November 17 to try and restrict Wentz's parenting time based on those same allegations, but the court rescinded the order after they found there was no imminent threat. Larimer County Court even ordered Singler to pay Wentz's legal bills and give him makeup time to cover what he'd lost from the order. Singler, Wentz claims, did not comply with those directives and did not bring the kids to Wentz on their scheduled December 16 exchange date. Both he and his legal representatives tried to contact his ex-wife but got no response. Wentz was granted an Emergency Motion for Law Enforcement Assistance to Enforce Parenting Time on December 18 and scheduled a Status Conference for two days later, ordering Singler to appear with the children. But by December 19, two of the three children were dead. He argues that he has cooperated fully with the police investigation into the killings. On Sunday evening, Wentz celebrated Singler's arrest in a Facebook post, writing: 'She's been found!!' A Gofundme has been started to help raise funds for the surviving family. 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 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 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. The Singler family said in a statement of their own Saturday: '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. A Colorado court has set a $10 million bond. 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 Authorities had 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 parent who helped raise Singler's children. Do you have any information about Kimberlee's time in the UK? Email tips@dailymail.com Zhuang was staying with a host family in Riverdale, Utah through a foreign exchange program A missing Chinese exchange student was found 'very cold and scared' inside a tent on a Utah mountainside after cops said he was 'cyber kidnapped.' Kai Zhuang, 17, was discovered in the Brigham City Canyon area on Sunday night after he was last seen at around 3:30am on Thursday. Multiple law enforcement agencies located Zhuang after the Riverdale Police Department asked the public to help find him on Friday. They considered the teen endangered after his parents in China told authorities that they received a ransom letter and picture of their son. The host family that Zhuang was staying with in Riverdale told police that they were unaware he had gone missing, and that they last saw him the night before and heard him the next morning. Kai Zhuang, 17, was discovered in the Brigham City Canyon area on Sunday night after he was last seen at around 3:30am on Thursday Zhuang was found inside a tent in bitterly cold conditions as authorities believe he was the victim of a cyber kidnapping. The perpetrators sent a ransom note and picture of the teen to his parents in china Riverdale Police Chief Casey Warren said that Zhuang was 'manipulated and controlled' by 'cyber kidnappers' who made him believe that his family in China was threatened and that they had paid a ransom amount of $80,000. The local police department worked alongside the FBI, the U.S. Embassy in China, and Chinese officials to bring Zhuang to safety as they began searching for the possible campsite of the juvenile on Saturday. Riverdale Police asked that the Weber County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Drone team step in as they were concerned for Zhuang's welfare in the bitterly cold conditions. Detective Sergeant Engstrom hiked on foot up the mountainside and came across the victims tent in a wooded area before he approached Zhuang inside. The teen was found 'alive but very cold and scared' and was relieved when authorities discovered him. 'The victim had no heat source inside the tent, only a heat blanket, a sleeping bag, limited food and water and several phones that were presumed to be used to carry out the cyber kidnapping,' Warren said in a statement. Zhaung was found camped out in Brigham City Canyon area after Riverdale Police, the FBI, U.S. Embassy in China, and Chinese officials searched for him During a press conference, Warren said that Zhuang's parents, who live in China, contacted his high school after they received the ransom letter Cyber Kidnapping Perpetrators contact victims in search of large amounts of money as they claim that their families are in danger or need help Suspects are known to specifically target foreign exchange students They instruct the youngsters to isolate themselves and document themselves in distress before they send proof of distress to their family members Large amounts of money are requested to be wired to the perpetrators in return They contact family members and say that their loved one is being held captive or has gone missing Advertisement He was checked for signs of hypothermia and was eventually cleared of any major medical conditions by the Brigham City Fire Department. According to KSL, Zhaung was able to speak to his family and was given a warm cheeseburger before he was transported to the Riverdale Police Department. When Zhaung first went missing he was reported to have been 'forcefully taken' from his home in Utah and being held against his will, but Police did not believe that was the case. During a press conference, Warren said that Zhuang's parents, who live in China, contacted his high school. A Utah Endangered Missing Persons Advisory had earlier been issued after the boy was 'forcefully taken from his home and held against his will' from the Riverdale home where he had been staying - about 30 minutes north of Salt Lake City. Warren revealed that through this investigation he and his department learned more about the extent of cyber kidnapping after the FBI briefed them on the recent occurrences of the crime. Suspects that initiate the crime commonly threaten young foreign exchange students and their families for money as they instruct the students to isolate themselves. Zhuang was captured in CCTV footage as he shopped for camping gear before he was discovered on Sunday Authorities scaling the cold mountainside as they looked for the teen who was found 'very cold and scared' They then ask the youngsters to take pictures of themselves in distress and being 'held captive' and send them to their families. Prior to his rescue, the Provo Police Department had an encounter with Zhuang and were concerned for the teen's safety after he tried to set up a campsite. Zhuang was captured in CCTV footage as he shopped for camping gear before he was discovered. Authorities also discovered Zhaung's phone and bank records and tracked his purchases in the last month, which included various camping materials. It is unclear how long Zhaung might have been in contact with the perpetrator and if he has been brought back to his host family. DailyMail.com contacted the Riverdale Police Department for more information but did not hear back in time for this report and the investigation is actively being investigated. The mother of the woman who drowned in the River Thames on her first date with speedboat killer Jack Shepherd believes he will never tell the truth about her death. Roz Wickens, 58, spoke of her continuing anguish over the loss of her daughter Charlotte Brown, 24, just weeks before Shepherd's expected release from prison. In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, she revealed how she found it 'too painful' to refer to Shepherd by his full name, and instead calls him JS. She said: 'I will continue to want to know what happened on the fateful night Charlotte was taken away from us, but I don't think I ever will. 'Only he knows what really happened as Charlotte cannot speak for herself. But if he came out with anything now, I wouldn't know if it was true because of all the stories he has told. 'JS will never tell the truth and I feel that the truth may implicate him further. He will never know or fully understand the true devastation he has caused me and my family.' Roz Wickens, 58, spoke of her continuing anguish over the loss of her daughter Charlotte Brown, 24, just weeks before Shepherd's release from jail (Rox and Charlotte pictured) Shepherd fled to Georgia and was jailed for six years for manslaughter by gross negligence at the Old Bailey in his absence in July 2018. He handed himself in 10 months later Shepherd's defect-laden 14ft Fletcher Arrowflyte GTO which he had bought from Gumtree Charlotte was killed when Shepherd took her on a high speed ride past the Houses of Parliament in his defective speedboat after wining and dining her in a restaurant at the Shard in a seduction routine he had practiced on a string of other women. The business consultant apparently fell out of the 14ft speedboat and drowned after being swept away late at night in December 2015, while Shepherd was rescued from the water. He fled to Georgia and was jailed for six years for manslaughter by gross negligence at the Old Bailey in his absence in July 2018. Shepherd gave himself up 10 months later, and was returned to the UK to start his sentence, before being given a further four years in prison for hitting a barman over the head with a vodka bottle in a hotel in Devon. He had insisted that Charlotte was at the wheel when his boat hit a log and capsized near Wandsworth Bridge, implying that she was partly to blame. But a witness on the balcony of a riverside flat challenged his story by saying she saw a single figure at the helm looking into the water, before the boat hit a pier. Roz is certain that her daughter would never have driven a boat recklessly and believes that she was thrown out while he was showing off by performing a high speed manoeuvre. Charlotte who lived in London, but grew up in Welling, Kent, was found to be only slightly over the drink-drive limit for alcohol after her body was recovered while rescuers said website designer Shepherd appeared drunk. His trial heard how he had bought vodka, before sharing two bottles of wine with Charlotte at the Shard and downing champagne on his boat which he had bought on Gumtree. Part time delivery driver Roz of Sittingbourne, Kent, believes that he would have drunk far more than her daughter due to her relatively low alcohol reading, although police failed to breathalyse him on the night of the tragedy. She said: 'We don't really know for sure what happened. I have got my gut feeling, but I don't know for certain. My feeling all along is that she fell out of the boat while he was driving, and he was left there. Charlotte Brown (pictured), 24, suffered fatal injuries when Jack Shepherd flipped the boat they were both in after losing control in a champagne-fuelled crash in December 2015 'He was seen alone in the boat by a witness when he seemed to be looking round for her in the water.' Roz added: 'My heart will always ache for the loss of Charlotte, but no matter what happens with the release of JS, nothing will bring her back. 'It has not been easy. I miss her tremendously. Words cannot explain. For the sake of my other daughters Vicky and Katie and my grandsons, I try to put on a brave face, and be as normal as I can. 'When people say that time heals in bereavement, it is one million per cent incorrect. Time doesn't heal. That statement is the opposite to how I feel. 'I always knew the release of JS was going to happen in January because Victim Support have kept us updated, but it doesn't make it any easier. 'I don't know what prison he is in, and I don't really want to know. I don't want to think about him.' Mrs Wickens' mother Rosemary Parker, 82, from Clacton, Essex, said: 'We are not a vindictive family. 'If he and Charlotte had been in an ordinary relationship, and he had come out and told the truth and been truly sorry and sad, it would have helped. 'Maybe he would not have been forgiven, but Roz would have understood and we would not have so much bitterness now. 'But he has shown no remorse. He has told complete lies and shown contempt all the way through. 'To be honest, the sad person is him because he is so sure of his own life that he doesn't think he needs to show remorse.' Charlotte's father Graham Brown, 60, last week called for Shepherd to be kept behind bars 'until he tells us the truth'. He said: 'The only one who knows what really happened is Shepherd. But evil men like this who do these sorts of things never admit or tell anyone.' Nearly 200 names that had previously been redacted from a long-settled sex trafficking suit against Jeffrey Epstein's accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell will soon be made public, a judge has ruled. The 51-page order was issued on December 18, and will unmask 184 John and Jane Does who had some sort of ties to the late sex pest. Its release has been highly anticipated, as many had alleged they were being withheld from the public eye after the lawsuit was settled out of court in 2017. Republicans in Congress have since fought for its release - including the names of powerful friends and acquaintances of the financier who flew on his private jet. Maxwell, 62, has since been sentenced to 20 years in prison for sex trafficking as part of a separate criminal case. In the settled filing, Virginia Giuffre accused her of helping Epstein traffic her as a minor, and named influential figures allegedly involved. High-profile names that had previously been redacted from a long-settled sex trafficking suit against one of Jeffery Epstein's accomplices will be unveiled in the coming days after a New York judge ruled they should be released. The woman who filed the suit in 2015 claimed she was trafficked as minor, and named Prince Andrew (at right) as an alleged accomplice While the fully unsealed document is still a few days away, many - including former President Bill Clinton (seen here with Epstein and convicted accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell at the White House in 1993 - had been previously known through other means One of them was Prince Andrew, while others who had gone unnamed until now. A total of 15 were accused of 'serious wrongdoing,' while 90 are described as having been 'affiliated' with Epstein in some way. While the fully unsealed document is still a few days away, many - including former President Bill Clinton - had been previously known through other means, according to ABC News. Numerous others - including other well-known public figures and Hollywood stars - are now set to be unmasked, thanks US District Judge Loretta Preska's ruling. Among them is a 'widely publicized' associate who already appeared as a defendant in multiple Epstein-related cases, Preska wrote in one explanation of why each name should be revealed. She wrote the same for seven other Does - numbered 095, 099, 120, 122, 136, 143, and 157 - while the pseudonym believed to be Clinton is mentioned more than 50 times, ABC reported. The context of those references, however, still remains unknown, due to the nature of the redactions. However, several of the redacted names include interviews with various alleged victims and accusers - creating identifying factors that in many cases already unmasked the acquaintances. That said, Giuffre - who seen in a 2001 photo with Andrew and Maxwell with the British Royal's arm around her waist - made no allegations of wrongdoing against Clinton in the original complaint. Numerous others - including other well-known public figures and ever Hollywood royalty - are now set to be unmasked, thanks to the December ruling from a New York federal judge Clinton is seen enjoying a neck massage from a Jeffrey Epstein victim in photographs obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com. Clinton sits and laughs as Chauntae Davies, then a 22-year-old massage therapist who acted as Epstein's personal masseuse, rubs his shoulders Davies is seen again Clinton here again during one of Clinton's visits to Epstein's private island. Like the woman who filed the suit in question, Davies said she was raped by Epstein after being recruited by Maxwell. Clinton, however, was a 'complete gentleman' during the trip, she said The woman who filed the suit being amended is Virginia Giuffre, who is seen as a 17-year-old with the Prince Andrew in a photo said to have been taken in Maxwell's home in 2001. She accused the New York sociality of of helping Epstein traffic her as a minor, and settled her suit out of court in 2017 Some of the Does are identified in the ruling through links to interviews they have given to the media, which the judge further cited as a reason why they should not stay private. They include the housekeepers on Epstein's private island in the Caribbean - where some of the worst abuse was said to be carried out - and one of Prince Andrew's accusers. She claims he fondled her breasts at Epstein's New York mansion. The unnamed woman previously testified as a witness during Maxwell's sensational sex-trafficking trial, where she alleged she was directed to have sex with Andrew during a gathering with the royal, Maxwell and Giuffre, then 17. Nearly 70 of the soon-to-be-unveiled names have been said to have been in the public record before in some form, such as the media and police reports. As of Monday, it is unknown whether Microsoft boss Bill Gates is among them, after he owned up to having a close relationship with the pedophile even after he was convicted in a separate child prostitution case in 2008. Pleading guilty, Epstein was promptly sentenced to 18 months in jail, though under a secret arrangement, the US attorney's office agreed not to prosecute Epstein for federal crimes. As of Monday, it is unknown whether Microsoft boss Bill Gates is among them, after he owned up to having a close relationship with the pedophile even after he was convicted in a separate child prostitution case in 2008. Epstein and Gates pictured together at the pedophile financier's home in Manhattan in 2011 After allegations he visited Epstein's Caribbean island near Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, were debunked, Gates told CNN in 2021: 'It was a huge mistake to spend time with him, to give him the credibility of being there' Starting in 2011 - three years after Epstein was convicted but escaped incarceration due to a secret arrangement with the US Attorneys, Gates met with Epstein multiple times. Gates often attended dinners at his house in New York, pictured here after his second arrest 2019 Still, Gates proceeded to meet with the financier several times - a decision he said he now regrets. 'I shouldn't have had dinners with him,' Gates told Australia's ABC 7 early last year, after being grilled by the well-documented relationship by presenter Sarah Ferguson. Gates made similar comments to CNN in 2021, telling Anderson Cooper: 'It was a huge mistake to spend time with him, to give him the credibility of being there,' Gates said, after allegations he visited Epstein's Caribbean island were debunked. He went on to insist the meetings were merely business-related, and that he had been seeking funds from the financier to address global health issues. 'I had several dinners with him, you know, hoping that what he said about getting billions of philanthropy for global health through contacts that he had might emerge,' Gates said at the time. 'When it looked like that wasnt a real thing, that relationship ended,' the billionaire asserted. As for Clinton, flight records appear to indicate he too never visited Epstein's compound at Little St. James, despite his chummy relationship with the pervert while in the White House. However, according to ABC, Giuffre in 2016 attempted to subpoena him to testify as part of her lawsuit, claiming she met the then ex-president at Epstein Island. The request was ultimately denied - despite her lawyers describing the proposed testimony of Clinton as 'highly relevant' and "important to the fundamental claims and defenses' in the case. That said, Giuffre made no allegations of wrongdoing against the two-term Democrat in her complaint, and a Sunday report from ABC outright stated the documents are not expected to implicate Clinton criminally in any way. In her ruling, Judge Preska gave 14 days for any Does who objected to their documents being made public to object, after which they would be unsealed. Set to happen this week, the unsealing comes more than three years after Epstein was found dead in his New York jail cell in 2019, in what the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner deemed a suicide by hanging. The London Mayor today boasted that his New Year fireworks were the 'best in the world' after facing a backlash from critics who labelled it 'the Sadiq Khan show'. Just before the bongs of Big Ben sounded midnight, a message saying 'The Mayor of London presents' was written high in the sky before a unity-themed display welcomed the new year with the messaging: 'London A Place for Everyone'. The celebration that lasted almost 15 minutes referenced the King's coronation and also used Charles's quote to mark the 75th anniversary of the Windrush crossing in which he said the new arrivals 'collectively enrich the fabric of our national life'. There were repeated references to London's diversity and inclusivity, with Mr Khan telling the world everyone is welcome in a city where people can be themselves. But many critics took to social media to complain that the display was packed with political messaging ahead of Mr Khan's bid for re-election as Mayor this May. Following the backlash, the Labour mayor posted a tweet today for which replies from other users were blocked, saying: 'London wasn't it marvellous? Last night, our skies were lit up with a kaleidoscope of colours and glittering showers of light. 'Every year I'm completely astonished by how utterly mesmerising it is. There's no doubt that these are the best NYE fireworks in the world.' While the 2023 fireworks budget has not yet been confirmed by City Hall, the 2022 total was 4.3million, with 1.3million of that figure covered by ticket sales. Tickets for last night's event cost 20 each, which was up from 15 the previous year. Following the backlash about the New Year's Eve fireworks in London last night, Mayor Sadiq Khan posted a tweet praising it this morning and blocked replies from other users Just before the bongs of Big Ben sounded midnight in London, a message saying 'The Mayor of London presents' was written high in the sky A unity-themed display welcomed the new year in the capital with the messaging: 'London A Place for Everyone' It followed a stream of criticism, including from author Paul Embery who tweeted: 'London New Year's Eve fireworks: voiceover of the King preaching about 'diversity', a homage to the NHS, an advert for same-sex marriage, then a Windrush tribute. 'All literally within two minutes of the clock striking midnight. This stuff is like a nervous tic. It's relentless.' Who gave messages during the fireworks? Mayor of London Sadiq Khan Dame Helen Mirren Bella Ramsey Stephen Fry Joanna Lumley George the Poet Baroness Floella Benjamin Advertisement He added: 'I consider myself a political animal. But the manner in which relentless political messaging is infecting every area of public life is distinctly unhealthy.' Matthew Goodwin-Freeman, a Conservative councillor for Hatch End in North West London, said: 'They're OUR fireworks Mr Mayor, not yours. Talk about an ego trip.' Some 100,000 people in the capital cast their eyes to the sky to take in the firework, laser, and drone show. As hits by the Spice Girls, Calvin Harris, Dua Lupa and others rang out across the city, revellers were invited to look back on 2023. The display - which included more than 12,000 fireworks, 600 drones and 430 lights - also paid homage to the NHS, which celebrated 75 years in 2023. But another viewer commenting on social media took issue with the 'Place for Everyone' title of the display. They said: 'London, a place that isn't safe for everyone more like. A violent crime epidemic. Hate mobs on the streets. regular clashes between different communities. No thanks. London has been turned into a total dump.' One said: 'The Mayor of London presents The Sadiq Khan Show. Funded by the extremely p***ed off British taxpayer. #LondonNYE #LondonFireworks.' READ MORE Thousands of bleary-eyed Brits wake up with sore heads after braving rain to celebrate 2024 Advertisement Further messages throughout the pyrotechnic show were heard from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Dame Helen Mirren, Bella Ramsey, Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley, George the Poet, and Baroness Floella Benjamin, who read a poem by the late Benjamin Zephaniah. But one viewer tweeted: 'What a load of c**p. The only thing London can celebrate is being the crime capital of the world with this failing mayor. Even the fireworks were c**p.' And another added: 'Since when did you do the 'Presented by' The Mayor of London' thing? I thought the light show was down to experts. How arrogant.' A further viewer said: 'Can't we just enjoy the fireworks? Does any democracy need such Soviet or Chinese style social messaging? 'We should all resist this battering of propaganda - no matter what your political take, it's not healthy.' Fireworks light up the sky over the London Eye in London during the New Year celebrations Fireworks organised by Sadiq Khan welcome in the New Year in London overnight People watch the fireworks over the London Eye in London during the New Year celebrations Fireworks organised by the Mayor of London welcome in the New Year in the capital Mayor Sadiq Khan, who said it was London's 'best and biggest ever' New Year celebration Another tweet said: 'The Mayor of London presents.. What?! Ulez and increased TfL fares. ' The show was organised by Mr Khan who said it was London's 'best and biggest ever' New Year celebration. He added: 'Our unique combination of fireworks, drones, lighting and music have put on a fabulous show for the millions watching around the globe, sending a message of unity and showing why London is the greatest city in the world. '2023 was filled with so many special moments, and as we move into 2024, I feel more inspired than ever to continue our work towards building a better, greener and more prosperous city for everyone.' California has become the first state to offer universal health insurance to all illegal migrants regardless of whether they have any documentation. On January 1, taxpayers will now be forced to fork out thousands for medical care for an additional 700,000 undocumented immigrants - between 26 and 49 - eligible for full coverage under Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program. It comes as more than a staggering 1.5 million are pouring across the southern border every year many of them seeking shelter in California's Democrat-run 'sanctuary cities.' Previously, undocumented immigrants were not qualified to receive health insurance under Medi-Cal unless there was an emergency or pregnancy related issue. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and lawmakers agreed in 2022 to provide health care access to all low-income adults regardless of their immigration status through the state's Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal. The expansion will eventually cost the state about $3.1 billion per year, the Associated Press reported. The move has been criticized by the California Senate Republican Caucus, who stated that the state's Medicaid program is 'already strained by serving 14.6 million Californians more than a third of the state's population. Adding 764,000 more individuals to the system will certainly exacerbate current provider access problems.' But, Newsom's office told ABC News, in part, that 'in California, we believe everyone deserves access to quality, affordable health care coverage regardless of income or immigration status.' Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed hundreds of new laws that went into effect on January 1, including a law granting health care services to all undocumented immigrants in the state of California California is home to more than two million undocumented immigrants In 2023, more than 500,000 people crossed the border illegally into California, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection data and preliminary gotaway data exclusively obtained by The Center Square The Public Policy Institute of California defines 'undocumented -also known as illegal or unauthorized -immigrants, a population that is not directly identified in any representative national or state surveys. Newsom said, 'through this expansion, we're making sure families and communities across California are healthier, stronger, and able to get the care they need when they need it.' Earlier this year, State Senator Maria Elena Durazo said opening up Medi-Cal to all undocumented Californians has been a goal for health and immigration advocates for years and applauded the news. She said, 'this historic investment speaks to California's commitment to health care as a human right.' Before Newsom became governor, then governor Jerry Brown signed a bill in 2015, that only allowed undocumented children to join Medi-Cal in 2015, as long as they met eligibility requirements, including income limits and California residency in 2014. In 2019, Newsom signed a law granting eligibility to those younger than 26, and in May, California started covering people aged 50 and over. The state senator's office explainrf that Californians are eligible for Medi-Cal coverage based on their income. This year's income cap for a family of four is $36,156. Medi-Cal is also available to to people with certain medical conditions, and those who are pregnant, blind, disabled, under age 21, living in a nursing home or are a recently settled refugee. Sarah Dar, director of Health and Public Benefits Policy at the California Immigrant Policy Center said the 'budget investment reflects California's values of inclusion and fairness and should be a model for the rest of the nation.' 'All Californians, regardless of their age or where they were born, should have access to basic necessities like food and fair, steady wages,' Dar said. Undocumented residents remain the largest group of uninsured in California, according to a recent analysis from the the Center for Labor Research and Education at the University of California, Berkeley. California still has the largest population of undocumented immigrants in America, according to a study by the Pew Research Center, Axios San Francisco reported. It's latest data from 2021, placed the undocumented population at 10.5 million and of that number 1.85 million, about five percent of its total population, was in California. In 2023, more than 500,000 people crossed the border illegally into California, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection data and preliminary gotaway data exclusively obtained by The Center Square. This number is up from nearly 302,000 in fiscal 2022, as per the news outlet. Thousands of revellers witnessed the horrific killing of a 16-year-old schoolboy who was stabbed to death minutes before London's New Year's Eve fireworks extravaganza. Police officers had to wade through huge crowds to get to the dying teenager at the top of Primrose Hill, Camden, where thousands had gathered to watch the fireworks display. A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into custody, the Metropolitan Police has said. Officers administered First Aid before paramedics and a helicopter ambulance arrived but the boy, who has not been named, was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before midnight. Primrose Hill - an exclusive London suburb where houses are sold for multimillion pound sums - was cordoned off on Monday morning as dozens of police patrolled the area and turned away families hoping to walk their dogs through the park. Forensics teams arrived later in the day and a forensics tent could be seen at the crest of the park, while litter from Sunday night's festivities littered the hillside. Metropolitan Police Officers have cordoned off the area in the park where the incident occurred A forensic team team arrived at the park to examine the crime scene Police officers conduct a fingertip search on Primrose Hill The spot is among the most popular in the capital for those hoping to watch the London Eye fireworks. A local resident told MailOnline: 'My son was there last night. At around 11.40 -11.45pm, two police cars were driving slowly through the crowds up to the top of the hill. 'A young lad had been stabbed and was laying on the floor. There were too many people to clear away completely so the officers had to tape off a small patch where the boy had fallen. 'Those officers and paramedics then worked on him, trying to save his life, basically as fireworks were being let off and people were whooping and hollering. 'It was a strange, eerie scene and a damning indictment on the knife violence gripping London. 'This wasn't a small event, there must have been around 30,000 people on the hill at that time last night. 'It's always been busy up there on New Year's Eve but last night was as packed as I'd ever seen it. 'This young lad was murdered in clear view of people.' One local woman said there were 'hundreds if not thousands' of people there at the time of the attack. Police officers conducted a search of the area in the park where the schoolboy had been stabbed Police officers had to wade through the huge crowds to get to the dying teenager at the top of the hill The scene in Primrose Hill in Camden where an area of the park has been cordoned off by the Metropolitan Police She said it was 'absolutely tragic and shocking' that a teenager could be killed on her doorstep, adding: 'It's not just a young people's party - there would have been families with young children there, too. 'It would have been rammed. It's not just locals - people come from miles around.' Several others said they saw police searching revellers before they were allowed to leave the park, forming queues which took a long time to clear. Another local, who wished not to be named, described the incident as 'tragic but inevitable', explaining he had made 'hundreds' of complaints to police about anti-social behaviour in the park. He said it had become a 'party hotspot' with drugs and alcohol since the pandemic. Gina Germano, a mother of two teenage boys who were at Primrose Hill at the time of the attack, said she had 'warned' them about gangs there, explaining it had become 'rough' since 2020. Shocked witnesses took to social media site X last night to describe what they had seen. One revealed how the teenager, wearing a black jumper, fell to the floor covered in blood. One man tweeted: 'People are so desensitised now, they were just looking at the dead body with their kids. Who brings a knife out on New Years?' Another witness wrote on X: 'London fireworks viewing from Primrose Hill a tad more exciting than expected. '40 police, holding a 20m circular corden around a body on which CPR was being performed for > 10 minutes, 3 ambulances 'Hopefully managed to resuscitate but didn't look hopeful' Detectives say the area was 'busy' with New Year revellers at the time as Primrose Hill offers one of the best views of London Eye's New Year's Eve firework displays. The victim's devastated family are being supported by specialist officers. The area is well known as a desirable place to live with its big park and long list of celebrity residents. Jude Law, Daniel Craig, Kate Moss and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver all call Primrose Hill home. Primrose Hill offers the best view of London Eye's New Year's Eve firework display and it is understood large crowds gathered there last night The victim was the 22nd teenager to be killed in London in 2023, 18 of whom were fatally stabbed. A Met Police spokesman said: 'Officers administered First Aid before London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance paramedics arrived. 'Despite their efforts, the victim, believed to be a 16-year-old boy, was sadly pronounced dead shortly before midnight.' He added: 'Extensive police cordons remain in place as officers conduct forensic examinations of the scene and the surrounding area. 'Officers believe the area was busy with people at the time. If you saw what happened or have information, mobile phone footage or other material that can help us, please call 101.' Iran's Alborz warship has entered the Red Sea, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Monday, at a time of soaring tensions on the key shipping route amid the Israel-Hamas war and attacks on vessels by forces allied to Tehran. Tasnim did not give details of the Alborz's mission but said Iranian warships had been operating in open waters to secure shipping routes, combat piracy and carry out other tasks since 2009. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis have been targeting vessels in the Red Sea since November to show their support for the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in its war with Israel. On Sunday, the U.S. military said Sunday that its forces opened fire on Houthi rebels after they attacked a cargo ship in the Red Sea, killing several of them. 'Were going to act in a self-defense going forward,' a White House official said. While Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps told The Daily Telegraph that the U.K. is considering strikes against the Houthi group. The warship has made its way into the Red Sea through the south, close to the Gulf of Aden The Alborz warship, shown during a military drill, earlier in 2023 Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps told The Daily Telegraph that the U.K. is considering strikes against the Houthi group 'We are willing to take direct action, and we wont hesitate to take further action to deter threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea,' Shapps said. The Telegraph report went on to say that the UK and US are working together on developing strategies on military strikes against the Houthis. It's been reported that the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier is en route to the Mediterranean. That came as Foreign Secretary David Cameron told his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian that Tehran is also responsible for stopping the Houthi attacks. In the wake of recent Houthi attacks, many major shipping companies have switched to the longer and more costly route around the Africa's Cape of Good Hope rather than pass through the Suez Canal, which handles about 12 percent of global trade. The Alborz warship entered the Red Sea via the Bab al-Mandab Strait, Tasnim said, without saying when. There were unconfirmed reports on social media it arrived late on Saturday. 'Following rising tensions in the Gaza war, there has been an acceleration in developments in the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait,' the Tasmin report read. The Alvand class destroyer had been a part of the Iranian navy's 34th fleet, alongside the Bushehr support vessel, and patrolled the Gulf of Aden, the north of the Indian Ocean and the Bab Al-Mandab Strait as far back as 2015, according to Iran's Press TV. The U.S. Fifth Fleet said it could not speak for the Iranian Navy or comment on the unconfirmed reports of the Iranian vessel's movements. Houthi militants attacked a Maersk container vessel with missiles and small boats on Saturday and Sunday, prompting the company to pause all sailing through the Red Sea for 48 hours. The head of Iran's Navy, Shahram Irani, was quoted in Iranian media on Dec. 2 saying that the Alborz was carrying out missions in the Red Sea. Iran's Defense Minister, Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, said on Dec. 14 in reference to the Red Sea that 'nobody can make a move in a region where we have predominance.' In a series of statements on Sunday, the U.S. Central Command said the crew of the USS Gravely destroyer first shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired at the Singapore-flagged Maersk Hangzhou late Saturday, after the vessel reported getting hit by a missile earlier that evening as it sailed through the Southern Red Sea. Four small boats then attacked the same cargo ship with small arms fire early Sunday and rebels tried to board the vessel, the U.S. Navy said. Next, the USS Gravely and helicopters from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier responded to the Maersk Hangzhous distress call and issued verbal warnings to the attackers, who responded by firing on the helicopters. The Houthis acknowledged that 10 of their fighters were killed in the confrontation and warned of consequences. In Washington, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council sidestepped a question about the possibility of a preemptive strike against the Houthis to safeguard commercial shipping in the vital waterway. Warnings continue to emerge from both sides of the political aisle over state's challenging Donald Trump's ability to appear on the 2024 ballot as former Obama advisor David Axelrod predicts the efforts will 'rip' the U.S. apart. Meanwhile, Sen. Lindsey Graham said that Trump's claim he should have immunity from prosecution over January 6 cases is 'legitimate' because he was not involved in the Capitol riots that day. Colorado and Maine ruled last month that Trump is disqualified from appearing on the presidential ballot in their states due to his role in the insurrection. But a swift challenge from Republicans in Colorado is keeping his name on the primary election ballot for the time being unless the Supreme Court rules to uphold the state's decision to boot him from the race. Michigan's Supreme Court ruled to keep Trump on the ballot in the key swing state. 'I have very, very strong reservations about all of this,' said Axelrod, who was former President Barack Obama's senior White House advisor. '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,' Axelrod told CNN on Friday. 'I think if you are going to beat Donald Trump, you are going to have to do it at the polls.' David Axelrod, once-senior adviser to Barack Obama, said trying to keep Donald Trump off the 2024 ballot will 'rip the country apart' Trump is facing challenges from several states seeking to keep him off their ballots in 2024 but Democrats are worried these efforts are making him more of a 'political martyr' Several states argue that under Clause 3 of the 14th Amendment, Trump is disqualified from appearing on the ballot because he 'engaged in insurrection.' But Republicans say he cannot be disqualified under this clause because Trump has not been charged with insurrection. 'Now, if you're doing your job as president, and, January the 6th, he was still president, trying to find out if the election was on the up-and-up, I think his immunity claim, I don't know how it will bear out, but I think it's a legitimate claim,' Sen. Graham, who endorsed Trump, told CBS Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan on Sunday. 'But they're prosecuting him for activity around January the 6th,' the Republican senator added. 'He didn't break into the Capitol. He gave a fiery speech, but he's not the first guy to ever do that.' 'So, at the end of the day, I think this case will not go to trial before the election,' Graham predicted. 'But, to be clear, you do not believe that a president should be immune from prosecution if he committed a felony?' Brennan pushed. 'Well, it depends on right. I mean, nobody's immune from the law, but you do have presidential immunity to do your job,' he explained. 'I mean, I have immunity to do my job under the Speech and Debate Clause. That's what the legal issue is. This went before the nation through impeachment. He got acquitted.' 'I think January 6 is baked into the cake,' Graham continued. 'We will see what the court does. At the end of the day, Donald Trump is in a good position to win the Republican primary, because Republicans believe he had a good presidency. And I think he can win the general election. And all these like in Maine, knocking him off the ballot, the secretary of state in Maine is a pretty radical person.' Sen. Lindsey Graham, an early endorser of Trump's 2024 bid, said the ex-president has a 'legitimate claim' for immunity from January 6 cases because he was not directly engaged in the insurrection and was conducting his presidential duties that day to look into whether there was foul play in the 2020 election Sen. @LindseyGrahamSC says former President Trump's claim that he should have immunity from criminal prosecution in the federal Jan. 6 case is "a legitimate claim." "At the end of the day, I think this case will not go to trial before the election," he adds. pic.twitter.com/ayn8uFfyrq Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) December 31, 2023 Democrats, including Axelrod, are concerned that the latest efforts to prevent Trump from running in 2024 will just make him a 'political martyr' and bolster his support both going into the primaries and general elections this year. Axelrod said the move to try and get Trump off the ballot will 'strengthen him in the Republican primary.' He also predicted on Friday the U.S. Supreme Court will take up Trump's case 'fairly quickly' and 'will leave him' on the ballot. The 6-3 conservative majority on the high court panel three of which were appointed by Trump will likely move to keep the ex-president on the ballot in 2024. Vanilla Ice provided the entertainment and danced with a Ninja Turtle on stage Speculation ensued after Melania was not pictured in a Trump family Christmas photo posted by Don Jr.'s fiance Kimberly Guilfoyle on Tuesday Former first lady spent Christmas and New Years Eve taking care of her mother in the hospital Former President Donald Trump confirmed Melania's mother Amalija Knavs, 78, is 'very ill' and the situation has been 'tough' for their family as the former first lady skipped New Year's Eve celebrations. He told an adoring crowd at a New Year's Eve party at his Mar-a-Lago estate that Melania was absent because she is currently at her mother's side at a nearby hospital. 'Hopefully she'll be recovering,' the former president said after mentioning he had just gotten off the phone with Melania who is at a Miami hospital with her sick mother.` 'It's a tough one, a very tough one,' Trump continued, saying Melania 'sends her love' to all the people gathered in Palm Beach, Florida. 'She knows about 95 percent of the people in this room,' he said, prompting cheers from the partygoers according to a video captured by one participant and posted to X. The New Year's Eve celebration included entertainment by Vanilla Ice, who performed his greatest hits on stage while Trump stood motionless behind his chair in the middle of the ballroom. The singer was joined on stage by a performer dressed as Michelangelo the Ninja Turtle who danced next to him. Trump poses with friends at Mar-a-Lago. Melania skipped the party as her mother is sick in a nearby hospital The New Year's Eve celebration included performances by Vanilla Ice and others 'The New Year's Eve celebration at Mar-a-Lago was awesome. We danced we celebrated. We had a great time,' he said afterward.Trump's close aide Walt Nauta - who is also embroiled in the legal case regarding alleged mishandling of classified documents within Mar-a-Lago - was seen standing next to the former president enjoying the spectacle.The 2024 presidential contender also signaled that he plans to hit the ground running as early voting states Iowa and New Hampshire's GOP caucuses and primaries begin later this month.'We are going to have a great 2024. We are going to make America Great Again!'Trump's confirmation that Melania's mother is in poor health comes as the former first lady wasn't in family Christmas images posted to social media. Knavs has been sick in the hospital, according to multiple reports and the former first lady was by her mother's side instead of at Mar-a-Lago celebrating the holidays with her family. Donald Trump Jr.'s fiance Kimberly Guilfoyle posted a family photo to her Instagram story the day after Christmas including several members of the Trump family. Immediately of notice was Melania's absence from the image. 'Melania has always been very devoted to her entire family,' a source close to the former first lady told Fox News Digital. 'It should be no surprise that she spent this Christmas with her ailing mother.' Guilfoyle's image posted on Tuesday evening saw a large chunk of the Trump crew in front of a Christmas tree at the ex-president's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Melania's father, Viktor Knavs, 79, was present in the photo. Trump's close aide Walt Nauta - who is also embroiled in the legal case regarding alleged mishandling of classified documents within Mar-a-Lago - was seen standing next to the former president enjoying the spectacle The New Year's Eve celebration included performances by Vanilla Ice and others First lady Melania Trump's parents Viktor and Amalija Knavs arrive at the White House in August 2019 Former President Donald Trump confirmed Melania 's mother Amalija Knavs, is 'very ill' and the situation has been 'tough' for their family The picture also includes former President Donald Trump; his eldest son Don Jr. and fiance Guilfoyle; the youngest Trump child Barron, 17; Tiffany Trump and husband Michael Boulos; and eldest daughter Ivanka with husband Jared Kushner and their three kids, Arabella, 12, Joseph, 10, and Theodore, seven. The tallest of the bunch is Barron, who is seen standing several inches taller than his father, who is 6'3'. Reports this month indicate that Melania, 53, will increase her public appearances the support her husband's reelection bid. It comes after the former first lady, an immigrant herself, appeared at the National Archives on December 15 for remarks at a naturalization ceremony. She also joined the other first ladies at Rosalynn Carter's funeral last month even though her husband did not attend with the other presidents. Besides Melania, Eric Trump and wife Lara were also not in the group shot in front of the Mar-a-Lago Christmas tree posted on Tuesday. Guilfoyle also posted a few images to her Instagram grid with her fiance Don Jr., and the ex-president in front of the festive decorations at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort and residence. Melania Trump was not present in a family Christmas photo because she was taking care of her ailing mother, who is in the hospital, according to reports. Pictured: Melania and Donald Trump with Amalija Knavs, 78, on June 29, 2018 Don Jr.'s fiance Kimberly Guilfoyle posted to her Instagram story a Trump family photo (above) with several members of the ex-president's family at Mar-a-Lago the day after Christmas, including Barron Trump. Pictured far left: Melania's father Viktor Knavs Melania Trump made a rare public speech on December 15 for a naturalization ceremony at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Her public appearances are expected to increase as her husband makes his bid for another term Melania and Donald Trump arrive for Christmas Eve dinner with the former first lady's parents Viktor Knavs and Amalija Knavs in West Palm Beach, Florida on December 24, 2019 Throwback: Trump poses with Melania and Barron and his parents-in-law Amalija and Viktor Knavs on Christmas 2008 While they did not spend Christmas Day together, half sisters Ivanka and Tiffany Trump joined the family celebration on December 25. The two also showed off their festive spirits in jolly posts shared to their respective social media accounts. Marla Maples, 60, who was married to Trump from 1993 to 1999, posted a photo of her and her daughter, Tiffany, 30, posing in front of a Christmas tree. The mother-daughter duo donned an all-black look, wearing their hair loose as they beamed at the camera. 'Merry Christmas, from our hearts to yours,' Marla wrote on the post. 'Love, Marla & Tiffany.' Meanwhile, Ivanka shared some festive snaps to social media, posting a Christmas snap - as well as some throwback pics. Former Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle also posted to her Instagram on Tuesday, December 26 an image with fiance Don Jr. and former President Donald Trump with the back drop of Mar-a-Lago Christmas decorations Ivanka Trump, 42, husband Jared Kushner, 42, and their three kids - Arabella, 12, Joseph, 10, and Theodore, seven - were pictured with former President Trump on December 26 Sharing two pictures to her Instagram story, the second eldest child of Donald's first wife Ivana and the president, showed off her smiling family celebrating the holidays. In one picture, Ivanka, husband Jared Kushner, both 43, and their three kids Arabella, 12; Joseph, 10; and Theodore, 7 all posed with the former first daughter's maternal grandmother as they celebrated Christmas lunch. Ivanka also uploaded a photo of her family later in the evening, standing in front of an extravagant Christmas tree with her father the day after Christmas. The family were dressed up for the celebration, with the mom-of-three simply adding a Merry Christmas gif to her Instagram story. Ivanka, who converted to Judaism for husband Jared, posted on the first night of Hanukkah urging people to 'bring light to the world' amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. An Army veteran had his motorbike's path blocked moments before he was run over and killed by a US serviceman on an RAF base, a judge has indicated. Colour Sergeant Anthony Oxley, who had served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was on deployment in June 2016 when he was fatally injured at the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus. The 40-year-old, from Ryhill, near Wakefield, collided with a Toyota Corolla being driven by an American serviceman and later died in hospital. His widow, Sally, has hit out at being left in the dark about details over his death and demanded 'truth, justice and accountability' over his passing. Mrs Oxley's comments come after a ruling in December from a judge, sitting as a coroner in a district court in Nicosia, regarding an inquest into Mr Oxley's death. Anthony Oxley, pictured here with his wife Sally, was killed when his motorbike collided with a car being driven by a US serviceman in 2016 The incident, which took place at the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus, left him with fatal injuries. Pictured: Colour Sergeant Oxley holding a weapon while on deployment The judge indicated Colour Sgt Oxley's route was impeded or blocked, according to her lawyers. An inquest is set to begin on the island on Thursday, after it was adjourned in June last year. A 2018 inquest in the UK recorded a narrative verdict, that Colour Sgt Oxley's death had been caused by multiple blunt force injuries to his head, as a result of a road traffic collision. But Mrs Oxley, who lives in Barnsley, has been pushing for a new inquest in Cyprus to look into witness accounts of his death. Mrs Oxley described herself as 'very pleased with the initial interpretation' of the inquest verdict. She added: 'The proceedings in Nicosia have at last started to establish the truth, justice and accountability about the death of my husband, and the father of our children, 'The Ox', which I have been striving for eight years now.' Mrs Oxley, from Barnsley, said she will now speak to her lawyers to see what next legal steps should be taken. She said: 'I know the outcome's never going to be changed but my husband didn't serve 21 years for them just to say he died by blunt force. 'It's not good enough.' Mrs Oxley has pushed for a new inquest in Cyprus to look into accounts of her husband's death KRW Law, which represents Mrs Oxley, said the US Air Force took charge of the investigation and few details were made public, even though Colour Sgt Oxley's death happened within British sovereign territory. The law firm is waiting for a certified translation of the coroner's verdict given in the court in Nicosia. Among the evidence reviewed at that hearing was forensic material and witness statements, including maps of the topography of the collision terrain, the lawyers said. This is the shocking moment a mother squared up to a police officer and told another cop to 'hold my purse' as her son was being arrested for DUI. The incident occurred on August 27 and appeared to have taken place in Clovis, New Mexico. The unidentified male suspect, 19, was initially pulled over by two police officers after they suspected he was intoxicated behind the wheel. Authorities conducted a field sobriety test while he continued to curse at them and kept picking up his phone to record and call his mother. As the test went on, the 19-year-old's mother who appeared to be intoxicated herself, arrived at the scene and became irate after she was told her child was going to be arrested. An unidentified male suspect, 19, was pulled over for a traffic violation on August 27 in New Mexico and was arrested for DUI The driver's mother showed up to the scene as her son was being arrested and charged at a police officer as he tried to place her son in the patrol car The video begins as an officer pulls up to the scene to assist a sergeant near a restaurant called Bill's Jumbo Burgers. As the assisting officer exits his vehicle, he sees the other cop conducting a field sobriety test on the driver. 'He's trying to say I can't have my f****** phone,' the teen says to the second officer. 'Well why don't you just go ahead and put your phone up for a sec, do what the officer tells you,' the officer says. 'Yes sir, I got you, of course,' the driver in a black shirt and khaki pants says as he puts his phone in his pocket. The first officer then proceeds to tell the driver that he is going to start the sobriety test as he uses his flashlight to direct the teen on where to walk. The young driver then points his hands in front of him and says: 'To this light, right?' 'It's not to anything, it's just after your left foot,' the officer replies. The teen then cuts the cop off and says: 'Where is the line to? I don't know where I'm walking unless I know where I'm walking.' The second officer then said: 'It's an imaginary straight line, okay?' 'Give me a f****** proximity,' the drive says. One officer then walks to the spot across the teen to show him where they want him to walk. 'Stand where you want me to walk and I'll walk there,' the driver says. 'I know how to walk, I know how to walk, I know how to walk.' He then proceeds to walk and the officer in front of him tells him he is not doing what they asked. The driver then says: 'What do you want me to do? You want me to walk or do you want me to what?' 'I want you to follow my instructions,' the officer says. The officer then tells the suspect to place his right heel in front of his left foot as the driver starts to stumble a bit. The mother grabbed the officer by his back as he tried to get her son in the cop car after he handcuffed him After the mother jumped the officer she got angry with the other cop who pulled her off and threatened to fight him 'Look at me! Am I going to stay like this officer?' The driver continues to loose his balance and starts to slur his words before he says: 'I'm not a cop. I only have to take nine steps, and that's a fact, right?' 'Listen to his instructions,' the other officer says as the driver looks at him. The other officer in front of the teen then says: 'Shut up.' The driver responds: 'Shut up? Is that what you said?' He then grabs his cell phone from out of his pocket and starts to record the encounter. 'Cause I don't deal with that bull s***,' he says. 'Okay, that's all the more evidence that's going to be used against you,' the cop says. The officer goes on to tell the driver that he has to keep his hands by his side for the remainder of the test, so the teen tucks his phone into his waist band and keeps recording. The 19-year-old then places his hands in front of him and looks at the other cop and says: 'I don't have no hands right? Look at my hands.' He then places his hands behind his back and says to the officers: 'Put me down, put me down already. If you wanna f****** like beat me to s***, put me down already.' 'Who said that? That's not gonna happen,' one of the officers says. The teen driver then says he will not continue with the test as his mother arrives at the scene. 'Okay, well then you're under arrest,' the officer says as he grabs the teen from behind with his hands still behind his back. The mother then enters the altercation and says: 'Hey, hey, hey, what's going on?' The assisting officer then pulls her to the side to speak to her about what is happening. Before the teen decided not to finish his field sobriety test he struggled walking and kept slurring his words to the officers. He was charged with aggravated DUI, resisting, evading or obstructing an officer and improper equipment The altercation occurred outside of a restaurant called Bill's Jumbo Burgers which is located in Clovis, New Mexico 'First of all, your son's been drinking- he's drunk,' the officer says. 'I haven't been drinking, they have no f****** experience that I've been drinking bro,' the teen in handcuffs says. The cop proceeds to tell the mother that her son refused to complete the test and thinks that they are going to beat him up. He then tells her that her child is being arrested for DUI as the mother looks distressed and says: 'No please don't do this man, please.' As she continues to plead, the cop handling her son takes him to the patrol car and her son kicks up his feet on the side of the vehicle. She charges at the officer and screams: 'Hey, hey, hell no, don't you hit me kid!' The mother grabs the officer by his back as the three of them tumble down to the ground during the confrontation. The other officer quickly snags her off of the other cop and says: 'Tell her not to touch that officer!' The woman then lays on the ground, crying and yelling hysterically at the officer who pulled her off. The mother says: 'You f****** hit me, what the f*** is wrong with you?' As the officer explains to her that she placed her hands on the other officer, she becomes even more emotional and starts to stumble her words and curse. 'You touched him. You jumped on his back,' the officer says. 'I didn't hit him. No I didn't,' she responds. 'Don't touch my kid. Don't touch my f****** kid. You got some problems,' she says. The mother begins to frantically look for items that she says fell out of her purse during the physical altercation while the cop she jumped on tries to help her locate her belongings. She turns to the other officer and says: 'Who hits a girl? What's your problem?' 'Your problem is you're drunk,' the officer responds. 'Who cares if I'm f****** drunk? I don't care if I'm drunk. Don't f****** come and hit a b*****,' she says. The cop then says he didn't hit her before she stands on her feet and gets up to face him. 'Don't square off on me,' the cop says. As the mother continued to plead for her son not to be arrested, the cop handling her son took him to the car as the 19-year-old kicked up his feet on the vehicle The mother was charged with battery on a police officer in the fourth degree, resisting, evading or obstructing an officer, but one charge was dropped and another was amended. 'What are you? Who are you? Come on, come on,' the mother says as she waives the cop over to her and takes off her crossbody purse. 'Here, come here, you, hold my purse,' she says as she hands her black purse to the other officer who doesn't grab her bag. 'Or get in with him, come on let's go,' she says as she taunts the officer. The video ends with the mother agreeing to go to the side and talk to the other officer as she continues to belligerently scream and curse. More patrol officers then arrived and were told what took place as the mother and son were taken into the cop car. The mother was charged with battery on a police officer in the fourth degree, resisting, evading or obstructing an officer. Her son was charged with aggravated DUI, resisting, evading or obstructing an officer and improper equipment. The female's charge of battery against an officer were dismissed and her charges of assault and resisting an officer were amended. Both suspects court cases are ongoing and it is unclear if they will serve jail time. DailyMail.com contacted the Clovis Police Department but did not hear back in time for this report. The U.S. government is at risk for another shutdown with only 18 days to come to an agreement on a topline spending number and a way to handle border security. Members of Congress left Washington for their holiday break without an agreement on overall spending levels, which are critical to negotiating a broader funding deal. They and President Joe Biden also remain locked in a stalemate over funding for the Ukraine and protecting the southern border. When lawmakers return after the new year, they will have just eight legislative days before the first deadline of January 19, which would close parts of the government, and another four before the second deadline of February 2, which would result in a full government shutdown. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has a small Republican majority in the House and faces pressure from conservatives A big question mark hanging over the negotiations is the new Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, who has a scant majority in his chamber and faces pressure from the conservative hardliners who overthrew his predecessor. Democrats and some Republicans are have already rejected Johnson's backup plan to extend a stopgap spending bill through the rest of the fiscal year if the two sides can't come to an overall funding agreement. SPENDING STOPGAP The stopgap spending would be an extension of the bipartisan debt-limit deal, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, negotiated by Biden and former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, this summer. But it would impose billions in spending cuts if it's extended. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has said that a stopgap bill 'is simply unacceptable for a year.' Plus House Republicans already have repeatedly undercut the deal while senators have passed additional emergency spending measures that exceed the deal's spending caps. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has already said that a stopgap bill 'is simply unacceptable for a year.' Other options for funding the government include passing a minibus to close gap while lawmakers work on the 12 annual funding bills. But here are some of the issues that could hold up POISON PILLS Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agree they need to ditch controversial policy provisions, known as 'poison pills.' Examples of 'poison pills' include attaching to spending bills provisions that would severely restrict abortion access, ban funding for Pride flags, defund diversity efforts and other items that would ensure a 'no' from Democrats. These can tank spending bills due to the contentious nature. But getting rid of these riders is also a hard sell for Johnson, who has to deal with right-wing lawmakers who insist on such policies and moderate Republicans who don't want to have to defend them back in their districts. UKRAINE FUNDING Meanwhile, the fight between Biden and Congress over funding the Ukraine will take center stage upon Congress' return. 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. His request also includes $14 billion for Israel as it fights Hamas and $14 billion for U.S. border security. Biden, on Wednesday announced a $250 million weapons package to Ukraine in what officials said would be a final amount of aid from the U.S. unless Congress approves new funding. The White House has warned that unless Congress appropriates additional aid for Kyiv, the funds will run out at year's end. President Joe Biden continues to push for a deal to provide more funding to the Ukraine Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is leading negotiations for Democrats On Friday, Biden 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. '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 said in a statement. Biden and his Democrats have offered major concessions on border security to try and get a deal in place, including raising the standards for asylum-seekers and expanding the president's power to quickly remove migrants who cross the border. 'Democrats have moved much more to the middle on border security,' Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told the Washington Post earlier this month. But even if the Senate comes to an agreement and passes a deal there's is no guarantee House Republicans will support it. Speaker Johnson hasn't yet indicated what he will do. BIDEN IMPEACHMENT Hanging over all the negotiations is House Republicans' impeachment inquiry into President Biden. Shortly before they left for their holiday break, House Republicans voted to formalize their impeachment inquiry, giving them power to enforce their subpoenas. Now they'll have to decide whether to actually impeach him or back off. Republicans allege Biden benefited and helped his son Hunter Biden, using his government position for his family's personal gain. President Biden has repeatedly said he has not been involved in Hunter's business ventures and House Republicans have yet to produce direct evidence of that charge. The key lawmakers to watch will be the 17 vulnerable GOP lawmakers who represent districts Biden won in 2020. An off-duty cop has been shot dead over $83.45 worth of stolen beer when he confronted three suspects robbing a convenience store. Sergeant Philip Dale Nix saw the trio shoplifting from a Sheetz on Sandy Ridge Road in Greensboro, North Carolina, on Saturday. He was allegedly gunned down by Jamere Justice Foster, 18, and died in hospital despite the efforts of a second off-duty policeman and a paramedic. 'He was a loving husband, father, son and brother with 22 years of service to the department and this community,' Greensboro Police Chief John Thompson said. 'We ask for prayers for the family of the fallen officer and our Greensboro PD family.' Sergeant Philip Dale Nix saw the trio robbing a Sheetz on Sandy Ridge Road in Greensboro, North Carolina , on Saturday He was allegedly gunned down by Jamere Justice Foster, 18, (pictured) and died in hospital Foster was charged with felony first-degree murder, misdemeanor larceny and conspiracy. John Walter Morrison, 28, was charged with misdemeanor larceny, conspiracy and felony accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. Both are held without bail. Zquriah Lepearce Blackwell, 18, was charged with felony accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and was held on a $500,000 bond. A warrant for her arrested accused her of helping Foster escape after he allegedly shot Nix, and encouraging him to dispose of the gun and getaway car's license plate. Zquriah Lepearce Blackwell, 18, was charged with felony accessory after the fact to first-degree murder John Walter Morrison, 28, was charged with misdemeanor larceny, conspiracy and felony accessory after the fact to first-degree murder She also allegedly helped Foster sell the stolen goods. Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan called the shooting a 'senseless act of violence'. 'I am angry, and I am sad. I think those are feelings that are felt throughout this department and throughout this city,' she said. Nix was supervisor of the Family Victims Unit when he was killed. His father and other relatives were also police officers. The boy's father, Arkete Davis, 53, who tried to hide the gun was also taken into custody and is being held on $500,000 bail; he is expected in court Wed Jan. 3 A 10-year-old boy shot dead another 10-year-old after the juvenile 'bragged' about a stolen firearm he found stashed in his father's car. The child, whose name was not released because he is a minor, found the loaded gun inside the car when he went to fetch his father cigarettes from the vehicle. He then opened fire shooting and killing Keith 'KJ' Frierson, 10, who was riding his bicycle around 4.30pm Saturday in the Sacramento community of Foothill Farms. After the shooting, the suspected shooter fled to a nearby apartment. The young victim was found bleeding from his head and neck, Sacramento County Sheriff's Office said. Life saving measures were performed by emergency responders and the Metro Fire Department at the scene. He was rushed to the nearest hospital where he later died. The suspected shooter's father identified as Arkete Davis, 53, reportedly tried to hide the stolen weapon in a trash can before he was taken into custody, an accessory to murder after the crime, NBC News reported. His 10-year-old son who faces a murder charge was also arrested and taken to the Sacramento County Youth Detention Facility. Keith 'KJ' Frierson was fatally shot over the holiday weekend by a 10-year-old boy after the suspected shooter reportedly found a stolen gun is his father's car. KJ was described by his aunt as a 'very smart, kind, loving and respectful' child The area where the Saturday afternoon shooting took place that claimed the life of an innocent 10-year-old in the Sacramento community of Foothill Farms KJ's distraught aunt told local KRCA News that her young nephew 'didn't deserve this.' She created a memorial with balloons, candles, flowers and a stuffed teddy bear near the site where the shooting took place KJ's distraught aunt told local KCRA News that her nephew 'didn't deserve this' as she broke down in hysterics, describing the youngster as 'very smart, kind, loving and respectful.' 'He still had a whole life to live,' she wept. The victim's aunt created a memorial lined with candles, a stuffed bear, red balloons, and white flowers, near the site where her family member was gunned down in the senseless act of violence. Erika told the news outlet that her nephew had went outside the apartment to ride his bicycle when his life was cut short, as per the news outlet. 'He wasn't even outside 15 minutes, and the little boy shot my nephew,' she said. Deputies from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department arrive at the Saturday afternoon shooting Davis is being held on $500,000 bail at the Sacramento County Main jail. He was booked on several firearm-related charges, including child endangerment and for being an accessory after the crime, the sheriff's office said. He is scheduled to appear for his arraignment on Wednesday. It is not clear when Davis's son's next court appearance is but, in Sacramento juveniles must be charged within 48 hours of arrest or detention. Bail is not used, but minors can be released to parents or legal guardians, as per the news outlets. Erika told the news outlet that the boy's father is to blame just as much as the juvenile who killed her nephew. 'Any parent in their right mind should know how to keep an armed weapon secure,' she said. 'My nephew's blood is on y'all hands. Y'all allowed y'all son to do this to my 10-year-old nephew.' She issued an emotional plea: Y'all parents need to know how to put y'all weapons away. Teach y'all kids right. Because this wasn't right.' Freed Israeli hostage Mia Schem has revealed the daily torment she experienced from her Hamas captor who she said only refrained from raping her in a darkened room because his wife and children were next door. 'I was afraid of being raped - that was my biggest fear,' Schem, who recently returned from captivity in the Gaza Strip, said in an emotional interview broadcast on Israel's Channel 13 TV. She said she was groped by her Palestinian kidnapper and lived in constant fear throughout the weeks she was held hostage. Schem, a 21-year-old dual citizen of Israel and France, was attending the Nova music festival in southern Israel when Hamas terrorists burst across the border and raided the event site on October 7. More than 300 people were killed and dozens were taken hostage. She was released on November 30 during a weeklong ceasefire. Mia Schem, a 21-year-old dual citizen of Israel and France, was attending the Nova music festival in southern Israel when Hamas terrorists burst across the border and raided the event site on October 7 In first official proof of life of Israeli hostage, Hamas released a video of Schem after she underwent an operation on her arm Mia Schem is seen dancing and smiling at music festival in footage before her kidnapping Recalling the festival attack she said she tried to flee but her car was fired upon and set alight. Nursing her wound, she surrendered. 'It was a split-second decision, whether to stay put and burn to death or go with him,' she told Channel 13, referring to a gunman who seized her as she emerged from the flames of the car. She said her captor began touching her upper body inappropriately and only stopped after she screamed and he noticed that she had been shot in the arm and badly wounded. 'I started screaming, going crazy,' she said. 'There were burnt vehicles, bodies.' Brought into the Gaza Strip by pickup truck, Schem said she was kept in a room for three days while her arm was put in a rudimentary splint. Then she was taken to a Hamas gunman's home where, she said, he sat watch by her bedside. '(I was) closed in a dark room, not allowed to talk, not allowed to be seen, to be heard, hidden. There is a terrorist looking at you 24/7, looking, raping you with his eyes,' she said. 'There is a fear of being raped, there is a fear of dying ... I was frightened,' she said, adding that the presence of his wife in the house had given her some reassurance - even though the woman treated her with hostility. 'His wife was outside the room with the children. That was the only reason he didn't rape me,' Schem said. While in captivity, she said she was held in a house with a family and watched around the clock by the father. She said his constant staring made her uncomfortable and fearful that he might try to harm her. The man's wife did not like her and sometimes denied her food for days at a time. Israeli authorities have said that sexual violence was part of the Hamas rampage into southern Israel, and they accused the international community of playing down or ignoring the pain of the victims. More than 1,200 were killed in the October 7 attack, as armed gunmen struck residential kibbutzim. Schem made international headlines when Hamas released a video of her in captivity days after she was taken hostage. In the video, she lay in bed as someone bandaged her right arm, and she said she wanted to go home. At the time, it was the first sign of life from the hostages. Schem said her captor began touching her upper body inappropriately and only stopped after she screamed and he noticed that she had been shot in the arm and badly wounded '(I was) closed in a dark room, not allowed to talk, not allowed to be seen, to be heard, hidden. There is a terrorist looking at you 24/7, looking, raping you with his eyes,' Schem said in the interview 'There is a fear of being raped, there is a fear of dying ... I was frightened,' Schem said Schem said she barely slept during her time as a hostage because she was so terrified, and that she also did not shower or receive any medications. She said her captor's children occasionally came in to look at her like she was 'some animal in a petting zoo'. Schem said she was taken from the home into a tunnel and held with other hostages during her final days in captivity. During this time, she said she knew she would soon be released. Schem said she was kept with six or seven people in a small room and received just one piece of pita bread a day. She said she feels guilty because of the other hostages she left behind. Schem broke down during the interview, saying she still has not come to terms with her return as she processes the ordeal. 'I can't get it out of my head,' she said. During her 54 days as a hostage, Schem said, the captor's wife had 'toyed' with her, serving him meals while denying her food. 'His wife hated the fact that he and I were in the same room,' Schem said. 'You feel like you want a hug, you know, woman to woman, to break down a bit. That's all you had there. But she was so mean, she had such mean eyes - a bad woman.' Schem added that, at one point, the captor had confided to her that he did not love his wife. The cacophony of Israel's shelling of the Palestinian enclave did not bother her, she said, though the windows of the building where she was held were shattered and she was temporarily deafened. She said: 'I thought, "If I didn't die on the seventh (of October), I'm not going to die now". I trusted in the military.' Help came too late for Schem's best friend, Elia Toledano, however. Abducted with her but taken to a different location, he was killed in what Hamas said was an Israeli air strike. The Israeli military, which recovered his body along with those of four other hostages in December, said the circumstances of their deaths were under investigation. Schem last week claimed children were sent to taunt her with food as she was left to starve. Speaking to Israel's Channel 12, Schem explained how she and her fellow hostages were left alone in a locked room 24 hours a day, not knowing whether they would be fed. The interview came on the heels of her first public broadcast in which she described her ordeal and declared: 'Everyone [in Gaza] is a terrorist.' 'You're afraid that something will happen at any moment. They would throw me food once a day, some days they wouldn't. The children would open the door and look,' she said. 'You are talked about and laughed about. Once this little boy, my sister's age, entered the room with a bag of sweets. He came to me, opened the bag, closed it and left. It's evil how evil.' In the same interview, Schem described how she was shot in Israel before being dragged into Palestinian territory, as Hamas terrorists treated her 'like an animal'. 'I was screaming, ''My hand is gone!'', Schem said. '[The terrorist] started touching me in my upper body, then suddenly someone pulled me by my hair, threw me in a vehicle, and we went to Gaza.' Speaking to Israel's Channel 12, Schem explained how she and her fellow hostages were left alone in a locked room 24 hours a day, not knowing whether they would be fed Schem spent 54 days as a prisoner in the Palestinian enclave after being shot and taken hostage at the Nova festival massacre 'You're like an animal in the safari,' Schem said, before going on to share the feelings of survivor's guilt she has experienced in the weeks since her release Upon her arrival in Gaza, Schem was bundled into a building where someone operated on her hand. Her family members claimed she had been operated on by a vet. 'There was no anaesthesia, no nothing... I choked up from the pain, and [the person performing the operation] looks at me and says, ''Stop it! Or I'll send you to the tunnels''. 'You're like an animal in the zoo,' Schem said, before going on to share the feelings of survivor's guilt she has experienced in the weeks since her release. 'It was the hardest thing in the world... [The other hostages] said, ''Mia, please, don't let them forget about us''. And I'm apologising for being freed. ''Sorry, sorry''.' Her interview with Channel 12 came shortly after she told Israeli outlet Channel 13 earlier last week: 'I wanted to project the real situation about the people living in Gaza, who they really are and about what I've been through over there.' Schem, a tattoo-artist from Shoham in central Israel, claimed that she was held with a civilian family, with children, while in Gaza. She said: 'It is families under the Hamas regime, you know. I realised that I was staying with a family. And then I start asking myself questions why am I staying with a family? Why are there children here? Why is there a woman here?' Before she was freed, she was made to film a video speaking about her experience, in which she said: 'People very good, very kind to me... Food good and the kindness and everything good.' The report made headlines as it contradicted accounts of other hostages who recounted abuse in captivity, prompting concerns she had been made to speak against her will. A preview of the interview showed Mia Schem speaking about her experience for the first time Schem being released to the Red Cross after 54 days spent in captivity in Gaza Mia Schem reunites with her mother and brother following her release after being held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip The tattoo artist became one of the most high-profile captives after Hamas released a video in the early days of the conflict showing her recovering from surgery. In the clip, Schem said in Hebrew that 'everything is fine', that she received medical treatment for injuries, and pleaded for her release. 'Hi, I'm Mia Schem, 21-years-old from Shoham,' she said in the first clip. 'Currently, I'm in Gaza. I was seriously injured in my hand. I underwent surgery on my arm at the hospital for three hours.' 'They are taking care of me, giving me medicine, everything is fine,' she was heard saying at the time. Upon her release from captivity, her carers raised concerns she had received improper treatment. 'She is thin, she is weak,' Schem's aunt Vivian Hadar told media. 'A vet operated on her arm. She did not receive physiotherapy,' she declared. The nature of the injuries has not been reported, but Schem says she underwent a three-hour surgery in Gaza. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum described Schem as 'a young woman with an old soul' who was studying tattooing and worked at a tattoo parlour prior to her kidnapping. The 21-year-old has since shared pictures of herself on Instagram with a new tattoo reading: 'We will dance again. 7.10.23' The post, uploaded two weeks ago, read: 'I will never forget the 7.10.23. 'The pain and fear, the hard scenes, the friends who won't come back and the ones we have to bring back. 'But we will still win, We will still dance!' Hamas released more than 100 hostages during a week-long ceasefire at the end of November, most of them agreed as part of a deal with Israel. A total of 110 hostages had been released by December 1, only women and children. A number still in captivity have been reported dead in the weeks since. The 21-year-old has shared pictures of herself on Instagram with a new tattoo reading 'We will dance again. 7.10.23' Schem is seen walking with family members at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel after her release Schem reunites with her family following her release after being held hostage by the Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip Few civilians returning from Gaza have given extensive accounts of their time spent as hostages. The reports that have been shared have been somewhat varied. Israeli captive Ruti Munder, 78, told Channel 13 upon release that conditions were reasonable at the start of the conflict. Initially, they ate 'chicken with rice, all sorts of canned food and cheese,' she said, as reported by AP. 'We were OK.' But the menu changed when 'the economic situation was not good, and people were hungry.' She said hostages slept on plastic chairs and had limited provisions, some lacking a cover to sleep with at night. Israel has maintained a tight siege on Gaza since the war erupted, leading to shortages of food, fuel and other basic items. An 84-year-old woman was also hospitalised in life-threatening condition after not receiving proper care in captivity, doctors said. Aviva Siegel reportedly told hostage relatives and members of Israel's war cabinet upon her return how guards had broken her husband's ribs and described how he languishes in prison 'barely' able to sit or eat. 'They touch girls, and everyone knows it. I won't recount details, but we had a procedure that no one moves without someone guarding them,' another female hostage said, as reported by Israeli newspaper Haaretz. 'Medications ran out, and they gave us the wrong drugs,' she added. Non-Israelis released as part of separate deals also warned of the conditions endured by hostages in Gaza. Yelena Trufanov, a Russian citizen released separately in a nod to Vladimir Putin, described her fears as Israeli airstrikes rained down on the besieged enclave. 'You have no idea what you're doing there,' she said. 'And I know the conditions they're holding the men in are worse, worse than for the women.' Mia Schem is seen in a convoy near Ofakim, Israel, on November 30, 2023 Mia Schem pictured in a video she was made to make before her release from Hamas's captivity On December 6, a doctor treating hostages said at least ten had been sexually abused while in captivity. The medic claimed men and women had been physically abused while held hostage, after treating some of the 110 released as part of a week-long truce in late November. The doctor did not provide additional details and spoke on condition of anonymity to protect the identity of the hostages. But his claims aligned with the testimonies of other freed hostages, who told a closed meeting of government officials on December 5 how women were 'touched' by Hamas guards, pleading for Israel to do more to secure the release of the remaining hostages. Former hostages have recounted being deprived of food, water and medicine while being held underground, putting mounting pressure on Israel to go back to the negotiating table. 'I was dehydrated for 51 days, they didn't give us water, they are inhumane,' one unnamed woman said. Former hostages described how boys would sit up at night talking while some of the girls would cry. Some of the boys would sleep on the floor, Munder said. She said she would wake up late to pass the time. The room where she was held was 'suffocating,' and the captives were prevented from opening the blinds, but she managed to crack open a window. 'It was very difficult,' she said. A British safari guide who spent a terrifying night clinging to his truck after taking a wrong turn into a raging, crocodile-infested river would have given the fearsome reptiles 'a boot in the teeth' had they tried to eat him, he said last night. Mike Turner, 56, had just picked up the second-hand open-topped 'game viewer' 4x4 and was following directions from Google Maps to a guest house when he was directed across a bridge which turned out to be flooded following heavy rain. In pitch darkness, the lifelong adventurer who moved to Mozambique in 2011 managed to wedge the 7,000 vehicle against the surging current before clambering to the raised benches and calling for help. But he had to cling to his refuge point for 15 hours before a rescue helicopter reached the torrents, formed where the Komati and Crocodile Rivers meet near Kruger National Park in South Africa. Dramatic footage showed the trained diver being winched to safety last Friday, unscathed but in shock, before being checked over by medics. Mr Turner (pictured being rescued) was crossing a bridge when the strong current swept him away Mike Turner had only just picked up his 4x4 open top when he took a wrong turn where the Komati and Crocodile Rivers meet near Kruger National Park in South Africa Mr Turner's car being towed away after being rescued from the crocodile-infested waters in South Africa As he came to terms with his brush with death, Mr Turner told the Daily Mail of his desperate plan had he come under attack. 'It was absolutely terrifying,' he said. 'It's a miracle that I survived the night. 'Crocodiles are definitely a serious threat on that stretch of river. 'The police told me afterwards that two people had been swept away at the same spot earlier that day, and when they found their bodies they'd been half eaten by crocs. 'I didn't have any kind of weapon with me. I was thinking 'If a croc tries to get me, it's going to get a boot in the teeth!' Thankfully he didn't spot any although a Nile crocodile could be seen sunning itself on the riverbank as efforts were made to recover the vehicle over the weekend. Mr Turner, originally from Cumbria, ran tours in the Maputo National Park before his previous game viewing vehicle was burnt out in an accident. Last week he hopped over the South African border to purchase the used Ford Ranger vehicle from Hoedspruit, but due to heavy traffic on his way back last Thursday decided to book into a guest house. 'I put the location into Google Maps on my phone as it wasn't an area I knew, and set off along the route,' Mr Turner said. Shocking footage showed the dramatic moment Mr Turner's jeep was rescued by helicopter Mr Turner managed to hold onto the jeep (pictured) and stay in the back of vehicle overnight as the waters of Mozambique's Komati river raged around him 'It was a dark night and the lights on the vehicle weren't great, and I came across what I thought was a shallow ford across a river. 'There were no warning signs so I carried on. 'But the water started coming over the bonnet, and then the lights went out. 'I couldn't see where the bridge was, but I didn't want get swept away and end up croc's dinner. 'So I managed to wedge the truck over the side of the bridge against the water and climbed to the back row of seats, which was the highest point.' From his refuge, Mr Turner managed to ring the guesthouse, where staff alerted rescuers. But with the water 5ft higher than normal, the volunteers could only watch powerlessly from the bank until an Oxyx helicopter operated by the South African military was scrambled the following day. He was then taken to a local guesthouse to be treated for dehydration and shock. 'It was a miserable night for him,' Pottie Potgieter, who co-ordinated the rescue mission, told The Times. 'He could easily have ended up left in bits and pieces by the crocodiles or taken downriver to the waterfall. 'He said he had been following Google Maps and it took him what was the shortest, but obviously not the best route. But he still went ahead and followed it.' An alternative, safer motorway route was just a few miles away but was snarled up by queuing lorries. Torrential rain and flash flooding in western parts of South Africa have killed at least 20 people since Christmas Day. Extra quotes for Online use: The initial plan was to rescue him shortly after sunrise using a jetski, but the raging current meant that option was unsafe. Exposed to the howling wind all night, at one point during his ordeal Mr Turner was shivering so much that he dropped his mobile phone into the water, meaning he had no idea what was planned until the helicopter roared into view. 'I'm just so thankful to everyone involved in rescuing me,' said Mr Turner, who is waiting for the battered but operational truck to be repaired so he can drive it back to Mozambique. 'Africa does test you, but after 12 years here I feel I have a pretty good understanding of what this continent can throw at you. 'I've had a few tricky situations, but what made this one different was spending such a long time on the edge between life and death. 'My diving experience was a life-saver, it taught me just to keep breathing and not to panic or do anything stupid. 'Hopefully they will put up signs or barriers to prevent anyone else making the same mistake that I did the next person might not be lucky as me.' Started in August 2022 as a way to alleviate border communities In less than a year-and-a-half, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has transported 85,400 illegal migrants to so-called sanctuary cities run by Democrats who don't want to adhere to federal immigration enforcement. New York City has borne the brunt of Texas offloading the crisis to Democratic enclaves, with Abbott sending 32,200 to the Big Apple starting in August 2022, according to his office. Chicago has seen the second amount of migrants sent from Texas with 24,500 migrants arriving over the last year and four months. While highly unpopular, specifically among Democrats, Abbott's strategy of sending migrants to sanctuary cities is helping flip the narrative and get more attention on the crisis. Meanwhile, illegal immigration is set to reach a record-high with border officials on track to process more than 300,000 migrants coming across the southern border in December alone. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has transported more than 85,000 migrants from his state to sanctuary cities like New York City, Chicago and Washington, D.C. since August 2022 Democratic leaders in so-called sanctuary cities are now forced to face the crisis border communities have seen for the last half decade and are calling for more federal help to alleviate the stresses from increased migration to their cities. Pictured: Venezuelan migrants bused to New York from Texas refuse to leave Manhattan for a Brooklyn shelter It comes following other high-crossing months where images emerged showing at times thousands of migrants line-up after illegally crossing into the country. Austin-based political communications firm partner Brendan Steinhauser said that what has been called a political stunt by many is actually shifting the conversation from focusing on 'very isolated parts' of southern border towns to major U.S. cities. Steinhauser said, according to Just the News: 'It's a real problem now, it is not just an intellectual argument. It is on the streets, and that's the difference.' The former Texas State Guard member helped off-load the first buses of migrants coming from Texas in August 2022. Since that time last year, 12,500 migrants have been transported to Washington, D.C., including dropping many off in front of the Vice President's residence and 11,100 to Denver. And 3,400 arrived in Philadelphia and 1,250 in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass last August called the move 'evil' and a month later the White House labeled it a 'cruel, inhumane political stunt.' In a post on X, formerly Twitter, on December 20, Gov. Abbott wrote that his state was able to bus 82,900 migrants to sanctuary cities to help relieve the stress on border communities that usually bear the brunt of the ongoing crisis. In Congress, Republicans are pushing for a huge immigration and border overhaul in exchange for sending more aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan in defending against threats from Russia, Hamas and China, respectively. In lieu of that happening yet, Gov. Abbott signed a law last month that allows his state law enforcement to arrest, detain and deport illegal immigrants without going through federal channels. Democrats say it's cruel to hold the aid hostage in exchange for what they say are inhumane immigration policies. But Abbott and other border state leaders have accused Democrats of not caring about the affects mass illegal immigration has on their communities because they are mostly Republican enclaves. Therefore, Abbott teamed up with others to start flying and busing migrants to Democratic cities. Steinhauser said the Texas governor wanted to 'bring those problems' to those who downplayed the crisis. Texas Gov. Abbott signed a law last month that allows law enforcement in his state to arrest, detain and deport illegal migrants bypassing federal policies and laws to do so Migrants are led from one bus to another after arriving in Chicago from Texas on September 9, 2022 Since then, Democratic leaders in cities like New York City, Chicago and Denver have called for the Biden administration to address more directly the illegal immigration issue in the U.S. and to provide assistance. 'It's very interesting to see the reactions of the [sanctuary city] mayors,' Steinhauser said. 'Abbott has had enough of a humanitarian crisis in Texas communities. They are admitting to the fact that this is a crisis. It is changing the politics of those cities.' New York City Mayor Eric Adams said his city is at the breaking point. 'It's not just about New York City, it is all of these cities that are being impacted from Brownsville, El Paso, Houston, Chicago, New York, Denver,' Adams said. 'This is really an issue that you're seeing play out on the streets of our cities.' Meanwhile, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston called for more federal money to cover the costs of additional migrants. 'It will crush city budgets around the country,' Johnston said. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called Abbott's actions 'inhumane and unconscionable.' 'But I want to make this very clear: the international crisis that we are experiencing right now is being subsidized by local economies. That is not sustainable.' A pro-Palestine mob has created a New Years Day nightmare as they have blockaded the JFK airport and surrounding roads, causing a gridlock for travelers. The protest was arranged by the pro-Palestine group called WOL as they instructed participants to flood JFK Terminal 4 on Monday. Only passengers with boarding passes and employees with valid forms of identification are being allowed to enter the JFK Air Train at Jamacia Station. Cars can be seen driving on the highway leading up to the airport as protestors shout 'NYD KKK, IDF, you're all the same.' 'VICTORY! Port Authority has effectively shut down all entrances to JFK for people w/o a boarding pass. Airtrain service is closed, and cars cannot get into the terminal without proof of ticket,' WOL said in a post on X. Traffic is seen for miles as pro-Palestine protestors flooded the roads leading up to the JFK Airport in New York. NYPD officers are on the road trying to intervene as traffic slowly creeps up to the airport The protest was arranged by the pro-Palestine group called WOL as they instructed participants to flood JFK Terminal 4 on Monday Traffic is blocked near the airport leading up to passenger terminals near I-678 South and Exit C. 'If anyone is flying out of JFK Airport today, please plan to travel to the airport ahead of time. There are planned protests today and will cause delays. We don't want anyone to miss their flights! Safe travels and Happy New Year,' the NYPD Chief of Transportation said in a post on X. Many cars have Palestinian flags hanging out of them with signs taped to the back on the vehicles. NYPD officers are on the road trying to intervene as traffic slowly creeps up to the airport. This protest comes after another mob set off smoke bombs in a Macys store in New York City and marched through the Big Apple and were steered clear of the Times Square ball drop. The group made their way through the city on New Years Eve after Mayor Eric Adams said he had the NYPD prepared to step up security ahead of celebrations in Times Square. Only passengers with boarding passes and employees with valid forms of identification are being allowed to enter the JFK Air Train at Jamacia Station Many cars have Palestinian flags hanging out of them with signs taped to the back on the vehicles At Macy's in Herald Square, at least one demonstrator set off a bright red smoke bomb and were allowed to take a lap around the famous department store before being escorted out. At least one group was spotted marching from 59th Street all the way down to 45th and 5th Avenue, just a block away from where the ball will drop at midnight. A police spokesperson told DailyMail.com no protest-related arrests had been made yet Sunday when we reached out to the NYPD late Sunday evening Many cities were deploying extra security, and some places cancelled New Year's Eve events altogether with marches happening across the country. In New Jersey, a 180-car caravan under the banner of 'Wheels of Palestine' drove from Paterson to Teaneck, which was declared 'the most Jewish city in New Jersey' by Haaretz in 2018. NOW: A protestor set off a red smoke bomb inside of Macys at Herald Square Protestors were able to make nearly a full lap around the first floor before police escorted them out of the building pic.twitter.com/GVBEa9AsDV katie smith (@probablyreadit) December 31, 2023 Pro-Palestinian protesters marched through New York City on New Years Eve after Mayor Eric Adams said he had the NYPD prepared to step up security ahead of celebrations in Times Square In Chicago, protesters shut down the I-90 and I-94 after marching down Michigan Avenue, according to Fox 32. Roadways in the California capital of Sacramento were also shut down due to protests, KCRA reported. Amid near-daily protests in New York sparked by the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, police said they would expand the security perimeter around the party, creating a 'buffer zone' which will allow them to head off potential demonstrations. It comes after the protestors, who are calling for a ceasefire as 21,000 Palestinians have been killed in the fight between Israel and Hamas, disrupted all of the city's major celebrations and parades since the October attacks. Assistant Chief John Hart highlighted the department's readiness for groups of varying sizes and points of origin for the protests. Other pro-Palestine protests in the city over the past couple months have drawn between 1,000 and 5,000 people. 'We're prepared for them in any number,' Hart said. 'We're prepared for different groups from different places, and we will make sure this event stays safe.' Donald Trump is beating Joe Biden in two key voter groups, giving him an overall lead in the presidential race, the first new poll of 2024 found. Trump leads Biden among Hispanic voters by five points, 39%-34% and among younger voters by three points, 37%-34%, according to a USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll. Biden won both those voting groups in the 2020 presidential contest, where he defeated Trump to win the White House. Monday's poll also shows Biden is losing support among black voters, another key voting bloc. He now has the support of just 63% of black voters, a group he carried by a whooping 87% in 2020. Overall, the poll found that Trump in the lead at 39% to Biden's 37% with 17% supporting an unnamed third-party candidate. When third-party candidates were specified by name, Trump's lead increased to 37% to Biden's 34%, with independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the top of the third-party candidates at 10%. The overall trend is worrisome for Biden, particularly with younger voters, who overwhelmingly supported him four years ago and are largely at odds with Republicans on issues such as abortion access and climate change. And some of the president's support looks to have gone to third-party contenders. The poll found that 20% of Hispanic and black voters, along with 21% of young voters, say they'll back someone other than the two main contenders. Multiple polls have shown voters want an alternative candidate for the 2024 presidential contest, citing concerns about Biden's age. At 81, he is the oldest American president in history. If he wins a second term, he would be 86 when it's completed. However, in the poll, 74% of likely Democratic primary voters support Biden with only 9% backing author Marianne Williamson and 2% supporting Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips. 'Although Trump hasn't grown support among Black voters, he has closed the deficit because third-party voters come off of Biden's support among Blacks,' David Paleologos, director of Suffolk's Political Research Center, told USA Today. 'A young voter or a person of color voting 'third party' is a vote away from President Biden, and a vote away from President Biden is a vote for Donald Trump.' The survey of 1,000 likely voters, conducted by landline and cellphone Tuesday through Friday, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. A new poll found a significant portion of President Joe Biden's support among key voting blocs appears to have gone to third-party candidates Donald Trump is leading Biden in a new USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll Meanwhile Trump, 77, leads polls for the Republican nomination although the first nominating contests don't begin for a few weeks. But the poll found that 44% of the former president's supporters describe themselves as a '10' when it comes to their support of him. Among Biden supporters only 18%, call themselves a '10'. Trump has managed to hang onto his core, dedicated group of followers despite his own troubles, including two upcoming criminal trials in federal court and two in state courts - New York and Georgia. Royle Family star Sue Johnston has backed Dame Esther Rantzen's assisted dying campaign. The 80-year-old actress says she supports the terminally ill being able to end their own lives, provided there are legal safeguards. Her comments come amid a widespread debate over the issue in recent weeks, sparked by Dame Esther's announcement that she has joined the assisted dying clinic Dignitas in Switzerland. Dame Esther, 83, has lung cancer and has called on MPs to hold a debate when Parliament returns for a free vote on assisted dying - with recent polls showing growing public support. Talking to Saga magazine, Ms Johnston - who played Barbara Royle in the BBC comedy and has also starred in Coronation Street, Brookside and Downton Abbey - said she is in favour of legalising it. Sue Johnston, 80, says she supports the terminally ill being able to end their own lives, provided there are legal safeguards Ms Johnston's comments come amid a widespread debate over the issue in recent weeks, sparked by Rantzen's announcement that she has joined the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland 'I think it's an option that people should be able to have - it's their life, their choice,' she said. 'I don't know whether I'd want it myself, but then I'm not in a position where life is intolerable. Is Assisted Suicide illegal in Britain? Under the Suicide Act 1961, anyone helping or encouraging someone to take their own life in England or Wales can be prosecuted and jailed for up to 14 years if found guilty of an offence. Section two of the act states that a person commits an offence if they carry out an act capable of encouraging or assisting the suicide or attempted suicide of another person, and the act was intended to encourage or assist suicide or an attempt at suicide. In 2015 MPs including former prime minister David Cameron rejected a Bill to legalise assisted dying. Opposition to changing the law has come from faith groups, campaigners who say disabled people may feel pressured to end their lives and campaigners who fear assisted dying would become a business. Advertisement 'Of course, people can be ruthless, and they may take advantage of a change in law to get rid of people, so it would all have to be safeguarded. But it would be, there'd be laws.' The actress then compared the situation to pets. 'I have animals and when they're in terrible pain, we put them to sleep,' she said. 'It's heartbreaking but we do it for their sake, because we want to spare them the suffering.' Ms Johnston had her beloved German shepherd dog Betsy put down two years ago. She said: 'She got cancer and deteriorated very quickly. She was just in such agony so she was put down. It's painful saying goodbye to your pets and we wonder why we put ourselves through that.' Dame Esther has made renewed calls for assisted dying to be made an option for terminally ill people after families watching loved ones go through palliative care have had their memories 'obliterated'. Her call on MPs to hold a debate when Parliament returns into 2024 for a free vote on assisted dying comes just weeks after the Childline founder, who has stage four lung cancer, revealed that she had joined the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland as an option in case her health does not improve. Dame Esther said: 'I think as a humane decision to have the debate as soon as possible, to have a free vote, would be right for millions of people - at least we would discuss it.' According to a survey by Deltapoll 71 per cent of the public supported assisted dying being made legal in the UK with 13 per cent opposing and 16 per cent being unsure. Meanwhile 72 per cent supported plans for a free vote. The broadcasting legend said the poll indicating strong public support is due to people feeling 'that's all we're asking for, is the choice'. Sue Johnston in the Royle Family. Ms Johnston - who has also starred in Coronation Street , Brookside and Downton Abbey - said she is in favour of legalising assisted dying Ms Johnston said: 'I think it's an option that people should be able to have - it's their life, their choice' (File Photo) Dame Esther (pictured at her home in the New Forest with her four grandchildren) explained to her family that she didn't 'want their last memories of me to be painful' 'We're not asking for this to be imposed on anyone, people have very strong beliefs, some religious beliefs, which would make it impossible for them, we fully understand that,' she told the Mirror. 'But the rest of us I think feel that we want to be able to choose a death which does not mean our family has to watch us suffering. READ MORE: Dame Esther Rantzen calls for a choice on assisted dying in 2024 after revealing she is considering going to Dignitas if her stage four lung cancer worsens - as poll indicates strong public support Advertisement 'I think for me that is my principle concern because I know a memory of a bad death, a painful death, somebody who is longing to die but is being kept alive and suffering, that memory obliterates previous memories of happiness, or can do. 'What we don't want now is for people who are adamantly against assisted dying to impose their views on us.' Dying in Dignity told the paper that the poll showed 'the vast majority of the British public want to see a new law that gives dying people choice and control over the ends of their lives'. Currently, assisted suicide is banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. A bill to make assisted dying legal failed to pass in 2015. Since Dame Esther announced that she planned to 'buzz off to Zurich' if the new medication to treat her cancer stopped working, politicians have been voicing their support for another parliamentary vote. Tory MP Mel Stride, who was one of 27 Conservative MPs to vote in favour of legalising assisted dying eight years ago, said he was 'not averse' to another parliamentary vote. Speaking on the issue he made clear that the Government would not bring forward fresh legislation on the issue but signalled that he would be happy to debate it further. The minister, who was elected in 2010, told the Today Programme: 'The government has not decided to bring forward legislation, I think I need to make that very clear. Assisted dying clinic Dignitas (pictured) is near Zurich in Switzerland Pictured: A bed in the clinic Dignitas assisted suicide clinic near Zurich, Switzerland 'But if Parliament in some form or another decided that it wanted to have a fresh look at this, given it was some years ago that we last did so, that's not something that I would be resistant to.' Another Tory MP Alicia Kearns has called for another vote on legalising assisted dying. Posting on X, formerly Twitter, after Dame Esther revealed her plan, the MP for Rutland and Melton said: 'Dame Esther is absolutely right, Parliament needs to have a vote on assisted dying, and it needs to be a free vote.' She said there had been a 'fundamental shift in the country' and 'in parliament' since 2015. Ms Kearns told the BBC: 'Since I was elected we've had a number of debates on this and you can barely get a chance to speak. 'The amount of my colleagues who say I've reflected, I've changed my views I really do think that the national conversation has changed.' Levelling Up minister Michael Gove also thought it would be 'appropriate' to 'revisit' the issue in the Commons, despite not being personally persuaded. He said earlier this month: 'I am not yet persuaded of the case for assisted dying but I do think it's appropriate for the Commons to revisit this. Dame Esther said: 'I think as a humane decision to have the debate as soon as possible, to have a free vote, would be right for millions of people - at least we would discuss it' (File Photo) Dane Esther spent Christmas with her family. Pictured: (Seated L-R) Teddy, Alexander, Romily, Kelly Florence, (Standing L-R) Rebecca Wilcox, Joshua, Esther, Benjamin and Miriam Rebecca Wilcox previously said she fears she could be accused of murder if she helps her seriously ill mother travel to Dignitas 'I think it was in the last Parliament that we had a debate on it and as I say, I am not yet persuaded but I would want to listen with humility to Dame Esther and others outline the case.' Health Secretary Victoria Atkins, however, refused to give her personal view on the vote, citing her 'responsibility' as a minister. Ms Atkins said she recognised how 'incredibly emotional' the issue is, but re-stated the Government's line that it should be up to Parliament whether or not to have another debate on changing the law. The Prime Minister's official spokesman previously said the Government position has not changed so it remains a matter for Parliament to decide. On the other side of the bench Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting agreed that Parliament 'would probably be in a different place' now than it was eight years ago. He previously told LBC: 'When I first became an MP we had a vote on assisted dying in Parliament. It was lost heavily. I think Parliament probably be in a different place now. This will be a free vote issue anyway, so Labour wouldn't have a position.' Dame Esther revealed her plans earlier this month, telling the BBC's Today: 'I have in my brain though, well, if the next scan says nothing's working I might buzz off to Zurich but, you know, it puts my family and friends in a difficult position because they would want to go with me. And that means that the police might prosecute them. The veteran broadcaster, 83, (pictured in October 2022) has urged MPs to hold a debate when Parliament returns into 2024 for a free vote Dame Esther said that she had discussed the issue with her family and they had told her it was her 'decision' and 'choice' She has called for a free vote on assisted dying as it's 'important that the law catches up with what the country wants' 'So we've got to do something. At the moment, it's not really working, is it?' Dame Esther said that she had discussed the issue with her family and they had told her it was her 'decision' and 'choice'. She continued: 'I explained to them that actually I don't want their last memories of me to be painful because if you watch someone you love having a bad death, that memory obliterates all the happy times and I don't want that to happen. 'I don't want to be that sort of victim in their lives.' Yet after the announcement was made her daughter Rebecca Wilcox spoke of how she would 'want to ground the plane' if her mother decided to fly to Dignitas. She told ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'She never makes a decision in complete isolation, but she doesn't care what anyone else says. 'It's horrific and she always promised us she would live forever. She's not usually one to break her promises so we're a little upset about that. 'I would personally want to ground her plane if she was going to fly to Zurich but I know it's her decision. I just don't ever want her to go.' Speaking after Christmas she gave a heartbreaking insight into what could be her last Christmas Day with her mother, but added she was 'determined to make the most of it'. 'Its not often that you know beforehand it will be the last time you will dish out turkey and pull crackers at the table with your mother, but thats what this year has been for us,' she told the Mirror. 'She thought she would be dead in spring, but a miraculous drug has meant that we have another Christmas with her, a wonder we couldnt have imagined possible when she was diagnosed in January. I was determined to make the most of it.' An inquiry into perspectives on assisted dying in England and Wales was launched in December 2022 and the Health and Social Care Committee is due to publish its report on the issue. An alarming amount of Americans want a president who will 'bend the rules' of democracy to achieve political goals, a recent study has shown. More precisely, roughly half of Republicans polled said they would approve of such a leader, as did more than a third of participating Democrats. The question - along with several others meant to foreshadow early stages of democratic decline - was posed to exactly 1,500 people spread across the US. The inquiries - meant to tap into participants' preconceived notions of 'American values' - show how citizens from both sides of the political spectrum desire a leader who would forego basic tenets of democracy if it means protection and security. Asked by authors at Pennsylvania's Allegheny College, the questions came in the form of statements - which interviewees were asked to either agree with or disagree. An alarming amount of Americans want a president who will 'bend the rules' of democracy to achieve political goals, a recent study has shown This Venezuelan government handout picture shows President Nicolas Maduro (C) marching with soldiers and military brass in 2019 . The new study, coming show how citizens desire a leader who would forego basic tenets of democracy - if it means protection and security 'To protect the interests of people like you, political leaders must sometimes bend the rules to get things done,' one of the progressive college's statements read. To that, an astounding 49 percent of Republicans - or roughly 735 people - said they agreed, along with an almost-as-eye-watering 36 percent of Democrats. That statistic accounts for some 700 people, many of whom are set to vote for Joe Biden in the upcoming election. Perhaps even more jarring was a statement offered about freedom of the press and The First Amendment, and whether interviewee's ideal leader would be willing to ignore those fundamental rights if it meant protecting 'American values.' 'If political leaders believe that a news organization is attempting to undermine American values, they should take action to shut down that news organization,' the declaration read. In turn, an astounding amount of Republicans - about 72 percent - answered in favor, compared to roughly 28 percent of Democrats. Still, the later sample set accounts for roughly 420 Americans - all of whom associate themselves with the left - and nearly a third of all interviewed. In terms of Republicans, the statistic is even more alarming, as it represents roughly 1,080 of those polled. 'To protect the interests of people like you, political leaders must sometimes bend the rules to get things done,' one of the progressive college's statements read. Security forces take part in a military drill to mark the eighth death anniversary of President Hugo Chavez in March 2021 'If political leaders believe that a news organization is attempting to undermine American values, they should take action to shut down that news organization,' another declaration read, garnering agreement from 72 percent of Republicans and 28 percent of Democrats That statistic for the first assertion accounts for some 700 people, many of whom are set to vote for Joe Biden in the upcoming election. The current head of state - who has been accused of weaponizing his adminstation - is seen speaks in the State Dining Room on March 2 A similar split was seen in a statement that appeared to reference Donald Trump - as well as countless dictators over the years who have targeted certain demographics during or after their rise to power A similar split was seen in a statement that appeared to reference Donald Trump - as well as countless dictators over the years who have targeted certain demographics during or after their rise to power. It read: 'Political leaders must sometimes use rough language to criticize entire groups who refuse to work hard and contribute to our country .' In response, 67 percent of devout Republicans voted in favor, along with roughly 32 percent of Democrats. At roughly two-thirds and one-third of all polled respectively, the results are nothing to be sneezed at, study authors wrote. Likening the now-unearthed desires to unrest felt in places like Venezuela under Hugo Chavez and his successor Nicolas Maduro, they described how they played with participants' minds by posing the question. 'In our study, we asked about behaviors that foreshadow the early stages of democratic decline, political science professors Tarah Williams, Andrew Bloeser, and Brian Harward said. '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,' they continued, citing the study's final statement - to which 59 percent of Republicans and 93 percent of Dems agreed. It read: 'Political leaders must sometimes use rough language to criticize entire groups who refuse to work hard and contribute to our country .' In response, 67 percent of devout Republicans voted in favor, along with roughly 32 percent of Democrats '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,' the scholars said of their psy-op. '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,' they revealed. '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,' they said. The scholars concluded with an ominous warning about the future of the country, given the results. '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.' A young woman seriously injured when she was hit by an out of control van which ploughed into a shop made a heartbreaking plea to a man trying to comfort her. The woman, 27, was trapped under the van which smashed into a convenience store at Hornsey Road, Homebush West in Sydney's inner-west at around 5pm on Monday. Sivarasa Manmatharasa was one of the first people on the scene and found the woman trapped between the van and a grocery shelf. He tried to comfort the woman, who was walking along the footpath when she was struck, while waiting for the emergency services to arrive at the scene. 'She saw my eyes and she looked at me and said: "Brother, I don't want to die. I don't want to die",' he told the Daily Telegraph. Emergency responders rushed to help the young woman pinned between the van and the building The woman was freed from the wreckage by firefighters and rushed to Westmead Hospital in a serious condition. Police allege the driver fled the scene after hitting the woman and did not attempt to render aid. Two men were arrested nearby a short time later. One man was taken to nearby Auburn police station where he allegedly returned a breath analysis reading of 0.133, almost five times the legal limit. He was later charged with two counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, fail to stop and assist after impact and negligent driving. The van driver allegedly fled the scene after ploughing into a convenience story in Sydney's inner-west A man has been charged with a string of offences after he allegedly fled the scene when his van hit a woman walking along the footpath. Pictured are emergency responders at the scene He was refused bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday. The second man arrested was taken to Westmead Hospital for observation. No charges have yet been laid against him. Police established a crime scene and as the Crash Investigation Unit launched an investigation into the incident. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. A record number of migrants crossed the U.S. southern border in December, according to a new report, topping the highest amount ever recorded as President Joe Biden continues to grapple with the crisis. There were 300,000 encounters in the last month of 2023, U.S. Custom and Border Patrol sources told Fox News. Between Dec. 1 and December 31, more than 302,000 migrants were documented attempting to cross the U.S. southern border. It is the highest total for a single month ever recorded in history and it marks the first time migrant encounters have reached over 300,000. Immigration has entrenched itself into Biden's domestic and foreign policy - his push for more funds for the Ukraine and Israel was stymied by Republicans desire for more border funding. Migrants cross the Rio Bravo on their way to the United States There were 300,000 encounters in the last month of 2023, U.S. Custom and Border Patrol sources told Fox News 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. His request also includes $14 billion for Israel as it fights Hamas and $14 billion for U.S. border security. Biden and his Democrats have offered major concessions on border security to try and get a deal in place, including raising the standards for asylum-seekers and expanding the president's power to quickly remove migrants who cross the border. But no deal has been made yet. And immigration is 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. Donald Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, repeatedly hammers Biden for not doing enough to stop border crossings. Last week, on the same day Biden left for a vacation on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, he sent Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to Mexico to meet with officials there about the crisis. The two men met with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Biden's push came as the country was on track to see record numbers of migrants in December. Earlier in the month, border officials warned the seven-day average was of more than 9,600. In November, the figure sat at 6,800. Thousands more were set to arrive in the coming days in the form of a massive migrant caravan making its way through Mexico to the southern border. Video and photos show the massive march with families carrying large crosses and their possessions as the trek to the US. The border has been a political headache for Joe Biden for months Members of the Mexican National Guard watch over migrants who have abandoned a caravan headed towards the United States, in the city of Mapastepec The border has been a headache for Biden for months and his approval ratings continue to plummet with only 38 percent of voters saying they approve of his handling of immigration, compared with 46 percent in November. Republicans took advantage of President Biden going on vacation to hammer him for heading to the Caribbean while the crisis grows. Biden isn't the first to face partisan criticism for taking a vacation with former Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump all enduring scrutiny for time spent away from the capital. And while Biden is on the U.S. Virgin Island, members of Congress are back home in their congressional districts, meaning Washington, D.C., is virtually empty of political types. 'Joe Biden's vacationing in the Virgin Islands while the southern border is in crisis,' said Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) earlier this week. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) criticized Biden for being 'on vacation AGAIN while our southern border is being invaded by illegal aliens.' Republicans are gearing up for a fight. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, in mid December, set himself on a collision course with Biden as he enacted sweeping powers to deal with the migrant crisis. The laws will enable cops to arrest illegal migrants and allow judges to boot them back across the Mexico border. The Republican governor said it could slash the number of crossings by up to three quarters - but the Biden administration is bound to attack its constitutional legality. U.S. Border Patrol agents assembled the migrants at a transit center in Eagle Pass, Texas. Authorities have been overwhelmed by the crush of border-crossers A U.S. Border Patrol agent watches over more than 2,000 migrants at a field processing center on December 18, 2023 in Eagle Pass, Texas. A surge as many as 12,000 immigrants per day crossing the U.S. southern border has overwhelmed U.S. immigration authorities and established a new record A migrant caravan is currently making its way through Southern Mexico bound for the US It comes as 2,000 migrants are crossing the frontier everyday, with Texas bearing the brunt of the crisis. Biden has failed to confront the spiraling humanitarian disaster at the border and even received criticism from within Democratic ranks. Opponents have called Abbott's measure the most dramatic attempt by a state to police immigration since a 2010 Arizona law - denounced by critics as the 'Show Me Your Papers' bill - that was largely struck down by the US Supreme Court. The law will likely face a quick legal challenge by the White House, which has pushed back on the Governors previous attempts to reduce the flow of migrants. Gov. Greg Abbott signed three bills into law at a border wall construction site in Brownsville, Texas More than 1,000 migrants wait in line to be processed by U.S. Border Patrol agents after crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico on Monday in Eagle Pass, Texas Migrants wait to climb over concertina wire after they crossed the Rio Grande and entered the U.S. from Mexico, seen in September in Eagle Pass, Texas The law, known as SB4, takes effect in March and allows any Texas law enforcement officer to arrest people who are suspected of entering the country illegally. Those who re-enter face penalties ranging from 180 days in jail to 20 years in prison. Abbott, who signed the law in front of a section of border fence in Brownsville, Texas, predicted the number of people crossing illegally into Texas would drop by 'well over 50 percent, maybe 75 percent.' He did not offer evidence for such an estimate. Once in custody, illegal migrants could either agree to a Texas judge's order to leave the US or be prosecuted on misdemeanor charges of illegal entry. Migrants who don't leave could face arrest again under more serious felony charges. Abbott accused the White House of doing 'nothing to halt illegal immigration.' 'Joe Biden's deliberate inaction has decimated America,' Abbott said. 'The consequences of [the new law] are so extreme that the people being smuggled by the cartels, they will not want to be coming into the state of Texas,' he said. Abbott claimed 8 million people have crossed the border illegally since Biden, a Democrat, took office in January 2021. Abbott defended the new law as constitutional, saying Texas had been left to 'fend for itself.' Typically, immigration policy and enforcement have been the responsibility of the federal government. But several southern governors have taken the matter into their own hands saying Biden has dropped the ball. Abbott said the bill passed by the Republican-majority Texas state legislature last month was needed to 'stop the tidal wave of illegal entry into Texas.' Abbott said the bill makes it a 'criminal offense for illegal entry into Texas from a foreign nation. 'For repeat offenders it creates the offense of illegal reentry with a potential prison sentence term of up to 20 years,' he said. The bill also 'provides a mechanism to order an illegal immigrant to return to the foreign nation from which they entered,' he said. Migrant crossings have remained at roughly 2,000 per day within the Del Rio Sector with most of those being encountered Venezuelans, Hondurans and Colombians. A surge as many as 12,000 immigrants per day crossing the U.S. southern border has overwhelmed U.S. immigration authorities in recent weeks In this aerial view, Immigrants, many wearing mylar blankets supplied by the U.S. Border Patrol, try to stay warm after spending the night outside a processing center next to the U.S.-Mexico border on Monday Texas Republicans have increasingly challenged the U.S. government's authority over immigration, saying President Joe Biden's administration isn't doing enough to control the 1,950-mile southern border. The state has experimented with a range of measures to deter people who cross illegally under its Operation Lone Star, including deploying National Guard troops to the border, blocking migrants with deadly concertina wire and installing a floating barrier over a stretch of the Rio Grande. Texas has bused more than 65,000 migrants to cities across America since August 2022 and recently installed razor wire along the banks of the Rio Grande, which has snagged and injured some asylum-seekers. A three-judge panel of 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this month ruled that Texas must remove the floating barrier although Texas is seeking a review by the full court. In the state's most prominent action, it has bused 65,000 migrants to Democrat-controlled cities across America since August 2022 to alleviate the strain on its border cities and pressure Democrats. Still, migrants have continued to cross. Abbott signed into law sweeping new powers that allows police to arrest migrants who cross the border illegally and gives local judges authority to order them to leave the country Local organizations in Brownsville held a rally before a news conference announcing the governor's signing of three bills broadening border security policies in the state A migrant who crossed the Rio Grande from Mexico to the U.S. works their way through and over concertina wire and box car barriers in Eagle Pass, Texas Shortly after Abbott signed the new law, the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas said it would challenge the measure in court. More than 20 congressional Democrats also signed a letter urging the U.S. Justice Department to sue to stop the law, known as Senate Bill 4. 'SB 4 is dangerous for the people of Texas and interferes with the federal governments exclusive authority over immigration and foreign affairs,' the letter read. In this aerial view, Texas National Guard troops direct a group of more than 1,000 immigrants towards a U.S. Border Patrol processing center after the migrants crossed the Rio Grande A line of immigrants is seen in Eagle Pass having crossed over from Mexico Mexico's government also has rebuked the measure. Under bilateral and international agreements, Mexico is required to accept deportations of its own citizens, but not those of other countries. Under the Texas law, migrants ordered to leave would be sent to ports of entry along the border with Mexico, even if they are not Mexican citizens. In September and October, Venezuelans were the largest nationality arrested illegally crossing the U.S. border. During debate in the Texas House in November, GOP state Rep. David Spiller pushed back against concerns the law would be used as a dragnet to arrest immigrants statewide. He said enforcement would mostly take place in border counties. But he also rebuffed several efforts by Democrats to narrow the law, including a proposed carve-out for police on college campuses. Because the illegal entry charge is a misdemeanor, which has a statue of limitation of two years, Spiller has said the law will not be used to target immigrants who have long been settled in the U.S. 'This is not, 'Round up everyone who is here illegally and ship them back to Mexico,'' he said during debate over the bill. Opponents have accused Texas Republicans of using the law as a vehicle to force the Supreme Court's new conservative majority to revisit its landmark 2012 Arizona decision. At the time, Justice Anthony Kennedy said Arizona may have 'understandable frustrations' with immigrants who are in the country illegally but that it can't pursue policies that 'undermine federal law.' Over 200 active duty and retired service members are vowing to hold the Biden administration accountable for 'trampling' on their rights by enforcing the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The mandate enacted in August 2021 led to the forced firing of over 8,000 service members who refused the shot on religious or medical grounds. On New Year's Day, over 200 service members declared that they will do 'everything' in their power to get accountability since not a single leader has resigned or been held to account despite the rollback of the vaccine mandate last year. In a letter obtained by DailyMail.com, the current and former troops accuse Biden's military brass of 'continuing to ignore' their pleas to correct the 'injuries and laws that were broken.' They are threatening to even force Biden's top leaders to be brought out of retirement so they can be court-martialed and held to account. 'While implementing the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, military leaders broke the law, trampled constitutional rights, denied informed consent, permitted unwilling medical experimentation, and suppressed the free exercise of religion,' the letter states. Over 200 active duty and retired service members are vowing to hold the Biden administration accountable for 'trampling' on their rights by enforcing the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. On New Year's Day, over 200 service members declared that they will do 'everything' in their power to get accountability since not a single leader has resigned or been held to account despite the rollback of the vaccine mandate It goes on to say both service members and their families were 'significantly harmed' and their 'suffering continues to be felt financially, emotionally, and physically.' 'Some service members became part of our ever-growing veteran homeless population, some developed debilitating vaccine injuries, and some even lost their lives,' the letter continues. The mandate was eventually rescinded in the December 2022 defense authorization bill, but it did not reinstate service members who were fired for not receiving the shot nor provide any other compensation. In the open letter, they explicitly name now-retired and still serving top commanders that they are demanding accountability from. Those include the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley who exited the military in October and Gen. James McConville who served as the 40th chief of staff of the Army until 2023. 'These individuals enabled lawlessness and the unwilling experimentation on service members,' they state. 'The moral and physical injuries they helped inflict are significant. They betrayed the trust of service members and the American people. Their actions caused irreparable harm to the Armed Forces and the institutions for which we have fought and bled.' They have 'refused to resign' or take any accountability for their actions, the service members state. The letter goes on to mutually pledge to hold them to account through 'lawful word and action.' It is signed by a handful of candidates who are running for Congress in 2024 including Mara Macie, a military spouse in Florida, and Cameron Hamilton in Virginia, a former Navy SEAL. The Army recently was under scrutiny for attempting to win back favor with soldiers who were fired after declining the COVID-19 vaccine for religious or medical reasons, offering a 'correction of military records.' But the letter sparked an outcry of fury at the Defense Department by lawmakers and current and former service members who said there was always a process in place to do just that. Since the mandate, Army has also faced a huge shortage of recruits in fiscal year 2022 at 55,000 - which was 10,000 short of its target for the year. Congress is also working to further remedy the wrongs that these service members faced, but many soldiers have told DailyMail.com that it is just the start. In the most recent National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed a year later in December 2023, there is a provision allowing former service members who were fired to change their discharge status. But some current and former troops are saying that the amendments in the FY 2024 NDAA are not strong enough to undo the 'serious harassment' they endured over the last two years. At 4am EST today (a few min ago), senior military leaders received an email with a letter attached called the Declaration of Military Accountability. I know because I sent the email. I sent it on behalf of myself & 230 other signatories of the letter. The letter is not addressed pic.twitter.com/jFkF3FmcA8 Brad Miller (@BradMiller1010) January 1, 2024 The letter goes on to mutually pledge to hold them to account through 'lawful word and action' The letter sparked an outcry of fury at the Defense Department by lawmakers and former service members John Frankman, who was in the Special Forces as part of the Green Berets, said that the 'missed career opportunities' he endured over the last two years could never be undone by any action of Congress. Another active-duty Army officer previously told DailyMail.com that the fired troops have had 'their lives turned upside down and were betrayed by those charged with protecting them.' And a formal apology from their service branches would be key to be able to have trust restored, he added. The wild weather is far from over for south-east Queensland and northern NSW, with residents warned to brace for more heavy rain, prompting fears of significant flooding. Intense rain, thunderstorms and large hail lashed parts of Australia's east coast on Monday caused by a massive storm front stretching 500km across the south-east. The region is set to receive another drenching on Tuesday, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning the forecast is 'dangerous' for residents. 'This situation continues to be dangerous and dynamic,' Meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said. The heavy and widespread rainfall is set to continue from Gympie to the NSW border, prompting fears of 'life-threatening flash flooding'. Footage shared on social media showed a Queensland driver stranded and sitting on the roof of their car surrounded by floodwaters (pictured) Authorities rescued the driver but the car was left behind (pictured) Up to 200 millimetres of rain in as little as three hours is forecast for the region, with localised intense rainfall possibly topping daily totals of 350millimetres. Springbrook in the Gold Coast hinterland was hit with rainfall as high as 500mm in the 24 hours to 9pm on Monday. The Bureau of Meteorology also warned the storms were 'hit-and-miss', making them hard to predict. A severe weather warning remains in place for Queensland's south east coast, including Burnett, Wide Bay, Brisbane and the Gold Coast hinterland. Authorities have issued flood watches for most of the region's major rivers, with residents urged to stay off the roads and avoid low-lying areas. A severe weather warning remained current for the the state's south-east coast this morning. Seqwater cautioned residents downstream of Nindooinbah Dam, west of the Gold Coast, and Leslie Harrison Dam, in Brisbane's south-east, to avoid fast flowing or deep water near flood plains and waterways after the dams started spilling excess water due to heavy rain late on Monday. It comes as terrifying footage emerged of a driver sitting on the top of their Kia surrounded by raging floodwaters. Park in Mudgeeraba is underwater following following flash flooding due to rainfall on the Gold Coast on Monday night Residents watching the swollen Coomera river on the Gold Coast on Monday Queensland authorities said forecast rainfall indicated that releases may be required from the North Pine and Somerset dams within the next 24-48 hours. Isolated showers are forecast along NSW's southern and central coast later on Tuesday as the weather system weakens while moving south towards Victoria. Residents of Tumbulgum, in northern NSW, were urged to prepare to be isolated by floodwater late on Monday amid moderate flooding in the area. Further south in Lismore, emergency authorities advised people to stay informed about potentially dangerous flooding on the Wilsons River. State disaster co-ordinator Shane Chelepy said on Monday that the Gold Coast had been drenched, with Currumbin Creek receiving 571mm of rainfall in 24 hours, Upper Springbrook 350mm, Mount Tamborine 161mm and Pimpama more than 375mm. Flash flooding caused by the overflowing Coomera river (pictured) Flooding is seen at Clear Island Lake due to overnight rainfall on the Gold Coast A Queensland resident observes the raging floodwaters on the Coomera river on Monday Limpinwood in NSW received 307mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on Monday, Numinbah 297mm, Coffs Harbour Airport 205mm and Sawtell 190mm. 'Our waterways and infrastructure aren't built to withstand such a large amount of rain over such a short period,' Ms Bradbury said. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are forecast across most of Queensland on Tuesday. The State Emergency Service (SES) received more than 4,000 calls for help since Christmas - at least 460 of those were received on Monday. The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning for parts of the Wide Bay and Burnett and Southeast Coast areas. Residents are urged to stay off the roads and avoid low-lying areas as heavy rainfall may cause flash flooding Hundreds of people were moved from three campgrounds in the Gold Coast hinterland, while about 40 roads were closed due to the rising floodwater. About 16,000 people have been left without power across the Gold Coast, Logan and Scenic Rim after a tornado hit region on Christmas Day. Emergency services are expecting the number of residents left without power to rise as the region is hit by the developing storm. Meanwhile, residents in Tamborine Mountain are likely to wait till January 5 to get their power back. Julieta's head and body were found at a gas station about 820 feet away from medical facility Sebastian was arrested without incident near a clinic and had a rifle confiscated Police in Quiroga, Mexico arrested a suspect identified as 19-year-old Sebastian after he was seen walking with the head of his 29-year-old sister, Julieta A 19-year-old man was arrested in western Mexico after he was spotted walking in broad daylight holding his sisters head. The suspect, identified as Sebastian, allegedly murdered Julieta, 26, in the municipality of Quiroga on Saturday, the Michoacan state prosecutors office said. Bystanders saw Sebastian walking with Julietas head near a government-run clinic and called the police. Michoacan State Police agents found the teenager steps away from the clinic and arrested him without incident and confiscated a rifle that he was carrying. Cops in the western Mexican state of Michoacan found the head of 29-year-old Julieta near a gas station Saturday after her 19-year-old brother, Sebastian, was seen walking with it. Authorities arrested Sebastian near a clinic and confiscated a rifle. The Michoacan state prosecutor's office is investigating 19-year-old Sebastian for allegedly murdering his 29-year-old sister, Julieta. Sebastian was arrested in the municipality of Quiroga on Saturday after residents spotted him walking with his Julieta's head, which was found near her body at a gas station Authorities found Julietas naked corpse lying on the ground at gas station about 820 feet away from the clinic. The head was located several feet away from the body. Sebastian is currently being held by the Michoacan state prosecutors office while he is investigated for the alleged crime. As of Monday, authorities had not said why Sebastian murdered his sister and if any other people were involved. The shoes of a 19-year-old male, who was arrested in Quiroga, Mexico on Saturday, lie on the ground at a gas station where his sister's head was found near her body A police officer stand's near the headless body of a 29-year-old woman in Quiroga, Mexico The gruesome finding was reminiscent of the discovery cops in the State of Mexico municipality of San Mateo Atenco made when they arrested Lev Norman carrying the head of Lucero Yazmin inside a backpack in October 2022. The suspect was walking along an avenue with his body covered in blood when residents called the police. The man was under the influence of drugs and was arrested and taken to a police station. He confessed to the crime and provided the location of Yazmin's body. A 'high risk' detainee with a history of serious violence, sex and firearms crimes is back behind bars after he was arrested twice within weeks of being set free. Mohammed Ali Nadari, 45, was one of the 148 asylum seekers released under the controversial High Court decision that ruled that indefinite detention was unlawful. The Afghan national has previous convictions for grievous bodily harm, indecent assault and firearms offences as well as theft, larceny, drug and property offences. But despite being one of the immigration detainees feared to be a 'high risk', he was allowed back on the streets on November 26 after the High Court ruling. He was arrested six days later when he was caught in possession of 2g of cannabis and it was revealed he was now homeless and living in a squat. Nadari was released on bail but failed to appear at Parramatta Local Court to face the drug possession charge and was fined $300 in his absence. He is now back in custody after he was re-arrested by Australian Federal Police in western Sydney on Saturday for allegedly breaching his mandatory visa curfew conditions for two weeks. Immigration detainees have recently been released from detention centres including Villawood in Sydney's west 'The AFP arrested and charged the man, 45, on Saturday 30 December, 2023, after locating him in Merrylands, NSW,' an AFP spokesman said. 'It will be alleged the man breached the conditions of his Commonwealth visa between 15 and 28 December, 2023, by failing to observe his residential curfew obligations.' Nadari has now been charged with 10 counts of failing to comply with a curfew condition and faces up to five years in jail and a $93,900 fine. He was remanded in custody and is due to appear in the Parramatta Local Court on January 19. His dark past was revealed when he was convicted on the drug possession charge last month. 'The accused has a lengthy criminal history which includes but is not limited to maliciously cause grievous bodily harm,' said the statement of facts tendered to the court. Nadari was jailed in July 2015 for a maximum 32 months over the assault with an act of indecency against a woman, and spent 16 months in prison. An apprehended violence order was taken out by police on behalf of the female victim. Nadari is described in the statement of facts as one of the 'high-risk' detainees released after the High Court's decision that indefinite detention was unlawful. 'The accused has already committed an offence within one week of being released,' the statement said. 'The accused is currently unemployed and does not have a fixed place of abode. The accused has told police that he lives on the street.' Nadari was found in Sheffield Street, Merrylands on Saturday where police had gone to evict squatters. Labor Minister Clare O'Neil's Home Affairs Department has now freed at least 148 detainees since the High Court ruled indefinite detention was unlawful While police were evicting squatters living in three houses in that street, Nadari allegedly entered one of the properties through a broken fence. Police told Nadari to sit on the ground and asked him for identification. As he produced identification Nadari grabbed three small resealable bags from his wallet and threw them behind him. The bags contained green vegetable matter which was established to be cannabis. Nadari, whose identification was confirmed from his Immicard, was placed under arrest and denied knowledge of the cannabis. The High Court's decision on November 8 has now allowed at least 148 non-citizens to be released from detention, including paedophiles, murderers and hitmen. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Labor minister Clare O'Neil's Department of Home Affairs. Two children who drowned in Swan River in Perth on New Year's Eve had recently arrived in Australia as refugees from the Middle East. The six-year-old boy and four-year-old girl were unconscious when they were taken from the river at around 5.25pm on Sunday. Police and paramedics arrived shortly afterwards and were transporting the pair to Perth Children's Hospital before the children died. The children's families, who know each other, had recently left Syria, which is in the midst of a longterm civil war, for Australia, the West Australian reported. The girl's family, who live in Perth's northern suburbs, moved to WA about seven months ago, while the boy's family was visiting from another Australian state. Two children who drowned in Swan River in Perth on New Year's Eve had recently arrived in Australia as refugees from the Middle East. Emergency vehicles are pictured at the scene People who helped to get the children out of the water next to the playground tried to resuscitate before the emergency services arrived. They did so in front of dozens of people, including young children, who had gathered in the park to watch New Year's Eve fireworks. The mother of one of the children fainted and had a seizure in the park after the tragedy on Sunday evening, witnesses said. READ MORE: Six-year-old Perth boy is killed in New Zealand alongside four-year-old cousin in horrific UTV accident A six-year-old boy from Perth and his four-year-old cousin have been identified as the 'two bright sparks' killed in a horror UTV accident on their grandmother's farm. Advertisement The police were seen examining a wall near where the children were thought to have been playing. 'We need to just allow the family to mourn,' WA Police Acting Commander Mark Longman told reporters. 'We ... really need to be mindful that we've got two families here who have lost children.' The West Australian newspaper said there had been many recent comments from parents asking for safety in the park to be improved and that in its 2022 annual report, the board that runs the park said upgrading the playground was a priority. The riverbank dips sharply near where the children drowned, making it very difficult to see the water from the playground. WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam has called for an inquiry into the playground and the park, saying her 'heart goes out to the families and broader community affected by this tragedy. It's truly heartbreaking'. Ms Mettam said the WA government must ensure the playground is secure and start an independent review into the tragedy and 'any warnings that may have been sounded about better protecting children using the playgrounds by the river'. She called for 'transparency about the government's response, or lack of response, to any safety warnings. 'The review must also examine what additional safety precautions should have been put in place for this event and any future events close to the river.' A couple who had been in the park for the fireworks said they stopped their celebrations when they heard the two children had died. They left a teddy bear with a card at the scene. 'It broke our hearts,' the man said. 'It's horrendous what's happened. 'You turn your eye for a second ... I hope people don't rush to judgment.' Their card read: 'To both families. We don't know you but as parents of young kids ourselves, we are so sorry to learn of what happened to you. 'You are in our thoughts and may angels cuddle your kids now.' WA Premier Roger Cook said the tragedy was 'a truly devastating incident, especially coming on New Year's Eve'. A police officer is pictured at the scene in Perth where two young children drowned 'The thoughts of every Western Australian are with the families of these two children. I simply cannot imagine their grief,' he said. 'We will also ask Burswood Park Board to consider any changes that could improve safety in the area. 'I want to thank the first responders for their efforts - paramedics, police as well as the members of the public that assisted. 'A report on the incident is being prepared for the Coroner, and as always, we will closely examine the Coroner's findings.' A six-year-old boy from Perth and his four-year-old cousin have been tragically killed in a horror UTV accident on their grandmother's farm. The boys were killed after they fell off a UTV (utility-terrain vehicle) and drowned in the swollen Waikainga Stream at a property in Peria, east of Kaitaia on New Zealand's North Island, at about 5.15pm on December 19. Emergency services, including two helicopters, rushed to the property where the boys had been holidaying with their families. Their bodies were recovered from the water the following day. The driver of the utility and three others managed to get out of the water before they were rushed to hospital with minor and moderate injuries. A devastated family member said the utility had crashed into a boulder before careering into an 11-metre deep waterhole at Waikainga Stream. The little boys were killed after they came off a UTV (utility-terrain vehicle) and drowned in the swollen Waikainga Stream (pictured) at a property in Peria, east of Kaitaia on New Zealand 's North Island, at about 5.15pm on December 19 'On Friday 29th December 2023 at approximately 5.15pm, two little bright sparks went out from our lives,' the woman posted on Facebook. 'Cousins ... aged 6, from Perth and ... aged 4, of Taupaki, Auckland, were taken in a tragic UTV accident while on holiday in the far North of NZ, Peria, when the UTV they were travelling in crashed into a boulder, careering the vehicle into an 11-metre deep water hole at Waikainga Stream where no safety barriers were in place.' The family member said their hearts were 'broken and unmendable' following the tragedy and described the boys as 'cheeky, cheerful and full of adventure'. 'Fly free with the grasshoppers and butterflies our little mate. We'll always love you forever, even if you can't see us and even on our darkest days... We will love you forever and ever and always,' she wrote. She thanked emergency services, NZ Police and its family liaison officers. 'Without your support and guidance yesterday, we're not sure how we'd have coped. 'To the skilled dive team, we can't express enough thanks and love as thanks to your expertise, you managed to bring our boys back to the Whenua under such extreme circumstances and conditions.' New Zealand Police are investigating the horror incident (stock image) Far North Mayor Moko Tepania sent his love and prayers to the families involved. 'We are hugely appreciative of responders and the incredible work they do,' he said. 'With thousands of manuhiri [guests and visitors] joining Far Northerners over the break I ask whanau to take extra care when enjoying our district.' People have been barred from swimming or fishing at the spot until January 7. Police will prepare a report for the coroner. A man left fighting for his life after his top floor apartment erupted into flames has died. Emergency services raced to Angus St in Meadowbank, north-west Sydney, at about 3.30pm on Monday after flames were seen coming from the unit building. The 45-year-old man was rescued after firefighters found him unconscious in the hallway outside of his top floor apartment. Footage from the scene showed the critically injured man being shielded by a large piece of fabric held up by emergency responders as he was loaded into an ambulance. The man suffered severe burns to 80 per cent of his body and was rushed to the Royal North Shore hospital in critical condition, where he later died. A 45-year-old man has died hours after his top floor apartment burst into flames Firefighters found the man unconscious in the hallway of his top floor apartment and rushed him to hospital (pictured) Police said the cause of the fire is not yet known, however an investigation has been launched to understand the circumstances surrounding the blaze. Emergency services, including eight fire trucks, were called to the scene before the fire was extinguished at 4.20pm. Fire and Rescue NSW spokesman Phil Sheedy believed that the fire was caused by an explosion No other apartments were damaged in the fire. 'The explosion has occurred and he's obviously been able to get out through the front doorway and collapse,' Mr Sheedy told Nine News. Residents in apartment complex were evacuated as firefighters battled for almost an hour to get the fire under control. Hundreds of residents were forced to evacuate the apartment complex (pictured), many reporting the sound of an explosion and 'people screaming for help' A firefighter who suffered from chest pains was taken to Concord Hospital as a precaution. Resident David Wagner, who lives in the apartment complex across the street, said he saw the 'the whole thing'. 'It was just an explosion and then black smoke... You could hear people screaming for help,' he told the Daily Telegraph. Police have established a crime scene Anyone with information about the blaze is urged to call Crime Stoppers. Police are investigating the first case of rape in the metaverse after a child was 'attacked' in a virtual reality video game. The girl under the age of 16 is said to have been left distraught after her avatar her digital character was gang raped by the online strangers. The headset-wearing victim did not suffer any injuries as there was no physical attack. But officers said she suffered the same psychological and emotional trauma as someone who has been raped in the real world as the 'VR' experience is designed to be completely immersive. It is thought to be the first time in the UK that a virtual sexual offence has been investigated by police. Police are investigating the first case of rape in the metaverse after a child was 'attacked' in a virtual reality video game. Pictured: File photo of woman playing in Metaverse The girl under the age of 16 is said to have been left distraught after her avatar her digital character was gang raped by the online strangers. Pictured: A woman using a headset to play in the metaverse Virtual reality headsets were expected to be a popular gift this Christmas, with the NSPCC estimating that 15 per cent of children aged between five and ten have used one and 6 per cent use one daily. The worrying rise of the metaverse The metaverse has been described as the next iteration of the internet. The term was first coined in 1992 by the author Neal Stephenson in his science fiction novel Snow Crash. But what was science fiction in 1992 is now a reality for millions of gamers worldwide, including children. Using a headset that covers your eyes and ears, players are plunged into an immersive virtual world that feels real where they can interact with others inside a computer-generated environment. There are also wearable virtual reality vests called haptic suits, which use special technology to simulate sensations such as touching an object or the impact of a punch. In October 2021 when Mark Zuckerberg announced that his Facebook firm would be renamed Meta, it brought the concept of the metaverse to the public's attention. But Google, Microsoft and other tech firms are also making big investments in the technology. Users in Meta can set a protective 'bubble' around their characters so others cannot get close to them. But previous victims have told about being coerced into turning such a setting off before being attacked. Europol has warned: 'With an expected 1.6 trillion (1.4 trillion) boost to the global economy by 2035 and with 25 per cent of people expected to spend at least an hour daily in the Metaverse, it will certainly have an impact on the security of citizens and be something law enforcement needs to be looking into.' Advertisement Led by Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg, tech giants have bet billions of pounds on drawing people young and old towards the virtual realm of the 'metaverse', selling the chance to live a digitised, fantasy life. The victim was in an online 'room' with a large number of fellow users when the virtual assault by several adult men took place. Police leaders are now calling for legislation to tackle a wave of sexual offending in such a sphere, saying officers' tactics must evolve to stop perverts using new technology to exploit children. But the landmark case has prompted questions about whether police should be pursuing virtual offences given police and prosecutors are currently struggling with an enormous backlog of actual rape cases and if such an attack should be prosecuted under current laws. Yesterday the National Police Chiefs' Council's Child Protection and Abuse Investigation Lead, Ian Critchley, warned 'the metaverse creates a gateway for predators to commit horrific crimes against children'. Details of the extraordinary virtual reality case have been kept secret to protect the child involved, amid fears that, for several reasons, a prosecution will not be possible. But one senior officer familiar with the case said: 'This child experienced psychological trauma similar to that of someone who has been physically raped. There is an emotional and psychological impact on the victim that is longer term than any physical injuries. 'It poses a number of challenges for law enforcement given current legislation is not set up for this.' There have been a number of reported sex attacks on Horizon Worlds, a free VR online game run by Facebook's owner, Meta. In Horizon Worlds users create their own avatars, an animated online representation of themselves that they can design and then control while wearing their virtual reality headset and associated equipment. Nina Jane Patel, a psychotherapist who conducts research on the metaverse, has described a 'surreal nightmare' of being gang raped in Horizon Venues. The chairman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners Donna Jones told the Mail that women and children deserve greater protection: 'We need to update our laws because they have not kept pace with the risks of harm that are developing from artificial intelligence and offending on platforms like the metaverse. Virtual reality headsets were expected to be a popular gift this Christmas , with the NSPCC estimating that 15 per cent of children aged between five and ten have used one and 6 per cent use one daily (Stock Image) 'The Government needs to look at changing the law to protect women and children from harm in these virtual environments.' A senior police officer told the Mail that sexual offending in the metaverse is now 'rife'. But so far there have been no UK prosecutions for such offending, despite police receiving reports of other potential offences including the theft of one avatar's valuable sword. Police believe developments in gaming have opened up new avenues for cybercrime, including virtual robbery, ransomware, fraud and identity theft. But current legislation is unlikely to cover rape in the metaverse as sexual assault is defined in the Sexual Offences Act as the physical touching of another person sexually without their consent. The nature of the metaverse also blurs geographical boundaries, making it difficult to determine which law enforcement agency has jurisdiction over a particular incident when users and perpetrators are in different countries. A spokesman for Meta said: 'The kind of behaviour described has no place on our platform, which is why for all users we have an automatic protection called personal boundary, which keeps people you don't know a few feet away from you.' Mr Critchley added: 'We know offenders' tactics to groom and commit offences are constantly evolving. This is why our collective fight against predators like in this case, is essential to ensuring young people are protected online and can use technology safely without threat or fear. 'The metaverse creates a gateway for predators to commit horrific crimes against children, crimes we know have lifelong impacts both emotionally and mentally. 'As such, our policing approach must continually evolve to enable us to relentlessly pursue predators and safeguard victims across all online spaces. 'The passing of the Online Safety Act is instrumental to this, and we must see much more action from tech companies to do more to make their platforms safe places.' A flight was plunged into chaos after a woman allegedly attacked airline staff before she was arrested in dramatic scenes on New Year's Eve. The woman, 23, was arrested by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) after she allegedly assaulted crew members on board a flight that was due to depart Gold Coast Airport and fly to Melbourne on Sunday. The alleged attack occurred before the flight took off, with police going onboard the plane, taking the woman off the flight and arresting her. She was charged with assault and threaten with violence or intimidate a member of the airline crew. The woman could face up to 10 years behind bars if convicted. There were chaotic scenes at Gold Coast Airport (pictured) on New Year's Eve, when a Victorian woman was arrested after allegedly attacking airline staff Superintendent Josh Kinghorn of the AFP said there was no tolerance for violent or abusive behaviour in the airport or on a flight. 'Other passengers and crew should not be subjected to bad behaviour; it can be quite frightening to be in an enclosed space with someone who is abusive or aggressive,' he said. 'These incidents can also cause delays for other travellers and staff. 'The AFP works closely with the airline industry to intervene if anyones behaviour interferes with the safe operation of a flight.' The woman is due before Coolangatta Magistrates' Court on March 25. More bank branches are set to close this year as lenders continue withdrawing from the High Street. Lenders have already announced at least 189 branches will shut in 2024, figures show. The latest exodus follows the 645 that closed last year. Nearly 6,000 have disappeared since the start of 2015. And the trend will not change this year as banks continue to cut costs and point to the growing shift by customers towards using online services. Barclays closed the largest number of branches in 2023 at 180, and already has 34 planned for this year. It was followed by NatWest on 138, with 21 pencilled in for 2024 (File Photo) Banks have reduced branch networks for years in an attempt to drive down costs, but the rate has grown with the increased uptake of digital alternatives. This was accelerated by the pandemic. However, campaigners have warned that elderly and vulnerable users are being left behind. The latest figures were compiled by consumer group Which?. Jenny Ross, the firm's money editor, said: 'Sadly we've witnessed hundreds of bank branches closing their doors. 'And with more than 180 branches due to close in 2024, on top of the 5,783 branches that have closed since January 2015, the future of the UK's high street banking infrastructure is bleak. 'Consumers are at risk of being left isolated as in-person banking services are axed from their communities the Government must do more to protect their needs.' Separate research from analytics platform SAS found that almost one million customers could be left 'bankless' within months. One idea to try to alleviate the pain for those communities affected is the setting up of banking hubs. These allow different lenders to share branch facilities, each taking it in turn to use them to serve customers on different days of the week. However, critics claim that these are not keeping pace with the scale of closures. Only 31 have been opened in towns previously left bankless by the withdrawal of all the big banks and building societies. A further 70 are already scheduled to open next year. Ms Ross said: 'Banking hubs could play an important role in this, but the roll-out is taking far too long. More hubs must open as soon as possible to stop millions of consumers being left behind.' Royal Bank of Scotland, also part of the NatWest Group, shut four branches last year and has one closure earmarked for this year. Ulster Bank, another NatWest-owned company, closed zero branches last year but plans ten in 2024 (File Photo) Barclays closed the largest number of branches in 2023 at 180, and already has 34 planned for this year. It was followed by NatWest on 138, with 21 pencilled in for 2024. Royal Bank of Scotland, also part of the NatWest Group, shut four branches last year and has one closure earmarked for this year. Ulster Bank, another NatWest-owned company, closed zero branches last year but plans ten in 2024. NatWest, which remains 38 per cent owned by the taxpayer, has indicated that more closures are likely. Last month, finance director Katie Murray told the FT Global Banking Summit in London: 'Branches will always be important but we just don't need anything like the number that we have.' She said NatWest currently operated out of 550 branch locations but that 'we don't need that kind of number of branches'. HSBC had the third highest number of closures in 2023, at 114, although none are planned for this year. Last year, the bank's UK boss Ian Stuart sparked a backlash when he told MPs that the closure of bank branches was 'following what the customers want'. The Mail has long campaigned for the High Street to be protected so vital shops and services can be retained. Senior naval figures are calling for the UK to send one of its multi-billion-pound aircraft carriers to protect ships from Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists. HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, which cost a combined 7.6billion, were in Portsmouth harbour last night as the Red Sea crisis deepened. Purchasing the carriers sank a huge hole in the Royal Navy's finances, yet the Government has so far declined to send either ship into hostile waters. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps yesterday insisted that British forces were ready to act against Houthi rebels who are targeting cargo ships. Britain has also signed up to a US-led international alliance to protect key shipping lanes. However, there is presently no indication that the UK's commitment will include either carrier. Iran has sent a warship to the Red Sea as tensions increase (File Photo) Cargo ships are seen at Israel's Haifa commercial shipping port in the Mediterranean Sea on December 13, 2023 Defence Secretary Grant Shapps yesterday insisted that British forces were ready to act against Houthi rebels who are targeting cargo ships (File Photo) Last night, naval figures criticised the Government for failing to send one of Britain's prized military assets to the conflict zone. Their comments came as Iran upped the ante by sending one of its warships into the Red Sea a move which could signal its intent to disrupt Western peacekeeping operations. Lord West, former head of the Royal Navy, said: 'We should talk softly and carry a big stick not the other way around. The Government needs a big push on this. 'My worry is it likes talking about having carriers but doesn't understand how to use them. Absolutely we should be sending one to the Red Sea to join Operation Prosperity Guardian. 'It is very simple, if you have got these assets, use them. The joy of having aircraft carriers is that they can be sent to a crisis zone, do the job, then come home very quickly. 'Instead, we have the RAF planning to protect shipping from land bases which would not be anything like as effective and hugely more expensive.' Last month, the British warship HMS Diamond shot down a suspected attack drone in the Red Sea. It is understood to have been operated by Yemen-based Houthis who have targeted foreign ships since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in October. Yemenis recently militarily trained by the Houthi movement hold their guns and chant slogans as they take part in an armed popular parade held in Al-Sabeen Square to get ready to go and fight Israel in the Gaza Strip, on December 2, 2023 A Houthi fighter stands on the Galaxy Leader cargo ship in the Red Sea The Iranian-supported rebels have launched more than 100 drone and missile attacks in a move which appears to be a sign of support for Hamas. Continued aggression by the Houthi in the Red Sea risks it escalating into a region-wide conflict, which would have a devastating impact on global shipping. Some 17,000 ships pass through the Suez Canal annually. This is about 12 per cent of annual global trade, or 780billion. Any ship passing through Suez to or from the Indian Ocean has to come via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea. About nine million barrels of oil were shipped through the canal in the first half of 2023. Former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe backed Lord West's call, saying: 'HMS Queen Elizabeth is Britain's very high-readiness carrier. I would send it now and take all the jets you can muster. As you say, if not now, why have her?' In a stirring New Year message sent to every Tory MP last night, former Brexit Secretary Sir David Davis spelt out how the Conservatives can still win the next general election and urged his colleagues not to give up hope. Despite a Labour poll lead of 20 per cent, the Tory grandee says the party can prevail by invoking the spirit of Margaret Thatcher, with the Iron Lady winning the 1987 election by a landslide despite appearing down and out the previous year. The appeal for unity in the letter is primarily aimed at the 38 MPs who abstained in last month's vote on the revised Rwanda migrant scheme. They include members of the European Research Group, who had their moment in the sun in the Brexit civil war that engulfed the Tories under Theresa May. Sir David says many of the MPs are 'fatalistic', already convinced the next election is lost. 'They seem to think that electoral wipeout is already set in stone. My experience some 36 years in the House suggests that they could not be more wrong,' he writes. His intervention will hearten Downing Street, as the independent-minded former minister could never be described as a cheerleader for Rishi Sunak. 'He's too much his own man,' said one ministerial source. DAVID DAVIS: The Tory grandee says the party can prevail by invoking the spirit of Margaret Thatcher The Iron Lady won the 1987 election by a landslide despite appearing down and out the previous year The letter points to 1986, when Mrs Thatcher became the first prime minister with a large majority to lose legislation at the first hurdle over Sunday trading. In the same year, Michael Heseltine quit as defence secretary in the row over the future of the Westland helicopter company. At one point Mrs Thatcher felt so vulnerable she told a lunchtime meeting of Tory MPs she might be out of No 10 by the end of the day.Her poll ratings slumped further after allowing America to use British air bases to bomb Libya after an attack on a German nightclub used by US servicemen. The result of this chaos? 'Within a year, we won the next general election with a landslide majority of over 100. A key element of this was that Michael Heseltine, despite wanting to be prime minister, did not start a Tory civil war. Instead, we all played as a team and won,' writes Sir David. In 1991 it was even more bleak, and Labour had enjoyed a lead of 28 per cent over the Tories, who had been in power for 12 years. But prime minister John Major rallied the Tories, dispelling the idea his government was running out of steam, and secured victory. Sir David says: 'We went into the election with everybody expecting us to lose, including ourselves.' Now many Tory MPs are asking whether they are facing the 1992 or the 1997 election, which Tony Blair won with a majority of 179. 'My answer is that it depends on them. In 1992, the Conservative Party fought as a team, where the only opponent was the Opposition. In 1997, the Tories fought each other,' Sir David says. If the Rwanda plan becomes law, he adds, and hundreds of migrants are sent to Africa, it would be a game changer. Predicting other European countries would copy the plan, he says: 'All of a sudden this goes from a problematic policy to a Europe-leading one.' A tax-cutting Budget in March would also put the Tories on course for victory in the London mayoral election in May, he says. Current London Mayor Sadiq Khan's extension of the ultra-low emission zone, a tax on older polluting cars, has provoked anger. Sir David says there's no enthusiasm either for Sir Keir Starmer, 'so we just need to give the electorate a reason to support us'. He concludes: 'Rwanda can be accelerated by party discipline; the Budget can be made truly Conservative by a low-tax strategy from the Treasury; and the result in London will require a professional party operation. 'All of those are in our grasp, and so is another Conservative victory at the next general election.' I write to wish you a happy New Year, and I hope that you don't mind if I offer some unsolicited views on the year ahead. I do so because I was struck during the Rwanda debate by the fatalistic way some of my colleagues view our prospects for the coming year. They seem to think that electoral wipeout is already set in stone. My experience some 36 years in the House suggests that they could not be more wrong. During the Rwanda debates, some people were referring to the last time that a government lost a second reading the Sunday Trading Bill in 1986 despite then having a nominal majority of about 140. DAVID DAVIS: My experience some 36 years in the House suggests that some of my colleagues could not be more wrong Some said that it was different then, things weren't so difficult and we were better equipped to deal with adversity. They could not be more wrong about that. In that year, Mrs Thatcher's ratings were in the basement, largely as a result of allowing the Americans to bomb Libya from British bases. We also had the Westland scandal, in which the attorney general was threatening to send the police into Downing Street. One Cabinet minister then had to apologise for misleading the House, while another very eminent and well-respected one, Michael Heseltine, resigned a true political earthquake. We lost Ryedale, a rock-solid Tory seat in North Yorkshire, and Mrs Thatcher was telling a lunchtime meeting of the No Turning Back Group that she might not be Prime Minister by 6pm! And the results of all this chaos? Within a year, we won the next general election with a landslide majority of over 100. A key element of this was that Michael Heseltine, despite wanting to be prime minister, did not start a Tory civil war. Instead, we all played as a team and won. The next time we faced such grim prospects was 1992. We had trailed in the polls since 1990, when we were 28 per cent behind. We lost the Ribble Valley by-election in 1991 with a swing to the Lib Dems of 27 per cent but even more scarily, with a turnout of over 70 per cent. EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: David Davis invokes the spirit of Margaret Thatcher as he sends a stirring message to the Tory faithful Advertisement I was a whip, and as I left the office at the start of the campaign, the chief whip told me to clear my desk as we were not coming back. We went into the election with everybody expecting us to lose, including ourselves. We returned with the biggest popular vote for the Conservative Party ever, and incidentally a lot more than Tony Blair ever achieved. And of course Nigel Evans won Ribble Valley back for us, and has held it ever since. And, as if we needed further proof of how volatile elections can be, it went the other way in 2017, when the Conservatives went from a predicted majority of well over 100 to no majority at all in a matter of days. Many of our colleagues ask me whether we are facing 1992 or the disastrous 1997. My answer is that it depends on them. In 1992, the Conservative Party fought as a team, where the only opponent was the Opposition. In 1997, the Tories fought each other. In medieval battles there was always a time when the losing side decided to 'sauve qui peut', when everybody turns and runs, and the massacre begins. Political battles are no different, and the 'sauve qui peut' moment came a year before the 1997 election as we fought each other. The irony is that those who broke first, attacking their own government and trying to distance themselves from the leadership, generally did worst of all. You can see this in the Hansard parliamentary reports of 1992 and 1997. Discipline wins elections, just as it wins battles. My colleagues also seem to find it hard to imagine a scenario for victory. Well, there are many. But let me describe one possible set of events that will create an inflection point. Imagine that, after a short struggle, we get the Rwanda Act approved, and start sending hundreds of migrants to Rwanda. What comes next? Very likely a number of European countries will start to copy us Denmark, Germany and the rest. All of a sudden, this goes from a problematic policy to a Europe-leading one, which as a result does have a deterrent effect in the originating countries. DAVID DAVIS: My colleagues also seem to find it hard to imagine a scenario for victory. Well, there are many After that, the next event on the political calendar will be a Budget that for a number of structural reasons will have a lot more fiscal headroom than usual, headroom that will allow us to pursue serious Conservative policies. Tax cuts, in other words. And then there will be the London elections, notably the mayoralty. It is entirely possible that the fury over the Ulez fiasco, Left-wing, vote-splitting challenges from either Jeremy Corbyn or George Galloway, the new first-past-the-post electoral system and the lacklustre performance of Sadiq Khan, will conspire to deliver a victory to the Conservatives. Uxbridge writ large. In a nutshell, we will have witnessed a trio of game-changing events, which will make Conservative prospects look very different. And notice that a large part of the Labour lead rests on abstentions rather than transfers of allegiance.There is no enthusiasm for Starmer, so we just need to give the electorate a reason to support us. Now, this sequence of events is only a set of possibilities. But we can turn them into probabilities by our own behaviour. Rwanda can be accelerated by party discipline; the Budget can be made truly Conservative by a low-tax strategy from the Treasury; and the result in London will require a professional party operation. All of those are within our grasp, and so is another Conservative victory at the next general election. A young Australian father who travelled to Bali to ring in the new year is now fighting for his life in hospital after falling off a scooter and sustaining major head injuries. Sydney man Kevin Malligan was travelling as a passenger last Friday when he fell off the moving vehicle and hit his head, reportedly suffering a brain bleed and fractured neck. The family believe he had not been doing anything "silly" and was not intoxicated while on the scooter, simply hitting a bump in the road which caused him to topple off. Kevin Malligan has a two-year-old daughter and his wife is currently expecting their second child next month. Source: Facebook Kevin, 24, was rushed to hospital for immediate medical assistance and has remained there in an induced coma since, with loved ones in Australia rushing to be by his side as his future remains uncertain. Wife expecting second child in the coming weeks Kevin's wife Leah is currently pregnant with their second child, who is due early next month. She left her two-year-old daughter in the care of loved ones to rush over to Indonesia with Kevin's father and brother. "We got the all clear from his CT scan to say his brain is fit enough to book the medical flight home. Its just a matter of time of getting the money to make that flight happen," Leah told Yahoo News Australia. The family have created a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to get Kevin home and said they "aren't losing hope". "We have made the decision to keep him in a coma and on life support until we can get him that fly back home to Australia," she said. Wife Leah rushed to Bali to be by Kevin's side. Source: Facebook According to the family, insurance will not cover the expensive medical bills, meaning they face an uncertain future. The fundraising page has raised more than $77,000 in two days at the time of writing. For now, the family remain concerned with how exactly they will be able to get Kevin safely home to Australia as they hold out hope he will be able to begin his road to recovery. Story continues Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The World Health Organisation is set to call for people to have the right to self-identify as the opposite sex in its first global guide to transgender care. The UN agency has been accused of choosing a group of 'blatantly biased' activists and medics to develop its guidance on improving access to 'quality and respectful health services by trans and gender diverse people'. The WHO said 21 experts will meet at its headquarters in Geneva next month to work on the guide, which will focus on the 'provision of gender-affirming care, including hormones' and also 'legal recognition of self-determined gender identity'. But it is already facing criticism as many of the group's members are trans activists and medics who work on 'affirming' healthcare. The group does not include any of the growing number of professionals who have raised concerns about the impact of puberty-blocking drugs on young people. The UN agency has been accused of choosing a group of 'blatantly biased' activists and medics to develop its guidance (file image) The WHO's biographies of the Guideline Development Group state that one member, Ayouba El Hamri, 'is a trans and feminist activist based in Morocco' while Florence Ashley 'is a transfeminine jurist and bioethicist' and Yanyan Arana is 'an empowered transgender woman' who advocates for 'the inclusivity and accessibility of sexual, reproductive, and transgender health care for the transgender community in the Philippines'. One of the group who is based in the UK, Dr Walter Bouman, was president of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health and his clinical practice 'involves prescribing, dosing and monitoring of gender affirming hormone treatment, providing referrals for gender affirming surgeries and other gender affirming medical interventions (hair removal, speech and language therapy) and providing psychological support for trans people'. Last night Helen Joyce from campaign group Sex Matters said: 'The WHO has chosen a blatantly biased global expert group to write this draft guidance on treating trans-identified people. Almost all its members are known to support medical interventions for gender distress that have no evidence of efficacy, and growing evidence of harm. 'This is part of a disturbing pattern worldwide, in which trans healthcare guidance and programmes are written by small, ideologically driven groups behind closed doors, and then presented as definitive. 'The WHO should abandon its current draft and start over with a panel of genuine experts. The scientific evidence on risks and outcomes should be assessed rigorously and impartially, not through the lens of trans dogma, as it would be with any other public health issue.' A petition has already been signed by 1,800 people calling on the WHO to 'go back to the drawing board'. It states: 'The current panel is highly biased in favour of 'gender-affirming' approaches, with an absence of critical perspectives. It comes as a senior Labour MP (pictured) has been accused of 'toxic', 'evil' and 'hateful' transphobia 'The majority of the panel members have expressed strong views in favour of hormonal and surgical interventions for transition, dismissed known and potential risks associated with these interventions, and denigrated psychotherapeutic approaches as 'conversion therapy'.' The petition adds that the panel does not include any experts in child and adolescent development, nor anyone who has detransitioned or stops their transition. It comes after the Mail revealed the UK Government is considering closing a 'major loophole' that effectively allows 'self-ID by the back door'. The loophole has allowed hundreds to change the sex recorded on their passport using only a medical letter as evidence. Two women have created an AI chat bot to allow individuals in the workplace to easily find out if they are victims of sexual harassment. The pioneering tool, which is aimed at helping victims anonymously report both discrimination and racism as well as sexual harassment, allows individuals to ask personally-curated questions for an AI bot to assess and answer. Trained on the UK Equality Act, workers can ask questions like: 'My boss keeps asking me to have dinner with him and stroking my arm. I have said no several times and it's making me anxious. Is this sexual harassment?' The tool is part of an app called 'SaferSpace', founded by PR guru Ruth Sparkes and business entrepreneur Sunita Gordon. 'We wanted to create something that not only gave victims a voice but also helped institutions create safer environments', Ruth explained. The app is designed to be be used by companies and universities. Ruth Sparkes (left) and Sunita Gordon (right) have created an AI chat bot to allow individuals in the workplace to easily find out if they are victims of sexual harassment The tool allows individuals to ask personally-curated questions for an AI bot to answer 'In the UK 58 per cent of women have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, on campus 68 per cent of students have suffered harassment. But 79 per cent of victims don't report it. The horrifying statistics and personal stories motivated us to create this tool, we desperately need safer environments,' Ruth said. The tool distinguishes itself in several ways. Firstly, it supports anonymity, a critical feature enabling users to report an incident without fear of backlash. This aspect is particularly vital in hierarchical institutions, where power imbalances can discourage people from making a complaint, their founders say. Ruth explained: 'We need to encourage wider reporting. Many victims lack information on how to report an incident, they fear that they won't be taken seriously, or find the whole process of reporting too intimidating. 'The most common reason for people not reporting, is not knowing whether what they've experienced actually warrants a complaint. 'So, we've built an AI chatbot, trained on UK legislation so users can ask questions before they make a complaint. We've been careful that we are not overburdening HR departments.' An example question could be: 'I saw a lecturer talking to a group of black students, he referred to them as "you people". Is this racism?' The chat bot would respond: 'No, this is not necessarily racism. It could be considered a form of discrimination based on race, but without more context it is impossible to determine whether or not this is the case.' Another is: 'Should I report my boss if he keeps inviting me over to his home?' The AI would respond: 'It depends on the context and your comfort level. If you feel uncomfortable or threatened, it is best to talk to your boss about how you feel and ask them to clarify their intentions. 'If the situation does not improve, you may want to consider reporting it.' A third is: 'Every time I walk into the canteen, a certain group of men keep catcalling me? Is this sexual harassment?' Here, it's answer would be: 'Yes, this could be considered sexual harassment. Under section 26 of the Equality Act 2010, a person (A) harasses another (B) if A engages in unwanted conduct of a sexual nature which has the purpose or effect of violating B's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for B.' And a fourth: 'Is a trans woman allowed to use the ladies toilet?' AI would answer this with: 'Yes, a trans woman is allowed to use the ladies toilet. Under section 9 of the Equality Act 2010, gender reassignment discrimination is discrimination within section 13 because of gender reassignment, and discrimination within section 19 where the relevant protected characteristic is gender reassignment.' SaferSpace offers organisations actionable insights, Sunita explained. 'It's not about just making a complaint; it's about providing organisations with the data and tools they need to make real change', she said. She continued: 'By understanding the frequency and nature of issues, organisations can develop effective interventions. Lots of organisations have robust policies in place, but policies don't equal protection.' Ruth added, 'While developing SaferSpace, Sunita and I often reflected on our own experiences. It's a stark reminder that this isn't just a business endeavour for us; it's deeply personal.' McDonald's employs more than 170,000 people in the UK across 1,450 restaurants. It has one of the country's youngest workforces with 75 per cent of its employees being between 16 and 25 years old Alistair Macrow, McDonald's boss in the UK, issued an apology after the BBC found that more than 100 current and former staff at the fast food chain alleged they had been harassed The two women believe the tool could be particularly vital in the wake of recent high profile sexual harassment and misconduct cases including at Red Arrows, McDonalds, the Met police, NHS and more. Earlier this year, the BBC launched an investigation into McDonald's with 200 staff members, both former and present, launching allegations of sexual assault, harassment, racism and bullying. Now, a law firm confirmed a group legal action has been launched in relation to assault and harassment allegations. Alistair Macrow, chief executive of McDonald's UK and Ireland, said the company is 'determined to root out' behaviour which falls below expected standards. The boss previously launched a programme of independent investigations, audits of its complaints procedure, reviews of its code of conduct and a number of full disciplinary hearings. Lawyers at Leigh Day said they were representing McDonald's staff members who claimed they were 'being groped and harassed almost routinely' while at the fast-food chain. This could result in the first MeToo group action in the UK. Meanwhile, sixty women at the Ministry of Defence have written a letter describing a 'toxic' and hostile working environment - with claims of sexual assault and harassment from male co-workers. The letter, marked 'official-sensitive', was submitted to the MoD's permanent secretary David Williams in October by a group of top female civil servants and included anonymised accounts of abuse. Sixty women at the Ministry of Defence have written a letter describing a 'toxic' and hostile working environment - with claims of sexual assault and harassment from male co-workers The Red Arrows are in 'special measures' after a report found women were plied with alcohol , treated like property and harassed for sex, a Government minister said The group of 'senior civilian women' describe the workplace culture at the MoD as 'hostile to women as equal and respected partners'. Elsewhere, The Red Arrows are in 'special measures' after a report found women were plied with alcohol, treated like property and harassed for sex, a Government minister said. Defence minister Andrew Murrison told the defence committee on Tuesday that the display team had been 'put on notice'. A report published in November found the campaign of bullying, sexual harassment and predatory behaviour was 'widespread and normalised' in the squadron - with female personnel forced to form groups known as 'shark watch' to protect themselves at social events. Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, offered his 'unreserved apologies' following the report's release, and said he was 'appalled' by its findings. Moreover, nearly a third of female NHS surgeons have allegedly been sexually assaulted by a colleague over the past five years, according to a survey. The study was the largest of its kind ever conducted into the surgical profession and was commissioned by the independent Working Party on Sexual Misconduct in Surgery, The Times reported. There were 11 instances of rape reported by surgeons who participated in the anonymous online survey which had 1,436 responses. Ninety per cent of women and 81 per cent of men who participated reported having witnessed sexual misconduct in the workplace. More than 40 per cent of women reported receiving 'uninvited comments' about their body from colleagues, 29 per cent claimed to have experienced unwanted physical advances and 38 per cent said they endured sexual banter at work. The research also claimed that sexual coercion is a 'major concern' within the industry with 11 per cent of female surgeons alleging they have experienced 'forced physical contact linked to career opportunities'. A man who hustled to build a life for himself in Los Angeles has opened up about how he moved his family to the Netherlands without a job and realized he was wrong about the 'American dream.' Sky Govan, 38, from Chicago, has spent the past three years living in Haarlem, a city outside of Amsterdam, with his wife, Sara, and their young son after picking up and moving during the COVID-19 pandemic. The YouTube creator admitted that starting over in another country where he had to adjust to a new language and culture was one of the harder things he has done, but he doesn't have any regrets. 'My entire life I've had this idea of the American dream, but then three years ago, I up and moved my family to the Netherlands, and I think I was wrong,' he explained in a recent video. 'I think we're all wrong about this idea of the American dream.' Sky Govan, 38, moved from Los Angeles to the Netherlands with his wife, Sara, and their young son during the COVID-19 pandemic Govan shared that they were both 'killing it in LA' and didn't have to move, but they loved to travel and 'always had this itch to live abroad' The YouTube creator admitted that Amsterdam was last on their list of places they wanted to move because they didn't want to live in 'another busy place' Govan shared that he and his wife were both 'killing it in LA' and didn't have to move, but they loved to travel and 'always had this itch to live abroad.' He recalled how they considered relocating to Ireland, England, and Germany, saying Amsterdam was last on their list of places they wanted to move. Govan explained that he and his wife both grew up in big cities, and neither of them wanted to move to 'another busy place' after living in LA. They felt Amsterdam was 'just way too crazy' for them, but that all changed when they visited Haarlem after the birth of their son. 'The moment we got here and just walked around, we both knew that this was kind of it,' he said, adding that the city was just a 15 or 20 minute train ride to Amsterdam. However, a couple of months later, COVID hit, and the reality of dropping everything to move to another country set in. Govan said they almost backed out of the move until he got a call from his best friend and mentor, who had just been let go from his job via email. 'When he told me he got fired, it just hurt a lot because I knew how invested he was in the company,' he explained. After the birth birth of their son, they visited Haarlem and fell in love with the city, which is located outside of Amsterdam Govan said the train from Haarlem to Amsterdam takes just 15-20 minutes To prepare for their move, they opened up a Dutch bank account and gave away the furniture in their Los Angeles apartment After discussing potentially relocating, they agreed to use the money they had saved over the years to move to the Netherlands. Govan set up a Dutch bank account with Bunq, a mobile banking company founded in Amsterdam, and found an apartment via Expat Housing. Before they moved, they gave away the furniture in their Hollywood Hills apartment, and he sold his bright yellow Acura NSX. 'We did all of this without jobs [in the Netherlands],' he noted, and three years later, they are still living there. Govan said he also sold his bright yellow Acura NSX, noting that they moved to the Netherlands without jobs Govan explained that the move made him realize the American dream is not about how much money you make or what car you drive - it's about how you feel in your heart 'I feel like I'm living the American dream,' he said, 'but I don't live in America' Govan explained that the move made him reevaluate what the American dream means to him. 'I don't think it's about little white picket fences and your house and what you're driving or how much money you make,' he said. 'I don't think the American dream is about that. I think the American dream is in [your heart]. Call me corny, Call me whatever you want, but I do think it's about where you find your home. 'What is home to you? And [it's] not really about stuff because stuff can be replaced. Any of that can be replaced.' 'I feel like I'm living the American dream,' he added, 'but I don't live in America.' A pregnant wife pleads with her husband to spend time with her instead of her mother, who is seen putting a piece of chocolate in her son-in-law's mouth on the new series of TLC's Smothered. DeLeesa is left on her own while her other half Trevor, 37, heads out to play bingo with her mom India, 59, 'for hours' - and when she calls him to come home, India hangs the phone up on her daughter. While DeLeesa has already branded her mom's close relationship with her husband 'weird,' India takes a swipe at her daughter and accuses her of being 'jealous' of the bond she shares with her son-in-law. In a clip shared exclusively with DailyMail.com, India feeds Trevor a piece of chocolate with her bare hands as DeLeesa watches in horror on FaceTime while begging him to come home. DeLeesa is forced to vye for her husband Trevor's attention - while he spends quality time with her mother India instead In upcoming Smothered scenes, Trevor goes to play bingo with his mother-in-law While on the phone with his wife DeLeesa, her mom India feeds him chocolate by hand 'I feel like you should come home,' DeLeesa protests as Trevor and India play bingo. Upon hearing her pleas, her mother blows raspberries at her daughter, prompting her to respond: 'Are you being serious right now?' The tense situation leads DeLeesa and Trevor to butt heads, with the devastated wife asking: 'Who plays bingo for seven hours?' 'It hasn't been seven hours, you're being dramatic,' Trevor replies. 'We've literally been here an hour.' As he attempts to tell his wife that he will be out for another hour, India starts waving a bar of chocolate in his face, which he then eats, before she grabs Trevor's phone and hangs up. Speaking in a confessional with mother-in-law India by his side, Trevor says: 'At this point in my relationship with DeLeesa, she feels threatened.' Interrupting her son-in-law, India butts in: 'No, I don't think that. 'I think it's just jealousy because everything always has to be her. If it's not her, that's it.' DeLeesa's mom than hangs up the call - before going on to brand her 'jealous' of her relationship with her husband DeLeesa pleads with her husband to come home after being left alone for 'hours' Trevor believes his wife feels 'threatened' by his close bond with her mother Trevor and India's unusual relationship has been causing friction for DeLeesa's marriage, with the mom-of-three previously labelling their bond weird. 'My husband and my mom are best friends and have the most weird, disgusting relationship that I have ever seen, she said. 'I can't stand it, especially because me and my mom don't get along. It should be me and him, not my mom and him.' The mother and son-in-law wear matching outfits, eat from each other's mouths, and clean each other's ears. And if that wasnt enough, India even plans to get dentures made from a mold of Trevor's mouth so they have the same smile. 'Their intimacy is especially disturbing to Trevor's wife and India's daughter, DeLeesa, an official TLC teaser reads. 'Now that DeLeesa is pregnant and needs the support of her husband more than ever, she gives Trevor an ultimatum. 'Trevor finally realizes the gravity of the situation when a health scare lands DeLeesa in the hospital.' Hugh Jackman has opened up about his challenging 2023, marked by his split from Deborra-Lee Furness. The Australian actor, 55, and wife, 67, announced their shock split in September after 27 years of marriage, telling fans they separated 'to pursue our individual growth'. Yet, amidst the personal turmoil, he shared an exciting glimpse into his professional life, revealing his involvement in the highly-anticipated Deadpool 3. Jackman took to social media to share a series of personal photos from the past year, captioning it as a 'Lost & found year end photo dump. #2023.' The standout among these images was of him preparing for his iconic role as Wolverine, getting his facial hair sculpted for Ryan Reynolds' upcoming movie, slated for release in July 2024. Hugh Jackman has opened up about his challenging 2023, marked by his split from Deborra-Lee Furness Yet, amidst the personal turmoil, he shared an exciting glimpse into his professional life, revealing his involvement in the highly anticipated Deadpool 3 This image was also shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, with the caption: 'Chops. #Wolverine.' The collection of photos offered fans a peek into Jackman's life over the past year. They included shots of him on the Deadpool 3 set, leisurely strolls through Central Park, and one of him enjoying a Martini cocktail. Jackman took to social media to share a series of personal photos from the past year, captioning it as a 'Lost & found year end photo dump. #2023' They included shots of him on the Deadpool 3 set, leisurely strolls through Central Park and one of him enjoying a Martini cocktail However, noticeably absent from these memories was his ex-wife, Deborra-Lee, following their separation. Hugh and Deborra-Lee, 67, shocked fans when they announced their split in September. 'We have been blessed to share almost three decades together in a wonderful, loving marriage. Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth,' the couple said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. Hugh and Deborra-Lee shocked fans when they announced they were divorcing in September 'Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness. We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition.' The former couple signed the statement as 'Deb and Hugh Jackman,' adding: 'This is the sole statement either of us will make.' The pair had tied the knot in 1996 after crossing paths on set of Correlli in 1995. During the course of their marriage, they adopted two children: son Oscar, 23, and daughter Ava, 18. Katie Holmes marked the last day of 2023 with a bit of shopping. The actress, 45, who is known for her elevated street style, ran her errands wearing an ankle length double breasted camel coat. As the director made her way along the sidewalk she revealed she was wearing a pair of straight leg jeans with brown boots. A beige sweater peaked out beneath her coat complementing the warm skin tones in the wearer's complexion. She added a pop of color with a long wool scarf with shades of bright pink and yellow against a gray background. Katie Holmes, 45, marked the last day of 2023 with a bit of shopping The Coda star's brown hair was allowed to hang down her back and she covered up with black billed hat. Katie appeared to be wearing simple makeup with a natural pink lip. The Ocean's Eight actress accessorized with several earrings and a gold nose ring. From the look of the bag she was carrying it appeared The Secret: Dare to Dream actress had been taking in the end of the year sales at a bookstore, perhaps looking for a new project. Her film, Rare Objects, was based on the Kathleen Tessaro novel of the same name. Critics weren't crazy about the story of a young woman seeking to rebuild her life with the help of friendships founded by working at an antique store, but audiences liked the film, giving it a 79-percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Katie has made New York her home since separating from ex-husband Tom Cruise in 2012 after six years of marriage. The actress shares daughter Suri, 17, with the actor, 61. It's been rumored Katie left the Top Gun: Maverick actor because she was concerned about bringing up Suri as a Scientologist. In a deposition against the Bauer Media, which alleged via one of its tabloids he had abandoned Suri, the Hollywood A-lister admitted 'That was one of the assertions' according to documents obtained by ABC News. Katie told E! News in 2022, 'What I love about New York is that for me and my child, this is our vibe.' The actress, who is known for her elevated street style, ran her errands wearing an ankle length double breasted camel coat. As the director made her way along the sidewalk she revealed she was wearing a pair of straight leg jeans with brown boots A beige sweater peaked out beneath the coat complementing the warm skin tones in the wearer's complexion. She added a pop of color with a long wool scarf with shades of bright pink and yellow against a gray background In a deposition against the Bauer Media, which alleged via one of its tabloids he had abandoned Suri, the Hollywood A-lister admitted 'That was one of the assertions' according to documents obtained by ABC News. Katie told E! News in 2022, 'What I love about New York is that for me and my child, this is our vibe.' 'New York has been very good to both of us. I love the theater, the galleries in my neighborhood. Stuff [like] that is so much of what makes me love this city. I love the Knicks,' she said. 'I love talking to my neighbors in the elevator. I like feeling a part of something big.' Legendary stand-up comedian Shecky Greene - who was a Las Vegas headliner for over 30 years - passed away, age 97, from natural causes at 3:21am on Sunday at his Nevada home. Shecky's (born Fred Sheldon Greenfield) third wife of 41 years - Marie Musso Greene - confirmed the sad news to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. 'It was fun [to spend four decades with him]. He always made humor out of whatever he could,' Marie told the outlet on Sunday. 'He made you laugh and feel good. It was a happy time.' Bob Hope called Greene a 'comedian's comedian' while his former neighbor Jerry Lewis once referred to him as 'the epitome of comic genius.' Legendary stand-up comedian Shecky Greene - who was a Las Vegas headliner for over 30 years - passed away, age 97, from natural causes at 3:21am on Sunday at his Nevada home (pictured in 1970) Shecky's (born Fred Sheldon Greenfield) third wife of 41 years - Marie Musso Greene (L, pictured July 30) - confirmed the sad news to the Las Vegas Review-Journal The Chicago-born father-of-two memorably portrayed Roman soldier Marcus Vindictus in Mel Brooks' 1981 hit History of the World: Part I as well as Mr. Buyrite in Ron Howard's 1984 feature directorial debut Splash. But Shecky is probably best remembered for his role as the wisecracking Private Braddock in eight episodes of ABC war drama, Combat! Greene made guest appearances in episodes of The Fall Guy, Laverne & Shirley, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, The A-Team, Roseanne, and Mad About You. The 5ft9in funnyman - who was big on the Borscht Belt - also guest-hosted episodes of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Merv Griffin Show, and The Mike Douglas Show. During his Las Vegas peak, Shecky - whose last ticketed performances were the South Point Showroom in 2011 - commanded a $10K-per-week salary headlining the Riviera's Starlite Lounge. When Greene was headlining the Last Frontier, he famously enlisted Elvis Presley to be his opening act in 1956, but they eventually switched positions when the King's Vegas act caught on. The thoroughbred racing enthusiast once credited Frank Sinatra for 'saving' his life when he called off five henchmen beating him up for being too drunk while opening for old blue eyes at the Fontainebleau. And while Shecky's family insists he did not want a celebration of life, his life will posthumously be honored at the UNLV College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame on April 2 at Fontainebleau's BleauLive Theater. Greene memorably portrayed Roman soldier Marcus Vindictus in Mel Brooks' 1981 hit History of the World: Part I (pictured) as well as Mr. Buyrite in Ron Howard's 1984 feature directorial debut Splash But the Chicago-born father-of-two is probably best remembered for his role as the wisecracking Private Braddock in eight episodes of ABC war drama, Combat! (pictured in 1962) Shecky made guest appearances in episodes of The Fall Guy (pictured in 1982), Laverne & Shirley, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, The A-Team, Roseanne, and Mad About You When Greene was headlining the Last Frontier, he famously enlisted Elvis Presley (pictured in 1968) to be his opening act in 1956, but they eventually switched positions when the King's Vegas act caught on Mayor of Las Vegas Carolyn G. Goodman tweeted on Sunday: 'We lost a great friend, a phenomenal comedian and entertainer in the passing of Shecky Greene. Appearing in the Riviera lounge in the 60s, the audiences adored him as did we, and he worked each audience so beautifully...with laughter and connectivity and talent' 'We lost a great friend, a phenomenal comedian and entertainer in the passing of Shecky Greene,' Mayor of Las Vegas Carolyn G. Goodman tweeted on Sunday. 'Appearing in the Riviera lounge in the 60s, the audiences adored him as did we, and he worked each audience so beautifully...with laughter and connectivity and talent.' Greene's widow said donations can be made in his name to St. Jude's Children's Ranch of Las Vegas in lieu of flowers. Shecky is also survived by his two adopted daughters - Dorian 'Charlie' Hoffman and Alison Greene - from his marriage to first wife Jeri Greene. Greene divorced his second wife - Polynesian dancer Nalani Kele - in 1982 after a decade of marriage. David Schwimmer on Friday took to Instagram with a detailed statement pushing back against what he said amounted to an indifference from advocacy groups to sexual assaults carried out by Hamas in its October 7 attack on Israel. The New York-born actor, 57, posted his commentary alongside a story from the New York Times published on Thursday with the headline, 'Screams Without Words': How Hamas Weaponized Sexual Violence on Oct. 7. The actor, best known for playing Ross Geller on NBC's Friends, said he hoped the article would enlighten some activists whose attention has been conditional. 'Theyll fight like hell for ALL victims of sexual violence - unless theyre Jews,' he said, adding that denying the sexual assaults 'is a convenient way of avoiding compassion and personal responsibility.' Schwimmer said, 'Perhaps this article will finally make them realize they got it wrong, and come to terms with their unconscious bias.' David Schwimmer, 57, on Friday took to Instagram with a detailed statement pushing back against what he said amounted to an indifference from advocacy groups to sexual assaults carried out by Hamas in its October 7 attack on Israel, Pictured in NYC last year Schwimmer began his post citing his experience working with survivors of sexual assault, spanning nearly three decades, including serving on the board of directors for The Rape Foundation. Schwimmer said, 'I have met the most incredible and courageous people in my life through this work: Children, teens, men and women, who not only survived the most horrific conditions imaginable - but, with the right treatment and care, refused to let their trauma define them and went on to lead incredibly loving, healthy and productive lives.' Schwimmer said that a 'crucial aspect' to both the 'healing process' and the justice system 'is that the survivor be BELIEVED,' regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, education and economic status. He continued, 'There are incredible organizations and individuals that I count as allies in this work. 'Who for years have stood up and fought for survivors of rape and sexual assault, demanding justice - many of whom are survivors themselves. 'And yet Why do so many REFUSE TO BELIEVE - despite all the evidence on camera and in testimony - the women, children and men brutally assaulted by terrorists on Oct. 7th?' Schwimmer asked where the 'outrage' to the aforementioned sex crimes was, and gave his take on why some have remained silent on the issue. He said that advocates who 'know better than most' have 'RE-TRAUMATIZED' survivors 'as well as their families, friends, and those of us who did believe them ... but they can use their voice now.' The New York-born actor posted his commentary alongside a story from the New York Times published on Thursday with the headline, 'Screams Without Words': How Hamas Weaponized Sexual Violence on October 7 He posted a detailed statement of his thoughts on the topic Schwimmer wrapped up in saying, 'It would be great to know who the real allies are.' A number of accounts given to The Associated Press earlier this month, along with first assessments by an Israeli rights group, show that sexual assault was part of an atrocities-filled rampage by Hamas and other Gaza militants who killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took more than 240 hostages that day. A man hiding in a pit during the October 7 Hamas assault on an outdoor music festival in Israel said he heard someone nearby screaming she was being raped, the AP reported. Elsewhere in the area, a combat paramedic saw the body of a young woman with her legs open, her pants pulled down, and what looked like semen on her lower back. An army reservist who was tasked with identifying those killed by the militants said some of the women were found wearing only bloodied underwear. While investigators are still trying to determine the scope of the sexual assaults, Israels government is accusing the international community, particularly the United Nations, of ignoring the pain of Israeli victims. 'I say to the womens rights organizations, to the human rights organizations, youve heard of the rape of Israeli women, horrible atrocities, sexual mutilation - where the hell are you?' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a news conference Tuesday, switching to English to emphasize the point. U.S. President Joe Biden called the reports of sexual violence 'appalling' and urged the world to condemn 'horrific accounts of unimaginable cruelty.' Two months after the Hamas attacks on the music festival, farming communities and army posts in southern Israel, police are still struggling to put together the pieces. The site of a music festival near the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel was pictured on October 12 following the attack by Hamas In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, priority was given to identifying bodies, not to preserving evidence. Police say theyre combing through 60,000 videos seized from the body cameras of Hamas attackers, from social media and from security cameras as well as 1,000 testimonies to bring the perpetrators to justice. It has been difficult finding rape survivors, with many victims killed by their attackers. The group Physicians for Human Rights Israel, which has a record of advocating for Palestinian civilians in Gaza suffering under Israel's longtime blockade of the territory, published an initial assessment in November. 'What we know for sure is that it was more than just one case and it was widespread, in that this happened in more than one location and more than a handful of times,' Hadas Ziv, policy and ethics director for the organization, said Tuesday. 'What we dont know and what the police are investigating is whether it was ordered to be done and whether it was systematic.' Hamas has rejected allegations that its gunmen committed sexual assault. Ron Freger fled the music festival when Hamas attacked and said he heard a woman screaming for help. 'I was lying in a pit (and) I heard (a girl) yelling: `Theyre raping me, theyre raping me!'' he told the AP. Several minutes later, he heard gunshots close by and she fell silent, he said. 'The feeling in that moment is one of complete powerlessness. Im lying in this hole and I have no ability to do anything. I have no weapon, I have nothing, Im surrounded by other people who are hiding with me and were completely powerless,' said the 23-year-old from the northern Israeli town of Netanya. Last month, Israel's police chief presented to the international news media videotaped testimony of a rape witness at the music festival. Her face blurred, she said she watched militants gang-rape a woman as she lay on the ground. The men then stood her up as blood trickled from her back, yanked her hair and sliced her breast, playing with it as they assaulted her. The last man shot her in the head while he was still inside her. The woman in the video described watching the militants as she pretended to be dead. 'I couldnt understand what I saw,' she said. A combat medic told the AP that he came across half a dozen bodies of women and men with possible signs of sexual assault when he reached one of the attacked communities. One girl had been shot in the head and was lying on the floor, her legs open and pants pulled down, with what looked like semen on her lower back, said the medic who spoke on condition of anonymity because his unit was classified. Other bodies had mass bleeding around the groin with limbs at distorted angles, he said. At the Shura military base where victims are being identified, Shari Mendes, a member of the army reserve unit that deals with the identification and religious burial preparation of female soldiers, said some of the womens bodies came in with little clothing, such as parts of their pajamas. Some only had bloodied underwear. Based on open-source information and interviews, the Physicians for Human Rights Israel report documents incidents at the music festival, homes around the Gaza Strip and an Israeli military base, all attacked by Hamas. 'It is becoming more apparent that the violence perpetrated against women, men and children also included widespread sexual and gender-based crimes,' it says. Before this war, Hamas, an Islamic militant group sworn to Israel's destruction, wasnt known to use rape as a weapon, said Colin P. Clarke, director of research at The Soufan Group, a global intelligence and security consulting firm. Its tactics included suicide bombings and shooting attacks on Israeli soldiers and civilians. Megan Fox showcased her chic winter style as she joined her fiance, Machine Gun Kelly, for a relaxing outing in Aspen on New Year's Eve. The Transformers actress, 37 - who recently enjoyed a date night with the Emo Girl rapper, 33, at Nobu in Malibu - strolled alongside the music artist as the pair explored the town. The beauty donned a pair of black pants as well as a soft, white hoodie which was layered with a thick coat that was left unbuttoned at the front. She additionally slipped into a pair of black sneakers that were secured with laces to stay comfortable during the daytime excursion. Fox easily carried a red and black-patterned purse in her hand to hold a few items she needed. Megan Fox, 37, showcased her chic winter style as she joined her fiance, Machine Gun Kelly, 33, for a relaxing outing in Aspen on New Year's Eve The beauty donned a pair of black pants as well as a soft, white hoodie which was layered with a thick coat that was left unbuttoned at the front Her vibrant red locks were parted in the middle, and naturally flowed down to brush the tips of her shoulders. Kelly also bundled up to stay warm in the chilly weather, and sported a black Gucci hoodie as well as baggy cargo pants. The rapper added a black, puffer jacket on top and slipped into a pair of black shoes to complete his monochromatic outfit. The couple - who became engaged earlier last year in January 2022 - were seen making their way past shops on a crowded sidewalk in the resort town. Their getaway to Colorado comes shortly after Megan and the music artist - whose real name is Colson Baker - spent quality time together during a romantic date night at Nobu in Malibu shortly before the Christmas holiday. She turned heads wearing a figure-hugging, white dress that contained various cutouts throughout the material for a sultry flare. The Jennifer's Body actress draped a long, white coat over her shoulders and donned silver, platform heels for a finishing touch. Kelly also showed off his own sense of style in an all-black ensemble and the pair sweetly held hands as they exited the celebrity hotspot together. She additionally slipped into a pair of black sneakers that were secured with laces to stay comfortable during the daytime excursion Kelly also bundled up to stay warm in the chilly weather, and sported a black Gucci hoodie as well as baggy cargo pants The rapper added a black, puffer jacket on top and slipped into a pair of black shoes to complete his monochromatic outfit Their New Year's Eve outing comes shortly after Fox revealed last month in November that she suffered a devastating pregnancy loss while talking to WWD. The actress also explained that before the miscarriage, she 'had an ectopic pregnancy...' 'I've had other things that I'm not going to say because God forbid the world will be in an uproar,' Megan continued to the outlet. The star stated that the pregnancy loss with Kelly was very difficult because she was 'so in love with him.' 'That love element really made this miscarriage really tragic for me and left me with a lot of grief and a lot of suffering.' The New Girl alum added, 'So I put it into a lot of writing. He's written about them in his albums as well, he wrote a couple of songs about the miscarriage.' 'So it just felt like something that I could address publicly because it's been addressed in one way through him, so I have a space to express as well.' Fox recently published a book of poems last month in November titled, Pretty Boys Are Poisonous - where she appeared to open up about the miscarriage. Their New Year's Eve outing comes shortly after Fox revealed last month in November that she had a devastating pregnancy loss while talking to WWD; seen in November in L.A. Fox recently published a book of poems last month in November titled, Pretty Boys Are Poisonous - where she appeared to open up about the miscarriage; seen in November in NYC According to People, the star wrote about an ultrasound of a 10-week-old baby girl which read, 'maybe if you hadn't... maybe if i had...' 'I want to hold your hand/hear your laugh but now/I have to say/goodbye,' while also adding, 'I close my eyes and imagine holding you tight against my chest as they rip you from my insides.' Machine Gun Kelly also seemingly referenced to the pregnancy loss while performing at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards. At one point, he had stated, 'This is for our unborn child.' Megan shares three sons with ex-husband, Brian Austin Green: Noah, 11, Bodhi, nine, and Journey, seven. MGK also shares a daughter, Casie, 14, with his ex, Emma Cannon. During her interview with WWD, the actress opened up about motherhood, stating, 'I think because I have sons, it's very important to me to raise boys who are not like these men that I've been with.' According to People , the star wrote about an ultrasound about a 10-week-old baby girl which read, 'maybe if you hadn't... maybe if i had...'; seen in February in Los Angeles Megan shares three sons with ex-husband, Brian Austin Green: Noah, 11, Bodhi, nine, and Journey, seven. MGK also shares a daughter, Casie, 14, with his ex, Emma Cannon; former couple seen in 2019 in Los Angeles During her interview with WWD, the actress opened up about motherhood, stating, 'I think because I have sons, it's very important to me to raise boys who are not like these men that I've been with' 'It's very important for me to raise boys who are able to have a very deep emotional intimacy with their partner.' 'It's very important to me that they are not liars, that they are able to be fully transparent and honest and respectful...' Megan later added, '...I am their first introduction into women and the way that I love them is going to influence the way they are allowed to love others when they go out into a relationship.' 'And so I hope that just through my transparency in the way that I engage with them, in the way that I am demonstrative and affectionate with them, that allows them to love in a really healthy way.' Married At First Sight expert Mel Schilling has taken to Instagram with a message that has resonated deeply with her followers. In a year that swung between personal triumphs and profound challenges, Mel has embraced a new perspective on life's preciousness after her own cancer surgery. As 2023 came to a close, Schilling reflected on her experiences, sharing that despite not typically participating in New Year's resolutions, the past year's events have led her to a different outlook. She expressed gratitude for the support and welcome she received from the people in the UK and Ireland, which has made her feel at home away from Australia. 'I've been so touched by the warmth and generosity that the people of the UK & Ireland have showed me, I've been made to feel so welcome by you all and am so appreciative of that,' she wrote. Married At First Sight expert Mel Schilling has taken to Instagram with a message that has resonated deeply with her followers 'Whilst I will always be a proud Aussie I feel like an honorary Brit and the UK really feels like home.' However, her narrative takes a sombre turn as she reveals the 'life-changing lows' that have cast a shadow over her year. She shared the personal tragedy of losing her brother-in-law at just 35, a preventable loss that has highlighted the preciousness of health and life. In a year that swung between personal triumphs and profound challenges, Mel has embraced a new perspective on life's preciousness after her own cancer surgery 'I've been so touched by the warmth and generosity that the people of the UK & Ireland have showed me, I've been made to feel so welcome by you all and am so appreciative of that,' she wrote 'The tragedy of his passing was that it could have been prevented. Had he and all of us heeded the health warnings he'd still be with us,' she explained. 'The terrible irony is that 6 months later I too compromised my health while pursuing my goals and it almost cost me my life, it's not a mistake I intend to repeat. 'While my cancer journey isn't over and there will be some tough challenges ahead, I feel so incredibly grateful to be given this second chance, a second chance denied to so many.' Mel recently revealed her tumour - which she named 'Terry' - had been removed by UK doctors. 'So yesterday lunchtime I had keyhole surgery to remove my tumour (AKA Terry) and in the words of my amazing surgeon it couldn't have gone any better!' Mel wrote in an Instagram post on Friday. 'While my cancer journey isn't over and there will be some tough challenges ahead, I feel so incredibly grateful to be given this second chance, a second chance denied to so many.' She accompanied her post a photo of the TV star in a hospital bed, giving a thumbs up with a tube in her nose. Mel added: 'Crucially the cancer hadn't spread to my abdominal cavity, which was our greatest fear but was entirely localised in my colon.' 'Over the coming days I will discuss my treatment plan going forwards but suffice to say that Terry is toast!' Mel then revealed her treatment had taken place in London and went on to praise the UK's National Health Service (NHS). 'I also wanted to say that everyone in the UK should be incredibly proud of the people of the NHS.' She added, 'The NHS is a unique, precious institution we need to make sure it's here to serve our children and our children's children.' Symptoms of colon cancer Symptoms of colon cancer can include: A change in bowel habits, such as more frequent diarrhea or constipation Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool. Ongoing discomfort in the belly area, such as cramps, gas or pain A feeling that the bowel doesn't empty all the way during a bowel movement Weakness or tiredness Losing weight without trying Many people with colon cancer don't have symptoms at first. When symptoms appear, they'll likely depend on the cancer's size and where it is in the large intestine. Source: Mayo Clinic Advertisement Now, it's time to focus on getting my a** out of here in time for Christmas,' concluded the reality TV host. Mel, who appears on the British and Australian versions of the show, first revealed she had colon cancer in an Instagram post last week. In her post, Mel said she was diagnosed just one month after she began to feel pain in her stomach while filming MAFS Australia's upcoming eleventh season. Despite her heartbreaking situation, Mel said she felt 'incredibly blessed' her cancer is 'relatively easy to eradicate'. Mel, (right, with MAFS Australia experts Alessandra Rampolla and John Aiken) first revealed she had colon cancer in an Instagram post last week Common symptoms of colon cancer include a change in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, anal or rectal pain, lumps, unexpected weight loss, fatigue and anaemia. Doctors recommend that people with an average risk of the cancer start screening at around age 45. Those with a higher risk should start screening earlier. Colon cancer treatment usually involves surgical removal of the cancer. Other treatments like radiation therapy and chemotherapy may be recommended, depending on the location and stage of the cancer. Stunned beachgoers were forced to call the police over the weekend after a fisherman was seen illegally spearing and killing a beloved blue groper before allegedly "walking off proudly" at a popular recreational spot. Gus, a beloved fish in the Cronulla region, is believed to be about 40-years-old, and is well-known to swimmers and divers who frequent Oak Park on the peninsula just south of Sydney. But the apparent brutal killing of the animal has triggered an outpouring of rage from the community and sparked an investigation into the incident by authorities. Tenille Piek, whose family has been scuba diving with Gus for at least 30 years, said her mum approached the spear fisherman on Saturday and asked to take his photo before telling him off and explaining how he had allegedly breached the law. Furious locals confronted the spear fisherman and took a photo of him holding up Gus after killing the blue groper in Cronulla on Saturday. Source: Facebook Spear fisherman 'shows off his killing' Unwittingly posing with the smoking gun, "he smiled and showed off his killing," she told local newspaper The Leader. "He did not appear to know it was a protected species and he could be fined up to $22,000, or given 6 months imprisonment," she continued. "He had no cares. He walked off proudly, while locals followed closely behind to report him and hopefully see the number plate on his car." Spear fishing is banned at Oak Park rock pool and all around Port Hacking, with the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) installing warning signs in the area a month ago following a similar incident involving a blue groper in May. Police were called to the scene and spoke to the spear fisherman, who allegedly claimed to have thrown the groper back into the water, but those who had been watching argued against him. The DPI told Yahoo News Australia it "is investigating after a photograph and information were provided regarding the Blue Groper and the person involved at Oak Park, Cronulla". "Blue Gropers are the official state fish and we are disappointed to hear one may have been illegally speared in Cronulla on Saturday. Groper are protected from commercial fishing and spearfishing," a DPI spokesperson said. "Blue groper can only legally be taken by line in NSW." Story continues It is a $500 on-the-spot fine per offence for taking a groper by any method other than a line with a maximum penalty of $11,000, the spokesperson added. Spear fishing is banned at Oak Park rock pool and all around Port Hacking. Source: Facebook Community fumes over blue groper's 'horrible' death Furious residents have vented their anger over the reported killing of Gus, labelling it "horrible and tragic" on social media, with one person saying "everyone is going to be devastated if Gus is gone". Speaking to Yahoo News Australia local James Comans argued "part of Cronulla should be a marine sanctuary and fines should be enforced" for any such transgressions. He said on Saturday there were "a range of divers" aged from 11 to 60 enjoying the water and ocean life. "The first thing the 11-year-old said when getting out was 'wow he is so friendly'. Gus actually brought smiles to everyones faces." The experienced diver said Gus was friendly to people in the water, arguing it was no mean feat to spear the large groper. "He would literally rub against you so its not even a challenge to spear him," he told Yahoo. "He was probably looking for a belly rub and he gets shot." On New Year's Day, Abyss Scuba Diving, which is located nearby, posted a "heartfelt tribute to Gus" a "friendly giant" whos life was "unexpectedly cut short". "Gus, you were more than just a diving buddy. You were a true companion, joining me on countless dives at Oak Park, Cronulla. Your untimely demise on December 30, 2023, at the hands of a spearfisherman has left us devastated," the local business wrote on Facebook. The company said in a blog post that the blue groper's death has "sent ripples of shock throughout the community", prompting a "public outcry for stronger laws and more robust enforcement measures to protect these marine treasures". Report any suspected illegal fishing activity online or by calling 1800 043 536 . Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new weekly newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Ian Ziering was involved in a violent incident involving a group of mini-bike riders in Los Angeles on Sunday that was caught on camera. The Beverly Hills, 90210 actor, 59, in a clip posted to TMZ, was seen clashing with one mini-bike rider, after which he fended off attacks from multiple other riders in the group, who were wearing helmets in the exchange. The incident involving Ziering, who played the role of Steve Sanders on the Fox series from 1990 to 2000, took place on Hollywood Boulevard with the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop visible in the background. At one point, the Sharknado actor was pictured running across the street in an effort to escape the onslaught from multiple attackers. He was seen pushing off one of his attackers as he made his way onto the sidewalk, where lies the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Ian Ziering, 59, was involved in a violent incident involving a group of mini-bike riders in Los Angeles on Sunday that was caught on camera. Pictured earlier this month in LA The incident involving Ziering took place on Hollywood Boulevard. Pictured in 2013 While dozens of onlookers were gathered at the popular spot on New Year's Eve, no one appeared to intervene on Ziering's behalf in the incident. It was not immediately clear if anyone was arrested in connection with the incident as of Sunday evening, the outlet reported, noting that 'an official report' lists the Newark, New Jersey-born actor 'as the victim' in the incident. Police told the outlet they are probing the incident and communicating with the people involved. Sources told the outlet that Ziering's 'vehicle ... may have been hit' prior to the conflict caught on camera in the incident. Ziering was able to get back into his vehicle and depart the scene, sources told the outlet, while the group of mini-bikers also abruptly left the scene after the violent incident. Ziering, who has more than 620,000 Instagram followers, had not yet addressed the incident on his social media account as of Sunday evening. The incident marked the final chapter in what's been a challenging year for members of the Beverly Hills, 90210 cast. Shannen Doherty had to undergo a surgical procedure to remove a tumor from her head taken on January 16, 2023, going public with the news in her long-running health battle in June. (Doherty was initially diagnosed in 2015 with breast cancer and in February 2020, said she had been diagnosed with stage four breast cancer.) 'An official report' lists the Newark, New Jersey-born actor 'as the victim' in the incident, TMZ reported Sunday. Pictured this past July at Comic-Con in San Diego (L-R) Gabrielle Carteris, Tori Spelling, Brian Austin Green, Jason Priestley, Shannen Doherty, Jennie Garth and Ziering were seen in 2019 on the reboot BH90210 Also in January, Doherty and ex-husband Kurt Iswarienko separated, and she revealed they were divorcing in April amid 'irreconcilable differences.' Doherty on her podcast earlier this month said that she was looking forward to ending a 'turbulent' year filled with 'some massive health struggles, some massive personal struggles' and 'a lot of heartbreak and fear.' Ziering told People earlier this month that Doherty 'has always been a fighter,' and is 'really an incredible woman.' He said of her health battle: 'It's not over. She's got a long road in front of her. She's so courageous and strong, and stands as a role model to those that are facing similar adversities.' In addition, his costar Tori Spelling has made headlines over the past 12 months with a series of financial problems, insecure living conditions, physical illness and her separation from estranged husband Dean McDermott. The actor was severely injured in the January 1, 2023, accident that left him with more than 30 broken bones, a collapsed lung and pierced liver Jeremy Renner during an appearance on CNN on New Year's Eve shared that he was with his family again after being nearly crushed to death by a 14,000-pound snow plow at his Lake Tahoe property last year. The 52-year-old actor was interviewed by co-hosts Anderson Cooper, 56, and Andy Cohen, 55, during their New Year's Eve broadcast after being severely injured in the January 1, 2023, accident that left him with more than 30 broken bones, a collapsed lung and pierced liver from a shattered rib. Cooper asked Renner what got him through his tough year. 'I'm just so blessed that I have so many things to live for, brother. I have a giant family, I have a 10-year-old daughter, [and] I would've disappointed and really messed up a lot of people's lives if I would've passed, and so there's a lot for me to get better for,' Renner replied. Renner, who portrays Hawkeye for Marvel Studios, also credited his stubborn personality for helping him recover. Jeremy Renner during an appearance on CNN on New Year's Eve shared that he was with his family again after being nearly crushed to death by a 14,000-pound snow plow at his Lake Tahoe property last year 'There was a lot for me to fight for, and recovery was just a one-way road in my mind. My recovery became relief for me, because I knew I could give relief to my family, my daughter and all those that I really affected. And my poor nephew, who was there with me on that day, I gave him images that he can never unsee, but I know that my healing would be healing for him,' Renner said. 'With that, I'd never thought about my own physical ailments, my own pain, or my own anguish. I had so many things to fight for, so the one-way road of recovery was my mental, sort of, attitude, and that attitude was always to get better. There's no option other than that. And I still work at every part, every day, and thank God that I have a lot to fight for,' he added. Renner had been using a Snowcat plow to try to help his adult nephew, Alexander Fries, pull his car out of deep snow when he jumped out, forgetting to put on the emergency brake. The plow started barreling towards his nephew and the actor is believed to have tried to get back into the snowplow while it was moving in an effort to bring it to a halt, but was instead pulled beneath it and crushed. Renner made his first red carpet appearance in April when he attended the premiere of his Disney+ series Rennervations. The actor while on CNN also spoke about his new music coming out on Monday one the one-year anniversary that documents his past year. Renner said music has been healing for him and the project was sort of a 'journal entry'. 'It was healing for all the people I wrote it with, all of my friends. All of my recovery has been where the better I got the better everybody else got. The music became also a narrative of that. So very happy to be able to do it,' Renner said. The 52-year-old actor was interviewed by co-hosts Anderson Cooper , 56, and Andy Cohen , 55, during their New Year's Eve broadcast Cohen and Cooper earlier had a shot during the CNN New Year's Eve show 'I'm just so blessed that I have so many things to live for, brother. I have a giant family, I have a 10-year-old daughter, [and] I would've disappointed and really messed up a lot of people's lives if I would've passed, and so there's a lot for me to get better for,' Renner said Renner is shown as Hawkeye in a still from the 2015 film Avengers: Age Of Ultron Cohen also congratulated Renner for season three of Mayor Of Kingstown and asked if he was excited to get back to acting. 'Yeah. It has been a really wonderfully busy year. I think I am ready and strong enough. We will see. I literally go back in a week,' Renner said. The crime thriller Mayor Of Kingstown premiered on November 2021 on the Paramount+ streaming service and it was renewed in September for a third season. Renner has the main role of Mike McClusky in the series created by Taylor Sheridan and Hugh Dillon. Beyonce captivated her 319 million Instagram followers on New Year's Eve as she took to the app with a set of new images. The 42-year-old Renaissance music artist who recently surprised fans in Brazil showed off her impeccable fashion sense in a gray, white, and black tweed co-ord. The mother-of-three put her perky bust on display as she layered a low-cut, ivory-colored corset under her blazer. The Texas-bred songstress also bared her toned legs as she added a matching pleated mini skirt. Beyonce, full name Beyonce Giselle Knowles Carter, did not include a caption as she gave her die-hard fanbase a slew of fresh photos. Beyonce captivated her 319 million Instagram followers on New Year's Eve as she took to the app with a set of new images The 42-year-old Renaissance music artist showed off her impeccable fashion sense in a gray, white, and black tweed co-ord The mother-of-three put her perky bust on display as she layered a low-cut, ivory-colored corset under her blazer She teamed her leggy look with a pair of pointy-toe white heels that buckled around her dainty ankles. In the set of stunning photos, she also carried a small white handbag, which matched a pair of white Oscar & Frank sunglasses she wore in a couple of outtakes. The record-breaking, Grammy-winning music artist spared no detail as she gave her audience a look at her getup from various angles. Fans were treated to a pair of up-close and personal snapshots that highlighted her soft makeup look as well as her accessories. She switched out her jewelry in the selection of pictures in one, she donned a glinting diamond necklace with a teardrop pendant. In the others, her neck was bare as she wore statement-making drop earrings with chain detailing. Each of the curated portraits featured the bombshell with her new frosty platinum blonde locks, which were arranged in a center part and barrel curls. Within just one hour, the post garnered more than one million likes from the entertainer's legion of die-hard fanatics. Fans were treated to a pair of up-close and personal snapshots that highlighted her soft makeup look as well as her accessories She switched out her jewelry in the selection of pictures in one, she donned a glinting diamond necklace with a teardrop pendant In the set of stunning photos, she also carried a small white handbag, which matched a pair of white Oscar & Frank sunglasses she wore in a couple of outtakes In one artsy image, Beyonce snapped a selfie in a reflective Christmas tree ornament The mogul shared a photo of a Christmas tree statue with Tiffany blue boxes set underneath She was without a flaw as she flaunted a face of light cosmetics that served to accentuate her natural beauty. The longtime performer skipped heavy makeup in lieu of subtle shimmery eyeshadow and a pink lip stain coated in a soft gloss. In one artsy image, Beyonce snapped a selfie in a reflective Christmas tree ornament. The mogul also shared a photo of a Christmas tree statue with Tiffany blue boxes set underneath. Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has reflected on 'experiencing rock bottom' during 2023. The professional dancer was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, and the BBC star told her Instagram followers that she felt 'robbed of the year I planned'. Amy and her husband Ben tied the knot in July 2002 and she found a lump in her breast the day before she jetted off for a belated honeymoon to the Maldives in April 2023. The dancer announced she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in an Instagram post shared in May 2023 and underwent a mastectomy in July. Since then Amy has shared regular health updates on Instagram. She battled sepsis at one point during her chemo treatment as well as a blood clot on her lung. Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has reflected on 'experiencing rock bottom' during 2023 The professional dancer was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, and the BBC star told her Instagram followers that she felt 'robbed of the year I planned' She also broke her foot toward the end of the year and her chemotherapy and then the injury meant Amy was forced to sit out most of the 2023 series of Strictly and was not partnered with a celeb. She did make a number of appearances during the series though, including an emotional moment in the finale group dance. In an Instagram story on Sunday, Amy wrote: 'Last day of 2023! I'm sure I'm not the only one but actually finding it hard looking at others post of the past year. 'I'm sure I'm not alone and that's why I wanted to put something. I feel I was robbed of the year I had planned and reflecting for me makes me upset and angry but later I'm going to make myself look through my camera roll and remember all the good times, the amazing opportunities I had, family time but also taking time to realise I learnt the most this year. 'Experienced rock bottom, felt I lost my identity and dancing BUT became a stronger, braver person who I'm taking forward with me to 2024. For those struggling to reflect today remember it's ok' 'I feel much better after a little cry this morning and blessed to be celebrating with friends round tonight the GOOD BYE to 2023! Sending love and hugs to those that need it! (And please) as it's the last day of 2023 why not #checkyourchests.' Amy then shared a series of photo documenting her year. To ring in 2024, she also hosted a New Year's Eve morning programme on BBC Radio Wales during which she revealed her ambitions for 2024. Amy and her husband Ben tied the knot in July 2002 and she found a lump in her breast the day before she jetted off for a belated honeymoon to the Maldives in April 2023 The dancer announced she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023 and underwent a mastectomy in July. She battled sepsis at one point during her chemo treatment Amy also shared footage from her fertility treatment with husband Ben by her side 'So I started the year obviously on the Strictly trip, the arena tour, which I absolutely loved.' "After having a mastectomy, chemotherapy, fertility treatment, the lot, I am now finally looking ahead to 2024 and I just got a good feeling it's going to be my year and hopefully, I'm (going to) get that Glitterball and I'm going to bring it back to Wales because a Welsh professional dancer's never won the show. "That might be because I'm the only ever Welsh professional dancer to be on the show. But, yeah, that's my aim for 2024, to get fit and healthy and to get myself back on that Strictly dancefloor.' It comes after Amy documented her last hospital appointment before Christmas on Thursday. Toward the end of her chemotherapy treatment Amy was rushed to hospital with a blood clot She also broke her foot toward the end of the year and her chemotherapy and then the injury meant Amy was forced to sit out most of the 2023 series of Strictly The dancer, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in May, and underwent a mastectomy in July, was supported at the visit by her devoted husband Benjamin Jones. Donning a festive jumper she beamed in the snaps and thanked hospital staff before joking a large injection was her 'early Christmas present'. She wrote: 'The last apt before Christmas, then we are getting into Christmas spirit and taking out lovely dance teachers out!! Ready to spend Christmas with my loved one.' Amy celebrated her final round of chemotherapy In November, ringing the traditional end of treatment bell to celebrate. To ring in 2024, she also hosted a New Year's Eve morning programme on BBC Radio Wales during which she revealed her ambitions for 2024 Amy confirmed that she would be completing chemotherapy, but explained she was facing further treatment. Speaking in an Instagram video, Amy explained: 'Four weeks after the last chemo, I have my MRI scan and then I find out if I need more surgery or if I'm done.' She added 'well, I'm kind of not done, because for five years - I was a bit gutted when I found this out I have to go back to the chemo ward.' 'Obviously, I love all the nurses there, they're incredible, the whole team are but I have to go back and have an injection once a month. It's either that, or have my ovaries removed, which I obviously don't want.' EastEnders star Max Bowden has broken his silence after being 'axed' from the BBC soap after four years of playing Ben Mitchell. The actor, 29, took to his Instagram Story on Sunday to celebrate his birthday, telling fans he had been 'surrounded by love' all day and was 'feeling grateful', while thanking viewers for their support. Alongside an image of the soap star enjoying a meal with family and friends, he wrote: 'Been surrounded by love all day celebrating my birthday. 'Grateful for family and friends. Thanks for all the messages. Big love.' It has been claimed that BBC bosses decided not to renew Max's contract when it ends in March. EastEnders star Max Bowden has broken his silence after being 'axed' from the BBC soap after four years of playing Ben Mitchell The actor, 29, took to his Instagram Story on Sunday to celebrate his birthday, telling fans he had been 'surrounded by love' all day and was 'feeling grateful' His last scenes will air in the spring but it is understood his character Ben, who has been played by numerous actors in the past, will not be killed off. An EastEnders spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Max will be leaving EastEnders next year. We wish him all the best for the future.' A TV insider told The Sun: 'Max has played Ben for the last four years and bosses decided his time on the show was up. 'There has been a lot of noise around him for a bit too long and that can take away from the drama on the show. 'He went in for a meeting as his contract was up for renewal next year, No one knew how it was going to go and following discussions it was decided that he would leave.' Max, who is the sixth actor to play Ben, was involved in some of the soap's biggest storylines of late. Ben struggled to cope with the death of Lola Pearce-Brown (Danielle Harold) who was mother to his daughter Lexi. He then developed eating disorder bulimia as he attempted to work through his grief. It has been claimed that BBC bosses decided not to renew Max's contract when it ends in March (pictured in June 2023) Stacey Slater, Suki Kaur Panesar, Linda Carter, Sharon Watts, Denise Fox and Kathy Beale, found themselves embroiled in a series of events that led to Keanu's demise Several men had been teased as the potential victim in addition to Keanu and Nish before Christmas, with Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), Tom 'Rocky' Cotton (Brian Conley), Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) involved Max's personal life hit the headlines when his romance with his EastEnders co-star Shona McGarty first came to light in May 2022. Sources claimed the pair were 'inseparable' following his split from girlfriend Roisin Buckle, and they made their relationship Instagram official in August 2022. However, Max and Shona split following a six-month romance in October 2022, with sources claiming at the time the pair had decided to remain friends after Max welcomed a baby boy with his ex Roisin. In September 2022, Max revealed he was a father for the first time following the birth of his son with ex Roisin. Roisin and Max both shared a sweet black and white photo of their son, who was born on September 19, 2022, as they revealed they had named him Reginald. The pair revealed they were expecting their first child in April 2022. The soap star met Roisin at a pub in June 2021. The pair quickly became close, and in July went on holiday to Madeira. The couple decided to separate in March 2022, while agreeing to co-parent once their son was born, however Roisin claimed in August that they had not been in contact for two months. The same month, Max was spotted at a country music festival with his EastEnders colleague Shona McGarty, 32, at London's O2. Max's personal life hit the headlines when his romance with his EastEnders co-star Shona McGarty (left) first came to light in May 2022 Shona is known for her role as Whitney Dean in EastEnders (pictured with Max as Ben on the soap in 2019) In March 2023, it was claimed Max enjoyed secret tryst in his dressing room with Love Island's Olivia Hawkins during a set party ahead of her villa stint. It was said Max and Olivia - who once appeared as an extra in the BBC soap - took some 'time alone together' during a set party at Elstree Studios last summer. Their racy liaison was reportedly the 'talk of the set', with an insider claiming that the pair were 'were gone for a while'. It was reported that Max had flirted online with the brunette stunner, liking a sexy social media snap of hers. However, it turns out that the two were already acquainted following their alleged get together at the EastEnders bash, with it said that it was obvious they were 'more than friends'. Last weekend, it was reported Max had a lucky escape after after being involved in a three-car collision in Surrey. Max emerged unscathed but appeared to be shaken up following the accident in Sunbury-on-Thames, according to onlookers. The soap star met ex Roisin Buckle at a pub in June 2021. The pair quickly became close, and in July went on holiday to Madeira. The couple decided to separate in March 2022 In September 2022, Max revealed he was a father for the first time following the birth of his son with ex Roisin In pictures obtained by The Sun, the soap star emerged from the scene with no injuries, despite the vehicle's bumper completely destroyed. A source told the publication: 'It was all very fast. We just saw this car was absolutely demolished and then my girlfriend said, "Is that Ben Mitchell?" 'He looked pretty stunned by the whole thing. He must have been pretty badly shaken up.' A Surrey Police spokeswoman said: 'We were called to a collision involving three vehicles in Sunbury-on-Thames on Friday. 'The collision occurred around 1.10pm just off the Sunbury Cross roundabout and involved a red Mazda, a black Mercedes and a grey Kia. 'There were no injuries or arrests resulting from the incident.' News of Max's exit comes after his former co-star Danny Walters' character Keanu Taylor was killed during the climax of EastEnders storyline The Six, which was first teased in February of this year and alluded to the murder. During the Christmas Day episode, six of Walford's matriarchs; Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), Suki Kaur Panesar (Balvinder Sopal), Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), found themselves embroiled in a series of events that led to what looked to be the character's demise. Several men had been teased as the potential victim including; Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), Tom 'Rocky' Cotton (Brian Conley), Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo), Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara). Towards the end of the episode the women were drinking in the Queen Vic pub on Albert Square before they invited Nish along to talk things out with Suki. Matters got physical when Nish tried to take Suki from the pub and Denise responded by hitting him over the head with a bottle. This action was initially believed to have killed him, but after Suki performed CPR, she managed to get him breathing again and told the others he was alive, upon which she discovered Keanu on the floor. He had been stabbed by Linda after he entered the pub and strangled Sharon, upon believing her to have killed Nish. In March 2023, it was claimed Max enjoyed secret tryst in his dressing room with Love Island's Olivia Hawkins during a set party ahead of her villa stint Last weekend it was reported Max had a lucky escape after after being involved in a three-car collision in Surrey (pictured in September 2023) Things had also heated up between the two as, earlier in the episode, Sharon had told him he was not biologically related to their son Albie. She revealed the news after the couple's wedding was disrupted when Phil Mitchell gatecrashed and told Sharon that her husband-to-be was the person behind the kidnapping of their young son. Teasing the festive episode, the British soap had aired a first-of-its-kind flash forward scene earlier in the year on February 20 which offered viewers a glimpse at the 2023 Christmas Day storyline. The clip showed a shocked-looking Sharon with blood on her wedding dress, taking the unknown man's pulse before exclaiming: 'He's dead.' She unveiled her PrettyLittleThing collaboration last year. And Naomi Campbell was bringing her affiliation with the brand into the New Year as she welcomed 2024 in the company of founder Umar Kamani, who hosted an epic bash in Los Angeles with his girlfriend Nada Adelle. The supermodel, 53, looked nothing short of sensational as she danced the night away at his party in a sizzling cutaway gown with one-shoulder. The quinquagenarian looked incredible in the Grecian-style gown which flashed a hint of her taut abs and showcased her lithe arms. She wore her hair in sleek lengths falling from a centre parting as she lived it up in style alongside a bevy of fellow revellers at the businessman's bash. Naomi Campbell, who unveiled her PrettyLittleThing collaboration last year, was bringing her affiliation with the brand into the New Year as she said welcomed 2024 in the company of founder Umar Kamani The supermodel, 53, looked nothing short of sensational as she danced the night away at his party in a sizzling cutaway gown with one-shoulder Naomi is pictured with Umar while shooting her collaboration last year The quinquagenarian looked incredible in the Grecian-style gown which flashed a hint of her taut abs and showcased her lithe arms No expense was spared at the bash, where a large mascot depicting a caricature of Umar wondered the bash with an oversized head. Tyga put on an epic performace at the show as he helped with the countdown No expense was spared at the bash, where rappers Tyga and Fabolous put on jaw-dropping performance while a large mascot depicting a caricature of Umar wondered the bash with an oversized head. Nada looked breathtaking in a plunging black gown as she joined her boyfriend in hosting the swanky bash at a sprawling LA mansion. Back in September, Naomi revealed the real reason she collaborated with PrettyLittleThing after she surprised fans earlier in the year by revealing she'd joined forces with the online retailer to create her Designed by Naomi Campbell collection. In a two-part film released at the time, Naomi revealed she didn't think the 'younger generation' even knew who she was. She told the camera: 'I get to speak to a younger generation of which I didn't think even knew who I was... 'When I think fashion, fashion does not discriminate. I can't wait to see all these lovely young women wearing my designs.' She added: 'I want young girls to take from this collection to be themselves, to feel confident in how they wear these clothes and designed by me and interpret who they are in the clothes. So bringing their own essence, style swag to the outfits.' Naomi's 2023 was quite the event, as she revealed in June that she had welcomed her second child, revealing it's 'never too late' to become a mother. One source told The Daily Mail at the time: 'Naomi is a really strong woman. This is what she has always wanted. She is so very happy. She is so excited to give her little girl a brother. She is looking forward to the years ahead with so much pride.' Posting a photo of the child, Naomi could be seen cradling the baby boy while her daughter, two, held his hand. She wore her hair in sleek lengths falling from a centre parting as she lived it up in style alongside a bevy of fellow revellers at the businessman's bash Nada looked incredible in a plunging black gown So Into You rapper Fabolous also took the stage The model of Umar was dancing the night away at the bash Back in September, Naomi revealed the real reason she collaborated with PrettyLittleThing after she surprised fans earlier in the year by revealing she'd joined forces with the online retailer to create her Designed by Naomi Campbell collection Wrapped up in a 275 Dolce & Gabbana ivory babygrow set, the newborn's face was turned away from the camera as he lay in his mother's arms. The supermodel said: 'My little darling, know that you are cherished beyond measure and surrounded by love from the moment you graced us with your presence. A True Gift from God, blessed! Welcome Baby boy.' Naomi's surprise announcement comes after she welcomed her first child, a daughter, in May 2021. She shocked fans by announcing the birth of her daughter weeks after walking the Michael Kors runway without a visible baby bump. In an interview with British Vogue a year later, the model insisted her daughter was not adopted while revealing her face for the first time. She did not disclose the method in which she welcomed her daughter, but four years ago credited science with giving her an opportunity to start a family 'whenever she wants', suggesting she was leaning towards using a surrogate. Offering a first look at her new arrival with a picture of her baby girl, whose name has still not been revealed, Naomi penned: 'A beautiful little blessing has chosen me to be her mother... 'So honoured to have this gentle soul in my life there are no words to describe the lifelong bond that I now share with you my angel. There is no greater love.' Lizzie Cundy looked like the ultimate Baywatch babe as she slipped into a plunging red swimsuit while soaking up the sun in Barbados on New Year's Eve. The Talk TV presenter, 55, turned heads in a revealing one-piece with a jewel-encrusted waist as she enjoyed a spot of paddle-boarding during her annual festive break to the Caribbean island. The former WAG sizzled in the sunshine as she posed up a storm while preparing to ring in the new year with her celebrity pals. Lizzie accessorised her beach look with oversized shades and a silver pendant, while wearing her brunette locks scraped back in a high ponytail. The TV personality later took to her Instagram stories to document her New Year's Eve celebrations with her best friend, former Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli, 68. Lizzie Cundy looked like the ultimate Baywatch babe as she slipped into a plunging red swimsuit while soaking up the sun in Barbados on New Year's Eve The Talk TV presenter, 55, turned heads in a revealing one-piece with a jewel-encrusted waist as she enjoyed a spot of paddle-boarding during her annual festive break to the Caribbean Lizzie slipped into a plunging white mini-dress with a feather trim teamed with towering matching heels as she prepared to party the night away. Earlier in the day, the mother-of-two soaked up the sun in more sexy swimwear, this time choosing a plunging teal number as she hit the beach. Lizzie recently spoke of the importance of getting checked as she worked to raise awareness during Breast Cancer Awareness Week. She explained in a clip on Instagram: 'I am a very relieved girl, because as you know it breast cancer awareness month so I went in for a check. 'I was a little bit worried but I am very happy to say I have got the all clear. Just a message to everyone to go and get checked. 'It really is worth it, it's better to know and if there is a problem, early diagnosis. I'm very happy to know that I am all ok.' In 2014, Lizzie revealed the shocking news that she was suffering from the pre-cancerous condition Barrett's Oesophagus, which she believed had been brought on by her 'out-of-control drinking'. The TV personality first sought medical advice after she 'woke up in agony in the night with terrible chest pains, after months of not feeling well', she recalled. The cause of the disease is thought to be long-term acid reflux, or heartburn and alcohol consumption is thought to exacerbate the problem. 'I was never like my old friend George Best, but the truth is drink had become a problem for me,' she told The Mail On Sunday. The former WAG sizzled in the sunshine as she posed up a storm while preparing to ring in the new year with her celebrity pals The TV personality later took to her Instagram stories to document her New Year's Eve celebrations with her best friend, former Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli, 68. Lachlan Galbraith has issued a heartfelt apology after being caught stealing from a sporting goods store. The Ocean Alley keyboardist took a $17.95 bottle lid from the Hunting and Fishing shop in Queenstown, New Zealand and was caught red handed on CCTV. 'Good to see the fellas in town for their performance @rhythmandalps tonight. unfortunately it looks like there was just a little too much "Confidence" in store today,' the store said in an Instagram post that has since been deleted. 'We realise hydration is important so no worries, but please feel free to return the @yeti_nzl Chug Cup back before you leave town tomorrow.' After being publicly called out by the store, who shared a photo of the CCTV footage, Lachlan posted to his band's Instagram page to apologise. Lachlan Galbraith (pictured) has issued a heartfelt apology after being caught stealing from a sporting goods store 'Yesterday in an act of complete foolishness, I stole a drink bottle lid from Queenstown Hunting and Fishing,' he said in the clip. 'It is a moment I am not proud of and one that I have deep regret and remorse for. I've apologised directly to the team at the store and we've rectified the situation. 'I'm sorry for disappointing our fans, the store and of course the band. My actions do not reflect on how we carry ourselves as a band.' It's understood that either Lachlan or his team returned to the store to pay for the stolen item. The Ocean Alley keyboardist took a $17.95 bottle lid from the Hunting and Fishing shop in Queenstown, New Zealand and was caught red handed on CCTV It comes after the six members of Ocean Alley purchased a country property near Byron Bay on NSW's far-north coast. The Happy Sad hit-makers bought the seven-bedroom, five-bathroom ranch-style spread in Middle Pocket for $2.35million, reports The Daily Telegraph. Covering eight hectares, the tropical retreat is situated in the Northern Rivers region about 22km inland from the town of Byron Bay. Ocean Alley is an alternative psychedelic rock band hailing from Sydney's Northern Beaches. Ocean Alley is an alternative psychedelic rock band hailing from Sydney's Northern Beaches The band is made up of Baden Donegal (vocals, guitar), Angus Goodwin (lead guitar), Lach Galbraith (keyboard, vocals), Mitch Galbraith (guitar), Nic Blom (bass) and Tom O'Brien (drums). The group is currently on an international tour, and set to play gigs in Wellington and Whangamata this week. They will then embark on an Australian tour before continuing on to North America and the UK. The band dropped their latest single Home on September 14, ahead of the release of their new album Low Altitude Living on October 14. Kimberley Garner showcased her incredible figure as she hit the beach in St Barts to shoot a number of swimsuits from her own collection. The former Made In Chelsea star, 32, wore four of her own creations, including a skimpy khaki bikini with straps at the waist, a simple purple two-piece, a scarlet bikini and a patterned lilac number with low-cut sides. She is famed for flaunting her stunning frame - making her the best advertisement for her eponymous swimwear collection. Every item in the shoot was perfect for showing off her lithe frame, with her abs, toned arms and endless legs on full display. Kimberley Garner showcased her incredible figure as she hit the beach in St Barts to shoot a number of swimsuits from her own collection The former Made In Chelsea star, 32, wore four of her own creations, including a skimpy khaki bikini with straps at the waist, a simple purple two-piece, a scarlet bikini and a patterned lilac number with low-cut sides She looked incredible as she posed up a storm on the stunning beach She was sure to display her lithe figure - no doubt the result of hours in the gym - in all its glory In September, the English star sent temperatures soaring as she posed for a sizzling new swimsuit shoot in Capri, Italy while promoting her new mens swimwear range Kimberley's purple number helped highlight her alabaster complexion, while the look was contrasted by the signature gold coins on her garments. Opting for pure beach vibes, she wore her flawlessly highlighted hair in beachy waves while pairing the look with delicate gold jewellery. Far from Kimberley being the only on-shore stunner, her photographer also put on a jaw-dropping display in a white knotted shirt and ragged hemmed shorts. Kimberley first found fame on Made In Chelsea and has made a name for herself as a successful swimsuit brand entrepreneur. She recently spoke about how she used to pretend to be an intern when she first started the business as nobody took her seriously. She told MailOnline: 'I think people sometimes think that Im only the face, but I am responsible for every bit of the business.' 'I was 18 when I started my first company - I came up with an idea, stayed up for days learning how to register the company and teaching myself. It became very successful overnight.' She is famed for flaunting her stunning frame - making her the best advertisement for her eponymous swimwear collection She was showing off her peachy bottom in the sexy looks Far from Kimberley being the only on-shore stunner, her photographer also put on a jaw-dropping display in a white knotted shirt and ragged hemmed shorts She acts as both model and creator of the swimwear, making her the perfect helm of the line She explained: 'However, as I was only 18, no one ever imagined it was mine. I was a young blonde girl with a soft voice. No one would take me seriously or realise it was my company. So, I pretended to be the Intern! 'I handled all the meetings, phone calls, and emails for the company. When it became a success, I put all the revenues into starting Kimberley London.' In September, the English star sent temperatures soaring as she posed for a sizzling new swimsuit shoot in Capri, Italy while promoting her new mens swimwear range. The actress is currently dating Andreas Anthis, as they were seen for the first time together in July packed on the PDA while walking her dog Sasha in London. The former Made In Chelsea star cut a chic figure in all black as she strolled hand-in-hand with the hunk. The reality star previously dated her MIC co-star Richard Dinan. While not much is known about the handsome chap, the couple appeared happier than ever as they made their way through the busy city and stopped numerous times to enjoy a kiss. The actress is currently dating Andreas Anthis, as they were seen for the first time together in July packed on the PDA while walking her dog Sasha in London Kimberley first found fame on Made In Chelsea and has made a name for herself as a successful swimsuit brand entrepreneur The gold adornments on the swimsuit only added to the chic nature of the costumes Laura Anderson and Gary Lucy confirmed their romance is back on as they shared a New Year's Eve kiss together on Sunday. The on-off pair, who welcomed their baby daughter Bonnie in September 2023, have had a tumultuous relationship, but now seem to now be back on track. After meeting on E4 reality show Celebs Go Dating in 2022, the couple announced they were having a baby in February 2023, but split shortly after. Since Bonnie's birth, speculation over the pair's relationship status has been mounting - with the couple hinting they were secretly back on in numerous snaps together. Former Hollyoaks actor Gary, 42, took to his Instagram stories on Sunday to post a video with Laura, 34, and their baby as he kissed the Love Island star passionately on the lips. Laura Anderson and Gary Lucy confirmed their romance is back on as they shared a New Year's Eve kiss together on Sunday The on-off pair, who welcomed their baby daughter Bonnie in September 2023, have had a tumultuous relationship, but now seem to now be back on track Smiling in the clip as Better Together by Jack Johnson played in the background, the actor kissed Laura on the cheek, before she returned the gesture while beaming from ear-to-ear. Gary, who has four children with his ex-wife Natasha Gray, then planted a kiss on Bonnie's head, alongside the caption 'Happy 2024 mofos'. Earlier in the evening, Laura revealed the couple were at Gilgamesh, a celebrity hotspot in Camden, north London. She said in a video: 'Happy New Year everyone,' before turning the camera around to show Gary with their daughter, before adding: 'Happy new year Bonnie and Daddy.' It comes after the family spent Christmas together, sparking further reconciliation rumours. Laura shared a photo of her young family wearing matching festive PJs as Bonnie sat on Gary's lap. All three wore floppy Father Christmas hats and behind them was a pile of presents. The Christmas photo came days after the on-again, off-again couple shared snaps enjoying fun family outings with their baby over the festive period. Former Hollyoaks actor Gary, 42, took to his Instagram stories on Sunday to post a video with Laura, 34, and their baby as he kissed the Love Island star passionately on the lips Smiling in the clip as Better Together by Jack Johnson played in the background, the actor kissed Laura on the cheek, before she returned the gesture while beaming from ear-to-ear Earlier in the evening, Laura revealed the couple were at Gilgamesh, a celebrity hotspot in Camden, north London She said in a video: 'Happy New Year everyone,' before turning the camera around to show Gary with their daughter, before adding: 'Happy new year Bonnie and Daddy' Laura shared a family Christmas photo with Gary and baby Bonnie in matching PJs on Instagram as the exes sparked reconciliation rumours last week The couple officially called off their relationship in February 2023 after six months together - around the same time Laura announced her pregnancy The couple took to social media after spending the day at Santa's Grotto with their daughter. Gary captioned the snap from their day out: 'Christmas memories. Thats what its all about'. She captioned the snaps: 'All about B. First Christmas I feel a bit of pressure, it wont be perfect Angel but every year I promise to make it even more magical #babyB.' Laura and Gary first sparked reconciliation rumours in August when the two stayed at the 800-a-night Gleneagles hotel in Laura's native Scotland. At the time Laura insisted they were spending time together in preparation for the birth of their daughter. After Laura gave birth, she shared the news with a sweet video of their little family looking very close. In the caption, she wrote: 'Hi everyone, my name is Bonnie Rose Lucy Anderson. I was born 02/09/23 at 06.03am and weighed 6.10lbs. 'My Mummy & Daddy are sooooo happy and in love with me, this is our first week together. 'I'm sorry it's taken me some time to introduce myself, I hurt my mummy a little bit and scared my daddy too (oops) we're all now recovering well at home.' Laura finished the caption on the post by writing: 'Please dont question My Mummy & Daddy on their relationship- This.. is all about me.' Heavy rainfall is expected to batter parts of Australia's east coast on New Year's Day, with flood-ravaged communities bracing for more potential flash flooding. Residents of Queensland's far southeast including the Gold Coast, Coolangatta, Tamborine Mountain and Springbrook were on high alert on Sunday night with a severe weather warning forecasting locally intense rainfall. The downpour was predicted to affect the region overnight on New Year's Eve and persist through Monday, with three to six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 mm and 160 mm possible, the Bureau of Meteorology said. Crowds gathered as light rain fell in Sydney for New Year's Eve celebrations. Source: Getty Total 24-hour rainfall totals could exceed 200mm in some areas, more likely around the ranges. However, particularly intense rainfall of up to 250mm over six hours could lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding, the bureau warned. "Heavy rainfall will be associated with shower and thunderstorm activity, which is likely to be hit-and-miss in nature across the warning area," the bureau said in an alert. "There is significant uncertainty in the movement and timing of features, but at this stage the heavy rainfall risk may persist into Tuesday morning." Flood Warning for minor flooding has been issued for the Tweed River, with minor flooding possible at Tumbulgum this afternoon. Heavy rainfall and flash flooding are possible across the Northern Rivers today. See https://t.co/Ss766eSCrL for latest information. pic.twitter.com/pCH2KkZZGM Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) December 31, 2023 A severe weather warning for damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall was also in place on New Year's Eve for people in parts of the Central Coast, Whitsundays, Central Highlands, Coalfields, Maranoa, Warrego, Darling Downs and Granite Belt forecast districts. Story continues The bureau warned of possible flash flooding over several hours from about 10.40pm, after Carmila in the Isaac region recorded 99mm of rainfall between about 7.30pm and 8.30pm on Sunday. An earlier weather warning for the Northern Goldfields and upper Flinders districts was cancelled as of Sunday evening. In NSW, a high pressure system moving into the Tasman Sea was directing persistent and humid easterly winds over parts of the state's northeast late on Sunday night. Possible heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding was predicted for the northern rivers, parts of the mid-north coast and northern tablelands overnight on New Year's Eve and on Monday. Three to six-hourly rainfall totals of up to 160mm and 24-hourly totals of more than 250mm were possible, the bureau said. "Localised intense rainfall is possible under areas of persistent heavy thunderstorms," it said. Coffs Harbour Airport recorded more than 188mm in the three hours to 2.50pm on Sunday. A man in a car attempts to cross a flooded road in Cairns this month. Source: AAP Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Fleur East is expecting her first child. The X Factor star, 36, took to Instagram on Monday to reveal she is expecting a baby with her husband Marcel Badiane-Robin. She shared a stunning snap on Instagram alongside the sweet caption: '2024 is gonna be different', before being met with mounds of celebrity praise. Fleur and Marcel, a fashion designer who has worked with stars including Rita Ora and Jason Derulo, were dating for nine years, before he popped the question in their hotel room in 2019 and they married in June that year in Morocco. They have been together since 2010, having first met in a bar in 2009 when he was working as a waiter, although she was dating somebody else at the time. A year later they reconnected and started dating before tying the knot nine years later. Fleur East is expecting her first child with her husband of four years Marcel Badiane-Robin. The X Factor star, 36, took to Instagram on Monday to reveal she is expecting a baby Fleur gave a rare insight into their relationship when they became engaged in 2019, as she said: 'I said yes immediately! How Marcel did everything was just wonderful... 'Were in a really traditional Japanese hotel and there were petals on the bed and champagneThen I turned around and he was there, with the ring. He said: Fleur East, will you be my wife?" I couldnt believe it. The ring is so beautiful and yellow is my favourite colour.' In June last year, Marcel marked the couple's fourth wedding anniversary with a stunning Instagram post paired with a sweet caption. He penned: 'Four years ago I married my best friend. Today on our anniversary, I am reminded of how lucky I am to have such an amazing wife who fills my life with laughter, and joy... 'You are my rock, my confidante, and my better half. Here's to many more years of adventure, growth, and endless love together. Happy anniversary xxx'. Their relationship first became public while Fleur was taking part in The X Factor, with an insider telling The Sun the pair were having 'secret meetings' during rehearsals. Fleur shot to fame on The X Factor in 2014 They said: 'They have been dating for a while now and it is definitely serious. 'He is incredibly supportive of her X Factor success and wants her to go all the way, just as she is really supportive of his fashion career.' Simon Cowell mentored Fleur, during the 2014 season of The X Factor, in which she placed second but gained considerable notoriety with a cover of Bruno Mars' Uptown Funk, going on to release debut album, Love, Sax and Flashbacks. She then appeared on the most recent season of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!, during which time Simon appeared to make a dig at people 'going into the jungle' during one of The X Factor's recent live shows. They have been dating for three years. And it seems things are going swimmingly for Holly Ramsay, 24, and Adam Peaty, 29, as they unveiled matching tattoo tributes last week. The couple, who pair met in 2021 on Strictly Come Dancing, where Adam starred opposite Holly's sister Tilly, 22, have been flaunting their romance for all to see, with Adam recently professing: 'I love you so much' on social media. They went public with their relationship in June, after which they sparked engagement speculation four months later when she was seen wearing a ring. Last week, the Olympic champion took to Instagram on his birthday to share snaps of himself posing in the infinity pool, below, at the Ramsays' Cornish bolthole, where he has spent most of the festive season. It seems things are going swimmingly for Holly Ramsay, 24, and Adam Peaty, 29, as they unveiled matching tattoo tributes last week The couple, who pair met in 2021 on Strictly Come Dancing , where Adam starred opposite Holly's sister Tilly, 22, have been flaunting their romance for all to see, with Adam recently professing: 'I love you so much' on social media The tattoo lover also showed off his new 'H' inking on his chest shortly before Holly unveiled her A inking behind her heavily pierced ear. As well as the tattoo snap, Holly gushed over Adam as she shared a sweet post to celebrate. In one picture, Holly looked glamorous in a sequin dress as she gazed lovingly at her boyfriend during a lavish evening out. She also shared a snap of them playfully posing for a mirror selfie dressed in matching beige dressing gowns. Holly finished off the gallery with a picture of Adam in a picturesque outdoor swimming pool and another of him larking around with a Spider-Man mask on. She also recently gushed that her relationship with Adam is 'forever' as the couple have been showing their affections for each other on social media. Sharing snaps of them both from a weekend away together, she captioned the post: '4ever.' In the post, she also captured a picture of her jewellery, with a huge sparkling ring seen on her ring finger. The couple's relationship has gone from strength to strength since they confirmed their romance. Holly Ramsay has gushed over her boyfriend Adam Peaty as she shared a sweet post to celebrate his 29th birthday Holly finished off the gallery with a picture of Adam in a picturesque outdoor swimming pool and another of him larking around with a Spider-Man mask on. Adam accompanied Holly to the launch of her chef father Gordon, 56, new Lucky Cat restaurant in Manchester. They also enjoyed a PDA-filled getaway to Rome together, which they eagerly documented for their followers on Instagram. She later took Adam back to her family home in Rock, Cornwall in August, where they spent time with her younger brother Oscar, four. Holly met the athlete when her sister Tilly, 21, appeared with him on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021. A source previously told The Sun: 'Holly is a gorgeous girl and Adam sparked up a conversation on social media. He was liking a lot of her photographs on Instagram and he's now made a move.' Fleur East announced on New Year's Day that she was expecting a child with husband Marcel Badiane-Robin. The X Factor star, 36, took to Instagram to reveal the news with the sweet caption: '2024 is gonna be different'. Marcel has worked with a host of high-profile celebs as a stylist. Read more about the former Strictly Come Dancing and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! contestant's spouse below. Fleur East has announced that she is expecting a child with husband Marcel Bardiane-Robin Fleur and Marcel tied the knot in Morocco in 2019 after nine years of dating, with the French stylist proposing earlier that year Who is Fleur East's husband Meet Marcel Badiane-Robin? Marcel Badiane-Robin is a French fashion designer and star stylist, including Rita Ora and Jason Derulo. He founded the fashion brand Marr Lnd in 2017, but it dissolved in 2020. Apart from his career, not much else is known about Marcel Badiane-Robin besides his relationship with Fleur. The pair reportedly first met in 2009 at a bar and began dating the following year. When did Fleur East get married? Marcel had been with Fleur for nine years before popping the question in 2019. The happy couple got married the same year at a lavish ceremony in Morocco's Atlas Mountains. There were 120 guests present on the day, including the bride's former I'm A Celebrity campmates Harry Redknapp and Malique Thompson-Dwyer. Among the star-studded line-up was Fleur's father Malcolm, who passed away in 2020, which she said made her even more grateful that she had tied the knot a year earlier. She told Hello! magazine at the time: 'Gosh, we're so grateful. He got to walk me up the aisle and we have all those amazing memories as a family, not just as a couple, so that's been comforting. 'The feelings still come in waves I see something and it reminds me and I get upset. 'Then I'll see something that makes me smile, so it's ups and downs. His birthday was always around Father's Day, so everything is a reminder, constantly.' There were 120 guests present on the wedding day, including the bride's former I'm A Celebrity campmate Harry Redknapp (pictured with Fleur in the jungle) Does Fleur East have children? Fleur told MailOnline shortly after her father died that she was 'not waiting anymore' to have children after she had previously insisted that she and her husband were in 'no rush'. She said in August 2020: 'It's interesting because before I was like, "I'll take it as it comes, I'm not in a rush, we've got time." 'But as soon as you lose someone, you're like "Wow OK, you can't really plan for anything, nothing's promised." 'So it's changed my views on that definitely. I'm a bit more open to the idea of starting a family now. 'I'm still not planning it, but I'm not waiting and saying "I'll start in a year" or anything like that. We are just letting things happen naturally now!' Three and a half years later the couple announced that they were expecting their first child. Denise Richards made a rare appearance with her husband Aaron Phypers, 51, and her daughter Eloise, 12, in Malibu on Sunday. The three were seen side by side as they shopped at an outdoor mall. The actress, 52, who exchanged some volatile language with Erika Jayne in the most recent Real Housewives of Beverly Hills episode, was dressed casually. The Glow and Darkness star stepped out in a sage green pair of cargo pants, topped by a black T-shirt and black jacket. She wore thick soled black lace-up ankle boots. Her husband had on a leather jacket over an olive green shirt. And her daughter wore a pink top with a palm tree graphic as well as green slacks and boots. Denise Richards, 52, kept it casual as she searched for some end of year bargains with her husband Aaron Phypers, 51, and daughter Eloise, 12 in Malibu on Sunday The model wore natural looking makeup and styled her long brown hair in a high bun. The Line actress protected her eyes in the bright California sunshine with a pair of large, dark sunglasses. Aaron looked relaxed in a black leather jacket with a khaki toned T-shirt with a black graphic. The Leap actor wore gray jeans and black ankle boots. He placed a gray and green billed cap over her dark hair and boasted a scruffy beard. The Air Crash Investigation actor wore dark sunglasses and carried what to be new purchases in bags from the menswear store John Varvatos. Young Eloise looked sweet in a pink sweatshirt with a pink palm tree graphic and tucked the leg of her khaki pants into her black ankle boots. The tween was makeup free and brushed her shoulder length dark hair in loose waves. The Glow and Darkness star stepped out in a sage green pair of cargo pants, topped by a black T-shirt and black jacket. Young Eloise looked sweet in a pink sweatshirt with a pink palm tree graphic and tucked the leg of her khaki pants into her black ankle boots After the blow-up with Erika Jayne on RHOBH over Denise and her daughter Sami being on Only Fans, The Tab calculated that Denise has about 100,000 subscribers paying about $22.50 a month for her content, resulting in more than $2 million dollars each month (Pictured in Los Angeles in June 2023) After the recent RHOBH blow-up with Erika over Denise and her daughter Sami being on Only Fans, The Tab did a bit of calculating. According to the outlet, Denise has about 100,000 subscribers who can pay $67.50 for a three month bundle or $127.50 for a six month bundle. That averages out to approximately $22.50 a month to view her content, resulting in earnings of more than $2 million dollars each month. According to People, Sami, 19, had about four thousand followers as of mid-2023, and charged $19.99 a month for exclusive access to her content, for a pay day of some $80,000 per month. Denise shares Sami and daughter Lola, 18, with her ex-husband Charlie Sheen, 58. The Two and a Half Men star was initially opposed to Sami opening an account on the site, but told Bustle, 'I had a knee-jerk reaction to it because of the reputation that preceded it' but has changed his mind after discussing it with Denise. Denise's daughter Sami, 19, also has an Only Fan account and earns an estimated $80,000 per month per People Denise shares Sami and daughter Lola, 18, with ex-husband Charlie Sheen, 58. After going through some turbulent times, Charlie says they are on good terms now (Pictured in Beverly Hills in January 2002) The actor, who is working on a new show, Bookie, says he and Denise, who went through a turbulent time due to his struggle with alcohol and drug use, are on good terms now. 'We're absolutely friendly,' the 9/11 actor told People. 'We went through so much s**t together that I don't think either one of us has any energy left to be divisive.' 'The only thing that matters is the kids. We knew we had to park our nonsense and focus on the children, because they had nothing to do with any of our crud.' Nicki Minaj headlined the New Year's Eve bash held at the nightclub E11EVEN in downtown Miami on Sunday, which was attended by Julia Fox. The 41-year-old hip-hop icon showcased her curvaceous 5ft2in figure in a black off-the-shoulder mesh catsuit and studded peep-toe booties. Nicki (born Onika Maraj) served up her signature Barbie style in a crimped platinum-blonde, thigh-length wig featuring a cascading high ponytail coiffed by hairstylist Dionte 'Arrogant Tae' Gray. Minaj - who gets 59.5M monthly listeners on Spotify - went on at midnight following the live countdown at the 'energetic, neon-lit night spot featuring trapeze dancers, burlesque shows, and DJs.' The 12-time Grammy nominee had a fully-contoured complexion and she wore extra-long acrylic nails for her mini-concert. Nicki Minaj (L) headlined the New Year's Eve bash held at the nightclub E11EVEN in downtown Miami on Sunday, which was attended by Julia Fox (R) For some reason, the audience threw dollar bills onstage and Nicki looked amused as she picked one up from the ground. Minaj - who boasts 351M social media followers - later posted a BTS video of her New Year's Eve glam to her Instagram and TikTok accounts. Missing from the Trinidad-born, New York-raised rapper's side were her husband of four years - Kenneth Petty - and their three-year-old son nicknamed 'Papa Bear.' Nicki was only 16 when she first met the 45-year-old 'music industry professional' - who's a registered sex offender in New York and California. Kenneth served a combined 11 years in prison for raping a 16-year-old girl in 1995 and shooting a man to death in 2002. For her track Barbie World, Minaj will next compete for two trophies - best rap song and best song written for visual media - at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, which air February 4 on CBS. The FTCU star will then kick off her 41-date Pink Friday 2 World Tour on March 1 at Oakland Arena in Oakland, CA. Meanwhile, Julia struck a pose in a metallic star-spangled top and pencil skirt - both of which had slits up the front - with matching platform peep-toe heels. The 41-year-old hip-hop icon showcased her curvaceous 5ft2in figure in a black off-the-shoulder mesh catsuit and studded peep-toe booties Nicki (born Onika Maraj) served up her signature Barbie style in a crimped platinum-blonde, thigh-length wig featuring a cascading high ponytail coiffed by hairstylist Dionte 'Arrogant Tae' Gray Minaj - who gets 59.5M monthly listeners on Spotify - went on at midnight following the live countdown at the 'energetic, neon-lit night spot featuring trapeze dancers, burlesque shows, and DJs.' The 12-time Grammy nominee had a fully-contoured complexion and she wore extra-long acrylic nails for her mini-concert For some reason, the audience threw dollar bills onstage and Nicki looked amused as she picked one up from the ground Minaj - who boasts 351M social media followers - later posted a BTS video of her New Year's Eve glam to her Instagram and TikTok accounts Missing from the Trinidad-born, New York-raised rapper's side were her husband of four years - Kenneth Petty (M, pictured September 18) - and their three-year-old son nicknamed 'Papa Bear' (L) For her track Barbie World, Nicki will next compete for two trophies - best rap song and best song written for visual media - at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, which air February 4 on CBS Minaj will then kick off her 41-date Pink Friday 2 World Tour on March 1 at Oakland Arena in Oakland, CA The 33-year-old Uncut Gems alum wore a festive New Year's top hat over her Manic Panic-infused brunette mane and her signature overlined lips and cat-eye liner. Julia perched on a cash-covered couch with TikToker and Hot Mess podcaster Alix Earle wearing a cleavage-boosting, Pink Friday-inspired mini-dress. Fox - who later hit up 'favorite club in Miami' Twist - was also joined by her black-clad gal pals, Cara Braglia and Emma Fujiko. The Italian-born, Manhattan-raised provocateur enjoyed midnight fireworks with her BFF since age 15 - photographer-model Richie Shazam - and her stylist Briana Andalore. Julia - who boasts 3.2M Instagram/TikTok followers - posted a video of herself twerking and doing the splits on New Year's Eve 2022 captioned: 'For anyone that read *that* chapter... here is the proof, LOL!' Fox was referring to the part of her 'masterpiece' memoir Down the Drain where she first physically met former flame Kanye 'Ye' West at a Miami club and was was informed by one of his people that she was 'doing too much.' The New York Times-bestselling author's six-week platonic fling with the disgraced 46-year-old rapper unceremoniously ended on Valentine's Day, and he's since moved on with second 'wife' Bianca Censori. On January 17, Julia will celebrate the third birthday of her son Valentino from her three-year marriage to Brooklyn private pilot Peter Artemiev, which ended in 2020. Julia struck a pose in a metallic star-spangled top and pencil skirt - both of which had slits up the front The 33-year-old Uncut Gems alum wore a festive New Year's top hat over her Manic Panic-infused brunette mane and her signature overlined lips and cat-eye liner Julia perched on a cash-covered couch with TikToker and Hot Mess podcaster Alix Earle (L) wearing a cleavage-boosting, Pink Friday-inspired mini-dress Fox - who later hit up 'favorite club in Miami' Twist - was also joined by her black-clad gal pals, Cara Braglia (L) and Emma Fujiko (M) The Italian-born, Manhattan-raised provocateur enjoyed midnight fireworks with her BFF since age 15 - photographer-model Richie Shazam (L) - and her stylist Briana Andalore (R) Julia - who boasts 3.2M Instagram/TikTok followers - posted a video of herself twerking and doing the splits on New Year's Eve 2022 captioned: 'For anyone that read *that* chapter... here is the proof, LOL!' Fox was referring to the part of her 'masterpiece' memoir Down the Drain where she first physically met former flame Kanye 'Ye' West (R, pictured January 13) at a Miami club and was was informed by one of his people that she was 'doing too much' On January 17, the New York Times-bestselling author will celebrate the third birthday of her son Valentino (L, pictured Sunday) from her three-year marriage to Brooklyn private pilot Peter Artemiev, which ended in 2020 Julia has a mystery acting role in Steven Soderbergh's psychological thriller Presence, which premieres January 19 at the Library Center Theatre in Park City, UT during the Sundance Film Festival Fox has a mystery acting role in Steven Soderbergh's psychological thriller Presence, which premieres January 19 at the Library Center Theatre in Park City, UT during the Sundance Film Festival. The 85-minute movie - also starring Lucy Liu - centers on 'a family that moves into a suburban house and becomes convinced they're not alone.' The Nothing Lasts Forever video vixen will also host an upcoming design show called OMG Fashun! with Scout Productions. This year, Julia shot a mystery role opposite Steven Van Zandt and Vito Schnabel in Tony Kaye's upcoming crime comedy The Trainer. The 37-year-old son of Oscar-nominated filmmaker Julian Schnabel co-wrote and co-produced the dark comedy about 'a down-on-his-luck fitness expert, who takes a maniacal swing at fame and fortune, trying to realize his version of the American dream.' Netflix has sent viewers wild with its 'riveting' New Year's Day release featuring award-winning actress Joanna Lumley. The eight-part drama series, which also stars Michelle Keegan and Adeel Akhtar, is the latest of Netflix's successful string of adaptations of works by American mystery-thriller writer Harlan Coben. Fool Me Once came out on New Year's Day after teasing subscribers to the streaming giant in December 2023 with the prospect of an 'epic' series. Its synopsis reads: 'When ex-soldier Maya sees her murdered husband on a secret nanny cam, she uncovers a deadly conspiracy that stretches deep into the past.' One impressed viewer commented: 'A riveting adaptation of one of my favourite of all @HarlanCoben books.' Joanna Lumley stars in Netflix's new eight-part series Fool Me Once which was has sent fans wild after its release on New Year's Day Michelle Keegan (pictured) plays the seemingly widowed Maya Stern in the series, but doubt is cast on whether her husband is actually dead Fans of the streaming giant are 'hooked' on the 'riveting' drama inspired by Harlan Coben's book with the same title Fool Me Once was released as a novel in 2016, and follows the likes of The Stranger and Stay Close to become the eighth member of Netflix's Harlan Coben Collection. The author posted his New Year well-wishes while also plugging the new series. He said: 'Happy New Year. All 8 episodes of Fool Me Once are now streaming on @Netflix. Heres hoping 2024 is your best year yet.' In the show, Michelle Keegan plays the seemingly widowed Maya Stern, but after being gifted a hidden baby monitor, she sees her dead husband Joe - played by Richard Armitage - on camera. This revelation throws Maya into a world of conspiracy as she questions what really happened to her partner, and what role his family, and in particular his mother (Joanna Lumley as Judith Burkett), played in the saga. Others who binged the new series on release day posted on X: 'This series is driving me nuts. I dont even know who to suspect anymore!... 'Started watching Fool Me Once on Netflix. 20 minutes in and I am hooked... 'Oh my God I am watching the show. Its the best show. I have watched in [sic] a long time. Thank you Netflix. Awesome show... 'Omg last episode broke me . But omg what a series. Excellent.' Advertisement Hollywood bombshell Blake Lively does not usually post too many photos from her home. But on Monday the 36-year-old actress gave a very rare glimpse into the dwelling she shares with Ryan Reynolds and their four children: they have James, eight, Inez, six, and Betty, three, as well as a nine-month-old baby whose name has not yet been revealed. The Gossip Girl star was seen standing in her bedroom which had overall very rustic look to it. The bed was not made and in the background her large bathroom and a long hallway could be seen. 'Yes I low key moonlight as an interior designer but please dont tell bc I definitely dont want the world to know that I have a hidden talent which I require external validation on,' she wrote in her caption. The blonde best pal of Taylor Swift was looking back to the day she wore a sparkling gold gown to the Michael Kors fashion show in New York City in September. The last time she gave a good look at her property was in 2022. Hollywood bombshell Blake Lively does not usually share too many photos from her home. But on Monday the actress gave a very rare glimpse into the dwelling she shares with Ryan Reynolds and their four children. The Gossip Girl star was seen standing in her bedroom which had overall very rustic look to it. The bed was not made and in the background her bathroom could be seen There was a lot to take in with that one photo. On the left was a bed with a mossy green velvet frame that had mocha latte beige and olive green sheets with a powder blue blanket at the bottom. Next to her bed was a nightstand with a pink cup, and over the bed was a gold framed oil painting and double gold-and-white wall sconces. On the ceiling was a champagne beige chandelier that looked like a flower and on the wood floor was a pale beige and light green rug. The bathroom behind her had a distressed wood entranceway with windows above in a dark brown frame. Inside the bathroom was a marble bathtub and a red throw rug under a chandelier. To the right was a long hallway with a window at the end and a plant on the sill. There were also framed pictures hung on the wall and one on the floor with recessed lighting in the beamed ceiling. On the left was a bed with a mossy green velvet frame that had mocha latte beige and olive green sheets with a powder blue blanket at the bottom. Next to her bed was a nightstand with a pink cup, and over the bed was a gold framed oil painting The bathroom behind her had a distressed wood entranceway. In the bathroom was a marble bathtub and a red throw rug under a chandelier. To the right was a long hallway with a window at the end and a plant on the sill. There were also framed pictures hung on the wall and one on the floor with recessed lighting in the beamed ceiling Her champagne-colored chandelier could also be seen as well as the double wall sconce In 2022 she was seen standing in the living room. She was posing before the Met Gala in May. 'Let's take it back to the 'night before' party. A little hint of things to come thanks to @thombrowne. Yes I took these on a self timer bc everyone was asleep when I got home at 9. Sorry outfit. You deserved better,' wrote the actress in her Instagram caption. Though only a section of the home could be seen, it was revealing. The beige sofa looked to have a U shape and was made of leather with a steel frame. Next to it was a mohair bench and there were other floral patterned chairs by the sofa. There was also a photo gallery wall with framed black and white pictures. There was a loft feel with a brick wall, worn-in hardwood floors and a large washed wood beam that appeared to be a necessary part of the structure. And a French window with an arched wall around it could also be spied. But all eyes went to the very large and tiered chandelier that clashed with the rustic theme of the dwelling. It is not known which home she was in. It could have been the Manhattan apartment Lively often stays in or it could have been the large property in Pound Ridge, New York that she and Reynolds snapped up in 2012 for about $5million. In 2022 she was seen standing in the living room. She was posing before the Met Gala in May The blonde bombshell was taking test photos of a look she was set to wear at a pre-Met Gala dinner in NYC before she took on hosting duties of the annual fashion event Here she stood next to a washed wood beam that seemed to dominate every shot There are seven bedrooms and six bathrooms on nearly 12 acres of land. There is also a barn on the premises. The red carpet favorite was trying on a silver sequin and white gown which she did end up wearing to Anna Wintour's exclusive pre-Met Gala dinner in New York in May 2022. Ahead of hosting fashion's biggest night with other big names, the actress ended up adding an unusual coat and carrying a navy handbag with a gold chain strap. She added even more sparkle to the bold ensemble with chunky rings and a scattering of studded earrings. Blake's long, honey-blonde windswept hair looked gorgeous, worn down in loose waves. The star added a simple touch of glamour to her fresh-faced make-up look with a sweet coral lip. Another angle from the same room: In an earlier Instagram Blake is seen next to the mohair bench. A painting can be seen in the background as well as an espresso machine Such a super cozy home: And in this image, she is seen in a room with large stones on the wall and thin boards on the floors More from her mansion: In 2016 Lively also shared an image of her incredible shoe closet complete with marble top island Happy in her closet: The siren was also seen in a crop top as she took a selfie with her Louis Vuitton purse Home sweet home: It is not known which home she was in. It could have been the Manhattan apartment Lively often stays in or it could have been the large property in Pound Ridge, New York that she and Reynolds snapped up in 2012 for about $5million. There are seven bedrooms and six bathrooms on nearly 12 acres of land. There is also a barn on the premises This comes after Reynolds said he thinks parents are 'much better equipped' to handle their kids these days. The 46-year-old actor has four kids with Lively and explained that these days people are much more 'self-aware' than they were during his own upbringing. He told People: 'I think it's more about talking to them about everything. It's genuine when I say I take a huge interest in their days and how things are going. 'I think as parents, we are so much better equipped to handle the rigors of childhood through our kids now than when I was a kid. 'It's just totally different now. People are much more self-aware. And that's the thing we sort of hang our hat on the most is self-awareness with our kids. Not be happy, not be anything, just be self-aware and welcome everything in.' The Deadpool star - who was initially married to actress Scarlett Johansson from 2008 until 2011 - went on to add that the whole family is 'doing great' after welcoming the new arrival and joked that the whole house is a 'zoo' but admitted that he and his wife wouldn't have had four children if they 'didn't love' being parents. He said: Look, we wouldn't do this four times if we didn't love it. 'We're very excited. Everybody's doing great. Everybody's actually doing fantastic. I think if we hadn't figured it out by now, I think we'd be in deep, deep trouble. It's a zoo over here. This is my office here and to be honest I'll probably spend the rest of my life in here!' Ian Ziering was filmed being punched and kicked by a group of mini-bike riders in Los Angeles on Sunday in a shock traffic altercation. In video from the shock incident, The Beverly Hills, 90210 actor, 59, was seen clashing with one mini-bike rider on Hollywood Boulevard - approaching them and kicking them before striking them on the head. Ziering was then attacked by the rider who attempted to strike him, before the actor pushed the rider to the ground. Ziering was surrounded by other bikers from the group - who wore helmets in the exchange - and was seen being punched in the head as he attempted to fend off multiple attacks. He ran across the road in an attempt to flee to safety before he was caught by the riders and punched again. Ian Ziering was filmed being punched and kicked by a group of mini-bike riders in Los Angeles on Sunday in a shock traffic altercation In video from the shock incident, The Beverly Hills, 90210 actor, 59, was seen clashing with mini-bike riders on Hollywood Boulevard Ziering kicked one assailant as he ran across the street The star was seen defending himself by kicking the bikers who grabbed onto his arm and pulled him back into the street before striking him. Ziering then ran to the safety of the street. The incident involving Ziering, who played the role of Steve Sanders on the Fox series from 1990 to 2000, took place on Hollywood Boulevard with the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop visible in the background. While dozens of onlookers were gathered at the popular spot on New Year's Eve, no one appeared to intervene on Ziering's behalf in the incident. A source told DailyMail.com that Ziering is 'doing okay' after the incident. It was not immediately clear if anyone was arrested in connection with the incident as of Sunday evening, TMZ reported, noting that 'an official report' lists the Newark, New Jersey-born actor 'as the victim' in the incident. Police told the outlet they are probing the incident and communicating with the people involved. Sources told the outlet that Ziering's 'vehicle ... may have been hit' prior to the conflict caught on camera in the incident. Ziering was able to get back into his vehicle and depart the scene, sources told the outlet, while the group of mini-bikers also abruptly left the scene after the violent incident. The actor grappled with one biker during the shocking altercation Ziering was filmed approaching one rider and striking them As he grappled with one rider he was swarmed by others who attacked him The actor defended himself against the attacks as he was pushed up against a car Ziering attempted to run to safety but was chased and grabbed by one rider The actor was grabbed by a rider as he ran across the street Ziering, who has more than 620,000 Instagram followers, had not yet addressed the incident on his social media account as of Sunday evening. The incident marked the final chapter in what's been a challenging year for members of the Beverly Hills, 90210 cast. Shannen Doherty had to undergo a surgical procedure to remove a tumor from her head taken on January 16, 2023, going public with the news in her long-running health battle in June. (Doherty was initially diagnosed in 2015 with breast cancer and in February 2020, said she had been diagnosed with stage four breast cancer.) Also in January, Doherty and ex-husband Kurt Iswarienko separated, and she revealed they were divorcing in April amid 'irreconcilable differences.' Doherty on her podcast earlier this month said that she was looking forward to ending a 'turbulent' year filled with 'some massive health struggles, some massive personal struggles' and 'a lot of heartbreak and fear.' The incident involving Ziering took place on Hollywood Boulevard. Pictured in 2013 (L-R) Gabrielle Carteris, Tori Spelling, Brian Austin Green, Jason Priestley, Shannen Doherty, Jennie Garth and Ziering were seen in 2019 on the reboot BH90210 Ziering told People earlier this month that Doherty 'has always been a fighter,' and is 'really an incredible woman.' He said of her health battle: 'It's not over. She's got a long road in front of her. She's so courageous and strong, and stands as a role model to those that are facing similar adversities.' In addition, his costar Tori Spelling has made headlines over the past 12 months with a series of financial problems, insecure living conditions, physical illness and her separation from estranged husband Dean McDermott. Victoria Silvstedt commanded attention in a semi-sheer white gown as she arrived at a New Year's Eve yacht party in St Barts on Sunday. The Swedish model, 49, looked nothing short of sensational in the plunging wrap dress which boasted a daring waist high split. She was spotted carrying a pair of bronze metallic heels and toted her belongings around in a matching clutch. Leaving her long blonde tresses loose in waves, Victoria completed her glamorous ensemble with a simple gold pendant necklace. Taking to her Instagram, the TV personality posed up a storm as she had a Marilyn Monroe moment in the white dress. Victoria Silvstedt commanded attention in a semi-sheer white gown as she arrived at a New Years Eve yacht party in St Barts on Sunday The Swedish model, 49, looked nothing short of sensational in the plunging wrap dress which boasted a daring waist high split She flashed her gorgeous smile as she twirled around displaying her toned legs through the 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. Maurice has 25 years of experience in international real estate investments and as a large real estate portfolios across New York and Europe. She was spotted carrying a pair of bronze metallic heels and toted her belongings around in a matching clutch Leaving her long blonde tresses loose in waves, Victoria completed her glamorous ensemble with a simple gold pendant necklace Taking to her Instagram, the TV personality posed up a storm as she had a Marilyn Monroe moment in the white dress She flashed her gorgeous smile as she twirled around displaying her toned legs through the split 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. 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!' Halle Berry was showing off her dynamic figure on Monday morning to wish her Instagram followers a Happy New Year's Day. The 57-year-old Introducing Dorothy Dandridge star was seen in a black lace onesie that flaunted her chest, small waistline and toned legs. The cover girl added a gold tailored blazer, but it did not hide much. Berry was also in sky high black heels that elongated her figure as she stood in a small gold elevator. 'Heelllllloooooo 2024!' was all she wrote in her caption for her nearly 9M followers. Halle Berry was showing off her dynamic figure on Monday morning to wish her Instagram followers a Happy New Year's Day 'Heelllllloooooo 2024!' was all she wrote in her caption for her nearly 9M followers The 57-year-old Introducing Dorothy Dandridge star was seen in a black lace onesie that flaunted her chest, small waistline and toned legs. The cover girl added a gold tailored blazer, but it did not hide much. Berry stood in a small gold elevator It was a flashback image as she wore the gold look when at The Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in early December. On the carpet, she added slacks. Last month Halle said she regrets that her Oscars success hasn't become a turning point for the movie industry. The star became the first - and thus far only - African-American woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2002 for her performance in Monster's Ball, and Halle feels sad that her success hasn't been repeated by other black actresses. She told Variety: 'It's been 21 years now and no one else like me has walked through that door. That is a great sadness because I felt that night meant something.' Despite this, Halle acknowledged that Hollywood has seen some 'change' over the last 21 years. The actress explained: 'Awards aren't everything. 'We are working in the industry in a way we never worked, so there has been change and it did matter.' Halle launched her own production company, 606 Films, back in 2014, and she's claimed that it's helped to 'move the needle' in Hollywood. She said: '[Winning the Oscar] didn't do for me what it did for others, which goes back to being a black woman. But my production company did move the needle. I get to do what I want, turn ideas into screenplays and decide the producers I work with.' She wore the suit when at The Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in early December; here she added slacks The star was with her boyfriend when at the festival Halle previously claimed that a lack of recognition shouldn't detract from the hard work and talent of other black actresses. The film star told the New York Times newspaper: 'We can't always judge success or progress by how many awards we have. 'Awards are the icing on the cake - they're your peers saying you were exceptionally excellent this year - but does that mean that if we don't get the exceptionally excellent nod, that we were not great, and we're not successful, and we're not changing the world with our art, and our opportunities aren't growing?' When on Oct. 24, 1894, Willard Chapel opened to the public, its main attraction was the mosaic panel on the south wall, which carries the Willard sisters dedication of the building to their parents. This work, created and signed by the Swiss German artisan Jacob Holzer, who was employed by Louis Comfort Tiffany at the time, measures some 18 feet in length and 8 feet in height. Illustrations of it, together with images of the biblical window on the wall above, had appeared in local papers before the opening. The public was prepared to be impressed. A recent young visitor, seeing the work for the first time, exclaimed, Thats colossal! Deeply worked dark green glass borders on each side of the mosaic establish a rhythm of circles, squares and rectangles that is continued in the 14 tall windows that flank the mosaic and line the sides of the sanctuary. One hundred and twenty-nine years have passed since that October day when church attendance was more than it is today, and the traditional imagery of the mosaic may need as much commentary if not more than the modern abstract designs that characterize the chapels 14 tall windows. Mosaics were Jacob Holzers specialty. Large mosaics like this one were made in studios in separate sections and then assembled on site. This mosaic consists of six sections, which were transported by rail from New York City to the New York Central station nearby and assembled on site. Four lines of dedication run along the top of the panel, occupying about 20% of its surface: "IN LOVING MEMORY OF SYLVESTER WILLARD 1799-1886 FORTY YEARS SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THIS SEMINARY AND HIS WIFE JANE FRANCES CASE 1813-1890 REMEMBERING WITHOUT CEASING YOUR WORK OF FAITH AND LABOR OF LOVE AND PATIENCE OF HOPE IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THESS. I-III." Below this inscription, less than half of the panels surface receives traditional mosaic treatment: flat designs composed of small pieces of colored glass. Most of the space is occupied by three almost life-size figures of sculpted, gilded plaster that rise dramatically out of the flat background. These allegorical figures represent Faith, Hope and Charity, basic Christian virtues described in the New Testament in the book of First Corinthians (Pauls letters to the Christians of Corinth) in the 13th chapter, verse 13: And now abide Faith, Hope, and Charity, these three; and the greatest of these is Charity. Each character wears a halo, a sign of holiness. Hope, a tall, commanding (androgenous?) form with enormous, outspread wings, is the central, dominant figure. This is no thing with feathers, as in Emily Dickinson. If this creature, like Icarus, were to fly too close to the sun, its wings would stay on. On the viewers left is Faith, seated, with John the Baptist, an adolescent boy holding aloft a cross over her head. Charity is on the viewers right. She is also seated, and a shieldlike insert shows a widow with children, receiving alms. In front of her is a small angel holding up the end of a long strip of parchment. Along with Hopes outspread wings, this gilded strip of parchment binds the elements of the panel together in a unified composition. If we look carefully, the parchment starts with Faith, whose outstretched hand holds a writing instrument, wraps around the central figure of Hope, and ends with the small angel, who holds up the parchment for Charity to read. It is Faith who has written on the parchment in Attic Greek, the words of Paul in First Corinthians 13: And now Faith, Hope and Charity abide, but the greatest of these is Charity. Here we have to pause to confront a puzzle: If, according to Paul in First Corinthians, Charity is the greatest of the three virtues and this is the message on the strip of manuscript in the sculpture the powerful form of Hope is nevertheless the dominant, central figure of the panel. The meaning of the panel seems to pull in two directions: in words, toward Charity; in form, toward Hope, who visually dominates the scene. Few spectators even in that day could read the Attic Greek on the parchment; but they could clearly see the implication of Holzers or the sisters composition: Hope, for the Willard sisters, seems to be the greatest of the three virtues. We cannot read minds or see intentions; we can only try to interpret what the panel shows us. Since the Willard sisters meant this huge panel to dedicate the chapel to their parents, they obviously wanted it the way it is. We are left with questions: Did the sisters feel they had paid many times over their respects to Charity? And if Hope was foremost in their minds, Hope for what? Perhaps for the family to be reunited in the afterlife? Preachers even at that time had little to say about the afterlife. Yet eternal life was one of the original promises of Christianity. This winged, gilded Hope the embodiment of the sisters feelings has an otherworldly gaze. Maybe theres something to it, they might have thought. Whatever their motivations, the sisters seemed to have felt strongly enough to take it on themselves to rearrange the priorities of St. Paul! Here thoughts of upper-class entitlement may drift through the viewers mind. Moreover, by including, next to the figure of Charity, the insert/shield showing a benevolent individual helping a widow and her two children, they emphasize the meaning of Charity as the down-to-earth voluntary giving of help to those in need (New Oxford American Dictionary) rather than all-encompassing brotherly love, the preferred translation of Charity in modern translations of the Bible. The Willard sisters seem to have been realists and idealists at the same time. In the end, the Tiffany mosaic in Willard Chapel is an ambiguous, enigmatic work. Are the sisters trying to have it both ways? Are they rewriting the Bible? Hedging their bets? Simply confused? The panel reflects both Gilded Age excess and uncertainty. Was anybody sure of anything? Hope is something that looks forward, not back. Go look at the panel: Its interesting even colossal." Lauren Goodger cut a casual figure as she stepped out with her daughter Larose and friend Junaid Ahmed in Essex on Monday. Former The Only Way Is Essex star Lauren, 37 - who last month announced her return to the show after an 11-year absence - went make-up free for her outing with Junaid, who is a current cast member of the ITVBe series. Reality star Lauren opted for casual attire, wearing a black top and matching leggings which she teamed with a pair of brown boots. She held a pink jumper up in front of her and carried a large handbag with her. Junaid, 29, wore a long black quilted coat and pushed Lauren's two-year-old daughter Larose in her pram. Lauren Goodger, 37, cut a casual figure as she stepped out with her daughter Larose and friend Junaid Ahmed, 29, in Essex on Monday Former TOWIE star Lauren - who last month announced her return to the show after 11 years - went make-up free for her outing with Junaid, who is a current cast member of the ITVBe series Reality star Lauren opted for casual attire, wearing a black top and matching leggings which she teamed with a pair of brown boots Lauren announced last month that she would be returning to the cast of TOWIE after an 11-year absence. The influencer told OK! that she plans to return to the reality show in February and has already started thinking about potential storylines. Lauren was part of the original 2010 line-up for the programme, which partly focused on her long-term relationship with Mark Wright at the time, before she left in 2012 after their break up in series six. She returned briefly in 2015 for The Only Way Is Essexmas and, looking to the future, said she wants to 'meet up with Amy Childs and go for lunch with the kids!' In the time Lauren was gone, she became a mother to Larose, two, and Lorena who sadly passed away just after birth. Lauren shared both children with her ex-boyfriend Charles Drury, who is eleven years her junior. Charles was charged with inflicting actual bodily harm on Lauren on August 4, 2022, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard. He is also charged with engaging in 'controlling or coercive behaviour' against Lauren between August 1, 2020 and August 5, 2022. She held a pink jumper up in front of her and carried a large handbag with her as she walked alongside her pal Junaid wore a long black quilted coat and pushed Lauren's two-year-old daughter Larose in her pram Charles pleaded not guilty to the charges during a brief preliminary hearing at the court in the east London borough of Redbridge. Judge Oscar Del Fabbro adjourned the case ahead of a further pre-trial hearing at the same court on February 12, 2024, followed by a trial, listed for five days, starting on March 18, 2024. The two were seen together in November for the first time since the alleged assault on the day of Lorena's funeral. Meanwhile, Lauren and Mark were childhood sweethearts and dated for 10 years after meeting as teenagers. They got engaged on the show in 2011 but split for good five months later. Mark is now married to actress Michelle Keegan, and the two have been together for over 10 years. In series two, Lauren had a famous furious row with ex Mark Wright as she pushed him into a swimming pool. The fiery argument between the exes occurred after Mark failed to invite Lauren to his pool party in case she made guests feel uncomfortable. Mark said: 'This is why you don't come to my parties,' to which Lauren fired back: 'Shut up!' and pushes him into the swimming pool to the screams of fellow partygoers. Lauren announced last month that she would be returning to the cast of TOWIE after an 11-year absence The influencer told OK! that she plans to return to the reality show in February and has already started thinking about potential storylines Lauren was part of the original 2010 line-up for the show, which focused on her long-term relationship with Mark Wright, and left in 2012 after their break up (both pictured in 2011) In the time Lauren was gone, she became a mother to Larose, two, and Lorena, who sadly passed away just after birth, with ex-boyfriend Charles Drury, who is eleven years younger Fans will also remember Lauren for her explosive rows on the show, including ending her friendship with Jessica Wright at Mario Falcone's birthday party. And even though both probably wanted to sort things out and move on, it wasn't meant to be as the claws came out and insults flew. When Lauren's good friend Frankie Essex encouraged her to go and talk to Jess, she agreed, but then things started to go downhill very quickly before the girls finally called time on their friendship. It came after the tanning entrepreneur accused Jess and her family of ruining their relationship with her brother Mark. Lauren was reported to have claimed if it wasn't for his family, she would still have a future with Mark. Jessica told Lauren: ' I introduced you into my friends when i was 15 and you've always had an issue with me. I'm not interested, stay away from my family.' Lauren answered: 'Say sorry for once in your life and grow up.' Frankie the tried to get involved and told them both: 'Come on, what are you doing, you've know each other for so many years.' Looking angry and indignant and close to tears, Jessica told Lauren before walking out: ' l love you and care for you and all you do is throw it in my face. I don't want to know anymore, don't want it in my life, I want to go home.' Fans will remember Lauren for her explosive rows on the show, including ending her friendship with Mark's sister Jessica Wright (right) at Mario Falcone's birthday party After Mark, Lauren dated Jake McClean on-and-off from 2012 to 2016. In July 2022, Jake tragically passed away in a Turkey car crash. His then-girlfriend Yazmin Oukhellou was also in the car, but she survived. From 2016 to 2018 Lauren found love again with serial jailbird Joey Morrison. On Channel 5's In Therapy, Lauren said: 'This is the weirdest relationship ever, but it's exciting and I think that's why I like it.' She began dating Charles in 2020, and split from him after the alleged assault. She now insists they are platonically co-parenting, but has refused to rule out reconciling with him. Tori Spelling looked somber as she stepped out in a Christmas onesie to pick up a bottle of champagne on New Year's Eve on Sunday - after marking her first festive season as a single mom. The actress, 50, who split from husband Dean McDermott, 57, last year, wore a red, green and white onesie as she pulled up at an LA liquor store, The star wore her blonde tresses sleek and straight and sported a light palette of make-up for her outing. She completed her look with gold necklaces and sneakers as she made her way back to her car. This comes after Tori opened up about her first Christmas as a single mother. Tori Spelling looked somber as she stepped out in a Christmas onesie to pick up a bottle of champagne on New Year's Eve on Sunday - after marking her first festive season as a single mom The actress, 50, who split from husband Dean McDermott , 57, last year, wore a red, green and white onesie as she pulled up at an LA liquor store Tori wrote on Instagram Friday, her shopping had begun. 'Its December 22 and I officially bought my first gift for Christmas,' she penned. '5 Christmas lists to tackle. 3 days to do. Missed the @amazon prime cut off. Now I have to brave the mall alone. Crushing this single mom Christmas 2023.' Not all of the Scary Movie 2 star's fans showed sympathy for her situation. 'She is wealthy. She has no idea what it is like on a single income with a kid or 2 or 3,' one follower pointed out. Another criticized her situation as 'Poor little rich girl struggles.' Tori hasn't said much about her split from Dean McDermott after 17 years of marriage. The Pretty Hard Cases actor did shed some light on it, after revealing he spent Thanksgiving in a sober living facility. The former couple share five children together; Liam, 16, Stella, 15, Hattie, 12, Finn, 11, and Beau, six The star wore her blonde tresses sleek and straight and sported a light palette of make-up for her outing She completed her look with gold necklaces and sneakers as she made her way back to her car Tori held onto a bottle of bubbly as she made her way to the car The star showed off her svelte frame in the festive look The couple share five children together; Liam, 16, Stella, 15, Hattie, 12, Finn, 11, and Beau, six. Amid his sobriety journey, Dean spoke to his fans via a video on social media and said he has 'so much to be grateful for this year' including his children. The Hudson & Rex actor also said he was grateful for 'all of my new friends in sobriety.' It appears the actor has taken a multi-pronged approach and expressed gratitude for his sponsor along with 'all the groups I have' and 'all the different treatment centers I get to work at.' In an interview with DailyMail.com in November Dean revealed he completed a 40-day stint in rehab over the summer and was living in a sober living home with eight other men at the time. Although the pair always presented a smiling front to the public, Dean opened up about his marriage and separation from Tori, explaining that their marital problems started at least five years ago and got worse due to his addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs. Despite their separation as well as his new relationship with Lily Calo, 32, the My Animal actor said he still loves Spelling and has no regrets about their life together. Dean said he had not seen Tori and the kids since they moved out of their rental home in May due to a mold infestations. Tori spent a good portion of the summer living in low cost motels before opting for a motor home and parking it in a campground near the beach in Ventura County. Tori wore her hood up as she stopped off ahead of NYE night Tori looked festive as she stepped out of her car Tori and Dean were wed for 17 years but endured a rollercoaster romance (pictured 2005) She and the kids had moved into an $18,000 a month rental home in the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles before school started, but they have since vacated that house. That move was made quickly after they were evacuated from the house due to a man living in the neighborhood barricading himself inside his home with an AR-15 rifle. No one as injured in the frightening incident. It's unclear where Tori and the kids are living now, but photos from an online giveaway show the influencer sitting in front of a fireplace with dozens of items and her cat. Brant Daugherty and wife Kim have welcomed their second son together. The Pretty Little Liars star, 38, and actress Kim, 34, who announced the pregnancy in October, posted sweet snaps of their newborn son in hospital, in his father's arms and meeting older brother Wilder, two. Brant wrote: 'We were gonna post for the holidays but ended up having the merriest Christmas of all. 'Welcome to the world, Aero Lore Daugherty.' The actor first revealed he was expecting his second child with Kim in an adorable Instagram post. Brant Daugherty and wife Kim have welcomed their second son together The Pretty Little Liars star, 38, and actress Kim, 34, who announced the pregnancy in October , posted sweet snaps of their newborn son in hospital, in his father's arms and meeting older brother Wilder, two The couple are pictured with son Wilder in 2022 The star shared a family photo of him with Kim who showed off her far-along baby bump, and their son Wilder. 'Us and our boys ' he captioned the adorable snap. In the sweet photo Kim glowed in a light blue dress while holding her belly, as the 50 Shades Freed star held their older son on his shoulders. The couple first shared the happy family update with E! News, where Kim revealed how she broke the pregnancy news to her husband with the help of Wilder. 'I told him, "You're going to be a big brother, now go tell Daddy,"' she explained. 'And he brought the box over to Brant and gave it to him.' Brant recalled the touching moment: 'My toddler just came up to me with a box and I had no idea what it was!' 'We had been trying, so the surprise didn't blow my mind, but it was exciting.' As for how they will handle two kids, Brant explained: 'We think we'll be okay. There's two of us and there's two kids, so the math is working in our favor so far.' Brant wrote: 'We were gonna post for the holidays but ended up having the merriest Christmas of all. 'Welcome to the world, Aero Lore Daugherty.' They also revealed that baby's due date is on New Years Day, January 1st. Kim also shared that Brant has already given her a push present - a Fendi bag. After Wilder's birth in 2021 the actor gave his wife two-carat diamond earrings. But this time around he didn't wait and gifted his beloved the present during their family vacation to Europe over the summer. 'We were in Florence and I was like, "Babe, what do you want in this city? We'll find it,"' he explained. 'Kim was newly pregnant at the time and it was the last big trip for the three of us,' the thoughtful husband explained. In 2020, they announced they were expecting their first child together, and told People having kids was always their goal. The actor couple tied the knot in June 2019 during a beautiful wedding ceremony in Northern California Brant and Kim are not only partners, but professional collaborators, starring and co-writing the movie A Christmas Movie Christmas together 'It's something we both knew we wanted. It's so special to start a family of our own.' The pair, who co-starred in A Christmas Movie Christmas, tied the knot in June 2019 during a beautiful wedding ceremony in Northern California. The couple first connected on a dating app, and Daugherty popped the question during a trip to Europe. Jonnie Irwin has shared a sweet photo with his son Rex on Instagram on Monday as he marked the New Year amid his ongoing cancer battle. The A Place In The Sun presenter, 50, revealed in November that his cancer had spread to his brain after first being diagnosed with the disease in 2020. The TV star shared a heart-warming New Year's Eve snap with his young son Rex, five, who was tucking into a plate of food. Jonnie was seen beaming at the camera while Rex sat on his lap enjoying a slice of 'Bakewell tart'. He penned: 'Just the 3 portions of homemade Bakewell tart for the lad!' Jonnie Irwin left fans gushing after he shared a sweet photo with his son Rex on Instagram on Monday Fans rushed to the comments to gush over the family photo, one wrote: 'You look fantastic! I hope you feel well too'. Another said: 'You look really well, hope you and your family have had a great Christmas, wishing you all the best for 2024'. A third added: 'Waw you look blinking great what ever you are doing it's working'. 'The smile on your face says it all! Very proud dad and a very proud gorgeous son! Bless both of you,' said another fan. A fifth said: 'Jonnie you look really well, hope you & your family have had a lovely Christmas xx' Jonnie married Jessica Holmes in September 2016 and the couple are also parents to twins Rafa and Cormac, three. It comes after Jonnie revealed he is using an electric physiotherapy machine at home to help build up his leg muscles. Taking to Instagram Jonnie relaxed as he watched the TV as he showed off the electrodes that were attached to his legs. Fans rushed to the comments to gush over the family photo, one wrote: 'You look fantastic! I hope you feel well too' Jonnie married Jessica Holmes in September 2016 and the couple are also parents to twins Rafa and Cormac, three The A Place In The Sun presenter, 50, revealed last November that his cancer had spread to his brain after initially being diagnosed in 2020 It comes after Jonnie revealed he is using an electric physiotherapy machine at home to help build up his leg muscles He captioned the post: 'Trying out my @enovis_uk_ireland machine whilst watching Spurs come good as I hoped they would,' 'For me especially this was a 'pulsating win' Keeping my joy on the DL as Mrs I not very happy...'. The stimulator is used by therapists in clinics and patients at home to provide electrical stimulation treatments in pain management (TENS) and neuro muscular stimulation (EMS/NMES). Electric physiotherapy helps in releasing endorphins that decrease pain or discomfort. It creates a healing effect on the body by improving blood circulation. The treatment stimulates the cells leading to reduced inflammation in the body. Electrotherapy machines also stimulate muscle tissues for relaxation. Jonnie previously showed his followers online that he was keeping himself active with a trip to his local supermarket to stock up on essentials. He shared a snap of himself pushing a trolly brimming with shopping an wrote:' I only came out for some bog rolls! Still, I'II look forward to getting through my 1000 yoghurts!'. Last month Jonnie celebrated his milestone 50th birthday in Spain after he was given six months to live two years earlier. The TV presenter marked the occasion in Costa Del Sol and revealed he had a birthday party earlier in the year as he 'didn't think he'd make it' to the big day. Mr Bates vs The Post Office (ITV1) Rating: Have you ever peeled an unfranked stamp off an envelope and re-used it? If so, the Post Office has a word for you: fraudster. Royal Mail which ran the Post Office until 2012 warns on its website: 'Any person who knowingly reuses stamps for postage is committing fraud.' This is a criminal offence, liable to prosecution. Yet 25 years ago, when the Post Office computer system began malfunctioning so badly that many sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses were driven out of business, Royal Mail so stringent in castigating the smallest rule-bending by customers refused to listen or investigate fairly. Toby Jones, as a defiant sub-postmaster running a shop in Llandudno, North Wales, summed it up in a stinging speech at the start of Mr Bates vs The Post Office: 'They're not calling me a thief. They wouldn't dare. They say money's somehow gone missing from this branch, which it hasn't, and I have to pay it back, which I won't.' This major, new four-part drama, airing nightly with a documentary to follow on Friday, highlights just three stories of hundreds A browbeaten young copper, caught between the furious Alan Bates and an unsympathetic auditor, asked whether any actual crime had been committed. 'Well,' fumed the man behind the counter, 'Post Office Limited is stealing my livelihood, my shop, my job, my home, my life savings and my good name.' He was not alone. Between 2000 and 2014, an average of one sub-postmaster or sub-postmistress a week was prosecuted, for theft, false accounting and other offences, by the Post Office. From a total of 736, some were jailed, many were bankrupted, all suffered appalling stress and public shame. Yet for years Royal Mail and its computer partner Horizon a system developed by the Japanese company Fujitsu insisted that these were isolated cases. In an era before social media, many of those accused had no idea that any other shops were facing the same problems, and assumed the fault must somehow be theirs. This major, new four-part drama, airing nightly with a documentary to follow on Friday, highlights just three stories of those hundreds. In Hampshire, Jo Hamilton (Monica Dolan) was spending hours on the Horizon helpline, patiently following instructions and watching the imaginary discrepancies mount up. Phoning to plead that the computer expected her to bank 2,032.67 more than she had taken in the past week, she re-entered the figures as she was told and saw the shortfall double on screen to more than 4,000. Toby Jones (left) plays a defiant sub-postmaster running a shop in Llandudno, North Wales. Julie Hesmondhalgh as Suzanne (right) 'It'll sort itself out,' the voice on the helpline told her. But it didn't, and soon Jo had emptied her savings and maxed out her credit cards, trying to bridge the gap. She didn't dare tell her husband or her mother until they were faced with remortgaging the house. In Bridlington, Yorkshire, Lee Castleton (Will Mellor) made the mistake of thinking that if he called in the auditors, they would realise the 25,858.95 he was accused of misappropriating was the result of computer errors. Instead, Royal Mail barred him from his own shop and sued him for the money. His children were bullied at school, and taunted that their father was a common thief. 'You've just got to trust in the British justice system,' Lee told himself. 'Tell the truth and everything will be all right.' It wasn't, though: he lost the case and was ordered to pay 321,000 in costs. The Daily Mail waged a long campaign to win justice for the accused, something this serial has not so far acknowledged. What it also fails to mention is that Adam Crozier, chief executive of Royal Mail Group between 2003 and 2010, later became CEO of ITV. This screenplay by Gwyneth Hughes does, however, convey the overwhelming fear of facing a bureaucratic juggernaut that refuses to acknowledge the possibility it might be wrong about anything. With unlimited legal funds at its disposal to bully almost every individual into silence (with the heroic exception of Mr Bates), Royal Mail was all-powerful, remorseless and heartless. Will Mellor as Lee (right) and Amy Nuttall as Lisa (front, left) That inhuman power was symbolised by the convoy of black saloon cars that rolled up outside each rural sub-post office, at the beginning of each audit. 'When I first got legal advice,' Mr Bates says, 'I was warned that if I tried to take them to court, even if I won, the Post office would just keep appealing till I ran out of money.' That's chilling, cruel and all too believable. But the drama also captures the decency of Britain's sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses, the quintessential shopkeepers once at the core of so many communities. They're a rare breed now and may soon be extinct, the way Royal Mail is going. If a single one of them had been fiddling the books, it would have seemed shocking and improbable. For 736 to be prosecuted defies all rational belief. Because the victims were such a familiar, well-liked type, the three in this retelling win our immediate sympathy. After Jo Hamilton is dragged into the dock and harried into pleading guilty to an offence that was not her fault, half the village turns out to cheer her on. The local vicar declares from the witness box: 'We all love her. People confide in her. We trust her, and we just can't believe that any of this was on purpose in any way.' Watching that scene, with lumps in our throats as the judge allows Jo to walk free, every Mail reader must have given a cheer, too. The Great British Bake Off kickstarted the New Year with a one-off special, that saw four bakers from series past return to the famous tent. And host Alison Hammond was left in hysterics when she suffered a hilarious blunder during the episode, while chatting to baker Mark Lutton. Chatting to Mark during the post-Christmas Special, Alison asked him: 'So if you was treated like a King for the day, what would you want me to do for you?' Mark, who hails from Portadown, Northern Ireland, replied: 'Bake for me probably.' Misunderstanding, a shocked Alison said: 'You'd want me to do what? Beg?' Great British Bake Off host Alison Hammond was left in hysterics as she suffered a hilarious blunder during Monday's New Year Special The presenter was chatting to baker Mark Lutton when she asked what he'd like her to do if he was King for a day, and he replied: 'Bake for me probably' Mark then quickly clarified: 'Bake! B-A-K-E,' before Alison added: 'Oh Bake!' before descending into her famous laugh. She clarified: 'It's your accent! It's a lovely accent.' Laughing, Mark quipped: 'It's the word bake which is weird for a show like this that I can't really say it properly isn't it?' 'You do say it properly sorry!' Alison added. During the special, the four returning bakers, Mark, Maxy Maligisa, Jurgen Krauss and Maggie Richardson, were religieuse, choux buns that look like nuns, followed by a galette des rois. For their Showstoppers, the bakers made a New Year-inspired smash cake a cake encased in a smashable chocolate shell. Sadly, Mark missed out on being crowned the Star Baker in the New Year's Special, with Maxy being awarded the coveted plate. 'This is definitely an amazing ending to my Bake Off story,' she said after being crowned. Misunderstanding, a shocked Alison said: 'You'd want me to do what? Beg?' before Mark clarified that's how the word sounded due to his strong Northern Irish accent 'I came in here and I didn't think I was going to win and I was so nervous about all of my bakes.' Paul Hollywood, who was recently awarded an MBE, added: 'Maxy does appear to lack confidence but I hope this helps because she really did hit it out of the park.' It comes after The Great Christmas Bake Off crowned its 2023 winner, with Sophie Faldo triumphing for a second time. Sophie - who is the series eight champion - came back for another shot at the title and beat Dan Beasley-Harling, Amelia Le Bruin, Linda Rayfield, George Aristidou and Carole Edwards to the win. She won over the judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith with her festive bakes after they were tasked with three challenges. Speaking about her win, Sophie shared: 'Yay I'm so chuffed. What a lovely way to start Christmas. I'm going to take this [the decorative plate] home and enjoy some mince pies on it.' Sadly, Mark missed out on being crowned the Star Baker in the New Year's Special, with Maxy being awarded the coveted plate Prue added: 'Sophie was brave to come back as she had a lot to lose. That was five years ago but of course she's grown since then. 'She is organised and thorough when she does something, my God, she does it properly.' While everyone seemed pleased for Sophie on her win, no doubt no one was feeling better about it than Prue, who had a chance for redemption after spoiling Sophie's first win. While the Bake Off winner is always a closely guarded secret, with one catastrophic tweet Prue accidently revealed Sophie had won the 2017 series hours before final aired prompting inevitable devastation from the show's loyal fans. And 339,000 of workers with an IRA have a seven figure balance, figures show The number of savers with $1 million in their retirement accounts ballooned by around 100,000 people in 2023 - thanks to a booming stock market. Some 349,000 401(K) owners and 339,000 workers with an Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) ended the year with seven-figure balances, according to Fidelity Investments. While it marks a slight decline from earlier in the year, the number is still well above 2022 levels when the figures were 299,000 and 280,000 respectively. Retirement accounts have benefitted from a strong stock market which saw the S&P 500 end the year 24 percent up compared to 2022. The number of savers with $1 million in their retirement accounts ballooned by around 100,000 people in 2023 as they were bolstered by a booming stock market A 401(K) is an employer-sponsored plan which workers often contribute to directly from their paycheck. A worker's contributions are often matched by the employer. By comparison IRAs can be opened by anybody including freelance workers. Those that have managed to stash away a comfortable nest egg insist it is not as difficult as it seems. Caroline Eby told DailyMail.com that she is edging closer to the $1 million mark - despite never earning more than $80,000 in her life. The finance worker, from Washington D.C., said: 'I started saving at age 25 when I was making $22,000 a year in manufacturing. 'Each year, I upped my contribution by 2 percent if I could afford it. I maxed my contribution somewhere around 12 percent.' She added: 'I've never married and have always fully supported myself. I'm so happy and proud of myself for the sacrifices I made 30 years ago. 'Like everyone told me, slow and steady wins the race.' Eby had $990,000 in her account two years ago but then lost $100,000 - something she blamed on the wider economy. Now, her account is 'on its way back up,' she said. It comes after experts laid bare just how much workers of each age group would need to save into their 401(K) to reach $1 million by the time they retire. Caroline Eby, 57, pictured, told DailyMail.com that she is edging closer to the $1 million mark - despite never earning more than $80,000 in her life It comes after experts broke down the amount needed to stash away each month to generate a comfortable nest egg - depending at what age you start And it may not be as arduous as it seems. According to personal finance The Motley Fool, a 22-year-old would need to put away $325 per month throughout their career to be able to retire with $1.01 million by the time they hit 62. If a worker only started saving into their 401(K) at 27, they would need to put away $500 per month to reach $1.03 million by the same age. The figure rises to $750, $1,200 and $1,900 for a 32-year-old, 37-year-old and 42-year-old respectively. The analysis assumes the investments generate an 8 percent average annual return - slightly below the 10 percent average rate of return generated from the stock market. According to The Motley Fool, a common investing rule of thumb is to subtract your age from 110. The result is the percentage of your portfolio you should then allocate to stocks. For example, if you are 35 years old, approximately 75 percent of your portfolio should be made up of stocks while 25 percent should be reserved for bonds and other conservative investments. The thinking behind this theory is that younger investors can take greater risks. Banks this year closed branches in California and the Midwest faster than elsewhere, as an ongoing elimination of costly brick and mortar locations leaves an increasing number of Americans without access to basic financial services. Dozens of banks filed notices to close a total of 1,566 branches between January 1 and December 22, according to data from their regulator, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). In contrast they only notified the regulator of plans to open 472. And the closures are being felt. DailyMail.com has received emails from concerned readers that they now need to travel further to access a bank. California saw by far the greatest net closures, losing an average of 300 branches. The area around Seattle also lost more than a dozen branches while only gaining two. Slide me Dozens of banks filed notices to close a total of 1,566 branches between January 1 and December 22, according to data from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency But the rapid retreat of banks from some regions was perhaps the most pronounced in the Midwest. Michigan lost 36 branches over the year but did not gain one. Illinois lost 60 branches and gained 18. One reader said they now needed to cross state lines to get to a bank. 'PNC shut down our local branch which was three miles away, now I have to go to an adjoining city or across the river to Ohio to make deposits or for other banking needs,' they wrote. 'It's totally inconvenient and as a senior citizen the extra mileage is wasting gas.' Another elderly reader in their early 80s pointed out that driving long distances may not always be viable. 'This is all very distressing to both my husband and me,' they said. 'We've already had several closures of our banks and have to drive further and further to find our banks. What happens when we can no longer drive?' A banking desert is a neighborhood which has no bank branches in it or within 10 miles of its center. Just handful of states - Arkansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wyoming - experienced a net gain of branches. West Virginia was the only state that did not lose a single bank branch throughout the entire year. The majority of Americans are concerned about widespread bank branch closures - which are hitting lower-income households the hardest. Wells Fargo led the charge, filing to close 312 branches in the year. It was followed by PNC and US Bank which notified of 196 and 178 closures respectively. Bank of America and Chase both filed to close exactly 157 branches. Citibank was a notable outlier among the big national banks, filing to close only eight banks throughout the year. Meanwhile, certain smaller banks also closed a significant number of branches. Santander, which is headquartered in Boston, said it would close 61 of its 500 or so branches. Some 38 of those closures were scheduled in Massachusetts. Wells Fargo led the charge, filing to close 312 branches. JPMorgan Chase opened more than 40 percent of the total 472 reported by all banks across the year Your browser does not support iframes. Citizens bank said it would close 85 branches - nearly 10 percent of its approximately 1,000 across the country. JPMorgan Chase stood out because it was one of the only banks that filed to open more banks than it said it would close. It notified the OCC of 195 openings - that is more than 40 percent of the total 472 reported by all banks across the year. Similarly, TD Bank said it would close just one branch in Maine but would open 24. A spokesperson for Bank of America told DailyMail.com that it was closing branches in response to diminishing customer traffic. 'What we're seeing across the industry is that our clients are using digital banking for more of their everyday needs. They only come into our financial centers when they want to have a conversation about their finances or something that's a little more complex,' they said. As the habits of consumers are changing, so too are the way banks are set out, said the spokesperson. In the past Bank of America branches were arranged in such a way that the teller line was at the front. That line is now often at the back of the branch to make space for customers to meet with bank employees privately nearer to the entrance. Although the majority of consumer banks have been closing branches in recent years, the extent of the downscaling could begin to level off, the spokesperson suggested. Another spokesperson for Wells Fargo, Amy Amirault, also told DailyMail.com that the bank is evolving with its customers. 'As customer preferences and transaction patterns change, so will our branches,' she wrote in a statement. 'For example, we may open new branches where we combine two older existing branches into one better situated location.' Despite closing more than 300 branches across the US, Wells Fargo only notified the regulator of 22 openings in 2023. Pictured is a Wells Fargo Bank in Aspen, Colorado But an exclusive poll by DailyMail.com earlier this year revealed 51 percent of consumers said they were very or somewhat concerned about the declining number of bank branches. It also found that brick and mortar services were less accessible to black Americans. While 14 percent of black Americans said they did not have a local branch, that was only the case for 8 percent of white Americans. When a bank closes a branch it must file its regulator. In a statement to DailyMail.com, a spokesperson for the OCC said: 'The OCC understands the importance of bank branches and is committed to supporting access to banking services in all communities.' Bu the watchdog also said that although banks and credit unions need to notify the 'primary regulator of closures', the statute that requires them to do so does not enable them to object. The majority of Americans are concerned about widespread bank branch closures - which are hitting lower-income households the hardest. LOS ANGELESIvy Grace remembers being intrigued when she first discovered MyFreeCams. I really just kind of stumbled upon MFC, Ivy explains. I saw a girl on Instagram who was always in lingerie, partying and living in a really nice high rise. I was like, What does this girl do? I want that lifestyle. She had posted her link to MFC at some point and I found myself fascinated by the site and wanting to be a part of it. It was January 2015and Ivy was ready to try something new. Now the former waitress from Florida enters 2024 as one of MyFreeCams leading models, whose resume includes four straight top 15 finishes in the Miss MFC monthly contest and 21 times overall in the top 20including being crowned Miss MFC in February 2019. The hard-working and passionate entertainer says the Ivy League community is something she and her members built together. I didnt have any clue what I was doing when I started streaming, Ivy admits. Ive just done what Ive felt comfortable with and what I felt like was fun. It seems people enjoy it enough to stick around and keep coming back. In this exclusive Q&A for CAMStar, Ivy discusses her remarkable consistency on cam, her love of the outdoors, her three cats and her life-changing move to Costa Rica, plus much more. Click here for the digital edition. For bonus questions, see below: CS: What was one of the more memorable experiences you had at the restaurant where you worked before MFC? IG: Some of my most memorable experiences involve my regulars from that job! I still keep in touch with a few of them. There was a costume contest once a month that I didnt like participating in but had to dress up for. One of my regulars thought it was hilarious that I was so bratty about having the whole thing each month. Hed come in and give me a $100 bill every contest day and say you won (the prize amount) so that I didnt have to try to win the contest. That guy also found me on MFC years later and he tips GOOD when he comes around!! How long did it take for you to become comfortable being naked on the internet? I really dont remember ever feeling uncomfortable so it must have not taken long! Ive always been a pretty open person though. What were you doing on cam when you got your highest tip ever122,222 tokensfrom iFistMyAss?! I was actually offline! I knew something exciting was coming but I didnt know how much it was going to be. The guy who tipped it changed his name right before tipping it to that hilarious name so its been kind of a joke ever since. What advice would you give a new cam model trying to establish herself? Be yourself, trying to be someone else isnt going to work. Be consistent. Try different stream times. Really dedicate yourself to the job and dont start until youre ready to give it your all. Whats your favorite fruit? I have so many favorite fruits but right now I'd say Uvacha and Granadilla. They're two fruits I wasn't very familiar with until I moved to Costa Rica. Costa Rica fruit is so fresh and incredible I almost feel addicted to it. It's like candy! Photography by @jasmina.schmitt & @lindseyparadisophoto Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 12 noon on Tuesday following protests by opposition members demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Parliament security breach and revocation of the suspension of MPs. As soon as the House assembled, opposition members were on their feet and some of them came to the Well of the House shouting slogans against the government and holding placards. Some of them were carrying a morphed picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the whole House condemns the display of morphed picture of Prime Minister Modi in the House and demanded action against MPs carrying it. Speaker Om Birla said it was completely against the rules, regulations and proprieties to bring placards in the House. "This House belongs to you. We all have decided that no one will bring placards inside the House. But you have come here with placards. Even you have come to the podium. Is it correct ? Please go back to your seat. I am giving you last warning," he said. However, the opposition members ignored Birla's pleas and continued their protests leading to the adjournment of the proceedings. Besides several other opposition MPs, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah was also in the well. While Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and NCP member Supriya Sule were seen sitting in the front row of the opposition benches, Rahul Gandhi was seated in the second row. In a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack last Wednesday, two men -- Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D -- jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during the Zero Hour, released coloured smoke and shouted slogans, before being overpowered by the MPs. Two others, including a woman, were detained outside the Parliament complex for staging a protest. On Monday, Lok Sabha suspended 33 opposition members, including leader of the Congress Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, DMK's T R Baalu and Sougata Ray of the Trinamool Congress, from the House for displaying placards and raising slogans over the Parliament security breach issue. General Muneer is playing a very different tune, optics, text and the accompanying outreach as part of the much-needed recalibration It is the regressive effect of religiosity that the politicos are in no position to take a stand against religious extremism and if anything, they have to maintain a facade of matching piety and sectarianism to garner popular votes Historically there has been an unease about Pakistani Qaid-e-Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnahs first Presidential address to the Constituent Assembly (Aug 11, 1947). Amongst many counterintuitive statements addressed to the first (and only) nation to be born in the name of religion, is Jinnahs insistence on secularism and liberality, in it. Jinnahs stand was disagreeable for those who wanted it to be the literal land of the pure or a theocratic state. Tellingly the religious hardliners ensured that the same was blacked out from newspapers and successive governments feigned ignorance and even removed the same from official records. Even audio recordings of this landmark speech mysteriously disappeared. The shariaisation of Pakistan was enthusiastically partaken by successive dispensations and obliteration of the past and rewriting history that was bereft of any secularism or inclusivity, ensued. The Pakistan of current times is perhaps far too puritanical, extremist, and intolerant even by the standards of a Jinnah, the man who is responsible for the partition. Today, the chickens of religious extremism are coming home to roost, and Pakistan is staring at a hopeless situation with almost all arms of governance i.e., politicians, bureaucracy, judiciary, clergy and even elements of the once secular, Pakistani Armed Forces, surrendering recklessly to such revisionist beliefs. Some leaders like Taliban Khan (Imran Khan) or even General Zia-ul-haq drove the slide into religious fire by giving its Armed Forces a revised motto like Iman, taqwa, jihad fi sabilillah (A follower of none but Allah, the fear of Allah, Jihad for Allah) are to be blamed for the ensuing morass, ignorance and weaponisation of society that has forsaken better sense, for blind bigotry. Earlier Kashmir and Islam were the only two issues that banded the amoral concept of the two-nation theory that besets Pakistan today with the relative peace and progress of Kashmir (certainly when compared to Pakistan) and pernicious impact of religious extremism backfiring on Pakistan, there is a serious rethink about its patent ways. However, so deep-rooted and inextricable is the regressive effect of religiosity that the politicos are in no position to take a stand against religious extremism and if anything, they have to maintain a facade of matching piety and sectarianism to garner popular votes. In such charged and explosive times, even if there were to be progressive elements within bureaucracy or judiciary, they too would have to bend to the times, that be. All this societal and institutional capitulation virtually leaves only the relatively more disciplined and moderate institution of the Pakistani Armed Forces to take charge of the narrative and salvage the nation from its downward spiral. This too, is not easy as the Pakistani establishment (Military) has also got infected with the invariable air of religiousity that blows across Pakistan. Little is known about the current Pakistani Army Chiefs personal predilections other than that he too is a rare Haffuz (learnt the Quran completely) and that he is not from the flamboyant and westernised school of officering like an Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Pervez Musharraf etc. But presumably as the chosen successor to the decidedly liberal former Army Chief, General Qamar Bajwa, at least he is not from the Imran Khan coterie (unlike the deposed Lt Gen Faiz Hameed). General Muneer has his back to the wall with him losing Pakistani soldiers to attacks from religious extremist groups, virtually daily. The days of railing gladiator-like against India, Kashmir, West/US or in support of the Taliban in Afghanistan have simply outlived their utility General Muneer has no choice but to do the exact opposite, instead. With the Pakistan-facing Taliban breathing down his neck and the choice of normalising relations with India still not on the practical menu his best bet is to normalise his relations with the United States and to actively demonstrate inclusive, healing and secular actions, within Pakistans fractured society. General Muneers dash to the United States where we met the whos who to reiterate his ally status and beseech donors to bail out Pakistan from the economic mess, is from the same playbook. Last week he did the unthinkable in recent times by making a bold outreach to the vulnerable Christian community during Christmas and suggesting a refreshing definition of the enemy of Pakistan to be one who was, hell-bent towards creating fissures using religious, ethnic and political vulnerabilities. Clearly traditional enemies like India or new ones like West or US took a backseat. The General got his official institutional social media handle i.e., Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) to talk about promoting greater interfaith harmony! The departure from usual content further entailed insisting on truth and knowledge-based opinions about national issues rather than following rhetoric and propaganda. The situational coup de grace was when he tellingly reinvoked the missing bits from Jinnahs deliberately suppressed speech on Aug 11, 1947, and posted verbatim Quaids comment, You are free. You are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. Clearly, General Muneer is knowingly playing a very different tune, optics, text and the accompanying outreach are part of the much-needed recalibration. Ironically, India would want the General to succeed as it can ill-afford a failed state on its border. (The writer, a military veteran, is a former Lt Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Puducherry. The views expressed are personal) The administration must swiftly dispatch a team of veterinary doctors to the affected areas, to safeguard the livestock of poor, and their livelihood Amidst the renewed headlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, a different crisis is unfolding in the secluded Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. Here, an unknown ailment has become a cause of worry among the nomadic communities, claiming the lives of numerous domesticated animals that constitute the primary source of income for the underprivileged. Consequently, the economic repercussions of these animal deaths are causing widespread distress. The local veterinary department has faced challenges in identifying the disease and administering appropriate treatment. According to accounts from the locals, almost 20 days ago, their animals began exhibiting symptoms of fever. Over time, the animals stopped eating and drinking, succumbing to the illness within a few days. It is crucial to note that for the denizens of these remote regions, livestock rearing is a means of economic empowerment as they earn their income through the sale of milk and dung. The gravity of the issue becomes apparent when considering that numerous households in this area rear hundreds of animals. There have been repeated pleas from the locals urging prompt administrative intervention and measures to preserve the animals' lives. The administration has yet to dispatch veterinary doctors to the affected villages, intensifying the distress among the populace. In this context, social worker Muhammad Iqbal emphasizes that the residents of these mountainous regions confront various challenges during the winter season. The area remains snowbound for three months, rendering it inaccessible. Failure to address these challenges before winter sets in could significantly impact the overall well-being of the people in this region. Another social worker, Adil Hussain, points out that the unknown epidemic among livestock has been steadily increasing in these areas for some time, hinting at potential future difficulties for the local population. Sayma Bano, a local woman, is deeply troubled by the lack of compensation for the losses incurred due to the death of livestock from the disease. She emphasizes the crucial need for the administration's attention to compensate the poor for their losses. Sayma has already informed the District Development Commissioner, Vishwapal Mahajan, about the dire situation. She urges him not only to arrange compensation for the deaths of animals but also to ensure better treatment for the surviving livestock against this disease. Despite their efforts, there has been no positive response so far. She underscores that the administration's silence on this issue is aggravating their difficulties. Fatima Farooq, the Block Development Officer of Thathri, adds to the concern by stating that this unknown disease has been progressively affecting the livestock in the Thathri sub-district. The current trajectory of the disease spreading this year indicates that people might have to face more difficulties in the near future. The central question arises: What is this disease, and what are its underlying causes? Addressing this query, local veterinarian Dr Talib Hussain mentions that the exact causes of this disease are yet to be determined. However, changing environmental conditions and adverse weather are believed to be contributing factors. Poor-quality fodder is also identified as a potential cause for the disease's spread. Dr Hussain advises livestock owners to provide their animals with fresh grass instead of contaminated fodder. While he acknowledges that the government and administration are taking the issue seriously, he highlights a severe shortage of veterinary doctors in the Doda district. Consequently, it's impractical for doctors to visit every household for animal inspections. Nevertheless, he suggests that through veterinary camps organized by the department, animal treatment can be facilitated. Dr. Hussain urges livestock owners to take precautions themselves and promptly contact the nearest veterinary doctor if any signs of illness appear in their animals. Despite the challenges, there is hope that the administration will swiftly dispatch a team of veterinary doctors to these areas, safeguarding both the income sources of the poor and their livestock from this unknown disease. (Baber Nafice is a journalist from Doda, J&K. Views are personal. Charkha Features) Police have arrested three accused in connection with the alleged rape of a female student of IIT on the BHU campus, a police official said on Sunday. SHO of Lanka police station Shivakant Mishra said the accused have been identified as Kunal Pandey, Anand alias Abhishek Chauhan and Saksham Patel. The alleged incident of rape occurred on the night of November 1. According to the complainant, she had gone out of her hostel with a friend when three men on a motorcycle forcibly took her to a corner and gagged her after separating her from her friend near the Karman Baba temple. The accused then allegedly stripped the woman, made a video of her and took photos. They let her go after about 15 minutes and took her phone number, the complainant stated. n The Union Government headed by Narendra Modi on Sunday declared another pro-Pakistan separatist amalgam Tehreek-e-Hurriyat (TeH) as an unlawful association' under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA). The decision was announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Shah said the group was found spreading anti-India propaganda and continuing terror activities to fuel secessionism in Jammu and Kashmir. He said under Modis zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, any individual or organisation found involved in anti-India activities would be thwarted. The Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, J&K (TeH) has been declared an Unlawful Association under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The outfit is involved in forbidden activities to separate J&K from India and establish Islamic rule, Shah wrote on X. The pro-Pakistan group was earlier headed by deceased separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who Masarat Alam Bhat succeeded. Bhat is also known for his anti-India and pro-Pakistan propaganda. Bhat is currently in jail and his party the Muslim League of Jammu Kashmir was declared a banned organisation on December 27. One more separatist organisation Democratic Freedom Party led by Shabir Shah was also banned by the Union Home Ministry. In the backdrop of drone attacks on merchant vessels in the Arabian Sea and Gulf Aden in the last few days, the Indian Navy has significantly enhanced its surveillance apparatus in the two sectors by deploying frontline destroyers and frigates in view of recent incidents of attacks on merchant vessels, officials said here on Sunday. Liberian-flagged cargo vessel MV Chem Pluto, with 21 Indian crew members, was the target of a drone attack off India's west coast on December 23, triggering security concerns as the incident came amid Iran-backed Houthi militants launching strikes on several commercial ships. Another commercial crude oil tanker, MV Sai Baba, that was on the way to India came under a suspected drone strike in the Southern Red Sea on the same day. "The last few weeks have witnessed increased maritime security incidents on merchant vessels transiting through international shipping lanes in Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Central/ North Arabian Sea," the Navy said. It also referred to a recent piracy incident on merchant ship MV Ruen approximately 700 nautical miles from the Indian coast. "The recent drone attack on MV Chem Pluto, approximately 220 nautical miles South West of Porbandar, indicates a shift in maritime incidents closer to Indian EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone)," the Navy said in a statement. "In response to these incidents, Indian Navy has substantially enhanced maritime surveillance efforts in Central/North Arabian Sea and augmented force levels," it said. "Task Groups comprising destroyers and frigates have been deployed to undertake maritime security operations and render assistance to merchant vessels in case of any incident," the Navy said. It said aerial surveillance by P-8 I long-range maritime patrol aircraft and remotely piloted aircraft(UAV) has been enhanced to have a complete maritime domain awareness. Towards effective surveillance of EEZ, the Indian Navy is operating in close coordination with the Coast Guard, it said. "The overall situation is being closely monitored by Indian Navy in coordination with national maritime agencies. Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring safety of merchant shipping in the region," it said. The Pentagon claimed MV Chem Pluto was targeted by a drone "fired from Iran." It was the first time the Pentagon openly accused Iran of directly targeting ships since the start of Israel's war on Hamas, which is backed by Tehran. Ties between India and Russia have developed dynamically despite the difficult international situation in the world, President Vladimir Putin has said in his New Year message to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Incidentally, Putin met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar last week during the latters visit to Moscow and invited Modi to visit Russia next year. "We will be glad to see our friend, Prime Minister Modi in Russia," Putin told Jaishankar. So far, 21 annual summits have taken place alternatively in India and Russia. The last summit took place in New Delhi in December 2021. Meanwhile, his New Year message said, 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 also stressed the cooperation between the two countries to develop multifaceted bilateral ties and coordinate efforts to strengthen security and stability at the regional and global levels. The document said "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.". In addition, Vladimir Putin extended Christmas and New Year greetings to several former foreign heads of state and government, including Belarus, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Brzail , South Africa, Turkey and many others. On December 28, Putin met Jaishankar who was on his 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 emphasised the positive stance of Modi on complex global developments, 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," he noted. The Russian President mentioned that he has advised Prime Minister Modi on the developments in Ukraine multiple times and indicated that further discussions on the matter would take place. "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 added. The Russian President also expressed gratitude for the progressing relationship between Russia and India amid global turmoil. "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. India has all along maintained that the Ukraine conflict must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue. Russia's military action in Ukraine began in February 2022. Since then, Modi has spoken to Putin as well as Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Modi also met Zelenskyy in Japan during the G7 summit in May 2023. In the meeting, Modi assured that he would do whatever was possible to help resolve the conflict. "India and I will do whatever we can to resolve the conflict," Prime Minister Modi said. He also told Putin "now is not an era of war." The Delhi Police is geared up to tackle any nuisance and law and order condition in the city on New Years Eve while the traffic police have deployed more than 2,500 personnel for smooth movement of vehicles, officials said on Sunday. According to the police, more than 10,000 personnel will be deployed on the ground to curb hooliganism and traffic violations. We want everyone to welcome the New Year with great zeal. But if someone is found causing nuisance on roads, they will face action, Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast) Joy Tirkey said. A senior police official said drunk driving, stunts by motorcycle riders and loud exhaust sounds of any vehicle are strictly prohibited in Delhi and stressed that no one will be allowed to flout the rules. As many as 250 teams of the Delhi Traffic Police have been deployed to curb drunk driving, officials said. Movement of vehicles going towards Connaught Place will be regulated after 8 pm on Sunday. Around 450 motorcycles will also be positioned at different places, Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) SS Yadav said According to the police, adequate personnel will be deployed in areas where high footfall is expected. Meanwhile, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Saturday said commuters will not be allowed to exit the Rajiv Chowk metro station after 9 pm on New Years Eve to ease overcrowding. However, entry of passengers into the station will be allowed, it said. Services on the rest of the metro network will continue to remain available as per the regular timetable, DMRC Principal Executive Director Anuj Dayal said in a statement. On Sunday, police put up multiple layers of barricades in Delhis border areas near Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The Delhi Fire Department is geared up to handle any emergency in the city on New Years Eve. Our priority is to maintain a joyful atmosphere while prioritizing the safety of all people, Chief of Delhi Fire Service Atul Garg said. In anticipation of high footfall at popular locations, the fire department has implemented strategic measures to handle any emergency. These locations include Ansal Plaza, Lajpat Nagar, Connaught Place, Palika Bazar, Gandhi Nagar Market, Pacific Mall, Rani Bagh Market, Chhatarpur, Majnu Ka Tila, Hauz Khas village market, Guru Hanuman Marg, Aero City Mukherjee Nagar, Kalka Ji temple, Prachin Hanuman temple and some other area, Garg said. In a breakthrough, AIIMS Bhopal's Dr Anshul Rai, an Additional Professor, along with residents Dr. Anuj Jain and Dr. Amit Singh, distinguished Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and a Prosthodontist respectively, have been granted a patent by the Government of India for their innovative oral physiotherapy device. This patented mouth-opening instrument, tailored for effective post-surgery physiotherapy exercises, addresses challenges faced by patients with reduced mouth opening, such as those with conditions like oral submucous fibrosis and temporomandibular joint ankylosis. The application, initiated in January 2019, received official approval in December 2023. This achievement reflects the dedication and expertise of the inventors, Dr Anshul Rai, currently an Associate Professor at AIIMS Bhopal, and Dr. Anuj Jain and Dr. Amit Singh. The device has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for individuals undergoing post-surgical recovery, offering a tailored solution for those with restricted mouth opening. This user-friendly instrument is expected to be crucial in facilitating effective and comfortable mouth-opening exercises, contributing to the rehabilitation process. The successful patent approval highlights the commitment of these medical professionals to advancing healthcare solutions, marking a significant milestone in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The positive impact of this innovation is anticipated to extend beyond the medical community, benefiting individuals seeking improved oral health and rehabilitation options. Dr. Ajai Singh, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhopal, congratulates the inventors on this remarkable achievement. [ 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! Parts of Punjab are bracing for a frigid start to the New Year, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a red alert for dense fog and cold conditions on January 1. The cold day conditions, coupled with dense fog, are expected to impact several districts, including Amritsar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Pathankot, Patiala, Rupnagar, and Tarn Taran. The IMD categorizes visibility as very dense fog when it ranges from 0 to 50 meters, dense from 51 to 200 meters, moderate from 201 to 500 meters, and shallow from 501 to 1,000 meters. Current forecasts indicate critical visibility levels, with measurements of 50 meters in Patiala and Chandigarh, and 200 meters in Amritsar. This challenging weather pattern is anticipated to persist until January 4. In response to the adverse conditions, the Punjab Education Department has announced adjusted school timings, applicable to all government, government-aided, and private schools. From January 1 to 14, 2024, schools will operate from 10 am to 3 pm. Government schools are set to reopen on January 1, while private schools have varying schedules for reopening. Additionally, the opening time for Anganwadi Centres across the state will also shift to 10 am starting from January 1, 2024, and concluding at 1 pm, lasting until January 14, 2024. Beyond the educational sector, the Patiala District Administration has also modified the operating hours of sewa kendras, extending from 10 am to 4.30 pm from January 2 to 10. Other districts are expected to follow suit. The state's Health Department has also urged the residents to contact 104 in case of emergencies or for health-related information. Furthermore, the Fisheries Department has issued a special advisory for fish farmers, emphasizing the need for precautions during the cold and foggy weather. Recommendations include maintaining water levels at six-seven feet, adjusting fish feed based on temperature, and using oxygen tablets or powder. As Punjab grapples with this winter weather, the state remains resilient, implementing necessary adjustments to daily activities to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents. On the last day of the year dense fog in Gwalior-Chambal division was witnssed while light rain expected for two days in many districts; Severe cold after January 4 claims Met. Due to fog in Raisen, people were seen driving with headlights on. The weather remain changed in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, the last day of the year 2023. Due to the activity of Western Disturbance, there will be dense fog in Gwalior-Chambal division of the state. Light rain may also occur in many districts. There may be light drizzle in Bhopal on January 1. Earlier on Saturday-Sunday, Datia, Nowgongand Khajuraho remained the coldest. The day's minimum temperature here was recorded less than 8 degrees Celsius. According to the Meteorological Center, Bhopal, there may be light rain in Gwalior, Chambal, Ujjain, Bhopal, Sagar and Rewa divisions in the next two days. At the same time, drizzle is expected in Indore, Narmadapuram, Jabalpur, Shahdol also. It may remain cloudy till January 4. After this, severe cold may start. Gwalior-Chambal division is under dense fog for the last one week. There was similar weather on Sunday . Along with Gwalior-Chambal division, there will be moderate to dense fog in Bhopal, Rewa, Satna, Mauganj, Sehore, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh and Niwari districts. Visibility here is expected to be 50 to 500 meters. Among the major cities of Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior was the coldest on Saturday. The maximum temperature recorded here was 18.3 degrees. The mercury was recorded at 27.9 degrees in Bhopal, 28.9 degrees in Indore, 24.8 degrees in Jabalpur and 28.8 degrees Celsius in Ujjain. The mercury in cities of MP(City - Day and Night in degree celsius) Bhopal 27.9 &15.4, Datia12.7 &7.6, Dhar27.2 &15.2, Guna25.0 &10.0, Gwalior18.3 & 10.3. Temperature less than 20 degrees in Khajuraho, Nowgong, Satna. Khajuraho was the coldest in the state on Saturday. The maximum temperature in Nagaon and Satna was less than 20 degrees. The day temperature was recorded below 25 degrees Celsius in Tikamgarh, Sidhi, Rewa, Pachmarhi, Damoh, Malajkhand, Narsinghpur. Whereas in Guna, Raisen, Umaria, Sagar, Chhindwara, Seoni, Betul, Shajapur, Dhar, Mandla, the highest day temperature was recorded below 28 degrees. The temperature in Khandwa and Khargone remained more than 30 degrees Celsius. Grappling with a sexual harassment complaint against former WFI chief and BJP strongman Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a raft of cases related to the alleged excise policy scam involving Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) bigwigs, including Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, the UAPA case against news portal NewsClick and the glaring breach in Parliament security, Delhis district judiciary was a hive of activity in 2023. A special court dealing with the excise policy matters denied bail to former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia in the alleged corruption and money laundering cases lodged by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate, respectively. The court also denied bail to senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh in a money laundering case linked to the alleged scam. A Rouse Avenue court for cases against lawmakers saw the then Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Singh locked in a legal wrangle with a group of women grapplers who accused him of sexual harassment. The court summoned Singh, accused of having committed offences like outraging the modesty of the women wrestlers, making sexually-coloured remarks, stalking and criminal intimidation, and granted him bail after he appeared before the judge, saying no purpose will be served by taking him in custody, at this stage. It said, When undertrial prisoners are detained in jail to an indefinite period, Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty) of Constitution is violated. Another court dealing with cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act heard arguments on a report filed by the Delhi Police seeking closure of a sexual harassment complaint filed by a minor wrestler against Singh. The court has reserved for January 11 its order on whether to accept the police report. In a surprise twist to the scandal, the girls father said amid raging protests by the wrestlers and their sympathisers that she had accused Singh of sexual harassment because of perceived injustice to her. The case against news portal NewsClick before a Delhi court under anti-terror law- the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act- involving its founder Prabir Purkayastha and human resources department head Amit Chakravarty also made the headlines. The presiding judge, at the fag end of the year, received an application by Chakravarty seeking to turn an approver in the case being probed by the Delhi Police. The court also granted police more time to complete its investigation in the case. The Parliament security breach case grabbed the headlines during December, with a Delhi court dealing with the custody proceedings of the six arrested accused. The court also received an application from police seeking polygraph test of all of them. It will be taken up for hearing on January 2. Cases related to the 2020 North East Delhi riots also hogged newspaper headlines. In one such matter, a special Delhi court discharged student activists Sharjeel Imam and Asif Iqbal Tanha in the Jamia Nagar violence case, saying as the Delhi Police was unable to apprehend the actual perpetrators, it booked the accused as scapegoats. The court asked Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora to instruct all investigating officers (IOs) in cases related to the 2020 riots to compulsorily attend the proceedings at the stage of consideration of charges. A Delhi court also summoned former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in a criminal complaint filed by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Sekhawat, who accused him of defamation. Another court acquitted former Haryana Minister Gopal Goyal Kanda in the abetment to suicide case involving former air hostess Geetika Sharma. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, held the belief that politics should be a part-time pursuit for all citizens. This involvement should encompass safeguarding the rights and privileges of others without any financial incentives and contributing to the preservation of the nation's heritage. This concept, if embraced and implemented post-1950s, could have significantly reduced the nation's reliance solely on elections and politicians to govern. When we consider not only the engagement of young individuals but also the participation of every citizen, the landscape could potentially transform. Particularly in a country with the worlds largest youthful demographic, the impact and transformation would be noteworthy. Throughout India's history, eminent figures, freedom fighters, and political leaders, from Swami Vivekananda to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Abdul Kalam, have emphasized the significance of harnessing the power of youth for the nation's growth and progress. However, in the present context, the average age of those in leadership positions has remained consistently above 50 for the past few decades. It is evident that India boasts a youthful population, yet its leadership remains predominantly aged. Consequently, the question arises: What initiatives are being undertaken to augment youth involvement in Indian politics and infuse youthful leadership into the aging Parliament? Importance and current phase of student politics in Indian politics Since independence, student politics at the university level in India has had its own importance. From JNU, DU or AMU to Allahabad, Lucknow and Banaras Hindu University, student politics has not only strongly raised the problems of students but has also included many important names in the country's politics. However, Madan Mohan Malviya is also seen writing in one of his articles that students should not become a part of active politics until there is a major crisis in the nation. The argument behind this is that students should focus all their attention on studies, so that they can become such citizens who can contribute better to the progress of the country as intellectuals, enlightened or thinkers. However, Malviya's visionary ideas were kept aside in student politics, and Loknayak JP's movements gave birth to a whole generation of student leaders like Lalu Yadav, Nitish Kumar, Sharad Yadav, Arun Jaitley or Ravi Shankar Prasad. But which names will you remember in modern politics? Or how many names do you have to remember? Apart from some current student leaders like Kanhaiya Kumar, Hardik Patel or Jignesh Mevani, there are hardly any names who have left their mark at the national level. This situation can be attributed to two primary reasons. Firstly, it stems from the mindset of senior leaders who may be reluctant to see student leaders play an active role in Indian politics. This reluctance is often evident in the indiscriminate legal cases filed against student politicians in recent years, which can be seen as an attempt to discourage their involvement. Secondly, Indian politics has been traditionally viewed as the domain of the educated elite, but this perception has often been tainted by self-interest, a focus on personal financial gains, tendencies toward extortion, and the quest for dominance. Unfortunately, there are only a few living examples that counter this social perspective, which, in turn, serves to dissuade educated youth from entering the field of politics. Necessary steps to improve and increase participation at the national level Swami Vivekananda emphasized the role of youth as the architects of the nation's destiny. Therefore, it becomes the duty of senior and responsible leaders, as well as conscientious citizens, to fortify this vital democratic foundation through the strength of youth. However, the question arises: how can this be achieved when politics is often derogatorily described as a "swamp," "gutter," or "mud"? This perception even extends to events like the National Youth Parliament, which sometimes appear to lack recognition. Given this context, while commending the government's present initiatives, there is a pressing need to explore additional measures. These endeavors might encompass instituting compulsory political education, starting from the school level and extending to the university level. In fact, it should be made obligatory. The introduction of a legally structured and well-organized electoral process, starting from primary and extending through middle and senior school levels to the university stage, is the fundamental step required to witness the emergence of a new generation of young and talented politicians capable of making significant strides in the nation's political landscape. This is a pivotal development because it introduces politics as a viable career option for students, alongside fields like engineering, medicine, and the civil service. It is perhaps the most effective means through which students and youth can be inspired to envision a future in politics, contributing not only to society but also to their personal development. Expecting young adults who have graduated from college to actively engage in politics is often impractical. The prevailing cultural norm has been to seek employment immediately after college, and as youth become occupied with job pursuits and financial concerns, they may perceive politics as a less attractive option. Conversely, if students are introduced to the nuances of politics, both its positive and negative aspects, from a young age, and if they are encouraged to participate in mock elections or student council activities from the 5th to 12th grade, there is a substantial possibility of igniting their interest in politics. By embedding political awareness and participation in the educational journey, we can instill a sense of civic duty and political engagement from an early stage. Hence, to increase the number of young politicians in India and involve them in the political system, it is imperative to make the electoral process mandatory from the school level through college and into university. This approach will not only encourage youth to actively participate in politics but also foster a new generation of leaders who are deeply rooted in the democratic process. Governor Shri Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and his cabinet colleagues have extendhearty congratulations and best wishes to the people of the state on the New Year. We wish that the New Year 2024 brings happiness, peace, harmony, prosperity and success for everyone. Governor Mangubhai Patel has said in his message that the people of the state will have to come forward to make Madhya Pradesh developed and self-reliant. Every citizen will have to be determined to make Madhya Pradesh prosperous. We will have to work with commitment to discharge our duties with devotion and honesty, keeping the national interest supreme. Governor Patel has appealed to the citizens to take a pledge to dedicate every moment of their lives in the New Year for the development of the state and the welfare of the underprivileged. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav has wished for everyone's happiness and prosperity in the new year. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that all the people of the state should participate in the all round development of the state by giving their invaluable support. Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla has greeted all the people of the state on the New Year. Deputy CM Shukla has wished that the New Year may bring prosperity and happiness in everyone's life. The Deputy CM appealed that Madhya Pradesh is full of cultural heritage, natural and energy resources and we all have to together make it strong, self-reliant and the finest. In this journey, it is the government's resolve to provide a healthy, prosperous and progressive life to all the citizens. The Deputy Chief Minister said that under the wonderful guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, the key goal of the government is to provide high-capacity testing and treatment facilities ino the remote areas of the state. The Deputy Chief Minister said that more than 11 thousand 800 Ayushman Bharat Arogya Mandirs are functional in the state, in which more than 2 crore people have received treatment and consultation services so far. Autonomous and government medical colleges have been established in different areas of the state. In a significant move to empower apple growers and boost the states horticulture sector, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday announced that the Himachal Pradesh Government will provide quality horticulture equipment, fertilizers, and pesticides at affordable rates through the Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) starting January 1, 2024. Expressing the Government's dedication to the welfare of apple growers, the Chief Minister highlighted that HPMC has reduced its margin from 15 to nine per cent. This reduction is aimed at making quality agricultural products more economically accessible to the states apple growers, contributing to their overall prosperity, he said. To ensure direct access to essential items at competitive rates, HPMC has entered into 38 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with original manufacturing companies a strategic initiative aimed to cut intermediary costs and enable farmers to procure vital supplies at more affordable prices. Our Government is committed to supporting apple growers, and the decision to reduce margins reflects our dedication to uplifting the horticultural community and enhancing the economic well-being of apple growers in Himachal as our top priority, said Sukhu. Underscoring the Governments commitment to systemic reform, he emphasized that every decision is geared towards public welfare and the holistic development of the state. The Government aimed to increase the income of horticulturists, and the Horticulture Department will revamp existing schemes for greater effectiveness through suitable restructuring. In a forward-looking approach, the Government has allocated funds in its first budget to establish an online system facilitating the procurement of horticulture produce at the minimum support price by HPMC. This online facility will extend to booking Controlled Atmosphere (CA) stores of HPMC, offering farmers a streamlined and tech-enabled process for various transactions. Chief Minister Sukhu also revealed plans for the establishment of grading or packing houses, CA, and cold stores in collaboration with Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) across strategically selected locations in the State, including Bhavanagar in Kinnaur, Sandasu near Chirgaon, Anu in Jubbal, Chopal in Shimla, Jabli in Solan district, Sundernagar in Mandi, Duttnagar near Rampur Bushehar, and Kharapathar in Shimla. Reflecting on the successful sale of apples at a per-kilogram rate in the current year, Chief Minister Sukhu assured that the upcoming season would witness a streamlined process with apples packed in universal cartons, meeting a long-pending demand of apple growers and ensuring increased profits. Delhi Polices Special Cell has arrested a wanted criminal, also the kingpin of Mewat-based ATM breaking gang when he was on his way to Guwahati to commit the crime. According to police, the accused has been identified as Mohd. Jahid (31), a resident of Nuh (Mewat), Haryana. He was also found involved in 15 previous cases registered in the national capital and other states. The official said that Jahid was also a proclaimed offender in two cases. According to police, specific information was received about the arrival of a key member of the gang named Mohd. Jahid at Palam between 5 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. on December 25. A trap was laid around the red light at Palam Airport and Jahid was nabbed from the spot, said the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Alok Kumar. On interrogation, it also came to light that he and his associates have recently stolen Rs 7.5 lakh from an ATM booth in the Welcome area of Delhi, and a case has already been lodged there. Members of the gang used to identify unguarded ATM booths in less-lit and isolated areas. Thereafter, they conducted a thorough reconnaissance of the area around ATM booths. They would sprinkle black paint on the CCTV cameras after entering the ATM booths and would also wear face masks and monkey caps to conceal their identities, said the DCP. They would cut the machine with the help of gas cutters and take out the cash trays. Members of the gang would use robbed/stolen cars like Creta, Scorpio, etc. with fake number plates to commit crimes, said the DCP. The DCP said that Jahid is a habitual offender and was previously involved in nearly 15 criminal cases including 14 ATM breaking in Delhi, MP, Haryana, and Assam. The remaining members of the gang have also been identified, and efforts are being made to nab them, the DCP added. On the last day of the year, Bharatiya Janata Party national president JP Nadda and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath participated in welfare activities on Sunday. In the Barabirwa area of Lucknow, they visited an ashram for leprosy patients to enquire about their well-being. Additionally, Nadda and Yogi offered prayers at the temple and distributed blankets to leprosy patients and other needy individuals. They also interacted with local children, enquiring about their studies, and distributed chocolates and toys to them. During the conversation, Chief Minister Yogi also gathered information about whether leprosy patients were benefiting from government schemes. Leprosy patients also sang devotional songs on this occasion, praising the glory of Lord Shri Ram. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, BJP state president Chaudhary Bhupendra Singh, UP Finance Minister Suresh Khanna, UP Legislative Council members Mohsin Raja, Mahendra Singh, and others were present at the event. Shimla, the enchanting winter haven, known for its vibrant New Years Eve celebrations, took an unexpected turn as it witnessed just over 60 per cent occupancy marking its lowest turnout in four decades. In a curious twist, the usually snow-laden Shimla faced a scarcity of tourists despite the promise of a white New Year and the Chief Minister's plea for a warm reception to revelers. Last year's bustling New Year, with over 80 per cent occupancy, stands in stark contrast to the subdued atmosphere this time around. The anticipation of weekend snowfall and the Chief Minister's unusual directive for leniency with inebriated celebrants failed to work their magic, leaving hotels and businesses in a state of surprise. The Mall Road and The Ridge, usually buzzing with activity during the winter carnival, were adorned with lights and cultural festivities. However, the expected surge in hotel room occupancy did not materialize. Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders Association president MK Seth, expressing concern, said that the current 60 per cent occupancy marked a historic low for the city. Intriguingly, even during the tumultuous period of the COVID-19 pandemic, New Year's tourist numbers surpassed the current figures. Seth shared an incident where police diverted vehicles without prior bookings at Shoghi, perhaps unaware that many New Year tourists are spontaneous travelers. The matter was eventually resolved after discussions with the Superintendent of Police, highlighting the challenges faced by the tourism ecosystem. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhus directive for a welcoming approach during winter festivities set a unique tone for the celebrations. His decision to keep food joints and pan shops open 24x7 and the unconventional stance of not arresting drunk tourists but assisting them in returning safely to their hotels added an interesting layer to the usual New Year's protocols. However, the idyllic narrative faced some harsh realities. Unregistered tourism units, touts vying for tourists, and negative social media publicity regarding traffic jams were cited as contributors to the unexpected drop in tourist numbers. Despite the government's claim of welcoming lakhs of tourists to Himachal Pradesh for the New Year, local hoteliers were perplexed by the significant drop in tourist inflow, even under seemingly favorable conditions. The Shimla-Chandigarh road witnessed around 9,770 tourist vehicles from other states passing the Shoghi barrier, indicating an influx despite the overall lower occupancy. The curious dynamics suggest that while tourists may be arriving, they are not translating into the usual bustling atmosphere that defines Shimla's winter charm. As the Meteorological office's prediction of snowfall turned out to be a mere tease, the hospitality industry now waits with bated breath, hoping for a revival in tourist numbers in the coming days. In the enigmatic tale of Shimla's New Year, the city's charm and allure remain, awaiting a resurgence to its usual winter glory amidst the challenging odds. New Year: A Winter Wonderland Turned Low-Key Affair White New Year predictions, CMs plea for warm reception to tourists fail to do magic PNS/Shimla Shimla, the enchanting winter haven, known for its vibrant New Years Eve celebrations, took an unexpected turn as it witnessed just over 60 per cent occupancy marking its lowest turnout in four decades. In a curious twist, the usually snow-laden Shimla faced a scarcity of tourists despite the promise of a white New Year and the Chief Minister's plea for a warm reception to revelers. Last year's bustling New Year, with over 80 per cent occupancy, stands in stark contrast to the subdued atmosphere this time around. The anticipation of weekend snowfall and the Chief Minister's unusual directive for leniency with inebriated celebrants failed to work their magic, leaving hotels and businesses in a state of surprise. The Mall Road and The Ridge, usually buzzing with activity during the winter carnival, were adorned with lights and cultural festivities. However, the expected surge in hotel room occupancy did not materialize. Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders Association president MK Seth, expressing concern, said that the current 60 per cent occupancy marked a historic low for the city. Intriguingly, even during the tumultuous period of the COVID-19 pandemic, New Year's tourist numbers surpassed the current figures. Seth shared an incident where police diverted vehicles without prior bookings at Shoghi, perhaps unaware that many New Year tourists are spontaneous travelers. The matter was eventually resolved after discussions with the Superintendent of Police, highlighting the challenges faced by the tourism ecosystem. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhus directive for a welcoming approach during winter festivities set a unique tone for the celebrations. His decision to keep food joints and pan shops open 24x7 and the unconventional stance of not arresting drunk tourists but assisting them in returning safely to their hotels added an interesting layer to the usual New Year's protocols. However, the idyllic narrative faced some harsh realities. Unregistered tourism units, touts vying for tourists, and negative social media publicity regarding traffic jams were cited as contributors to the unexpected drop in tourist numbers. Despite the government's claim of welcoming lakhs of tourists to Himachal Pradesh for the New Year, local hoteliers were perplexed by the significant drop in tourist inflow, even under seemingly favorable conditions. The Shimla-Chandigarh road witnessed around 9,770 tourist vehicles from other states passing the Shoghi barrier, indicating an influx despite the overall lower occupancy. The curious dynamics suggest that while tourists may be arriving, they are not translating into the usual bustling atmosphere that defines Shimla's winter charm. As the Meteorological office's prediction of snowfall turned out to be a mere tease, the hospitality industry now waits with bated breath, hoping for a revival in tourist numbers in the coming days. In the enigmatic tale of Shimla's New Year, the city's charm and allure remain, awaiting a resurgence to its usual winter glory amidst the challenging odds. Aamir Ali alias Barf, the mastermind who opened fire on tent businessman Nawaz Riaz , has been arrested. The police presented him in the court. From where he has been sent on remand till January 2. He was absconding after the incident on December 3. He was arrested after 29 days on Sunday. SI (Sub Inspector) Manoj Rawat said that 3 teams were searching for Aamir Barf. He was constantly changing his locations. After Jhansi, Chhatarpur, the accused has talked about planning escape in Mumbai. He had reached his house in Budhwara to meet his family. As soon as the information was received from the informer, he was surrounded and arrested on Sunday afternoon. He has been produced in the court and taken on remand till January 2, 2024. If police sources are to be believed, Aamir has made shocking revelations during interrogation. He told that he has a dispute with Nawaz and his brothers regarding the shop. Due to this dispute, Nawaz and his brothers had given contract to murder by paying Rs 5 lakh to the criminal Pappu alias Chatka, living in Roshanpura Gwal Mohalla. Sources claim that he has also handed over the alleged CCTV footage to the police to prove his point. The footage is being claimed to be from CCTV cameras installed in Sharif Manzil, a building built in Budhwara Square. However, the police believe that Aamir is making such claims to protect himself. A CCTV footage has gone viral on social media. The date of October 31, 2023 and time of 3:10 am is visible in the footage. It is being claimed that the young man smoking cigarette standing in the crowd of boys is Aamir. Meanwhile, a white Tata Arya car comes and stops. The young man who emerged from it was described as miscreant Pappu Chatka. Then, after a few minutes, a moped stops, on which the tent businessman and his partner are riding. Everyone talks to Aamir together and returns. Exactly 33 days later, on December 3, there was a fatal attack on tent businessman Nawaz. Before meeting Pappu Chatka, Aamir had entered the Taj tent house and misbehaved with Nawaz. This incident was also captured in CCTV camera. Later, on the basis of the footage, the police registered a case of insolence and intimidation against Aamir. Only after this, on the request of Nawaz, Pappu came to meet Aamir. Here Aamir was misbehaved, in revenge for this Aamir gave Nawaz contract to attack victim. [ renqiulan ] 2024-01-01 16:58:17 . To Americans, all tornadoes are curses. Except one. Let me call it the Twister of 1814. 1814 was the year of a war that gave birth to "The Star-Spangled Banner," our national anthem. "Through the perilous fight..." On August 24th, 1814, British troops overran the U.S. Capital. In a celebratory mood, they made "fireworks" out of a city-wide blaze, highlighted by the burning of the White House. The British "fireworks" went on unabated the next day, August 25th. Then came a freakish rainy tornado which put out the fire and let the American defenders snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Happy New Year to the USA! Author: renqiulan A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a request to the people to not attend the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on 22 January, Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson and Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj has questioned Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over inviting the upcoming event. Bhardwaj said the Ram Temple belongs to the whole country and who is the BJP to decide who to invite and who to leave out? He said the people will go whenever they want to. Reacting over Bhardwajs statement, Delhi BJP leaders said it is sad to see Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bhardwaj creating controversy over invites for Shri Ram Mandir consecration ceremony at Ayodhya on 22nd January. Delhi BJP Spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said that thye AAP MLA and his party Aam Aadmi Party like most other opposition parties on record opposed to Shri Ram Mandirs construction till 4 years back and it is surprising to see that leaders of these parties are today creating controversy over invites for consecration ceremony. The Delhi BJP Spokesperson said that Saurabh Bhardwaj statement smacks of political frustration and we wish to remind Bhardwaj that it is not BJP but Shri Ram Janam Bhumi Kshetra Trust which is inviting eminent personalities including political leaders. Kapoor said that Bhardwaj should know this as Shri Ram Janam Bhumi Kshetra Trust office is located in his own assembly constituency Greater Kailash but unfortunately Bhardwaj & his Party who have made no positive contribution for Shri Ram Mandir construction are now trying to project themselves as Ram Bhakts. Jharkhand BJP's one-day meeting of State Officer, Core Committee, District President and District Incharge, Morcha Presidents was held in Chaibasa District Office. State President and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, State Incharge Dr. Laxmikant Vajpayee, State Organization General Secretary Karmaveer Singh, Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri, Union Minister Arjun Munda, Mrs. Annapurna Devi addressed. National Minister Mrs. Asha Lakra, National President of Scheduled Tribe Morcha, MP Sameer Oraon were also present on the stage. State Vice President Neelkanth Singh Munda, JP Patel, OP Sharma, Sunil Singh, Pranav Verma, Aparna Sen Gupta, Gangotri Kujur welcomed the present officials with attire and flower bunch. The party's outgoing state president MP Deepak Prakash, Dr. Ravindra Kumar Rai, Dr. Dineshanand Goswami, state general secretary Balmukund Sahay along with state officials, district presidents and district in-charges attended the meeting. The meeting was conducted by State General Secretary and Headquarters in-charge Dr. Pradeep Verma and the vote of thanks was given by MP Aditya Sahu. Addressing the meeting, BJP state in-charge Dr. Laxmikant Vajpayee said that public confidence in the charismatic leadership of the successful Prime Minister Narendra Modi has increased. Under the leadership of Modi ji, every section of the country is connected to the mainstream of development. There are three to four beneficiaries in each family. He said that the workers should only reach the doors of the public and the public is ready to welcome them. He said that the Modi government has made honest efforts to resolve all the social, political and emotional issues of the country. He said that due to the charismatic leadership and the strength of the workers at the booth, the Modi government will be formed for the third time with more than 400 seats. He called upon voluntary organizations and social organizations to come forward in the national interest. State President and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi said that the party workers also dedicated the last day of 2023 to the organization. During elections in five states, Dussehra and Diwali festivals were also celebrated outside the home. It yielded positive results. He said that service, organization and agitational programs took place in 2023. The Sankalp Yatra at the Assembly level was historically successful even in the rainy season. He said that we have to make the year 2024 the year of victory. Modi government has to be formed for the third time at the Center by filling the 14 Lok Sabha seats of the state. He said that the all-touching, all-pervasive BJP has to be taken to the booths. Today the schemes of Modi government have reached every home. BJP has reached every house.He called for taking the Vikas Bharat Sankalp Yatra to the masses. Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri said that Hemant government has got a big label of corruption. This government is deeply immersed in corruption. Expressing concern over the biggest cash scandal, the Prime Minister has assured the public of bringing back every penny. He said that Hemant government has once again cheated the Dalits and tribals. In young Jharkhand, people are being made old 10 years ago. He said that the old age pension scheme will also face the same fate as the unemployment allowance. He said that today the youth of the state, women, farmers, laborers, all are angry. He said that the people are determined to form a Modi government at the Center and a strong BJP led government in the state in 2024. BJP State Organization General Secretary, while discussing the upcoming programs in detail in the meeting, said that from January 1 to January 15, the workers should go door to door with the intact invitation for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the consecration of Ram Lalla on February 22. Narendra Modi government has given this pride day to the people of India. Said that we have to bring those who brought Ramlala from the tent to the grand temple for the third time. He discussed in detail the conferences, meetings and contact campaigns to be organized by all the fronts of the party. Shri Singh called for making the Tiranga Yatra program on 26th January a success. Addressing the meeting, Union Minister Arjun Munda said that on one hand the state government puts the central government in the dock. Crying for non-cooperation. That's the truth. That Hemant government is not giving account of the expenditure of money of central schemes. Money is lying in the treasury and is not being spent. He said that the Prime Minister has emphasized on good governance. The government which is spending in a transparent manner has no shortage of money. He said that Hemant government is not able to implement even the schemes related to tribals, farmers and agriculture. He said that this year Jharkhand government could not get central financial assistance in the agriculture sector because this government has not given the accounts of the last year itself. Hemant government spends money from one item on another item which is a financial irregularity. He said that under the leadership of Modi ji, today Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas is coming on the ground rapidly. In the eyes of PM Modi there are only four castes...youth, women, farmers and poor said, Union Minister Annapurna Devi. A Washburn-area farmer has pleaded guilty to defrauding the federal crop insurance program. Kent Pfaff, 59, allegedly provided false information to crop insurance companies and to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to receive increased payments in a fraud scheme known as shifting production. He was indicted by a grand jury in March 2022. Pfaff originally pleaded not guilty and remained free on a personal recognizance bond, awaiting trial. He changed his plea to guilty on Dec. 20. In return, federal prosecutors are recommending Pfaff be sentenced to three years of supervised release and make nearly $380,000 in restitution to the Agriculture Department's Risk Management Agency. He would also be barred from participating in any federal farm program, including crop insurance, for five years. The disbarment would apply to any entity Pfaff owns, is a partner in, manages, or derives any beneficial interest from, according to the plea agreement. U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland isn't bound by the terms of the plea deal, though he indicated in accepting Pfaff's guilty plea that he would follow the recommendations, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan O'Konek. Hovland ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set sentencing for March 26. The maximum sentence Pfaff could receive is 30 years in prison, fines up to $1 million and five years of supervised release. HYDERABAD: As part of a plan to decentralise industry and decongest Hyderabad, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced on Monday plans to develop 10 pharma villages surrounding the city, on the outskirts, abetting national and state highways and having rail and airport connectivity. He said this would ensure equitable development of the city on all sides, as against the previous government's decision to set up Hyderabad Pharma City at a single location, on 20,000 acres in Yacharam of Rangareddy district. In an informal chat with mediapersons at his chambers in the Secretariat on Monday, on the occasion of New Year, the Chief Minister said that the Congress government did not scrap Hyderabad Pharma City or Airport Metro Rail projects launched by the previous government, but only remodelled them to avoid becoming white elephants like the Kaleshwaram project and ensure that they serve the needs of people effectively and help in the growth of state economy. He said the Hyderabad Pharma City and Airport Metro Rail projects devised by the previous government were financially unviable and would, eventually, have become a liability for the government, like Kaleshwaram. The BRS government had proposed a Metro Rail extension from Raidurg to Shamshabad airport (31 km) and BHEL to Lakdikapul (26 km). These two routes were devised not in the interest of the public, but for their vested interests, like enhancing land value. Most of the land parcels abetting these Metro routes were owned by BRS leaders and their close aides. For this reason, I have proposed to extend the Metro Rail from LB Nagar to Shamshabad airport via Owaisi Hospital (Santosh Nagar) and Gowliguda bus station to Falaknuma and further to Shamshabad airport. This will be more useful to people and will also decongest road traffic, Revanth said. The Chief Minister also proposed to extend the Metro Rail from Miyapur to BHEL, BHEL to Patancheru and Raidurg to Financial District, saying that the modified Metro routes would facilitate optimum utilisation of financial resources, covering longer distances with lower expenditure. With the same investment that was proposed by the previous government, we can modify Metro routes, make it more useful for people and make the project financially viable, Revanth Reddy said. About pharma villages, he said he plans to set up each pharma village on about 500 to 1,000 acres, which will be like a township, having schools, colleges, hospitals and food courts, among other facilities. Each pharma village would have about 10 pharma companies, he said. Revanth Reddy also talked about his medium and long-term plans of setting up similar hubs for health, automobile and education sectors on the city outskirts to bring in world-class facilities to the city. Vijayawada: Marking New Year, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is embarking on the Mission 2024 Mega elections by finalizing the full list of incharges for assembly constituencies under his Why Not 175 endeavour. The chief minister is likely to announce a second list of incharges in a day or two. According to available information, the YSRCP would change about 50 sitting MLAs. Jagan Reddy treats the 2024 elections prestigious. He is analysing pros and cons of every legislator, conducting consultations and finalizing the incharges. He aims to zero in on the winning horses. The chief minister had indicated to his party MLAs that they would not be given the tickets if they failed to improve their performances in the past year and a half though mass outreach programmes. He thrice listed out the names of poor performers and asked them to improve their ratings. Hardly ten weeks time is left for the general elections. Jagan Reddy started efforts to select the winning horses on the basis of the surveys done by IPAC, the state police intelligence and two other entities. Within a week of the Telangana assembly election results that ousted KCR from power, Jagan Reddy reviewed the AP scenario and changed YSRC candidates in 11 assembly constituencies. He dropped a few MLAs. In Mangalagiri constituency, he denied party ticket to sitting MLA Alla Ramakrishna Reddy and replaced him with a BC candidate Ganji Chiranjeevi. Reddy resigned from the assembly membership as well as from the party but Jagan Reddy was unruffled. Interestingly, YSRC legislators are making rounds of the CMO and meeting senior leaders to get clarification about their chances for 2024. In this context, YSRC MLAs are reportedly frightened over receiving phone calls from the CMO. Jagan Reddy is asking some legislators to come to CMO to discuss changes in the constituency in one-to-one meetings. They are worried that they would either be losing their seat or a change of candidature for an MP seat if a phone call comes from CMO. Party sources said the second list may be announced either on January 2, 3 or later. Likely, the YSRCP would change about 50 sitting MLAs. The party had first said it would change 25 to 30 MLAs but more changes are contemplated. According to YSRC sources, CM Jagan is planning to make major changes in erstwhile combined East Godavari and West Godavari districts, which account for 35 assembly constituencies. This follows reports that the TD-Jana Sena combine have regained a lot of ground in the last few months there. The CM is primarily planning to change nine candidates in erstwhile combined Godavari districts, six in Krishna district, seven in Anantapur, four each in Visakhapatnam and Prakasam districts, three in Kurnool district and two in Srikakulam district. The sources said that changes are inevitable in Vijayawada central, Vijayawada West, Penamaluru, Pedana, Rajolu, Udayagiri, Gangadhara Nellore, Badvelu, P. Gannavaram, Kodumuru, Jaggayyapet, Pendurthi, Markapuram, Aaluru, Rayadurgam, Etcherla, Kanigiri and others. Anantapur MP Talari Rangaiah is likely to be fielded for the assembly polls in Kalyanadurgam. MP Margani Bharat will contest from Rajahmundry assembly constituency and Kakinada MP Vanga Geetha from Pithapuram. Several other MPs will be selected for assembly contests in the 2024 elections. YSRC general secretary Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy said the reshuffle of party in-charges in some assembly constituencies was purely an internal exercise, based on surveys intended to achieve better results in the 2024 elections. Beirut: The US military said Sunday that its forces opened fire on Houthi rebels after they attacked a cargo ship in the Red Sea, killing several of them in an escalation of the maritime conflict linked to the war in Gaza. "We're going to act in self-defence going forward," a White House official said. In a series of statements, the US Central Command said the crew of the USS Gravely destroyer first shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired at the Singapore-flagged Maersk Hangzhou late Saturday, after the vessel reported getting hit by a missile earlier that evening as it sailed through the Southern Red Sea. Four small boats then attacked the same cargo ship with small arms fire early Sunday and rebels tried to board the vessel, the US Navy said. Next, the USS Gravely and helicopters from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier responded to the Maersk Hangzhou's distress call and issued verbal warnings to the attackers, who responded by firing on the helicopters. "The US Navy helicopters returned fire in self-defence," sinking three of the four boats and killing the people on board while the fourth boat fled the area, the US Central Command said. No harm to US personnel or equipment, or casualties from the cargo ship, were reported. The Houthis acknowledged that 10 of their fighters were killed in the confrontation and warned of consequences. In Washington, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council sidestepped a question about the possibility of a preemptive strike against the Houthis to safeguard commercial shipping in the vital waterway. "I won't say what's on or off the table right now," John Kirby told ABC's 'Good Morning America,' adding, "We're going to do what we have to do to protect shipping." He said the United States has "significant national security interests in the region" and "we're going to put the kind of forces we need in the region to protect those interests and we're going to act in self-defence going forward." He said the US has made it clear to the Houthis that "we take these threats seriously and we're going to make the right decisions going forward". The events surrounding the Maersk Hangzhou represented the 23rd illegal attack by the Houthis on international shipping since November 19, the Central Command said. It was the first time the US Navy said its personnel had killed Houthi fighters since the Red Sea attacks started. For over a month, Iran-backed Houthis have claimed attacks on ships in the Red Sea that they say are either linked to Israel or heading to Israeli ports. They say their attacks aim to end the Israeli air-and-ground offensive in the Gaza Strip that was triggered by the Palestinian militant group Hamas' October 7 attack in southern Israel. However, the links to the ships targeted in the rebel assaults have grown more tenuous as the attacks continue. The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee called on President Joe Biden "to look at what actions need to be taken in Yemen to be able to prevent the Houthis to continue to put commercial and military vessels at risk." Noting Iran's support for Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, told ABC's 'This Week' that the Biden administration should be more aggressive "in responding to escalation by Iran". The Denmark-based shipping giant Maersk, owner of Maersk Hangzhou, said Sunday it would suspend shipping through the Red Sea again after the two attacks on its freighter. "In light of the (most recent) incident" and to give time to investigate the details of the incident and assess the security situation further" it has been decided that all transits through the area will be postponed for the next 48 hours," Maersk was quoted as saying by the Danish public broadcaster DR. On Saturday, the top commander of US naval forces in the Middle East said Houthi rebels have shown no signs of ending their 'reckless' attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea even as more nations join the international maritime mission to protect vessels in the vital waterway and trade traffic begins to pick up. Earlier this month, Washington announced the establishment of a new international coalition to protect vessels travelling through the waterway. The United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain are also part of the new maritime security mission. Since the Pentagon announced Operation Prosperity Guardian to counter the attacks just over 10 days ago, 1,200 merchant ships have travelled through the Red Sea region, and none had been hit by drone or missile strikes, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper told The Associated Press in an interview on Saturday. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip: Israeli strikes in central Gaza killed at least 35 people Sunday, hospital officials said, as fighting raged across the tiny enclave a day after Israels prime minister said the war will continue for many more months, resisting international calls for a cease-fire. The military said Israeli forces were operating in Gazas second-largest city, Khan Younis, and residents reported strikes in the central region, the latest focus of the nearly three-month air-and-ground war that has raised fears of a regional conflagration. The U.S. military said its forces shot and killed several Iran-backed Houthi rebels when they tried to attack a cargo ship in the Red Sea, an escalation in a maritime conflict linked to the war. And an Israeli Cabinet minister suggested encouraging Gaza's population to emigrate, remarks that could worsen tensions with Egypt and other friendly Arab states. Israel says it wants to destroy Hamas governing and military capabilities in Gaza, from where it launched its Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. The militants killed some 1,200 people after breaking through Israel's extensive border defenses, shattering its sense of security. They also captured around 240 hostages, nearly half of whom were released during a temporary cease-fire agreement in November. Just after midnight on New Year's Day, Hamas militants fired a barrage of rockets, setting off air raid sirens in southern and central Israel. No injuries were reported. Displaced Palestinians found little to celebrate on New Year's Eve in Muwasi, a makeshift camp in a mostly undeveloped area of southern Gaza's Mediterranean coast designated by Israel as a safe zone. From the intensity of the pain we live, we do not feel that there is a new year, said Kamal al-Zeinaty, huddled with his family around a fire inside a tent. All the days are the same. Another relative, Zeyad al-Zeinaty, who fled with the family from the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza, said his wife, brother and grandchildren are among many relatives he has lost in the war. Israel's unprecedented air and ground offensive has killed more than 21,800 Palestinians and wounded more than 56,000 others, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza, which does not distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths. The war has sparked a humanitarian crisis, with a quarter of Gaza residents facing starvation, according to the United Nations. Israels bombardments have leveled vast swaths of the territory, displacing some 85% of Gazas 2.3 million residents. THE OFFENSIVE GRINDS ON Israel expanded its offensive to central Gaza this week, targeting a belt of densely built-up communities that house refugees from the 1948 war surrounding Israels creation and their descendants. In Zweida, an Israeli airstrike killed at least 13 people and wounded dozens of others, according to witnesses. The bodies were draped in white plastic and laid out in front of a hospital, where prayers were held before burial. They were innocent people, said Hussein Siam, whose relatives were among the dead. Israeli warplanes bombarded the whole family. Officials from Al-Aqsa Hospital in central Deir al-Balah said the 13 were among 35 bodies received on Sunday. The Israeli military said it was battling militants in Khan Younis, where Israel believes Hamas leaders are hiding. It also said its forces operating in the Shati refugee camp, in northern Gaza, found a bomb in a kindergarten and defused it. Hamas continued to launch rockets toward southern Israel. Israel has faced stiff resistance from Hamas since it began its ground offensive in late October, and the military says 172 soldiers have been killed during that time. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesman, said Sunday that Israel was withdrawing some forces from Gaza as part of its smart management of the war. He did not say how many, and held out the possibility they would return at a later point in the war. Israeli media said up to five brigades, numbering thousands of soldiers, would be withdrawn, but it was not immediately clear if it represented a normal troop rotation or a new phase in the fighting. Hagari also said some reservists would return to civilian life to bolster Israels wartime economy. The fighting has pushed much of Gaza's population south, where people have flooded shelters and tent camps near the border with Egypt. Hundreds of thousands have sought shelter in the central town of Deir al-Balah. Israel has continued to carry out strikes in both areas. Eman al-Masri, who gave birth to quadruplets a week ago at a hospital in Deir al-Balah, is now sheltering with them in a room with 50 other people at a school-turned-shelter. There is a shortage of diapers, they are not available, and no milk, she said. ISRAELI MINISTER URGES MASS MIGRATION FROM GAZA The scale of the destruction and the exodus to the south has raised fears among Palestinians and Arab countries that Israel plans to drive Gaza's population out and prevent it from returning. On Sunday, Israel's far-right finance minister said it should encourage migration from Gaza and re-establish Jewish settlements in the territory, where it withdrew settlers and soldiers in 2005. If in Gaza there were only 100,000 or 200,000 Arabs and not 2 million, the entire discussion about the day after would be completely different," Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told Army Radio. Smotrich has been largely sidelined by a war Cabinet that does not include him. But his comments risked worsening tensions with neighboring Egypt, which is deeply concerned about a possible mass influx of Palestinian refugees, along with other friendly Arab countries. Later Sunday, an official in the prime ministers office said Israel does not want to resettle Palestinians. Contrary to false allegations, Israel does not seek to displace the population in Gaza," the official said in a statement to The Associated Press. "Subject to security checks, Israels policy is to enable those individuals who wish to leave to do so. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter with the media. Israel is also at odds with the United States, which has provided crucial military aid for the offensive, over Gaza's future. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel must maintain open-ended security control over the Gaza Strip. At a news conference Saturday, he said the war would continue for many more months" and that Israel would assume control of the Gaza side of the border with Egypt. Israel says Hamas has smuggled weapons from Egypt, but Egypt is likely to oppose any Israeli military presence there. Netanyahu has also said he won't allow the internationally-backed Palestinian Authority, which administers some parts of the occupied West Bank, to expand its limited rule to Gaza, where Hamas drove its forces out in 2007. The U.S. wants a unified Palestinian government to run both Gaza and parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank as a precursor to eventual statehood. The last Israeli-Palestinian peace talks broke down over a decade ago, and Israeli governments since have been staunchly opposed to Palestinian statehood. Visa Inc. is a US-based multinational financial services company formed from a consortium of US banks. It is the 2nd largest payment processor globally and the leading payment processor outside China. Its market share in 2021 was roughly 50% of global transaction volume x-China. Transactions are processed in 1 of 4 hardened data centers in key regions worldwide. The data centers are hardened against internal and external attacks, both physical and digital, and can operate independently of each, providing ample redundancy for the system. As of 2022, the company can process more than 30,000 transactions per second, making it the most viable solution for most use-case scenarios. Visa Inc. was founded in 1958 by Bank of America as the BankAmericard Credit Card network. Not only is the card itself of historical importance, but how it was launched is also. Bank of America launched the program with the first mass mailing of unsolicited credit cards, changing the nature of the entire consumer credit market. At the time, consumers often had several credit accounts with local merchants, which was cumbersome for financial record-keeping; by introducing a consumer-friendly credit card, Bank of America unified merchant credit accounts into one billing statement. The BankAmericard network was so popular, and to compete again with the then-number 1 MasterCard, Bank of America opened use to other financial institutions. By 1970 Bank of America had relinquished direct control of the institution allowing a consortium of financial institutions to operate the company. It was rebranded as Visa in 1976 and grew to become the dominant payment processing network in the decades since. Visa Inc is not a card issuer; it does not extend credit to consumers and does not set rates or fees for consumers. It is in business to provide electronic funds transfers services or EFT to financial institutions, banks, government and businesses. Entities needing financial payment processing infrastructure can enroll in VisaNet and issue Visa-branded cards and services to their clients and customers. Visa operated as four separate entities serving different regions of the globe until restructuring in 2006. The restructuring resulted in the merger of 3 of the four assets into Visa Inc, leaving Visa Europe as a stand-alone entity. The new Visa Inc held its IPO in 2007, selling half of its shares, raising nearly $18 billion or almost double the targeted amount. Visa Europe was later acquired by Visa Inc, forming the unified company traded today. Visa employs more than 26,500 individuals globally and brought in roughly $15 billion in revenue for fiscal 2021. The company has more than 3.9 billion active cards out globally; it has processed more than 255 billion transactions and is used by more than 80 million merchant locations. As a forward-thinking company, Visa is also engaged to some degree with the cryptocurrency markets and has partnerships with Coinbase and Crypto.com, among others. The following companies are subsidiares of LyondellBasell Industries: A. Schulman, A. Schulman 's-Gravendeel B.V., A. Schulman AG, A. Schulman Asia Limited, A. Schulman Belgium BVBA, A. Schulman Canada Ltd., A. Schulman Castellon S.L., A. Schulman Europe GmbH & Co. KG, A. Schulman Europe International B.V., A. Schulman Europe Verwaltungs GmbH, A. Schulman Gainsborough Ltd, A. Schulman GmbH, A. Schulman GmbH (Austrian Branch), A. Schulman Holding Company France S.A.S., A. Schulman Holdings (France) S.A.S., A. Schulman Holdings S.a.r.l., A. Schulman Inc., A. Schulman Inc. Limited, A. Schulman International Inc., A. Schulman International Services BVBA, A. Schulman Ireland Limited, A. Schulman Magyarorszag Kereskedelmi Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, A. Schulman Nordic AB, A. Schulman Plastics (Branch), A. Schulman Plastics (Dongguan) Ltd., A. Schulman Plastics (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., A. Schulman Plastics (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., A. Schulman Plastics BVBA, A. Schulman Plastics India Private Limited, A. Schulman Plastics PTY. LTD., A. Schulman Plastics S.r.l., A. Schulman Plastics SAS, A. Schulman Plastics bvba Bornem Sucursala Cluj-Napoca, A. Schulman Plastics organizacni slozka, A. Schulman Plastk Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, A. Schulman Plasticos do Brasil Ltda., A. Schulman Polska Sp. z o.o., A. Schulman Real Estate GmbH & Co. KG, A. Schulman S.A.S., A. Schulman S.a.r.l., A. Schulman Thermoplastic Compounds Limited, A. Schulman Thermoplastic Compounds Sdn Bhd, A. Schulman de Mexico S.A. de C.V., A. Schulman del Peru S.A.C., A.Schulman Poznan Sp. Z o.o., ARCO Chemical, AS Global Holdings Inc., AS Mex Hold S.A. de C.V., AS Worldwide LLC, AS Worldwide LLC & Cie S.C.S., ASI Akron Land Co., ASI Employment S.A. de C.V., ASI Investments Holding Co., Al Waha Petrochemical Company, BKV Beteiligungs- und Kunststoffverwertungs-gesellschaft mbH, BMC Deutschland GmbH, BMC Dongguan Limited, BMC Far East Limited, BMC TetraDURTurkey Plastik Hammadde Kompozit Uretim Sanayi ve Ticaret Limted Sirketi, Basell (Thailand) Holdings B.V., Basell Advanced Polyolefins (Dalian) Co. Ltd., Basell Advanced Polyolefins (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Basell Advanced Polyolefins (Thailand) Company Ltd., Basell Arabie Investissements SAS, Basell Asia Pacific Limited, Basell Bayreuth Chemie GmbH, Basell Benelux B.V., Basell Chemie Koln GmbH, Basell Europe Holdings B.V., Basell Germany Holdings GmbH, Basell Holdings Middle East GmbH, Basell Iberica Poliolefinas Holdings S.L., Basell International Holdings B.V., Basell International Trading FZE, Basell Italia S.r.l, Basell Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Basell Moyen Orient Investissements SAS, Basell North America Inc., Basell Orlen Polyolefins Sp. Z.o.o., Basell Orlen Polyolefins Sprzedaz Sp. Z.o.o., Basell Poliolefinas Comercial Espagnola S.L., Basell Poliolefinas Iberica S.L., Basell Poliolefinas Ltda., Basell Poliolefinas S. de R.L. de C.V., Basell Poliolefine Italia S.r.l., Basell Polyolefin Istanbul Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Basell Polyolefine GmbH, Basell Polyolefines France S.A.S., Basell Polyolefins Company BVBA, Basell Polyolefins India Private Limited, Basell Polyolefins Korea Ltd., Basell Polyolefins UK Limited, Basell Sales & Marketing Company B.V., Basell Service Company B.V., Basell Slovakia s.r.o., Basell Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Basell UK Holdings Limited, Basell UK Ltd., Brindisi Servizi Generali S.c.a.r.l., Bulk Molding Compounds Inc., Bulk Molding Compounds Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Bulk Molding Compounds do Brasil Industria de Plasticos Reforcados Ltda., Citadel Brazil Holdings LLC, Citadel Intermediate Holdings LLC, Citadel Plastics Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Citadel Plastics Holdings Inc., Citadel Plastics Mexico Holdings LLC, Citadel Plastics Netherlands Holdings LLC, Compagnie Petrochimique de Berre SAS, Compagnie de Distribution des Hydrocarbures SAS, EMS Holding Ltd., EPS Ethylen-Pipeline-Sud Geschaftsfuhrungs GmbH, EPS Ethylen-Pipeline-Sud GmbH & Co. KG, Elian S.A.S., Equistar Bayport LLC, Equistar Chemicals LP, Equistar GP LLC, Equistar LP LLC, Equistar Mont Belvieu Corporation, GuangZhou Basell Advanced Polyolefins Co. Ltd., HGGC Citadel Plastics Holdings Inc., HGGC Citadel Plastics Intermediate Holdings Inc., HMC Polymers Company Limited, HPC Holdings LLC, Hadlock Plastics LLC, Houston Refining LP, I.F.M. S.c.a.r.l., ICO Europe C.V., ICO Holdings LLC, ICO Holdings New Zealand Limited, ICO Petrochemical Cayman Islands, ICO Polymers Cayman Islands, Indelpro S.A. de C.V., Infraserv GmbH & Co. Hochst KG, Inmobiliaria Satchmo S. de R.L. de C.V., Innovacion Y Desarrollo en Materiales Avanzados A.C., J.R. Courtenay (N.Z.) Limited, LPI Holding Company, LYB (Barbados) SRL, LYB Advanced Polymer Solutions Ireland Limited, LYB Americas Finance Company LLC, LYB Equistar Holdings LLC, LYB Export Holdings Limited, LYB Exports Inc., LYB Finance Company B.V., LYB International Finance B.V., LYB International Finance II B.V., LYB International Finance III LLC, LYB Ireland 2 Limited, LYB Ireland Limited, LYB La Porte Hyperzone LLC, LYB Luxembourg S.a r.l., LYB Matrixx Holdings Inc., LYB Receivables LLC, LYB Trading Company B.V., LYB Treasury Services Ltd., Limited Liability Company "LyondellBasell Polyolefins", Limited Liability Company A. Schulman, Lucent Polymers Inc., Lyondell Asia Holdings Limited, Lyondell Centennial Corp., Lyondell Chemical Company, Lyondell Chemical Europe Inc., Lyondell Chemical Overseas Services Inc., Lyondell Chemical Products Europe LLC, Lyondell Chemical Properties L.P., Lyondell Chemical Technology 1 Inc., Lyondell Chemical Technology L.P., Lyondell Chemical Technology Management Inc., Lyondell Chemie (PO-11) B.V., Lyondell Chemie (POSM) B.V., Lyondell Chemie Nederland B.V., Lyondell Chimie France SAS, Lyondell China Holdings Limited, Lyondell Greater China Holdings Limited, Lyondell Greater China Ltd., Lyondell Greater China Trading Limited, Lyondell Japan Inc., Lyondell PO-11 C.V., Lyondell POJVGP LLC, Lyondell POJVLP LLC, Lyondell POTechGP Inc., Lyondell POTechLP Inc., Lyondell Refining Company LLC, Lyondell Refining I LLC, Lyondell South Asia Pte Ltd, LyondellBasell Acetyls Holdco LLC, LyondellBasell Acetyls LLC, LyondellBasell Advanced Polyolefins Mexico S.A. de C.V., LyondellBasell Australia (Holdings) Pty Ltd, LyondellBasell Australia Pty Ltd, LyondellBasell Brasil Ltda., LyondellBasell Canada Inc., LyondellBasell Central Europe Kft., LyondellBasell China Holdings B.V., LyondellBasell Circular Economy B.V., LyondellBasell Covestro Manufacturing Maasvlakte V.O.F., LyondellBasell Egypt LLC, LyondellBasell F&F Holdco LLC, LyondellBasell Finance Company, LyondellBasell Holdings France SAS, LyondellBasell Hungary Kft, LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V., LyondellBasell Industries N.V., LyondellBasell Investment LLC, LyondellBasell Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., LyondellBasell Polyolefin (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., LyondellBasell Services France S.A.S., LyondellBasell Subholdings B.V., LyondellBasell Taiwan Co. Ltd., LyondellBasell Transportation Company LLC, Millennium Chemicals, Natpet Schulman Specialty Plastic Compounds, Ningbo ZRCC Lyondell Chemical Co. Ltd., Ningbo ZRCC Lyondell Chemical Marketing Co. Ltd., OE Insurance Ltd, Oil Casualty Insurance Ltd., Oil Insurance Limited, PD Glycol LP, PO JV LP, PO Offtake LP, POSM II Limited Partnership L.P., POSM II Properties Partnership LLC, PT A.Schulman Plastics, PT ASchulman Plastics Commercial, PTT Chemical PCL, Poly Pacific Polymers Sdn. Bhd., Poly Pacific Pty. Ltd., PolyMirae Co. Ltd., Premix Holding Company, Premix Inc., Prime Colorants Inc., QCP B.V., QCP Holding B.V., QCP IP B.V., Quantum Composites Inc., RIGK GmbH Gesellschaft zur Ruckfuhrung industrieller and gewerblicher Kunstoffverpackungen mbH, Rayong Olefins Co. Ltd., Rexene - LDPE and PP Businesses, SCG ICO Polymers Company Limited, SJS Plastiblends, San Jacinto Rail Limited, Saudi Ethylene & Polyethylene Company, Saudi Polyolefins Company, Sociedad Espanola De Materiales Plasticos Semap S.A., Societe des Stockages Petroliers du Rhone SA, Solvay Engineered Polymers, Surplast S.A., TRV Thermische Ruckstandsverwertung GmbH & Co. KG, TRV Thermische Ruckstandsverwertung Verwaltungs-GmbH, Technology JV LP, The Matrixx Group Incorporated, ULSAN PP Co. Ltd., YNCORIS GmbH & Co. KG, Zylog Plastalloys, and tetra-DUR Kunststoff-Produktion GmbH. Read More Chevron Corporation, through a network of subsidiaries, engages in integrated energy and chemicals operations worldwide. The company is the 7th largest integrated oil company worldwide, the 2nd largest in the US, and has been in operation since 1879. Chevron was part of the original Standard Oil Company and is one of the 34 successor companies that were formed when it was broken up. Today, the company brings in roughly $160 billion in annual revenues and is the last remaining oil and gas component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Originally called Standard Oil Of California the company grew quickly via mergers and acquisitions. It was hailed as one of the Seven Sisters to dominate the US and global production throughout the mid-20th century and became even bigger in 1985 when it merged with Gulf Oil. The merger with Gulf Oil resulted in the rebranding from Standard Oil Of California to Chevron (a brand used by the company outside its California jurisdiction) and then ChevronTexaco Corporation in 2005 when that merger took place. The company rebranded again in 2005 to what we know today as Chevron Corporation. Chevron Corporation is now based in San Ramone, California, and has operations in 180 countries. The company employs more than 42,500 people who operate 5 refineries and 8,000+ Texaco, Chevron, and Standard Oil service stations in the US alone. The company's Exploration and Drilling operations produced a record 3.1 million barrels per day and its US refineries process more than 1 million barrels per day. At the end of 2021, the company has more than 11.3 billion barrels of proven oil and liquid-equivalent reserves and boasted a 112% reserve replacement rate. The company operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment explores new reserves, develops known reserves, produces petroleum and gas products as needed, transports, processes, pipes, stores, and markets petroleum worldwide. The Downstream segment refines and markets the full line of petroleum-based products including but not limited to fuels such as gas, diesel, and aviation fuel, as well as lubricants, petrochemicals, and plastics. The company transports products via pipeline, rail, marine vessels, and truck. Chevron recognizes the need to lower the worlds carbon output and is working toward that end. The companys strategy is two-pronged and includes reducing its own carbon output while investing in green and lower-carbon technologies. The companys goal is to invest $10 billion or more into lower carbon energy sources and technologies by 2028. Chevron is a Dividend Aristocrat. The company has been paying a dividend since 1989 and it has raised it every year since its inception. Ad Paradigm Press 8,788% Return Predicted For THIS Crypto (already up 40% in 6 months) THIS cryptocurrency has gained 40% in 6 months. A crypto millionaire who has researched the space for a decade says it will go up 8,788% in 5 years. The name of this cryptocurrency is revealed right here: Click to get the name of the cryptocurrency Ad Porter & Company My next big prediction isnt a prediction I believe this could change your life forever. Im talking about transforming everything for you, financially. You see, a rare market anomaly has emerged that I believe is going to make some people very wealthy. Almost nobody in the mainstream media or Wall Street has connected the dots on whats going on, but that ignorance wont last for long. When they wake up to this situation, billions of dollars will flood in. Click here now to sign up The following companies are subsidiares of Illinois Tool Works: A V Co 1 Limited, A V Co 2 Limited, A V Co 3 Limited, ACCU-LUBE Manufacturing GmbH - Schmiermittel und -gerate -, AIP/BI Holdings Inc., Accessories Marketing Holding Corp., Advanced Molding Company Inc., Allen France SAS, Alpine Engineered Products, Alpine Systems Corporation, Anaerobicos S.r.l., AppliChem GmbH, Avery Berkel France, Avery India Limited, Avery Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avery Weigh Tronix, Avery Weigh-Tronix Finance Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix International Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix LLC, Avery Weigh-Tronix Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Properties Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Suzhou Weighing Technology Co. Ltd., Azon Limited, B.C. Immo, Beijing Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Berkel Ireland Limited, Berrington UK, Brapenta Eletronica Ltda., Brooks Instrument B.V., Brooks Instrument GmbH, Brooks Instrument KFT, Brooks Instrument Korea Ltd., Brooks Instrument LLC, Brooks Instrument Shanghai Co. Ltd, Buell Industries Inc., CCI Realty Company, CFC Europe GmbH, CS Australia Pty Limited, CS Mexico Holding Company S DE RL DE CV, Calvia Spolka z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnosci, Capital Ventures Australasia S.a r.l, Capmax Logistica S.A. de C.V., Celeste Industries Corporation, Coeur, Coeur Asia Limited, Coeur Holding Company, Coeur Inc., Coeur Shanghai Medical Appliance Trading Co. Ltd, Compagnie Hobart, Compagnie de Materiel et d'Equipements Techniques-Comet, Constructions Isothermiques Bontami C.I.B., Crane Carrier Company, Denison Mayes Group Limited, Despatch Industries, Diagraph Corporation Sdn. Bhd, Diagraph ITW Mexico S. de R.L. De C.V., Diagraph Mexico S.A. DE C.V., Dongguan Ark-Les Electric Components Co. Ltd., Dongguan CK Branding Co. Ltd., Duo Fast de Espana S.A.U., Duo-Fast Korea Co. Ltd., Duo-Fast LLC, E.C.S. d.o.o., E2M Production B.V.., E2M Technologies B.V.., E2M Technologies Inc.., ECS Cable Protection Sp. Zoo, ELRO Grosskuchen GmbH, ELRO Holding AG, ELRO-WERKE AG, Elro Group, Eltex-Elektrostatik-Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Envases Multipac S.A. de C.V., Eurotec Srl, Exhibit 21, FEG Investments L.L.C., Filtertek De Mexico Holding Inc., Filtertek De Mexico S.A. de C.V., Filtertek SAS, GC Financement SA, Gamko B.V., Gun Hwa Platech Taicang Co. Ltd., HOBART Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Hartness International, Hobart Andina S.A.S., Hobart Belgium B.V., Hobart Brothers International Chile Limitada, Hobart Brothers LLC, Hobart Dayton Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Hobart Food Equipment Co. Ltd., Hobart International Singapore Pte. Ltd., Hobart Japan K.K., Hobart Korea LLC, Hobart LLC, Hobart Nederland B.V., Hobart Sales & Service Inc., Hobart Scandinavia ApS, Hobart Techniek B.V., Horis, ILC Investments Holdings Inc., ITW AEP LLC, ITW AOC LLC, ITW Aircraft Investments Inc., ITW Ampang Industries Philippines Inc., ITW Appliance Components EOOD, ITW Appliance Components S.A. de C.V., ITW Appliance Components S.r.l.a, ITW Appliance Components d.o.o., ITW Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, ITW Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd., ITW Australia Pty Ltd, ITW Automotive Components Chongqing Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Components Langfang Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Japan K.K., ITW Automotive Korea LLC, ITW Automotive Parts Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Automotive Products GmbH, ITW Automotive Products Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Bailly Comte, ITW Befestigungssysteme GmbH, ITW Belgium B.V., ITW Brazilian Nominee L.L.C., ITW Building Components Group Inc., ITW CER, ITW CP Distribution Center Holland BV, ITW CS UK Ltd., ITW Canada Inc., ITW Celeste Inc., ITW Chemical Products Ltda, ITW Chemical Products Scandinavia ApS, ITW China Investment Company Limited, ITW Colombia S.A.S., ITW Construction Products AB, ITW Construction Products AS, ITW Construction Products ApS, ITW Construction Products CZ s.r.o., ITW Construction Products Italy Srl, ITW Construction Products OU, ITW Construction Products OY, ITW Construction Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Construction Products Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW Construction Services Manila Inc., ITW Contamination Control B.V., ITW Contamination Control Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Covid Security Group Inc., ITW DS Investments Inc., ITW DelFast do Brasil Ltda., ITW Denmark ApS, ITW Deutschland GmbH, ITW Diagraph GmbH, ITW Dynatec, ITW Dynatec Adhesive Equipment Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Dynatec GmbH, ITW Dynatec Kabushiki Kaisha, ITW EAE B.V., ITW EAE Mexico S de RL de CV, ITW EF&C France SAS, ITW EF&C Selb GmbH, ITW EU Holdings Ltd., ITW Electronic Business Asia Co. Limited, ITW Electronic Components/Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Electronics Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Epsilon Sarl, ITW Espana S.L., ITW European Finance Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance II Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance III Co. Ltd., ITW FEG Hong Kong Limited, ITW FEG do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW Fastener Products GmbH, ITW Fluids and Hygiene Solutions Ltda., ITW Food Equipment Group LLC, ITW GH LLC, ITW GSE ApS, ITW GSE Inc., ITW Gamma Sarl, ITW German Management LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings Y Compania Sociedad en Comandita por Acciones, ITW Global Investments Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Europe GmbH, ITW Global Tire Repair Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Japan K.K., ITW Graphics Asia Limited, ITW Graphics Thailand Ltd., ITW Great Britain Investment & Licensing Holding Company, ITW Group France Luxembourg S.ar.l., ITW HLP Thailand Co. Ltd., ITW Holding Quimica B.C. S.L. Sole Shareholder Company, ITW Holdings Australia L.P., ITW Holdings I Limited, ITW Holdings II Limited, ITW Holdings III Limited, ITW Holdings IV Limited, ITW Holdings IX Limited, ITW Holdings Inc., ITW Holdings V Limited, ITW Holdings VI Limited, ITW Holdings VII Limited, ITW Holdings VIII Limited, ITW Holdings X Limited, ITW Holdings XI Limited, ITW ILC Holdings I Inc., ITW IPG Investments LLC, ITW Imaden Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW India Private Limited, ITW International Holdings LLC, ITW Invest Holding GmbH, ITW Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, ITW Ireland Unlimited Company, ITW Italy Holding Srl, ITW Japan Ltd., ITW Korea LLC, ITW LLC & Co. KG, ITW Limited, ITW Lys Fusion S.r.l., ITW Materials Technology Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Meritex Sdn. Bhd., ITW Metal Fasteners S.L., ITW Mexico Holding Company S. De R.L. de C.V., ITW Mexico Holdings LLC, ITW Morlock GmbH, ITW Mortgage Investments II Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments III Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments IV Inc., ITW Netherlands Administration BV, ITW Netherlands Beta B.V., ITW Netherlands Finance Alpha BV, ITW New Universal LLC, ITW New Zealand, ITW Ningbo Components & Fastenings Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Novadan Sp. Z.o.o., ITW PPF Brasil Adesivos Ltda., ITW Packaging Technology China Co. Ltd., ITW Participations S.a r.l., ITW Pension Funds Trustee Company, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Japan Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Korea Limited, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids OOO, ITW Performance Polymers ApS, ITW Performance Polymers Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers and Fluids Group FZE, ITW Peru S.A.C., ITW Poly Mex S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Polymers Sealants North America Inc., ITW Pronovia s.r.o., ITW Pte. Ltd., ITW Qufu Automotive Cooling Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Real Estate Germany GmbH, ITW Residuals III L.L.C., ITW Residuals IV L.L.C., ITW Rivex, ITW SMPI, ITW SPG Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Simco-Ion Shenzhen Co. Ltd., ITW Slovakia s.r.o., ITW Spain Holdings S.L., ITW Specialty Film LLC, ITW Specialty Films France, ITW Specialty Materials Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Sverige AB, ITW Sweden Holding AB, ITW Test & Measurement Equipment Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Test & Measurement GmbH, ITW Test and Measurement Italia Srl, ITW Test and Measurement Services Industry and Trade Ltd., ITW Texwipe Philippines Inc., ITW Thermal Films Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW UK, ITW UK Finance Beta Limited, ITW UK Finance Delta Limited, ITW UK Finance Gamma Limited, ITW UK Finance Limited, ITW UK Finance Zeta Ltd., ITW UK II Limited, ITW Universal II LLC, ITW Welding, ITW Welding AB, ITW Welding GmbH, ITW Welding Products B.V., ITW Welding Products Group FZE, ITW Welding Products Group S. DE R.L. De C.V., ITW Welding Products Italy Srl, ITW Welding Products Limited Liability Company, ITW Welding Produtos Para Solgdagem Ltda., ITW Welding Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW de France, ITW do Brasil Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Illinois Tool Works Chile Limitada, Illinois Tool Works ITW Nederland B.V., Illinois Tool Works Inc., Impar Comercio E Representacoes Ltda., Industrie Plastic Elsasser GmbH, Inmobiliaria Cit. S.A. de C.F., Innova Temperlite Servicios S.A. de C.V., Innovacion y Transformacion Automotriz S.A. de C.V., Instron Brasil Equipamentos Cientificos Ltda., Instron Foreign Sales Corp. Limited, Instron France S.A.S., Instron GmbH, Instron Japan Company Ltd., Instron Korea LLC, Instron Shanghai Ltd., Instron Thailand Limited, International Leasing Company LLC, Isolenge - ITW Sistemas de Isolamento Termico Ltda., Itw Spraytec, KCPL Mauritius Holdings, Kester, Kleinmann GmbH, Krafft S.L., Loma Systems, Loma Systems BV, Loma Systems Canada Inc., Loma Systems sro, Lombard Pressings Limited, Lumex Inc., Lys Fusion Poland Sp. z.o.o., M&C Specialties Co., MAGNAFLUX GmbH, MEHB Holdings Limited, MGHG Property LLC, MTS 2 LLC., MTS 3 LLC., MTS China Holdings LLC, MTS Europe Holdings LLC, MTS Holdings France S.a.r.l., MTS Japan Ltd.., MTS Korea Inc.., MTS Systems China Co. 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A former pub on Thorncastle street was lit ablaze in the early hours of Sunday morning amid speculation it was going to be used to house immigrants. No-one was in the building at the time of the incident but there was substantial damage caused to the property. Gardai have appealed to anyone who may have information in relation to the incident to contact them, particularly road users and pedestrians in the vicinity of Thorncastle Street between 1am and 2.30am on Sunday December 31. An incident room has been established at Irishtown garda station and the probe is being led by a senior investigating officer. In their appeal for witnesses, a Garda spokesperson said they are aware of a significant volume of misinformation, disinformation and rumour in relation to the use or proposed use of the building. Last month, protests took place over speculation the vacant property was due to be used to house asylum seekers. The Department of Integration has said there were no plans to use the building for that purpose. Irish premier Leo Varadkar has said the premises were intended for use as emergency accommodation for families. 6th June 2023 At the beginning of June a man was charged in connection with the fatal assault of 62-year-old Catherine Henry at her home in Bridge Street, Dundalk on Wednesday 24 May. Luke Donnelly (26) of no fixed abode appeared before a special sitting of Dundalk District Court. Gardai had launched a murder probe after Ms Henry was discovered dead following a fatal assault in her home in Bridge Street, Dundalk. Mr Donnelly was arrested on Thursday 1 June on suspicion of murder, under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. **** Lebanons military tribunal charged five men with the killing of Irish UN peacekeeper Sean Rooney in December 2022, a senior judicial official said. **** Robert Nash was co-opted to Louth County Council, at a special meeting arranged to fill the vacancy that arose following the resignation of Cllr Maria Doyle. **** 13th June 2023 In June the Democrat reported that Louth County Council and its insurers have paid out over 10 million in compensation claims for accidents in public places over the past five years, according to new figures. Compensation payouts for the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 came to a total of 10,011,141, according to data obtained by the Dundalk Democrat via Freedom Of Information request. **** Cllr Sean Kelly was elected Cathaoirleach for Dundalk Municipal District, with Cllr John Reilly elected Leas Cathaoirleach at the Dundalk Municipal District Annual meeting. **** Louth County Council is limited to what it can do to combat traffic congestion at Templetown Beach during busy periods, councillors were told at the Dundalk MD June meeting. **** 20th June 2023 Dundalk Circuit Court heard how a burglar told his accomplice if they move - kill them after theyd tied up a married couple in their 80s during a break in at their home. Stephen Daly of no fixed abode pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and two counts of false imprisonment arising out of the incident in the Rock Road area of Blackrock on April 23rd 2019. The 30 year old also admitted a charge of burglary at an elderly womans home in Ard Easmuinn, Dundalk just days earlier. The victim in the first burglary returned home from buying Easter cards, to find her alarm was activated and her bedroom had been ransacked after a rock was thrown through a window. **** Local councillor John Reilly has branded 'disgusting' the illegal dumping of up to 40 bags of household rubbish on the Greyacre road. **** 27th June 2023 Dundalk was ranked the most littered town in Ireland after finishing bottom of the latest Irish Business Against Litter Survey (IBAL). An Taisce, who carried out the survey on behalf of IBAL, deemed Dundalk to be seriously littered with just one site out of ten getting the top litter grade. Two sites in particular, the clothes recycle bank and immediate environs on Castletown Road and the car park and adjacent wasteground, were highlighted as litter blackspots, meaning they were not just casually littered but subject to dumping. **** A further 2 million has been approved by government for the 280 metre Narrow Water Bridge linking the Mourne Mountains to the Cooley Peninsula, it was announced in June. Louth Fine Gael Senator John McGahon said that Cabinet Approval for the funding is proof that the project is on track for its estimated completion date. **** A local man who applied for a false passport in his own name which was used by Daniel Kinahan, was remanded in custody, after he appeared before Dundalk Circuit Court last Friday on foot of a bench warrant. The warrant was issued by Judge Dara Hayes on April 25th last when Seamus Walsh with an address at Mountain View Crescent, Dundalk failed to appear in court for the finalisation of his sentencing, for the sale of his passport to an unknown person after December 5th 2011. The University at Buffalo and Oishei Childrens Hospital are set to play a major role in a study that aims to curb hypertension and improve mental health in postpartum women. The clinical trial will enroll 6,000 postpartum women from underserved populations specifically Black, Latinx or American Indian/Alaska Native women at three U.S. medical centers: Oishei Childrens Hospital in Buffalo, Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut and UMass Medical Center in Worcester, Mass. Recruitment for the study is underway, UB recently announced. The project, which is being led by the Yale School of Public Health, is funded via an $18.8 million grant from the nonprofit Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. UB said it is receiving $3.7 million for its role in the study. The grant will allow researchers to compare the effectiveness of two health care delivery models focused on early detection and control of postpartum hypertension (high blood pressure) as well as the social and mental health factors known to affect maternal outcomes. The projects goal is to bolster clinical outcomes for postpartum, at-risk women by improving awareness, detection and prompt care of hypertension, mental health and cardiovascular complications. Pauline Mendola, one of the UB investigators on the research project, said the study provides another avenue to try to address the striking disparities in maternal mortality and morbidity by race. Mendola said that Black mothers are two to three times more likely to die from hypertension during pregnancy than white moms, and that their hypertension often occurs at a much higher rate than mothers of other races and ethnicities. Postpartum is a very vulnerable time, and it is really important for womens health and neonatal health, yet it doesnt get the attention that it really deserves due to its long-term health impacts, said Mendola, chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health at UBs School of Public Health and Health Professions. We as a clinical community are excited about the opportunity to address some of these issues and help women during a time in which they really need that help but have trouble accessing it. Maternal mortality is among the most apparent inequities in U.S. health care, with a Black woman three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than a white woman, according to federal data. The United States, as a whole, also has worse infant and maternal mortality rates than other developed countries. According to the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, which awarded the grant, maternal mortality has increased in recent years in the United States, with more than 700 women dying annually from pregnancy-related complications. And about 60% of those deaths are preventable, the institute said. Further, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension and postpartum hypertension, are major causes of maternal morbidity and mortality and disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minorities, according to the institute. Hypertension and mental health are particular concerns during the postpartum period, particularly because most new mothers only receive checkups at two and six weeks after birth, according to UB. Oishei Childrens Hospital has seen instances of hypertension climb. In 2021, 16% of women who gave birth at Oishei Childrens Hospital had one of the four types of high blood pressure during pregnancy, a big jump from around 5% in 2009. Im optimistic that through investments in research and alternative care models for postpartum atrisk women, we can help close the health disparities gap and improve health outcomes, said Dr. Stephen J. Turkovich, president of Oishei Childrens Hospital. The two models researchers will be comparing in the study include: A remote medical model that incorporates standard procedures along with home blood pressure monitoring and treatment, weekly virtual visits from a medical professional for six to 12 weeks and screening for social determinants of health and anxiety/depression, with referrals for mental health services if needed. A community health model that incorporates standard procedures, the remote medical model as well as community health workers trained in a strength-based, trauma-informed approach that respects the influences of a patients past experiences when addressing their current health needs, UB said. Dr. Thaddeus P. Waters, one of the UB investigators on the project, said the studys goal is to have a lasting effect on long-term health. If the study is successful, the model used in the trial can be brought to more patients and meaningfully address post-delivery morbidity and mortality, which disproportionately affects our community, said Waters, division chief of maternal-fetal medicine in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UBs Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. THERE is a lot of maritime history in the Old Church Cemetery in Cobh. There are many graves with headstones that give details about those whose final place of rest was to be laid in the soil above the harbour town, many after tragedies at sea. On one grave, of a maritime man who did not die at sea, there is notable brevity in the headstone inscription which states: With Capt.Scott, B.A., Ex 1910/13. It is the grave of a man after whom is named a 4,000-foot mountain in Antarctica. There is some more detail about this man on a memorial at the harbourside in the town centre, where he was known as the man with the frostbitten hands. Those hands were not frostbitten when he was appointed Petty Officer in the British Royal Navy and, in January of 1911, was one of 13 men selected to explore the Polar Cap. The names of great Antarctic explorers are well-known: Scott, Shackleton, Amundsen, Tom Crean. Robert Forde, from Harbour Row, Queenstown, is not as widely regarded. But he has Mount Forde in Antarctica named after him. Born on August 29, 1875, by the age of 16 he had grown to 5 feet 8 inches height and joined the Royal Navy. His first two years pleased him and, at the age of 18, he signed-up for a 12-year service. 1910 was a year when there was great interest in Polar exploration. Being chosen for it was regarded as a pinnacle of naval achievement. There were 8,000 applicants for the British Antarctic Expedition, including many Irish seafarers in the RN. Explorers had elite status, were highly regarded by the public and often described as heroes. The expedition Forde was 35 and had risen to the rank of Petty Officer when he was amongst volunteers selected in May of that year for the exploration ship, Terra Nova. This BAE Polar expedition was led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott. There was another Corkman on the expedition team Patrick Keohane. Also on it was Tom Crean. Cape Evans is a rocky cape on the west side of Ross Island, Antarctica, forming the north side of the entrance to Erebus Bay and was discovered by the British National Antarctic Expedition, 190104, which was also led by Scott. He had called it the Skuary after a species of birds seen in the area. On his second expedition, the BAE, to which Forde now PO 1st Class had been assigned, Scott built the exploration headquarters base there. He renamed the area Cape Evans for Lieutenant Edward Evans, deputy in command of the expedition. The Robert Forde Memorial in Cobh. In January 1911, Forde was assigned to a group of 13 led by Lt. Evan to explore the Polar Cap. Crean and Keohane were also in the group which was hit by blizzards as they marched across the ice. It was tough and harsh. They had ponies, that were unsuitable for hauling sledges. The men had to do that themselves. Some of the animals died. There were difficulties for the men to keep in touch with each other when conditions worsened and the temperature dropped to minus 40C. They got back to Cape Evans, which was then hit by severe snowstorms. Forde suffered severely frostbitten hands. He was moved to the Terra Nova offshore where medical treatment saved his hands. Forde had been promoted to Chief Petty Officer for courage and commitment to the expedition, but could no longer continue. He was invalided out. Scott paid tribute to him, stating in the expedition log that his loss was a serious blow and that no one could replace Forde. Recovering in England, he remained in the RN and served in it during World War One. On demobilisation he returned home to Queenstown (later named Cobh), living on his RN pension. He was noted in the town for often keeping his frostbitten hands covered from public view. He died on March 13, 1959. On the 50th Anniversary of his death, in March 2009, a Committee unveiled The Robert Forde Memorial Committee on The Promenade in Cobh. The granite stone faces the harbour and has a bronze plaque showing Forde with a sled. A plaque was also unveiled at 52 Harbour Row, Cobh where he had lived. State of the maritime sector The annual report of the States research agency, the Marine Institute the 2023 Ocean Economy Report concludes the maritime year, stating that the marine sector generates over 7 billion in turnover for the nation. The 'Celtic Voyager' caught in late evening light as she passed Whitegate oil refinery. She has a new base following its purchase by the Inuit development corporation in the Nunavut region of Canada. Picture: David Creedon. The Institutes research vessel, Celtic Voyager, often seen in Cork Harbour, has a new base following its purchase by the Inuit development corporation in the Nunavut region of Canada. It will be used for fisheries research and seabed mapping in Canadas Northern Territories for the benefit of the economy of the native Nunavut people, of whom there are about 15,000. The Marine Institute also has a new CEO, Dr Rick Officer, who I will be talking to about his vision for the future of the agency in the January edition of my new Podcast. Email: tommacsweeneymarine@gmail.com Podcast: maritimeirelandradioshow.ie MORE than half of all private rental properties inspected by or on behalf of Cork City Council in the first three quarters of 2023 were found to be non-compliant with regulations. Of the 10,552 inspections carried out on behalf of the council in the first nine months of 2023, 8,120 dwellings were visited, with 4,234 52% failing on the first inspection. That is a significant improvement on the 12 months of 2022, when some 4,423 dwellings, out of 5,946 inspected, failed on first inspection, representing a 74% failure rate, which itself paled in comparison to figures from 2021, where 755 dwellings out of 819 failed, or 92%. Cork City Council said the most common reasons for failure in 2022 were fire safety, structural condition, failure to comply with regulations relating to gas, oil and electricity, heating facilities, and ventilation. The previous year, the council said the most common reasons for failure were inadequate ventilation, and a lack of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, evacuation plans, and window restrictors. At the end of 2021, citing recruitment challenges in filling vacancies to its Private Rental Inspection (PRI) team, Cork City Council engaged an external service provider Thornton Group / Niall Keely and Associates to carry out inspections of properties on its behalf. That led to a dramatic increase in inspections of private rental properties in 2022, going from 837 inspections of private rental properties in 2021 to 8,047 inspections in 2023, representing an 861.4% increase. In turn, the figure of 10,552 inspections in the first nine months of 2023 represents a 31% increase on the whole of 2022s figures. In 2020, the PRI team carried out 479 inspections, visiting 415 dwellings. Rates of inspections carried out in 2020 and 2021 were affected by the various lockdowns due to the covid-19 pandemic, but prior to covid, the PRI carried out 739 inspections at 617 dwellings in 2018, and 1,042 inspections at 862 dwellings in 2019. The figure of 10,552 inspections in the first nine months of 2023 marks an increase of 1,328% on the whole of 2018 figures, and an increase of 913% on those for 2019. Asked how much has been paid to Thornton Group / Niall Keely and Associates for its work in inspecting private rental properties on behalf of Cork City Councils PRI, a council spokesperson said that information could not be disclosed for reasons of commercial sensitivity. FAILURES STILL 'TOO HIGH' Commenting on the figures, Sinn Fein Cork city councillor Mick Nugent said the increase in inspections was to be welcomed, but said it was regrettable that over half of all properties inspected had failed on the first inspection. That figure is still a lot higher than it should be, and I do have quite a few constituents who say it can take quite a while for such problems to be rectified, Cllr Nugent said. HAP (Housing Assistance Payment) is considered by the Government as a social housing option, which I think stretches it, to be honest, but some people are caught in a HAP trap, so the least they should expect is that the landlord or landlords, who are paid by the city council, would keep the property to a good standard. Fianna Fail councillor Sean Martin said the figures showed the effects of the increased allocation of resources by Cork City Council toward its PRI unit. I think its very clear that the investment we have made in terms of inspections is showing a clear return, Cllr Martin said. He added that Niall O Donnabhain, director of services in the city councils housing directorate, had recently presented a most impressive report to the councils housing committee and the work of the PRI had featured in that report. The failure rate, the number of properties failing on the first inspection, is very high, yes, but thats a sign that Cork City Council is taking its responsibilities seriously and that we expect rental properties to adhere to a high standard, he said. Housing campaigner William OBrien, who is running as an independent candidate in next summers local elections and who was instrumental this year in highlighting appalling living conditions in social housing in Noonans Road, St Finbarrs Road, Fort Street, and Dean Street, said he had asked Cork City Council about oversight of conditions in social housing in the city. Earlier this year, I made contact with Cork City Council Housing Department and I mentioned that I was aware of the Cork city PRI unit and I posed the question: Where is Cork City Councils public inspections unit to inspect any of the 11,000 local authority properties?, Mr OBrien said. The response was: There has never been a housing inspection unit specifically implemented to carry out planned housing inspections for local authority properties in Cork. He added that there was an irony in Cork City Council having oversight of private rental accommodation in the city. There are social housing tenants being left in substandard social housing by Cork City Council. If a private landlord was treating their tenants with such disrespect, the council would close them down, he said. TARGETS The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage set Cork City Council a 2022 target to inspect 25% of all rental properties in its administrative area. Responding to a query from The Echo this month, a spokesperson for Cork City Council said: Between HAP, RAS (Rental Accommodation Scheme), RTB (Residential Tenancies Board) and student-specific accommodation we have approximately 24,000 properties. If that figure was operative in 2022, then the councils PRI unit (or its private sector agents) would have had to inspect in the region of 6,000 properties. Some 5,946 private rental properties were inspected in the city last year. The same target of 25% applied to 2023, and with 8,120 inspected in the first nine months of the year, the city council has already, presumably, met its target. In 2018, the council was given a target of 1,764 inspections, and in 2019, it was given a target of 2,613. In 2018, the PRI team carried out 739 inspections, missing its target by 1,025. In 2019, 1,042 inspections were carried out, missing that years target by 1,571. In 2020 and 2021, targets were suspended due to the covid-19 pandemic. The full 2023 figures for inspection of private rental properties by or on behalf of the council are due this month. Cork City Council was asked for a comment. CORK welcomed its newest citizens in the early hours of New Year's morning with the staff at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) facilitating the arrivals of the first baby boy and the first baby girl to be born there in 2024. The New Year was barely an hour old when the first baby of 2024 arrived in CUMH, with baby boy Sean Liam OHalloran, who was born at 01:02am, weighing 4240g. Baby Sean Liam was born to his mom, Catherine OHalloran, and his dad, Brian OHalloran, both from Mullinahone, in Co Tipperary. The second baby to arrive in CUMH in 2024 was a beautiful baby girl who was born at 02:39am, weighing 3380g. Mom Sarah Coughlan and dad Mike, from Killeagh, Co Cork, had not shared a name for the media on Monday afternoon. The staff of CUMH were not available for comment during what has been a busy festive period, a spokesperson said. The first baby of the New Year born in the country was born in Dublin's Rotunda Hospital just minutes after midnight. Baby Arlo Robert Emmett was born just four minutes into 2024, weighing in at 4.2kg. Nationally, the first girl born in Ireland in 2024 arrived at 12.06am at The Coombe in Dublin. Weighing in at 4lbs 14oz, baby Mirha was born to Sundas Khan and her husband, who are originally from Pakistan. Warmest congratulations to all who have welcomed new arrivals, and welcome to Ireland to our newest citizens. CORK University Hospital (CUH) was the second-most overcrowded hospital across the country in 2023, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO). 12,582 patients were admitted to the hospital without a bed during, what has been described by the INMO as, the worst year for hospital overcrowding in Ireland. Elsewhere in Cork, 3,936 patients were admitted to the Mercy University Hospital without a bed in 2023 in addition to 1,083 patients at Bantry General Hospital. The most overcrowded hospital last year was the University Hospital Limerick, which admitted 21,455 patients without a bed. Nationally, 122,879 patients including 3,494 children were admitted to hospitals without a bed in 2023. INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said hospitals are in a near-constant state of overcrowding, coupled with short staffing, and highlighted the increased demand for services amid a growing population. While services have expanded, which is to be welcomed, the staffing levels are not matching the growing demand on service provision, she said. The INMO met with the HSE and the Department of Health in the lead-up to the Christmas break, where they called for a number of urgent measures including an exemption for critical front-line staff from the recruitment freeze and the postponement of all non-urgent elective care until February. Iarnrod Eireann has confirmed that works are due to commence on a major project this year to increase the Cork commuter rail networks capacity. The company said that all projects in the Cork Area Commuter Rail programme are underway, under the EU-funded Recovery and Resilience Plan. These include double-tracking from Glounthaune to Midleton, with Iarnrod Eireann saying that the Railway Order has been granted for this with works commencing in 2024. Works have already commenced on developing a new through platform at Kent Station for through running for Mallow to Midleton/Cobh and on resignalling the Cork commuter network, it said. The details were confirmed as Iarnrod Eireann said that preliminary figures show rail passenger journeys in 2023 achieved one of their highest-ever totals. An estimated 45.5 million journeys were made during the past 12 months, up from 35.8 million in 2022. The 2023 totals saw 90% of pre-covid demand achieved, with the high of 50.1 million set to be achieved in 2024. Intercity services totalled 12.5 million journeys, at 96% of pre-covid peaks. Commuter routes saw 13.3 million journeys, 86% of pre-covid levels, as hybrid working continues to be a greater feature of commuting. Jim Meade, Chief Executive of Iarnrod Eireann, said of the preliminary figures it has been great to welcome customers new and old back to our services throughout 2023. "From the busiest ever events season to the growing demand across all services, the recovery of demand will mean our ongoing investment projects will be delivered in time to boost capacity as its needed. "Growing and new communities will be able to benefit from high capacity, sustainable rail transport services as we deliver in all our major cities, and across the network. Works are also underway on a number of other projects across the country including the relocation of Waterfords Plunkett Station to be part of an integrated transport hub under plans to develop the citys North Quays. Works to reinstate the Limerick to Foynes rail line for freight services are underway following funding from the Department of Transport IN 1954, times were hard. Corkman William Dwyer had thrown Youghal a lifeline by starting a cloth manufacturing plant, Seafield Fabrics, in 1947. Then, in 1952, he opened Blackwater Cottons: 250 people were employed in the two plants. But unemployment and emigration were still rife. Into this drab backdrop, in the summer of 1954, came the bright lights, glitz and glamour of Hollywood. The famous film director John Huston was entrusted by Warner Brothers with a million dollars to make a film based on a book, Moby Dick, by Herman Melville, about a whaling captain in New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1851, seeking revenge on a whale - Moby Dick - that had eaten his leg off. Youghal was chosen as one of the sets. Why? Firstly, Huston was friendly with journalist Claud Cockburn, who lived locally. Then you had the unspoilt scenery of the harbour. As one looks out from the lighthouse, there is nothing on the far side of the river to date the area - no pylon or pole to be seen. Plus, the old sailors wandering around the quayside with their white beards blowing in the wind were ready-made for parts in the film. Huston would visit Cockburn at his house, Brook Lodge, about a mile outside Youghal, which was shabby and in disrepair. Claud told me a funny story about one wet day when Huston visited. They sat - having a drop of whiskey - in the parlour with both holding a large bowl on their laps to catch the rain coming through the ceiling. Imagine that! said Claud. And remember that John had a cheque in his pocket at that time from Warner Brothers for a million dollars. In February, 1954, a local builder, Michael Murray, was doing renovations to houses on the quay when a big car stopped beside him. Several well-dressed men alighted to walk the quays - seemingly looking for something. It was too much for Michael, his curiosity got the better of him. He offered to help and was told a film would be made there that summer. The visitors asked if Michael would like to make the sets, and took his phone number. His workmen didnt believe him - they did three months later! He got the gig to erect imitation houses, paint existing houses and plant telephone poles in the ground to resemble ship masts. A young extra holding an artist salary voucher receives his payment on the set of the film 'Moby Dick' at Youghal These were fitted with cross-members and sails to make it look like dozens of tall-ships were in port. Actually, just four real tall-ships docked at the quays: the Ryelands - the Pequod in the film - Three Brothers, James Postlethwaite and Harvest King. The preparation of the set - covering two blocks - gave employment to many: painters, carpenters, sailors and handymen. Huston did not spare the money, the whole town gained directly or indirectly. Ten full trains of people came every day from Cork to see the film set and hoped to see one of the stars and maybe get an autograph. There were 11 hotels in Youghal then - the Imperial, Stella Maris, Devonshire, Green Park, Park View, Adelphi, Harbour View, Esplanade, Atlantic, Pacific and the Marine - but the star of Moby Dick, Gregory Peck, chose to stay at the Metropole Hotel in Cork city. The other stars included Richard Basehart, Orson Welles, Noel Purcell and Royal Dano. Many locals played extras. I was ten, and landed a bit part with my eight-year-old sister, Eileen. We had to walk into church holding the hands of a woman pretending to be our mother. I walked into that church to find it had no roof - it was only a false front for the camera - and overhead was a pure blue sky. The blockbuster movie Moby Dick, starring Gregory Peck and Noel Purcell, filming at Youghal in July 1954 In another scene I recall, Basehart was going from tavern to tavern, seeking a captain to take him on as a crewman. It was a very wet scene and he was soaked because behind the cameras the local fire brigade was firing water from four hoses up into the air. Welles, as Father Mapple, gave a sermon from a pulpit that ran for eight minutes, and managed it in one take - much to the delight of the crew, who loudly applauded. A young Cork girl, Clodagh Madden, 10, used to come with her six-year-old brother every summer to stay with their aunt in Strand Street. In 1954, they raced to the Town Hall to audition as extras, unaware the queue was at the back. A kindly security guard let them skip the queue and they were taken on. Adult extras got 2 per day, children 15 shillings. It was a lot in 1954, for walking around the quayside for a couple of hours. Paddy Linehans was a small bar and butchers that Paddy renamed Moby Dicks afterwards. He got 5 a week for allowing cast and crew use a small room for daily 6am meetings. And the Americans loved port wine. Paddy joked he sold as much of it that summer as would float the Pequod! The landlord told a story about Huston looking for an attractive girl to kiss a sailor goodbye as a vessel left the quayside. A lovely red-head working in the bar agreed to do it. It needed eight takes and she got 8 for her troubles. A pound per kiss, and Paddy paying her just one pound ten shillings per week! She resigned her bar job and went off to Hollywood to seek her fortune - but we never heard anything after. When I was giving a talk on Moby Dick in Dungarvan some time ago, someone asked if that girl could have been Maureen OHara - but we never heard that Maureen had worked for Paddy Linehan. A local character, Rosaleen Cronin, was a great swimmer and fan of Peck. She kept being thwarted as she sought his autograph so swam up on him while he was filming a scene and shouted Can I have your autograph?! The folk across the dock roared with laughter and filming had to be adjourned for the day. Some of the male extras wore the whaler clothes they had been given all the time. One, a chap called Noel, chatted about the film to an Italian tourist, and was delighted to receive a tip of a 10,000 lire note. Sadly, he soon fund out it was only worth one pound and a few shillings. On the set of the film 'Moby Dick' at Youghal Another story publican Paddy told was of a local pretending to be the actor Richard Basheart when an American woman was looking to meet him. When she asked him for his autograph, he turned to Paddy and asked: How do you spell Basehart? The making of the film progressed steadily during what was a lovely, fine summer, and thousands of onlookers and tourists kept thronging the quays and nearby streets and lanes. There were two cinemas in Youghal then - Horgans and the Regal - but this was a taste of Hollywood on our doorstep. One of the props on the quayside was a real old goat with big horns. In late August - as the action was coming to an end - it was decided to have a Celebratory Ball in the Showboat Ballroom with the Mick Delahunty orchestra. Word went around the town that one of the famous film stars would appear on stage to thank the townspeople for their hospitality and help. Everyone assumed it would be Gregory Peck, but at midnight, Mick Delahunty played the star onto the stage - and it was the old goat with the big horns. A last laugh to finish the celebrations! When Moby Dick was shown in the towns cinemas a few years later, there was such cheering and laughter that a world of ushers would not be able to keep them quiet. Even now - almost 70 years later - folk are still arriving in Youghal to see where Moby Dick was filmed. The next time you visit, note the remarkable stone statue of Captain Ahab standing with harpoon in hand, on the quayside beside the tourist office. This story, and many more, appear in The Years Of The 4 nostalgia supplement, FREE with The Echo on Tuesday, January 2. Two men have been charged in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash Saturday, Cuba police announced. Dustin S. Cowles, 22, of Cuba, and Kameron M. Mills, 22, of Hornell, have been accused of fleeing the scene of an accident that occurred at about 12:05 a.m. Saturday, police said in Facebook posts. Police did not release any further details about the crash, including any information about the victim. Cowles charges include second-degree manslaughter, leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident, criminal tampering with physical evidence, reckless driving, speeding, obstruction of governmental administration and other traffic violations. Officials have charged Mills with fleeing the scene, tampering with evidence and obstructing justice. Mills was released from custody, while Cowles was placed in the Allegany County Jail on no bail, officials said. Cuba police said they are still investigating the crash. Debradita Sur Heavy fire on two stories at the Hopkins Court Apartments in Getzville displaced residents from the complex on New Years Eve. Residents of the apartment building at 2250 North French Road, who Sunday were taken to a warming shelter, were either provided hotel accommodations or returned home as of early Monday. Some of them were evaluated for various minor injuries, including two taken to local hospitals. One resident had to be rescued from the balcony inside the apartment where the fire started. Damage was estimated at around $650,000, the Getzville Fire Company said. As of 1 a.m. Monday, residents whose homes were affected by the blaze were taken to hotels, and residents whose apartments were not affected returned home, the Town of Amhersts Emergency Services office said in a Facebook post. The Amherst Police Department on Sunday evening was on the scene of the residential fire investigating and asked that the public avoid the area. Police have not released any information about a potential cause of the blaze. At 5:25 p.m. Sunday, the Amherst Central Fire Alarm Office said it received multiple calls from residents reporting a fire at the complex on a second floor exterior balcony, with the fire extending into the apartment. Getzville Fire members arrived on scene and confirmed heavy fire on the second floor of the apartment building, with fire extending into the attic of the building, the company said. Amherst Emergency Services, with the help of Erie County Emergency Services and Twin City Ambulance EMS personnel, evaluated numerous residents, some with minor injuries, and others for precaution, the Amherst Central Fire Alarm Office said. University at Buffalo Police assisted on scene and with providing transportation by university buses that shuttled residents to the Amherst Senior Center at 370 John James Audubon Parkway. NFTA buses were also on scene to assist. Those having trouble locating a loved one should call 716-858-6419. The American Red Cross assisted with setting up the warming shelter and assisting any displaced residents in need. Nearly 70 years ago, when it appeared their daughters would be shut out of an elementary school on account of their race, Lorraine and Eugene Williams sued the Charlottesville school system. And back when slum clearance and public housing were widely viewed as waves of the future, Eugene Williams not only warned the city of impending ghettoization, but the couple pooled their resources with relatives to buy and renovate dozens of dilapidated apartments scattered across downtown. They actually walked the talk, former city councilor Dede Smith told The Daily Progress. They not only were vocal about the issues, but they took action. Those actions are still playing out today. In March, the rental properties they assembled with Eugene Williams brother and sister-in-law into a company called Dogwood Housing Limited Partnership were sold by their subsequent owner, Keith Woodard, to the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority. That meant maintaining housing affordability for 171 people in 74 units at 25 sites. The CRHA looks to continue the work of the legendary civil rights leader Eugene Williams who founded Dogwood Properties, authority Executive Director John Sales said in a statement. So a body once known for wielding federally funded bulldozers, including the notorious 1960s razing of Charlottesvilles historically Black Vinegar Hill neighborhood, was now buying, literally, into a Williams family vision. Its a vision of uplift. At that time a lot of affordable housing was in very poor condition and operated by slumlords who wouldnt take care of the property, city councilor Michael Payne told The Daily Progress. Eugenes vision was to provide high-quality affordable housing and give people a sense of ownership and pride. So eager for uplift, Eugene Williams would personally compile a monthly newsletter for Dogwood tenants. Each issue of Informed People are Better People might contain news clippings, inspirational quotations and writings by the residents themselves. Fundamentally, the vision meant welcoming renters from varying income levels, including those bearing Section 8 vouchers, into residences that appear no different from those around them. Out of decent housing, in most instances, come very decent people, and thats what makes the community a better community, Eugene Williams told The Daily Progress while renovating the structures in 1981. The concept of decentralizing affordable housing ran counter to that eras conventional wisdom, when the federal government was urging local authorities to condemn huge swaths of American cities in a process called urban renewal but which entailed demolishing a community and replacing it with a public housing complex. Clustered public housing serves no one well, Eugene Williams told The Daily Progress when selling Dogwood Properties in 2007. It destroys the ambition of human beings. If the Williams family enterprise heading into the 21st century was entrepreneurial, in the prior century it was activist. In 1955, the Williams were among those who sued the board of the Charlottesville public schools to uphold not just the letter but also the spirit of the Supreme Courts year-earlier decision in Brown v. Board of Education. Eugene Williams was then the head of the local NAACP and said that his job was safe as he was employed by a Black-owned life insurance firm. But the suit could have put his wife at risk. She was a public school teacher, Eugene Williams told The Daily Progress. She never said, I dont want to be a part because I might lose my job. Their effort culminated in 1960 when the first of their two daughters was escorted by police into Johnson Elementary School. My kids went to Johnson and wouldnt have been able to if they hadnt made that intervention, University of Virginia professor Jalane Schmidt told The Daily Progress. Its hard to think of anyone else who had such an impact. That impact didnt stop with integrating schools or creating affordable housing. In the past decade, Eugene Williams has been a persistent force in pressing for a marker to denote the century of human trafficking that was the Charlottesville slave trade. The city saw an unusual moment of civil disobedience in 2020 when a local activist, Richard Freeman Allan, stole a small marker that makes a brief mention that on this site slaves were bought and sold near Court Square in hopes of getting a bigger and more detailed marker installed. Eugene Williams raised the issue, Allan told the Daily Progress. In his recent book, A History of Racism in Charlottesville, Allan notes that Eugene Williams pressed not only for recognition of the centrality of the slave trade to the early Charlottesville economy but for some accounting of the lingering damage. Because a state board voted its approval in mid-December, a marker now appears close to reality. But for the man who pressed the issue, Eugene Williams contends that a marker isnt enough, that reparations are owed to those robbed of their freedom and ability to build wealth, something he said hed like to see noted on a marker. There should be another paragraph, said Eugene Williams. I think the time has really come. Eugene Williams said that he realized early in life that Black people were not getting fair treatment. When he was 10, his father was struck and killed by a car driven by a UVa student who went unpunished by the local courts. Later, while stationed at Fort Eustis prior to the integration of the armed forces, he recalled bristling at the fact that even while serving his nation in uniform he was sent to the back of a bus. It was hard to accept, he said. And I did not accept it. Today, hes 96 and his wife is 98, and they have been celebrated by the Charlottesville City Council, applauded by the General Assembly and have drawn appreciative waves and nods for decades. And yet Eugene Williams expressed gratitude for being named to the Distinguished Dozen. Im really speechless, he exclaimed to The Daily Progress when so informed. We really appreciate it. In his crisp Kennedy-era business suits and bowties, Eugene Williams may have been the person the public most closely associated with the civil rights won in Charlottesville, but Lorraine Williams remains a key part of the story, said daughter Sheryl Williams Glanton. They really both were part of that journey in a very serious way, Glanton told The Daily Progress. She recalled accompanying her father to the Charlottesville Woolworths when she was a little girl. At the site of whats now the Terraces complex on the Downtown Mall, the two would conduct a quiet protest of the segregated lunch counter. Mom dressed me all up with pigtails and bows, and Dad explained that I would not get the ice cream soda I wanted, recounted Glanton. And we did not get served. Glanton was also one of the two sisters whose enrollment in Johnson Elementary included a canine-assisted police escort. My sister remembers the dogs, she said. I just remember the policemen. Today, the court battles over integration are over, and Glantons father now favors an open-collared look. The couple are still together in the spacious Ridge Street house in which they have dwelled since 1957, and Glanton said she has always felt strong support from the community. We thought we were doing something very important, and thats what kept us moving, said Glanton. It was a big deal then, and in reflection, even a bigger deal today. The number of people in Charlottesville who have fallen into homelessness has grown by 25% since 2018. Today, there are 165 known homeless people in the city. Of those, 41% have an income but still cannot afford to put a roof over their heads. The numbers are stark. But its the numbers that will help the city overcome this crisis, according to Shayla Washington. How can you make any decisions about helping the unhoused if you dont have any data to work with? asked Washington in a recent interview with The Daily Progress. Washington was named executive director of the Blue Ridge Area Coalition for the Homeless in November. She replaces Anthony Haro at the organization which coordinates and leads collaborative efforts to address homelessness in the area. She brings with her 14 years of nonprofit experience and a data-driven approach she believes can help the city find long-lasting solutions to its longtime housing crisis. Im excited to step into the role because I think I have the chops to work with other service providers, Washington said, specifically referencing her years working for the Haven day shelter for the homeless and the citys Human Services Department. With her years of experience working with the local homeless population, Washington already knows many of the people the coalition serves. Washington put it plainly: The homelessness crisis is an affordable housing crisis. Its not that theyre difficult to house, its that we dont have the right housing for them, she said. Ive seen the cost of housing skyrocket in the last several years. Folks who were getting fixed income through Social Security were able to afford housing for $500 a month. Now, its up to almost $700 a month and taking almost all of their paycheck. Its tough for people with a limited income to find anything they can afford. A lot of people are staying outside or in shelters because they cant meet rent month to month. Those who cant access the citys year-round overnight shelter at the Salvation Army or the wintertime shelter offered by People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry, or PACEM, often have no other choice but to sleep on the street or in a car, without access to running water. Washington said, right now, she expects that number of people to rise as the citys housing market remains prohibitively expensive for many. With a median price tag of $445,900, Charlottesville house prices hit an all-time high at the midpoint of 2023, according to the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors. At $1,937, Charlottesvilles average monthly rent is 13% higher than the national average and more in line with larger Northern Virginia cities than its neighbors in Central Virginia, according to data compiled by RentCafe, a national apartment listing service. Washington said she has been working to compile more data of her own. She has already accomplished one of her early goals to meet with city officials and discuss the numbers and consider how to apply them toward solutions. The city of Charlottesville recently created a task force to end homelessness, and while its currently only staffed by city employees, it is reaching out to external stakeholders for assistance. The Blue Ridge Area Coalition for the Homeless is the first group it contacted, in part because the group and Washington are so focused on data. The late November meeting included Washington, City Manager Sam Sanders and Deputy City Manager Ashley Marshall. When Sanders first presented his homeless intervention strategy to City Council in early October, he said Marshall would play an important role in that initiative. Ive identified an internal work group and Ive asked Ashley Marshall to lead that because I think its important for us to make sure that we can go where we need to go on that issue, and that means we have to go deep, Sanders said. Theres a lot to be done. Washington said she feels the virtual meeting she had with Sanders and Marshall was a promising start, but she noted much of the planning to tackle homelessness in the city is still in preliminary stages. The meeting was not a planning meeting, nor a strategy meeting but simply an introduction opportunity for a new nonprofit leader to connect and put faces to names, Marshall wrote in a statement to The Daily Progress. Shes still figuring out what services our shelters provide and what they dont, who they serve and who they cant, Washington said of Marshall. It was at the meeting that Marshall requested a by-name list, a comprehensive list of all the known homeless men and women in a community. According to Washington, there are 162 people on the by-name list today. When Washington meets with the city again on Jan. 25, she said she expects to have additional numbers to share. Thats because on Jan. 24 Charlottesville will be doing its Point-in-Time count, which is effectively a snapshot of how many people are homeless in the community on a specific night. The count takes place nationally on the fourth Wednesday of each January. Cities relay their findings to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Those numbers help HUD determine how much money to send each city for its homeless population. Thats where Charlottesville gets a large chunk of its funding, Washington said. That chunk could be especially important this year. The Salvation Army, the citys only year-round homeless shelter, is $17,000 short of its current fundraising goal and regularly runs out of beds. The Point-in-Time count will involve a team of volunteers casing the city, surveying people living in shelters and on the streets. It will give Washington insight, not just into how many people are unhoused but their most pressing needs. Washington has already started collecting some data of her own. According to her, 51% of the homeless community is Black and 70% is men. Clearly Black people are overrepresented in the system of care. Why is that? Data will help tell a story, she said. Although the coalitions own numbers show that homelessness has increased in Charlottesville over the past five years, Washington herself said she doesnt believe the rise itself has contributed to the publics increased interest in the unhoused. Its visibility not hard numbers that has garnered the publics attention, she said. Washington said she could tell the public started paying attention to the problem when a homeless encampment was erected at Market Street Park in downtown Charlottesville earlier this year after Sanders lifted the parks curfew in the wake of accusations that city police had mistreated homeless in the park. Those accusations were denied by the police and the curfew was reinstated after three weeks, but the dozens of tents and the condition of the people living in them had an impact on the people of the city, Washington said. When people are trying to shop on or near the Downtown Mall, seeing homeless people next to the library at the park is a shock to their system. They think if its not in front of them it must not exist. Having the curfew lifted at the park brought it to light, Washington said. She said that there are already a lot of workers and volunteers doing outreach work across the city who really do want to help the homeless. They are doing a great job, but they are limited and we need to do more, she said, adding that part of her job will be to find additional funding for the city. Ive been doing this work for so long, and being executive director will help me be creative to address the situation, she said. Its not going away. Friday, December 29, 2023 Many member countries of the UN seem not to notice that one of the Security Councils permanent members that is leading calls for a ceasefire in the war in Gaza is unfit to do so. Or perhaps it has become acceptable for any country, even one that is currently actively bombing power plants, water systems, non-military dwellings, and other civilian infrastructure in an unprovoked invasion of another country, to request a humanitarian ceasefire in another war. The Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel and Israels response to it have intensified the long-running debate about Americas historical role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Biden administration has been widely criticized, both in America and around the world, for giving blanket support to Israel in its current war with Hamas. The war, and Americas official stance on it, are expected to be pivotal issues in next years U.S. presidential elections. The rest of the world has meanwhile loudly expressed its displeasure through a variety of avenues. But why didnt the global community extend the same level of sympathy to the Ukrainians who lived through hell during the Russian siege of Mariupol and Bakhmut? Russia has bombed hospitals, killing pregnant women, the elderly, and children in the process. It has bombed schools and apartment building all across Ukraine. According to a UN report, at least 10,000 Ukrainian civilians, including 560 children, have been killed since the start of the war, with over 18,500 wounded. The Wall Street Journal just reported that earlier today, Russia unleashed a barrage of drones and missiles on major Ukrainian cities in one of the largest attacks in that war thus far. Kinzhal ballistic as well as cruise missiles were reportedly used in the attacks. At least 18 people are said to have been killed, with over 100 injured. According to the report, a maternity ward, educational facilities, and multi-story residential buildings were among the structures destroyed. The numerous votes that have been held at the UN on the Ukraine war have mostly called for the condemnation of Russias wanton aggression. Shockingly, many countries couldnt even vote for something as straightforward as that. There were some who actually blamed Ukraine for provoking Russia into attacking it. To the extent that anyone called for anything remotely resembling a ceasefire, it was only to allow grain shipments from Ukraine to far-flung countries whose citizens were starving because of the war. Many of those needy nations had earlier said that the war was a European problem and none of their business. It turns out it was their business all along. There is clearly a selective outrage problem at the UN. Whataboutism is the primary instrument that many countries use to rationalize this hypocrisy. They say because America has had its own share of bombings and invasions of other countries in the past, they should not be called upon to criticize Russia or any other major power that does similar things. Circumstance and passage of time dont matter to these people. The problem is that this bending over backwards to justify some wrongs while loudly calling out others of similar nature creates moral confusion. Without a clear and universally consistent set of principles, sooner or later, everyone starts to find ways to absolve themselves of their deeds, regardless of how evil they are. Last winter, Russia deliberately and systematically bombed power plants and other energy infrastructure in an attempt to freeze Ukrainians to death. The goal was obviously to sap Ukraines will to fight. As far as war crimes go, it is one of the worst, but there was no universal outcry over it. Russia has resumed this sinister campaign this winter, and again there is deafening global silence. I lived through six Ukrainian winters during my time there as a student so I am quite familiar with the severity of that wintertime weather. The cold is bone-chilling. Even with the war still raging, there are reportedly hundreds of foreign students who have remained in Ukraine to continue their studies because that is the only option they have. Many of these students grew up in tropical climates so I can only imagine how dire their situation is as they shelter in their freezing dormitory rooms and apartments without heat. The world seems to be imploding right now. Someone or something is desperately needed to hold it together, and the UN is about the only hope there is. By its treatment of Russia as a normal member at this particular time, as it just did during the Gaza ceasefire negotiations, the UN risks letting its moral inconsistency turn it into a joke. I often find myself disagreeing with, disappointed in, and even demonstrating against President Biden's policies. He has been largely a failure at reversing his predecessor's detestable immigration policies--and in one notable executive order, even sacrificed 26 environmental laws to fast-track the useless border wall He has supported Israel's strategically idiotic and morally bankrupt wildly overreactive response in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of some 20,000 people (mostly civilians and including thousands of innocent children)and the homelessness of millions; the US even vetoed a ceasefire resolution at the UN He's moving too slowly on climate change and embraces, along with his endorsement of true clean energy (which I see as a strong positive) some technologies that will make the problem worse, such as nuclear power (about as NON-green a technology as it's possible to invent) And yet, assuming he's the candidate in November, he will get my vote. I admit he might not if the US had adopted ranked-choice voting. But until it does, a vote for any third-party candidate is a vote for the main opponent of your preferred candidate. More importantly, I believe that the bad things Biden has done have been part of his own effortsometimes accurate and sometimes off-baseto leave the world better than he found it. He is, fundamentally, a good person, And despite never having a majority in both houses of Congress, he's done quite a bit of good as president: Shepherding a phenomenal economic turnaround, the best post-COVID economy in the world, and creating or recovering hundreds of thousands more jobs Replacing skepticism with science on topics ranging from global climate change to the safety of COVID vaccines Restoring US leadership on the world stage after it was torn to shreds by his predecessor Supporting labor, the middle class, the poor, and the disenfranchisedand doing his best to hold big corporations and the super-rich accountable for dong their part Championing the right to voteand the right to have that vote properly counted As I write this BEFORE the first primaries and caucuses, that opponent is likely to be the orange-haired former president. Yeah, the guy who is facing more than 90 felony counts, who has bragged about a history of sexual abuse (and been accused of many others and found liable in one he didn't admit to). The serial liar who was caught in 30,000 false statements just during his four-year presidency. The narcissist who thinks rules and laws don't apply to him. The person who stacked the Supreme Court with people who have undermined the values shared by most US citizens, overturned longstanding legal precedents, and for the first time in modern history, stripped away the rights of whole classes of people. And, let's not forget, the man who has promised that if he is elected, he will focus not on governance, not on the economy, not on human rightsbut on revenge against his perceived enemies, active harassment of people who might be a different color, ethnicity, political philosophy or religion, and who repeatedly uses language straight out of Hitler. Yesterday, Christmas 2023, both men issued Christmas messages. Robert Hubbell devoted his daily newsletter to these messagesand their contrasts couldn't be more stark. Biden spoke of unity, teamwork, kindness, and hope. But DT used his bully pulpit to wish that those he perceives as "EVIL and SICKTHUGS" (which includes the military and those who favor electric cars) "ROT IN HELL" (capitalization is his). Please make sure you're registered to vote. That your friends know why you will vote for Biden. And that the records of these two men while in office leave no choice. Friday, December 29, 2023 NO HOLIDAYS FOR CANDIDATE WORRIES Author and Global Political Consultant Examines Thoughts of Incumbents and Challengers as Races Ignite Zurich, Switzerland Global political consultant Louis Perron, author of the forthcoming book, Beat the Incumbent, knows that as soon as New Year's Day has passed, the fight for political office becomes more fierce. The reality of electoral politics is different and often brutal. Candidates will spend hours every day asking strangers for money like a beggar and spend more time with their campaign staff than their families. Once they are seen as rising in the polls, and become a danger, they will become the target of attacks. Get ready to see stories appear about your love life, private life, your children or business matters from twenty years ago. Questions candidates need to be asking themselves right now: Do I really want to do this to myself? Challengers and new candidates come to me with honorable ideas on how to save their city, district or constituency. Do I need strategic adjustments to manage the chaos? If candidates don't have a plan now, they will likely end up not having one once the campaign starts (again) for real, and their operation will be a shot-gun attack and likely end in complete chaos. "I remember when I presented results of a survey to a campaign team a few days before Christmas," said Dr. Perron. "When I started to present, they all grabbed their cigarettes. By the end of my presentation, which I assume was physically painful, one could barely see across the room, that's how smoked filled it was. The team later told me that they spent the worst Christmas ever. But it was the wake-up call they needed." Bigg Boss Kannada 10: Week 15 Highlights Bigg Boss Kannada Season 10: Week 15 kicked off with a controversial task where contestants were asked to express which housemate's friendship they intend to carry beyond the show. Each participant chose their closest companions. In a new set of tasks, Bigg Boss instructed the contestants to vote for special tasks that would reward the house with groceries. Additionally, all contestants were asked to vote on which female contestant's makeup kit should be returned to Bigg Boss. Furthermore, Vinay was assigned a secret task, Tanisha surrendered her makeup kit, Namratha had to apply hair oil to her hair, and Karthik was tasked with dressing like a girl. To promote the new Colors Kannada television serial 'Sri Gowri,' lead cast members Amulya Gowda and Appu entered the Bigg Boss house and shared insights about the show and its cast. Following this, the nomination process commenced, with contestants nominating two individuals who are not eligible for the finale week. As a result, Prathap, Varthur Santhosh, Tanisha, Vinay, Namratha, and Karthik were nominated for elimination in the 15th week. Week 15 brought numerous surprises for the contestants, including a reunion with eliminated contestants in the house. They shared their experiences on the Bigg Boss show and discussed the attention they have garnered outside the house after eviction. Some contestants also provided advice to their peers on how to navigate the next two weeks and shared insights into public perceptions of them. The Cumberland Church, a local Albany historical building in the process of converting to a community center, is now one step closer to gaining national recognition. On Wednesday, Jan. 3, the Albany Landmarks Commission will review a nonprofit's application to have the church listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which volunteers hope will bring a new level of protection and respect for the 130-plus-year-old building. Podcasts '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. The Oregon State Historic Preservation Office in Salem previously approved the church's historic status in 2020, an important state-level step in teeing the site up for federal recognition. The Albany Landmarks Commission, tasked with promoting the city's historic districts and you guessed it landmarks, will offer feedback on the church's nomination, according to volunteers. They hope the commission will give another stamp of approval before it heads back to the state, where it then will be forwarded to the National Park Service in Washington, D.C. for a final review. For the unfamiliar, the National Register of Historic Places is an official listing or who's who (what's what?) of historic sites worthy of preservation across the country. It's been a long process applying for a spot on that list, according to Liz Rapp, a member of the Cumberland Community Events Center board, which has been the driving force behind the church's preservation and restoration efforts. Rapp has put years of research into the application, looking into the site's history and architectural significance. In fact, the primary case for the church's National Register eligibility, according to her application, is the building's distinctive Queen Anne architecture, a relative rarity for Oregon churches. In making her case for the National Register, Rapp has traveled up and down the Willamette Valley to places like Lafayette, Silverton, Brownsville and Cottage Grove to compare different Queen Anne style structures as to better gauge the uniqueness of Albany's Cumberland Church. Out of 846 religious facilities, there are only 31 in the state that showcase that distinctive style, according to the Oregon Historic Sites Database. Rapp said Albany's Cumberland Church is by far the most ornate and elaborate she's seen. The president of the Cumberland Community Events Center Emma Eaton echoed her sentiments. "If this building was not saved, it would not be created again. It could not," Eaton said during a phone interview Thursday, Dec. 28. As she spoke, she wielded a crowbar and hammer, black jacket coated in plaster dust and paint splatters, during an interior demolition at the church. The building has indeed undergone an extensive makeover since 2020, when its historic status was approved by the state. That's included the moving of the entire church about 1,200 feet along Santiam Road from Main Street to a new spot at Santiam Highway Southeast and Pine Street and the severing and reconnection of its picturesque steeple. The once flakey facade has also undergone a rejuvenating paint job, with golden trim and red flourishes to highlight the building's intricate moldings. Last week, Eaton and other volunteers were removing parts of the interior walls to check for rot, which will inform future design plans, Eaton said. Volunteers envision the space to be a community center for people to seek information and community resources, and a site for cultural exchange. When asked about her New Year's resolution, Eaton said she hopes to have a certificate of occupancy from the city by the end of the year, perhaps in time for the holidays. "I may be truly dreaming, but I'm going to do my darnedest to make it happen, so we can get people back into the building," she said even if it's right up against the clock. "I'll take Dec. 31, I don't care," Eaton added. As for Rapp, her New Year's resolution is to do whatever it takes to get the site on the National Register. "I won't say 'or die trying,' but in some ways sometimes it feels like that," she said with a laugh. Related stories: Regulatory News: Further to our announcements of 18 June 2021 and 14 June 2023, HSBC Continental Europe ('HBCE') has completed on 1 January 2024 the sale of its retail banking business in France (the 'Transaction') to CCF, a subsidiary of Promontoria MMB SAS ('My Money Group'). My Money Group and CCF are under the control, directly or indirectly, of funds and accounts managed or advised by Cerberus Capital Management L.P. As the Transaction also included the sale by HBCE of its 100% ownership interest in HSBC SFH (France) ('HSFH'), HSFH is now wholly owned by CCF and has changed its legal name to CCF SFH effective from 1 January 2024. Executing our strategy The completion of the Transaction marks a key milestone in HBCE's transformation and will allow the bank to focus on its international banking business model that comprises commercial banking, global banking and markets activities for corporate and institutional clients, as well as asset management and insurance, complemented by a targeted wealth and private banking business. Notes to Editors HSBC Continental Europe Headquartered in Paris, HSBC Continental Europe is an indirectly held subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc. HSBC Continental Europe includes, in addition to its banking, insurance and asset management activities based in France, the business activities of 10 European branches (Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden) and subsidiaries in Malta and Luxembourg. HSBC Continental Europe's mission is to serve both customers in Continental Europe for their financial needs worldwide and customers in other Group countries for their financial needs in Continental Europe. HSBC Holdings plc HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HBCE, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 62 countries and territories. With assets of US$3,021bn at 30 September 2023, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations. This announcement contains both historical and forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of terms such as 'expects,' 'targets,' 'believes,' 'seeks,' 'estimates,' 'may,' 'intends,' 'plan,' 'will,' 'should,' 'potential,' 'reasonably possible', 'anticipates,' 'project', or 'continue', variation of these words, the negative thereof or similar expressions or comparable terminology. HBCE has based the forward looking statements on current plans, information, data, estimates, expectations and projections about, among other things, results of operations, financial condition, prospects, strategies and future events, and therefore undue reliance should not be placed on them. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the HBCE group, as described under 'Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements' contained in the HBCE Annual Financial Report for the period ended 31 December 2022. HBCE undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed herein might not occur. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. No representation or warranty is made as to the achievement or reasonableness of and no reliance should be placed on such forward-looking statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231231778605/en/ Contacts: Investor enquiries to: Neil Sankoff 44 (0) 7795668974 investorrelations@hsbc.com Yafei Tian 852 2899 8909 yafai.tian@hsbc.com.hk Media enquiries to: Heidi Ashley 44 7920254057 heidi.ashley@hsbc.com Sophie Ricord 33 6 89 10 17 62 sophie.ricord@hsbc.fr Raphaele-Marie Hirsch 33 7 64 57 35 55 raphaele.marie.hirsch@hsbc.fr The actress opened up about her idea of relationships in a recent interview and said, Im not someone, who will pretend to have a different relationship status just for the sake of social media. In one of the episodes of Karan Johars Koffee With Karan featuring Aditya Roy Kapur, the host asked the actor if he was dating Ananya Panday, to which he responded, You see Karan, you said on your show ask me no secrets and Ill tell you no lies. When Johar further grilled the actor by saying, she said that she is very Ananya Coy Kapur, he quipped, And I am Aditya Joy Kapur, as of now. Yes, you mean you are joyously in a situationship, Karan further said and Aditya replied, Yes, I am quite joyous. Advertisement Ananya Panday responds In an interview with India Today, the actress addressed her idea of relationships. I hate situationships. I dont like that term only. Also, Im not on a dating app and nor do I talk about my relationships on social media. Im not someone, who will pretend to have a different relationship status just for the sake of social media, she said. Panday was recently seen in Netflixs Kho Gaye Hum Kahan. In its review, Firstpost wrote- Not giving out any spoilers, the movie touches upon child abuse too and the fact that it can happen to baby boys and how it can scar their entire life. In one of the scenes in the film, it shows how our world has become so fake. When we were in school we used to say, my father is a CEO of a multinational company. But now what will our kids say when the same question is asked to them? They will say My father/ mother is an influencer joh naach naach ke saboon bach tah hai (My father/ mother is an influencer who dances and sells soaps and other products.). In a Ask Me Anything session on Instagram recently, the editor of Kalki 2898 AD Vishal Kumar spoke about the VFX of his film and how the team has been researching for over a decade. Later, it was reported his account on Instagram is fake Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Amitabh Bachchan are coming together for Nag Ashwins magnum opus Kalki 2898 AD that is going to release mostly this year. In an Ask Me Anything session on Instagram recently, the editor of the film Vishal Kumar spoke about the VFX of his film and how the team has been researching for over a decade. Advertisement He replied to a fan- It took us 10 years to research VFX like Avatar and Avengers. We will see the result of this in Kalki, this is not your Adipurush ." Little did the fan know Kumar would end up taking a dig at the actors previous film that bombed at the box-office. However, later, it was reported his account on Instagram is fake. The grand unveiling of Kalki 2898 AD took place at the prestigious San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), where the film captivated audiences with its visionary concept and spellbinding visuals. The new title perfectly encapsulates the essence of the film, generating curiosity and excitement among fans and cinephiles worldwide. Advertisement Directed by Nag Ashwin, Kalki 2898 AD promises to transport audiences to a world never seen before in Indian cinema. The films premise, set in the distant future of 2898 AD, seamlessly blends futuristic elements with rich storytelling, offering an unparalleled and immersive cinematic experience. As the buzz around Kalki 2898 AD continues to grow, fans eagerly await further updates on the films release but one thing we are sure of at this point is that Vyjayanthi Movies is set to redefine storytelling and showcase Indian cinemas potential on the global stage with this groundbreaking sci-fi masterpiece. What will 2024 look like? Which way could the Israel-Hamas war could go? What about the slew of general elections? Lets take a look at what we can expect The year 2024 is poised to be one for the history books. India, the US and the UK are set to go the polls in general elections that could define the rest of the decade. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to continue its quest to explore outer space. The Israel-Hamas war, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to fight until victory, is likely to reach its violent conclusion. Advertisement The grinding stalemate of the Ukraine-Russia conflict may be set to enter a violent new phase. The battle between workers and management will continue. Lets take a look at what we can expect from 2024 Elections, elections, elections Above all, 2024 seems to be one of general elections. The Indian general election which pits the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) against the Opposition INDIA bloc is arguably the big daddy of them all. On the one hand you have Prime Minister Narendra Modi arguably the tallest leader on the national scene since his ascent in 2014 seeking his third consecutive term in office. And on the other, you have a conglomeration of outfits including the Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party, the Trinamool Congress each trying to push forward their own party leaders and yet somehow come together to counter the BJP. Advertisement The recent state Assemblies in which the BJP prevailed in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh could well be a harbinger of things to come . However, the Indian public in its wisdom could also throw up a surprise. Meanwhile, in the United States, the most consequential election in history tagline which is inevitably thrown up every four years could for once prove apt. Advertisement A mouth-watering rematch of the 2020 election between Donald Trump and Joe Biden is on the cards. Advertisement This time with the former president as the challenger and the current president as the incumbent. While t he polls have been almost consistently favouring Trump , Bidens team seems to be as calm as still waters on a lake. Their refrain? Ignore what people say and focus on how they vote and have been since Trump took the White House in 2016. History shows every election that has been a referendum on Trump has seen the Democrats overperform and Republicans underperform. Advertisement Will Biden the man who had been running for the presidency for three decades before he finally prevailed pull off one final win? Dont bet against him. In the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunaks political future could be at stake. Sunak, who succeeded Liz Truss as Prime Minister of Britain, is facing trouble with the rank and file of the Conservative Party. Advertisement The reason? Illegal immigration or to be more specific, the Sunak governments unsuccessful attempts at stymieing it despite much tough talk. While Sunak prevailed in a parliamentary vote to revive his plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, the British prime minister isnt out of the woods yet. The Conservative Party, which has been power for nearly a decade and a half, is trailing the Labour Party by double digits in polling. Advertisement This, even as Sunak is required by law to call the polls before 25 January, 2025 and is more likely to do so in 2024. Meanwhile, the party itself is fractured as the moderate Conservatives have vowed to withhold support from the draft law if it means Britain breaching its human rights obligations, while right-wing politicians complain the bill doesnt go nearly far enough. Advertisement Keir Starmer, the Opposition Labour leader, has promised his party would revoke the policy if he gets into power. Britain has already paid $300 million to Rwanda even though no one has yet been sent there. Even if the programme gets off the ground, Rwanda would have the capacity to settle only hundreds of migrants from Britain at a time. Advertisement Expect Labour to storm back to victory. India continues to explore space The ISRO had a fantastic 2023. From launching the SSLV-D2 in February to pulling off the Chandrayaan-3 moon mission in July, the space agency had a truly stellar year. Now, with the ISRO having set a goal of having a space station by 203 5, the year 2024 is poised to be an extremely eventful one. Advertisement The agency has lined up six missions of PSLV, three GSLV launches and one commercial mission of Launch Vehicle Mark-3 in 2024. The space agency also has plans to undertake two unmanned missions under the Gaganyaan programme to validate the human-rated launch vehicle and the orbital module in actual flight. Additionally, multiple sub-orbital missions using a test vehicle are also planned to validate the Gaganyaan Crew Escape System under various abort conditions. Advertisement The space agency has also lined up two autonomous runway landing experiments of winged body Reusable Launch Vehicle and put in orbit the GSAT 20 communication satellite through a procured launch under a commercial contract by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). The six PSLV missions will launch a space science satellite, an Earth observation satellite, two technology demonstration missions and two commercial missions by NSIL. The three GSLV missions are to launch a meteorology satellite, a Navigation satellite and a joint NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite, while the LVM3 launch is a commercial mission by the NSIL. Even better, ISRO and NASA are teaming up to launch a joint space mission to map the Earth every 12 days. The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) is set to be launched in the first quarter of 2024. The mission, which will take place over three years, aims to survey all of Earths land and ice-covered surfaces every 12 days. This will start after a 90-day satellite commissioning period. NISAR will map the entire globe in 12 days and provide spatially and temporally consistent data for understanding changes in the Earths ecosystems, ice mass, vegetation biomass, sea level rise, ground water and natural hazards, including earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and landslides. New chapter in Ukraine-Russia war All eyes were on Russia and Ukraine in 2023. This was supposed to be the make-or-break year when it comes to the war for both nations. Ukraine was supposed to be the plucky underdog that drove big, bad Russia out of its land. Instead, Kyiv found its counter-offensive stymied and very little has changed on the front lines since June. Instead, both armies settled in for a war of attrition on the front lines. BBC quoted the UK Ministry of Defence as saying, A major Russian breakthrough is unlikely and overall, the front is characterised by stasis. War is an uncertain endeavour, retired Army Lieutenant General Stephen Twitty, former deputy commander of the US European Command, told CNBC. Russia can win the war, or the Ukrainians can win the war. And, as youre seeing things now, if you really think about it, what has been achieved this year? Very little has been achieved by Russia, and you can say the same thing for the Ukrainians, he said. Were in this situation now where if theres not a clear winner, theres going to be a stalemate, and theres going to be, perhaps, a future frozen conflict. What can tilt the balance, in my view, is if the Ukrainians are not resupplied and theyre not re-funded and they dont get the equipment and people that they need. Then this war could tilt to the Russians, Twitty noted. Instead, all eyes now turn to the United States. The White House is warning that funds for Ukraine are fast running out, while the extremist Republicans in Congress remain opposed to sending any more money to Kyiv. And waiting in the wings is Donald Trump a man many pollsters tip to win the presidential race in November and someone who has been rather fulsome in his praise of Vladimir Putin. I think its important to understand the extent to which Ukraine is reliant on the US right now, because its quite significantly more reliant on the US than it is on the EU, Sam Cranny-Evans, defence analyst at the Royal United Services Institute defence think-tank, told CNBC. If the US election goes in a way that is not in Ukraines favour, coupled with the fact that the EU is not really stepping up to the plate its ammunition production is so far off what it should have been by now to give Ukraine a hope of surviving and a hope of victory its not a very cheery prediction for 2024. Putin will surely be watching events closely with a smile. Israel-Hamas war wraps up Israels Chief of Staff recently warned that the battle for Gaza will go on for many months. There are no magic solutions, there are no shortcuts in dismantling a terrorist organisation, only determined and persistent fighting, Herzi Halevi said. We will reach Hamas leadership too, whether it takes a week or if it takes months. Halevi made his remarks after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the battle against Hamas to the finish. However, it is almost a certainty that 2024 will be the year that the Israel-Hamas war will reach its denouement. So, how does it end? Well, Israel has already shown its hand when Netanyahu said his country plans to take up the overall security responsibility for the strip once Hamas is defeated. Experts have said Israels goal of completely dismantling Hamas would only work through occupying the strip essentially a redux of what America attempted in Afghanistan post 9/11. And what of the Palestinian people? There again the world has had a peek into Netanyahus plans a leaked document calls for the displacement of the population of Gaza to Egypts Sinai Peninsula. Gazans would initially be housed in tent cities before more permanent structures are conducted and a humanitarian corridor opened. And with the US in no mood to call upon a belligerent Israel to back off, this could well become reality. Workers of the world unite! The year 2023 saw the constant battle between workers and management continue. While workers stepped up to the plate and voiced their opinions on social media, managers also struck back. Expect more of the same in 2024. When you mistreat your employees (assets), they will revolt and call you out. And when they call you out socially, there is a rally backing this voice, Ranaq Sen, Head of People, WorkIndia told Moneycontrol. Sen warned that employees would continue to give voice to their frustrations unless companies fundamentally change how managers are behaving with their teams. The debate on work from home which millions of people were forced into during the COVID-19 pandemic and who found their lives much improved will likely continue. The economics of living in top cities just doesnt make sense, Karthik Sridharan, co-founder and CEO of tech talent company Flexiple told the website. In our interactions with developers, we encounter resistance from many who cite a similar reason (increased cost of living) to refrain from moving into larger cities. I personally know people who chose quality of life over a fatter paycheck. Given a tough funding climate, availability of remote positions is low. Even then, the number of people who took up remote work last year has increased which shows where worker preferences lie. Satya Sinha, CEO at Mancer Consulting, added, Not only the rent but employees also save on the hassle of travelling to and from the workplace. A chunk of money is saved on food, electricity and other utilities, including the overall cost of relocation which more than compensates for the pay cut. With inputs from agencies Could Donald Trump make a comeback? Will anyone in Russia challenge Vladimir Putin? With half the world heading to the polls in 2024, and some 30 countries electing a president, here are the key elections to watch The year 2024 will be a record-breaking year for elections. More than two billion voters in 50 countries will cast their ballots in countries including the United States, India, Mexico, and South Africa. All eyes will be on the United States, where a former president will compete for re-election despite facing a slew of serious criminal allegations. It remains to be seen who will confront Vladimir Putin in Russia. In India, it will be interesting to watch what the opposition can do to stop Prime Minister Narendra Modis whirlwind. Advertisement Heres how the political world might change in 2024. January: Bangladesh demands change amid rising tensions Bangladesh sets off the historic election year in January. Already, anti-government protests have been organised by the main Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, whose top leaders are imprisoned or exiled. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has boycotted the election as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has not quit. February: Elections in Pakistan and Indonesia In February, Pakistan and Indonesia, the worlds two most populous Muslim countries, hold elections within a week of each other. Pakistan will hold its first general election after the resignation of popular but contentious former Prime Minister Imran Khan on corruption allegations, which he denies. Despite not running for office, Khan remains the driving force behind his political party. Advertisement Soon after, Indonesia will host the worlds largest single-day election, with more than 200 million voters in the country and 1.75 million Indonesian diaspora. March: Vladimir Putin eyes six more years A newly-confident Russian president Vladimir Putin , energised by his troops success in holding their positions in Ukraine two years into the war, is hoping to extend his 24-year rule by another six years in March elections. Advertisement On 8 December he announced he is running for a fifth term, which would keep him in power until 2030. In 2020 he had the constitution amended to allow him to theoretically stay in power until 2036, which could potentially see him rule for longer than Joseph Stalin. With the war in Ukraine used to lock up or silence dissenters and opponents, there is little chance of anyone standing in his way. Advertisement His long-time nemesis Alexei Navalny is serving a 19-year jail sentence. April-May: Modis great power play Nearly one billion Indians will be called on to vote in April-May when India goes to the polls in an election in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP party are seeking a third term. Modis political career and success have been based on support from Indias one-billion-plus Hindus and, critics say, stoking enmity toward the countrys large Muslim minority. Advertisement Despite a crackdown on civil liberties on his watch, he goes into the vote the clear favourite, with his supporters crediting him with boosting his countrys standing on the global stage. June: EU test for populists The worlds largest transnational poll in June will see more than 400 million people eligible to vote in the European Parliament election. Advertisement The vote will be a test of support for right-wing populists, who have the wind in their sails after the victory of Geert Wilders anti-Islam, anti-EU PVV Freedom Party in Novembers Dutch elections and last years win for Giorgia Melonis far-right Brothers of Italy. Brussels can take heart however from Poland, where former European Council president Donald Tusk has returned to power on a solidly pro-EU platform. Advertisement July: Leftist ex-mayor and indigenous businesswoman compete for first female Leader A leftist former mayor of the capital and a businesswoman with Indigenous roots are both vying to make history in Mexico in June by becoming the first woman president of a country with a tradition of machismo. Former Mexico City mayor Claudia Sheinbaum is running on behalf of outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors Morena party. Advertisement Her outspoken opponent Xochitl Galvez has been selected to represent an Opposition coalition, the Broad Front for Mexico. November: Trump-Biden rematch On 5 November, tens of millions of Americans will choose a president in a contest which could keep incumbent Joe Biden in power until the age of 86. Poll after poll shows that a majority of voters think the gaffe-prone Democrat is too old to be commander-in-chief, despite his likely rival, ex-president Donald Trump making similar slip-ups at 77. Advertisement Disinformation looks set to be a feature of the campaign, a hangover from the last foul-tempered contest which ended with Trump supporters storming the US Capitol to try to halt the certification of Bidens victory. Trump goes into the Republican party nomination contest the clear favourite, despite multiple criminal trials hanging over him. Advertisement Bidens campaign suffered another blow after the Republican-led House of Representatives voted in December to open a formal impeachment inquiry into whether he profited unduly from his sons foreign business deals while he was vice-president under Barack Obama. With inputs from AFP The Ukrainian government hopes that its membership of the EU will materialise soon. While a policy shift in the EU is unlikely, the concrete possibility of a Trump presidency in 2024 holds a lot of uncertainty for Kyiv and that has got to be one Zelenskyys biggest worries As 2024 is here, the top priority of the Ukrainian government is best summed up as ending the war against Russia while regaining as much territory as possible. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims that Ukraine will only stop fighting when it regains its pre-2014 borders, including Crimea. This objective appears highly unlikely in 2024, but if it wants any hope of achieving it, Ukraine will need help from its European partners the main ones being the EU, which has generally shown strong support to Kyiv (with some notable exceptions) and the UK. Ukraines objectives are largely overlapping with those of its allies, and help will likely need to come in three forms. Advertisement First, military support. Despite Russia having the bigger army, Ukraine has so far been able to stop the Russian army advancing further than the Dnipro river in the south and the Donbas region in the east. This is mainly because of sophisticated military equipment sold or gifted by its partners, and because of intelligence information transferred by NATO and the US. To avoid being outmatched, Ukraine will need continuous support by its allies in 2024 because, having nearly exhausted its own equipment, it is almost totally reliant on western assistance for artillery and rocket artillery systems and ammunition, as reported by a study from the US Congress. The EU has already distributed finance to its member states to deliver military equipment to Kyiv, and now, for the first time in its history, the EU will finance member states to assist with the production of military equipment. The EU finances member states both through a special common fund called the European Peace Facility (for the transfer of existing weapons), or through its budget (for assisting with production costs). Advertisement Second, economic support. Because of the war, Ukraine is in huge financial debt . But unlike other countries in the same condition, its dire economic situation is much harder to manage due to the war efforts. The US Congress decided to block financial aid to Kyiv, and now the EU has done the same. Advertisement However, the reason for the EUs decision not to commit more money was not that the US had not done so. It was, instead, Hungarys prime minister, Viktor Orban sometimes called Russias Trojan horse in the EU who vetoed the transfer of 50 billion (Rs 45.79 lakh crore) in EU aid to Ukraine. Advertisement Third, political support. This is the ideological underpinning of the other two forms of support. It is also necessary to influence public opinion. It is important for Kyiv that public opinion in Europe remains overwhelmingly in its favour, so that democratic leaders have another incentive to stand with Ukraine. Political support may come in the form of public statements ( we stand with Ukraine ), as well as by visiting or hosting Zelenskyy. Advertisement These are acts which show that, two years into the conflict, the commitment of European partners to the Ukrainian cause remains strong despite the economic cost for their constituencies, shifting international attention towards the war between Israel and Hamas , and the manifest disunity of European leaders . Another important symbolic decision was the EUs choice to formally open membership talks with Kyiv. But it is, at this stage, largely symbolic because the accession process typically takes nearly a decade. Advertisement Will aid continue? In 2024, there will be three elections that have the potential to determine what might change: the presidential elections in Russia in March, the EU parliamentary elections in May, and the US presidential elections in November. The US and EU have been Ukraines most influential supporters so far, but electoral changes could mean a different policy. (The UK is also likely to have a general election, but both main parties seem committed to continuing aid.) Advertisement Military aid looks likely to remain untouched at least until the European elections. It is in the European nations interest to stop Russia moving further into Ukraine. Advances could allow Vladimir Putin to cut off more access to the Black Sea ports , for instance, or even target Moldova. So far, this has overridden political contentiousness, even though some Opposition figures have suggested that providing weapons to Ukraine only prolongs the war and exacerbates insecurity . With the exception of the previous Polish govervnment , the new Slovakian one and Hungary, no other EU member government has announced that it would stop or is considering stopping the sale or gift of weapons to Ukraine. Advertisement This is likely to continue even if Donald Trump, who is essentially a pro-Putin candidate , were to be elected US president and were to announce an end to US military support to Ukraine, as has been hinted. Ongoing financial aid from the EU is also looking possible. The situation in the US is more uncertain, where the bipartisan support of Ukraine that existed at the beginning of the war seems to have evaporated . There is some likelihood that a Trump presidency would try to block both military and financial aid, according to some sources. This has been suggested in the policy agenda drafted by America First Policy Institute, which is staffed by former Trump officials. Advertisement The Ukrainian government hopes that its membership of the EU will materialise soon. The commission has said that it must fulfil the conditions for membership as any other candidate would. The next legislature (2024-2029) in the EU will likely decide at least the timeframe for membership, if not the specific conditions. Advertisement Ukraine faces a formidable challenge in reclaiming its pre-2014 borders. To achieve this, continued military support, economic aid and unwavering political backing from European partners, particularly the EU and the UK, are crucial. While a policy shift in the EU is unlikely, the concrete possibility of a Trump presidency in 2024 holds a lot of uncertainty for Ukraine and that has got to be one Zelenskyys biggest worries. Advertisement This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article . India welcomed the year 2024 with great enthusiasm and fervour. Last year (2023) was eventful for the country on both national and global fronts President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared New Year greetings with the country on Monday, wishing for happiness, peace, prosperity and good health for everyone. Welcome New Year with renewed commitment Extending her New Years wishes, President Murmu said: Warm New Year greetings to all! May the Year 2024 bring happiness, peace and prosperity for everyone. Advertisement Let us welcome the New Year with a renewed commitment to contribute to inclusive and sustainable development, the President of India said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Warm New Year greetings to all! May the Year 2024 bring happiness, peace and prosperity for everyone. Let us welcome the New Year with a renewed commitment to contribute to inclusive and sustainable development. President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 1, 2024 Wishing everyone a splendid 2024! In his wish to people on New Years, PM Modi said: Wishing everyone a splendid 2024! May this year bring forth prosperity, peace and wonderful health for all. Advertisement Wishing everyone a splendid 2024! May this year bring forth prosperity, peace and wonderful health for all. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 1, 2024 Advertisement India welcomed the year 2024 with great enthusiasm and fervour. Last year (2023) was eventful for the country on both national and global fronts. In September, India hosted G20 Summit in New Delhi and in July, in August the country witnessed successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moons South Pole. The years 2023 brought a lot of significant achievements for India that marked its presence in history. Advertisement After bidding adieu to 2023, India is looking forward to 2024 which is already set to mark promising events for the nation, including the inauguration of Ram Temple in Ayodhya on 22 January and the keenly watched 2024 Lok Sabha elections. On the morning of 1 January, 2024, over 4,000 participants across 108 locations in Gujarat and 51 different categories performed Surya Namaskar Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has created a new history on the first day of 2024 as it has etched its name in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most number of people performing Surya Namaskar simultaneously. On the morning of 1 January, 2024, more than 4,000 participants across 108 locations in Gujarat and 51 different categories performed the iconic sun salutation yoga sequence, solidifying the states commitment to wellness and cultural heritage. Advertisement Gujarat welcomed 2024 with a remarkable feat Lauding the remarkable feat, PM Modi said, As we all know, the number 108 holds a special significance in our culture. The venues also include the iconic Modhera Sun Temple, where several people joined. This is indeed a true testament to our commitment to Yoga and our cultural heritage. The Prime Minister also urged people to make Surya Namaskar a part of their daily routine. The benefits are immense, he added. Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi informed that the people of Gujarat had set the same kind of record in 2023 for most people performing Yoga together. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Home Minister Sanghavi attended the celebrations at Modhera Sun Temple, on the first morning of the year 2024. Advertisement The record-breaking event, held at the majestic Modhera Sun Temple, witnessed enthusiastic participation from diverse groups, including families, students, yoga enthusiasts, and even senior citizens. The jubilant atmosphere reached a crescendo when Guinness World Records adjudicator Swapnil Dangarikar officially announced the successful attempt. I was here to verify the record for the most people doing Surya Namaskar. This is a new title because no one had attempted to break this record before. After going through all the evidence and seeing them perform here in ModheraThey have successfully set a new Guinness World Record title for most people doing Surya Namaskar, Dangarikar said. Advertisement With inputs from ANI XPoSat stands as the worlds second X-ray polarimetry mission, following NASAs launch of the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) in December 2021 The Indian Space Research Organisation, or ISRO, Monday launched X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) from the first launch-pad, SDSC-SHAR, at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. The launch of XPoSat marks Indias first satellite launch in 2023 and comes after the Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L1 mission by the Indian space department. #WATCH | PSLV-C58 XPoSat Mission launch | ISRO launches X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) from the first launch-pad, SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. (Source: ISRO) pic.twitter.com/ua96eSPIcJ ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2024 Advertisement XPoSat stands as the worlds second X-ray polarimetry mission, following NASAs launch of the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) in December 2021. POEM-3 being scripted After the launch of XPoSat, ISRO took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to inform that the lift-off was normal and the satellite has been launched successfully. PSLV-C58/XPoSat Mission: Lift-off normal XPoSat satellite is launched successfully. PSLV-C58 vehicle placed the satellite precisely into the intended orbit of 650 km with 6-degree inclination. The POEM-3 is being scripted ...#XPoSat ISRO (@isro) January 1, 2024 Advertisement XPoSat is Indias maiden space-based observatory designed to explore X-ray polarization and its cosmic sources, including celestial entities like black holes, neutron stars, and magnetars. Advertisement Also Read: India begins New Year with launch of XPoSat satellite to study black holes The PSLV-C58 rocket carried the primary payload for the launch of XPoSat and 10 other satellites that are destined for deployment in low-earth orbits. What is ISROs XPoSat mission? XPoSat will operate within the medium X-ray band, distinguishing it from NASAs IXPE, which focuses on the soft X-ray band. Advertisement With the successful launch, India has secured its position as the second country globally to launch an advanced astronomy observatory dedicated to studying the intricate dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources, particularly black holes and neutron stars. XPoSat will orbit Earth in a low orbit and is carrying two scientific payloads. The primary payload, POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays), will measure polarimetry parameters, including the degree and angle of polarization, in the medium X-ray energy range of 8-30 keV photons of astronomical origin. Advertisement Additionally, the XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) payload will provide spectroscopic information in the energy range of 0.8-15 keV. Why XPoSat has been launched? ISROs motivation behind launching XPoSat mission lies in the complexity of understanding the emission mechanisms from various astronomical sources, such as black holes, neutron stars, active galactic nuclei, and pulsar wind nebulae. Advertisement Objectives of XPoSat Mission While existing space-based observatories offer valuable spectroscopic and timing information, the addition of polarimetry measurements, detailing the degree and angle of polarization, promises to enhance astronomers understanding of emission processes from these celestial sources. Also Read: ISROs New Year Surprise: All you need to know about Indias XPoSat mission, why it is crucial for the country Advertisement The combination of polarimetric and spectroscopic observations is anticipated to unravel challenges posed by various theoretical models of astronomical emission processes. The objectives of the XPoSat mission include measuring X-ray polarization in the energy band of 8-30 keV from around 50 potential cosmic sources, conducting long-term spectral and temporal studies of cosmic X-ray sources in the energy band of 0.8-15 keV, and performing polarimetry and spectroscopic measurements of X-ray emissions from cosmic sources within the common energy band. Advertisement Refresh for more updates Reporters Without Border stated in their report that in 2023, there were at least 21 instances of arrests of journalists in Afghanistan. At least three journalists are still detained in Taliban prison, according to the report Reporters Without Borders, cited by the Afghanistan-based Khaama Press, stated that Afghanistan, Vietnam, and Russia are the three countries where journalists face the most risk. According to the report released on Sunday, there has been a great deal of oppression of the media in Afghanistan throughout the Talibans control. According to the report, journalists have been detained by the Taliban on suspicion of spying. Advertisement Reporters Without Border stated in their report that in 2023, there were at least 21 instances of arrests of journalists in Afghanistan. At least three journalists are still detained in Taliban prison, according to the report. In 2023, 779 journalists have been imprisoned for a minimum of brief periods of time. Of these, 547 journalists are still incarcerated in different countries throughout the world, according to a research by Khaama Press. According to a Khaama Press report, the Afghanistan Journalists Centre reported in its annual report on the state of journalism in the nation that it has documented 168 instances of infringement of journalists rights. It went on to say that among the cases filed at this centre are those involving journalist deaths, injuries, threats, and arrests in Afghanistan. In addition, at least eight requests for prohibitions on media activity have been made in 2023. Advertisement According to the Afghanistan Journalists Centre, there were 61 documented instances of arrests of journalists in 2023, 78 occurrences of threats against journalists, one death, and 19 injuries among journalists, as reported by Khaama Press. According to the Afghanistan Journalists Centre, there is no change in terms of quality and structure, but there is a significant decrease in recorded cases of violation of the rights of journalists and the media in 2023 compared to the 260 events recorded in 2022, TOLO News reported. Advertisement This is happening at the same time as journalists and media professionals are pleading with the Taliban to act decisively to address the ongoing problems that media people encounter in the Taliban-controlled nation. Because of the Talibans severe controls, covering security-related events like explosions and suicide strikes has become incredibly laborious for journalists and media outlets in Afghanistan. Advertisement The Taliban pledged that the media would be allowed to function freely and independently throughout Afghanistan after taking control of the nation. A month later, new regulations were put in place, though, which closely monitor and control media outlets and journalists. After the first several weeks of Taliban control, the brief freedom of the media had vanished. Advertisement (With agency inputs) A package was stolen from my porch in Southwest Corvallis, and Im delighted. Why would that make anyone smile? Because the package was a trap a decoy meant to catch a thief in the act. A Place to Sleep, episode 10: Wrapping up We check back with some of the people we've met along our travels and we catch up with politicos who are trying to come up with solutions. It was part of a joint operation by the Benton County Sheriffs Office and U.S. Postal Service. Thieves commonly known as porch pirates steal packages after theyve been delivered and before recipients retrieve them. USPS helps agencies all over deploy these types of operations, said Detective Doug Seirup with the Benton County Sheriffs Office. They have the tracking devices, and they can provide the envelopes and packaging and the actual items that we can put inside. Seirup is a 16-year law enforcement veteran who works such property crimes as burglaries and thefts for the Sheriffs Office. He oversaw the porch pirate sting, which is in its second year in Benton County. Each week, six decoy packages equipped with GPS-tracking devices were delivered to the doorsteps of homes and businesses in areas known to be recent theft hotspots. When a package is moved, it alerts law enforcement to where its going. I wont go into further detail about how the tracking devices work for the sake of future operations. But I will say the deputies came up with an ingenious method thats unlikely to be discovered until its far too late for would-be thieves. Having seen the opportunity to help out on the Benton County Sheriffs Facebook page, I signed up, assuming I would be writing an article about the outcome regardless. After my participation was confirmed, I eagerly awaited the decoy package, warning my family several times not to touch the bait when it arrived. Would it be a big box connoting something expensive? Or something smaller, easier to swipe and conceal? It turned out to be the latter, a typical Amazon-type padded delivery envelope. But the battery warning sticker displayed on the front likely added to its attractiveness. Part of the operations appeal for law enforcement is the opportunity to be proactive and create crime deterrents, Seirup said, adding that with limited staffing and a large coverage area, it can be challenging to go beyond reacting to crimes already committed. Sometimes it takes a village, as they say. Community policing is something that we subscribe to, he said. Everybody that I talked to who was involved was excited. In my case, I wasnt convinced anything would happen. Quiet neighborhood, security cameras up and down the block, and Im fairly attentive to home security. A whole day passed, then another. The anticipation was sort of like the inverse of waiting for Santa Claus. On the third day, I awoke to a missed call from the Sheriffs Office, informing me the package on my porch was snatched earlier that morning while I slept. I rushed to see if my cameras captured the crime in progress only to learn of a blind spot in my surveillance (which, attention would-be thieves: this has since been rectified). The suspected thief was apprehended, the detective told me over the phone. I suggested perhaps one of my neighbors would have video of the theft, but I was told that may not be needed given the suspect was caught with the package. Caught red-handed! Everything had worked according to plan. While package theft is a year-round problem, Seirup said, its worse during the holidays, when online ordering picks up. Thus the timing of this operation: The more packages out for delivery, the better chance criminals will try to nab themselves a free Christmas present. As a crime reporter, I knew a press release would be shortcoming, and I waited patiently. "My" parcel disappeared Nov. 30, but it was among the first. On Dec. 26, the Sheriffs Office announced the successful conclusion of the four-week operation. The release touts the use of technology and strategy to catch criminals and deter those considering similar crimes. It also calls attention to the value of interagency cooperation in law enforcement as well as community engagement, calling the operation a clear example of the potential positive outcomes from working together. The holidays may have come and gone, but porch pirates arent seasonal, so its highly likely the Sheriffs Office will continue its sting sporadically through the year, Seirup said. The agency has tracking devices of its own to deploy as time and resources allow, he said. In a phone interview, Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall hailed the successful operation, thanking his staff for taking the initiative as well as community members for pitching in to help. He also noted recent arrests of mail thieves targeting more rural areas of Benton County. And hes looking forward to another rendition of the sting next year. I was glad they were able to be proactive and take care of some problems that need to be addressed, Van Arsdall said. Three alleged perpetrators were nabbed in the course of the operation and are suspected of committing the following criminal charges: Jerry Michael Wells, 34, of Corvallis, second-degree criminal trespass, second-degree theft, and mail theft. Roxanne Martinez, 64, of Albany, second-degree criminal trespass, second-degree theft, and mail theft. Kayla Marie Kidd, 30, of Keizer, second-degree criminal trespass, attempting to elude, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, two counts of second-degree theft and reckless driving. Kidd was arrested after a decoy package was taken at around 10 p.m. Dec. 15 from the 1400 block of Northwest Highland Drive in Corvallis, according to a probable cause affidavit filed with Benton County Circuit Court. Deputies tracked the pilfered package after being alerted it was on the move, homing in on a Honda CR-V in the area of Northwest Hayes Avenue and 27th Street, the affidavit states. A deputy tried to conduct a traffic stop on the Honda, but the driver sped off northbound into the dark, foggy night. Pursuing deputies followed the car, whose driver reportedly cut the lights as the Honda entered Arthur Circle, where the only way out is back onto Arthur Avenue in either direction, according to the affidavit. The deputies split up, reportedly finding the car with the drivers door ajar and the left turn signal blinking but no suspect. However, a deputy found a purse on the ground outside the drivers door with a cellphone in a pink case, according to the affidavit, which states a search of the purse yielded multiple documents with Kidds name, including an ID card from a drug treatment program based in Salem. Also found among Kidds documents were an ID card and debit card belonging to other people. Kidd reportedly had four warrants for her arrest: municipal court warrants from Salem, Albany and Dallas, and an Oregon State Parole Board warrant. Deputies caught up with her near the intersection of Kings Boulevard and Arthur Place, though she refused to give her name, the affidavit states. They were still able to positively identify Kidd and arrested her, according to the affidavit, but they had to call for medics after Kidd claimed to have swallowed fentanyl while being chased. After being evaluated at Good Samaritan Hospital, she was taken to the Benton County Jail for booking, according to the affidavit. The Honda was stolen out of Marion County and likely had stolen license plates as well, the affidavit states, noting the decoy package and its contents were found in plain view on the passenger floorboard. Court documents were not yet available regarding the charges against Wells and Martinez. Related stories: Yunus was accused of bribery and violating labour laws on more than a hundred more counts. The Nobel laureate informed reporters following one of the hearings last month that none of the more than 50 social enterprise companies he had founded in Bangladesh had brought him any financial gain Muhammad Yunus, the chairman of Grameen Telecom and a Bangladeshi Nobel winner, and three other people were convicted to six months in prison on Monday for breaking labour laws by a Dhaka court. Dhaka residents are questioning the verdicts timeliness, given that it was rendered six days prior to the countrywide elections. Advertisement With the help of his microfinance bank, Grameen Bank, Yunus, 83, brought millions of Bangladeshis out of poverty and gained international recognition. Although he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, he and the Sheikh Hasina administration have never agreed. He is allegedly sucking blood from the poor, according to Hasina. More than 170 world leaders, including the former US president Barack Obama, had pleaded with Hasina to put a halt to all legal measures against Yunus because they were concerned about the multiple cases against him. In response, Hasina stated that she would invite lawyers and specialists from other countries to visit Bangladesh in order to evaluate the court case and look over the papers related to Yunuss accusations. Advertisement The decision was made public on Monday by judge Sheikh Marina Sultana of Dhaka Labour Court 3. Later, bail was given to Yunus and the others. Additionally, the court punished them Bangladeshi Taka 5,000 for one area and Taka 25,000 for another, with further penalties of 10 and 15 days in prison. Advertisement The judge allowed them a month to contest the ruling in a high court appeal. At 1:35 p.m., Yunus and the other three accused in the caseManaging Director M. Shahjahan, Trustee Nurjahan Begum, and CEO of Grameen Telecom Md. Ashraful Hassanappeared in court. The court scheduled the ruling for Monday following the conclusion of the cases arguments on December 24. Advertisement Yunus was accused of bribery and violating labour laws on more than a hundred more counts. The Nobel laureate informed reporters following one of the hearings last month that none of the more than 50 social enterprise companies he had founded in Bangladesh had brought him any financial gain. The judge determined that the accusations against the accused were true in the 84-page ruling. Nonetheless, the four were released on bail for a month with the promise to appeal, so they wont have to to prison immediately. Advertisement The defenses attorney, Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun, stated that his clients had not gotten justice and that they would appeal the ruling to a higher court. The Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishment filed a lawsuit on September 9, 2021, alleging that Yunus and three other individuals had broken labour rules. Advertisement During an examination at Grameen Telecom, the agency found multiple labour law infractions, according to case files. Among the infractions include the failure to create a welfare and workers participation fund, to permanently hire 101 workers and employees, and to give workers 5% of the companys dividend. (With agency inputs) The draft, a substantial revision of the 2007 Emergency Response Law, obliges the government to provide timely and transparent information about emergencies and its related decisions Chinas National Peoples Congress (NPC) is considering a significant amendment to the Emergency Response Law, with potential implications for press coverage of disasters and accidents by Chinese media. The draft, open for public comment until January 27, aims to combat the deliberate spread of false information about emergencies. As per reports, the proposed amendment calls for the establishment of a news interviewing and reporting system while pledging to support news media in reporting, leaving experts questioning the specifics of these measures. Advertisement Critics express concerns about potential limitations on media coverage, emphasizing that the impact will hinge on the governments enforcement strategies. The draft, a substantial revision of the 2007 Emergency Response Law, obliges the government to provide timely and transparent information about emergencies and its related decisions. Simultaneously, it strictly prohibits the intentional fabrication or dissemination of false information, emphasizing the governments responsibility to clarify information affecting societal stability. While stressing the importance of timely, accurate, objective, and impartial news coverage, the amendment lacks details on penalties for publishing false information and the workings of the proposed news reporting system. It fails to define what constitutes publishing false information on purpose. The scope of emergencies, encompassing natural disasters, accidents, public health crises, and social security incidents, is outlined, with the State Council or its authorized department holding the authority to define and assess the severity of such situations based on casualties and losses. Advertisement Despite the absence of a specific press law in China, media activities are closely monitored through various regulations, including online censorship and controls on media qualifications. Recent incidents, such as delayed coverage of a deadly hospital fire in Beijing and the assault on a reporter investigating an accident, have raised concerns about media freedom. Advertisement Experts, including Zhan Jiang and Fang Kecheng, argue that the drafts provisions on false information are vague and could impede journalists work. Fang emphasizes that the laws impact will depend on its implementation, especially regarding timely reporting and monitoring of public opinion. Apart from reporting provisions, the draft allows the government to requisition personal property as emergency supplies, restrict peoples movement in emergencies, and encourages the use of big data and artificial intelligence in emergency responses. Advertisement NPC spokesman Zang Tiewei underscores that the regulations aim to clarify content and methods of press releases, serving as a foundational framework for Chinas emergency response if passed. Xi Jinping warns Taipei in New Year message ahead of polls, says China will surely be reunified with Taiwan China will surely be unified with Taiwan, said Xi Jinping in his New Years address on Monday. The statement of the Chinese president comes less than a fortnight before the crucial election in Taipei City on 13 January. Also, the remarks were made by Xi amid renewing Beijings threats to take over the self-ruled island, which it considers its own. Advertisement China will surely be reunified, and all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose, Xi said, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. Taiwan election 2024 China has described the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in Taiwan as a choice between war and peace. Also, Beijing considers Taiwans presidential front-runner, William Lai, who currently serves as vice president from the ruling Democratic Peoples Party, a separatist and has accused him and incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen of trying to provoke a Chinese attack on the island. 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 ramping up its threat to achieve that by military force if necessary. Advertisement On Saturday, spokesperson for Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office, Chen Binhua, called Lai a destroyer of peace following a televised debate earlier that day in which Lai defended Taiwans right to rule itself as a democracy. Chen said Lais discourse at the debate was full of confrontational thinking, adding that the vice president is the instigator of a potential dangerous war in the Taiwan Strait. Advertisement During the debate, Lai had said Taiwan is not subordinate to China and he was open to communications with Beijing as long as there is equality and dignity on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. While Lai doesnt describe himself as seeking independence from Beijing, he generally maintains Taiwan is already an independent country. Advertisement Lais election rivals include Hou Yu-ih from the more China-friendly Kuomintang party, and Ko Wen-je from the Taiwan Peoples Party. With inputs from AP Authorities did not provide further details on the overseas arrest, but said they are working with multiple law enforcement agencies The Colorado Springs Police Department reports that a mother from Colorado who is accused of killing two of her young children and hurting a third was apprehended in the United Kingdom on Saturday. When police went to an allegation of a break-in at Kimberlee Singlers house on December 19, they discovered her 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son dead. Police subsequently stated that the reports findings were baseless. Advertisement According to Ira Cronin, a spokesman for the Colorado Springs Police Department, Singler, 35, initially assisted the authorities but vanished over the course of the inquiry. Despite obtaining an arrest warrant on Tuesday on counts of attempted murder and murder, among other offences, authorities were unable to detain her. According to Cronin, Singler was not being watched and was last seen in Colorado Springs on December 23. Authorities did not provide further details on the overseas arrest, but said they are working with multiple law enforcement agencies. Attempts to reach Singler for comment through phone numbers listed for her were unsuccessful. Cronin said he didnt know if she has an attorney. When police first responded to Singlers home, they found her with minor injuries, the two childrens bodies and Singlers 11-year-old daughter hurt. At first, Singler was treated as a burglary victim, said Cronin. Advertisement The injured girl was hospitalized for a few days before being released and is recovering in Colorado Springs, said Cronin. The childrens deaths came amid an ongoing legal battle between Singler and her ex-husband over parenting time and other issues, according to court filings. The military government that took power in Burkina Faso following a September 2022 coup rarely comments on tolls from suspected jihadist attacks Security and local sources told AFP on Sunday that at least four alleged terrorist strikes in Burkina Faso had claimed the lives of several troops and civilians in the last week. Since last Sunday, dozens dead have been reported as a result of attacks on military bases, primarily in the unrest-plagued north of the nation, they claimed. Advertisement A large group of heavily armed terrorists attacked the military base at Nouna in the northwest on Saturday, according to a local source, leaving several victims, both civilian and military. An attempt that was thwarted was verified by a security source who spoke with AFP. The source also mentioned that another almost simultaneous attack targeted another northern detachment but that it had also been turned back. According to the reports, on December 24, there were two further strikes on military installations. A large-scale attack targeted the Solle detachment. Several casualties were recorded but the bravery and response (of troops) made it possible to repel the attackers, a security source told AFP, adding the jihadists had been targeted by air strikes as they retreated. Advertisement That attack has been claimed by the GSIM jihadist alliance linked to Al-Qaeda. The group claimed it killed around 60 soldiers. Also on December 24, according to a security source, a gendarmerie base was hit at Gorgadji in the northern Sahel region by a sizeable group of fighters who arrived on motorcycles. Advertisement The military government that took power in Burkina Faso following a September 2022 coup rarely comments on tolls from suspected jihadist attacks. However, state television reported that more than 30 terrorists were killed, adding that the army had destroyed three jihadist bases discovered in the northwest. In a televised New Years address on Sunday, Captain Ibrahim Traore, head of Burkinas military rulers, said that in 2024 we are going to continue our efforts to take back control of territory and step up the fight against the insurgents. Advertisement Burkina has been caught for several years in a spiral of jihadist violence perpetrated by groups affiliated with the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda, which were already hitting neighbouring Mali and Niger. Traore also announced the creation of a new rapid interaction brigade in the fight against the jihadists, which since 2015 has seen more than 17,000 soldiers and civilians killed. Advertisement On Saturday, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said it was concerned about a deterioration of the security situation in Burkina Faso, while also urging the immediate release of political and civil society leaders detained in recent weeks. The new policy took effect at Sunday midnight (2300 GMT) and allows Kosovars to enter the Schengen area without a passport for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period On Monday, the much awaited visa liberalisation programme of the European Union went into effect, enabling Kosovo citizens to enter the European borderless area without a visa. The new policy took effect at Sunday midnight (2300 GMT) and allows Kosovars to enter the Schengen area without a passport for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Advertisement Of the six Western Balkan countries, Kosovo, home to 1.8 million people, was the last to receive the waiver. The reform is seen in Pristina as a step closer to full recognition and as a means of advancing the nations aspirations to become a member of the European Union, having declared its independence in 2008. According to the European Commission, the EUs executive arm, Kosovo by 2018 met all the needed criteria for the visa-free regime, including border and migration management. But the approval has been held up by France and the Netherlands, that were concerned about the possibility of new migration waves as well as by five other EU members Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Spain. Advertisement The five do not recognise Kosovos independence from Serbia, neither does the latter. Before the EU lifted the visa regime with Kosovo, its passport holders could travel without a visa only to 14 countries all over the world. During the past few months, the government in Pristina has been conducting a public awareness campaign urging people not to misuse the freedom of travel by looking for jobs in the EU. Advertisement Later on Monday, Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who leads the campaign himself, is to address the first Kosovo residents who will travel from the Pristina airport to the EU without a visa. Israel claims that 1,200 people were murdered in a surprise Hamas onslaught on Israeli cities on October 7, which set off the war. Over 21,800 people have been killed by Israels offensive in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas, according to Palestinian health officials Ahead of a scheduled troop decrease in the conflict, Israeli tanks withdrew from some Gaza City districts on Monday while staying in others, according to residents. Nevertheless, fighting and heavy artillery continued in other parts of the Palestinian territory. There are still many months left in the Gaza war, according to Israel, which has left most of the region in ruins, claimed hundreds of lives, and left the 2.3 million residents living in humanitarian misery. Advertisement However, an official from Israel stated on Monday that the military will withdraw its forces from Gaza this month and begin a months-long phase of more focused mopping up operations. This indicates an impending change in strategy from Israel. According to the official, the troop decrease will free up units in case of a bigger fight in the north with Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon and enable some reservists to return to civilian life, supporting Israels economy ravaged by war. Since the beginning of the Gaza conflict, artillery fire between Israel and Hezbollah has shaken the border, and each fresh escalation bears the possibility of sparking a larger regional confrontation. Red Sea shipping has been targeted by fighters in Yemen who are backed by Iran. Israel claims that 1,200 people were murdered in a surprise Hamas onslaught on Israeli cities on October 7, which set off the war. Over 21,800 people have been killed by Israels offensive in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas, according to Palestinian health officials. Advertisement Due to the extent of suffering in Gaza, where the bombardment has forced nearly all residents from their homes, Israel is being urged to reduce its offensive by its Western allies, particularly the United States. Following what they characterised as the most violent ten days of fighting since the conflict began, residents of Gaza Citys Sheikh Radwan district, in the northern portion of the territory that Israels invasion first targeted, stated that tanks had withdrew. Advertisement Additionally, according to residents, tanks withdrew from areas of Tel al-Hawa and Gaza Citys al-Mina district, while they held onto certain positions in the suburb that controlled the main coastline road into the enclave. Nonetheless, there were still tanks in other areas of northern Gaza, and according to health officials, some residents of a southern Gaza City neighbourhood who were attempting to return home on Sunday were killed by Israeli gunfire. Advertisement Residents reported that fighting in the centre areas of the enclave persisted unabatedly on Monday, with airstrikes targeting al-Nusseirat, al-Maghazi, and the southern city of Khan Younis, with tanks pushing into al-Bureij. After more than 12 weeks of fighting, Hamas demonstrated its ability to still target Israel by attacking Tel Aviv with rocket fire overnight. Advertisement (With agency inputs) Masmah led Hamas terrorists in their October 7 attack on Kibbutz Beeri and Kibbutz Nirim, where a total of 135 Israelis were killed. Masmeh persisted in spearheading assaults against Israeli forces following Israels invasion of Gaza According to the Israel Defence Forces, Israel kept up its Gaza offensive in the new year, hitting more of the terror groups infrastructure and killing a Hamas commander in an airstrike. Adel Mesmah, the commander of Deir al-Balahs Najaba company, was killed by an Israeli air force fighter jet flown by ground forces in central Gaza. Advertisement Masmah led Hamas terrorists in their October 7 attack on Kibbutz Beeri and Kibbutz Nirim, where a total of 135 Israelis were killed. Masmeh persisted in spearheading assaults against Israeli forces following Israels invasion of Gaza. Ground forces also directed air strikes on a Hamas squad near Khan Yunis launching rockets, and against terrorists who fired a mortar at soldiers. The terrorists in both strikes were eliminated. During the night, Israeli naval forces struck terror infrastructure and other Hamas positions in support of ground forces. Israeli forces attacked a Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad command and control centre in the Shejaiya neighbourhood of northern Gaza. Inside a mosque, numerous weapons were also found by the authorities. On October 7, Hamas attacked Israeli villages close to the Gaza border, killing at least 1,200 people. It is now estimated that Hamas has 129 men, women, children, military, and foreigners in their custody in Gaza. While Israeli police continue to identify dead and look for human remains, some persons are still missing. Advertisement (With agency inputs) In a move described as a reconfiguration of forces by top commander Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevi, the Israeli military declared on Saturday that it was returning some reservists home According to an Israeli official, Israel is partially reintegrating reservists into civilian life to support the economy as the nation approaches the new year prepared for a protracted battle, and it is pulling some forces from Gaza to focus on more focused operations against Hamas. The official stated that some of the troops being pulled out will be ready for a potential second front in Lebanon and that the conflict will go on in the Palestinian enclave until the Islamist faction is overthrown. Advertisement Following the cross-border Hamas rampage on October 7, Israeli leaders announced that they would commence the Gaza war, which they intended to carry out in three phases. The first involved heavy shelling to promote civilian evacuation and open up access points for ground forces. The second was the Hamas terrorist attack that took place on October 27. Not only did Hamas massacre 1,200 individuals on October 7, but it also kidnapped about 240 more. Israel is also committed to liberating the remaining 129 detainees from Gaza. The possibility of some of them being released has increased because to truce negotiations mediated by Egypt and Qatar. For the war, Israel called up 300,000 reservists, or 10% to 15% of its labour force. While some were promptly released from service, according to official sources, between 200,000 and 250,000 were still serving and not attending classes or employment. Advertisement Israel has threatened to launch a full-scale war in Lebanon if Hezbollah does not yield. Iran, whose allies in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen have also begun launching longer-range attacks against Israel, supports both Hezbollah and Hamas. The Israel-Hamas conflict has wreaked enormous destruction in Gaza; the health ministry has reported around 22,000 deaths, many of them civilian. Israel claims to have killed over 8,000 Palestinian combatants, implying that Hamas still has key members according to its own calculations. Israeli estimates prior to the war placed the groups combat strength at about 30,000. Advertisement In a move described as a reconfiguration of forces by top commander Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevi, the Israeli military declared on Saturday that it was returning some reservists home. Nine soldiers were killed on the Lebanese border and 174 soldiers, many of them reservists, were reported killed in battle in Gaza by Israel. Advertisement (With agency inputs) After a succession of 21 earthquakes registering 4.0 magnitude or stronger struck central Japan in just over 90 minutes and triggered Tsunami warnings, Embassy of India in Japan on Monday issued emergency contact numbers for Indian citizens After a succession of 21 earthquakes registering 4.0 magnitude or stronger struck central Japan in just over 90 minutes and triggered Tsunami warnings, Embassy of India in Japan on Monday issued emergency contact numbers for Indian citizens. Embassy of India in Japan issues emergency contact numbers for Indian citizens following a strong earthquake and tsunami warnings pic.twitter.com/Ge1zdp1kVP ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2024 Advertisement In a message on social media, the Indian Embassy said, Embassy of India has set up an emergency control room for anyone to contact in connection with the earthquake and Tsunami on January 1, 2024. The following Emergency numbers and email IDs may be contacted for any assistance: +81-80-3930-1715 (Mr. Yakub Topno) +81-70-1492-0049 (Mr. Ajay Sethi) +81-80-3214-4734 (Mr. D.N. Barnwal) +81-80-6229-5382 (Mr. S. Bhattacharya) +81-80-3214-4722 (Mr. Vivek Rathee), the Embassy said in a statement. It also gave emergency email-IDs: sscons.tokyo@mea.gov.in, offfseco.tokyo@mea.gov.in. Embassy is in regular contact with authorities concerned and asked citizens to follow the instructions of the local government, added the statement. A succession of 21 earthquakes registering 4.0 magnitude or stronger struck central Japan in just over 90 minutes on Monday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. Advertisement The strongest jolt measured 7.6, it said. The quakes prompted tsunami warnings and authorities urged people in the area to move to higher ground. All residents must evacuate immediately to higher ground, AFP quoted National broadcaster NHK as saying. The earthquake occurred around 4:10 pm (0710 GMT) in the Noto region of Ishikawa prefecture. Reports from the public broadcaster indicated that a tsunami exceeding one meter has already impacted the town of Wajima. Advertisement NHK further warned of the potential for a tsunami as high as 5 meters (16 feet) in Ishikawa prefecture, urging residents to move away from the coastal areas. Hazardous tsunami waves from this earthquake are possible within 300 km of the epicenter along the coasts of Japan, AFP quoted the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center as saying, while the Japan Meteorological Agency warned the waves could be up to five metres high. Advertisement With inputs from agencies The Alabama Department of Mental Health, and partners across the state share a message of hope if you or someone you love is experiencing feelings of despair or grief or is in a suicidal crisis. It can be hard for many during this season but there are resources available found online and by dialing 988, which is available 24/7, with a trained crisis counselor on the other end of the line. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 49,449 individuals died by suicide in the year 2022. This was the highest number ever recorded in the United State. Reaching out, talking to peers, family, or a mental health professional can help ease some depression, stress and anxiety that come with the holiday season, or any day of the year. While you or someone you know may be feeling lonely, afraid, anxious, lost, or overwhelmed, you are not alone. While these emotions can be uncomfortable and unpleasant, they are normal, and there is no shame in feeling this way. The Alabama Department of Mental Health encourages the continuance of the No Shame Suicide Prevention campaign, which strives to decrease the stigma associated with suicide and mental illness and promotes the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 988 is for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, substance use, or thoughts of suicide. A qualified and trained crisis counselor is ready to assist you. It is private and is accessible 24/7. In a crisis, dial 988. For more information about crisis care in Alabama, visit https://mh.alabama.gov/crisis-centers/ and for mental health providers in your area, visit https://mh.alabama.gov/providers-search/. Learn more about Suicide Prevention partners in Alabama at https://sprc.org/state/alabama/ and https://afsp.org/chapter/alabama. Signed on December 31, 1988, the agreement became operative on January 27, 1991. It requires that on January 1st of each year, the two nations notify one another of any nuclear installations and facilities that fall under the agreements purview Following a custom that dates back more than three decades, India and Pakistan exchanged a list of their nuclear stations on Monday in accordance with a bilateral agreement that forbids them from targeting one anothers nuclear sites. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the exchange of the list was conducted in accordance with the terms of an agreement that forbids attacks on nuclear sites and facilities. Advertisement It was carried out concurrently in Islamabad and New Delhi via diplomatic channels. India and Pakistan today exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the list of nuclear installations and facilities, covered under the agreement on the prohibition of attack against nuclear installations and facilities between India and Pakistan, the MEA said in a statement. Signed on December 31, 1988, the agreement became operative on January 27, 1991. It requires that on January 1st of each year, the two nations notify one another of any nuclear installations and facilities that fall under the agreements purview. The list exchange occurred in the midst of tense relations between the two nations due to the Kashmir dispute and cross-border terrorism. Advertisement This is the 33rd consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 1, 1992, the MEA statement added. (With agency inputs) The latest rocket attacks came as Israel continues its bombardment of the Gaza Strip, which has killed at least 21,822 people, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry According to AFP reporters on the ground, as the nation rang in the New Year on Monday, several rockets fired from the Gaza Strip targeted Tel Aviv and southern Israel. As journalists in Tel Aviv witnessed Israeli missile defence systems intercept the missiles, air raid sirens went out. While some people carried on celebrating New Years Eve, others who had congregated on the streets did so indoors. Advertisement AFP correspondents said that one strike targeted Tel Aviv a minute after the first one, which happened at midnight (22:00 GMT) and targeted southern Israel. I was terrified, like it was the first time I saw missiles, its terrifying, Gabriel Zemelman told AFP outside a Tel Aviv bar where he had come to celebrate with friends. Hamass military wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for both attacks in a video posted on social media. They said they used M90 rockets in response to the massacres of civilians perpetrated by Israel. The Israeli military confirmed the attack. Hamas decided to start 2024 by launching a barrage of rockets at Israel, the military said in a post on social media. Advertisement The latest rocket attacks came as Israel continues its bombardment of the Gaza Strip, which has killed at least 21,822 people, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The war was triggered by an unprecedented Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, which left around 1,140 people dead, most of them civilians, according to an AFP count based on official Israeli data. According to a Supreme Court statement, eight out of the fifteen judges had decided against the repeal of the reasonableness clause, which was adopted by parliament in July and which the court uses to reject decisions made by the government that it believes to be unconstitutional Mondays decision by Israels highest court rejected a significant element of the governments divisive legislative reform, which questioned the judiciarys authority and provoked widespread demonstrations. According to a Supreme Court statement, eight out of the fifteen judges had decided against the repeal of the reasonableness clause, which was adopted by parliament in July and which the court uses to reject decisions made by the government that it believes to be unconstitutional. Advertisement This is due to the severe and unprecedented damage to the basic characteristics of the State of Israel as a democratic state, the statement said. The comprehensive judicial reform package that was unveiled a year ago, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was required to restore the proper balance of power between legislators and judges. However, his critics fear that the multi-pronged package set the stage for authoritarian leadership and that Netanyahu may use it to thwart any convictions that might be made against him; the prime minister refutes this claim. The weekly rallies by tens of thousands of protestors against the government changes only came to a stop when the Israel-Hamas war broke out in October. Advertisement One of the most controversial aspects of the legal reform package was the reasonableness amendment, which attempted to reduce judicial control of the government. It was the only significant component of the package to pass into law. Voting against the reasonableness clause in July, opposition members screamed shame and walked out of the parliament, supported by Netanyahus friends. Advertisement Just a few court rulingsincluding a well-known one from last year that prohibited a Netanyahu loyalist from holding a cabinet position due to a prior tax evasion convictionhave mentioned the statute. (With agency inputs) After a strong earthquake of 7.6 magnitude struck the Noto region of Ishikawa prefecture, approximately 300 km (190 miles) from Tokyo on Monday, Japan has issued a tsunami warning for nearly its entire western coast After a strong earthquake of 7.6 magnitude struck the Noto region of Ishikawa prefecture, approximately 300 km (190 miles) from Tokyo on Monday, Japan has issued a tsunami warning for nearly its entire western coast. All residents must evacuate immediately to higher ground, AFP quoted National broadcaster NHK as saying. The earthquake occurred around 4:10 pm (0710 GMT) in the Noto region of Ishikawa prefecture. Advertisement Reports from the public broadcaster indicated that a tsunami exceeding one meter has already impacted the town of Wajima. NHK further warned of the potential for a tsunami as high as 5 meters (16 feet) in Ishikawa prefecture, urging residents to move away from the coastal areas. Hazardous tsunami waves from this earthquake are possible within 300 km of the epicenter along the coasts of Japan, AFP quoted the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center as saying, while the Japan Meteorological Agency warned the waves could be up to five metres high. The earthquakes impact was felt in Tokyo, although there are no immediate reports of damage. Japans Nuclear Regulation Authority is actively assessing the situation at Tokyo Electric Power Companys Kashiwazaki Kariwa nuclear power plant and Hokuriku Electric Power Companys Shika nuclear plants. With inputs from agencies Notably, McDonalds demand for 1.5 million ringgit (US$326,000) from BDS Malaysia to compensate for terminated employees has become a contentious issue among Malaysians. Critics argue that the company is shifting the cost burden onto others In a legal move by Gerbang Alaf Restaurants, the local McDonalds franchisee in Malaysia, to sue the boycott, divest, and sanction movement (BDS Malaysia), social media has erupted in defense of the consumer embargo against the fast-food giant. The lawsuit alleges that BDS Malaysia has incited public hatred, seeking damages of US$1.31 million. Advertisement The controversy arises amid a widespread consumer boycott in Malaysia targeting businesses perceived as supportive of Israel, with McDonalds being a prominent target. Despite denials of any links to Israel by Gerbang Alaf Restaurants, the fallout intensified after a sister business in Israel provided free meals to Israeli soldiers following the October 7 Hamas raid. The legal action has faced strong criticism on Malaysian social media, known for its historical support of the Palestinian cause. Public sentiment suggests that the lawsuit may exacerbate the boycott, with individuals asserting their right to make personal choices. Notably, McDonalds demand for 1.5 million ringgit (US$326,000) from BDS Malaysia to compensate for terminated employees has become a contentious issue among Malaysians. Critics argue that the company is shifting the cost burden onto others. Advertisement The impact of such boycotts is evident in the financial sector, as a major Malaysian bank recommended investors sell their holdings in the local licensee of Starbucks due to a potential prolonged boycott. Inspired by the South African anti-apartheid movement, the BDS movement globally aims for non-violent pressure on Israel. While McDonalds is not listed on the official BDS website, the movement supports public efforts due to perceived support by the brands for Israels genocide against Palestinians. Advertisement Meanwhile, in Kuala Lumpur, over 200 people near the US embassy called for a ceasefire in a six-day sit-in against Washingtons support for bombing Gaza. Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad blamed the US for the conflicts continuation, emphasizing Malaysias consistent stance in support of Palestinians and refusal to denounce Hamas as a terrorist organization. Advertisement As Malaysia remains vocal on the international stage, the lawsuit against BDS Malaysia has inadvertently intensified public opposition to McDonalds, contributing to a broader discussion on corporate responsibility and global solidarity for the Palestinian cause. The Antara report, which quoted a police official, stated that the group, which was primarily made up of women and children, came by boat in the Deli Serdang district of North Sumatra late on Saturday Over 140 Rohingya, a Muslim minority from Myanmar, have reportedly landed in Indonesias North Sumatra province over the weekend, according to a report released on Monday by the state news agency Antara. The Antara report, which quoted a police official, stated that the group, which was primarily made up of women and children, came by boat in the Deli Serdang district of North Sumatra late on Saturday. Advertisement The military announced last week that it had chased away a boat carrying Rohingya in waters farther north near Sumatra, prompting the arrivals. The Rohingya ethnic group is being persecuted and is increasingly facing hatred and rejection in Indonesia. Based on information from the UN agency for refugees, more than 1,500 Rohingya have arrived in Indonesia since November (UNCHR). For years Rohingya have been leaving Myanmar, where they are generally regarded as foreign interlopers from South Asia, denied citizenship and subjected to abuse. They depart usually for Indonesia or neighbouring Malaysia from November to April, when the seas are calmer. Indonesia, the worlds largest Muslim-majority country, is not a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Convention on Refugees, but has a history of taking in refugees if they arrive. With his innovative microfinance bank, Yunus, 83, is credited with helping millions of people escape poverty. However, longstanding prime minister Sheikh Hasina has taken a dislike to him, accusing him of sucking blood from the underprivileged Muhammad Yunus, a Bangladeshi Nobel Peace winner, was expected to spend six months in prison when a labour law case that his supporters claimed was politically motivated was heard by a court on Monday. With his innovative microfinance bank, Yunus, 83, is credited with helping millions of people escape poverty. However, longstanding prime minister Sheikh Hasina has taken a dislike to him, accusing him of sucking blood from the underprivileged. Advertisement Previously viewed as a political competitor, Hasina has launched a barrage of vicious verbal assaults against the widely recognised 2006 Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Following a boycott by the opposition, she is almost guaranteed to win a fifth term in next weeks national elections. Yunus, an economist, and his three coworkers from Grameen Telecom, a company he created, are charged with breaking labour regulations because they neglected to establish a fund for the welfare of employees. All four refute the accusations. Attorneys reported that a labour court in the nations capital, Dhaka, had scheduled the decision for Monday afternoon. We proved that Professor Muhammad Yunus and others have violated the mandatory requirements of the labour laws, Khurshid Alam Khan, the lead prosecutor, told AFP ahead of the verdict. He said Yunus could be sentenced to up to six months in prison if convicted. Advertisement We hope the court will hand down the highest punishment, he said. Yunus is facing more than 100 other charges over labour law violations and alleged graft. Yunus told reporters after one of the hearings last month that he had not profited from any of the more than 50 social business firms he had set up in Bangladesh. Advertisement They were not for my personal benefit, Yunus said. One of his lawyers, Khaja Tanvir, told AFP the case was meritless, false and ill-motivated. The sole aim of the case is to harass and humiliate him in front of the world, he said. In August, 160 global figures, including former US president Barack Obama and ex-UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, published a joint letter denouncing continuous judicial harassment of Yunus. Advertisement The signatories, including more than 100 of his fellow Nobel laureates, said they feared for his safety and freedom. Critics accuse Bangladeshi courts of rubber-stamping decisions made by Hasinas government. Her administration has been increasingly firm in its crackdown on political dissent, and Yunuss popularity among the Bangladeshi public has for years earmarked him as a potential rival. Advertisement Amnesty International accused the government of weaponizing labour laws when Yunus went to trial in September and called for an immediate end to his harassment. Criminal proceedings against Yunus were a form of political retaliation for his work and dissent, it said. Experts note that Kims latest remarks signal a significant departure from inter-Korean relations, with implications for future attempts at reconciliation from South Korean administrations North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced the abandonment of efforts towards reconciliation and reunification with South Korea. Kim emphasized that the current state of inter-Korean relations reflects hostility and a state of war, prompting the need to reassess the relationship with the South. Kim warned of serious consequences if the United States and South Korea were to engage in military confrontation, stating that North Koreas nuclear deterrent would respond decisively. He criticized collaboration for reconciliation and unification with those who perceive North Korea as the main enemy seeking regime collapse and absorption. Advertisement The Korean Peninsula has been divided since the Korean Wars armistice in 1953, with both sides technically at war. Recent years have seen heightened tensions, particularly after North Koreas expansion of its nuclear weapons program in defiance of international sanctions. Experts note that Kims latest remarks signal a significant departure from inter-Korean relations, with implications for future attempts at reconciliation from South Korean administrations. North Korea appears inclined to strengthen ties with current allies like China and Russia while excluding the U.S., South Korea, and Japan from its strategic outreach. Analysts speculate on whether North Koreas focus on non-unification implies maintaining the status quo or actively protecting itself against potential aggression from South Korea. Kims recent exchange of New Years messages with Chinese leader Xi Jinping suggests a commitment to deepening ties between the two countries. North Koreas space ambitions have also been highlighted, with the successful launch of its first spy satellite in November 2023. The nation now plans to bolster its capabilities with the launch of three additional spy satellites in 2024, aiming to advance space science and technology. Advertisement Despite concerns about violating UN Security Council resolutions, North Koreas missile program, demonstrated by tests such as the Hwasong-18 in December, suggests a maturing capability. Experts acknowledge the reliability of North Koreas missiles and how its testing activities may influence greater trilateral cooperation among the U.S., Japan, and South Korea. As North Korea reshapes its stance on inter-Korean relations and expands its technological capabilities, the region faces heightened uncertainties, with potential implications for global peace and stability. During a five-day key governing party conference last week, Kim Jong Un announced plans to build attack drones, produce additional nuclear materials, and launch three more military surveillance satellites this year North Korean leader Kim Jong Un promised to strengthen national defences to handle what he called an unprecedented US-led conflict, and on Monday, state media claimed that he gave his military orders to thoroughly annihilate the US and South Korea if provoked. In 2024, Kim is anticipated to ramp up testing of armaments before Novembers US presidential election. Many analysts speculate that he probably thinks that if former President Donald Trump is reelected, he would be able to extract concessions from the US thanks to his larger nuclear weapons. Advertisement During a five-day key governing party conference last week, Kim announced plans to build attack drones, produce additional nuclear materials, and launch three more military surveillance satellites this year. These moves are seen by analysts as an attempt to boost Kims leverage in future diplomacy with the US. During a Sunday meeting with senior army officials, Kim made an unmistakable allusion to his nations nuclear weapons programme when he stated that it is imperative to sharpen the treasured sword in order to protect national security. He blamed military confrontation moves by the US and other hostile forces, the official Korean Central News Agency said. Kim stressed that our army should deal a deadly blow to thoroughly annihilate them by mobilizing all the toughest means and potentialities without moments hesitation if they opt for military confrontation and provocations against North Korea, KCNA said. Experts say small-scale military clashes between North and South Korea could happen this year along their heavily armed border. They say North Korea is also expected to test-launch intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the mainland US and other major new weapons. Advertisement In 2018-19, Kim met Trump in three rounds of talks on North Koreas expanding nuclear arsenal. The diplomacy fell apart after the US rejected Kims limited offer to dismantle his main nuclear complex in exchange for extensive reductions in US-led sanctions. Estimates of the size of North Koreas nuclear arsenal vary, ranging from about 20-30 bombs to more than 100. Many foreign experts say North Korea still has some technological hurdles to overcome to produce functioning nuclear-armed ICBMs, though its shorter-range nuclear-capable missiles can reach South Korea and Japan. The arrests, based on intelligence inputs, took place within the eastern Punjab province over the last fortnight, said a statement from the provincial Counterterrorism Department Pakistans anti-terrorism police on Monday announced the arrest of nearly twenty individuals associated with the proscribed militant organisation, the Pakistani Taliban. The group, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has been responsible for numerous deadly attacks throughout the country. The arrests, based on intelligence inputs, took place within the eastern Punjab province over the last fortnight, The Associated Press quoted a statement from the provincial Counterterrorism Department. Advertisement The TTP, while distinct from the Afghan Taliban, shares an alliance with them. The Afghan Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in August 2021 during the final stages of the withdrawal of US and NATO forces after two decades of conflict. The statement also reported the arrest of Mohammad Arshad, an alleged chief commander of the banned Baluch Nationalist Army, predominantly active in the southwestern Baluchistan province. Baluchistan has been a focal point for a subdued insurgency led by Baluch nationalists for over twenty years. Initially driven by a desire for a greater share of provincial resources, the movement later evolved into a bid for independence. Notably, Baluchistan is also host to activities by the TTP and other domestic militant groups. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Several countries have bought more durian from Vietnam this year as farmers have increased the quality of the fruit. Durians in an orchard in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho. Photo by VnExpress/ Manh Khuong Vietnam exported $2.2 billion worth of durian in the first 11 months, up five times year-on-year, according to Vietnam Customs. China led with a $1.97 billion purchase, up 15 times, followed by Czech at $9.7 million, up 28 times, the biggest jump among all markets. France, Canada, the U.S. and Papua New Guinea also increased shipment from 32% to 800%. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruits & Vegetables Association, said that Vietnamese durian had consistent quality and could compete with durian from Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines. Vietnam has durian available all year round while Thailand only has seasonal fruit. Cheaper logistics, however, also play a role in competition with Thailand, the biggest exporter of durians to China. China is a big market that has approved the shipment of fresh durian from Vietnam and will likely greenlight frozen durian the future, he said. If Vietnam can maintain high quality, it will not need to worry about losing market share in China. The amount of durian farmland has surged from 92,000 hectares in 2010 to 131,000 now. Production is forecast to reach one million tons this year, up 15.9% year-on-year. Following the Election Commission of Pakistans (ECP) rejection of Nawaz Khans nomination papers along with those of ninety percent of the partys prominent leaders, Imran Khans party filed an appeal with the appellate tribunal Senior members of the party of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan challenged the acceptance of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharifs nomination papers for the National Assembly seat in Lahore for the general elections on Monday, claiming the three-time former prime minister was declared permanently ineligible by the highest court in 2017. Following the Election Commission of Pakistans (ECP) rejection of Nawaz Khans nomination papers along with those of ninety percent of the partys prominent leaders, Imran Khans party filed an appeal with the appellate tribunal. However, Nawaz Sharifs candidatures for two National Assembly seats from Mansahara and Lahore were recognised by the ECP. Advertisement The PTI leaders from throughout the nation have had their nomination papers rejected in large numbers by the bureaucrat returning officers, ostensibly at the behest of the military establishment. Several PTI heavyweights, including former federal ministers Moonis Elahi and Zartaj Gul, PTI President Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, contested the high courts election tribunals decision to reject their papers on Monday. For the national and provincial assembly seats, the nomination papers of nearly 3,500 candidates have been rejected by the Returning Officers. Attorney Ishtiaq Ahmad appealed against Nawaz Sharifs candidature, arguing that he was disqualified for life by the Supreme Court, on Monday before the Lahore High Courts appellate chamber. Pakistans military establishment has already predicted that Nawaz Sharif will become prime minister for a record fourth time. Advertisement Political experts claim that the military has eliminated all obstacles, both legal and otherwise, in his path to becoming prime minister for a record-breaking fourth time. The ECP, meanwhile, asserted that Imran Khans nomination papers for two National Assembly seats in the cities of Mianwali and Lahore were turned down for moral reasons in addition to his involvement in the Toshakhana corruption case. Advertisement On January 11, the preliminary list of candidates will be revealed, and by the following day, contenders may withdraw their nomination forms. On January 13, the electoral emblems will be assigned, and on February 8, general election polling will take place. The PTI has termed the rejection of nomination papers of most of its candidates including its founder Imran Khan on flimsy grounds as state terrorism. Advertisement Returning officers are accomplices & reason why PTI had requested ROs from the Judiciary & not bureaucracy. Some group members may not be aware but bureaucracy 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, a PTI spokesperson said. Advertisement (With agency inputs) A ten-year ban on holding public office for anyone found involved in negative and malicious propaganda against the armed forces and other security agencies of Pakistan was originally demanded in the resolution The Senate of Pakistan unanimously decided on Monday to recommend harsh punishment for anyone found to have been involved in spreading negative and malicious propaganda against the nations security services, including the military forces. The resolution, proposed by Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi, recognised the need for a potent military and additional security forces to safeguard the nation, particularly given the adversarial surrounding environment. Advertisement The negative and malicious propaganda against the armed forces and other security agencies on various social media platforms was a source of great worry, according to the resolution. A strong army and other security agencies are indispensable for the defence of the country, especially because of the hostile neighbourhood, it acknowledged, highlighting the huge sacrifices of armed forces and other security agencies in the war against terror and for the defence and protection of the countrys borders. The resolution also stated that the Senate consequently advises the government to take the appropriate actions to punish severely and legally anyone discovered to be involved in spreading false information against Pakistans security agencies and military forces. The resolution also suggested that anyone convicted of such a crime be barred from holding any public position for ten years, according to Radio Pakistan. Advertisement A ten-year ban on holding public office for anyone found involved in negative and malicious propaganda against the armed forces and other security agencies of Pakistan was originally demanded in the resolution. But Tangi claimed he had changed the resolution to take out the call for a ten-year disqualification and to take legal action. Advertisement (With agency inputs) China will be Muizzus third foreign trip abroad since taking over the presidency in November 2023. He had first visited Turkey as president, before travelling to Dubai for the COP28 summit Maldives president Mohamed Muizzu is likely to visit China this month, ahead of his visit to India, making him the first democratically elected Maldivian leader to travel to Beijing before he gets to New Delhi. A report by ToI quoted a source in Male saying China and the Maldives are in talks for a bilateral visit to Beijing by Muizzu that could take place in a matter of a couple of weeks. Advertisement Muizzu, considered to be pro-China, also defied his successive Maldivian presidents, who chose India as their first port of call. China will be Muizzus third foreign trip abroad since taking over the presidency in November 2023. He had first visited Turkey as president, before travelling to Dubai for the COP28 summit. Meanwhile, Muizzus China visit and meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are expected to be closely followed by India. Muizzu chooses China before India Every Maldivian president, since first democratically elected president, Nasheed, in 2008, including anti-India leaders like Mohamed Waheed in 2012 and Abdulla Yameen in 2014 had first visited India. This was often cited by Indian authorities as symbolic of Indias pre-eminent position in the Maldives and the latters stated India First policy. Advertisement It is almost after a decade, a Maldivian president will be visiting China. Yameen was the last leader of the strategically located Indian Ocean country visit Beijing. In his last year of presidency, in 2017, Yameen worked overtime to target Indian interests in the country. Yameens visit to China saw both the countries signing a secretive free trade agreement and also a deal to enable China build an observatory in one of the westernmost atolls, setting off concerns in India that it would allow China a vantage point of an important Indian Ocean shipping route through which many merchant and other vessels pass. Advertisement Maldives president wants India out Muizzus predecessor Ibrahim Solih was pro-India and Beijing took no time to extend invitation to the incumbent China-leaning leader to the country within days after he came to power. Some of Muizzus election promises were to ask India to withdraw its troop from Maldives and review of more than 100 agreements with India. Advertisement After coming to power, Muizzu formally requested India for the withdrawal of Indian servicemen, who are in the Maldives to maintain and operate two helicopters and a Dornier 228 aircraft gifted by New Delhi for humanitarian relief, search and rescue missions, and civilian missions. Though India has been hoping for a workable solution for continued operations of these Indian assets, Muizzu, after his meeting with PM Modi on the sidelines of COP28, said India had agreed to withdraw its troops. Advertisement Also, recently, Maldives announced it had decided to walk out of an agreement with India that allowed the Indian Navy to carry out hydrographic surveys in Maldivian waters. The agreement had been signed during PM Modis visit to Male in 2019, during Solihs presidency. With inputs from agencies Samsung is pushing AI onto its upcoming smartphones in a major way. The upcoming Galaxy S24 series may come with some seriously cool AI photo editing tools and features, similar to what we see on the Googles Pixel 8 Series In the lead-up to the highly anticipated launch of the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, a flurry of leaks and details have inundated online platforms, building excitement among tech enthusiasts. The forthcoming lineup, expected to comprise the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra, is generating considerable buzz with leaks hinting at a robust array of artificial intelligence (AI) features, including the intriguing capability to delete objects from videos. Advertisement Adding to the growing pool of leaked information, an insider, Arsene Lupin has shared promotional material shedding light on additional AI-powered photo editing features potentially present in the Galaxy S24 series. The leaked image, posted on X , hints at AI photo editing capabilities comparable to Googles Pixel 8 series. According to the revealed marketing material, the Galaxy S24 series may introduce a feature labelled Generative Edit, enabling users to manipulate, remove objects, and fill empty spaces in photos through generative edits. However, it is noted that the functionality may necessitate users to log in to a Samsung account and maintain an internet connection. The absence of a specification limiting the feature to photos only suggests the possibility of its extension to video editing, aligning with earlier speculations. The Generative Edit feature draws parallels with Googles Pixel 8 series, which boasts a similar functionality known as Magic Editor. This feature, requiring an active internet connection, allows users to manipulate, remove, and add generative elements to images. Googles Pixel smartphones have been pioneers in integrating AI features, setting industry standards and prompting competitors like Samsung to catch up. Advertisement The Galaxy S24 lineup, as per leaked marketing material, promises a suite of AI features, with the Generative Edit feature expected to be available across all models. Additionally, the leaked image hints at other anticipated features, including Live Translate, a recent Samsung announcement allowing real-time translation during phone calls through AI. Furthermore, the phones may incorporate a Nightography Zoom feature, aimed at enhancing low-light photos captured with the telephoto camera. Advertisement While rumors point to a January 17 launch for the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, an official announcement is still pending. The lineup is rumoured to deploy a customized version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC in most regions, with some areas potentially receiving the Exynos 2400 chipset. Tech enthusiasts and consumers alike eagerly await the official unveiling, eager to explore the cutting-edge features expected in the Samsung Galaxy S24 series. South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik revealed in an interview on MBN television that eliminating the supreme leader of the Hermit Kingdom is considered an option, according to a report South Korea has acknowledged engaging in decapitation drills within its military, specifically targeting the potential assassination of North Koreas leader Kim Jong Un. The admission comes as Kim Jong Un announced plans on Sunday to enhance North Koreas nuclear capabilities, develop military drones, and launch new spy satellites in 2024. According to a New York Post report, South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik revealed in an interview on MBN television that eliminating the supreme leader of the Hermit Kingdom is considered an option. Advertisement This marks a rare disclosure from Seoul, as such operations have not been publicly addressed for at least six years. When questioned about the ongoing viability of assassination drills and the potential deployment of US nuclear weapons in the region, Won-sik confirmed that both options are under consideration. He further mentioned that US forces have participated in these assassination drills. While it is difficult to openly discuss decapitation, the ROK-US special operation forces are conducting training, Won-sik was quoted as saying. This training is for aerial maneuvers, raids on key facilities and indoor mop-up, he added. According to a New York Post report, citing NK News, the exercises, conducted in collaboration with US Army Special Forces, took place in December, as confirmed by South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff. Advertisement The notion of a decapitation unit aimed at eliminating North Korean leaders was last openly discussed in 2017 by former South Korean Defence Minister Song Young-moo. This unit would involve helicopters and planes designed for infiltrating North Korea to carry out assassinations. Despite North Korea openly acknowledging its weapons of mass destruction, South Korea does not possess a nuclear stockpile. Officials believe that instilling fear in Kim Jong Un for his safety remains one of Seouls best deterrence options. Advertisement The renewed talk of the decapitation unit follows North Koreas recent intercontinental ballistic missile test, seen as a response to a meeting between US and South Korean leaders. President Biden has cautioned that any North Korean attack on South Korea would lead to the end of Kim Jong Uns regime. Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un has directed his military commanders to prepare for using their most formidable capabilities to obliterate the United States and South Korea in the event of a military conflict, as reported by state media on Monday. Advertisement Kim emphasised the increasing likelihood of an armed conflict on the Korean peninsula, attributing it to aggressive actions by adversaries, including the United States. He underscored the need for North Korea to sharpen the treasured sword in defence of its sovereignty. Kims directive was unequivocal: If the enemy opts for military confrontation, our army should deal a deadly blow to thoroughly annihilate them by mobilizing all the toughest means and potentialities without a moments hesitation, as quoted by the KCNA news agency. Advertisement These statements were made during a gathering of senior military officials at the ruling Workers Party (WPK) headquarters on Sunday, where Kim praised their achievements in 2023, as reported by the state news agency. In 2023, North Korea conducted tests of its most powerful ballistic missiles to date and launched its inaugural military reconnaissance satellite. Advertisement Kim has hailed these developments as significant strides in the modernization of the nations military capabilities. This call for heightened military preparedness follows the commitments made at the end of a five-day WPK meeting. With inputs from agencies The move comes close on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging President Ranil Wickremesinghe to respect Indian strategic and security concerns during their meeting on 21 July, 2023 Sri Lanka has conveyed to India that it will not allow any Chinese research vessel to enter its ports or conduct operations within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for a duration of one year, according to a Hindustan Times report, citing people aware of the matter. The move comes close on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging President Ranil Wickremesinghe to respect Indian strategic and security concerns during their meeting on 21 July, 2023. Advertisement The declared moratorium was conveyed to India through apex diplomatic channels last week, added the report. The scientific research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3 from China, originally slated for deep water exploration in the southern Indian Ocean from January 5, 2024, until late May, will now not receive clearance from Sri Lankan authorities. The decision comes after the Wickremesinghe government in Sri Lanka declared a one-year moratorium on hosting Chinese scientific research vessels and ballistic missile trackers, following concerns raised by India and the US. Additionally, China has sought permission from the pro-Beijing Mohammed Muizzu regime in the Maldives for the 4,600-tonne Xiamen-based vessel to conduct a survey off the coast of Male. Advertisement Previously, objections were raised by India regarding the Chinese research vessel Shi Yan 6, which conducted a joint maritime survey with the Sri Lankan maritime agency in October-November. Despite these objections, the vessel was allowed to dock in Colombo after Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe visited Beijing in October for the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The objections to both Shi Yan 6, expected to return to Sri Lanka around March, and Xiang Yang Hong 3 were communicated to Wickremesinghe by top Indian diplomatic representatives. Advertisement Historically, Chinese research ships, ballistic missile trackers, and hydrographic vessels have entered the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to conduct deep surveys, including the 90-degree ridge south of the Andamans and Nicobar Islands. For instance, the Shupang-class hydrographic vessel Deng Jiaxian operated in the IOR from August 10-24, re-entering through the Sunda Straits on August 28 and exiting through the Lombok/Ombai Wetar Straits in early September 2023. On September 11, the same vessel was observed surveying the Philippines Sea. Advertisement In 2023, at least 25 Chinese ships, including PLA warships, submarines, ballistic missile trackers, and research vessels, have operated in the IOR, causing concern for India and the US. Since 2019, a total of 48 Chinese scientific research vessels have been deployed in the IOR, with their primary areas of activity near the east and west coastlines of India and in the deep Indian Ocean. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Taiwans election, which will decide the future of the self-governing islands ties with a more aggressive China, is less than two weeks away and will be eagerly observed from Beijing to Washington Taiwans President, Tsai Ing-wen, stated on Monday that Taiwans democratic procedures should determine future ties, and he hoped that Taipei and Beijing would pursue long-term peaceful coexistence. Taiwans election, which will decide the future of the self-governing islands ties with a more aggressive China, is less than two weeks away and will be eagerly observed from Beijing to Washington. Advertisement Beijing asserts that Taiwan will eventually become a part of its territory. From Tsais victory in 2016, it has severed high-level diplomatic, military, and economic ties with her administration and increased economic and military pressure on the island. Prior to her resignation in May, Tsai made her final New Years speech and stated her desire to restore relations with Beijing. We hope that the two sides (of the Taiwan Strait) will resume healthy and sustainable exchanges as soon as possible, she said. We also hope that the two sides will jointly seek a long-term and stable way of peaceful coexistence under peace, parity, democracy and dialogue. But Tsai whom Beijing hates as she has refused to acknowledge Chinas territorial claims also stood firm on Taiwans need to defend its democracy. Advertisement Facing the renewed conflict between democracy, freedom and authoritarianism around the world, Taiwans only choice in the future is still to continue to uphold democracy and protect peace. Tsai was also asked to comment on Chinese President Xi Jinpings New Years Eve speech, in which he said Taiwan will surely be reunified with China. Advertisement Decisions must be made with the common will of the Taiwanese people. We are a democratic country after all, she told reporters after her speech. What kind of relationship we will form with China in the future must be determined by our democratic procedures to make the final decision. Xi has previously said China would never rule out the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. Advertisement Tsais ruling DPP has largely campaigned on a platform of sovereignty separate from China, and their candidate, Vice President Lai Ching-te, has in past described himself as a pragmatic worker of Taiwan independence. Opposition Kuomintang (KMT) partys candidate Hou Yu-ih and Taiwan Peoples Party Ko Wen-je have pledged friendlier ties with China, saying Lais pro-independence remarks could undermine Taiwans security. Londons warning comes amid escalating tensions in the vital shipping lane, with US Navy helicopters firing Sunday on Huthi rebels who attempted to board a cargo ship Defense Secretary Grant Shapps announced on Monday that the United Kingdom is prepared to take direct action against Huthi rebels in Yemen, who are allegedly backed by Iran and have been involved in multiple attacks on vessels in the Red Sea. This declaration comes amidst heightened tensions in the strategic shipping lane, where US Navy helicopters reportedly fired on Huthi rebels attempting to board a cargo ship on Sunday. Advertisement The Huthi rebels, who captured Yemens capital Sanaa in 2014 and control a significant portion of the country, including the Red Sea coastline, claim to have suffered casualties in the recent events. Acting in solidarity with Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, the rebels have frequently targeted passing ships in the Red Sea using drones and missiles, impacting a route crucial for 12 per cent of global trade. Following the most recent incident, Shapps suggested that Britain might escalate its military involvement. Its worth noting that in mid-December, a British destroyer reportedly downed a suspected Huthi attack drone in the Red Sea. We are willing to take direct action, and we wont hesitate to take further action to deter threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, he wrote in the Daily Telegraph newspaper. Advertisement The Huthis should be under no misunderstanding: we are committed to holding malign actors accountable for unlawful seizures and attacks. Shapps described the situation in the region as a test for the international community which had implications for other potentially contested waterways around the world. If we do not protect the Red Sea, it risks emboldening those looking to threaten elsewhere including in the South China Sea and Crimea, he added. Advertisement We need to stand firm with our allies, stand firm for our beliefs and stand firm for innocent people caught up in these events. The Telegraph said London is drawing up plans with Washington for potential military strikes against the Huthis, and reported that a joint statement giving the rebels a final warning to stop their attacks was imminent. Advertisement British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said Sunday he had spoken to his Iranian counterpart Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian about the Red Sea tensions. I made clear that Iran shares responsibility for preventing these attacks, he said on social media, noting Tehrans long-standing support for the Huthis. With inputs from agencies Ukraines air force said that Russias air attack also targeted the Mykolaiv and Dnipro regions Four people were killed in Ukraines early New Years Day bombardment of the city of Donetsk, according to a Russian-installed official in the countrys east, while Ukrainian officials claimed that at least one person was killed in Russias airstrike on Odesa. Denis Pushilin, the Russian-appointed leader of the larger Donetsk region, of which the city of Donetsk serves as the administrative headquarters, stated via the messaging app Telegram that 14 more persons had been injured in heavy shelling by Ukrainian troops on the citys heart. Advertisement The governor of the Odesa region, which includes the city of Odesa, Oleh Kiper, stated on Telegram that at least one person was killed in Russias drone strike on the southern port of Ukraine, Odesa. According to Kiper, the drone strike was repelled by Ukraines air defence systems, but the falling debris set multiple residential structures in various sections of the city on fire and injured numerous individuals as well. Henadii Trukhanov, the mayor of Odesa, released a video on social media showing him examining a wrecked flat with broken windows. They say that how you welcome the New Year is how you will live the year, Trukhanov said in a post. Well, this year Ukraine will break this rule: we will persevere and we will win. Advertisement Ukraines air force said that Russias air attack also targeted the Mykolaiv and Dnipro regions. Reuters could not independently verify the Russian and Ukrainian reports. Both sides deny targeting civilians in the war that started with Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Fire Services Department received over 20 reports of lift entrapments between 3:13 pm and 3:55 pm in various areas. Firefighters carried out rescue operations following the incidents Hong Kongs New Territories experienced a voltage dip on New Years Day, leading to over a dozen residents being trapped in lifts and triggering fire alarms. CLP Power, the electricity company, issued an apology, attributing the incident to an equipment malfunction at one of its electrical substations. The malfunction activated protective devices, potentially causing the suspension of sensitive installations like lifts. Advertisement The Fire Services Department received over 20 reports of lift entrapments between 3:13 pm and 3:55 pm in various areas. Firefighters carried out rescue operations following the incidents. A video online showed smoke emanating from the affected electrical substation in Tsing Yi. Despite the visible smoke, on-site investigations found no signs of fire. Nga Ying Chau Street in Tsing Yi has been cordoned off for safety. CLP Power clarified that the incident led to a temporary voltage dip, causing lights to flicker and some installations, particularly lifts, to be suspended. District councillor Lo Yuen-ting assured that the situation inside the facility is under control, minimizing the likelihood of a power outage. CLP Power expressed regret for the inconvenience and stated that their engineering staff is actively investigating the incident. This event echoes similar incidents in 2023, where voltage dips resulted in power outages and lift entrapments. In April, Hong Kong Island experienced a prolonged blackout, while in March, a supply glitch affected Kowloon and the New Territories, leaving over 100 residents stranded in lifts. Advertisement Fire flashes were observed near Kowloon Peak during the same period. Investigations into the current incident are ongoing. According to the article, Vietnam and the US elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development, and announced closer cooperation on semiconductors and critical minerals during a visit to Hanoi by US President Joe Biden in September. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong holds talks with US President Joseph Biden in Hanoi on September 10. (Photo: VNA) The US, which is the top importer of Vietnam's goods, pushed for the upgrade as part of its strategy to secure uninterrupted access to global supply chains. In addition, Vietnam and Japan in November upgraded their relations to to a Comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world during an official visit by Vietnamese president Vo Van Thuong to Japan on the occasion the 50th founding anniversary of their diplomatic relations. Within the visits framework, the two countries agreed to boost security and economic cooperation. Japanese multinationals, including Canon, Honda, Panasonic, and Bridgestone are among the largest foreign investors in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Vietnam and China earlier this month agreed to build a community with a "shared future" during a state visit to Vietnam by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping. During the visit, the two nations signed 36 cooperation documents in areas such as transport infrastructure, trade, security and digital economy, and issued a joint declaration with wide-ranging commitments. According to Reuters, the diplomatic achievements followed the ones that Vietnam achieved in the previous years. Specifically, in December 2022, Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) elevated their ties to a Comprehensive strategic partnership with focuses on trade, investment, defence and security. Vietnams diplomatic achievements are also reflected in the economic sector as Vietnam has free trade deals with the EU, the UK, Chile and the RoK. Vietnam is also a member of wider trade pacts, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) which includes China and Japan./. When Xi and US President Joe Biden met in San Francisco in November, they made a commitment to enhance communication in an effort to prevent rivalry from turning into hostilities Chinas President Xi Jinping congratulated his US counterpart on the anniversary of diplomatic relations on Monday and stated that he was eager to collaborate with the US to advance stable bilateral ties, according to official media. When Xi and US President Joe Biden met in San Francisco in November, they made a commitment to enhance communication in an effort to prevent rivalry from turning into hostilities. Advertisement To commemorate the 45th anniversary of the two nations diplomatic relations being established, Xi also stated that both parties should take practical actions to promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-US relations in a message exchange. Xi Jinping emphasised, I am willing to work with President Biden to continue to navigate China-US relations, benefit both China and the United States and their people, and promote world peace and development, state broadcaster CCTV said. Xi added that adhering to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation is the correct way for China and the United States to interact, CCTV said. In Odesa, a 15-year-old teenager was killed as a result of a Russian attack, Head of the regional military administration Oleh Kiper said in Telegram channel. He said on New Year's Eve, the Russian military attacked Odesa region with attack drones. Ukrainian air defense destroyed 28 suicide bombers. "Unfortunately, there were hits," the head of the regional administration said. "Around midnight, the enemy deliberately sent some of the drones to residential areas of residential areas of Odesa and the suburbs, where people in their own homes were gathering with their families to celebrate the New Year. As a result of the fall of the downed UAVs, at least three high-rise apartment buildings, three private houses, and outbuildings were damaged," Kiper said. A 15-year-old teenager died as a result of the attack. Three people with wounds and burns were hospitalized, four more received medical care on the spot and continue treatment on an outpatient basis, he said. "As a result of the hit, a fire broke out in one of the port terminals, which was promptly extinguished. No people were injured," Kiper said. The major result of 2023 is that Ukraine has become stronger, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. "The major result of the year, its main achievement: Ukraine has become stronger. Ukrainians have become stronger," he said in his New Year's greeting. "Ukraine is alive. Ukraine lives. Ukraine fights. Ukraine advances, Ukraine overcomes the path. Ukraine gains. Ukraine works. Ukraine exists. And all together, this is not a New Year's miracle, not a fairy tale, not magic, but the merit of each of you," Zelenskyy said. He recalled that last winter "we proved: Ukrainians are tougher than cold and darkness.. Stronger than power outages and blackout threats. Ukrainians will cope with any energy shortage as they have no shortage of resilience and courage. We did not fade away in the darkness." "I am proud of every Ukrainian warrior From the first minutes of January 1 until now, even on New Year's Eve, when the Ukrainian warrior fights and cannot afford weakness. You are holding back the evil that has become even greater," the president said. "I want to thank all our people, our strong nation. Everyone who is here today. Everyone whom I want to tell: I am proud of all of you," he said. Today, the president said, "we have to live by the rule: you either work or you fight. Because we have the world's largest terrorist organization against us." This is known to everyone who does not ask himself every day what can I do, but lives by the formula "I must do more than I can," Zelenskyy said, noting that "that's what the word 'to win' means. In our language. To overcome yourself, to overpower, to make an extraordinary effort and to do more than it seemed at first glance." "The war taught us a lot. It showed us a lot. It did a lot to us, changed us. The war, unfortunately, separated families, took away sons and daughters, and at the same time united us into one big family. And on February 24, we made a choice," he said. "Ukrainians are stronger together. So it's time to be together! And this is the time that all Ukrainians who are now in the temporarily occupied territories are eagerly waiting for. All those who have not lost Ukraine in themselves. Who have not allowed their minds and hearts to be occupied," he said. "And at exactly midnight we will sing our anthem the anthem of Ukraine together. With love for Ukraine. And this love is stronger than the occupation. This love for Ukraine is the driving force that the invaders fear. And Crimea, Donbas, Luhansk region, Berdyansk, Melitopol, Mariupol all ours know this: the enemies truly fear you a lot. Not international organizations with political appeals, but the Ukrainian spirit of Ukrainian people who have proven, are proving, and will prove that we are stronger," Zelenskyy said. According to him, they want to see such a state in the European family. "This is evidenced by the decision to open negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU. A decision that others have been pursuing for decades," he said. And this process, the president noted, "will definitely have a logical conclusion full-fledged membership in strong Europe. A powerful one. From Lisbon to Luhansk." Speaking about diplomatic achievements, Zelenskyy mentioned the Ukrainian Peace Formula, security guarantees for Ukraine, which three dozen countries have already joined today, and the Grain Corridor. According to him, the coalition of our allies has grown. "The coalition of 'Patriots,' the air coalition, the tank coalition." "And I would like to thank every country that has joined the coalition to return Ukrainian children abducted by Russia," Zelenskyy said. Next year, he said, "the enemy will feel the wrath of domestic production. Our weapons, our equipment, artillery, our shells, our drones, our naval 'greetings' to the enemy and at least a million Ukrainian FPV drones." Zelensky recalled that "this year, Ukraine has overcome 6,000 air alerts. Almost every night, it woke up to sirens and went down to the shelter to protect its children from enemy missiles and drones. Our air defense forces worked every night and every day, heroically defending the Ukrainian skies." "Because the one who brings hell to our land will one day see it from his own window," he said. "And just like last December 31, today we say: 'We do not know for certain what the new year will bring us.' But this year we can add: 'Whatever it brings, we will be stronger," the president said. He wished the Ukrainians, "your families, your loved ones, and all your dear ones warmth and good health. To those who have a dear heart, may they live long. To those who have lost them, may they remain in your hearts. To loved ones time. As much time as possible. To children fulfillment of your wishes. To all people human happiness. And to our Ukraine victory and peace." Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024. Dennis received bachelor's degrees in communication and political science with a TAG degree in Spanish from The University of Akron in Ohio. He grew up in Ohio with 2 sisters and two brothers, one being his fraternal twin. He and his wife have 3 dogs: Duke, Bacio, and Cal. Dennis currently covers natural resource and environmental issues for The Daily Sentinel President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held the final meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Headquarters in 2023. "We summed up the military results of the year. We analyzed the results of combat operations and decisions. What we did right and what we could improve," Zelenskyy said in his Telegram channel. Taking into account the conclusions made, forecasts and capabilities of Ukraine, the meeting participants determined the strategy for the use of defense forces for the coming year. "This year, Ukraine did not retreat in any direction on earth, regained its sea and made the skies safer. We continue to work as one team. Thanks to each and everyone who gives their all for the victory of Ukraine," the president said. At the same time, Zelenskyy said an action plan for 2024 was presented at Headquarters. "The rate is special, the final one for the year... There was an intelligence report - the Main Intelligence Agency and foreign intelligence. About what the occupiers are preparing for. And in general about the situation about general military-political expectations and possible events in the world," the president said. According to him, Ukraine needs "sufficient potential to achieve its goals," despite everything that will happen in other countries. He said 2024 will be the time of many global decisions and thanked Ukraine's allies for helping the Ukrainian state. "Ukraine needs to be able to influence them to be able to achieve its goals. We will fight for our influence, for justice for Ukraine, and I am grateful to all the leaders who help, who have been with us since February 24 and will be with us in 2024 year," Zelenskyy said. Russo-Ukraine War - 31 December 2023 - Day 675 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of December 31, there were 42x combat engagements. Russian forces launched a total of 12x missile and 58x air strikes, including Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs, carried out 48x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and injuries. Private residential and apartment buildings, and other civilian and industrial infrastructure were destroyed and damaged. The operational situation in eastern and southern Ukraine remains difficult. Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group. Certain units of the armed forces of Belarus continue their missions in the areas bordering Ukraine. Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. Russia continues its sabotage and reconnaissance activities, shelling Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia and increases the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. More than 30x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Khrinivka (Chernihiv oblast), Ulytsya, Svarkove, Stukalivka, Basivka, Vysoke, Popivka (Sumy oblast), Veterynarne, Kozacha Lopan', Ohirtseve, Vovchans'k, Budarky, Bolohivka (Kharkiv oblast). Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 11x attacks in the vicinity of Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast). The Russian occupiers launched an air strike near Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast). Lyman axis: Russian forces conducted assault operations near Makiivka (Luhansk oblast). The Russian occupiers launched air strikes in the area of Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast) and near Hryhorivka, Riznykivka, Zvanivka, Spirne (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Tors'ke, Serebryanka, Spirne, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast). Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 7x attacks in the vicinities of Bohdanivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 3x Russian attacks near Avdiivka, and 9x more attacks in the vicinity of Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces conducted unsuccessful attempts to improve his tactical situation. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Berdychi, Stepove, Avdiivka, Sjeverne, Netailove, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast). Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the Russian enemy in the vicinity of Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces, with air support, conducted 4x failed attacks on Ukrainian positions. The settlements of Maksymil'yanivka, Heorhiivka, Mar'inka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka, Kostyantynivka were under Russian artillery and mortar fire. Shakhtars'ke axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled an attack near Urozhaine (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Urozhaine, Makarivka, Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). Zaporizhzhia axis: Russian forces made unsuccessful attempts to regain lost ground in the vicinity of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 4x assaults in the area. More than 25x settlements, including Levadne Hulyaipole, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka, Mali Shcherbaky, P'yatykhatky (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire. Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: Russian forces fired artillery at the settlements of Ivanivka, Sadove, Antonivka and Kherson (Kherson oblast). Also, Russian forces launched air strikes near Kachkarivka and Chervonyi Mayak (Kherson oblast). The Russian occupiers do not abandon their intention to drive Ukrainian units out of their footholds on the left bank of the Dnipro. Thus, during the day, Russian forces made 9x unsuccessful assaults. The Ukrainian troops are holding the line and keep inflicting significant losses on the Russian enemy. During the day of December 31, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 11x concentrations of Russian troops. The Ukrainian missile troops hit 3x concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 1x ammunition depot and 1x command post of the Russian invaders. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces supported by helicopters and artillery repelled six attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 14th, 30th, 57th mechanised brigades, 25th Airborne Brigade, and 10th Mountain Assault Brigade near Sinkovka (Kharkov region) and Novoselovskoye (Lugansk People's Republic). Moreover, the Russian Armed Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 25th Airborne Brigade and 101st Territorial Defence Brigade near Berestovoye and Peschannoye (Zaporozhye region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 50 Ukrainian troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles. In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces repelled one attack launched by an assault squad of the 5th Ukrainian National Guard Brigade north of Grigorovka (Donetsk People's Republic), as well as inflicted losses on AFU manpower and hardware near Serebryansky forestry. The AFU losses amounted to up to 100 Ukrainian troops and three armoured fighting vehicles. In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled two attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 24th Mechanised Brigade and 79th Air Assault Brigade close to Shumy and Maryinka (Donetsk People's Republic). In addition, strikes were delivered at AFU manpower and hardware near Razdolovka, Pereyezdnoye, Andreyevka, Kurdyumovka, Kleschcheyevka, and Bogdanovka (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses in this direction amounted to up to 350 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, two armoured personnel carriers, and six pickup trucks. In the course of counterbattery warfare, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system and one U.S.-made M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system were eliminated. In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces supported by helicopters and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 72nd Mechanised Brigade, 79th Air Assault Brigade, and 128th Territorial Defence Brigade near Ugledar, Novomikhailovka, and Vodyanoye (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses in this direction amounted to up to 115 Ukrainian troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, and one electronic warfare station. In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 33rd, 65th, and 117th mechanised brigades close to Rabotino (Zaporozhye region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 20 Ukrainian troops and three pickup trucks. In Kherson direction, as a result of actions of the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery and aviation, the AFU losses amounted to up to 25 Ukrainian troops and six motor vehicles. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces eliminated one Olkha MLRS near Liptsy (Kharkov region). In addition, POL and missile artillery armament depots at Starokonstantinov airfield (Khmelnitsky region) and Chernobayevka (Kherson region) were wiped out, as well as manpower and hardware were engaged in 118 areas during the day. Air defence units intercepted 15 HIMARS and Olkha projectiles, as well as three HARM anti-radiation missile during the day. In addition, 35 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been shot down near Spornoye, Maryinka, Verkhetoretskoye (Donetsk People's Republic), Novaya Kakhovka, Babino, Kairy, Vasileyvka, Malaya Lepetikha (Kherson region). In total, 564 airplanes and 263 helicopters, 10,241 unmanned aerial vehicles, 445 air defence missile systems, 14,403 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,191 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,566 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 16,868 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Houston, Jan. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Houston, Texas - Medical SEO marketing is a powerful strategy that powers how hospitals and clinics show up in online search results, according to Doctor Marketing, MD. By pushing healthcare related websites higher on page one of Google, it helps healthcare providers be seen by more potential patients looking for their medical services. Crafting well-written content, adding personal touches in campaigns, and answering patient questions through blogging, medical SEO marketing builds the groundwork that helps these strategies produce an exponential patient ROI. Image Credit: Akkamulator / 123RF. Medical SEO marketing is transforming patient outreach in the healthcare industry, utilizing digital medical blogging strategies to empower patients through valuable information and personalized engagement. Plastic surgeons and doctors who embrace proven SEO practices become the go-to choices for those patients searching online for their next procedure or check-up, 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. With a multifaceted approach, hospitals and clinics can effectively reach and educate their target audience while optimizing their online presence for improved patient acquisition. Digital content marketing for physicians is transforming the healthcare industry by allowing providers like plastic surgeons and doctors to amplify their reach and connect with more patients than ever before. With smart SEO strategies, websites for medical practices climb search engine rankings, making it easier for potential patients to find them online. This surge in visibility directly translates into increased patient engagement and appointment bookings. Healthcare SEO harnesses the precision of AI technology, creating tailored content that speaks directly to individual needs and concerns. Practices that invest in innovative digital marketing techniques can distinguish themselves in a crowded market. Healthcare providers are leveraging a multifaceted approach to patient outreach, utilizing medical SEO marketing, personalized content, and digital pulse strategies. By optimizing websites with strong SEO strategy and engaging patients through AI-driven chatbots, healthcare providers can increase online visibility and attract more patients to their practices. Moreover, digital marketing initiatives are empowering patients by providing them with access to accurate healthcare information, thus shaping the future of healthcare marketing. As the landscape of patient outreach continues to evolve with technological advancements in healthcare digital marketing, it is essential for plastic surgeons and doctors alike to embrace these multifaceted approaches towards reaching a broader audience and increasing patient engagement. Ethical considerations play a crucial role in medical SEO marketing, particularly when it comes to maintaining patient privacy, ensuring accurate information, and finding the balance between marketing efforts and patient care. It's important for healthcare providers to navigate these considerations thoughtfully and responsibly while leveraging digital strategies to reach and educate their patients. Protecting patient privacy is a critical aspect of medical SEO marketing. Keeping personal and sensitive information secure is paramount in building trust with potential patients. Implementing robust security measures, such as encryption protocols and strict access controls, ensures that patient data remains confidential and protected from cyber threats. Medical practices can uphold their ethical responsibility by prioritizing patient privacy while still leveraging digital marketing to reach a wider audience. By maintaining the highest standards of patient privacy, healthcare providers can build a solid reputation based on integrity and trustworthiness, ultimately attracting more patients to their practice. To ensure accurate information, healthcare providers must regularly update and review the content on their websites. This includes verifying medical facts, statistics, and treatment options to provide patients with reliable and trustworthy information. Embracing digital marketing strategies requires a commitment to maintaining accuracy in all online communications, from blog posts to social media updates. Healthcare professionals play a critical role in empowering patients through transparent and precise information. Utilizing AI technology also aids in ensuring accuracy by optimizing content for relevancy and authenticity. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve digitally, it is vital for medical practitioners to prioritize precision when creating and sharing informative resources. Medical professionals must carefully balance their marketing efforts with providing high-quality patient care. This requires maintaining a focus on patient well-being while implementing effective digital marketing strategies to reach and engage potential patients. By ensuring that marketing initiatives prioritize accurate information, respect patient privacy, and provide genuine value to patients, healthcare providers can create a harmonious blend of marketing efforts and patient-centered care. Optimizing websites through medical SEO marketing enables medical practices to increase online visibility while maintaining a steadfast commitment to ethical considerations. Embracing personalized marketing approaches places an emphasis on enhancing the patient experience and empowering individuals through access to reliable healthcare information. ### 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 SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CHPT) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now. Class Period: June 1, 2023 Nov. 16, 2023 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Jan. 29, 2024 Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/CHPT Contact An Attorney Now: CHPT@hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895 ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CHPT) Securities Fraud Class Action: The litigation focuses on whether ChargePoint may have misrepresented product demand and omitted to disclose rising inventory costs, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the firms investigation. On Dec. 6, ChargePoint posted disappointing quarterly results, reporting a fiscal third-quarter net loss of $158.2 million, or 43 cents a share, compared with a net loss of $84.5 million, or 25 cents a share, in the year-ago quarter. Revenue also declined 12% to $110.3 million from $124.3 million a year ago, missing analyst expectations. The poor results come on the heels of a recently filed securities class action suit. The complaint there alleges that Defendants misrepresented and concealed that: (1) ChargePoint was experiencing higher component costs and supply overruns for first generation DC charging products; (2) that, as a result, the Company was likely to incur impairment charges impacting profitability. The truth began to emerge on Sep. 6, 2023, when ChargePoint reported its 2Q 2024 financial results, including a $28.0 million, or 19 percentage point, inventory impairment charge. The Company stated the inventory impairment charge was taken to address legacy supply chain-related costs and supply overruns on a particular DC product. Then, on Nov. 16, 2023, ChargePoint announced preliminary Q3 2024 financial results, which would include an additional non-cash inventory impairment charge in the amount of $42 million related to product transitions and to better align inventory with current demand. As a result, the Company expected to report GAAP gross margin of negative 23% to negative 21%. The Company also reported revenue had fallen to $108 million to $113 million, as compared to $150 to $165 million as previously expected. Moreover, ChargePoint announced the abrupt departures of its CEO (Pasquale Romano) and, at the request of its board, its CFO (Rex S. Jackson). Shares of ChargePoint have cratered 78.5% this year, as compared to the S&P 500 index that has increased nearly 20%. Based on ChargePoints recent disclosures and share performance, we are investigating whether the alleged fraudulent period should be extended, said Mr. Kathrein. If you invested in ChargePoint and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firms investigation, submit your losses now If youd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the ChargePoint case and our investigation, read more Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding ChargePoint should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email CHPT@hbsslaw.com. About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw. Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices. New York, USA, Jan. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Propulsion of Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Clinical Trial Pipeline as Novel and Extensive 80+ Therapies Likely to Enter in the Domain | DelveInsight The global Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Treatment market has significantly grown over the past few years and is expected to register rapid growth. Revenue growth of the global Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Treatment market is significantly driven by factors such as the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, rapid advancements in the healthcare industry, and growing funds from several public and private sectors. DelveInsights 'Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Pipeline Insight 2023' report provides comprehensive global coverage of pipeline small lymphocytic lymphoma therapies in various stages of clinical development, major pharmaceutical companies are working to advance the pipeline space and future growth potential of the small lymphocytic lymphoma pipeline domain. Key Takeaways from the Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Pipeline Report DelveInsights small lymphocytic lymphoma pipeline report depicts a robust space with 75+ active players working to develop 80+ pipeline therapies for small lymphocytic lymphoma treatment. active players working to develop pipeline therapies for small lymphocytic lymphoma treatment. Key small lymphocytic lymphoma companies such as Iovance Biotherapeutics, Ascentage Pharma, NovalGen, Pfizer, MingSight Pharmaceuticals, Jiangsu MingSight-Relin Pharmaceutical, TG Therapeutics, Merck & Co, Roche, Acerta Pharma, TG Therapeutics, Chongqing Fochon Pharmaceutical, Karyopharm Therapeutics, Telios Pharma, Aptose Biosciences, Carna Biosciences, Mustang Bio, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Biomea Fusion, Oncternal Therapeutics, Cellectar Biosciences, Nkarta Therapeutics, IGM Biosciences, Newave Pharmaceutical Inc., Nurix, MEI Pharma, Bio-Path Holdings, and others are evaluating new small lymphocytic lymphoma drugs to improve the treatment landscape. and others are evaluating new small lymphocytic lymphoma drugs to improve the treatment landscape. Promising small lymphocytic lymphoma pipeline therapies such as IOV 2001, Venetoclax, APG2575, NVG-111, MS-553, Ublituximab, JCAR017, Nemtabrutinib, Mosunetuzumab, Ceralasertib, TGR-1202, FCN-338, Selinexor, TL-895, CG-806, AS-1763, MB-106, CC-99282, CYC065, BMF-219, Cirmtuzumab, Iopofosine I 131, NKX019, Aplitabart, c, NX-5948, Voruciclib, L-Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide, and others are under different phases of small lymphocytic lymphoma clinical trials. and others are under different phases of small lymphocytic lymphoma clinical trials. In December 2023, NovalGen Ltd, a pioneering clinical-stage immunology company, shared promising findings from the NVG-111-101, a First in Human, Phase I clinical study (NCT04763083), in an oral presentation at the 65th American Society of Hematology Annual meeting, in San Diego, USA. a pioneering clinical-stage immunology company, shared promising findings from the a First in Human, Phase I clinical study in an oral presentation at the In December 2023, Nurix Therapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted protein modulation drugs designed to treat patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, presented positive clinical data from its orally available degraders of BTK, NX-5948 and NX-2127, which are being evaluated in separate Phase 1a/1b clinical trials in patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) B-cell malignancies, including CLL, mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), follicular lymphoma (FL), primary CNS lymphoma (PCNS), and Waldenstroms macroglobulinemia (WM). These data were presented in two posters at the 65th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, which is being held in San Diego, California. a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted protein modulation drugs designed to treat patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, presented positive clinical data from its orally available degraders of BTK, and which are being evaluated in separate Phase 1a/1b clinical trials in patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) B-cell malignancies, including CLL, mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), follicular lymphoma (FL), primary CNS lymphoma (PCNS), and Waldenstroms macroglobulinemia (WM). These data were presented in two posters at the Annual Meeting and Exposition, which is being held in San Diego, California. In November 2023, Bristol Myers Squibb announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had accepted the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for Breyanzi (lisocabtagene maraleucel) to expand its current indication to include the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) who received a prior Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi) and B-cell lymphoma 2 inhibitor (BCL2i). The FDA has granted the application Priority Review and assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date of March 14, 2024. announced that the had accepted the for to expand its current indication to include the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) who received a prior Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi) and B-cell lymphoma 2 inhibitor (BCL2i). The FDA has granted the application and assigned a goal date of In October 2023, Ascentage Pharma, a global biopharmaceutical company engaged in developing novel therapies for cancer, chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and age-related diseases, announced that it had entered into a clinical collaboration with AstraZeneca Investment (China) Co., Ltd. (AstraZeneca). The two companies will jointly conduct a registrational Phase III study of the Bcl-2 inhibitor, APG-2575 (lisaftoclax) , in combination with AstraZeneca's Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, CALQUENCE (acalabrutinib) , in treatment-naive patients with first-line chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL). a global biopharmaceutical company engaged in developing novel therapies for cancer, chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and age-related diseases, announced that it had entered into a clinical collaboration with (AstraZeneca). The two companies will jointly conduct a registrational Phase III study of the Bcl-2 inhibitor, , in combination with AstraZeneca's Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, , in treatment-naive patients with first-line chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL). In June 2023, Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that according to findings from the Phase I/II TRANSCEND CLL 004 trial (NCT03331198), Liso-cel demonstrated rapid, durable responses in patients with Relapsed/Refractory CLL/SLL. The findings, which were presented during the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, showed that the trial met its primary endpoint. Request a sample and discover the recent advances in small lymphocytic lymphoma treatment drugs @ Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Pipeline Report The small lymphocytic lymphoma pipeline report provides detailed profiles of pipeline assets, a comparative analysis of clinical and non-clinical stage small lymphocytic lymphoma drugs, inactive and dormant assets, a comprehensive assessment of driving and restraining factors, and an assessment of opportunities and risks in the small lymphocytic lymphoma clinical trial landscape. Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Overview Small lymphocytic lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that primarily affects the lymphatic system, which is a part of the bodys immune system. It is closely related to chronic lymphocytic leukemia and is often considered a variant of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, as they share similar characteristics and often progress in a similar manner. The exact cause of small lymphocytic lymphoma is not fully understood, but it is believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Symptoms of small lymphocytic lymphoma can vary but often include painless swelling of lymph nodes in areas like the neck, armpits, and groin. Other common small lymphocytic lymphoma symptoms may involve fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, and fever. Diagnosing small lymphocytic lymphoma involves a series of steps, starting with a thorough medical history and physical examination. Blood tests are performed to assess the levels of different blood cells and look for abnormalities. A definitive diagnosis is usually made by examining a sample of affected tissue, obtained through a biopsy of an enlarged lymph node. This tissue is analyzed under a microscope to determine the presence of abnormal lymphocytes characteristic of small lymphocytic lymphoma. Small lymphocytic lymphoma treatment may include low or high-intensity combination chemotherapy, as well as, more recently, a targeted therapy such as a monoclonal antibody. This is frequently referred to as chemo-immunotherapy. The medicine combination will be determined by age, disease stage, and risk factors. Find out more about small lymphocytic lymphoma treatment drugs @ Drugs for Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Treatment A snapshot of the Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Pipeline Drugs mentioned in the report: Drugs Company Phase MoA RoA Nemtabrutinib Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC Phase III Agammaglobulinaemia tyrosine kinase inhibitors Oral APG2575 Ascentage Pharma Phase II Proto-oncogene protein c-bcl-2 inhibitors Oral BGB-11417 BeiGene Phase II Proto-oncogene protein c-bcl-2 inhibitors Oral IOV 2001 Iovance Biotherapeutics Phase I/II Immunologic cytotoxicity; Lymphocyte replacements Subcutaneous MS-553 Jiangsu MingSight-Relin Pharmaceutical/ MingSight Pharmaceuticals Phase I/II Protein kinase C beta inhibitors Oral NKX019 Nkarta Inc. Phase I Immunologic cytotoxicity; Natural killer cell replacements Parenteral Learn more about the emerging small lymphocytic lymphoma pipeline therapies @ Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Clinical Trials Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Therapeutics Assessment The small lymphocytic lymphoma pipeline report proffers an integral view of the small lymphocytic lymphoma emerging novel therapies segmented by stage, product type, molecule type, mechanism of action, and route of administration. Scope of the Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Pipeline Report Coverage : Global : Global Therapeutic Assessment By Product Type: Mono, Combination, Mono/Combination Mono, Combination, Mono/Combination Therapeutic Assessment By Clinical Stages: Discovery, Pre-clinical, Phase I, Phase II, Phase III Discovery, Pre-clinical, Phase I, Phase II, Phase III Therapeutics Assessment By Route of Administration: Intra-articular, Intraocular, Intrathecal, Intravenous, Ophthalmic, Oral, Parenteral, Subcutaneous, Topical, Transdermal Intra-articular, Intraocular, Intrathecal, Intravenous, Ophthalmic, Oral, Parenteral, Subcutaneous, Topical, Transdermal Therapeutics Assessment By Molecule Type : Oligonucleotide, Peptide, Small molecule : Oligonucleotide, Peptide, Small molecule Therapeutics Assessment By Mechanism of Action: Immunologic cytotoxicity, Lymphocyte replacements, Agammaglobulinaemia tyrosine kinase inhibitors, Proto-oncogene protein c-bcl-2 inhibitors, Apoptosis stimulants, Proto-oncogene protein c-bcl-2 inhibitors, Protein kinase C beta inhibitors; Natural killer cell replacements Immunologic cytotoxicity, Lymphocyte replacements, Agammaglobulinaemia tyrosine kinase inhibitors, Proto-oncogene protein c-bcl-2 inhibitors, Apoptosis stimulants, Proto-oncogene protein c-bcl-2 inhibitors, Protein kinase C beta inhibitors; Natural killer cell replacements Key Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Companies : Loxo Oncology, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Ascentage Pharma, NovalGen, Pfizer, MingSight Pharmaceuticals, Jiangsu MingSight-Relin Pharmaceutical, TG Therapeutics, Merck & Co, Roche, Acerta Pharma, TG Therapeutics, Chongqing Fochon Pharmaceutical, Karyopharm Therapeutics, Telios Pharma, Aptose Biosciences, Carna Biosciences, Mustang Bio, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Biomea Fusion, Oncternal Therapeutics, Cellectar Biosciences, Nkarta Therapeutics, IGM Biosciences, Newave Pharmaceutical Inc., Nurix, MEI Pharma, Bio-Path Holdings, and others : Loxo Oncology, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Ascentage Pharma, NovalGen, Pfizer, MingSight Pharmaceuticals, Jiangsu MingSight-Relin Pharmaceutical, TG Therapeutics, Merck & Co, Roche, Acerta Pharma, TG Therapeutics, Chongqing Fochon Pharmaceutical, Karyopharm Therapeutics, Telios Pharma, Aptose Biosciences, Carna Biosciences, Mustang Bio, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Biomea Fusion, Oncternal Therapeutics, Cellectar Biosciences, Nkarta Therapeutics, IGM Biosciences, Newave Pharmaceutical Inc., Nurix, MEI Pharma, Bio-Path Holdings, and others Key Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Pipeline Therapies: LOXO-305, IOV 2001, Venetoclax, APG2575, NVG-111, MS-553, Ublituximab, JCAR017, Nemtabrutinib, Mosunetuzumab, Ceralasertib, TGR-1202, FCN-338, Selinexor, TL-895, CG-806, AS-1763, MB-106, CC-99282, CYC065, BMF-219, Cirmtuzumab, Iopofosine I 131, NKX019, Aplitabart, LP-118, NX-5948, Voruciclib, L-Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide, and others Dive deep into rich insights for new drugs for small lymphocytic lymphoma treatment, visit @ Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Drugs Table of Contents 1. Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Pipeline Report Introduction 2. Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Pipeline Report Executive Summary 3. Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Pipeline: Overview 4. Analytical Perspective In-depth Commercial Assessment 5. Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Clinical Trial Therapeutics 6. Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Pipeline: Late-Stage Products (Pre-registration) 7. Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Pipeline: Late-Stage Products (Phase III) 8. Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Pipeline: Mid-Stage Products (Phase II) 9. Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Pipeline: Early-Stage Products (Phase I) 10. Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Pipeline Therapeutics Assessment 11. Inactive Products in the Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Pipeline 12. Company-University Collaborations (Licensing/Partnering) Analysis 13. Key Companies 14. Key Products in the Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Pipeline 15. Unmet Needs 16. Market Drivers and Barriers 17. Future Perspectives and Conclusion 18. Analyst Views 19. Appendix For further information on the Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma pipeline therapeutics, reach out @ Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Treatment Drugs Related Reports Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Epidemiology Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Epidemiology Forecast 2032 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical, and forecasted small lymphocytic lymphoma epidemiology in the 7MM. Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Market Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast 2032 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key small lymphocytic lymphoma companies including Loxo Oncology, Eli Lilly and Company, AbbVie, Genentech Inc, Janssen, Pharmacyclics LLC, Tragara Pharmaceuticals, among others. Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Market Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast 2032 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, market share of the individual therapies, and key non-hodgkins lymphoma companies, including ADC Therapeutics, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Amgen, Johnson & Johnson, Celgene Corp., Mesoblast, Genmab, Novartis, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Karyopharm Therapeutics, AB Science, Genentech, Eli Lilly and Company, Rafael Pharmaceuticals, IO Biotech, ImmuneOnco Biopharma, Chongqing Precision Biotech, Rhizen Pharmaceuticals, Nanjing Legend Biotech, Tokalas, Arvinas, MorphoSys AG, Shanghai Genechem, Guiguidan Biomedicine (Zhongshan), Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Evive Biotech, Kite Pharma, Pfizer, Gilead Sciences, TG Therapeutics, AstraZeneca, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Secura Bio, BeiGene, Xynomic Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co. Inc., Epizyme, Nordic Nanovector, Artiva Biotherapeutics, Inc., Timmune Biotech, Forty Seven, Acerta Pharma, BioInvent International, Adagene, Juventas Cell Therapy, SystImmune, Molecular Templates, Apollomics, MEI Pharma, among others. Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Pipeline Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Pipeline Insight 2023 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, including clinical and non-clinical stage products and the key non-hodgkins lymphoma companies, including ADC Therapeutics, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Amgen, Johnson & Johnson, Celgene Corp., Mesoblast, Genmab, Novartis, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Karyopharm Therapeutics, AB Science, Genentech, Eli Lilly and Company, Rafael Pharmaceuticals, IO Biotech, ImmuneOnco Biopharma, Chongqing Precision Biotech, Rhizen Pharmaceuticals, Nanjing Legend Biotech, Tokalas, Arvinas, MorphoSys AG, Shanghai Genechem, Guiguidan Biomedicine (Zhongshan), Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Evive Biotech, Kite Pharma, Pfizer, Gilead Sciences, TG Therapeutics, AstraZeneca, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Secura Bio, BeiGene, Xynomic Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co. Inc., Epizyme, Nordic Nanovector, Artiva Biotherapeutics, Inc., Timmune Biotech, Forty Seven, Acerta Pharma, BioInvent International, Adagene, Juventas Cell Therapy, SystImmune, Molecular Templates, Apollomics, MEI Pharma, among others. Hodgkin Lymphoma Market Hodgkin Lymphoma Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast 2032 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, market share of the individual therapies, and key Hodgkin lymphoma companies, including Affimed Therapeutics, ACD Therapeutics, Cstone Pharmaceuticals, 4SC, TG Therapeutics, among others. Hodgkin Lymphoma Pipeline Hodgkin Lymphoma Pipeline Insight 2023 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key Hodgkin lymphoma companies, including Affimed Therapeutics, ACD Therapeutics, Cstone Pharmaceuticals, 4SC, TG Therapeutics, among others. About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. Connect with us at LinkedIn Italy will chair the G7 Group of Ambassadors to support Ukraine in 2004. "Italy is proudly assumes G7 Ambassadors' Ukraine Support Group presidency for 2024. Many thanks to Japan for their outstanding 2023 chairmanship. We remain committed to close cooperation with Ukraine in fostering reforms and addressing Russia's aggression," according to the X social network of the Italian Presidency of the G7 Ambassadorial Group in Kyiv. Whats Their Problem With Trump? Can They Convince Voters? In 2011, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his attempt to profit from the sale of Barack Obamas old Senate seat. When President Trump commuted his sentence in February, Blagojevich naturally expressed his gratitude, calling himself a Trumpocrat.To date, Blagojevich is the only former Democratic governor to endorse Trump. By contrast, Joe Biden has been endorsed by eight former Republican governors, including John Kasich of Ohio, Rick Snyder of Michigan and Tom Ridge of Pennsylvania. They havent minced words in deploring Trump, describing him variously as a bully," reprehensible and dangerous.If a Republican President is incapable of condemning white supremacists, then the party of Lincoln has expired, Ridge tweeted last week, following the first Trump-Biden debate.The other former governors whove endorsed Biden are Christine Todd Whitman of New Jersey, Marc Racicot of Montana, Jim Edgar of Illinois, Arne Carlson of Minnesota and William Weld of Massachusetts. They are all part of a sizable group of former Republican officials who have come out for Biden, including former Cabinet secretaries, defense and foreign policy officials and two former chairs of the Republican National Committee.Former President George H.W. Bush voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and its widely believed that his son will vote for Biden, although he wont endorse anyone publicly. This many prominent GOP defections may simply be an expression of distaste for Trump personally, but it may also reflect a realignment in terms of party support, with more college-educated voters switching to the Democrats, even as Republicans increase their white working class support.In past years, a single prominent cross-party endorsement could gain considerable attention, simply because its historically so rare. I cant recall nearly as many endorsements across party lines as we are seeing this year for Joe Biden or rather, against Donald Trump, said Thad Kousser, a political scientist at the University of California, San Diego.As governor, Georgia Democrat Zell Miller gave the keynote speech at the 1992 Democratic National Convention. Twelve years later, then-Sen. Miller gave the keynote address at the Republican National Convention and campaigned for the younger Bush. Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2000, endorsed his Republican friend John McCain for president eight years later.Crossing party lines is particularly striking at a time when members of the two major parties are often loath to collaborate on anything, let alone publicly support someone from the other side during elections. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce , a traditional GOP ally, has angered Trump and opened up divisions within its own ranks by endorsing about two dozen freshman House Democrats for re-election.This year, Cindy McCain, the late senators widow, is supporting Biden. A group of alumni of George W. Bushs administration have set up a political action committee to support Biden. Various other Republicans are backing Biden through groups such as The Lincoln Project and Republican Voters Against Trump.Trump continues to enjoy overwhelming support among rank-and-file Republicans. A Gallup poll last month found that 94 percent of Republicans approve of the job hes doing as president.But some Republicans have their doubts and there are conservative voters who have stopped identifying with the party. The various former officials coming out for Biden are trying to send a signal to Republicans who may have soured on Trump that its okay to go all the way and cast a vote for a Democrat.Im reaching out to the governors particularly as they come out, as it were, to be part of Republicans and Independents for Biden, said Whitman, who served in George W. Bushs cabinet. These are respected opinion leaders who are telling people who wont vote for Trump but dont want to pull a lever for a Democrat that its okay to pull a lever for country over party.The governors breaking with Trump have faulted him for stances on various issues such as immigration and foreign policy. Most notably, several have criticized his response to the coronavirus pandemic.Their knock on Trump, however, has mainly to do with character. They have described him as divisive and unwilling to learn.I was very apprehensive when he ran the first time, said Edgar, the former Illinois governor. I didnt think he had the knowledge, the personality. After four years, he turned out to be far worse than I thought he might be.Edgar says this will be his first time in 50 years of voting that he hasnt supported the Republican candidate for president. Like Whitman, hes 74 and hasnt run for office since the 1990s. Edgar is candid about the fact that its relatively easy for him to come out against a president of his own party, since he doesnt have to worry about his own political future.In fact, he says hes advised sitting politicians not to break with Trump publicly.I said, No, no, youre running this year, you dont want to get into that, Edgar said. Youll send Republicans up the wall and youve got to win your own election.But Edgar says former governors speak with experience. Its notable that more former governors than senators have come out against Trump, although there are four former GOP senators who have endorsed Biden.During the 1990s, Republican governors were viewed as more pragmatic than the partys more ideological congressional wing, led back then by Newt Gingrich.The GOP came to the fork in the road and rejected the one their governors had taken and marched enthusiastically down the lane of ideology, said Larry Sabato, who directs the University of Virginia Center for Politics. Some of these governors are (politically) homeless, and theyve decided to endorse Biden because they see him as far more pragmatic and moderate than Trump.Its hard to point to many endorsements that have swayed a discernible number of voters. Congressman Jim Clyburns embrace of Biden ahead of the South Carolina primary has been widely described as this years most important endorsement , but the state and its Black Democratic voters had been trending toward Biden anyway.The effect of support even from sitting governors on presidential voting in their states is sometimes overblown, but endorsements from former governors from swing states, such as Ridge and Snyder, matter if only because theyve drawn some local media attention.On Tuesday, Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vazquez endorsed Trump for re-election. Shes a Republican, but her stance may help inoculate Trump from some criticism over his handling of Hurricane Maria, which matters not only on the island but also among Puerto Rican voters in Florida.Endorsements can matter at the margins, says Sam Rosenfeld, a political scientist at Colgate University. Voters who arent following a race carefully might turn to politicians they respect for guidance and cues. I think it matters that Kasich is giving room to lifelong Republicans in all these suburbs so they can comfortably say to themselves, this is not our party anymore, Rosenfeld said.Rather than individual endorsements, the sight of lots of political insiders or celebrities rallying behind a candidate sends a strong signal to voters about which way people like them might be leaning. In our theory, party insiders rally to the candidate of their choice, endowing him or her with endorsements, access to fund-raising networks, and pools of talent and volunteer labor, wrote the authors of, a widely cited book about the influence of party support on presidential primaries.Whitman says shes received both attacks for breaking with the party and thanks from people who are grateful shes taking such an active stance. She says more Republicans who complain about Trump in private need to speak up publicly.Hes not a Republican, she said. He hasnt shown a concern for the basic values that used to be our Republican values. SBU head on use of maritime drones: After Russian launch vehicles in Black Sea, it to be turn of submarines Ukrainian naval drones forced Russian ships to enter their home ports, which allowed the grain corridor in the Black Sea to resume operations, according to an article by Ukrainska Pravda published on Monday. "We are striving to knock out all missile carriers from the Ukrainian Black Sea. And then we will pay attention to the submarines," head of the State Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk told the publication. According to him, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set the task of ensuring that Ukraine dominates the Black Sea. "For the SBU, this area is one of the priorities. In particular, our targets were launch vehicles with which the enemy fired at Ukrainian territories," the head of the SBU said. As noted in the article, the Ukrainian intelligence service uses two drones of its own production. The first is "Sea Baby" which carries 850 kg of charge, is equipped with communications worth $300,000, as well as a flamethrower system. The second, "Mamai," is a kamikaze drone that can deliver 450 kg of explosives to any point in the Black Sea. Maliuk said the Russians have already withdrawn all large ships from Crimea, but this will not help them. "There should be no Russian fleet in Crimea at all," the SBU head said. In Esman community of Sumy region, an enemy UAV Shahed hit a two-story residential building, people were trapped under the rubble, the necessary services are working on the spot, the regional military administration said. "On the first day of the New Year, the Russians committed another crime against the civilian population of Sumy region. An enemy UAV of the Shahed type hit a two-story residential building in Esman community. There is destruction, people were under rubble. All necessary services are working at the arrival site," the administration said on the Telegram channel on Monday. According to preliminary information, three people have already been rescued from the rubble. They are provided with the necessary medical care. The search and rescue operation is ongoing. The year 2023 started out slow for me, the Pixel 7 Pro remaining unchallenged in my pocket well into the summer. Things happened in July and August though, and the Google phone was needed elsewhere, so I temporarily ended up with the Xiaomi 13 Pro Ro! Had shouted dibs on the Ultra before me, so I settled for the Pro. It wasn't a whole lot of settling, I thought, since the Pro had more or less the same main camera (1-inch sensor, minus the dual aperture), and a telephoto that had its own super power - super-close-focusing, which didn't make it to the Ultra. The 13 Pro replaced the Pixel without any drama, thanks to MIUI's high level of customizability. It was actually a step up in many ways, most importantly charging speed, but also battery life - at least in the way I used it. An unpredicted improvement in my quality of life came from the handset's ceramic back, which made a case redundant, thus easing the burden on my pockets. A few uneventful months passed and we were suddenly in iPhone season. I managed to convince myself that a year after I last had one, an iPhone purchase was due. That's how I ended up with an iPhone 15 Pro The small iPhone Pro for 2023 felt even smaller than the 13 Pro as I remembered it, and a properly compact premium phone has always been what I've insisted I want (never mind the huge Pixel 7 Pro and its oversized silicone case). In fact, a dimensions comparison between the 15 Pro and the 13 Pro only shows marginal differences in footprint, not to mention the new one is thicker, but this year's model is indeed lighter than that last iPhone I had and every bit as premium too. I kept fooling myself that I could live with an iPhone for a while. The in-hand feel was supposed to outweigh the daily struggle of putting up with what has to be the most backward OS in existence. Every now and then I returned to that article I wrote two years ago while still honeymooning with the 13 Pro, hoping to direct my attention to the good things. It worked for all of four weeks - you could call it a month, but it doesn't quite communicate the urgency with which I expelled the 15 Pro from my life. The 13 Pro was back, only not the iPhone but the Xiaomi. Xiaomi 13 Pro It turned out that no one had shown any interest in it in the meantime, the office pursuits focused on Galaxies and whatnot. The Xiaomi felt like home and the transition was frictionless, as have been my days with it since. A minor logistical hiccup at one point meant spending a short while with the 13T Pro, where a new-found appreciation for flat displays made me question my satisfaction with the curved-edge 13 Pro. I decided to ignore that sentiment, a choice made easier by the fact that T means 'not a real flagship' in Xiaomi's nomenclature, and the shelves at the office are too full of flagships for us to be using Ts. Amidst the joy of daily-driving the 13 Pro, some review units came in that weren't quite as easy to dismiss. One of the most remarkable among them was the Oppo Find N3 You could call it the OnePlus Open if you prefer, depending on how Oppo's market presence aligns with your location, but the essence is that there is finally a truly capable cameraphone that also happens to fold out to tablet form. On several occasions in the past I've tried giving a foldable a chance, and they've always sacrificed imaging prowess in one way or another until now. I'll have to admit that I still have no use for an 8-inch square display in my life, so a large foldable remains wasted on me. That said, I can very much appreciate the Open/Find N3 for the unusual combination of capabilities that they offer. And maybe wrestle the others in the office for the Find X7 Pro once that thing shows up. (But seriously, though, let's all agree on a draw as the more civilized option from now on.) In all fairness, another top-class cameraphone that visited my desk for a few days of reviewing did really test my loyalty for the Xiaomi 13 Pro. vivo X100 Pro The latest in a lineup of industry-leading picture-taking devices (that also happen to have cellular connectivity), the X100 Pro does everything that the Xiaomi does, does some of it better, and does more on top of it. However, irreconcilable differences with Funtouch OS make it a no-go for me. Or someone else dibs-ed it before me - perhaps I should work on honing my reflexes. Xiaomi 13 Ultra Ultimately, though, my top 5 list for 2023 has to end (or, rather, culminate) with the Xiaomi that I didn't get to have. Xiaomi Ultras have been a notch above everything else each year - the outworldly-specced cameraphone that is so good that Xiaomi can only produce so many of them and they rarely make it outside of China. The 11 did, and this year's 13 sort of had an international release too, but they remain just barely more common than unicorns. You can never have too many 50MP sensors on one phone but perhaps 4 is an acceptable number. The 1-inch main camera is better than the other 1-inch cameras because it can change aperture, while a telephoto at 3x and another one at 5x is better than having to choose between 3x or 5x. The almost flat display is better than a definitely curved display too, I've come to realize. It's a good thing that a faux leather back is no better than a ceramic one, otherwise I'd be left with no straws to grasp in defending the 13 Pro on my bedside table. So there is my list - somewhat trivial, perhaps, but it's hardly my fault that smartphones have turned into cameras above all, and that's where the race has been focused. An iPhone managed to trick me once again, whether for the cameras or something more elusive - let's hope it's the last time. A vivo on here is hardly surprising given the X-series' past, while a foldable that can take pictures is more of a novelty - a long overdue one. But I just seem to like them Xiaomis best now. Lets start with me acknowledging that having access to all sorts of phones is a privilege few enjoy and even fewer can do on a regular basis. And we, the reviewers, are surely spoiled in this aspect. It is certainly one of the best parts of the job. But as the year 2023 comes to a close, I can say one thing for sure this was one of the worst years for smartphones. Plagued by various wars (trade, patent, territory, religion), an innovation stalemate, and a global recession, it was only natural for the whole industry to slow down and play it safe. And safe it was across all major manufacturers, with little improvement and mostly incremental updates. So, long story short, there is not a single phone that wowed me this year. There are a few devices that stood out, though, and those are the ones I am going to list here. Xiaomi 13 Pro This is one of the first smartphones I reviewed in 2023 and it is still super nice. The 13 Pro offered outstanding design and build, display, performance and stability, and what a camera! The Xiaomi 13 Pro is probably the perfectly flawed cameraphone as it not only had the best imaging hardware on the market, but also offered the best image and video quality. Flawed, because of the dated selfie camera, something that still bothers me to this day. OnePlus Open I was not a fan of foldables. I acknowedge the productivity gains and the coolness of those things, but they were just not my cup of tea. Why? Because they were thick and weirdly uncomfortable when folded. That was until the OnePlus Open. The Open had it all figured out proper size, superb design, excellent performance, lovely camera, good battery life, fast charging. It was notably better than the Fold5, classier even, and managed to impress me all the way through its reviewing process and the weeks after. And that is why it is on this list. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max This is the phone I am using as my daily driver. Ive been using iPhones since the 3GS and while the latest and greatest it is not the perfect phone for sure, that's more to do with the limiting iOS. But it is my phone, one that I have to love because I am married to the Apple ecosystem. And while I can use the best wireless earbuds on the market on any device the AirPods if I have to divorce the iOS and its apps it will cost me a lot more than just half of my digital belongings. So, yes, its too late for me. Luckily, the iPhone 15 Pro Max got lighter this year, thanks to the switch to titanium and aluminum. I really dont care about the materials, but I do appreciate the lighter design. Oh, and the USB-C port was a long overdue change. Overall, the iPhone is also a close to perfection device it aces design, display, performance, camera hardware, and a ton of other little things that many just dont need. But it remains flawed for its still gargantuan notch and iOS. Lets not forget Apples messy image processing, too. Nothing Phone (2) I was skeptical about the Nothing Phone, but I was happy to be proven wrong. And I was twice as happy to review the excellent Nothing Phone (2). It was one of the very few unique phones on the market that offered something others dont have Glyph UI. It was a gimmick, that is a certain, but it was still in the development phase. The phone was incredibly fast and fluid, something that was once a OnePlus trait. And the Phone (2) behaves like the fastest smartphone on the market, I am not kidding. The Nothing OS is perfect fluid, clean and no-nonsense. And if I had to choose an OS for my phone, that would be it. Huawei P60 Pro I love Huawei phones for their cameras and that never changed. I can even make a case for buying a Huawei phone or a tablet, but this is not the time or place. Anyway, the Huawei P60 Pro is one of the best phones for photos with the variable aperture main camera and the most natural image processing Ive seen. It is also one properly good phone with a likable design, a great screen, powerful hardware, and super-fast charging. The P60 Pro has no Google apps and services, no 5G, and many of the users believe the Chinese government is spying on them via the Huawei phones. Still, it was one of the phones Ive actually used after reviewing it for some time and I did love it and I am quite happy with the photos I got. Honorable mentions There are two honorable mentions the OnePlus Nord 3 and the vivo V27 Pro. The Nord 3 impressed me with its perfectly rounded specs sheet and affordable pricing. It is one of the best mid-range phones out there and I recommended it to more than a dozen close friends and half of them got it and are very happy with it. If you are not after cutting-edge technology and pricy phones to brag with, the Nord 3 will probably give you all. The vivo V27 Pro is not the best phone out there, with limited availability at that. But it is beautiful, it has one excellent OLED, fast hardware, great battery life with super-fast charging, and most importantly (for me) superb camera quality, selfie included. Overall, it was a boring year, but it still gave us a few nice smartphones and I surely hope for 2024 to give us more interesting and innovative ones. I know it is a long shot, but still. Speaker Therese Terlaje has drafted a bill that would give the Guam Memorial Hospital $5 million to fund pay increases for nurses. The bill is in response to GMH Administrator Lillian Perez-Posadas plea to Terlaje for funding as the hospital continues to lose nursing staff. The administrator, in a letter to Terlaje titled Urgent Funding Request, said GMH has lost 70 nurses this year. She said while an earlier Pacific Daily News caption stated 40 nurses were hired and 44 quit, the actual number was higher because 26 nurses converted from full time to part-time status. The primary reason these nurses quit is the higher pay theyre offered at other health facilities, Perez-Posadas wrote. This includes the local private hospital, Guam Regional Medical City, as well as travel nurse job offers, which means they leave off island, she said. The high exodus of nurses puts GMH in an extreme situation where patients wait in the emergency room for more than 20 hours for an inpatient staff bed to be available, she said. The impact is significant for the fourth-floor pediatrics unit, she added. A civilian pediatric intensive patient was admitted to Naval Hospital and the attending doctor and family requested a transfer to GMH, but shortage of pediatrics nurses meant the transfer couldnt be accommodated, she said. In our attempt to resolve the shortage of nurses crises, we need to offer a more attractive and competitive salary and, avoid or minimize the reliance of costly travel nurses, Perez-Posadas said. She told Terlaje that GMH doesnt want to get to a point where it has to close inpatient beds. The hospital needs to be ready for any disaster or emergency response, she added. 6-step pay increase The proposed strategy is to implement a six-step base pay increase for nurses. With the increase, a new nurse will start at an hourly pay rate of $24.97 instead of $19.98, Perez-Posadas wrote. For staff nurse IIs, pay could increase ranging from $28.10 to $34.26 or from $45.36 to $54.48 depending on the step. GMHs finances dont allow for the implementation of the increase within the current fiscal 2024 approved budget. To fully implement the increase, an additional $7.6 million is needed, Perez-Posadas said. Excess revenues Terlajes draft bill seeks to appropriate $5 million from fiscal 2024 General Fund excess revenues. The speaker sent a letter to Department of Administration Director Edward Birn on Wednesday seeking his opinion on the funding source. The speaker said while Perez-Posadas has requested $7.6 million, other calculations support that $5 million will be sufficient to fund the pay increase from the remaining pay periods in fiscal 2024. Terlaje said GMHs reliance on travel nurses has proven to be extremely costly in comparison to local nurse wages. Even with travel nurses that have cost upwards of $6 million in 2023, the hospital is still experiencing a critical shortage in nursing personnel, which is ultimately affecting the level of care for the island, she said. The successful functioning of the only public hospital on our island is crucial to the health and wellbeing of the island community and is literally a matter of life and death, Terlaje wrote. She proposed several suggestions to GMH, including using any remaining amount of the $30 million appropriated through Public Law 37-43, which uses unappropriated excess funds to pay vendors and make repairs. The last estimate was that $22 million was spent on vendors, while about $8 million remains, which could pay for the increase, Terlaje wrote. GMH could also seek to use a portion of the $20 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to pay for the increase, she wrote. The bill is another option, but she is uncertain of the viability of the funding source; however, recent numbers suggest the money will be available. Terlaje asked if any of the remaining funds from the $50 million allocated to GMH could be used for the pay increase instead of the potential excess revenues. Yuna Lee brought joy and fireworks to her family when she came into this world at 12:38 a.m. on Monday, becoming the first Guam baby born in 2024 and potentially the first baby born on American soil this year. Most importantly, shes born healthy. We are grateful to God that my wife and our child are healthy and in good condition, the father, Euijong Lee, told the Pacific Daily News. Dr. Thomas Shieh, who delivered the baby, said the girl was born at 12:38 a.m. at Guam Memorial Hospital. For 20 straight years, Shieh has been delivering the first baby of the year in America. Guams time zone is a day ahead of the mainland, so Guam has prided itself as the island where Americas day begins. Archway Inc., which does business as I Love Guam, along with over 30 local businesses, prepared more than $11,000 worth of gifts and cash for Yuna Lee and her family, for being the first baby born in America in 2024. Where Americas Day Begins is a slogan that Guam has used for many decades due to our islands geographic location, thus, giving us the distinction of welcoming Americas first baby born on US soil. Archway Inc., along with over 30 local businesses and private donors, continue to celebrate this memorable event for the 20th consecutive year, Archway Inc. said in a statement on Monday. Baby Yuna Lee, born to mother Yui Kamiyama, weighed nearly 5 lbs. and about 17.7 inches tall. He was surprised with the first baby of America, Shieh said of the father, whos of Korean descent, while the mother is of Japanese descent. Pregnancy during Mawar The father shared how very challenging his wifes pregnancy was, considering that halfway through, Guam was struck by Typhoon Mawar. For weeks, theres no power after Mawar. So my wife was in the middle of her pregnancy and she was by herself, with high temperature at home because theres no power, while I was going to work. But in the end, we are really grateful both she and our baby are safe and healthy, the father said. He also thanks Shieh and others at GMH who helped. The father said Baby Yuna is their second child; the older one, a boy, is 2 years old. We didnt expect shes going to be the first U.S. baby born in 2024, but our focus was to have a safe delivery, the father said. At past 1 a.m. on Jan. 1, Shieh said he was on his way to deliver a second baby. $11K gifts, cash Archway Inc. said as many people around the world ring in the New Year with champagne toasts, fireworks and celebrations, people on Guam anxiously welcome the birth of the first baby born in America. The 2024 I Love Guam New Years baby and family will be presented with gifts valued at over $11,000, to include an assortment of diapers and wipes that could last a year, gift baskets, gift certificates to local restaurants and retail stores, overnight stay at a hotel, relaxing massage at a spa, car seat, free fuel, cash, and much more, Archway Inc. said. Archway Inc. thank all its business partners for their continued support and participation. This program is a huge success due to their generosity and commitment to provide the family with a wonderful start to the New Year, Archway Inc. said. Pay it forward Archway Inc., along with its partners, also recognized the 2017 and 2023 New Year babies, Kylie Ray Tesalona and Eliana Grace Celis, who pay it forward with their gifts to the 2024 newborn. Heres a list of donors, according to Archway Inc. Haiti - 220th anniversary of independence : Message of reflection from Lesly Conde As part of the celebration of the 220th anniversary of the Independence of Haiti (January 1, 1804) and the Day of the Forefathers (January 2) Lesly Conde, Ex-Consul General of Haiti in Chicago (2004-2018) delivered a message of reflections that we invite you to read... Message from Lesly Conde : "Dear fellow citizens and friends everywhere, Here we are at the end of 2023. It's time to look back and appreciate how far we've come. All this is now behind us. Experiences have been acquired. You have to move forward. From our mistakes, we have learned a lot. The most important thing is to know how to learn from all the mistakes we make. There are inevitably projects that, for one reason or another, we were not able to carry out during the year 2023. They will be added to our list for 2024. The important thing is to take care care of ourselves because there is nothing more precious than health. For my part, I am delighted to be able to be in your company again this year. I wish you a happy holiday season and much success in all your endeavors for the year 2024. As the years go by without being the same, we are preparing to begin the year 2024 without most of the restrictions of previous years. However, caution is always required, and each of us has a role to play in protecting the planet. The future of our children is at stake. What we must not forget is that the good deeds we do or the positive thoughts we entertain have a way of revisiting us when we least expect it. So the year 2024 will be what you make of it. I wish you it filled with pleasant surprises and moments of joy. For us Haitians, the first day of January is also and above all one of the most important historical dates there is. This year, we are celebrating the 220th anniversary of the glorious day that Haiti, the first sovereign black nation in the New World, was born. January 1, 1804, went down in history as the day when slavery was decisively defeated. It was on November 18, 1803, during the famous Battle of Vertieres that Jean-Jacques Dessalines, at the head of an army of former slaves, inflicted a humiliating and unmistakable defeat on Napoleon's slave army. January 2nd of each year is also a day dedicated to our valiant ancestors. If nations around the world do not join us in celebrating freedom, it is because they still do not know it. At the start of this year, I cannot help but think of the devastating earthquake that struck our country on January 12, 2010. There is pain that will never go away, and survivors who no longer have any reason to exist. Dont hesitate to make a gesture of solidarity whenever you have the opportunity. In closing, I wish you all an excellent 2024 in prudence, peace and security. Aware of all the challenges, I wish you above all enough courage and wisdom to overcome them." Messages from Lesly Conde 2023: https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41316-haiti-social-new-year-s-message-from-lesly-conde-2024.html Messages from Lesly Conde 2022: https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38451-haiti-christmas-end-of-year-message-from-lesly-conde.html Messages from Lesly Conde 2021: https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35584-haiti-social-wishes-from-lesly-conde-on-the-occasion-of-the-new-year.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - 220th anniversary of independence : Wishes and messages Consulate General of Haiti in New York: "The flame of our pride as a people is constantly rekindled by the symbolism of January 1st, 1804, a date which reminds us at all times that we dared to be free through the bravery and the price of the blood of our ancestors who, thanks to the union, were able to generate the force necessary to create a sovereign state. 220 years have passed since then, but the urgency still remains to remain united in order to achieve our greatest ideals. On this 220th anniversary of our independence, the Consulate General of the Republic of Haiti in New York, once again, invites you to the commemoration and wishes all its fellow citizens, particularly those of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Philadelphia, a good and happy new year 2024." Jocelerme Privert former Acting President of Haiti: "This January 1st brings back the commemoration of the 220th anniversary of the Independence of our dear Haiti, this land that our ancestors bequeathed to us as a heritage at the cost of great sacrifices. I invite, on this occasion, all my compatriots to surpass themselves, to unity and to commit to the true transformation of Haiti into a democratic, stable, united, prosperous and competitive country. I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy Independence Day and a better 2024." Gary Bodeau former President of the Chamber of Deputies: "Happy New Year to everyone. Let's work together for peace and prosperity in Haiti. This January 1, 2024 commemorates the 220th anniversary of the Haitian revolution. Lets return to the ideals of 1804." Bocchit Edmond former Ambassador of Haiti to Washington: "Bon Fet Endepandans a tout Frem ak Sem Ayisyen. 1 Janvye 1804 - 1 Janvye 2024. 220 lane depi Zanset nou yo te fe pi gwo sakrifis pou ban nou libete e reveye tout sa ki tap domi nan lesklavaj tou pa tou. Jodia le a sonen pou nou mete tet nou ansanm pou nou refe peyi nou e ba li fyete l anko." Canada: To mark the 220th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Haiti this January 1, 2024, and demonstrate its support for the Haitian community, which occupies an important place in the great family of the Francophonie of the Americas, the building of the center of the Francophonie of the Americas (Quebec, Canada), will be illuminated in the colors of the Haitian flag, throughout the month of January 2024. Other activities are planned to highlight the pride, resilience and creativity of the Haitian people. Happy New Year 2024 and Happy Haitian Independence Day! Nicaragua: Monday January 1st, 2024, under the sign of regional solidarity, Nicaragua celebrates with Haiti the 220th anniversary of its independence, reaffirming the union between the two peoples in a message of fraternity and collaboration addressed to Prime Minister a.i. Ariel Henry signed by . the President of Nicaragua Daniel Ortega Saavedra and his wife Rosario Murillo. "In the name of the People and the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity of the Republic of Nicaragua, and on our own behalf, we join the Brotherly People of Haiti and their Government in commemorating the 220th Anniversary of his independence. Receive our brotherly embrace, with the love and respect of the Nicaraguan people for the brotherly Haitian people." United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH): "On this 220th anniversary of Haitis independence, let us celebrate the resistance and courage of an entire people. The United Nations continues to stand with it for a more stable and prosperous future. 2024 will be a pivotal year for the stability of Haiti. Let us work together to lay the foundations for a return to security allowing daily life in Peace and leading to the restoration of democratic institutions." HL/ HaitiLibre BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 1. The Israeli Embassy congratulated the Azerbaijani people on December 31 - the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and the New Year, the embassy says on its X page, Trend reports. "December 31 is the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and we congratulate each of you on the New Year! May this new year bring prosperity, tranquility and peace to each of us! Happy holiday!" the publication says. Finland is a country with a dangerous level of debt. Roughly every eighth euro spent is financed with new debt, he stated , reminding that the economic outlook has deteriorated in recent months. Increased interest expenditure, the situation in the well-being services counties and essential defence needs are examples of large expenditures that require borrowing. PRIME MINISTER Petteri Orpo (NCP) reiterated his concern about the rising level of national debt in his message for the new year. Orpo argued that the government has no choice but to agree on new adjustment measures in its upcoming framework session if it is to reach its goal of shaving six billion euros off the debt burden. The longer the measures are postponed, the more dramatic they will have to be. Greater economic leeway, the premier underlined, is necessary to make sure the government is able to support people and businesses through difficult times also in the future. All of us have to acknowledge this fact: we are living beyond our means at the expense of future generations, he stated. The reduction in central government transfers to local government must be compensated with spending limits. We have already begun to look for solutions. The range of means must be as broad as possible. Cuts alone will not be enough to get us back on our feet, he acknowledged, identifying employment and economic growth as the only permanent solutions to the debt problem. Orpo pledged that the government will also make investments to improve basic education, increase funding for research and development, and shorten wait times in the health care system despite the challenging times. He wrapped up his message by reminding that the new year will be punctuated by two key elections: voters will select a successor to President Sauli Niinisto in JanuaryFebruary and their representatives to the European Parliament in June. Both elections are an opportunity to participate in free and fair elections in democracy an opportunity that is not a given even today, he reminded. Democracy is something we must actively defend. Democracy also means the freedom to disagree. I hope that in the coming year, everyone will exercise the freedom constructively while respecting others, he said. When it comes to big issues, our small nation has shown its strength by being united. Finland and the Finnish people have coped even in the toughest times, and we will do so now, too. Aleksi Teivainen HT At the turn of the year, we usually wish each other peaceful and happy days to come. Today, those wishes are more emotionally charged than before: things must get better. Grim news and forecasts have taken up more and more space. They should be discussed openly. But, meanwhile, we easily miss the signals maybe weak ones of a better future. As far as the global future is concerned, I see two fateful questions that dominate the scene. Climate change touches each and every one of us and is leading us towards unpredictable consequences. The latest Climate Change Conference in Dubai, however, created a glimmer of hope: the world leaders acknowledged for the first time the need to move away from fossil fuels. Reaching a shared understanding is in itself significant. That is something sorely needed in many issues. The other major question concerns the global division and the relationship between China and the United States in particular. The mere fact that the presidents of the two nations met after a long while was significant as such. It also gave both parties an opportunity to map attitudes and positions. The steps taken in these meetings were important, but only deeds will tell whether they were big for the humanity. * * * The new year does not augur well for peace everywhere in the world. In Ukraine, the front line remains almost unchanged, but the war is in motion. It is being fought on the battlefields where every day claims new lives. And even civilian population is not safe in any way. The war is raising its head and evoking emotions in other parts of the world as well. The situation in Gaza is terrifying. First the evil of terrorism showed its cruellest face. Then, it was responded to with very harsh measures. The worst is the suffering and distress of civilians on both sides of the conflict. It is now urgent to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire and the release of hostages. After that, it is imperative to find the will and means towards a lasting two-state solution. There is no other alternative. Wars do not happen in a vacuum. Chaos in one part of the world often also stirs up chaos elsewhere. The past year has continuously brought images of war before our eyes. At the same time, rhetorics have become tougher. We do need to be firm in times like these. But we also need patience and careful analysis. Shifting our gaze further every now and then. We also need to talk about peace. Promoting peace does not mean weakness, turning the other cheek. Peace is always a victory. A victory for life and normal development. Recognizing the fact that lasting solutions can never be generated by force and violence. And our time is crying out for lasting and sustainable solutions louder than ever. * * * Russia is never as strong as she looks; Russia is never as weak as she looks. This phrase, presented in many forms over time, holds a grain of truth. At first, Russia was supposed to defeat Ukraine within a few weeks. It did not go that way. The bravery shown by the Ukrainians repelled the attack. Then it was believed that the Russian economy and military capacity would collapse. It did not go that way either. Full-scale war still continues, nearing its second anniversary. Now Russia is regaining some of her self-esteem. There have been concerns over the continuation of the assistance given to Ukraine. In my opinion, in this matter it is not so much a question of lack of will or weariness. A more serious issue is ensuring the capacity to provide long-term assistance, availability of sufficient resources. Europe must wake up. We do not need investments in military production solely to provide necessary assistance. It is needed as a means to convince that Europe is strong. Strong not to wage wars but to secure peace. It is also clear that, in the transatlantic relationship, the Europeans are expected to bear much more responsibility. In other words, more European NATO in Europe. Taking clear and rapid steps to take on this responsibility is also the best response to all speculations on how the U.S. elections will affect the security cooperation. * * * The times are changing. And when the world is changing, our actions must change as well. These things happened, and Finland became a NATO member. Our position in the Western community has been clear for decades. The Russian demand to prevent Finland and Sweden from joining NATO was an indication of her efforts to change the status quo and to create a grey sphere of interest within Europe. This demand alone changed our position in such a way that staying still would have robbed our NATO option of all credibility. Finland defined her own position and will continue to do so. Today, Finlands security is even more firmly established. The foundations were in good shape even before the NATO membership. Even to such an extent that the Finnish model is now attracting a lot of attention. In fact, when it comes to comprehensive security, Finlands example may actually be a goal worth striving for for many others. NATO membership was a major change in our security policy. However, as a foreign policy actor, we are still the same Finland as before, without any epithets. I repeat what I said already back in spring 2022: Finland has not grown any bigger than it is, and our security is without detriment to anyone. It is in our best interest to keep on looking for partnerships and common denominators widely. In foreign policy, the European Union and the Nordic countries will remain our most important reference groups. The Nordic security community in particular has taken a major leap forward. Our joint meetings with the Presidents of the United States and Ukraine have further enhanced our capacity for seamless collaboration. On the other hand, they have shown that our Nordic connection is recognised and respected. Today, being part of the Nordics has attractive power. It is something we should make the most of together, in anything from work for peace to economy. At the moment, the Swedish NATO membership seems to be moving forward. This will also make Finlands membership complete. The DCA agreement and the intensified JEF cooperation will for their part enhance security to a major extent. Finlands security is now sealed behind multiple locks. * * * External security has risen to the centre of political debate. That is quite understandable as there is plenty to discuss and endless room for speculations and comments. It would also be advisable to emphasise everyday matters, matters that have an immediate effect on peoples lives. The concern over the Finnish economy is not only a chronic issue but it is also becoming an increasingly acute one. It applies to the weak development of the national economy, the large public debt as well as the difficulties individual people have in earning a living. These are difficult topics. Unlike under the security theme, in these matters it can be measured relatively accurately what kind of impacts the content of different opinions have. And, first and foremost, they are open for immediate public assessment. In security policy, we have a fine tradition of parliamentary cooperation. For example, the Parliamentary Monitoring Group builds a longer-term perspective across parliamentary terms to security and defence policy reports. What if we could do something similar in the area of economic policy? Not necessarily in the most controversial issues of topical interest. But perhaps it could help in seeking common views on how to enhance the national economy that would carry from one parliamentary term to the next. Our sights should be set on the future. The movements in the geopolitical arena, disruptive technologies, climate change so many factors are changing our world into something totally different. But we should still keep certain things in mind. Finlands national capital lies in competence. We have had competence because we have valued learning, teaching and teachers. Reading, mathematics and physical education they may appear as terms of the past from the primary school. But no matter how modern teaching methods or learning environments we develop, without those skills or good physical condition young people will not manage in life. Preparing people for a complex world may begin from quite simple starting points. * * * My fellow citizens I now greet you officially for the last time. I do that with deep gratitude for having had the opportunity to present my views be they more or less accurate. Now I propose to you that we all make a common New Years resolution: that we would encounter each other fairly, showing understanding for one another and respect for the humanity, and cherishing our traditional connection and mutual trust. We all certainly hoped that the new year would begin under luckier stars. Let us keep in mind, however, that even the heaviest clouds dissipate one day. That things will get clearer again. I wish you all a happy New Year and Gods blessing. Almost a third (31%) of the respondents expressed their satisfaction with the performance of the government and 38 per cent with the performance of the prime minister. The government was perceived negatively by 35 per cent and the prime minister by 33 per cent of the respondents. ROUGHLY A THIRD of Finns are satisfied with both the current government and Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP), indicates a survey commissioned by Helsingin Sanomat . Public satisfaction with the government is therefore lower than its predecessor. Prime Minister Sanna Marins (SDP) government drew a positive assessment from anywhere between 46 and 71 per cent of the respondents in surveys carried out between June 2020 and December 2022. Supporters of the National Coalition estimated that the current government has performed at least fairly well at a rate of more than 60 per cent. The share dropped to roughly 50 per cent among supporters of the Finns Party and to roughly a third among supporters of the Swedish Peoples Party. The Left Alliance, the survey found, has succeeded best out of the opposition parties in satisfying its supporters, with a clear majority assessing its performance in the opposition positively. Both the Centre and Green League received a positive assessment from fewer than half of their supporters. Supporters of the Centre stood out from the opposition in that around 40 per cent of them estimated that the government has performed its duties fairly or very well. The survey also gauged the popularity of some other cabinet members. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen (NCP) emerged as the most popular minister, with almost half of the respondents viewing that she has handled her duties fairly or very well. Minister of Employment Arto Satonen (NCP) was contrastively assessed to have performed his duties well by only 13 per cent of the respondents. Minister of Finance Riikka Purra (PS), however, evoked the most dissatisfaction, with 41 per cent of the respondents gauging her performance as fairly or very bad. Outgoing President Sauli Niinisto unsurprisingly received a glowing evaluation from the public: 88 per cent of the respondents estimated that he has performed his duties fairly or very well. Verian conducted 1,004 phone interviews for the survey between 415 December. Aleksi Teivainen HT New Year's speeches by world leaders are a time-honoured tradition, serving as both a reflection on the past year's achievements and challenges and a platform for outlining visions and priorities for the year ahead. These addresses are particularly insightful as they offer a glimpse into the strategic direction and cultural ethos of nations. In this context, Chinese President Xi Jinping 's 2024 New Year address demands special attention. Unlike President Biden's speech, which typically focuses on domestic issues and American values with an emphasis on unity and democratic ideals, or President Putin's addresses that often highlight Russia's strength, sovereignty, and global standing, Xi's speech strikes a unique balance. It intricately weaves together China's economic ambitions, technological advancements, and cultural heritage with its role in global affairs. This multifaceted approach not only underlines China's growing influence on the world stage but also reflects its unique path of blending traditional values with modern aspirations, setting it apart in the landscape of global leadership narratives. In his 2024 New Year address, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a comprehensive overview of China's current status, reflecting on the challenges and accomplishments of the past year and outlining the vision for the future. This speech, while maintaining a consistent thread with the 2023 address, introduces new elements and focuses that indicate a nuanced shift in priorities and perspectives. Economic Development and COVID-19 Response President Xi's 2024 speech begins with a reflection on the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasising the transition in response strategies. He notes the sustained momentum of the Chinese economy, a theme that resonates with the previous year's emphasis on economic resilience. However, the 2024 speech goes further to detail specific achievements in this regard. The president highlights the modernisation of the industrial system and the emergence of advanced, smart, and green industries as new economic pillars. This focus on specific sectors marks a shift from the more general discussion of economic growth in the 2023 speech, suggesting a more targeted approach to economic development. Technological Advancements and Innovation A significant part of the 2024 address is dedicated to China's achievements in technology and innovation. President Xi mentions the commercial service of the C919 large passenger airliner, the trial voyage of a Chinese-built large cruise ship, ongoing space missions, and the deep-sea exploration achievements of the Fendouzhe submersible. This focus on high-tech industries represents a progression from the previous years speech, which had a broader focus on economic progress without delving into specific technological milestones. Cultural Heritage and National Identity The 2024 speech places considerable emphasis on China's rich cultural heritage and history. President Xi discusses archaeological discoveries and cultural treasures, framing them as sources of national pride and identity. This contrasts with the 2023 address, where cultural aspects were less pronounced, indicating a growing emphasis on showcasing China's historical continuity and cultural richness as integral to its modern identity. Establishing the new before abolishing the old, underlines a progress rooted in the cultural heritage of the country. International Engagement and Diplomacy Continuing the theme from the previous year, the 2024 speech addresses China's role in international affairs. President Xi references various diplomatic events and international cooperation forums, showcasing China's active global engagement. However, there is an expanded narrative on China's vision for global peace and development, suggesting a more assertive stance in international diplomacy compared to the previous year. Domestic Concerns and Social Welfare Echoing the 2023 speech, President Xi reiterates the government's commitment to improving the lives of the Chinese people, with particular attention to education, healthcare, and elderly care. The continuity here indicates an ongoing focus on these fundamental societal needs. However, the 2024 address also touches upon the challenges faced by the population, including difficulties in employment, natural disasters, and social issues, presenting a more comprehensive view of the domestic situation. Forward-Looking Statements and Aspirations In the latter part of the speech, President Xi outlines the goals and aspirations for the coming year. The emphasis is on advancing Chinese modernisation, applying new development philosophies, and promoting high-quality development. The vision for the future includes fostering a harmonious society, enhancing innovation, and improving living conditions for the people. These forward-looking statements provide a roadmap for China's direction in the coming year, building upon the foundations laid in the previous years. Reasserting Chinas vision for Taiwan and Hong Kong, Xi says: We will continue to support Hong Kong and Macao in harnessing their distinctive strengths, better integrating themselves into China's overall development, and securing long-term prosperity and stability. China will surely be reunified, and all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. He does not mention or hint at how the unification will happen, but the speech goes on to underline the importance of peace in China and globally, reiterating the idea of peaceful unification which President Xi has outline before. In summary, President Xi's 2024 New Year message offers a detailed and forward-looking view of China's current state and future aspirations. While maintaining continuity with the themes of economic development, cultural heritage, and international engagement from the 2023 address, the 2024 speech introduces a more focused narrative on technological advancements, detailed domestic concerns, and a clearer vision for the future. This speech presents a cautiously optimistic outlook, balancing the celebration of achievements with the acknowledgment of ongoing challenges and the determination to address them. HT BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 1. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, Trend reports. Dear Mr. President, It is on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Republic of Cuba Liberation Day that on my behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I cordially congratulate you and through you, your entire people. We attach special importance to the comprehensive development of traditional friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Cuba. I believe that we will successfully continue our joint efforts to strengthen relations between our countries, and further expand our bilateral and multilateral cooperation in line with the interests of our peoples. Taking this pleasant opportunity, I extend my sincerest congratulations to you on the occasion of the New Year 2024 and wish everlasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Cuba, the letter reads. JOHN HOOD: Restrictive zoning dooms affordable housing Though polarization is a pervasive and powerful force in our politics, housing policy is one area where cross-ideological coalitions have become increasingly common. For example, there are both progressive and conservative champions of zoning reforms and other deregulatory efforts to allow more construction of houses and apartments, including denser forms of development. Opponents of such a strategy also span the political spectrum, and include neighborhood groups worried about the potential effects on traffic, crime, gentrification, and historic preservation. In an increasing number of North Carolina jurisdictions, including the cities of Raleigh and Durham, local officials have opened up their housing markets with such policies as relaxing parking requirements and allowing homeowners to add accessory dwelling units. Some state lawmakers also back a bill to allow developers to bypass certain local regulations if they reserve some units for lower-income consumers. You can count me firmly in the open up camp. While residential development certainly raises practical questions about nuisances and the delivery of municipal services, rigid zoning and housing codes are rarely the best answers to them. That heavy regulation significantly reduces the availability and affordability of housing is no longer a matter of empirical dispute. In a study released two decades ago, Edward Glaeser of Harvard University and Joseph Gyourko of the University of Pennsylvania found that zoning and other land-use controls are responsible for prices in high cost areas of the country. Rather than focus on public housing and subsidized projects, the professors argued, advocates for affordability should start with zoning reform. Over the intervening years, dozens of other studies confirmed the relationship. In 2021, Emily Hamilton of George Mason Universitys Mercatus Center summarized the academic literature this way: exclusionary land-use regulation creates painful trade-offs for all kinds of households, but it particularly burdens low-income renters. I think we can widen the coalition for reform still further by emphasizing that such regulations dont just affect potential homebuyers or renters. For starters, employers should join the fight for land-use reform, which will make it easier for them to attract and retain the employees they need to thrive. As Cato Institute scholar Vanessa Brown Calder put it in a recent paper, artificially inflating housing costs discourages migration from rural or suburban areas to cities, which impedes appropriate matching of workers and jobs while limiting the scope of economies of scale and the scope of particular types of economic activity. Moreover, the regulation of residential development isnt the only problem that should concern us. A new National Bureau of Economic Research paper examined the consequences of regulating commercial real estate. While expenditures on housing represent a mixture of consumption and investment everyone lives, sleeps, and recreates in their homes, while only some work from or rear children in their homes virtually all spending on commercial buildings represents a form of investment in future economic production. Indeed, it accounts for about a fifth of all investment in fixed assets. In that latest NBER study, scholars from UCLA, Arizona State, the University of Minnesota, and the U.S. Census Bureau found that strict land-use rules distort market decisions about how and where to invest in offices, manufacturing plants, retail locations, and other commercial projects. Using a large database of property records, tax records, and land-use rules, they constructed a model to estimate the effects of making the regulations more or less stringent. Moderately relaxing commercial regulations across all U.S. cities yields large allocative efficiency effects, they concluded, with output gains of about 3% to 6% and welfare gains of about 3% to 9% of lifetime consumption. In my view, the default policy should be to let private parties bargain their way to the most productive use of land. When local authorities step in, such interventions ought to be rare and narrowly tailored. While their intentions may be good, policymakers lack both the information and the incentives possessed by willing buyers and willing sellers. Pretending otherwise is a mistake and often a very expensive one. * * * * * John Hood is a John Locke Foundation board member. His latest books, Mountain Folk and Forest Folk, combine epic fantasy with early American history (FolkloreCycle.com). I often think of Einstein when I see Orry. To put these two proper nouns in the same sentence is unexpected, of course theres the ubiquitous recall value of Einsteins name and theres the contrast of Orry? Orry who? By this I mean that Einstein is remembered for something, even though many might not know what that something is, while no one seems to have yet figured out why Orry is famous. Orry being himself. (Instagram: Orry1) Einsteins brain is a mythical object, writes Roland Barthes in his essay The Brain of Einstein, he is commonly signified by his brain, which is like an object for anthologies, a true museum exhibit he is a superior, a prodigious organ. And Orry? When one googles for his real name, the first search question that comes up is Who is Orry and why is he famous? Orry is Orhan Awatramani, and though one learns a little about his family background, and that he is a familiar face at Bollywood parties, often seen mingling with star kids, one actually discovers nothing about him. Who doesnt know who Orry is? Thats Sara Ali Khans rhetorical response on Koffee with Karan. Loved but misunderstood, she and Ananya Panday say, trying to describe him. But thats not a profession. What do you do? I am loved but misunderstood Thats how you describe a phenomenon, not a person, says Johar. Notice that word: phenomenon; it belongs to the same register as genius, used for Einstein. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Albert Einstein on an Irish postage stamp (spatuletail/Shutterstock) He is really funny yes, hes really good with captions, continues Panday, to which an amused and exasperated Johar says, You still havent told me what does he do? He does a lot he works on himself. It is this character of unknowability about Orry, someone who is known only for being Orry, that gives him the Einstein-like aura and mystique. What does Orry do? is a question that has troubled Indians over the last few months. When poor Orry was asked that question, he had a very scientific answer: You do your job, youre a jobber. You paint, you are a painter. I live, I am a liver. If one were to ask that question to Einstein, I wonder whether the poor scientist would have said that he was a relative since he was working on a theory of relativity. E = mc2 photographs of Einstein show him standing next to a blackboard covered with mathematical signs of obvious complexity; but cartoons of Einstein (the sign that he has become a legend) show him chalk still in hand, and having just written on an empty blackboard, as if without preparation, the magic formula of the world, writes Barthes in this essay in Mythologies. If Einstein had a prodigious brain and was turned into a cartoon, Orry has a superhuman hand and has become a meme. When asked to explain why he puts his hand on different parts of a famous persons body while posing for a photograph on Ananya Pandays shoulder, Deepika Padukones stomach, Kareena Kapoors chest, for instance he explains that his hand has magical powers: it reduces a persons age, a thirty-two-year-old becomes twenty-six years old. He is not paid to attend parties, he clarifies, but he is indeed paid more than 20 lakhs to pose in photos with the famous. Orry has reversed the normal: it is not he, the lesser-known person, who wants to be in a photograph with an actor or business person; it is the famous person who wants to be in a photo with Orry. Why that is we do not yet know. Orry, then, is a phenomenon, not in the sense of being phenomenal, but as a manifestation of our new culture where ones business infrastructure is ones own archive, real and fabricated and elastic; his hand; his half-drunk gaze at the camera even when he might be sober; his collection of quirky mobile phone covers; his studious performance of naivete chic; his conversations with the paparazzi who could well be his employees Orry with Salman Khan (Instagram: orry1/screengrab) YOLO, once an acronym for You Only Live Once, is now You Only Love Orry, a truism endorsed by Orry on his T-shirt. What Orrys tee gives us is not anthem but instruction, almost like a formula YOLO seems as potent as E=mc2. The magic of the world, which Einsteins formula purports to give to us, has been replaced by the mystery around a man about whom one knows nothing and must continue to know nothing. IM A LIVER was the slogan on Orrys black tee when he came to the Big Boss house. He is quoting himself being his own archive, he is all that he needs to know about the world. The universe has quite clearly shrunk since the time of Einstein. Generations of parents have wanted their children to be like Einstein. But we are in a new world now. Who do you post these photos for? asks Salman Khan. Orrys response makes him sound like a celebrity UNICEF ambassador: For the children of the world. Now there is one Orry, they will want to be like me, there will be thousands of Orrys Sumana Roy is a poet and writer. Banks nationwide will be closed for New Year's celebrations on Monday, so customers are advised to plan their activities accordingly. Bank holiday (Pradeep Gaur/ Mint) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the list of bank holidays, designating January 1 as a national bank holiday throughout India in celebration of the new year. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Also read: Uday Kotak gives 'financial guide' on making India a $30 trillion economy by 2047 The RBI's holiday list includes state-specific bank holidays, while national holidays result in the closure of banks across the country. The central bank of the country classifies bank holidays as either 'national' or 'regional,' with branches nationwide closed on the former. The banks are also closed on second and fourth Saturdays and Sundays. Also read: India becomes stock market superpower; NSE cross $4 trillion mark after 25% growth It's important to note that even on non-working days, online financial services remain operational as usual. Here's the full list of Bank holidays in January 2024: January 1 (Monday) New Year's Day Celebrated across the country January 11 (Thursday) Missionary Day Celebrated in Mizoram January 12 (Friday) Swami Vivekananda Jayanti Celebrated in West Bengal January 13 (Saturday) Lohri Celebrated in Punjab and Other States January 14 (Sunday) Makara Sankranti Celebrated in Several States January 15 (Monday) Pongal Celebrated in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh Thiruvalluvar Day in Tamil Nadu January 16 (Tuesday) Tusu Puja Celebrated in West Bengal and Assam January 17 (Wednesday) Guru Govind Singh Jayanti Celebrated in Several States January 23 (Tuesday) Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti Celebrated in Many States January 26 (Friday) Republic Day Celebrated all over India January 31 (Wednesday) Me-Dam-Me-Phi Celebrated in Assam VMPL HT Image New Delhi [India], January 1: The spectacular book launch event for Indra: First of the Aryas published by NuVoice and globally distributed by Simon & Schuster India took place on December 29th at Crosswords Jaipur, marking the debut of 14-year-old author Abhiveer Soni. The evening was graced by the presence of esteemed author Kevin Missal as the chief guest. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Abhiveer Soni, a young and talented author from Rajasthan, showcased his literary prowess with a captivating narrative that weaves together history, Indian and Greek mythology, and religious texts. Despite his tender age, Abhiveer's unique perspective and youthful energy shone through, making him a rising star in the literary world. The event, attended by literature enthusiasts and well-wishers, featured a warm welcome to the chief guest, Kevin Missal. Missal is a prolific author who began his writing career at the age of 14. With 15 best-selling novels to his name, he continues to be a prominent figure in the literary world known for the Narasimha Trilogy, Kalki Trilogy, Raavanputr Meghnad, and more. He shared his insights and congratulated Abhiveer on his remarkable achievement. "It's inspiring to witness the emergence of new voices, and Abhiveer's work reflects a promising future for storytelling", said author Kevin Missal. Young Abhiveer gets his inspiration from his father Satya Prakash Soni, a 42-year-old Officer in the District Judge Cadre at the Rajasthan High Court, who overcame a modest upbringing in Kotputli, Rajasthan to touch the pinnacle of success. Despite limited formal education, Senior Soni graduated and excelled in law, earning a spot in the prestigious Rajasthan Judicial Service in 2008. A passionate reader of Hindi and Urdu Literature, Satya Prakash faced early challenges in accessing books but instilled a love for literature in his son, Abhiveer. Through thoughtful gifts like board books on Abhiveer's first birthday and diverse encyclopaedias on his fourth, Satya Prakash nurtured curiosity and learning. Always valuing the richness of knowledge in books, he encouraged Abhiveer to write, resulting in the heartfelt Father's Day gift--the debut novel, Indra: First of the Aryas, an amazing story coming from a talented young man. Indra: First of the Aryas published by NuVoice and globally distributed by Simon & Schuster India was introduced to the audience with enthusiasm by Abhiveer himself. The narrative, set in 2300 BCE amidst the chaos of Sapta-Sindhu, promises readers a thrilling experience with the Warrior God of Thunder, Indra, as he navigates lightning searches, visions, immortality drinks, and a touch of betrayal drama. The event was a celebration of literature and creativity, with Abhiveer expressing his gratitude towards his father, Satya Prakash Soni, for encouraging him to embark on the journey of writing. The author's journey from being an avid reader to a published author was highlighted, adding a personal touch to the evening. "We are thrilled to have had you join us on this literary escapade. Your presence added magic to the pages of our celebration, and we are excited to share this thrilling journey with each one of you," expressed Abhiveer Soni. The success of the book launch underscores the talent and potential of young authors like Abhiveer Soni, who bring fresh perspectives to the literary landscape. Indra: First of the Aryas is now available for readers to explore and enjoy, promising an enchanting journey into the realms of mythology and adventure. Indra: First of the Aryas written by 14 year old Abhiveer Soni, published by NuVoice Press and distributed by Simon & Schuster is available on Amazon for pre-order at https://amzn.eu/d/7KtB6V8 and in bookstores across India from first week on January 2024. The book is priced at 299. (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) After organising Bharat Jodo Yatra, Vipaksh Aapke Samaksh, Hath Se Hath Jodo campaigns and Jan Aakrosh rallies, Haryana Congress leaders on Monday announced to start Ghar-Ghar Congress campaign on the occasion of New Year. The announcement was made by former chief minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and state party president Udaibhan during a workers meeting in Karnal. (HT Photo) The announcement was made by former chief minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and state party president Udaibhan during a workers meeting in Karnal, the assembly constituency of chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, where a resolution was also passed to vote out the BJP-JJP coalition government. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Hooda said a circular regarding the outline of the programme will be issued soon. The venue was packed with leaders and their supporters who thronged Mangalsen Auditorium in road shows. However, Shamsher Singh Gogi, MLA from Assandh seat of Karnal, an aide of former state chief Kumari Selja, was absent. Udaibhan said in 2024, Congress workers will take the failures, broken promises of the BJP-JJP government and policies of Congress to every home. Along with this, they will also highlight the failure of the government and tell the achievements of Congress. He said the partys ground force will play an active role in getting new youth votes registered through the BLO and will work to weed out the bogus votes from the voters list, working on the circular issued by the party on November 27, 2023.. Speaking to the media, Hooda said the present government is continuously ignoring the interests of Haryana. The BJP-JJP government is not serious about providing the state its rightful water. In democracy, governments run by winning the hearts of the people, he said. On Ayodhya temple event, he said building of the Ram Temple is great news for the country, the sacred place, doors for which were first opened by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. he said he has not received any invitation for the event. He also condemned the lathi-charge on guest teachers in Yamunanagar and said the state government only knows the language of lathis and bullets. Not only guest teachers, every class of people, including farmers, workers, employees, temporary workers, sanitation workers have earlier become victims of the atrocities of this government. This is the reason why every class wants to be free from the atrocities of this government. The people have made up their mind to form the Congress government in Haryana, he stated. Haryana transport minister Mool Chand Sharma on Monday announced that the state government will start direct bus service to Ayodhya from Faridabad, Gurugram and Sonepat after January 22. HT Image He said in future if there is demand from other districts, direct bus service will be started to Ayodhya from there as well. The transport minister made the announcement while addressing a gathering in Ballabgarh, Faridabad. DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand government has imposed an interim ban on outsiders to purchase land for agriculture and horticulture in the state. Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday evening. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. On the instructions of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the decision has been taken in the interest of the public and state that till the five-member drafting committee constituted by the Uttarakhand government for a detailed examination of the report submitted by the committee on land laws or till further orders. District magistrates (DMs) will not issue permission to outsiders to purchase land for the purpose of agriculture and horticulture, an official release by the state government said on Sunday evening. According to amendment made in 2004 in Section 154 of the Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950), individuals who dont hold immovable property in the state before September 12, 2003, can purchase land for the purpose of agriculture and horticulture with the permission of district magistrate. The government will continuously work in accordance with the sentiments of the people, which is paramount in the interest of the state, it further said. Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in his first interaction with media on New Years Day said, In May last year, we decided that before any land deal, the background of the prospective buyer will be checked, and the reason will be examined. We have stopped the purchase of land by outsiders for the purpose of agriculture. The verification of all other types of land will be done. Dhami during the high-level meeting also directed the committee on land law to extensively take suggestions from the public, and experts across various domains and prepare its report expeditiously. The Uttarakhand government on December 22 constituted a five-member drafting committee under the chairmanship of Additional chief secretary (home) Radha Raturi for a detailed examination of the report submitted by the committee on land laws. Two days later, on December 24, a mega rally was organised under the aegis of Mool-Niwas Bhoo-Kanoon Samvanya Sangharsh Samiti in Dehradun on Sunday in support of declaration of 1950 as domicile cutoff date and stricter land laws in the state on the lines of Himachal Pradesh. In urban areas, a limit to purchase upto 250 sq metres should be implemented. And there should be a complete ban on the purchase of land in rural areas. Non-farmers should not be allowed to purchase agricultural land. No one from outside should be allowed to purchase land in hilly districts, said Mohit Dimri, convenor of Mool-Niwas Bhoo-Kanoon Samvanya Sangharsh Samiti. He said it was necessary to introduce these measures to ensure that natives have the first right to resources of the state jal (water), jangal (forests), jameen (land) and will ensure employment for the locals. The details of land donated and given on lease by the government to various individuals, institutions, companies, etc. since the formation of the state till present date should be made public, he added In all projects, and industries set up in hilly areas, in which land acquisition or purchase is mandatory or will be done in the future, 25% share of local villagers and 25% share of native residents of the district must be ensured. And 80% employment should be ensured to local people in these projects, Dimri stated. The committee constituted for the study and examination of land law in Uttarakhand, had submitted its report to chief minister Dhami in September 2022 with 23 recommendations in its report. Dhami had set up the high-level committee to make recommendations for striking a balance between the requirement of land for industrial development projects in the state and the preservation of land that is currently available in Uttarakhand. In the recommendations to the government, the report sought to establish a balance between the possibilities of investment in the interest of the state and the uncontrolled purchase and sale of land. The report also said, Keeping public sentiments, certain provisions applicable in Himachal Pradesh should be introduced in the state along with Uttarakhand (Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms) Act, 1950, which is presently in force. CM Dhami had then said the state government would soon study the committees report thoroughly and consider the recommendations of the committee in the larger public interest and in the interest of the state and amend the land law. In Mondays media interaction, when asked about the BJP governments agenda and challenges in view of Lok Sabha election and local body polls scheduled this year, Dhami said, There are challenges. But with the blessings of people. And God,... and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we will take all decisions that are in the interests of the public and state. Dhami on December 31 suggested that implementation of Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be the focus of the BJP government in the state ahead of the parliamentary polls. Meanwhile, the state unit of the Congress said it was too late for the BJP government to impose an interim ban on outsiders to purchase land for agriculture and horticulture. State Congress spokesperson Garima Mehra Dasauni wrote on X, It is too late. Their (BJP) government has been in power since 2017. In the last seven years, the land mafia grabbed land in Uttarakhand at a large scale. What is left to save now? Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], January 1 (ANI): Kerala Minister Saji Cherian has criticised bishops who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Christmas day last week for failing to speak about the Manipur violence. HT Image Addressing a CPI(M) function in Alappuzha on Sunday, Cherian said, certain bishops get "goosebumps" when BJP leaders invite them. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "Certain bishops get goosebumps when they get an invitation from the BJP. Those who went to meet the Prime Minister did not have the uprightness to speak about Manipur. They were served with cakes and grape wine. Manipur was not at all the subject of discussion for them," the minister said. "Did anyone of them (bishops) question or ask PM to intervene in Manipur where hundreds of people from the community they represent are being butchered," he added. The Kerala minister further alleged that the bishops were invited because the BJP needs seats in Kerala and northeastern states. "Not because they love and care.... Were they (bishops) enthusiastic to say this? No, there was no enthusiasm. Then there are some priests in Kerala who say that they are BJP supporters owing to the threats from Sangh Parivar," he alleged. Union Minister and BJP leader V Muraleedharan has, however, hit back at the Kerala Minister, saying that the latter's statement is an insult to the state. "Kerala Minister's statement against Bishops is an insult to Kerala. Here the Minister is abusing the bishops.. He might be hoping for a promotion or additional portfolio, that's why he is saying these things," Muraleedharan said. Recently, on the occasion of Christmas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had an interaction at his residence in New Delhi. In the interaction, the PM said India "proudly acknowledges" the contribution of the Christian community - from its role in India's freedom struggle to its "active participation" in social service. Modi said he had "a very old, very close, very warm relations" with the Christian community. "When I was Gujarat Chief Minister, I used to frequently interact with the Christian community... Maninagar, from where I used to contest elections, has a large (Christian) population and due to this, I had a natural rapport," he said. "The Christian community has played an important role in the freedom movement. Many thinkers and leaders of the Christian community were involved in the freedom struggle. Gandhiji had said that the Non-Cooperation Movement was conceived under the patronage of Sushil Kumar Rudra, principal of St Stephen's College," Modi said. Over 180 people have died and thousands have been internally displaced since the ethnic violence began on May 3 in the northeastern state. The ethnic violence involving the Kuki and Meitei communities erupted after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3. With the violence and rioting persisting and many lives lost, the Centre had to deploy paramilitary forces to restore peace in the state. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court asked the Manipur government to furnish to the court-appointed committee the details about the steps it had taken to restore the places of worship that had been destroyed in the ethnic violence. (ANI) BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 1. The period of suspension of inspections carried out in the field of entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan has been extended until January 1, 2025, Trend reports. President Ilham Aliyev has signed the law on amending the law "On suspension of inspections conducted in the field of entrepreneurship". The suspension of inspections in the field of entrepreneurship ended on January 1, 2024. Over the next year, only tax audits, audits defined by the relevant executive power body on the list of cases that pose a threat to people's life and health, state security and economic interests can be carried out. Those inspections are also carried out taking into account the limitation set by the relevant executive authority. The provisions of the law do not apply to inspections conducted by the General Prosecutor's Office in connection with the investigation of corruption crimes. Entrepreneurs can complain about the inspections carried out in violation of the requirements of this law to the relevant executive authority, prosecutor's office, as well as administratively and judicially. KOLKATA: The Mamata Banerjee administration has declared the Bengali New Year day as the state day and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagores ode to Bengal Banglar mati, Banglar jol, Banglar bayu, Banglar fol as the state song. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. (File) The state day shall be celebrated by all the people of West Bengal with respect and dignity every year, said an order issued by the government. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The state song shall compulsorily be played with due respect in all state government functions at the start of the ceremony and the National Anthem shall be played compulsorily at the conclusion of the ceremony, the order stated. All persons shall stand in attention when the state song and national anthem are played and mass singing of the state song and national anthem should be encouraged, it added. In August the state assembly had passed a resolution in this regard declaring the Bengali New Year Day which usually falls on April 14 or 15, as the states foundation day - Bangla Diwas and Banglar Mati Banglar Jol (The soil of Bengal, the water of Bengal), a patriotic song by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore as the state anthem. Earlier, governor CV Ananda Bose commemorated the states foundation day on June 20 following an advisory of the Centre. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had raised objections. We dont care whether the governor signs this (resolution to observe the states foundation day on Poila Boisakh Bengali New Year Day) or not. We will celebrate this on Poila Boisakh. I want to see who is more powerful the people or the governor who has been nominated. The state anthem would be Banglar Mati Banglar Jol, Banerjee had said in the Assembly. The Bengal Assembly on June 20, 1947, passed a resolution to divide the Bengal province. The TMC has pointed out that June 20 would rekindle painful memories. Earlier on June 20 when the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata observed the foundation day, Banerjee had sent a two-page letter to Bose to cancel the programme. I am stunned and shocked to know that you have decided to organise a programme...at Raj Bhavan, Kolkata, commemorating what you have peculiarly chosen to describe as the State Foundation of West Bengal, Banerjee wrote in her letter on June 19. The Raj Bhavan, however, had clarified that on May 11 that the Centre had sent an advisory to observe the foundation day of all states and that the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata had commemorated the foundation of other states too on separate dates. A committee set up by the West Bengal assembly recommended that the Bengali New Year Day be celebrated as Bangla Diwas. The chief minister had convened an all-party meeting on August 29 to seek an opinion on the issue. The BJP, Congress and the CPI-M, however, skipped the meeting. In two separate incidents on Saturday, the customs department of Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport arrested two passengers attempting to smuggle 3.497 kg of gold, marking the biggest haul of the year 2023, according to officials at Lucknow airport. For Representation Only (HT File Photo) In the first incident, customs officials at Lucknow airport discovered gold hidden inside a coffee machine, while in the second incident, gold in paste form was recovered from inside the rectum of another passenger. The total weight of the recovered gold was 3.497 kg, valued at around 2 crore. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. A video of the incident went viral on social media on Sunday, showing an official using a hammer to break the machine and a cutting tool to recover two cylindrical gold bars. An official at Lucknow airport clarified, There were actually two incidents of gold smuggling on Saturday. One passenger was caught smuggling gold by hiding it in his rectum, while the second passenger was caught attempting to smuggle gold by hiding it in the coffee machine. Both passengers arrived on the Air India Express flight from Dubai. The Lucknow airports customs department has reportedly arrested over 100 passengers and seized around 255 kg of gold worth from smugglers since 2018. VARANASI:The Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee (AIMC), which manages Gyanvapi mosque, has informed the district magistrate of Varanasi through a letter that most of the fish in a tank (hauz) in the wazukhana of Gyanvapi Mosque, the portion that was sealed on the order of a local court in May 2022, are dead. AIMC has requested the district magistrate to make arrangements for proper cleaning of the tank and drainage of water at the earliest. (Pic for representation) SM Yasin, joint secretary of the AIMC , said, There were many fish in the hauz in wazukhana of Gyanvapi mosque when the portion was sealed on the order of a court. Most of the fish are dead, due to which, foul smell is spreading around. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. As the water tank is in the sealed portion, it has not been cleaned, nor water drained. . As a result, most of the fish have died and foul smell is spreading around which lead to spread of a disease. If disease spreads it may affect the CRPF jawans deployed there, worshippers and visitors to the Vishwanath temple as well, read the letter written by Mufti-e-Banaras and secretary of Anjuman Intejamia Masjid, Abdul Batin NomanI. Read | Plea on ASI report on Gyanvapi survey to be heard on January 3 Yasin said that when the wazukhana was sealed on the order of the court, the administrative officials were informed about the presence of fish inside the tank . They were told that their feed , water and cleanliness were arranged by the AIMC, which would not be possible after the portion was sealed. Despite this, no arrangements were made for the fish and they died. Before the portion was sealed, AIMC used to ensure that water in the hauz was changed from time to time and feed was given to fish daily, said Yasin. AIMC has requested the district magistrate to make arrangements for proper cleaning of the tank and drainage of water at the earliest. Also Read | 1991 Act not violated: Allahabad HC on Gyanvapi mosque pleas District Magistrate, Varanasi, S Rajalingam said, Administration cannot do anything in the portion sealed at the order of the court. In the case filed by five women demanding regular darshan and worship of Shringar Gauri situated in Gyanvapi complex, the proceedings of the Advocate Commissioner were held in Gyanvapi campus on May 6, May 7, May 14, May 15 and May 16 in 2022. On May 16, the Hindu side claimed that a Shivling was found in the wazukhana of Gyanvapi. The Muslim side called the structure a fountain. On the order a local court, on May 16, the wazukhana was sealed. On May 17, 2022, the Supreme Court ordered to protect the portion of the mosque, where the Shivling was claimed to have been found. PATNA: An elderly couple in Bihars Samastipur district sustained burns in an acid attack when they were sitting outside their house late on Sunday. Police said the youngest of the couples three sons, Santosh Thakur and his father-in-law, Subodh Thakur, are missing (FILE PHOTO) The youngest of the couples three sons, Santosh Thakur and his father-in-law, Subodh Thakur, are missing. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Police teams have been sent to trace them, said Bikram Acharya, station house officer of Samastipurs Town police station. He said the couple, who are being treated at the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), were yet to record their formal statement in the case. Police identified the couple as Tipu Sultan Thakur (75), a retired school teacher and his wife, Gayti Devi (70), residents of Rahua village under Warisnagar police station. Police said that the incident took place on Sunday evening when the couple was sitting outside their house around a bonfire. According to witnesses, about five to seven persons allegedly led by Subodh Thakur threw acid at them and ran away. Neighbours who heard their cries rushed the couple to the Warisnagar primary health centre which sent them to the Sadar Hospital due to the nature of the injuries. Eventually, they were referred to PMCH. Police said the family had been upset with the ways of Santosh Thakur, the youngest son who had been insisting on his share in the familys assets and his fathers pension. Police said they were yet to receive a medicolegal report from the hospital that would indicate the precise nature of the injuries and they recorded the couples statement. The peace agreement signed between the Centre and the pro-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) last week marks the closure of one of the most violent insurgencies in the Northeast. The Arbind Rajkhowa faction, the largest ULFA faction, gave up arms in 2011, but this pact puts a final seal on the ceasefire. As per the conditions of the agreement, ULFA will hand over their arms, disband within a month, vacate camps and provide the government with a list of cadres. On its part, the State will withdraw cases against cadres and make efforts to rehabilitate them. Hopefully, the Paresh Baruah faction, which has been holding out against talks, will join the peace process and end the separatist movement that started soon after the Assam agitation in the late 1970s and roiled the state for over three decades. The pact provides redress for a gamut of political and economic issues that ULFA had flagged when it launched an armed struggle against the Indian State that has left close to 10,000 people dead. The politics of ethnic nationalism has since transformed into identity-centric mobilisations that seek accommodation in electoral democracy and State institutions and compete for land and resources. Militant groups have lost ground in the region but the political and economic discontent they represented continues to manifest in newer forms while remaining hidden in the multiple fault lines that shape politics in the region. The challenge is ensuring that these fault lines stay dormant and do not come alive and wreak havoc, as happened in Manipur recently. Matters such as the National Register of Citizens and the Citizenship Amendment Act are sensitive issues in Assam and politics centred on them is combustible. Hence, the government needs to stay alert and reinforce the accords to keep peace in the region. The Meitei-Kuki violence in Manipur is a warning that the State cannot be complacent in a region where the ethnic power balance is central to the governance paradigm. The ULFA pact should also be seen as part of a continuum of Delhi engaging with separatist movements and persuading them to join the mainstream. Using innovative governance solutions, including constitutional provisions to address concerns about ethnic and linguistic identities, the Centre has been successful in containing violent separatist movements in Mizoram, Tripura, and Assam. The next challenge is to provide closure in Nagaland, home to Indias oldest insurgency, where a final pact has proved to be elusive, even though a ceasefire has been in force since 1997. The war of words between the Congress and TMC leaders in West Bengal exposes the contradictions that define the INDIA bloc. During the recent assembly elections, leaders had said the alliance exists only at the national level and each party is on its own in state polls. Now, at the doorstep of the general elections, the mutual distrust among leaders is coming to the fore. PREMIUM The war of words between the Congress and TMC leaders in West Bengal exposes the contradictions that define the INDIA bloc Senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhurys outburst against TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, for instance, is a reflection of the tension that plagues the INDIA blocs alliance building in states where the parties are bitter rivals. Banerjee had set the ball rolling on seat-sharing talks when she offered two Lok Sabha seats for the Congress in West Bengal. Chowdhury, one of the two Congress MPs from the state, seems to read Banerjees offer as an attempt to corner his party. Banerjees claim that the TMC, not the INDIA bloc, will be the face of the anti-BJP front in West Bengal, shuts the door on the Congress since both parties are practically vying for the same votes. This tension is inherent to the INDIA bloc as the regional parties have historically been anti-Congress outfits. In states such as Telangana and Karnataka, the Congress has been successful against regional parties. In contrast, in Tamil Nadu and Bihar, the party has been forced to accept the role of a junior partner in the local alliance. The next challenge will be Maharashtra where the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party, though weakened by major splits, are unlikely to let the Congress dictate the terms in seat-sharing. INDIAs resolve to forge a common BJP front will be tested in the coming days. Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now! Continue reading with HT Premium Subscription Daily E Paper I Premium Articles I Brunch E Magazine I Daily Infographics Subscribe Now @1199/year Already Subscribed? Sign In The Telangana government has announced a holiday for all schools in the state on the New Year January 1, 2024. According to reports, the Telangana government has put New Year on the list of general holidays. However, authorities have cancelled the second Saturday as a holiday in February. Besides January 1, schools will remain closed in Telangana on other holidays as well. (Image for representation) Besides January 1, schools will remain closed in Telangana on other holidays as well. The schools will remain closed on January 15 for Makar Sankranti, for Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti on January 17 and on January 26 for the Republic Day. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Meanwhile, the Hyderabad Police has sent out directives to clubs, pubs, and party planners regarding the New Year's festivities. The police have reportedly issued a warning against the use of any drug or ganja during New Year celebrations. In Telangana, New Year celebrations were allowed until 1 am by the Telangana government. All hotels, restaurants, taverns, clubs, and bars were asked to shut their businesses by this time. Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 1 (ANI): Bollywood celebrities welcomed the New Year in their own unique ways. Actor Kareena Kapoor Khan added a royal touch to her celebration. Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan dress up to welcome new year in Switzerland Before heading towards celebrating the last day of the year, Kareena didn't miss the chance to capture the family moments. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Taking to Instagram story, Kareena treated fans with a glimpse of their New Year's Eve. The first picture captured the selfie queen Kareena wearing a colourful velvet sharara suit. She opted for a dewy makeup look. What caught our attention was a red rose in her hair, which she tied in a bun style. She clicked a mirror selfie with her husband and actor Saif Ali Khan as he got dressed up for the night in a white three-piece suit. Sharing the photo, she wrote, "Are you ready? We are." In the next picture, their kids- Taimur and Jeh joined them and posed in their style. Kareena captioned the post, " "Framed. 31-12-2023." Kareena and Saif have been married for 11 years. The two have worked together in LOC Kargil (2003) and Omkara (2006), but it was on the sets of the 2008 film Tashan that they fell in love with each other. And on October 16, 2012, the two tied the knot. In 2016, the two became parents to their son Taimur and in February 2021, they welcomed Jeh. Saif was married to Amrita Singh before Kareena and they have two children together, Sara Ali Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan. Meanwhile, on the work front, Kareena will be next seen in 'The Crew' alongside Kriti Sanon, Tabu and Diljit Dosanjh. She also has Rohit Shetty's 'Singham Again' which also stars Ajay Devgn, Deepika Padukone, Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh and Tiger Shroff in pivotal roles. (ANI) Its that time of the year, when celebrities are wishing fans a wonderful year ahead, filled with love and happiness. From Katrina Kaif to Shahid Kapoor, Kajol to Nayanthara- many took to their social media to share pictures from their vacations. (Also read: Kareena Kapoor in Switzerland to Mira Rajput in Bhutan, destinations where celebs are holidaying on New Year's Eve) Katrina Kaif, Kajol and Shahid Kapoor shared new pictures in Instagram. Katrina Kaif wish fans on New Year Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal celebrated New Year's Eve together, away from home. Katrina took to her Instagram to share a series of pictures from her vacation, which featured actor-husband Vicky Kaushal. Katrina looked beautiful in a white dress with floral design. In the caption, she wrote: "Wishing Peace of mind , health , happiness and love for everyone in 2024 .." Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Kajol and Ajay Devgn shared new pics Nysa and Yug Kajol also took to her Instagram to share a series of pictures with her whole family, including actor-husband Ajay Devgn, daughter Nysa Devgan and son Yug. In the first picture, Kajol was seen sitting with Ajay, Nysa and Yug in front of what looked like a small courtyard. Kajol and Ajay twinned in black outfits. The caption of the joint post read: "First post of 2024 and the thought that keeps coming gratitude gratitude gratitude .." Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput share pics from Bhutan It was also a family time for actor Shahid Kapoor, who was seen sitting by the lake. Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput along with their children Misha and Zain are on a New Year vacation in Bhutan. Shahid shared a bunch of pictures where the entire clan, including Ishaan Khatter, were seen having a fun time. In the caption, Shahid wrote: "In 2024 take a little time to smile. Happy new year all." Meanwhile, Mira Rajput also shared pictures and videos with the family on her social media, one which included Shahid taking aim with a bow and arrow near a mountain range. In the caption, she said, "Happiest place in the world.. is with the fam (red heart emoticon) Also the boys took the best photos so I guess their dumps are better?" Nayanthara shared pics with Uyir and Ulag Meanwhile, Nayanthara shared a bunch of adorable pictures with her twin baby boys Uyir and Ulag, and filmmaker-husband Vignesh Shivan. Both Uyir and Ulag looked cute in matching yellow shades, and were also seen in matching printed shirts. In the caption, Nayanthara said: "May this year bring in a lot of love luck n happiness to everyone (yellow heart emoticons) Happy 2024." Athiya Shetty and KL Rahul share post Actor Athiya Shetty took to her Instagram to share a romantic picture with husband KL Rahul. The actor has been vacationing in Maldives. In the neon-lit picture, Athiya and KL Rahul shared a smile as they stood close to each other. In the caption, she wrote: "Manifesting happiness, love and the ability to just be." Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 1 (ANI): Actor Varun Dhawan has welcomed the new year with 'fireworks'. Varun Dhawan enjoys 'fireworks' with wife Natasha Dalal on New Year 2024 Varun posted a video of fireworks on Instagram and wrote, "Don't say bye say hi #2024 #happynewyear....Happy New Year, 2024." Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. He can be seen enjoying fireworks with his wife Natasha Dalal. https://www.instagram.com/p/C1h9twkMvDt/?hl=en Fans chimed in the comment section with New Year wishes. Recently, the 'October' actor announced the Kerala schedule wrap of his upcoming action film 'VD 18'. Taking to Instagram, Varun shared a couple of pictures which he captioned, "Thank u Kerala. Sched wrap #vd18." https://www.instagram.com/p/C1WwLhvs_uj/?hl=en In the pictures, the 'Badlapur' actor could be seen facing his back at the camera and standing near a lake. He wore a T-shirt, black shorts, and slippers. He also suffered a leg injury and posted a picture of his swollen leg on his Instagram stories. The film tentatively titled 'VD18' is directed by Kalees and produced by Atlee and Murad Khetani. The film also stars Keerthy Suresh and Wamiqa Gabbi. Meanwhile, Varun was last seen in director Nitesh Tiwari's romantic drama film 'Bawaal' opposite Janhvi Kapoor. The film premiered exclusively on the OTT platform Amazon Prime Video and received positive responses from the audience. He will also be seen in the Indian adaptation of the Hollywood series 'Citadel' opposite actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu. It is an Indian adaptation of the Russo Brothers' series of the same name. Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden headlined the international version. The release date of the Indian version of Citadel is awaited. Raj and DK have created the Indian version. (ANI) Saudi Tadawul Group has announced that nominations for the fourth edition of the Saudi Capital Market Awards are now open. The awards acknowledge the achievements of market participants who are at the forefront of driving the development of the Saudi capital market across a variety of categories. These awards build on the success of previous editions and reflect the groups commitment to fostering growth and global standards in the Saudi capital market. Nominations for the Saudi Capital Market Awards are open across 17 categories to recognise the leading asset manager, clearing member, broker, custodian, IPOs of the year 2023 and more at the kingdom level. Dynamic capital market Eng Khalid Al Hussan, CEO of Saudi Tadawul Group, commented: The Saudi Capital Market Awards represent an opportunity to recognise the efforts of market participants who have contributed to the growth and development of the Saudi capital market in 2023. We have a wealth of expertise and talent in our industry and it is fitting to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of all those who contribute to its success. We look forward to announcing the winners and continuing to build a thriving and dynamic capital market in the kingdom. Saudi Tadawul Group is partnering with the CFA Society Saudi Arabia and the Middle East Investor Relations Association (MEIRA) for the upcoming Saudi Capital Market Awards. An independent committee comprising industry professionals from both entities will evaluate eligible nominees. Nominations will close on January 15, 2024 and the winners will be announced at the third edition of the Saudi Capital Market Forum in February 2024.--TradeArabia News Service BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 1. From January 1, the chairmanship of the Collective Security Treaty Organization passed from Belarus to Kazakhstan, Trend reports. At the summit held in Minsk in November last year, President of Kazakhstan Kasim-Jomart Tokayev announced the priorities of his country within the CSTO. These priorities include cooperation in the fight against international terrorism and extremism, expanding cooperation with the UN and its structures, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Jamie Dornan shot to worldwide fame for his role in the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise, where he played Christian Grey. In a new interview with The Independent, the actor recalled that taking on that role did have consequences. The Irish actor revealed that after those films released he found himself at the centre of fan attention, and had a 'scary' experience involving a stalker who turned up at his place while his kids were present. (Also read: Jamie Dornan reveals his lips absolutely blew up after he kissed a horse despite being allergic) Jamie Dornan in Fifty Shades of Grey. Jamie opened up about the scary experience Speaking with The Independent, Jamie Dornan recalled the incident and said: Im pretty good at just blocking any of the noise associated with whatever fandom is not letting it affect me, or more importantly my family... Ive been involved in situations where its impacted my family. I had a situation... a stalker-type situation before Covid. That was f***ing scary. Someone turned up at my house when my kids were there. It was not something... The more I can block that out, the better it is for me and the family. Jamie shares three daughters with his wife Amelia Warner. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. 'Theres never going to be anything like Fifty Shades again' In the same interview the actor opened up about the intense public scrutiny that arrives when he takes on such high-profile projects. Theres never going to be anything like Fifty Shades again. It felt very much like its own thing, particularly because it focused in and around sex. But there are obviously other jobs that bring insane scrutiny, like superhero stuff, or f***ing James Bond any of that stuff. Ive done pretty well to avoid that sort of s*** so far," he added. Jamie Dornan was last seen in the Netflix thriller Heart of Stone, starring Gal Gadot and Alia Bhatt. The August release also marked the Hollywood debut of actor Alia Bhatt. He will be next seen in season 1 of The Tourist, which arrives on Netflix on February 1, 2024. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place Beverly Hills, 90210 star Ian Ziering was reportedly attacked by a biker gang in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 31. A video obtained by TMZ shows the actor surrounded by several riders on mini motorised bikes on Hollywood Blvd. The actor is seen getting out of his car. Ian Ziering was reportedly attacked by a biker gang in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 31 (ianziering/Instagram) Ziering is seen swinging at a biker who had stationed his motorbike directly in front of his car. What provoked him to throw the punch is unclear. It is also unclear if one of the motorcycles had collided with the actors car. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. TMZs source said Zierings punch may have knocked the person to the ground. After the swing, the other bikers attacked him, throwing several punches at him. Ziering hat manages to run, with the masked and helmeted bikers pursuing him. One of the attackers was seen holding on to Zierings back, and another tried to trip him, but failed. Bystanders did not help, but many filmed and watched them from the sidewalk. Ziering continued to get loose as one of the bikers kept holding him. Two of the bikers, including a female biker, joined in to attack him. Ziering is finally able to get away after getting back to his vehicle and driving away. Police were not called to the scene. Beverly Hills, 90210 brought Ziering instant fame. Ian was suddenly an international heartthrob and played the role for the show's entire ten-year run. During his years on Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990) he was also featured in various films and television shows, including Russell Crowe's No Way Back (1995), What I Like About You (2002) and Melrose Place (1992), to name a few, IMDb says. The year 2023 was full of joy and love for many celebrities who walked down the aisle and said I do to their soulmates. But for some of the female fans, it was also a year of heartache and sorrow as they had to bid farewell to their fantasy boyfriends who were no longer available. Mourning the marriages of our fantasy crushes!(File Image) We know, we know, they never really had a chance with these handsome and talented stars. But we cant help but fantasize about what could have been, right? So as we welcome the new year, lets take a moment to mourn the loss of our favourite bachelors (who may still haunt our dreams). Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. We were crushed when we learned that Evans, 42, married Alba Baptista. We always thought the Captain America actor, 42, was the ultimate catch, like a modern-day George Clooney. We didnt expect him to settle down until he was much older! But he did say in July 2022 that he was looking for love. We should have realized he wouldnt waste any time finding his perfect match. He began dating Baptista, 26, in 2021. ALSO READ| Netflix unveils list of originals in January 2024: Bitconned to Gyeongseong Creature 2 and more If Evans is the mainstream heartthrob, Antonoff is the quirky crush. Hes adorable and hilarious and collaborates with Taylor Swift on music, so we were devastated when the 39-year-old married Margaret Qualley. To be fair, the Bleachers frontman gave Us enough time to prepare for the news, with the Maid actress, 29, showing off her diamond engagement ring in May 2022. While hell never pen lyrics about Us, were still eager to hear the songs Qualley will inspire. Antonoff and Qualley got hitched in July on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Milo Ventimiglia This was a shocker of a wedding though we do appreciate that Ventimiglia, 46, made sure Us Weekly was the first to know about his nuptials with Jarah Mariano in October. But since he never confirmed their relationship publicly, fans had no clue that the This Is Us star was ready to pop the question to Mariano. However, as fans who fell for him during his days as Jess Mariano on Gilmore Girls, it does make us happy to know that the 39-year-old model shares the same last name as his beloved bad boy character. ALSO READ| Marvel's What If...? will continue to rewrite MCU's history in season 3 Even our childhood Disney Channel crushes couldnt spare Us the pain this year. Anyone who grew up watching The Suite Life of Zach and Cody had a favourite twin, so 2023 was tough for the Zach girls. (The Cody girls, on the other hand, know that Cole Sprouse is nearing the three-year anniversary with his girlfriend Ari Fournier.) But Dylans marriage wasnt exactly a surprise. After all, he has been open about his affection for model Barbara Palvin for several years, and they announced their engagement earlier this year. Dylan said I do to Palvin in her native Hungary in July. On Friday, Friends star David Schwimmer posted a scathing message on Instagram, targeting activists who doubt or dismiss the sexual violence committed by Hamas terrorists against Israelis on Oct. 7. David Schwimmer in a still from Friends. Schwimmer revealed that he has been working to end sexual abuse for almost three decades. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The Jewish actor cited the New York Timess recent report on the sexual attacks that occurred at the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict, and stressed the need to trust the survivors. ALSO READ| Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce spotted kissing on New Year's Eve at post-game party, fans react Why do so many REFUSE TO BELIEVE He wrote, There are incredible organizations and individuals that I count as allies in this work. Who for years have stood up and fought for survivors of rape and sexual assault, demanding justice many of whom are survivors themselves. And yet Why do so many REFUSE TO BELIEVE despite all the evidence on camera and in testimony the women, children and men brutally assaulted by terrorists on Oct. 7th? The actor, who also starred in Band of Brothers, claimed that many supporters of sexual assault survivors will fight like hell for ALL victims of sexual violence unless theyre Jews, he continued. For many of them, denying it even happened is a convenient way of avoiding compassion and personal responsibility. Perhaps this article will finally make them realize they got it wrong, and come to terms with their unconscious bias. The Friends star also explained, Because as they know better than most their refusal to believe the survivors has RE-TRAUMATIZED them, as well as their families, friends, and those of us who did believe them. ALSO READ| Videos show pro-Palestinian protesters marching towards NYC's Times Square amid New Year's celebrations Not the first time that Schwimmer spoke out about the Israel-Hamas war Earlier in December, he slammed Harvard university presidents who did not denounce antisemitism during hearings as morally bankrupt. Incapable of answering even the most direct yes or no questions, watch them duck and smirk at the unbridled anti-Semitism [sic] and calls for genocide on their campuses. Where is the outrage among students, faculty and alumni demanding their resignations, an official apology and enforcement of the codes of conduct? he said. Ayesha Khan had collapsed in the earlier episode of Bigg Boss 17, after which she was rushed in for medical attention. Now, the makers have released a new teaser promo from the upcoming episode where Ayesha was seen returning to the Bigg Boss house. Yet, tensions between her and Munawar seem to be unresolved, with even a heated argument between Anurag Dobhal and Munawar firing up. (Also read: Bigg Boss 17: Salman Khan consoles Ayesha Khan in medical room as she has meltdown after he lashes out at her. Watch) Ayesha Khan, Munawar Faruqui and Ankita Lokhande in the new episode of Bigg Boss 17. Ayesha Khan back in the Bigg Boss house As Ayesha Khan returned to the Bigg Boss house, she was greeted by the rest of the inmates with a warm hug. Still, Ayesha refused to interact with Munawar there. The promo then showed that Munawar making khichdi (porridge) for everyone but Ayesha said she will not be eating that food, just because Munawar is making it. The teaser also gave a sneak peak of another fight in the house after Anurag said he saw Munawar smiling after Ayesha left. Ankita Lokhande, who is also present during this chat, tells Ayesha, "Aisa kuch nahi tha...Kisi ki baaton mein aana mat zyada. Yaha sab tere naam se bhi kuch kuch bol rahe the (There was nothing like that, don't get manipulated by someone's words. These people were also talking behind your back)." Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Munawar asks Anurag, Kaun he tu? At this point, Ankita gets up and asks Munawar if he was laughing when Ayesha was gone. Munawar replies by asking Anurag, "Kaun he tu (Who are you)?" Anurag says, "Tu kisi ka he (Are you anyone's friend)?" As a heated argument develops further, Ankita tells Ayesha not to trust Anurag. More details For the unversed, Ayesha is Munawar's ex-girlfriend. Ever since she came on the show as a wild-card contestant, she has been exposing Munawar on the show. Earlier, during the Weekend Ka War episode, actor-host Salman Khan had lashed out at Munawar and Ayesha, questioning their relationship, after which Ayesha was seen crying in the house. She fainted in the house later and her co-contestants carried her to the medical room, where even Salman Khan visited to see her condition. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place India-Russia relations have gone through a number of phases since their formal establishment in April 1947. Despite repeated projections of its decline following the end of the Cold War, India and Russias strategic partnership has persisted, and indeed in some areas has deepened. This brief argues that this could only mean that there is plausible geopolitical logic for both countries to persevere in strengthening their ties. It gives a historical account of the partnership, analyses its continued relevance for both countries, and ponders the impact of current geopolitical patterns on this relationship. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sputnik/Alexandr Demyanchuk/Pool (via REUTERS) India and USSR established formal diplomatic relations in April 1947, four months before Indias independence. Early diplomatic relations were negligible, perhaps understandably so as Premier Joseph Stalin regarded the bourgeoisie of colonial and dependent countries as conciliatory and counter-revolutionary forces entering a conspiracy with imperialism behind the backs of their own peoples. This began to change towards the end of his life, and in his final years, two of the three ambassadors he received were Indian. The year 1955 was key for India-USSR relations, with then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru visiting Moscow in June 1955 and Nikita Khrushchev conducting a reciprocal visit in November 1955. These two visits would set the pace of the relations for the next three decades. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. India-USSR relations could broadly be described as having stood on five pillars. First was strategic alignment. While India and the USSR did not share a similar ideology or outlook towards global politics, they had common concerns. India had cause to worry with the US-Pakistan bonhomie, while the Soviet Union saw the US as an implacable foe. In the 1960s the deterioration of relations of both countries with China brought them closer. The Soviet Union would emerge as a critical partner for India, using its veto power multiple times at the UN Security Council on issues related to Goa, Kashmir, and Bangladesh. India reciprocated by abstaining in the vote against USSR during the Hungary crisis in 1956, and Czechoslovakia in 1968. The Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1971 was the culmination of the intensifying partnership. It included a critical security provision under which both would abstain from providing any assistance to any third party that engages in armed conflict with the other Party. In the event of either Party being subjected to a threat thereof, the High Contracting Parties shall immediately enter into mutual consultations in order to remove such threat and to take appropriate effective measures to ensure peace and the security of their countries. Soviet assistance would also prove instrumental in keeping the US and China out of the 1971 war with Pakistan. All factors considered, it is no surprise that Indias partnership with the USSR emerged as a focal point of its foreign policy. Second was the economic relationship. Soviet Union was the largest foreign contributor to Indias development till 1991. In the 1960s it played an important role in the development of Indias heavy industries including power, coal, mining, steel, oil and gas. Starting with the Bhilai steel plant, the Soviet Union helped India establish some of its biggest industries including ONGC and BHEL. Economic ties were bolstered by the rupee-rouble arrangement which allowed India to use its then scarce foreign exchange reserves on other vital needs. This arrangement covered all aspects of India-Russia economic activity, including crude supplies via Iraq, defence purchases, and even tourism. By 1991, the Soviet Union had become Indias largest trading partner and bilateral trade stood at over $5 billion per year, a large amount in those years. The third pillar was defence cooperation. Defence constituted a critical part of the Indo-USSR relationship with the bulk of Indias arms purchases coming from the Soviet Union. Dilip Mukerjee identified four reasons why India favoured Soviet defence purchases: the price factorthe prices offered to India by the USSR were lower than those offered by the West; the evolutionary nature of Soviet weapons development processas many of the upgraded versions included features of the existing models, it became cheaper to restructure the production lines; the Soviet Union was amenable to Indian requests for licensed production, beginning with the MiG-21 agreement in 1962 followed by MiG-27 ground attack fighters in 1983 and T-72 tanks in 1980; and fourth was the Soviet willingness to accept a barter arrangement under which exports in categories such as industrial consumer goods were acceptable. The reluctance of Western countries to engage with India also contributed to New Delhi choosing to deal with Moscow. That the Soviet Union leased to India a nuclear-powered submarine in 1988 spoke volumes about the level of trust the two countries developed in military exchanges. The fourth pillar was cooperation in science and technology, underpinned by the Science and Technology Agreement of 1972. A joint working group on Science and Technology was set up to coordinate activities. The Integrated Long-Term Programme of Cooperation (ILTP), the largest bilateral S&T program that India had entered with any country at the time, was implemented in 1987. Within the framework of ILTP, from 1984 to 1989, the two countries jointly developed 112 themes in 22 priority scientific areas, including solar energy use, metallurgy, metals manufacture, high pressure physics, meteorology and oceanography. Fifth, the cultural and people-to-people relations. The two countries had extensive academic, artistic and cultural exchanges. Writers like Leo Tolstoy and Alexander Pushkin had a profound influence on Indian literature and thought. Similarly, Rabindranath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi and others found resonance among Russian readers. The Soviet Union also contributed to Indias education sphere by providing cheaper books on maths, sciences and education as well as translations of well-known Russian writers. Indian film festivals were also a regular feature in the USSR and many Indian movies became household names. The Soviet Union emerged as a popular location for technical, medical and scientific studies, resulting in many Indian doctors and engineers being trained in the USSR. The Soviet Unions collapse was a blow for India, contributing to an ongoing economic crisis that started in 1991. While the Russian Federation emerged as a successor state, it was nonetheless a new and different political entity with a leadership trying to find its moorings. This led to a recalibration of relations between Russia and India. The paper can be accessed by clicking here. This paper has been authored by Nandan Unnikrishnan and Ankita Dutta. Four men were killed and five others sustained critical bullet injuries in Manipurs Thoubal district on Monday evening, officials said, prompting the state government to tighten curfew in the restive state where nearly 200 people lost their lives in ethnic violence last year. Manipur has been in the throes of ethnic violence since early May last year. (PTI) Senior police officials confirmed the killings in Thoubals Lilong area, but said they were yet to reach the spot at the time of filing this report. Local residents of Lilong also confirmed the firing and shared photos of the dead victims on the ground. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. One of the injured is reportedly critical. We received information that some of the attackers have been caught by locals but it is yet to be verified. Police are yet to reach the village because protesters have gathered there, said one official, requesting anonymity, Lilong is around 12km from state capital Imphal. The killings prompted the state government to intensify the night curfew in Manipur. Officials said top government officials will review and take a call on curfew measures during the day starting Tuesday. A second government official said that around 6pm, a group of militants went to Lilong Chingao area for a suspected extortion bid. The information we have is that people gathered to protest the extortion bid. During this, the militants fired, which led to at least eight people sustaining bullet injuries. Four of them have died. But police are yet to reach the spot because of protests and crowds there, said the second official, who requested anonymity. Officials said villagers burnt the vehicles of the militants. In four different Maruti gypsies, around 20-25 militants had come to Hasan, a local residents house. They were wearing military clothes. They scaled the wall of Hasans house and started demanding money. When the families raised an alarm, locals gathered. The militants fired a shot that hit Hasans brother. The locals were angry and more people gathered. That is when the militants fired at the crowd, said Mohammed Habibullah, a resident. In a video message, chief minister N Biren Singh condemned the violence, and appealed to the people, particularly the residents of Lilong, to maintain peace. Police are working to arrest those behind the attack. They will be arrested soon and punished as per the law, he said. The area is inhabited by Meitei Pangals, Muslims from the dominant community who have yet not been involved in the ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki groups that started on May 3. Unlike Meiteis who are unable to cross the valley districts (Meiteis live in the Imphal valley) and Kukis who do not enter valley districts and confine themselves in the hills, Meitei Pangals have yet not been attacked by any group and often help people in travelling through the volatile state. We have been at the receiving end of the clashes. Militants come to our places and extort money, said Arif, a Pangal driver in Imphal. The killings come just two days after militants attacked Manipur police commandos inside their barracks, during which rocket propelled grenades (RPG) were fired. Militants and security forces exchanged fire on Sunday evening near the border town of Moreh, in what was a fresh escalation of ethnic violence. A nearly one-month long lull in ethnic strife was ruptured last Saturday when a gunfight broke out between Meitei and Kuki village volunteers, in which one person died. Before Saturday, 13 people were killed in a gunfight on December 4 in Tengnoupal district. 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. Part of the speed at which personal technology is evolving has to do with need, but much of it is pure momentum. Remote-work tools are a good example of the former; artificial intelligence (AI)-led apps exemplify the latter. As we glide into 2024, evolving experiences will be the broader focus of new products and services on all fronts. The dichotomy in the smartphone space is represented by the dumbphone or feature phone on the one hand, and cutting-edge models such as the X100 Pro on the other. The OnePlus Pad (above left), meanwhile, could give the iPad some tough competition. Key debates will revolve around privacy, and simplicity. Already, the return of dumb phones (also euphemistically called feature phones) on the one hand and the excitement over wearable pins that can help take calls and read email on the other represent this growing dichotomy. AI will, of course, add a new layer of complexity to the landscape overall. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Starting up Lets begin with the microchip/processor. The effort to make this foundational element of most tech interactions smaller, and thereby more power-efficient, continues. Added to that effort is a drive to now also make the chip more attuned to the AI-led tasks it will inevitably need to run. In smartphones, Qualcomm has been doing this with the past couple of generations of its Snapdragon smartphone and wearables-focused chips. Apples Silicon and Googles Tensor chips will be working towards this goal too. It is time for laptops and desktops to catch up. Early 2024 will see the release of the first laptops powered by Intels new, consumer-focused Core Ultra chips. These are statedly 70% faster than recent generations of chips, when it comes to processing for generative AI models and computations. Canva Magic Studio, the Adobe Firefly generator, and Anthropics Claude chatbot illustrate a growing number of tools and use-cases that will welcome optimised AI performance. If you love OpenAIs Dall-e or Googles Imagen, the aim is to allow you integrate them as an app inside the Canva ecosystem, for instance, Melanie Perkins, co-founder and CEO of Canva says, indicating the broadening scope of AI integration. AMD will respond to Intels new performance benchmark, as will Qualcomm. The latter is also contending with developing competition from Apples M series chips, hopes resting on their Snapdragon X Elite platform. A whole separate generation of AI-focused chips is being readied, meanwhile, for developers of AIs founding blocks: the large language models. LLMs are trained in a process that demands considerable processing power, so these chips will be vital to overall evolution in this space. Intels Gaudi 3 chips for AI companies arrive in 2024. Intel will also be working with UKs Stability AI to build an AI supercomputer. Rival chipmaker AMDs Instinct MI300 chips to train and run LLMs (which, they claim, will be the highest performing accelerator in the world) are also due for release in 2024. Microsoft and Meta are already on board as customers. Microsoft is building custom chips too. The Azure Maia 100 and Cobalt 100 will be used to train LLMs, while reducing dependence on Nvidia. The latter, meanwhile, will hope to solve its availability and pricing issues (the Nvidia H100 reportedly costs between $25,000 and $40,000, due to shortages) ahead of the expected release of their H200 AI chip. Next in computers Evolving operating systems are another key frontier in computing. Microsofts Windows 12 may be released in the second half of 2024. Much of the AI play already unfolding with Windows 11 updates (which will continue into the new year) is a precursor to Windows 12, which will have considerably deeper integration. The billions Microsoft has invested in OpenAI lead us to this inevitable point. The Copilot everyday assistant will underline the new functionality that productivity and workplace apps under the Microsoft 365 umbrella will adopt. There will be AI-led email draft generation in Outlook, a notebook method for conversing with a chatbot, summaries of Teams meetings, and more. Whether all this will make interactions with these apps any smarter remains uncertain. Lingering questions about the long-term viability of foldable or hybrid computing device forms remain. There have been sparks over time, mostly efforts made by Microsoft and Lenovo. By and large though, the PC ecosystem is struggling to overcome its inertia. Does moving away from Microsoft Windows and Apples macOS open up better avenues for an alternate hybrid computer? The Apple iPad may face its toughest competition yet, if evolving refinement of last years OnePlus Pad and Xiaomi Pad 6 provides a springboard. New journey for smartphones In this year and coming ones, most of our daily use of AI is likely to shift to the smartphone. These devices will therefore need to acquire the ability to interpret software and user experience with equal skill, if they are to smoothly take this step forward. Beginning with the premium Android flagship releases expected from OnePlus and Samsung this year, phone makers will increasingly reference unique features as they aim to compete in this space. Google Assistant on Android is expected to evolve, with a smarter personality, tentatively called Pixie. Samsungs AI call-translate feature for its next set of Galaxy phones will attempt to break the language barrier in real-time speech. OnePluss Android software tweaks will build on the first-generation OnePlus Opens software and seek to utilise a foldable screen to the fullest. Xiaomi, for the first time in its history, is reworking its smartphone operating system completely, phasing out MIUI and replacing it with HyperOS. The new operating system will offer end-to-end data encryption and large foundation models for AI-led apps. New form factors are desirable. Samsungs dominance in foldables has been challenged successfully by a refined OnePlus Open, and that battle will resume later in the year, with successors. Apps that make better use of a larger foldable display to enable new use-cases will likely become more crucial. Designs look set to see a bit more colour. Appreciation for the Emerald Dusk hue by OnePlus and the transparent glass back on the Nothing Phone (2) will likely embolden designers. As will a push towards a premium experience; this push has already prompted the more-affordable upcoming Xiaomi Redmi Note series to adopt a leather-like finish on the back, in place of plastic or metal. With camera performance such a key deciding factor among buyers, collaborations with phone makers and camera makers look set to be stepped up. Xiaomi will reap benefits from Leicas involvement, as the former makes a concerted effort to establish itself in the premium smartphones space. New hardware in its flagship models will include infrared light and reflectance tech within each lens. Vivos partnership with Zeiss will define that companys upcoming flagship phone, X100 Pro, which is expected to offer a still-rare-in-smartphones 1-inch main sensor, and multi-focus portrait capability. How will these needs and features be reconciled with the desire for a sleek, light, easy-to-use device? That balancing act, alongside the evolving price tags, will be key. New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs has declared Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar a designated terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Brar had claimed responsibility for the audacious murder of Indian rap star and Congress politician, Sidhu Moosewala. In June, Interpol issued red-corner notices against Goldy Brar after a request was sent by the Punjab Police to the Interpol through the CBI. Satinderjit Singh, popularly known as Goldy Brar, went to Canada in 2017 on a student visa. He has been running his criminal activities from there, including murders and extortion. He is a close associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In an official notification, the Centre said Satwinder Singh alias Goldy Brar, the son of Shamsher Singh and Preetpal Kaur born on 11.04.1994, who presently lives in Canada's Brampton, is associated with the pro-Khalistan terrorist group Babbar Khalsa. It said Brar, backed by a cross-border agency, was involved in multiple killings and professes radical ideology, figured in making threatening calls to pro-nationalist leaders, demanding ransom and posting the claims of killings on different social media platforms. The Centre said Goldy Brar has been involved in the smuggling of high-grade arms, ammunition and explosive materials through drones from across the border and supplying them for his violent activities. It said Brar has been conspiring to disrupt the peace, communal harmony and law and order of Punjab through "nefarious designs including sabotage, raising of terror modules, carrying out targeted killings and other anti-national activities." Who is Goldy Brar, Moose Wala's killer, cop's son who reached Canada on visa? Last year, the Centre had issued a red-corner notice to INTERPOL. "The Central Government believes that Satwinder Singh @ Satinderjit Singh @ Goldy Brar is involved in terrorism and the said Satwinder Singh @ Satinderjit Singh @ Goldy Brar is to be added as a terrorist in the Fourth Schedule to the said Act," it said. Brar had claimed responsibility for the 2022 murder of the singer in Punjab's Mansa. According to the 1,850-page chargesheet filed in the Moose Wala murder case, Brar was the mastermind behind the killing. He claimed in a social media post that he got the singer killed to avenge the murder of student leader Vicky Middukhera. Three people were shot dead and five were injured in fresh violence in Manipur's Thoubal district on Monday evening. The authorities quickly re-imposed curfew in the five valley districts of the state to prevent escalation of violence. The ethnic conflict between Kuki and Meitei communities in Manipur, which started in May, has claimed 197 lives to date(File) The Curfew has been imposed in Thoubal, Imphal East and Imphal West, Kakching and Bishnupur districts, PTI reported. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Chief Minister N Biren Singh condemned the violence in a video message and appealed to the people to maintain peace. He said the police were trying to arrest those behind the attack. "They will be arrested soon and punished as per the law," he said. The news agency reported that the unidentified gunmen targeted several locals in the Lilong Chingjao area. They were wearing camouflaged outfits. Three people died on the spot. Five are undergoing treatment in hospital. Miffed locals later set afire three cars. Over 197 people have died since May 3, in ethnic violence between Meiteis and the tribal Kuki community. Also read: Militants ambush Manipur Police commandos with RPG in Moreh; four injured, barracks damaged Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Kukis and Nagas constitute 40 percent of the population. Last Saturday, an exchange of fire took place between fighters of the two communities. One person died in the violence. The incident had come after a gap of 26 days when 13 people were killed in a gunfight on December 4 in Tengnoupal district. Also read: Manipur hit by fresh clashes, 1 killed in gunfight Around 3:30 am a heavy exchange of fire took place between village volunteers of both Kuki and Meitei communities in between the hill ranges of Nakhujang and Singda Kuki villages under Kangchup police station. The exchange of fire lasted till around 4:20 am, a police official had said on the condition of anonymity. With inputs from PTI BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 1. Brazil will join the OPEC+ Cooperation Charter from January 2024, Trend reports. According to the information, the country does not yet intend to support the alliances efforts to reduce oil production. The fact that the OPEC+ organization will accept a new member became known after the alliance meeting held on November 30, 2023. The final communique stated that Brazil will join the OPEC+ Cooperation Charter from January. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak noted that these intentions were also confirmed by the Minister of Mining and Energy of Brazil, Alexander Silveira de Oliveira, who took part in the OPEC+ online meeting. However, representatives of the Brazilian oil industry, as well as the country's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, said that Brazil has no plans to become a full member of the organization. Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 1 (ANI): Weeks ahead of the grand consecration of Ram Mandir in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya, a racket is allegedly defrauding people in the guise of collecting donations to support the construction of the temple. HT Image This scam has prompted the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) to approach Uttar Pradesh police. The VHP has also issued a warning on social media, asking people not to fall prey to the scam. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "Alert..!! Some individuals are attempting fraud by creating fake IDs in the name of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirth Kshetra to deceive people. @HMOIndia @CPDelhi @dgpup @Uppolice should take prompt action against such individuals," VHP's National Spokesperson Vinod Bansal said in a post on X on Sunday. https://x.com/vinod_bansal/status/1741334321120854430?s=20 "Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Nyas has not authorized anyone to collect funds for this occasion. We have sent the formal complaint to the @dgpup and @Igrangelucknow to take immediate steps in the matter of faith," he added. The VHP spokesperson also issued a video message, claiming that they had been informed about the racket trying to loot devotees in the name of donations for the temple. "We have been informed that some people are trying to collect money through social media by creating a fake ID in the name of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra and generating a fake QR code," Bansal said in the video message. "Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra has not given anyone any right to collect money in any way. And those who are making such efforts want to cheat people in a fraudulent manner, and action should be taken against them. For this, I have immediately informed the Ministry of Home Affairs, DGP Uttar Pradesh, and the Delhi Commissioner of Police and demanded that the strictest action be taken against such people. And people should also be careful. This is a time of celebration, and we are going to give invitations and not accept any donation or gift of any kind," he added. According to the VHP, a miscreant identified as Abhishek Kumar sought funds for Ayodhya Temple Development on social media. "He has posted the UPI QR codes in Facebook groups with the line 'Ram Mandir Ayodhya Chanda pradarshan Karen.' On scanning the QR Code, UPI will direct the user to UPI ID '9040914736@Paytm' with the name Manisha Nallabelly," Girish Bhardwaj, a VHP member said in a letter to the Uttar Pradesh DGP and IG. He further mentioned in the letter that the Shri Ram Janmbhumi Teerth Kshetra Trust has clarified many times that no private person or people are authorized to collect funds for the temple. Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra is a trust set that has been given the responsibility of the construction and management of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. "There seems to be a malicious motive to deceive unsuspecting devotees and use social media to collect money illegally. At a time when the entire nation is rejoicing over the Ram Temple inauguration, such preposterous activities should be nipped in the bud. I have attached screenshots for your reference. Please do the needful in this regard," Bhardwaj added in his letter. (ANI) In a remarkable display of health and unity, Gujarat etched its name in the Guinness Book of World Records for most people performing Surya Namaskar simultaneously on the occasion of the New Year on Monday morning. Surya namaskar(X/ @narendramodi) More than 4,000 participants across 108 locations and 51 different categories performed the Surya Namaskar yoga, solidifying the state's commitment to wellness and cultural heritage. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hailed the remarkable feat saying that this is indeed a true testament to our commitment to Yoga and our cultural heritage. "Gujarat welcomed 2024 with a remarkable feat - setting a Guinness World Record for the most people performing Surya Namaskar simultaneously at 108 venues! As we all know, the number 108 holds a special significance in our culture. The venues also include the iconic Modhera Sun Temple, where several people joined. This is indeed a true testament to our commitment to Yoga and our cultural heritage," he said in a post on X. He also urged the countrymen to make Surya Namaskar a part of their daily routine. "I also urge you all to make Surya Namaskar a part of your daily routine. The benefits are immense," he added. The mega event, held at several locations, including the infamous Modhera Sun Temple, witnessed participation from diverse groups, including families, students, yoga enthusiasts, and even senior citizens. State chief minister Bhupesh Patel and home minister Harsh Sanghavi attended the event in Modhera. Patel celebrated the remarkable achievement saying that today's historical Suryanamaskar Thaki Gujarat has once again established the importance of Yoga in front of the world. Om Surya Namah. The first day of the year 2024 turned out to be a wonderful confluence of yoga, spirituality, culture and health. The divine function of mass Suryanamaskar was organized in the premises of Modhera Sun Temple, the pride of Gujarat, as soon as the first ray of the sun fell on the temple, he said in Gujarati in a post on X. Under this program organized with the inspiration of Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi, citizens at 108 places in Gujarat performed Surya Namaskar together. Overall, around 50,000 people from across the state participated in the Suryanamaskar event. Gujarat set a Guinness World Record by performing the largest number of Surya Namaskars simultaneously at different places," he added. Under the guidance of the Honorable Prime Minister, Sama Yoga, an invaluable heritage of Indian culture, has been adopted by the whole world today. Even in Gujarat today, there has been public awareness about attaining complete health through Gher-Gher Yoga. As a happy result of which, today's historical Suryanamaskar Thaki Gujarat has once again established the importance of Yoga in front of the world, he said. Singhvi, brimming with pride also hailed the feat. He said, "Today Gujarat has registered the first world record of the country and the world, where thousands of people have done yoga together at 108 places and in 51 variety of places." He further emphasised the global embrace of yoga, stating, "Yoga is being adopted across the world." "I was here to verify the record for the most people doing Surya Namaskar. This is a new title because no one had attempted to break this record before. After going through all the evidence and seeing them perform here in Modhera...They have successfully set a new Guinness World Record title for most people doing Surya Namaskar," Swapnil Dangarikar, Adjudicator at Guinness World Records said to ANI. (With inputs from agencies) The Indian embassy in Japan has set up an emergency control room and issued helpline numbers for Indian citizens after a strong 7.6 magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami that reportedly reached the country's coast in some regions. Embassy has set up an emergency control room for anyone to contact in connection with the earthquake and tsunami on January 1, 2024, the consulate wrote in a notice, adding that they are in regular contact with the concerned authorities. A collapsed house following an earthquake is seen in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan.(via REUTERS) The emergency helpline numbers are: +81-80-3930-1715 (Mr. Yakub Topno) +81-70-1492-0049 (Mr. Ajay Sethi) +81-80-3214-4734 (Mr. D.N.Barnwal) +81-80-6229-5382 (Mr. S. Bhattacharya) +81-80-3214-4722 (Mr. Vivek Rathee) sscons.tokyo@mea.gov.in offfseco.tokyo@mea.gov.in The embassy also urged citizens to follow instructions given by the local government. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Emergency helpline numbers A strong earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula on Japans northwest coast on Monday morning. The powerful quake triggered a tsunami for a wide swath of the country that was expected to reach as high as five meters in some areas. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued tsunami warnings for the coastal prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama, marking the first major warnings since the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan. Notably, a major tsunami warning means there is a possibility of waves of more than 3 meters. The Met department has also warned to be vigilant for the next two to three days about earthquakes with seismic intensity of 7. While there have been no immediate reports of major injuries yet, videos circulating on social media showed collapsed houses and fires in several parts of the country. Meanwhile, over 33,500 households have been left without any electricity as power plant operations were halted following the massive quakes. Japan prime minister Fumio Kishida said there are possibilities of further earthquakes. Residents need to stay on alert for further possible quakes and I urge people in areas where tsunamis are expected to evacuate as soon as possible, Kishida told the local media, reported Reuters. He added that the authorities are assessing any damage caused in the country. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday that between January 5 and 11, the night and day temperatures are likely to fall leading to cold wave conditions in some states of north India. A man around a bonfire to protect themselves from winter on a cold morning. (Hindustan Times) IMD Director General Dr Mrutynjay Mohapatra said speaking to news agency ANI, During 5th to 11th January, we are expecting night temperature to fall, it may lead to cold wave conditions in some parts of central India. Day temperature will also be below normal leading to cold day conditions, especially in Madhya Pradesh, northern parts of Maharashtra, southern parts of Uttar Pradesh, and areas of Haryana and Rajasthan. In these areas, from the 5th to 11th we can expect cold wave conditions. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. He added that there was also a low-pressure area forming over the southeast Arabian Sea leading to clouds over areas in Lakshadweep and Maldives Islands. During the next three days, the IMD predicts heavy rainfall over Lakshadweep. along with likely strong winds up to 40-50 kmph. The fishermen have also been advised not to venture into the sea. During a press conference on Monday outlining the monthly forecast for January, Mohapatra predicted normal rainfall throughout the January-February-March period. Mohapatra highlighted that 2023 marked the second warmest year since 1901, with the annual mean air temperature for the country being 0.65 degrees Celsius above normal, PTI reported. The warmest year, since 1901, was 2016 when the annual mean air temperature for the country was 0.710 degrees Celsius above normal. He further explained that most parts of the country are anticipated to experience relatively warmer mornings. Additionally, central and northwestern regions are expected to have cooler days, with the weather office forecasting below-normal monthly maximum temperatures in these areas. Nonetheless, warmer days are anticipated in south peninsular and northeastern India, with above-normal monthly maximum temperatures expected to persist in January. The IMD, earlier on Monday, also predicted dense to very dense fog over certain parts of the plains in northwest India and East India, extending into portions of Bangladesh, and gradually decreasing afterwards. Additionally, the weather office stated that cold-day to severe cold-day conditions are likely to persist over some areas of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and northern Rajasthan for the next two days. NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan on Monday exchanged lists of nuclear installations that cannot be attacked in the event of hostilities, maintaining a tradition dating back to 1992 despite relations between the two neighbours being at an all-time low. The lists of nuclear facilities were simultaneously exchanged through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad (File Photo) The two countries also exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each others custody, with the Indian side asking Pakistan to expedite the release of 184 Indian fishermen who have completed their prison terms and seeking immediate consular access to 12 prisoners believed to be Indian nationals. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The lists of nuclear facilities were simultaneously exchanged through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad in line with the provisions of the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities, the external affairs ministry said in a brief statement. Both sides do not disclose details of the nuclear installations. The agreement was signed on December 31, 1988 and entered into force on January 27, 1991. It stipulates that India and Pakistan should inform each other about the nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the pact on the first of January of every calendar year. This was the 33rd consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 1, 1992. India and Pakistan exchange lists of prisoners and fishermen twice a year, on January 1 and July 1, under the provisions of the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access. The Indian side shared lists of 337 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or are believed to be Pakistani, the external affairs ministry said in a separate statement. The Pakistani side shared lists of 47 civilian prisoners and 184 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or are believed to be Indian. The Indian government called for the early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel and fishermen, along with their boats, from Pakistans custody. In this context, Pakistan was asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 184 Indian fishermen, who have completed their sentence. In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the remaining 12 civilian prisoners in Pakistans custody, who are believed to be Indian, the external affairs ministry said. Pakistan was also requested to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen pending their release. Pakistans Foreign Office said in a readout issued in Islamabad that the Indian government was urged to release and repatriate all Pakistani prisoners and fishermen who had completed their sentences and whose national status had been confirmed. A request for grant of consular access to missing defence personnel of 1965 and 1971 wars, and special consular access to 77 civil prisoners has also been made, the readout added. The Indian side said it remains committed to addressing all humanitarian matters, including the issue of prisoners and fishermen. In this context, India urged Pakistan to expedite action to confirm the nationality of 65 believed-to-be Pakistani prisoners whose repatriation is pending. Since 2014, a total of 2,639 Indian fishermen and 67 civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan. This includes 478 fishermen and nine prisoners who were repatriated in 2023. India and Pakistan have not had any formal or sustained talks since they ended the so-called composite dialogue in the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which were carried out by a 10-member team of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a terror group based in Pakistan. The attacks killed 166 people and injured scores more. The political leadership of both sides made attempts to resume contact, though these efforts were derailed by a string of terror attacks based on Pakistan-based groups. India and Pakistan came close to hostilities following the 2019 Pulwama suicide attack that was blamed on the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). A series of back-channel contacts, primarily involving intelligence and security officials meeting in third countries, led to the revival of the ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) in February 2021. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists on the successful launch of maiden X-Ray satellite XPoSat to study black holes and neutron stars on Monday, the first day of the New Year 2024. ISRO's PSLV-C58 carrying an X-ray polarimeter satellite and 10 other satellites lifts off from the spaceport of Sriharikota(PTI) Hailing the launch as India's prowess in the space sector, Modi said, "A great start to 2024 thanks to our scientists! This launch is wonderful news for the space sector and will enhance India's prowess in this field. Best wishes to our scientists at @isro and the entire space fraternity in taking India to unprecedented heights. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Union home minister Amit Shah also commended the ISRO scientists saying that their might is India's pride. Brightening up the cosmos in pursuit of knowledge on the very first day of 2024 you have proven yet again that your might is our pride. Congratulations to our @isro scientists on the historic launch of specialized astronomy observatory satellite XPoSat to study black holes and neutron stars in our galaxy, he said in a post on X. The space agency in its first space mission of 2024, launched the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) which lifted-off at 9:10 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. ISR chief S Somanath while applauding the successful launch said, The New Year has begun with the launch of the PSLV, and we will have an exciting time ahead. On January 1, 2024, another successful mission of PSLV has been accomplished. PSLV-C58 has placed the primary satellite - XPoSat - in the intended orbit of 650 km with 6-degree inclination. He also said Raman Research Institute made the primary payload of the satellite, and the second payload was made by the Astronomy Group of URSC (U R Rao Satellite Centre). The PSLV-C58 rocket, in its 60th mission, successfully deployed payload XPoSat into Low Earth Orbit, said the ISRO. It is the first dedicated scientific satellite from the ISRO to carry out research in space-based polarisation measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources. The objective of the PSLV-C58 mission includes measuring polarisation of X-rays in the energy band 8-30 keV emanating from about 50 potential cosmic sources, to carry out long-term spectral and temporal studies of cosmic X-ray sources. The X-Ray polarisation serves as a crucial diagnostic tool for examining the radiation mechanism and geometry of celestial sources. Chief priest at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya Acharya Satyendra Das on Sunday took a dig at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray over his remarks that he has not been invited for the consecration ceremony of the Ram Lala saying the invitations have been sent only to those who are devotees of Lord Ram. Chief Priest of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, Acharya Satyendra Das(ANI) Read here: Uddhav says he does not need an invitation to go to Ram Temple: 'Those who pulled Babri Masjid down' Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "Invitations are only extended to those who are devotees of Lord Ram. It is totally wrong to say that the BJP is fighting in the name of Lord Ram, our PM is respected everywhere. He has done immense work under his tenure. This is not politics. This is his devotion," Acharya Das said to news agency ANI. Amid the political tussle over the invitation, Thackeray said he did not need an invitation and could visit the temple town anytime. "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," Thackeray had said. Das also slammed Sena MP Sanjay Raut for allegedly insulting and dragging Lord Ram, saying he could not even realise that they were the ones who used to fight elections in the name of Lord Ram. "Sanjay Raut has so much pain that even he can't express that, they were the ones who used to fight elections in the name of Lord Ram. Those who believed in Lord Ram are in power; what nonsense is he talking about? He is insulting Lord Ram," Das said. Raut had earlier taken a jibe at the saffron party, saying that the BJP will seek votes in the name of Lord Ram ahead of the Lok Sabha elections scheduled to happen this year. "The PMO and government should shift base to Ayodhya. They will ask for votes only in Ram's name because they have done nothing else," Raut said. Invitation cards for the consecration ceremony have been sent out to over 7,000 guests, including 3,000 VVIPs including priests, donors and several politicians. Additionally, several tent cities are being developed in the temple town to accommodate thousands of devotees, who are expected to arrive for the pran pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla on January 22. Read here: Uddhav camp taunts BJP over Ayodhya buzz, says may declare Lord Ram as poll candidate Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22. He will perform the rituals in the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Temple at around 12.15 pm during the pran-pratishtha. The foundation stone of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, was laid by PM Modi on August 5, 2020. (With inputs from ANI) After placing X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite into an orbit of 650km with 6-degree inclination, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has lowered the launch vehicles fourth spent stage. It will be used as a platform for upcoming onboard experiments. ISRO launches XPoSAT on Monday.(ISRO) The PS4 stage is successfully brought down to a 350 km orbit, said ISRO in the mission update. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. After completing the primary objective of injecting the XPoSat into a 650km, 6 degree orbit, the PS4 stage underwent an orbit change, descending to a 350km, ~9.6-degree orbit through two restarts. Also read- PSLV-C58 XPoSat: India launches satellite to study black holes from Sriharikota The remaining propellant in the PS4 was safely disposed of using the Main engines, setting the stage for future atmospheric re-entry experiments. ISRO's PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) allows in-orbit scientific experiments using the spent PS4 stage as an orbital platform. Power requirements are met through Flexible Solar Panels and a 50Ah Li-ion battery in a tied configuration. Avionic systems manage Navigation, Guidance, Control, telecommands, and the Orbital Platform Attitude Control System, ensuring precise control for payload testing on the orbital platform, the space agency said. Experiments on PSLV Orbital Experimental Module .(ISRO) The experiments to be performed on POEM 1. Bellatrix Aerospace, based in Bengaluru, will test Rudra 0.3 HPGP, a green monopropellant thruster, and ARKA-200, a heater-less hollow cathode for Hall thrusters. 2. InspeCity Space Labs, located in Mumbai and incubated by IIT Bombay, will test the Green Impulse TrAnsmitter (GITA), a green bipropellant CubeSat propulsion unit. 3. TakeMe2Space from Hyderabad will test its Radiation Shielding Experimental Module (RSEM) designed to evaluate the effectiveness of Tantalum coating, enhancing CubeSat lifespan. 4. Thiruvananthapuram-based LBS Institute of Technology for Women contributed the Women Engineered Satellite (WESAT), measuring solar irradiance and UV Index. 5. KJ Somaiya Institute of Technology in Mumbai features BeliefSat-0, an amateur radio satellite, onboard POEM. 6. ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) has two payloads, the Fuel Cell Power System (FCPS) and Silicon-based High Energy Cell, onboard POEM. 7. The Ahmedabad-based Physical Research Laboratory has sent the Dust Experiment (DEX) on POEM, designed to measure interplanetary dust count. One of the experiments intended are, involves testing FCPS. Fuel cells function similarly to batteries, but they do not deplete or require recharging. They generate electricity and heat as long as fuel, such as hydrogen, is provided. ISRO's decision to test FCPS in the lower orbit aligns with a broader strategy to validate technologies crucial for the proposed Indian Space Station's success, reported India Today. The Indian Space Research Organisation or ISRO will welcome the New Year with the launch is Indias first dedicated polarimetry mission to study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions. The launch of X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite or XPoSAT, which would offer insights into celestial objects such as black holes onboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle rocket on Monday morning comes after the success of its Gaganyaan Test Vehicle D1 mission in October. The PSLV-C58 rocket, in its 60th mission, will carry primary payload XPoSat. The PSLV-C58 rocket will lift off at 9.10 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. ISRO XPoSat launch LIVE updates Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The PSLV-C58 rocket, in its 60th mission, will carry primary payload XPoSat and 10 other satellites to be deployed in low earth orbits. Four Indian space startups will launch their payloads to demonstrate microsatellite subsystems, thrusters or small engines that keep satellites in desired orbits, and radiation shield coating for satellites onboard the PSLV-C58 mission. Top points on ISRO's XPoSat launch Patna/Dehradun: What started as a routine investigation into the robbery at a Reliance Jewellery story in Dehradun on November 9 it was solved promptly with arrests the same month has pointed to the existence of a gang that focuses almost exclusively on gold and jewellery thefts, and which is run from the Beur jail in Bihar. Over the past five years, police say, the gang has been involved in the theft of at least 180kg of gold across five Hindi heartland states. Subodh Kumar Singh alias Dilip Singh was arrested in January 2018 with 15kg of gold the takings from a heist in a jewellery store in Patna district. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 1. A 7.4 magnitude earthquake was recorded off the coast of Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture. Japanese media has informed the relevant institutions of the country about this, Trend reports. The earthquake occurred at 16:10 local time. In addition to Ishikawa, authorities have issued a tsunami warning for Niigata, Toyama, Yamagata, Fukui and Hyogo prefectures. The wave height in the sea is expected to reach 5 meters. Evacuation of the population from the coastal zone has begun. For the first time in the last few years in Jammu and Kashmir, New Year celebrations were held in Srinagar's Lal Chowk area, where people in large numbers gathered at Lal Chowk to welcome the New Year. People gather to celebrate New Year's Eve at main city in Srinagar(AP) The Department of Tourism, Jammu and Kashmir had organized a musical event at Srinagar's Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower area). Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Hundreds of people gathered at the clock tower to participate in the New Year celebrations. They grooved to music at the iconic 'Ghanta Ghar' in joyous and celebratory atmosphere as the clock struck 00:00 hours. The locals as well as the tourists visiting Kashmir Valley attended the function and were extremely excited about the celebrations at the very famous clock tower in Srinagar. "I have come here to witness the celebration of the New Year. We have never seen this kind of celebration before. But this time we saw this and are here to see the celebration. We have never seen this kind of celebration at Lal Chowk. I am very happy, delighted and excited," Mohammad Yasin told ANI. Meanwhile, another local resident who witnessed the New Year celebrations, Taranum, said that the New Year celebrations are underway and here a musical event is being organised by the Tourism Departement. "Every year, these kinds of events are being held in Jammu and Kashmir but at Lal Chowk this is happening for the very first time. As the Centre says, 'Kashmir should be peaceful, and they want it to be peaceful.' But it also depends on the people of the valley how they take it, how they take this event. Like you are seeing, Lal Chowk is being decorated like a bride," she said. The tourists visiting the Kashmir Valley were also surprised to see celebrations being held at Srinagar's Clock Tower area. Srinagar Municipal Corporation Commissioner and CEO of Srinagar Smart City Ltd., Athar Aamir Khan, described the occasion as something the city has never seen before. "This is Srinagar Square, Lal Chowk right now! A city life never seen before. The celebration, the vibrancy like never before!" Athar Aamir Khan said in a post on X. "This is probably the biggest alibi to the transformation that Srinagar city has witnessed with the implementation of Srinagar Smart City (SMC) projects! Immensely proud of my Srinagar Smart City and SMC team for making this happen! Happy New Year!," the municipal commissioner added. Earlier, on New Year's Eve, people were seen dancing and singing at Lal Chowk in Srinagar as they welcomed the year 2024. Jammu and Kashmir's Gulmarg town in Baramulla district also witnessed the New Year's Eve celebration amid laser shows and dance performances. Meanwhile, other cities across the country also welcomed the new year with lavish celebrations and joy. The spanking new and highly capable guided missile destroyer INS Imphal will enable the Indian Navy to confront challenges in distant seas, including Chinas carefully calculated power play for influence in the Indo-Pacific, defending the rules-based international order, the Arabian Sea emerging as a new front with Red Sea tensions escalating and counterpiracy in the Gulf of Aden, officials aware of the matter said. Anti-submarine rocket launchers seen from the destroyers bridge. (Rahul Singh/HT photo) Its sister ship, INS Mormugao, is among the five frontline warships that the navy has deployed in the Arabian Sea in the face of rising threats, including the recent attacks on two India-bound merchant vessels (MV) by Iran-backed Houthi rebels and the resurgence of piracy, the officials said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. That the navy will play a critical role in the region was amply evident when defence minister Rajnath Singh on December 26 warned those behind the attacks on MV Chem Pluto and MV Saibaba, saying India will hunt them down even from the depths of the ocean. In response to these incidents, the navy has substantially enhanced the surveillance effort in central and northern Arabian Sea and augmented force levels, the navy said in a statement on Sunday. Task groups comprising destroyers and frigates have been deployed to undertake maritime security operations and render assistance to merchant vessels in case of any incident. Aerial surveillance has been enhanced too, it added. INS Imphal and INS Mormugao have been built under the 35,000-crore Project-15B class of four guided missile destroyers. INS Visakhapatnam and INS Mormugao were commissioned into service in 2021 and 2022, and Surat, the fourth one, is under construction at the Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd and is expected to join the naval fleet next year. As INS Imphal prepares for operational deployment to further boost the navys readiness in the vast strategic expanse, HT gets you upclose with the crew whose job is to ensure that the destroyer is battle ready at all times. Captain Kamal Kumar Choudhury, Commanding Officer: Commissioned into the navy in 1998, Choudhury is the man with the overall responsibility of the warship. The 46-year-old led the commissioning crew that put the destroyer through its paces for a year before it was commissioned on December 26. His immediate focus will be on conducting trials of the Barak-8 medium range surface-to-air missile system, aviation trials and integrating INS Imphal with the navys Western Fleet. All other weapons and systems were fully tested before the warships commissioning, including the extended-range BrahMos supersonic surface-to-surface missile and Varunastra heavy-weight torpedoes. He is a gunnery and missiles specialist. Commander Zorawar Singh, Executive Officer: He is Choudhurys second-in-command. Singh, 37, is the principal warfare officer of the destroyer and oversees its fighting capabilities in all four domains air, surface, underwater and electronic. The warships modern weapon-sensor fit, coupled with its advanced network-centric capabilities, makes it a potent combat platform for fleet operations. The destroyer is equipped with weapons and systems that can take down any kind of aerial threat, has the capability to carry out long-range surveillance and engagement of surface and land targets, and can attack submarines with torpedoes and rockets. Singhs other responsibilities include the warships day-to-day functioning, discipline and morale. Lieutenant Commander Anshu Bhau, Navigating Officer: His charter is twofold: navigation and operations. Bhau handles the navigation of the warship on the high seas, and its movement in and out of the harbour. His job includes supervising the operations room and extracting information on all four dimensions, collating it, summarising and putting it up to the executive officer for further action. A second-generation navy officer, the 33-year-old is from Jammu and was commissioned into service in 2013. Capability-wise, the destroyer is on a par with the worlds most advanced warships, he said. Lieutenant Commander Manjit Kumar, Signal Communications Officer: He is the link to the outside world, responsible for sending and receiving all communication to and from the headquarters, other warships, aircraft and the maritime operations centre. Ensuring the security of communication falls under the 30-year-olds domain. He is also a second-generation navy officer. Lieutenant Commander Salik Imam, Senior Engineer Officer: He looks after the operation and maintenance of all machinery on board, including propulsion, power generation and auxiliary equipment, including fire-fighting systems and water pumps. The warship has a sophisticated integrated platform management system that amalgamates and automates all machinery, power management and damage control functions on board. Imam is 35 and hails from Gaya in Bihar. Surgeon Lieutenant Commander Chaitanya Jha, Principal Medical Officer: He oversees the medical facility on board the warship with two beds and an operating table. The facility is equipped with life-saving equipment and medicine chests are stocked to last at least six months. The warship has an integrated telemedicine facility with a direct satellite link to the naval command hospital INHS Asvini in Mumbai. This will allow him to seek the opinion of super specialists for treating personnel on the high seas. Sub Lieutenant Anjali Mohapatra, Deputy Logistics Officer: She must ensure that the destroyer doesnt run out supplies and is fully equipped at all times to perform the assigned mission from food to fuel and spares to clothing, Her role is critical as the destroyer will sail out for extended deployments with a crew of 360, including 20 women. The 24-year-old officer is currently the only woman serving on board, and the first woman to be part of a warships commissioning crew. The navy is set to assign women sailors to INS Imphal in February-March 2024. It is the first warship with separate accommodation for women officers and sailors. It has berthing facilities for eight women officers and 12 Agniveers. BHUBANESWAR: A woman in Odishas Khordha district died by suicide on Monday, a day after her husband succumbed to burn injuries sustained following an explosion when he was working on the air-conditioner at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar on December 29, people familiar with the matter said. Police said the woman, who died by suicide on Monday, had been married for two years (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Police said the woman is suspected to have died by suicide at her house in Nuagaon village under Khordha districts Jatni area. Her husband, Dilip Samantaray, an air-conditioning mechanic, sustained 80% burns due to a short circuit followed by an explosion in an air-conditioner at Bhubaneswars Hi-Tech Medical College and Hospital. He was engaged in maintenance work of air-conditioners installed at the hospital. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Police said the woman was at her fathers house in Janis Nuagaon on Monday when she died by suicide in her room. The couple had been married for two years. Two other workers, who suffered 50% burn injuries in the explosion, are being treated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep, and Kerala for two days on January 2, the PM said on Monday. During his visit to the southern states and union territory, Modi will attend programs and inaugurate various developmental projects. Prime Minister Narendra Modi (ANI ) Over the next two days, I will be attending various programmes in Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep and KeralaI look forward to being among the people of Lakshadweep. Development works worth Rs. 1150 crore would either be inaugurated or their foundation stones would be laid. These works include projects relating to better internet connectivity, ensuring clean drinking water supply, solar energy, healthcare, and more, PM Modi wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Here is PM Modi's detailed schedule for the next two days - PM Modi in Tamil Nadu Modi will reach Tamil Nadu on January 2 where he will attend the 38th convocation ceremony of Bharathidasan University in Tiruchirappalli and give awards to the students and address them. He will then inaugurate the new terminal building at the Tiruchirappalli International Airport, which is being developed at a cost of over 11,00 crore, an official release said. The two-level new building can serve more than 44 lakh passengers annually and about 3,500 passengers during peak hours. The PM will also dedicate several railway projects to the nation including - the doubling of 41.4 Km SalemMagnesite JunctionOmalurMettur Dam section; the doubling of rail line section of 160 Km from Madurai - Tuticorin; three projects for rail line electrification viz Tiruchchirappalli- Manamadurai- Virudhunagar; Virudhunagar Tenkasi Junction; Sengottai Tenkasi Junction - Tirunelveli- Tiruchendur. He will also inaugurate five road sector projects and a road development project. The road sector projects are - 39 km four-lane road for the Trichy-Kallagam section of NH-81; 60 km long 4/2-laning of the Kallagam-Meensurutti section of NH-81; 29 km four-lane road of Chettikulam-Natham section of NH-785; 80 km long two lanes with paved shoulder of Karaikudi-Ramanathapuram section of NH-536; and 44 km long four laning of section of NH-179A Salem-Tirupattur-Vaniyambadi Road. The road development project includes - the construction of a 31 km long stretch of four-lane road from Mugaiyur to Marakkanam of NH 332A. Modi will inaugurate the General Cargo Berth-II (Automobile Export/Import Terminal-II & Capital Dredging Phase-V) of Kamarajar Port and lay the foundation stone of important Petroleum and Natural Gas projects worth more than 9,000 crore, and the Demonstration Fast Reactor Fuel Reprocessing Plant (DFRP) at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) in Kalpakkam. Apart from these, he will also inaugurate the 500-bed boys hostel AMETHYST of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Tiruchirappalli. PM Modi in Lakshadweep During his visit to Lakshadweep, Modi will lay the foundation stone of development projects worth over 1,150 crore. According to the official release, the PM will inaugurate the Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fiber Connection (KLI - SOFC) project in a move to resolve the challenge of slow internet speed in the union territory. He will also inaugurate the Low-Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plant at Kadmat, which will produce 1.5 lakh liters of clean drinking water every day, and the Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) in all households of Agatti and Minicoy islands. Other projects which are dedicated to Nation include the solar power plant at Kavaratti, which is the first-ever battery-backed solar power project of Lakshadweep. Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the renovation of Primary Health Care facility in Kalpeni and the construction of five model Anganwadi Centres (Nand Ghars) in the five islands of Androth, Chetlat, Kadmat, Agatti and Minicoy, the release said. The PM will conclude his visit on January 3 in Kerala. Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday inaugurated the first all-girls sainik school at Vrindavan and termed it as a beacon of light for girls who aspire to join the armed forces and protect the motherland. Defence minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the first all-girls sainik school at Vrindavan on Monday(X/@rajnathsingh) According to the defence ministry, Samvid Gurukulam Girls Sainik School, the first all-girls sainik school with a strength of about 870 students, has been inaugurated under the initiative of establishing 100 new sainik schools in partnership with NGOs/private/state government schools in all states/Union territories. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. These are in addition to the existing 33 sainik schools already functioning under the erstwhile pattern, the ministry said in a statement. "Samvid Gurukulam Girls Sainik School is a beacon of light for girls who aspire to join the Armed Forces and serve the motherland. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has given women their rightful place in the Armed Forces, which was neglected for years," the defence minister said on the occasion. "They (girls) have the right to protect the nation just like their male counterparts. It was a golden moment in the history of women empowerment when we approved the admission of girls to sainik schools. Today, our women are not only flying fighter jets, they are also securing the borders," he said. Speaking about the importance of Mathura, he said that the sages of India have considered the global society as one family. "There is happiness in the name of Lord Krishna. Therefore, my mind is pleased in this city of Krishna," he stated. Singh said that in Vrindavan, even foreigners feel the divine presence and many of them settle down here. "They find peace in Vrindavan by worshipping Lord Krishna and Radha Rani. Even rickshaw pullers here greet with 'Radhe-Radhe'. 'Radhe-Radhe' is ingrained in the people's lives here. The military school here is not opened by me but on the orders of Radha-Krishna," the defence minister said. Singh had, in 2019, approved admission of girl children to sainik schools from academic session 2021-22 in a phased manner. The decision was taken following the success of the pilot project started by the defence ministry in Sainik School Chhingchhip in Mizoram. The objectives behind the vision of setting up of 100 new sainik schools are to provide quality education to the students in tune with the National Education Policy 2020 and give them better career opportunities, including joining the armed forces, the statement said. It also gives an opportunity to the private sector to work hand-in-hand with the government towards nation building by refining today's youth to become responsible citizens of tomorrow, it said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and senior officials of the state government were among those present during the inauguration of Samvid Gurukulam Girls Sainik School, Vrindavan. The defence minister who also attended a programme of 'Shasthi Purti Mahotsav' of Sadhvi Ritambhara organised in Vatsalya Gram Vrindavan, said she made a significant contribution in the Ram Temple movement. "Receiving the blessings of saints on the first day of the year is a matter of great fortune. Didi Ma (referring to Ritambhara) made a significant contribution during the Ram Temple movement. She has considered society as her family," he said. It is among the oldest fault lines cleaving Indian society, yet the impact of caste on the worlds largest democratic exercise is insufficiently understood. Union home minister Amit Shah is renowned for his complex pre-poll mathematics. This time, the BJP has already made its play for the Yadav vote by appointing Mohan Yadav chief minister of Madhya Pradesh in December. Which makes the playing field far more complex for regional satraps such as Bihar CM and JDU chief Nitish Kumar. (PTI, ANI) As a key determinant of social patterns and personal behaviour, caste norms routinely seep into electoral preferences, and remain among the most potent forms of mass mobilisation, even as regional, gender and class variations increasingly add complexity to bloc-based analysis of caste and politics. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. 2024 will see the clash of two forms of caste-based mobilisation at the hustings. The Opposition, led by the 28-party Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), is attempting a reboot of 1990s-style politics with its bid for a nationwide caste census. In itself, this is a big step for the Congress, which spent decades resisting calls from the heartland for reservations for other backward classes (OBCs), doggedly refusing to move forward with the first backward classes commission report, and sitting on the Mandal Commission report for years before Janata Dal founder VP Singh, as head of the short-lived National Front coalition government, implemented it in 1990. Heading into a general elections now, the Oppositions hope is that the promise of a caste census such an exercise has only been conducted in Bihar so far, and it showed that OBCs formed 63% of the state population, prompting the government to expand reservations in that state to 75% will help erode a chunk of the Bharatiya Janata Partys support among OBCs and Scheduled Castes (SCs), because implicit in the promise of a caste census is the promise of a hike in the quantum of reservation. But beyond symbolism, and the consequent salve in the bitter relationship that the principal opposition party shares with some regional outfits that owe their rise and political constituency to the backward classes churn, the electoral dividends such a strategy can hold remain unclear. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is trying a completely different tack. Over the past decade, it has built a rainbow alliance of Hindu castes, built on the promise of welfare for all, Hindutva ideology and overall economic growth with Prime Minister Narendra Modis popularity acting as the glue that holds it all together. The BJP recognised that the caste census was a tricky issue especially in Bihar, the cradle of Mandal politics and adopted a cautious position at first, focussing on procedural critiques of the exercise instead of rejecting the idea outright. Since then, its strategy has become a bit clearer. Modi has sought to redefine the paradigm by saying that only four castes matter to him: the farmers, the poor, the young, and women. Not since Indira Gandhi, with her Garibi Hatao slogan, has a PM held such personal appeal that they could afford to reject the conventional caste paradigm. Yet, undergirding this new strategy is likely to be a carefully calibrated plan of holding on to the non-dominant OBCs and SCs with a mix of welfare and historical symbolism (after all, it was the BJP that realised that these blocs were a potent electoral force that felt ignored under the dominance of larger groups in these caste brackets) while bolstering support among its traditional support base, the upper castes. Additionally, the BJP holds a hidden wildcard: the as-yet-unreleased Rohini Commission report on sub-categorisation of OBCs, which could upend caste-based politics by drastically curbing the dominance of large groups. All of which, in the coming months, will boil down to four key factors determining how the pre-election landscape evolves. First, electoral promises dont automatically translate into political dividends. In the five recent state elections, for instance, the caste census was barely a factor. Even in the 1990s, the churn stoked by the Mandal Commission was first social, and only then political. Grassroots leaders and social activists worked on the ground for years before OBCs started voting as a bloc. In this quest, regional specificities will matter. For example, the south is far ahead of the north in sub-categorising OBC and SC brackets, and this gives rise to a new kind of politics. And in states such as Bengal and Bihar, the BJP has often made an issue of Muslim groups being offered a chunk of the OBC quota. Second, the behaviour of dominant castes that influence play in the Hindi heartland will be crucial. If the 2019 narrative was all about non-dominant OBCs and SCs carving out their own political space and moving to the BJP, 2024 may well be about what the Yadavs and Jatavs do in this key region. The BJP has already made a play for the Yadav vote which has long been the base of support for the Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal, in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Bihar respectively by appointing Mohan Yadav chief minister of Madhya Pradesh in December. After bleeding support and failing to find its footing among smaller SC groups, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will be keen to hold on to the Jatavs, one of the largest caste groups in UP. Whether this caste responds to the BJPs overtures on the lines of welfare and iconography might decide the balance of power in these states. The third key factor will be the role of upper castes. Despite their smaller numbers, such groups remain signal boosters of the electoral mood, and their continued dominance in the countryside makes them a powerful weapon. Given how the promise of quotas for economically weaker sections caused the upper-castes to rally behind the BJP in 2019, will the Oppositions caste-census rhetoric wipe out whatever scraps of support it enjoyed among these groups? Finally, the power of aspiration will loom large over voter choices. India is a young country, and lower-caste groups have large pools of young men and women looking to leave villages and small towns and make lives for themselves in larger cities. They are keen to shatter the fetters that caste puts on their aspirations. This is why reservations continue to hold allure, despite shrinking government job opportunities not because of their (now vanishing) economic benefits but because of what it represents socially (a defiance of caste strictures). Political parties will have to continuously rewire their messaging to keep pace with this restless, relentlessly ambitious young India. The Centre on Sunday dismissed the charges of discrimination after rejecting the Republic Day 2024 tableaux from Delhi, Punjab and West Bengal, saying that they didn't align with the "broader theme" of this year's celebratory parade. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann accused Centre of discrimination against the state's tableau for Republic Day. Clarifying why the tableaux were not included in the Republic Day 2024 parade, the Defence Ministry said the proposals from states and Union territories were reviewed by an "expert committee" of artistes from different industries, and there was no bias by the Centre. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The tableau proposal of Punjab was considered in the first three rounds of meetings of the expert committee, but was ultimately rejected for not aligning with the theme. West Bengal's sources were also rejected for the same reasons, reported news agency PTI citing the ministry sources. The expert committee for the examination of tableaux set up by the Centre consists of eminent persons in the fields of arts, culture, painting, music, architecture, choreography, sculpture and more. For Republic Day Parade 2024, 30 states/UTs had shown their willingness to participate in the parade including the State of Punjab and West Bengal, the sources said. Out of them, like every year, only 15-16 states/UTs will be finally selected to present their tableaux in the Republic Day Parade 2024, it added. The sources added that the states and UTs that are not selected for the Republic Day parade are being invited to showcase their tableaux in Bharat Parv at Red Fort, New Delhi from 23-31 January 2024, as part of inclusive celebrations. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's allegations Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann hit out at the BJP-led central government last week over the non-inclusion of the state's tableau for the Republic Day parade, alleging the Centre has discriminated against the states ruled by the Aam Aadmi Party. The Punjab CM said similar to last year, the Punjab tableau for Republic Day will not be included in the parade this year as well, showing the "poison" in the heart of the Centre for the people of Punjab. Mann and Delhi health minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said the reason why the Centre keeps "bothering" both Delhi and Punjab is because the governments are led by the AAP. (With inputs from ANI) New Delhi: The Central government on Monday declared Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar a designated terrorist. In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs said Satwinder Singh alias Satinderjit Singh alias Goldy Brar has been associated with the terrorist group Babbar Khalsa and was involved in multiple murders, arms and ammunition smuggling and fomenting radical ideology. Goldy Brar had taken responsibility for the murder of Indian rap star and Congress politician, Sidhu Moose Wala. Who is Goldy Brar? Goldy Brar had taken responsibility for the murder of Indian rap star and Congress politician, Sidhu Moose Wala. He said he got the star killed to avenge the murder of a student leader in Punjab in 2022. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Goldy Brar had moved to Canada in 2017 on a student visa. From there, he has been running his subversive activities, including ordering hits on opponents and extorting money from high net worth individuals. In May last year, he featured in Canada's most wanted list. He was in the 15th spot on the list, wanted for murder, conspiracy, illegal firearms trade and attempted murder. Goldy Brar is originally from Punjab's Muktsar. He is the son of a former Punjab police personnel. Also read: Goldy Brar declared 'terrorist' under UAPA; here's what Centre said on criminal When he moved to Canada, he had no major criminal case against him. There had been minor violence cases against him in Punjab, but he was acquitted in all of them. However, after reaching the country, he took over jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's operations. He allegedly runs contract killing and extortion rackets in India from Canada. He is wanted in over 50 cases of murder, attempt to murder and extortion. In 2022, an Interpol notice was issued against Goldy Brar. He later reportedly moved to the United States. He shot to limelight after he took the responsibility for the murder of Moose Wala. Also read: Goldy Brar: Punjab cops son is now Canadas most wanted According to the 1,850-page chargesheet filed in the Moose Wala murder case, Goldy Brar was the mastermind behind the killing. Brar claimed that he got Moose Wala killed to avenge the death of another student leader Vicky Middukhera. He is also accused of murdering Faridkot Youth Congress leader Gurlal Singh Bhullar alias Pehalwan, which police claimed he did to avenge the murder of his cousin Gurlal Brar. Brar is also accused of killing an accused in the 2015 Bargari sacrilege case. In March last year, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had charged him with having links with Babbar Khalsa International and Canada-based terrorist Lakhbir Singh. His father Shamsher Singh was an assistant sub-inspector in the Punjab police. Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan travelled to Switzerland with their two sons, Taimur Ali Khan and Jehangir Ali Khan (Jeh), for their annual year-end holidays. Kareena has been sharing snippets from her family vacation. The actor also gave a glimpse of her New Year celebrations. After welcoming 2024, Kareena posted mirror selfies featuring her, Saif, Taimur and Jeh. She chose an ethnic attire to ring in the New Year in Switzerland. Scroll down to check out her look and read our download on it. Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Taimur and Jeh celebrate New Year in Switzerland. (Instagram) Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Taimur and Jeh's New Year 2024 celebrations Kareena Kapoor posted two pictures on her Instagram stories. The first mirror selfie shows Saif fixing his bow tie as Kareena stands behind him and clicks the photo. "Are you ready? [white, red and black heart emojis] We are [rainbow and firecracker emojis]," she captioned the post. The second click shows Kareena clicking the photo as Saif poses in front of the mirror, Jeh looks adorably at his parents, and Taimur fixes his hair. "Framed [red and black heart emojis] 31 - 12 - 2023," she captioned her post. Check out their photos below. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Kareena wore a rust gold-coloured velvet salwar and pants set. While the kurta features intricate silver embroidery on the trims, a V neckline, full-length bell sleeves, a relaxed silhouette, and brocade patti work on the cuffs, the velvet palazzo pants have matching work and a flared hem. Kareena accessorised the ethnic ensemble with statement-making additions, including diamond earrings, a rose flower hair adornment, a solitaire ring, and embellished stilettos featuring high heels. Lastly, she chose red nail paint, smoky gold eye shadow, winged eyeliner, kohl-lined eyes, mascara on the lashes, red lip shade, darkened brows, rouge on the cheekbones, and a dewy base for the glam picks. A side-parted sleek bun gave her New Year bash look a finishing touch. Meanwhile, Kareena and Saif have visited Gstaad in the Swiss Alps as an annual New Year tradition. The family also spent some time in London around the Christmas week. A large number of tourists flocked to visit the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in the Kanchanjuri town of Nagaon district on New Year's Eve on Sunday. Massive crowds enjoyed Jeep Safari and were seen enjoying themselves with their families and friends at the picnic spots and parks near Kaziranga National Park. Kaziranga National Park is a protected area in the northeast Indian state of Assam. New Year's Eve: Tourists swarm Assam's Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve(File photo) Spread across the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River, its forests, wetlands and grasslands are home to tigers, elephants and the world's largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceroses. Meanwhile, tourists have started swarming popular tourist destinations across the country for New Year's weekend. (Also read: Tourists flock to witness last sunrise of the year in Kanyakumari ) Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Himachal Pradesh welcomed tourists with clear skies and good weather. A large number of tourists thronged to the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh ahead of the New Year. While other North Indian states are engulfed in fog, Himachal Pradesh is witnessing clear skies and pleasant weather conditions. The tourists were seen rushing to skate at Kufri. Tourists also thronged Kanyakumari to witness the last sunrise of the year in one of the most popular tourist destinations and pilgrimage centres in Tamil Nadu on the eve of the New Year. Located at the southernmost tip of the Indian subcontinent and the southernmost city in mainland India, it is referred to as 'The Land's End' and is famous for its unique sunrise and sunset points. Meanwhile, in the national capital, Delhi Police conducted a vehicle check in various parts of the city as security ahead of New Year's celebrations. Major checks were conducted in places like Connaught Place, and Aurobindo Marg among other major marketplaces that are the centres of attraction for occasions like New Year's eve 2024 celebrations. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 1. In order to reduce the negative effects of tourism, the volume of tourist groups that will visit the city of Venice will be reduced. Trend informs with reference to "Euronews" that this was stated in the statement of the city administration of Venice. In the statement, it was emphasized that tourist groups that will visit Venice from June can consist of a maximum of 25 people. In addition, it was mentioned that the use of loudspeakers will be prohibited during the tour of the city by tourist groups. It should be noted that the UN cultural agency has twice discussed the issue of including Venice in the list of endangered heritage sites of UNESCO. In those discussions, the negative effects of tourism on the city were highlighted as the main factor. Tourists have started flocking to witness the last sunrise of the year in Kanyakumari, one of the most popular tourist destinations and pilgrimage centres in Tamil Nadu, on Sunday, New Year's eve. Located at the southernmost tip of the Indian subcontinent and the southernmost city in mainland India, it is referred to as 'The Land's End' and is famous for its unique sunrise and sunset points. Tourists say the sunset at Kanyakumari looks ethereal, with an orange background and the sound of the waves hitting the rocks. Renowned for its distinctive sunrise and sunset viewpoints, Kanyakumari holds a reputation for being the southernmost city on the subcontinent.(Unsplash) Others say it's a breathtaking experience, with the setting sun against a bright blue sky and blue waters. The other sources of attraction at the destination include the 41-metre (133 ft) Thiruvalluvar Statue and Vivekananda Rock Memorial off the coast. Policemen have been deployed for protection and to guide the tourists who have arrived at Kanyakumari to enjoy the sunset. Similarly, on the eve of the new year in Kanyakumari, the District Superintendent of Police has warned that if the youth disturb the traffic in two-wheelers in the name of Reels, their licence will be revoked. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The District Superintendent of Police in Kanyakumari has issued a warning on the eve of the new year that youths who cause traffic disturbances while riding two-wheelers while making 'reels' will have their licence revoked. With just a few hours remaining for the New Year's Eve celebration, cities nationwide have devised traffic advisories for revellers to brave and beat the road congestion. State police have also deployed personnel to prevent untoward incidents amid the celebration. The Delhi Traffic Police have issued their traffic advisory for New Year's Eve celebrations in the national capital well in advance. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the police wrote, "Naye saal par nahi karna mix drink and drive...Naye saal mein safely karo apne ghar mein arrive," (Don't mix drink and drive in the new year and arrive safely at your home). "The deployment will be at important locations like Connaught Place, India Gate, Aerocity, Qutub Minar, Greater Kailash, Saket Mall, Netaji Subhash Place, Mukherjee Nagar area, Vasant Kunj Mall, EDM Mall, Pacific Mall, Champa Gali, Hudson lane, Hauz Khas and other crowded places," added the police. China's President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulations with U.S. President Joe Biden on the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Monday. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China by Mao Zedong. (Reuters/File) Xi, in his message, said both countries have "weathered the storms and moved forward in general", which has enhanced the well-being of their peoples and contributed to world peace, stability and prosperity, according to the ministry statement. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Xi called China and U.S. forming ties "a major event" in the history of bilateral relations and in international relations. China-U.S. ties have been frosty but Biden administration officials have visited Beijing and met with their counterparts to rebuild communications and trust in the months leading up to a high-stakes summit between Xi and Biden in San Francisco in November, deemed an opportunity to cool tensions between the world's two largest economies. Xi said the summit has pointed out the direction for both nations' ties, under a future-oriented vision. "I am willing to work with President Biden to continue to steer and navigate the China-U.S. relationship for the benefit of China and the U.S. and the two peoples, and to promote the cause of world peace and development," Xi said. The U.S. is due its presidential election in November, in which former president and outspoken critic of China Donald Trump is campaigning against Biden to come back for a second term. NEW YEAR'S WISHES Xi also exchanged New Year's messages with North Korea leader Kim Jong Un, and both announced 2024 to be a "friendship year" for both countries, launching a series of activities for that, the Chinese foreign ministry said separately. Xi said China is willing to work with North Korea to deepen strategic mutual trust, enhance exchanges and cooperation, promote greater bilateral ties and make new contributions to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region. On New Year's Eve, the Chinese leader exchanged greetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin as well. This year is the 75th anniversary of China and Russia establishing diplomatic relations. Russia's economic reliance on China has grown as the country becomes increasingly isolated, hit by sanctions especially from Western countries since its invasion of Ukraine, a war which will enter its third year come February. Xi said China and Russia should "continuously consolidate" and develop ties "featuring permanent good-neighbourly friendship", along with comprehensive strategic coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation that would serve both countries' interests. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China by Mao Zedong, who defeated Republic of China forces led by Chiang Kai-shek in a bloody civil war. Mao declared the People's Republic of China on Oct. 1, 1949, while Chiang's government fled into exile in Taiwan in December of that year. No peace treaty has ever been signed to end the war and the Republic of China remains Taiwan's formal name. Xi said in his New Year's address on Sunday that China's "reunification" with Taiwan is inevitable, striking a stronger tone than he did a year earlier with less than two weeks to go before the democratically governed island elects a new leader. New Delhi: Sri Lanka has informed India that it will not allow any Chinese research vessel to dock at its ports or operate within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for a period of one year, people aware of the matter said on Sunday. Chinese Scientific Research Vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3 was to conduct deep water exploration in Sri Lankan and Maldivian waters from January 5 to May 2024. The move comes close on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging President Ranil Wickremesinghe to respect Indian strategic and security concerns during their meeting on July 21, 2023. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The declared moratorium was conveyed to India through apex diplomatic channels last week, the people cited above added. This means that Chinese scientific research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3, which was scheduled to conduct deep water exploration in the south Indian Ocean from January 5, 2024, to late May, will not be granted a clearance by Sri Lankan authorities. China has also asked the current pro-Beijing Mohammed Muizzu regime in Maldives to let the 4,600-tonne Xiamen-based vessel conduct a survey off the coast of Male. The Wickremesinghe government notified the one-year moratorium last week after India and the US red-flagged Colombo entertaining Chinese scientific research vessels and ballistic missile trackers in the Indian Ocean and providing them logistical support, the people said. India had raised objections to Chinese research vessel Shi Yan 6 conducting a joint maritime survey with the Sri Lankan maritime agency in October-November, but Colombo allowed the vessel to dock at its seaport after Wickremesinghe visited Beijing for the 10the anniversary of Belt Road Initiative (BRI) on October 17-18. The research vessel reached Colombo on October 25, and crossed the Malacca Straits on December 2. The objections to both Shi Yan 6, which was expected to be back in Sri Lanka around March, and Xiang Yang Hong 3, were conveyed to Wickremesinghe by top Indian diplomatic interlocutors, the people added. In the past, Chinese research ships, ballistic missile trackers and hydrographic vessels have entered the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and conducted deep surveys of the 90-degree ridge south of the Andamans and Nicobar Islands. For example, Deng Jiaxian, a Shupang-class hydrographic vessel, was deployed in IOR from August 10-24. The ship re-entered IOR through the Sunda Straits on August 28 and exited through the Lombok/Ombai Wetar Straits in early September 2023. On September 11, the same vessel was seen surveying the Philippines Sea. This year, at least 25 Chinese ships including PLA warships, submarines, ballistic missile trackers and research vessels operated in the IOR, much to the chagrin of India and the US. Since 2019, a total of 48 Chinese scientific research vessels have been deployed in IOR. Their generic area of activity has been near the east and west coastlines of India, and in the deep Indian Ocean. Denmark's Queen Margrethe II, who is Europe's longest-serving monarch, on Sunday said she would abdicate the throne on January 14 and that will she be succeeded by her eldest son Crown Prince Frederik. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark arrives for a State Banquet at Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen on November 6, 2023.(AFP) Margrethe, who ascended the throne in 1972, has reigned for 52 years and has been Europe's only reigning queen after the death of Britain's Elizabeth II. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. She made the surprise announcement on live TV during her traditional New Year's Eve speech which is viewed by many, according to Reuters. In two weeks time I have been Queen of Denmark for 52 years. Such an amount will leave its mark on anybody also on me! The time takes its toll, and the number of ailments increases. One cannot undertake as much as one managed in the past, the queen said. Referring to a successful back operation she underwent in February, she said, "The surgery naturally gave rise to thinking about the future - whether the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation". Queen Margrethe II of Denmark gives a New Year's speech from Christian IX's Palace, Amalienborg Castle, in Copenhagen, Denmark, on December 31, 2023.(AFP) "I have decided that now is the right time. On 14 January 2024 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father I will step down as queen of Denmark," she said. I leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik. She further thanked the people of Denmark for the overwhelming warmth and support. Thank you to the changing governments with whom the collaboration always has been rewarding, and thank you to The Parliament, who have always vested their confidence in me. Thank you to the many, many people who on special occasions and in everyday life have embraced me and my family with kind words and thoughts, turning the years into a string of pearls, she added. Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen thanked the queen for her life-long dedication to duty. "It is still difficult to understand that the time has now come for a change of throne," Frederiksen said in a statement, adding that many Danes had never known another monarch. "Queen Margrethe is the epitome of Denmark and throughout the years has put words and feelings into who we are as a people and as a nation," she said. In Denmark, formal power resides with the elected parliament and its government. The monarch is expected to stay above partisan politics, representing the nation with traditional duties ranging from state visits to national day celebrations. Who is Queen Margrethe II? Born in 1940 to Denmark's former monarch King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid, Margrethe became Queen of Denmark in 1972. According to Reuters, She is also known for her love of archaeology and has taken part in several excavations. In 1967, she married French diplomat Henri de Laborde de Monpezat, who served as her royal consort until his death in 2018. The couple's two sons are Crown Prince Frederik, who will become King Frederik X, and Prince Joachim. Frederik married Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, an Australian, in 2004. In Denmark, formal power resides with the elected parliament and its government. The monarch is expected to stay above partisan politics, representing the nation with traditional duties ranging from state visits to national day celebrations. A powerful earthquake struck central Japan on Monday, triggering warnings for residents to evacuate some areas on its west coast, destroying buildings, knocking out power to thousands of homes, and disrupting travel to the region. Badly damaged buildings along a street in the city of Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture. (AFP) The quake with a magnitude of 7.6 triggered waves of around 1 meter along parts of the Sea of Japan coast, with authorities saying larger waves could follow. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) registered over a dozen earthquakes in the Japan Sea near the Ishikawa coast and surrounding prefectures shortly after 4 pm. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued tsunami warnings for the coastal prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama. A major tsunami warning the first since the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan was initially issued for Ishikawa but later downgraded. A fire occurred following an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, (AP) Several houses have been destroyed, and army units have been dispatched to help with rescue operations, top government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters, adding that authorities were still assessing the extent of the damage. More strong quakes in the area, where seismic activity has been simmering for more than three years, could occur over the coming days, JMA official Toshihiro Shimoyama said. Damages There have been reports of at least 30 collapsed buildings in Wajima, Japan-based NHK reported, citing the city's fire department. People stand next to large cracks in the pavement after evacuating into a street in the city of Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture on January 1, 2024, after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture. (AFP) Government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi reported damage to at least six homes, trapping people inside. The Japanese government said it was still assessing the extent of damage caused and whether there had been any casualties from the quake. The quake also jolted buildings in Japan's capital Tokyo, some 500 km from Wajima on the opposite coast. More than 36,000 households had lost power in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures, utilities provider Hokuriku Electric Power said. A collapsed house following an earthquake is seen in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture. (Reuters) High-speed rail services to Ishikawa have been suspended while telecom operators Softbank and KDDI reported phone and internet service disruptions in Ishikawa and Niigata, according to their websites. Moreover, Japanese airline ANA turned back planes headed to airports in Toyama and Ishikawa. At the same time, Japan Airlines cancelled most of its services to Niigata and Ishikawa regions and authorities said one of Ishikawa's airports was closed. Even several major highways were closed around the epicentre, Japan's road operator said, and Shinkansen bullet train services were also suspended between Tokyo and the epicentre in Noto. A torii gate is damaged after an earthquake at a shrine in Kanazawa, Ishikawa prefecture, (AP) As of now, there are no confirmed reports of deaths or injuries resulting from the earthquakes, and the situation remains unclear. Japan's military is actively participating in rescue efforts, according to Hayashi. The region has experienced more than a dozen significant earthquakes, posing risks of landslides and the collapse of houses, as per the agency's observations. (With inputs from AP, Reuters) Tokyo: Japan's meteorological agency has warned its population to be vigilant for the next two-three days about earthquakes with seismic intensity of 7. The warning comes after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake shook the island nation and triggered tsunamis that reportedly reached the shore in some areas. The Japanese authorities have issued the warning for areas like Ishikawa, Nigata, Nagano and Toyama prefectures. A collapsed house following an earthquake is seen in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan January 1, 2024, in this photo released by Kyodo.(Reuters) On Monday, a four-feet-high tsunami wave hit the town of Wajima, located about 300 km from Tokyo. The government has asked the people to run to higher ground and keep away from the coast. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The government said a tsunami with a deadly height of 5 meters could hit Ishikawa. The earthquake appears to have damaged houses in these areas and triggered a power outage. Bullet train services were halted in central and eastern Japan after the quake. NHK said the tsunami waves could keep returning. A tsunami wave could hit Nigata on the western coast of Japan. It could be up to the height of 3 metres. North Korea and Russia could also face tsunamis reaching up to 3 feet. More than 36,000 households lost power in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures, utilities provider Hokuriku Electric Power said. As of now, no irregularities have been seen at nuclear power plants in and around the affected region. Hokuriku's Shika plant in Ishikawa, which was located the closest to the quakes epicentre, had already halted its two reactors before the quake for regular inspection and saw no impact from the quake. In 2011, 20,000 people were killed after a powerful earthquake and tsunami hit Japan's northeastern region. They also triggered a nuclear meltdown in the Fukushima plant. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on NHK that the extent of the damage was being assessed by the authorities and people should brace for more earthquakes. With inputs from Reuters, AFP, AP Pakistan's counterterrorism police said Monday they arrested nearly two dozen members of the outlawed militant group, the Pakistani Taliban, which has been behind several deadly attacks across the country. Baluchistan has been a scene of low-level insurgency by Baluch nationalists for more than two decades. (AP) Acting on intelligence information, the arrests were made in the eastern Punjab province over the past two weeks, the provincial Counterterrorism Department said in a statement. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, is a separate group but allied with the Afghan Taliban, who seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021 as U.S. and NATO troops were in the final stages of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war. The statement also said that Mohammad Arshad, an alleged chief commander of the banned Baluch Nationalist Army which mostly operates in southwestern Baluchistan province, was arrested. Baluchistan has been a scene of low-level insurgency by Baluch nationalists for more than two decades. They initially wanted a bigger share of the provincial resources, but later initiated an insurgency for independence. TTP and other domestic militant groups also operate in the province. Ukraine's shelling of the city of Donetsk in early New Year's Day hours killed four people, a Russian-installed official in the eastern region of Ukraine said, while Ukrainian officials said at least one person was killed in Russia's air attack on Odesa. Local residents inspect damages outside an apartment building after the overnight Russian drones attack in Kharkiv, December 31, 2023. (AFP) Fourteen people were also injured in "heavy shelling" by Ukrainian forces on the centre of Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, the Russian-appointed head of the broader Donetsk region of which the Donetsk city is the administrative centre, wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. At least one person was killed in Russia's drone attack on the Ukrainian southern port of Odesa, Oleh Kiper, governor of the Odesa region that encompasses the city of Odesa, said on Telegram. Kiper said that Ukraine's air defence systems were engaged in repelling the drone attack, but the falling debris caused several fires in residential buildings in different parts of the city, also injuring several people. Also Read | Polls at north and south around the world: Looking forward into 2024 A social media video, posted by Odesa Mayor Henadii Trukhanov, shows him inspecting a damaged apartment with broken windows. "They say that how you welcome the New Year is how you will live the year," Trukhanov said in a post. "Well, this year Ukraine will break this rule: we will persevere and we will win. Ukraine's air force said that Russia's air attack also targeted the Mykolaiv and Dnipro regions. Reuters could not independently verify the Russian and Ukrainian reports. Both sides deny targeting civilians in the war that started with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed in his New Year's address Sunday to wreak "wrath" against Russian forces in 2024, despite what he said were attempts to "undermine" support for Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kharkiv, Ukraine on November 30.(AP) His message came less than 72 hours 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. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "Next year, the enemy will feel the wrath of domestic production," Zelenskyy said in his televised address, which featured clips of Ukrainian artillery and fighter jets. Ukraine will have at least "a million" additional drones in its arsenal next year, Zelenskyy 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, "So that our enemies can certainly see what our real wrath is." With the war now entering its third calendar year, Zelenskyy has urged his Western allies to keep up support amid increasing signs of fatigue with the conflict. "Ukrainians are stronger than any intrigues, any attempts to diminish global solidarity, to undermine the coalition of our allies," Zelenskyy cautioned in his message. 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. Russian President Vladimir Putin did not broach the war in Ukraine during his New Year's Eve address, which was noticeably scaled back compared to last year's. Former President Bill Clinton will be identified as John Doe 36 in court documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. A federal judge has ordered that the identities of more than 150 people connected to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell be publicly disclosed earlier this week. Former President Bill Clinton arrives for a tribute service for former first lady Rosalynn Carter, at Glenn Memorial Church, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in Atlanta (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)(AP) The people whose names are to be disclosed include abuse victims, litigation witnesses, Epsteins employees, and people with just a passing connection to the scandal. All of these people can appeal the order, signed by Judge Loretta A. Preska, by January 1, 2024. The names were mentioned in Epsteins lawsuit. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. How is Bill Clinton involved in the Epstein scandal? Clinton is mentioned over 50 times across the documents. His name is possibly linked to a 2015 lawsuit from Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, according to ABC News. Many of the references are possibly related to Giuffre attempting to convince him to testify against Epstein and Maxwell. Clinton is also believed to have been mentioned in connection with both Maxwell and Giuffre to make Epstein come clean back in 2016. He is not believed to be involved in any illegal activity as per the documents. Epstein allegedly sexually assaulted multiple teenage girls. Some of his victims were as young as 14 years old, prosecutors have said. He committed the crimes at his homes in Manhattan; Palm Beach, Florida; and his private island near St. Thomas. In 2019, federal prosecutors charged him with one count of sex trafficking conspiracy and one count of sex trafficking with underage females. Epstein died by suicide in his Manhattan jail cell about a month after being arrested, and the charges against him were thus dropped. His partner Maxwell, who was also involved in the crimes, is now serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted in December 2021. She was accused of helping Epstein recruit and sexually abuse minor girls. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 1. 121 irregular migrants were nabbed during the "Kalkan-6" operation on New Year's Eve in Turkiyes Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir provinces, Trend reports. Inspections were carried out by police, gendarmerie, and coast guard teams in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir using 59 Mobile Migration Points vehicles. 5,179 individuals were checked at the migration points. Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who was accused of helping her boyfriend murder her abusive mother, has finally broken her silence on social media after being released from prison on parole on Thursday, December 28. Back in 2016, Blanchard pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. She admitted that she asked her boyfriend to fatally stab her mom, Dee Dee Blanchard, to death in her sleep. Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who was accused of helping her boyfriend murder her abusive mother, has finally broken her silence on social media after being released from prison on parole on Thursday, December 28 (gypsyrose_a_blanchard/Instagram) Im finally free Hey everyone, this is Gypsy, Im finally free. I just want to send a quick video to thank everyone for the massive amount of support that Ive been getting on social media. Everyone has been really, really nice and supportive. I really appreciate that. Its nice to be home. Im back home in Louisiana. Im enjoying a beautiful day outside. And Ive got a lot of really great things happening really soon, Blanchard said in a TikTok video, which she also posted on Instagram. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. She went on to remind her followers to watchThe Prison Confession of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, a three-episode docuseries that will be featured on Lifetime next week. She also said she has released an ebook titled Released: Conversations on the Eve of Freedom. Its not a rehashing of everything that happened, its more of my reflection of everything that Ive learned and experienced in the last eight and a half years, she said. In another video, she wished her supporters a happy new years eve. She said she was going to celebrate it with her husband, Chris Anderson, and her father and stepfather. So were looking to ring in the new year together and its going to be really awesome to have some family time after so long, she said. How Gypsy Rose Blanchard was abused by her mother Bhanchard, now 32, wassentenced to just ten years in prison after attorneys learned how she was abused by her mother. She experienced Munchausen syndrome by proxy, in which some kind of illness is faked, induced or exaggerated in a child by their caregiver. Dee Dee successfully convinced doctors and other people around her that Blanchard battled leukaemia and muscular dystrophy among other illnesses. Blanchard confessed that she was in the house when Nicholas Godejohn, her partner, stabbed Dee Dee to death. She admitted that she did nothing to stop the crime. Godejohn was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 2019 for the murder of Dee Dee. He confessed that he committed the crime only because Blanchard convinced him to, according to court filings, CNN reported. A member of Harvards student Honor Council said president Claudine Gay must resign after plagiarism allegations against her surfaced. The student accused the schools governing body of double standard one for Gay and the other for the students body. Gays getting off easy, the student wrote in a letter published anonymously in the Harvard Crimson. A truck with electronic panels drives along a street Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, near Harvard University, in Cambridge, Mass (AP Photo/Steven Senne)(AP) Lets compare the treatment of Harvard undergraduates suspected of plagiarism with that of their president, they wrote. When students my classmates, peers, and friends appear before the council, they are distraught. For most, it is the worst day of their college careers. For some, it is the worst day of their lives. They often cry. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. A complaint received by Harvard University on December 19, outlined more than 40 allegations of plagiarism against Gay. The new allegations were submitted to Harvard's research integrity officer, Stacey Springs. These included examples reported by the Washington Free Beacon and other outlets. A copy of the complaint reviewed by the Free Beacon revealed that Gay quoted or paraphrased authors without proper attribution, including missing quotation marks around phrases or sentences. Even entire paragraphs were lifted without any changes made. The entire list of examples include as many as seven of Gays publications, which is nearly half of her scholarly output. What is striking about the allegations of plagiarism against President Gay is that the improprieties are routine and pervasive, the letter said. The student added in the letter the school backed Gay and helped her correct the mistakes instead of forcing her to resign. That the Corporation considers her corrections an adequate response is not fair to undergraduates, who cannot simply submit corrections to avoid penalties, the student wrote. When my peers are found responsible for multiple instances of inadequate citation, they are often suspended for an academic year. When the president of their university is found responsible for the same types of infractions, the fellows of the Corporation unanimously stand in support of her, the letter said, referring to the Corporations statement about the row. While some backed Gay saying her plagiarism was unintentional, others called for her to step down from her position. A sober-minded assessment of the plagiarism charges indicates that Gays behavior constitutes plagiarism, but since the errors do not appear intentional, they do not warrant her resignation, the Harvard Crimsons editorial board wrote in an op-ed previously. Dismissing the arguments, the student said, While a single lifted paragraph could be blamed on a lapse in judgment, a pattern is more concerning. There is one standard for me and my peers and another, much lower standard for our Universitys president. The Corporation should resolve the double standard by demanding her resignation. People across the world ring in New Years Eve with Auld Lang Syne every year. While the song is in Scots language, the first verse and chorus are related to the New Year festival in English-speaking countries. Translated to English, the song literally means Old Long Since. If we interpret the words, it could mean since long ago or for old times sake. Revelers celebrate New Year's in Times Square on January 01, 2024 in New York City (Photo by Adam Gray / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP) The lyrics of the song are about old friends drinking and talking about adventures they have had in the past. However, the new year is not specifically mentioned. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The lyrics were penned by the national poet of Scotland, Robert Burns. While the song was written in 1788, the poem appeared in print only after his death in 1796. The poem was first published in volume five of James Johnsons Scots Musical Museum, according to Britannica. "'Auld Lang Syne' can be literally translated as 'Old Long Since,' but the literal English does not give a sense of what it means to a user of Scots, where it refers to a shared past underpinning the current relationships of a family, community or professional/social association," Professor Murray Pittock, a literary historian with the Centre for Robert Burns Studies at the University of Glasgow, told CBS News. "As such it is more evocative, nostalgic and communally unifying than any simple English equivalent." How was Auld Lang Syne created? "Burns said in one of the letters on view that he listened to an old man singing the song and that it had never been in print or in manuscript until he wrote it down from that old man singing," Christine Nelson, who once curated an exhibition on the song at the Morgan Library in Manhattan, told CBS News in 2012. According to Pittock, the song that Burns wrote can be traced back to Auld Kyndness Forgot, preserved in a 1568 manuscript. Some historians have claimed that Burns re-wrote the lyrics. "He didn't make any secret of the fact that he was doing what he called 'mending' these old songs," Nelson said. "So that they could be, you know, given to the public for posterity." It is said that the best known lyrics of the song were published in 1799. The lyrics (English version) say: Should old acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot, And old lang syne? For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, Well take a cup of kindness yet, For auld lang syne. Auld Lang Syne and New Years Eve A Canadian bandleader, Guy Lombardo, is the reason why the song became popular in the US. Back in 1929, he and his Royal Canadian Big Band played it on a New Year's Eve broadcast. He later revealed that the western Ontario area he belonged to had a tradition associated with the song bands would end every dance with Auld Lang Syne. His 1929 broadcast made the song popular, and one can hear it in films like Forrest Gump, Sex and the City, and When Harry Met Sally. The melody existed long before the song was written. English composer William Shield used a similar melody is Rosina, his comic opera which was first performed in 1782. The clock strikes midnight- it's New Year's Eve, and the world bursts into vibrant celebration. But why limit yourself to one spectacular show? This year, embark on a virtual feast, from the famous ball drop in New York City to the sparkling boats in Dubai, from the bright outline of London to the booming sounds of Sydney Harbour. As the world welcomes the New Year in 2024, let's take a peek at how different parts of the globe are celebrating this occasion. New Year's Eve celebrations in London(BERTRAND GUAY/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES) New Year's Eve 2024 fireworks glimpse from around the world Also read: New Year's Eve fireworks in New York City: top 7 spots to ring in 2024 celebrations Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. New Year's Eve 2024 celebrations in New York As the clock hit midnight, Times Square burst with excitement from a million happy people. More than a thousand eyes, both human and drone, made sure everyone had a safe and amazing time. Confetti fell, kisses were shared, and a crowd of smiling faces welcomed the new year with open arms and full hearts. Confetti bursts and swirls like glittering dancers above the Times Square crowd, seen from the tall Marriott Marquis. As the clock hits midnight, cheers erupt below, creating a wave of joy and the fresh scent of new beginnings for the revelers. January 1, 2024, in New York.(YUKI IWAMURA/AP) The United States welcomes 2024 with dazzling fireworks The Earth unveiled spectacular images and videos capturing the vibrant celebration of New Year's Eve in the United States. The scenes depict a dazzling display of bustling firecrackers, an abundance of colorful confetti, and a radiant array of lights, collectively creating a spectacular and visually stunning spectacle. Also read: New Year's Eve fireworks in Seattle: top 7 spots to ring in 2024 celebrations New Year's Eve celebratory pictures from London Confetti and cheers: New Year's Eve celebration in London gleams in a symphony of light and security. New Year's Eve celebrations in Paris Parisian skies ignite! The Arc de Triomphe stands proud, bathed in the radiant glow of New Year's Eve fireworks, while "2024" blazes across the Champs-Elysees. New Year's Eve celebrations in London(BERTRAND GUAY/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES) How Dubai welcomed New Year 2024 On New Year's Eve in the UAE, spectators enjoyed a spectacular display as the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa, lit up with fireworks, LED shows, and waterworks. Sydney witnesses the transformation of an old year into a sparkling new dawn. This year, Louis Vuitton customers, collectors and watch industry observers witnessed a paradigm shift for the monogrammed brand Under the impetus of its genuinely passionate and insatiably enterprising CEO Jean Arnault, Louis Vuitton has chosen to focus on Haute Horlogerie and artistic crafts. This strategic shift is notably illustrated by the relaunch of the Daniel Roth and Gerald Genta brands, both owned by the Maison. The Tambour collection, presented in steel before summer, is available in gold featuring yellow, red and two-tone autumn colors. An integrated bracelet endowed with exceptional finishing and comfort, a larger dial and slimmeddown case, a bespoke movement in collaboration with the Cercle des Horlogers, as well as a multitude of details both front and back speak volumes about the ambitions of Louis Vuitton, which has chosen the Geneva Chronometer Observatory to certify its precision. Tambour Louis Vuitton Tambour CASE: two-tone steel-gold, satin-brushed 18K yellow or pink gold, open caseback, water-resistant to 50m SIZE: 40mm MOVEMENT: mechanical self-winding (Caliber LFT023, 50h power reserve), micro-rotor in 22K pink gold FUNCTIONS: hours, minutes, small seconds DIAL: white gold hands, numerals and hour-markers with Super-LumiNova coating STRAP: steel and pink gold, or yellow or pink gold, with invisible triple-blade folding clasp PRICE: CHF 28,000 The editorial team was impressed by the sense of harmony created by the fluidity of the case, the sculptural lines of its flared surface and their extension in the shapes of the bracelet. As a WorldTempus reader, we are delighted to offer you the digital version of this GMT Magazine, that you can download here. The star of such Ukrainian TV series as "The Last Muscovite", "House of Happiness" and "Servant of the People", Kramatorsk-born actress Galina Bezruk spoke about peace on the occasion of the New Year's Eve. The traitorous actress said that this was her "only wish." ADVERTISIMENT Bezruk celebrated the New Year in the company of her family near a beautifully decorated Christmas tree with a glass of champagne, while many Ukrainians whose families were separated by the war were hiding in basements because of another attack by Russian drones. A post summarizing the results of 2023 appeared on the Instagram account of Doves of Peace. Bezruk thanked them for "all the good things," but the actress prefers to simply erase her negative emotions and experiences from her memory. "Goodbye, my 2023. Perhaps, only the past year can compete with you in terms of the number of the most polarizing emotions and events. But you still have the upper hand... I raise my glass to my closest and dearest people! For the love and warmth that we have given each other all year and, I am sure, will continue to give in the next year," said the Ukrainian native, who spent 12 months in Moscow entertaining Russians. ADVERTISIMENT She also admitted that she feels happy because she spent a lot of time with her family and devoted her free time to herself. In the end, the artist decided to wish peace to Ukraine in a veiled way to avoid repression in Russia. "I only dream of one thing: that the world (the words 'world' and 'peace' are spelled the same in Russian) would remember why it is called that! And stop going crazy," Bezruk wrote. As OBOZ.UA previously wrote, during Russia's largest air attack on Ukraine, Bezruk did not care about the fate of her homeland at all. At a time when houses were burning and people were being rescued from the rubble, the artist was having fun in Moscow. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! OTT Taxi Told to 'Cease Operations' NORTH ADAMS, Mass. A local taxi company was told by the city to close its doors at 8 a.m. on New Year's Day after failing to find a new office location. The closure of OTT Taxi was announced as "temporary" through Facebook posts but not on its website. The company has apparently been operating without a permanent location since at least October. According to the city, owner John Lord has told it of a half-dozen potential sites but none have panned out. Interim Police Chief Mark Bailey informed Lord in a letter dated Dec. 18 that his request for the latest location, the back room at the Xtra Mart, was rejected because the owner of that property has not amended its special permit to allow another business to operate. "You currently possess a taxicab operator's license to operate from an address on River Street, and you are not authorized to operate any portion of this business at any other location, temporarily or otherwise," Bailey wrote. "With this, you are to cease operating within the City of North Adams effective 1/1/24 at 8AM until an appropriate location has been approved." One employee claimed on Facebook that the company's lost out on potential spaces after informing Inspection Services of their location. The city is "ridiculous, corrupt, & just plain out disgusting," wrote Nate McMillian, saying legal action could be pursued. OTT had been operating from 104 River St. until about October. In an email, Mayor Jennifer Macksey listed a number of locations that Lord had told the city he was moving to: 61 Main, the old Greylock Federal Credit Union drive-through, Blackinton Street, Duke's lumberyard and 54 Elmwood Ave. He did not submit an application or provide leases for any of these locations, she said. "We just want him to find a suitable place to run his business from," she wrote. "We have been patient with him since October about finding a suitable space." She pointed out that the city has not received any complaints about the taxi company's drivers. (The company and owner have been called on the carpet for operational violations.) The city's zoning ordinances require businesses to apply for permits to operate and to comply with building codes. The city's taxi ordinance also allows for vetting by the police chief and for the City Council to give final approval. "We are hoping that Mr. Lord finds a place to land soon but, in the meantime, he cannot operate without a set location," Macksey said. "We have been working with him since he left his original location on 104 River Street but he has failed to land in a place that is zoned correctly and produce a lease." The new City Council is sworn in on Monday morning by City Clerk Tina Leonesio. McCann School Committee member George Canales, left, and North Adams School Committee members Cody Chamberlain and Alyssa Tomkowicz wait for the ceremony to start. New City Council President Bryan Sapienza addresses his colleagues. Councilor Ashley Shade is sworn in as vice president. New councilors Deanna Morrow, Peter Breen and Andrew Fitch pull names and seat numbers. Mayor Jennifer Macksey is escorted into the chamber by Councilors Keith Bona and Peter Oleskiewcz. The mayor addresses some of the challenges ahead as she enters her second term. PreviousNext North Adams Mayor, Councilor Envision Teamwork, Risk to Tackle Challenges Mayor Jennifer Macksey is sworn in for her second term in the corner office. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. A new government was sworn in on New Year's morning with a call for teamwork and a pledge for a "deep dive" into the city's challenges this new year. "I will continue to be a forward-thinking leader, a leader that North Adams deserves and we will put plans into action and sustain the future of this community," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey in her second term inaugural address. "The days of kicking the can down the road are done. We need to think outside the box. Take a few risks. Experiment a little bit, as governing like we've always done won't work for a new North Adams." The biennial Organization of Government was held at 11 a.m. in City Council Chambers, swearing in a council consisting of incumbents Lisa Blackmer, Keith Bona, Peter Oleskiewicz, Bryan Sapienza, Ashley Shade and Wayne Wilkinson and newcomers Peter Breen, Andrew Fitch and Deanna Morrow. The councilors were sworn in by City Clerk Tina Leonesio, who opened the meeting, as were School Committee members Alyssa Tomkowicz and Cody Chamberlain and McCann School committee members Peter Breen and George Canales. School Committee member Tara Jacobs and McCann member William Diamond did not attend the ceremony. Sapienza was elected as council president for the next year on a nomination by Fitch and second by Blackmer. Wilkinson nominated Oleskiewicz but the first vote went to Sapienza. Shade was elected as vice president, also on a nomination and second by Fitch and Blackmer. Just ending a term as vice president, Sapienza said he was honored and proud that the council body had elected him as president and that he looked forward to serving in that capacity. He congratulated the returning and new members of the council. "It's an exciting time in North Adams, many good things are happening and it's great to be a part of it all," he said. "We have a lot of work ahead of us in the upcoming term and it is going to take a team, a team that can work together for the common good of our city and its people. We are that team, a body of nine people that may express nine different ideas but at the end of the day, have come to a consensus that will benefit our city." Each member is coming with their own strengths or expertise, Sapienza said. "A great team will work with that knowledge to make this an effective group and to get the things that we need done." He expressed the need to work with the mayor and the committees, boards, and commissions that make up the government and reminded his fellow councilors that they were elected to represent the concerns of their constituents and that "we not here to further our own purposes." After committee and liaison assignments were announced (see slideshow above), the three newest councilors drew the seating arrangements for the year. Breen held the containers as Fitch drew names and Morrow seat assignments. The councilors will move to their new seats at the next meeting. Blacker, Bona and Oleskiewicz were sent to escort the mayor into the chamber to take her oath of office and give her inaugural address. She provided some levity by responding "state your name" to the traditional recitation of the oath but quickly turned to more serious matters including bridges during her speech. "I pledged two years ago that my administration is here to help people. That government will be effective, efficient, inclusive, and will enhance the quality of all of our citizens. Each day that is my mission," she said, adding "it is no secret that we have our challenges." "City government is a special place. It is the level closest to its people. So we must focus on the big and the small, every road, every bridge God knows we have those and every streetlight, classroom and every investment lay an important foundation for greater change and a better North Adams." She promised "a deep dive into education, infrastructure, economic development, addiction and homeless support and a large focus on marketing North Adams' beautiful natural resources." Macksey said she'd listened to many citizens over the past two years from obstacles to starting businesses to blight to education to domestic abuse and pledged that her administration would continue to be inclusive and open as it tackled those issues. She believed that the councilors would be good working partners who would support but also challenge her decisions. "I have confidence in a vision that drives a version of optimistic reinvesting in this community, rebuilding out from the core involving all who live here," the mayor said. "I have confidence in the citizens who will engage with passion for their city with a spirit of generosity, compassion and acceptance. "And I have confidence in the city that social justice matters, where inclusion matters and where every single child will have the opportunity they deserve." The network was touched by the New Year's greetings of little Kazakhs in their folk costumes. Users noticed that despite their roots, the children speak Ukrainian very well and skillfully. ADVERTISIMENT The video, posted on TikTok, received more than 2,000 comments in 2 days with sincere wishes from Ukrainians. Among them were soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Kazakhs dedicated their greetings mostly to Ukrainian children. They wished them a peaceful sky and a real childhood. "Let every defender return home, let every child wait for his or her dad and mom, let the new year be a year for victory," the adult part of Ukrainians also received their greetings. The children ended their speech with a thesis that has been heard quite often since February 24: "Everything will be Ukraine." The Ukrainian Armed Forces responded to the greetings. "Greetings from the Armed Forces of Ukraine and mutual congratulations, after the victory we will meet at the same table and celebrate to the fullest" and "Thank you for supporting Ukraine. We are the Armed Forces together," the comments read. ADVERTISIMENT Other users thanked the Kazakh children: "Thank you for your sincere wishes, little suns! May it all be so! We wish you prosperity from the bottom of our hearts.", "Oh my God, what cuties they are, got tears in my eyes from the first second of this video, thank you dear for your warm wishes.", "Thank you, dear ones!!!! Take care of yourself, dear, and appreciate your family and peaceful life! May you never have to experience grief", "Thank you so much for such wonderful congratulations. I want to thank your parents, they are sincere and kind people. Low bow". ADVERTISIMENT The video was also reposted on social network X, where it became popular. The user who posted it thanked the children: "This is the cutest thing I've seen in days. Thank you so much. From the bottom of my heart. Thank you Kazakhstan for such incredible support. I admire your beauty. Both external and internal, you are beautiful!" Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that world stars congratulated Ukrainians on the upcoming holidays. They sang the legendary Christmas song "Shchedryk" together. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declared his country will launch three military spy satellites and build more nuclear weapons in 2024. The North Korean leader announced on Saturday that the grave situation requires us to accelerate works to acquire overwhelming war response capabilities and thorough and perfect military readiness to suppress any types of provocations by the enemies at a stroke. According to KCNA, Mr Kim, at the end of the Workers Party meeting, emphasised the overwhelming need for war readiness amid rising tensions with the US and its allies. 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. Unveiling his bold vision for 2024, Mr Kim said he plans to introduce cutting-edge unmanned combat equipment such as armed drones and powerful electronic warfare devices along with bolstering the countrys nuclear capabilities. He criticised the United States and its allies for unprecedented actions, pushing the Korean Peninsula to the verge of nuclear conflict. Mr Kim directed the launch of three additional military spy satellites in 2024, building upon the success of the country's first reconnaissance satellite launched in November. His assertion to expand North Koreas nuclear weapons arsenal comes despite international pressure. In his speech, he ordered the acceleration of nuclear weapons production and development, signalling a continued focus on modernising the countrys nuclear capabilities. Based on the experience of successfully launching and operating the first reconnaissance satellite in 2023, the task of launching three additional reconnaissance satellites in 2024 was declared to vigorously promote the development of space science and technology, the statement published by KCNA read. Since last year, Mr Kims military has test-fired more than 100 ballistic missiles, many of them nuclear-capable weapons, in violation of a UN Security Council resolution that prohibits North Korea from using ballistic missile technology. South Koreas spy agency raised alert last week that North Korea can launch military provocations and cyberattacks ahead of South Korean parliamentary elections in April and the US presidential election in November. Pyongyang might be waiting out the US presidential election to see what its provocations can buy it with the next administration, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. The North Korean leader also announced that North Korea will no longer seek reunification with South Korea. He said inter-Korean relations had become a relationship between two hostile countries and two belligerents at war. Its time for us to acknowledge the reality and clarify our relationship with the South, Mr Kim added. Additional reporting with agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Tens of thousands of people were evacuated from their homes in Japan on Monday after a powerful earthquake triggered tsunami warnings and devastated towns on the countrys main island of Honshu. The death toll has risen to 48 as rescuers faced what prime minister Fumio Kishida described as a battle against time to reach more trapped under collapsed buildings following the 7.6 magnitude quake, which sent one metre-high tsunami waves crashing onto the western coast on Monday shortly after 4pm local time [7am GMT]. More than 140 aftershocks continued to rock Japan as of Tuesday morning, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, which warned that strong tremors could continue in the coming days. Follow our live blog for the latest updates on the earthquake here. Hundreds of buildings have collapsed in earthquake-hit areas, including in Niigata, Toyama, Fukui and Gifu prefectures, leaving many injured. At its epicentre on the Noto peninsula, damage to roads has made relief and rescue work more difficult, while more than 30,000 households were left without power. A major fire broke out in Wajima City, gutting more than 100 buildings. Collapsed houses are seen after multiple strong earthquakes the previous day on 2 January in Wajima, Ishikawa, Japan (The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Imag) A car is trapped at a partially collapsed road caused by a powerful earthquake near Anamizu Town (AP) Mr Kishida said he was personally leading the earthquake disaster response. He described scenes of devastation on Noto peninsula, where rescuers were still finding it very difficult to reach the northern tip due to wrecked roads. Helicopter surveys had discovered many fires and widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure, he said. It is necessary to rescue victims of collapsed buildings as soon as possible, and I have given instructions to use all means possible to reach the site as soon as possible, Mr Kishida said. The earthquake brought public transport to a standstill with passengers stranded after train, air and metro services were suspended. More than 1,400 passengers aboard four trains between Toyama and Kanazawa stations were stranded after their journey was suspended for almost 11 hours. Smoke rise as fire continues after multiple strong earthquakes hit the area on 2 January (The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Imag) Kyodo News reported four deaths in Ishikawa, citing the Prefectural Crisis Management Team, four people have been confirmed dead, including a man and woman in their 50s, a young boy, and a man in his 70s. Eight people were confirmed dead in the city of Wajima alone and at least seven were injured. The Asahi newspaper cited police as saying a man in his 90s had been pulled from the wreckage of a building and taken to hospital but was confirmed dead. By Tuesday, all tsunami advisories along the Sea of Japan have been lifted. View more The powerful quake, followed by several tremors, led authorities to issue a tsunami warning, meaning three metre-high waves could occur although this was later downgraded to an advisory, which forecast waves with a height of one metre. Police and local authorities early on Tuesday reported cases of bodies being pulled from the rubble of collapsed buildings. The full extent of the damage, and the death toll, is unlikely to be clear until later on Tuesday. An aerial view shows a collapsed building caused by an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture (via REUTERS) A view of a damaged home and vehicles following a strong earthquake in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture (EPA) A total of 51,000 people living in coastal areas in the coastal regions of Ishikawa, Niigata and Toyama prefectures were evacuated to higher ground and told to stay away with initial fears of waves up to five metres. They were given shelter in government offices and stadiums as temperatures plummeted to below freezing outside. The earthquake that struck on New Years Day was felt by residents across Tokyo and in the Kanto area. Neighbouring South Korea, North Korea and Russia also issued tsunami warnings for their Sea of Japan coasts, with South Korean authorities ordering people in some regions to evacuate to higher ground. Images on social media showed panicked people hiding under rocking tables as the earthquake hit and some visuals showed damaged houses in the aftermath of the tremor. A view of a road collapsed by strong earthquakes in Shika, central Japan (EPA) A man carries his belongings past a collapsed house following an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture (AP) Japanese media showed a gathering of individuals, among them a woman with a baby on her back, standing beside extensive cracks that had torn through the pavement. Flights to the region were cancelled by Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines and 40 train lines were suspended. During a nationally broadcast news conference, the Japanese Meteorological Agency warned that the region might experience additional significant earthquakes in the coming week, with heightened risk particularly in the next two or three days. It said Mondays major tsunami warning for Ishikawa was the first time this level of alert had been issued since March 2011, when a massive earthquake measuring over 9 on the richter scale devastated towns and triggered meltdowns in Fukushima nuclear power plant. Mr Kishidas office urged authorities to take thorough measures to prevent damage, such as the evacuation of residents and prioritise human life above all else. Government spokesperson Hayashi Yoshimasa said in an emergency press conference that authorities were still checking the extent of the damage and warned residents to prepare for possible further quakes. Expressing the need for urgency with regards to evacuations, Mr Yoshimasa said: Every minute counts. Please evacuate to a safe area immediately. Japan is an extremely quake-prone nation. There are hundreds of earthquakes in the country every year although most cause little or no damage. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Rescue workers and canine units are racing against the clock to find people buried under the rubble by powerful earthquakes in Japan ahead of falling temperatures and heavy rain, with the crucial 72-hour window that gives the best chance of survival closing. At least 65 people have died in the wake of Mondays 7.6-magnitude tremor, centred on the Noto peninsula in western Japan. It has been followed by scores of aftershocks, including one measuring 4.9 on the Japanese seismic scale on Wednesday morning. On Wednesday, nearly 130 requests for the rescue of people trapped under collapsed buildings had been recorded, according to local media, with many unreported cases also expected. There continue to be many reports of people who need rescue, Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida said on Wednesday. We must keep in mind that this is a race against time and continue to put all our labour into rescue efforts, with lifesaving as our top priority. I feel that we are at a critical moment, he added. The weather forecast in Ishikawa prefecture one of the worst-hit regions in Japan predicts heavy rain, leading to fears of landslides and further damage to the collapsed homes, impeding rescue attempts. Firefighters work at the scene where a building toppled over and crushed a house in the city of Wajima (JIJI Press/AFP via Getty) In Suzu, a town of about 13,000 people near the quake's epicentre, 90 per cent of houses may have been destroyed. "Hardly any of the homes are standing. They are either partially or totally destroyed," said Suzus mayor Masuhiro Izumiya. Yasuhiro Kano, a resident of Suzus Horyu district, evacuated his mother just as his house was collapsing. Since New Years Day, he has moved to two shelters but now worries about food and rescue. At first I thought the shaking was the usual 4 or 5 on the Japanese seismic scale, but soon the vertical shaking came, and the house collapsed, he told the Asahi Shimbun newspaper. My house has completely collapsed. I dont know what will happen now. I dont even know how long it will take to recover. I have nothing but anxiety, he added. A devastated neighbourhood in Suzu (AFP via Getty) Ishikawa prefecture has confirmed 65 deaths, up from 55 late on Tuesday, making the earthquake the deadliest in Japan since at least 2016. Some cities have reported additional deaths, putting the total number of fatalities at 73, according to a tally collated by Kyodo News. More than 300 people have been injured, at least 25 of them seriously. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), more than 400 aftershocks have struck the country, with officials warning these could continue for up to a week. Satellite images showed extensive damage in coastal areas, revealing destroyed buildings and capsized boats. Thousands lost their homes in the earthquake, with at least 33,000 staying at evacuation centres. Temperatures are expected to drop overnight for the thousands of survivors who are currently in makeshift shelters. Shigeru Sakaguchi, mayor of Wajima, said he was grateful for the government's efforts but had received only 2,000 meals for some 10,000 evacuees so far. "Some people are very cold because there are areas that have no access to electricity and therefore heating," he said. Firefighters search a collapsed house for survivors (JIJI Press/AFP via Getty) Ishikawa governor, Hiroshi Hase urged those who are sheltering together to use face masks, as well as antiseptic and soap, to guard against any infectious diseases. In some of the earthquake-hit regions, power, water and cell phone service were still down. In hard-hit Wajima, firefighters pressed on, despite the rain and aftershocks, searching for a woman trapped in a wooden structure squashed by a seven-storey building that toppled over in the quake and landed on its side. The rescuers were removing rubble to try to reach the woman, who was not showing any vital signs, a firefighter said. A collapsed house in Anamizu Town, Ishikawa prefecture (AFP via Getty) According to a report from the Japanese government last year, there has been a consistent rise in the frequency of earthquakes in the Noto peninsula region since 2018. The 7.6-magnitude quake triggering tsunami warnings, but they were later lifted and Japans nuclear power plants along the Sea of Japan coastline remained largely unscathed. However, Japan Times reported, the incident could renew public concerns about the safety of nuclear power in an earthquake-prone country. Additional reporting with agencies Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Strictly Come Dancing star Fleur East has announced that she is pregnant. The host of spin-off series It Takes Two shared the news on her Instagram page on New Years Day. Sharing a picture visibly displaying her baby bump, the TV star revealed to fans that she is expecting a child with husband Marcel Badiane-Robin, a French fashion designer and celebrity stylist. Alongside the photo, she wrote: 2024 is gonna be different... East, who is also known for competiting in The X Factor and Im a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, has been in a relationship with Badiane-Robin since 2010. The pair tied the knot in 2019. She competed on the 20th series of Strictly in 2022, and was partnered with pro dancer Vito Coppola throughout her time on the hit BBC show. East finished the series as a runner-up, having survived a record-equalling four dance-offs. She was announced as the host of spin-off series It Takes Two last year, taking over the role from Rylan. Janette Manrara also presents It Takes Two alongside her. Fans and well-wishers flooded Easts Instagram page with encouragement and congratulations following the announcement of her pregnancy. Fleur East pictured on 6 December (Getty Images for The National Lo) OMG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so so so so happy for you, wrote Coronation Street actor Ellie Leach, who competed on the most recent series of Strictly, ultimately winning the competition. WooooHooooo!!!!!!!! Yes!!!! Congratulations to you beautiful people, wrote the athlete Dame Denise Lewis, who also competed on Strictly. Congrats guys! Amazing news, commented JLS musician Marvin Humes, who rose to fame on The X Factor. The most recent series of Strictly aired on BBC One late last year, beginning in September and coming to a close on 16 December. Alongside Leach, the competition also saw celebrities such as Les Dennis, Nikita Kanda, Jody Cundy, Amanda Abbington, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Angela Rippon and Bobby Brazier show off their moves on the dancefloor. Over the Christmas break, Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood addressed vicious rumours that he was set to depart the series. Appearing on Lorraine , Horwood shut down the claims that he was set to give up his role on the show. Asked by host Kate Lawler whether he would be returning to the series in 2024, Horwood said: Yes, you are. Im definitely coming back. Dont believe any of those vicious rumours, no, no, no. However, he intimated that he would no longer be performing in the group dance numbers alongside his fellow judges. I might hang up my dancing shoes just on the stage and go towards direction, but thats about it, he said. Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our food and drink newsletter for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyEats email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Britons rang in the New Year on Sunday night with a bang, as firework shows lit up the night sky and parties in nightclubs and homes were allowed to continue without coronavirus restrictions. So if youre waking up on Monday full of regret for overdoing it last night, medication can be tempting. But if youd prefer to avoid pharmaceuticals, there are natural solutions to try. While theres no such thing as a complete cure for a hangover, there are measures you can take to ease the pain while you wait out the unpleasant symptoms of a heavy night. Weve talked to nutritional experts to get the lowdown on some of natural hangover cures you could try instead. 1. Ginger Ginger has long been used in Chinese medicine as an anti-nausea measure. This traditional thinking is well-founded: A 2016 study concluded that the plant is an effective and inexpensive treatment for nausea. A cup of ginger tea the morning after a heavy night could be a cheap way of hitting two birds with one stone. Youll be replenishing some of that much-needed water, and also getting an important shot of stomach-calming ginger. Since ginger also has anti-inflammatory and heart benefits, you might just find yourself making it part of your daily routine. When it comes to getting ginger to taste good, registered nutritionist Rob Hobson recommends that you add one to two teaspoons of ginger powder, half a lemon and two teaspoons of honey to a teapot and fill with boiling water. Leave it to brew for five minutes before serving. The zingy flavour is very energising, and the honey will help to re-balance low blood sugar levels, he says. 2. A balanced breakfast Tea is well and good, but many of us can empathise with a lack of appetite for actual food the morning after drinking. Eating is also vital, though, with alcohol consumption hitting your blood glucose levels hard. Cliche would dictate that you tuck into the greasiest full English available, but our experts warn against this ditch the morning-after fried breakfast, says Hobson. Granola with sliced fruit can give you a hit of natural sugars and also get you some valuable vitamins as a bonus. Rhiannon Lambert, a Harley Street nutritionist and author of the book Re:Nourish, says: Foods containing potassium can help your body to recover lost electrolytes from a night of drinking. Bananas and avocados are good sources. 3. Prickly pear The prickly pear is a photogenic cactus with a vivid red fruit. Studies have shown that extract from this fruit can be used on hangovers to impressive effect. Its been found to reduce nausea, dizziness, and headaches, all of which sound pretty brilliant from the point of view of Britains hangover victims. If you want to try it out, look for a supplement called Hovenia Dulcis extract. 4. Artichoke extract Another extract to try is Artichoke. This supplement stimulates bile production and can help to relieve bloating and other symptoms of indigestion associated with alcohol consumption, says Hobson. 5. Water It may be the simplest cure, but its one of the most effective. Even relatively light drinking leads to dehydration. This, in turn, can cause the headaches, fatigue and lack of energy that so many of us associate with hangovers. When you wake up feeling rough, drinking a glass of water should be on the top of your to-do list. Lambert says that despite not being a big drinker, she is sure to drink more water on the days after shes had a glass of wine or two. Getting rehydrated will be even easier if you remember to drink a glass of water before going to bed at the end of your night but dont panic if you havent managed this. Making sure to take regular sips throughout your morning should still help you to feel better. 6. Sleep There really is no substitute for sleep, and alcohol can seriously damage the quality and quantity of our shut eye. Whether the night has gone on until the small hours, or drinking has impaired your ability to sleep, the downsides to even light sleep deprivation are significant. If youre feeling under the weather the following morning, make sure to schedule in an afternoon nap - and dont forget an early night at the end of the day. Always drink responsibly. For more information, visit Drinkaware.co.uk. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Living Well email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Melanie Lynskey has revealed the significance behind her new tattoo. The Yellowjackets star, 46, recently unveiled her new ink and the special artist who designed her tattoo: her five-year-old daughter. To ring in 2024, Lynskey shared a side-by-side photo of the original drawing her daughter made, alongside a picture of the final tattoo on her arm. Im so happy to be bringing this adorable tattoo into 2024 with me, she began her Instagram caption. My thanks to the incredibly kind and talented @graeme.allan at @sacredtattoonz for doing this for me while I was in Aotearoa. Its a meticulous recreation of a drawing my five-year-old daughter did, and it reminds me even in the most challenging moments that there is true joy in my life and fills me with deep gratitude, Lynskey explained, adding: I wish so much joy for all of you this year! And my big wish is that the world remembers about empathy. The tattoo appeared to be a drawing of a cat with whiskers and pointy ears. Lynskey, who is from New Zealand, shared that she had the tattoo done while in her home country. The Dont Look Up actor welcomed her daughter with husband Jason Ritter in December 2018. Lynskey and Ritter were married in 2020 after first meeting in 2013 while filming The Big Ask. The two announced their engagement in February 2017. While the married couple tend to keep details of their family life private, including their daughters name, Lynskey recently shared a special birthday tribute to her child on Instagram. The kindest, sweetest, coolest little person. I cant believe how lucky I am to be her mama, the Heavenly Creatures star captioned the post, which showed her daughter standing on a bed and covering her face with an oversized unicorn balloon. Five years of pure joy, she added. Lynskey also shared that her sisters partner made an allergen-free cake for her daughter in the shape of a cat, with the words Merry Catmas written in frosting. It appears that her five-year-old is very fond of felines, as Lynskey previously posted a photo of her childs stuffed animal, named Meowy. Back in March 2022, Lynskey received praise for thanking her nanny during her acceptance speech at the 2022 Critics Choice Awards. After taking home the award for Best Actress in a Drama Series, she thanked her daughters nanny for allowing Lynskey to go to work knowing that her then three-year-old is in good hands. The most important person I think I have to thank before I finish is my nanny, Sally. I love her, Lynskey said. Shes an absolute angel. Shes with my child and my child is safe and taken care of and she allows me to go and do my work. Thank you, Sally, she added. I love you so much. Russian actor Dmitry Nagiev, who sometimes delicately hints at his disagreement with the Kremlin's policies but still avoids directly condemning the war, outraged Russians with his New Year's greetings. Ukrainians, on the other hand, thanked him. ADVERTISIMENT Comments with warm wishes appeared under the artist's Instagram post. While walking his dog, he filmed a message to his followers. "Happy new, kind, peaceful, beautiful, just, free, reliable year," Nagiev said, smiling. Many users from Ukraine interpreted this message as a call for peace, justice and freedom, which many Ukrainians are currently being deprived of by the terrorist Russian Federation. "Happy New Year, Dmytro. Glory to Ukraine", "Dima, thank you for supporting Ukraine! You are a man with a capital M.", "Yes, with a peaceful, just and free one. And we will live! Happy New Year to you. We are from Ukraine", "I am from Ukraine, but you are the only person from Russia I respect", "Look how interesting it is. He just said Happy New Year, and everyone understood it in their own way," the comments say. ADVERTISIMENT Interestingly, the Russians also "deciphered" Nagiev's congratulations not in their favor. One of the propaganda Telegram channels demanded that the artist immediately clearly define his position on the war in Ukraine. "Down with the dizziness of success, let's say no to anal contusion. Happy New Year. Wait for orders," the actor fueled Putinists' irritation. In the comments, he was called a "creature" and a "nivoynist," although Nagiev continues to work with Russian companies. Some even suggested that the wish to "wait for orders" was a sign of mobilization after the elections in Russia. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, in early March 2023, the Russian addressed his subscribers in a blue and yellow jacket. The image of the star made Russian propagandists hysterical. In his usual joking manner, the artist also ridiculed Russia's "getting off its knees" and spoke cautiously about the war, and his colleague on the TV series "Kitchen" gave away the star's position. Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that the traitor of Ukraine, actress Galina Bezruk, who is from Kramatorsk, cautiously wished Ukrainians peace for the New Year. Previously, she cynically ignored the genocide. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Three years ago, Salma Fiazs world was thrown into chaos when her teenage boyfriend was arrested by the police and charged with murder. Faisal Fiaz, who was then aged 19, was part of a cannabis snatch from a local drug dealer in Redditch, Worcestershire, in July 2020. Things turned violent when his accomplice, Mohammed Hammad Hussain stabbed a man to death inside his own home. Fiaz, sitting in a car a short distance away, says he did not know Hussain was carrying a knife. But while the killer, Hussain, fled the country for Pakistan and remains at large, Fiaz was jailed for life with a minimum of 23 years under joint enterprise. The law states that an individual can be jointly charged with the crime of another if the court decides they could have predicted the other person was likely to commit that crime and intended to encourage or assist them. It means that those who do not inflict the fatal wound can receive life sentences for murder or manslaughter. All Faisals seen is Hammad coming out, and no one knew what had happened at the time, Ms Fiaz said. Faisal found out about the death the same time as everyone else when it came out on social media. You do feel guilty that someone has lost a son, a husband, a brother. He is sorry that someone has died. But I always make sure its clear, he did not commit a murder. Following his conviction, Ms Fiaz turned to the advocacy group Joint Enterprise Not Guilty by Association, which was founded by Jan Cunliffe and Gloria Morrison in 2010. In August 2007, Ms Cunliffes son travelled into Warrington to see friends. A fight broke out, resulting in a 47-year-old man being killed by a kick to the neck after he confronted a gang of youths who had been vandalising his car. Jordan Cunliffe was partially blind and had not been in direct contact with the victim but was convicted of murder (Jan Cunliffe ) Her son Jordan, 15, suffered from an eye condition called keratoconus which left him with less than 10 per cent vision, and was due transplant surgery in both eyes. Given that he was physically unable to see the altercation and had not come into contact with the victim, she said she was horrified when he was pulled into questioning and charged with murder. A 16-year-old confessed to delivering the fatal blow, but the prosecution argued that four others should be charged under joint enterprise, with two of those convicted and jailed. As a result, Jordan spent the following 13 years behind bars, and remains subject to stringent licensing conditions. Since establishing JENGbA, Ms Cunliffe says her organisation has been contacted by 1,500 prisoners for advice and support. The greatest part of the battle has been the first 10 years because nobody believed us, she said. One of the House of Lords peers just said we were grieving mothers and wives and that our gangster husbands and sons had got what they deserved. In 2016, the Supreme Court acknowledged in R v Jogee that the common law interpretation of joint enterprise had taken a wrong turn during the 1980s, and that it had been wrong to convict people of murder on the grounds of foresight. However, the ruling stated that while the law may have been mistaken, it was not enough to hear the appeals of those convicted under the wrong interpretation of the law. In 2016, the Supreme Court found that joint enterprise had been applied incorrectly (Jan Cunliffe) Following intervention by JENGbA, the Crown Prosecution Service agreed in February this year to monitor data on the race of those prosecuted under joint enterprise for the first time, and to participate in a six-month pilot scheme. According to CPS data from September, more than half of those prosecuted under joint enterprise are from minority ethnic backgrounds, while black people are 16 times more likely to be prosecuted. It also found that prosecutions disproportionately affect children and young men, with 14 per cent aged between the ages of 14 and 17, and 40 per cent aged between the ages of 18 and 24. Almost 93 per cent of the defendants were male and 21 per cent of cases were gang-related. Felicity Gerry KC, a defence barrister who led the R v Jogee appeal and currently represents Mr Fiaz as they take his case to the European Court of Human Rights, said that juries are frequently not told to consider levels of contribution to a killing. The only way to make the system safe and make joint enterprise cases safe is that the jury only convict those who make a significant contribution to the killing, Ms Gerry said. Prisons are bursting at the seams full of young people, who are often black, who have made no significant contribution to the crime, and that must account for cases when you have six or seven people in the dock. I do these trials all the time. Youve got young people, people with autism, young women who have no control over their violent boyfriends, people who are no risk to the public and then wasting public money in prison. Theyre labelled murderers so they cant progress in prison nor when outside. Kim Johnson MP (right) has introduced a private members bill hoping to reform joint enterprise convictions (Jan Cunliffe) The issue has been taken on by several MPs, including Labours Barry Sheerman and Kim Johnson, who have both introduced private members bills over the course of the last year. Ms Johnson, the Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, said: The more I speak with families and learn about joint enterprise, the more outraged I become. Young peoples lives shouldnt be destroyed by incarceration for crimes for which they made no significant contribution. A miscarriage of law is still a miscarriage of justice and I hope to rectify this long-suffering legal problem with my bill. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: The government recognises the importance of the law on joint enterprise and the consequences it has for defendants and their families, as well as on victims and their loved ones. We have no current plans to amend the law in this area. Have you been affected by this? Email holly.evans@independent.co.uk For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A teenage boy was stabbed to death just minutes before midnight in front of hundreds of people celebrating New Years Eve in central London. Harry Pitman, 16, was fatally wounded on the popular Primrose Hill where crowds gather each year to watch the fireworks across central London at 11.30pm. A murder investigation, codenamed Operation Booknote, has now been launched after the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before midnight. Revellers fled the scene screaming in terror after the boy collapsed to the ground at the top of the hill. Video from the scene shows police cars driving through crowds of revellers, some with children on their shoulders, as officers tried to reach the fatally wounded boy. Police officers performed first aid on the teenager before paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and Londons Air Ambulance arrived. A Scotland Yard spokesperson said the boys family have been informed of his death and are being supported by specialist officers. A family member told The Independent that the boys mother is very distraught. The Metropolitan Police have appealed for witnesses, noting that the central London hotspot was busy with people who had gathered to see in the new year. The teenager died on Primrose Hill in Camden, where crowds had gathered to watch the London fireworks on New Years Eve (PA Wire) One witness told The Independent: Things happened so quickly, it was all over in five minutes or less. It was horrible. I just saw someone five metres away fall on the floor. People around him started screaming and running away. We were next to the police, they rushed to his side and told everyone to stay away. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before midnight (PA) They added: I feel for the family and I hope they find peace when this is all over. Another reveller, Solomon Raja, 23, said he saw a large white tent at the top of the hill. He said: I was there with thousands of others. We only realised what had happened after the fireworks had ended, and when we started walking back, we saw that the police had cordoned a large area behind where we were viewing the fireworks from. Once we saw a large white tent, we made the assumption that someone had been stabbed. Mr Raja added: Most of the crowd were completely oblivious to what had happened people were focused on the fireworks, and news didnt really travel forward. There were so many kids around this is what sickens me the most. Its terrible that on a day like this, people decide to resort to disgusting acts. A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into police custody. Extensive police cordons remain in place as officers conduct a forensic examination of the scene and the surrounding area (PA) Mayor of London Sadiq Khan posted on X: Its an utter tragedy when a young person loses their life to senseless violence. Sir Keir Starmer posted an appeal for witnesses, adding: My heart goes out to the family and friends of the teenager killed on Primrose Hill last night. Primrose Hill in London is a popular spot for people watching the New Years Eve fireworks and police said it was busy at the time of the stabbing (PA Wire) Officers believe the area was busy with people at the time. If you saw what happened or have information, mobile phone footage or other material that can help, please call 101 or post @MetCC ref CAD 6649/31 Dec. To remain anonymous, please contact Crimestoppers. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The number of migrants crossing the Channel has fallen year-on-year for the first time since records began, but higher numbers are expected to make the journey in 2024. Some 29,437 people undertook the crossing in 2023, a 36 per cent fall on the number that did so in 2022. However, unions have warned that the decrease was likely a glitch, and that higher numbers are expected in 2024. Rishi Sunak is under pressure to meet his pledge to stop the boats after the number of people arriving soared. January will see fresh legislation put before parliament in a bid to begin deportation flights to Rwanda, where Mr Sunak wants to send asylum seekers to under the terms of a new treaty. The number of migrants who made the perilous crossing in 2023 was higher than 2021s total of 28,526, but lower than the unusually high number in 2022. A record 45,774 crossings were recorded in 2022. Some 29,437 migrants made the Channel crossing on small boats in 2023 (PA) The Immigration Services Union, which represents Border Force staff, has predicted that while the number in 2024 may not climb back up to the 2022 spike, it is likely to increase. Lucy Moreton, the unions professional officer, told the BBC: The planning assumption for 2024 is that 2023 has been unusually low. There have been other confounding factors we have had particularly high winds, we have had a larger number of days where it is less likely that we are going to get migrants in boats. But we have also had much larger boats, much more seaworthy boats, so the planning assumption is that this [the 2023 total] is a glitch. A view of small boats and engines used to cross the Channel by people thought to be migrants, at a warehouse facility in Dover, Kent (PA) Ms Moreton continued: Will we seek the peak that we saw in 2022? Maybe not, but certainly more than we have seen in the last year. She warned that both Border Force and the country as a whole would need to prepare for higher numbers arriving. In July last year, the government introduced sweeping asylum reforms under the Illegal Migration Act meaning that anyone who arrives in the UK illegally will not be able to stay. They will instead be detained and removed to their home country or to a safe third country. The government only has one working deal for the removal of migrants to a third country the Rwanda scheme. This has been blighted by legal problems, which the government is attempting to bypass with extra legislation. The Immigration Services Union has warned that there will be an increase in crossings in 2024 (PA) The Illegal Migration Act has not yet been implemented, but the government had hoped to start applying the new rules this spring. Almost 40,000 migrants have crossed the Channel in small boats since Mr Sunak became prime minister. The number of migrants crossing the Channel has steadily increased since 299 people were detected in 2018. There were 1,843 crossings recorded in 2019, and 8,466 in 2020, according to the Home Office. August 2022 was the highest month on record for crossings, when 8,574 people arrived in the UK after making the journey. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Tens of thousands of revellers braved the cold and blustery weather to see Londons breathtaking New Years Eve firework show as the UK welcomed in 2024 with a bang. There wasnt a spare place to stand along the River Thames near the London Eye as people from all around the world gathered to watch the 12-minute long spectacular which also featured a drone light show and music. Those in attendance, some waiting since 7.30am, cheered as the countdown started before the bongs of Big Ben sounded at midnight and the 12,000 fireworks lit up the dark and damp night sky. A total of 12,000 fireworks were used in the huge display in the centre of London (AFP via Getty Images) People record and take pictures of the fireworks over the London Eye (PA) The unity-themed display began with London: A Place for Everyone written high above the crowds before a series of features including the marking of the Kings coronation year, the 75th anniversary of the NHS and the 10-year anniversary of same-sex marriage becoming legal in England and Wales. The spectacle also used Charless quote to mark the 75th anniversary of the Windrush crossing in which he said the new arrivals collectively enrich the fabric of our national life. Further messages throughout the show were heard from mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Dame Helen Mirren, Bella Ramsey, Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley, George the Poet, and Baroness Floella Benjamin, who read a poem by the late Benjamin Zephaniah. The show in the capital, featuring music from the likes of the Spice Girls, Louis Armstrong and Dua Lipa, was joined by events up and down the country, including in Edinburgh where people joined the 30th Hogmanay street party, headlined by reformed band Pulp. There were also firework displays at the Blackpool Tower and on Newcastles Quayside where a laser show was projected on to the Baltic Flour Mills. The spectacular show lit up the dark and damp night sky (AP) Fireworks explode over Edinburgh Castle as the city held the 30th Hogmanay street party (PA) However, it wasnt the night everyone had hoped as events in Barnstaple and Plymouth, both in Devon, had to be cancelled due to the strong winds impacting coastal parts of southern England and Wales. Londons spectacular celebrations came before New Yorks famous annual event, and after huge shows across most major cities in Europe, Asia, Australia and Japan. Eye-catching pyrotechnic displays took place over Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong and from Aucklands tallest building, Sky Tower, in New Zealand. But Sydney stole the show of the early celebrations as one in five of the citys residents converged on locations around its famous Harbour Bridge for a massive fireworks display. More the 1 million people watched the 12-minute firework display on the Sydney Harbour Bridge (AFP via Getty Images) Fireworks explode over the Opera House, which is also marking its 50th anniversary (AFP via Getty Images) The local government, which calls its city the New Years Eve capital of the world, made the harbour bridge dance with colour with 7,000 fireworks as around 1 billion watched from across the globe. On the Opera House, which is marking its 50th anniversary, there were some 75,000 pyrotechnic devices which exploded from the building. The entire display, which lasted 12 minutes, used around 8.5 tonnes of fireworks and took 15 months to plan. The worldwide celebrations all started on the island of Kiribati in the Pacific Ocean, and were followed, first, by Tonga, Samoa and New Zealand, where a huge firework display, accompanied by a laser light and animation show, lit up the cloudy night sky. Australia followed before events in North Korea and South Korea, where in the capital Seoul a stunning bell ringing ceremony took place. It was then the turn of Hong Kong, Taiwan and China. Fireworks erupt over Sydney Harbour (Independent) An event marking the new year in Foshan, Guangdong in China (Anadolu via Getty Images) The Chinese celebrated the new calendar year relatively quietly, with most major cities banning fireworks over safety and pollution concerns. Then in India, thousands of revellers from Mumbai flocked to a bustling promenade to watch the sun set over the Arabian Sea. In New Delhi, fireworks raised concerns that the capital would be blanketed by a toxic haze on the first morning of the new year. But while billions of people indulged in the night of celebration, a stark reminder issued by Pope Francis of the heartache and suffering for many during 2023. In his traditional Sunday blessing from a window overlooking St Peters Square, he offered prayers for the tormented Ukrainian people and the Palestinian and Israeli populations, the Sudanese people and many others. Fireworks light up the sky at the landmark Burj al-Arab luxury hotel tower in Dubai (AFP via Getty Images) At the end of the year, we will have the courage to ask ourselves how many human lives have been shattered by armed conflict, how many dead and how much destruction, how much suffering, how much poverty, the pontiff said. The wars, particularly in Gaza and Ukraine, have raised tensions across the world and with millions attending events there was high security planned, including in New York where police created a buffer zone around Times Square. In France, some 90,000 police officers were deployed to beef up security at the celebrations with the country under a very high terrorist threat. But there appeared no trouble on the Champs Elysees boulevard where 800,000 people were said to have greeted the new year in a mass party with an Olympic theme ahead of Paris 2024. And there were similar scenes at a concert at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin where thousands watched 20 live acts to celebrate the turn of the year. In London, Mr Khan said on X shortly after midnight: From London to the world: a message of unity, love & hope. People responded, praising the show, which was designed by the Cambridgeshire-based pyrotechnics firm Titanium Fireworks. They included Jamie Wallis, who wrote: Thank you for putting on a world class fireworks display, we are the envy of the world on NYE. It feels like this year could be one of real change and something to be excited about. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Labour has promised British farmers a better deal with the EU and vowed to make sure British produce is used for 50 per cent of food offered in schools, hospitals and prisons. Sir Keir Starmers party set out its new deal for the sector at the start of a general election year citing figures that suggest more than 6,000 UK farming companies have collapsed in recent years. The party said it would use government buying power to back agricultural businesses as it seeks to woo rural voters going to the polls in 2024. A quota-driven approach across parts of the public sector will run alongside Sir Keirs pledge to pursue a new veterinary agreement with Brussels in an effort to ease the friction in trade following Brexit. Labour hopes an agreement on shared standards to relax the red tape which some food-sector chiefs have been calling for since the Brexit trade and cooperation agreement (TCA) came into force would boost UK exports. While Sir Keir has ruled out any wider realignment with the EU vowing to keep Britain out of the single market and the customs union he raised eyebrows in September by saying he would seek a much better deal when the TCA is reviewed in 2025. Labour has also pledged to make sure that at least half of all food supplied to hospitals, schools and prisons is British, through the use of public contracts. Sir Keir has said that 50 per cent is just the minimum we will do everything to go beyond it. Keir Starmer on a visit to Home Farm in Solihull, West Midlands (PA) The party also said it will create a Cobra-style flood resilience taskforce to reduce the flood risk for Britains farms by delivering drainage systems, flood defences and natural flood management schemes. Labour claimed that the Tories are presiding over the destruction of agricultural businesses with a new party analysis of official data suggesting that more than 6,300 such companies have been terminated since 2017. This includes almost 5,000 meat, fruit, vegetable and dairy producers. The analysis of figures from the Office for National Statistics shows that the number of people employed in agriculture has fallen by a third over the same period. Shadow environment secretary Steve Reed said: This Conservative government has wrecked our farmers. It is time we turned the page and embraced a decade of national renewal with the countryside at its heart. Labour will give British farmers their future back, the frontbencher added. We will deliver lower energy bills for farmers by switching on GB Energy, lower red tape at our borders to get our great food exports flowing again, and use the governments own purchasing power to back British produce. The party hopes its plan for GB Energy, a new publicly owned company to invest in clean, homegrown power and make Britain energy-secure, will deliver cheaper bills for farmers. It has promised to rewire Britain in a way that allows farmers to rapidly plug their renewable energy into the grid. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Home secretary James Cleverly has said the government is ending the unreasonable practice of foreign students bringing family members to the UK, as new visa curbs come into force. The ban which affects all overseas students except those on postgraduate courses and certain scholarships will slash migration by tens of thousands, Mr Cleverly claimed. The move was announced in May by his now sacked predecessor Suella Braverman, just as official figures showed net migration running at 672,000. Later figures showed it had hit a record high of 745,000, sparking outrage from right-wing Tory MPs, who demanded fresh action from Rishi Sunaks government. Experts have warned that the restrictions on dependents joining overseas students in the UK could affect universities, which rely on the income generated via the fees paid by foreign students, and could harm the UKs reputation as an international destination. As of Monday, international students starting courses in Britain will no longer be allowed to obtain visas for their spouses and relatives unless they are on a postgraduate research programme or a government-sponsored course. Mr Cleverly said the government had a tough plan to rapidly bring numbers down, and that he was ending the unreasonable practice of overseas students bringing their family members to the UK. James Cleverly says students bringing family members to the UK is unreasonable (AFP via Getty) The home secretary added: This will see migration falling rapidly by the tens of thousands and contribute to our overall strategy to prevent 300,000 people from coming to the UK. Immigration minister Tom Pursglove said universities had seen a surge in the number of dependants being brought by students, which is contributing to unsustainable levels of migration. In November, Tory MPs on the right demanded fresh action by Mr Sunak to cut immigration, as revised figures from the Office for National Statistics put annual net migration at a record figure of 745,000. Responding early in December, Mr Cleverly set out a raft of new restrictions that he said would cut numbers including hiking the salary threshold for Britons bringing foreign spouses to the UK to 38,700. The move was criticised for threatening to tear families apart, with many fearing that their future plans had been thrown into doubt as the government considered the details of the policy. Ministers later U-turned, though only in part, by quietly announcing that the threshold would first be raised to 29,000 and then increased in incremental stages until the spring of 2025. This sparked fresh anger from right-wing Tory rebels, who want to see much tighter migration controls. The Home Office said the visa package that comes into force on Monday represents a tough but fair approach insisting that the changes to student visas will still allow colleges and universities to attract the brightest and best. But the government said it was removing the ability for institutions to undermine the UKs reputation by selling immigration, not education. Experts have previously expressed concern about the 1 January visa changes. Nick Hillman, director of think tank the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi), warned that international students could instead travel to competitor nations to undertake their studies. Rishi Sunak is under pressure to cut both legal and illegal migration (PA) As a country, we risk cutting off our nose to spite our face, he warned. International students benefit the UK ... they are vital to maintaining our world-class university sector as their fees cross-subsidise the teaching of home students and also help to fund UK research. Labour has backed the restrictions for overseas students who are enrolled on shorter courses but said they do not go far enough to tackle deep failures in skills and training across the UK labour market, or to boost the countrys sluggish economy. This is nothing more than a sticking plaster, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said. The Tories complete failure to tackle skills and labour market problems is undermining growth as well as increasing migration. Mr Cleverly has faced calls to resign over Christmas after joking about spiking his wifes drink with a date-rape drug at a reception in Downing Street. The home secretary apologised, and No 10 said Mr Sunak considered the matter closed. Mr Sunak boasted in his new year message that he had taken decisive action to stop illegal migrant boats in the English Channel. However, he is facing calls from rebel MPs in his own party to toughen up his Rwanda Bill and get deportation flights started by the spring. MPs on the right have threatened to kill the bill if the government does not agree to amendments in the new year. And top legal adviser David Pannick is said have warned Mr Sunaks government that the Rwanda Bill may not enable deportation flights to begin because it still allows for individual legal appeals to be submitted. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The crew of a cargo ship off the coast of Alaska is safe after responders extinguished a lithium-ion battery fire on Sunday that burned for several days. On Thursday morning, a cargo ship carrying lithium-ion batteries from Vietnam to San Diego, California alerted the US Coast Guard of a fire in their hold, the Associated Press reports. To prevent an explosion, the crew pumped carbon dioxide into the hold and sealed it. The Coast Guard diverted the ship to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, where the crew docked two miles off the coast to ensure the fire and any toxic gases did not affect the nearby community, the AP reports. The ships owners told the AP there fire did not cause any oil leaks. No one is injured and technicians from the Salvage and Marine Firefighting team are remaining onboard to ensure another fire does not break out. This protected anchorage ... will allow the vessel to remain stable, minimizing risk of any re-flash of the fire as we continue our response, Captain Chris Culpepper said in the press release, per the AP. Capt Culpepper also said an investigation into the cause of the fire was being launched. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Authorities in Utah have confirmed that a missing 17-year-old foreign exchange student was forced to isolate at the instruction of cyber kidnappers who extorted tens of thousands of dollars from him and his family. The Riverdale Police Department first asked for the publics assistance in helping find Kai Zhuang on 28 December, after his host family was notified by Zhuangs high school that he had been kidnapped. Mr Zhuangs family, who reside in China, had received a photo of him and a ransom letter demanding money. Police said that cyber kidnappers in the Asian country targeted Mr Zhuang for a month before he went missing, threatening to harm his family if he didnt send large sums of money that they requested. Basically, [the kidnappers said], If you dont do exactly what we say, then your parents will be in danger. Hes talking to them, not in person, but over the phone because theyre from China, Riverdale Police Chief Casey Warren told KUTV. So, hes believing hes doing these things in the US to protect his family in China. When Mr Zhuangs family questioned him about the missing money, the cyber kidnappings then forced him to isolate inside a tent in the Brigham City Canyon area. As a result of the fake kidnapping scheme, Mr Zhuang and his parents paid $80,000 to the cyber kidnappers. Mr Zhuang had been captured on surveillance video purchasing camping gear, leading detectives to believe that he had used it to camp out. Several law enforcement agencies began searching for Mr Zhuang on a Utah mountainside on Saturday night after learning that he had visited the area. Kai Zhuang, a 17-year-old foreign student from China, was trageted by cyber kidnappers (FOX 13 Utah) On Sunday, the exchange student was found very cold and scared inside a tent. The victim had no heat source inside the tent, only a heat blanket, a sleeping bag, limited food and water and several phones that were presumed to be used to carry out the cyber kidnapping, Riverdale Police Chief Casey Warren previously said. Investigators with the agency hiked on foot to the wooded area where Mr Zhuang had been isolated. According to the department, Mr Zhuang was relieved to see law enforcement personnel and asked for a cheeseburger and to speak with his family. The FBI, the Chinese Embassy, Brigham City police, Utah DPS Aero Bureau and Weber County Sheriffs Office Search and Rescue Drone team assisted Riverdale police in the search efforts. Police had previously stated that they did not believe Mr Zhuang had been forcefully taken by kidnappers. Chief Warren said during a press conference last week that cyber kidnappers often target foreign exchange students when carrying out false kidnapping scams. Victims are told their families are in danger and are instructed to isolate themselves. They are forced to take pictures of themselves in distress, which the cyber kidnappers then use to demand money from worried families. People who believe they have been targeted by cyber kidnappers are advised to cut all communications with them and contact law enforcement immediately. The investigation into the cyber kidnapping plot is still ongoing. The Riverdale Police Department has asked for anyone with information about the incident to contact detectives. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Colorado mother who is thought to have killed her children before fleeing the country is facing extradition back to the US following her arrest in the UK. Kimberlee Singler, 35, appeared at Westminister Magistrates court on New Years Day, charged with the murder of her two children. She also faces charges of attempted murder and child abuse. Heres what we know: What happened? According to the Colorado Springs police department, officers responded to a 911 call at around 12.30am on Tuesday, 19 December following reports of a burglary. After arriving on the scene they found Ms Singler and her 11-year-old daughter who had both sustained injuries. A nine-year-old girl and a seven-year-old boy were found deceased in the residence. Ms Singler, 35, was initially treated as a victim in the case, and she and her daughter received treatment at the scene before being taken to hospital. When did Ms Singler disappear? A week later on 26 December, investigators established probable cause and obtained an arrest warrant for Ms Singler. Though she had cooperated with them previously following the incident, she could not be located, and had last been seen on 23 December. CSPDs Violent Offender Fugitive Task Force began efforts to locate Ms Singler to apprehend her. Investigators surmised that she had fled the area. Kimberlee Singler was arrested by the National Crime Agencys national extradition unit (Nick Ansell/PA) (PA Archive) Where was she found? Ms Singler was arrested by the National Crime Agencys national extradition unit in Kensington, west London, on 30 December. She appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday facing extradition to the United States. A spokesperson for Colorado Springs Police Department confirmed the news in a statement that read: "Kimberlee Singler was taken into custody in the United Kingdom without incident. "Detectives with the Colorado Springs Police Departments homicide unit continue to work closely with multiple law enforcement agencies in pursuing the ongoing investigation." The department said more information would be released about the arrest at a news conference at a later date. What is she charged with? According to a police press release, Ms Singler faces four counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. CNN reported that the charges for each alleged crime were doubled due to the children being under the age of 12. She is also charged with three counts of child abuse and one count of assault. What was the alleged motive? No official motive for the killings has been established by police. Ms Singler was reportedly in the midst of a long-running legal dispute over the children with her ex-husband, Kevin Wentz, according to court records. Records state that there is also an open case over neglect and child placement. Ms Singler was granted a temporary protection order from Mr Wentz this autumn, court records show, according to KKTV. The most recent legal filing in the cases involving the children was filed the day after they were found dead. Following the incident in December, an attorney for Mr Wentz said that the family was 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. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Colorado mother who is charged with the murder of two of her children has appeared at a London court, following her arrest in the UK. Kimberlee Singlers nine-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son were found dead in a residential property last month, according to Colorado Springs police. Her 11-year-old daughter was also found, injured but alive. According to a statement put out by the force, officers had responded to a 911 call reporting a burglary at the Singler family home at 12.29am on December 19. The buglary claim was later discovered to be unfounded. Ms Singler, 35, and her 11-year-old daughter were treated for injuries at the scene before being taken to hospital. Despite initially co-operating with the investigation, Ms Singler disappeared on December 23 and a warrant was issued for her arrest on December 26 on murder charges. She was arrested by the National Crime Agencys national extradition unit in Kensington, west London, on December 30 and appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday facing extradition to the United States. Kimberlee Singler was arrested by the National Crime Agencys national extradition unit on 30 December (PA Archive) According to a police press release, Ms Singler faces four counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. CNN reported that the charges for each alleged crime were doubled due to the children being under the age of 12. A spokesperson for Colorado Springs Police Department said: "Kimberlee Singler was taken into custody in the United Kingdom without incident. "Detectives with the Colorado Springs Police Departments homicide unit continue to work closely with multiple law enforcement agencies in pursuing the ongoing investigation." The department said more information would be released about the arrest at a news conference at a later date. Following the incident in December, an attorney for Kevin Wentz, the man who has been reported as being the childrens father, said that the family was 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. 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. The first question that most often interests pregnant women is who will be born, a boy or a girl. And the second is who the baby will resemble. Sometimes there are miracles of genetics: children "borrow" from their parents so many features that they become their "twins". ADVERTISIMENT We in the material OBOZ.UA compared photos of young princesses/princes and their parents. The similarity, to put it mildly, is striking. 1. Kate Middleton and Prince Louis 5-year-old Prince Louis, the youngest child in the family of Duchess Kate Middleton and Prince William, looks incredibly similar to his mom as a child. Don't believe it? Look at the Christmas photo of little Catherine (in 1983) and the image of her son: the same chubby cheeks, the shape of the lips and eyebrows, and even the hairstyles are almost identical. 2. Prince William and Prince George 10-year-old Prince George, William and Catherine's firstborn son, is becoming more and more like his dad. It's not only about his demeanor and love of strict suits, but also about his external features. ADVERTISIMENT 3. Prince William and Princess Charlotte 8-year-old Princess Charlotte, the only daughter in Kate and William's family, is a "copy" of her daddy as a child. The Duke of Cambridge once mistook his image for a snapshot of Charlotte. This happened in 2020, during a visit to Bradford. William then asked his wife in surprise, "Is that really me? Doesn't it look like Charlotte? There's a very marked resemblance." 4. Prince Harry and Prince Archie ADVERTISIMENT 4-year-old Prince Archie, the firstborn of Duchess Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, most of all traits "borrowed" from his father. Recall that even before the birth of the boy, according to Meghan, someone at the royal court was worried about his skin color. Then in the Dutch translation of Omid Scobie's book "Eindstrijd" (Eindstrijd) there was information as if Kate Middleton was caught up in a racist scandal. However, Omid assured that in the original work did not call a specific name. 5. Princess Caroline and Charlotte Casiraghi In the royal Grimaldi family, the genes are very strong. Thus, Charlotte Casiraghi, daughter of Princess Caroline, inherited from her mother aristocratic facial features, type of figure and dark brown hair color. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier OBOZ.UA wrote about 7 of the most high-profile scandals in the royal family Windsor in 2023. They do not always manage to hide misunderstandings. Only verified information we have in Telegram-channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A local weekly newspaper in Oregon was forced to lay off its entire staff three days before Christmas after one of its employees allegedly embezzled tens of thousands of dollars. Camilla Mortenson, The Eugene Weeklys editor-in-chief, revealed in a letter to readers that the publication had to abruptly stop printing due to its current financial troubles. Ms Mortenson told The New York Times that the employee accused of running the embezzling scheme took money from accounts set up to pay employees retirement and left bills of up to $70,000 to the newspapers printer. Were heartbroken to have to tell you that this independent voice is in danger of falling silent, the letter read. There will be no print paper edition of EW, for the first time in more than 20 years. A spokesperson with the Eugene Police Department told The Independent that the agency took a theft report regarding an incident at 1251 Lincoln, the papers address, on 19 December. The case is under investigation and so we are not able to release further details right now, the spokesperson said via email. The Eugene Weekly has been in circulation since 1982 and it usually prints 30,000 copies each week. Ms Mortenson told the Times that the person accused of embezzling the money, who has not been publicly identified, had been working at the publication for the past five years. The editor-in-chief said that higher-ups first realised the papers financial troubles when they were closing records for the year. The managing team was not able to confront the accused employee because he was out of office. Every time I find something out, I just get sick to my stomach, Ms Mortensen told the Times. And again, this is someone we worked with who came to the office every day. The publication was still reeling from the financial losses it experienced during the pandemic, Ms Mortensen said, adding that the papers owners had always put earnings back into the business, usually using profits to cover employee benefits and bonuses. While print operations have shut down, Ms Mortensen and other members of the editorial team have volunteered to publish articles online. The owners, Anita Johnson, a former Washington Post reporter, and Georgia Taylor, covered the costs for the last print edition of The Eugene Weekly on 21 December. The paper is receiving donations and Ms Mortensen said she hopes The Eugene Weekly can eventually resume printing. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A New York police sergeant killed his wife and two children before taking his own life over the weekend, authorities have said. The Clarkstown Police Department identified the victims in the murder-suicide as 49-year-old Watson Morgan, his wife Ornela Morgan, 43, and the couples two sons, aged 10 and 12. Authorities said all four had gunshot wounds and a handgun was recovered at the scene. Their remains were discovered by police just after midnight on Friday at the familys home in New City, a suburb of New York City, after Morgan failed to show up for his evening shift at the Bronxville Police Department. At this phase in the investigation it is believed that Watson killed his wife and two children, prior to killing himself with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, a statement by the Clarkstown Police Department read. Bronxville Police Department Sergeant Watson Morgan, his wife Ornella Morgan and their two children, aged 10 and 12, were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide Watson was an officer with the New York Police Department for seven years. He then joined the police force in Bronxville, located in Westchester County, in 2007 and was promoted to sergeant in 2016. According to a tweet by the official Educators of New York account, Ornela Watson was a public school teacher in New York City. A neighbour of the family, who asked not to be named, told The New York Post that the community had been left shocked Bronxville Police Chief Christopher Satriale said in a statement that the tragedy left the department with profoundly broken hearts at the senseless loss of innocent lives. Our hearts go out to Sergeant Morgans extended family, Chief Satriale said. Our thoughts and prayers are also with his Bronxville Police Department family. If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Navys USS Gerald R Ford Carrier Strike Group will journey from the Mediterranean back to its home port of Norfolk, Virginia, in the coming days, for the first time since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war. The Department of Defense continually evaluates force posture globally and will retain extensive capability both in the Mediterranean and across the Middle East, the Navy said in a statement. DoD will continue to leverage its collective force posture in the region to deter any state or non-state actor from escalating this crisis beyond Gaza, it added. The ships of the Marine Expeditionary Unit / Amphibious Ready Group remain in the region with a contingent of 2,000 Marines, according to defence officials. Another group of warships are stationed in the Persian Gulf in an effort to prevent Hezbollah and Iran from further engaging in the conflict. The Ford strike group, the Navys newest and largest, was nearing the end of its first deployment but was redirected to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in October after Hamas attacked Israel. At the time, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the deployment was "part of our effort to deter hostile actions against Israel or any efforts toward widening this war following Hamas attack on Israel." Since the outbreak of war, US naval vessels have engaged in clashes with Houthi militants. On Sunday, a US Navy destroyer sank three boats of militants in the Red Sea, after they were fired upon when returning a distress call from a merchant ship, according to US Central Command. Close Trump cancels events in Iowa ahead of caucus as temperatures drop Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The 2024 Republican candidates are eagerly awaiting the results of the Iowa caucuses on Monday though if polling tells us anything, its that Donald Trump has a predictable commanding lead over the other candidates. In a survey, conducted by The Des Moines Register, NBC News and Medicom, 48 per cent of potential voters said the former president was their first choice of Republican presidential candidates. Former UN ambassador Nikki Haley was behind Mr Trump with 20 per cent support followed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis with 16 per cent. Vivek Ramaswamy had just 8 per cent while only 5 per cent of potential voters said they were still unsure. Of the survey respondents more than half said they had their minds made up regarding who they would cast their vote for. But for the 32 per cent who could still be persuaded to support a candidate, the presidential candidates are fighting hard to convince them to join their teams. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An attorney for Donald Trump says that his supporters should not be made to believe that he has legal problems, following a decision to have the former presidents name taken off the Republican ballot in Maine. Christina Bobb accused opponents of the former president of putting out propaganda to harm his 2024 presidential run. It comes after Mr Trump was removed from the ballot in Colorado last month, under the 14th Amendments ban on insurrectionists holding public office. The decision to also block him from the ballot in Maine was handed down on Thursday by state secretary Shenna Bellows. Speaking to Newsmax on Sunday, Ms Bobb suggested that Ms Bellows be impeached for her decision, and accused her of election interference. On the decision to remove Mr Trump from the ballot, she said: I would encourage the attorney general or the district attorneys in Maine to take a closer look at this and possibly investigate [Ms Bellows] for abuse of authority, abuse of power and election interference because this, no doubtedly, is election interference. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows ruled last week that Mr Trumps name would be taken off the ballot in Maine (AP) She continued: Even if shes overruled, even if the likely outcome which is that Trump will be on the ballot even if that happens, she is interfering with the election by putting out all of this propaganda. This narrative that Trump isnt going to be ineligible, trying to instill fear in the voters that oh, maybe I shouldnt vote for him maybe I shouldnt follow him because he wont be on the ballot. Theyre trying to discourage people from supporting Donald Trump thinking hes got all these legal problems. That is election interference and she needs to be held accountable for it. According to The New York Times, advisers to Mr Trump are prepping to file challenges to the decisions in Colorado and Maine as early as Tuesday. The former president is reportedly concerned that some conservative justices on the Supreme Court three of whom he appointed may rule against him, when the state decisions are turned over to them. Mr Trump has also been at the centre of multiple other court battles throughout the course of 2023 which continue to rumble on including his high-profile fraud trial in New York. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Former First Lady Melania Trump's mother, Amalija Knav, is reportedly "very ill," according to Donald Trump. Mr Trump revealed his mother-in-law was suffering from some kind of malady when he was asked why his wife had not accompanied him to a New Year's Eve party at Mar-a-Lago, according to Page Six. Melaniagreat First Lady, so popular, the people love hershe's now in a hospital with her mother," he said in a video clip that was shared on X/Twitter. "Her mother, Amalija, is very ill, but hopefully she'll be recovering." Mr Trump told the New Year's crowd that his wife "sends her love." "But she's been very ill, so I just want to say 'hello' to the First Ladywe just spoke, down in Miami, great hospitaland hopefully they'll be ok, but it's a tough one, it's a very tough one," he said. "She knows probably about 95 per cent of the people in this room. We just want to wish Amalija that she gets better as quickly as possible. Ms Trump was also absent from a Trump family Christmas photo taken earlier this year. She was reportedly caring for her 78-year-old mother, according to Page Six, citing a source close to the situation. Another unnamed source told Fox News Digital that Ms Trump has "always been very devoted to her entire family." It should be no surprise that she spent this Christmas with her ailing mother," the source said. Ms Trump has been largely absent from the public eye since the end of Mr Trump's presidency. She attended Rosalyn Carter's funeral alongside other former First Ladies in November, and a month later participated in a swearing-in ceremony at the National Archives. She has not been present at Mr Trump's campaign appearances or in his media interviews since he left office. Ms Trump did, however, endorse her husband's candidacy during a Fox News interview in May, telling the broadcaster that he was looking forward to "restoring hope for the future and leading America with love and strength." Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Since George H.W. Bush won in 1988, Republican candidates have received the majority of the American peoples votes in only one presidential election. In fact, it was the election that Mr Bushs own son, George W Bush, won in 2004. But despite the partys dismal results, the GOP has still managed to claim the White House almost as many times as the Democrats. Following the departure of the elder Mr Bush and before the inauguration of President Joe Biden in January 2021, Democrats and Republicans were exactly tied in Oval Office occupants with two presidents each. Democrat Bill Clinton won the popular vote to take the presidency in 1992 and 1996. Mr Bush managed to become president in the 2000 election despite Mr Clintons vice president, Al Gore, getting more votes overall. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the US entrance into Iraq and Afghanistan, Mr Bush managed to win by the popular vote in 2004 before Barack Obama did so in both 2008 and 2012. Jan 6, 2001: Al Gore announces George Bush's win, and his own defeat, in front of Congress, exactly two decades before insurrection In the 2016 election, it was Hillary Clinton who won the popular vote with almost three million more votes than Donald Trump. But the showboating businessman ended up in the West Wing regardless. To put it simply, in the most powerful democracy in the world, two of the nations last four leaders have been the less popular option among voters due to an Electoral College system that many feel is undemocratic and needs to change. They couldnt figure out any other way They came up with the Electoral College at the very end of the Constitutional Convention, Kermit Roosevelt, professor of law at the University of Pennsylvania, tells The Independent about the founding of American democracy. They didnt really pick it because it had features that they liked, so much as they couldnt figure out any other way to accommodate peoples concerns. As it currently stands, to get to the White House, a candidate has to reach at least 270 out of the 538 electoral votes which are distributed to the states according to population. However, most states have instituted winner-take-all systems. This means that a candidate could win the most votes across the country but lose the electoral college by running up the numbers in some states and losing by smaller margins in others. Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin, centre, carries a ballot box containing the 12 Massachusetts electoral votes for Vice President Al Gore as he is led by Sergeant-at Arms Michael Rea, right, during the Electoral College voting at the Statehouse on 18 December 2000 in Boston (Getty Images) Partisan sorting appears to have worsened this phenomenon, as people move to areas where their neighbours share their political beliefs. The size of some states is also so vastly different that smaller states have ended up with more representation in the Electoral College than their population may justify. A 235-year-old system So if its a less-than-ideal system, why is the US still using it 235 years after the Constitutional Convention in 1787? Costas Panagopoulos, professor of political science at Northeastern University in Boston, tells The Independent that, simply, theres no consensus around a better alternative. Mr Roosevelt, a great-great-grandson of President Teddy Roosevelt and a distant cousin of President Franklin D Roosevelt, says that many Americans simply dont like to question whats in the US Constitution. I think part of it is that its in the Constitution and we as Americans are taught very early that the Constitution is great and a product of genius, and that questioning the Constitution is disloyal, he says. Theres an impulse to believe that if something is in the Constitution, it must be good. But the method of selecting the president is sort of the clearest counterexample to that because it worked so badly that they had to change it with the 12th amendment. At the founding of US democracy, there were no political parties and the original system handed the presidency to the top vote-getter and the vice presidency to the runner-up. Cases containing electoral votes are opened during a joint session of Congress after the session resumed following protests at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, early on 7 January 2021 (AFP via Getty Images) The 12th Amendment changed the system in 1804 so that the president and vice president were elected as a single unit. Very close to the time of the founding the next generation ... realised the system they had didnt work, and it had to be changed, Mr Roosevelt explains. Two alternatives to the Electoral College Two alternatives to the Electoral College had actually been considered at the Constitutional Convention. One option was that Congress could pick the president a model much like in many European parliamentary democracies, very few of which have a directly elected head of government. But, it should be noted that very few of them have also combined the roles of head of government and head of state, like in the US. Mr Roosevelt says the idea of Congress choosing the president was rejected because they thought that it would give Congress too much power, that the president would feel loyalty or obligation to Congress if Congress picked him something that would interfere with the idea of separation of powers. A joint session of Congress meets to count the Electoral College vote from the 2008 presidential election (Getty Images) Such a system emphasises power within a political party, or within a coalition of parties, meaning that Mr Trump may never even have been thought of as a possible option for president if the only constituency was the congressional Republicans. Having only been in Washington for a couple of years at the start of his campaign, Mr Obama might also have struggled among congressional Democrats. Congress gives weight to behind-the-scenes deal-making, facilitating the rise of characters such as Senator Mitch McConnell. Mr McConnell is many things, but charismatic enough to woo GOP primary voters is probably not one of them. Secondly, the popular vote model was also considered back in 1787. But they didnt like the popular vote for basically three reasons, Mr Roosevelt says. One they were concerned about low-information voters. They thought youd have regional candidates, and people might know the candidate from their region, but the people of Massachusetts wont know the candidate from Virginia and wont be able to make an informed choice. Today, voters are actually drowning in information about candidates though much of it can be classified as misinformation or disinformation. US election: How does the electoral college work? Mr Roosevelt says the founders didnt see the partisan tilt of the Electoral College coming because they didnt anticipate political parties. The Electoral College has always had a bit of a small state bias and then that turned into a rural bias. And then that turned into a partisan bias, he notes. Winner-take-all-feature is not in the Constitution The way the system currently stands, vital facets are often confused, Dr Panagopoulos says. The Constitution says that presidents will be elected indirectly through electors selected at the state level equal to the number of representatives they have in Congress. However, the winner-take-all-feature of the Electoral College is not in the Constitution, he says. The Constitution does not say that if you win Californias popular vote by one vote you get all of those electoral votes states came up with that. In some states like Maine and Nebraska, the electoral votes are awarded on the basis of congressional districts. But Dr Panagopoulos notes that without the winner-take-all feature, it would be harder for any individual candidate to get to 270 and win a majority of the 538 electoral votes. And if you dont get to 270, the election ends up in the House of Representatives, where each state gets one vote, which you could argue is even less democratic than the indirect Electoral College system that we have so its more complicated than many people realise, he says. Congressman Jamie Raskin urges reform of Electoral College An aristocracy of the Dakotas and Wyoming The end result of this system is that very few voters actually matter. Weve got sort of an aristocracy of the Dakotas and Wyoming, and Rhode Island, Mr Roosevelt says. The big way in which the Electoral College distorts our political process is that it makes people focus on the swing states both when it comes to campaigning and governing, he adds. This is a point that I think is often lost or distorted people say, Well, if you didnt have the Electoral College, no one would pay attention to the small states. And I dont think thats true because a vote from a small state will matter just as much, he says. Candidates dont pay attention to small states, they pay attention to swing states. So you get all of this attention on Pennsylvania and Florida and Ohio and Wisconsin, North Carolina the states that are in play. And no one pays attention to California or New York or even Texas. There are millions of people in those states who may be persuadable, and maybe if you address their concerns, you could win their votes, but no one even tried. Hillary Clinton casts electoral college vote for Joe Biden Trump cant win a race where you have to get to 50% Democratic strategist Joe Trippi served as the campaign manager for the presidential campaign of Vermont governor and later DNC chair Howard Dean in 2004. It was one of the few elections where a Democrat the eventual nominee and then-Senator John Kerry came even close to winning the electoral college vote but losing the popular vote. Mr Kerry, who later served as secretary of state and is now Mr Bidens climate envoy, was just over 100,000 votes behind Mr Bush in Ohio. A win for the Democrat and Vietnam veteran in the state could have brought him over the line in the Electoral College even as Mr Bush became the first presidential candidate since his father in 1988 to get more than 50 per cent of the vote. If that had happened, then there probably would have been strong bipartisan support to abolish the Electoral College because we would have had two in a row and once a Republican wins, once a Democrat wins, Mr Roosevelt says. Mr Obama received more than half the votes cast in both his elections, as did Mr Biden in 2020. Mr Trump won in 2016 with 46.1 per cent of the vote to Ms Clintons 48.2 per cent. Mr Trippi tells The Independent that the big threat in 2024 is if the larger third party candidates manage to make it into a 45 45 kind of race. The strategist argues that Mr Trump only has a chance because of the Electoral College system. Trump cant win a race where you have to get to 50, he says. In 2016, some argued that preventing an authoritarian demagogue like Mr Trump from taking power is exactly what the Electoral College was created for, but no such action was taken. In fact, the system appeared to be weaker to the pressures of such a leader than a popular vote since Mr Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election only needed to be focused on a small number of states to win. Fake electors were put forward in several states a strategy that would have been irrelevant in a popular vote system. Electoral College certifies Joe Biden as president-elect with 306 votes Far from the vision of the founding fathers While there are several issues with the Electoral College system, theres also the simple matter that it is not working in the way that the founding fathers intended. The Electoral College today works very differently from the way that I think the founders envisioned it, Dr Panagopoulos says. The framers envisioned an independent group of people who could exercise judgement in their own right. He adds that the original intention of the Electoral College has been corrupted by states requiring a link between electoral votes and the popular vote within those states. Given the population and voting patterns in this country, Democrats should win most presidential elections pretty handily, he notes. Its an odd dynamic where some states legislating that their electors must vote for the popular vote winner in their state, in the end, may lead to the candidate getting fewer votes having a shot at the White House. So, will the system ever change? Dr Panagopoulos thinks it could be possible: I do feel a change is becoming more likely, but were talking about a process that is still likely decades in the making. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Disgraced former congressman George Santos has vowed to drive his critics insane, following the results of a self-posted online New Years poll. Mr Santos, who was ousted from the House last month, had posted the poll the previous day asking his 120,000 followers whether or not he should remain in the Republican party. On Monday he revealed that 26,000 people had responded to the poll, and that an overwhelming majority had said he should leave. The final split showed 67.3 per cent voting in favour of his departure. Its official! 26K people voted and an overwhelming majority wants me out of the Republican Party, Mr Santos wrote. So I will now double down and stay in the party just to drive you all insane! Happy new year! Mr Santos dramatic exit from Congress came at the beginning of December after he was federally indicted and accused of participating in a campaign finance fraud scheme as well as wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and more. More than a hundred Republicans joined almost all Democrats in voting to remove him from the chamber. Since then he has become more vocal on social media, having taken part in a highly anticipated interview with talk show host Ziwe, which was released on YouTube. During the interview Mr Santos lashed out at other alleged fraudsters in Congress. He also said he would not rule out running for office again in future, either as a member of the Republican party or as an independent candidate. Mr Santos has also seen great success on celebrity video messaging site Cameo, reportedly earning more than his annual congressional salary in just three days on the platform. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Congresswoman Lauren Boebert of Colorado has accused celebrities Ryan Reynolds and Barbra Streisand of forcing her out of her district and into a Republican primary in a district miles away from where she lives. Ms Boebert, the right-wing firebrand congresswoman and ardent supporter of former president Donald Trump, appeared on former Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannons podcast. Mr Bannon noted how Democrats had raised $10m against Ms Boebert since her 2022 race, when she narrowly beat Democrat Adam Frisch by 546 votes, mostly from the ski town of Aspen. Last week, Ms Boebert announced that she would not run in Colorados 3rd district which she represents and instead run in the Republican primary for retiring Rep Ken Bucks seat in the 4th district. She explained to Mr Bannon that she chose to switch districts to allow for a conservative candidate to win in the 3rd district. They do not have policies that they are running on, they're simply running against Lauren Boebert, she told Mr Bannon. And it's not just Aspen that the money is coming from. It's coming from Hollywood when you have Barbra Streisand coming in and donating to the Democrat. When you have Ryan Reynolds coming in and donating to the Democrat, it shows you that Hollywood is trying to buy their way into Congress. She added that George Soros, the billionaire financier who bankrolls Democratic causes and candidacies, spent money on the race. Mr Frisch received an avalanche of cash in 2023. In the most recent fundraising quarter between July and September, he received $3.37m in net campaign contributions, with $4.3m in cash on hand. Ms Boebert on the other hand, raised only $797,542.90 in net contributions that same quarter and had $1.4m in cash on hand. Ms Boebert has become a source of controversy throughout her time in Congress. During the January 6 riot, she tweeted that then-House speaker Nancy Pelosi had been removed from the chamber as rioters breached the Capitol. Her joke implying that Democratic Rep Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, a Muslim woman, was a terrorist led to Ms Omar receiving multiple death threats. She also received unwanted media attention when during a live-action performance of Beetlejuice, she was asked to leave after she was caught vaping near a pregnant woman, talking too loud and inappropriately groping her date. After initially denying her poor conduct, she apologised after video footage showed her doing so. Even though the 4th district is far from her home, Ms Boebert defended her decision to decamp to a more conservative area. I love Colorado's third district and we'll continue to fight for each and every person who's in the district and like I said, these are bordering districts they neighbor one another they are very similar and many ways when it comes to natural resources, agriculture, farming ranching, she said. The Colorado Sun reported Ms Boebert lives hundreds of miles from the district near the town of Silt. Members of Congress do not have to live in the district they represent in Colorado. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts discussed AI and its possible impact on the judicial system in a year-end report published over the weekend. Mr Roberts acknowledged that the emerging tech was likely to play an increased role in the work of attorneys and judges, but he did not expect to be fully replaced anytime soon. Legal determinations often involve gray areas that still require application of human judgment. I predict that human judges will be around for a while," Mr Roberts wrote, according to Reuters. "But with equal confidence I predict that judicial work particularly at the trial level will be significantly affected by AI." He said there may come a time when legal research will be "unimaginable" without the assistance of AI, for example, and noted that the tech could provide access to legal resources to Americans who may otherwise have been unable to afford them. These tools have the welcome potential to smooth out any mismatch between available resources and urgent needs in our court system, he wrote. The chief justice noted that the benefits of AI wouldn't come without some risks and drawbacks. AI obviously has great potential to dramatically increase access to key information for lawyers and non-lawyers alike. But just as obviously it risks invading privacy interests and dehumanizing the law, he said. In addition to those risks, popular LLM chatbots like ChatGPT and Google's Bard can produce false information referred to as "hallucinations" rather than "mistakes" which means users are rolling the dice anytime they take trust the bots without checking their work first. Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former lawyer and fixer, admitted that he had used an AI to look up court case records, which he then gave as a list of citations to his legal team. Unfortunately for Mr Cohen, the cases he cited didn't exist they were an AI's dream. Mr Roberts suggested it was "always a bad idea" to cite non-existent court cases in your legal filings. Due to the potential pitfalls of AI reliance, Mr Roberts urged legal workers to exercise "caution and humility" when relying on the chatbots for their work. The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans seems to agree with Mr Roberts' view that AI-assisted lawyering may produce some less-than-satisfactory work. The court has proposed a rule that would require lawyers to either certify that that did not rely on AI software to draft briefs, or that a human fact-checked and edited any text generated by a chatbot. The UAEs Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements have broken new ground in 2023, with three deals implemented, two more signed, and four agreed, taking the total number of CEPA partners to 10 across four continents. This was revealed by Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade. This, he says, represents a substantial expansion of the UAEs foreign trade network, and promises to create more opportunity for the countrys private sector in some of the most dynamic economies in the world. Over the course of a pivotal year for trade, the UAEs CEPAs with Turkiye, Indonesia and Israel came into force, removing or reducing tariffs, eliminating barriers to trade and opening up market opportunities for exporters and investors. In addition, CEPAs were signed with the emerging economies of Cambodia and Georgia, both of which will be implemented in the first half of 2024, while terms were agreed for CEPAs with South Korea, Colombia, Mauritius and Congo-Brazzaville. The UAE also commenced CEPA negotiations with a number of other countries, including Serbia, Ukraine, Eurasia, Australia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Costa Rica, Kenya, Chile and Vietnam. Increasing exports The CEPA programme, which also includes the partnership with India that was enacted in May 2022, is projected to increase the UAEs exports by 33% and contribute more than AED153 billion ($41.66 billion) to national GDP by 2031 representing a growth of almost 10% on 2022. He also noted that the flagship CEPA programme has secured access to markets that account for nearly 2 billion people, a quarter of the worlds population and will deliver long term benefits to the UAE economy. Trade has always been important to the UAE, a bridge that has connected our products, skills and natural resources to the world and infused our economy with its latest ideas and innovations. As underlined by the We The UAE 2031 vision, trade is now a cornerstone of our economic development and diversification ambitions. Record-setting driver In the past 12 months, trade has become a record-setting driver of growth, a pillar of economic policy, a lynchpin of foreign relations and, at the recently concluded COP28, a new front in the battle against climate change. Trade is now a central component of the UAEs domestic success and, as we prepare to host the World Trade Organisations 13th Ministerial Conference in February, growing international influence. As we reflect on the achievements of the past year, we believe the UAE has the conviction and the credibility to help shape a new future for global trade. Al Zeyoudi also highlighted that, in the first half of 2023, the UAEs non-oil foreign trade reached an all-time high of AED1.24 trillion with exports climbing to AED205 billion, another record. In addition to the success of its CEPA programme, the UAE has further cemented its reputation as a champion of open and inclusive trade in 2023, with a number of new initiatives aimed at facilitating and modernising trade. Trade Tech initiative In January, the UAE launched the Trade Tech initiative with the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, which is designed to accelerate the digitization of international supply chains, enhancing customs procedures and improving developing countries' access to the global trading system. The UAE has also implemented a new Services Export Strategy that is creating new market opportunities for the UAEs trade in services sector which already represents 2.2% of total global trade in services. Furthermore, the UAE launched a new re-export programme that will expand the geographical reach of businesses using the UAEs world-class infrastructure and strategic location as a global logistics hub to re-export goods across the world. The re-export sector in the UAE contributes 6.6% to the UAEs GDP, creating approximately 1.3 million jobs. Trade Day at COP28 At COP28, the UAE played a key role in securing the inclusion of an official Trade Day for the first time, facilitating a full day of discussions on how the public and private sectors can work together to deliver a cleaner, smarter and more inclusive trading system. In February 2024, the UAE will be hosting world trades topmost decision-making body, the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (MC13), which will see member countries, international trade organisations and institutions gather in Abu Dhabi for a key meeting on the future of global trade. Al Zeyoudi stressed that in his position as Chair of the MC13, he will be advocating the benefits of trade expansion and modernisation and its role in delivering inclusive, sustainable development especially for developing nations.--TradeArabia News Service Francoise Bettancourt Meyers, the 70-year-old granddaughter of L'Oreal founder Eugene Schuller, is the richest woman in the world according to Bloomberg's Billionaires Index. She has a fortune of $100 billion, mostly due to her stake in the company, the world's largest cosmetics maker. ADVERTISIMENT She is the first woman to reach that kind of capital. Business Insider has gathered facts about the world's richest female entrepreneur that you might not have known. Francoise Bettancourt Meyers is the granddaughter of L'Oreal founder Eugene Schuller French pharmacist Eugene Schuller founded L'Oreal in 1909. His daughter and Francoise's mother, Liliane, inherited the fortune and management of the company after her father's death in 1957. Together with her husband Andre Bettancourt, a French politician, they were well known in France for their glamorous parties. But their daughter was less interested in her parents' social lifestyle, preferring to stay at home, playing the piano or reading. ADVERTISIMENT Alphonse Lilian The relationship between mother and daughter was strained, especially when the future billionaire was a teenager. "Francoise was heavy and slow," her mother once told Vanity Fair magazine. The situation got worse when Bettancourt grew up. Francoise filed a lawsuit alleging that her mother was under the influence of photographer Francois Marie Banier. The Frenchman wanted $1.4 billion from the elderly woman in the form of cash, artwork and insurance policies. Liliane, who has been diagnosed with dementia, denied her daughter's allegation, saying she voluntarily shared her assets from Bannier. ADVERTISIMENT In 2009, Francoise told a French news magazine that "Mr. Bagne's goal is obvious: to tear my mother away from our family in order to profit from her. I will not allow this to happen." The case went to trial in 2015. The photographer was sentenced to two and a half years in prison and ordered to pay the victim 171 million dollars in compensation. The relationship between mother and daughter deteriorated further "I don't see my daughter anymore and I don't want to," Lilan said in a 2008 interview. - For me, my daughter has become something inert." In 2011, Francoise's mother was placed in family foster care due to concerns about her deteriorating mental health. ADVERTISIMENT Francoise's grandfather was an admirer of Hitler The heiress' lawsuit also uncovered long-forgotten family secrets, particularly the suggestion that Francoise Meyer's father Andre Meyer and her grandfather were Nazi sympathizers. Eugene Schuller publicly praised Adolf Hitler's "dynamism" in the early years of Nazi Germany, so he was accused of collaborationism after the end of World War II. Schuller was also a member of a secret society that planned to overthrow the republican government of France in the 1930s. The group, which was linked to numerous assassinations and bombings, was financed by Eugene. Their meetings took place at the headquarters of L'Oreal. ADVERTISIMENT Francoise inherited tens of billions of dollars after her mother's death in 2017 She also inherited a mansion in the suburbs of Paris and a house overlooking the coast of Brittany in France. These neighborhoods are considered to be places where not only rich but also influential people live. ADVERTISIMENT Francoise Bettancourt Meyers has become the first woman to reach the $100 billion mark The entrepreneur's fortune is estimated by Bloomberg at $100 billion, making her the richest woman in the world. Francoise and her family control about a third of L'Oreal, the world's largest cosmetics manufacturer. L'Oreal shares are up about 35% this year, hitting their highest level in a decade, and the company's market capitalization has surpassed $250 billion. The growth of stock market performance occurred against the background of the resumption of business after the pandemic. Earlier OBOZ.UA told oto, how looks the younger sister of Queen Camilla, with whom she has an extremely strong bond. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The leading candidate for the Republican presidential nomination faces 91 criminal charges, nearly half of which are at the federal level. And yet his two main GOP rivals have said they would pardon him if theyre elected. Donald Trump faces 40 federal charges connected to his handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago estate, as well as another four federal charges stemming from his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. He faces another 34 felonies in New York, where he is accused of falsifying business records stemming from hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, and another 13 in Georgia, where he is accused of leading a criminal racketeering enterprise to overturn the states election results. In recent days, Mr Trumps leading Republican challengers have vowed to pardon him if convicted on federal charges. While campaigning in the days leading up to the first votes of 2024s Republican primary elections, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley have both signalled they would grant clemency to the former president because it would be in the nations interest to do so. A leader needs to think about whats in the best interest of the country, Ms Haley said in New Hampshire on Thursday. Whats in the best interest of the country is not to have an 80-year-old man sitting in jail that continues to divide our country. Whats in the best interest of our country is to pardon him so that we can move on as a country and no longer talk about him. The next day in Iowa, Mr DeSantis said: We got to move on as a country. Like Ford did to Nixon, because the divisions are just not in the countrys interest, said the Florida governor, referencing Gerald Fords 1974 pardon of Richard Nixon. Nikki Haley campaigns in Iowa on 30 December. (REUTERS) Mr Trump who could be re-elected to the White House while in the middle of several criminal trials could also, hypothetically, pardon himself, and use his US Department of Justice to drop the federal cases against him. He also vowed mass pardons for the hundreds of people convicted in connection with the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, sparked by his ongoing false narrative that the 2020 election was stolen from him. Convictions on state charges, however, cant be erased by a presidents pardon, though Mr Trump has signalled his intent to prosecute local elected district attorneys and prosecutors under his weaponised federal law enforcement. Georgias governor does not have the power to grant a pardon, which rests with a state clemency board. Charges against Mr Trump in New York are not likely to result in jail time. The federal charges against him are among the most severe, with prison sentences, if convicted, of up to 20 years. Ron DeSantis campaigns in Iowa on 31 December. (AP) Mr Trump also faces a growing list of lawsuits threatening his eligibility to appear on ballots altogether, as well as mounting allegations of fraud, sexual abuse and defamation, all of which the former president and his campaign allege is evidence of a conspiracy to keep him away from the presidency. Those claims and developments in the criminal and civil cases against him have fuelled his campaign, which has amplified a conspiracy theory that President Joe Biden is directing the prosecutions against him as election interference. Republican officials and Mr Trumps GOP rivals for the 2024 nomination have largely rushed to his defence after his indictments. Vivek Ramaswamy pledged to pardon Mr Trump shortly after he was federally indicted in the Mar-a-Lago case. Mr Trumps supporters have called the criminal investigations against him as evidence of a two-tier system of justice, while prosecutors and critics have repeatedly stressed that the nations laws apply equally including against former presidents. Pardoning him would merely prove that the US does have two systems of justice, GOP rival Chris Christie told supporters in New Hampshire last week. But not the kind that Mr Trump believes. One for all of us and one for the most powerful, Mr Christie said. If we allow that to happen as a country, we would be no better no better than a lot of these tin-pot democracies around the world who treat the privileged different than they treat everyday citizens. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Crown Prince Frederik will take over as Denmarks monarch after his mother Queen Margrethe II announced her surprise abdication on New Years Eve. The queen, 83, is the longest-serving current monarch in Europe but will step down on 14 January, 52 years after she ascended the throne after the death of her father King Frederik IX in 1972. All eyes are now on Crown Prince Frederik, 55, who was once known as the party prince in the early 1990s before he graduated with a masters in political science in 1995, becoming the first Danish royal to complete a post-graduate degree. Born on 26 May 1968, the eldest son of Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik, the heir apparent received his primary education at Krebs Skole in Copenhagen and later went to the Ecole des Roches, a boarding school in Normandy, France. Growing up, the crown prince is said to have felt neglected and harboured resentment toward his parents, who were preoccupied with their royal duties. He filled the gap of an isolated and troubled adolescence with his passion for cars and a high-paced lifestyle. But the perception soon changed after he graduated from Aarhus University in 1995 and had a year-long stint at Harvard University in the US. He enrolled in Harvard under the pseudonym Frederik Henriksen, adopting his fathers name, Henri de Monpezat, the French diplomat who assumed the title of Prince Consort Henrik upon marrying Margrethe. File Queen Margrethe II of Denmark waves as she arrives aboard the Royal Yacht Dannebrog in Aarhus Municipality (Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima) The crown prince also completed military courses and trained in Denmarks three military branches. He attained the title of Major General in Denmarks Army and Air Force, as well as Rear Admiral in its Navy. In the Navys Frogman Corps he was among only four recruits out of 300 to pass all the tests. There he was reportedly nicknamed Pingo (Penguin) after his wetsuit filled up with water during a training course in scuba diving and he ended up walking like the bird. In 2000, he took part in a daring four-month ski expedition covering 3,500 km (2,175 miles) across Greenland. He had to be hospitalised and taken for check-ups following sledging and scooter accidents. His popularity has surged over time, particularly propelled by the Royal Run an annual series of fun runs across Denmark that he initiated in 2018. Danish Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik arrive at the State Banquet at Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen (via REUTERS) Crown Prince Frederik has been involved in various charitable and cultural activities, including a passion for the climate crisis. When the time comes, I will guide the ship, he said in 2022 as the Danes celebrated the queens half-century on the throne. I will follow you, as you followed your father in taking forward the 1,000-year-old institution, he added. His Australian-born wife Mary Donaldson will become the first Australian-origin monarch to take the role of Queen Consort alongside her husband. He met her, a lawyer by profession, in a Sydney bar during the 2000 Olympic Games. They got married in 2004 and have four children: Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent, and Princess Josephine. Crown Prince Frederik will become the king of Denmark on 14 January. There will be no formal coronation ceremony like King Charles and Camilla of Britain. His ascent to the throne will be announced from Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} 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. Security was high across Germany ahead of the final night of the year, with police detaining three more suspects on Sunday in an alleged Islamist plot to attack Germanys famed Cologne Cathedral on New Years Eve. Attackers had planned to use a car to target the 800-year-old Gothic cathedral, Cologne police said. The method of the planned attack was unclear, but an underground car park below the cathedral was searched with explosives sniffer dogs overnight, Cologne police director Frank Wissbaum told a news conference. "The three people are now securely in custody, which we are very glad about since they can no longer communicate with each other," he said. Mr Wissbaum said investigators had found evidence late on Saturday that linked the three to a 30-year-old Tajik man with alleged ties to Isis, who has been in custody since 24 December. Federal authorities were continuing their investigation into what Mr Wissbaum termed a "network of individuals" from Central Asia with links to several German states and European countries. No details were given on the identity or background of the people now in custody. The suspects were detained in the western cities of Duisburg, Herne and Noervenich, police said, and communications devices were seized during searches of their apartments. Security was stepped up in and around the cathedral ahead of a New Years Eve service. Police warned the public not to be concerned if they saw officers carrying machine guns and body armour. Thousands of extra police also patrolled Berlin, where celebrations last year were overshadowed by violent clashes, with revellers barracking first responders attempting to reach the sick. Police in the capital are also on guard after a pro-Palestinian solidarity demonstration scheduled for midnight was banned. Many Muslims in Germany are unhappy with the support shown for Tel Aviv in its war against Hamas. Additional reporting by agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to boost the countrys military manufacturing in 2024, promising that Russia will feel the wrath of domestic production. In his new years message, Mr Zelensky said Ukraine will build at least a million drones, adding: All of which we will generously use. Russia pounded Odesa in southern Ukraine with missiles and drones earlier on New Years Eve, before the leaders of the two warring countries gave contrasting messages to their people. Next month it will be two years since Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine, plunging the world into a global food crisis and attempting to oust Mr Zelenskys democratically-elected government by force. Yet his own four-minute new years address avoided making any direct reference at all to the war he started. I want to wish every Russian family all the best, Mr Putin said, calling his soldiers heroes... at the forefront of the fight for truth. We are one country, one big family, he said. Russian President Vladimir Putin makes his annual New Year address to the nation in Moscow, Russia (via REUTERS) In his 20-minute video address, Mr Zelensky said: Each of us fought, worked, waited, helped, lived and hoped this year. No matter how many missiles the enemy fires, no matter how many shellings and attacks, he pledged, we will still rise. Mr Zelensky said the Ukrainian air defence forces worked every night to defend Ukrainian skies so that we could hear the all clear call 6,000 times in 2023. And next year, the enemy will feel the wrath of domestic production. Our weapons, our equipment, artillery, our shells, our drones, our naval greetings to the enemy and at least a million Ukrainian FPV drones, he said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recording his video address in front of the sign 'Avdiivka is Ukraine (EPA) Russian and Ukrainian officials traded accusations over New Years Day strikes that killed four people on Monday morning in Donetsk, a Russian-held Ukrainian regional capital, while one was killed in the Russian strikes in Odesa on New Years Eve. The day prior, Russia suffered what seemed to be the most deadly individual assault on its territory since the start of Mr Putins full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Saturday night strike on the Russian city of Belgorod resulted in 24 reported fatalities and left over 100 people injured, according to Russian officials. Russian officials blamed Ukraine for the attack and retaliated with drone strikes in Kharkiv, just 60 miles across the Belgorod city border. These are not military facilities, but cafes, residential buildings and offices, Kharkivs mayor, Ihor Terekhov, claimed. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Israel's Supreme Court has struck down a key component of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's contentious judicial overhaul, delivering a landmark decision that threatens to reopen the fissures in Israeli society that preceded the country's war on Hamas in Gaza. The planned overhaul sparked months of mass protests, threatened to trigger a constitutional crisis between the judicial and legislative branches of government and rattled the cohesion of the powerful military. Those divisions were largely put aside after Hamas militants carried out a bloody cross-border attack in southern Israel on 7 October triggering a war that has raged in Gaza for nearly three months. But Monday's court decision could reignite those tensions, even while the country remains at war. Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a Netanyahu ally and the architect of the overhaul, lambasted the court's decision, saying it demonstrated "the opposite of the spirit of unity required these days for the success of our soldiers on the front." The ruling "will not discourage us," Mr Levin said without indicating whether the government would try to revive his plan in the short term. "As the campaigns are continuing on different fronts, we will continue to act with restraint and responsibility," he said. In Monday's decision, the court narrowly voted to overturn a law passed in July that prevents judges from striking down government decisions they deem "unreasonable." Opponents had argued that Mr Netanyahu's efforts to remove the standard of reasonability opens the door to corruption and improper appointments of unqualified cronies to important positions. The law was the first in a planned overhaul of the Israeli justice system. The overhaul was put on hold after Hamas militants carried out their attack, killing some 1,200 people and kidnapping 240 others. Israel immediately declared war, and is pressing forward with an offensive that Palestinian health officials say has killed nearly 22,000 people in Hamas-run Gaza. In an 8-7 decision, the Supreme Court justices struck down the law because of the "severe and unprecedented harm to the core character of the State of Israel as a democratic country." The justices also voted 12-3 that they had the authority to overturn so-called "Basic Laws," major pieces of legislation that serve as a sort of constitution for Israel. It was a significant blow to Mr Netanyahu and his hardline allies, who claimed the national legislature, not the high court, should have the final word over the legality of legislation and other key decisions. The justices said the Knesset, or parliament, does not have "omnipotent" power. Mr Netanyahu's government could seek to ignore Monday's ruling, setting the stage for a constitutional crisis over who has ultimate authority. Mr Netanyahu and his allies announced their sweeping overhaul plan shortly after taking office a year ago. It calls for curbing the power of the judges, including limiting the Supreme Court's ability to review parliamentary decisions and changing the way judges are appointed. Supporters said the changes aim to strengthen democracy by circumscribing the authority of unelected judges and turning over more powers to elected officials. But opponents see the overhaul as a power grab by Mr Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges. Mr Netanyau denies all charges against him. The Movement for Quality Government in Israel, a good-government group that opposed the legislation, called the Supreme Court's ruling "a tremendous public victory for those who seek democracy." "Only an unreasonable government, one that acts unreasonably, that makes unreasonable moves, abolishes the reasonablility standard," the group's chairman, Eliad Shraga, said. Before the Israel-Hamas war, hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets in weekly protests against the government. Among the demonstrators were military reservists, including fighter pilots and members of other elite units, who said they would stop reporting for duty if the overhaul was passed. Reservists make up the backbone of the Israeli military. While the reservists quickly returned to duty after the Hamas attack in a show of unity, it remains unclear what would happen if the overhaul efforts were revived. A resumption of the protests could undermine national unity and affect the military's readiness if soldiers refused to report for duty. Under the Israeli system, the prime minister governs through a majority coalition in parliament in effect, giving him control over the executive and legislative branches of government. As a result, the Supreme Court plays a critical oversight role. Critics say that by seeking to weaken the judiciary, Mr Netanyahu and his allies are trying to erode the country's checks and balances and consolidate power over the third, independent branch of government. Mr Netanyahu's allies include an array of ultranationalist and religious parties with a list of grievances against the court. His allies have called for increased West Bank settlement construction, annexation of the occupied territory, perpetuating military draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men, and limiting the rights of LGBT+ people and Palestinians. The court issued its decision because its outgoing president, Esther Hayut, is retiring and Monday was her last day on the job. Boasting immaculate white-sand beaches, gin-clear waters and endless sunshine, the best Caribbean resorts are highly sought-after. But with so many visitors flocking to these paradisical shores, is there anywhere left in the Caribbean you can truly get away from it all? Beyond the draw of iconic islands, such as Barbados and Antigua, the Caribbean is home to some less-travelled gems, where you can experience more of the regions stunning resorts without the crowds. While they may not offer the convenience of direct flight routes, being ever-so-slightly less accessible has ensured these islands have remained unspoilt. Add to that the few luxury resorts on their pristine shorelines and youre left with some of the most exclusive spots in the Caribbean. Trust us on this one theyre well worth the additional short flight! Rosewood Little Dix Bay, British Virgin Islands Enjoy some secluded luxury at the Rosewood Little Dix Bay in the British Virgin Islands (Inspiring Travel) Made up of 60 small islands, the British Virgin Islands boast some of the most exclusive havens on the planet. Think deserted white-sand beaches, prehistoric-style boulders and rugged hilltops for panoramic views not to mention 21 National Parks for scenic hiking trails. Experience it at its best from Rosewood Little Dix Bay, a renowned Caribbean resort set on a pristine half-mile curve of white sand beach. Opt for a beach or hillside for additional privacy. Be sure to take the water taxi to the seven secluded Virgin Gorda beaches for a picnic and a day of snorkelling. Alex Longworth, Inspiring Travel Specialist Petit St Vincent, St Vincent & the Grenadines Immerse yourself in the Caribbeans vibrant marine life during your stay at Petit St Vincent in the Grenadine Islands (Inspiring Travel) The Grenadines are perfect for immersing yourself in the Caribbeans vibrant marine life. Take to the crystalline waters around the reef-lined islands of Bequia, Canouan and the Tobago Cays for a day of sailing, a must when exploring the area. To really make the most of the beautiful Caribbean waters, stay at Petit St Vincent. This tranquil resort has its own Jean-Michel Cousteau Dive Centre that caters to beginners and PADI-certified divers. Come here if you really want to switch off there are no phones, TVs or internet, so you can truly set your watch to Caribbean time! Clare Mullet, Inspiring Travel Specialist Le Toiny, St Barths The prestigious resort of Le Toiny in St Barths is a favourite among the sophisticated yacht crowds (Inspiring Travel) Visit glamorous St Barths for sophisticated French culture, designer-labels and isolated beaches. The island is a popular stopover for yacht crowds, and resorts are highly sought-after. One of the most prestigious addresses is Le Toiny, a boutique Caribbean resort where private pools with sea views come as standard across all 22 suites. At the Beach Club, sip on cocktails in the refreshing beachfront pool. Le Toiny has one of the best restaurants on the island. It has beautiful sea views and an open kitchen, making for a laidback yet elegant atmosphere. Sam Morris, Inspiring Travel Specialist Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla Get a taste of Anguillas famously good dining scene during your stay at Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel (Inspiring Travel) With its bevy of beautiful beaches, Anguilla is ideal for an exclusive low-key escape the kind of place celebrities retreat to, just to blend in. The island is known for its exceptional dining scene, something you can get a taste of at Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel. This excellent Caribbean resort has four beautiful restaurants, including Cips by Cipriani, bringing a taste of the removed Italian restaurant to Anguilla. This hotel is set on the stunning Maundays Bay, one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. I love the vintage food truck, serving rum punch and barbecue tapas with calypso music! Jasmine Murphy, Inspiring Travel Specialist Secret Bay, Dominica Privacy is the name of the game at Secret Bay in Dominica, where youll find the Caribbeans most secluded swimmable beach (Inspiring Travel) Nestled on the clifftops of the north-west coast of Dominica, Secret Bay harbours the Caribbeans most secluded swimmable beach. Drink in the sea views from your villas private plunge pool, or venture down to the waves below for a splash in the sea. In true Relais & Chateaux style, this hotel provides a dedicated villa host to make every moment extra special. Adventurers will love straying away from the sands to Dominicas verdant rainforest with a half-day canyoning experience. Race into waterfalls and dive into crystal clear pools to connect with nature, or head out in a boat to catch your own lionfish for the Secret Bay chef to cook freshly for you. Alex Longworth, Inspiring Travel Specialist Amanyara, Turks & Caicos Indulge in island-inspired spa treatments at Amanyara on the Turks & Caicos island of Providenciales (Inspiring Travel) On the main Turk & Caicos island of Providenciales, stay at Amanyara on the north-western tip where just 40 pavilions and villas are sprinkled along the secluded shores of an 18,000-acre nature reserve. Its excellent spa serves up island-inspired treatments infused with Provos coconut oil, known for its healing and anti-ageing properties. This Caribbean retreat is so exclusive that youll likely snorkel and sunbathe all day without seeing another soul. Amanyara is perfectly placed for snorkelling the pristine coral reefs in the North West Point Marine National Park. Kids can get involved to, with fun activities to help them learn more about conservation. Jackie Sampson, Inspiring Travel Specialist Inspiring Travel have been creating tailor-made luxury holidays to the Caribbean for 50 years. Speak to their Travel Specialists for more advice on the best Caribbean resorts and how they can personalise a bespoke experience for you. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Commercial aviation was safer in 2023 than in any previous year. According to a leading air safety expert, last year set a new record for the fewest accidents and deaths. Only two fatal accidents occurred during the 12 months, compared with six in 2022. In both crashes, propeller aircraft came down on domestic flights, with a total of 86 deaths fewer than half the 178 fatalities in 2023. For comparison, 148 people die in the average hour on the worlds roads according to the latest UN figures. No fatal aircraft accidents involved international flights or passenger jets. In a civil aviation safety review for the Dutch air-safety organisation To70, senior aviation consultant Adrian Young writes: Both the number of accidents and fatalities are at a record low. The fatal accident rate was less than one in 15 million flights three times better than the 10-year average. The first and deadliest crash was in Nepal on 15 January 2023. An ATR-72 belonging to Yeti Airlines took off and flew normally from Kathmandu to Pokhara, but plunged into a gorge one mile short of the runway. The subsequent investigation found that high workload and stress on the flight deck was responsible. Mr Young says the accident report revealed the pilots actions resulted in the feathering of both propellers and subsequent loss of thrust, leading to an aerodynamic stall. The second fatal accident was in Brazil on 16 September 2023, when an Embraer 110 belonging to Manaus Airlines crashed on a flight from the Amazonian city to Barcelos during bad weather. All 14 passengers and crew died. The safety of jet aircraft repeats the unlikely success of 2017, according to Mr Young. As the new year dawns and we look back across 2023, civil aviation finds itself in a similar position to 2017 with no fatal accidents to large turbofan powered, passenger aeroplanes in commercial service, he writes. This category encompasses everything from commuter jets of the type used at London City airport to the Airbus A380 SuperJumbo. The notorious crash of a private jet carrying the boss of Russias Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is excluded. The plane crashed with the loss of all 10 on board on 23 August 2023 during a flight from Moscow to St Petersburg. Reports claim an ally of Vladimir Putin was responsible for placing a bomb on the Embraer 135 aircraft. International law requires countries to involve the nation where the plane was made, in this case Brazil. But Russia refused to involve the Brazilian authorities or the aircraft manufacturer in the investigation. Mr Young describes this as an unwelcome step that goes against the collaborative nature of accident investigation and does not help with the main reason to investigate accidents; the learning of lessons. The safety expert warns of a number of incidents and non-fatal accidents that require the industry to remain vigilant. He writes: Regardless of how low the accident rate in 2023 has been, there is no cause for complacency. Aviation remains a risk-laden industry and as airports around the world report that movements are reaching the same level as in 2019, before the Covid 19 crisis, a number of issues have not gone away. Serious injuries due to turbulence remain an ever-present factor in the years accidents. Eleven passengers aboard a charter flight from Barbados to Manchester were hurt when their Airbus A330 encountered clear air turbulence over the Atlantic. The plane diverted to Bermuda on Christmas Eve. This year will see the 10th anniversary of the two tragedies involving Boeing 777 aircraft belonging to Malaysia Airlines. On 8 March 2014, flight MH370 disappeared while on a routine flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The jet is presumed to have come down in the Indian Ocean west of Australia. No trace has been found of the 227 passengers and 12 crew. On 17 July 2014, flight MH17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was downed by a Russian missile fired from rebel-held territory in eastern Ukraine. All 298 passengers and crew perished. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice The holidays have ended, which means people are finally done seeing their dysfunctional families and inevitably talking about politics. But the annual political chatter amid extra servings and presents will have been a little different when someone is a politician themselves. Currently, Washington is split, with Democrats controlling the White House and the Senate, but Republicans controlling the House of Representatives by a slim margin, which has led to its loudest and most right-wing voices all but dictating the direction of GOP leadership and deposing a speaker. Meanwhile, a bevy of Republican candidates are running to challenge former president Donald Trump, but none have even put up the semblance of a legitimate challenge to the former president. Conversely, no credible Democrat with wide name recognition seems to be willing to challenge President Joe Biden. So as we get ready for another election year, here are the biggest political losers. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy Its hard to think of anyone who has had a more humiliating 2023 than the now-defrocked speaker of the House. At the beginning of last year, Mr McCarthy had to spend 15 rounds over the course of a week to earn the gavel thanks to a handful of Republicans opposing him. After a series of negotiations, he all but gave away the House by allowing a single member to file a motion for a no-confidence vote. What followed was him consistently bowing to the wishes of the most extreme voices in the Republican conference, making working with the White House and the Senate all but impossible. While he did score a modest win by getting the White House to agree to some spending cuts in exchange for lifting the debt limit, the bill only passed because House Democrats bailed him out. But after conservatives repeatedly opposed legislation to keep the government open, Mr McCarthy finally passed a clean spending bill with the help of the Democrats. As a thanks, he trashed them on national television. That led to him being summarily deposed when Rep Matt Gaetz (R-FL), his longtime nemesis, filed a motion to vacate the chair and seven other Republicans voted to oust him along with every Democrat present. Mr McCarthy had spent the better part of eight years trying to become speaker, and he finally earned the brass ring only to be kicked out in a spectacularly embarrassing fashion. President Joe Biden Mr Biden seemed to show signs of life in 2022, having signed a slew of both bipartisan and Democratic legislation on everything from semiconductor manufacturing, guns, LGBT+ marriage and climate change. He fulfilled a campaign promise to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court in Ketanji Brown Jackson. He staved off what should have been a catastrophic midterm election and his party actually gained a seat in the Senate, meaning his vice president would not have to constantly trek to the Senate to break ties. All of this gave him a huge incentive to run for re-election, despite the fact that he turned 81 in November, making him the oldest person ever to seek the presidency. But polling consistently shows him running behind Mr Trump. He also has faced consistent criticism from younger voters for his stance unequivocally supporting Israel as it continues its assault on Gaza after Hamas attacked the country and killed 1,200 people. Mr Biden has yet to begin campaigning in earnest, but his numbers are abysmal. He still has a chance to turn it around, but it will be a massive lift. Ron DeSantis Around this time last year, the Florida governor seemed like the preeminent candidate to take on Mr Trump. He had won re-election by almost 19 points in November of 2022. He had become the darling among conservatives for his targeting of how gender identity, race and sexual orientation are discussed in school and his signing legislation that restricted abortion. But his campaign faced significant trouble before he even announced. Mr Trump almost immediately targeted Mr DeSantis, tagging him with the name DeSanctimonious. Moreover, he often refused to attack the former president before he announced, barely mentioning his name. That seemed to please nobody: to the Maga base, he became a traitor for running against the former president after Mr Trump endorsed his 2018 campaign, while Republicans who wanted a Trump alternative saw him as weak. Hes frequently come off as awkward or impersonal on the campaign trail, deferring to his former news anchor wife Casey. After amassing a massive war chest, his campaign shed staff. He now trails former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley. Mr DeSants has gone all-in on campaigning in Iowa. But its highly unlikely he can regain the lustre he had earlier this year. Abortion bans Republicans severely underperformed in the 2022 midterms largely in response to the Supreme Courts Dobbs v Jackson decision that overturned Roe v Wade. But 2023 proved that wasnt a fluke and that the anger of female voters and their allies will continue. First, in Wisconsin, Democrats flipped the Supreme Court largely on the back of overturning the states abortion ban that dates back to 1849. Then in Ohio, when supporters of abortion rights hoped to put a constitutional amendment to enshrine abortion rights on the ballot, Republicans tried to pre-empt them by trying to raise the threshold to amend the constitution in a separate referendum vote, which voters soundly defeated. In November, Ohioans voted to enshrine the right to an abortion in its state constitution. Just across the river in Kentucky, Democratic Gov Andy Beshear hammered his Republican opponent for opposing abortion even in cases of rape and incest, earning re-election in a state Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell won by double digits. That same night, Virginia Democrats held the state senate and flipped its House of Delegates largely in response to Republican Gov Glenn Youngkin pushing a 15-week abortion ban. Those results dimmed any hopes Mr Youngkin would run for president in 2024. Anger at abortion restrictions is still a potent force and likely will remain one going into the next year. Joe Manchin The West Virginia Democratic senator all but ruled Washington by fiat during the first two years of the Biden administration. With a 50-50 Senate, Mr Manchin, the most conservative member of the Democratic caucus by a mile, had absolute veto power for any single part of the Biden administrations agenda. That changed when Republicans gained control of the House of Representatives and Democrats gained an additional Senate seat. But Mr Manchin suffered the consequences of going along with the Biden administration on the Inflation Reduction Act, becoming the most unpopular senator in his home state. Mr Manchin was likely always on borrowed time given he represents a state that shifted dramatically to the right in the past 20 years. As a result, he began to frequently voice his criticisms of the Inflation Reduction Act that he helped write. All the while, he began floating the idea of a quixotic third-party presidential campaign backed by No Labels, the nonpartisan group that some fear would enable Mr Trump to win. Finally, earlier in November, Mr Manchin decided to call it a day and not seek re-election. He may still run for president, but he has reached the peak of his relevance and will make it harder for his party to hold the Senate in 2024. An array of social welfare payments are going up from New Years Day An array of social welfare payments are set to rise from today after increases unveiled in Budget 2024. Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys said the rises came as part of the biggest ever social welfare budget. From Monday there will be a 12 Department of Social Protection increase in the maximum rate of core weekly payments to the public. The Department said the Working Family Payment thresholds will rise from today by 54 weekly for all family sizes. The Department said the increase will provide additional financial support for low-income families and more households will become eligible for the payment, as a result of this increase. There will also be a rise of 10 in the monthly rate of Domiciliary Care Allowance, bringing the payment to 340-a-month. The Department said the elevation is to support people who play a valuable role in Irish society parents or guardians who look after a child with a severe disability. A 4 increase will be in place for those in receipt of Qualified Child payments, applying to children of social welfare recipients, bringing the payment to 46 a week, for children under 12 and 54 a week for children aged 12 and over. There will also be a once-off doubling of weekly social welfare payments at the end of January. In the week beginning January 29, this will be paid to anyone who already qualifies for the Christmas bonus payment, and will be paid at the new, higher rates. Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said: Im pleased to announce that 980 million worth of payment increases are to come into effect from today. These increases were secured as part of the largest Social Protection Budget package in the history of the State and will benefit hundreds of thousands of families right across the country, including our carers, pensioners, lone parents and people with disabilities. Im particularly pleased to have again increased the Qualified Child payments and the Working Family Payment thresholds. These are both vital supports that help to reduce child poverty. These measures are in addition to the series of lump sum payments issued in recent weeks and are designed to put more money back in peoples pockets and assist families across the country with the ongoing cost-of-living pressures. The deologue of the Ukrainian nationalist movement, Stepan Bandera , has become a nightmare for many of Ukraine's enemies, who are still afraid to mention him to this day, and during the Soviet Union did everything possible to demonize the patriot. One can read about his political activities and influence on the development of Ukrainians in history textbooks and watch biographical films, but very little is known about the heartfelt experiences of the national hero. ADVERTISIMENT It is believed that there were three women in Stepan Bandera's life, but he married only one of them, Jarosawa Opariwska. OBOZ.UA decided to find out what is known about the revolutionary's family. According to some sources, Jarosawa grew up in the Eastern Lemkivshchyna in the town of Syianok. She was an educated girl with pro-Ukrainian views, although they could not be called safe at the time. In 1936, the Ukrainian graduated from the Emilia Plater Women's Gymnasium in Syianok, after which she entered Lviv Polytechnic, Faculty of Agronomy, from which Stepan Bandera himself had graduated two years earlier. Although geographically they were in the same region, the future lovers met in Krakow. ADVERTISIMENT In 1940, Stepan Bandera organized a congress of Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists activists in the Polish city of Warsaw, and there he married Yaroslava in the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. For a while, passion took over the nationalist's thoughts, so he retired from his activities to spend a few weeks with his bride on a honeymoon trip and hide from the pursuit of Soviet spies. It is said that Jarosawa's life with her husband was difficult and mostly consisted of underground activities, persecution, fear for herself and her beloved, emigration, and waiting for him to return from prison. Two years after the wedding, as soon as the couple gave birth to their first daughter, Natalia, Stepan Bandera was arrested by the Germans and imprisoned in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. ADVERTISIMENT Jarosawa Bandera suspected that in order to influence her husband, the enemies might persecute his beloved and daughter, so she escaped and hid in her mother's house. Almost four years passed in fear and anticipation until the Ukrainian was released. The family spent the next period of their lives in Germany. Two more of their children, Andrii and Lesia, were born in Munich. They grew up believing that their father was a journalist named Stefan Popel. The couple's relatively quiet life lasted until Stepan Bandera's assassination in 1959. At that time, Jarosawa and her children were forced to emigrate to Toronto, where she lived out her life. ADVERTISIMENT Before Jarosawa, the Ukrainian nationalist had romantic feelings for Yulia Yakymovych and Anna Chemerinska. Nothing is known about his relationship with the former or the reason for their breakup. Perhaps it was this careful secrecy that allowed the girl to survive. Chemerinska ignored Bandera's advances because she fell in love with another Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists activist, Yaroslav Baranovsky, who was killed later Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that Francoise Bettancourt Meyers is the richest woman in the world. She is worth $100 billion, mainly due to her stake in the company, the world's largest cosmetics manufacturer. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Government is to step up warnings about new UK import controls that enter into force from the end of this month. State messaging will update firms on work to ensure Irish exporters, especially in the agri-food sector, are ready for the red-tape measures, brought on by Brexit. The UK will introduce the first phase of its much-delayed post-withdrawal import controls on January 21, adding to paperwork and bottom-line costs for Irish firms selling into the neighbouring market. The new controls will bring additional logistical challenges for Irish exporters, especially in supply chains and for several government departments. From the end of the month, Irish exporters will need to lodge customs declarations with UK authorities for all goods exported. In the animal and food sector, they will also need to provide export certificates for some agri-food SPS products, verified by vets. A cross-government communications campaign, with media engagements and print and radio advertising, will intensify this month, amid concerns that many exporters are still not ready. Britain remains a key market for Irelands agri-food sector, with exports worth 6.8bn in 2022. The UK represents 36pc of total food exports from the Republic, the bulk of it exported via our ferry ports, with a minority going by air cargo. A government spokesman said: It is important that those involved in Ireland-GB supply chains, including exporters, hauliers, logistics and customs agents take the necessary steps to prepare for the new UK rules. Intensive engagement is under way with the UK authorities to develop co-operation and mitigate this risk. Minister Charlie McConalogue says the Department of Agriculture is implementing a range of activities to support the agri-food sector in preparing for the changes. He has told the Cabinet he is satisfied the work will ensure disruption to trade with Britain is minimised. The UK move could add to prices in British supermarkets, making it harder for exporters to achieve market share. The Government awareness activity will include information campaigns, direct engagement with individual food businesses exporting to the UK, and dedicated training programmes on export certification. The faces of those who died on Irish roads during 2023 Road deaths have jumped by 19pc in just one year the latest annual figures show. It comes amid fears an ongoing concentration of Garda resources in Dublin will stymie efforts to reverse the trend in increasing road deaths outside the capital. Provisional road traffic collision figures show 184 people died in 173 fatal collisions in 2023 compared to 155 deaths in 149 collisions in 2022. This is an increase of 29 deaths or a 19pc rise in road deaths compared to last year. Tjhe Road Safety Authority (RSA) said the figures again showed a high proportion of male fatalities, a continuation of 2022s increased pedestrian deaths and a high number of fatalities at night when there is less traffic on the roads. Fears are mounting that a brain drain of garda personnel to Dublin in the wake of the riots threatens to decimate road safety plans for the rest of Ireland. Numbers of garda personnel in Roads Policing Units (RPUs) have plummeted by 13pc since 2021. There are fears from some road safety campaigners that the urgent focus on policing resources in Dublin in the wake of the riots last November will leave personnel shortages in counties that experienced a surge in road deaths last year. Last November, the number of officers in RPUs had fallen to 641, down from 736 engaged in dedicated traffic duties in 2021. There are concerns that new garda recruits will be prioritised for policing duties in Dublin. Road deaths soared by almost 19pc last year, with safety campaigners warning that fatalities will continue to spiral until Ireland tackles issues around garda resources, disqualification loopholes and the ability of drivers to keep operating on learner permits without ever sitting a driving test. There were a total of 184 road deaths by December 31, 2023 29 more than in 2022 including a woman who died in a crash in Roscommon at the weekend. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has demanded action on key road safety issues. Junior Transport Minister Jack Chambers has vowed to enforce a tough crackdown on learner permit holders this year, warning they will not secure a new permit unless they actually sit a driving test. It was one of the safest Christmas periods on record, with just one road fatality recorded between Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. In mid-October, Ireland was almost 30pc ahead of 2022 road death levels, with several counties almost tripling the number of fatalities in the space of just 12 months. Nineteen of the 26 counties either matched their 2022 death toll levels or recorded increases in fatalities. Carlow had zero fatalities in 2022, but four deaths last year. Tipperary, which suffered two separate horrific collisions in which seven people died last August, recorded 16 road deaths in 2023, a 229pc increase on the previous year when seven people died. It suffered Irelands highest overall death toll exceeding far larger counties, including Dublin and Cork. Twelve people died on Mayo roads, a rise of seven compared with 2022. Galways road death toll jumped from six in 2022 to 13 last year. Cork matched its high 2022 death toll of 14 last year. Deaths in Dublin rose by one from 13 in 2022 to 14 last year. Fatalities in Donegal which traditionally records one of Irelands highest rates of road deaths rose from eight in 2022 to 10 last year. Wicklow tripled its road deaths, with fatalities increasing from two in 2022 to six last year. Major reductions in road deaths were only recorded by Kilkenny (nine down to four), Limerick (10 down to seven) and Wexford (nine down to three). Safety campaigners, including Parc (Promoting Awareness Responsibility and Care), have called for extra road policing resources, renewed road safety promotions and a crackdown on driving licence enforcement. Road Safety Authority (RSA) officials have already met with Garda Road Policing Unit officials to discuss the worrying death toll and to determine what response should be directed. RSA chairperson Liz ODonnell said the recent scale of road fatalities was a cause of serious concern, while the Taoiseach a former transport minister insisted on personally chairing a ministerial meeting last November on road safety initiatives and invited Susan Gray of Parc to give a presentation. Mr Varadkar, who lost a family member in a road tragedy in 2005, said he was alarmed by the increase in road deaths. He will chair another ministerial meeting on road safety soon to assess ongoing progress on various safety issues. Parc also raised concerns over resources for Garda Road Policing Units amid concerns the bulk of newly graduated gardai will be assigned to Dublin to address issues highlighted by the recent riots. Ms Gray pointed out that Road Policing Units had a reduction of 47 officers last year, bringing its official status in November to 641 personnel. That is a 13pc reduction on the 736 gardai assigned to road policing duties in 2021. Units where officers departed included garda districts in Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Donegal, Galway, Laois, Offaly, Kilkenny and Wicklow. The countrys 183 road deaths last year involved 68 drivers, 43 pedestrians, 34 passengers, four e-scooter drivers or passengers, 25 motorcyclists, seven pedal cyclists and one pillion passenger. Parc expressed concern at the surge in road fatalities and said it was clear that urgent action needed to be taken to reverse the trend. What is worrying is that the numbers have been going in the wrong direction both in 2022 and in 2023, Ms Gray said. She said a number of measures need to be implemented, including the provision of greater manpower resources for Roads Policing Units, all RPU vehicles being equipped with automatic number plate recognition, closing loopholes such as allowing motorists to renew a learner permit without sitting a driving test, and overhauling the driver licence data system so rogue motorists are more easily traced by gardai and the Courts Service. She said the issue over learner drivers securing a renewed permit without having sitting driving test can be resolved at the stroke of a pen. Ireland has welcomed the first babies born on New Years Day 2024, with a boy born in Dublins Rotunda Hospital thought to be the first. Arlo Robert Emmett was born just after midnight at 00:04 last night in the Rotunda Hospital. Parents Nicole and Robert Emmett, from Ashbourne in Co Meath, welcomed their baby boy, who was born weighing just over nine pounds. Mother Nicole and baby boy Arlo Robert Emmett at the Rotunda Hospital on New Year's Day Across in Letterkenny Hospital in Co Donegal, midwives working through the night welcomed baby girl Amelia shortly after midnight at 00:13. Baby Amelia was born to parents Danielle and Andrew from the village of St Johnston in Donegal, weighing approximately 8.1 pounds. Day staff midwife Camilla said there is a really special feeling throughout the maternity hospital today hearing that baby Amelia is one of the first newborns in the country this year. To welcome a wee baby into the world at any time is special but particularly on New Years Day, it really is lovely, she told the Irish Independent. Also in the west of the country, Sligo University Hospital welcomed a baby girl into the world at 5am, while Mayo welcomed two babies shortly after, at 5.10am and 5.27am. Midwives in Cork University Maternity Hospitals wards were busy throughout the night, with seven births taking place between 1am and 7am. Catherine O'Halloran and her partner Brian, gave birth to a baby boy, not yet named at just after 1am in Cork Maternity Hospital. Photo: Provision. The first baby boy, who is yet to be named, was welcomed at 01:02 by parents Catherine OHalloran and partner Brian from Co Tipperary, with the baby weighing approximately eight pounds. Next up was a baby girl, born at 2:39 at 3.380kg to Sarah Coughlan and partner Mike, from Killeagh in Co Cork. At 03:30, the third baby, a boy named Sari was welcomed by mother Sarah Alturkustani from Ballincollig in Cork, with the baby weighing 3kg. Fourth up was a baby girl born to mother Claire OBrien from Rathgormack in Co Waterford. The hospitals fifth newborn of the night, baby Joyal, was a baby boy, born at 07:03, weighing six pounds. He was welcomed by mother Jyothi Marottikale-Alexander, who lives in Carrignavar in Cork. Eleanor O'Driscoll from Charleville, Cork, with baby Britney, born just before 6am on New Year's Day. Photo: Liam Burke. Judy a clinical midwife manager of the hospitals birthing suite, who is in charge of the hospital today, said all the parents across the wards are over the moon to have such healthy babies arriving on the first day of a new year. She said nurses and midwives were so happy and full of joy, heading home after their night shift following the birth of seven babies in the early hours of January 1. We are getting ready for the new year. We have had a busy season over the Christmas and in the past week. Hopefully it will be a healthy and good year for all, she added. Eleanor O'Driscoll from Charleville in County Cork welcomed the third baby of the night at Limerick Maternity Hospital in the early hours of New Year's Day. The baby girl, Britney, was welcomed into the world at approximately 5.57am. University Hospital Limerick (UHL) recorded the most people on trolleys this year with 21,445 followed by Cork University Hospital (12,582) and University Hospital Galway (9,026) The INMO's TrolleyWatch tracker shows that University Hospital Limerick (UHL) had the most patients on trolleys this year. Photo: Stock image A record total of almost 123,000, including more than 3,000 children, were admitted to hospital without a bed in 2023, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO). The overall figure of 122,879 patients marks an increase of 1,561 on last year and a 4,512 increase on 2019s figure of pre-Covid times. University Hospital Limerick (UHL) recorded the most people on trolleys this year with 21,445 followed by Cork University Hospital (12,582) and University Hospital Galway (9,026). A total of 3,494 children were left on trolleys in the country across Temple Street Childrens Hospital, Our Ladys Childrens Hospital Crumlin and the National Childrens Hospital in Tallaght. INMO general secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha described 2023 as another difficult year for nurses and hospital staff working in hospitals and care settings across the country. Ms Ni Sheaghdha said nurses and midwives were working in hospitals that were in a near-constant state of overcrowding coupled with short staffing. There is an increased demand for services due to a growing and ageing population. While services have expanded, which is to be welcomed, the staffing levels are not matching the growing demand on service provision, she said. Before Christmas, the INMO met the HSE and the Department of Health twice to look at the anticipated surge in flu, Covid and RSV infections in January. Ms Ni Sheaghdha said the INMO had strongly urged them to grant an exemption for critical front-line staff from the recruitment freeze. Now is the time to keep and encourage staff to work in our public health service. With a rising turnover rate, we are tirelessly working to stem the tide of unsafe nurse staffing, she said. She labelled the imposition of a moratorium on frontline staff as an obvious own goal. The INMO also claims it asked the HSE and department to use all accessible capacity in private hospitals in order to boost capacity as well as postpoing all non-urgent elective care until February. Ir said this would have been in an effort to redirect resources and prioritise critical needs. Ms Ni Sheaghdha said the INMO also asked the HSE to implement more robust infection control measures across all hospitals to ensure a safer environment for both patients and healthcare professionals. The final ask was to issue stronger public health advice to the public More than 11 nurses and midwives were assaulted every day in Irish hospitals. Another unwelcome spike in assaults against staff and particularly nurses and midwives must be tackled in 2024, she said. In the wake of the lobbying, the INMO is optimistic that a new division is to be established in the Health and Safety Authority which will contribute to forcing employers to take the health and safety and conditions in which nurses and midwives and other health care workers more seriously. The HSEs focus for 2024 must be to make the provision of health care safer for those who work in our public health system and for the patients they serve, she added. Protesters outside Leinster House in September when the Dail resumed after the summer break. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins The Taoiseach has vowed that he wont change his lifestyle despite being warned of a heightened risk to his safety from far-right extremists. Leo Varadkar said he would not give in to those who seek to intimidate politicians as he ruled out entering some form of security bubble. Last year several events raised concerns around the safety of elected representatives. There were a number of arrests outside Leinster House in Dublin in September as far-right protesters heckled and threatened TDs, senators and staff members and tried to blockade an entrance. A mocked-up hanging gallows adorned with pictures of prominent politicians, including Mr Varadkar, was brought to the gates of the Dail. Demonstrators have also protested outside some politicians homes, with Mr Varadkar again a target. The scenes of violence on Dublins streets on November 23 during a far right-influenced riot have further intensified safety concerns for elected representatives here. At his end-of-year media briefing, Mr Varadkar was asked about the risk to politicians and whether recent events had forced him to change his routine or habits. To be honest, Ive kind of refused to change my life, he said. And, you know, I have been advised by the Garda Commissioner (Drew Harris) that the threat is higher and the risk to my personal safety is real. And that is the case for other ministers too. Youll know the Garda Commissioner has taken the decision to extend garda protection to all members of Cabinet, including the chief whip (Hildegarde Naughton) and Minister (Pippa) Hackett and Minister (Jack) Chambers, and thats based on security assessments that the risk to politicians in terms of our safety is heightened. But I havent changed the way I live my life, nor will I. First of all, Im not going to give in to it and, secondly, you know, I see how other countries operate where politicians, ministers, prime ministers live in a security bubble and... really forget what its like just to do normal things and live a normal life. And I dont want to stop doing that, just for my own personal sense of being who I am. But, secondly, I dont think itd be a good thing for the country. You know, so Ill keep on going to the cinema, Ill keep on going to restaurants and bars, Ill keep going to the gym and Im not willing to have that changed. Perplexing evidence claimed Imelda (22) went to collect her dole payment on a bank holiday 'It just makes us feel like we're not being told the truth' - 30 years on from the disappearance of Imelda Keenan A new witness with potentially significant information relating to the mystery disappearance of Imelda Keenan has come forward 30 years after she went missing. Imelda was 22 when she went missing from her Waterford flat in 1994. Early last year, a woman who knew Imelda in the early 1990s contacted gardai with details about a number of frightening incidents involving the young woman that took place in Waterford before her disappearance. The witness, who recently gave a formal statement to gardai, first met Imelda in 1990. She moved from the Waterford area before Imeldas disappearance and realised she had vanished only after watching a TV programme on Irelands missing women earlier this year. Ms Keenan, from Manor Road, Mountmellick, Co Laois, went missing on January 3, 1994, after leaving her flat in William Street, Waterford, which she shared with her fiance. She told her fiance she was going to the post office to collect her dole payment. She washed her hair, gave her partner a cup of tea, did her make-up and headed out. She said she would not be long and mentioned she had to get cat litter. She walked out the door at 1.30pm, but didnt take her bag with her. A witness said she saw Ms Keenan walking across William Street. Imelda Keenan The witness was driving from the quay into William Street and Ms Keenan stopped in the middle of the road to let the car pass. That is the last reported sighting of her. There are many aspects of Imeldas disappearance that just dont make sense to us, Ms Keenans niece, Gina Kerry, said. The Monday she disappeared was a bank holiday. She had told her fiance she was going to collect her dole payment, but the post office wouldnt have been open that day. We also dispute the sighting of Imelda on William Street. We think that may be a case of mistaken identity or that the sighting relates to a different day. Ms Keenan was last seen by her family two weeks before Christmas. She was talking to her brother Ned in The Three Shippes pub and they had a chat, said Ms Kerry. Imelda had presents for his two boys and there were presents given to Imelda as well. They were still under her tree in the flat when she was reported missing. Two days in a row in late December 1993, Ned called to see Ms Keenan at William Street and failed to get an answer. Imelda Keenan Ms Keenans case was initially treated as a suicide, but she was later included in Operation Trace, a garda investigation into missing women. Last month, Imeldas family had a meeting with gardai for an update on the case. They still think that she is a missing person, Ms Kerry said. They said at this time they are not upgrading it to murder, but if any new information comes to light, that could change things. To mark the 30-year anniversary of Ms Keenans disappearance, the family will gather at a memorial plaque in Waterford at 3pm this Wednesday. A relative will say a few words and the plaque will be blessed by a priest. Thirty years is a lifetime, Ms Kerry said. So much time has passed and we still have no answers, but we arent giving up. We are not giving up hope that Imeldas case will be upgraded. It has happened with other missing persons cases. A murder investigation would give gardai more power to probe and after all this time, we believe that is what is needed. As a family, we are at the stage now where we want as much attention on Imeldas case as possible. We believe that someone Imelda knew was hurting her in the lead-up to her disappearance and we believe she was murdered. Over the years, Ms Keenans family have staged regular memorial events to mark the date of her disappearance and the birthdays she never got to celebrate. These events are designed to keep awareness of her aunt alive in the public consciousness, Ms Kerry said. We have done a lot of work ourselves to try and get answers, she said. Imelda Keenan Unfortunately, the years have just passed by. Imeldas mother Elizabeth died in 2009 and her brothers Ned and Donal died in 2011 and 2018. They went to their graves not knowing what became of Imelda. I asked my uncle Donal if I could take over the campaign. In 2012, after receiving a tip-off, an extensive search focused on a derelict bungalow in Ferrybank in the hope of finding Ms Keenan. However, the search was unsuccessful. A modest stone memorial on the bridge linking Lombard Street and William Street in Waterford is the sole public dedication to Ms Keenan. It reads: Always remembered. Our darling daughter and sister Imelda Keenan, Mountmellick, Co Laois, reported as a missing person from this street, 1993-1994. I get really frustrated for my family. I want the truth, and I want my family to get peace, Ms Kerry said. I have accepted that we will never find her. But if my family are never going to get peace in that regard, I dont want the people involved in Imeldas death and burial to get any peace either. Our family has nothing to lose, we have already lost Imelda. We would appeal to anyone who knows anything to please get in touch with gardai. Anyone with information on the disappearance of Imelda Keenan is urged to contact Waterford garda station on 051 305 300 or phone the garda confidential line on 1800 666 111. Calls can also be made to the Missing Persons Helpline Ireland on 1890 442 552 or, for those who wish to remain anonymous, their Help Bring Them Home confidential line 1800 911 999 is available in Ireland only. Leo Lieghio, an Irish Road Victims Association board member, said we really need to stand up to tackle road safety together as road deaths rise in 2023 Its the last thing you expect to happen. You never expect to get that phone call or knock on the door. Never, never, never. On Sunday, October 16, 2005, Leo Lieghio got that phone call. His 16-year-old daughter Marsia, from Clondalkin in Dublin, had been knocked down. The first thing that came into my head was that it was a joke. And when I realised nobody would make a joke like that, I just screamed at [wife] Teresa and we drove down to where it was, only two minutes down the road, he said. Marsia was lying on the stretcher, already unconscious. She fought for her life, first for two days in Tallaght Hospital then a few more in Beaumont Hospital before her life support was eventually turned off. Even when youre expecting it it feels like someone reaching into your stomach and ripping out your insides. We all just held each other. Teresa got sick, physically sick, and then I had to tell my two young boys, aged nine and 11, that their sister was gone. Marsia was loved by everyone who knew her and that love is best summed up by the number of friends and family who arrived at the hospital to be by her side in the days before her death. I had to chase them out of the waiting room at one stage downstairs into the hall, there was so many of them, Mr Lieghio said. Her [Marsias] ambition was to be a midwife when she left school. Like all teenagers, she had her moods but to me, like all parents would say, our daughter was an angel. There was something special about her. Maybe she just wasnt meant for this world. Born just 10 months before her Marsias Irish twin Leah did everything with her sister. They basically went everywhere together, made their communions and confirmations together, the works. We didnt even realise the day Marsias life support was turned off was Leahs birthday, October 22. She has that horrible day to think of every year. The driver responsible for Marsias death, a woman from Dundalk, Co Louth, was in Dublin to buy drugs. However, she wasnt driving under the influence when she knocked Marsia down. Marsia was crossing the road at a set of pedestrian traffic lights. Her friend said the lights were in her favour. Someone else said they werent, Mr Lieghio said. The guards told us she was only a foot away from the footpath. A step away from the footpath and she was knocked clean out of her runners. The woman, who left the scene after stopping briefly, was found guilty of careless driving, not having insurance, failure to report the incident, failure to stay at the scene and failure to give appropriate information. She served 10 months. Im angry at the courts, Im angry at the guards, Im angry at the Government and Im angry at the people, Mr Lieghio added. In 2023, 182 people died on Irish roads, up from 155 in 2022. For Mr Lieghio, it isnt about finding one solution, but a combination of several. The enforcement just isnt there, [the Director of Public Prosecutions] isnt willing to take a case to the full extent. The judges are willing to accept ridiculous excuses and let people off, and the Government arent going to spend the money that would give the guards what they need. Theyre not going to make the necessary legislative changes. Theres no magic bullet, but theres a few bullets there to let go if theyre willing to do it. Mr Lieghio stressed that while 2023s road death statistics make for grim reading, there are real lives impacted by these tragedies. You talk about statistics these people, they had families. Theres families behind them brothers and sisters, he said. Multiply that number by 10 and you have the number of people that are seriously injured. Theyre affected for the rest of their lives and so are their families. People seem to forget about that. We really need to stand up and do something, not only when we get behind the wheel, but when were in the car with someone else or someone is doing something we dont like get out of the car and let them know. We all have to get that word out. One hundred and eighty-two places missing at the Christmas table this year. My Marsia is gone 18 years, two years longer than we got to love her. Mr Lieghio is a member of the board of the Irish Road Victims Association, an organisation he hopes doesnt grow any bigger this winter. Were there to help people if they need the help. Hopefully, they dont, because were in a club we didnt want to be in. We didnt ask to join and we dont want that club getting any bigger, he said. Molly Martens jail breaches inexplicably wiped, clearing way for killers freedom Former nanny who killed Irish businessman Jason Corbett in their home with father Tom is now considered a model prisoner Tom and Molly Martens: 10 Key Takeaways from the case Ralph Riegel Mon 1 Jan 2024 at 03:30 Killer Molly Martens has had her record of repeated prison rule breaches in two separate US jails inexplicably wiped clean. Multi-faith schools outnumbered Catholic secondary schools in 2018 but until now, enrolments in Catholic schools had remained higher. Stock image/Getty The number of students attending multi-denominational schools at post-primary level exceeded the numbers enrolled in Catholic schools for the first time during the current academic year. Figures from the Department of Education showed there were 201,102 pupils attending multi-denominational schools across Ireland in September, representing 48.3pc of the total. At the same time, there were 199,292 students in Catholic schools, accounting for 47.8pc of all enrolments at secondary level. Multi-denominational schools in Ireland outnumbered Catholic secondary schools for the first time in 2018 but until now, enrolments in Catholic schools had still remained higher. The change was driven by a 4pc increase in enrolments over the past 12 months in multi-denominational schools, with pupil numbers up 7,747. In contrast, the growth in student numbers in Catholic schools was smaller, at 0.8pc, with a net increase of just 1,519. The Department of Education said the number of post-primary schools had been gradually rising for the last number of years in tandem with demographic changes. The latest figures show the number of multi-denominational schools has remained unchanged over the past 12 months at 358, while the number of Catholic schools has decreased over the same period by six to 337. Overall, the number of students attending post-primary schools rose by 2.5pc in September to 416,631 an annual increase of 10,239. Excluding students from Ukraine, the increase would have been 7,782 or 1.9pc. The number of students from Ukraine enrolled at post-primary level on December 21 has risen by 24.7pc to 6,836 since the summer holidays. They were enrolled in 593 different schools 82pc of all secondary schools and accounted for 10pc or more of student numbers in 36 schools. Eight counties account for half of the total of Ukrainian students at post-primary level Dublin, Cork, Kerry, Donegal, Galway, Clare, Mayo and Wexford. Meanwhile, there was an increase in the number of all students attending post-primary schools in all local authority areas for the current academic year, with the sole exception of Clare, where enrolments fell by 49. The largest increases in absolute terms were in Cork County and Fingal where there were more than 1,000 additional students attending secondary level compared to the previous year. In contrast to strong growth in enrolments at post-primary level, the number of pupils attending primary schools has fallen by 0.4pc to 546,787 a decrease of 2,411 compared to the 2022/23 academic year. He is excited when he thinks Wicklow is full of young female monkeys Escaped Wicklow capuchin monkey Charlie just wants to find love, so please do not shoot him. Thats the latest appeal from Rathdrum Monkey Sanctuary owner, Willie Heffernan, who gave an update on the famed nut-cracking capuchin who escaped last week. "He is excited when he thinks Wicklow is full of young female monkeys, Willie said. But the wildlife lover is concerned about hunters who may kill the super-intelligent grinder monkey that busted out last week. "Either he has succumbed to the elements or hes been killed by farm dogs or hit by a car, Willie added. He would survive in the trees, he is a very capable fellow. It is shooting season down here and he could be a target. Missing Charlie "There is a lot of shooting, ducks, pheasants, so that is a worry because he would be high in a tree. "I would appeal to farmers to please check their out buildings, that is probably where he will go to rest up...If there are no dogs there. Mr Heffernan detailed how escaped Charlie was very interested in female monkeys and that Charlie is just looking for love. "He has always just been with other monkeys. He is very wily, he wouldnt go into a trap. He will avoid people and sleep in barns. Willie approaches the sanctuary by boat (Pic: Rathdrum Monkey Sanctuary) "He was only two years old when he arrived. Normally they all get spayed, the males but he slipped the knife. Theres three old monkeys on the island next to him females in their mid 60s and he was harassing them. I tried to move him and his partner - I got one off but when I went to get him he had jumped ship. "When I was trying to catch him, he was going off and then re-appearing for his food. Then he just disappeared. Im worried he has gone into Avondale. I live by the National Park - theres a forest from Lara to Arklow so he has plenty of woodland. Bearded Capuchin / Back-striped Capuchin (Cebus libidinosus)cracks a nut with a stone. "He is excited when he thinks Wicklow is full of young female monkeys. Hes lived on the island and caught squirrels, frogs and birds so he has no bother getting protein. "He is from an ex-lab from Edinburgh University and is not to be petted. I just put the food over by a pully system and there is a vet if they ever need attention. So there is very little human interaction. He is young and fit so he can travel. He dives from tree to tree. Rathdrum local Rossa O Briain whose two sons rowed crossed the Atlantic for Ireland in record time last year - shared his thoughts on the unfolding monkey business. He never knew he lived so close to such a monkey sanctuary. Living in a sedate part of rural Wicklow, I brought my grandchildren to an Open Day on a local farm in the summer of 2023. On display was a fully functioning threshing machine, farm animals including geese which participated in the line-dancing competition and a spectacular dog show. "Observing all of this with interest I noticed a curious looking building in the distance. Upon enquiry, I was informed that it was a monkey house, he said. Rathdrum This was a pleasant surprise for me. I have seen wild monkeys in Africa and Asia but not previously in Ireland. Now most of my travels are armchair based. Last week I heard that there is a monkey on the loose in the Rathdrum area. His favoured activity, apart from amorous pursuits, is swinging from tree to tree. "This development has thrown open new travel possibilities. With a bit of luck in 2024 we may be able to take a comprehensive armchair safari holiday from the comfort of home. There is no further need for airport check-ins, security or fuel consuming aircraft. Rathdrum has it all, Mr O Briain added. Local entrepreneurs in Russia are dissatisfied with the actions of the Russian military, which endanger the border areas. In particular, the Tyotkinsky sugar plant, located in the Kursk region, suffered from the actions of the Russian army. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the National Resistance Center. The plant wanted to receive compensation for the damage caused by the Russian armed forces in the first three months after the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. During this time, the plant's facilities and surrounding areas were used by the Russian armed forces and suffered numerous damages as a result of shelling, causing losses of 75 million rubles. However, the Kremlin authorities decided not to compensate the owners for the destroyed property. As reported by OBOZ.UA, 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' facilities continued in the afternoon. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, the National Resistance Center reported that as a result of the destruction of the Novocherkassk ship, enemy forces surrounded the central district of Feodosia and tightened control over local streets. The occupiers are actively conducting inspections and searching for informants in the city. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Vacant Shipwright pub was at the centre of protests and incorrect rumours that it was to house asylum seekersDublin Region Homeless Executive confirmed pub was to be turned into a homeless hub for families Firefighters battle blaze at vacant Ringsend pub that was earmarked for the homeless Gardai have set up an incident room to investigate the fire at a vacant pub earmarked as a homeless family hub, which they are now treating as arson. The scaling-up of the investigation, now to be led by a senior investigating officer at Irishtown Garda Station, comes amid alarm in Government that more such incidents could follow after a spate of deliberate attacks on premises set to be used to house asylum seekers. The recently-sold Shipwright pub was to be turned into a family hub for homeless people by Dublin City Council, and the International Protection Accommodation Service has said it was not considering use of the building to house asylum seekers. In a fresh statement this morning, the Gardai said: Gardai are investigating an incident of criminal damage by fire that occurred at a premises on Thorncastle Street in Ringsend, Dublin 4 on 31st December 2023. At approximately 1.55am on Sunday morning, Gardai responded to reports of a fire at a premises on Thorncastle Street. Dublin Fire Brigade attended the scene and extinguished the fire. No persons were in the building at the time of the incident. There was substantial damage caused to the property. An incident room has been established at Irishtown Garda Station and the investigation is being led by a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO). Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have information in relation to this incident to contact them. Any person, including road users and pedestrians, who were in the vicinity of Thorncastle Street between 1.00am and 2.30am and who observed any unusual activity is asked to contact investigating Gardai. Any road users or pedestrians who were travelling in the Ringsend area during this time and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make this available to Gardai. Anyone with information is asked to contact Irishtown Garda Station 01 666 9600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. A spokesperson added: An Garda Siochana is aware of a significant volume of misinformation, disinformation and rumour in relation to the use or proposed use of the building. Concern is growing within the government parties that the deliberate fire that destroyed the intended shelter for homeless families may become the model for copycat attacks. A series of low-level petrol bombings and burnings last year culminated in the loss of the Ross Lake House hotel near Oughterard, Co Galway, before the destruction of the vacant Shipwright pub in Ringsend in Dublin, over the weekend. A forensic examination of the Ringsend scene has now been completed and gardai are treating the fire as suspected arson. Justice Minister Helen McEntee warned on Sunday that arson was a criminal offence punishable by several years in prison. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said all efforts would be made to bring the perpetrators to justice. Anyone with information should contact the gardai, he said. The premises was intended for use as emergency accommodation for families, said Mr Varadkar, reflecting a series of official denials that the former Shipwright pub, also known as Sallys bar, would be used to house refugees or asylum-seekers. The warnings of garda enforcement came as there was a row at local level over claims by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) that its proposed future use of the property at Thorncastle Street as a homeless hub for families had been communicated to local representatives. Two councillors, Labours Dermot Lacey and Fine Gaels Danny Byrne, rejected that assertion, with the latter saying the lack of information had been a factor in what he suggested was a deliberate attack. The DRHE is the arm of Dublin City Council responsible for accommodating homeless people. A DRHE spokesperson was unable to provide a further response last night. A Government source said: This has been brewing for a while in Ringsend. You could see sinister comments online for weeks, with jokes about a fire starting. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris insisted last month that there was no hidden hand behind a series of burnings, but this latest incident will renew questions about the level of information communicated to residents and the gardai. While not all vacant properties in the country can be patrolled throughout the hours of darkness, some ministers want to see action as serious as that in response to the Dublin riots. Ms McEntee last night warned that arson is a very serious crime, adding: Arson carries heavy prison sentences. No one has the right to cause damage to property, to cause fear or to threaten public order. She said gardai were doing everything possible to determine the cause of the fire, and asked for the assistance of locals. I would encourage anyone with any information in relation to the incident to contact An Garda Siochana, said Ms McEntee. The premises became the focus of protests by local people and anti-immigrant activists in recent weeks amid incorrect rumours that it would house asylum-seekers. The States International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) and Department of Integration had said earlier this month that it had not been approached about the building and was not considering it for that purpose. Mr Lacey said the DRHEs statement saying that it informed Dublin councillors was simply not true. He said that all last week he had been receiving messages from various protesters in the area. Local councillors werent able to give people information. I believe if we were given the information, we would have been able to give that out and the number of protesters would have been significantly minimised, he said. Mr Lacey added he had defended every single proposal by the DRHE and Department of Housing in previous meetings. But I cant defend the lack of information and the failure to tell us because I believe we could have seriously minimised the tensions down there had they told us, he said. He added that a lot of people protesting in Ringsend were misinformed, misguided or simply wrong but there were also others who were just racist. I believe we could have informed the people who were just worried. Its the statement by the DRHE that said they had informed the councillors when they hadnt that infuriated me, said Mr Lacey. It is part of the pattern of every department of the State, all who believe that elected government and elected representatives dont matter any more. Criticism of the failure to anticipate a problem in Ringsend also came from a Fine Gael politician, denting the overall Government narrative. Fine Gael councillor Danny Byrne said a lack of communication was the root cause of the burning of a building in Ringsend, and said a row was coming at council level because of it. Over a period of about two weeks, a narrative (about refugees and asylum-seekers) took hold in the absence of communication from official sources, said Mr Byrne. A Government source said: Its been Christmas and things slowed down. Certainly the gardai must be told, but you would hope they are keeping their own eye on social media and acting on intelligence. TDs from the constituency expressed their concern over the blaze. Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik said: This is shocking news. It is greatly concerning to see a fire at the premises in Ringsend intended to provide shelter to homeless families. I want to pay tribute to the courage and dedication of the firefighters who brought the fire under control last night. Fellow Dublin Bay South TD Jim OCallaghan of Fianna Fail said if the investigation found definitively that the fire was deliberate, then it is important to emphasise that this was done without the support of the overwhelming majority of Ringsend people who are decent, law-abiding people who are very proud that Ringsend is a safe and welcoming place. The vast majority will also be very concerned because the building had been earmarked by Dublin City Council as a hub for homeless families. Sinn Fein TD Chris Andrews said: There were families living and sleeping next to it, to the rear, and it must have been frightening and devastating for them. Also its devastating for the businesses who will be affected by this. Business is difficult at the best of times but this is a big blow to them. The year thousands marched in Leitrim against singing, dancing and all that jazz In 1934, more than 3,000 people marched through the town of Mohill to do their bit to rid Ireland of the influence of foreign slush Jazz singer Cab Calloway leads the band at the New Years celebration of 1937 at the Cotton Club in Harlem. Photo: Getty and Bettman Gallery Patrick McGarty Mon 1 Jan 2024 at 03:30 On New Years Day 1934, more than 3,000 people from south Leitrim and surrounding counties marched through the town of Mohill protesting against the growing influence of jazz music and dancing in 1930s Ireland. After redefining my relationship with food and losing 13 stone, my life has changed in every way After many years of turning to food as a coping mechanism, Carla Piera Fitzgerald found the strength to begin a weight loss journey that changed her life and her health Carla Pierra Fitzgerald: If I hadnt gone to therapy, I dont know when I would have been ready. Photo: Gerry Mooney Filomena Kaguako Mon 1 Jan 2024 at 03:30 When 36-year-old Carla Piera FitzGerald weighed 23 stone in her early 20s, her GP advised her that the weight would fall off once she fixed her mind. Although the seed had been planted, it took over 10 years for it to bloom. As a result, she spent her whole life struggling with weight and battling obesity a condition which currently affects over 60pc of adults in Ireland. The ability to be able to use the same currency in so many countries is a reflection of the euro's success. Photo: Getty On January 1, 1999, the euro came into force as the single currency for 11 EU member states. It now serves the economy and eases life for 350 million people in 20 countries. The case for Europe has always rested on solving problems that countries could not address alone. After World War II, visionary leaders understood that the only way to secure peace on our continent was to unite our economies. And a united Europe would, in time, require a single currency to make the most of the economic benefits created by this peace dividend. The response to the death of writer and philosopher Desmond Fennell in 2021 made clear the impact this forgotten intellectual had. Fennells thinking particularly on issues such as local government, Northern Ireland and the relationship between religion and identity in Ireland remains of great relevance. Two issues have been conflated by the Irish Government in its approach to the war in Ukraine. They need to be decoupled. The first relates to recent cuts in welfare and accommodation support for Ukrainian refugees in Ireland to which, it must be added, the Ukrainian ambassador has responded in a very measured manner. These cuts largely reflect the tension between empathy by individuals for Ukrainian refugees and, on the other hand, public dissatisfaction with the Governments failure to deliver on its national responsibilities. This dissatisfaction has crystallised around migration policy and affordable housing. As the year draws to a close, war and conflict rage in Ukraine and the Middle East, with Russias war of aggression showing no signs of abating and Israels revenge attack on Hamas in Palestine causing horrific destruction and loss of civilian lives. International law limits the use of force in self-defence to no more than is necessary and proportionate. The Government here last week repeated its view that Israel has exceeded these limits in its response to the Hamas attacks on October 7. As well as the destruction of property and an unacceptably high civilian death toll, the Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin also cited the displacement of up to two million people in Gaza, causing a humanitarian crisis, as an example of Israels use of excessive force. Chaos, death and destruction has engulfed the life of every person in Gaza, he said. At years end, it is evident that an overwhelming majority of the international community is demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, as well as the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, urgent and effective humanitarian access, and the protection of civilians. With the death toll now in excess of 21,500, Egypt has put forward proposals aimed at ending the war. The three-stage plan would entail an initial cessation of hostilities for at least a week and the release of all remaining Israeli civilian hostages held in Gaza, the release of female Israeli soldiers in return for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, and finally, a month-long negotiation period for the release of male soldiers in exchange for Israeli withdrawal. Despite international calls for a ceasefire, including growing pressure from Israels closest ally, the US, to scale down the fighting, Israeli officials have vowed the war will continue until it achieves complete victory over Hamas in revenge for the terror organisations brutal assault on Israel. Israel is saying its war could last several more months, but it is unconscionable for the bombardment to continue for such a period. The violence must be ended. As the Ukrainian people face into their second winter under Russian invasion, millions have been forced to flee, and millions more are internally displaced. Ireland has responded by welcoming more than 100,000 Ukrainians. This has presented many challenges. The Government has indicated that it plans to introduce measures intended, in particular, to end the arrival here of Ukrainians from other European countries. This may be a productive course, but the public may have lost sight of the reason why so many have sought refuge here. On Friday, Russia launched another massive wave of missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, in one of the biggest attacks on the country since the start of the war, killing at least 18 civilians and injuring 132 in the strikes on residential buildings in Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv and other cities in the west and south. As we approach the second anniversary of the launch of Russias invasion and following last weeks welcome decision by the European Council to open accession negotiations with Ukraine, the people of Ireland must continue to stand with the Ukrainian people to provide political, financial and humanitarian assistance. Mother-of-three Irene White was stabbed to death at her home in Dundalk, Co Louth, in 2005, but the mastermind behind her killing has not yet been brought to justice. Irene White a mother of three was stabbed to death in a frenzied attack at her home in Dundalk, Co Louth, in 2005. Two men, including the man who carried out the fatal attack, are serving life sentences for her murder, but detectives are still pursuing the person who they believe ordered it. The garda investigation has been continuing and a file has been submitted to the DPP for consideration. This includes the evidence gathered as part of the inquiry and recommendations relating to the mastermind behind the murder. Fionnan Sheahan is joined by news correspondent with the Irish Independent Robin Schiller, to ask why gardai have recommended now that the mastermind behind the murder of Irene White be charged with her killing? This episode was first published on July 14, 2023. Despite the fact that there are in excess of 1,600 households on the council housing waiting list in Sligo it is extremely unlikely that any newly constructed local authority houses will actually be completed in 2024, Sligos Mayor, Cllr Declan Bree, told The Sligo Champion this week. While contracts for the construction of new Council houses will be signed in 2024 the reality is that none of these houses will be delivered until 2025 or later. The level of red tape and delay imposed on Councils and approved housing bodies by the Department of Housing and the Government is one of the principal problems in terms of addressing the housing crisis. This is Sligo Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Sligo newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details When I was first elected to local government, Councils delivered almost 9,000 new homes which was a third of all housing delivered in Ireland that year. However, over the years Government funding for the construction of council housing was reduced and the role of private developers expanded. The 2008 banking crash accelerated the shift to for profit developers. The imposition of neo liberal policies by government and the view that the private sector was much better at delivering all aspects of the economy led to funding for council housing being slashed by 88% in the period 2008 to 2014. The 2009 Housing Act in essence stripped local authorities of much responsibility for the provision of public housing, instead limiting them to support for such housing. By 2015, the output of Council housing had fallen drastically with just 75 houses being built nationwide - and as the numbers collapsed, housing waiting lists surged and they have continued to rise year after year. Instead of providing funding for local authorities to build houses, government funding went to tax breaks for big investors, lucrative leasing deals for developers and large subsidies for private corporate landlords. The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme established in 2014 has underpinned this market-based model. People who would have been eligible for public housing were now being forced into the private rental market, cutting supply for young renters. Today, social housing is sourced from private landlords and paid for by the State and HAP recipients are deemed to have their housing needs met. Last year Sligo County Council paid landlords 5 million under the Housing Assistance Programme (HAP), in addition to 2.8 million under the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) and almost a half a million Euro under the Long Term Social Housing Leasing Scheme. A total of 8.3 million. This is a huge transfer of public money to private landlords. Mayor of Sligo, Cllr Declan Bree. At a national level we know that approximately 1 billion was paid out last year to corporate landlords and speculators through these government subsidy schemes. In this context it is clear that one of the main reasons we have a housing crisis is that successive Governments have handed housing delivery over to the market - to private developers, speculators and to investor funds. But the market does not deliver housing to meet actual housing need. It builds when it can make a sufficient profit - it responds to a demand that gives it a big return. When those profit calculations change, they stop building. So in reality the cause of the current crisis is the reduced level of State funding provided for the building of social and affordable housing over the past 30 years. It is now evident to most people that we need policy choices that prioritise public good over private profit. The right to adequate, affordable, decent and secure housing should be the guiding vision for such a policy. Housing can no longer be left to the vagaries and inequalities of the private speculative market and to those who have enriched themselves at the expense of the citizen. The priority must be to ensure access to, and delivery of, affordable, secure, decent quality housing for all. As with any crisis, today it is working people, those on low and average incomes who suffer the most. Buying your own home is now beyond reach for a generation of young people. When I addressed participants at the recent Sligo Field Club Conference on Public Housing in Urban Ireland 1931-1946 I pointed out that Sligo Corporation had been one of the most successful local authorities in the country in terms of the construction of public housing during that period. In 1936 the population of the town was 12,565 and it had 2,500 houses then. Between 1932 and 1947 Sligo Corporation constructed over 870 houses. To put that in context I would point out that in 1926 Sligo town had the worst incidence of one-roomed dwellings in the state, with almost 10 percent of the towns population living in those dwellings. In fact, over 22 percent of the towns population lived in dwellings of only 2 rooms or less. By 1946, thanks to the construction programme of Sligo Corporation that percentage had dropped to just 5 per cent. If Sligo Corporation was capable of delivering such a programme back then in what can only be described as an impoverished country there can be no excuse for the present governments continued failure to provide the necessary resources to address the current housing crisis. In my opinion the only real solution to the housing crisis is a massive public house-building programme run and controlled by the local authorities, preferably with the restoration of progressive urban local authorities like Sligo Corporation - along with a realistic investment in affordable housing in addition to the Right to Housing being enshrined in our Constitution. the Mayor said. A British tactical medic, 25-year-old Catherine Melnychuk, who served in Ukraine, died in Kyiv. The woman's body was found by her colleagues in bed in her own home. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by her colleagues from the Project Konstantin community on Facebook. A fund has been set up to raise money to transport the volunteer's body to her homeland. "It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Catherine Melnychuk. All we know is that she was found in her bed (on December 24, 2023 - Ed.)," the statement said. It is noted that the circumstances of the doctor's death are not considered suspicious, but the Ukrainian authorities will release additional information later. The community has announced a fundraiser to repatriate Melnychuk to the UK. The former chemistry student at the University of Bristol has spent the last 18 months in Ukraine, where she served. ADVERTISIMENT According to The Sun, Katherine said on social media that she grew up in southeast London and went to school near Orpington. In a video published in July, Melnychuk told the journalist that she worked in emergency medicine for six years before volunteering in Ukraine. She said she made the decision after "seeing vulnerable children being killed in Kharkiv, Izyum and some parts of Kyiv." "Even if I have two arms, two legs and half a brain, it is my duty to go and help. I will stay until maybe it is not safe here or until I have to go back to my brother or mother. I feel safe and competent in this country," Melnychuk emphasized. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA, a serial thief was detained red-handed in Kyiv. The offender broke into the apartment with a lockpick and took everything valuable from there, but he did not have time to run far - his plans were interrupted by law enforcement officers. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! New Revive New Ross service for the working poor to be launched in early 2024 A new support service providing food, school uniforms and more to local people who are struggling financially is set to be launched in New Ross in early 2024, amid unprecedented demand for the local food bank. Cllr Michael Sheehan said the service, called Revive New Ross, will be operational shortly and is aimed at assisting the working poor. We do this food bank work all year round. People at this time of year are really tight on money with the cost of living, bills and shopping. This year has been particularly busy. Just for the Christmas period alone wed have helped well beyond 500 families. Its been very unusual this year; weve around 200 to 250 new clients who have come forward, saying theyve heard this support is available. He said a team of around 20 volunteers are running the Food Bank branch in New Ross. This is Wexford Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Wexford newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details We work in rotas. Everyone pulls together. Its good spirit, good craic and we get the job done. Weve two or three people who do the emails and the database. Packing is done over three or four days and families collected food from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday and Saturday last week. We do have a waiting list for people, so if no food is collected by an individual they are considered. Its a fluid situation. We are working very closely with St Vincent de Paul in New Ross who are under severe pressure this year. We are also working with the crew in Ramsgrange and with Meals on Wheels. We always make sure that their clients around 110 people are taken care of with a hamper, more designed for older people. He said up to 2,000 families are helped each year from the New Ross hub, adding that the saving to families is substantial. Between the school kits that we run too, its between 100 and 200 of savings for families and at this time of year it makes all the difference between a good Christmas and a great Christmas, or for some families a Christmas full stop. The Food Bank is run by the Department of Social Protection through the European Social Fund. Food Cloud in Dublin operates it and we go shopping four times a year, so you can change the items, from soups in the winter to lighter food in the summer. Its all non perishable goods. From tea bags to fruit pots and cereals, families receive hampers, some several times a year. This year the branch got a 10pc increase for their Christmas allocation. We have to send up a very detailed report on numbers, highlighting if they are male, female, are they from an ethnic minority, etc. Are they resident, non resident. Theres a huge amount of work on it. Weve a huge crew but its done quietly in the background. Aidan Redmond transport company from Rathnure collects the food free of charge in Dublin. Our next delivery will be early 2024. Then well get another one in June and another in September and December. Its a nationwide programme. He said some people feel self conscious coming in collecting food. If people are I can give them a time to come meet me and Ill give them their hamper. One of the main rules for volunteers is that this is a confidential service and the other is you cant make any jokes or barbs at people however innocently intended. He said people require the service for all kinds of reasons. You just dont know whats going on behind closed doors. Id rather someone come in and ask for help rather than sitting at home with an empty press. Cllr Sheehan is working at the service for around 12 years. Next year were going to concentrate on this but were going to make it bigger. Weve had to create a new charity called Revive New Ross which were launching in January. You must be CHY registered to be a recipient of this food so thats why were doing this. With Revive New Ross, the volunteers will keep providing non perishable food, along with school uniforms and social enterprise supports. Were going to be targeting people who are working and dont qualify for a Back to School Allowance etc. We are on the hunt for a new location. We appreciate Willie OLeary letting us use here but its cold and its dark and theres no electricity here. He said you can see the gratitude in peoples faces when they receive their hamper. Some of the messages I get are touching, like thank you for giving us hope this year. Theres no stigma around it. Everyone, no matter who you are, we will do our best for you. Cllr Sheehan said the team distributed the final hampers on Saturday. My job is to get all these pallets empty because when theyre empty the Mens Shed turn them into kindling for the elderly. The building on Trinity Street in Wexford, which was previously home to Trinity Hire. Having been listed for sale carrying a price-tag of 950,000 last year, the former Trinity Hire building on Trinity Street in Wexford town has been snapped up by a Dublin-based investor who is now making it available for lease. Measuring in at 1800 square feet, the commercial building was listed for sale in April of 2022 by Sherry Fitzgerald Radford, who have now also been appointed to lease the building on behalf of its new owner. This is Wexford Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Wexford newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details Auctioneer John Radford describes the property as one of Wexford towns finest pitches, only short stroll from the quayfront and the vibrant South Main Street. The building has been vacant since Trinity Hire moved to its new premises in the Whitemill Industrial Estate, however, Mr Radford anticipates it wont be left vacant for too long more, given its prominent location within town. The cost of renting the building is available on application and you can arrange a viewing by contacting Sherry Fitzgerald Radford in Wexford. Virgin Radio UK show also airs on Q102, while he will also host a weekend radio show aired on several Irish stations Ryan Tubridy has taken a huge pay cut as he attempts to establish himself in the British TV and radio market, with his new show on Virgin Radio in the UK beginning on Tuesday morning. The show will also air on Irish stations simultaneously. The former Late Late Show host, who once earned 500,000 a year with RTE, is said by one well-placed source to be starting off on an annual pay packet ranging from 50,000 (57,550) to 80,000 (92,000) with Virgin. Insiders say that Tubridy, who had agreed a new salary of 170,000 with RTE before being dumped by the station, is happy to start off working for less money in the UK while he builds his profile in that lucrative market. The new role will also mark Tubridys return to the Irish airwaves, as the show will air simultaneously on Virgins Irish sister channel Q102 every weekday from 10am to 1pm. He will also present an Irish weekend show called The Ryan Tubridy Show on Sunday from 10am to noon, meaning he will be on Irish airwaves six days a week. Im really looking forward to getting back on the Irish airwaves and back to the listeners who have supported me since day one. I love Irish radio, so its great to be back on air six days a week, Tubridy said, promising great music, chats, and of course, plenty of fun along the way! He also bid farewell to his Irish Instagram followers for now. The experienced broadcaster, who will be joining a Virgin Radio UK roster that includes big names Chris Evans and fellow Irishman Graham Norton, also has his sights set on breaking into TV in Britain. Ryan joins big hitters Chris Evans (above) and Graham Norton at Virgin Radio UK "Ryan Tubridy will be taking a drastic pay cut in order to break into the UK market, says Dermot McNamara, co-founder of the Candid celebrity management and PR agency in the UK. I expect hell be receiving a salary of around 50,000 to 80,000, which would be a fair middle ground as, while he has some profile, hes not in the league of Graham and Chris. Mr McNamara points out that while Virgin Radio has a weekly listenership of 1.4 million, the station is a minnow in Britain. While 1.4m listeners sounds huge in Ireland, its a pebble in the water compared to the likes of UK stations such as BBC Radio 2, who have 13.5m weekly listeners, and Heart FM, who have over 11.3m weekly listeners. While Ryan is a huge name in Ireland and has a respectable following among the Irish community in the UK, it doesnt mean much right now. However, Mr McNamara, whose clients include Linda Nolan of The Nolan Sisters, predicts that Tubridy has what it takes to hit the big time in Britain as a broadcaster. I dont think money is the main motivator for Ryan Tubridy right now as hes earned plenty over the years. He looks determined to firmly establish himself as a name and build a wider audience in the UK, which Im confident hell do, he says. Tubridy told Doreann Garrihy on The Laughs of Your Life podcast recently that it was Chris Evans who played a key role in him landing the Virgin Radio job. He thought he was meeting Evans for coffee and a chat off air on a trip to London, but ended up doing a live interview that morning. He says Evans instantly put him at his ease and the chat lasted eight to 10 minutes. When we came out, somebody said: Would you come this way, the boss would like to see you. This was not on the agendafar from itI think this was slightly a masterplan of Chris Evans, he revealed. Too Hot To Handles Emily Miller has announced a pregnancy with Cam Holmes (Netflix/PA) TV star Emily Miller has announced she is expecting her first child with Cam Holmes, after meeting on Netflix reality show Too Hot To Handle. The 29-year-old shared a series of pictures on Instagram, with the couple posing with the sonogram pictures and cradling her baby bump. Miller captioned it: Baby Miller-Holmes. Due June 2024. Later on her Instagram story, she said: I am SO OVERWHELMED by everyones response, while Holmes also posted a message on his Instagram story, writing: Happy new year everyone. Thought wed start 2024 with a little surprise. Former Too Hot To Handle stars took to social media to congratulate the couple, including season one star Harry Jowsey, who had an infamous on-off relationship with fellow contestant Francesca Farago. Meanwhile reality stars including Love Islands Tasha Ghouri and Samie Elishi also praised the pair and said the secret is out, alongside The Only Way Is Essex star Georgia Harrison. She said: Im so so so excited you two are just such beautiful souls both individually and together and youve had such a journey becoming parents. Everything happens in Devine timing and I cant wait to watch you both step into this new stage of your life. Congratulations !!!!!!!!!!!!! Miller was one of the stand-out stars of the second series of British reality television dating game show Too Hot To Handle, alongside Holmes, which aired in 2021. Ryan Tubridy has bid a final farewell to Ireland in a message to fans before kicking off his highly anticipated London-based Virgin Radio show tomorrow morning. In a video message recorded as he walked beside the sea in Dublin, the former RTE presenter told his Instagram followers: This will be my last post in Ireland for a few weeks. As I head off to London tomorrow, I just want to let you know that we are going to have a wonderful new year in 2024, I can just tell from here. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Mr Tubridy (50) also shared the details of his upcoming radio show on Virgin Radio UK and Q102, which airs tomorrow. Radio show starts at 10am Virgin radio, Q102, Tuesday morning. So you can download the Virgin Radio app easy, download the Q102 app easy, or turn your dial to Q102 and tune in, and we will have lots of fun together, a lot of good tunes together, and I look forward to your company enormously, see you soon. Happy New Year to you and your family, Ill message from London, he said in a video with the caption: Last of the Irish backdrops for a while. London calling Fans immediately flooded his Insta to share their support and wish him good luck. One wrote: Best of luck with your new show Ryan and may London bring you everything you deserve and more. Remember Dont look back, youre not going that way. Another said: Best of luck in London Ryan. I hope its everything you want it to be. Great city. Tubridy will host a mid-morning show on Virgin Radio UK from 10am-1pm Monday to Friday, which Irish fans can tune into on Q102. The former Late Late Show host will also host a weekend show The Ryan Tubridy Show on Sunday from 10am to 12pm, running across four Irish stations: Q102 in Dublin, 96FM in Cork, LMFM and Live 95 in Limerick. He posted his first video from London this afternoon, while visiting his new workplace in central London, next to London Bridge. Well hello everybody. I am obviously in central London, visiting my new workplace, which is at London Bridge and goes all the way up to the top. As always with London, theres plenty of interesting things to look at. "The sky goes on and on and on, beautiful buildings, rooftops and all roads lead to the top of the tower tomorrow at 10, he said.. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Virgin Radio UK also shared a video of Ryan Tubridy today before his radio show's premiere tomorrow morning. We'll try and bring some colour and excitement and joy to your life, see you then, he said as he wished Happy New Year to his future listeners. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Virgin Radio UK described Ryan as their new King of Mid Mornings on their website. Putins revenge attack destroys hotel used by foreign reporters Missile strike followed deadly strike on Russian city of Belgorod which Moscow blamed on Kyiv At least 28 people were injured in the attack on the Kharkiv Palace Hotel which Russia claimed had been used as a base for Ukrainian intelligence services. Photo: Vitalii Hnidyi/Reuters James Kilner Telegraph.co.uk Mon 1 Jan 2024 at 03:30 Russias military has deliberately hit a hotel favoured by international media in Kharkiv as revenge for an alleged Ukrainian missile strike on a Russian city. Thats going to be the least of it: Donald Trump claims US is facing a bloodbath if he loses November election People celebrate the New Year as fireworks explode in the sky over the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: Reuters Sydney sparkled under a shower of silver and gold fireworks commemorating the 50th anniversary of its iconic Opera House, while the mood in Gaza remained bleak, with residents more concerned with survival. In Europe, Denmark's Queen Margrethe II announced her abdication after over half a century on the throne. In Dublin, the New Year was marked with a free festival, concert and fireworks display at Dublin Castle. Photo Courtesy: To relieve the double-digit inflation in rice, the Indian government recently declared the sale of rice under the Bharat brand at Rs 25 per kilogram. This will be sold through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (Nafed), National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF) and Kendriya Bhandar outlets, reported The Economic Times. Under the brand, the Indian government already sells atta and pulses. Cereal prices in November rose to 10.27% pushing the food inflation to 8.70% in November, against 6.61% reported the previous month. Food inflation accounts for nearly half of the overall consumer price basket, the newspaper reported. While the government has been able to tame rising wheat prices by increasing the amount it offloads in the open market via e-auctions done by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), the offtake of rice has been minimal. New Delhi/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday hailed the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), for the successful launch of the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) lauding it as "wonderful news for the space sector and will enhance India's prowess in this field". Congratulating the scientists for the launch, PM Modi tweeted: "A great start to 2024, thanks to our scientists! This launch is wonderful news for the space sector and will enhance India's prowess in this field. Best wishes to our scientists at @isro and the entire space fraternity in taking India to unprecedented heights." A great start to 2024 thanks to our scientists! This launch is wonderful news for the space sector and will enhance India's prowess in this field. Best wishes to our scientists at @isro and the entire space fraternity in taking India to unprecedented heights. https://t.co/4O4F6kRpEX Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 1, 2024 The ISRO launched the PSLV-C58 X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) on the first day of the new year, 2024. The PSLV, in its 60th mission, lifted off at 9.10 a.m. from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, and 22 minutes later launched the XPoSat into an eastward low-inclination orbit. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also lauded the launch of the satellite and said, "Bharat's monumental stride in space." "Congratulations to our @isro scientists on the historic launch of the specialized astronomy observatory satellite XPoSat to study black holes and neutron stars in our galaxy. Brightening up the cosmos in pursuit of knowledge on the very first day of 2024, you have proven yet again that your might is our pride," Amit Shah wrote in a post. Bharat's monumental stride in the space. Congratulations to our @isro scientists on the historic launch of specialized astronomy observatory satellite XPoSat to study black holes and neutron stars in our galaxy. Brightening up the cosmos in pursuit of knowledge on the very first pic.twitter.com/jrI3hBpxOX Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 1, 2024 Expressing his happiness over the launch, Union Minister of Science and Technology Jitendra Singh said "ISRO begins 2024 in Style". "Proud to be associated with the Department of Space at a time when Team @isro continues to accomplish one success after another, with the personal intervention & patronage from PM Shri@narendramodi" Jitendra Singh said on X. #ISRO begins 2024 in Style! Successful launch of PSLV-C58/ XPoSat Mission. Proud to be associated with the Department of Space at a time when Team @isro continues to accomplish one success after the other, with the personal intervention & patronage from PM Sh @narendramodi. pic.twitter.com/cisbjpUYpH Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) January 1, 2024 Through this satellite, India will become the second country in the world after the United States to send a specialised astronomy observatory to study black holes and neutron stars in our galaxy. PSLV-C58/XPoSat Mission: The PS4 stage is successfully brought down to a 350 km orbit. Here are the PSLV-C58 tracking images pic.twitter.com/KXDVA2UnpX ISRO (@isro) January 1, 2024 XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) is Indias first dedicated polarimetry mission. The spacecraft will carry two scientific payloads in a low earth orbit. The primary payload POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) will measure the polarimetry parameters (degree and angle of polarization) in medium X-ray energy range of 8-30 keV photons of astronomical origin. The XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) payload will give spectroscopic information in the energy range of 0.8-15 keV. Four-time Olympic champion Alexander Tikhonov has bent over before to Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin, whom he urged all Russians to look up to. At the same time, the former biathlete expressed hope that Russia will see "economic recovery." ADVERTISIMENT Tikhonov said this in a commentary to the propaganda TV channel Match TV, congratulating the residents of the aggressor country on the New Year. The winner of the 1968-1980 Games, with his typical sycophancy, admired the Russian president, who, in his 24th year in office, wished him "bold decisions" and an end to the war. "I want to wish everyone good health, a quick end to the war in Ukraine (as the war in Ukraine is shamefully called in Russia - ed.), so that peaceful days for Russia can come, so that we can stop worrying about our guys. And I wish for the economy to recover as it should be in Russia. We need to focus on ourselves, the country should never copy anyone. Whom should we copy when we have always beaten everyone? Of course, Russians need to look up to the president. I wish Vladimir Vladimirovich good health and bold decisions," Tikhonov said. ADVERTISIMENT Readers of the Sports.ru portal openly ridiculed the former athlete. "Do Russians need to constantly lie, cheat, live in a parallel universe and poop in a suitcase?", "We should focus on ourselves, but look up to the president", "It's funny, someone has destroyed the economy, it turns out, and they still want him to continue his dirty work," they write in the comments. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZ.UA previously reported, State Duma deputy Alexander Khinstein threw a tantrum over the betrayal of Russian fencers, after which Vladimir Putin was called a liar. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Photo Courtesy: Amit Shah X page Singapore has welcomed India's signing of a peace accord with the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and said it will anchor peace in the region and give a big boost to foreign investors like Singapore to move into the Northeast. We are happy to see the historic tripartite peace pact signed amongst ULFA, GOI and the Govt of Assam. This will anchor peace in the region and give a big boost to foreign investors like Singapore to move into the Northeast. - HC Wong @PMOIndia @CMOfficeAssam @HMOIndia https://t.co/u0QuyPRXvH Singapore in India (@SGinIndia) December 30, 2023 Singapore High Commissioner to India Simon Wong posted on X: "We are happy to see the historic tripartite peace pact signed amongst ULFA, GOI and the Govt of Assam. This will anchor peace in the region and give a big boost to foreign investors like Singapore to move into the Northeast." Also Read: ULFA signs peace deal with Centre & Assam Govt; Amit Shah calls it the beginning of peace in Northeast The Centre and the Assam government signed a 'tripartite Memorandum of Settlement' with the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday. The deal is intended to bring lasting peace in the North East region, especially in Assam. Meanwhile, the ULFA (Independent) faction led by Paresh Baruah remains opposed to talks. Speaking after signing the deal, the Union Home Minister said, "This is a new start of a period of peace for the whole Northeast, especially Assam." "I want to assure ULFA representatives that the faith you have kept in the government of India, from the side of the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA), a programme will be made in a time-bound manner to fulfill everything, without you asking for it," Shah said. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who was also present called the peace deal a historic day for Assam. "During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure and under the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah work for Assam's peace was always underway" he added. The Chief Minister said three accords have been signed and the move will fulfill the aspirations of the people of the state. The peace deal with the oldest insurgent group of Assam aims to address issues such as illegal immigration, land rights for indigenous communities, and a financial package for Assam's development. Photo courtesy: UNI Bengaluru/UNI: Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara on Monday said all the Congressmen will attend the Pran Parathista ceremony of Ram Lalla at Ayodhya if the party high command decides. "It is up to the high command to decide because they should not make this a political event. It is a pro-people (event) of India. They should invite, and everybody should be participating in it, and if Congress high command decides to go there, certainly all of us will go," he told reporters here. Asked if it is becoming difficult to attend Pran Prathistha of Ram Lalla at Ayodhya due to the pressures of the INDIA Alliance, Dr Parameshwara said, "I don't know what is happening at Delhi. Sitting here in Bangalore I can't be talking about their decision. If the high command says, yes (we will all go)." Asked if one party is taking credit for the consecration of Ram Lalla at Ayodhya, Dr. Parameshwara said it should not be politicised because Ram belonged to all, not particularly to one political party. "Rama has given the best of the administration according to our history books, and everybody follows Rama's philosophy and administration. And Ram Rajya is supposed to be the best of the administrative system. So, everybody wants that," he said. Yesterday, Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam said those who won't attend the Pran Prathistha ceremony despite being invited, it is their misfortune. The comment came as Karnataka minister Dasharathaiah Sudhakar said the BJP was exploiting the event ahead of the election like it did Pulwama before the 2019 election. Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said Ram Mandir is good news and they are in favour of the temple. In a tragic incident on New Year's Day, two students lost their lives and another was injured when their motorcycle was struck by an unidentified vehicle at Patancheru in this district in the early hours of Monday. According to the police, a group of nine students from JNTU, Sultanpur, in the city had ventured to Durgamcheruv on three motorcycles to celebrate the onset of the new year in 2024. While returning to college in the early hours, one of the three motorcycles collided with an unidentified vehicle in foggy conditions, resulting in the immediate death of two students. The deceased victims were identified as R Bharat Chander (19) and P Nitin (18) from Jangaon district. The injured student, A Vamshi (19) from Khammam district, was admitted to a nearby hospital for necessary medical treatment. A case has been registered, and an investigation is underway, police added. (With UNI inputs) In images: Goldy Brar (L) & Sidhu Moosewala (R) Wanted criminal Satinderjit Singh alias Goldy Brar, the alleged mastermind in the murder of Punjabi singer Siddhu Moosewala, has been named a terrorist under the stringent anti-terror law UAPA. Interpol has issued a Red Corner Notice against him by Interpol and there is a non-bailable warrant against him as well. The Indian government said the move came over his involvement in the smuggling of high-grade arms, ammunition, and explosives through drones from across the border for carrying out killings in India. In a notification, the Union Home Ministry said Brar has also been associated with the banned terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International. He and his associates have been conspiring to disrupt peace, communal harmony, and law and order in Punjab through sabotage, the raising of terror modules, carrying out targeted killings, and other anti-national activities. Brar, known to be a key member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, is from Sri Muktsar Sahib in Punjab and is said to be living in Canada's Brampton. He is wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for committing crimes in various states. Sidhu Moose Wala was shot dead in his SUV near his village Moosa in Punjab's Mansa district on May 29 last year. Goldy Brar had later admitted in a Facebook post that he had planned the murder to avenge the killing of another gangster. Photo courtesy: UNI Gaza/IBNS/UNI: The death toll of Palestinians rose to 21,978 in Gaza following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict on Oct 7 last year, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Monday. Ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qedra said in a press statement that the Israeli army killed 156 Palestinians and wounded 246 others in the Gaza Strip during the past 24 hours. The new casualties bring the number of Palestinian deaths to 21,978 and injuries to 56,697 since Oct 7, according to al-Qedra. He said that Israeli attacks had killed 326 medical workers and forced 30 of the 35 hospitals in the Gaza Strip out of service. Al-Qedra called on international organisations to protect the healthcare system and its personnel in the Gaza Strip and said his ministry was in talks with UN agencies on the restart of health centers in different regions of the Palestinian enclave. He also stressed the need to send medical teams and field hospitals to the Strip to meet the enormous needs for health care. He criticised the mechanism in place for the injured Palestinians to receive treatment outside the Gaza Strip, pointing out that only 645 wounded people have been able to do so thus far, accounting for 1 percent of the total population in need of medical attention. Image Credit: @Saliamarri_ Salia Marri, the niece of Baloch national leader Baba Khair Bakhsh Marri, will hold a five-day sit-in in London from January 3 to protest against alleged enforced disappearances and human rights violations in Balochistan. 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, reported ANI news agency of India. Marri posted on X: " Join us! Calling on political parties, activists, HR orgs, media,& Baloch nation & everyone for a 5 day sit in protest infront of 10 Downing Street,London." Join us! Calling on political parties, activists, HR orgs, media,& Baloch nation & everyone for a 5 day sit in protest infront of 10 Downing Street,London. From 3 January to 7 January 2024, 24 hours daily. #ReleaseTajMuhammadSarparah#ReleaseBalochMissingPersons pic.twitter.com/wqPormVz3K Salia Marri (@Saliamarri_) December 29, 2023 "From 3 January to 7 January 2024, 24 hours daily," she said. The announcement was made amid protests against Baloch genocide and enforced disappearances at the National Press Club of Islamabad. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash Shangla's religious community members in Pakistan are looking forward to better representation in the upcoming national polls and a voice that will speak up for them and secure their fundamental rights. Pakistan will hold the general polls this year. The Sikh community has been living in Shangla before the arrival of Muslim communities in the areas they live in. Besides, a high number of Sikhs are living in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, mostly businessmen or associated with the medical profession, reported Dawn News. As per the National Database and Registration Authority, 6,146 registered Sikhs are living in KP, down from an estimated two million at the time of partition in 1947. Gulzari Singh, a former district council member, selected on a reserved seat in 2015, said it had been his dream to participate in the elections on general seat from his hometown of Chakesar, but despite showing his interest and aspiration before the party leadership, he wasnt awarded the party ticket. We have a history and track record of working for Muslim majority community in the past; my grandfather Santhram had lightened the Chakesar tehsil and its suburbs with electricity in 1996, and a girl school was also constructed by him through his faith legislator friend from Rawalpindi, Singh told the newspaper. He said the minority community members could participate in polls and work for the Muslim as well. Guldeep Kumar, who is a local leader of Pakistan Peoples Party, told Dawn News they had never been allotted a reserved seat despite their struggles for the party. He said partys leaders did not recognise their struggles. Amrjeet Kumar of the Awami National Party demanded equal treatment of all communities. If the political parties award tickets to workers of other faiths then they have a chance to speak up for their rights and represent their community," hr was quoted as saying by the newspaper. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash Suspected terrorists attacked a government higher secondary school for girls in Pakistan's Kotka Mambati Barakzai area and set it on fire on Thursday. A police official told Dawn News the school was located in Miryan tehsil. He said the attackers set the science lab and equipment dumped there on fire. The official said the laboratory and staffroom along with furniture and other objects were destroyed. He said the attackers took away the solar power system and other goods with them. Schools in the area remain shut due to winter vacation. Photo Courtesy: Pixabay Hundreds of Peshawar Electric Supply Company consumers from Kalu Khan and Ambar Banda areas in Pakistan recently blocked the Peshawar Bypass Road to protest against the suspension of power supply for the third consecutive day on Friday. According to reports, locals are facing trouble due to the suspension of power supply. The protesters also lamented that genuine consumers were sent inflated bills to make for the electricity theft due to inefficiency of the Pesco staff. They demanded that the bills should be rationalised to enable the consumers to pay them, reported Dawn News. The protesters were led by councillors Waheed ur Rehman, Imran Khan, Haji Khanan and Saifur Rehman. They also met the Pesco executive engineer and demanded the restoration of the power supply. Chanting slogans against the Pesco XEN, the protesters said prolonged power suspension had caused acute water shortage in houses and mosques, the Pakistani newspaper reported. Councillor Waheed asked Pesco to identify the culprits and punish them instead of penalising the whole areas. Yemen's Houthi group says 10 of its fighters were killed by U.S. naval forces in the Red Sea Photo Courtesy: US Central Command X Page Yemen's Houthi group on Sunday (December 31, 2023) said 10 of its fighters were killed by U.S. naval forces in the Red Sea while they were trying to hijack a commercial ship in international waters. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement broadcast live by the group's al-Masirah TV that the U.S. forces attacked three boats belonging to the Houthi rebels, Xinhua reported. He said the rebels were "performing their humanitarian and moral duty" to prevent Israel-related ships from passing through the Red Sea, "in solidarity and support for the Palestinian people." The spokesman said the U.S. "bears the consequences of this crime," and that the "military movements in the Red Sea to protect Israeli ships will not prevent Yemen (Houthi militia) from performing its humanitarian duty in support of Palestine and Gaza." The Houthi official also stated that the rebel group targeted the cargo ship "with appropriate naval missiles," without saying whether the missiles hit the target. Earlier in the day, the U.S. Central Command said its naval forces responded to a distress call from a merchant boat in the Red Sea reporting being under a Houthi attack, sinking three Houthi boats and killing all their crews. The Singapore-flagged "container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU issued a second distress call in less than 24 hours reporting being under attack by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats ... originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen," the U.S. Central Command wrote on the social media platform X. The Houthi militants fired "small arms weapons at the MAERSK HANGZHOU, getting to within 20 meters of the vessel, and attempted to board the vessel," it said. "U.S. helicopters from the USS EISENHOWER (CVN 69) and GRAVELY (DDG 107) responded to the distress call and in the process of issuing verbal calls to the small boats, the small boats fired upon the U.S. helicopters. The U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire in self-defense, sinking three of the four small boats and killing the crews. The fourth boat fled the area," it added. "There was no damage to U.S. personnel or equipment," the U.S. Central Command noted. Hours earlier, the U.S. Central Command said the container ship reported that it was struck by a missile while transiting. If fluffy foam, aromatic oil, and even rose petals in your bathtub no longer surprise or delight you, Japanese engineers have created something that will definitely impress you. They call their invention a "washing machine for people." ADVERTISIMENT According to the Daily Mail, the Project Usoyaro device looks like a capsule with a comfortable lounge chair and a large screen inside. While a person rests inside this capsule filled with warm water, the screen shows special videos selected by artificial intelligence for relaxation. At the same time, nozzles located around the body spray the body from all sides with powerful jets of water saturated with a large number of small air bubbles. Due to these bubbles, all dirt is removed from the body. Project Usoyaro was developed by Science, an Osaka-based technology company that specializes in creating bubble shower and bath heads. It is expected that their development will be ready by 2024, and it is planned to present it to the public for the first time at the Osaka Expo in 2025. The device's specialty will be video projections. According to the developers, they should "wash the mind" in the same way that water washes the body. ADVERTISIMENT The inspiration for the development of such a "washing machine" was an ultrasonic bathtub from Sanyo Electric, which was demonstrated in the Osaka pavilion at the 1970 Osaka Expo. The head of Science, Yasuaki Aoyama, saw it when he was 10 years old and was very impressed. The egg-shaped bathtub was automatically filled with hot water as soon as a person sat down in it, and then 300 massage balls began to massage their body while ultrasonic waves removed all impurities. The person would leave the bath completely dry. The whole bathing process took 15 minutes. This innovative device did not become a mass-market product, because at that time it was not yet common in Japan to have a bathtub at home. However, Sanyo later used the ultrasonic cleaning technology in its washing machines, becoming a pioneer in this market. ADVERTISIMENT Yasuaki Aoyama was also concerned about his colleagues' invention because one of his daughters suffered from skin inflammation due to chlorine in tap water. So about 20 years ago, he asked a friend of his to create a special shower head that could be filled with chemicals that would remove chlorine from the water as it passed through the nozzle. The invention worked, and the daughter of the head of Science got rid of her problem. So Aoyama decided to make this device mass-produced. The bubbles with a diameter of just three micrometers, which are released by his nozzles, are able to wash away dirt and chlorine from the skin. Since 2007, they have been bought not only for home use, but also for use in hospitals. Science is currently working with former Sanyo Electric engineers and scientists from Osaka University to create a "washing machine for people." They have already equipped the prototype with a heart rate sensor. In this way, Project Usoyaro monitors the state of the human nervous system inside the device and adjusts the choice of images that it sees on the screen in front of it accordingly. Now, artificial intelligence is learning to select the most relaxing content to show to a person taking a bath. The developers hope that their device will be useful in hospitals and nursing homes to improve care for people. They also plan to sell it for home use. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, Elon Musk showed a prototype of a humanoid robot that could replace a domestic worker and even work in production in the future. The first day of 2024 has arrived, time has flown by in the blink of an eye. With a lot of optimism and excitement, we have ushered in the new year! Last year offered us a ton of incredible content to watch on OTT, and it appears like 2024 won't be any different as we say farewell to 2023. This brings us to the question: what can fans expect from OTT services in January 2024? Lets take a look! 1. Bitconned In the high-profile scam documentary, Ray uses fictitious identities, interviews, and talking heads to tell his story of rising from poverty to wealth. Netflix Releasing on: 01 January 2024 Where To Watch: Netflix 2. Fool Me Once Maya Stern is attempting to process the horrific death of her spouse, Joe. Nevertheless, Maya is taken aback to see her spouse at her home when she sets a nanny-cam to watch over her young kid. Netflix Release Date: 01 January 2024 Where To Watch: Netflix 3. Love Song For Illusion It depicts the intense obsession and heartwarming tale of a King with two distinct personas, as well as the assassin girl who sets out to kill him but ultimately falls in love with him. imdb Release Date: 02 January 2024 Where To Watch: Rakuten Viki 4. Good Grief When an artist loses his well-known writer husband, he accompanies his two closest friends to Paris, where they confront difficult realities and complex secrets. imdb Release Date: 05 January 2024 Where To Watch: Netflix 5. Gyeongseong Creature: Part 2 A group of young people in Gyeongseong, 1945, who are solely concerned with surviving, come across a monster that was created out of human greed and begin to question what mankind is all about. Netflix Release Date:05 January 2024 Where To Watch: Netflix 6. James May: Our Man in India James May explores every inch of Italy, one of his favorite nations. Starting and ending in Palermo, the capital of Sicily, and ending in the Dolomites, this journey will take him through nearly every part of Italy. prime Release Date: 05 January 2024 Where To Watch: Amazon Prime Video 7. Tejas Sarvesh Mewara is the writer and director of the 2023 Indian Hindi-language action thriller Tejas, while Ronnie Screwvala is the producer. Anshul Chauhan and Varun Mitra play supporting parts to Kangana Ranaut's lead in the movie. Imdb Release Date:05 January 2024 Where To Watch: Zee5 8. Killer Soup A bumbling inspector and amateur criminals stir up trouble when Swathi Shetty, a home cook with no skill, thinks up a crazy plot to replace her husband Prabhakar with her boyfriend Umesh. Things don't go as planned, and turmoil is certain. netflix Release Date:11 January 2024 Where To Watch: Netflix 9. Indian Police Force Sushwanth Prakash and Rohit Shetty are the showrunners and creators. Starring in this series are Vivek Oberoi, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, and Sidharth Malhotra. The show takes place in Shetty's made-up Cop Universe. Prime Release Date: 19 January 2024 Where To Watch: Prime Video 10. Karmma Calling Raveena Tandon, who gained popularity for her role in the television series Aranyak, is returning to the digital realm. Her next assignment is the show Karmma Calling, where she portrays Indrani Kothari, a gorgeous and affluent member of Alibaug society. Hotstar Release Date: 26 January 2024 Where To Watch Disney + Hotstar 11. Griselda Griselda Blanco, a brilliant and driven businesswoman from Colombia, establishes one of the most successful cartels in history. Netflix Release Date: 25 January 2024 Where To Watch: Netflix 12. Hi Nanna When the woman he loves marries someone else, the lives of a devoted father and his 6-year-old daughter take an unexpected turn. x Release Date: 04 January 2024 Where To Watch: Netflix 13. Shark Tank India Indian entrepreneurs want to become successful business owners by convincing a group of investors to fund their ventures through their business concepts. sonyliv Release Date: 22 January 2024 Where To Watch: SonyLiv 14. Expats The Expats by Chris Pavone centers on Kate Moore, a former CIA operative who decides to resign her career after her husband Dexter accepts a high-paying job offer located in Luxembourg. Kate wants to be normal at last, so she and Dexter, together with their two little boys, are planning to adjust to life as expatriates. prime Release Date: 26 January 2024 Where To Watch: Prime Video (To read more such stories related to movies and shows released on OTTs, keep reading Indiatimes BINGE) The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has again called on the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government to release its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, alleging that pro-Biafra activist is battling internal bleeding. The bleeding, according to the group, is as a result of the alleged torture hes faced with while in the detention of the Department of State Services (DSS). Recall that Nnamdi Kanu has been in DSS detention since 2021, following his arrest in Kenya and repatriation to Nigeria. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court, on December 15, 2023, dismissed the ruling of the Appeal Court and okayed his trial on the charges of terrorism filed against him by the Federal Government. However, in a statement on Sunday, IPOBs spokesman, Emma Powerful, said Kanu needs urgent and specialized medical emergency treatment to avert serious outcomes. IPOB said reports reaching it indicate that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is having medical complications in the DSS solitary confinement. The report said that Kanu may be having internal bleeding caused by torture. READ ALSO: Elections Should Be Decided At Polling Units, Not Courtrooms Speaker Abbas This current medical situation may have risen from ruptured veins and internal bleeding disorders arising from the beating and torture he was subjected to by the Nigeria secret agents who kidnapped him in Kenya in 2021. Moreso, the drug overuse and abuse that DSS has subjected Kanu to may also be part of the problem. Our Leader requires medical emergency treatment outside the DSS facility to undergo surgery for his survival. Even the DSS medical director agrees that Kanu requires urgent and serious medical attention to handle his case. The Federal Government and the British government should release Kanu on medical grounds for independent medical professionals to attend to him and carry out the surgery if necessary to save the unforeseen situation. The Federal Government should be careful that nothing happens to Kanu during and after his illegal detention in DSS solidarity confinement. Kanu is a precious jewel that Biafrans have given their lives to protect, and many are ready to give their lives for him. Kanu is a trigger of the gun that is capable of sinking Nigeria if mishandled, the group added. David Adeleke, well known by his stage name Davido, had people buzzing after he was sighted at a church service in Lagos. Israel DMW posted a video of himself, Davido, and crew members celebrating the new year at the crossover service at Harvesters International Christian Centre on his Instagram feed. Another video clip recorded the moment churchgoers nearly became distracted after the Unavailable crooner was caught on camera. The church pastor, Bolaji Idowu immediately called his members to order, asking them to pay attention to Gods word. READ MORE: Toke Makinwa Slams Troll Who Told Her To Have Kids See fans reactions below: h3istr03v reacted: Pay attention to Gods word PREACH SIR officialmcjson said: Na club isreal Mind dey oo wizkidgirlfriend wrote: Pastor just dey laugh cruiz_great wrote: Put God first, I love this iam_xelem said: Pastor go dey more serious now _s.a.h.o_ penned: Even pastor sef loose focus2024 please be nice SEE VIDEO: Operatives attached to Zaria City Divisional Headquarters of the Kaduna State Police Command have arrested three suspected car snatchers. Confirming this in a statement on Monday, the Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Mansir Hassan, said the arrest was made on December 23, 2023, at Agoro-Tudun Wada Zaria. According to him, one of the suspects, a 28-year-old from Hayin Baki Birnin Gwari Kaduna State, was caught in possession of a stolen red Toyota Corolla with number plate Kano GWL 188 TT. The police spokesperson said, Operatives of Sabon Gari Zaria Division on the same date, at about 1830 hours, arrested a suspect and recovered from him a grey-coloured Toyota Corolla LE 2003 model. The said the suspect confessed to having stolen the vehicle in Kaduna town and brought it to Zaria to dispose it off. He added that the suspect was a dismissed soldier notoriously known for car snatching, theft, and other crimes in Benin, Kaduna, and Zaria. Equally on December 27, 2023, our operatives of Sabon Gari Zaria Division arrested another suspect of Graceland Zaria in possession of a stolen white Toyota Hilux pickup van with registration number Jigawa GML 40 AG, Hassan said. The suspect claimed to have bought the van from one Ibrahim with an unknown surname. Hassan added, The bonafide owner of the stolen van, of Aliyu Mohammed Road, NDA Kaduna has since been traced. All three cases, according to him, are still under investigation as the suspects accomplices were being trailed for a possible arrest, after which they will all be charged to court to face the full wrath of the law. Factional embattled Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Ehie Ogerenye Edison, has resigned. In a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Edison, a supporter of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, tendered his resignation, heightening the States already tumultuous political climate. Ehies resignation was contained in a letter dated December 29, 2023, and addressed to INECs Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu. Recall that a few weeks ago, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost 27 legislators who supported former governor Nyesom Wike to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Following this saga, the two sides engaged in a power battle, with the PDP asking for the seats held by the defectors to be declared vacant. The Speakers resignation comes after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intervened in the political crisis rocking the state, after which some resolutions were made and signed by the parties involved. READ ALSO: Plateau Massacre: Nigerians Now Believe Govt Cant Protect Them Kukah However, the intervention was criticised by elders in the state, noting that Tinubu does not have the power to overrule the decision of a court of competent jurisdiction. The letter read, This is to inform you of my voluntary resignation as Speaker and member of the 10th River State House of Assembly representing Ahoada- East Constituency II with effect from the date of this letter (29th, December 2023). I wish to deeply appreciate my colleagues and the people of my Constituency for the rare opportunity to serve and hope to continue to give my utmost best in service to River State subsequently. Kindly accept the assurance es of my highest esteem at all times. Daniel Regha, recently posted some pearls of wisdom on Twitter for people who attended crossover services and went into the new year with prophetic declarations. He minced no words, expressing the importance of hard work over relying solely on declarations and prophecies. Regha stressed that success in 2024 hinges on rolling up ones sleeves and putting in the effort. READ MORE: Congregation Distracted As Davido, Israel DMW, Others Attend Crossover Service He encouraged everyone to make reasonable plans, implying that the new year might not be a bed of roses. He also sent his best wishes and wished everyone a good new year. Forget ur churchs New-year prophetic declarations, if u dont work this 2024 u wont see shishi; Also plan urself properly, u can see how the APC govt is ruling. Once again, happy new-year to everyone & best wishes. SEE POST: Pastor Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, founder and General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), has described 2024 as a year of positive and negative happenings. The cleric also tagged the New Year a speedy and troublesome year. Olukoya made the disclosure during the Churchs crossover service, on Monday, and urged congregants to follow the survival keys to scale through the year. He furthered that 2024 is a year of open doors and divine speed for MFM members worldwide. There is plenty to rejoice about (in 2024) and there is plenty to worry about. There are plenty of good things to look forward to. Its a hydra-headed year, that is, positive and negative mix There is really much to add to 2024. 2023 was like a person running a relay race and just gave the baton to 2024. The difference is that the person they gave the next baton will now have to run faster as a relay race runner. So all the events that you saw in 2023 will certainly creep into 2024 and more will be added to it. In addition to what is already on ground, we must take strategic spiritual action, he said. READ ALSO: 2024: Things Will Get Worse In Nigeria Before It Gets Better Daddy Adeboye Delivers 2024 Prophecies See full text below: Prophetic Outlooks For 2024 1. There is plenty to rejoice about, and there is also plenty to worry about. It is a hydra-headed year. A positive and negative mix! All the events from 2023 will dovetail into this year, and more will be added. In addition to what is already on ground, we must take spiritual strategic action. 2. It is a troublesome year, but not beyond spiritual control. 3. If you stop fighting this year, you start losing. If you reduce the temperature of your fire, the enemy moves in. 4. It is a speedy year. You must resist your weaknesses and strengthen your strengths so that God can move you forward in a new way. 5. This is a year to get your spiritual life on serious fire. 6. Pray, command, decree, and prophesy if you have to, but this year, give no place to the devil. Do what is called an overkill. 7. You must not involve yourself in trial-and-error kinds of endeavours. Find out what God wants you to do and do it. 8. Just like in 2023, the plagues, famine, strange wars, strange deaths, ritualism, bloodshed, chaos, political confusion, and economic trouble will still manifest. High level tension will increase mental troubles. 9. Drinkers of blood and eaters will be in serious rage. 10. Lukewarm Christianity is dangerous this year. 11. Demonisation of the minds of youths must be prayed about so it does not escalate. The youth of this generation need a lot of prayer on their attitude of disrespect, entitlement mentality, doing what they like, being interested in immediate pleasures, five minutes of sexual pleasure, and being a member of the marine kingdom. 12. Many ungodly kings shall receive the slaps of angels because it is a year of open doors and new beginnings for many, a year of uncommon deliverance and miracles. 13. This year, we must key into what is written in 1 Peter 2:910. 14. This year, the husband should be the priest of their homes because the anger of God will be released upon a family that will not call on the name of the Lord. (Jeremiah 10:25) READ ALSO: Alleged Torture: Kanu Suffering Internal Bleeding, His Death Capable Of Sinking Nigeria IPOB Fortification Keys And Strategies For Survival And Breakthroughs In 2024 1. We must increase our prayer and fasting temperature. 2. We must live a life of uncompromising holinessholiness within and without. 3. We must possess the spirit of the fighter. 4. We must be addicted to the Word of God. 5. We must take evangelism much more seriously this year. 6. We must emulate our Lord Jesus Christ by engaging in regular retreats (Luke 5:16). 7. You must understand how God speaks to you. 8. We must be very watchful spiritually. 9. Make a decision to always speak the truth. Do not be found in lies. 10. Develop a healthy and spiritual family life. 11. Do not joke with the MFM anti-infirmity missile prayers. Those prayers were what saved many people from death during the COVID-19 rage. 12. Do not turn again to the things you have left behind as an unbeliever. 13. Develop and covet spiritual gifts. Everybody can move in it (1 Corinthians 12:6). 14. We must be heavenly conscious. 15. Reject discouragement. Refuse to be discouraged. Behave like David by encouraging yourself in the Lord. 16. Serve God with all your heart this year. 17. Strive for excellence in whatever you do. 18. Set goals for yourself this year. 19. Do not compare yourself to anybody. 20. Be a God-pleaser, not a people-pleaser. 21. Never speak or think negatively about yourself; to do so is waging war against yourself. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has posited that allowing Nigerians to openly carry firearms will plunge the country into anarchy. In the wake of the deadly Christmas eve attack on Barkin Ladi and Bokkos Local Government Areas of Plateau State which over 200 people were killed, there have been strident calls for the government to allow citizens bear arms. Speaking on the agitation, the Army Chief dismissed calls for self-defence, saying granting such request would spell doom for the country. He made his position known on Channels Televisions end-of-year programme 2023: Year Of Transition on Sunday. READ ALSO: Were All Prisoners In Poorly Governed Nigeria Peter Obi I do not support that. I think that is a call for anarchy, he said According to him, the Nigerian Army can defend the country and as such, there is no need for self-defence. He also said as part of efforts to beef up security in Plateau, more troops are being deployed to the area. I have reeled out our plans for 2024 for Plateau State. The troops that we are deploying to Plateau, are on their way to Plateau now. This night or first light tomorrow, they should be on the Plateau. We are sending more equipment to enhance the efficiency of the troops, he added. The Rivers state Governor, Siminilayi Fubara has assured that no amount of political crisis can truncate the tenure of his administration. INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the statement is coming barely 24 hours after the states House of Assembly Speaker, Edison Ehie, resigned both as a Speaker and a lawmaker. However, the Governor, urged people of Rivers not to be disheartened by the ongoing crisis, emphasising that nothing would prevent him from successfully leading the affairs of the state. Fubara made this known during a church service held at St Pauls Archdeaconry Parish in Opobo Town on the New Years Eve of 2024, in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of the state. READ MORE: Edison Ehie Resigns As Rivers Assembly Member, Speaker He said: What they want is this red biro, but it is still with me. We are the winners because we are still signing with the red biro. As long as we are signing with the red biro, development will continue in Rivers State. Like I keep saying, it takes a responsible man to be a father. He acted like a father. On our part, we will continue to give him all the necessary support because if he does not succeed in Rivers State, he will not succeed as a president. So, as a State, we will continue to give him every support. We are not pretenders. Our support is genuine, and it is to uplift his programmes. Our sacrifices are part of the support. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked Nigerians to resist anti-democratic forces doled out to them by the current administration in the year 2024. In a New Years message issued on Sunday, December 31,2023, by Debo Ologunagba, PDPs National Publicity Secretary, the party described the policies enacted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as fascist. The opposition party asked Nigerians to use the year 2024 as an opportunity to re-invent and assert themselves as a free people under Democratic Order. Ologunagba further urged citizens to set aside ethnic, religious, and political partitioning to join their voices with the PDP and defend the countrys constitution. Our citizens must say NO to anti-democratic actions and policies of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration which are so far tilted towards the institutionalization of corruption, crippling of Democracy Institutions and sabotaging of national productivity which the PDP had earlier alerted is consistent with APCs scheme to weaponize poverty and suppress Nigerians to surrender to totalitarianism. Nigerians and indeed the Civil Society must speak out against the recklessness and lack of transparency of the APC administration that led to the collapse of the Naira; the alleged massive looting of funds including proceeds from the removal of subsidy on petroleum products; the skewing of the 2024 budget in favour of luxury appetite of the Presidency and APC leaders without concrete policies and programmes to revive the economy, create jobs and address the comatose manufacturing and productive sectors. READ ALSO: Plateau: Nigerians Losing Hope In Governments Protective Ability Bishop Kukah It is distressing that due to the counter-productive actions and policies of the Tinubu-led APC administration, including the failure to address the comatose infrastructure, major multinational giants that have established in the country for decades including GlaxoSmithKline, Procter & Gamble among others are now leaving in droves with attendant massive loss of jobs and businesses. The hardship, infrastructural stagnation and uncertainty occasioned by the insensitive and anti-people economic policies of the Tinubu-led APC government have led to serious social dislocation of life and family with negative consequences on our national life. Indeed, this is not the way to go! The PDP re-assures of its determination in leading the charge and using every legitimate mean available to protect our nations Democracy and Constitutional Order. The APC administration must know that the sovereignty and resources of this nation belong to all its people and cannot be appropriated by any individual or group. Our Party again tasks the National Assembly to be on the side of the people by immediately reviewing and adjusting the 2024 budget by cutting all provisions for luxury items and channelling such funds to sectors that have a direct bearing on the wellbeing of Nigerians. The Party also charges leaders at all levels to use the new year to re-double their efforts in serving and seeking the good of the citizens. The PDP calls on the International Community to assist in the sustenance and support for Democracy in Nigeria given the huge humanitarian crisis with potential negative consequences on the stability of West Africa, Africa and indeed the world should Democracy fail in Nigeria. The PDP prays for the nation and wishes Nigerians a Happy New Year. The head of the aggressor state of Russia, Vladimir Putin, used his annual New Year's address on December 31 to specify Russia's ideological priorities for 2024. He omitted any mention of the war against Ukraine, but focused on defining ideological goals that will ultimately still influence the fighting and the situation in the occupied territories. ADVERTISIMENT This was pointed out by analysts at the Institute for the Study of War ( ISW). It should be reminded that this time the dictator also did not use soldiers as a New Year's background for his speech. Thus, in an address on the eve of 2023, the Kremlin leader addressed Russians from the headquarters of the Southern Military District, surrounded by soldiers in pixelated uniforms, and spoke openly about Russia's goals in Ukraine. In contrast, on the eve of 2024, Putin stood alone in front of the Kremlin and did not mention his "SVO". Instead, he decided to very briefly thank the Russian military for fighting for "truth and justice" and otherwise focused on emphasizing Russian national unity. He also declared that 2024 will be the "Year of the Family" in Russia, emphasizing that the Russian family is "the backbone of the multinational people of Russia" and that Russia itself is "one big country and family." ADVERTISIMENT Analysts pointed out that in the last weeks of 2023, the Russian dictator often discussed Moscow's maximalist intentions for a war against Ukraine. They believe that in this way he sought to establish a more domestic-oriented ideological environment during his New Year's speech. It is noted that it further served to clearly define the Kremlin's ideological line for 2024, focusing domestic policy on preserving "traditional Russian family values" and "protecting Russian multinationalism," which fit into Putin's broader ideology of the "Russian world," which includes groups inside and outside Russia. According to ISW, Putin is attempting to re-establish the concept of the "Russian world" as the basis of Russian domestic and foreign policy, and his New Year's address described families and the multinationalism of Russian society as the "pillars" of this particularized "world." ADVERTISIMENT "The Kremlin's perceptions of the 'Russian world' will undoubtedly affect Russia's administrative, bureaucratic and socio-cultural priorities in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, as well as military objectives on the battlefield next year," the ISW concluded. As OBOZ.UA reported earlier, analysts explained how the Kremlin continues to present the war against Ukraine as a "justified imperial conquest." In particular, Russia is not interested in negotiating in good faith, but instead wants to achieve Putin's maximalist goals. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Socio-political commentator, Shehu Sani, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubus New Year speech as a native doctors words of hope to a sick person. Earlier in his address, he assured that his administration is working hard to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians brought about by his economic decisions. The President had said although the time may be rough and tough, Nigerians must remain unbowed because tough times never last. We are made for this period, never to flinch, never to falter. The socio-economic challenges of today should energize and rekindle our love and faith in the promise of Nigeria. READ ALSO: Ill Fight Every Obstacle That Impedes Business Competitiveness In Nigeria Tinubu Our current circumstances should make us resolve to work better for the good of our beloved nation. Our situation should make us resolve that this new year 2024, each and everyone of us will commit to be better citizens, he added. In reaction via X on Monday, the former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central noted that the President did not set any time for any of the promises to take effect. The Presidents speech is good and encouraging. It gives the kind of hope raised by Native Doctors; that you will be delivered from your sickness but no date, he said. Tinubus 2024 Assurance Is Like That Of A Native Doctor To A Sick Man Shehu Sani The days of full offices, with everyone assigned a permanent desk, are gone, as are the elements of the old in-office lifestyle. Read more I remember them well. One was short and slightly pear-shaped, varying shades of green with the logo of my favorite neighborhood coffee shop. Another was cream-colored and massive, 24 fluid ounces at least. The last, my favorite, was petite and hilarious, adorned with the quip Whoops, I spent the grocery money on shoes again. They were the coffee mugs on my desk at work. My trusty delivery system for often-caffeinated hot beverages to fuel me through the work day. The green coffee mug was ideal for everyday use. The massive vessel was clutch on days when I needed an extra jolt. And that petite, quippy cup was just right for a small cup of afternoon tea. Now, they have no home. Advertisement Like many other American office workers, I no longer have a desk of my own at work. The office arrangement in which each employee grabs an empty desk on their in-office days, and fully vacates it when they leave is often referred to as hoteling or hot-desking. Now I, and many part-time-commuting hybrid workers, must choose carefully. What is worth lugging along in a bag on in-office days? What warrants reservation of an overnight locker space? And what items will simply fade into the memory of vintage workspaces circa 2019 and before? The proportion of office workers with no assigned desk nearly doubled from 2020 to 2022, to 19%, The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this year, citing a survey by the Gensler Research Institute. This kind of arrangement allows employers to save money by downsizing office space that increasingly sits empty when people work from home. But it also creates an inconvenience for workers, and can make the office feel sterile and transient. To be sure, many office workers retained their individual desks or offices throughout the COVID-19 shutdowns, and returned to those spaces. But according to a recent report by Center City District, cell phone data suggests that only 64% of office workers downtown are routinely at their desks. Experts have suggested that office spaces will continue to shrink as employers scrutinize the cost of space when people are only in the office a few days a week. That likely means even more workers sharing temporary desktops instead of making a little home within the office. In other words, while downtown office-worker density is inching back toward pre-COVID levels, elements of the old in-office lifestyle have faded. Like my coffee mugs. Not to mention the framed family photos I used to keep on my desk, when I had one all my own. Or the small collection of work-appropriate shoes that allowed me to trek into the office wearing snow boots when the weather called for it, without the added weight of a spare pair in my bag. The new leader of the Center City District, an organization that represents downtown business interests, recently suggested its time to stop thinking about a return to pre-COVID office norms. We may have a differently formulated ecosystem now, Prema Katari Gupta said. While recreating the past may well be futile, and figuring out a more sustainable future is still a work in progress, it could be helpful to look back on what we cherished in the days before hot desks and hybrid work. Are any of those relics worth bringing back? Health care providers are sometimes guilty of bias, especially towards patients with a history of mental illness. Providers may fail to run diagnostic tests to pinpoint the cause of painful symptoms that they wrongly attribute to mental health. Read more What is diagnostic overshadowing and why should patients and their families know about it? Simply put, its when a doctor or nurse ignores or dismisses a patients symptoms because of bias. People with a history of mental illness and older people, particularly those with dementia, are most affected by it, according to Andy Lazris, a Maryland-based doctor who specializes in geriatrics and an expert on diagnostic overshadowing. To me, diagnostic overshadowing is that we have made our assumptions about this person already and those assumptions blind us, Lazris said. In November, nurses and mental health technicians at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania-Cedar Avenue failed to quickly render aid to a critically ill patient on the hospitals behavioral health unit. State health inspectors released a report last week that says diagnostic overshadowing may have played a role. Advertisement READ MORE: Nurses left patient to die at Penn Medicine hospital. State inspectors issued a severe warning. The Joint Commission, the nations largest hospital-accrediting organization, issued an alert to its members in 2022 about diagnostic overshadowing, describing it as a harm that stems from cognitive bias. The commission warned hospitals that it can contribute to dangerous delays in diagnosis and treatment. The commission provided an example of a 42-year-old woman previously diagnosed with mental illness who went to a gastroenterologist for nausea and stomach pain. The gastroenterologist decided the symptoms were due to her mental and emotional state and told her shed have to learn to live with it. The woman became seriously ill, and she went to a gastroenterologist at a womens medical center who performed tests that revealed she was suffering from a bacterial infection in her small intestine. The condition, known as SIBO, causes diarrhea and malnutrition and typically requires an antibiotic. At health-care facilities that treat patients with psychiatric disorders or behavioral health problems, bias can be more prevalent. So its important for providers in those facilities to be mindful of diagnostic overshadowing and take seriously any change in a patients condition, Lazris said. The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania-Cedar Avenue offers emergency mental health services, as well as inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services. Read more The patient slumped over a walker, then slid down the wall and collapsed, while two nurses and two technicians at a Penn Medicine hospital stood over the motionless patient. Unsure what to do, the staff walked away to figure out how to handle the situation. The nurses and techs at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania-Cedar Avenue left the fatally ill patient alone and didnt start CPR for 10 minutes. By then, it was too late. The patient died while lying on the floor of the hospitals Behavioral Health Unit, state health inspectors said in a report released last week. The states report noted that hospital leaders who also investigated the incident internally had concerns about diagnostic overshadowing, in which staff might wrongly assume that a patient admitted with behavioral health issues wouldnt then develop a life-threatening medical crisis. Advertisement The November incident prompted the state to issue its most serious safety warning at HUP-Cedar, an outpost of Penns flagship hospital since 2021. Penn now provides emergency mental health and general emergency department services, psychiatric and addiction care at the former Mercy Philadelphia Hospital site at South 54th Street and Cedar Avenue in West Philadelphia. The hospital has 31 inpatient psychiatric beds and 16 beds for detoxification. Health inspectors had placed HUP-Cedar in immediate jeopardy, signaling life-threatening concerns. They lifted the sanction within hours after confirming that the hospital had immediately educated behavioral health staff on what to do when a patient falls and how to call a code blue, a term commonly used to summon emergency aid for a patient experiencing a medical emergency. The hospital remains under state scrutiny, however, and has until Jan. 25 to address its failures to ensure patient safety and provide prompt care for a patient in medical distress. In the states report, inspectors concluded that the patients death could have possibly been prevented if staff had acted more quickly. When nurses realized the patient was in respiratory distress, staff didnt know how to call a code blue and left the patient to get a computer, the report says. Inspectors also found that the hospital had no specific policy requiring staff to immediately check vital signs, such as pulse and blood pressure, when patients fall or staff see them lie down on the floor. The state report notes that diagnostic overshadowing a phenomenon where bias causes medical providers to wrongly presume that a patients behavior or physical symptoms stem from his or her mental illness may have factored into the staffs failure to recognize an emergency. READ MORE: How a doctors bias can put patients at risk Hospital leaders proposed an improvement plan, which is detailed in the 58-page state inspection report. A key component includes educating all staff about the danger of diagnostic overshadowing. Hospital leaders had identified it as a potential challenge for Behavioral Health Unit staff during a Nov. 27 meeting. We are saddened by the loss of this patient and are fully cooperating with the Pennsylvania Department of Health in connection with this matter, a Penn Medicine spokesperson said, adding: Patient safety is an essential cornerstone of care at all Penn facilities and the hospitals plan of correction demonstrates how seriously we take this commitment. Quick corrective measures State inspectors showed up at the hospital unannounced after receiving a complaint about the incident and began a two-day, on-site investigation. The report does not say who filed the complaint, but Pennsylvania law required HUP-Cedar leaders to alert the state of serious safety lapses. The state report does not disclose details about the patient, including gender, age, and reason for hospital admission. Inspectors arrived on Nov. 14 11 days after the patient died on the second floor, where the hospital provides inpatient psychiatric treatment and drug and alcohol detoxification. Around 3 p.m., inspectors issued an immediate jeopardy warning, which means they found safety problems that endangered patients lives. The hospital had to quickly correct the problems identified, or risk losing government funding and its national accreditation. By 7:40 that night, inspectors removed the immediate jeopardy flag after verifying that hospital leaders had taken steps to make it clear that nurses and mental health technicians must fully check vital signs when patients fall. The revised policy also applies when a patient is thought to have lain down intentionally on the floor. A nurse must stay with the patient the entire time. Staff also must alert the on-duty psychiatrist and start rapid-response protocols if they see concerning changes in the patients physical or mental status. Hospital leaders are training staff to consider all possible medical causes for any change in a patients behavior, which could potentially mimic psychiatric illness, including, but not limited to, suspected intentional falls, according to the state report. Patient lies motionless and alone Inspectors reviewed the patients medical record, interviewed staff, and reviewed video footage to determine what unfolded for their report: At about 8:45 p.m. on Nov. 3, the patient stepped slowly down the hallway with a walker, then stopped to lean against a wall and slumped over the walker. Staff approached and tried to take the patients vital signs. The video, which had no audio, showed staff saying something to the patient and then walking away without checking vital signs. Two mental health technicians arrived. One tapped on the walker, as the patient remained bent over it. The patient became physically unstable. Techs steadied the patient. They stood talking and looking at the patient, then walked away toward the nurses station. Two nurses walked up to the patient, who was still drooped over the walker and using the wall for support, then left. The patient collapsed. The patient is lying on the floor at door to unit, not moving. No staff is with patient, the state report says. The nurses returned with a mobile workstation. They crouched down and looked at the patient. One nurse straightened out the patient. Both nurses then left, walking toward the nurses station, while the patient remained unmoving on [the] floor. By then, the two techs had returned and stayed with the patient. They stood looking down at the patient with their cell phone flashlights on. The nurses came back. One had a crash cart, a wheeled unit with lifesaving equipment. The other nurse had a vital sign machine and applied a blood pressure cuff. Moments later, two different nurses arrived: a nurse supervisor and a rapid response nurse, an expert in critical care. The nurse supervisor noticed the patient was gray in color and asked if anyone checked for responsiveness and no one answered, the report notes. The supervisor checked the patient and felt no pulse. The patients primary nurse later told state inspectors that they were unsure on how to call a code and left the patient to get a computer, according to the report. The nurse supervisor called a code blue at about 8:55 p.m. The rapid response nurse started chest compressions. An emergency department provider arrived, and resuscitation efforts stopped at 9:26 p.m. The patient was transferred to the morgue just before 10 p.m. Mayor Jim Kenney addresses the last City Council meeting of the year Dec. 14, 2023. Read more Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenneys tenure has been marked by what he calls darker moments: a pandemic, social reckoning, and a gun violence epidemic. Then theres the time he said hed be happy when hes no longer mayor. That time has come. Though in his final dispatch to Philadelphians, Kenney, the citys 99th mayor, chose to end on a largely positive note. It has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime to serve as the mayor of this great city, he said in a statement issued Sunday as he welcomed Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker, who is slated to be sworn into office Tuesday. Kenney recognized the struggles of his second term as mayor but didnt dwell on them, instead thanking all the municipal workers, health-care workers, and volunteers who stepped forward in times of crisis. Unlike in some of his exit interviews in the media, Kenney steered clear from discussing the toll the job had taken on him emotionally. Instead, he focused on the work done by the more than 30,000 city workers whose efforts Kenney said often go unrecognized or underestimated but are behind innovation and progress made in Philadelphia. Advertisement READ MORE: Mayor Jim Kenney wants to be remembered as someone who cared even if he didnt always seem like it Without hesitation, Philadelphias municipal employees, first responders, healthcare staff, and volunteers stepped forward to see us through uncharted waters, he said. Kenney touted progress made in public safety, education, inclusive growth, financial stability, and thriving neighborhoods. Under his administration, the city took back control of its public schools from the state and saw its budget reserves grow and its credit ratings rise. Kenneys two terms as mayor cap decades of public service. The son of a firefighter, Kenney got his start in politics doing odd jobs for then-State Sen. Vince Fumo in 1978. He joined City Council as an at-large member in 1991. With the backing of labor unions, Kenney would enter the 2015 Democratic primary for mayor, winning in a landslide thanks to a coalition of black, White, and progressive voters. In an exit interview with The Inquirer, Kenney pushed back on those who called him a disengaged chief executive, hoping hed be remembered as someone who cared. Kenney told The Inquirer he has no job lined up and hopes to travel more as he reenters private life. He plans to continue living in Philadelphia. In his farewell, Kenney focused on the future. He said his administration had spent the last several months preparing to promote continuity, stability, and momentum upon Parkers arrival. I am confident that together we have sown the seeds for continued progress, and I look forward to watching them grow with you, he wrote. If you had asked me this time last year if I supported Israels right to exist, I would have first asked why you were asking, before answering, Of course. This year, no one need ask. After the Oct. 7 attacks, I feel it is my moral obligation as many on the political right do to not only defend the right of Israel to exist but to show solidarity for my Jewish brothers and sisters in any way possible. From private conversations to visits to synagogues, personal donations to Israeli causes, and symbolic gestures, many on the right have been united in finding ways to support Jews. But perhaps my greatest inspiration came from the left. It was U.S. Sen. John Fetterman draped in an Israeli flag at a Washington, D.C., rally in support of the Jewish state that inspired me to replace the Star of Bethlehem over the outdoor plastic nativity I inherited from my spouses grandmother with a neon Star of David. For this, Ive been accused, among other things, of being a Zionist. I support Israels right to exist, without reservation or shame, just like Fetterman. While I received near unanimous support for my views on the right, Fetterman is given no such safe harbor on the left. Progressives, including some former anonymous campaign staffers, are now calling his support for Israel and refusal to demand a cease-fire a gutting betrayal, labeling him #GenocideJohn. Advertisement In the greatest of sins, the hard left has accused Fetterman of not being a real progressive. Fettermans response was to remind the left that Israel has every right to go after the people trying to kill them. He then thumbed his nose at the left-wing purists by telling them hes not one of them anyway. That came as a bit of a surprise on both sides of the aisle, as most saw Fetterman as the embodiment of a modern progressive. But Fettermans support for Israel isnt the only place hes failed the political test for the left. He has offered sensible advice on handling the catastrophic situation at the border by suggesting that Democrats talk to Republicans about implementing solutions. I hope Democrats can understand that it isnt xenophobic to be concerned about the border, Fetterman chided his own party. Fetterman also supports fracking. During his 2022 campaign for U.S. Senate, the then-lieutenant governor told NBC News, I supported the energy security we should have in the United States. He clarified his prior stances against fracking were only to get better regulations for environmental protection. Some call this political expediency at its worst and accuse Fetterman of saying only what he needs to get elected. Yes, that is what politicians do. But the American government is not a church. Whether Fetterman really believes in fracking and border security is not as important as the fact that he understands his fidelity must be to whats best for the people he represents and his country. Fettermans support of Israel is a defining moral moment for America and our leaders. His move away from the label progressive in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attacks reminds me of what many on the right went through after the U.S. Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021. Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell excoriated President Donald Trump, the Republican National Committee, and the rioters after Jan. 6, and was attacked by his right flank. Then-Vice President Mike Pence not only condemned the riots but certified the elections despite them. That action likely cost him his career in politics and killed his presidential chances, yet he has never expressed regret. Fetterman, McConnell, and Pence have shown political courage in breaking ranks with the growing authoritarianism of the political left and right in America. Too often, political labels are used to hamstring politicians and citizens into saying and doing that which is deemed politically pure, even in the face of immoral actions. Being trapped under a political label negates the very heart of civil society: the ability to think, debate, and change ones mind. Political labels are reductive forcing people into binary stands on issues that have nothing in common. Why is it that people who want big government solutions with higher taxes and spending must also be against the Second Amendment? How can so many people who support LGBTQ rights also support calls for the genocide of Jews? Like Fetterman, I have also felt hamstrung by political labels. Its expedient to say Im a conservative, but I lean more libertarian, which in fact makes me a classical liberal a label meaningless to most people. Like so many on the right and a growing number on the left, my political philosophy has no easy categorization. If forced to define it, my politics can be surmised like this: Two married lesbians and their adopted, homeschooled children have the right to defend their pot farm with guns while the mosque next door preaches against firearms, homosexuality, and intoxicants. To infuse this vision with the spirit of America that so many of us were raised to love, Id add the final clause: And when it snows, they shovel each others sidewalks. January 1, 2024: A large TV screen that will be their backdrop shows scenes from last years Mummers Parade, as the Golden Crown Fancy Brigade tests their staging at the Convention Center, preparing for the divisions two finale performances on New Years Day with ticketed shows, at 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Read more While the Mummers strut past it, headed down Broad Street, former Mayor Jim Kenney is leaving City Hall where he has served in elected office since his first term as an at-large member of Council in 1991. In his victory speech after he won the Democratic primary for mayor in 2015, he said, I want a lot of things for our children, but, most of all, I want them to grow up in a Philadelphia where we all look past our differences and join together to create a better place for all of us to live. In an exit interview with The Inquirer, Kenney said he hoped hed be remembered as someone who cared. Advertisement Inquirer photographers were there with our cameras over his past two terms as mayor, during all of the citys successes and failures that will define his time in Philadelphias top job. We looked back and created a gallery on the eight years James F. Kenney served as the 99th mayor. Plus a few images from his days in City Council. Since 1998, a black-and-white photo has appeared every Monday in staff photographer Tom Gralishs Scene Through the Lens photo column in The Inquirers local news section. Here are the most recent, in color: Elon Musks tempestuous tenure at X is to continue in 2024 as the billionaire and the social media platform face ongoing issues around online safety regulation, misinformation and revenue concerns. Since taking over Twitter as the site was formerly known in October 2022, Musk has faced a string of controversies, including around his treatment of staff and mass job cuts at the firm, and the sites changing approach to moderation. The disruption has caught the attention of regulators and spooked advertisers, leaving X heading into 2024 in the precarious position of facing regulatory penalties including fines while also dealing with falling advertising revenue. X owner Elon Musk says the platform could be bankrupted by the advertising boycott against it (Alamy/PA) One of the most pressing issues of the new year will be the European Unions investigation into X, alleging a breach of rules by the platform in a number of areas including stopping illegal content and disinformation. The proceedings have been launched under the Digital Services Act (DSA), tough new tech laws introduced by the EU which require the biggest platforms to protect their users against extreme and harmful content. Failure to do so can mean large fines or a service being suspended in the EU outcomes X could not afford to face. The EU first began looking into X in October over the possible spread of terrorist and violent content in the wake of the conflict in Gaza, with X responding that it had removed hundreds of accounts from the platform. Now it has launched a formal investigation, and also wants to scrutinise the effectiveness of the sites Community Notes feature, which allows others to comment on the accuracy of posts, a system X and Mr Musk argue helps combat disinformation. The findings of that investigation could trigger major upheaval for Mr Musk and X. But ever since Mr Musk completed his takeover there have been questions about extreme material on the site. A number of watchdogs and online safety groups have repeatedly flagged concerns about harmful and abusive posts circulating freely, while Mr Musk has been criticised for his free speech approach to running the site, and for laying off many of the sites moderators. He has also been criticised for allowing previously banned users, including conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and far-right figures such as Tommy Robinson, back onto the platform, and for reposting or interacting with controversial posts himself. X has lifted its ban on Tommy Robinsons account (PA) But, the scrutiny has not just been coming from regulators many advertisers have pulled back from the platform as a result, with Mr Musk accusing a campaign group in the US of trying to kill the social network and driving advertisers away by claiming the site was antisemitic by failing to remove hateful content. Mr Musk himself has admitted the advertiser exodus has cost the social media company billions of dollars in revenue, and in an interview in early December he acknowledged that the advertiser boycott could even bankrupt the firm. As a result, 2024 is likely to see X attempt to diversify in order to uncover new revenue streams most likely through more projects to turn the platform into a so-called everything app a one-stop place for everything from social media to online payments, entertainment and other goods and services. X has already launched a range of new subscription-based options and Mr Musk introduced a new audio and video calls service this year. Meanwhile, the billionaire has started streaming himself playing video games on the site more often, which some commentators have suggested is an attempt to push more X users to do the same and rival apps such as Twitch. All this turbulence comes as the site prepares to face potentially one of its biggest tests in years and certainly since Mr Musk took over in the form of multiple major elections. 2024 will see some of the biggest democracies in the world go to the polls, including Ireland and the United States, where a general election is due before January 2025. X is likely to play a key role in messaging reaching the public, just as it has in elections past when it was known as Twitter. But the concerns around the sites ability to combat misinformation and disinformation, and indeed fears in some quarters that Mr Musks absolute free speech mantra will allow fake and misleading content to appear online could have substantial implications. Any misinformation incidents in the run-up to any of the major elections will likely increase the pressure further on Mr Musk to change his approach at X, during what is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the company, and Mr Musk himself. Former US President Donald Trump will not become president again. Joe Biden will win. At the same time, the United States will continue to finance Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT Such predictions were made by the FT. Orest Sohar, the editor-in-chief of OBOZ.UA, writes on his Telegram channel Orestocracy that this forecast is based on the fact that Trump was not allowed to vote in several states. "Their prediction is based on the fact that in Colorado and Maine, the former president was actually not allowed to vote. But if Trump's team manages to overcome the "legal obstacles," Trump's campaign against Joe Biden will be the worst presidential election in US history," writes Orest Sohar. At the same time, voters are more likely to oppose Trump than support Biden. The good news for Ukraine is that funding will continue. The bad news is that pressure will increase to encourage the country to negotiate with the aggressor, Russia. "Even before the election, Trump will be convicted in at least one of the four trials, and probably in two more. Despite his advanced age, Biden will win, because voters are more likely to oppose Trump than to approve a second term for Biden. By the way, will the US and EU continue to finance Ukraine? Yes, they will. However, Ukraine is likely to feel more and more pressure to start negotiations with Moscow," writes the editor-in-chief of OBOZ.UA. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZ.UA previously reported, on December 19, the Supreme Court of the US state of Colorado found former President Donald Trump guilty of inciting an uprising and banned him from participating in the presidential election in the state. This decision was made on the basis of the 3rd part of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, as well as the court verdict of November 18, 2023, in which Trump was found guilty of attempting a coup d'etat and inciting the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The founder of Fermanaghs first legal gin distillery in more than 100 years, which is now exporting to over 15 countries, said there has been an explosion in global demand for Irish spirits. The Boatyard Distillery, situated on the banks of Lough Erne, is Fermanaghs first legal distillery since 1890. The distillery, specialising in gin, was founded by Joe McGirr who grew up on a farm near the current site. Mr McGirr said he fell in love with the gin-making process while working in Edinburgh and fought hard to create a distillery in his home town. One of the first things was it was my home so growing up there, that was really, really important and knew the area, the kind of the lie of the land, there was super important for us, he said. It is further west so were about an hour and a half from Belfast from Dublin, or slightly over but I think the important thing for me was just having that rural distillery, being on the banks of Lough Erne. I remember putting in the planning permission, and the authorities thought we were going to create three-eyed fish, we had to do ecology studies out in the water for example, and we fought for a year to get that because they wanted it to be in an industrial estate or somewhere safer for them, so we fought really hard to have it there. And for me, its one of the most beautiful facilities in the world. You can arrive by boat, or by car, right to the distillery door, and I dont know of any other distillery in Scotland or elsewhere, where you can actually do that, sort of right to the door. So the place is very unique and very special, and you just cant recreate that anywhere else. Visitors take a tour of the Boatyard Distillery in Co Fermanagh (Tourism NI) Mr McGirr said the distillery utilises local produce to create a flavour profile distinct to Northern Ireland. We set about trying to source organic based product, and were using organic wheat from a farmer in Monaghan and he grows us wheat, which sounds like a normal crop, but the amount of love that hes got. And its in Monaghan so not that far from us, he said. He grows his wheat on north-facing hills, theyre actually hard to harvest so theyre quite steeply sloped. That gives lots of drainage. Its organic farming, so its a very much shut the gate and see what happens, no fertilisers or any separate chemicals going on there. He added: What are the key base products for our spirits are really important and that follows through, it wouldnt be the same if we couldnt get that. Being less than an hour away is really important for us. Mr McGirr said despite the influx of bespoke products to the whiskey and gin markets, the character of Irish spirits is unique to the market. I think there is an explosion in Ireland, both sides of the border at the minute towards Irish spirits, and how good they can be and that diversity that weve got at the minute in Irish spirits is incredible, he said. And you add into that the weve got this amazing thing called the distillery trail in Northern Ireland, which you can come and visit lots and lots of different distilleries, and youd get a little card, we call it a passport, where you get stamped and that encourages people to kind of move around them and get different experiences, meet different people. It is about the people, I think with all of the distilleries in a world where theres a lot of whiskey and gin distilleries but each one is individually different. They look and feel different. And the people are very different and I think thats the takeaway. Collectively I feel like weve got something very special to bring to the world. Boatyard Distillery in Co Fermanagh (Tourism NI) The global popularity of Irish spirits have seen the Fermanagh distilled gin increase in popularity across the world. We do really well, and this one amazes me every time, in Seoul in South Korea, Mr McGirr said. So weve got a lot of bars, like four seasons, weve got some amazing bars over there, and they love it. And when you see it being poured over there, and the passion that theyve got, like they own it, that is just amazing. I havent been lucky enough to get to go there for a martini, yet, touch wood, but that day is coming. Weve been in New York quite a few times and thats always amazing when you see, and maybe its an ego thing as well, when you walk into a bar in New York, and someones order a Boatyard next to you and youre like, this is amazing. The Boatyard distillery is the only distillery on the island of Ireland to be B Corp certified, a certification that measures accountability, transparency and sustainability. Majella ONeill Collins, Allegory of the MV Alta Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre, Skibbereen, Co Cork, January 13 February 24 The rusting hulk of the MV Alta has become an unlikely attraction since running aground outside the East Cork town of Ballycotton during Storm Dennis in February 2020. The Alta is believed to have drifted 1,400 miles across the Atlantic after being abandoned by its crew in October 2018. Majella ONeill Collins. Sherkin Island artist Majella ONeill Collins has made it the subject of her upcoming exhibition at Uillinn, a suite of paintings that vividly imagine the ghost ships travails on its 496-day journey to destruction. Suspended Particles Art SG International Art Fair, Singapore, January 19-21 How will the arts accommodate advances in artificial intelligence? This is a question addressed by Irish artists Aoife Shanahan, Mark Joyce and Alan Butler in their exhibition Suspended Particles at the Art SG International Art Fair in Singapore this month, where the three will use photographic forms, colour and painting to challenge conventional understanding of artistic media. This is only the second edition of Art SG, but the fair drew 43,000 visitors in 2023 and is expected to attract at least as many this year, a welcome start to a calendar of art fairs and festivals that will see Irish artists exhibit all over the world. A Matter of Time Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, February 17 - June 3 Dorothy Crosss Kinship project centring on her efforts to repatriate an ancient mummy from the UCC collection to Egypt - will hopefully happen early this year. In the meantime, the Cork-born artist joins Sara Baume, Gary Coyle, Daphne Wright and 16 others in exploring the subject of time in an exhibition of more than 50 works over two floors of the Crawford Art Gallery. Among the themes addressed are climate change, nationhood, post-colonialism, urbanism, hope, memory, health and death. Also continuing at the Crawford is the exhibition Harry Clarke: Bad Romance and Venus Patels artists film Eggshells. Turning Heads: Rubens, Rembrandt and Vermeer National Gallery of Ireland, February 24 May 26 Tronies may never have been as ubiquitous as selfies, but they were certainly popular in the Dutch Golden Age and Flemish Baroque periods of art, when the term was used to describe a painting that depicted a more extravagant or distinctive facial expression than one might find in a formal portrait. Johannes Vermeers Girl with a Red Hat (c1665 - 67) is a perfect example, and will be a highlight of Turning Heads, an exhibition of tronies at the National Gallery of Ireland that also includes Rembrandt van Rijns The Laughing Man and Peter Paul Rubens Study of an Old Woman. Breda Lynch and Sana Shahmuradova Tanska 24th Biennale of Sydney, March 9 June 10 Just as art fairs and festivals showcase the work of Irish creatives around the world, so too does the circuit of biennales. Last June, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Hugh Lane Gallery and Culture Ireland announced a new initiative, Ireland Invites, to promote Irish art at such events. Inti Guerrero, Artistic Director of the Sydney Biennale, was invited to visit artists in their studios across the country. As a consequence, two - Breda Lynch and Sana Shahmuradova Tanska have now been invited to participate in the 24th Biennale of Sydney, Ten Thousand Suns. Lynch is a Kilkenny-born artist whose recent projects include Blue Dyke at Ormston House in Limerick, where she now lives, while Tanska is a Ukrainian painter who spent two months in early 2023 on a production residency at IMMA in collaboration with EVA International. Each now, is the time, the space Lismore Castle continues to host an impressive series of art exhibitions. Lismore Castle Arts Co Waterford, March 23 October 27 Since opening in a renovated wing of Lismore Castle in 2005, Lismore Castle Arts has produced a wonderfully diverse programme of exhibitions by international artists. Leonor Antunes from Portugal, Alexandre da Cunha from Brazil, Rhea Dillon from the UK, and Veronica Ryan from Montserrat are the artists contributing to this years exhibition of sculptural works, curated by Habda Rashid, in the main space at the castle. There will also be exhibitions by Aleana Egan at St Carthage Hall and Caroline Aguirre at the Mill, for those wishing to make a day trip to one of Irelands loveliest small towns. Eimear Walshe Ireland at Venice, April 20 November 24 The Venice Art Biennale is the most prestigious showcase for the visual arts in the world, and usually attracts over half a million visitors. Co Longford artist Eimear Walshe whose recent project The Department of Sexual Revolution Studies involved collaborations with translators, metal fabricators and a choir - is to represent Ireland at the 60th Biennale, which opens in April. Walshes exhibition will be curated by Sara Greavu and Project Arts Centre. Ireland was represented by the sculptors Niamh OMalley in 2022 and Eva Rothchild in 2019. Katherine Boucher Beug, artist Making Faces (Katherine Boucher Beug & Mags Geaney) Lavit Gallery, Cork, May 16 June 8 The Lavits programme for 2024 includes solo, group and members exhibitions, as well as an intriguing joint show by two local artists, Katherine Boucher Beug and Mags Geaney. Boucher Beug, an American resident in West Cork since 1971, is known for her engagement with Josef Albers colour theory and her love of writing, drawing and collage. She will publish People, The Book in July. Mags Geaney, from Cork, is known for her figurative paintings and drawings, as well as her work in video. John Creedon on his Sinead OConnor tribute show Early in the show, Kielty spoke to RTE radio presenter John Creedon whose show following the death of Sinead OConnor last July earned much acclaim for his touching tributes to the star in the hours after her death was announced. Creedon said it seemed a natural way to mourn at home and abroad in those early hours of grief. I didnt know anything until about 10 minutes before we went to hear and I heard Arena announce that Sinead OConnor had been found dead in London. Like the rest of the world, it was like a blow to the solar plexus, [she was] someone so young, so vibrant," he said. John Creedon on Sinead O'Connor: 'She was fearsome and she was fragile.' "She was fearsome and she was fragile. She was an amazing artist. To hear she was gone like that was clearly a shock but the show must go on so clearly I tore up the running order. We just let the music do the talking. He said the messages pouring in were impossible to ignore, particularly because they were from her fans worldwide, not just Irish people abroad. These are not Radio One listeners, he said. It just seemed like the whole world was dipping in. Its a strange honour in ways but the music speaks for itself. Carl Mullans brush with the law Patrick Kielty with Emma Doran, Martin Angolo, and Carl Mullan. RTE is bringing out a new hidden camera show and star Carl Mullan says he and his co-stars Doireann Garrihy and Donncha OCallaghan did such a convincing job that someone even called the gardai. It was essentially myself, Doireann and Donncha going around terrorising the people of Ireland, doing our best to annoy the hell out of them, he said. It was great craic to make an Irish hidden camera show. Im glad I go out of it without getting a box that was probably my biggest worry when we were doing it, you never know who youre going to come across. Someone did call the guards on us, that was good and we made a few people angry. However, he said everyone they pranked took it well, with some even contacting them afterwards to say thanks for the experience. Looking back at an Irish Oscar win James Martin: 'I wasn't really expecting it.' Among the nations highlights of 2023 are the Irish successes at the Oscars, including An Irish Goodbyes win for best live-action short film. Star James Martins birthday coincided with Oscars night and he joined the NYE special to reflect on the experience of having a room full of A-list celebrities sing Happy Birthday for him after their film won. To be honest, I wasnt really expecting it, he said. Five thousand actors singing Happy Birthday, you just think 'pinch me right now'. Shaddap about that song Patrick Kielty with Midge Ure on The Late Late Show. One of the musical guests on the night was Midge Ure, who joined the party to sing his beloved song Vienna. John Lennon pipped him to the top slot in the UK charts at the time, but he still holds a slight grudge for the other song that knocked him off the number one slot in 1981: Shaddap You Face by Joe Dolce. Kielty didnt ease tensions when he revealed he was among those who chose Dolces record over Ures at the time. I've never met anyone who's actually admitted to buying this record, Shaddap You Face, Ure said, before Kielty interjected: I bought it. in 1981 I was 10 years of age. Vienna was too sophisticated for me! The musical acts Speaking of the music, the New Year Special saw a host of musical acts perform to ring in 2024, including international acts like Ure and Wheatus, as well as homegrown talent such as The Tumbling Paddies, Niamh Kavanagh, Camille OSullivan, Allie Sherlock, and Maverick Sabre. Here are some of the performances from the night: The number of journeys with Irish Rail last year rose 27%, as passenger numbers surged towards pre-covid levels. The company said the estimated 45.5 million journeys in 2023 meant passenger numbers were now 90% of what they were before the pandemic. Furthermore, it expects a high of 50.1 million to be achieved in 2024. Irish Rail chief executive Jim Meade said: From the busiest ever events season to the growing demand across all services, the recovery of demand will mean our ongoing investment projects will be delivered in time to boost capacity as it's needed. Part of these efforts to boost capacity have focused on a number of initiatives in Cork. In 2023, Irish Rail said all projects in the Cork Area Commuter Rail programme were under way as part of efforts to increase the Cork commuter rail networks capacity. This has included double tracking Glounthaune to Midleton, with a railway order granted last year and works to commence in 2024. Works also began for a new through platform at Kent Station for through running from Mallow to Midleton/Cobh, while the resignalling of the Cork commuter network also got under way. In all, there were 12.5 million journeys on intercity services in 2023, which were at 96% of pre-covid peaks. A new intercity service between Dublin and Cork was launched last month, which arrives at 8.32am, providing for a pre-9am arrival at Kent Station from Dublin for the first time. Dart services saw 19.7 million journeys, over 91% of pre-covid demand. In time for its 40th anniversary, Irish Rail said it expects Dart journeys to reach their highest ever level this year. Commuter routes, meanwhile, saw 13.3 million journeys, which were at 86% of pre-covid levels. While CSO statistics suggest that, throughout much of 2023, journeys on bus services matched or eclipsed pre-covid levels, Irish Rail numbers remain down. On commuter routes, specifically, Irish Rail said hybrid working continues to be a greater feature of commuting as people work from home more frequently during the week. Further investment in 2024 will see new carriages enter service, new Dart+ carriages begin to arrive and major rail projects in all Irish cities, the company said. As well as 41 new intercity railcar carriages entering service in 2024, the first of 185 Dart+ carriages on order from Alstom will arrive in summer of 2024, to begin testing and commissioning ahead of entering service in 2025, it said. The transformative fleet is central to the Dart+ programme, an investment will allow more trains to operate on all routes on the rail network, provide greater standards of accessibility, and allow for the decarbonisation of all Greater Dublin Area rail services. Meanwhile, Galway's Ceannt Station is set to be regenerated with works to begin this month. In Waterford, Plunkett Station is being relocated to be part of an integrated transport hub under plans to develop the citys North Quays. In Limerick, works to reinstate the Limerick to Foynes rail line for freight services will continue, with a 2025 opening date planned. Mr Meade added: Growing and new communities will be able to benefit from high capacity, sustainable rail transport services as we deliver in all our major cities, and across the network. Covid is still a worry as the global fight against the virus enters a new phase, the World Health Organization has warned. This condition develops for some people infected by the virus, often leading to months of debilitating symptoms. WHO technical lead on covid-19 Dr Maria Van Kerkhove said: Im worried about the status of covid, adding we are certainly in a different phase now. Its marked by reduced impact compared to the peak of covid 19 a few years ago, she said. But its still a global health threat and its still a pandemic causing far too many (re)infections, hospitalisations, deaths and long covid when tools exist to prevent them. She called on governments to remember the tragedies of the early days of the pandemic, and the ongoing crisis facing many people. We cant forget those who died alone and the people dying now thousands each week, she said. The hundreds of thousands in hospital right now fighting for their lives. Those suffering from long covid struggling each and every day. The virus is still evolving, she posted on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. We are entering the 5th year of the pandemic, she said. The variant JN.1 is becoming dominant, she said. This was recently marked as a variant of interest by the WHO. The covid19 pandemic was not normal. It didnt have to be this bad and this wasnt even the worst pandemic we need to prepare for, she said. So lets talk the positive and the future because, while Im worried, Im also hopeful and optimistic. She expressed gratitude to healthcare workers and scientists, highlighting the dramatic difference vaccines made to the pandemic. These advancements must be maintained to deal with covid19 and all pathogens that have epidemic and pandemic potential, she said including the flu and other contagious diseases in her message. Garda HQ has discussed using terrorism legislation for arson attacks on accommodation linked to asylum-seekers where there is evidence they are motivated by extremist ideology, the Irish Examiner understands. The Garda Special Detective Unit which investigates terrorist offences is linking in with the various arson investigations ongoing throughout the country. This is to keep an overview of the investigations, including whether a particular person, or people, are popping up in separate investigations. It is understood this has not happened so far. Crimes such as criminal damage, including arson, can be prosecuted as terrorism-related offences under the Criminal Justice (Terrorism Offences) Act 2005. Separately, senior gardai have warned that anyone charged with arson faces very serious consequences, with no limit to sentences that a court can hand down. Gardai are increasingly concerned at the rise in arson attacks on accommodation linked, accurately or inaccurately, to asylum-seekers, with the latest one on Sunday morning in Dublins south-east. But investigators have stressed they have not seen any coordinating figures behind the attacks, a conviction repeated by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris last month, when he said there was no evidence of a guiding hand behind them. Senior gardai assess these incidents as copycat attacks, where a local or locals see from arson attacks on centres in other parts of the country that they are the best way to stop them. Imprisonment for life Under the Criminal Damage Act 1991, anyone convicted of arson in the higher courts faces possible imprisonment for life with the actual length determined by the facts of the case. Protestors claimed the former pub was going to house asylum-seekers despite being told it was to accommodate homeless families. Picture: Leah Farrell/ RollingNews.ie Amid concerns at an apparent lack of prosecutions for these attacks, the commissioner said offences of criminal damage are being pursued, albeit they are "small" in number. Gardai launched a criminal investigation on Monday following an arson attack on a property protestors had recently claimed was going to house asylum-seekers. Local residents were told over a week ago this was not the case and that it would be accommodating homeless families, a matter repeated by authorities since. Gardai have begun gathering CCTV footage around the premises, a former pub known as Sallys Bar, on Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, for signs of suspicious activity over recent days. The fire was reported to the emergency services at about 2am on Sunday. It took six fire engines from Dublin Fire Brigade some three hours to bring the blaze under control. A relatively new extension at the rear of the property was almost completely destroyed and the older front part seriously damaged. Investigators say arson can be difficult to solve and are dependent on CCTV footage or witnesses, or perhaps, forensic evidence at or near the scene. Local gardai will also start examining social media accounts of likely suspects or sympathisers, assisted, if necessary, by national units. Protestors held round the clock demonstrations, including on Christmas night, outside a building earmarked for homeless people which was burnt down in Ringsend. The property was bought by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive and was to be used for families who needed temporary accommodation. However, locals believed it was to be used to house single male refugees only. Gardai are now investigating after the property on Thorncastle Street was set on fire on Sunday morning. One of the protestors, told the Irish Examiner: We were there for two weeks, every day including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The builders came down, but they told us they wouldnt be passing the picket line, our line. We just didnt understand why we werent told anything. If we knew it was for families in emergency situations, for Dublin housing, it might be different, but nothing was done about it, and no one told us nothing. Another protestor said: Nobody told us it was for families. There was a meeting at a community centre a few weeks ago and nobody from the council showed up. Not one TD, no local community people, nobody showed up. No one spoke to us, no one from IPAS. If someone had of explained that this was for families, this might be different." Fine Gael councillor Danny Byrne said a vacuum of information allowed rumours to spread that the building, which has been vacant for some years, would be used as a direct provision centre. He said that a health and safety notice went up on December 15 with the usual provisions but which only said that the facility was earmarked as "emergency accommodation". He said that the Dublin Regional Homelessness Executive told one media outlet that the building would be used as a family hub for homeless people, but that this was never advised to public representatives. "Proper information should have been forthcoming. The building has been lying there for a while. It's a real pity that whatever use that it could have had, it won't have any use. It's a shame that we weren't informed what was going on." He said that local people are "saddened by what's happened". Meanwhile an incident room has been set up by gardai for anyone who has any information about the fire. In a statement, Gardai confirmed they are investigating an incident of criminal damage by fire that occurred at a premises on Thorncastle Street in Ringsend, Dublin 4 on December 31, 2023". They said there was no one in the building at the time of the incident but that there was "substantial damage caused to the property". An incident room has been established at Irishtown Garda Station and the investigation is being led by a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO). Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have information in relation to this incident to contact them. Any person, including road users and pedestrians, who were in the vicinity of Thorncastle Street between 1.00am and 2.30am and who observed any unusual activity is asked to contact investigating Gardai. Any road users or pedestrians who were travelling in the Ringsend area during this time and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make this available to Gardai." He climbed over 200 steps on December 31 to the top of a landmark cathedral to ring in the new year for the 53rd year in a row on one of the finest church bell instruments in the world. As the bells of St Colmans Cathedral in Cobh rang out across Cork Harbour, Irelands only carillonneur Adrian Gebruers, 80, said he hopes to continue playing the remarkable instrument for several more years to come. The longest-playing carillonneur in the world was still playing at the age of 100," he said. "But he played in a church tower in the US which had an elevator. We have no lift in St Colmans so its important to stay fit. You have to be able to climb the 200 steps to get to the playing cabin, located just above the clock in the belfry. And that's just to get to work. Its then a very physical job to actually play the console itself, but its like an addiction at this stage. I try to stay fit, and swim three mornings a week, in the pool at 6.30am. There are about 700 carillons in the world but not that many players. I often say that its like a musical art forever in danger of extinction. But I have two granddaughters, Amy and Ella, who are learning to play the bells. I dont believe in this idea of forcing family traditions on the next generation. So whether theyll continue the family tradition, I just dont know. As long as they want to do it, theyre welcome to do it. Mr Gebruers was joined by a small group of family and friends in the playing cabin on new years eve who watched him continue a remarkable family tradition which began in 1924, when his father, Dr Staf Gebruers, who was living in Antwerp, was invited to Cobh to become organist, carillonneur, and choir master. When he died suddenly in 1970, Adrian took over. Last September, Bishop William Crean marked the Gebruers familys remarkable century of service to the church by celebrating a special Mass. The 49-bell carillon at St Colman's Cathedral in Cobh is the only such instrument in Ireland and is the largest in Ireland and Britain. Picture: Dan Linehan St Colman's 49-bell carillon is the only such instrument in Ireland, and is the largest in Ireland and Britain. It was cast by Taylors of Loughborough, with 42 bells installed in 1916. At the time, it was considered to be one of the world's greatest carillons. More bells were added in the 1950s. Today, the carillon includes Irelands largest bell, St Colman, which tips the scales at 3.6 tons. The 49 cast bronze bells have a total weight of over 25 tons and cover a range of four chromatic octaves. But they are not tuned to concert pitch, with the instruments low C actually an A. The bells are fixed in position, and their clappers are activated from a console within the belfry, consisting of a keyboard and a pedalboard. The action is completely mechanical and there is no artificial assist. A computer-operated automatic system uses 14 of the heaviest bells to play the chimes every quarter of an hour, the Angelus at 12pm and 6pm, a tune after the Angelus and after the striking of 9am and 4pm, as well as the Mass bell and funeral bell when required, but Mr Gebruers has complete control over the bells for religious ceremonies, recitals and, of course, the new years eve celebration. His recital on new years eve began with some Christmas carols about 15 minutes before midnight, before he struck up 'Auld Lang Syne' on the stroke of midnight, followed by other seasonal favourites. Meanwhile, at around the same time in Limerick, Craig Copley Brown, 25, was among the team of bell ringers who peeled the eight bells at St Mary's Cathedral to ring in the new year there. His younger brother, Noah, 11, began taking bell-ringing lessons in February and is almost ready to play without an instructor. But Craig said: You can learn to ring a bell in a matter of weeks, or in a matter of days with intensive training. But the timing and striking takes years to get right. We can see the crowds gather at crossroads outside, and just as we approach midnight, we can see people gathering, then we peel the bells for about 20 minutes and when we are finished and come outside, everyones gone. We usually rely on the videos afterwards to gauge people's reactions. Craig Copley Brown, with Daniel and Pat Mulcahy, ringing the bells at St Mary's Cathedral, Limerick. Picture: Brendan Gleeson Mr Gebruers says it can be quite isolating, performing alone high in the belfry, separated from the audience. A lot of people can hear the bells, but when I come down, theyre all gone," he said. But social media and being able to post videos of the performances has made a big difference. It allows people to make comments, and they do, and Ive heard from a lot of people who say they enjoy what they hear. However, he says the cathedrals setting can impact the performance. Sometimes, if its blowing a gale outside, nobody hears a thing. And does he do requests? Only if its the right tune, he insists. I was once asked to play a song by a group called Guns N' Roses, he said. I looked them up and saw that they were a pop or rock group. "I then looked up the song that had been requested and saw that it had a strong rhythm but I didnt detect anything particularly melodic. "So that one wasn't included in that recital. Ready availability of AirBnBs and other short-term lets is facilitating a spike in prostitution across Cork City, according to gardai. Pop-up brothels are now being reported on every major street in the city centre, one garda told the Irish Examiner. Use of AirBnB has facilitated an increase in sexual services. They have so much choice now. Before, people could only really look at hotels, a Cork garda said. "A lot of letters come into the garda stations from anonymous residents giving information about addresses near them being used for prostitution. The garda source has seen a major increase in prostitution over the last 12 months to two years. The garda source added: I dont remember getting phone calls or letters about brothels four or five years ago, but now its an ongoing thing. AirBnB said it has had no complaints or contact from gardai in Cork about properties on its platform being used for prostitution. The company would take any such complaint very seriously and co-operate fully with law enforcement, a spokesperson said. Sexual Exploitation Research Programme lead researcher Ruth Breslin says many women in the sex trade have been 'directly coerced or theyve been pushed in by poverty'. Picture: Julien Behal AirBnB can be used as a catch-all phrase for all short-term rentals, the company added. Women working in the sex trade told the Irish Examiner they have used AirBnBs and other short-term rental apartments to sell sex. Ruth Breslin of UCDs Sexual Exploitation Research Programme said that AirBnB and short-term lets can facilitate the way the sex trade works. Women frequently move or are moved around the country to different towns and cities in response to sex buyers desire for new faces, said Ms Breslin. Its a very mobile trade. Its a very demand-led market. New girls, or what they call new faces, are very important to buyers. The cost-of-living crisis is likely driving more women into sex work, she added. Were in a cost-of-living crisis, and especially for migrant women, they might have worked in the more informal or grey economy, in their countries of origin and many of those small, informal businesses collapsed during covid. These women are probably facing quite severe poverty at home and have family relying on them. Thats so much of what we see in the profile of women in the trade. They are migrant women and theyre there because theyve been directly coerced or theyve been pushed in by poverty. The main sex-selling website in Ireland showed 68 profiles almost entirely women advertising sex in Cork on one date in late December. There were 749 sex work profiles advertised nationally, with 343 in Dublin, 43 in Limerick, 11 in Tipperary, and 10 in Waterford. Garda figures show that, nationally, there were 106 sex trade-related charges or summons, which related to 97 incidents in 2023 up to December 13. In Cork city and county, there were 37 sex trade-related charges or summons related to 37 incidents this year up to December 13. Danielle McLaughlin, policy and communications coordinator with Ruhama, a charity that offers support to women impacted by prostitution, said human traffickers are using short-term locations as pop-ups. Theyre moving around every few weeks just to evade detection, she said. It's an ongoing and long-term concern. It's exploiting the tourism industry. And it's very hard to control. According to Ruhamas latest annual report, published in October, the organization saw a 35% increase in demand for services by victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation in 2022 compared to the previous year, despite the hidden nature of the sex trade. Ruhama engaged with 497 individuals in 2022, 147 of whom were victims of human trafficking. This represents a 68% increase in new referrals of victims from 2021. Further government funding for the construction of the national childrens hospital (NCH) is due to be approved by Cabinet next year, the health minister has said. Stephen Donnelly told the Irish Examiner that the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) is likely to seek further Government funding to complete the project. In December, the Government approved an additional 40m to go towards the NCH, with the bill to the taxpayer currently at 1.433bn. Mr Donnelly has since confirmed that further cashflow memos will be presented to Cabinet over the course of the next year. The 40m essentially was a cashflow memo, he said. The board had come close to the sanctioned funding that they had and they need funding to keep going. Inevitably, there will be further asks of Government to sanction an amount of money to finish the project off. At the Oireachtas public accounts committee in October, Labour TD Alan Kelly claimed that the cost of the project is now likely to exceed 2bn, with no members of the NPHDB willing to contradict his statements. Mr Donnelly said that the Government is still providing significant legal fees towards the NPHDB to challenge claims being made by the national childrens hospital developer, BAM. The board has yet to finalise their legal fees for 2023, but 3,183,874 was spent defending cases to date. At present, the NPHDB is engaged in two High Court cases with BAM. A spokesperson for BAM said that while they are unable to comment on ongoing legal proceedings, they are required to raise any time or cost variations with the original design as claims. We look forward to their resolution in due course. Recourse to legal action is only taken when the contractual dispute mechanisms, including independent third party conciliation, have been exhausted, the spokesperson said. Mr Donnelly declined to provide a final cost for the project, highlighting the continuing disputes with BAM and ongoing court cases. He said a final fixed cost could be reached between the NPHDB and BAM independently, which had occurred previously. However, Mr Donnelly said that further claims from BAM came immediately after the agreement had been reached. He added: So the relationship between the board and the contractor has been a very difficult one, I have to say. Asked if he would be opening the hospital during his term as health minister, Mr Donnelly said wed be doing well if he opened the facility. He said the hospital is still scheduled to be handed over to the State before the end of 2024, with a six-month fit-out process then due to take place. I think the latest the Government can go is March 2025. Wed be doing very well to have the hospital open by then, but I think it will open in 2025. Its over 90% complete. Were working on internal fit-out and Ive asked Childrens Health Ireland (CHI) to, insofar as possible, parallel process the commissioning. The BAM spokesperson said that work on the site is progressing well and it is committed to delivering a world-class national childrens hospital to the NPHDB next year. Mr Donnelly said he would like to see stricter tendering rules for large State projects in future, and that previous performance should be considered when awarding contracts. In Lviv, as a result of a Russian attack by kamikaze drones, a fire broke out in the morning of January 1 in the museum of UPA Commander-in-Chief Roman Shukhevych. At the same time, the building of the university where UPA leader Stepan Bandera studied caught fire near the regional center. ADVERTISIMENT Preliminarily, no people were injured, but historical buildings were damaged. This was reported by the head of the regional military administration, Maksym Kozytskyi, on his Telegram channel, as well as by Mayor Andriy Sadovyi, who posted a photo. "Last night, the enemy hit two sites of national memory: the university in Dubliany, where Stepan Bandera studied 100 years ago, and the Roman Shukhevych Museum in Bilohirsh. Symbolic and cynical. A war for our history," the mayor said. The memorial museum is located in the Zaliznychnyi district of Lviv, in the house where Roman Shukhevych, the general of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, was killed. ADVERTISIMENT At about 05:37, the head of the JFO said that a powerful fire had broken out there, preliminarily from the fall of the wreckage of an enemy drone. The SES quickly arrived at the scene. The official also added that it was loud in the city again at this time. He urged citizens to stay in shelters as the danger is still high. Later, Kozitsky added that the fall of Shahed wreckage was also recorded in the city of Dubliany near Lviv. The roof of a university building caught fire there. ADVERTISIMENT Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said that the fire was extinguished and there were no casualties. "On the birthday of Stepan Bandera (UPA leader, born January 1, 1909 - Ed.), Muscovites completely destroyed the museum of UPA General Roman Shukhevych in Bilohirsh," the mayor of Lviv emphasized. ADVERTISIMENT According to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the destruction and ignition of two historic buildings in Lviv and Dubliany were caused by the fall of drone debris. As of 08:00, SES units continued to work at the sites of the hits. The fire in the museum and university was extinguished. "According to preliminary data, there are no casualties or injuries," the agency said. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA, during a massive attack on Ukraine on December 29, Russia launched several missile strikes on Lviv, damaging 18 high-rise buildings and other buildings. The war crime killed a man and injured at least 30 people. During the night and morning of that day, the aggressor sent 14 drones and 15 missiles at the city. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Politicians who racked up more than 70,000 in unpaid debts in the Dail bar and restaurant have had the money deducted from their salaries, the Irish Examiner can reveal. A total of 85 TDs and senators were responsible for the 70k debt last year after failing to pay their food and drink bills in Leinster House. Data released to the Irish Examiner through Freedom of Information show that, up until the end of October, a total of 70,775.56 had to be deducted from the salaries of TDs and senators for unpaid food and drink. The politicians responsible were not named in the FoI. In 2018, the Oireachtas was forced to introduce a policy where politicians who fail to pay their tabs in either the Dail bar or restaurant instead have it automatically deducted from their salaries. Prior to this, unpaid bills had to be rewritten off when it became clear there was no chance of the monies being recouped. Under current rules, money is deducted from politicians pay when unpaid bills become aged debts meaning debts that are more than two months old. By the end of October, a total of 12,307.10 in food and drink bills remained outstanding, with 54 TDs owing a collective 8,266.45 while 20 senators owed 4,080.65. One TD had an outstanding debt of 936.45, while one senator was yet to repay 882.80. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has insisted he will not change his life despite threats to his safety from far-right extremists. Mr Varadkar also ruled out entering a security bubble because he will not give in to those who seek to intimidate politicians. To be honest, Ive kind of refused to change my life, he said. And, you know, I have been advised by the Garda Commissioner that the threat is higher, and the risk to my personal safety is real. And that is the case for other ministers too. Mr Varadkar told reporters that Garda protection had to be extended to all senior Government ministers due to an increased risk to their safety. The Garda Commissioner has taken the decision to extend Garda protection to all members of cabinet, including the chief whip and Minister Hackett and Minister Chambers, and thats based on security assessments that the risk to politicians in terms of our safety is heightened, he said. The Garda Commissioner recommended that all Cabinet ministers receive Garda protection drivers following a security review in 2022. However, Mr Varadkar says the increased risk has not changed how he lives his life. He said: First of all, Im not going to give into it and, secondly, I see how other countries operate where politicians, ministers, prime ministers live in a security bubble and .... really forget what its like just to do normal things and live a normal life. "And I dont want to stop doing that, just for my own personal sense of being who I am. But, secondly, I dont think itd be a good thing for the country. So Ill keep on going to the cinema. Ill keep on going to restaurants and bars, Ill keep going to the gym, and Im not willing to have that changed. Concerns about politicians safety were highlighted on several occasions last year, particularly in the wake of angry protests outside Leinster House and during Novembers riots in Dublin city centre, stoked by the far right. The first sitting of the Dail after the summer recess saw hundreds protest outside the gates of Leinster House, with far-right demonstrators raising a mock gallows adorned with photographs of several politicians, including Mr Varadkar. TDs, senators, and staff working in the Oireachtas were heckled by protesters, while Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae needed Garda assistance after being shoved by a protestor as he left Leinster House. Read More Politician told his children would be 'sterilised' in harassment campaign against him The protests led to a series of arrests, with a group of TDs and staff, including Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, prevented from leaving the Dail due to a barricaded back gate. Earlier this year, the Government approved a new once-off allowance for TDs and senators to claim back 50% of their personal security costs, up to a maximum of 5,000. The allowance covers the cost of politicians improving the security of their staff, homes and offices, but requires a security review to be carried out by a member of An Garda Siochana. However, protests have continued to take place outside the homes of ministers and opposition TDs, with a number of these staged outside Mr Varadkars home. During the Dublin riots on November 23, images were posted on social media that showed Mr Varadkars home, with rioters threatening to march on it. And in the last number of months, there has been a rise in protests against the housing of asylum seekers, with Mr Varadkar saying the time has come for the Government to push back on far-right myths about immigration. A woman in a leopard-print fleece dressing gown and fluffy slippers smoked a cigarette in the early afternoon sun outside a short-term rental on a quiet Cork street, dark hair tied back in a perfunctory ponytail. Black plastic bin bags were taped across the ground-floor windows of the building, recently renovated and leased as a short-term rental. Cigarette butts quickly accumulated on the pavement outside as men smoked while waiting for appointments, many well-dressed, professional-looking in their 30s and 40s, some glancing nervously at their phone for a distraction or to double check the location. Neighbours complained about the pop-up brothel and the woman moved on. But just days later. a similar, but marginally more discreet, enterprise moved in. Some streets in Cork have now become notorious for pop-up brothels, with a stream of men seen entering and exiting certain buildings every 15 minutes. Airbnbs And the ready availability of Airbnbs and other short-term lets are facilitating a spike in prostitution across Cork City, Garda sources say. Use of Airbnb has facilitated an increase in sexual services, a garda said. A lot of letters come into the Garda stations from anonymous residents giving information about addresses near them being used for prostitution. A lot of our information would come from residents, saying this place is being used. The Garda source has seen a major increase in prostitution over the last 12 months to two years. I dont remember getting phone calls or letters about brothels four or five years ago. But now its an ongoing thing. And theyre coming in through the public, telling us about flats and apartments. Sometimes you find a two- to three-bedroom house booked through Airbnb for a few girls. Airbnb said it has had no complaints or contact from gardai in Cork about properties on its platform being used for prostitution. The company would take any such complaint very seriously and co-operate fully with law enforcement, a company spokesperson said. Airbnb can be used as a catch-all phrase for all short-term rentals, the company said. Women working in the sex trade told the Irish Examiner they have used Airbnbs and short-term rental apartments to sell sex. Organised crime A Garda source said some properties were being consistently sublet to different women to sell sex in, often by organised crime. Some criminal prosecutions of this activity are ongoing. But others are short-term rentals, sourced through sites like Airbnb, the source said. A lot of the properties that weve gone to, we found have been genuinely rented out as Airbnbs. The owners did not know. The majority of property owners weve gone to have been shocked. They just leave the keys out, it was booked through AirBnB. The majority of hotels around here [Cork city] are also being used. Many girls share a hotel room. A lot of girls come for a few weeks, they go to different cities and towns Cork, Waterford, Tralee. Then they go back to the Czech Republic, Romania. A lot of girls seem to come over in twos and threes, from Poland, Romania. You never see them on their own. Its a safety prerogative. Trafficking is in the back of your mind for all these searches [of premises where sex is allegedly sold]. Is this linked to organised crime and are these girls being coerced? And who is managing/organising? They are making serious money. Concern for safety of the girls Youre also concerned for the safety of the girls. Society might say its consensual but you dont know if theyre forced to be there. The Garda Protective Services Unit investigates reports of sexual services for sale and monitors and investigates sexual offences. The Protective Services Unit will always act on the information they get, a Garda source said. But operations are time-consuming. You need surveillance on a property before going to a judge for a search warrant. Its exhaustive for guards and very time-consuming. The PSU has carried out a lot of searches in the last few months. A number of customers were stopped entering or exiting premises. Although selling sex as an individual is not a crime, buying sex is under Irish law. Up to about six or seven years ago, youd still see it on the streets, by the South Mall or the docks in Cork. Youd see about 20 women lining the street in parts of Stoneybatter in Dublin. But its all moved inside now with the internet.' File picture: David McNew/Getty Images When caught by gardai, a file on the incident is sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who decides whether there are sufficient grounds to charge the accused with knowingly buying sex. If the DPP decides to charge, that person is brought before the courts. Women who work together can be charged with brothel-keeping, which is a criminal offence. But a Garda source said a successful charge and conviction requires a lot of proof, like transcripts to prove services and sales, record-keeping, notebooks, phones and probably an admission from the people involved, who can then leave the jurisdiction. And as women tend to move or be moved around the country selling sex, gardai do not have the resources to monitor all of the sex trade, they said. Prostitution offences Some 60 prostitution offences were recorded in 2022 and 18 human-trafficking offences, according to Central Statistics Office data. In the second three months of this year, there were 21 recorded incidents of prostitution offences and five of human trafficking. In the first three months of this year, there were 15 recorded incidents of prostitution-related offences and five of human trafficking. But anecdotal evidence suggests these crimes are far more prevalent than that data suggests. The rising cost of living since the war in Ukraine seems to be pushing more women into the sex trade, a Garda source said. One woman admitted that her child was at home in Hungary with her parents. Her parents thought she was in Ireland working legitimately, But she was moving around Ireland selling sex because she saw the opportunity to work. Another girl was putting herself through college in Portugal. She came here for six months to make money and then went back. Rates seem to be 80-100 for half an hour and 200-250 for one hour on average. You see it on the southside and the northside of the city. On the South Mall, the North Mall, MacCurtain Street, Blackpool, Barrack Street because there are so many houses and apartments for short-term rent there. They can choose locations close to the city centre to be close to customers, to night clubs and pubs. Off the streets "The internet has brought the sex trade off the streets and behind closed doors. People can now book someone to buy sex from online and go to their location. Up to about six or seven years ago, youd still see it on the streets, by the South Mall or the docks in Cork. Youd see about 20 women lining the street in parts of Stoneybatter in Dublin. But its all moved inside now with the internet, a Garda source said. Gardai recently responded to reports of a pop-up brothel in Cork City where they found a woman in her 60s selling sex to a man in his 20s. Although many women gardai have encountered on calls in Cork City have been in their mid to late 20s, about 30% have been women aged over 45, a Garda source said. Legislation [criminalising the buyer and organising prostitution] is some deterrent but its not stopping it because its still huge, they said. I have no doubt the availability of Airbnbs is facilitating it. Its made it so easy for the girls to work. Ruth Breslin of UCDs Sexual Exploitation Research Programme (Serp) said Airbnbs could facilitate the way the sex trade works. Women frequently move or are moved around the country to different towns and cities in response to sex buyers desire for new faces, she said. Its a very mobile trade. Its a very demand-led market. New girls, or what they call new faces, are very important to buyers. Sex buyers seem to like variety so theyre keen on the new girl in town and theyll keep an eye on escort sites to see who is new in their area. Majority migrant women The majority of women in the sex trade are migrant women, Ms Breslin said. A 2021 report by Serp and the HSEs Womens Health Service found 94% of women surveyed were migrants: 37.5% were Brazilian, 31.9% were Romanian, 6.3% were Irish , 3.5% were Hungarian and 2% were Bolivian. In recent days, on Irelands main prostitution website, 18 out of 864 profiles advertised themselves as "Irish". Ive interviewed women who dont have a fixed address in Ireland. They essentially move from location to location that are used as brothels. They might be five days in Dublin, then Cork, Limerick, Galway, maybe up to Donegal or Belfast and back down again. Thats to satisfy the demand of buyers for new girls. Because its organised, you might see three women leaving an apartment on Wednesday but then quickly replaced by another three women. 'Airbnb owners probably dont know that their property is being used for this. But anything that facilitates short term lets will facilitate the trade.' To facilitate that organisation you can see how Airbnbs would be useful, because thats something you can book relatively last-minute. And it is discreet, you dont have to walk through a hotel lobby. Ms Breslin has seen a marked recent increase in advertised sex work online. When you looked at the sites over the last few years you would always see about 650 different profiles on the site every day, so thats about 650 people advertising for the purposes of prostitution. Today, there are 864. Over the last year, there has probably been an increase of around 100 people advertising daily. All the women on there are made to look totally independent, yet Ive met women on there who do not manage their ads at all, its an organiser that puts their ads up. I also met women who did not know their profile was on that website but thats where their trafficker or their pimp put them. Cost-of-living crisis The cost-of-living crisis is likely driving more women into sex work, she said. We can speculate that we are in really difficult economic times. Were post-covid, in a cost-of-living crisis, and especially for migrant women, they might have worked in the more informal or grey economy in their countries of origin and many of those small, informal businesses collapsed during covid. These women are probably facing quite severe poverty at home and have family relying on them. Thats so much of what we see in the profile of women in the trade. They are migrant women and theyre there because theyve been directly coerced or theyve been pushed in by poverty. Theyre trying to escape poverty, come to Ireland and send a lot of the money they make home to families that are relying on them. A lot of the women there are desperate for the money. So some of the increase may be that more women have been driven into it financially. Sex work appears to be on a spectrum, Ms Breslin said. Research shows that some 10%-24% of women have been trafficked into it. Another 5%-10% are women who chose to enter into sex work as a job, a way to make a living. And then in the middle you have about 80% who are just very vulnerable women. They will not fit the classic definition of being trafficked but there can often be a coercive person like a boyfriend or they are just economically vulnerable and desperate. Theyre doing it, prostitution, as a way to survive. Theyre doing it out of lack of other choices. 'Desperate circumstances' At one extreme end there is a woman locked in a room, at the other extreme end there is the women saying everything is fine and then there is this big chunk of women in the middle who are just in very desperate circumstances. Theyre very often sending money home to family, to children, to mothers. So its a very vulnerable cohort. And because of the level of violence and organised crime involved, its a very, very dangerous place to be. Those working for themselves are the lucky few. Women probably have to earn between 800-1,000 per week to cover expenses. They could pay 750 for rent, 150 for the escort website. Some are paying up to 1,000 per month to advertise every time they update an ad they pay, they pay to appear at the top of searches. They pay to have an available now ad flashing. One women told me that the real pimps here are [the website]. She was paying 1,000 per month. Airbnb owners probably dont know that their property is being used for this. But anything that facilitates short term lets will facilitate the trade. "Airbnb dont want their name or brand anywhere near this. Maybe more needs to be done around safety or checks like monitoring bulk booking. When a young gay mans path first crossed with a Cork-born bishop, he did not realise the meeting would change his life. But as the first anniversary of Bishop David OConnells murder at his Los Angeles home approaches in February, Bill Chapman is one of hundreds of people across the archdiocese of Los Angeles who grieves the loss of the affable Corkman. As a gay Catholic, Mr Chapman has been involved in leading LGBTQ ministry in the LA archdiocese for over a decade in a bid to increase the outreach to Catholics from LGBTQ backgrounds. Through his work in the Catholic Ministry with Lesbian and Gay Persons, he regularly met Bishop OConnell and remembers feeling acceptance when he first met the Glanmire native. He says: I met Bishop Dave back in 2015, shortly after he was installed as regional bishop in Los Angeles. I was serving on the Regional Pastoral Council for the region to which he was appointed. Describing him as an incredible man, he adds: Bishop Dave was a wonderful human being truly a saint walking on earth. Bishop David O'Connell, from Brooklodge in Glanmire, was shot in his home in Hacienda Heights, Los Angeles County. Picture: AP /Julio Cortez Bishop OConnell, 69, was found dead in his home in Hacienda Heights in Los Angeles on February 18 after being shot multiple times. A church deacon made the discovery at about 1pm local time after Bishop OConnell failed to turn up for a meeting. Bishop OConnell was laid to rest in a crypt in Los Angeles Cathedral in March. His brother, Kieran, and other members of Bishop OConnells family, travelled to the US for the funeral. He was consecrated a bishop in Los Angeles in 2015, having been ordained for the US diocese in June 1979. Author Julianne Stanz is another person whose life has been changed by meeting Bishop Dave. As speaker and director of New Evangelization for the Diocese of Green Bay, her path crossed with his when she met him at a religious education congress, where she was a speaker. She recalls the development of their friendship: I am a consultant to the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops to the Evangelization and Catechesis Committee and some years ago, as the only female and young adult consultant on this committee, Bishop Dave was a huge support to me. We often met at official events across a pot of tea and a meal. "Bishop and I talked regularly and a couple of times a year would meet in cities such as Washington DC, Baltimore or Las Angeles. We often walked through the inner city talking about our lives in America and our families in Ireland. I witnessed first hand his love for the poor, the homeless, for women in poverty and for the hungry. She said the popular Corkman had a big effect on her life. His impact upon my life was profound, deep and lasting. Although I work with many bishops from all across the world, Bishop O'Connell stands as a witness of hope, healing and hospitality to all. He was a true man of the people kind, funny and thoughtful. He never spoke down to anyone and indeed, asked questions endeavoring to learn as much as he could from different people from all walks of life. "He loved with his whole heart and never judged or condemned anyone. Although 25 years separated our ages, I felt a kinship with him as an Irish person borne of shared understanding and a desire to help every person understand their worth and their sacred dignity. "He was a peacemaker, a reconciler and has been upheld by the Papal Nuncio and indeed Pope Francis as a healing presence in a deeply divided world, but particularly the United States. David's life, legacy and witness deserves to be remembered with the same dignity and goodness with which he treated all people. Their words reflect the feeling throughout the Los Angeles archdiocese after the murder of the highly popular bishop. All county flags in Los Angeles were lowered to half-mast in his honour following the killing, while vigils were held nightly in the week afterwards. In the days and weeks after his death, flowers were placed at his home, tributes were written and stories were shared about the warmth, generosity and openness of Bishop Dave. Among them was a Guatemalan woman whose familys rent was paid for by Bishop David OConnell after her husband was separated from them at the US border. Cleivi Jerez and her husband Fernando Arredondo recalled how the cleric had privately helped them when Fernando was arrested at the US-Mexico border in 2018 under the controversial family separation policy implemented by President Donald Trumps administration. The couple and their three daughters fled to the US from Guatemala after the murder of their teenage son in their homeland. But when they reached what they thought would be the safety of the US border, a new horror unfolded. Mourners attend the public viewing for Bishop David O'Connell at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, California, on March 2 last. Picture: Mario Tama/Getty Images There, Fernando and their then 12-year-old daughter were pulled apart at the immigration controls. He was arrested and deported back to Guatemala while Cleivi and their three daughters had to continue on their journey alone. They ended up in Los Angeles, where their paths crossed with Bishop Dave. As well as paying their rent, he pushed for reunification of the family. Her husband returned to the US in January 2020 with eight others who had also been deported under the same policy. The policy was subsequently revoked and the family were recently granted asylum in the US. On January 10, the man accused of his murder, Carlos Medina, will return to court for a further remand hearing as Bishop OConnells family in Cork await his trial. Carlos Medina, 61, pleaded not guilty when charged with the murder in February. Medina was also charged with a special allegation he personally used a firearm during the commission of an offence. He had been arrested after barricading himself into his home following the discovery of the bishop's body. Medinas wife worked as a housekeeper for the bishop, while Medina himself also carried out some work for him on a number of occasions. If convicted, Medina could face up to 35 years to life in prison. Never mind all that new year resolution stuff. Pointless, the whole thing, and you know it. The truth is that, by February, the gym subscription will be a complete waste of your money, and youll have broken your promise to stay off social media and be back frightening and depressing yourself. What matters, today, is the marvellous possibility of turning the first page of a new diary. It never fades, that sense of a manageable year, especially if its one of those diaries that invites you to note your key details up front. Six-year-old girls were in stationary shops this week picking out aggressively pink diaries with hologram pictures on the front and tin clasps guaranteed not to keep secrets from any prying mother. Some of the details have changed, of course. Six-year-olds, a few generations ago, used to approach their new diary as if it was a cross between an exam and the application form for a US visa, demanding, as it did, that you insert your height, weight, shoe size, and blood group. Why the blood group was in there was never clear. The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. Generations of youngsters got started on diary-keeping because they read Anne Franks record of her time hiding from the Nazis before she and her family were betrayed. Picture: Peter Dejong/AP 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 It wasnt, after all, much of a possibility that if life caused you to pitch up in A&E with a broken jaw, that you would think to bring your diary with you and helpfully produce it to save them doing a blood test on you. But knowing your blood group meant you were the kind of conscientious kid who would grow up to own, every year, a freshly monogrammed black leather-bound copy of the Institute of Public Administration Yearbook and Diary, which preceded Google in knowing everything and having a killer index. Before you got to that point, though, you owned a pocket diary with sections about horses, swimming, ballet, and ice-skating. Generations of youngsters particularly girls under 10 got started on diary-keeping because they read Anne Franks record of her time spent hiding from the Nazis in a secret annexe in Amsterdam before she and her family were betrayed and most of them died in concentration camps. Annes diary, a secret within a secret, recorded the pressures on the members of her own family and another clan, locked together in the kind of closeness that prevents peace and privacy. Frank also did sweetly honest reflection on the joys and miseries of adolescence, which happen no matter what external horrors are going on. Most of the early diary-keepers abandon the record-keeping task as hard work after a year or so. Pity. Because what a teenager writes with a hand curled around for privacy can be fascinating in its lack of guile and present a startling disconnect with what is remembered by that same teenager when grown. I found this out last year when researching my memoir, published just before Christmas. My memories of childhood and adolescence are of me as a sweet-natured, talented, and popular, if somewhat under-appreciated, young person. Reading (with difficulty) through three years of Enid Blyton diaries, honestly and illegibly written back in the day, didnt match that at all. It didnt amount to establishing a constant of me as Living Bitch, but a lot of Living Bitch was evident. Alastair Campbell hovering over then British prime minister Tony Blair as he takes a call on March 16, 2003, four days before a US-led coalition launched its 'shock and awe' bombardment thus beginning the Iraq war. Campbell's diaries became a bestseller. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/WPA/PA Diaries written by people who make their living as writers or politicians tend to be performative. An Alistair Campbell doesnt keep a diary in order to reflect on and learn from what happens to himself and his boss, Tony Blair. He keeps it in order to eventually publish it, seek to prove that all the right choices were made under duress and rightly, in Campbells case earn it bestseller status. Here in Ireland, one former politician kept and continues to keep a daily record of their life. The volumes line up, year after year, decade after decade, and knowing of their very existence would scare the bejasus out of several politicians who served with the diary-keeper without knowing they were recording events with acerbic clarity. As a first draft of history, these diaries are incomparable and would correct, in their neatly hand-written accuracy, many of the political myths of the diarists time. Its not going to happen, though. Destruction by fire awaits those precious volumes, because, says their writer, they were never intended for publication and not the biggest advance in history would persuade the author to make them public. It's a wonder Samuel Pepys hasn't been named as Offender Zero of #MeToo, such is the abuse he disclosed in his diaries in the 1660s. Portrait: Hales/Hulton Archive/Getty Thats a pity, too, because, by their very nature, political lives veer between what is important at the time, what is important in hindsight (rarely the twain meet) and the personal. The combination tends to make for deadly good reading. Although he was a public administrator rather than a politician, one of the most famous, not to say notorious, diarists, illustrates this mix in his work, which affords a startlingly vivid eyewitness account of some of the great historic events of his time. The decade-long record is, in some ways, resonant with our own times, since Samuel Pepys watched the coronation of King Charles II and survived an epidemic of Bubonic Plague. Read More Here are our most-read stories of 2023 Pepys also observed events distinctly of their time, one of those events being the official kidnapping of men going about their business in the streets of London to work the British navys ships. When it happened, the wives of press-ganged men would gather on the wharves, watched, on one occasion, by Pepys. In my life, he wrote, I never did see such a natural expression of passion as I did here in some womens bewailing themselves and running to every parcel of men that were brought, one after another, to look for their husbands, and wept over every vessel that went off, thinking they might be there, and looking after the ship as far as ever they could by moonlight, that it grieved me to the heart to hear them. (Its worth pointing out that, if the force was with them and the wind in the right place, these men had a chance of getting back to their loving wives, which would not have been true of another cohort sent to sea: the British navy, facing a talent deficit, effectively raided old folks homes.) Anne Frank sweetly and honestly reflected on the joys and miseries of adolescence, which happen no matter what external horrors are going on. Had she survived the Holocaust, Anne Frank would have turned 95 later this year. Picture: AP Pepys was a smart and self-preservative human. He had so active and promiscuous a sex life as to make one wonder why #MeToo didnt use him as Offender Zero, recounting as he did, in lascivious detail and coded English, how he managed to get a close female friend of the family to pleasure him in a carriage shared with his own wife and the other womans husband. The coded sections of the diaries show him to have been a dirty old man of Olympic energy, relentless opportunism, and remarkable stamina. Theyre also honest in a way which would make him a 21st century pariah, with their admission of using a little force to persuade one palpably unwilling woman to deliver what he required. But today, as the new diaries are opened, its all clean white pages and a sense of glorious possibility. Geopolitical pressures and other non-economic factors have put the global economy on a path toward fragmentation. Beyond its inherent risks, this trend will not only have profound implications for economic stability and growth, but also could jeopardise efforts to combat climate change. Heightened geopolitical tensions, especially the escalating rivalry between the US and China, are the primary catalyst of fragmentation. China, which emerged as the worlds largest exporter more than a decade ago, overtook the US as the worlds largest economy (in purchasing-power-parity terms) around 2016. At the same time, the decline in US manufacturing jobs, partly attributed to the surge in Chinese imports, has fuelled Americans discontent with globalisation and reshaped their views on China. Swapping trade for tariffs Contrary to many Western analysts expectation that increased trade would put China on a path to democratisation, the country has gone in the opposite direction under president Xi Jinping. Instead of liberalising and pursuing pro-market reforms, Xi has gravitated toward a state-centric system controlled by the Communist Party of China. Former US president Donald Trumps administration responded to these developments by initiating a trade war with China, a move widely viewed outside the US as a protectionist aberration that reflected Trumps America First agenda. But Joe Bidens administration has maintained the tariffs. This should not come as a surprise. The new US consensus on China seems to be the more we trade with them, the more they use it against us. The Sino-American trade war has become an integral part of a broader US geopolitical strategy backed by both Democrats and Republicans in Congress. Technological decoupling, which entails curbing high-tech exports to China and restricting the use of Chinese equipment in the US, is central to this strategy. EU's strategic autonomy policy Meanwhile, the EU has embraced French president Emmanuel Macrons vision of strategic autonomy. By securing access to critical inputs and raw materials, the thinking goes, the EU could deter hostile countries from weaponising trade. Russias use of its oil and natural gas exports as a strategic tool against the bloc in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine, together with the Kremlins deepening ties with China, has intensified the EUs efforts to protect key sectors by reducing its reliance on both countries. Moreover, a growing number of voices within the European Commission and among EU states have called for the EU to follow in Americas footsteps, curtail high-tech exports to China, and restrict the integration of Chinese technologies in Europe. As Western exporters withdrew from Russia due to sanctions, there was a surge in its imports from Turkey and China. And, increasingly, such trade is being billed in renminbi rather than dollars. Picture: ChinaFotoPress/Getty This strategy carries significant risks, as China might retaliate by restricting the exports of essential raw materials required for high-end semiconductors and renewable energy. Already, China, which accounts for 98% of global production of gallium and controls 68% of germanium production in various countries, restricted exports of these inputs for chip fabrication in response to the enactment of the CHIPS and Science Act, which curbed US tech exports to China. More recently, China introduced export restrictions on graphite, a mineral used in green technologies that is predominantly sourced from the country. By 2022, roughly 30% of the worlds critical raw materials were subject to such restrictions, compared to just 5% in 2019. If the EU limits technology transfers to China, the Chinese could impose export restrictions on essential raw materials before European countries manage to secure alternative sources. Many critical minerals, including those vital to the green transition, are predominantly produced by countries not aligned with the West. Moreover, developing new mines takes time, and the environmental toll of refining and processing certain raw materials might diminish Europeans appetite for such activities. Russian sanctions could backfire The sanctions on Russia led by the US and the EU are a major driver of global fragmentation. These measures have already reshaped regional trade patterns, leading to a sharp decline in exports of goods from Europe and the US, due to sanctions and partly to the reputational risks of continuing to trade with Russia. While some of this trade has found alternative routes through Central Asia and the Caucasus, the volumes remain comparatively low. These shifting trade dynamics are playing a significant role in segmenting the global economy. For example, as Western exporters withdrew from the Russian market, Turkeys exports rose sharply. Exports from China to Russia have also increased, particularly for goods subject to European sanctions. While the US dollars global hegemony has made the Western sanctions regime more effective, these measures might ultimately erode the greenbacks dominance. A decade ago, only a tenth of Chinese exports to Russia were denominated in renminbi; now, roughly two-thirds are. And a growing number of countries also have begun to denominate their exports to Russia in renminbi, especially those that established swap lines with the Peoples Bank of China and those that did not join the Western sanctions regime. Similarly, there has been a noticeable increase in the use of national currencies for invoicing exports to Russia by countries such as India, United Arab Emirates, and Turkey. And there is no end in sight to geopolitical tensions, with the tragic developments in the Middle East further polarising the world. Geopolitics trumping economics So, where does all this leave us? At a time of increasing economic fragmentation, global trade is no longer driven by purely economic objectives. Instead, geopolitical factors are increasingly shaping trade policies. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Monetary Fund, and others have noted that economic fragmentation will be expensive and will negatively affect almost every country in the world. In the midst of a climate emergency that demands unprecedented international cooperation, fragmentation also poses a grave threat to planetary health and humanitys future. The benefits of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions are universal, offering abundant opportunities and incentives for countries to free ride on others decarbonisation efforts. Against this backdrop, intensifying trade conflicts, accelerating fragmentation, and restrictions on the export of critical raw materials reduce trust, hinder international co-operation, and undermine efforts to tackle climate change effectively. Many people overpay tax without realising it, and can be out of pocket on average about 1,880, that could otherwise be rightly claimed from Revenue. "At the beginning of a new year, the opportunity to claim tax back can make for a very welcome start to 2024 for many people, and January is the best time to set about this process," explains Marian Ryan, Consumer Tax Manager at Taxback. "We can check out your details and tell you for free what you're owed." A leading provider of Irish tax returns, every year Taxback helps thousands of Irish workers maximise their tax refund by claiming all eligible credits, expenses and reliefs. "This is a new tax year so you can now claim your 2023 refund, this is especially important at this time of the year when money can be an issue. January is a good time for a financial boost and getting money owed into taxpayers bank accounts where it belongs. There is a general lack of awareness around peoples' entitlements, and in many cases the opportunity to claim tax reliefs is missed. "If you rent or own a home, work from home or visited a doctor or dentist in 2023, then it is definitely worth investigating what you can claim back. Sometimes when you look at particular tax credits, it might seem that they are small or not worth claiming but when you add a few of them together, they quickly add up to build a very sizable refund amount." You can quickly discover how much youre owed by registering with Taxback here. 1250 Mortgage Interest Relief is another Budget 2024 bonus For property owners, Budget 2024 announced a Mortgage Interest Relief worth up to 1250 which also kicks into action this January. Homeowners can claim up to 20% on the increased mortgage interest paid in 2023 versus 2022" says Marian Ryan. Many clients come to Taxback with some inclination they may be owed money, but lack a clear idea of how much it can all add up to. The changes introduced in Budget 2024 could well mean more for your pocket than you think. "Clients can often be totally unaware of what can be claimed and the different areas where claims can be made everything from medical costs, nursing home fees, and working from home expenses. Taxback are experts in helping people to claim exactly what they are owed, and talking through the most efficient means of maximising what they can claim. We have accountants and tax experts who are experienced in pursuing every available entitlement that clients are owed." Rent Tax Credit helps with college costs The Rent Tax Credit is another area where Taxback assists clients to claim money they are owed. In Budget 2023, the Government announced a new tax relief to support the 500,000 property renters in Ireland. The Rent Tax Credit is worth 500 per year for a single individual and 1,000 for a married couple. And more good news for renters as it was announced as part of Budget 2024 that this credit has now been increased to 750 per person and 1500 for a couple, effective for 2024 and 2025. "You may be entitled to the Rent Tax Credit if you pay rent on your home, rent a second home that you use for work or college, or you pay rent for your child to attend university," Marian Ryan explains. "For parents who own their own home, they should be able to claim the mortgage interest but if their son or daughter has gone off to university and accommodation is being rented for them that rent tax credit is there to be claimed as well." If you're unsure what your entitlements are you can consult with the team at Taxback. "We won't just claim your Rent Tax Credit, we will claim every credit and relief you are entitled to. We will also manage all of the tricky tax paperwork for you and transfer your refund straight to your bank account." Claim your Rent Tax Credit easily online. Working from home expenses add up to a tidy sum Working from home has become the norm for many over recent years and is another area where Taxback helps clients claim their entitlements. Remote workers can claim tax relief on many common utility bills such as heating, electricity and broadband whether they are working from home, either full or part-time. "Whether people are working from home one day a week or five, they should still investigate tax relief on those everyday expenses such as electricity, broadband and heating bills. You can claim 30% of these costs as an expense apportioned to the number of days you worked from home in the year. Again, it is about following up on every refund that is available which can certainly build into a sizeable refund when all the figures are added up." (Learn more about WFH tax relief here) Taxback are experts in taking clients through the daunting process of claiming taxes owed in a simplified way: "Every year, thousands of people overpay tax on their earnings. A fear of the 'taxman' has left millions of euros of overpaid tax unclaimed money that belongs back in workers' pockets. Our job is to take the stress out of this process for clients, and to get that owed money into their bank accounts as efficiently as possible." Claim your maximum tax refund online today. A woman accused of murdering two of her children in the United States has appeared in a British court. Kimberlee Singlers nine-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son were found dead in a residential property in Colorado along with her 11-year-old daughter who was injured but alive, police in Colorado Springs said. A fifth suspect has been detained over an alleged threat of an attack on Cologne Cathedral over the festive period, Germany authorities have said. The 41-year-old German-Turkish man was detained on Sunday night in the western city of Bochum in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Police detained three people on Sunday morning and one man last week. All the suspects allegedly belong to a larger Islamic extremist network which included people across Germany and in other European countries, according to Cologne police chief Johannes Hermanns, German news agency dpa reported. The other four suspects were detained in different cities across North Rhine-Westphalia. Police officers in Cologne Cathedral during the end-of-year pontifical mass on New Years Eve (Thomas Banneyer/dpa via AP) The one detained last week was identified as a 30-year-old Tajik man. No details were given for the three detained on Sunday morning. The attack was supposed to have been carried out on New Years Eve with a car loaded with explosives, local media reported. Cologne police said in a press conference on Sunday that the cathedrals underground car park had been searched and explosives detection dogs deployed, though nothing was found. The entrance and exit had also been checked for suspicious activity. North Rhine-Westphalias interior minister Herbert Reul on Sunday called the latest detentions a success, for which I would like to thank the investigators. Islamic extremists have always been active but they are currently more active than usual and the Catholic cathedral was a prime target for them, Mr Reul said, according to dpa. The police always try to be a few steps ahead, he added. Police got information about a planned militant attack on Cologne Cathedral just before Christmas. The citys world-famous cathedral has been under high protection for a week and the threat led to the closure of the house of worship for tourists. Israels Supreme Court has struck down a key component of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus contentious judicial overhaul, a decision that threatens to reopen the fissures in Israeli society that preceded the countrys ongoing war against Hamas. Those divisions were largely put aside while the country focuses on the war in Gaza, which was triggered by a bloody cross-border attack by Hamas. Mondays court decision could reignite those tensions, which sparked months of mass protests against the government and had rattled the cohesion of the powerful military. There was no immediate reaction from Mr Netanyahu. In Mondays decision, the court narrowly voted to overturn a law passed in July that prevents judges from striking down government decisions they deem unreasonable. Opponents had argued that Mr Netanyahus efforts to remove the standard of reasonability opens the door to corruption and improper appointments of unqualified cronies to important positions. The law was the first in a planned overhaul of the Israeli justice system. An Israeli military helicopter flies near the Israeli-Gaza border on Monday (Leo Correa/AP) The overhaul was put on hold after Hamas militants carried out their October 7 attack, killing some 1,200 people and kidnapping 240 others. Israel immediately declared war and is pressing forward with an offensive that Palestinian health officials say has killed nearly 22,000 people in Gaza. In an eight to seven decision, the Supreme Court justices struck down the law because of the severe and unprecedented harm to the core character of the State of Israel as a democratic country. The justices also voted 12 to three that they had the authority to overturn so-called basic laws, major pieces of legislation that serve as a sort of constitution for Israel. It was a significant blow to Mr Netanyahu and his hard-line allies, who claimed the national legislature, not the high court, should have the final word over the legality of legislation and other key decisions. The justices said the Knesset, or parliament, does not have omnipotent power. Mr Netanyahu and his allies announced their sweeping overhaul plan shortly after taking office a year ago. Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip (Ariel Schalit/AP) It calls for curbing the power of the judges, from limiting the Supreme Courts ability to review parliamentary decisions to changing the way judges are appointed. Mr Netanyahu and his allies said the changes aim to strengthen democracy by limiting the authority of unelected judges and turning over more powers to elected officials. But opponents see the overhaul as a power grab by Mr Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges, and an assault on a key watchdog. Before the war, hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets in weekly protests against the government. Among the demonstrators were military reservists, including fighter pilots and members of other elite units, who said they would stop reporting for duty if the overhaul was passed. The reservists make up the backbone of the military. While the reservists quickly returned to duty after the October 7 attacks in a show of unity, it remains unclear what will happen if the overhaul efforts are revived. A resumption of the protests could undermine national unity and affect the militarys readiness if soldiers refuse to report for duty. Under the Israeli system, the prime minister governs through a majority coalition in parliament in effect giving him control over the executive and legislative branches of government. As a result, the Supreme Court plays a critical oversight role. Critics say that by seeking to weaken the judiciary, Mr Netanyahu and his allies are trying to erode the countrys checks and balances and consolidate power over the third, independent branch of government. Mr Netanyahus allies include an array of ultranationalist and religious parties with a list of grievances against the court. His allies have called for increased West Bank settlement construction, annexation of the occupied territory, perpetuating military draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men, and limiting the rights of LGBTQ+ people and Palestinians. The US had previously urged Mr Netanyahu to put the plans on hold and seek a broad consensus across the political spectrum. The court issued its decision because its outgoing president, Esther Hayut, is retiring and Monday was her last day on the job. At the end of 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers submitted a draft law to the Verkhovna Rada that would introduce significant changes to the mobilization process. At the same time, the country's military and political leadership began discussing the possibility of returning conscripts from abroad. ADVERTISIMENT Currently, the possibility of electronic notification of men who have traveled abroad is being considered. OBOZ.UA found out whether men abroad can be mobilized and what they need to know. According to Defense Minister Rustem Umierov, if a decision is made to send calls to territorial recruitment centers, they will be sent via e-mail to persons liable for military service, including those abroad. He also clarified that the defense ministry is considering the possibility of notifying men liable for military service of the need to report to the Territorial Centre for recruitment and Social Support via e-mail. Umierov emphasized that such invitations will be extended even to Ukrainians who are outside the country. Currently, the Ministry of Defense plans to register Ukrainians who are liable for military service and live abroad and to encourage them to return and join the ranks of the Armed Forces. At the same time, Umierov said that the government is working on the issue of possible restrictions on some rights of Ukrainians abroad who do not register for military service. But so far, consultations with the Ministry of Justice and law enforcement agencies are ongoing. ADVERTISIMENT MP Vadym Ivchenko said that all men must receive a military registration card and undergo re-identification at the Territorial Centre for recruitment and and Social Support. In addition, the MP clarified that if a person is abroad, he must also undergo this identification. Otherwise, such a Ukrainian may face certain consequences. According to the MP, there will be changes in banking services as well. In particular, the bank will also request a new identification, but this identification must include this type of military registration. As a reminder, the new draft law on mobilization contains a list of prohibitions and penalties for evaders, and also reduces the list of people who can receive a deferral from mobilization. Earlier it was reported that according to the new draft law, in addition to administrative and criminal liability, a Ukrainian who avoids military service may face material restrictions. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, said that the draft law on mobilization submitted by the government to the parliament contains provisions that contradict the Constitution of Ukraine. The Ombudsman's Office will scrutinize this document when it is submitted for approval. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Red Sea Labs has announced an open call for the 5th edition of The Lodge, a long-term residency programme that offers an intensive creative and professional film development experience. Submissions are open until 11:59 pm KSA time on Sunday, January 7, 2024. The Lodge, conducted in collaboration with Torino FilmLab and sponsored by Film AlUla, is open to teams of Saudi, Arab, African, and Asian filmmakers and producers. This is the first year that the programme has opened its applications to Asia, marking an expansion in the offerings of the Red Sea Labs and making this years programme the biggest yet. Shivani Pandya, the Managing Director of the Red Sea Film Foundation, said: Continuing our journey of expanding and evolving the Red Sea Foundations programs, we are pleased to announce the first expansion of one of our industry programmes, the Lodge, as it broadens its offerings to promising cinematic voices from Asia. It is a strategic move aimed at bolstering our cinematic communities' presence on the global stage, fostering cultural exchange, and enriching the cinematic landscape worldwide. Ryan Ashore, head of The Red Sea Labs said: The Lodge continues to empower emerging filmmakers and contribute to diversifying and enriching the global cinematic scene. We are looking forward to welcoming the new talents from Asia with the Arab world, and Africa, starting from our retreat in Alula alongside our partners, immersing them in a unique experience that refines their inspiring narratives through collaborative initiatives that transcend geographical borders. The Lodge offers mentorship by cinema experts that will support the development of their film projects, preparing them for the next level of industry opportunities. 16 projects will be selected for the opportunity to develop their feature film project. All workshops in 2024 will be conducted in person, kicking off with an exclusive prelude workshop for Saudi teams. The Lodge workshops in the 2024 edition will be offering immersive learning experiences at diverse locations. The first workshop will take place in AlUlas inspiring and captivating landscape. The workshops will provide intensive training across all aspects of film script development and film production, including financing, sales, and marketing. These workshops will equip the filmmakers with the necessary skills and knowledge to take their projects into a further stage. Following development and meetings with industry professionals, The Lodge filmmakers will pitch their projects at the Red Sea Souk during the 4th Edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival 2024. Red Sea Labs said it is dedicated to supporting new talent from the Arab world, Africa and Asia; uplifting new voices in filmmaking, and providing opportunities to underrepresented groups in the global film industry. Red Sea Labs is one of the many pillars of the Red Sea Film Foundation, which also include the Red Sea Souk, the Red Sea Fund, and the Red Sea International Film Festival. TradeArabia News Service The military and political leadership of the Russian Federation is killing a huge number of Russian invaders in suicide attacks in Ukraine. In particular, many Russian invaders were eliminated by the Ukrainian Defense Forces during the Russian offensive that began in the fall - but Moscow does not take these losses into account. ADVERTISIMENT The reason for this disregard for human losses is the Kremlin's desire to convince Ukrainians and Ukraine's Western partners that Russia's resources are allegedly unlimited: the former hopes to discourage resistance, and the latter hopes to convince them to refuse to help the Ukrainian state. This opinion was expressed by Ben Hodges, former commander of the U.S. Army in Europe, during a telethon. Reflecting on why Russia is "utilizing" thousands of its soldiers in Ukraine and not changing its tactics despite the lack of serious results on the battlefield, Hodges noted that the Kremlin has its own reasons. Ignoring its own losses, Russia is trying to convince Ukraine and the West that its resources are unlimited. "I think what we're seeing is an attempt by the Kremlin to give the West the impression that Russia has unlimited resources, that they will keep coming up," Hodges said. ADVERTISIMENT The Russian authorities are recruiting new cannon fodder mainly from those whom they "do not feel sorry for," in particular, representatives of small peoples of the Russian Federation living in regions remote from Moscow and St. Petersburg. "They (the Russian leadership - ed.) are ready to lose hundreds of soldiers every day, as long as it looks like they have an unlimited number of reserves," the American general said. At the same time, Russia needs to create the illusion of its power not because of vanity, but for purely practical reasons. This is how the Kremlin hopes to undermine the will of the Ukrainian people to fight. The Russian leadership also hopes that such a demonstration of "power" could force the West to abandon its assistance to Ukraine as a futile exercise. The Kremlin hopes for this, because, as Hodges said, they realize there that Russia "does not have the ability to deliver a decisive knockout blow to Ukraine." ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, as of the morning of January 1, 2024, Russia's irrecoverable losses in manpower in the war against Ukraine exceeded 360 000 troops. On the last day of 2023 alone, Ukrainian soldiers sent 780 occupiers to Kobzon's concert. They also destroyed 156 pieces of weapons and equipment. For example, in December, Russia lost 29,970 occupants and 3,640 pieces of weapons and equipment. By Jehan Alfarra | ( Middle East Monitor ) = Bread in those days was like gold. These were the words of a survivor of the siege of Leningrad, arguably one of the darkest chapters of World War II and a haunting reminder of the horrific toll exacted upon populations deliberately deprived of essential resources. The use of mass starvation as a weapon of war echoes a historical barbarity that humanity should have long transcended. This egregious strategy, reminiscent of past sieges where starvation was deliberately employed as a tool of warfare, highlights the dire consequences of collective punishment on innocent civilians. In Gaza, Israel has been deliberately blocking the delivery of water, food and other essentials to the besieged enclaves 2.2 million people. While Gaza has been under Israeli siege since 2007, on 9 October 2023 Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant declared a total blockade on Gaza as Israeli forces launched a full-scale war on the Palestinian territory. In a recent report, Human Rights Watch described the Israeli governments use of the collective starvation of civilians as a method of warfare in the besieged Gaza Strip as a war crime. International humanitarian law, or the laws of war, prohibits the starvation of civilians as a method of warfare, the report says, citing the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court established after the horrors of World War II. Amidst this turmoil, Gazas local cuisine has emerged as a testament to resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity, with many utilising locally available ingredients to persevere despite limited resources. Flour has been the ultimate treasure as bread remains at the heart of survival in Gaza. Palestinian staples such as olive oil, zaatar and duqqa with their long shelf-life have also been a lifeline for many who have been able to store or acquire them. However, as Israeli forces continue razing agricultural areas, destroying bakeries, food warehouses, flour mills as well as roads used to transport humanitarian aid, the reliance on locally sourced produce serves only as a partial buffer for a lucky few against the acute scarcity imposed by the siege and large-scale bombing campaign and ground invasion. Even preparing meals requires finding alternatives to cooking gas, like firewood or cardboard. TRT World: Gaza faces catastrophic hunger warns UN Over 80 per cent of the besieged Strips population has been internally displaced and their ability to move and seek sustenance has been severely restricted. According to a report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), the proportion of households in Gaza affected by high levels of acute food insecurity is the largest ever recorded by the IPC initiative globally. According to the UN-backed report, more than half a million people, a quarter of Gazas population, are already at starvation levels. It is a situation where pretty much everybody in Gaza is hungry, the World Food Programmes chief economist, Arif Husain, has said. In early December, the WFP reported that nine out of 10 people in Gaza cannot eat every day and skip meals for extended periods of time. The deliberate restriction of essential supplies, including food, water, and medical aid, accentuates the plight of a populace already grappling with the harrowing realities of a full-scale offensive. In just two months, up to 20,000 Palestinians have already been killed, 70 per cent of them women and children. The international communitys moral obligation is to condemn such egregious tactics and prioritise diplomatic efforts to not only impose a ceasefire, but to further end the siege on Gaza once military activities have ceased, ensure unimpeded access to humanitarian aid, and seek a lasting resolution that upholds the dignity and rights of civilians trapped in the occupied Palestinian territory. The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor or Informed Comment. Todays McCarthyist tactic of manufacturing an antisemitism scare turns the very real issue of Jewish safety into a pawn in a cynical political game to cover for Israels deeply unpopular policies with regard to Palestine. Jessica Corbett ( Commondreams.org) For the safety of Jews and Palestinians, stop weaponizing antisemitism. Thats the headline of a Friday op-ed from Bernie Steinberg, who was the executive director of Harvard Hillel from 1993 to 2010. Harvard University is among many U.S. higher education institutionsincluding Brandeis University, Columbia University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of Florida, and University of Pennsylvania (Penn)embroiled in a battle over antisemitism amid what a growing number of world leaders and legal scholars call Israels genocidal war on the Gaza Strip. Even before the Hamas-led attack on Israel 12 weeks ago sparked a U.S.-backed retaliatory war in which Israeli forces have killed more than 21,670 people in Gaza, including over 8,200 children, members and supporters of the Israeli government have used bad-faith claims of discrimination, hostility, or prejudice against Jews to defend policies and practices that have oppressed Palestinians for decades. Since October 7, reports of antisemitism and Islamaphobia have soared. There have also been heightened efforts to conflate antisemitism and legitimate criticism of Israel, with U.S. critics facing shuttered campus groups, lost jobs, congressional resolutions, and other consequences for daring to condemn the mass killing of Palestinian civilians. Image by cplesley from Pixabay Recalling his own experiences enduring antisemitism, including violent attacks, Steinberg wrote for a new Harvard Crimson opinion series: As a leader in the Jewish community, I am particularly alarmed by todays McCarthyist tactic of manufacturing an antisemitism scare, which, in effect, turns the very real issue of Jewish safety into a pawn in a cynical political game to cover for Israels deeply unpopular policies with regard to Palestine. (A recent poll found that 66% of all U.S. voters and 80% of Democratic voters desire an end to Israels current war, for instance.) What makes this trend particularly disturbing is the power differential: Billionaire donors and the politically connected, non-Jews and Jews alike on one side, targeting disproportionately people of vulnerable populations on the other, including students, untenured faculty, persons of color, Muslims, and, especially, Palestinian activists. In most cases, it takes the form of bullying pro-Palestine organizers. In others, these campaigns persecute anyone who simply doesnt show due deference to the bullies, Steinberg wrote of current trends on campuses. He noted the effort to smear Harvards new president and warned that the toppling of the president of the University of Pennsylvania is a sobering example of what can happen when we empower these unscrupulous forces to dictate our path as university leaders. Founded a century ago, Hillel International calls itself the worlds largest and most inclusive Jewish campus organization, operating at 850 campuses in 16 countries. The ex-Hillel leader wrote to Jews at Harvard that I know that its alienating and hurtful to so many of you when campus Jewish organizations, like Hillel and Chabad, take positions that exclude your voices. To those students, I say: The Jewish tradition is much deeper than any organization. No one has a monopoly on Judaism. Steinberg, who lived in Jerusalem for 13 years, urged Harvards Jewish students to continue to learn Torah, Jewish history, and our ethical traditions, and to be boldly critical of Israelnot despite being Jewish, but because you are. I know what antisemitism looks like and I do not take the issue of violence against Jews lightly. I have monitored, with vigilance, the kinds of speech that Israel-aligned parties are calling antisemitic, and it simply does not pass the sniff test, he argued. Let me speak plainly: It is not antisemitic to demand justice for all Palestinians living in their ancestral lands. The activists who employ this language, and the politics of liberation, are sincere people; their cause is a legitimate and important movement dissenting against the brutal treatment of Palestinians that has been ongoing for 75 years, he stressed. One can disagree with any part of what these activists say, but they must be allowed to speak safely and afforded the respect their morally serious position deserves. Steinberg added that it is very telling that some of Israels own supporters instead go to extraordinary lengths to utterly silence the other side. Smearing ones opponents is rarely a tactic employed by those confident that justice is on their side. Antisemitism in the U.S. is a real and dangerous phenomenon, most pressingly from the alt-right white supremacist politics that have become alarmingly mainstream since 2016, he asserted. To contend against these and other antisemitic forces with clarity and purpose, we must put aside all fabricated and weaponized charges of antisemitism that serve to silence criticism of Israeli policy and its sponsors in the U.S. Steinbergs op-ed was praised on social media as a powerful, deeply considered, cogent, must-read piece. Rebecca Vilkomerson, a former Jewish Voice for Peace executive director now at Funding Freedom, said Saturday that as someone who has felt disappointed and betrayed by mainstream Jewish institutions, including Hillel, for well over a decade (and yet plunged into an even deeper depression and rage by their response to genocide in Gaza), I felt deeply moved by this piece. Jessica Corbett Jessica Corbett is a senior editor and staff writer for Common Dreams. 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 ethnical 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. Israel's 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 Israel's 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". Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said Israel displayed unparalleled "morality" in the Gaza war and rejected South Africa's charge that it was committing "genocidal" acts in the Palestinian territory. "We will continue our defensive war, the justice and morality of which is without peer," Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting in Tel Aviv. His comment came after 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. "No, South Africa, it is not we who have come to perpetrate genocide, it is Hamas," Netanyahu said. "It would murder all of us if it could. In contrast, the IDF (Israeli army) is acting as morally as possible." Israel launched a relentless military campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip after the Palestinian militants carried out an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7. The militants' attack left about 1,140 people dead, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures. Israel's ongoing Gaza offensive has killed more than 21,800 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza. The leader of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Sunday visited Djibouti, which is leading regional efforts to broker a ceasefire after more than eight months of war. The Horn of Africa nation is the latest stop on Mohamed Hamdan Daglo's first trip abroad since fighting erupted between the RSF and the Sudanese army in mid-April. His regional tour -- which has also taken him to Ethiopia and Uganda -- comes as diplomats scramble to broker a meeting between Daglo and his rival, Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The warring generals have not met face-to-face since the outbreak of the conflict that has killed more than 12,000 people by some conservative estimates, and forced millions to flee. Daglo said on X, formerly Twitter, that he discussed with Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh the latest developments in the war. "I outlined our unwavering commitment to ending the conflict and working toward a substantive solution that finally halts the historic suffering of our resilient Sudanese people. "I emphasised our readiness to participate in negotiations aimed at achieving a swift, just, and comprehensive peace in Sudan." In another post on X, Djibouti Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said the visit was part of his country's efforts, as head of regional grouping IGAD, to try to forge a ceasefire in Sudan. "Next week, as chair of IGAD, Djibouti will also prepare the ground for Sudanese dialogue and will host a critical meeting," Youssouf had said on X on Saturday, without giving further details. Daglo on Thursday met in Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, after holding talks with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni the day before. IGAD, a bloc representing eight countries in the East Africa region, has been trying to bring Burhan and Daglo together since the war erupted. On Wednesday, Djibouti's foreign ministry said a meeting between the rivals planned for December 28 had been "postponed to early January for technical reasons". The UN Security Council earlier this month voiced alarm at the growing violence in Sudan and the spread of fighting to areas previously considered a haven for those displaced by the conflict. By the end of November, at least 12,190 people had been killed, according to a conservative estimate from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project. The United Nations says more than seven million people have been internally displaced by the war, while another 1.5 million have fled into neighbouring countries. Both sides have been accused of war crimes. burs-txw/imm X NEXT In September 2022, Ukraine first tried to use naval drones against Russian vessels in the Sevastopol Bay. However, about 70 kilometers to the destination, the connection with the Starliners was lost . ADVERTISIMENT The authorities were unable to convince the owner of the satellite platform, businessman Elon Musk, to restore the connection, so Ukraine decided to modify the drones. This is stated in the article of Ukrainian Truth. The first attempt to attack enemy targets in Sevastopol took place on the night of September 16-17, 2022. The head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Malyuk, the commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Oleksii Neizhpapa, Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, and the ideologist of the surface drone program, Brigadier General of the Security Service of Ukraine Military Counterintelligence, known as "Hunter," watched the advance of these devices from a bunker. As Hunter told the newspaper, this was the first model of maritime drones, so some of them drowned or exploded on their way to Sevastopol Bay. ADVERTISIMENT However, five drones carrying 108 kilograms of TNT made it through and were approaching Sevastopol. One of the participants in the operation said that the boats had 70 kilometers to go to the "Admiral Makarov" frigate. "Everyone was worried that we were going to attack it. And then we are cut off from communication. Elon Musk turned off the Starlink, through which we controlled the drones," the soldier said. Another person present in the bunker said that Fedorov tried to influence Musk, but he did not listen. "Our people also tried to resolve the situation through their channels, but the Americans say that it is a private company, we cannot put pressure on them," another said. The team tried to return the drones to the base, but only two of them made it back. However, even these two drones provided valuable information: about communication, navigation, design, and more. ADVERTISIMENT One of the developers noted that the military laboratory of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Navy investigated and analyzed all aspects of the situation. This work made it possible to carry out successful strikes on Russian targets in Sevastopol bays in October, a month after the incident. Earlier, the secrets of the Sea Baby drones that created "hell" for the enemy were revealed. It turned out that these drones can not only carry almost a ton of explosives, but also inflict damage with missiles. Earlier, OBOZ.UA told you about new models of Ukrainian-made weapons and military equipment that have already been deployed at the front. They effectively destroy the occupiers and save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! Vice-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie, commander of the Canadian Joint Operations Command, is pictured in his office in Ottawa on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. The Canadian Joint Operations Command had an exceptionally busy year in 2023, co-ordinating airlifts from two countries and deploying troops to wildfires, floods and disasters at home.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick The Patriot anti-aircraft missile system has already shot down 15 Russian Dagger missiles in Ukraine. In general, there are currently not enough of these systems in our country. ADVERTISIMENT Yuriy Ihnat, spokesman for the Air Force of Ukraine, said this during a national telethon . He reminded that these systems can shoot down ballistic missiles and aeroballistic missiles such as the Kinzhal. "On May 4, the first "Kinzhal" X-47, an M2 missile, was shot down. Thus, the countdown continues... The countdown started from this time," noted the spokesman. He also added that compared to last year, Ukraine has a large number of other air defense systems. As a reminder, on December 14, Ukrainian air defense systems shot down an X-47M Kinzhal air defense missile in Kyiv. In October 2023, investigators from the Russian publication The Insider reported that defense contractors who produce the most dangerous of Russia's Kinzhal guided missiles have not yet been sanctioned by the West. Therefore, they continue to import the necessary materials from the European Union. ADVERTISIMENT After the large-scale invasion, the Rostec state corporation increased the production of Kinzhal missiles, which cost Moscow $10 million per missile. As reported by OBOZ.UA, Ihnat also said that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the terrorist state Russia has launched more than 7,500 missiles against Ukraine. These are all types: aircraft, anti-aircraft, S-300, cruise and ballistic missiles. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The overall winners of the 2023 Teagasc forest photo competition have been announced by the Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity, Senator Pippa Hackett. This years competition, Celebrating the New Forestry Programme 2023 2027, had three themes and, for the first time, both an adult and junior age category. Each theme winner was chosen by a panel of judges and the final selection of the overall winners in each age category was by popular choice. Voting was brisk all weekend and today the winners were finally clear. The overall winner in the adult category is Adrian Nolan from County Galway. Adrians striking photo is very well composed and reminds us that fungi play an essential role in the forest cycle, and as part of its biodiversity, and are often overlooked. In the junior category the deserving winner is Jake Byrne from Kilkenny. Jakes image (below) was simple, yet really impactful. It captured the sense of fun that can be had from a few pieces of timber combined with a good sprinkling of imagination. Each of the winners will receive a voucher for 300 to add to their earlier voucher of the same amount bringing their total winnings to 600. Congratulating, the competition winners, Minister Hackett said: I am delighted to announce Adrian and Jake as the overall and well-deserved winners. I would like to thank all the entrants for showcasing such wonderful examples of the many roles forests play in all our lives. Minister Hackett continued; I would also like to thank Teagasc for their important work in promoting and celebrating the variety of themes contained within the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027. This programme is the most ambitious to date and supports landowners to plant trees in a manner that provides lasting climate, biodiversity, wood production, employment, and wider societal benefits. Forests have an important and lasting influence across generations, and I welcome that this competition reflects this, with two new distinct age categories. Teagasc Forestry Liaison Officer Paul Butler, who co-ordinated the initiative said: Teagasc sincerely thanks all participants who submitted high quality photographs to our 2023 competition. It really is a pleasure see the varied ways the ecosystems, products and services of our forests are reflected in the images presented. I would also like to thank the judging panel who had such a challenging task in selecting the winners in each theme and also the Teagasc Public Relations Department for their invaluable help in promoting the competition. We look forward to organising another photo competition in 2024. The winning photos from the Teagasc forest photo competition will shortly be available to view on the Teagasc website at www.teagasc.ie/forestphotos . This competition was coordinated by Teagasc with support from the Forestry Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). A big part of our annual Year In Review is celebrating local people who do incredible and heroic things. With that in mind, the month of November saw local lad David Dunne and his friend Mike Bolger receive National Bravery Awards for rescuing three children and a man from the River Barrow in Graignamanagh in 2020. Mr Dunne and Mr Bolger were at a local park in the town on that day when they heard screaming coming from the river. They saw a man and three children in difficulty in the water and jumped into the river without hesitation to rescue them. Their selfless and heroic actions on that day deserve every bit of recognition that they receive. Another local hero that was recognised in November was Jamie Blanche from Ballykillaboy in South Kilkenny. He was recognised as a Hero of the Year at the National Lottery Good Causes Awards for being the longest serving volunteer within Waterford Marine Search and Rescue, which is in its 13th year of operation. THE BOSS RETURNS Tickets were snapped up almost immediately in November for Bruce Springsteens upcoming and highly anticipated return to UPMC Nowlan Park. The Boss will be returning to the Marble City with his E Street Band next May as part of his European tour - more than a decade since his unforgettable last gig here! END OF AN ERA It was the end of an era for a beloved local couple in November as Michael and Alice Blanchfield stood down from their management roles at Blanchfields Centra in Mooncoin after more than two decades serving the local community. In their time at the helm, the shop sold two winning lotto jackpot tickets, an incredible feat of chance! ALDI In Castlecomer, news that works had started at the Aldi site in the town was mostly welcomed locally. After years of waiting for the go-ahead from An Bord Pleanala, it was confirmed in November that demolition and asbestos removal works would take place on the site pre-Christmas. It was also announced that site works would commence in January and that Aldi proposes to commence building in March 2024 with a projected open date for Aldi in September 2024. RESTAURANT NEWS Keith Boyle at the Bridge House was crowned the best restaurant in Leinster at the Food & Wine Restaurant of the Year Awards in November. This award came just shortly after Keith Boyle himself was crowned the Best Chef in Leinster at the Restaurant Association of Ireland Awards. November also saw the Michelin Guide compile a list of the most affordable Michelin Star dinners in Great Britain and Ireland and Campagne in Kilkenny was listed amongst them, the only Irish eatery on the list. BUSINESS AWARDS At the end of November, the whos who of Kilkenny business turned out in all their finery at the annual Chamber Business Awards. Almost 500 representatives of businesses in Kilkenny gathered for what was a glittering evening, celebrating success. Twenty-three awards were presented during the evening, including the Presidents Award which went to Joe and Bill Connolly of Connollys Redmills and the Lifetime Achievement Award which went to Jim Brennan, Club House Hotel. The black tie event saw Merlyn Showers crowned Overall Business of the Year. Looking back at October, supermarket news took centre stage in Kilkenny. Firstly, news broke that Kilkennys wait for a Tesco outlet would be coming to an abrupt end, with an outlet to open in Ferrybank in November. Mayor Joe Malone then relayed the news that the supermarket giant was co-operating with the local authority on plans for their new outlet at the old mart site in the city. It was also mooted by the mayor that month that Tesco had its eyes on the ex-Argos unit on High Street. Unfortunately, October was also the month when SuperValu announced that they would soon be closing their outlet in Market Cross Shopping Centre in Kilkenny City, where 38 people were employed. According to the retailer, the decision to close the store was taken after every option to address the long-term viability of the store was considered but to no avail. FLOODING The issue of flooding reared its ugly head again in October, as heavy spells of rain caused havoc across the county. In the city, the Ballyfoyle Road was made impassable for a period of time. So too was the OLoughlin Road. Roads were also flooded in rural areas across the county, with southern regions being the worst impacted. In Inistioge, the students of St Colmcilles National School were evacuated from the school building by local firefighters. Members of the fire service were also called into action at Scoil Lachtain in Freshford, assisting pupils and staff members to exit the building due to a high volume of surface water. TIDY TOWNS The hard work and tireless dedication of Keep Kilkenny Beautiful paid off in October as the Marble City was named the 2023 recipient of the County Award, a gold medal and the South-East Regional Award at the Tidy Towns Awards. In the judges report, Keep Kilkenny Beautiful were commended for their hard work throughout the year. The judges also praised the citys streetscape but raised concerns over the level of traffic which they said needed to be addressed. Coincidentally, October was also the month when frustrations really began to grow over delays to works being carried out in the vicinity of the Ossory Bridge on the Kilkenny Ring Road. OSCARS DELIGHT Kilkenny has been well-represented at the Oscars over the years and 2023 was another year to remember. In October, Kilkenny native Colbert Fennelly returned to Stoneyford after working as the technical environment lead on one of last years biggest films, Avatar: The Way of Water. The film became the third highest-grossing film of all time and won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. Fennelly returned as a hero to his home town of Stoneyford, and was celebrated in Malzards Pub before bringing the Oscar to Stoneyford National School. As always, festive spirit guided the month of December in Kilkenny and that spirit was encapsulated in another great Yulefest programme. Dozens of stalls featuring local craft, food and art producers attracted tens of thousands of shoppers who were entertained all month by live music on the festival bandstand - all under the glow of the citys sparkling new lighting displays. The visit of the Santa Truck delighted the little ones and the festival was topped off with a low-level fireworks display that illuminated the night sky over the River Nore. UNDERGROUND REUNION Earlier in the month, a packed Set Theatre was filled with nostalgia as bands from the glory days of Kilkennys Underground gigs reunited for a very special occasion. The 2003 Battle of the Bands winners Itchy Trigger Finger, fronted by Jimmy Trigger who travelled home from Los Angeles for the show, were joined by Chemical Addiction, White Noise and Bad Mothers Union. All the bands bar one reunited especially for the event while Chemical Addiction have remained a working band ever since The Zoo closed its doors. COUNTRYSIDE PARK December also saw Kilkenny Countryside Park open to the public. Located on the site of the closed municipal landfill at Dunmore, the park occupies an area of approximately 24 acres and is located just 5km north of Kilkenny city centre. The new park offers visitors three themed trails - the Mass Path Trail (starts at Dunmore) as well as an Accessibility Trail and Biodiversity Trail. The new park also provides a myriad of other attractions including two ball walls, a bespoke viewing area, play and exercise equipment and novel relaxing spaces that include hammocks, and loungers along with Kilkennys first dedicated dog-friendly enclosure. NEW BREWERY Sullivans Brewing Company took another step forward in December as they broke ground on the site of their new brewery on Johns Street. Dan Smithwick described the occasion as a huge milestone. Weve been planning this step in the journey for several years and were very lucky to have the support of our neighbours and the council and the people of Kilkenny and our partners, he told the Kilkenny People. HORROR CRASH Twelve people were injured in a horror collision in Kilkenny in December. Thankfully, no lives were lost in the crash that involved a lorry and a school bus in the vicinity of Dinan Bridge between Kilkenny and Ballyragget. Local councillors have since renewed pleas for the road to be examined by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) following a number of recent incidents. ACADEMIC SUCCESS Two schools had great cause to celebrate academic success in December. According to the Feeder Schools Report, every student who sat the Leaving Certificate in Presentation Secondary School (124) and St Kierans College (114) in 2023 proceeded on to third-level education. Presentation Secondary School was also statistically the top feeder all-girls school in the entire country. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. The aggressor country Russia attacked Ukraine on New Year's Eve, January 1, with a record number of Shahed kamikaze drones - 90 of them. However, the defenders of the sky shot down most of them - 87 targets. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It is noted that the attack was carried out in waves from four directions: Cape Chauda, Balaklava (Crimea), Kursk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk (Russia). In most regions of Ukraine, an air alert was declared along the route of the drones, and air defense was practically in place in all of them. In particular, the air attack was repelled by mobile firing groups of the Defense Forces, fighter aircraft and anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force. Thus, on New Year's Eve, the defenders of the sky managed to destroy a record number of enemy attack UAVs - 87 out of 90. In particular, 51 drones were destroyed in the area of responsibility of the Southern Defense Forces (28 in Odesa region, 14 in Mykolaiv region, five in Vinnytsia region, two in Dnipro region, and one each in Kherson and Kirovohrad regions). Three Shakhtys were also neutralized in Cherkasy region. ADVERTISIMENT In addition to the launch of nine dozen attack UAVs, on January 1, the enemy also struck Kharkiv region with four S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles, and from the temporarily occupied territories of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, the occupiers fired three X-31P and one X-59 anti-radar missiles at Ukraine. "Many thanks to everyone for their combat work! A year ago, on New Year's Eve, the defenders of the sky destroyed 45 Shaheds. Today - 87. Let's hold the sky! Together - to victory!" said Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We should note that as a result of this Russian attack, housesin Odesa caught fire and a man was killed. In other regions , there were no casualties. In particular, in Odesa region , the port infrastructure was damaged. A museum in Lviv and a university in Dublin were also destroyed. ADVERTISIMENT A hit was recorded on an enterprise in Dnipropetrovs'k region. In Mykolaiv region, a hit to an infrastructure facility caused a massive fire. In the Tulchyn district of Vinnytsia region, the wreckage of a downed Shahed damaged a garage and the windows of several houses. In the Cherkasy region , a drone shot down caused minor damage to a local resident's house. As reported by OBOZ.UA, on the night of December 31, Ukrainian air defense forces shot down 21 of 49 Russian kamikaze drones launched by the occupiers from three directions. Unfortunately, there were hits in Kherson, Odesa, and Kharkiv regions. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The military and political leadership of the terrorist country Russia does not intend to abandon its maximalist goals in the war against Ukraine in the future. The Kremlin has deeply embedded in the Russian political consciousness the ideas that Ukraine allegedly has no independent identity and no grounds for further existence as an independent state. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, the damage that the current war is inflicting on the Russian army helps to reduce the risks of a repeated resumption of war with the Russian Federation, but this effect is temporary. This is stated in the analysis of the Institute for the Study of War. Military experts noted that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has made Ukrainophobic rhetoric part of his 2024 presidential election program. Moreover, Russian officials are incorporating such rhetoric into training programs throughout Russian Federation and in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. "Putin is training Russians to commit to subjugating Ukraine, and this training will not stop or disappear once a cease-fire agreement is reached. In fact, it will shape the thoughts and likely policies of Putin's successors for years or decades to come," the analysts said. ADVERTISIMENT In this regard, ISW believes that the challenge facing Ukraine and the West is to be ready to confront Russia, which is still determined to achieve its original goals in the war, once this conflict is over. There will also be the added threat that the Kremlin will want to avenge its failures during this war Analysts believe that military clashes are possible along the Russian-Ukrainian border in the future, so the Ukrainian military will need to be much larger and better trained in the future. However, this is much less complicated than the problem Ukraine will face if it has to defend its current borders in the event of a "freezing" of the war. ADVERTISIMENT We shall remind you that Russia, after almost two years of full-scale war against Ukraine, continues to clearly state that it is not interested in good-faith negotiations and intends to achieve its maximalist goals. As reported by OBOZ.UA, in late 2023, a number of officials from the West spread statements that Russia has already lost the war in Ukraine and is unable to achieve its strategic goals. However, Ukrainian officials cautioned that in fact dictator Putin is still as eager to not only hold on to the captured territories, but also to expand the zone of occupation. Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu waits for the start of a meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and governors visiting from states around the country in the East Room of the White House on February 10, 2023 in Washington, DC. Hyunjin and Yeji have set the internet on fire with their amazing collab stage at the 2023 MBC Gayo Daejejeon! Here's what people are saying about their performance. Stray Kids Hyunjin, ITZY Yeji Unleash Mind-Blowing Collab Stage at 2023 MBC Gayo Daejejeon as Fabled 'Hwang Siblings' The K-pop community is a huge platform, with many fans mentioning out their favorite bonds, ships, and interaction. Among the long list of idols, Hyunjin and Yeji are some of the most known pairs in K-pop due to their sibling energy, alongside their similarities in appearance, role, birth year, and name. On December 31, STAYs and MIDZYs were well-fed with the "Hwang Sibling" crumbs, when the duo performed an unexpected special stage at the 2023 MBC Gayo Daejejeon. While the two have many similarities, the most common aspect between Hyunjin and Yeji, is that they're both main dancers of their respective groups. In their collab stage, the undeniable talent of the fourth-gen idols was displayed, causing a rave in social media. YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: Fancams Showing Hyunjin's Interaction with Yeji; Prove He Is a Real Gentleman According to the viral clips that spread online, Yeji slayed a charismatic dance cover of "River" by Bishop Briggs, before transitioning to Hyunjin, who enthralled the audience with a stage performance of "Play With Fire" by Sam Tinnesz (feat. Yacht Money). Watch their full performance here: [FULL] Yeji and Hyunjins special performance pic.twitter.com/GayQVn7J9N s (@skzislivenow) December 31, 2023 On X (Twitter), fans were understandably floored by the special stage from Hyunjin and Yeji. They voiced out how amazing they were and how powerful it was seeing two of fourth-gen's best dancers shine and complement each other on one stage. Read their comments below: yeji hyunjin 2hwang yongyongz world domination pic.twitter.com/vhMMSMJy3B (@adoringmallows) December 31, 2023 HWANG HYUNJIN AND HWANG YEJI COLLABORATING FOR A WORLD DOMINATING PERFORMANCE! LOOK AT THEM GO HARD! pic.twitter.com/lOFoWkKGtD itzy month (@MIDCYS) December 31, 2023 This is what real collab looks like. Yeji and Hyunjin made history YEJI DEVOURS THE STAGE#YEJI_LegendaryRiver #YEJI pic.twitter.com/8dF8kX2z38 (@itzsunbae_) December 31, 2023 if @jypnation is smart, they will take advantage of hwangsibs impact and give them more projects. WE NEED THIS KIND OF PERFORMANCE!!! YEJI DEVOURS THE STAGE HYUNJIN BURNS THE STAGE#YEJI #HYUNJIN @ITZYofficial @Stray_Kidspic.twitter.com/VHcb2riB0z (@heyyeji) December 31, 2023 this transition of yeji to hyunjin is so iconic for some reason pic.twitter.com/btH4WVm04f December 31, 2023 As if that wasn't enough, Hyunjin and Yeji fueled everyone's excitement by uploading their selfies together. [] 2023 , 2024 2024 !! ~#StrayKids ##2023MBC ##YouMakeStrayKidsStay pic.twitter.com/XXQkVZnsZy Stray Kids (@Stray_Kids) December 31, 2023 Stray Kids Hyunjin, ITZY Yeji Amaze K-pop Community with Enigmatic Dance Covers In other news, Hyunjin and Yeji's collab stage at the 2023 MBC Gayo Daejeon was based on their memorable 2021 solo dance covers. On July 9, 2021, Hyunjin released a mesmerizing dance cover of "Play With Fire," bringing STAYs to a trance through his sharp dance moves and compelling aura. Meanwhile, on March 19, 2021, Yeji was featured on STUDIO CHOOM's dance cover for "River" as a tribute to winning Artist of the Month. The idol went viral for her alluring choreography, together with her cat-like visuals and fierce performance. What was your reaction to their stage? Would you like to see more collabs from Hyunjin and Yeji? Let us know in the comments below! Read KpopStarz for more K-pop news. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: ITZY Yeji, TXT Yeonjun, and More: Elle Japan Selects the K-Pop's 4th Generation Trendsetters KpopStarz owns this article Written by Riely Miller In a recent rehearsal amidst bone-chilling temperatures, The Boyz's Eric faced an unexpected hurdle, limping after a slip during a performance. However, the resilient artist assured worried fans that he was undeterred. Braving the Cold: 'WATCH IT' Performance at MBC's 'Gayo Daejejeon' On the stage of MBC's 'Gayo Daejejeon' on December 31, The Boyz, including Eric, battled freezing conditions for their performance of 'WATCH IT.' The visibly cold weather was evident in their red noses and breath visible in the air, setting the scene for an extraordinary outdoor stage in Gwanghwamun. Behind the Scenes: Eric's Unseen Struggle Emerges Prior to the main stage, a video circulating on online platforms revealed Eric's injury during rehearsal. A momentary slip occurred while executing an aerial choreography, leading to Eric limping offstage with the support of a fellow member. ever wish you could watch your favorite group for the first time again bc i do,,,, the boyz are fawking excellent every single performance it's an addiction atp pic.twitter.com/q7XCE2Fprq December 31, 2023 READ ALSO: The Boyz Eric Reveals How Many Hours Group Practices Every Day and It's Totally Shocking Fan Reassurance: Eric's Bold Declaration of Invincibility Addressing growing concerns among fans, Eric took to the fan communication community to offer reassurance. "I'm fine," he assured them, expressing determination to deliver an outstanding live performance. "I am invincible," he boldly declared, emphasizing his commitment to providing an exceptional stage despite the temporary setback. Netizens' Reaction: Despite the incident, netizens expressed satisfaction with the performance showcased on MBC's 'Gayo Daejejeon.' "The Boyz always work so hard to give the best performances, thank you so much for your efforts guys" "The Boyz are definitely kings of live performances. The outfits, the live vocals, their visuals, synchronization is out of this world! I'm always in awe with them! " "Literally best performance tonight! Synchronize dance, dance break, concept, live vocal, outfit and visual just amazing! Proud of you our THE BOYZ!!" "idk how much time i said this the boyz will never be disappointed when it comes to live performances i love their energy and the synchronicity is always top notch" " watched their performance live at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul and they literally slayed the stage and blow our mind. Too amazing to be described. Too many people were there to celebrate New Year countdown." "hank you for your wonderful performance THE BOYZ!! YOU always make my day!! Let's all greet each other with amazing songs and performances in 2024!! Happy New Year!!" "THEY WILL NEVER DISAPPOINT US " Handwritten Affection: Eric's Heartfelt Message to Fans In a handwritten letter on his fan cafe, Eric conveyed his gratitude to fans, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between artists and their supporters. While not directly addressing the injury, he spoke of unity and mutual reliance, expressing his wish for a prosperous new year together. "Let The BoyzDerby receive the most good fortune in the New Year," he concluded, signifying his unwavering affection for the fandom. YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: THE BOYZ Eric Seen in Bowling Alley Without a Mask + Agency Releases Official Statement Follow and subscribe to KpopStarz for more news. KpopStarz own this article. Cassidy Jones wrote this. Russian troops fired S-300 missiles at the city of Chuhuiv, Kharkiv region, at about 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 31. The shelling damaged the warehouses of a civilian enterprise, but fortunately, there were no casualties. ADVERTISIMENT Residents of Chuhuiv district were urged to take shelter. There were about four strikes, said Oleg Syniehubov , head of the Kharkiv regional military administration, as of 16:08. "To the attention of residents of Chuhuiv and the district: stay in shelters! The occupiers have launched about four strikes, preliminary: S-300 missiles," he wrote on his Telegram channel. As of 18:51, the Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office said that according to preliminary data, the enemy was attacking Chuhuiv from the territory of the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation. ADVERTISIMENT "According to the investigation, on December 31, around 16:00, the Russian military launched a missile attack on the city of Chuhuiv. The shelling damaged the warehouses of a civilian enterprise. There were no casualties," the statement said. Under the procedural supervision of the Chuhuiv District Prosecutor's Office, a pre-trial investigation was initiated into the violation of the laws and customs of war (Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA, the night before, the Russian Federation launched a massive shelling of Kharkiv, hitting a hotel and residential buildings in the city center, and injuring more than two dozen people. The Russian Defense Ministry cynically stated that the attack on the infrastructure facility allegedly eliminated the participants of the "terrorist attack" in Belgorod. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine called Shoigu's statements nonsense. All 28 victims were civilians. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! A new era for corporate taxation in the EU enters into force Ground-breaking new EU rules come into effect today introducing a minimum rate of effective taxation of 15% for multinational companies active in EU Member States. The framework will bring greater fairness and stability to the tax landscape in the EU and globally, while making it more modern and better adapted to today's globalised, digital world. The entry into force of the minimum effective taxation rules, unanimously agreed by Member States in 2022, formalises the EU's implementation of the so-called Pillar 2' rules agreed as part of the global deal on international tax reform in 2021. While almost 140 jurisdictions worldwide have now signed up to those rules, the EU has been a front-runner in translating them into hard law. By lowering the incentive for businesses to shift profits to low-tax jurisdictions, Pillar 2 curbs the so-called "race to the bottom"the battle between countries to lower their corporate income tax rates in order to attract investment. It is already delivering results, with a number of zero tax jurisdictions around the world having announced the introduction of a corporate income tax for the companies in scope. In detail The rules will apply to multinational enterprise groups and large-scale domestic groups in the EU, with combined financial revenues of more than 750 million a year. They will apply to any large group, both domestic and international, with a parent company or a subsidiary situated in an EU Member State. The Directive includes a common set of rules on how to calculate and apply a 'top-up tax' due in a particular country should the effective tax rate be below 15%. If a subsidiary company is not subject to the minimum effective rate in a foreign country where it is located, the Member State of the parent company will also apply a top-up tax on the latter. In addition, the Directive ensures effective taxation in situations where the parent company is situated outside the EU in a low-tax country which does not apply equivalent rules. Background With this historic law, the EU's pledge to be among the first to implement the OECD tax reform, has come to fruition. Ensuring a global minimum level of taxation for Minimum corporate taxation is one of the two work streams of the global OECD agreement (Pillar 2) - the other is the partial re-allocation of taxing rights (known as Pillar 1). The latter will adapt the international rules on how the taxation of corporate profits of the largest and most profitable multinationals is shared amongst countries, to reflect the changing nature of business models and the ability of companies to do business without a physical presence. Quote This new year marks a new dawn for the taxation of large multinationals. The entry into force in Europe and in jurisdictions around the world of this historic reform marks a major step towards a fairer corporate taxation system. By lowering the incentive for businesses to shift profits to low-tax jurisdictions, the new rules will help curb the so-called race to the bottom on corporate tax rates in the EU and globally. I encourage all signatories to the global tax agreement to walk the talk and also enact swiftly this key reform, which has the potential to generate an extra $220 billion annually to help countries around the world to fund crucial investments and high quality public services. Paolo Gentiloni, Commissioner for Economy 2023-12-31 Actor Varun Dhawan has welcomed the new year with 'fireworks'. Varun posted a video of fireworks on Instagram and wrote, "Don't say bye say hi #2024 #happynewyear....Happy New Year, 2024." He can be seen enjoying fireworks with his wife Natasha Dalal. Fans chimed in the comment section with New Year wishes. Varun Dhawan Welcomes 2024 With Wife Natasha Dalal In Dubai, Shares Short Video On Insta - WATCH. New Year 2024 Celebrations View this post on Instagram A post shared by VarunDhawan (@varundvn) Recently, the October actor announced the Kerala schedule wrap of his upcoming action film VD18. Taking to Instagram, Varun shared a couple of pictures which he captioned, "Thank u Kerala. Sched wrap #vd18." In the pictures, the Badlapur actor could be seen facing his back at the camera and standing near a lake. He wore a T-shirt, black shorts and slippers. He also suffered a leg injury and posted a picture of his swollen leg on his Instagram stories. The film tentatively titled VD18 is directed by Kalees and produced by Atlee and Murad Khetani. The film also stars Keerthy Suresh and Wamiqa Gabbi. Happy New Year 2024! Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Sanjay Dutt, Mallika Sherawat and More Celebs Extend Heartfelt Greetings to Fans on New Years Day. View this post on Instagram A post shared by VarunDhawan (@varundvn) Meanwhile, Varun was last seen in director Nitesh Tiwari's romantic drama film Bawaal opposite Janhvi Kapoor. The film premiered exclusively on the OTT platform Amazon Prime Video and received positive responses from the audience. He will also be seen in the Indian adaptation of the Hollywood series Citadel opposite actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu. It is an Indian adaptation of the Russo Brothers' series of the same name. Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden headlined the international version. The release date of the Indian version of Citadel is awaited. Raj and DK have created the Indian version. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) By Rajnish Singh New Delhi [India], January 1 (ANI): There has been a sharp 32 per cent decline in the number of active terrorists in Jammu and Kasmir in 2023 while 91 terrorists are still active despite the security forces neutralising 72 in different operations during the previous year. Also Read | US Presidential Election 2024: Joe Biden at Risk of Losing Young Black and Hispanic Voters Over Not Halting Israel-Hamas War. According to the data, a total of 61 foreign terrorists and 30 local terrorists are among those 91 still active in the erstwhile state. The data mentions that a total of 135 terrorists were active in 2022. Of them, 85 were foreign terrorists and 50 local terrorists. In comparison with the figure of active terrorists in 2022, there was a nearly 32.59 per cent decline in the number of active terrorists in 2023. Also Read | Mumbai Diesel Loot Racket Busted: 11 Arrested for Stealing 12,000 Litres of Fuel From Indian Oil Tankers. Officers privy to the development told ANI that the majority of the active terrorists belong to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a proscribed terrorist organisation. As per the data, a total of 72 terrorists were neutralised in 2023. Of them, 22 were local terrorists and 50 were foreign terrorists. In 2022, a total of 187 terrorists were neutralized comprising 130 local terrorists and 57 foreign terrorists. While militancy-related violence and local recruitment have gone down significantly in Kashmir Valley, militants seem to have shifted the focus seemingly towards Jammu which was a militancy-free region before August 5, 2019, when Article 370 was read down. Officers mentioned that there has been a decline in terrorism activities in Kashmir but noted that the number of such incidents, causing casualty, is increasing in the Rajouri and Poonch areas of the Jammu region. The region, which has rugged terrain with a thick cover of vegetation, has witnessed some of the deadliest attacks on security forces and civilians. In a recent incident, four soldiers were killed and three injured following an encounter started after terrorists fired at two army vehicles passing through Dera Ki Gali in Rajouri's Poonch region at around 3.45 pm on December 21 last year. In November last year, five soldiers including two Captains were killed in action after the army and its special forces launched an anti-terror operation in Rajouri's Kalakote. In April and May 2023, 10 soldiers were killed in action in twin attacks in the Rajouri-Poonch region. This region had been largely free of terrorism between 2003 and 2021, after which frequent encounters started happening. Over 35 soldiers have been killed in action during anti-terror operations in the area during 2021 and 2022. Pir Panjal, which also comprises Rajouri district besides Poonch and parts of Reasi districts, has witnessed a spike in militancy in recent years with several Army soldiers losing their lives after being ambushed by militants in the region, said sources in the security wing. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) The Congress on Monday attacked the BJP over the alleged involvement of its local leaders in the gang-rape of a BHU student, saying the ruling party gives the slogan of "Beti Bachao" but its actions are of "Beti rulao (making daughters cry)". Mahila Congress chief Netta D'Souza said that on one hand the BJP says "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao", and on the other hand the truth is that it has become "Balatkaari (rapist) Janata Party" for women. Also Read | PSLV-C58/XPoSat Mission: ISRO Successfully Fires Fourth Stage of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle Twice To Hold Experiments (Watch Video). Two months after a woman student was allegedly gang-raped inside the IIT-BHU campus in Uttar Pradesh, police arrested three men on Sunday and opposition parties alleged that they were BJP functionaries. The three accused claimed themselves to be the BJP's IT cell members on their Facebook page. Sharing pictures of the three arrested men with senior BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at a press conference at the AICC headquarters here, D'Souza urged the prime minister to break his "silence" on the issue. Also Read | 'Will Target BSE From March 12': Khalistani Terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun Issues Latest Threat to India. "Two months ago, a student was gang-raped in Banaras Hindu University. After this incident, all three accused were clearly visible in the CCTV footage. Their names are Kunal Pandey, Abhishek Chauhan and Saksham Patel, all of them are officials of BJP IT Cell," the Congress leader said. "On one hand, BJP says 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao', and on the other hand the truth is that BJP has become a 'Balatkaari Janata Party' for women...Beti bachao ka nara aur kaam beti rulao ke (slogan of 'beti bachao' and action of 'beti rulao'," D'Souza said. "In your (Prime Minister Modi) own parliamentary constituency, a girl student was gang-raped and the accused turned out to be BJP IT cell members. It took 60 days to arrest them because these rapists were campaigning for the BJP in Madhya Pradesh elections," she said. If the BHU students had not raised this incident, it would have been suppressed like many other cases, she claimed. Congress leader from Uttar Pradesh Dolly Sharma at the press conference also hit out at the BJP. "Home Minister Amit Shah used to state that even if you search with binoculars in Uttar Pradesh, criminals will not be found. There is no need for binoculars, because you have the culprits sitting next to you," she said. Sharma said bulldozers were not seen going to the houses of these criminals in Uttar Pradesh. Opposition parties have targeted Yogi Adityanath government over the law and order situation in the state and alleged that those arrested in the case have links with the ruling BJP. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chennai, Jan 1 (PTI) The Tamil Nadu BJP on Monday accused Lok Sabha MP Dayanidhi Maran of 'degrading' the profession of hairstylists and alleged that the DMK leader had dubbed dissemination of his remarks vis-a-vis north Indians the 'work of a jobless barber.' K Annamalai, BJP state president said on 'X': "Degrading someone by profession or language seems to be the only thing DMK MP Thiru Dayanidhi Maran excels in. Instead of apologising, Thiru Dayanidhi Maran calls those spreading & reacting to his rants on our North Indian Brothers and Sisters the work of a Jobless Barber. With this constant degrading, it is only evident that even the continuous taste of electoral defeat doesn't seem to shake the resolve of the leaders in the I.N.D.I. Alliance." Also Read | PSLV-C58/XPoSat Mission: ISRO Successfully Fires Fourth Stage of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle Twice To Hold Experiments (Watch Video). Speaking to reporters, Maran, when asked about his old remarks trending recently, quoted a proverb with a reference to a hairdresser and said that it was the work of jobless people. The DMK leader asserted that the BJP IT Wing's desperate bid to stoke controversy to derive political mileage will not succeed. Recently, a video clip of an alleged derogatory remark made in March 2023 by Dayanidhi Maran about workers hailing from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar was widely circulated on social media. It led to a war of words between the BJP and Tamil Nadu's ruling Dravidian party. Also Read | 'Will Target BSE From March 12': Khalistani Terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun Issues Latest Threat to India. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], January 1 (ANI): Using the proverb 'Jobless barbers catch hold of cats to shave its fur' against the BJP, DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran has said that those involved in spreading his old videos, especially the BJP, want to gain 'political mileage' by creating ruckus in the society. Responding to the question of a reporter that old videos of his comment related to North Indians and other senior DMK leaders are going viral on social media, DMK MP Maran said, "There is a saying, 'Jobless barbers catch hold of cats to shave its fur'. These people want to create some kind of ruckus, particularly the IT wing of the BJP, which is involved in this. They are trending it at the national level for their political mileage, which will not materialise." Also Read | US Presidential Election 2024: Joe Biden at Risk of Losing Young Black and Hispanic Voters Over Not Halting Israel-Hamas War. Reacting to the 'Jobless Barbers' remarks made by Maran, BJP National spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said that these remarks reflect the elitist and casteist mindset of the DMK. "DMK at it again. After insulting Sanatan, Hindu Dharma, North Indians and Hindi, Maran now insults barbers and displays his elitist and casteist mindset. Instead of apologising, Dayanidhi Maran calls those spreading and reacting to his rants on North Indian Brothers and Sisters the work of a 'Jobless Barber'. Rahul Baba is busy doing photo ops with kisan, mechanics, etc Will he say if this statement is part of 'Mohabbat ki Dukaan'?" Poonawalla posted on X. Also Read | Mumbai Diesel Loot Racket Busted: 11 Arrested for Stealing 12,000 Litres of Fuel From Indian Oil Tankers. Earlier, a clip of DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran went viral, in which he said that Hindi speakers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar who come to Tamil Nadu end up doing construction work or cleaning roads and toilets. Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai also lashed out at Dayanidhi Maran's jobless barber remark and said that DMK MP excels at degrading someone by his profession or language. "Degrading someone by profession or language seems to be the only thing DMK MP Thiru Dayanidhi Maran excels in. Instead of apologising, Thiru Dayanidhi Maran calls those spreading and reacting to his rants on our North Indian brothers and sisters the work of a "jobless barber.". With this constant degrading, it is only evident that even the continuous taste of electoral defeat doesn't seem to shake the resolve of the leaders in the I.N.D.I. Alliance," K Annamalai posted on X. After DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran's video went viral, he received sharp criticism from the senior BJP leaders. Union Minister Meenakashi Lekhi said that it is people like DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran that are spreading filth in the country. "Some people clean toilets while others spread filth; people like Dayanidhi Maran are spreading filth in the country. It is up to the people to decide whether they want people who spread filth or the ones who want to clean it," Meenakashi Lekhi 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) Mumbai, Jan 1 (PTI) Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar on Monday said he had written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde seeking declaration of a public holiday on January 22 to allow people to watch the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The holiday should be applicable to government and private establishments, said Bhatkhalkar, an MLA from Kandivali in Mumbai. Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: NCP Leader Supriya Sule Says Seat-Sharing Formula of Maha Vikas Aghadi Finalised, Formal Declaration Soon. "A holiday will ensure everyone will be able to watch the event," he said in a pre-recorded video. On Monday, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra General Secretary Champat Rai told reporters in Ayodhya that the consecration of Ram Lalla in the newly built temple will take place at 12.20 pm on January 22. Also Read | Gujarat Shocker: Five Arrested for Stealing 199 Vintage Gold Coins, Featuring Image of King George V, While Demolishing House in Navsari. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be participating in the consecration ceremony. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chandigarh, Jan 1 (PTI) In a swipe at the Congress, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday suggested that the opposition party has been relegated to history in the state and in Delhi. "In Punjab and Delhi, mothers can tell the world's shortest story to their children - Ek Thi Cong (there was once a Congress)," he quipped at a press conference here when asked about the reported reluctance of state Congress leaders to having an alliance with AAP. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Inaugurates First All-Girls Sainik School in Mathura. Earlier, when asked about the issue of seat adjustment among INDIA bloc partners, Mann said these matters would be discussed in the alliance meeting and added, "Only after things are finalised we will be able to tell". "We are fighting for the country. If the Constitution is saved, then everything else will remain," he said. Also Read | COVID-19 Death in Haryana: Gurugram Reports First Coronavirus Death in Six Months. Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is in power in Delhi and Punjab, and the Congress are among the 28 constituents of the INDIA bloc formed to take on the BJP in the upcoming general elections. When Mann was asked about Congress leaders reportedly telling their party high command that the party would be wiped out in polls if it allied with AAP, the chief minister took a swipe at the opposition party saying, "Te hun ki hoya hai unada (Is their state of affairs any different now)". He ended his press conference with his "shortest story" jibe at the Congress. Notably, many Punjab Congress leaders including Partap Singh Bajwa had earlier said the sentiments of party cadre in the state are against any alliance with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Meanwhile, notwithstanding the Defence Ministry's statement on Sunday over the tableau matter, Mann again trained his guns at the Centre over the "non-inclusion" of the state's float in the Republic Day parade. He also categorically stated that Punjab would not showcase its tableau in Bharat Parv at the Red Fort. "Why will we send our tableau to the rejected category... We can take out all the three tableaux in Delhi that we had given for shortlisting purposes for the Republic Day parade. Why only the Red Fort...," he said. "How did they imagine a Republic Day without the tableau of Punjab? What are the criteria for the selection of tableaus? They are saying our tableau was considered in the first three rounds. Is this some kind of tournament? "Who are these people sitting there who reject these tableaus and Punjab's culture? We know how to respect our freedom fighters, we don't need any NoC from BJP," he said. The Centre had on Sunday rejected as "baseless" Mann's criticism of the BJP-led government for not including the state's tableau in the Republic Day parade 2024 and his allegations of discrimination. The Ministry of Defence had issued a statement saying tableaux proposals from states and Union territories and central ministries or departments are evaluated by an "expert committee" comprising eminent persons in the fields of art, culture, painting, sculpture, music, architecture and choreography among others. "The tableau proposal of Punjab was considered in the first three rounds of meeting of the Expert Committee. After the third round of meetings, the tableau of Punjab could not be taken forward by the Expert Committee for further consideration for not aligning to the broader themes of this year's tableau," it had said. (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, Jan 1 (PTI) The weather office on Monday cautioned about coldwave days in central parts of the country for January and forecast dense fog days over parts of northwest and east India for the next three days. Addressing a press conference monthly forecast for January, India Meteorological Department Director General Mrutynjay Mohapatra also forecast normal rainfall during the January-February-March period, raising expectations for a better wheat crop during the rabi season. Also Read | JEE Main Admit Card 2024 Date: NTA to Release Admit Cards for Session 1 on jeemain.nta.ac.in Three Days Prior to Exam. Mohapatra said 2023 was the second warmest year since 1901 as the annual mean air temperature for the country was 0.65 degree Celsius above normal. The warmest year since 1901 was 2016 when the annual mean air temperature for the country was 0.710 degrees celsius above normal. Mohapatra said most parts of the country were expected to witness relatively warmer mornings with central and northwestern parts set to experience cooler days as the weather office has forecast below normal monthly maximum temperatures over the region. Also Read | Goldy Brar Declared As Terrorist: Canada-Based Gangster Involved in Sidhu Moosewala Assassination Designated Terrorist by Centre. However, south peninsular and north-east India could experience warmer days as above normal monthly maximum temperatures were expected to prevail over the region in January. The weather office has also forecast heavy rainfall over Lakshadweep islands over the next two days under the influence of a low pressure area over the southeast Arabian sea. It has also forecast dense to very dense fog over some parts of the plains of northwest India and East India, extending into parts of Bangladesh, and gradually decreasing thereafter. The weather office also said that cold day to severe cold day conditions were likely to continue over some parts of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and north Rajasthan during next two days and decrease thereafter. Mohapatra said the country as a whole, at 25.5 mm, received 60 per cent excess rains in December against the normal of 15.9 mm for the month. South peninsular regions received 72.2 mm rainfall in December, which was 126 per cent excess than the normal 32 mm for the month, he said. The rainfall was 191 per cent more in Central India, which received 14.8 mm rains against the normal of 5.1 mm for December. However, in wheat growing northwest India, the rainfall was 65 per cent deficit than the normal rains of 18.9 mm, Mohapatra said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Rescuers found the bodies of five more people at the site of a missile attack in Kyiv on December 29. This brings the total number of victims of the Russian terrorist attack to 28. ADVERTISIMENT Also, 30 people were injured. This was reported by the Kyiv City Military Administration. A search and rescue operation is underway at the site of the destruction. The city administration also reminded that January 1 was officially declared a Day of Mourning in the capital. "Unfortunately, the bodies of the victims of the missile strike are still being found. Rescuers have removed another body from the rubble. As of this moment, the missile strike on December 29 has killed 28 people," the statement said. The day before, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko emphasized that the Russian attack on the capital on December 29 was the largest in terms of civilian casualties. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, on the night of December 28-29, the terrorist country of Russia attacked Kyiv with several dozen missiles of various types. Air defense forces destroyed all air targets in the sky over the capital, but unfortunately, there are destructions and casualties in the city. As reported by OBOZ.UA, as a result of a missile attack on the night of December 28-29, men were wounded and residential buildings were damaged in Kyiv region. Criminal proceedings have been opened over the incident. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! New Delhi [India], January 1 (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a charge sheet against 15 accused, including then Assistant Sub-Inspector of J&K Police, then Head Constable/Constable of CRPF; then Sepoy of Army; teacher and private persons, etc in an ongoing investigation of a case related to irregularities in the written examination of JE (Civil), Jal Shakti Department, J&K Government. The accused named in chargesheet were identified as Ashok Kumar, ASI, J&K Police; Ashwani Kumar (Ex CRPF Constable); Raman Kumar Sharma (Constable, J&K Police); Amit Kumar Sharma (CRPF Constable); Rakesh Kumar (Pvt. Person); Sunil Sharma (CRPF Constable); Suresh Kumar Sharma (Pvt. Person); Jagdish Lal (Teacher); Yatin Yadav (Pvt. Person); Anil Kumar (Pvt. Person); Ashok @ Ashok Pandit (Pvt. Peson); Pawan Kumar (CRPF Head Constable); Bajinder Singh (Pvt. Person); Pradip Kumar Katiyar (Pvt. Person) and Ashani Kumar ( Sepoy Indian Army) Also Read | US Presidential Election 2024: Joe Biden at Risk of Losing Young Black and Hispanic Voters Over Not Halting Israel-Hamas War. CBI had registered a case in January 2023 on the request from government of J&K regarding irregularities in written examination of Junior Engineer (Civil), Jal Shakti Department, Govt of J&K conducted by J&K Services Selection Board (JKSSB). It was found during investigation that private person entered into conspiracy with other accused. In pursuance to the conspiracy, an employee of printing press, allegedly stole the question paper of JE (Civil) examination and handed over the same to the said private person.The private person contacted other accused to arrange or solicit candidates for sale of leaked question. It was further alleged that the candidates were taken to Panchkula in tempo travellers and taxi and provided leaked question papers in lieu of money. Also Read | Mumbai Diesel Loot Racket Busted: 11 Arrested for Stealing 12,000 Litres of Fuel From Indian Oil Tankers. The investigation was spread across several states involving analysis of voluminous technical data, Bank Accounts, Toll data and examination of more than 100 witnesses.After investigation, a chargesheet was filed against the accused. The public is reminded that the above findings are based on the investigation done by CBI and evidence collected by it. Under Indian Law, accused are presumed to be innocent till their guilt is finally established after a fair trial. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], January 1 (ANI): For the first time in the last few years in Jammu and Kashmir, New Year celebrations were held in Srinagar's Lal Chowk area, where people in large numbers gathered at Lal Chowk to welcome the New Year. The Department of Tourism, Jammu and Kashmir had organized a musical event at Srinagar's Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower area). Also Read | Jharkhand Road Accident: Six Killed, Two Injured After Car Hits Divider in Jamshedpur (Watch Video). Hundreds of people gathered at the clock tower to participate in the New Year celebrations. They grooved to music at the iconic 'Ghanta Ghar' in joyous and celebratory atmosphere as the clock struck 00:00 hours. Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: PM Narendra Modi and BJP's Third Term at Centre Almost an Inevitability Declares Column in UK Daily. The locals as well as the tourists visiting Kashmir Valley attended the function and were extremely excited about the celebrations at the very famous clock tower in Srinagar. "I have come here to witness the celebration of the New Year. We have never seen this kind of celebration before. But this time we saw this and are here to see the celebration. We have never seen this kind of celebration at Lal Chowk. I am very happy, delighted and excited," Mohammad Yasin told ANI. Meanwhile, another local resident who witnessed the New Year celebrations, Taranum, said that the New Year celebrations are underway and here a musical event is being organised by the Tourism Departement. "Every year, these kinds of events are being held in Jammu and Kashmir but at Lal Chowk this is happening for the very first time. As the Centre says, 'Kashmir should be peaceful, and they want it to be peaceful.' But it also depends on the people of the valley how they take it, how they take this event. Like you are seeing, Lal Chowk is being decorated like a bride," she said. The tourists visiting the Kashmir Valley were also surprised to see celebrations being held at Srinagar's Clock Tower area. Srinagar Municipal Corporation Commissioner and CEO of Srinagar Smart City Ltd., Athar Aamir Khan, described the occasion as something the city has never seen before. "This is Srinagar Square, Lal Chowk right now! A city life never seen before. The celebration, the vibrancy like never before!" Athar Aamir Khan said in a post on X. "This is probably the biggest alibi to the transformation that Srinagar city has witnessed with the implementation of Srinagar Smart City (SMC) projects! Immensely proud of my Srinagar Smart City and SMC team for making this happen! Happy New Year!," the municipal commissioner added. Earlier, on New Year's Eve, people were seen dancing and singing at Lal Chowk in Srinagar as they welcomed the year 2024. Jammu and Kashmir's Gulmarg town in Baramulla district also witnessed the New Year's Eve celebration amid laser shows and dance performances. Meanwhile, other cities across the country also welcomed the new year with lavish celebrations and joy. (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, Jan 1 (PTI) The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party in Karnataka on Monday alleged that the Congress government is reopening old cases related to Babri mosque demolition as two saffron party activists from Hubballi who had participated in the Ram temple agitation 31 years ago have been arrested. However, Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner Renuka K Sukumar said the police traced the accused in cases pending for long, which was a "routine" police procedure. Also Read | JEE Main Admit Card 2024 Date: NTA to Release Admit Cards for Session 1 on jeemain.nta.ac.in Three Days Prior to Exam. The two, who are now in their sixties, were arrested on Sunday, the BJP said. Addressing reporters here, the leader of opposition, in Karnataka assembly, R Ashoka, alleged that the Congress is "terrorising" Hindu activists by reopening cases related to commotions during the agitation in Ayodhya 31 years ago. Also Read | Goldy Brar Declared As Terrorist: Canada-Based Gangster Involved in Sidhu Moosewala Assassination Designated Terrorist by Centre. According to the former minister, the arrested persons have been charged with pelting stones during the disturbance. "The Congress government in Karnataka is reopening the 31-year-old case. Two workers in Hubballi who had taken part in the Ram temple agitation were arrested and jailed. It gives an impression that they are being hounded for taking part in the Ram temple agitation at a time when people are eagerly waiting for the historic occasion of the consecration of the grand temple in Ayodhya," Ashoka alleged. Citing media reports about the arrests of two activists, he claimed that the Congress government is "terrorising" Ram devotees by sending them to jail, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself asked people to celebrate the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. "Even I and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa took part. Do you have the courage to arrest me and Yediyurappa," he asked. Ashoka warned the government that it would pay a heavy price if it followed the politics of vendetta and that the BJP would stage a vehement agitation. Condemning the arrest, he wondered why the Congress government in Karnataka was digging up old cases and arresting innocent Ram devotees after 31 years after the incident. "This is a matter of shame for Congress. This shows how you want to bring Tipu culture to Karnataka. I condemn it. I demand that they be released, and their cases withdrawn," Ashoka said. Responding to this, the Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner said that in many cases the accused go absconding, because of which they remain as long pending ones. Police routinely makes efforts to trace the accused in these cases, the official said. "As an outcome of our exercise to trace 37 long-pending cases, we were successful in securing the absconding accused. These cases involve property crimes, murder, narcotics and cyber crime," the police officer said. "In one such rioting case which was reported in 1992, we were successful in apprehending one of the accused. For us, it is just another case of a riot in which the accused was absconding. We have secured them along with absconders in other cases," she explained. According to her, in Hubballi-Dharwad region, there are more than 150 pending cases including murder and theft. "Over a period of time when we are not able to secure the accused persons or the accused are not attending court proceedings, the cases are designated as long pending cases by the court," Sukumar said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) [India], January 1 (ANI): Scores of devotees thronged to offer prayers at Mahakaleshwar temple situated in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain district on the occasion of the new year on Monday. They also participated in the first Bhasma Aarti of the year performed here in the temple on the occasion and took blessings of Baba Mahakal (Lord Shiva). According to religious beliefs, the wishes of the devotee who participates in the Bhasma aarti of Baba Mahakal are fulfilled. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: 13-Year-Old Kills Six-Year-Old Boy for Resisting Sexual Assault in Prayagraj, Arrested. 'Bhasma aarti' (offering with ashes) is a famous ritual here. It is performed during the 'Brahma Muhurta' between around 3:30 and 5:30 in the morning. On the occasion of New Year, Baba Mahakal was decorated and Maha Aarti was also performed. Priest of the temple Ashish Pujari said, "According to tradition, the doors of Baba Mahakal were opened in the Brahma Muhurta and after that a holy bath of Lord Mahakal was performed with Panchamrit, which include milk, curd, ghee, sugar and honey. Thereafter sandalwood, fragrant liquids were offered to Baba Mahakal and decorated with hemp." Also Read | PSLV-C58/XPoSat Mission: ISRO's PSLV Rocket Lifts Off With X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite and 10 Payloads From Sriharikota (Watch Video). Later on, Baba was covered with a cloth and Bhasma Aatri was performed along with beating drums and blowing conch shells. A large number of devotees from various regions visited here and sought the blessing of Lord Mahakal on the occasion, he 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) People throng Kartavaya path on the eve of New Year (Photo/ANI) New Delhi [India], January 1 (ANI): As the eventful year of 2023 comes to an end, India welcomes 2024 with great fervour and joy. The past year proved significant for India on both the national and global fronts. The G-20 summit convened in the national capital, while Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed on the Moon's South Pole. As this remarkable year concludes, 2024 holds promising events for the nation. From the inauguration of Ayodhya's much-awaited Ram Temple to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the new year marks the beginning of a new chapter for India. Also Read | New Year 2024 in Mumbai: Mumbaikars Welcome New Year With Bang; Thousands Gather at Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Girgaum Chowpatty and Other Places To Celebrate (Watch Videos). Cities across the country welcomed the new year with lavish celebrations and joy. Goa dazzled with a magnificent display of fireworks, and people gathered at Mumbai's Gateway of India to welcome 2024. In Delhi, a New Year's aarti was performed at Jhandewalan Devi Temple, and huge crowds gathered at Connaught Place. Also Read | Ram Mandir Consecration Ceremony: RSS Leader Indresh Kumar Appeals to Muslims To Say 'Jai Shri Ram' During Ram Temple Inauguration. Similarly, Kamarajar Salai in Chennai saw a large turnout, and Mall Road in Shimla was filled with people welcoming the upcoming year. Notably, Kiribati, an island nation with 33 atolls, was the first place to bid farewell to 2023 and welcome 2024 as the International Date Line loops around its easternmost islands. The International Date Line, established in 1884, plays a crucial role in marking the official start and end of each day worldwide. This imaginary line, located 180 degrees East or West, precisely sits halfway from the prime meridian in Greenwich, UK, defining time zones. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jalandhar (Punjab) [India], January 1 (ANI): Five members of a family were found dead at their house in Daroli Khurd village in Jalandhar, said police The deceased have been identified as 55-year-old Manmohan Singh, son of Atma Singh, his wife Sarabjit Kaur, their two daughters Jyoti (32) and Gopi (31), and Jyoti's daughter Aman (3). Also Read | COVID-19 Cases in India Today Update: India Records 636 New Coronavirus Cases, Active Cases Rise to 4,394. Manmohan Singh's body was found hanging from a ceiling fan on Sunday, while woman and the little girl were found lying on beds in the same room, with strangulation marks on their necks. The police said everyone, except the three-year-old girl, had marks on their necks. On receiving information about the incident, Police Station Head Manjeet Singh and Adampur DSP Vijay Kunwar Singh reached the spot at 8.20 pm. Also Read | UPI Transactions: RBI Announces Regulations and Changes Applicable From January 1, 2024; Check Details Here. The police officer said that they are investigating the incident, adding that they recovered a suicide note from the spot. "Manmohan Singh wrote in the suicide note that he had taken the loan due to financial constraints and his address was known to his family members. Due to this, there was a dispute in the house. Fed up with domestic disputes and debts, he is taking this step," said the police. "Sarabjit Singh, resident of Fuglana and son-in-law of deceased Manmohan Singh, said that he had been calling for a long time but no one was picking up the phone. Due to this, when he came to village of Droli Khurd, he saw that the bodies of Manmohan and Sarabjit Kaur were hanging from the fan and the bodies of others were lying on the bed. He said that Manmohan Singh was in charge of the Adampur post office." said Manjeet Singh SHO Adampur. Police have sent the dead bodies to Jalandhar Civil Hospital for post-mortem. Further investigation is underway. More information is awaited. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 1 (ANI): General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Champat Rai gave an 'Akshat' invitation to locals in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya to celebrate the consecration of the Ram temple on January 22. Speaking to reporters on Monday over the 'Akshat' invitation, Rai said that 'Akshat' is being distributed, urging people to gather in their neighbourhood temples to take part in the celebration of the Ram temple inauguration. Also Read | UPI Transactions: RBI Announces Regulations and Changes Applicable From January 1, 2024; Check Details Here. "Our workers are visiting every colony and temple in the country to distribute 'Akshat', urging people to gather in their neighbourhood temples to take part in the celebration of the Ram temple inauguration. This programme will continue till January 15," Rai said. He further asserted that the consecration ceremony will be held on January 22 at 12.20 pm. Also Read | Aditya-L1 Mission Update: ISRO Chief S Somanath Announces Final Manoeuvre for Aditya-L1 Set for January 6. "The consecration ceremony will be held at 12.20 pm on January 22. After this, aarti will be performed. Prasad should be distributed to people after the inauguration ceremony," he added. Preparations are underway in full swing for the Ram Temple inauguration on January 22, which will draw dignitaries and people from all walks of life. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the installation of the idol of Ram Lalla at the grand temple on January 22. Preparations are underway in full swing for the event, which will draw dignitaries and people from all walks of life. The Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust has decided to enthrone Ram Lalla at the sanctum-sanctorum of the Ram Temple at noon on January 22. Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, holds great spiritual, historical and cultural significance for the people of India. The trust has also invited 4,000 saints of all sects for the ceremony. Vedic rituals for the Pran-Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony of Ram Lalla (infant Lord Ram) in Ayodhya will begin on January 16, a week before the main ceremony. A priest from Varanasi, Lakshmi Kant Dixit, will perform the main rituals of the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla on January 22. From January 14 to January 22, Ayodhya will mark the Amrit Mahautsav. A 1008 Hundi Mahayagya will also be organised, in which thousands of devotees will be fed. Several tent cities are being erected in Ayodhya to accommodate thousands of devotees, who are expected to arrive in the temple town of Uttar Pradesh for the grand consecration of the Ram Temple. According to the Sri Ram Janambhoomi Trust, arrangements will be made for 10,000-15,000 people. Local authorities are gearing up for the anticipated surge in visitors around the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony and are in the process of implementing enhanced security measures and making logistical arrangements to ensure a smooth and spiritually enriching experience for all attendees. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Nashik, Jan 1 (PTI) Tanker drivers stopped work and parked more than 1,000 vehicles in Panewadi village, home to fuel depots, in Maharashtra's Nashik district on Monday, to protest against the new law that provides for up to 10 years in jail term to drivers in hit-and-run cases. Panewadi village in Nandgaon taluka has fuel depots of Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum and Indian Oil and LPG filling stations, and fuel from these depots is transported to various parts of the state. Also Read | Earthquake in Japan: Indian Embassy Issues Emergency Contact Numbers for Citizens Amid Tsunami Warnings. Tanker drivers are protesting a provision in the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, which attracts punishment of up to 10 years or a fine of Rs 7 lakh for drivers who cause a serious road accident by negligent driving and run away without informing the police or any official from the administration. If the agitation is not called off, many fuel stations in Nashik district will run dry as they are not allowing dealers to fill their tankers. The gates have been closed and not a single tanker was allowed to carry fuel," Nashik District Petrol Dealers Association president Bhushan Bhosale said. Also Read | Rise in Crime Against Women in 2023: 28,811 Complaints of Sexual Harassment, Domestic Violence Against Women Received in 2023, Over 50% From Uttar Pradesh, Reveals NCW Data. At least 1,200 tankers have stopped operating, he said, adding that the police and the administration will intervene and take action to stop the agitation. Meanwhile, an association of petrol pump dealers in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has said that the fuel pumps in the district may go dry by tomorrow if the situation does not normalise. "Drivers of tankers that carry fuel from Panewadi have called for agitation and have stopped filling fuel. Around 900 to 1,200 tankers carry fuel from depots of oil companies and transport it to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Dhule, Jalgaon and other districts," Aqeel Abbas Secretary of Petroleum Dealers Association told PTI. Some petrol pumps in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar have already stopped functioning, he said. One of the protesting tanker drivers, Syed Wajed said, "As per the new law, the hit-and-run cases can attract up to 10 years jail term and a fine of Rs 7 lakh. We are drivers, how can we furnish such a big fine amount?" (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 1 (ANI): Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday interacted with students at the Goraknath temple and extended his blessings for their future. One of the children also celebrated his birthday with the Chief Minister on the occasion. CM Yogi blessed the child and extended his good wishes for his future. The children met CM Yogi during his visit to the Gorakhnath Temple where they had gone to offer prayers braving the cold. Also Read | UPI Transactions: RBI Announces Regulations and Changes Applicable From January 1, 2024; Check Details Here. On seeing CM Yogi, the excited children approached him, touched his feet, and extended their New Year greetings. The CM blessed the children and also enquired about their studies. A boy named Shivam Patel told him that he was from Prayagraj and had come to the Gorakhnath Temple with his family as part of a pilgrimage. Also Read | Uttarakhand: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Chairs High-Level Meeting on Land Law, Urges Public Input. Another boy named Akash from Gorakhpur mentioned that it was his birthday, and he had come to seek blessings from Guru Gorakhnath. Upon hearing this, CM Yogi extended his warm birthday wishes to Akash. The Chief Minister blessed the children, wishing them success in their studies, good health, and progress in life. CM Yogi also perfomed 'Havan' on the first day of the New Year in Goraknath temple. During his visit to the Gorakhnath temple, on Monday morning, the first day of the new year, Chief Minister and Gorakshpeethadhishwar Yogi Adityanath performed Rudrabhishek as per the rituals at the Shaktipeeth located on the first floor of his residence in the temple. Learned teachers and priests completed the ritual of Rudrabhishek. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also held a Janata Darbar in the courtyard of Gorakhnath Temple and listened to the problems of the people who came and gave instructions to the officials to solve their problems. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 1 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath performed 'havan' and 'Rudrabhishek' in Gorakhnath temple, Gorakhpur on New Year morning. CM Yogi started the first day of the new year with the consecration (Rudrabhishek) and havan rituals of Devadhidev Mahadev, also worshipped by Lord Shri Ram. During this, he prayed to Lord Bholenath for happiness, prosperity and peace in the lives of all the citizens. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: 13-Year-Old Kills Six-Year-Old Boy for Resisting Sexual Assault in Prayagraj, Arrested. "Hearty congratulations and best wishes to all of you for the English New Year 2024," CM Yogi Adityanath posted on X. During his visit to the Gorakhnath temple, on Monday morning, the first day of the new year, Chief Minister and Gorakshpeethadhishwar Yogi Adityanath performed Rudrabhishek as per the rituals at the Shaktipeeth located on the first floor of his residence in the temple. Learned teachers and priests completed the ritual of Rudrabhishek. Also Read | PSLV-C58/XPoSat Mission: ISRO's PSLV Rocket Lifts Off With X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite and 10 Payloads From Sriharikota (Watch Video). After Rudrabhishek, the Chief Minister performed Havan and Aarti amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras. After the rituals were completed as per the rituals, the Chief Minister wished the people of the state a healthy, happy, prosperous and peaceful life. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also held a Janata Darbar in the courtyard of Gorakhnath Temple and listened to the problems of the people who came to the Janata Darbar and gave instructions to the officials to solve their problems. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the road accident in Saharanpur district. Wishing peace to the departed soul, the Chief Minister has expressed condolences to the bereaved family. The Chief Minister has instructed the district administration officials to immediately take the injured to the hospital and provide them with proper treatment. Also wish for speedy recovery of the injured. Earlier, a bus carrying devotees collided with a truck on the highway between Shri Rameshwar Temple and Kanyakumari. Three devotees including a child died in the accident. All three are residents of Saharanpur. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhnyi has congratulated Ukrainian soldiers on the upcoming New Year. The commander thanked the soldiers who are defending the country at the front and emphasized that 2024 will not be an easy year. ADVERTISIMENT On his official Telegram channel, the Chief of Defense reminded that the fight for freedom and the future of our children continues, and also showed an appeal from the soldiers of the Defense Forces. The heroes note that, just like last year, they are celebrating the holiday on the front line. "In the trenches, in trenches, in dugouts. Not to lose vigilance, to be ready to take a hit and return the favor. In this sense, New Year's Eve is no different from the other 676 nights since the beginning of the full-scale invasion and eight years before. Think about this number, remember what we have been through and the price we have paid," the military said. ADVERTISIMENT The heroes noted that their people, homes, our sea and our mountains are waiting for them. "There is a lot of work ahead. We have different tasks, but one goal is to win," the soldiers said. They added that 2024 will make Ukraine stronger and bring our victory closer. ADVERTISIMENT Zaluzhnyi, for his part, emphasized that 2023 was another extremely difficult year of our struggle for our land and freedom. It was a year when Ukraine survived thanks to Ukrainian soldiers and sailors, sergeants and officers. "I thank our military for their resilience and dedication to the great cause of defending Ukraine. I bow my head to the Ukrainian soldiers who died fighting for their homeland. They are forever in our hearts. The year 2024 will not be easy. The struggle for freedom and the future of our children continues. I believe that we will pass all the trials with dignity and continue to bring our victory closer step by step!" the military leader said. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has awarded almost 700 defenders of the state with state awards. He expressed his gratitude to them and declared his pride in the fact that such people are defending Ukraine. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Haridwar (Uttarakhand) [India], January 1 (ANI): A large number of people on Monday visited Uttarakhand on the occasion of New Year 2024 and took a holy dip in Ganga. The enthusiasm of tourists arriving here from different states was clearly visible at 'Har Ki Pauri'. Also Read | Jharkhand Road Accident: Six Killed, Two Injured After Car Hits Divider in Jamshedpur. Thousands of devotees took holy dips in Ganga, after which they participated in the Ganga arti and then offered prayers at temples. "We saw the Ganga arti and visited temples. I had darshan of God and took a bath in the Ganga. We pray to Ganga that there should be brotherhood, happiness and peace all over the world," one of the devotees said. Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: PM Narendra Modi and BJP's Third Term at Centre Almost an Inevitability Declares Column in UK Daily. Meanwhile, devotees who took a holy dip at Prayag Ghat on the first day of the New Year expressed their happiness and extended New Year wishes. A tourist from the UK said that "it feels amazing." Another devotee, Satish Singh said, "On the first day of New Year, people had different aspirations. I have come here so that the new year shall be filled with happiness and prosperity for my country, and all our wishes come true." As the nation welcomed the year 2024 with various celebrations, some entered the new year with prayers and offerings at temples. Devotees visited and offered prayers at Guwahati's Maa Kamakhya Temple on the first day of the new year. A devotee at Guwahati's Maa Kamakhya Temple said, "Today being the first day of 2024, I have come to worship Maa Kamakhya." Devotees thronged Kalkaji Temple in Delhi to offer prayers on the first day of the year 2024. Priest Surendra Nath Avdhut said, "I extend my best wishes to the people of the country for the New Year. I pray that this year turns out to be a great one for India and our country moves towards massive progress. Special arrangements have been made in Kalkaji temple for the devotees today." Devotees are also flocking to UP's Ayodhya on the first day of the new year. "It is just 21 days to go when Lord Ram Lalla will move into a grand temple," said a devotee in Ayodhya. Moreover, many people in Hyderabad visited temples, coming together to pray for fresh starts and blessings in the upcoming year. As people gathered at the temples, the echoes of their prayers highlighted the deep connection between tradition and a positive outlook. In Tamil Nadu, special prayers were held at Velankanni Church on the first day of the year 2024. Devotees in large numbers visited and offered prayers at the Ujjain Mahakal temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Madhya Pradesh. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Meerut (UP), Jan 1 (PTI) The district administration here on Monday seized benami property of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader and two-time MLA Yakub Qureshi worth Rs 31 crore under the Gangster Act, officials said. The seized properties include a hospital building at Bhavani Nagar in Nauchandi and two luxury cars that Qureshi had allegedly purchased in the name of his family members and employees, they said. Also Read | New Rules and Regulations in 2024: From Aadhar Card and ITR Filing to UPI, Take a Look at Changes Taking Place in New Year 2024. Three plots in Shastri Nagar measuring 3,265.35 square metres, 288 square metres and 213.60 square metres have also been seized. Senior Superintendent of Police Rohit Singh Sajwan said that in compliance with the order given by the court of District Magistrate under the The Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, benami property of former minister Yakub Qureshi with an estimated value of Rs 31 crore has been seized. Also Read | New Tax Slabs, Increase in Income Tax Rebate in New Tax Regime and More, Here's a List of Changes in Income Tax Laws in 2023 That Will Impact You in 2024. Sajwan said that on March 31, 2022, police conducted a raid in a meat factory belonging to Qureshi in Meerut, and had detected the packing of illegally procured meat. Police had arrested 10 employees of the factory and had named 17 people, including Qureshi, his wife and both sons, in the FIR, he said. A case against the BSP leader, his wife Shamjida Begum, sons Firoz and Imran, factory managers Mohit Tyagi, Mujeeb and Faizyab was registered under the Gangster Act in December. Qureshi was BSP MLA from Kharkhaudha assembly constituency in Meerut from 2002 to 2007. He won the Meerut assembly seat in 2007 on a Uttar Pradesh United Democratic Front (UPUDF) ticket. He was a minister in the BSP government in 2003. Subsequently, he also became a minister in the Samajwadi Party government in October 2003. (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, Jan 1 (PTI) Leading FMCG maker Hindustan Unilever Ltd on Monday said it has received Goods and Services Tax demands and penalties totalling Rs 447.5 crore from the authorities. In a regulatory filing, HUL -- which owns brands such as Lux, Lifebuoy, Surf Excel, Rin, Pond's and Dove -- said these "orders are currently appealable" and it will make an assessment. Also Read | New Rules and Regulations in 2024: From Aadhar Card and ITR Filing to UPI, Take a Look at Changes Taking Place in New Year 2024. The company received a total of five orders passed from different zones of GST officials over issues such as disallowance of GST credit, salaries including allowances paid to expats etc on Friday and Saturday last week. "The Orders were received by the company on 30th December, 2023 and 31st December, 2023, respectively and the intimation is being submitted today i.e. 1st January, 2024, being the first working day after receipt of the Orders," said HUL. Also Read | New Tax Slabs, Increase in Income Tax Rebate in New Tax Regime and More, Here's a List of Changes in Income Tax Laws in 2023 That Will Impact You in 2024. This includes the demand for tax "on salaries including allowances paid to expats amounting to Rs 372.82 crore and penalty amounting to Rs 39.90 crore" from the Joint Commissioner, CGST and Central Excise, Mumbai East Besides, Deputy Commissioner of Commercial Tax Officer, Bengaluru has issued a demand of tax "on the grounds of excess GST credit availed amounting to Rs 8.90 crore and penalty amounting to 89.08 lakh". Excise and Taxation Officer, Sonipat, Rohtak, Haryana, has issued a demand order "wherein GST credit amounting to Rs 12.94 crore has been disallowed and a penalty amounting to Rs 1.29 crore has been imposed". While Additional Commissioner, Central Tax and Central Excise, Kochi Commissionerate has also disallowed GST credit and turnover adjustment amounting to Rs 8.65 crore and imposed a penalty amounting to Rs 87.50 lakh. According to HUL, these GST demands and penalties would have "no material impact on financial, no impact on operation" or other activities of the company due to the intimation of tax payable. "These Orders are currently appealable & we will make an assessment to exercise our right to appeal," said HUL. For the financial year which ended on March 31, 2023, HUL (Hindustan Unilever Ltd) revenue was at Rs 59,144 crore. (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), Dec 31 (AP) Thousands of Israeli soldiers are being shifted out of the Gaza Strip, the military said on Monday, in the first significant drawdown of troops since the war began as forces continued to bear down on the main city in the southern half of the enclave. The troop movement could signal that fighting is being scaled back in some areas of Gaza, particularly in the northern half where the military has said it is close to assuming operational control. Israel has been under pressure from its chief ally, the United States, to begin to switch to lower-intensity fighting. Also Read | India, Pakistan Jails Harbour 265 Fishermen, 384 Civilians Awaiting Freedom. Word of the drawdown came ahead of a visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the region and after the Biden administration bypassed Congress for the second time this month to approve an emergency weapons sale to Israel. But fierce fighting continued in other areas of Gaza, especially the southern city Khan Younis and central areas of the territory. Israel has pledged to charge ahead until its war aims have been achieved, including dismantling Hamas, which has ruled Gaza for 16 years. Also Read | Tsunami Warning in Japan: Tokyo Lowers Its Tsunami Alert but Still Tells People Not To Go Home After a Series of Earthquakes On New Years Day 2024. The military said in a statement Monday that five brigades, or several thousand troops, were being taken out of Gaza in the coming weeks for training and rest. In a briefing Sunday that first announced the troop withdrawal without specifying how many forces were leaving, army spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari did not say whether the decision meant Israel was launching a new phase of the war. The objectives of the war require prolonged fighting, and we are preparing accordingly, he said. Israel has vowed to crush Hamas' military and governing capabilities in its war, which was sparked by the militant group's October 7 attack on southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people. Roughly 240 people were taken hostage. Israel responded with a blistering air, ground and sea offensive that has killed more than 21,900 people in Gaza, two-thirds of them women and children, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count. Israel says more than 8,000 militants have been killed, without providing evidence. It blames Hamas for the high civilian death toll, saying the militants embed within residential areas, including schools and hospitals. The war has displaced some 85 per cent 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. BATTLES IN THE SOUTH In Khan Younis, where Israel is believed to have thousands of troops, residents reported airstrikes and shelling in the west and centre of the city. The military and the militant group Islamic Jihad reported clashes in the area. The Palestinian Red Crescent said on X, formerly Twitter, that it transported several dead and injured following a strike late Sunday in the Beach Street in Khan Younis. It posted nighttime footage showing medics carrying casualties to ambulances. Combat was also reported in urban refugee camps in central Gaza, where Israel expanded its offensive last week. It's our routine: bombings, massacres and martyrs, said Saeed Moustafa, a Palestinian from the Nuseirat camp. He said he could hear sporadic explosions and gunfire in Nuseirat and in the nearby Bureij and Maghazi camps. Just as we speak, there is a big explosion not far from my home," he said in a phone call Monday morning. Gaza's Health Ministry said Monday that 156 people were killed in the past day. The Israeli military meanwhile said an airstrike killed Adel Mismah, a regional commander of Hamas' elite Nukhba forces, in the central city of Deir al-Balah. Hamas fired a large barrage of rockets toward Israel, including at its commercial hub Tel Aviv, as the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve. A DIFFERENT MODE OF OPERATION' Israel has said the war will last for months. It has argued that it needs time to clear Gaza of militants' weapons and infrastructure and to prevent Hamas from being able to stage more attacks. Israel has resisted international calls for a long-term cease-fire, saying doing so would amount to a victory for Hamas. Shlomo Brom, a retired brigadier general once in charge of strategic planning in the Israeli military, said the troop changes may be a result of the US pressure. He said it indicated a shift in how Israel was conducting the war in some areas. The war is not stopping, said Brom. It is the beginning of a different mode of operation. Israelis still largely support the wars aims, even as the cost in soldiers' lives is mounting. Over the weekend, the military said that of the soldiers killed since the ground operation began as of Monday, 172 in total 18 were killed by friendly fire while another 11 died by weapons or equipment malfunctions or accidents. (AP) (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], January 1 (ANI): The acceptance of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif's nomination papers from Lahore's constituency NA-130 for the upcoming general elections has been challenged on Monday, Pakistan-based Dawn reported. Nawaz Sharif's nomination papers have been challenged a week after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) gave its approval to the candidature of Pakistan's former PM. Also Read | Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal: Negotiations Over Ceasefire, Hostage Release Continue in Egypt's Cairo. Advocate Ishtiaq Ahmed Samsialvi, who also goes by Ishtiaq Chaudhry, the chief organiser of Pakistan Awami Mahaz's (PAM) lawyers' wing, filed an appeal in Lahore High Court's appellate tribunal under Section 63 (appeal against scrutiny order) of the Elections Act 2017, according to Dawn report. Chaudhry, who is a candidate for NA-130, has challenged the rejection of his nomination papers as well. The constituency's returning officer (RO), the electoral watchdog and Nawaz Sharif have been made respondents in the case. Also Read | Japan Issues Tsunami Warnings and Tells Residents To Evacuate After a Series of Very Strong Earthquakes On New Years Day 2024 (Watch Videos). In his petition, the PAM leader requested the tribunal reject the acceptance of Nawaz Sharif's nomination papers and term them "illegal and unlawful." He emphasised that the papers be rejected due to his 2017 disqualification in the Panama Papers case, which the Supreme Court ruled was for life. In his appeal, he urged the tribunal to allow him to contest polls scheduled to be held in February, Dawn reported. The Supreme Court advocate asked whether the Supreme Court's judgement was "not binding upon all the institutions," including the ECP. He also asked whether he could be "restricted from contesting elections in the absence of any adverse order passed" by the RO. Chaudhry said that he filed his nomination papers on December 23 and added that the RO accepted them "without any objection" after scrutiny. According to him, he was told that his name would be mentioned in the list of eligible candidates issued on December 30. Ishtiaq Chaudhry said that RO refused to give copies of Nawaz Sharif's nomination papers when he had asked for it as he wanted to file objections against it, Dawn reported. He stressed that his name has not been included in the list and stressed that the action was taken "illegally and unlawfully in the absence of any order" and that the former prime minister's lifetime disqualification "still holds the field" under Article 62 (1)(f) (qualifications for membership of parliament) of the Constitution. He argued that "no rule or law can override the judgement of the Supreme Court, which is the final arbitrator to decide all matters in all respects." He further said that RO had "no justification" to accept the nomination papers of Nawaz Sharif and that he was "liable to be proceeded under Article 204" (contempt of court) of the Constitution. The appeal is scheduled to be heard on Tuesday. Notably, appeals against the acceptance or rejection of nomination papers for the elections can be submitted by January 3 and decisions on these appeals will be made by January 10, Dawn reported, citing Radio Pakistan. The preliminary list of candidates will be displaced on January 11 and candidates can withdraw their nomination papers by the next day. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Karachi [Pakistan], January 1 (ANI): Karachi celebrates the start of 2024 with celebratory aerial gunfire, leaving 11 people injured in several parts of the city, according to ARY News. Following the nation's New Year's festivities, Karachi police issued a warning to those celebrating by threatening to prosecute them for acts of terrorism, including aerial fire. Also Read | Denmark Queen Announces Abdication: Margrethe II To Step Down After 52 Years on Throne on January 14. According to police officials, s seven-year-old child was injured in the aerial firing in Bahadurabad, which is one of the neighbourhoods of Gulshan Town, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. Meanwhile, three people sustained injuries at Five Star Chowrangi, two others at Seaview and one each in Liaquat Abad and North Nazimabad, ARY News reported. Also Read | Qantas Flight Brawl: Man Attacks, Threatens to Stab Crew Member, Passengers Inside Aircraft, Detained. The charges of attempted murder and terrorism will be included in the cases filed against individuals responsible for the New Year's Eve aerial firing, Karachi Police Chief Khadim Hussain Rind said, according to ARY News. To prevent aerial firing, he also emphasised the need for search operations, notifications at marketplaces and mosques, and the promotion of constructive police acts on social media to offset any bad effects. In addition, the police commander gave his subordinates orders to arrest drivers who had consumed alcohol, particularly DIG Iqbal Dara, the chief of traffic police. Meanwhile, Karachi has implemented a two-day total prohibition on the use of pyrotechnics, aerial gunfire, and the carrying or displaying of firearms. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kyiv [Ukraine], January 1 (ANI): A day after Ukraine bombarded the Russian border city of Belgorod, Moscow launched retaliatory strikes on Kyiv targeting the military sites and 'foreign mercenaries' in Kharkiv, CNN reported. At least three people were killed and 28 others were injured after Kharkiv was struck with waves of missiles and drones, Ukrainian officials said. Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: PM Narendra Modi and BJP's Third Term at Centre Almost an Inevitability Declares Column in UK Daily. Earlier, Ukraine's bombardment of Belgorod city killed at least 24 people, according to CNN. The head of Ukraine's regional military administration, Oleh Syniehubov, 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, in the Kharkiv region. Also Read | Israeli Military Shoots Down 'Aerial Targets' Coming From East, Says IDF. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a pared-back New Year's Eve message, praising Russian soldiers but not directly mentioning Ukraine. In the reprisal attacks, several missiles struck the city of Kharkiv with two children among those injured, the Ukrainian military said. Residential buildings, hotels and medical facilities were also damaged in the strikes, while Ukraine added that Russia kept up its attacks across other areas of the country overnight including the Kherson, Mykolaiv and Zaporizhzhia regions, according to CNN. According to a statement from Russia's Ministry of Defence, its strikes targeted "decision-making centers and military installations," including a hotel housing military commanders and "foreign mercenaries." The former Kharkiv Palace hotel and the headquarters of the Ukrainian Security Service for the Kharkiv region were hit, the statement read. It added that a control centre used by the Ukrainian army in the village of Zalestsy in Khmelnytskyi region was targeted and fuel depots in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia were destroyed. Two HIMARS multiple-launch rocket systems were also destroyed, CNN reported citing the statement. In a separate attack on the southern city of Kherson on Sunday, a teenage boy was killed and three people were left injured, according to local officials. A nine-year-old child sustained a head injury and is fighting for his life, the official said. Russia said that the strikes overnight were in response to the deadly Ukrainian strike on the city of Belgorod on Saturday - an attack it blamed on Ukraine and condemned by Russia's MOD as a "terror attack." At least 24 people, including three children, were killed and 107 others wounded in Belgorod, in one of the single deadliest attacks on Russian civilians since the war began. Among those injured, 25 are in serious condition, including six children. There has been no official comment from Ukraine. The Russian Defence Ministry had vowed the bombardment "would not go unpunished." In his speech emphasising national unity, Putin called his military "heroes." "We have proven more than once that we can solve the most difficult problems and will never back down". "In the past year we have worked hard and accomplished a lot. We were proud of our common achievements, rejoiced at our successes and were firm in defending national interests," Putin said. The address will be shown before midnight local time in all 11 time zones in Russia. Last year, he spoke from the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District in Rostov-on-Don, flanked by members of the military. The final weeks of 2023 have seen an increased number of attacks from both sides. Earlier on Friday, Russia launched its biggest air attack on Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion. An unprecedented number of drones and missiles were fired at targets across the country, killing at least 47 people, CNN reported. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kyiv [Ukraine], January 1 (ANI): Both Moscow and Kyiv blamed each other as several people were killed in different strikes in the Odesa region in Ukraine and Donetsk region --under Russian control after the war, Al Jazeera reported. Five people were killed in New Year's Day attacks on Ukraine's southern Odesa region and the Russian-occupied eastern city of Donetsk, amid escalating conflict between Moscow and Kyiv. Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: PM Narendra Modi and BJP's Third Term at Centre Almost an Inevitability Declares Column in UK Daily. Denis Pushilin, the Russian-installed head of the broader Donetsk region, accused Ukraine of "massive shelling from multiple launch rocket systems". He said that four people had been killed and 14 were injured. On the other hand, Oleh Kiper, the governor of the Odesa region in Ukraine, said one person had been killed after a Russian air raid on Odesa. Also Read | Israeli Military Shoots Down 'Aerial Targets' Coming From East, Says IDF. Kiper said that Ukraine's air defence systems were engaged in repelling the drone attack, but the falling debris caused several fires in residential buildings in different parts of the city, and at least three people had been injured. A social media video, posted by Odesa Mayor Henadii Trukhanov, showed him inspecting a damaged apartment with broken windows. "They say that how you welcome the New Year is how you will live the year," Trukhanov said in the post. "Well, this year Ukraine will break this rule: We will persevere and we will win". Meanwhile, Ukraine's Air Force said that Russian air attacks also targeted the Mykolaiv and Dnipro regions, as well as the city of Lviv, Al Jazeera reported. Notably, the air attacks have escalated since December 29 when Russia launched around 158 missiles and drones on Ukraine's major cities in a barrage that killed at least 30 people and injured more than 140. That was followed on Saturday by a Ukrainian attack on the Russian border town of Belgorod in which at least 21 people were killed and 111 injured, Al Jazeera reported With Moscow promising to retaliate, it launched a new aerial bombardment of Ukraine on Sunday, targeting Kharkiv, the country's second biggest city, with six missiles and drones. Both sides deny targeting civilians in the war, which began after Russia began the 'full-scale invasion' of the Ukraine on February 24, 2022. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Beirut, Jan 1 (AP) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has closed an international tribunal that was created to investigate the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, the UN chief's spokesperson said Sunday. Over the years, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon held in absentia proceedings and found three members of the militant Hezbollah group guilty in connection with Hariri's death in a massive Feb. 14, 2005 truck bombing. Also Read | Denmark Queen Announces Abdication: Margrethe II To Step Down After 52 Years on Throne on January 14. The tribunal based in The Hague, Netherlands, sentenced the three Salim Jamil Ayyash, Hassan Habib Merhi and Hussein Hassan Oneissi -- to five concurrent sentences of life imprisonment. Hezbollah officials have repeatedly denied that members of the group were involved in the suicide attack and refused to deal with the tribunal. The bombing killed Hariri and 21 others, and wounded 226. Also Read | Qantas Flight Brawl: Man Attacks, Threatens to Stab Crew Member, Passengers Inside Aircraft, Detained. The trial judges had said there was no evidence Hezbollah's leadership or Syria were involved in the attack but noted the assassination happened as Hariri and his political allies were discussing whether to call for Syria to withdraw its forces from Lebanon. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement Sunday that the Special Tribunal was established to try those responsible for the attack following the adoption of a 2007 Security Council resolution. The tribunal's jurisdiction also extended to other attacks that were judicially determined to be connected to Hariri's assassination. At the beginning of 2023, Guterres extended the panel's mandate until Dec. 31 for the limited purpose of completion of the non-judicial residual functions and for the orderly closure of the Special Tribunal. The secretary-general noted Sunday that those tasks had been accomplished and the tribunal shut down, Guterres said. The secretary-general expresses his deep appreciation for the dedication and hard work of the judges and staff at the Special Tribunal throughout the years, Dujarric said. He added that Guterres also appreciated the support provided by the Lebanese government, the government of the Netherlands as the host state, and member states that participated in the tribunal's management committee. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bhopal, January 1: The protest by drivers of commercial vehicles, including trucks and tankers supplying fuels, against the new law that increases the jail term in hit-and-run cases, has affected various services in Madhya Pradesh. Shortage of fuels -- diesel and petrol -- was reported in several parts of the state. In the capital city Bhopal, many petrol pumps have gone out of stock for the last 24 hours as because of the drivers' protest, fuels are not being supplied at petrol pumps. Long queues of four-wheelers and bikers have become a common sight at almost all petrol pumps in Bhopal. People are waiting for hours to get fuels. Many of them were approaching petrol pumps fearing that the situation would turn worst if protest continues for the next few days. Ajay Singh, the chief of Madhya Pradesh Petroleum Association, told media that the new law in hit-and-run cases will apply to all vehicles and not to tankers or trucks alone. "There are problems at some places and people are scrambling to store fuel in panic." Madhya Pradesh Shocker: Two Killed After Woman Opens Fire on Husband, Brother-in-Law in Ujjain Over Land Dispute. Situation started getting worse since Sunday evening. On Monday, many people were queuing to get fuel so that they can go out to celebrate the New Year. Ramesh Verma, one of the drivers protesting at Bhopals Board office, said: "The new law is against the interest of drivers. Drivers don't want to kill anybody, but accidents happen. In such cases, people turn against the driver. We demand that the new law be amended. Drivers cant pay heavy fine imposed against them. The government should consider the life of drivers and their families before framing such rules." Madhya Pradesh: Government College Principal Alleges Attack Over Witchcraft in Sidhi; Police Launch Probe. According to the new law, hit-and-run cases will now attract a 10-year jail term and a fine of Rs 7 lakh, said one of the protestors. Road blockades were also seen in some places in the state due to protests. Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla said that the government would hold a discussion with the representatives of the drivers of the commercial vehicles to resolve the issue. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 01, 2024 10:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). On the night of January 1, Russian occupants attacked the port infrastructure of Odesa region with kamikaze drones. A fire broke out at the facility, but it was quickly extinguished and there were no casualties. ADVERTISIMENT Natalia Gumenyuk, head of the press center of the Southern Defense Forces, told this during the telethon. According to her, more than 50 Shaheds flew over the southern regions of the country on New Year's Eve. "A very powerful attack on the city of one million people began at half past twelve in the morning when people were preparing to celebrate the New Year," she said of the strikes on Odesa, where houses were burning and a person was killed by falling debris. Humeniuk emphasized that the enemy drones were flying over residential areas, between multi-story buildings. In addition to the homes of Odesa residents, the port infrastructure in the region was again targeted by the Russian Federation . "Unfortunately, one of these facilities was hit, and a fire broke out, but it was quickly extinguished and no one was injured," emphasized the representative of the Southern Defense Forces. ADVERTISIMENT She added that about fifty Shahed-136/131 kamikaze drones were spotted in their area of responsibility. Air defense operations lasted for almost 11 hours in Kherson, Mykolaiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipro, Odesa and Vinnytsia regions. "There are shootdowns everywhere. The absolute majority is in Odesa region - about three dozen drones were shot down. But even a downed drone is dangerous," emphasized Humeniuk. According to her, the wreckage of the drones destroyed at low altitude reached the ground, creating a powerful blast wave that led to damage to objects and fires. In particular, on New Year's Eve, air defense forces in the south shot down 51 Shahed-131/136 UAVs. Of these, 28 were shot down in Odesa region, 14 in Mykolaiv region, five in Vinnytsia region, two in Dnipro region, and one each in Kherson and Kirovohrad regions. ADVERTISIMENT "The enemy's obvious priority remains the port infrastructure of Odesa region, a large number of drones were sent from the sea to the coastal zone. A fire broke out in one of the port terminals as a result of a hit, which was quickly extinguished. No one was injured," the Southern Defense Forces said. They also added that the enemy deliberately sent some of the drones to residential areas of Odesa's residential districts around midnight, where people were gathering in their homes to celebrate the New Year with their families. At least three apartment buildings, three private houses and outbuildings were damaged as a result of the downed UAVs. One person was killed and three were injured. In Mykolaiv region, a hit to an infrastructure facility caused a massive fire, but firefighters quickly extinguished it. There were no reports of any injuries. ADVERTISIMENT In the Vinnytsia region, in Tulchyn district, the debris of a downed enemy drone damaged a garage and the windows of several houses. People were not injured. As reported by OBOZ.UA, a 28-year-old IDP Olesya Puzyrevych was killed in Odesa as a result of a massive Russian attack on December 29. The woman and her husband had left the Russian-occupied village of Myrne near Melitopol to escape the "Russian world." Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Mumbai, January 1: A total of 265 fisherfolk and 384 civilians from India and Pakistan languish in various prisons in both the countries, as per the latest official figures, an activist said on Monday. They include 184 Indian fishermen and 47 civilians, imprisoned in different jails in Pakistan, while 81 Pakistani fishermen and 337 civilians jailed in various Indian prisons. India, Pakistan Exchange List of Nuclear Installations and Facilities, Says MEA. This comes to 231 Indians in Pakistani jails and 418 Pakistanis in Indian prisons totalling 649 persons awaiting freedom on both sides. According to a statement by Pakistan-India Peoples Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD), the latest data has been released when both the neighbours swapped the lists of prisoners jailed in their respective countries. The lists are exchanged every six months on January 1 and July 1, as per the Agreement on Consular Access of 2008, said a PIPFPD representative here. Farooq Abdullah Bats for India-Pakistan Dialogue, Says If India Doesnt Initiate Talks With Pakistan, Kashmir Will Become Gaza (Watch Video). The PIPFPD said that the jail terms of the 184 Indian fisherfolks have ended, their nationality has been confirmed, and called upon Pakistan to release and repatriate them immediately. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 01, 2024 07:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Delhi, January 1: With a new year comes a chance to start anew and embrace the possibilities ahead. Its a time to set goals, pursue dreams, and paint a bright picture of the future. Amid all the New Year 2024 celebrations and optimism, Seema Haider and Sachin are expecting their first child together. Seema Haider, in an interview with a local channel, said she is soon going to be a mother and that 2024 will bring good news for them. According to a report published by the Navbharat Times, Seema Haider, the Pakistani woman who crossed the border illegally to marry her Indian lover, Sachin Meena, has announced that she is expecting a baby. She told a local channel that they plan to have a child soon, but not by the Holi festival. Seema Haider, Pakistan National Who Illegally Entered India to Marry Lover, Observes Fast for Successful Moon Landing of Chandrayaan 3 (Watch Video). Seema Haider-Sachin Meena Love Story Seema and Sachin met online in 2019 while playing the popular game PUBG. In May 2023, Seema left Pakistan with her four children on a tourist visa and went to Nepal, where she married Sachin at the Pashupatinath Temple. Then, they sneaked into India through the Roopandehi-Khunwa border and settled in Greater Noida. Seema Haider to Play Role of RAW Agent in Bollywood Movie? Pakistani Woman Who Illegally Entered India for PUBG Lover Gives Audition (Watch Video). Their cross-border romance landed them in jail on July 4, when the police arrested them for violating visa rules. They were released on bail three days later and have been living together since. Seema claimed that she has converted to Hinduism and changed her childrens names. Their love story and social media posts have attracted a lot of attention from the public. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 01, 2024 08:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Mathura, January 1: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday inaugurated the first all-girls sainik school at Vrindavan and termed it as a beacon of light for girls who aspire to join the armed forces and protect the motherland. According to the defence ministry, Samvid Gurukulam Girls Sainik School, the first all-girls sainik school with a strength of about 870 students, has been inaugurated under the initiative of establishing 100 new sainik schools in partnership with NGOs/private/state government schools in all states/Union territories. These are in addition to the existing 33 sainik schools already functioning under the erstwhile pattern, the ministry said in a statement. "Samvid Gurukulam Girls Sainik School is a beacon of light for girls who aspire to join the Armed Forces and serve the motherland. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has given women their rightful place in the Armed Forces, which was neglected for years," the defence minister said on the occasion. Jammu and Kashmir: Rajnath Singh Reviews Security Situation Along LoC in Wake of Killing of Four Soldiers, Lauds Soldiers Contributions (Watch Video) "They (girls) have the right to protect the nation just like their male counterparts. It was a golden moment in the history of women empowerment when we approved the admission of girls to sainik schools. Today, our women are not only flying fighter jets, they are also securing the borders," he said. Singh had, in 2019, approved admission of girl children to sainik schools from academic session 2021-22 in a phased manner. The decision was taken following the success of the pilot project started by the defence ministry in Sainik School Chhingchhip in Mizoram. India Ranks Among Top 5 Big Economies of the World, Says Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Citing 'Standard & Poors' Latest Credit Analysis Report 'China Slows, India Grows' (Watch Video) The objectives behind the vision of setting up of 100 new sainik schools are to provide quality education to the students in tune with the National Education Policy 2020 and give them better career opportunities, including joining the armed forces, the statement said. It also gives an opportunity to the private sector to work hand-in-hand with the government towards nation building by refining today's youth to become responsible citizens of tomorrow, it said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and senior officials of the state government were among those present during the inauguration of Samvid Gurukulam Girls Sainik School, Vrindavan. New Delhi, January 1: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday hailed ISRO's successful launch of its maiden X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite and hoped that such triumphant missions inculcate the requisite scientific temper among the people. ISRO on Monday successfully launched its maiden X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite that would offer several insights into celestial objects like black holes. PSLV-C58/XPoSat Mission: ISRO Chairman S Somnath Says, 'Getting Ready for 12-14 Missions in 2024' (Watch Video) The X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) is aimed to investigate the polarisation of intense X-ray sources in space. According to ISRO, it is the first dedicated scientific satellite from the space agency to carry out research in space-based polarisation measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources. In a post on X, Kharge said, "As we enter the New Year, we are elated to witness the successful launch of PSLV-C58/ XPoSat Mission by @isro." PSLV-C58/XPoSat Mission: ISRO To Launch First-Ever Space Mission on January 1 With X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite "It is India's first dedicated polarimetry mission to study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions. Many congratulations to all our scientists, space engineers, researchers and ground staff for their ingenuity and unwavering commitment," he said. "We are proud to know that many women engineers were part of this fabulous team. May these triumphant missions, inculcate the requisite scientific temper among our people, as envisioned by our founders," Kharge said. Times Staff Writer Consider the 115-year legacy of the Rose Parade: The New Years Day spectacle has endured the Depression, wars, detractors, bomb threats, no queen, no theme -- even the rise of the parodic Doo-Dah Parade. But in 1926, the first time the event was broadcast live by radio, tragedy struck. The day remains the deadliest in Rose Parade history. For the record: For The Record Los Angeles Times Wednesday December 31, 2003 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 1 inches; 34 words Type of Material: Correction Rose Bowl -- The L.A. Then and Now column in Sundays California section said Alabamas Crimson Tide defeated the Washington State Cougars in the 1926 Rose Bowl. Alabama defeated the University of Washington Huskies. For The Record Los Angeles Times Sunday January 04, 2004 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 37 words Type of Material: Correction Rose Bowl -- The L.A. Then and Now column in the Dec. 28 California section stated that Alabamas Crimson Tide defeated the Washington State Cougars in the 1926 Rose Bowl. Alabama defeated the University of Washington Huskies. Even before the festival of floral floats, equestrian units and marching bands had crossed the starting line of the 5.5-mile route, a woman had lost her balance and plunged from a two-story building. Susan M. Bowen, 50, fell 25 feet to the sidewalk at 127 W. Colorado Blvd. She hit her head and died instantly. Advertisement Another casualty was Pasadena equestrian Police Officer John Fox, who was in charge of crowd control. As parade fans pressed in, his horse spooked, throwing him and trampling him. Fox suffered a wrenched back and spinal injuries. Then, halfway through the parade, Pasadena mounted police chased away a marching band. One moment there was marching music, the next dead silence, was how The Times reported the ejection of Roberts Golden State Band. They had no assigned place in the parade, and their presence was unauthorized, then-Pasadena Police Chief Charles H. Kelley said. Thats not how the musicians saw it. We were ejected because we are nonunion and we were showing up the union musicians in the other bands, band members told the paper. But within minutes, the musicians got a chance to be heroes. The deadly disaster began with a loud crack, like the sound a snapped tree trunk might make. Then a wooden grandstand at the southeast corner of Colorado Boulevard and Madison Avenue crashed to the ground, taking several hundred people with it. A survivor, William F. Thompson, described the scene to a reporter afterward: I was sitting in Row 19, one from the top, he said. The parade was passing. Hook and ladder just went by when there was just a slight trembling, and then slowly the whole stand moved forward. I heard boards splintering, women crying and then everything tumbled down. Advertisement Something hit me on the head, Thompson added. I was dazed but not clear out. I could see faces of agony all around me. Then I remember someone pulled a board off me, and several men came and dragged me out. The last thing I saw as boards and other people fell on me was the arms of a man holding a child over his head, he said. This man was partly buried by timbers, but the little girl was safe. Thompson, a county employee, suffered a bad cut over his left eye. Another survivor, Shav Glick, was only 5, but he remembered the experience clearly. Seconds before it collapsed, people in our stand started yelling at people in the grandstand across the street, he said in a recent interview. We thought they were swaying and about to collapse, when it really was us. Both my parents suffered broken feet and ankles, but I was tossed up, sort of like a cork from a bottle, and was one of the few uninjured, said Glick, who would grow up to become a Times reporter. The thing I remember most is riding down Colorado Boulevard in an ambulance or a police car -- I do not know which -- and looking at all the people, Glick said. For me, it was pretty exciting. The ejected musicians and others frantically began pulling survivors from the splintered debris that had been the grandstand. It was largely as the result of band members promptness, a bystander reported, that the victims of the crash were brought from under the debris so rapidly. Advertisement There was absolutely no way for anybody to get out without help. They all went down like rats in a trap, another bystander, Eva J. Bruyn, would later testify. Eleven people died of their injuries -- some within hours, others within days or months. More than 200 were injured. Even before the post-parade cleanup, officials of the Tournament of Roses and of Pasadena declared that they were not liable. But they promised an immediate investigation. A coroners jury blamed cheap materials and slipshod construction. Building contractor Paul F. Mahoney was charged with manslaughter. So was Pasadenas deputy building and safety inspector, Charles B. Bucknall, who had allegedly looked the other way. Their trial began in March 1926 and lasted four weeks. The defense attributed the collapse to wet, sinking earth, rather than faulty construction. More than 100 witnesses testified, including construction experts and victims. The prosecution used a scale model of the grandstand to illustrate that Mahoney had not used enough bracing. A witness testified that Mahoney had tried to buy $50,000 worth of liability insurance, but had been turned down because of faulty construction. Advertisement Instead, on the back of the grandstand, Mahoney had posted a warning: All parties entering stand or parking cars on these premises New Years Day 1926 do so at their own risk. At one point during the trial, the proceedings were moved to Pasadena Hospital, today known as Huntington Memorial, to hear the testimony of Katherine Dobson. She was recuperating from broken ribs, a punctured lung, shock and various dislocations. Her son Frank, 4, had broken his arm in the fall. Testifying from a wheelchair in her hospital room, she began: The parade had started and was well underway when suddenly the stand began to quiver -- to settle. I was thrown forward. Then all became black. I do not know how long I was unconscious, but when she came to she was holding Bessie Borichs head in her lap. Borich, an elderly woman from Dallas, was the first to die of her injuries. The jury of eight women and four men deliberated nine hours on inspector Bucknalls case but could not come to a verdict. Five hours later, they convicted Mahoney of manslaughter. He was sentenced to one to 10 years in prison. The case against Bucknall was dismissed. But Mahoney had his defenders, even among the victims. Daniel F. Fox, pastor of First Congregational Church of Pasadena, had been badly injured. Nevertheless, he petitioned the governor to pardon the contractor. I do not know Mr. Mahoney personally, and no one has asked me to intercede in his behalf, Fox told the press. But the reason we lock a man up is to safeguard society. Mr. Mahoney was guilty of a great wrong. He was grossly incompetent. But he was not willfully wicked. Advertisement Trial Judge Charles Burnell was among those who signed the petition. The reason for his change of heart was unclear; during the trial he had made several comments that seemed to favor the prosecution, and during sentencing he had recommended that Mahoney not be eligible for parole. In 1927, even before the governor had a chance to review the petition, the state Supreme Court ruled that Mahoney was entitled to a new trial. The court cited the trial judges prejudicial conduct. Dist. Atty. Asa Ace Keyes dropped the charges instead, saying: A new trial would be virtually impossible, inasmuch as prosecution witnesses necessary for the trial have since scattered all over. Mahoney was freed after a year at San Quentin. Eventually he moved to San Bernardino County, where he died in 1960. Although the city of Pasadena was off the hook for any financial responsibility, it floated a $100,000 bond to defray victims expenses. Strict new construction rules resulted from the incident, including the requirement that steel-reinforced frames be used in grandstands. Advertisement As for the interloping but heroic musicians, they were invited to fill in as the official marching band for the Washington State Cougars at the Rose Bowl -- which went on as though nothing had happened. Alabamas Crimson Tide defeated the Cougars and the bands karma, 20-19. In February, NBC News President Deborah Turness sent an e-mail to the staff of NBC News announcing that, effective immediately, Brian Williams was suspended without pay as managing editor and anchor of the "NBC Nightly News," a position he had held since 2004. The announcement came after a week of increasing controversy surrounding Williams' repeated assertions over the years that he was on a Chinook helicopter that drew ground fire during the Iraq invasion in 2003. After several military personnel took issue with Williams' recounting of events, he took back his story and apologized. But that did little to quell the buzz surrounding the newsman's status in the organization. The following is a timeline of how Williams got to the spot he is in now. Wednesday, March 26, 2003 Tuesday, March 4, 2013 Tuesday, March 26, 2013 Friday, Jan. 30, 2015 Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015 Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015 Friday, Feb. 6, 2015 Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015 Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015 Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015 Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015 Friday, March 6, 2015 Tuesday, April 7, 2015 Sunday, April 26, 2015 Follow me on Twitter: @saba_h Renowned for its revolutionary history, communist government, and a landscape that appears to be frozen in time, the former Spanish colony of Cuba stands as a historical gem. Numerous historic sites and museums in Cuba are intricately connected to the revolutionary era and the country's modern history. These sites serve as poignant reminders of Cuba's enduring legacy, offering insights into the tumultuous period of revolution that shaped the nation, according to History Hit. As visitors explore the historic landmarks and museums, they are transported to pivotal moments in Cuba's past, gaining a deeper understanding of this captivating island nation's political, social, and cultural evolution. Here are some notable historical places in Cuba: Che Guevara Mausoleum In Santa Clara, often dubbed "The City of Che," lies the final resting place of revolutionary icon Che Guevara and 29 comrades who perished in a 1967 attempt to spark a Marxist uprising in Bolivia. A mausoleum, inaugurated in 1988 and expanded in 1997 to include the repatriated remains of Che and six other guerrilla fighters, serves as their memorial, World Nomads noted. The site features a monumental bronze sculpture of Che and a museum displaying personal items such as his rifle, medical certificates, binoculars, and photographs. The museum, dedicated to Che's life, offers a solemn atmosphere and pays homage to the enduring legacy of the Argentine-born revolutionary. READ NEXT: Songs and Artists Banned in Cuba La Habana Two formidable fortresses, El Morro and La Cabana, protect Havana's harbor entrance. Constructed in the late 16th century to defend against pirates, El Morro is a picturesque castle with a lighthouse and miniature museums. Next to it, La Cabana, built in the 18th century, served as Che Guevara's command post in 1959. Each night, an honor guard in 18th-century attire fires a cannon, drawing crowds. While somewhat gimmicky, it adds liveliness. Arriving before dusk provides sweeping views, enhancing the charm of this historic outing. Trinidad Trinidad, a city in the central Cuban province of Sancti Spiritus dating back to the 16th century, is celebrated for its historic preservation and colonial architecture. It is esteemed by scholars as one of the finest collections in the Americas, as per the Smithsonian Magazine. The city's charm lies in its labyrinthine streets adorned with pastel mansions and churches, a testament to its architectural splendor shaped by the prosperous era of the nearby sugar industry from the late 18th to the late 19th century. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trinidad and the nearby Valley de los Ingenios hold historical significance and offer picturesque settings. A key attraction is the Plaza Mayor, showcasing the neoclassical-style Palacio Cantero. This architectural gem, housing the municipal history museum, allows visitors to enjoy stunning views of Trinidad and its surroundings. Comandancia de la Plata Perched atop a mist-covered mountain ridge, this site served as the rebel headquarters established by Fidel Castro in 1958 during the fight against the Batista government. Accessible by a four-hour climb through the woods, the camp remains preserved as Fidel left it. Casa de Fidel, the focal point, features seven secret escape routes. The site includes a museum, a radio building for rebel broadcasts, rebel huts, and a basic hospital founded by Che Guevara. This historical location serves as a testament to the revolutionary struggle, offering insight into the conditions and tactics of that pivotal period. READ MORE: Cuba Festivals This is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Journey Into Old Havana's Vibrant History - From National Geographic Former President Donald Trump was not happy when three of his former White House aides sat down with ABC News and spoke out against him, calling a possible second Trump term "the end of American democracy as we know it." Former White House Communications Director Alyssa Farah Griffin, former White House deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews, and former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson all sat down with ABC News "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl and spoke about what they did after the events of the January 6 Capitol Insurrection where a judge and a state Supreme Court have all agreed that he did participate and even instigated an insurrection. "Fundamentally, a second Trump term could mean the end of American democracy as we know it, and I don't say that lightly," Griffin told ABC News, claiming that her former boss went to "historic and unconstitutional lengths" in attempting to "steal a democratic election" in order to stay in power. Griffin, now a host of ABC's "The View," added, "I'm very concerned about what the term would actually look like." She left the Trump administration and has since become an outspoken critic of the former president. "To this day, he still doubles down on the fact that he thinks that the election was stolen and fraudulent," Matthews lamented on the former president repeating his claims despite them being proven untrue in courts. She added that Trump's rhetoric has become "increasingly erratic," and warned that he has threatened to skirt the Constitution and weaponize the Justice Department against his perceived political enemies. "This is a fundamental election to continue to safeguard our institutions and our constitutional republic," said Hutchinson, who previously gained national fame for testifying during the January 6 Hearings. "We're extremely fragile as a country, and so is the democratic experiment." READ MORE: Donald Trump Tried To Spread Fake News About New York Judge Overseeing Fraud Trial But Gets Exposed Donald Trump Spends New Year's Eve Attacking Three Former White House Aides The former Trump White House aides speaking out against him has had the former president riled up, so much so that he spent New Year's Eve attacking the three women over their ABC interview, according to Yahoo! News. This includes having the Trump Campaign release a statement calling the women "ungrateful grifters" who "used the opportunities given to them by President Trump" and had gone "full Judas." Jack Smith Pushes Back on Donald Trump Immunity Claim While three women who used to work for him are speaking out, Trump is also facing four indictments, including a massive federal one regarding January 6. He claims immunity on that case on the grounds that he was president at the time, but Jack Smith is saying not so fast. "The defendant asserts (Br.1) that this prosecution 'threatens ... to shatter the very bedrock of our Republic.' To the contrary: it is the defendant's claim that he cannot be held to answer for the charges that he engaged in an unprecedented effort to retain power through criminal means, despite having lost the election, that threatens the democratic and constitutional foundation of our Republic," Smith wrote in his scathing new filing that pushes back against Trump's immunity claims. "This Court should affirm and issue the mandate expeditiously to further the public's - and the defendant's - compelling interest in a prompt resolution of this case." READ MORE: Donald Trump is Confused Why Co-Defendants Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro Pleaded Guilty This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: 'I gained so much more than I lost' with Jan. 6 testimony: Cassidy Hutchinson - ABC News As part of its effort to curb the migrant crisis, the Biden Administration has pressured Mexico and Venezuela to restart repatriation flights. It has worked as on Sunday, both Mexico and Venezuela announced that the repatriation flights of Venezuelan migrants in Mexico have finally restarted. This comes after the Biden administration negotiated with the Nicolas Maduro regime that it must take back migrants who fled the country as they tried to get across the US-Mexico border. The restart also came soon after the Biden administration sent top officials to Mexico City to talk with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador about the immigration situation. According to the Associated Press, these repatriation flights are actually part of an agreement made between regional leaders during a summit in Mexico in October. The meeting, which included leaders from all over Latin America and the Caribbean, sought solutions for the surge in migration levels that show few signs of slowing down. "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," said Mexico President AMLO after his high-level meeting with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. "He called me, saying we had to look for a solution together." Right now, Mexico is seeking the US to lift its sanctions on Venezuela and Cuba, which are both suffering respective economic crises as a result of these sanctions. These sanctions are said to have led to the massive exodus of people from these countries in an effort to get a better life. The talks between the US and Mexico came after the US government temporarily shuttered some border crossings to redeploy agents toward enforcing the border more. READ MORE: Venezuela Vs. Guyana Dispute: Brazil Expresses Concern as Venezuela Holds Naval Exercises Amid Essequibo Dispute Mexico and Venezuela Admit They Are Working Together Over Repatriation Flights As for the repatriation flights themselves, these are coordinated between both the Mexican and Venezuelan governments, with the Mexican Foreign Ministry saying, that "it was agreed to restart the coordinated mechanism of repatriation flights for Venezuelans." According to Reuters, two flights had already left Mexico and departed for Venezuela. These happened on Friday and Saturday. "Both countries are working on the implementation of social programs in Venezuela that will benefit, among others, repatriated people by linking them with productive projects and paid internships in workplaces," the statement from the Mexican Foreign Ministry read. Biden Administration Wants Migrants To Use Lawful Pathways To Get To US As more migrants troop the US, the Biden administration espoused the various legal pathways people can get into the YS, and that is not illegally crossing the US-Mexico border. "This Administration has carried out the largest expansion of lawful pathways in decades, and we continue to impose consequences under the law for those who do not avail themselves of those pathways," said Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Kristie Canegall in a statement released via the DHS official website. . "No one should listen to the lies of smugglers; individuals who cross irregularly will be subject to removal if they do not have a legal basis to remain and will lose the ability to benefit from lawful pathways." To deter people, the repatriation flights from Mexico to Venezuela have been implemented as people who take the perilous journey to the US-Mexico border may find themselves back in Venezuela. READ MORE: Mexico Files Diplomatic Complaint After Texas Breaks Boundaries Treaty With Floating Barriers This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: ICE continuing repatriation flights after Title 42 ends. In a full-scale war in Ukraine unleashed by the Russian Federation, the year 2024 could be crucial, Ukrainian and Western officials say. Some believe that 2024 will be a more difficult year for Ukrainians, and unofficially, the topic of negotiations with Russia is increasingly being raised in the West. ADVERTISIMENT The events of 2024 will affect the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war in general The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace noted that the counteroffensive of the Defense Forces actually culminated in October; since then, the fighting has become more of a positional and exhausting nature."I think we're going to see the culmination of a war of attrition this winter," said Michael Coffman, a fellow at the institution. He drew attention to the fact that Russia has a material advantage, but this is hardly the main factor. "The decisive factor may be human motivation," the expert assessed the situation. According to the analyst, the West has aggravated an already difficult situation for Ukraine. While the Kremlin has set one of its goals to weaken NATO, some of Kyiv's partners are delaying assistance. ADVERTISIMENT In 2024, according to Kofman, a turning point could occur if Ukraine is able to effectively strengthen and defend itself against the Russian offensive. He believes that we are now "in the middle of a long play," and the entire next year should be used for targeted attacks on the occupiers' critical infrastructure, bases, and logistics routes of the Russian Armed Forces. "Then Ukraine will be able to effectively use the next year to create conditions for regaining the initiative," Kofman suggested. The head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andrii Yermak, said in the United States that a turning point in the war was approaching. Speaking at the Hudson Institute in Washington, he said: "The next year will be decisive." A similar thesis was voiced by the chairman of the UK Parliament's defense committee, Tobias Ellwood. In an interview with LIGA.net, he said: "The "decisiveness" of 2024 is explained, among other things, by the US elections. ADVERTISIMENT The 60th vote for the American president is to be held in December 2024. Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump are expected to compete with each other, the latter having repeatedly spoken out against further assistance to Ukraine. "I believe that Ukraine is doing enough to continue to win support in the Western political corridors. And at the NATO summit in Vilnius, huge commitments were made. However, I believe that next year will be crucial. We are approaching the US presidential election, which could be politically significant. Trump could come back. Who knows where it will go?" Tobias Ellwood asked a rhetorical question. Support from partners will have an impact on the fighting In an interview with Corriere della Sera, Czech President Petr Pavel emphasized that maintaining allied support will be crucial for the Ukrainian Defense Forces. ADVERTISIMENT He criticized the insufficient supply of military equipment to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the failure to fulfill promises of artillery ammunition, and the slow pace of training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets. Because of this, the politician believes, Ukrainians have not been able to conduct offensive operations with high intensity. "We have no choice but to provide Ukraine with everything it needs to fulfill its task of regaining sovereignty and control over its borders: anything less would be our failure," said Pawel. If Russia were to win, it would "strengthen the idea that other regimes can achieve their goals by force and that they can rely on the weakness of Western democracies." The Czech president also believes that 2024 will be a more difficult year for Ukraine. If the West misses the opportunity to help Kyiv, "next year may be even more favorable for Moscow," Pavel said. ADVERTISIMENT "Russians are very good at learning - from our mistakes, from their mistakes. What do Russians take? They take with their numbers, with their masses of people. They don't spare their human resources and continue to fulfill the tasks they are facing," said Oleksandr Tarnavsky, commander of the Tavria operational and strategic group, in an interview withBBC Ukraine. He agrees that the year will be difficult. "The enemy is borrowing a lot from us, learning and adapting. In addition, the closer we get to the fulfillment of the main task - reaching our state borders - the more difficult it becomes. To facilitate this, we need weapons that do not depend on political swings in the leadership of partner countries, and ammunition, including missiles. Also, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have no other option but to continue destroying both Russian manpower and equipment, Tarnavsky said. ADVERTISIMENT Talks between Kyiv and Moscow are on the table, but it is difficult to organize them According to NBC News, some Western officials are increasingly talking about diplomatic talks between the parties, as they believe that neither Ukraine nor Russia will be able to achieve their stated goals in the war. As the fighting slows down in the winter, "there is potential for talks," one of the officials told NBC News. At the same time, NBC News sources in the United States admit that it will not be easy to bring Ukraine and Russia to the table for dialogue, and both sides are likely to use the slowdown in winter to regroup and retrain their forces. As OBOZ.UA wrote before: - Politico recently reported that amid the threat of reduced Western aid to Ukraine, the administration of US President Joe Biden and European officials are quietly shifting their focus from supporting Kyiv's goal of complete victory over Russia to improving the Ukrainians' position in negotiations to end the war. The partners seem to be thinking about preparing Ukraine for defense rather than offense. ADVERTISIMENT - On December 19, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy named the condition under which negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are possible. Kyiv will only discuss the Ukrainian "peace formula." Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Leer en Espanol Busloads of migrants headed for New York City are stopping at New Jersey train stations to sidestep an executive order from New York Citys mayor that attempts to control their arrivals, according to the mayor of Secaucus. In the last month, 14,700 asylum seekers made their way across the U.S. southern border and wound up in New York City on buses, according to a statement issued Wednesday by New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Buses are arriving at random locations throughout Midtown Manhattan at night and on weekends in what Adams described as a humanitarian crisis thats overwhelming the city. Adams issued an executive order requiring the bus companies to give the city at least 32 hours notice before dropping migrants and limiting drop-offs to between 8:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. on weekdays so the city can adequately attend to the migrants safety and well-being. A message posted Sunday on the X account for Jersey City says 10 buses that departed from Texas and Louisiana have arrived across at NJ Transit train stations in towns including Secaucus, Fanwood, Edison and Trenton. It says the buses carried about 397 total migrants. It seems quite clear the bus operators are finding a way to thwart the requirements of the executive order by dropping migrants at the train station in Secaucus and having them continue to their final destination, Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli said in a statement posted online. Gonnelli suggests Adams order is too stringent and resulting in unexpected consequences for New Jersey. A spokesperson for the New York City mayor said the city started coordinating with nearby cities and counties before Adams issued his executive order and encourages those municipal leaders to take similar executive action to protect migrants against this cruelty. A spokeswoman for New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said New Jersey is being used as a transit point for the migrant families. Almost all of them continued on to New York City, Jones said. We are closely coordinating with our federal and local partners on this matter, including our colleagues across the Hudson, spokeswoman Tyler Jones said. Four buses of migrants arrived in Secaucus on Saturday and Sunday, according to Gonnelli. I have been advised the State of New Jersey has a plan in place and we will be working closely with the governors office, all law enforcement agencies, and the county to monitor this situation, Gonnelli said. New York City has opened more than 210 emergency sites to provide shelter since the start of the crisis. Those include 18 additional large-scale humanitarian relief centers, according to Adams. He called on the federal government for help. We need federal and state help to resettle and support the remaining 68,000 migrants currently in New York Citys care and the thousands of individuals who continue to arrive every single week, Adams said in the statement. NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. When library director Tonya Garcia first heard mysterious noises above the ceiling tiles of Long Branchs main library in late 2017, she grabbed a ladder to investigate. She didnt find the source, which turned out to be a mother and four baby raccoons found and rescued months later. But, Garcias search above the ceiling tiles turned up another fascinating discovery: hidden century-old Carnegie columns and stained glass window archways. I said we have to renovate and restore this, Garcia recalled. We have to bring this back to its Carnegie majesty. Its gorgeous. Six years later, the Monmouth County library is in the middle of doing just that with a $6.2 million project to restore the building to some of its original grandeur. The Long Branch library, located just a mile from the beach, is believed to be the last library constructed in the state with funds from famed steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and the Carnegie Foundation, Garcia said. Carnegie helped fund more than 1,600 libraries across the country between 1883 and 1929, as well as 785 libraries in other countries. He donated more than $60 million for the projects. In New Jersey, Carnegie provided grants to build 36 libraries, including buildings that still stand in Elizabeth, Perth Amboy, Kearny, Atlantic City and other communities, New Jersey Monthly reported. Some have been restored to their original designs after being covered up, while other Carnegie libraries have been demolished or repurposed for other uses, the magazine reported. Long Branchs library is undergoing a significant renovation, officials said. The project will upgrade the central systems, including heating, cooling, electrical work and the fire alarm, while also restoring some of the original design as a Carnegie library, Garcia said. There will be arched glass entryway windows and indoor columns, some of which are original. Windows will be restored and some new spaces, including a local history room, teen room and sensory room, will be added. Some lights will be changed from fluorescent to pendulum lighting, and a traditional color palette will be used, with a focus on the citys green hues, according to an update on the librarys website. The ceiling, revealed to be much higher beyond the ceiling tiles, will also be elevated and restored to what it initially looked like, said Long Branch Mayor John Pallone. Its more of a majestic, grand entrance, he said. Professional sump pumps and a generator are also being installed, in anticipation of future inclement weather, Garcia said. The library has been renovated before after previous storms. During the last few rainstorms, the city took on significant amounts of water, she said. No one likes the term the new normal, but I dont think this is unprecedented any more, Garcia said. I think were going to see this type of rainfall and flooding, and we have to do what we have to do to preserve the building and make sure its here for generations to come. The Long Branch library was funded by the Carnegie Foundation. Andrew Carnegie helped fund 36 libraries in the state.Provided by Long Branch Located on Broadway, the Long Branch library was completed in 1920, a year after Carnegies death. Site plans and the $30,000 grant from the Carnegie Foundation were both submitted a year before construction, but officials were granted an extension due to World War I. The current $6.2 million Long Branch library renovation is being funded by the state and city. In 2021, the project received $3.1 million from the state through the Library Construction Bond Act, and another $3.1 million from the city, because it was a matched grant, Garcia said. The renovation is expected to be completed next fall. While the renovation continues, the library is using a temporary space at 131 Bath Avenue. The main librarys collection has mostly been stored away, but the temporary spot offers a small browsing area. Were very proud that were fortunate enough to have one of the original libraries and now were bringing it back to the way it was, said Pallone. Libraries, the mayor added, are perhaps the most important public institution you have. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Brianna Kudisch may be reached at bkudisch@njadvancemedia.com. St. Lukes University Health Network and Lehigh Valley Health Network celebrated their first births of 2024, with the deliveries of babies for local families Monday on New Years Day. Ashley and Joshua Tillinghast, of Bethlehem, welcome son Miles on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, at St. Lukes Hospital-Anderson Campus in Bethlehem Township, the first baby of the new year for St. Lukes University Health Network.Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com The St. Lukes delivery was first, with Joshua and Ashley Tillinghast, of Bethlehem, welcoming son Miles Tillinghast at 2:52 a.m. at the Anderson Campus in Bethlehem Township. He weighed in at 8 pounds, 8 ounces and measured 21 inches long, network spokeswoman Lauren Sokolski said. Liz and Mike Falcone, of Bethlehem Township, welcome son Jacob as the Lehigh Valley Health Networks first baby of 2024 on Monday, Jan. 1, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg in Bethlehem.Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com LVHNs first delivery of the new year followed at 10:20 a.m. at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg in Bethlehem. Liz and Mike Falcone also welcomed a son, Jacob, born at 8 pounds, 8 ounces and measuring 20.5 inches. The Bethlehem Township family has two big brothers for Jacob Joseph, 4, and 2-year-old Joshua, according to network spokeswoman Maggie Wurst. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Laois County Council must take urgent action at Ballacolla's school to improve safe because no alerts are warning passing motorists of the presence of children. Cllr John King and Cllr Ollie Clooney teamed up to call for action at St Pius X NS in Ballacolla at a recent meeting with Laois County Council in Portlaoise. Cllr Kings motion asked council to put in place safety measures at the school as a matter of urgency. He said the school area is very busy with parents dropping off children for school and GAA activities. Cllr Clooneys motion sought traffic calming measures at the school. Cllr King, Fine Gael, said he had been contacted by the principal and parents. He claimed that there are no alerts to motorists about the existence of the school which is at full capacity. There is no indication whatsoever. I am asking for serious workyou wouldnt realise how bad it is until you go and see it, he said. He added that a flooding issue needs to be dealt with also at the school. Cllr Clooney, Independent, had similar worries and wanted flashing lights and other measures to notify drivers of the school. You would pass the school and you wouldnt even know it was a school, he said. He warned about speed on the straight stretch of road. Cllr James Kelly, Independent, said every school now has traffic calming and St Pious NS deserves the same. Edmond Kenny, Senior Executive Engineer, responded in writing to Cllr King that the council would provide what assistance they can insofar as matters come under its remit. James Dowling, Senior Executive Engineer for Roads, replied in writing to Cllr Clooney. He said the Road Design office would review the existing traffic arrangements and consider options for improving safety. The issue was raised at the Borris-in-Ossory Moutmellick Municipal District meeting. MET EIREANN have reported that 2023 is the warmest year on record in Ireland. Irelands annual average temperature is greater than 11C, for the first time since records began 124 years ago. That's according to a statement from Met Eireann ahead of the release of their Provisional State of the Irish Climate Report 2023, which will be published in January. Keith Lambkin, Head of Climate Services at Met Eireann said: "Ireland has seen a remarkable year with rainfall and warming at unprecedented levels at times." "These record-breaking extremes have knock-on consequences to much of society. Past weather events are no longer a reliable indicator of future weather events, but knowing this allows us to better plan and adapt to our changing climate." For the first time, Irelands average annual temperature rises above 11C in 2023. This year also saw the warmest June, the wettest March and the wettest July on record. September 2023 was the third warmest September on record, with rare September heatwaves and the highest temperature of the year with 29.1C on Friday, September 28, at Lullymore Nature Centre, Co Kildare. October 2023 was the second wettest month of year, with Cork Airport recorded its highest October rainfall ever - 222% of Octobers 1981-2020 long-term average. The Provisional 2023 Past Weather and Climate Statement on the primary (synoptic) weather station network will be published on www.met.ie/climate on January 4 2024. DONEGAL'S oldest citizen, the remarkable Ruby Druce, toasted her latest big birthday on New Years Eve. Still hale and hearty, the Castlefin-born Ruby is celebrating her 108th birthday. Ruby is the fourth oldest living person in Ireland and the oldest in Donegal. Born on December 31, 1915, Ruby is now living with her niece Margo Butler in Letterkenny, who described her aunt as a kind-hearted lady with a heart of gold. We have some good laughs together and she is as much company for me as I am for her, Margo said. Ruby Druce was born the daughter of George Crawford and Elizabeth (nee McBride), and credits walking, hard work and a daily cod liver oil capsule for her amazing life. Ruby still enjoys her visits back to Castlefin and McGlynns Restaurant. In 2022, Ruby performed the official switch-on of the Christmas lights in her hometown. Ruby is a pioneer all her life but, aged three, was given poitin when she contracted the Spanish flu in 1918 following the deaths of her brother James and sister Mary Elizabeth. Ruby - who worked in Porters Shirt Factory for 48 years - married James Druce in 1956 and her husband sadly passed away 14 years later. As she gets ready to blow out the candles again, Ruby is said to be all dolled up waiting for her gang of visitors to start calling. The chief executive of Irelands new electoral authority has emphasised that it is not its job to win referendums for the government, as Ireland plans to hold every type of poll there is in the next 20 months. Two referendums are to be held in March on whether the Irish constitution should be changed to provide for a wider concept of family, and on whether to delete a reference to the role and duties of women in the home and replace it with a new article on carers. Local authority and European Parliament elections are to be held in June and a general election could be called in 2024 although ministers have emphasised that they want the coalition to run its full term to the spring of 2025. Added to that is the presidential election in 2025, the Seanad elections and several by-elections, as well as a new vote on a directly elected mayor for Limerick city. The Electoral Commission, which was established in February 2023 after 30 years of governments suggesting the idea, is to provide information on and encourage people to engage in elections and referendums. While acknowledging the challenges ahead, including on how to tackle disinformation, chief executive of the Electoral Commission Art OLeary is not worried about resources. He hopes to encourage people who are fed up with politicians to use their vote. We need to be eye-wateringly ambitious, he told the PA news agency a day after moving into new offices. I like to to look at them (the series of elections) as a glorious opportunity for learning and to collect data. Were kicking off a longitudinal study of electoral events which is to last, Im projecting, for the next 25 years. We dont know why people dont vote and we dont really know what the turnout rate is. We need to understand why people vote the way they do, and we need to understand if they have enough information to be able to cast their vote we have no information on this. Once the Bill on the referendum wording passes both houses of the Oireachtas, the commission will formally launch its campaign to explain in laymans terms what the government is proposing. The campaign will involve encouraging people to ensure they are on the electoral register, giving information about the referendum wording and then encouraging people to go out to use their vote on the day. Mr OLeary said 16-page booklets will be delivered to two million households across the country, at least a week ahead of the plebiscites on Friday March 8. Although the referendums are being proposed by the government, Mr OLeary emphasised that the commission was established by the Houses of the Oireachtas. Mr OLeary said that it is politically blind to political parties and its job is to be independent and impartial. Our job isnt to win this referendum for the government. Our job is simply to explain to the people what the referendum is all about, and people can make up their own mind. This is what democracy is all about, he said. The Electoral Commission does not yet have the powers to act in relation to online political advertising, disinformation or misinformation in time for the referendums in March, and possibly not in time for the summer elections. Though those powers are contained in parts four and five of Bill, they have yet to be commenced, Mr OLeary said. But other powers the commission has may allow it to act on something that is not right. Asked what would happen if there is incorrect information on a poster, Mr OLeary said they would not be able to take down the posters as their powers relate to online information only, but they could release a statement to set the record straight. Well call it out, I think thats probably as much as we can do, he said. Asked whether they would consider setting up a disinformation register, as Australias Electoral Commission has, he said: We may do, its certainly an option. It is our job to provide trusted information to people and if were calling out disinformation and saying what this person is saying, or what these people are saying is simply not correct, then we may look at putting that on our website in a single place where people can go. He added: The challenge for us is speed. During the white-hot heat of an election campaign, we dont have time to sit back and luxuriate about whether something is misinformation or disinformation or not, because hours or even minutes might be important here. And this is why we need to build an organisation that is flexible enough and responsive enough to be able to manage those challenges. The technical challenge is well still be writing the review of the referendum electoral experience during the local and European Parliament one, so the opportunity to learn from one to another wont be maximised. We cant look at this in isolation, the next two years are going to be extraordinarily busy, we accept that, but were building an organisation thats going to last 100 years. People look back at the elections in 1981 and 1982, we had three general elections in 18 months then and the ceiling didnt fall in well manage it. He added: Im not concerned about resources. We have enough people to do what we need to do for the moment, anyway. Mr OLeary, who has a five-year contract in the role, spent seven years as secretary general to the President of Ireland and 20 years in Leinster House in various civil servant roles. He designed the model for Citizens Assemblies and has run three of the six held to date, and advised on the others. Asked about disillusioned parts of the electorate, he said: I was at the Citizens Assembly on drug use during the summer, and one of the speakers there was a man who worked in an addiction treatment centre treating addicts. He said something that profoundly affected my thinking about this whole issue. He said there is no such thing as hard to reach people or hard to reach groups, there are only hard to reach services. So I think that weve been looking at this issue from the wrong end of the telescope for a long time and we might say, How will we get them to come to us?. Thats not the challenge we have to be in their communities. So we need to be on TikTok. We need to be on social media. We need to be telling the story in a way that appeals to young people and Travellers and immigrants and all of the people who are disillusioned and disengaged. Kildare features in a new book about the Irish Civil War. The Irish Civil War ended in 1923 and 80 years on, author and documentary-maker Tom Hurley wondered if there were many civilians and combatants left from across Ireland who had experienced the years 1919 to 1923, their prelude and their aftermath. What memories had they, what were their stories and how did they reflect on those turbulent times? In early 2003, he recorded the experiences of 18 people, conducting two further interviews abroad in 2004. Tom spoke to a cross-section (Catholic, Protestant, Unionist and Nationalist) who were in their teens or early twenties during the civil war. The chronological approach he has taken to his book spans fifty years, beginning with the oldest interviewee's birth in 1899 and ending when the Free State became a republic in 1949. Portarlington native Ellen Troy nee Maloney was among the people that Tom spoke to for his book in 2003. She was aged 102 at the time and was a mine of information on the 1919-23 revolutionary years and indeed the things she experienced and witnessed. The topics Ellen discusses include her brother who died before she was born, her mother (who hailed from Co. Kildare) going abroad, her early life, communion, meeting Countess Markievicz, her husband, the British army, black and tans, IRA, Cumann na mBan women she knew and the customers who frequented her aunt's pub in Portarlington. Another interviewee is Dan Keating from Kerry aged 101 who discusses being interned in Maryborough (Portlaoise) Gaol during the civil war. He recalled the execution of Thomas Gibson from Cloneygowan. Dan was subsequently transferred to the Curragh and was interned there when Military Policeman Joseph Bergin from Camross was killed in 1923. William Geary, born in 1899, who joined the civic guard (Garda Siochana) in 1922 was also interviewed. He was based at Newbridge barracks during what became known as the Kildare mutiny. Jack Duff aged 100 spoke about joining the Free State Army in 1922 and being based in the Curragh Camp for periods in 1922 and 1923. 100 years after the Civil War ended, these 20 interviews recorded by Tom Hurley come together to create a unique oral account of the revolutionary period and the tensions that were brewing in the run-up and aftermath. Together, theirs are the Last Voices of the Irish Revolution. Last Voices of the Irish Revolution by Tom Hurley is available in bookshops throughout the country and can also be ordered online. It is published by Gill Books. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin cynically lied that he does not consider Ukraine an enemy. According to the Kremlin killer, Russia's enemies are those who want to achieve Russia's strategic defeat on the battlefield and destroy Russian statehood. ADVERTISIMENT He also revealed that he wants the war to end as soon as possible. Putin said this during a meeting with the wounded occupiers in a Moscow hospital. The Kremlin leader once again complained that political elites in the West want Russia to be defeated on the battlefield. Putin added that many in the West allegedly sympathize with the aggressor country. "Ukraine itself is not an enemy for us. But those who want to destroy Russian statehood, those who want to achieve, as they say, Russia's strategic defeat on the battlefield, and this is mainly in the West - and there are different people in the West, there are people who sympathize with us, who are with us in spirit. But there are so-called elites for whom the existence of Russia, at least in its current quality and its current size, is unacceptable," the dictator said. ADVERTISIMENT The chief war criminal of the Russian Federation also said that he wants to end the war in Ukraine as soon as possible, but on his own terms. The dictator revealed that the aggressor country does not intend to give up its positions. In addition, at the meeting with the occupiers, Putin mentioned the explosions in Belgorod. The war criminal called these events a "terrorist attack" and claimed that Ukraine had allegedly targeted civilians. At the same time, Putin cynically lied that Russia was not going to retaliate against civilians, but would target military targets. On the night of December 30, more than 70 Ukrainian drones attacked military installations in Belgorod and the region, from where Russian troops often fire S-300 missiles at Kharkiv region. The attack continued on Saturday afternoon and was the aggressor's response to the massive shelling of Ukraine on December 29. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier it was reported that the troops of the aggressor country Russia attacked Odesa with kamikaze drones on New Year's Eve. The wreckage of downed Russian UAVs was recorded, and fires broke out in residential buildings. As reported by OBOZ.UA, in Lviv, as a result of a Russian attack by kamikaze drones, a fire broke out in the museum of The Ukrainian Insurgent Army Commander-in-Chief Roman Shukhevych in the morning of January 1. At the same time, the building of the university where The Ukrainian Insurgent Army leader Stepan Bandera studied caught fire near the regional center. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys announced that some 980 million in social welfare increases are to come into effect from today. The improvements, secured as part of Budget 2024, provide for payment increases for pensioners, carers, people with disabilities and low-income families. The total cost of the January improvements is some 980 million. The measures coming into effect in January are: a 12 increase in the maximum rate of all core weekly payments benefitting over 1.4 million people and proportionate increases for Qualified Adult dependents. Working Family Payment thresholds to increase by 54 per week for all family sizes. This will provide additional financial support for low-income families and more households will become eligible for the payment as a result of this increase. An increase of 10 in the monthly rate of Domiciliary Care Allowance bringing the payment to 340 per month. This increase is to support people who play a valuable role in Irish society parents or guardians who look after a child with a severe disability. A 4 increase for Qualified Child in payments in respect of children of social welfare recipients, bringing the payment to 46 per week for children under 12 and 54 per week for children aged 12 and over. These measures are on top of the nine lump payments, worth over 1.2 Billion, that Minister Humphreys secured as part of Budget 2024 to assist families with the cost of living. Eight of these payments have been paid before Christmas, including the Christmas Bonus Payment, a double payment of Child Benefit, an additional 300 for Fuel Allowance recipients, an additional 200 for recipients of the Living Alone Increase, an additional 400 for Working Family Payment recipients, a 400 Payment for Carers and a 400 Disability Support Grant. There will also be a further double payment in the week commencing January 29th 2024, paid on the same basis as the Christmas Bonus, which will be paid at the higher rates coming into effect from January 2nd. Announcing the January Social Protection measures, Minister Humphreys said: I am pleased to announce that 980 million worth of payment increases are to come into effect from today. These increases were secured as part of the largest Social Protection Budget package in the history of the State and will benefit hundreds of thousands of families right across the country, including our carers, pensioners, lone parents and people with disabilities. I am particularly pleased to have again increased the Qualified Child payments and the Working Family Payment thresholds. These are both vital supports that help to reduce child poverty. These measures are in addition to the series of Lump Sum Payments issued in recent weeks and are designed to put more money back in peoples pockets and assist families across the country with the ongoing cost-of-living pressures. The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett, has announced twelve proposals selected to promote organic production through 1.1 million awarded funding. Three projects of the National Organic Training Skillnet in Drumshanbo have been selected, aiming to bring together farmers and promote new training programmes. It is expected to establish an Organic and Biological Living Lab Programme to facilitate research and coordinate knowledge sharing, followed by the creation of a substantive library of instructional videos covering all aspects of conversion to organic farming and a dedicated small-scale dairy processing training unit. Ireland's Programme for Government has targeted more than tripled the organic land area by 2027 to approximately 336,000 hectares. This target has been incorporated into Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan, Food Vision 2030, and our Climate Action Plan, which has a target of 10% by 2030. The aim is to reach this target by supporting farmers in converting to organic farming through the Organic Farming Scheme, enhanced advisory support, increased promotion, and developing market demand. Minister Hackett said: "The projects selected cover a very broad area, from living mulches to advisory support for organic farmers to the potential for organic butter, and everything in between. This call will further support the Programme for Government target of 10% of all land farmed organically by 2030." The funding aims to promote organic production in Ireland, in line with the European Organic Action Plan. Minister Hackett added: "I wish all participants well, and I look forward to the successful application of their projects in a way that will encourage further engagement in and development of the organics sector in Ireland. "This is a further important element in the support structure for the sector that is being put in place. I look forward to seeing the results and impacts of these projects over the next year." GARDAI are investigating an incident of criminal damage by fire that occurred at a premises on Thorncastle Street in Ringsend, Dublin 4 on December 31, 2023. At approximately 1.55am on Sunday morning, Gardai responded to reports of a fire at a premises on Thorncastle Street. Dublin Fire Brigade attended the scene and extinguished the fire. No persons were in the building at the time of the incident. There was substantial damage caused to the property. An incident room has been established at Irishtown Garda Station and the investigation is being led by a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO). Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have information in relation to this incident to contact them. Any person, including road users and pedestrians, who were in the vicinity of Thorncastle Street between 1.00am and 2.30am and who observed any unusual activity is asked to contact investigating Gardai. Any road users or pedestrians who were travelling in the Ringsend area during this time and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make this available to Gardai. Anyone with information is asked to contact Irishtown Garda Station 01 666 9600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. An Garda Siochana is aware of a significant volume of misinformation, disinformation and rumour in relation to the use or proposed use of the building. LIMERICK artists have joined forces to honour the memory of Joe Drennan. The late Laois native and UL journalism student was tragically killed in a hit-and-run in October. In a bid to pay homage to Joe, folk artist Emma Langford and journalism student Molly Cantwell have joined their voices to cover 'River'. The pair covered the unconventional Christmas track by Joni Mitchell and will donate all proceeds to Gay Community News (GCN), a resource that was close to Joe's heart - he wrote several brilliant pieces for the outlet. The late 21-year-old never got to see his first GCN cover story with the GALAS Person of the Year, which went to print after the collision. Speaking about her Limerick Voice colleague and friend, Molly said: Joe was destined for greatness. He was a force to be reckoned with. "His passion, talent, charisma, and absolute gra for his work was so evident in absolutely everything he did, and so incredibly enviable. "The student journalist was so passionate about his work with Gay Community News (GCN) and as editor-in-chief of Limerick Voice. "He was so determined to build a powerful future for himself. All of us at Limerick Voice and in his class in UL knew there was no question he would be the one walking into a much sought after job at the end of our degree. Molly approached her friend, Emma Langford, with the idea of releasing a single in Joe's memory. After Emma quickly jumped on board, the idea snowballed and a multitude of Limerick creatives donated their time so the project could come to fruition. Joining in on the charity single are a plethora of Limerick friends. Aaron Griffin joins the pair on guitar, Nora Casey on harp, Emer OFlaherty on piano, and Aoife Hennessy on backing vocals and harmonies. The track was recorded by Chris Quigley in a studio space donated by Dylan Flynn and the Dead Poets, mixed by Marty Ryan of Annas Anchor, and mastered by Richard Dowling at Wav Mastering. The single artwork was designed by Tiffany Glenn. River will be available on Bandcamp only until 2024, then becoming available on all streaming platforms. THE FIRST baby born in Limerick in 2024 arrived shortly after midnight in the region's maternity hospital. The University Maternity Hospital Limerick (UMHL) confirmed that a little boy was delivered at the Ennis Road facility, at approximately 12:40am. He was born weighing 3.8 kilogrammes, with the mother and baby doing really well. His family, who hail from Castletroy, have requested all other details be kept private. The infant was the fourth baby brought into the world in hospitals across Ireland so far this year, and the second outside Dublin. The Rotunda Hospital in the capital saw the first baby in the State, baby Arlo Robert Emmett, born to Nicole and Robert Emmet from Meath at 12:04am. Two minutes later, the first baby girl of 2024 arrived to proud mother Sundas Khan in the Coombe Hospital. Back in Limerick, a second little boy came into the world at 1:36am to family from Clare, who again, wish to remain anonymous. The youngster weighed in a 3.2 kilogrammes, with mum and baby doing well. The first girl born in UMHL arrived just before six o'clock this New Year's Day morning to a mother from Charleville. She weighed in at 3.5kg. Irelands deputy premier Micheal Martin has said it is not feasible to ban children from using social media, but said the government could be stronger in warning of its hazards. The Tanaiste was asked about whether Ireland would give consideration to social media restrictions for young people following reports that the UK Government was considering a similar move. The UKs science minister has publicly said the reports of plans requiring teenagers to get their parents permission before setting up an account on sites such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok is just speculation. Speaking as part of an end-of-year interview, Mr Martin said he wanted to see more examples of schools agreeing a social media contract on how to use social media, but said that telling people what to do doesnt always work. There is merit in restricting the use of mobile phones within the school day and within schools themselves, the Cork South-Central TD said. Ive referenced before a very good example of how in a school in a particular school in Rochestown in Cork, the parents, the pupils and the teachers, facilitated by an educational psychologist, agreed a contract in terms of how to use to social media. I would like to see models like that rolled out more, because thats a more informed, educated approach in the sense that youre engaging young children in the challenges and opportunities of social media, but in a way that enables them to be decision-makers as well and and also articulate their concerns, to hear their voices. Policy on children has evolved over 30 years. When I was a minister for health, we developed the first childrens office and people looked at me askance when we actually started surveying children or talking to children, and asking children to give their opinion. And we had a childrens Dail na nOg, the childrens parliament, all of that has become normal now, whereas 30 years ago, or 20 years ago, sorry, it wasnt seen as a normal thing to do. So I think we need to be careful about just banning outright access to social media. I do believe in terms of concentration and focus, theres a lot of merit in saying to children in particular, when youre in school you dont need a mobile phone, and you dont need to be accessing social media, and enjoy the school day with your colleagues. Again, I dont see any feasible route to banning children or young people from social media in the modern era, I think there have to be proper checks and balances and over sites and so on, to restrict access to those, yes certainly. I think we need to work carefully and sensibly on that agenda. Asked whether children should be a certain age before mobile phones are bought for them, Mr Martin said he would not be prescriptive to the different situations families are in. Im not going to make decisions for parents in that specific, precise way at all. Every situation is different, families are different too in terms of childrens development and so forth, but I think we could, in terms of broad guidelines to the public, those are areas where we can help parents to make decisions and take informed decisions. We drew up guidelines in the past on bullying, for example, so we need to be stronger in the messaging and communications as to the hazards that can occur, just as we do in terms of food and in other areas. But again, very often being overly prescriptive, or directing people or saying to people this is what you should or shouldnt do, doesnt necessarily work. The Taoiseach has vowed not change his lifestyle despite being warned of a heightened risk to his safety from far-right extremists. Leo Varadkar said he would not give in to those who seek to intimidate politicians as he ruled out entering some form of security bubble. Last year saw several events that raised concerns around the safety of elected representatives in Ireland. There were a number of arrests outside the Oireachtas parliament in Dublin in September as far-right protesters heckled and threatened TDs, senators and staff members and tried to blockade an entrance. A mocked-up hanging gallows adorned with pictures of prominent politicians, including Mr Varadkar, was brought to the gates of the national parliament. Demonstrators have also protested outside some politicians homes, with Mr Varadkar again a target. The scenes of violence on the streets of Dublin on November 23 during a far right-influenced riot have further intensified safety concerns for elected representatives. At his end-of-year media briefing, Mr Varadkar was asked about the risk to politicians and whether recent events have forced him to change his routine or habits. To be honest, Ive kind of refused to change my life, he said. And, you know, I have been advised by the Garda Commissioner (Drew Harris) that the threat is higher and the risk to my personal safety is real. And that is the case for other ministers too. Youll know the Garda Commissioner has taken the decision to extend Garda protection to all members of cabinet, including the chief whip (Hildegarde Naughton) and Minister (Pippa) Hackett and Minister (Jack) Chambers, and thats based on security assessments that the risk to politicians in terms of our safety is heightened. But I havent changed the way I live my life, nor will I. First of all, Im not going to give in to it and, secondly, you know, I see how other countries operate where politicians, ministers, prime ministers live in a security bubble and really forget what its like just to do normal things and live a normal life. And I dont want to stop doing that, just for my own personal sense of being who I am. But, secondly, I dont think itd be a good thing for the country. You know, so Ill keep on going to the cinema, Ill keep on going to restaurants and bars, Ill keep going to the gym and Im not willing to have that changed. New Delhi: Gin-maker Nao Spirits and Beverages Pvt. Ltd has forayed into premium rums with Pipa-Rum de Goa. The spiced rum, priced at 3,000, will initially be available in Goa, and will subsequently be marketed in other states, the company backed by United Spirits, said. The companys co-founder and chief executive, Anand Virmani told Mint that the decision to enter the rum category was driven by Indias status as the worlds leading sugarcane producer. Brown spirits dominate the Indian market, comprising 97% of the spirits segment, with rum contributing 12.5%. But the majority of products is in the mass-produced value segment. The standard and premium segments, relatively untapped, are set to grow (on a small base) 46.5% and 21.1%, respectively, between 2022 and 2027, as per IWSR, a drinks consultancy. Premium spirits remain an urban market. At the moment, the premium rum segment is under-penetrated largely with imported rums. We are working on ours for three years," he said. Initially, the capacity will be limited (400 cases) to test the market, and 10% of it will be exported, he added. In the premium spirits segment, there is demand for authentic stories, and Indians are willing to experiment with new category and brands." Set up in 2017, Nao caught Diageos attention in 2022. It bought 22.5% share in Nao for 32 crore. He said Indias gin industry has grown from 12,000 cases in 2017 to about 320,000 cases now. Of this, Nao claims to sell a third or 100,000 cases a year. Virmani said the company could break even by FY24 end. It markets gins under Greater Than and Hapusa brands, available across most states in India. For FY24, Nao may clock net revenue of 40 crore, he said. It competes with Samsara pink gin Jaisalmer gin and Stranger and Sons. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Green shoots are emerging for the Indian economy as it enters the year 2024, with the just-ended quarter providing much-awaited signs of revival in the investment cycle. A total of 2.1 trillion worth of new projects were announced across the country in the December-ended quarter, up nearly 15% from the preceding three-month period, showed data from the project-tracking database of the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). While capital expenditure proposals were still sharply weaker than the year-ago period, when projects worth 9.5 trillion were announced, the latest figure marks a sharp turnaround after two quarters of precipitous decline. The data is provisional, and may be updated later. In a welcome shift of trend, private companies led the way this time. The most notable private sector announcements included JSW Neo Energys pumped storage power project in Almora worth 15,000 crore and Welspun New Energys Green Ammonia manufacturing unit project worth 13,860 crore in Odisha. New investment proposals continue to be buoyed by expectation of policy continuity at the Centre [after the Lok Sabha polls later this year], which is the base case assumption," said Anitha Rangan, economist at Equirus. Particularly after the recent results of state elections, this view has further cemented, which is positive for the investment cycle." Meanwhile, the public sectors appetite for fresh capex planning continued to shrink. Suvodeep Rakshit, senior economist, Kotak Institutional Equities, said the space for a sustained government capex thrust would be now diminishing as the Centres priority of fiscal consolidation was coming back into focus. Manufacturing push While the investment mood appeared to revive, it was not a broad-based recovery. Almost 65% of the value of the new project announcements came from manufacturing alone. This itself was up 94% sequentially, which meant the combined proposals in other segments were down 34.4%. (However, the value of capex proposals in manufacturing was also down 80% over the year-ago period.) Projects in the inorganic chemicals space related to green ammonia and green hydrogen cornered nearly a third of the manufacturing investment plans during the December-ended quarter. These include projects announced by the Welspun group, Tata Steel and Sembcorp Green Hydrogen. Technological shifts around the green energy theme will also result in specific capex related to the electric vehicle ecosystem, solar and wind energy," Rangan said. The construction and real estate space saw a 59% quarter-on-quarter jump and was up over five times on a year-on-year basis. But other sectors did not follow suit: sectors such as electricity and services (this excludes financial services) fell over 20% sequentially. Projects worth around 37,000 crore and 34,000 crore were announced in these sectors, respectively, during the period. Despite the overall growth, Rakshit warned that domestic private consumption remained on a weak footing, which along with a likely gradual slowdown in global demand, could weigh on the private investment cycle. Completions struggle While new proposals saw an uptick, completion of existing projects continued to falter. Around 1.2 trillion worth of projects got completed during the December quarter, which is lower than the average of 1.7 trillion worth of quarterly completions in 2023. The figure was down close to 15% after a 7% contraction in the preceding quarter, and this was the third sequential decline. The worth of projects that got completed was even lower from the year-ago periodit shrank by 34%. Going forward, some analysts expect the near-term investment outlook to remain patchy with the 2024 election season round the corner as new project approvals could face halts or delays against the backdrop of the Lok Sabha elections. However, structural enablers remain in place: Rangan said shifts in consumption patterns, technology, and global supply chains, supported by the possibility of domestic policy continuity, favour long-term growth. The war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine has become so unpredictable that it has become a thankless task to predict further developments, let alone the timing of its end. Despite all the assumptions about "two or three weeks", "by the end of summer", "by the end of the year" and the like, as of January 1, 2024, the war, unfortunately, goes on. ADVERTISIMENT OBOZ.UA decided to figure out why the predictions of domestic and international analysts did not come true, what prevented the success of the Ukrainian counteroffensive, on which half the world had high hopes, how long Putin's aggression will last, and what to expect next. After all, if you really look at the state of affairs, Ukraine has already withstood and proved its ability to prevent Russian forces from waging a large-scale maneuver war. Now it's up to the West, whose help directly affects the further course of events at the front. What predictions have analysts made about the end of the war? From the very beginning of the full-scale war, few people in the world believed in the success of our country. The pessimistic forecasts of Western analysts were based mainly on the huge disproportion in the number of weapons and human resources on both sides. After all, the Russian Federation had an advantage in almost everything: tanks, ships, long-range missiles, and more. ADVERTISIMENT In addition, the world underestimated the freedom-loving nature of Ukrainians and the desire of our people to fight for their country. The powerful resistance of our people came as a surprise to Western countries. There were also no expectations that Ukraine would receive strong international support. Germany, for example, was very doubtful. Berlin's strong military support for Kyiv came as a surprise, probably even to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. However, after the first weeks of the destruction of Kremlin soldiers in northern Ukraine, footage of burned columns of Russian equipment, and the complete fiasco of the Russians in capturing Kyiv forced global analysts to turn their predictions around. Most began to predict a victory for Ukraine, and in the near future. ADVERTISIMENT Among the domestic "prophets" who made similar statements was former advisor to the Presidential Office Oleksiy Arestovych. His assurances about "two or three weeks" before the end of hostilities even became a meme on the Internet. In addition, in early March 2022, the former Deputy General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Ihor Romanenko, in a commentary to the BBC, admitted that the war would last "several months." Although a year later, he explained that he meant the end of hostilities in northern Ukraine. Oleksiy Melnyk, a former military pilot and now head of foreign policy and international security programs at the Razumkov Center, also admitted that he had hoped for a quicker end to the war. He hoped that the military command of the terrorist state would be prompted to withdraw Russian troops from Ukraine by the enemy's heavy losses. However, the Russians turned out to be insensitive to losses. ADVERTISIMENT Why the Ukrainian Armed Forces' counteroffensive did not go as planned Analysts at the American Institute for the Study of War believe that the fighting at the front in Ukraine now resembles a "positional war." And the reason for this is none other than the Western countries, or rather, their delays and limits in providing weapons and technology. ISW researcher Frederick Kagan is convinced that the current balance of power is "actually very unstable" and can easily be changed "in any direction" by the decisions of partner countries. In order to significantly tip the scales in Ukraine's favor, it is necessary to meet its needs at the front. First of all, we are talking about air defense, high-precision artillery and tanks. General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, named the following factors as the reason for the positional war ADVERTISIMENT - the widespread use of reconnaissance UAVs, which makes large-scale surprise impossible; - Russian electronic warfare (EW) hinders Ukraine's ability to fully utilize the high-precision munitions provided by the West; - the occupiers' defensive structures, which they have been building for many months, exclude the possibility of rapid mechanized maneuvers; - the insufficient number of tanks and armored vehicles requires Ukraine to strengthen its mechanized forces to avoid losses of personnel given the situation on the battlefield. How the partners are set up and what to expect next At a press conference on December 26, Zaluzhnyi assured that Ukraine's military command is currently aware of Russia's plans for the next year and is doing everything to respond adequately to the enemy's actions. The Commander-in-Chief also criticized Western experts' predictions about Russia's actions. ADVERTISIMENT "With all due respect to the expert community, I don't even want to read some things. They have absolutely no idea what is going on. And there is a very small percentage of experts with whom you can really agree," the Commander-in-Chief said. At the same time, according to analysts at the Institute for War Studies, if the West stops supporting Ukraine, the Russian army will be able to resume large-scale mechanized offensives "with good prospects for success." "There is every reason to believe that cutting off Western aid to Ukraine would allow Russia to win a military victory," ISW warned. In recent weeks, the "Ukrainian issue" has been at the epicenter of political confrontation in the United States: additional aid to Ukraine worth almost $61 billion has been stuck in Congress. In addition, a government came to power in Slovakia that refused to provide Kyiv with weapons, and in the Netherlands, a party opposed to military aid to Ukraine may be forming a government. ADVERTISIMENT Ipsos polls "The World's Response to the War in Ukraine " show that support for Ukraine in Western countries began to weaken in 2022. In addition, there has been a noticeable increase in supporters of a quick resolution of the conflict: while in August 2022, 31% of Americans were in favor of this, a year later, 43% were already in favor. At the same time, for example, in Canada, support for Ukraine has remained stable. Support for Ukraine among the United States' leading Pacific allies, Australia and Japan, has not changed significantly. Meanwhile, in the fall of 2023, Western media significantly increased publications about war fatigue and corruption scandals in Ukraine. Following Slovakia and the Netherlands, in 2024-2025, elections will be held in a number of Ukraine's partner countries, where opponents of assistance to Kyiv may come to power. In particular, the elections in the United States on November 5, 2024, will be of the greatest importance to us. ADVERTISIMENT According to polls, former President Donald Trump has a good chance of winning. He has already announced his intention to stop the "endless flow of American treasure" to Ukraine and to force European NATO allies to pay for the weapons transferred to the Ukrainian army. At the same time, in a number of countries, Ukraine has every chance of maintaining the previous level of support. In particular, we are talking about France, Japan, Northern Europe, as well as Spain and Portugal. As reported by OBOZ.UA: - The International Monetary Fund conducted an analysis that predicted that the war would continue in 2024 . Ukraine's economy will gradually grow, but we should not expect the majority of refugees to return next year. Ultimately, Ukraine will not be able to return 2 million refugees even after the war, the organization believes. ADVERTISIMENT - Military expert Vladyslav Selezniov gave a forecast on the course of the war in Ukraine in 2024. He emphasized that Ukrainian defenders already have experience in preparing for a summer offensive, but next year everything will depend on available resources. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! A number of large and mid-sized banks raised term deposit rates in December, luring customers to park surplus money with them as the system liquidity deficit widened following tax outflows and tepid government spending. Some banks raised rates for deposits up to 2 crore; others raised rates for bigger deposits. Top lenders State Bank of India (SBI ) and Bank of Baroda (BoB) increased rates on fixed deposits by 25-50 basis points (bps) and 10-125 bps, respectively, for different tenors on 27 and 29 December. A basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage point. A banking system liquidity crunch has sparked the rate hikes. Liquidity has remained in deficit since mid-September, with some days of surplus in between. According to Bloomberg data, the deficit widened to 2.6 trillion on 21 December, the highest in 2023. The liquidity situation is expected to improve as government spending picks up. Kotak Institutional Equities said in a note on 26 December that the government has adequate room to spend in the January-March quarter; it expects the government to run down on its cash balance in the coming months. From May 2022 to November 2023, the weighted average deposit rate increased by 213 bps on fresh deposits, as per Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data. Bankers said their asset-liability management committees are figuring out which buckets need more funds. The asset-liability management committee decides whether funds are available for a particular deposit tenor or not. When we do a maturity analysis of our deposits, we see where the gap is or where there could be a gap when outflows happen on maturity," said a senior official at a bank that raised deposit rates in December. Going forward, there will be more such rate changes in various buckets," he said on condition of anonymity. Others see this as a direct fallout of the liquidity crunch. The high liquidity deficit in the banking system, whereby banks are borrowing almost 3 trillion of short-term funding from RBI under the MSF (marginal standing facility) and VRR (variable rate repo) window at 6.7-6.75%, has prompted banks to hike deposit rates, especially on the shorter tenor maturities of up to six months," said Anil Gupta, senior vice-president and co-group head of financial sector ratings, Icra Ltd. Gupta said the deposit rate hikes are expected to be limited to 20 bps on longer maturity deposits as the banks will not contract high-cost deposits for longer maturity amid expectations of rate cuts next year. A section of the market expects RBI to start lowering rates from 2024. After raising the repo rate by 250 bps between May 2022 and February 2023, the central bank has held the repo rate at 6.5% for the past five monetary policy meetings. According to Gupta, while deposit rate hikes will result in upward repricing of the deposit base, the increase in lending yields will be limited to loans that are linked to the marginal cost of funds-based lending rate (MCLR), an internal pricing benchmark. Thats because the repo-linked loans are unlikely to be priced upward like the benchmark it tracks. Other experts pointed out that although the differential between the pace of credit and deposit growth has narrowed, credit growth continues to outpace deposit growth and banks have continued to raise rates in a bid to attract deposits. Crisil Ratings Ltd expects the trend of deposit rate hikes to continue, and while credit growth is expected to be lower than in FY23, it remains healthy and this should continue into FY25 as well. That apart, lenders are also likely to see a compression of their net interest margins, given the increasing cost of funds in the form of deposits. We believe that net interest margins (NIMs) for the banking sector have peaked," said Subha Sri Narayanan, director, Crisil Ratings. Narayanan said that as the recent deposit rate hikes come into effect not only for incremental deposits, but also where deposits come up for repricing (typically in the range of 30-35% in a year), overall deposit costs will rise. And given the repricing on the assets side has already been done, this could have an impact on NIMs to the extent of 10-20 bps. However, from an overall banking sector profitability perspective, benign credit costs should continue to provide an offset," he said. Consumers flocked to sport utility vehicles (SUVs) to drive passenger vehicle (PV) sales beyond four million in 2023, a top industry executive said, as they continued to disengage from sedans and hatchbacks. This, even as the vehicles themselves turned costlier by an average of 10% during the year. Over two million SUVs were sold last year, fetching 49% of total sales compared to 42% in 2022, said Shashank Srivastava, senior executive director at Maruti Suzuki, the countrys top carmaker. According to Srivastava, the average PV carried a price tag of 11.5 lakh in 2023, 40% more than 8.2 lakh in 2019, and 9.5% higher than 10.5 lakh in 2022. Apart from higher production costs due to costlier inputs and mandatory safety tech, a higher share of costlier SUVs and customer preference for top models have also been driving up average purchase prices in 2023. A total of 287,904 passenger vehicles were dispatched from factories to dealerships in December, Srivastava said, the highest ever for the month, crossing the previous record of 276,000 units in December 2020. This was also a 4.4% growth over last years dispatches of 275,680 units. At Maruti Suzuki, December dispatches fell 6.5% to 104,778 units from a year earlier, while Tata Motors dispatches rose 8.6% to 43,470, and Mahindra & Mahindras increased 23.7% to 35,174 . Some manufacturers including Toyota and Kia are yet to release their December numbers. Retail sales were higher than wholesales in December, as manufacturers tried to clear out stocks after three festive months ending November, by slashing production and offering hefty discounts on models with high inventories. Citing data on the governments Vahan website, Jay Kale, senior vice-president at Elara Capital, said December retail sales grew at a slower pace than the 7% growth seen in FY24 so far. We are seeing some moderation in PV growth. The real situation of pending order books reported by companies is getting tested as capacities ramp up post chip shortage at the start of the year. While the SUV segment continues to outperform, the recovery in the cars segment on a low base will be keenly watched," Kale said. Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motor India said their stocks are near two-week levels at the beginning of 2024, down to half of the levels seen at the beginning of December. Industry-wide, PV retail numbers stood at a record 442,800 units in December, Marutis Srivastava said, up 7.8% over last year, compared to 287,904 wholesales in the same month. To be sure, official wholesale and retail sales numbers will be separately released by the auto industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and dealers body Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations of India (FADA) later in the month. Vehicles with electrified powertrains, including electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles, saw a 90% and 358% increase, respectively, albeit on a relatively low but expanding base. This has benefitted companies including Tata Motors and MG Motor India, which are leaders in the EV segment, as well as Toyota and Maruti Suzuki, which have introduced hybrid models in some segments of SUVs. New SUV models have been selling like hot cakes; new micro-SUV Exter pushed up Hyundais overall SUV sales to account for 60% of its portfolio, while Hondas new SUV Elevate already accounts for half of its sales in India. Hyundai expects as much as 65% of its sales to come from SUVs next year, and sees SUVs as a segment growing to 53-54% of total PV sales. Meanwhile, Maruti Suzuki is chasing a 25% share in the segment by the end of FY24, and currently draws over 23% of its sales from SUVs. SUV-focused Mahindra & Mahindra continues to see a strong inflow of new orders, even as supply chain challenges for some products are still leading to long waiting periods. Automakers also reported healthy rural sales in 2023, highlighting an income-divide even within the rural population as sales of most consumer goods makers suggest a slowdown in rural consumption. For Maruti Suzuki, rural sales at 776,000 units in 2023 was its highest ever, Srivastava said. Strong minimum support prices, improving road infrastructure and good monsoons translated into a very good growth in rural sales," said Tarun Garg, chief operating officer, Hyundai Motor India. For Hyundai, rural contribution to our sales was at its highest ever at 19.1% in 2023. Going forward in 2024, we feel the industry growth could be in the low single digits, maybe 3-4%, but that is also very good considering that we are sitting on two years of back-to-back highest-ever growth years", Garg said. According to Srivastava, three factors will contribute to a moderation in growth rate in 2024: Theres no longer any pent-up demand or pending bookings thatll drive sales as that has been fulfilled this year. We are entering 2024 with optimal stock levels and the pass-through of the high repo rate will result in high auto loan rates, which can potentially adversely affect demand," he said. As soon as a coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs," ran an early advertising jingle attributed to Johann Tetzel, a 16th-century indulgence salesman. Funding the church offered believers an alternative to paying for sins in the afterlife. The carbon-credit market promises something similar. Instead of reducing your carbon footprint, why not simply pay someone else to do it for you? It is a nice idea. Yet the voluntary carbon marketas opposed to compliance markets, such as the EUs emissions-trading schemeis in turmoil. Latter-day Martin Luthers, whose objections to Tetzel led to the Reformation, have pointed out that offsets struggle to prove they make a difference to emissions: renewable projects are often viable on their own, thus providing funding does not lower emissions. View Full Image ... Scandals have also sapped investor appetite. A report by the Guardian, a British newspaper, alleged that many leading nature-based" offsets, which usually attempt to restore forests, are junk. Activists argue that middle men hog the proceeds and indigenous people fail to benefit. Prices for nature-based offsets plunged from $15 a tonne after the COP climate summit in Glasgow two years ago to a disastrous $0.10 a tonne after the recent meeting in Dubai, according to Xpansiv, an exchange. Reformers were at the summit in force, with proposals for how to fix the market. These include plans to verify, tally and register offsets. Six outfits, including the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative, which provides advice on how to use credits, and the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market, which aims to set offset rules, launched what they called an end-to-end integrity framework". The hope is that such reassurance might tempt back corporate buyers. McKinsey, a consultancy, has estimated that the market value of voluntary offsets could reach $50bn by 2030, up from $2bn or so today, given the number of firms that have vowed to decarbonise supply chains. Banks have begun to open trading desks to buy and sell offsets. On December 4th the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, an American regulator, published guidance on how it will regulate markets. Vast flows of private finance could provide money for poor countries to fight global warming. Americas state department therefore outlined plans for its own carbon-offset scheme at COP, through which firms could pay countries to clean up electricity production. The Dominican Republic and Nigeria have signed up. So have McDonalds, a fast-food chain, PepsiCo, a consumer-goods firm, and Bank of America. The Rockefeller Foundation, which is working with the state department, also supports a similar scheme. The idea is to mix private investment, loans and carbon credits to reduce the cost of replacing coal with renewables. The first deal has been agreed between ACEN, a Filipino energy firm, and the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the island-states central bank. Companies will be able to use credits to pay the territorys carbon tax from 2024. Countries also inked deals under a provision of the Paris agreement on climate change that allows them to co-operate in meeting emissions promises. Switzerland came to an agreement with Ghana under which it will fund four waste facilities. Singapore signed a deal with Papua New Guinea that will allow it to count some of the latters emissions cuts as its own. Yet negotiations over a final rule book for bilateral deals, as well as a carbon-credit market with the imprimatur of the UN, went nowhere. Negotiators clashed over how much transparency to require. Without nationally accredited schemes, firms will have to turn to the Wild West" of the voluntary market, says Mandy Rambharos of the Environmental Defence Fund, a charity. The danger is that bad press provides an excuse for firms to withdraw from the market altogether. After cop, the price of nature-based offsets fell even further; the hope is that they will rise once the reforms are actually implemented. For carbon sinners, heaven can wait. The year 2023 was perhaps a good year for crypto prices as they recouped the previous years losses considerably with bitcoin spiking by 165 percent . When it comes to a set of regulations, digital currencies still fall short of explicit legitimacy, albeit they are not illegal either. However, when the government introduced a detailed tax regime for virtual digital currencies (VDAs) in 2022 including 1 percent TDS on crypto transactions, some saw it as an implicit approval. The trading volumes in crypto exchanges of India witnessed a massive decline in the aftermath, and in some cases up to 90 percent. The VDA tax structure had an unintended consequence of driving the majority of the trade outside India, thereby defeating the very purpose of which the tax was introduced," says Venkatesh R, Senior Vice-President and Public Policy Head, CoinSwitch. In order to circumvent what was seen as a draconian provision, some Indian crypto exchanges moved their business offshore. And more recently, Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has issued show cause notices to nine offshore cryptocurrency operators including Binance for not complying with the Indian laws. Aside from issuing the show cause notices, the FIU has also written to the ministry of electronics and information technology to block the URLs of these nine entities since they have been operating illegally. 2023: Regulatory milestones achieved With regards to crypto assets, a few regulatory milestones were achieved this year. One of the keys is the adoption of a roadmap for crypto assets regulation by G20 as proposed by IMF and Financial Stability Board (FSB). Another key milestone relates to the registration of 28 crypto service providers with the Financial Intelligence Unit, Indias anti money laundering body under the Department of Revenue. Venkatesh R says, Amongst the most significant milestones is the reporting entity status granted to VDA Service Providers (VDASPs) under Indias PMLA and to establish the FIU-IND as the regulator for this purpose." 28 virtual digital asset service providers in India have registered with the Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND). This will bring them under the ambit of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLA and also make it mandatory for users on these platforms to authenticate their identities through KYC," says Rajagopal Menon, Vice President, WazirX. Gaurav Mehta, CEO of Catax - Simple Crypto Tax adds, Significant regulatory milestone was achieved as the G20 reached a consensus on recognizing the borderless nature of cryptocurrencies. This consensus focused on the need for coordinated efforts in regulating cryptocurrencies, enhancing consumer protection, coordinating taxation, and improving international tax transparency." Is the future perfect? The industry leaders assert that cryptocurrencies have a huge potential and moving forward, there should be a full-fledged regulatory framework and the TDS rate of 1 percent should be slashed. The appetite among Indians for crypto assets is huge and has exponentially increased in the last two to three years. They perceive it as an exciting prospect as compared to traditional investment assets such as stocks and bonds. Reduction of TDS from one percent has been widely advocated by the crypto community. With a high TDS rate, the trading volumes are moving to foreign exchanges since investors voted with their feet," said Rajagopal Menon, Vice President, WazirX. To foster investor trust, authorities should provide clear and forward-looking guidance on the treatment of cryptocurrencies, backed by robust regulations. While governments have often approached cryptocurrencies with caution and scepticism, the resilience and sustained growth of the crypto ecosystem demand a more constructive approach," adds Gaurav Mehta. Venkatesh R from CoinSwitch adds that a strong regulatory framework is vital as in other economies such as in Japan, this has shielded consumers from crypto scams and fraudulent activities. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has deferred the deadline for introduction of a new penal charges regime by three months from Jan 1 2024 to April 1, 2024. This extension has been given for the new loans, while the existing loans are meant to be migrated to the new penal regime by June 30, 2024. This was announced in a recent RBI notification released on Friday. It is noteworthy to mention here that the banking regulator issued a detailed set of guidelines to prevent banks from charging a penal rate of interest in case of defaults by borrowers. It has been decided to extend the timeline for implementation of the instructions by three months. Accordingly, REs (regulated entities i.e., banks) shall ensure that the instructions are implemented in respect of all the fresh loans availed from April 1, 2024 onwards. In the case of existing loans, the switchover to new penal charges regime shall be ensured on the next review/ renewal date falling on or after April 1, 2024, but not later than June 30, 2024," reads the circular. What were the guidelines about? The regulator released the guidelines after realising that the penal charges were being imposed by banks as a revenue enhancement tool instead of inculcating credit discipline among borrowers which was supposed to be the key intent. The RBI guidelines released on August 18, 2023 stipulated that the penalty, if charged, for non-compliance will be treated as penal charges and not in the form of penal interest. Also, there will not be any capitalisation of penal charges i.e., no further interest computed on such charges. The guidelines also stipulated that the quantum of penal charges will be reasonable and commensurate with the non-compliance without being discriminatory within a particular loan category. The guidelines had also mentioned that the penal charges in case of loans sanctioned to individual borrowers for purposes other than business will not be higher than the penal charges applicable to non-individual borrowers for similar non-compliance. Also, in order to prevent banks from imposing arbitrary rates of interest, they are meant to follow a board approved policy on penal charges on similar charges on loans. Importantly, these instructions will not apply to credit cards which are covered under product specific directions. And as mentioned above, these guidelines were supposed to come into effect from Jan 1, 2024 but have now been deferred till March 31, 2024. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The year 2023 will end in a few hours, giving way to anticipation of a new year, New Year 2024. If you are planning to ring in the new year with a cozy movie night, or by binge watching dramas on OTT, Livemint has some recommendations curated for you! Classics When Harry Met Sally (Movie) 1989 classic rom-com When Harry Met Sally boasts THE best New Year's Eve scenes, and also marks the greatest romantic comedies ever made. Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video Sleepless In Seattle (1993) When it comes to romantic films to watch on NYE, there's no better option than this emotional tear-jerker starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan especially in one beautiful scene when Hanks' character imagines a sweet conversation with his late wife on New Year's Eve. Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video Crime Thrillers Berlin (Drama series) A spin-off of the immensely popular Spanish series, Money Heist, this is the story of Berlin back in his golden age before the events of "Money Heist," when Berlin and a masterful gang gather in Paris to plan one of his most ambitious robberies ever. Where to Watch: Netflix Mangalavaaram (Movie) A Telegu-language psychological mystery thriller that tells the story when fear engulfs a village as murders pile up. Shailu, a young woman is the heart of the story and the enigmatic tale unravels with a suspenseful cinematic journey. Where to Watch: Disney+Hotstar Jaane Jaan (Movie) The Kareena Kapoor Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Vijay Varma starrer was tagged the number one movie by Netflix, based on global viewing hours, is a thriller that tells a story when a single mother is caught in a crime investigation, her neighbour, a gifted math teacher, offers to help, and a relentless cop digs into the case. Where to Watch: Netflix Emotional Three of Us (Movie) Starring Shefali Shah, Jaideep Ahlawat, Three of Us is a story of when a woman with early onset dementia visits her hometown with her husband, buried memories and a former love pave a poignant path through her past. Where to Watch: Netflix 12th Fail (Movie) Starring Vikrant Massey, and Medha Shankar, 12th Fail tells the story of an IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma who fearlessly embraces the idea of restarting his academic journey and reclaiming his destiny at a place where millions of students attempt the world's toughest competitive exam: UPSC. Where to Watch: Disney+Hotstar Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (Movie) If you haven't jumped the wagon about this Ananya Pandey, Siddhant CHaturvedi starrer movie, that social media has called the most relatable content ever made, then the New Year holiday is the perfect time to indulge in the narrative of three best friends, who juggle life as 20-somethings in Mumbai, where romance, ambition and heartbreak collide with the addictive draw of social media. Where to Watch: Netflix Gulmohar (Movie) Marking Sharmila Tagore's OTT debut, and a comeback, after she revealed that she was diagnosed with Cancer while the world was battling the Covid pandemic, Gulmohar is a family watch. It follows the multi-generation Batra family, who are all set to move out of their 34-year-old family home, and how this shift in their lives is a rediscovery of the bonds that have held them together as a family with secrets and insecurities. Where to Watch: Disney+Hotstar Korean Drama Crash Landing on You (Drama Series) A 16 episode romantic drama follows a South Korean heiress Yoon Se-ri who crash-lands in a quaint North Korean hamlet after a paragliding misadventure. When army officer Ri Jeong-hyeok rescues her, Se-ri immediately strikes a warm bond with him. Soon, they fall in love and aspire to be with each other. However, cross-cultural differences pose a threat to their blooming love. Where to Watch: Netflix Boys Over Flowers (Drama Series) For all those early Korean Drama fans, you can revisit this Lee Min Ho classic, that follows a meek Geum Jan-di who gets enrolled at Shinhwa High School, Koreas most prestigious school. She becomes the centre of attraction for F4, an exclusive group of four wealthy boys. Soon, the groups tsundere leader Goo Jun-pyo (Lee) falls for Jan-di, and the duo starts dating. When the formers powerful family opposes their relationship, Jun-pyo proves his love by vowing to be with Jan-di forever. Where to Watch: Netflix And if all else fails' you can always binge on Koffee with Karan season 8 on Disney+Hotstar, and catch up on the latest happenings in the film industry in India. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! India and Pakistan on Monday exchanged a list of their nuclear installations under a bilateral pact signed in 1988 and came into force in 1991 that prohibits the two countries from attacking each other's atomic facilities. The list of nuclear installations and facilities, covered under the provisions of the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack Against Nuclear Installations and Facilities, were simultaneously exchanged in New Delhi and Islamabad through diplomatic channels, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. "India and Pakistan today exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad, the list of nuclear installations and facilities, covered under the agreement on the prohibition of attack against nuclear installations and facilities between India and Pakistan," the MEA said. Also Read | Covid cases LIVE updates: India reports 636 fresh COVID cases in a day This is the 33rd consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 1, 1992, the MEA added. The agreementsigned on December 31, 1988, and came into force on January 27, 1991mandates both the two countries to inform each other of nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the agreement on the first of January of every calendar year. The exchange of the list came amid frosty ties between the two countries over the Kashmir issue as well as cross-border terrorism. Both countries have not had any formal talks since they ended the composite dialogue in the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai attacks carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based terror group, in which 166 people were killed and several injured. The political leadership of both countries made several attempts to resume the contact. However, they were derailed by a string of terror attacks on Indian soil by Pakistan-based terror groups. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Manipur News: Violence in the north-eastern state of Manipur resurfaced as three persons were allegedly shot dead and five others injured in Thoubal district on Monday evening, following which curfew was reimposed in the five valley districts of the state, officials said. Gunmen, who are yet to be identified, arrived in camouflage dresses in the Lilong Chingjao area, and opened fire targeting locals, they said. While three people died on the spot, five others were injured. Those injured were admitted to a hospital, officials said. After the attack, the enraged locals set three four-wheelers on fire. It was not immediately clear to whom these cars belonged. Following the fresh violence, curfew was reimposed in Thoubal, Imphal East and Imphal West, Kakching and Bishnupur districts, officials said. "The Curfew Relaxation order is hereby cancelled with immediate effect and curfew Is Imposed in the whole revenue jurisdiction of Thoubal District Immediately prohibiting the movement of persons outside their respective residences in the District," said the order issued by A Subhash, District Magistrate of the district. "All persons belonging to essential services such as Health, PHED, MSPDCL/MSPCL, Municipalities, Print and Electronic Media and functioning of the Courts are however exempted from imposition of curfew," the order added. In a video message, Chief Minister N Biren Singh condemned the violence, and appealed to the people, particularly the residents of Lilong, for maintaining peace. "Police are working to arrest those behind the attack. They will be arrested soon and punished as per the law," he said. More than 180 people have been killed and several hundred injured since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3 when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals Nagas and Kukis constitute little over 40 per cent and reside in the hill districts. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Sri Lanka has imposed a one-year ban on Chinese research vessels" in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), according to a report. India has been raising concerns about these vessels with Sri Lanka for some time now, amid speculation that they are used to track Indian military tests and survey strategically important waters. In July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe to respect Indian strategic and security concerns. India and China have been vying for dominance in Sri Lanka, which has been courting China to diversify its diplomatic relationships while attempting to strike a balance between the countries. While New Delhi has been a long-term partner of Sri Lanka, it comes with some baggage thanks to its involvement in the country's civil war. Mint take a closer look at the issue. What happened? A report in the Indian media said that Sri Lanka has agreed to ban Chinese research vessels from its EEZ for a year. The report said the decision was communicated to India through diplomatic channels in late December. The Wickremesinghe government notified the one-year ban last week, after India and the US red-flagged Colombo entertaining Chinese scientific research vessels and ballistic missile trackers in the Indian Ocean and providing them logistical support, the report said, quoting unnamed sources. The development ban followed a request from Chinas Xiang Yang Hong 3 research vessel" to conduct deep-water research in Sri Lankan waters. China has also asked the Maldives for permission to allow a research vessel to dock at its port for a deep water exploration of the South Indian ocean from January to May. India has asked both nations to not accede to China's requests, the report adds. What's the background? This is not the first time that a Chinese vessel has attempted such a visit. In October 2023, Shi Yan 6, another research vessel, docked at Colombo port. In 2022, the Yuan Wang 5 docked at Hambantota port and returned in December that year. That visit coincided with a sensitive Indian missile test. India has conveyed its security concerns about these visits to Sri Lanka, amid suspicion that these research vessels" conduct surveillance operations for the Chinese military. During Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe's visited to New Delhi in July, New Delhi asked that Sri Lanka remain sensitive to Indias national-security interests. We believe that the security interests and development of India and Sri Lanka are intertwined. And therefore, it is essential that we work together keeping in mind each others safety and sensitivities," said Prime Minister Modi. This reported ban on Chinese research vessels may be a step in that direction. What's the larger strategic picture? Sri Lanka has been trying to strike a balance between India and China. While New Delhi has been a long-term partner, it comes with some baggage thanks to its involvement in Sri Lankan politics, particularly during the country's civil war. Colombo has courted China to diversify its diplomatic relationships and avoid over-dependence on India. Ties between India and Sri Lanka improved considerably after India provided it southern neighbour nearly $4 billion in aid to help tide its economic crisis. Despite its close relations with India, Colombo will look to maintain ties with China, which recently announced a multibillion-dollar oil refinery investment in Hambantota. According to media reports, the couple is accused of orchestrating a massive financial fraud amounting to thousands of crores through their share trading firm. They have been booked under sections 420 (cheating) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code and under sections 3 (fraudulent default by financial establishment) and section 4 (attachment of properties on default of return of deposits) of the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors Act, 1999 (MPID)," said the police officer, as reported by Hindustan Times. Also Read: 'All India Pregnant Job' scam in Bihar: Fraudsters offering money for 'impregnating' women arrested Originally filed by Amboli police in June, the case centred around accusations of cheating and common intention under sections 420 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code. However, due to the escalating scale of the fraud, the case was later transferred to the EOW in August. It is to be further noted that Krishna Hegde, a former Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), is one of 166 investors who have lodged complaints, claiming a combined fraud sum of 85.17 crore. Also Read: From deepfake to phishing: Top 5 fraud trends anticipated in the financial sector in 2024 and strategies for mitigation The accused operated Bliss Consultants, a stockbroking firm, to attract investors. Allegedly, investors were tempted to invest in companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange through the DIFM application. The couple imposed a 30% brokerage fee on profits and guaranteed investors an extra 2.5% monthly investment return via the DIFM trading app. Also Read: Value of frauds in banking transactions spiked 10 times in 10 years, shows RBI data Krishna Hegde, a victim in the case, pointed out that the accused couple had legal issues in Gujarat and Punjab, and they were implicated in a drug-related case in Madhya Pradesh, though they were subsequently cleared. Hegde stressed the importance of a comprehensive inquiry and confirmed that properties worth 165 crore had been seized. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold footholds on the left bank of the Dnipro River. During the day, they repelled 9 enemy assault attacks, but our units continue to hold their positions and inflict significant losses on the invaders. ADVERTISIMENT This is stated in the evening report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook on December 31. In total, 42 combat engagements took place at the front during the day. Russian attacks and the situation at the front In total, the enemy launched 12 missile and 58 air strikes, including with Shahed-136/131 attack drones, and fired 48 MLRS attacks at our troops' positions and populated areas. Unfortunately, Russian terrorist attacks have resulted in deaths and injuries among the civilian population. Private residential and apartment buildings, as well as other civilian and industrial infrastructure, were destroyed and damaged. ADVERTISIMENT At the Siversky and Slobozhansky directions, the enemy maintains military presence in the border areas. More than 30 settlements came under enemy artillery and mortar fire, including Khrinivka in Chernihiv region; Ulitsa, Svarkove, Stukalivka, Basivka, Vysoke, Popivka in Sumy region; Vetarine, Kozacha Lopan, Ohirtseve, Vovchansk, Budarky, Bologivka in Kharkiv region. In the Kupyansk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 11 attacks by the occupiers near Synkivka, Kharkiv region. The enemy also launched an air strike near Ivanivka, Kharkiv region. About 10 localities came under artillery and mortar fire, including Dvorichna, Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, and Berestove in the Kharkiv region. In the Lyman sector, the enemy conducted an assault near Makiivka, Luhansk region. He conducted an air strike near Serebryanske forestry in Luhansk region and Hryhorivka, Riznykivka, Zvanivka, Spirne in Donetsk region. It shelled more than 10 localities with artillery and mortars, including Nevske and Bilohorivka in Luhansk region and Torske, Serebryanka, Verkhnekamianske, Spirne, and Rozdolivka in Donetsk region. ADVERTISIMENT In the Bakhmut sector , the Defense Forces repelled seven enemy attacks near Bohdanivka and Andriivka in the Donetsk region. More than 10 localities came under artillery and mortar fire, including Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiyivka and Andriivka in the Donetsk region. In the Avdiivka sector, our defenders repelled three enemy attacks near Avdiivka and another nine attacks in the area of Pervomaiske, Donetsk region, where the enemy tried to improve the tactical situation to no avail. About 10 settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Berdychi, Stepove, Avdiivka, Severne, Netaylove, Pervomayske in Donetsk region. ADVERTISIMENT In the Mariinsky sector , the Defense Forces continue to hold back the occupants near Novomykhailivka, Donetsk region, where the enemy, supported by aviation, launched 4 futile attacks on the positions of our defenders. Maksymilianivka, Heorhiivka, Maryinka, Pobeda, Novomykhailivka and Kostiantynivka came under artillery and mortar fire. In the Shakhtarsk sector, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled an enemy attack near Urozhayne in Donetsk region. About 10 settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Urozhayne, Makarivka, Staromayorske in Donetsk region. In the Zaporizhzhya sector, the enemy tried to regain lost ground in the area of Robotyne, Zaporizhzhya region, to no avail. Four attacks were repelled there. More than 25 localities came under artillery and mortar fire, including Levadne, Huliaipole, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka, Mali Shcherbaki, Pyatikhatky in Zaporizhzhia region. ADVERTISIMENT In the Kherson sector, Ivanivka, Sadove, Antonivka and Kherson in the Kherson region came under enemy artillery fire. The enemy also carried out air strikes near the settlements of Kachkarivka and Chervonyi Mayak in the Kherson region. Occupants' losses over the day The aviation of the Defense Forces struck 11 areas of concentration of enemy personnel. Missile troops hit 3 areas of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment, an ammunition depot and an enemy control center. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA: - On December 30, Zelenskyy convened the last meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff this year . Its participants summarized the military results of the year and determined the strategy for the use of the Defense Forces for 2024. - The Defense Forces attacked enemy warehouses in the Kherson region with JDAM bombs. Ukrainian marines from the 140th separate reconnaissance battalion based in Kherson region recorded the hits on the occupiers' warehouses using drones. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! A 2.5-year-old girl fell into an open borewell in Gujarats Devbhumi Dwarka district on Monday afternoon, prompting a rescue operation by local authorities and army personnel. The NDRF team has also been called by the district administration. The girl fell 30 feet into the open borewell in Ran Village of Kalyanpur tehsil of Dwarka at around 1 pm while playing in the front yard of her familys residence, The Indian Express reported. Also Read | Khalistani leader Pannun calls for dumping Indian stocks before March 12: Report She is trapped at a depth of around 30 feet. A team of the health department is pumping oxygen in the borewell and an operation is on to pull the girl out of the borewell," Devbhumi Dwarka district collector Ashok Sharma told The Indian Express. Sharma, Deputy Collector Hitesh Bhagora and other top officials of the district are at the site to supervise the rescue operation. Bhagora said the rescue team comprising the Indian Army, local police and fire brigade, managed to pull the girl up by 10 feet. Also Read | Covid cases LIVE updates: India reports three more deaths in 24 hours The cries of the little girl are still audible, Bhagora said adding that they have also sought the help of the NDRF to rescue the girl. An ambulance is also stationed at the site. An NDRF team has left for the site from Gandhinagar, the agency said in a statement. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! After 'MBA Chaiwala' and 'Patrakaar Pohewala', a 'PhD Sabzi Wala is making waves on the internet. Dr Sandeep Singh, a man with four Masters degrees and a PhD degree, is selling vegetables on Punjab streets. According to reports, 39-year-old Singh was a contractual professor at Punjabi University in Patiala for 11 years. He was quoted by Times Now as saying, "I had to leave the job because I didn't use to get my salary on time and there was frequent pay cut. It had become difficult for me to make ends meet with that job. That's why I switched to selling vegetables for the survival of me and my family." ALSO READ: MBA Chaiwala from 0 to 4cr Company | Startup Buzz "Getting a job means that you can run your household with the salary you receive. But what is the use of a job which does not fulfill your needs?" Navbharat Times quoted him as saying. "For 11 years, I also worked as a professor at Punjabi University, Patiala, but even because of all these years of hard work, the government did not approve me," he told News 18. I still want to work as a professor, but the circumstances are not allowing," he added. He completed his PhD in law and has four Master's degrees in subjects including Punjabi, journalism and political science. He is still pursuing studies and selling vegetables to make a living. ALSO READ: Here are top-20 startups on the rise in India in 2023 According to the reports, Singh also revealed that he earns more money by selling vegetables than he did as a professor. He sells vegetables on his cart and studies for his upcoming exam after going back home. There's a board on his cart which reads PhD Sabzi Wala". Singh switched his job to a vegetable vendor so that he can save money and open his own tuition centre one day, News 18 reported. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! A Tesla Model X was recently spotted in Bengaluru's traffic, creating a buzz among social media users, who engaged in a guessing game as to whether the vehicle was privately owned or if the Elon Musk-led company was conducting test drives in Bengaluru. The ultra-red Tesla SUV was reportedly spotted in Bengaluru's Minsk Square area near the Cubbon Park metro station. However, the sight of a Tesla vehicle in the familiar Bengaluru traffic sparked many hilarious reactions from social media users. The picture of the Tesla car in Bengaluru traffic was first shared by a handle called North BangalorePost on X (formerly Twitter). The handle suggested that Tesla was testing its vehicles in Bengaluru, a claim that many netizens disagreed with. Replying with a hilarious post on X, one user wrote, In banglore?? Did no one break the glass? Tesla is not a Kannada word" Saw the same vehicle in Koramangala a few days back I think it's some private vehicle." Another X user noted Its not test drive, some one is on official visit and driving his car from Dubai which is very much allowed for limited period." Yet another one said. Sharing some information about the Tesla EV, one user wrote,The car showing belongs to one who imported through CARNET from Dubai. Otherwise a test drive vehicle would carry a number plate with red BG and white text colour." According to a Moneycontrol report, Tesla had incorporated an Indian arm named Tesla India Motors and Energy Private Ltd in preparation for setting up a manufacturing plant along with a research and development wing in India. Recently, a report by Ahmedabad Mirror noted that Tesla is all set to enter India and the company could set up its manufacturing plant in Gujarat next year. The negotiation for the establishment of the first manufacturing unit of the EV maker in India has reached its final leg and is likely to conclude soon, according to media reports. The announcement related to the Tesla manufacturing unit in the state is likely to take place in the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Summit, going to be held in January 2024, reported Ahmedabad Mirror. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Confidential court papers from 2015 have linked former US President Bill Clinton to the Jeffrey Epstein case. These papers, secret till now, are going to be made public this week. Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell is accused of facilitating the sexual abuse of Virginia Giuffre. She claims Epstein and Maxwell made her have sexual encounters with famous people, including Prince Andrew of Britain. This big news comes after a judge, Loretta Preska, decided to open these secret papers. They might reveal the names of more than 150 John and Jane Does" involved. The papers are part of a big legal fight with Giuffre. She hasn't accused Clinton, now 77, of doing anything wrong but claims she met him on Epstein's private island in the Caribbean. Maxwell says this isn't true. As per ABC News, the former US president is named Doe 36" in the papers. In these papers, Clinton's name comes up more than fifty times. In 2016, Giuffre's lawyers tried to get Clinton to talk about his connections with Epstein. But another judge, Robert Sweet, said no to this. Maxwell said that Giuffre was trying to involve Clinton was a "transparent ploy" to increase media exposure for her sensational stories", the publication added. The papers also talk about Maxwell and Giuffre trying to get Epstein to answer questions in 2016, but Epstein didn't answer, saying it was his right. Even with these serious claims, Clinton's lawyers didn't say no to showing these papers. Clinton's trip on Epstein's plane This all started getting attention after Clinton went to Africa on Epstein's plane in 2002 for a charity trip. Clinton stopped being in touch with Epstein in 2005 before Epstein was investigated for sexual crimes. Epstein was arrested in 2019 for crimes against children. The unsealing of documents starts on January 1. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! New Year 2024: As the world bid farewell to the old year, countries across the Pacific Islands were among the first to welcome the dawn of 2024, marking the onset of global New Year celebrations. Happy New Year 2024 LIVE: A very Happy New Year to you all New Zealand, following closely as the second country to enter the new year, illuminated the night sky with dazzling fireworks displays, while people gathered in various iconic locations to usher in the fresh beginning. Pictures captured the vibrant festivities, showcasing the diverse ways in which different nations embraced the joyous occasion. These snapshots of celebration and unity around the globe served as a visual testament to the shared optimism and hope that accompany the start of a new year across cultures and time zones. Breathtaking fireworks exhibitions illuminated renowned landmarks, such as the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, and reflected against the sleek glass facades of the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, a shared jubilation echoed through the atmosphere in Nairobi, Kenya, as dazzling displays marked the celebrations in these diverse global locations. View Full Image Russian President Vladimir Putin's New Year's message is projected onto a wall during the Year's celebrations at the Palace Square in St. Petersburg, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky) (AP) View Full Image Fireworks explode over the London Eye Ferris wheel as Britons across the country welcome the New Year, in London, Britain, January 1, 2024. REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska (REUTERS) View Full Image Fireworks light up the sky over Edinburgh Castle and the Balmoral Clock to mark the New Year, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain December 31, 2023. REUTERS/Lesley Martin (REUTERS) View Full Image TOPSHOT - Fireworks explode next to the Arc de Triomphe with '2024' projected, at the Avenue des Champs-Elysees during New Year celebrations in Paris, early on January 1, 2024. (Photo by Bertrand GUAY / AFP) (AFP) View Full Image Fireworks explode over the Acropolis during New Year celebrations in Athens, early on January 1, 2024. (Photo by Angelos TZORTZINIS / AFP) (AFP) View Full Image Fireworks illuminate the sky above Lake Zurich, Switzerland, during the New Year's Eve festivities early Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Ennio Leanza/Keystone via AP) (AP) View Full Image Fireworks explode around the London Eye and The Elizabeth Tower, commonly known by the name of the clock's bell, 'Big Ben', at the Palace of Westminster, home to the Houses of Parliament, in central London, just after midnight on January 1, 2024. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) (AFP) View Full Image Fireworks explode at the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, during the New Year's Eve celebration, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) (AP) Also Read: Happy New Year 2024! From digital detox to achieving work-life harmony, here are top 10 resolutions Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is gearing up for an upcoming election in March, briefly mentioned his country's involvement in the conflict in Ukraine in his New Year address on Sunday. London welcomed the New Year with the resonant chimes of the Big Ben bell in Westminster tower, accompanied by a spectacular display of fireworks. The festivities also included a showcase of news highlights, prominently featuring King Charles' coronation in the visual presentation. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Pope Francis prays for Israel-Palestine At the Vatican, Pope Francis remembered 2023 as a year filled with the pain of war. The pontiff prayed for the tormented" people of Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Sudan and others. At the end of the year, we will have the courage to ask ourselves how many human lives have been shattered by armed conflict, how many dead and how much destruction, how much suffering, how much poverty," he said. Hamas launches rockets At the onset of 2024, Hamas launched over 20 rockets towards southern and central Israel, causing alarm as the new year began. Sirens had been heard across various cities including Ashdod, and Sderot, as well as in Rehovot, Ness Ziona, Holon, Lod, and Modiin. There have been no injuries reported. Israel attacks central Gaza Israeli operations in central Gaza killed at least 35 lives on December 31, according to local hospital authorities. The conflict continues to escalate within the small territory. Air strikes hit central Gaza, destroyed a house and killed 10 people. Many others left for Rafah, near the Egyptian border, as Israeli tanks fought with Hamas fighters. Netanyahu says war to continue Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the war will continue for many more months". His promise to take back control over the border with Egypt also brings up fresh doubts about the possibility of a two-state solution in the future. Israel FM asks settlers to return Israel Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has asked Jewish settlers to the Gaza Strip after the war and encouraged Palestinians there to move away. Smotrich has said that, to keep the area safe, Israel needs to be in charge. Former Israel minister says sorry A former Israeli minister, Galit Distel Atbaryan, apologised for her part in the country's arguments before the violence started on October 7. She suggested that arguments among Israelis might have looked like a weakness, which led to Hamas attack. "I sinned against you, I caused pain for you, I caused you to fear for your lives here, and I am sorry for this," she said. Hostage returns to Israel Itay Regev, 18, met his sister Maya Regev, 21, at Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, Israel. He just got back to Israel after being held by Hamas in Gaza. Maya, who was also held in Gaza, got out a few days before Itay. Israel to release reservists The Israeli military plans to send home some reservists called up for duty in Gaza. They say this will help the economy as the country gets ready for more conflict. "Some of the reservist soldiers will return to their families and their jobs already this week," military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated. Jama Masjid Shahi Imam comments Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid, says that the Muslim world has not lived up to its responsibilities" on the Israel-Palestine issue. He has also asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to use India's influence to help stop the conflict with Israel. PM Modi on resolving conflicts Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India believes "honest dialogue and sincere diplomacy" are the best ways to settle conflicts without fear or force. Be it in Ukraine or in Gaza, our approach has been guided by this belief. We cannot let terrorists or violence set the agenda," PM Modi told India Today. (With agency inputs) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Shipping giant Maersk said on Sunday it was suspending the passage of vessels through a key Red Sea strait for 48 hours, after Yemeni rebels attacked one of its merchant ships. The Maersk Hangzhou, a Singapore-flagged, Denmark-owned and operated container vessel en route from Singapore to Port Suez in Egypt, reported being struck by a missile while transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait. India monitoring Red Sea developments; got info on US-led naval task force It appeared to be undamaged in that attack and "was able to continue its transit north", said Maersk, one of the world's largest shipping companies. Why the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are worrisome It was then attacked by four ships operated by Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels, which "engaged fire in an expected attempt to board the vessel", the Danish shipping company said. The US military said navy helicopters sank three of the ships while the fourth fled. US shoots down drone, missile in Red Sea "In light of the incident -- and to allow time to investigate the details of the incident and assess the security situation further -- it has been decided to delay all transits through the area for the next 48 hours," said a Maersk statement. The Huthis have repeatedly targeted vessels in the vital Red Sea shipping lane with strikes they say are in support of Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel is battling militant group Hamas. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Denmark 's Queen Margrethe II, who has been in power for over 50 years, has surprisingly announced her decision to abdicate in 2024, as reported by CNN . In her annual New Year's Eve address televised in Denmark, the 83-year-old queen revealed her intention to pass on the crown to her son, Crown Prince Frederik. In illustrating her perspective on the future, Queen Margrethe II cited her personal experience with a back surgery she underwent in February 2023. In two weeks time, I have been Queen of Denmark for 52 years. Such an amount will leave its mark on anybody--and also on me! The time takes its toll, and the number of 'ailments' increases. One cannot undertake as much as one managed in the past," the queen said, according to CNN. The Danish queen said that she underwent extensive back surgery in February this year. Also Read: Danish Queen Margrethe II tests positive after UK monarch's funeral She added, Everything went well, thanks to the competent health personnel, who took care of me. Inevitably, the operation gave cause to thoughts about the future - whether now would be an appropriate time to pass on the responsibility to the next generation." "I have decided that now is the right time," she said. "On 14th January 2024 - 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father--I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I will hand over the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik," the queen announced, according to CNN. Born in 1940 to the former monarchs of Denmark, King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid, Margrethe has consistently garnered widespread support from the Danish people. Her tactful and creative personality has endeared her to the public throughout her life, Reuters reported. Also Read: 1,000-year-old Viking toolbox discovered in mysterious Danish fortress Upon the death of King Frederik IX on January 14, 1972, Queen Margrethe II ascended to the throne. With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II of Britain in the year prior, Margrethe became Europe's most enduring queen in terms of her length of service. As reported by Reuters, renowned for her passion for archaeology, Queen Margrethe II actively participated in numerous excavations. In 1953, at the age of 31, she became the heir to her father following a constitutional amendment that granted women the right to inherit the throne. Also Read: Brand deals dry up for Meghan Markle; Prince Harrys wife blames Royal Familys vendetta: Reports In 1967, she entered into marriage with French diplomat Henri de Laborde de Monpezat, who served as her royal consort until his passing in 2018. The couple has two sons, Crown Prince Frederik, slated to become King Frederik X, and Prince Joachim. Frederik wedded Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, an Australian, in 2004. (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! In the coming year, we will see not greater multipolarity, but greater bipolarity. China has replaced Russia as Americas main competitor in a new cold war that is less about ideology and more about markets and technology. The $18 trillion Chinese economy has already overtaken that of all 27 European Union countries combined, and China is the largest trading partner to more than 120 countries. Its Belt and Road Initiative continues to build infrastructure around the world, and the Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (with a $100 billion capitalization) has 109 members representing 80% of the worlds population. In January, the China-dominated Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) will expand to include Argentina, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Many of these countries from the Global South have refused to condemn Russias invasion of Ukraine. Now, they are seeking to bolster the 120-strong Non-Aligned Movement, which emerged from the 1955 Bandung Conference of Asian and African governments. As part of a strategy to avoid becoming embroiled in superpower conflicts (between the Americans and the Soviets, at the time), NAM members abstained from collective defence arrangements with either side. This weapon of the weak lent momentum to efforts to enhance regional autonomy and strengthen global-governance institutions such as the United Nations, and it may yet do so again. Finally, as of this writing, Israels siege and bombardment of Gaza in response to Hamass attack (which killed 1,400 Israelis) has resulted in more than 9,000 dead and 1.4 million displaced Palestinians. Unquestioning Western support for Israel will expose the double standards at the heart of the international system, further weakening global support for Ukraine in 2024. Ian Bremmer Yes, the international trend towards non-alignment" will continue in 2024. But multipolarity" is a different question, one that depends on which arena of competition were thinking about. In 2024, non-alignment for many countries will mean recognizing that overtly taking sides in the intensifying rivalry between the United States and China is a losing proposition. Some governments, particularly those in countries situated near China or Russia, will see the US as an indispensable security partner. But commercial partnership with China remains essential for future growth. Multipolarity" is a more complex question. In the security sphere, we still live in a unipolar world. Only the US can project power into every region of the world. Chinas military clout is growing, butimportantlyit hasnt been tested by a shooting war in more than four decades. Russias conventional forces were hollow even before its full-scale invasion of Ukraine inflicted generational damage on its military capacity. And Europe still relies on the US, as do US allies in Asia. In the economic arena, however, were certainly living in a multipolar world, one in which America, China, Europe, and India are all crucial players in re-establishing the stability and dynamism of the global economy. Then theres the digital realm, where the power of governments is limited by the power of the tech companies that produce the advances that political officials are scrambling to understand. Here, one finds an emerging technopolar" world, where governments and tech companies will share power for the foreseeable future. Put these trends together, and non-alignment is the wave of the future. Stephen G. Brooks Multipolarity is a myth, as William Wohlforth and I argued recently in Foreign Affairs (which also published a symposium of responses to our article). The United States has indeed become less dominant than in the 1990s, when it was further ahead militarily, economically, and technologically than any state had ever been before. But a multipolar world is one with three or more roughly equally matched leading powers at the top of the international heap. Who could fill that role today? Of all the countries that could plausibly rank thirdFrance, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdomnone is even roughly a peer of the US or China. Not only is multipolarity a myth, but the system remains closer to unipolarity than to Cold War-style bipolarity. Though China is rising, the worlds largest-ever power gap will take a long time to close. China has ascended most significantly in the economic domain (although less than is commonly assumed, since it significantly inflates its GDP data), but it has done much less to shrink the power gap in other areas. It still lags very far behind the US technologically. A forthcoming (co-authored) book of mine shows that US firms hold a 53% profit share in high-tech industries, compared with a mere 6% for China. China is also only a regional military power, and that will long remain the case, leaving the US as the sole superpower that can command the global commons. Paula J. Dobriansky Russias invasion of Ukraine has triggered significant geopolitical changes. The war, combined with rising US-China tensions, has unified the transatlantic community and prompted many Indo-Pacific governments to bolster their defences and secure their supply chains. The same developments have also encouraged political leaders across the Global South to pursue optionality," making choices predicated on their national interests, while doing what they can to avoid becoming mired in great-power disputes. Todays ongoing geopolitical changes include new or closer national alignmentsfrom Russias deepening ties with China, Iran, and North Korea, to Australias engagement with India and Indonesia, and with the United States and the United Kingdom under AUKUS. While the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue between Australia, India, Japan, and the US (established in 2007) has become more ambitious, other powers have taken pains to thwart emerging new alignments. Many view Hamass latest attack on Israel as an attempt to block Saudi-Israeli normalization, which could have threatened not only Hamas but also its sponsors in Iran. Americas messy 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan contributed to this evolution in the international system by undermining perceptions of US credibility, reliability, and effectiveness. That, in turn, caused some leaders (like Russian President Vladimir Putin) to re-evaluate the costs of pursuing policies contrary to US interests. These changes in preference and perspective have facilitated not only new violence but also new or different relationships as Americas allies, rivals, and foes recalibrate their goals. Similarly, Russias faltering war effort in Ukraine appears to have created a more permissive environment for Azerbaijans conquest of Nagorno-Karabakh. New wars and the desire to avoid being drawn into US-Russia-China conflicts will continue to drive the new multipolarity and the return of non-alignment. Jorge Heine In 2024, the great-power competition will continue, as will the rise of non-alignment, albeit now in a new incarnation: active non-alignment (ANA). Originally triggered by American and Chinese pressure on Latin American countries to take sides in their budding cold war, ANA is now spreading across Africa and Asia. It takes a page from the Non-Aligned Movement of yesteryear, but adapts it to the realities of the new century. ANA should not be confused with neutrality or equidistance. Rather, it is a dynamic concept that allows countries to hold varying positions depending on the issue at hand. As a foreign-policy doctrine, it means putting the interests of ones own country first, and not succumbing to pressure by the great powers. It requires highly developed analytical capabilities, so that each issue can be evaluated on its own merits. The rise of ANA has become especially apparent in the aftermath of Russias invasion of Ukraine, with many countries across the Global South refusing to take sides. This development shows that the main cleavage in todays world is not between democracy and autocracy, but between the Global North and the Global South. ANAs spread is closely associated with the rise of the Global South as a significant force in world affairs, of which the recent expansion of the Brics is Exhibit A. The best example of it in practice is Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas foreign policy over the course of 2023. Ana Palacio If recent events are any indication, the world is indeed hastening toward a realignment. Russias war in Ukraine, ethnic displacement in Nagorno-Karabakh, the string of coups in Africa, and the crisis in the Middle East are all signs of the disruption of the world order that emerged after World War II. These events are not outliers or isolated crises. With the United States somewhat removed and less assertive than in the past, countries and non-state actors feel emboldened to take risks and seize opportunities that they previously would have shied away from. The current moment is characterized by an alphabet soup of new coalitions that have formed in response to changing global power dynamics. The expanding Brics+ is just one example among many. With middle powers increasingly vying for global influence, we have entered an age of disorder that will last until a new configuration of international relations solidifies. Yu Jie I agree. As myriad crises and elections unfold, 2024 is set to be another geopolitically tumultuous year. But it also offers opportunities for non-Western powers that champion neutrality" and non-alignment" to play greater roles in global affairs. Most of these countries, including China, base their foreign-policy priorities on hard calculations of economic or political interests, whereas the collective West stresses the importance of being likeminded". This state of play cannot fail to create greater multipolarity. Pragmatism will demand that many countries pick a side depending on the issue at hand. While neutrality" will remain unthinkable from G7 members perspectivewhether they are dealing with relations with China or the war between Israel and Hamasmany non-Western powers will consider it de rigueur in conducting their foreign affairs. For its part, China will continue to shift the rest of the world towards greater multipolarity, since it sees that as the best way to manage its stalemate vis-a-vis the United States. While Chinas initial position on Russias war in Ukraine worsened its ties with many Western countries, attitudes within the West have since become more nuanced. There is now a strange mix of fear that China will aid the Kremlin militarily, but also hope that it will limit President Vladimir Putins nuclear brinkmanship. Given that many countries around the world do not view todays geopolitical crises in stark black-and-white terms, China may find that its preference for multipolarity is becoming more of an asset. The governments proposal to certify practitioners of traditional medicine, those who do not have a medical qualification or standardised professional training but still seem to be effective at what they do, is a bad idea. The government would do well to abandon such a move. What it should do, instead, is try and understand the science behind esoteric practices that have no place in the standard medical practice taught in recognised medical colleges but are effective in the real world. Research into such practices might help understand what makes them tick and thus make them safer for patients. This is important given how patients flock to traditional healers based on faith and word of mouth rather than on science despite the risk of harm, which typically goes unrecorded in the absence of a regulating entity. There is, indeed, considerable traditional knowledge spread out across Indias vast cultural geography that rural, and often urban, Indians have been drawing on to find remedies, including for emergencies such as snake bites and illness of many kinds. Theres a famous family in Hyderabad that administers a preparation of live fish to patients of asthma, which has for decades drawn international media coverage. Rural India has traditionally lacked access to modern healthcare and relied on traditional medical practitioners. Such practitioners do not necessarily belong to any identifiable school of curative practice, such as ayurveda, unani or siddha. There is a specialist institute in Bengaluru trying to unravel the science underlying ayurveda. Ayurveda works on a theory of balance among three humoursair, phlegm and bileto keep the human body in good health. It treats disease for the imbalance detected by an ayurvedic physician. This theory fits ill with the modern scientific understanding of diseases being caused by germs that manage to surmount the defence put up by the bodys immune system. However, many ayurvedic curative regimes are backed up by centuries of empirical experimentation and practice. How the practice can be explained by science needs to be investigated using modern tools of research, more extensively and comprehensively than has been accomplished so far. But there are lots of so-called miracle cures at work in Indias vast expanse. People set bones, cure back aches by stretching spines using alarming techniques, and offer single-herb/root remedies to dissolve kidney stones. Instead of dismissing all this as quackery, the government must institute proper research to understand these. One of the winners of the 2015 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine went to Chinese scientist Youyou Tu, who identified the chemical artemisinin, found in a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating malaria. Finding the science behind the curative properties of traditional medicine in India could yield scores of Nobel-worthy discoveries. However, till such an understanding of traditional curative practices, the government would do well to stay away from certifying practitioners of traditional medicine. The fundamental reason is that you cannot certify what you do not understand. What standards can you set when you have no clue as to the quantity, quality or process of the things at work in a cure that cannot be explained by science? The only thing that a certifying body would have to guide it along is the reputation of empirical success. And reputation is something people already have access to, without official interference, which is why such curers have patients. Imagine what would happen if the government starts to offer certification without any science-supported measurable yardsticks of performance. Some quack with access to influential politicians would wheedle his way into getting certified as being qualified to offer treatment, without actually possessing the knowledge or skill to be effective. This would harm rather than help people. The government would do well to identify and catalogue all the different effective practitioners of non-standard cures, assign research teams to each one of them to scientifically ascertain the root of their efficacy in practice, and consolidate the findings. Traditional physicians are often reluctant to part with detailed information about the specialty cures they offer. These are often passed down from one generation to the next as the familys main source of income. Their reluctance to make their knowledge public is wholly understandable. The government must offer intellectual property protection to esoteric knowledge and practices, and enforce their exclusivity. Some skills are process-oriented, such as in yoga. While the gross form of a yoga pose is easily identified, unless there is proper understanding of how to train the muscles to attain the pose, often entailing gradual easing in with the help of assorted props, the only result of untrained attempts to force the body into that pose would be to contribute a harvest of patients to the orthopaedic. In such cases, certification would have to be outsourced to ongoing schools of authentic practice, and consumers educated to stay away from the uncertified. The right approach for the government, as far as traditional medicine is concerned, is to institute research to understand why what works actually does work, and to leave well enough alone until that is achieved. On New Year's Eve, Russian troops attacked Odesa with kamikaze drones. A residential high-rise building was hit: a teenager was killed and three other people were injured. ADVERTISIMENT Footage of the building hit by the Shaheda attack was posted online. Local journalists also published a story by a resident of the building, who described her experience. The video shows the damaged apartment building from the outside as well as from the inside. Windows were blown out of the building, and there was a crater on the roof from an enemy drone. The apartments in the video show significant damage. One of them burned to the ground: A 32-year-old woman with 20% first- and second-degree burns was taken to the hospital. One of the residents of the house damaged by the attack told about her experience. "When the first explosion occurred, she and her young son were in the corridor of their apartment. After that, the woman and the child ran downstairs. "We were standing near the door in the corridor, thank God. We were standing there and my son was saying, 'Thank God, we're not going to die'... My knees were trembling very much... And then, you know, the dust rose in the apartment and there was a red flash. And we ran out, we started running out in what we were wearing, we went downstairs... And the woman whose son was killed, she was screaming a lot... Everything was covered in blood... And then explosions, explosions," the woman from Odesa said with tears in her eyes, clutching her son to her. ADVERTISIMENT ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, Russia launched 90 Shaheds into Ukraine on New Year's Eve. Air defense forces shot down 87 drones. The hits and falling debris caused destruction and casualties. For example, the occupiers destroyed the Shukhevych Museum in Lviv and damaged the university in Dubliany, where Bandera studied. And in Odesa, a teenager was killed and wounded in a Shaheddist attack . Fires broke out in residential buildings in the city. A child was also injured in the Khmelnytsky region. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann took a swipe at opposition INDIA bloc ally Congress, calling them the shortest story in Delhi and Punjab. The swipe seemed to hint at yet another roadblock ahead of seat-sharing talks with Congress for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. Addressing the public in Chandigarh, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said, ...The shortest story a mother in Delhi or Punjab, can narrate to her child is 'Ek thi Congress'..." In September 2023, Punjab Congress leaders had vehemently opposed any move to forge a tie-up With AAP for the 13 Lok Sabha seats in the state. There are a total 13 parliamentary seats in Punjab, besides Chandigarh. Currently, the Congress has six members of Parliament (MP) from Punjab. In October 2023, Leader of the Opposition in Punjab and senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa told had said that an alliance with Congress would mean signing a death warrant", according to a News18 report. And we do not want to demolish the Congress," Bajwa added. Bajwa went on to say the AAP government in the state would soon be toppled by the Congress. If we get 10-11 seats in the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab (there are 13 seats), we can topple the AAP government. Many AAP MLAs are in touch with us. Whenever we get a chance, we will topple them. If most MLAs of AAP want to come over and dont want to stay with them, what can I do? Who can save a failed marriage?" Bajwa had told News18. INDIA Bloc seat sharing: Roadblocks With the clock ticking for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and preparations taking shape for the party's "Bharat Nyay Yatra", the Congress, which sounded its poll bugle at a rally in Nagpur on the 139th Congress Foundation Day, is set to hold a series of high-level meetings. Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had expressed her desire to test Bengal waters alone in 2024 Lok Sabha elections. "INDIA 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. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has been continuously saying that the BJP-led NDA will be defeated in next year's general elections by "PDA", which he defined as "Pichde (backward classes), Dalit and Alpasankhyak (minorities)". "Removing BJP from Uttar Pradesh means withdrawal of BJP from the country. Defeat 80, remove BJP, and socialist people are working on this slogan. Only PDA will compete with NDA," Yadav said on Friday. Further, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut had said his party would contest 23 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, and the seat-sharing talks with the Congress have to "start from zero" as the latter had `not won any seat' in the previous elections Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! AS ISRAELI TROOPS prepare to invade Gaza , one question keeps coming up: who should take control of it after they have rooted out Hamasif, indeed, they are able to do so? Many, especially Israels allies, are looking to the Palestinian Authority (PA), which was thrown out of Gaza by Hamas almost two years after Israel withdrew its troops and dismantled its settlements there in 2005. But the PA seems to be in no position to take charge of the coastal enclave. In fact there are no guarantees that by the end of this war it will even be in control of Ramallah, the de facto capital city of the West Bank . Born out of the Oslo Accords of 1993, the PA was supposed to be the basis of a future Palestinian state. But as the prospects of that states establishment have receded, so has confidence in the PA, which is led by the 87-year-old Mahmoud Abbas (pictured) and is widely seen by Palestinians as corrupt and incompetent. Mr Abbas was elected to serve a four-year presidential term in 2005and has been there ever since. There is not really a whole lot left in the legitimacy tank of the PA," says Salam Fayad, a former prime minister of the PA. Unless they really change course very rapidly, the whole thing could fall." Partly because it has been unable to protect Palestinian civilians on the West Bank from attacks by Israeli settlers or halt the expansion of Israeli settlements, the PA has lost control of security in swathes of the West Bank to militant groups such as Kataib Jenin and the Lions Den in Nablus in recent years. The slaughter of 1,400 Israelis by Hamas on October 7th, Israels subsequent bombardment of Hamas in Gaza, and a sharp increase in attacks by settlers have all pushed it into an even more precarious position. In a poll in September, 53% of Palestinians said they thought an armed struggle" against Israel was the best way to establish a state, compared with just 20% favouring negotiations. As the war in Gaza goes on, along with the flow of pictures coming out of the enclave that show civilians killed by Israels bombing, Hamass popularity appears to be increasing, while the PAs seems to be plummeting. When news broke of an explosion at Gazas Ahli Arab hospital, furious crowds thronged into the streets of the West Bank. Their anger was not, however, directed at Israel, which most Palestinians believe bombed the hospital. (A more likely explanation for the blast, according to independent analysts and Western intelligence agencies, is that it was caused by a misfired rocket launched from Gaza by Islamic Jihad, another Palestinian militant group.) Instead anger was directed at the PA. Hundreds marched on Mr Abbass presidential compound in Ramallah. In an echo of the protests that rocked Arab countries and toppled governments in 2011, many chanted: The people want the fall of the president." Fatah, the Palestinian faction led by Mr Abbas that dominates the PA, was already riven by infighting over who would succeed him. Now it is being further torn apart over its stance on Hamas. Those close to the leader believe Fatahand the PA, with which it has become synonymouscan muddle through to see the crushing of its Islamist rival, which could perhaps give it a chance to take back control of Gaza. However, many among the partys rank and file think differently. A collapse [of Hamas] in Gaza will lead to a collapse in Fatah," says a Fatah official in Ramallah, as he agonised over the safety of his relatives in Gaza. Even those who have little love for Hamas and its Islamist fervour are dismayed by the prospect of its being wiped out by Israel. They are urging Mr Abbas to set aside factionalism and to rally the secular Fatah movement behind Hamas in a unity government. Both sides need each other," says Raed al-Debiy, a Fatah official in Nablus, the West Banks biggest city. Hamas needs the international legitimacy of Fatah, and Fatah and the PA need the popularity of Hamas." The PAs legitimacy crisis is being intensified by a financial one. Although the PA has not been able to evolve into an independent Palestinian state, many Palestinians accept it simply as a source of salaries and public-sector work. Yet it seems it may not be able to provide even these. In the next few weeks the PA is scheduled to pay public-sector salaries, including the wages of 34,000 members of the Palestinian Security Forces. But it can afford to pay less than 50% of this months wage bill, according to one senior PA official, who added that, even before the current war in Gaza, Israel was withholding customs revenues which it is obliged to hand over. This cash crunch is likely to become more acute as a result of the war because Israel has closed its borders to the thousands of West Bank Palestinians who usually work in Israel and pay income taxes to the PA. Members of PAs security forces are already accused by friends and family of being proxies for Israels occupation of the West Bank. In many cases, the only thing that keeps them from leaving their posts is their monthly pay-cheque. The PA has weathered previous financial storms and paid salaries late, or been unable to pay them in full, in the past. But the latest projected pay cut is far larger. If it goes ahead, tens of thousands of young men in the PAs police and national security forces may not show up to work. Some would be ripe recruits for other armed groups in the West Bank including Hamas and Islamist Jihad, the group that may have been responsible for the hospital blast in Gaza. In any case, it is hard to see how unpopular and unpaid security forces will stand their ground if Palestinians try to sack the presidential palace. The Palestinian public is reaching a boiling point and an explosion against the authority," says Amjad Bashqar, a Hamas official in Nablus. The only thing delaying it is our focus on the resistance [against Israel]". SEOULThroughout 2023, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for the expansion of his countrys weapons arsenal. This year, he plans more of the same. Pyongyang plans to carry out three more spy-satellite launches and accelerate nuclear-weapons production in 2024, Kim told top North Korean officials in recent year-end meetings. The 39-year-old dictator ruled out reunification with South Korea. And he echoed prior dissatisfactions with the U.S., urging his country to prepare for an armed conflict that could occur at any time. Kim outlined to senior military leaders the potential response to an enemy attack on North Korea, according to a Monday report in state media. Our army should deal a deadly blow to thoroughly annihilate them," Kim was quoted as saying. Kim often uses year-end speeches or New Years Day addresses to preview what the regime may do next, using the spotlight to issue threats to enemies or hint at prospects of engagement. But Pyongyang hasnt been in the mood for talks with the U.S. or South Korea for years. Instead, North Korea has revved up nuclear advances and grown tighter with neighboring allies in China and Russia. In response, Washington, Seoul and Tokyo have bolstered three-way defense exercises and linked up their missile-radar data with one another. Kim pointed to increased hostilities as compelling the country to sharpen the treasured sword," which is how the North often refers to its nuclear program. Pyongyang is likely to continue its hard-line policies and weapons launches ahead of South Korean parliamentary elections in the spring and the U.S. presidential elections in November, security experts say. The level of threats both sides are perceiving from each other has increased sharply," said Ellen Kim, deputy director and senior fellow of the Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. Last year, North Korea conducted nearly 30 missile tests, making significant progress in solid-fuel ballistic missile technology and its satellite program. That includes three launches of its newest Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile, making major advances in diversifying an arsenal that has an expected range long enough to reach the U.S. mainland. Weapons experts say the solid-fuel ICBM can be deployed more quickly and with more stealth than prior variants. Kim also accomplished one of his top weapons objectives by successfully launching a homegrown spy satellite into orbit in November, following two botched attempts earlier in the year. We need to swiftly respond to a possible nuclear crisis and mobilize all physical means, including nuclear force, in a bid to accelerate preparations for the great event of putting the entire territory of South Korea under our control," Kim said on the last day of the plenary meeting. Despite the U.S., South Korea and others condemning North Koreas growing missile and nuclear threat, Russia and China have repeatedly blocked efforts to hold the Kim regime accountable for its illegal weapons advances. With Beijing and Moscow on its side, Pyongyang has little incentive to halt its weapons program, and the stalled nuclear talks with Washington will allow North Korea to accelerate its military buildup, Kim regime watchers say. North Korea is winning without fighting at the moment because things are going its way in the international arena," said Christopher Green, a senior consultant on Korean issues for the International Crisis Group. In March, Kim called for expanding the production of nuclear material, calling on officials to prepare the ability to use nuclear weapons at any time. In August, he ordered increased production of artillery shells for front-line units as he oversaw the making of tactical missiles and mobile launch platforms at military factories. In December, the United Nations nuclear watchdog said a new reactor appeared to be operating for the first time at North Koreas Yongbyon nuclear complex, potentially signaling an additional source of plutonium for nuclear weapons. The discharge of warm water from a light water reactor suggested it was coming online, the International Atomic Energy Agency said. Kim exchanged New Years greetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, vowing to further deepen bilateral ties. Xi said China-North Korea relations have entered a new historic period" and that the two countries maintained close strategic communication and cooperation in international issues, according to North Korean state media. In 2023, North Koreas trade with China, its largest economic partner, reached a four-year high as bilateral trade recovered. Pyongyang has been gradually emerging from pandemic isolation, sending its athletes to the Asian Games in China and reviving high-level talks with China and Russia. The U.S. and others have accused North Korea of supplying ammunition to Russia for the war in Ukrainewhich Moscow and Pyongyang have denied. In a sign of the two countries warmer ties, Kim made his first overseas trip since the Covid-19 pandemic in September to meet Vladimir Putin in Russias Far East. The two pledged to cooperate closely on economic and military issues. But Pyongyangs relations have soured with neighboring Seoul. The two Koreas recently backed away from a 2018 accord reducing military tensions. Now, front-line soldiers from both countries patrolling the Korean border are again armed. At the North Korean plenary session, Kim said he no longer considered South Korea as a counterpart for reconciliation and unification. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who took office in May 2022, has maintained a hawkish stance toward the Kim regime, focusing his efforts on strengthening trilateral cooperation with the U.S. and Japan to counter Pyongyangs nuclear threats. In a New Years Day speech, Yoon said South Korea would build peace through strength, by advancing the countrys defense system to deter North Korean threats. It will not be a submissive peace that is dependent on the good will of the adversary," he said on Monday. Write to Dasl Yoon at dasl.yoon@wsj.com and Timothy W. Martin at Timothy.Martin@wsj.com Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! A fresh controversy erupted after DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran Saturday used the proverb 'Jobless barbers catch hold of cats to shave its fur' against the BJP IT wing. This came weeks after an old video of the DMK MP surfaced where he made remarks about Hindi speakers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, ANI reported Monday. Earlier, a four-year-old video of Maren went viral in which he said that Hindi speakers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar who come to Tamil Nadu end up doing construction work or cleaning roads and toilets. The remark sparked a controversy and BJP leaders said Maran insulted North Indians. Also Read | Khalistani leader Pannun calls for dumping Indian stocks before March 12: Report After being asked about his old videos related to North Indians going viral on social media, the DMK MP said, "There is a saying, 'Jobless barbers catch hold of cats to shave its fur'. These people want to create some kind of ruckus, particularly the IT wing of the BJP, which is involved in this. They are trending it at the national level for their political mileage, which will not materialise." Reacting to the 'jobless Barbers' remark, BJP National spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said that these remarks reflect the elitist and casteist mindset of the DMK. Also Read | Bank holidays in January 2024: Check full list of 16 bank holidays this month "DMK at it again. After insulting Sanatan, Hindu Dharma, North Indians and Hindi, Maran now insults barbers and displays his elitist and casteist mindset. Instead of apologising, Dayanidhi Maran calls those spreading and reacting to his rants on North Indian Brothers and Sisters the work of a 'Jobless Barber'. Rahul Baba is busy doing photo ops with Kisan, mechanics, etc Will he say if this statement is part of 'Mohabbat ki Dukaan'?" Poonawalla posted on X (formerly known as Twitter). A top government body is examining a significant number" of applications to set up semiconductor fabrication units and testing facilities in India, said Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union minister of state (MoS) for electronics and information technology (IT). In an interview, Chandrasekhar spoke about domestic electronics manufacturing, likely production-linked incentives, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and cybersecurity. Edited excerpts: State governments say the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) isnt giving approvals to chip projects in their states. Is that true? Our governments mission is to create semiconductor capabilityit isnt about creating it here but not there. Electronics factories, for instance, are in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and other places, too. Apples largest production plants, for instance, are in Tamil Nadu. For semiconductors, there is a lot of public money involved. Hence, theres a technology financial advisory group (TFAG) which identifies fake proposals from good ones. In the first three proposals that we received, despite a lot of public pressure, the TFAG identified certain parties that did not have capable credentials, and said no. How many proposals have we received so far? We have a significant number of proposals that are all being evaluated today. They span compound fabs, compound OSATs (outsourced semiconductor assembly and test), silicon OSATs and silicon fabs. Weve also recently floated an expression of interest (EoI) for modernizing the Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL), Mohali. That has also received significant interest. All of these proposals and expressions of interest are with the ISM TFAG. With SCL, there were two options at hand for the modernization process. Has there been a decision about it? Given the size and scale of SCL, its future should lie in being a commercial-grade, limited-volume production hub, as well as an R&D (research and development) hubas opposed to becoming a full-scale, mass-volume fab. SCL also has a new director-general, and our thought is to not involve SCL in building chips for mass-market devices. That means SCL will create more complex chips and devices, and also be part of the R&D ecosystem for semiconductors that we are developing around the India Semiconductor Research Centre (ISRC). Would they need a big quantum of funds to be allocated? Of course. SCLs capability is at 180nm today, and you cant be a commercial R&D hub at 180nm. You can cater to a large number of products, but itll need to create a much more cutting-edge node going forward. Weve already allocated 10,000 croremore than $1 billion (about 8,300 crore) and I dont think well need to take that figure up further. Will local electronics manufacturing in India need concerted efforts to create a component supply chain now, given that were assembling a sizeable amount? Even China, which controls 70-72% of the global value chains (GVCs), makes a value addition that is in the low two-digits. Even they, for exports exceeding $1 trillion, import $650-700 billion in components. To be in the GVC of electronics is a low-margin, high-volume gameunless youre in the strategic electronics space, where it is low-volume and high-margin. But consumer technology, which includes mobile phones, laptops, tablets, etc., is effectively characterized by low marginsnot as low as 1%but very high volumes. That scale, when you reach, allows you to develop an ecosystem of suppliers and supply chain for electronics. When will we get components made in India to supply? Were now reaching the tipping point of scale, size and volume. Now, were seeing suppliers wanting to come in and set up shop here. Will we have any dedicated PLIs for suppliers and component makers? Well consider it at the right time, because we certainly dont want to offer double the subsidy for the same product. One important thing to understand is that were building this industry for exports as well as domestic supplies. Unlike automotive, which only exports 3-4% of what is made locally, or even white goods, for electronics were designing local manufacturing to be competitive in exports. Our target for electronics manufacturing is $300 billion by 2026, of which nearly $120 billion, or 40%, will be in exports. Hence, the electronics manufacturing sector must grow faster than the growth of the domestic market. What figure will we achieve in electronics manufacturing by 2024? Were close to around $90 billion by end-2023. Now, there are a couple of imponderables in between, such as the global economy. The wars in Europe havent helped global consumer sentiment. Theres also the factor of whether the US economy is still anticipating a recession or not, and if China, one of the largest global markets, will buy as many phones as previously projected. These things have to be looked into. But our endpoint remains at $300 billion, as that will represent a significant critical mass on the $1.5 trillion GVCs. We want to at least be in the range of contributing 12% of GVCs. We may want the flexibility of one additional year to get there, given the global factors. I wouldnt want to hazard a guess on where this figure will be by the end of this year. Is the plan to build indigenous AI chips a near-term plan? Our strategy is twofold. One, were creating AI compute capacity in the public sector, where C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) is building an indigenous AI compute serviceParam Rudra. For the private sector, weve submitted a proposal to the governmentand itll need funding. The idea is to create a significant amount of GPU capacity in the private sector, with the government as a partner. Thisll be like a PPP (publicprivate partnership). The latter will give AI compute as-a-service for startups, researchers and for anyone who has a model that needs to be trained. Are countries prioritizing AI regulation? The GPAI (Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence) Delhi event saw agreement from most nations on not demonizing AI, and to also take a collaborative approach instead of a sovereign AI. We must all agree on what are safe and trust today, and India is taking the lead in this. In February, at the Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence 2024 event in Slovenia organized by Unesco, India will present an initial framework of safety and trust in AI. The idea is to host a mid-year GPAI here post-elections, sometime in May, where we may have a tentative agreement on the regulatory framework, before we head to the AI Safety Summit, Seoul in South Korea later in the year. The Digital India Act is expected to offer our legislatorial take on regulating AI. Would the act require a fresh round of consultations? We did a year of preconsultations for it, and built expectations for its framework. But Parliament has to legislate it, and theres no time left for it now; so, it will have to be the next government that does it. Is there a concern around the lack of dedicated legislation on cybersecurity, and following diligence with Cert-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team)? Thats wrong to think so. There is a lawthe IT Actas well as cybersecurity directions. But law and order is a state subject. A part of the problem on cybersecurity not being addressed adequately is because usually most cybercrimesnearly 85% of itare multi-jurisdictional. The victim is in one jurisdiction, and the perpetrator in another. In our system, two police forces have to both want to investigate a cybercrime, and also do it cooperatively. This is a fundamental problem. Many state governments today keep cybercrime at a much lower pedestal than violent crime, terrorism, robbery and so on. For them, a cybercrime is an elitist crime, and hence they do not respond to it. When there are state governments that respond to it, they find that the second leg of the crime is in another jurisdiction, where another police force has to coordinate. This is a structural problem, because of law and order being a state subject. How do we solve that, and is there a better way? Given that a billion Indians are going to use the internet by 2026, and as we harness tech for good so therell always be harms, cybercrimes are one aspect of the harm that weve to figure out a way for allowing state governments to be able to collaborate and respond faster. But this is beyond the Centres ambit, and we cannot legislate a state subject. There is an issue, indeed. Well have to look to raise more awareness, and build more capabilities within state police departments to investigate and prosecute multi-jurisdictionally. Could skill development play a role in such capacity building? Its not about that. There are many state police forces who dont think cybercrime is an important issue to be worried about. Hence, cybersecurity is very low on their priority, and these state governments are also pressed for people and resources. Hence, a 1 lakh cybercrime will certainly not run pari-passu with a murder or a terrorism threat. There is a natural problem here. Should Cert-In be given more powers? Its not about powers. As of 2023, we have dramatically expanded our capabilities, compared to the past five years. The capability that we have to identify and detect cross-border weaponization and threats is significant today. Well continue to grow this dramatically, along with an ecosystem of cybersecurity startups. On the capability front, were in the right direction. On 16 January at Startup Day, a full session will be dedicated to showcasing such capabilities. But when you say legislating more powers for Cert-In, we go back to law and orders state jurisdictions. Cert-In is a central body that can detect and give directions to corporates and states in the event of a breach. But it doesnt and cannot investigate and prosecute a crime. As we try to figure out what the next year holds in store for the world, one milestone looms menacingly on the horizon: the US presidential election on 5 November 2024. The upcoming election will undoubtedly shape the history leading up to it and the history that follows. US President Joe Biden, having restored respect for professional politicians through his experience and acumen, will seek a mandate to govern into his mid-eighties. Some, even members of his own generation, wonder whether this is wise. Meanwhile, Bidens likely opponent, former president Donald Trump, is just three years younger. Despite his age, numerous criminal indictments, and refusal to accept the certified results of the 2020 election, Trumps grip on the Republican Partys base has enabled him to evade disqualification. No US presidential election in living memory has felt so consequentialand none has offered such uninspiring choices. In the run-up to the vote, politicians, pundits, and corporate leaders will have to hedge their bets, because the uncertainty extends beyond the result to the question of whether the loser will accept defeat. A constitutional crisis is a real possibility. The fate of leaders around the world hangs in the balance as well. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, struggling to lead his country following nearly two years of bloody war, will be praying for Bidens victory, while Russian president Vladimir Putin will be hoping just as fervently for Trump. Remarkably, Putins best hope for victory in his war on Ukraine might be the election of a Republican US president. Nevertheless, whoever wins in 2024 will become the steward of a world in flames, from Gaza to Crimea. The global significance of this US election suggests that predictions of the United States decline might have been premature. It is still a colossus dominating the global stage, outspending rivals on defence and leading a vast system of alliances. As home to the worlds most advanced universities and research centres, the US holds an effective monopoly on many cutting-edge technologies, especially artificial intelligence. Its new industrial strategy, which adapts mercantilist economics to the twenty-first century, shows the lengths it will go to maintain its competitive edge. Confronted with the challenge of a rising China, America has shown it can foster alliances between erstwhile rivals like Japan and South Korea and implement a small yard, high fence" policy to keep China from stealing key technologies and high-value knowledge. Lax Americana Despite all this, US allies have good reason to doubt Americas stability and staying power. As a hegemon, it tends to waver: former president Barack Obama failed to stop the Syrian regime from gassing its own people, and Biden abruptly abandoned the Afghans to the Taliban early in his tenure. Even in regions where the US remains engaged, like the Middle East, Americas grand designs have been met with frustration. Just recently, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran have demonstrated their disruptive capabilities when they sabotaged, or at the very least delayed, success for the American effort to secure a historic rapprochement between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Americas domestic politics has long perplexed its allies, but its polarized dysfunction can no longer be borne lightly, as partisan feuding hobbles American power overseas. The pathologies of the US political system, frozen in time by an effectively unamendable constitution and riven by regional, class, and racial cleavages, make it impossible for Americas allies to predict how these domestic political conflicts will affect US foreign policy. These internal divisions may even leave the US as fatally distracted as Israels did before the 7 October Hamas attack. When a handful of Republican hardliners in the House of Representatives can put essential military funding for Ukraine at risk, no ally can be sure of Americas long-term commitment to the war with Russia. As the Stanford University historian Stephen Kotkin has warned, all Russia needs to do to upend the 2024 US election is to launch a surprise attack, as the North Vietnamese did with the 1968 Tet Offensive. Amid the chaos of an election year, congressional support for Ukraine might increase, but then again, it might crumble, much like US resolve in Vietnam did in 1968. This would jeopardize the more than $1 billion a month in financial and military aid that Ukraine needs to maintain its current position on the battlefield. If Congress buckles, US support dries up, and Ukraine is forced to seek peace, the next US president would face a Chinese-Russian alliance that has managed to redraw European land borders by force. The Europeans, on their own, cannot step into the breach if the US fails them. They are nowhere close to achieving the strategic autonomy" that French president Emmanuel Macron believes Europe needs to defend itself. Should US support for Ukraine falter, either because Biden fails to secure aid through Congress or because a re-elected Trump abandons Ukraine and forces Zelensky to accept defeat, Natos survival might be called into question. A Carthaginian peace that turns Ukraine into a rump state and leaves it at the perpetual mercy of renewed Russian aggression would represent more than just a defeat for Ukraine, America, and Nato. It would herald a grim future for the entire European continent, which for the first time might find itself subordinate to a triumphant Russo-Chinese sphere of influence in Eurasia. This would be the worst possible outcome of the 2024 election. But its a scenario that can still be averted if Americans on both sides of the political divide remember why European security remains a vital national interest. At the same time, Europeans must stop free-riding on American security guarantees and invest in building their own military capabilities. The fact that Ukraines fate could determine the future of Europe as a whole should keep allies on both sides of the Atlantic focused and united. But even if Ukraine survives and prevails, the next US president will inherit an international order in ruins. While the West views Russia as a rogue state, the fact that 35 countries abstained and five voted against the October 2022 United Nations General Assembly resolution condemning its invasion of Ukraine suggests that a cornerstone of the international orderthe UN Charters prohibition on using force to alter bordersis giving way. Historically, newly independent countries have been ardent champions of national sovereignty. But now, emerging powers like Brazil, South Africa, and India have maintained a self-interested and cynical neutrality as Russia, Europes last empire, tries to destroy a sovereign state. This shift represents something less hopeful than the mere maturation of the so-called Global South and its desire to break free of American hegemonic control. We are living through the unraveling of the international system created in the aftermath of World War II. In this emerging world, Anne Applebaum notes, There are no rules." The pillars of the postWW-II international systemthe UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Geneva Conventionshave been ignored more than they have been upheld over the decades. Nonetheless, they established standards that acted as a brake on states conduct and created norms that encouraged most countries to value their moral standing, as a decent reputation was understood to be a critical lever of soft power. The haunting sight of the bodies of dead civilians left behind on the streets of Bucha after Russias withdrawal has underscored the wanton cruelty of a permanent member of the UN Security Council that no longer cares what the world thinks. Similarly, the harrowing images of Israelis massacred in kibbutzim and at a music festival near the Gaza border have given us a glimpse of a world where no rules restrain combatants, where state deterrence fails, where desperation fuels terror, and where countries like Iran and Qatar lack the ability or the will to restrain their proxies. The foundations of the international order cannot be rebuilt in a year or even a decade. The worlds countries may need to live through a period of anarchy to rediscover the virtues of the order they have abandoned. Positive change hinges on major powers realizing that their interests lie in maintaining stability rather than undermining their adversaries. A shattered global system rewards bad behaviour. Without significant incentives to cooperate or curb their worst instincts, large and small countries alike jostle for leverage and influence. The 2024 election is shaping up to be a contest between a man who understands the value of the international order established in 1945 and aims to rebuild it, and one who does not care whether it burns to the ground. While the US has long been torn between internationalism and non-interference, never before has American isolationism had such a wanton or dangerous tribune as Trump. This alone underscores the elections existential importance for the rest of the world. It will also likely be the last US presidential election featuring two candidates who came of age in post-war America, a generation that prospered during the Cold War and revelled in the post-1989 euphoria, only to be jolted by the 9/11 attacks and the 20 years of war, economic dislocation, and rising inequality that followed. Beyond the collapse of the international order, they leave the next generation with a mountain of unsolved problems such as climate change, unchecked AI, global pandemics, and deep democratic dysfunction. The geriatric options on the ballot in November are a crushing indictment of a generation that has clung to power for too long and failed the crucial leadership test of preparing for its successors. Any thoughtful person is bound to be worried. But worry need not lead to despair. Hope depends, as it always does, on human virtues like wisdom, restraint, humility, and patience. To restore optimism in the coming year, several conditions must be met: the US must stay the course in Ukraine, which must repel the Russian invaders; Israel must crush Hamas without falling into the trap of reoccupying Gaza; Europe must commit to self-defence; China must edge away from its flailing Russian client state; and rising powers like India, Brazil, and South Africa must abandon moral equivocation. The rest of us observant and engaged citizens must reaffirm our faith in human agency. Individuals do matter. We are not pawns in some great historical chess match. The leadership choices we make can shape the lives of millions for better or worse. As US citizens head to the polls next November, their votes could alter the course of history. We can only hope they choose wisely. Michael Ignatieff is professor of history and rector emeritus of Central European University in Vienna and a former Canadian politician. 2023/PROJECT SYNDICATE www.project-syndicate.org Chief Justice John Roberts focused his year-end report squarely on technology, avoiding discussion of the ethics questions that dogged the Supreme Court in 2023 and the flurry of election cases approaching the docket to discuss the promise and perils of artificial intelligence for the federal judiciary. As 2023 draws to a close with breathless predictions about the future of Artificial Intelligence, some may wonder whether judges are about to become obsolete," Roberts wrote in his annual report, which typically includes an essay regarding an issue involving the court system along with statistics on the federal judiciarys workload. In some years, Roberts has addressed controversies involving the courts, including security for judges, financial conflicts of interest and, on one occasion, a plea for raising judicial pay. As the court faces continuing scrutiny over its members own conduct, including Justice Clarence Thomass relationships with wealthy benefactors, the chief justice devoted his 2023 edition to an important but, by Washington standards, determinedly anodyne topic: the court systems reluctant but inevitable adoption of mechanical, electronic and digital tools. The courts, Roberts observed, can be stubbornly retrograde in their approach to technological advances. Quill pens still are set out on counsel tables at the Supreme Court, he wrote, and if you would like to travel back in technological timeand get current case information by phoneyou can call 1-866-222-8029," tapping in to the telephone system the court first set up in 1989. In Sundays report, Roberts said the courts eventually accepted typewriters, photocopiers and personal computers, and likewise will need to come to terms with AI. Law professors report with both awe and angst that AI apparently can earn Bs on law school assignments and even pass the bar exam," he wrote. But while the technology has great potential to dramatically increase access to key information for lawyers and non-lawyers alike," he cautioned, it risks invading privacy interests and dehumanizing the law." On the plus side, Roberts said, AI can help people without access to lawyers, such as by finding the right forms and answering basic legal questions. But AI also made headlines this year for a shortcoming known as hallucination, which caused the lawyers using the application to submit briefs with citations to non-existent cases. (Always a bad idea.)," Roberts wrote. Some legal scholars have raised concerns about whether entering confidential information into an AI tool might compromise later attempts to invoke legal privileges." In criminal cases, the use of AI in assessing flight risk, recidivism, and other largely discretionary decisions that involve predictions has generated concerns about due process, reliability, and potential bias," Roberts wrote. Nuance matters: Much can turn on a shaking hand, a quivering voice, a change of inflection, a bead of sweat, a moments hesitation, a fleeting break in eye contact." Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.), who heads a Senate subcommittee on privacy, technology and the law, praised Roberts for focusing on AI. I regard this report as a kind of invitation to begin a dialogue" between Congress and the judicial branch on AI use in the legal system, Blumenthal said, adding that the issue has been one of bipartisan concern in the Senate. In August, Blumenthal and the senior Republican on his subcommittee, Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, agreed on a framework for legislation on the technology. While expressing support for Robertss concerns about overreliance on AI, Blumenthal said he was disappointed that the chief justice had nothing to say regarding the courts problems, which polls show have driven down its public approval. Gabe Roth, executive director of Fix the Court, an advocacy group that pushes for court transparency, agreed. A year-end report that fails to address or even mention the ethical lapses uncovered over the last 12 months is about as useful today as the typewriters the chief justice waxes poetic about," Roth said. In a statistical appendix, Roberts reported that the federal courts appellate workload fell over the past year. The number of Supreme Court petitions fell 15% to 4,159, while the court issued 55 signed opinions, down from 58 a year before. In the federal courts of appeals, filings fell 4% to 39,987. Federal district courts saw criminal cases decline 3% overall to 66,027, although immigration offenses, the largest component of the criminal docket, increased by 3% to 19,645. Civil cases increased 24% to 339,731. Bankruptcy courts saw a 13% increase in new filings, to 433,658, still significantly below the five-year high of 776,674 recorded in fiscal year 2019. Write to Jess Bravin at Jess.Bravin@wsj.com Chinese President Xi Jinping promised to "reclaim" Taiwan in his New Year's address . He called the "reunification" with the island nation a "historical necessity" . ADVERTISIMENT According to the Chinese leader, the Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should "share the great glory of national renaissance". The text of the address was published on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry on the evening of December 31. "China will surely reunify. . ..The reunification of the motherland is a historical necessity, and compatriots on both sides of the [Taiwan] Strait should hold hands and share the great glory of national rejuvenation," Xi Jinping said in his address to the Chinese people. At the same time, he recalled that 2024 will mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. He said China should "steadily push forwardChina-style modernization, fully, precisely and comprehensively implement the new development concept." ADVERTISIMENT In addition, Xi Jinping called it necessary to "persistently pursue progress, preserving stability, promoting stability through progress." As you know, China celebrates the New Year when the clock strikes 18:00 in Ukraine. It should be noted that this is not the first time that the head of China voices such statements. In particular, in his New Year's address on the eve of 2022, Xi Jinping said: "National reunification is the common hope of the people of the two shores of the Taiwan Strait. I sincerely hope that all Chinese can move forward together toward a beautiful future of the Chinese nation." ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA, China earlier appointed as head of the Ministry of Defense 62-year-old Navy veteran and former Navy chief Dong Jun, who is not under U.S. sanctions. According to Bloomberg, this will help ease the way for the resumption of military talks with the U.S., which have been on hold since Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in 2022. Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The 2023 Graduates of the Teagasc/UCD Level 7 Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management course, including Matthew Sheridan, Mostrim and Daniel Lennon, Carrickedmond, were presented with their diplomas at an awards ceremony at Teagasc Moorepark on Tuesday, December 19. The awards were presented by Dr Anne-Marie Butler, Head of Education at Teagasc and Associate Professor in Dairy Production Professor Karina Pierce from UCD. Professor Karina Pierce congratulated the 10 participants who graduated at the ceremony, commenting on the knowledge and skills the graduates have developed over the last two years and wished them well in their dairy careers. Dr Anne-Marie Butler congratulated the graduates and their families on the significant achievement. Dr Butler explained that these graduates join an elite group of skilled and vibrant fellow graduates who have completed the course over the last decade and are now leaders within the Irish dairy industry. Pictured in Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork at the presentation of Teagasc Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management are Associate Professor Karina Pierce, UCD, graduate Daniel Lennon, Carrickedmond, Co Longford & Dr Anne-Marie Butler, Teagasc Head of Education. Photo O'Gorman Photography. Dr Butler acknowledged the significant contribution of Teagasc research, education and advisory staff in delivering the programme as well as the commitment from host farmers who run successful farm businesses, while also providing invaluable mentoring to students and very generously share their time and private farm information with students. The Overall Student of the Year award from the Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management course went to Tommy Dillane from Ardagh, County Limerick. Prior to completing the Level 7 diploma, Tommy completed the Level 6 Advanced Certificate at Salesian Agricultural College, Pallaskenry. During his two years in the Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management course, Tommy completed his first year placement with Niall OCallaghan and James Moloney and his second year placement with James Murphy and Paidi Kelly, both farms in County Limerick. The Student of the Year award is sponsored by the Farm Apprenticeship Board, Irish Farm Managers Association and the Master Farmers. The Grassland Student of the Year award went to Linda Pfennig from Callan, County Kilkenny. This award was based on a comprehensive grassland assessment which Linda completed in her 2nd year where she worked with Kevin Cooney in County Tipperary. The Grassland Student of the Year award is sponsored by the Blackwater Discussion Group. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: January 01 2024 New York State Will Participate In Federal "Summer EBT" Program To Provide Food Benefits To Eligible Students During The Summer Months. Governor Kathy Hochul today announced more than $200 million for summer meals for approximately 2 million low-income school-aged children in New York. Following Governor Hochul's decision to opt New York into the U.S. Department of Agricultures Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children (Summer EBT), more than $200 million in federal funding will be allocated to New York. Our kids need healthy, nutritious food to grow and thrive, Governor Hochul said. This new federal funding will be a critical lifeline for families struggling to make ends meet. The program is aimed at reducing hunger and food insecurity among children who are unable to access free and reduced-price school meals during the summertime. Eligible families with school-age children will receive $120 per child during the summer months. Approximately 2 million New York children are expected to qualify. More information on eligibility and benefit issuance will be available in the coming months. Governor Hochul has committed to covering 50 percent of the administrative costs of operating the program, as required by the federal government. USDA will cover the other half. Research has shown that providing families with summer food benefits reduces childhood hunger while promoting better nutrition. A demonstration project tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture during the pandemic found that Summer EBT decreased the number of kids with very low food security by one-third. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, "No child should have to worry about having access to healthy, nutritious meals when school is out of session for the summer. We know that hunger never takes a vacation, and thanks to the Summer EBT initiative, over 2 million children across New York who rely on school meals during the year will get the assistance they need while on summer break. I am proud to help deliver this more than $200 million in federal funding to ensure our low-income families have access to healthy food year-around, and I commend Governor Hochul for her commitment to combatting food insecurity in communities across the Empire State. New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Acting Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, We are grateful to Governor Hochul for recognizing the importance of our agency operating Summer EBT. This program will help us ensure that students whose families rely on school meals during the year can continue to access healthy foods when school is out of session for the summer by simply using an EBT card to purchase food. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: January 01 2024 New York State Office of Victim Services Revamps Compensation Application to Eliminate Questions, Simplify Language and Reduce its Length to Help Ensure a More User-Friendly Process. Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the availability of a new, streamlined application for individuals seeking help from the state with crime-related expenses. The New York State Office of Victim Services has revamped its application to eliminate questions, simplify language and reduce its length to help ensure a more user-friendly process. OVS provides a critical financial safety net for individuals with no other resources to pay for expenses they incurred as a result of being victimized, such as medical and counseling bills, funeral and burial costs, and reimbursement of lost wages, among other financial assistance. New York has a long history of ensuring that individuals and families who have been harmed as a result of a crime can have access to support, services and financial help they need, Governor Hochul said. That commitment would not be possible but for the work done by the Office of Victim Services staff, and victim assistance professionals who have dedicated their careers to serving individuals who have experienced unspeakable loss, trauma and pain. I am incredibly grateful for their work, which makes a difference in so many lives across New York State. Those who are victims of a crime shouldnt have to worry about the financial cost of the recovery process, said Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado. The Office of Victim Services is breaking down barriers and ensuring those impacted by crime have access to the resources and services they need to heal and move forward. We will ensure New Yorkers receive the support they deserve. Office of Victim Services Director Elizabeth Cronin said, My team at the Office of Victim Services is always looking for ways in which we can streamline and improve our processes, so they are victim- and survivor-centered, and trauma informed. We received excellent feedback from victim advocates and service providers who play a critical role in helping individuals apply for assistance and this shortened application is a result of the coordination between them and OVS staff. I thank them for their insights and their commitment to providing the highest quality of services to victims and survivors of crime. While the Office of Victim Services has modified its application as necessary to address amendments to state laws that outline eligibility for financial assistance, these represent the most significant changes to the document in decades. Individuals, service providers and victim advocates had expressed concerns about the documents length and some invasive questions, which sometimes deterred individuals from applying for help. The redesigned application provides the information necessary for the Office of Victim Services to assign claims to staff members, who then obtain any additional documents to make decisions as needed, depending on the type of help sought. The application now has five pages instead of nine, and the number of questions has been cut in half to seven from 14. During the states 2022-23 fiscal year, the Office of Victim Services provided $14.6 million to victims and survivors of crime and their family members for medical and counseling bills; occupational and vocational rehabilitation; lost wages and support; funeral and burial expenses; costs associated with court and medical transportation, security devices, moving, and crime scene cleanup; and replacement or repair of essential personal property. New York is the only state in the country with no cap on medical and counseling expenses; state law limits other types of reimbursement or compensation. OVS also directly reimbursed medical providers nearly $2 million for forensic rape exams during FY23. All reimbursement and compensation for crime-related costs are paid by fines, fees and surcharges paid by certain individuals convicted in state or federal court, not federal or state tax dollars. Earlier this month, Governor Hochul signed legislation (S.214A/A.2105A) to expand eligibility to victim compensation funds for victims and survivors of crime. The law removes the requirement that victims provide documentation from law enforcement to be eligible for compensation and applies to crimes occurring on or after Dec. 31, 2025. The effective date provides the Office of Victim Services adequate time to prepare for the implementation of this and other significant changes included in the law. The updated compensation application is another example of the Office of Victim Services efforts to improve access, expand eligibility for financial assistance and build capacity among services providers through professional training and technical assistance. In recent years, OVS has: Advanced and supported a variety of legislation that upon enactment has expanded access and eligibility to compensation, including allowing victims of hate crimes, unlawful dissemination or publication of an intimate image, and first-degree and second-degree reckless endangerment to receive compensation for lost earnings, crime scene cleanup costs, counseling and other expenses not covered by insurance, even if they are not injured. Increased compensation for essential personal property lost or damaged from $500 to $2,500; increased emergency awards for funeral expenses to up to $3,000; and expanded access to compensation for individuals who were victims of hate crimes but did not sustain any physical injuries. The Office of Victim Services also funds and supports 239 community-based programs across the state that provide that provide essential services, such as crisis counseling, support groups, case management, emergency shelter, civil legal help, and relocation assistance, among other assistance, to victims and survivors, loved ones, and communities. These programs provide services at no cost and regardless of whether an individual has reported the crime to police. More than 80 percent of claims for financial help are filed by staff from these programs. Follow the Office of Victim Services on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is pleased to announce that the Long Island State Park Region will host its 29th annual Winter Run Series beginning January 2024. The series will begin Sunday, January 14 at Heckscher State Park with an 80s theme. Additional runs will be held January 21 at Robert Moses State Park with an oldies theme, January 28 at Sunken Meadow State Park with a 90s theme, and February 4 at Jones Beach State Park, where you can come dressed as your favorite band or artist. All races are 5K in length and will start at 11 a.m. Registration is open for both full series signups and individual runs. Registration is online only, there will be no in-person registration. The entry fee for full series registration is $50.00 and day-of-race registration is $20.00 per race. Full series registration will close when the maximum amount of 1,100 registrants is reached. Day-of-race registration is available online, beginning the Monday prior to each race, and accepted until 9 a.m. the day of the race. Jaw-dropping acrobatics from Brisbanes Circa Ensemble set against backdrop of a live performance by the Luxembourg Philharmonie of Beethovens 9th Symphony The Grand Theatres promised spectacle for the end of 2023 brought together music, song and astonishing acrobatics in Yaron Lifschitzs Circa/Beethoven 9. The 70-minute long performance, which will be repeated again on Monday, received a standing ovation from the audience. The stage was set for the latest production from the leading contemporary circus ensemble by the Luxembourg Philharmonie, who performed Beethovens 9th Symphony, conducted by Laurence Equilbey. That alone would be worth the ticket, but the music was simply a backdrop to some astonishing new wave circus from a group of ten muscular performers. Forming a human chain, the group broke off to create some heart-stopping human towers including one in which a single man supported four other acrobats. After each move the towers just tumbled, putting a whole new meaning to trust, as performers were caught in the arms of other acrobats. The human towers, repeated several times during the performance, had the audience gripped Photo credit: Laura Manariti Forming a human chain, the group broke off to create some heart-stopping human towers including one in which a single man supported four other acrobats. After each move the towers just tumbled, putting a whole new meaning to trust, as performers were caught in the arms of other acrobats. Lifschitz has created a beautifully choreographed, at times chaotic, at other times hypnotic, performance that presents Beethovens 9th Symphony in physical form. While the Corde Lisse or aerial circus performance - that involves a vertically hanging rope - was mesmerising, the human towers that shape and tumble had the audience gasping in wonder. Circa/Beethoven 9 was created in response to a commission from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the composers birth in 2020. The mixture of live music and live performance adds a new dimension to this well-known symphony, which includes the wonderful Ode to Joy, the anthem of the European Union. Equilbey is the musical director of Insula orchestra, and the choir Accentus, who took to the stage for the performance of this production together with soprano Amina Edris, alto Agata Schmidt, tenor Amitai Pati, and bass, Alexander Tsymbalyuk. The music and songs were rousing and joyous a simply wonderful way to end one year or start another. Yet the Brisbane-based Circa Ensemble remained centre stage a narrow strip of stage which made their moves all the more amazing. You have to admire the sheer physicality of their flawless performance. One move segwaying into another, all of them perfect. At times they were like ballet dancers, but then you were reminded of the sheer strength required to balance another person on your shoulders, which both the men and women did so effortlessly. The use of rope trapezes saw the performers fly gracefully through the air to the music, but there were also times when the choreographed movements felt more like contemporary dance. Its certainly not like any circus performance you will have seen before. The Theatres de la Ville constantly strive to deliver something different at the years end. Last year it was the immersive reality Bal de Paris, choreographed by Blanca Li, this year a jaw-dropping circus performing with a live orchestra. Circa/Beethoven 9 will be performed again on 1 January to a full auditorium, with tickets already sold out. In the area of the city of Gliwice in the south of Poland there was an accident involving Ukrainians. The car Audi A6 collided sideways with the car Audi A4 and crashed into a tree. As a result of the accident three people were killed. ADVERTISIMENT All three are citizens of Ukraine. As reported by the Polish edition RMF24, the tragic incident occurred on Sunday, December 31, at about 13:40 (Kiev time), in the village of Ziernica, Gliwice County, Silesian Voivodeship. As informed by law enforcement officials in Poland, the Audi A6 was driven by a man in his 40s. On a bend, he collided sideways with an Audi A4. After that, the driver lost control of the vehicle, drove off the road and collided with a tree. ADVERTISIMENT All the people in the Audi A6 were killed. As journalists write, several rescue teams worked at the scene of the fatal accident, in particular, an ambulance helicopter was involved. The police will establish all the causes of the accident. As reported by OBOZ.UA, in a fatal traffic accident in Poland, which occurred in the early morning of November 19, the six-year-old daughter of a Ukrainian warrior from Rivnenshchina Taras Marchuk died. The young son and wife of the defender hospitalized in serious condition. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Manchester, VT (05254) Today Cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Temps nearly steady in the mid to upper 30s. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Variably cloudy with snow showers. Low 27F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. Known for anticipating several of the most important events in history, such as Hitler's rise to power or the death of Elizabeth II, the Frenchman Nostradamus is once again making a series of predictions for the coming year 2024, and the truth is that they are not at all hopeful. Among the many events he predicted, natural catastrophes and the death of a very important personage are expected. Considered as 'The Prophecies' and studied for years by many experts, these let us glimpse a worrying future that could mean a 2024 plagued with changes for the human being. For example, according to Nostradamus we could be facing a year that could mean the farewell to Pope Francis, who at 86 years of age in 2023 has already gone through several health problems. Other predictions for 2024 by Nostradamus On the other hand, the Frenchman predicted the beginning of a new world war, 79 years after the end of the second one. He could well be referring to what happened in Ukraine, the China-Taiwan conflict or in Palestine. Another augury of Nostradamus points to an advance in climate change in 2024, something that would mean more weather disruptions, with strong storms or increased temperatures. It would also be a step further in the heat waves that are becoming more frequent, something that has already been seen in this 2023. Finally, the Frenchman considered that next year there will be a strong and dangerous earthquake in the world that will mean the loss of thousands of lives. Although the place is not specified, it is reminiscent of what happened recently in Morocco, where thousands of people have lost their lives due to a great earthquake in Marrakech and surroundings or the natural disasters that Iceland is suffering at the moment, which could prove Nostradamus right again. Bleary-eyed and slow-moving from a night of New Years Eve celebrations? Coffee lovers can head to their neighborhood Starbucks for the first caffeine fix of 2024 to perk themselves right up. Starbucks will be open on New Years Day, Monday, Jan. 1, but stores will run on the companys holiday hours. This holiday season, Starbucks store hours vary by location and stores may occasionally adjust their hours based on business and customer needs, the chains website reads. We recommend customers look for specific store hours using the Starbucks app or by visiting our website store locator. People can check if their local Starbucks is open by clicking here. Just be sure that if you grace your baristas with your presence, you wish them a happy and healthy new year. Dry January - its not a long-term weather forecast, but instead a social trend thats about all giving up alcohol for the month ahead. Dry January originated in the U.K. back in 2013, as an initiative of Alcohol Change UK, an organization whose stated mission it is to reduce the harm alcohol abuse can cause. In the ten years since its inception, Dry January has evolved into a global phenomenon, with Dry January campaigns active across Europe and North America The objective of Dry January is simple - to get those who use alcohol, even in moderation, to abstain for a month and thereby experience the health and well-being effects of doing so. In the U.S., Dry January has become a trendy part of the whole New Years resolutions trope, with an estimated one in five adults annually self-identifying as Dry January adherents. With the sale of beverage alcohol - the hospitality industrys catchall term for beer, wine, and cocktails - essential to the business model of many dining establishments, the Dry January phenomenon has become a source of anxiety for restaurant owners. They worry that Dry January will have a negative impact on sales - and profits. In any event January is often a slow time for restaurants, with sometimes-harsh weather, post-holiday bills, and a bit of celebratory burnout all tending to discourage spending on dining out. However, traditional pricing strategies in the industry have positioned beverage alcohol sales to generate generous margins, with the mark-up on beer and wine typically in excess of 50 percent-plus and even greater profitability associated with cocktails and distilled spirits. Any social trend that threatens to dampen beverage alcohol sales is therefore a potential threat. Data on restaurant sales is unclear as to what impact, if any, can be assigned to voluntary abstinence by Dry January resolutionists. Anecdotal evidence gathered in 2023 by the New York Times described beverage alcohol sales at bars, craft breweries, and liquor stores down by anywhere from 10 to 20 percent in the metro New York area during Dry January that year. However, other restaurant operators and industry observers contend the impact of Dry January on bar and beverage sales in past years seems to have been minimal. Whether or not Dry January abstinence might effect business over the month ahead, savvy restaurant operators should be transforming any threat potential into a business opportunity. Featuring abstinence-friendly beverage options such as alcohol-free beers and bar-crafted seltzers should be high on the marketing agenda for January. Zero-proof cocktails (the term mocktails is now seen as unacceptably pejorative) can be a profitable replacement for beverage alcohol sales. Thanks to customer expectations as to what mixed drinks should cost, non-alcoholic alternatives can be promoted at a markup similar to that of the more potent spirits-based options they are replacing. ********** Side Dishes: The Dirty Truth Beer Hall in Northampton has put together a tasting events for those observing a Dry January. On Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 6 to 9 p.m., the Dirty Truth will be offering samples of some of the establishments favorite non-alcoholic beers. The operations resident mixologists will also be preparing zero-proof cocktails from their professional repertoires. For more details on the dry tasting, contact the Dirty Truth at 413-585-5999. ********** On the evening of Jan. 19, Brickroad Productions of Monson will be partnering with the 1761 Old Mill Restaurant in Westminster to present Gangsters in Love, a murder mystery dinner. Written by Steve Henderson, Gangsters in Love is the story of two shady lovebirds, a Jack-and-Jill party in celebration of their planned nuptials, and a dastardly deed that leaves someone dead. The show incorporates lots of clues, a slew of suspects, and a number of opportunities for audience members to help solve the whodunit. The 1761 Old Mill will be serving a three-course dinner prior to the 7 p.m. performance. Tickets are $50 and can be ordered by calling 978-874-5941. ********** On Jan. 11, The Delaney House in Holyoke, in conjunction with the Connecticut Valley Brewing Company, will be hosting a beer dinner. The event is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. and is priced at $69 per person. After a pre-dinner munch of truffle popcorn, the evening is to begin with Bacon Jam Bruschetta, a dish that will be paired with Connecticut Valleys Aces of America Lager. Trailbrazer NEIPA will be poured along with an Arugula Salad garnished with fried goat cheese. The dinners main course is to be a Cinnamon Chipotle Rubbed Pork Chop plated next to roasted cauliflower, with Connecticut Valleys Apple Pie Spiked Smoothie serving as the chops beverage partner. A Donut Hole Sundae will be offered for dessert; Coffee Stout will be poured alongside. The Connecticut Valley Brewing Company, which is headquartered in South Windsor, is known for its distinctively flavored beers and ales. Reservations can be made on The Delaney House website; more information can be had by calling 413-532-1800. ********** With the arrival of 2024, the Still Bar & Grill in Agawam is once again promoting its Monday Night $24 Four Course Dinner. The prix fixe menu is available every Monday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and includes appetizer, a choice of soup or salad, an array of entree options, and dessert. Main course selections for Mondays deal currently include Chicken Cacciatore, Shrimp & Broccoli Alfredo, Eggplant Parmesan, Fish Tacos and more. The full Monday prix fixe menu can be viewed at the Stills Facebook page. ********** The Vanished Valley Brewing Company in Ludlow has organized a Winter Warmer Beer Dinner for Jan. 22. The dinner, which will begin at 6 p.m., will feature five courses, the first of which is to be pulled-pork deviled eggs garnished with a chipotle aioli. Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes will follow, with Vanished Valleys India Pale Ale poured alongside. Third up on the menu agenda is a spinach salad garnished with candied nuts and Gorgonzola cheese; a bacon vinaigrette will dress the salad. Smoked Prime Rib, which is to be the main course, will be served with mashed potatoes and an au poivre sauce. No Trespassing India Pale Ale will be the beverage option on offer when the main course is brought out. A Pecan Pie Fudge Brownie sauced with hot fudge and caramel will serve as the Beer Dinners conclusion. Tickets for the dinner are $60 and can be ordered on the brewerys website. The Vanished Valley Brewing Company answers at 413-610-1572. ********** Avon Prime Meats of Avon, Conn., is collaborating with Brignole Vineyards of East Granby, Conn., to present a very special Game Dinner on Jan. 17, starting at 6 p.m. The five-course culinary safari will begin with a greeting table that will offer raclette and a charcuterie selection of wild game salami. The appetizer course is to be a buttermilk-fried Rabbit Leg finished with a maple drizzle; a pasta course featuring Spaghetti Ricci di Mare will follow. The events gastronomic centerpiece, a Venison Rib Chop, will share plate space with porcini whipped potatoes. For dessert, the kitchen will be preparing panna cotta. Tickets, which are $125, can be ordered online. Brignole Vineyards answers at 860-653-9436. Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community Colleges hospitality and culinary arts program and has nearly 50 years of restaurant and educational experience. Robert can be reached online at OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com. In his New Year's address, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo mentioned that the war in Ukraine started by Russia has been going on for almost two years. He noted that the Russian invasion has finally changed the security situation in Europe. ADVERTISIMENT Helsinki will continue to firmly support Kyiv, Orpo assured. His speech was published on the government's website, Ukrinform reports. He emphasized that the Ukrainian people are courageously fighting not only for the freedom and independence of their country, but also for Europe as a whole and for Western values. "Our decisions at the national level, such as increasing the production capacity of heavy ammunition, allow us to support Ukraine in the long term. At the same time, we are also strengthening our own defense capabilities," Orpo said. The Finnish Prime Minister emphasized that Finland, as a member of the European Union, is actively working to ensure that Europe is united with Ukraine. "The start of accession negotiations with Ukraine sends a message of hope to the Ukrainian people: Ukraine's place is in the EU. By welcoming Ukraine to the bloc, European countries also commit to supporting Ukraine in the long term," the Finnish Prime Minister added. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen announced the start of production of artillery ammunition for Ukraine. According to him, negotiations on this issue have been completed. As reported by OBOZ.UA, Russia has threatened that if tensions between Moscow and NATO increase, Finland will be the first country to suffer. Since the country joined the bloc this year after decades of neutrality, it has become a hostile player for Russia. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Nobody has seen Ana Walshe alive since her New Years Eve dinner party one year ago. Those charging her husband, Cohasset man Brian Walshe, with her death, said he used his sons iPad to look up how to kill his wife, dismember her and how he could get away with it in the days before and after he killed her, then lied to police during questioning after her employer reported her missing. A bloody knife was found in the familys basement during an investigation, prosecutors later said. Surveillance footage was discovered of Walshe buying hundreds of dollars of cleaning supplies the day after his wifes suspected killing, the prosecution said. Dumpsters outside Brian Walshes mothers Swampscott home were also searched and detectives found personal items of Anas, a hacksaw and rugs similar to ones in the familys home, prosecutors said. But Ana Walshes body has not been found. Walshes previous lawyer maintained his innocence and Walshe pleaded not guilty to a grand jury murder indictment in April. He was recently appointed a new attorney by the court on Dec. 14, according to Norfolk District Attorneys spokesperson David Traub. There is still forensic work underway as defense Attorney Larry Tipton becomes familiarized with the Walshe case, Traub said. Heres everything we know about the case. Murder suspect Brian Walshe of Cohasset is arraigned, Thursday April 27, 2023, in Dedham Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)AP What happened in January 2023? Cohasset Police first released an image of Ana Walshe to the public on Jan. 5, 2023, and said shed been reported missing, last seen in the early hours of the morning on Jan. 1, 2023. Her description 52, about 115 pounds with brown hair, brown eyes, olive skin and a Eastern European accent was also shared. Police initially said Brian Walshe had reported his wife as missing the same day her employer, Tishman Spyer, an international property management company, contacted police. When questioned, Brian Walshe told officers his wife left in a rideshare vehicle at 4 a.m. on New Years Day for a 6 a.m. flight at Boston Logan Airport to D.C. because of an emergency at one of her properties. Shed already booked a return flight for Jan. 3 to Washington for work, but her husband told officers she had to leave earlier than expected on the holiday for the emergency. Brian Walshe told police it was not abnormal for his wife to work long hours and not contact her family at home, which is why three days had passed before she was reported missing, according to Cohasset Police Chief William Quigley. But by Jan. 4, Ana Walshe hadnt shown up for work, and police said her cellphone had been off since Jan. 1. Police searched the Walshes Cohasset home and surrounding area for the next several days with K-9 dogs, and checked on her townhouse in Washington. Cohasset Police Chief William Quigley initially said in the press conference on Jan. 6, that Brian Walshe was fully cooperative in the investigation. Though he noted Ana Walshe was believed to be in danger, he said there was nothing to support anything suspicious or criminal in connection with her disappearance. A state trooper assigned to the Norfolk District Attorneys Office who was investigating Walshes disappearance received a ransom note Jan. 7 demanding $127,000 in exchange for her return. The note came from a Google e-mail account with the user name Richard Walker, court documents said. Brian Walshe was arrested Jan. 8 and charged with misleading police, the district attorneys office said. iPad searches, video surveillance and suspected lies During Brian Walshes arraignment on , prosecutors said two knives, one bloody and damaged, were found in the basement of the familys home. Blood was in the basement and plastic tarps were also found, prosecutors said, and Ana Walshes phone was pinged in the location of the Cohasset house on Jan. 1 and 2. Prosecutors recited each of the Google searches Brian Walshe completed in detail, and Norfolk County District Attorney Lynn Beland said, On Dec. 27, the defendant Googled whats the best state to divorce from. Rather than divorce, we believe Brian Walshe dismembered Ana Walshe and discarded her body, Beland said. Here is the complete list of each Google search prosecutors recited during Brian Walshes murder arraignment. Dec. 27, 2022 Whats the best state to divorce for a man Jan. 1, 2023 4:55 a.m.: How long before a body starts to smell 4:58 a.m.: How to stop a body from decomposing 5:20 a.m.: How to embalm a body 5:47 a.m.: 10 ways to dispose of a dead body if you really need to 6:25 a.m.: How long for someone to be missing to inherit 6:34 a.m.: Can you throw away body parts 9:29 a.m.: What does formaldehyde do 9:34 a.m.: How long does DNA last 9:59 a.m.: Can identification be made on partial remains 11:34 a.m.: Dismemberment and the best ways to dispose of a body 11:44 a.m.: How to clean blood from wooden floor 11:56 a.m.: Luminol to detect blood 1:08 p.m.: What happens when you put body parts in ammonia 1:21 p.m.: Is it better to throw crime scene clothes away or wash them " Jan. 2, 2023 12:45 p.m.: Hacksaw best tool to dismember 1:10 p.m.: Can you be charged with murder without a body 1:14 p.m.: Can you identify a body with broken teeth Jan. 3, 2023 1:02 p.m.: What happens to hair on a dead body 1:14 p.m.: What is the rate of decomposition of a body found in a plastic bag compared to on a surface in the woods 1:20 p.m.: Can baking soda make a body smell good Walshe also lied to police about his whereabouts on the day after his wife was last seen alive, prosecutors said; hed previously told police the only time he left the house on Jan. 2 was to briefly get ice cream for one of his children. But Jan. 2 video surveillance showed Walshe purchasing about $450 in cash of cleaning supplies while wearing gloves and a mask in the store, including mops, drop clothes and various kinds of tape, from a Home Depot in Rockland, prosecutors said. He went to CVS and Whole Foods that day, too, without telling the officers, the prosecution said, and had been in Brockton and Abington on Jan. 1, and did not tell police during their questioning. Prosecutors also said Brian Walshe had never actually reported Ana Walshe as missing, a contrast to the polices initial statement, and said her employer was the only party that reported her missing on Wednesday, Jan. 4. Investigators said that on Jan. 4, Brian Walshe went to a HomeGoods store and T.J. Maxx, where he purchased towels, bath mats and mens clothes. He also went to Lowes Home Improvement, where he bought squeegees and a trashcan. Ten trash bags were recovered at a trash transfer station in Peabody that had towels, rags, slippers, tape, a Tyvek suit, gloves, cleaning agents, rugs, hunting boots and a COVID-19 vaccine card in the name of Ana Walshe. Some of those items had stains consistent with blood, prosecutors said. DNA testing at a state crime lab found blood on several of those items matched both Brian and Ana Walshe. Data from Brian Walshes phone, according to prosecutors, showed he traveled to an apartment complex in Abington on Jan. 3. Surveillance footage from the complex, prosecutors said, shows Brian Walshes car at the complex and a man exit a car near a dumpster. The man walked to the dumpster carrying a garbage bag, prosecutors said, adding that the male figure in the video is leaning to one side, indicating the garbage bag was heavy. The man in the video leaves the garbage bag in the dumpster, lawyers said. Brian Walshe also traveled to two other apartment complexes in Abington shortly after, where he discarded items. That same day, prosecutors said, Brian Walshe made additional internet searches for the rate at which a body decomposes in a plastic bag compared to on a surface in the woods. Walshe was held on a $500,000 cash bail as the polices search continued the same day, which resulted in a number of items being collected, according to the district attorney. He was indicted on a murder charge by a grand jury in March, and was held without bail following his April arraignment. What happened with the Walshe family before 2023? In 2018, Brian Walshe was indicted on federal fraud charges in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts in connection to a scheme to sell fake Andy Warhol paintings on eBay, according to court records. In April 2021, he pleaded guilty to those charges and is currently awaiting sentencing, court records show. In early 2022, Ana Walshe was hired by Tishman Spyer, an international property management company. Her job required her to relocate to Washington, D.C, court records said. She purchased a home in D.C. with the intent of moving her whole family the Walshes had three young children down to the city once her husbands case was resolved, according to a court affidavit. In the meantime, Walshe would work in D.C. on the weekdays and visit her husband and their three children on the weekends. Although the move was initially scheduled for July of 2022, delays in Brian Walshes sentencing prevented the family from relocating to D.C. In the months following the initial 2023 investigation and murder charge, detectives learned Ana Walshe was having an affair in Washington, D.C. A six-page document filed with the court claims that in December 2022, Walshe repeatedly accessed the Instagram page of one of his wifes male friends from Washington, D.C. On Dec. 26, 2022, Walshes mother with his direction and input hired a private investigator to find proof of infidelity, Norfolk County Assistant District Attorney Greg Connor wrote in the court papers. On Dec. 28, 2022, Ana Walshe went out with a friend in Washington, D.C. During the outing, she became upset, as she believed her husband was going to be incarcerated on the pending criminal art fraud case, court records stated, and she told her friend about her plan to leave her husband. On Dec. 30, 2022, Ana Walshe flew up to Boston from Washington, D.C. to host a New Years Eve dinner at her Cohasset home with her former employer. The guest arrived on Dec. 31 and left the home at about 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 1 the last time Ana Walshe was seen. Whats next in the Walshe case? The last public search in the Walshe case was in August, when state police were searching again in Peabody from a tip from two residents, but officers found nothing, the district attorneys office said. When asked for a recent update on the investigation, State Police spokesperson David Procopio gave the statement, Massachusetts State Police investigative units are working closely with the Norfolk District Attorneys Office as the criminal proceedings against Brian Walshe move forward. Troopers and prosecutors continue their meticulous preparation with one goal in mind to secure justice for Ana Walshe, Procopio said. He added the Forensic Services Division was analyzing various evidentiary items at the crime lab and arranging for testing at an outside lab. Boston police identified a 41-year-old Boston man as the victim in a fatal shooting in Dorchester on Saturday, the day before New Years Eve. Curtis Effee was found near 417 Geneva Avenue after police received a call about a shooting shortly before 1 a.m. on Saturday. Effee was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting, police said. Read more: Man shot and killed in Boston Police also announced that two people were arrested in connection with the shooting Tyreese Robinson, 19, of Randolph and Dasahn Crowder, 21, of Quincy. The two were arrested near 380 Talbot Avenue in Dorchester. The suspects were arrested on warrants with charges of murder, the police said. The suspects are expected to be arraigned at Dorchester District Court. The Boston Police Departments Homicide Unit is actively reviewing the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information is strongly urged to contact the Boston Police Homicide Unit ay 617-343-4470. NORTHAMPTON Sonya Epstein, a 23-year-old University of Massachusetts Amherst student, spent a night in jail their first after being arrested during an October protest against defense contractor L3Harris in Northampton. That night behind bars was as bad as they imagined it would be. The isolation you feel, and the most striking thing was the complete lack of privacy, Epstein told The Republican. They were gathering information from me, getting my fingerprints. Then not even being able to sleep or go to the bathroom in privacy. It was jarring, being in such a cold, desolate place. There with her that night was a woman, Priscilla Lynch of Conway, 72, who protested wars before Epstein was born. In recent interviews, the two described their reasons for putting their comfort and safety on the line. Epstein, Lynch and more than two dozen others were demonstrating outside the military contractor, blocking entry to the property, preventing one delivery and several people from going to work Lynch, a retired social worker, spent the night in jail with Epstein and four other demonstrators. Its the way I can have an impact, to express my disdain for what is happening, my commitment to change and giving humanity a voice, she said. L3Harris is making weapons used by the military, theyre used in policing. Theyre used in oppression and on nuclear weapons. Chaining themselves to trailers and to each other, the protesters wouldnt let anyone onto L3Harriss property for seven hours. They were arrested on charges of disturbing the peace, resisting arrest and trespassing, according to Northampton police. They appeared in court in December, were released on probation and have been ordered to stay away from the company. The protesters are accusing the business of, among other things, fueling the genocide of Palestinians and countless other deadly imperialist campaigns. The company declined to make a spokesperson available to The Republican for an interview, stating that L3Harris respects the rights of individuals or groups to peacefully protest. Decades of demonstrating Lynch has spent more than five decades trying to pressure government and business leaders to, among other things, stop construction of a gas pipeline through Otis State Forest, end climate change and halt wars in Vietnam and Iraq. Shes been in more protests than she can remember and has landed in jail many times. Ive been arrested in Franklin, Berkshire and now Hampshire County, also in Washington, D.C., and New York, Lynch said. War is the general theme. It has a huge effect on our climate. Our foreign policy, which is not friendly to the human race, has a lot to do with whats happening. Policing, militarism, indigenous rights. Theyre all affected by war, she said. Lynch has gone before many judges, not denying but defending her actions. Every so often, lawyers have defended her for free donations have helped, too. Shes personally paid some fines and legal costs, but shes not sure what it all adds up to. I dont even care. Ive been able to deal with the fines. Ive been able to deal with the cost of getting to and from places. I have limited funds, but you dont have to be rich to do this work, she said. After 54 years of fighting powerful forces, she still has passion for her causes, even as war rages and weapons become more powerful and deadly. In the face of this, Lynch believes shes helped advance peace. I dont think what were doing should be minimized because there isnt an immediate result. There are people out there listening and acting. Its a huge, huge change that we are looking for, and that has to happen over time. Its going to take a lot of voices, she said. A new generation While Lynch has spent a lifetime going public with her opinions, Epstein, who uses the pronoun they, is beginning their trek down the same path. Theyre studying social thought and political economy at UMass. They want to be a community activist, promoting access to food, housing, free speech and uplifting communities to get the funding and resources they need, they said. Epsteins coming of age came when they were 16, when they told friends and family they are queer. That, along with presidential elections in 2016, inspired them to more boldly go public with their beliefs. There are many more things we can do to produce goods that help people rather than killing them, they said. War and bombing are destroying our planet and poisoning us. Why are we doing that to ourselves? Epstein said they and others took aim at L3Harris because few people know whats happening inside the companys Northampton operation. They believe many dont even know the defense contractor is operating in the city. Knowing they have a location so close to where I live is horrifying to me. This isnt something I could just ignore, they said. This is a company profiting off death. On that, the two protesters views align. As world leaders speak of war, discussing measured responses and acceptable violence, Lynch doesnt like to discuss what role the military should play in defending America. We are so over-militarized, we dont even need to ask that question, she said. What we need to do is [ask] how do we tone this down? How do we learn to talk, negotiate and care not about ourselves but each other? Thats a big step and a long process. Thats far ahead of any talk about do we need a military at all, Epstein wants complete demilitarization. They believe there is no role for a military, not even one that deters attacks from countries the U.S. defines as its enemies. It involves a lot of thinking what the whole world would look like if it demilitarized, if there was a different definition of safety, where its not defined as being safe from others, but rather being in community and in touch with others, they said. Ensuring the needs and safety of everyone. Staasi Heropoulos is a longtime Western Massachusetts television and print journalist. Send human interest and feature story ideas to staasi.heropoulos@gmail.com. CHESTER Starting 2024 off on the right foot, more than 100 hikers ambled up the Sanderson Brook Falls trail at Chester-Blandford State Forest Monday for the annual first day hike. We are getting everyones resolutions taken care of right now on New Years Day, said Liz Massa, president of Western Mass Hilltown Hikers. Get off the couch, youre getting your exercise. Get back in touch with nature. And be social. Get off the couch and meet people. This is the third year in a row Hilltown Hikers has hosted a New Years Day hike for members and novices and frequent hikers alike. Its only over the last two years that Hilltown Hikers has been an official co-sponsor of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation First Day Hikes initiative. In Massachusetts, there were 13 first-day hikes planned Monday including at three locations in Western Massachusetts. They were held at Chester-Blandford as well as Mount Greylock in Lanesborough the states highest peak and Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls. DCR said it has been organizing first day hikes for 33 years. At that first hike, more than 400 hikers gathered to welcome the new year at the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton. Its been a national program since 2012, with state park agencies sponsoring hikes in all 50 states. Karen McTaggert and Liz Massa of Hilltown Hikers blow noisemakers at the annual First Day hike at Chester Blandford State Forest for New Year's Day, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Jim Kinney/ The Republican)The Republican We have a lot of fun while introducing people to the state forests, to the Hilltowns and to the Hilltowns history, said Karen McTaggert, Hilltown Hikers vice president. Its an easy, one-mile-up and one-mile-back trail that rewards trekkers with a visit to a 60-foot waterfall, which was roaring Monday following a few days of rain. The trailhead is on busy Route 20 just 16 miles or so west of Westfield and offers plenty of parking. Folks coming back down the mountain were treated to a toast of sparkling cider and a snack. Hilltown Hikers brought social media photo props and passed out noisemakers and paper New Years hats. DCR distributed First Day Hike hats. Hikers head up the hill Monday, Jan. 2024 for the annual First Day Hike in Chester Blandford State Forest sponsored by the state parks and Hilltown Hikers. (Jim Kinney/ The Republican)The Republican Its been a big year for the Hilltown Hikers. In September, the group announced its purchase of the Chester Hudson and Granite Works, a nearby industrial historical site that still has a giant saw left behind by the valleys quarrying industry. The club plans to open the land with an all-abilities accessible trail. Hilltown Hikers offers free once-a-month guided hikes for all who want to participate, Massa said. Usually, there are about 30 participants. We take you somewhere different, she said. We will teach you the history of the land youre walking on. Its also a big year for the Chester-Blandford State Forest, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2024. A man was fatally shot in Boston on New Years Day, according to the Boston Police Department. Police found the man with a gunshot wound at 34 High St. in Dorchester just before 5:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, police said in a statement. He was pronounced dead onsite. The mans name was not released. This is the second fatal shooting in Dorchester within the past 72 hours in Boston. Curtis Effee, 41, was shot dead near 417 Geneva Avenue shortly before 1 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30, Boston police reported. Police also announced that two people were arrested in connection with the shooting Tyreese Robinson, 19, of Randolph and Dasahn Crowder, 21, of Quincy. The two were arrested on warrants with charges of murder near 380 Talbot Avenue in Dorchester, the police said. The suspects are expected to be arraigned at Dorchester District Court. Meanwhile no arrests have been made in connection with the High Street shooting, which remains under investigation. Anyone with information is strongly asked to contact the Boston Police Homicide Unit at 617-343-4470. Anonymous tips can be made by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463). The owners of a landmark diner in Worcester are retiring as the restaurant is on track to celebrate its 50th anniversary this month, but the diner has plans to stay open. James Yantsides, owner of Kenmore Diner on Franklin Street, confirmed to MassLive Monday that he and his wife will be retiring from the restaurant. As the couple plans to visit family in Greece and Cyprus, the diner will stay open, but under new ownership, Spectrum News reported. Weve had some really great customers, Pauline Yantsides told the news outlet. Its like family. Its emotional, its mixed feelings. We are happy and sad, but well be visiting and see the people again. James and Pauline Yantsides have been delighting diners ever since they took over Kenmore Diner in 1974, according to Spectrum News. Kenmore earned its stripes as the quintessential classic diner from customers near and far. The food is freshly-prepared and everything is consistently well made. The chocolate chip pancake for my kid was one of the best weve tried anywhere, and when you consider that it is less than $4, it is in a class by itself, a Yelp reviewer from Wallingford, Connecticut said in March. Read More: The Industry in Dorchester has closed to make way for new Mexican restaurant I had a ham, cheese, and onion omelette that was also wonderful, came with tasty home fries and buttery toast, he continued. The sausages come in quantity and theyre very tasty. Mid-mod decor makes a neat change from the (awesome) standard train car, another reviewer said referencing the diners signature layout. Great service, food on par with the VERY high standard in Worcester. Spectrum News said the couples last day at Kenmore Diner will be on Jan. 15. SPRINGFIELD City leaders called for a year of working together while recognizing the diversity that most said makes the city great during Mondays inauguration ceremonies. Domenic J. Sarno was sworn into his record sixth term with two new and 11 incumbent city councilors in a New Years Day inauguration at Springfield Symphony Hall. The event was followed by the City Council officially convening to officially elect Michael Fenton as president and Melvin Edwards as vice president. Unlike the informal vote taken two weeks ago which sparked debate and discord, the discussion was quick and cordial and the proposals passed 12-0 with one member absent. After being sworn in by retired Judge Mary Hurley who joked that she taught Sarno everything he knows since he worked as her aide while she served as the citys mayor from 1989 to 1992 Sarno thanked his wife, two daughters and other family members, city councilors, his staff, friends and supporters. He dedicated this term to his parents Clara and Alfonso, who died in 2018 and 2020. Also attending the event was U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, who is also a past Springfield mayor, state senators Adam Gomez and Jake Oliveira and state representatives Anthony Puppolo, Bud L. Williams and Carlos Gonzalez and multiple Springfield department heads. While Sarno talked about many achievements that his administration has made over the past 16 years, he said there is much more to do in his next term and he is energetic and ready to get to work. Being mayor is one of the toughest jobs in America but my passion to serve our residents and business community has never waivered, he said. My drive will continue to grow strong and bright to build a better future for everyone. He talked about the four schools that his administration has built over the past 16 years, replacing some that dated to 1890, and pledged that his next project is to rebuild the problem-plagued German Gerena School in the North End neighborhood. Ensuring public safety will continue to be his priority, he said, especially as the city ended a year with a record 31 homicides, but attracting economic development and jobs is also at the forefront. Continuing to boost the public schools ties into both because it ensures children have good futures and become solid citizens, he said. Sarno, a graduate of High School of Commerce, bragged about education achievements in the city, including a graduation rate that is close to 90% and the first free, all-day, universal preschool program in the state ensuring children are prepared to learn when they enter kindergarten. The strength of our city lies in diversity and the ability to come together with mutual respect to build a brighter future for the next generation, our children, he said. Sarno also pledged to continue to ensure financial stability for the city, saying Springfield currently has an AA- bond rating, the strongest it has ever seen, and a $68 million reserve fund, which is a far cry from a dozen years ago when the city was nearly bankrupt and under the control of the state finance control board. Having sufficient funding resources allows the city to effectively deliver services, address challenges and to advance programs and projects that will lead to a more prosperous, safe and sustainable future, he said. Discussions about unity and collaboration were summed up by Bishop Talbert Swan, pastor of Hope Spring Church and bishop of the Vermont Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ. Swan, also the long-term head of the Greater Springfield NAACP, was one of four leaders from a variety of faiths who were asked to speak at the inauguration. Although he has gone head-to-head with Sarno over many issues, especially police reform, Swan said he knows the job isnt easy and thanked him for his time, commitment and ingenuity and willingness to tackle difficult issues such as housing reform and violence going forward. My presence at your inaugural is a testament to your willingness to work with those in the community who have diverging opinions and who have challenged your administration. This type of dialogue and commitment to hear new ideas and marginalized voices is critically important in moving our city forward, he said. Fenton also discussed the benefits of working together and listening to each other to build a better city when convening the organizational meeting for the City Council. Springfields diversity is absolutely our greatest strength, he said. We have members of every single walk of life and that makes us a stronger body. The council has new members and those who have served for more than a decade. They come from different neighborhoods, represent a variety of races and nationalities and have a variety of expertise and professions from teachers and political experts to lawyers and those who fight for the underserved. New councilors sworn in are Jose Delgado and Brian Santinello, who also served on the board in the past. Those who are returning are Timothy Allen, Malo Brown, Lavar Click-Bruce, Sean Curran, Victor Davila, Zaida Govan, Maria Perez, Kateri Walsh and Tracye Whitfield. Jim Bevilacqua, who served as a divemaster and a firefighter with the Winchendon Fire Department, died unexpectedly, according to the department. In an announcement on Facebook on Monday, the department said he would be missed by many people in different ways. Jims love of the fire service combined wit his underwater skills made him a natural to train many area firefighters in ice and water rescue, the department said. Jim took great pleasure in helping others in this manner. Further information on services for Bevilacqua will be released as details are worked out, the department said. EIGHT suspects have been identified in relation to a crime spree involving a gang which used a Knock Airbnb as a base. Arrests are expected to be made soon after gardai compiled an intelligence dossier regarding eight criminals suspected to be involved in robbing up to 20 houses in Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon, and Galway. According to the Irish Independent, a gang from the Tallaght area of Dublin are thought to be behind burglaries of numerous unoccupied homes over five days in early November. The gang used three cars during their crime spree and wore camouflage clothing and walked through fields before breaking into houses, mostly in rural areas. The number of burglaries in the area has plummeted since the gang left the area after gardai identified the property which they had been renting. Superintendent Alan Brady previously said gardai had been having difficulty gathering sufficient evidence to bring the perpetrators to court. No arrests have been made regarding these burglaries. Speaking at the December meeting of the Mayo Joint Policing Committee, Chief Superintendent for Mayo and Roscommon/Longford, Ray McMahon, urged Airbnb owners to be cautious when renting out their property. Chief Supt McMahon called on property owners to contact gardai if they had any suspicions regarding the people renting out their property. Mayo had a total of 160 reported burglaries up to the start of this month, an increase of 33 on the same period last year. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, during the traditional New Year's Eve speech unexpectedly announced her abdication. She plans to resign as Queen of Denmark on January 14 after 52 years of rule. ADVERTISIMENT This is reported by Reuters. Her successor on the throne will be her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederick. The 83-year-old queen, who ascended the throne in 1972, noted that after a successful back surgery in February, she reflected on the future and decided to hand over responsibility to the next generation. "I have decided that now is the time. On January 14, 2024 - 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father - I will step down as Queen of Denmark," the queen said. - "I leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederick." Following the death of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, Margrethe II became the longest-serving monarch in Europe. In addition, in July, she also became the monarch with the longest reign in Danish history. In Denmark, power is officially vested in an elected parliament and its government. The monarch usually stays above party politics and represents the country with traditional duties including state visits and participation in national holidays. ADVERTISIMENT Danish Prime Minister Matte Frederiksen expressed gratitude to the queen for her lifelong commitment to duty. "It is still difficult to realize that the time has come for a change of throne," Frederiksen said in a statement, adding that many Danes have never known another monarch. Born in 1940 to the former monarch of Denmark, King Frederick IX and Queen Ingrid, Margrethe always had great support throughout her life from the Danes, who appreciated her elegant and creative personality. The queen had a passion for archaeology and was actively involved in several archaeological excavations. Margrethe became heir to the throne in 1953, after a constitutional amendment allowed women to inherit the royal throne. ADVERTISIMENT In 1967, she married Henri de Laborde de Monpez, a French diplomat. With him together in marriage, they lived until his death in 2018. The couple also had two sons, Crown Prince Frederick, who would become king, and Prince Joachim. What did Queen Margrethe II of Denmark say about the war in Ukraine? Queen Margrethe II has expressed one of the royal family's most emphatic positions on these events at the outbreak of the full-scale war in Ukraine that Russia has started. In a statement published on the official website of the Danish Royal Court, it said: "There is war in Europe again. I am very sad to see what is happening in Ukraine. The progress and hope that blossomed in Europe after the fall of the Berlin Wall is now crumbling before our eyes." In her message, the Queen noted the condolences of the Danes to the people of Ukraine, expressed concern over the terrible consequences of the hostilities and recognized the heroism of those fighting for freedom. Toward the end of her speech, she added: "May this senseless war end as soon as possible." ADVERTISIMENT The Danish royal family also announced a donation of DKK 1,000,000 (about $147,400) to help victims of the war in Ukraine. This charitable amount came from the Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik Foundation and the Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary Foundation. These funds were transferred to the Together for Ukraine Foundation, which was set up by numerous Danish charitable organizations. Earlier it was reported that Ukrainian pilots continue training on F-16 fighter jets in Denmark. Some of them are already being trained in the air on these aircraft with instructors. We shall remind you that the USA officially confirmed the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands. This delivery will be carried out after the training of Ukrainian pilots is completed. In particular, Denmark is to supply Ukraine with 19 F-16 airplanes. ADVERTISIMENT Trusted Source Being overly optimistic may lead to poor decision-making: Study Go to source Trusted Source While positive thinking is associated with success and well-being, a recent study warns that it may result in poor financial choices with significant consequences. #optimism, #wellbeing, #positivethinking Unseen Risks of Optimism in Decision-making Advertisement Being overly optimistic may lead to poor decision-making: Study - (https://ians.in/detail/being-overly-optimistic-may-lead-to-poor-decision-making-study--20231231143305) Advertisement Positive thinking, usually tied to success and well-being, has been linked to potential drawbacks, particularly in the realm of financial decision-making, as highlighted by a study, published in the journal).The researchers from the UK-based University of Bath showed that excessive optimism is associated with lower cognitive skills such as verbal fluency, fluid reasoning, numerical reasoning, and memory.Whereas thosein their expectations about the future.Forecasting the future with accuracy is difficult and for that reason, we might expect those with low cognitive ability to make more errors in judgments, both pessimistic and optimistic. But the results are clear: low cognitive ability leads to more self-flattering biases - people essentially deluding themselves to a degree, said Dr Chris Dawson of the Universitys School of Management."Plans based on overly optimistic beliefs make for poor decisions and are bound to deliver worse outcomes than would realistic beliefs, he added.According to the researchers,and posed serious implications for individuals.The study took data from a UK survey of over 36,000 households looked at peoples expectations of their financial well-being and compared them with their actual financial outcomes.The study found that those highest in cognitive ability experienced a 22 percent increase in the probability of realism and a 35 percent decrease in the probability of extreme optimism.Unrealistic optimism is one of the most pervasive human traits and research has shown people consistently underestimate the negative and accentuate the positive. The concept of positive thinking is almost unquestioningly embedded in our culture -- and it would be healthy to revisit that belief, Dawson said.Source-IANS The New Year serves as a symbolic halfway point of the offseason. Were two months removed from the final game of last years Fall Classic and about seven weeks from the first Spring Training contests of 2024. Theres still plenty of offseason to go only 22 of MLBTRs Top 50 free agents are off the board but well take this opportunity to check in on which teams have been the most active thus far. Using our Contract Tracker, we see all of this offseasons free agent activity. Well limit this look to players who inked major league contracts and set the cutoff as November 6 the date on which free agents were first permitted to speak with teams other than their 2023 club. This excludes the extensions signed by Joe Jimenez (Braves), Max Muncy (Dodgers) and Colin Rea (Brewers) between the start of the offseason and the official opening of free agency. This isnt an exhaustive look at a teams offseason activity. The Yankees (Juan Soto) and Braves (Chris Sale) took on high-priced star players in trade, while the Dodgers extended Tyler Glasnow and the Brewers signed a long-term deal with top prospect Jackson Chourio. This looks only at free agency. Teams are ordered by overall spending. Los Angeles Dodgers Total guarantees: $1.043 billion Philadelphia Phillies Total guarantees: $172MM Arizona Diamondbacks Total guarantees: $122MM San Francisco Giants Total guarantees: $121.25MM Cincinnati Reds Total guarantees: $106.2MM Kansas City Royals Total guarantees: $105MM St. Louis Cardinals Total guarantees: $99MM Detroit Tigers Total guarantees: $45.75MM Boston Red Sox Total guarantees: $39.5MM Atlanta Braves Total guarantees: $30MM San Diego Padres Total guarantees: $28MM Texas Rangers Total guarantees: $26.5MM Toronto Blue Jays Total guarantees: $25.5MM Chicago White Sox Total guarantees: $24.3MM Seattle Mariners Total guarantees: $24MM New York Mets Total guarantees: $18.8MM Pittsburgh Pirates Total guarantees: $16.2MM Baltimore Orioles Total guarantees: $13MM Houston Astros Total guarantees: $12MM Milwaukee Brewers Total guarantees: $11.25MM Los Angeles Angels Total guarantees: More than $6.8MM Cleveland Guardians Total guarantees: $4.75MM Washington Nationals Total guarantees: $4.25MM Oakland As Total guarantees: $1.5MM Tampa Bay Rays Total guarantees: $1.1MM Minnesota Twins Total guarantees: $950K New York Yankees Total guarantees: $0 None Chicago Cubs Total guarantees: $0 None Miami Marlins Total guarantees: $0 None Colorado Rockies Total guarantees: $0 Beyond Shohei Ohtani, the top of the free agent hitting market has been stagnant. Of the nine hitters in MLBTRs Top 20 free agents, four (Ohtani, Jeimer Candelario, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Jung Hoo Lee) have come off the board. Just over a third of the 20 offensive players to make our Top 50 have signed. There hasnt even been much chatter about interest in a few of the markets top bats. That includes third baseman Matt Chapman, on whom there has been radio silence since a December 4 report the Cubs were keeping an eye on his market. Chicago is among a handful of teams tied to the four-time Gold Glover winner in any capacity. The Blue Jays have expressed interest in a reunion, while the Giants (now led by former As manager Bob Melvin) have been linked throughout the offseason. That trio stands as the likeliest group of suitors. The Cubs have been tied to a number of free agent targets (Ohtani, Cody Bellinger and Shota Imanaga among them) but have yet to add anyone from the open market. Chicago allowed Candelario to walk and has an underwhelming group of third base options: Nick Madrigal, Patrick Wisdom, Christopher Morel and Miles Mastrobuoni. Toronto has yet to significantly address the position since Chapman hit free agency. They brought in Isiah Kiner-Falefa on a two-year deal last week. Hes better suited as a utility player than a regular. Between Kiner-Falefa, Davis Schneider, Santiago Espinal, Cavan Biggio and prospect Addison Barger, the Jays could mix and match at the hot corner. No one from that group stands as a clear roadblock to Chapman, though. In J.D. Davis, the Giants have a better in-house third base option than either Chicago or Toronto do. Chapman isnt a marked offensive upgrade over Davis, who just turned in another slightly above-average season and has a career .261/.343/.432 hitter. Its a different story on the other side of the ball. Davis has been a fringe to below-average defender throughout his career. Statcasts Outs Above Average rated him favorably with the glove a season ago, but few would argue hes all that close to Chapman defensively. Only the As allowed a higher batting average on ground-balls to the left side of the diamond than the Giants last year. While some of that is on the pitching staff and shortstops (primarily Brandon Crawford), signing Chapman would address that deficiency. There are a few teams that arguably should be involved on Chapman, although none are without caveats. The Mets have kicked the tires on a few external options at third base namely Justin Turner and Gio Urshela after Ronny Mauricio went down with an ACL tear. Still, they dont seem keen on a top-of-the-market splash as they envision Mauricio and/or Brett Baty as a long-term answer. While the Angels didnt get much production out of third base, its hard to envision another pricey splash with Anthony Rendon due $38MM annually for the next three years. The Phillies appear content with Alec Bohm, while the Tigers have infield prospects Colt Keith and Jace Jung on the horizon. The Yankees and Mariners have some questions at third base, but a run at Chapman wouldnt align with their offseason trajectories. New York has tried to move away from their reliance on right-handed hitters with elevated strikeout rates; theyve also declared DJ LeMahieu the expected starter. Seattle generally shies away from significant free agent contracts for hitters and is prioritizing high-contact bats this offseason. How will that seemingly limited group of strong fits affect Chapmans market? At the start of the offseason, MLBTR predicted a six-year, $150MM pact as he enters his age-31 season. Players like Trevor Story, Dansby Swanson and Javier Baez who broadly fit Chapmans profile plus or better infield defenders with power but strikeout questions have landed in that range in recent winters, although that group all had the advantage of playing shortstop. Where will Chapman wind up and for how much money? ANTIOCH TOWNSHIP, MI A member of the Colfax-Greenwood Fire Department was in stable condition at a Traverse City hospital after receiving injuries from an explosion during a fire response here, officials said. Firefighters were dispatched at approximately 2 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, to a fully-involved pole barn fire on North 19 Road in Wexford Countys Antioch Township, about 15 miles northwest of Cadillac, the Colfax-Greenwood Fire Department reported in a statement on its Facebook page. MANISTEE, MI City officials have reported a sheen discovered floating on Manistee Lake on Sunday, Dec. 31. Pollutant responders from the United States Coast Guard could not determine the exact source of the sheen on Manistee Lake, the City of Manistee announced on its Facebook page. However, at this point, it does not appear to be from one of the nearby vessels. KENT COUNTY, MI A shooting inside a Walmart store in Wyoming appears to be a targeted attack, police said. Two people were injured, including a woman who described as an innocent bystander, police said. The shooting happened around 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at the Walmart store on 54th Street SW, Wyoming police said. Police responded to multiple reports of gunshots in the store. Police found a woman inside who had suffered a gunshot wound. She was treated at the scene then taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. While police were investigating, a man showed up at a hospital with a gunshot wound. Police said the shooter was armed with a handgun and wearing a black parka-style coat with fur around the collar of the hood, a read sweatshirt and dark pants. Another person reported to be with the shooter was wearing a black sweatshirt with white lettering on the chest, a black mask and light-colored pants, police said. The store was evacuated and closed while police investigate. Police said the shooting appeared to be a targeted attack toward the male who was shot. Police continue to investigate and asked anyone with information to contact Wyoming police at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or www.silentobserver.org Hong Kong: 470 DC members sworn in The Government today held an oath-taking ceremony for members of the seventh term District Councils (DCs), during which all 470 DC members promised to uphold the Basic Law and bear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Chief Executive John Lee attended the ceremony. Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak served as the oath administrator as authorised by the Chief Executive. Apart from congratulating the DC members on their taking of oaths and assumption of office, Mr Lee outlined four requirements for them. The requirements include upholding the Basic Law and bearing allegiance to the Hong Kong SAR; ensuring effective communication between the Government and the people by serving as a connection between the two; implementing the principle of patriots administering Hong Kong at the district governance level and upholding the important duty of safeguarding national security; and adopting a people-oriented approach to bring tangible improvements to the community. The Chief Executive added that he expects the DC members to facilitate the Governments implementation of policies in the districts, thereby strengthening district governance to build a better Hong Kong. Based on the principles laid down by the Interpretation of Article 104 of the Basic Law by the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress and the relevant legal provisions, the oath administrator determined that the oaths taken by all 470 DC members were valid. This story has been published on: 2024-01-01. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Boeing is warning Southwest Airlines, American Airlines and other major carriers about a possible loose bolt in the rudder control system in its 737 Max jets. American, Southwest, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines confirmed inspections will be done on the 737 Max jets that they fly. Boeings alert comes after an international operator discovered a bolt with a missing nut while performing routine maintenance on a mechanism in a jets rudder-control linkage. The company also found an undelivered jet with a nut that wasnt tightened. The issue identified on the particular airplane has been remedied, Boeing said in a statement. Out of an abundance of caution, we are recommending operators inspect their 737 Max airplanes and inform us of any findings. Boeing also alerted the Federal Aviation Administration, the nations air safety regulatory agency. Southwest is one of the biggest users of the 737 Max. According to its latest quarterly report, the carrier had 206 Max jets among its 817 aircraft. It recently ordered an additional 108 Max jets from Boeing. The FAA will monitor inspections of the planes, a roughly two-hour process that involves the removal of an access panel to validate the installation. It could take additional actions if additional loose or missing hardware is discovered. Boeings message to air carriers included instructions to inspect specific tie rods that control rudder movement for the potential loose hardware. Its the latest safety issue for Boeings bestselling 737 Max, which gained notoriety in 2019 when U.S. aviation regulators grounded the jets following two crashes that killed 346 people. The planes werent permitted to fly for 20 months. In recent months, deliveries of 737 Max jets were slowed after the discovery of production flaws in fuselages produced by Spirit AeroSystems. Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems said they discovered improperly drilled fastener holes on the fuselages of some models. In the Spanish film Un Amor, a translator named Nat the tormented protagonist is facing sleepless delirium. Fleeing from herself, she settles alone in a dumpy house in the countryside. Adapted from a novel by Spanish writer Sara Mesa, the iconic director Isabel Coixet presents a young woman who is about 10 or 12 years younger than Andreas, the 50-year-old who she ends up clinging to in a suffocating, isolated town. Nat discovers that theres also an abyss in the years that separated the repairman from his first wife more than 20, he tells her and she begins to feel tinges of jealousy whenever a girl approaches him. By no means is Nat the only recent literary heroine whos with a man who could be a friend of her father. In Raven Leilanis Luster (FSG, 2020), Megan Nolans Acts of Desperation (Little, Brown and Company, 2021), Sheena Patels Im a Fan (Graywolf, 2022) or Emma Clines The Guest (PRH, 2023), we see this narrative trend. These female authors paraphrasing Becky Gs song about liking older men have offered a new paradigm in the narratives of heterosexuality. In this branch of the love plot (although love doesnt seem to be very present), the psyche of young women who, in their 20s or 30s, become obsessed with lovers from an older generation is analyzed. This vital age gap serves as a narrative crutch to deploy power games about desire, sex and expectations. Neither clueless nor defenseless, these protagonists are independent and brave. Yet, theyre trapped in the contradiction of having inherited romantic ideals that they deny. These are novels to understand what happens when whether due to disdain for your family, class aspirations, comfort-seeking, or pure emotionality your obsession is to get the attention of an older man. An image from the film 'Un Amor,' adapted from the novel by Sara Mesa. Un amor An idea thats frequently repeated is that its easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism. Hence, its not surprising that, in some of these works of fiction, the youth of the protagonists is interpreted as a form of currency symbolic capital in romantic transactions. In Un Amor, Nat feels that the decade between her and Andreas makes her powerful and raises her market value. Something similar happens in Im a Fan, where the nameless protagonist believes that showing off the highest peak of her fertility gives her added value for her mature lover. I think: Im young, I have eggs, I can generate life for him I [can] show off my relative youth and my beauty compared to his wife, the narrator reflects in the novel. This artist in her late-20s or early-30s is the daughter of migrants in London. Shes tired of living with a lame boyfriend and obsessed with an artist older than her who in addition to being married to another (older) woman ignores her in front of another lover, who is whiter, richer, more stylish and with more followers on Instagram. Sheena Patel, author of 'I'm a Fan.' Basso Cannarsa (Agence Opale / Alamy) Youth is something that women can use against other women. Its a fear that assails you. As a woman, you know that you can be replaced, Patel explains, in an email exchange with EL PAIS, regarding the use of fertility capital in her novel. Inspired by the memoir Life with Picasso (1964) by Francoise Guilot, Patel who began writing in the collective 4 Brown Girls Who Write affirms that, in her debut, the power game between these lovers isnt only executed through age (something thats already been explored a lot in the past), but via what they expose of themselves in the virtual world. Whats new and interesting is seeing the social media dynamic between [the protagonists]. I wanted the narrator to have power, but also to be subject to [the power of] others, she clarifies. Something about all these heroines who bypass their contemporaries due to stress, or out of pure disinterest in men of their age connects with social readings about the confidence bias in heterosexuality. Essayists such as Asa Seresin, Katherine Angel and Amia Srinivasan explore this. Seresin defined this era a few years ago in The New Inquiry as one of heteropessimism marked by a feminine detachment towards men, who are seen as the root of the problem in theory, although they continue to hopelessly desire each other in practice. In Tomorrow Sex Will Be Good Again: Women and Desire in the Age of Consent, Angel builds on this theory by talking about how regret, shame and desperation have permeated women in their relationships. Meanwhile, in her essay Talking to My Students About Porn, Srinivasan comes to the conclusion that if her university students are more feminist than those of her generation (who didnt publicly declare themselves to be feminists) its because theres a worsening of their circumstances regarding sex with men of their age. How are novels supposed to discuss love, if the young women out there only feel distrust for others? Philosopher and writer Amia Srinivasan photographed at Oxford University. Ione Saizar Beyond the fact that older men have [healthier finances] and [more] knowledge about the clitoris, theres the powerful drug thats the profound imbalance of power, thinks Edie, a 23-year-old editorial coordinator in New York, whos barely surviving. Shes the star of Leilanis novel Luster, a much-applauded debut about the boredom that young women feel about their male peers. Edie who boasts of screwing men of her age out of biological necessity will end up in a three-way relationship with Eric (her total daddy and the only man in [her] recent memory who has made [her] come, who isnt even on Twitter) and his wife, Rebecca, who establishes the rules (doomed to fail) between Edie and Erics meetings. Aware of the privileges and class abysses that separate them from their lovers, the young women in these works of fiction, for the most part, have a hard time making a living. By being with more established lovers, they achieve the comfort of a life thats far away from precariousness. For Edie, an older man is a wonder because hes been paying gas bills for 38 years, while for Alex the 22-year-old escort whos the protagonist of The Guest anguish increases when she thinks about men in their 20s, who have to make everything mean something, have to turn every choice and preference into a referendum on their personality. Perhaps this is why the protagonist of Emma Clines novel opts to start a relationship with Simon, a rich older man who takes her to his summer home in the Hamptons, without realizing that shes a prostitute with debts, whos disappointed with everyone who has passed through her life. Cline narrates that its much better to have the buffer of an entirely different generation: the older men had no context for Alex, couldnt even begin to inadvertently piece together any semblance of her real self. This adds context to a lost young woman, who can only see a future for herself if it happens alongside a lover. Emma Cline, in an image from 2016. Joan Sanchez Were all immersed in a collective process of self-harm, the protagonist in Im a Fan narrates, while reflecting on her condition. Shes not alone. In Acts of Desperation the novel by Megan Nolan, who hails from Ireland another nameless girl in her 20s is obsessed with an older art critic. Thus begins a descent into hell for the attention of a lover, bordering on trauma porn. How impoverished my internal life had become, the scrabbling for a token of love from somebody who didnt want to offer it, the protagonist thinks, upset by her strong feelings. Without a nod to the well-worn romanticism with which Hollywood educated these women sentimentally, the feeling of muddiness permeates everything. For the first time in her life, a grown man loves her. For the first time, she finds herself more and more drawn in with each encounter, says the voice that narrates Kairos, the latest novel by Jenny Erpenbeck. In this novel, the unbalanced love affair between Hans a writer in his 50s and Katharina, a 19-year-old girl, begins in the late-1980s, shortly before the fall of the Berlin Wall. The leap into the past unlike the rest of the novels mentioned in this report will be the backdrop to narrate the disappearance of the country in which the author grew up, East Germany. Maybe women today are a little more aware that you have to say no when something doesnt seem right, Erpenbeck reflects, in an email exchange with EL PAIS. Erpenbeck is the only author who reveals to the reader what the lover thinks during the affair. In the rest of the aforementioned novels, the men neither feel nor matter. These are works of fiction where male thought is omitted. The only leading voice the authentic self-censoring voice is a female psyche that, by itself, is already trained in aloofness, self-deprecation and obsession, with the others gaze on her body. Oscar Wilde said that everything in the world is about sex except sex. Sex is about power. If these stories reveal anything, its that every narrative about female desire is about power. And theres no relationship more complex than the one a woman establishes with her own thoughts. American writer Raven Leilani. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Dinesh Unnikrishnan is Editor-Banking & Finance at Moneycontrol. Dinesh heads the Banking and Finance Bureau at Moneycontrol. He also writes a weekly column, Banking Central, every Monday. You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user. OK 'Love and Pain: Vampire' (1916-1918), by Edvard Munch. Rena Li ( MUNCH, Oslo / Rena Li) The first time that a then-unknown Edvard Munch exhibited his paintings in Berlin on the invitation of the citys Artists Association, in November 1892, the impact was so great that the exhibition had to be cancelled after a week. The Berlin public was fascinated by all things Scandinavian, with its natural landscapes of snow-capped mountains, frozen lakes and majestic fjords. But what the young Norwegian now offered them were paintings with nervous, almost schematic strokes, with fluid shapes in intense colors, and it was altogether quite disturbing. Munch turned out to be too radical for Berlins conservative art scene. The impetus that Munch had given to art, however, would be unstoppable. Fed by the Franco-Belgian symbolism that he had absorbed in Paris, his work imposed a change in perspective: instead of capturing impressions of nature, he wanted to express the primary emotions of the individual. The young painter savored the scandal of his cancellation in Berlin. Its the best thing that could have happened to me. I couldnt get better publicity, he wrote proudly in a letter to his family. And he was not wrong: the exhibition returned to the German capital shortly after and, the second time around, it was a success. His fame would grow to consecrate him as one of the greatest avant-garde exponents of experimental art of the 20th century. On the 160th anniversary of the birth of Edvard Munch (1863-1944), two exhibitions in Berlin and Potsdam celebrate the work of the Nordic genius, pioneer of experimental art that would break out in the first decades of the new century. Munchs works were so avant-garde and foreign to Berlin in 1892 that they hit the art world like a meteorite and shattered it, summarizes art historian Stefanie Heckmann, curator of the exhibition Edvard Munch. Zauber des Nordens (Magic of the North), at the Berlinische Galerie in the German capital: It was the beginning of modernism in the city and of the artists international career. 'Red and White' (1899-1900), Edvard Munch. Halvor Bjrngard (Edvard Munch) The exhibition welcomes visitors with a placid realist landscape of the Lofoten Islands (1891), by the painter Adelsteen Normann (1848-1918), a favorite of Emperor William II and godfather of Munch, to give an idea of the contrast between the naturalistic Scandinavian painting that triumphed in Berlin at the time and the revolutionary proposal that Munch presented, which forever disrupted the utopian image of Scandinavia. The exhibition highlights the artists connection with Berlin, where he refined his works. There are 90 pieces by the Norwegian artist on display, some well-known such as Love and Pain (Vampire) or Madonna, in a retrospective that is perfectly complemented by the Barberini exhibition in Potsdam and allows viewers to enjoy in total of more than 200 works by Munch, something quite exceptional outside of Oslo. For Munch, nature was a mirror of his inner turmoil, which gave his landscapes great drama. This is the focus of the Lebenslandschaft (Landscapes of life) exhibition at the Barberini museum in Potsdam, which brings together 116 paintings, drawings and lithographs from around 20 museums that show how the artist transfigured Nordic landscapes to project upon them his deepest moods. Nature is not only what is visible to the eye; They are also the interior images of the soul, he wrote. 'Summer Night on the Beach' (1902-1903), Edvard Munch. Coleccion privada, Museo Barberini Potsdam Although the painter dedicated almost half of his works to motifs from nature, until now he had not been considered a landscape painter, explained Ortrud Westheider, the museums director, during the presentation of the exhibition in Potsdam, which was previously on display at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown (United States) and will travel to its third location, the Munch museum in Oslo, in April 2024. We wanted to open that perspective of his work for the first time, revealed Westheider, accompanied by curator Jill Lloyd and Munch Museum director Tone Hansen. The exhibition covers the natural environments that Munch reflected: the forests, which for him were a source of mystery, as in Winter Night (1900), and the coasts, which he identified as the lines of life in perpetual change, as in Summer Night on the Beach (1902/03), and which usually appear in his scenes about melancholy, isolation and separation. Munch also emphasized the unity between human beings and nature. The Barberini exhibition showcases this by bringing together in the same room a lithograph of The Scream difficult to see outside of Oslo; the curators said that it was the last loan to be confirmed, and its nature in full turmoil, with the monumental The Sun (1911), made for the ceremonial hall of the University of Oslo, which gives off positive energy, with the star shining in all its splendor as a provider of life. 'The Sun' (1910-1913), Edvard Munch. Ove Kvavik (Munchmuseet, Oslo) The two institutions have taken advantage of the weeks in which the exhibitions coincide to create a joint ticket for 20 that facilitates the experience of enjoying so many works by the Norwegian genius at the same time in Germany. Munchs relationship with the country was definitive for his international takeoff. Between 1892 and 1908, the cosmopolitan capital of the German Empire was his residence for several seasons. There he drank in its intellectual atmosphere, especially in the tavern Zum Schwarzen Ferkel (The Black Piglet), on the boulevard of Unter den Linden, where the Swedish playwright August Strindberg and the Norwegian poet and pianist Dagny Juel, who was Munchs muse, were regulars. In that environment, influenced by Nietzsches thought, Munch elaborated on the concept of the heroic and creative individual who frees himself from religious, moral and social constraints to create his own reality. The Berlin exhibition exhibits one of the variations of Melancholy (1891), which was shown in that controversial first exhibition and describes one of its most famous themes. In it, the sadness of the young man in the foreground seems to be projected onto the beach in the background, blurring the profiles of the shore, the waves and the rocks, in a convulsive whole of graphite, colored pencils and oil strokes, impetuous and unfinished. It is an example of how he distanced himself from that naturalism that copied nature: We cannot surpass nature. It is better to describe emotions; those of oneself, Munch wrote. 'Angst' (1896), Edvard Munch. Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Kupferstichkabinett / Jorg P. Anders Munch wanted to probe the most intense human sensations: A work of art comes only from the depths of the human being, he noted. For this, the most fashionable art, such as naturalism and impressionism, were of no use. I started out as an impressionist, but during the emotional and existential conflicts of my bohemian period, impressionism no longer provided sufficient expression. I had to find a style to express what moved my mind, he explained in one of his notes. Among the sensations he sought to reflect, angst stood out, a Germanic word that combines the senses of anxiety, anguish and fear, which was the common denominator of much of his work. Munch was burdened by a tragic family history after losing his mother as a child and his sister as a teenager, both victims of tuberculosis, and he considered fear, anxiety, and threat as formative and fundamental human experiences. The language to express these elementary emotions would be the myths of symbolism, such as the kiss, the vampire, jealousy, despair and death. In the exhibition, this feeling of fear emanates from works such as Angst (1896), a woodcut that belongs to the same cycle as the famous The Scream (1893), and which shows a group of bourgeois people looking expectantly at the observer, surrounded by an undulating and ominous sky. The oil painting Love and Pain (Vampire) (1916-18) depicts a sinister atmosphere where the reddish hair of a female figure hugs the head of a defenseless man like a jellyfish. In Madonna (1895), a pale, naked woman seems to blend into a dark background of vibrant, sinuous lines. In other scenes loneliness and isolation are imposed, as in Two Human Beings: The Lonely Ones (1896), and in The Dance of Life (1899). Munch considered that his scenes about primary emotions were best understood grouped together, and thus conceived the idea of exhibiting them in series such as his magna The Frieze of Life. Room of the Barberini Museum where the lithograph of 'The Scream' (1895) by Edvard Munch is displayed. Foto: David von Becker ( David von Becker) Munchs explorations of psychology and nature were highlighted in the great retrospective that Berlin gave him in 1927, when he was already in his sixties and crowned the father of avant-garde movements such as expressionism. His connection with the capital covered 60 exhibitions from the scandal of 1892 until the arrival of the Third Reich in 1933. Munch, although he had lived in Norway since 1909, was an uncomfortable figure for the Nazis, as he was the incarnation of the Nordic genius, but at the same time his art was declared degenerate. In April 1940, when Nazi troops occupied Norway, Munch avoided contact with them and isolated himself on his farm outside Oslo. Upon his death in 1944, he donated all of his work to the city of Oslo. A legacy that, with its starting point in Berlin, transformed the image of the North and left an indelible mark on universal art. January 01, 2024 / 10:44 PM IST According to the government, as of Monday night, more than 97,000 people in nine prefectures on Japan's main island Honshu had been told to evacuate. According to Reuters, more powerful quakes in the area, where seismic activity has been simmering for more than three years, are possible in the coming days, said JMA spokesman Toshihiro Shimoyama. Abhishek Sahu covers HR and Education (Careers) at Moneycontrol. He can be reached at Abhishek.Sahu@nw18.com and @Abhishek44sahu. Hiral Thanawala is a personal finance journalist with over 10 years of reporting experience. Based in Mumbai, he covers financial planning, banking and fintech segments from personal finance team for Moneycontrol. Since its founding in 2017, Empirical burst into the world of distillates with revolutionary force, challenging established conventions and redefining the boundaries of flavor. The company, created by visionaries Lars Williams and Mark Emil Hermansen, a New York research chef and anthropologist from Copenhagen, embodies a philosophy that fuses ancient tradition with cutting-edge science, pushing the spirits industry towards unexplored territories. These two entrepreneurs are renowned for their outstanding work at the Noma restaurant (considered one of the best in the world), where they met. Lars Williams led the R&D department for more than 8 years, instituting many of the fermentation protocols and other culinary techniques that continue to be fundamental there to this day, while Mark Emil Hermansen, who holds a degree in social anthropology from the University of Oxford, played a key role as the Concept Manager of the restaurant, in addition to being head of development at MAD, Rene Redzepis foundation dedicated to promoting good values in the restaurant sector. A Doritos drink is Empiricals latest creation. Photo courtesy of the company. Together, they took their vast culinary experience and insatiable thirst for innovation to the world of spirits. Their goal was to challenge established paradigms and forge something unique. Thus, in 2017 they began a new adventure called Empirical, consisting of a laboratory of disruptive ideas and a platform for unrestrained exploration. Empirical is a flavor company that seeks the delicious, they say. Born in Copenhagen, the distillery will open its new headquarters in North Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York, in the summer of 2024, with the aim of ensuring sufficient inventory to meet the demands of its global markets. Its production center in Denmark closed in June 2023, and its research and development facilities, along with the tasting room, will move to a new location in Copenhagen. What sets Empirical apart is its ability to merge old and new into a unique creation process. They combine traditional methods such as fermentation with Aspergillus oryzae (the koji mushroom), traditionally used for the production of sake, mixed with Western ingredients like malt, also using modern technologies such as vacuum distillation (which allows for distillation at low temperatures) and the extraction of flavors and aromas by ultrasound waves, among others. This combination of ancient craftsmanship and cutting-edge tools is the very heart of the company. The essence of Empirical lies in its particular way of creating processes focused on fermentation and distillation, in which they even design and build the machinery that integrates the specific technology they need. One example is their vacuum distillation system, which allows them to handle distillations at low pressure and temperature on a large scale, whose prototyping and design began in a garage by welding a pressure cooker, a coil and a barometer. Some of their creations are The Plum I Suppose, a distillate of plum kernels and marigold kombucha; Ayuuk, a distillate of pasilla mixe (an ancient Mexican chili that supports the community of the Sierra Norte mountains in Oaxaca); Soka, a distillate of fermented sorghum cane juice and syrup (encouraging the use of this massively cultivated, rarely used cereal in the United States); and the novelty, Empirical x Doritos Nacho Cheese Spirit. Please drink your snacks responsibly Their latest creation came about when one of Empiricals team members brought a bag of Doritos to his desk, which happened to be near the companys creativity and experimentation zone. Lars Williams, chef/distiller and CEO of Empirical, was there. I couldnt resist the temptation to pick up the bag and experiment with this ingredient, he says. Empirical is an uncategorized spirits company, so it allows us the freedom to experiment with really interesting flavors and not have to be stuck in a gin box or tequila box or whiskey box, says Williams. And we can take something that has a unique and amazing flavor, like Doritos, and evolve it into something completely new. One thing led to another, and eventually they presented their proposal to the snack brand. Doritos is all about disrupting culture and bringing our fans unexpected, bold experiences, said Tina Mahal, senior vice president of marketing for Frito-Lay North America. Were always pushing our fans to try new things, so we figure its time we disrupt the spirits category by offering our iconic nacho cheese flavor in a bottle. The characteristic taste of these snacks is extracted through Empiricals innovative production process, using actual Doritos and preserving their essence through vacuum distillation. The goal of this limited release is, in their own words, a multi-sensorial, savory nacho cheese-imbued beverage experience that smells and tastes just like the real thing bringing the iconic flavor of Doritos Nacho Cheese Chips into the spirits aisle. The alcohol content of Empirical x Doritos Nacho Cheese Spirit is 42% AVB. Its online presale in the United States began last Wednesday through the Empirical website, with a price of $65. It will also be available in select New York and California locations. Buyers can also sign up for the global distribution list of this limited release, which will be announced in the coming months. World gurus The presentation of their products is as innovative as their revolutionary approach to production. The elegant, minimalist bottles contain liquids that defy all sensory expectations, taking consumers on a journey of discovery of unexplored flavors. Lars Williams and Mark Emil Hermansen from Empirical. Photo courtesy of the company. But Empiricals impact extends beyond their creations. The project has inspired a new wave of artisans and distillers to explore new avenues of experimentation, such as Irish master distiller Chris Stewart or the Danish fermented blends company Muri. Lars Williams and Mark Emil Hermansen continue to chart a new path in distilling, and their legacy will live on as proof that imagination and courage can transform an industry when there is no fear of not being placed within the framework of traditional beverages. Their goal is to create democratic, shareable products, based on the process of creating unique and unexpected flavors. Breaking with conventional categories and challenging the status quo, they find freedom in flavor. As they themselves say: We connect with people, we learn from them, we collaborate and we tell their stories. The beverages that we create build a framework of flavor and aroma, beyond the novel and the familiar, turned into sensory mementos that remain in the memory of those who try them. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition In today's edition of Moneycontrol Pro Panorama: More NBFC's piled in past three years, simultaneous polls may not be an unalloyed... Moneycontrol Pro Panorama | Markets need their Vitamin D too, as disclosures make them stronger The shift in the US Federal Reserves stance away from monetary tightening and how that plays out in 2024 will see the rate cycle turn in mid-CY2024 and rate cuts of 50-75 basis points, followed by more cuts in the following two years. While Indias markets may seem expensive one could also say that they deserve these premium valuations, and that India may continue to trade at a premium to its historical average for a number of USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day The seams burst into the air. It was a murmur hidden for years. Centuries of rage, deep in the Lacandon Jungle, in the mountains, the villages, the cornfields. An open secret, cooked over slow fire. The dispossessed, without a decent roof over their heads; without land, without work, without healthcare, without food, without education, without freedom, without rights, without peace, without justice. Nobody expected the uprising, because nobody wanted to listen to them. Them being the ones who always died quietly, without a fuss. A young indigenous woman watches guerrillas parade for the 75th anniversary of the death of the revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata, on April 10, 1994. Douglas Engle (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Today, we say enough! 30 years ago, a faceless army came down from the mountains, armed with old rifles and machetes. It was Saturday, the first day of January, 1994. Columns of Indigenous Tzotzils, Tzeltales, Choles, Tojolabales, Mames and Zoques, their faces hidden behind red headscarves, looked defiantly at the cameras. The guerilla group took over the main municipalities of Chiapas, the poorest state in Mexico: San Cristobal de Las Casas, Altamirano, Las Margaritas, Ocosingo, Oxchuc, Huixtan and Chana. They shouted everything that they had said for years without anyone listening to them. They demanded the withdrawal of the Mexican government. And, at that moment, everyone turned to look at them. They say that, on New Years Eve of 1994, Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari was celebrating the great triumph of his administration. That day, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into force, the culmination of a neoliberal shift after a six-year-long period marked by privatizations. Someone warned the president that a group of Indigenous people was rising up in the South. Nobody knew who the insurgents were, nor what they wanted. Years earlier, both the U.S. and Mexican intelligence agencies had detected the presence of a group of armed peasants in Chiapas. Still, they hadnt paid attention to the clues planted since 1983, back when skirmishes broke out between unknown guerrillas and the Mexican Army in the Lacandon Jungle. At the start of 1994, an insurrection would have been bad press for the economic deal of the decade. And so, quietly, a conspiracy took shape. On January 4, LUnita a historic Italian communist newspaper interviewed one of those anonymous guerrillas, the only one who [wasnt] an Indian. He was a guy who wore a balaclava with a cap pulled down; a smoking pipe was always hanging from the edge of his mouth. He had the airs of an intellectual accustomed to communicating with humble people. The journalist asked him: Why did you choose January 1 and the city of San Cristobal de las Casas? It was the Steering Committee that decided, he answered. Its clear that the date is related to NAFTA, which, for the Indians [the Indigenous peoples], is a death sentence. The treaty being implemented represents the beginning of an international massacre. Subcomandante Marcos, on March 9, 1998 in the Zapatista community of Realidad. PEDRO VALTIERRA (Cuartoscuro) When the television cameras asked for the name and position of the spokesperson charismatic, mysterious, shrouded in smoke he responded: Subcomandante Marcos. President Salinas de Gortari, however, preferred to call him a professional of violence. He didnt realize the guerillas nickname would make history. The Mexican Army counterattacked and, for nearly two weeks, Chiapas became a war zone. The government assured the media that the conflict resulted in more than 100 deaths. Years later, the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) lowered the number of victims: 46 Zapatistas and 27 soldiers. A resident of Ocosingo assists an EZLN guerrilla wounded during the clashes, on January 4, 1994. Damian Dovarganes (Associated Press) Dirty wars and the anti-globalization movement Chiapas began to fill up with journalists. All the war reporters wanted to be there, to cover an unprecedented Indigenous uprising. The support was massive. In Mexico and abroad, thousands of people took to the streets in support of the guerrillas and to demand an end to the war. The EZLN has a dichotomous calculation. Either the people of Mexico rise up together with us, or they finish us off, they annihilate us. If, for the rest of the country, January 1 was a surprise, for the EZLN, January 2 was a surprise not only in Mexico but across the entire world, Subcommantant Marcos would say many years later, in the documentary 1994, one of his last interviews to date. The EZLN was a guerrilla movement with no track record. And while it declared war on the state, it promised to fight while respecting the Geneva Convention. The Zapatistas spoke of a miserable Mexico, in black-and-white; they described Chiapas as an enormous hacienda made up of chiefs, landowners and slaves, of a drained land and a malnourished population, dying from curable diseases. They pushed for more cutting-edge womens rights laws than those in many Western democracies today. On the front pages of newspapers, the names of Commanders Ramona, Esther and Ana Maria stood out. Of course, the bias of history outlined, above all, the figure of Marcos his caustic prose, his sharp writings, his masked charisma. Renowned intellectuals, politicians and young revolutionaries from all over the globe fell in love with him. The Mexican Army better-equipped and trained surrounded the guerrillas, who took refuge in the mountains of Chiapas. But outside the region, the EZLN was sweeping the battle for public opinion. On January 12, the situation escalated to the highest point of tension for the government. The press accused the Salinas administration of deploying the indiscriminate bombing of the civilian population and other war crimes in its attempt to liquidate the rebels. The National Human Rights Commission began investigating the extrajudicial execution of five members of the EZLN. Mexican army tanks deployed near El Momon, in the municipality of Las Margaritas, Zapatista territory, on January 12, 1994. Douglas Engle (Associated Press) Cornered by international pressure, which was knocking on the doors of his home, President Salinas declared a unilateral ceasefire that the EZLN celebrated. The foundations began to be laid for a dialogue between the government with Manuel Camacho Solis appointed as its representative and the guerrillas. Samuel Ruiz, then-bishop of San Cristobal, would also participate. Two years of disagreements followed, accompanied by the dirty war that was being waged. While both sides talked, the government developed a parallel strategy. A new president, Ernesto Zedillo, took command at the end of the year and tightened the siege on the guerrillas with a counterinsurgency campaign. More soldiers were assigned to the region, as well as paramilitary groups. Zedillo called the rebels terrorists and ordered their arrest. In a desperate attempt to boost the governments public opinion polls, he unmasked the enigmatic figure of Marcos and announced his identity: Rafael Sebastian Guillen Vicente, a philosophy professor originally from Tamaulipas, who took to the mountains. But nothing worked. The influence of the EZLN continued to grow. In December of 1994, they founded 30 autonomous municipalities without firing a single shot. The alter-globalization movement mostly made up of youth who organized themselves in a desperate cry against globalization looked intently toward the Zapatistas for inspiration. The EZLN was the lighthouse that illuminated the left in a dark decade. The hooded faces of Marcos and Commander Ramona became symbols of the possibility of another world that didnt fit into G-20 summits or IMF agreements. They were the Che Guevaras of a privatized and plundered planet. An entire generation believed in the words uttered by Marcos, when he proclaimed that freedom is contagious and addictive. Rafael Sebastian Guillen Vicente, in a photograph from 1980, when he taught Graphic Design at the Metropolitan Autonomous University. Anonymous (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Agreements and disagreements At the beginning of 1996, the Mexican government and the rebels signed the San Andres Accords, a pact that promised in the words of the EZLN the recognition of our free determination, our autonomy, our right to freely associate. [The right] to apply, in our spaces, the Indigenous right of the concepts of people and territory; of our right to national political representation and, in the states, to a certain basis for legal pluralism. But President Zedillo didnt keep his word. The military siege and paramilitary attacks intensified. On December 22, 1997, the most infamous attack occurred. That day, a paramilitary squad entered a church in Acteal, in the highlands of Chiapas. Forty-five people were murdered in cold blood, 18 of them children. The massacre targeted Las Abejas (the bees), an Indigenous human rights organization. Zedillo always denied his participation in the ordering of this massacre, but two years ago, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador recognized that the Mexican government had been involved. He stated that the murderers belonged to paramilitary groups that [had the complicity] of the authorities. Judicial police take down the EZLN flag in Puerto Cate, in the municipality of El Bosque (Chiapas), on December 20, 1994. Joe Cavaretta (ASSOCIATED PRESS) By the end of the 1990s, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) the ossified dinosaur that had governed Mexico uninterruptedly for more than 70 years was breaking down. In the 2000 elections, the right-wing PAN came to power, overthrowing the old party for the first time. Vicente Fox was elected president and, in a show of humility, promised to resolve the conflict in Chiapas in 15 minutes. The Zapatistas decided to talk to him. Subcomandante Marcos left Chiapas in a caravan with 23 other senior officials, including Commander Esther. They traveled more than 1,800 miles and, on March 10, 2001, entered the Zocalo, the main square in central Mexico City. The bete noire of the Mexican state entered the symbolic center of national power, unarmed, aboard the trailer of a truck. He was received with songs, flowers and applause. The EZLN called the journey The March of the Color of the Earth. They used it to demand the autonomy of Indigenous peoples. Before the month was out, they were received in Congress with the absence of Marcos and the 207 PAN deputies after a tug-of-war between the parties. Commander Esther took the stand. My name is Esther, but that doesnt matter now, she began. I am a Zapatista, but that doesnt matter at this moment, either. I am Indigenous and I am a woman and these are the only things that matter now. This [building] is a symbol. Thats why [our appearance] sparked so much controversy. Thats why we wanted to speak here and why some didnt want us to be here. And its also symbolic that I a poor, Indigenous and Zapatista woman am the one who speaks first, she proclaimed. We want our way of dressing, speaking, governing, praying, healing [to be recognized]. [We want] our way of working in groups, respecting the land and understanding life to be recognized. Relatives of those massacred in Acteal carry their coffins, on December 25, 1997. Elizabeth Dalziel (AP) Silence, autonomy and the death of Subcomandante Marcos The speech wrote a chapter in the Indigenous history of Mexico and the history of Mexico, in general. Esther, Marcos and the rest of the entourage returned to the mountains of Chiapas. The Congress passed a law that recognized Indigenous rights and cultures, but turned its back on their autonomy. The EZLN saw this as a betrayal and broke with parliamentary politics. For two years, silence reigned behind closed doors. In the bowels of the movement, changes were being prepared. In 2003, the EZLN announced the creation of the caracoles (snails) or Good Government Boards: five regions that grouped together their 39 autonomous municipalities, giving the movement a kind of civil structure. In the years that followed, Marcos clashed with the same intellectuals who supported Zapatismo from the beginning. They reproached him for his arrogance, for having closed himself off from the outside, for not listening to anyone. The deputy commander lost part of his public influence he fell into a sullen silence. Or, so it seemed. In 2005, the EZLN published the Sixth Declaration of the Lacandon Jungle, the definitive revision to date of the movements founding text. In 2006, he decided to leave Chiapas again and tour the country as part of The Other Campaign, a commitment to a left-wing alternative beyond the official parties that were facing each other in the presidential elections (Felipe Calderon of the PAN would win and unleash the fateful war against drugs). Marcos searched for a new way to spread the word, ask for self-governance and denounce the desolate living conditions of Indigenous peoples. El Zocalo in Mexico City when receiving the EZLN command, on March 10, 2001. Christian Palma (Cuartoscuro) Afterwards, they took refuge in the mountains again. The organization focused on building hospitals and schools, while educating a new generation born and raised in its independent territories. For years, Marcos disappeared from the map. There were unsubstantiated rumors of a deterioration in his health. In 2014, two decades after the uprising, the deputy commander announced his own death, in a sort of metaphysical harakiri. Through my voice, the voice of the EZLN will no longer speak, he said. He also assumed the new name of Galeano, in honor of a murdered Zapatista teacher. Then, he returned to silence. In 2016, the news broke that the Mexican justice system had acquitted the deputy commander formerly known as Marcos, along with 12 other members of the organization, of the charges brought forward during the Zedillo administration. A year later, the EZLN supported the independent candidacy of Maria de Jesus Patricio Martinez spokesperson for the National Indigenous Congress in the 2018 presidential elections that Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador ultimately won. And, in 2021 500 years after Hernan Cortes landed in Mexico one of the EZLNs delegations set sail for Europe on a sailboat to carry out a conquest in reverse. It sought to sow the Old World with ideas and learning, rather than death and looting. The macheteros of San Salvador Atenco (State of Mexico) receive the EZLN in Teotihuacan, in April 2006. MARCO UGARTE (AP) Chiapas, on the edge of civil war The socioeconomic situation in Chiapas hasnt improved much since 1994. It remains the lowest-income state in the country, with more than 75% of the population, mostly Indigenous and rural, living in poverty. The armed conflict of recent decades has worsened. The state never disarmed the insurgent groups and, on the contrary, reinforced militarization and the siege against the EZLN. The rise of organized crime in the region attracted by the new drug trafficking routes from South America and the possibility of extorting money from large infrastructure projects has unleashed a storm of violence that claims new victims every week. The guerrillas speak of a civil war that could break out again at any moment, due to the inactivity of the federal and state authorities. In 2023 the year that commemorated the 40th anniversary of the founding of the movement the EZLN returned to the front pages. First, with the second metaphorical death of Marcos, who shed the name of Galeano and resumed assuming his own, although with a lower rank: insurgent captain. The guerrillas also reorganized in the mountains of southeastern Mexico with a new strategy, devised during the long years of silence. As a prelude to the 30th anniversary of the uprising, they announced the replacement of the Zapatista Rebel Autonomous Municipalities and the Good Government Boards with a more direct form of democracy, where the communities will be the basis of decision-making. In the 21 statements the EZN has published since October of 2023 written by Marcos and Subcomandate Moises one can note that there are clues of a generational change, along with a greater presence of women. In one of the texts, Moises advised against people attending the anniversary commemoration activities, due to the widespread insecurity in Chiapas. Its too early to know what new direction the most iconic anti-globalization guerrilla movement will now take. For the moment, the Zapatistas are celebrating three decades of survival against the state, along with their own way of understanding politics, life, dignity and freedom. While the future of the EZLN may be uncertain, whatever happens, its past and present are part of an unprecedented fable of resistance that has forever rewritten the history of Mexico. A man watches around 500 Army elements deploy in the municipality of Frontera Comalapa, on September 27. Tono Aguilar (Cuartoscuro) Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The capture of a mega-ship sailing unladen towards the Suez Canal on November 19 the Galaxy Leader, now turned into a fairground attraction where Yemenis take selfies has since the beginning of the war in Gaza been the most spectacular action carried out by the Houthi militia, the fundamentalist group that has declared the opening of a third front against Israel in the Red Sea and that controls about 30% of Yemens territory. The hijacking of that transport ship linked to Israeli billionaire Abraham Ungar by a squadron of hooded men carrying Yemeni and Palestinian flags using an old helicopter was striking, but also innocuous. The only people harmed so far are the British company that owns the vessel, and the 25 unfortunate crew members who are still being held hostage on the ship. Nor have any of the 100 or so drone and missile attacks on other ships in the Red Sea that the U.S. has blamed on the Houthis resulted in any deaths or major property damage. These limited attacks, says Luciano Zaccara, a professor at Qatar Universitys Gulf Studies Center, have been enough, however, for this militia to demonstrate the vulnerability of the worlds sea lanes. The fear of new attacks in the Red Sea and the Suez Canal has put the world economy in check and forced Washington to announce an international mission to protect shipping in the area, after the most important shipping companies announced the suspension of the transit of their vessels through a waterway by which 10% of international trade circulates. The strategy of the Houthis members of what their main sponsor, Iran, describes as the axis of resistance to the United States and Israel, which also includes Hamas and the Lebanese Shiite militia-party Hezbollah can be seen as the best move to support Hamas, put pressure on Israel, and save face for not being able to do much more [to stop the war in Gaza], says a report by the Washington-based Foreign Policy Research Institute. These attacks can also be analyzed as an attempt to increase the battered legitimacy of the militia in the eyes of its own population and on a regional scale, due to its involvement in the war in Yemen and its reactionary and repressive character. To this end, the Houthis are now presenting themselves as a champion of the Palestinian cause, which enjoys almost unanimous support among Arab populations. Especially in Yemen, says Leyla Hamad, a Yemeni journalist, via telephone. Hamad considers that the groups quest for legitimacy has ideological motives, but is aimed above all at the Houthi militias attempt to increase its weight as a regional actor at a time when it is negotiating a definitive peace agreement with its nemesis in the conflict that has shaken Yemen for nine years: Saudi Arabia, the other side in a war that the United Nations considers forgotten. Riyadh is seeking a ceasefire that would make the de facto truce it has maintained with the Houthi rebels since 2022 definitive. This would allow the Saudi regime to concentrate on its ambitious agenda of internal reforms, known as Vision 2030 and championed by Saudi strongman and crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. The Believing Youth The real name of the Houthi militia is Ansar Allah (Supporters of God), although it is better known by the clan name of its first leader, Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi. Founded in the 1990s, its origin was as a religious group, the Believing Youth, which aspired to revive the branch of Shia Islam known as Zaydism, professed by a third of the more than 33 million inhabitants of Yemen, and to improve the living conditions of this minority. The group, which took up arms in 2003 against dictator Ali Abdullah Saleh, joined peaceful protests in 2011 to force the autocrat from power. Meanwhile, they continued to arm themselves and seize territory. In 2015, the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, and deposed Salehs successor, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, who ended up in exile in Saudi Arabia. A year later, Riyadh assumed the lead of an international coalition to restore Hadi to power. Saudi backing for Yemens internationally recognized government, coupled with Tehrans support for the Houthis, caused the conflict to escalate into a proxy war that the two countries turned into a chessboard in their struggle for regional hegemony. At least 250,000 Yemenis were killed, 4.5 million were displaced and half of the population suffered a severe famine which the UN defined as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. The latest negotiations between the Houthis and the Saudis to put a definitive end to their armed confrontation ended without result in September. In this context, the Gaza war has offered the Yemeni rebels what Hamad describes as an opportunity to establish themselves as a relevant regional actor, with an agenda of their own, at a time when the final peace agreement with Saudi Arabia is being negotiated. No international response When Yemeni insurgent attacks began in the Red Sea, a Houthi spokesman stated that they would only target ships owned by Israelis or bound for Israeli ports. The fear of the major shipping lines is that any vessel passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the gateway to the Red Sea, will be attacked. That fear has, however, turned out to be relative. On Wednesday, most of the ships owned by one of the lines that had announced its withdrawal from the Red Sea Denmarks Maersk, the worlds second-largest by cargo volume were sailing back to Suez. However, as reported by Reuters, an attack on a container ship on Sunday led Maersk to interrupt shipping in the area for 48 hours. The Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are in reality a nuisance that has not harmed Israel, says Fernando Carvajal, a member of the UN Group of Experts for Yemen between 2017 and 2019. The researcher maintains that the U.S. naval deployment, called Operation Prosperity Guardian, has a merely defensive character, aimed at showing a commitment by Washington without having to attack the Houthis in Yemen, something that is not in the interest of Israel or the U.S., nor, above all, Saudi Arabia, he explains by telephone from Los Angeles. Hamad agrees that the actions of the Yemeni rebels have not resulted in an immediate response because all the actors, including the U.S., are aware that an open conflict in the Red Sea is not desirable. The Houthi militia controls a large part of Yemens Red Sea coast. The United Nations estimates that they have some 100,000 supporters, although not all of them are combatants. Their main supplier of training and weapons is Iran, which provides them with drones, intelligence, and even missiles with a range of 1,200 kilometers, notes Carvajal. Their model is Hezbollah and their motto: Death to America, death to Israel, cursed be the Jews, victory for Islam. However, the UN expert considers that the Houthis, rather than defending the Palestinian cause, are served by the war and are using this narrative to acquire the position of strength they seek. An analysis by Italian researcher Eleonora Ardemagni, published by the Italian Institute for International Political Studies, agrees: By opening a front in the Red Sea, the Houthis are exploiting the war between Hamas and Israel to divert attention from their authoritarian regime, broaden popular support, and increase their regional prestige. This allows them to reinforce pressure on Saudi Arabia for further concessions in bilateral ceasefire talks. The Houthis are banking on the fact that neither the Saudi kingdom nor the United States will react firmly against them. Marshall Islands Chief Election Officer Ben Kiluwe speaks to Electoral Administration staff on the eve of the Nov. 20 national election. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Its Monday at 11 a.m., but the work day of Antoine Billore (Abbeville, France, 32 years old) began at dawn. Recently I bought a sofa and posted it on Instagram and a man got in contact with me last night saying to call him today at eight oclock in the morning, he says. I thought that it was one of those weird messages you get at night, but I was curious and called him. It turns out that he was the sofas designer, who had made it for a friend in Paris 40 years ago. The sofa is made of several overlapping parts, you can open it up and unfold it in many different ways, and this guy told me that he had designed it because the owner of the house loved orgies and had commissioned the sofa for that purpose. Apparently, depending on how you arrange it, it can become a bed for 25 people. Nothing is conventional in the life and work of Billore, an art director who, during the pandemic, decided to distance himself from his previous position (he built stores for perfume and fashion brands) to try his luck as an antique furniture merchant. He did it with minimal infrastructure: his personal Instagram account and his own collection. Ive been buying vintage for 10 years. I began with ceramic fish and kept going with other kinds of objects. I tried to use some pieces in my previous work, but they began to stack up. One day I realized that my house was full of things, as was my mothers and a warehouse I had in the north of France. I was 30 years old and I saw myself at 50 with warehouses stuffed with objects. I had to do something, so I began to sell them to get some money, because I was also broke. During the first few months, I didnt buy anything: I limited myself to selling what I already had. And I did well. I couldnt continue to live with so much stuff. In an industry dominated by extreme specialization, where most antique dealers work exclusively with objects from a specific period, or even from a single designer, Billores point of view is at the antithesis of seriousness. I wanted everything to be fun, thats what I like, he says. Im not really into the old stuff, the wood, Perriand and all that. Maybe it sounds corny, but I like to surround myself with things that make me happy. Thats it. I dont deal in the big names, nor am I interested in them. Of course, if I find something incredible Ill buy it, but I dont even post it to Instagram, because I know a lot of antique dealers and I know who to go to. But thats not what entertains me. I prefer a tiger chair. Billore also applies this casual approach to his social networks. On his Instagram account, pieces share the limelight with the art dealer himself, whose photogenic looks and lack of prejudice give him a competitive edge. The first image happened naturally. I was with a friend and we started being silly. It occurred to us to both pose, holding two objects in front us, naked, with a caption that said something like, Buy it to see the rest. It was a goof, nothing calculated. But that night we posted it and I got so many followers. People thought it was funny. Humor and the unusual are central to Billore's curatorship. Gorka Postigo Most of his pieces come from antique dealers in northern France, his region of origin. Gorka Postigo Small pieces, portable furniture found in northern France and a myriad of ceramic dogs: welcome to the world of Antoine Billore. Gorka Postigo Wooden lathe-shaped pedestals are a Billore specialty. Gorka Postigo The art dealer was inspired by Instagram emojis for the chair back format. Gorka Postigo He moves like a fish in water around the French capital. Right now, in Paris, people are more open. Theres good energy. Many people have come here from New York and London, especially since Brexit. The city has changed a lot, we all speak in English, and theres also a lot of movement in the LGBTQ scene. Its a good moment to be selling vintage in Paris. Last year, the antique dealer Billore opened an exhibition entitled Stolen Objects From My Exes. It let me connect with people through humor, he says, laughing. But I want to clarify that nothing I sell is stolen. I buy the majority of the pieces in the north of France, I have contacts there. I also dont travel that much. It was never my intention to start a green business, but thats how it turned out and I prefer that it stay that way. It doesnt make sense to go far to buy things and have to turn around and send them from here to someone in the U.S. I dont even send things out of Europe. Lately, his Parisian showroom has featured a major presence: his first chairs as a designer, a project that launched in November. The back is made of little flames that are reminiscent of the emojis we use on Instagram. Theyre instantly recognizable. The chair is a little bit 80s, but not too much. I made it for myself and now Im going to start producing them on demand, he explains. What hasnt changed are the ceramic dogs that surround him. Theyve always been my obsession, he says. I dont sell them because no one wants them, but I keep buying them, so my apartment is full of them. I love dogs, Ive always had a dog. But right now, with so much work and travel, its more difficult. I guess collecting them in ceramic is an easy way to compensate for the lack of real dogs. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Sonora, CA Major retailers operating in California are required to start offering a gender-neutral toy aisle option, effective today. The new law was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2021 and businesses were given a couple of years to implement it. It only impacts larger retailers that have a physical footprint in California and employ over 500 people. It was authored by Democrat Assemblyman Evan Low who argued it allows children to express themselves without bias. It was opposed by many business groups who argued that it was government overreach and essentially a violation of free speech. Retailers can still have separate boys and girls aisles, under the new law, but must also provide a third gender-neutral section. The new law passed in September of 2021 by a vote of 49-16. Stores failing to comply are subject to a $250 fine for a first offense and $500 fines for additional infractions. From Meditations by Marcus Aurelius to the most popular podcasts of 2023, stoicism remains surprisingly relevant. At the moment, its one of the most widely disseminated ancient doctrines on the internet and the leading philosophy among the disruptive business elite. From Elon Musk to Bill Gates, from Jack Dorsey to Jeff Bezos, stoicism is embraced. Lifestyle gurus such as Tim Ferriss helped introduce it to Silicon Valley about 10 years ago, creating a suggestive postmodern cocktail consisting of Taoism, Confucianism and Zen meditation. Some analysts attribute stoicisms popularity in the first-quarter of this troubled 21st century to the fact that its a practical philosophy a school of life, in Ferriss own words. But, back in 2016, journalist Olivia Goldhill wondered in a lucid article in Quartz what Gates and company could be learning from an ancient doctrine that was conceived by Greek slaves, which preaches that success is an illusion and that austerity must be cultivated. Sandy Grant a philosopher at the University of Cambridge describes stoicism as an intellectual movement that set out to bring comfort to the oppressed in a world of slaves and rigid hierarchies, in which women were considered property of their men: fathers, brothers, or husbands. Even popular philosophers, such as Ryan Holiday author of the bestselling The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living find it paradoxical that modern stoics seem to proliferate, above all, at the top of the social pyramid, rather than at its base. Our everyday stoicism Whats so stoic about Elon Musk? Well, according to one of the official newsletters of contemporary neostoicism The Daily Stoic, Holidays blog his business merits demonstrate this. However, the blog reproaches him for a lack of verbal restraint that would have exasperated the Emperor Marcus Aurelius. A man relaxes in his office, enjoying the view. Fairfax Media (Fairfax Media via Getty Images) Musk in the opinion of his coreligionists-turned-detractors has too many opinions to be in line with stoicism. Hes too prone to embark on petty feuds, disrespect his employees with disabilities, spread disinformation and propaganda, attack journalists and, in general, get swept up in contemporary culture wars. None of these attitudes seems very compatible with the serenity, virtue, balance and inner silence that the doctrine of Stoicism promoted more than 2,000 years ago. Whats more, with the acquisition of Twitter (now X), Musk has become a direct promoter of a culture of instantaneousness and noise, which is completely incompatible with that school of thought. Even if he were to read the works of the three most important Stoic philosophers Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and Epictetus or impose superficial exercises to harden the spirit (such as sleeping on the floor of his factories), The Daily Stoic considers this way of life to be something entirely different. That being said, Oscar Lagrosen a blogger on Medium accepts the thesis that Elon Musk would be the modern Seneca. His arguments? Both the philosopher from Cordoba, Spain and the entrepreneur born in Pretoria, during the apartheid era in South Africa were the richest men of their times: the $222 billion that Musk possesses would be the approximate equivalent of the formidable 300 million sesterces that Seneca accumulated. Furthermore, according to Lagrosen, both amassed their fortunes by practicing virtue without a hint of corruption , had the discipline necessary to make the most of their respective talents and did good without expecting retribution or recognition. Lagrosen claims that Musk undertook an altruistic feat that was highly-publicized but has been questioned by experts: he allegedly donated a substantial part of his fortune to charity although its not entirely clear when he did this and where the money went. Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius in Rome. Ghigo Roli / Photo12 / AFP / Con Of course, behind such disparate assessments lie divergent ways of understanding stoicism. For academics such as Sandy Grant, John Sellars, or Victor Gomez Pin this ancestral wisdom must be contextualized, interpreted and (when appropriate) applied, taking into account its complexity and nuances. For popularizers with or without a philosophical pedigree such as Lagrosen or Massimo Pigliucci it would be enough, perhaps, to rummage through the attic of the old doctrine, identify some ideas with a hint of validity and add a discreet veneer of self-help rhetoric to them. Hence the proliferation of podcasts that provide stoic recipes to enjoy (or cope with) everyday life, but often ignore or omit the fundamental question: what did Stoicism the actual doctrine truly consist of? Stoicism is a philosophical school founded by the Cypriot wise man Zeno of Citium, in Athens, at the beginning of the 3rd century BC. This was in the middle of the Hellenistic period. The Stoics met under an Athenian portico the stoa and there, they developed a personal ethic based on the pursuit of happiness and virtue through rational behavior, self-control and tolerance. These ideas took very solid roots in imperial Rome in later centuries, ultimately becoming the hegemonic intellectual and spiritual current, spreading across all levels of society. Gates, Bezos and company may know the story but this doesnt seem to be the aspect that most interests them. They limit themselves to buying with somewhat uncritical enthusiasm the stoicism of Tim Ferriss, which he defines as a simple and immensely practical set of rules for better results with less effort. Stoicism as Ferriss understands it would be a sophisticated variant of mindfulness, combined with the exaltation of business leadership and the culture of effort. Other recent popularizers have made an effort despite everything to strip it of that elitist veneer and promote a stoic doctrine of popular orientation, suitable for all audiences. This is the case of The Little Book of Stoicism: Timeless Wisdom to Gain Resilience, Confidence, and Calmness, by Jonas Salzbeger. Other examples of bite-sized Hellenistic wisdom are easily within reach via Way of the Stoic, by Ollie Snider, or Holidays The Daily Stoic. These are philosophical guides regarding how to be more tenacious, calm and resilient. In almost all of these essays which are more or less close to the self-help genre the concept of resilience is key, a quality thats very fashionable today. By consuming stoicism in judicious homeopathic doses, you will become increasingly resilient. But is the recipe really so simple? In a conversation with EL PAIS, Spanish philosopher Victor Gomez Pin recommends dispelling the confusion by turning to sources. That is, accessing the original Stoicism (and the rigorous interpretations made by experts), instead of settling for interested, vulgar and trivial substitutes the small s stoicism. A bust of Seneca. INTERFOTO / Alamy / CORDON PRESS David Hernandez de la Fuente a writer and professor of classical philology at the Complutense University of Madrid has been in charge of the translation, introduction and notes for a revised edition of Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius. He describes the work as the intellectual memoirs of a model ruler, as well as a book that was not conceived for us to read, but rather as the vehicle that this cultured man who had a contemplative attitude found to question himself. [Its as if] he had two voices coexisting [in his head]: one that doubted and suffered, while the other acted as a teacher, offering comfort and certainties. In light of this fascinating text, Hernandez notes, we would have to conclude that Musk, Gates and the others of their ilk arent very stoic-like at all. Maybe they have a soft veneer [of stoicism]. Although its possible that their interest in that intellectual trend, which is quite popular throwaway stoicism has given them a certain tranquillity. In general, though, these newly-minted stoic entrepreneurs often say that [the doctrine has] taught them temperance and self-control and I dont doubt it. But, judging by their actions, they are driven by business interests that are far removed from stoicism. I think what interests them most about Marcus Aurelius is that he was the most powerful man of his time and that he oversaw an empire. Build it and they will come Hernandez despite his qualms still feels that the attempts to disseminate stoicism are legitimate. They bring the school of thought back to our time, even if this occurs in a vulgar fashion. After all, he shrugs, philosophy has always been vulgarized to adapt it to all types of audiences. Ultimately, it doesnt matter too much if you come into contact with stoicism through an informative book, a podcast, a website, a television program, or a tweet. If it captures your interest, you will take it upon yourself to delve deeper into it and you will end up exploring at your own pace a very ancient doctrine that continues to offer crucial lessons for the present. The philosopher is more concerned that this wealth of wisdom is accessed through unrigorous and hastily-completed translations, or, worse, via [biased] reinterpretations. But he thinks that, even so, the curious and attentive reader will end up finding their way to treasures, such as the reflections of Epictetus, the fragments of Zeno, the complex and very fertile thought of Seneca. They may even encounter Meditations, a masterpiece of introspection and a hymn to the intimate dignity of the human being. Can you really be stoic in 2023? Is it worth trying? Hernandez recalls that the globalized universe in which Stoicism emerged that of Hellenistic Greece and the Roman Empire was similar to ours in its high degree of interconnections, its political turbulence, or the climatic, health and environmental challenges it faced. But it was also a very different world, in which not even the highest spirits like Marcus Aurelius questioned slavery, the submission of women, or the validity of violent imperialism. The cultural distance that separates that time from our own is immense. Hernandez feels that any attempt at a naive and uncritical application of stoicism would be absurd and counterproductive. On the other hand, he emphasizes that there are some universal elements of stoic wisdom that continue to be valid. To him, the philosophy seems useful for moments of crisis, because its an ethic of duty, serenity and responsibility, which invites us to practice self-care and care of others. This has a social aspect, because it invites us to collaborate, to act in an empathetic, understanding and tolerant manner. The virtuous life The philosopher, essayist and teacher Eduardo Infante the author of several essays on Hellenistic philosophy takes a more critical approach. He feels that the original Stoics shouldnt be confused with the topical image that early Christianity spread about them. They were by no means masochists who pursued redemption through pain. On the contrary, they strove to avoid it by rationalizing it, relativizing it and distancing themselves from it. They practiced self-analysis as a tool to become excellent people. That is, balanced, sensible and fair, capable of distancing themselves from anguish, restlessness and the compulsive search for immediate satisfaction of desire, which is the true source of unhappiness and suffering. Stoicism as described by Hernandez de la Fuente was, in its day, an intellectual revolution that taught the inhabitants of a turbulent world to live better, in a more virtuous and rational way. It coexisted with Greco-Roman polytheism, mystery cults and Christianity. It was part of the dominant ideology and had a profound impact on everyday life. But it was never an exclusive cult or a dogmatic religion. No one was required to convert to Stoicism but it was often useful to know and practice it. Hernandez declares himself to be a fervent believer in philosophy as salvation and an occasional supporter of vulgar stoicism in everyday use so long as it doesnt preach radical indifference to pain, be it ones own and that of others. Rather, he prefers that it teach people how to confront pain in an ethical framework of good living, of a life that is both active and contemplative, in accordance with the logic of nature. Two practical pieces of advice from ancient Stoicism seem especially valid today: Face reality as it is, turning off bad judgments and false perceptions. Cultivate your mind with the same discipline with which the athlete cultivates his body, Hernandez affirms. Still, he warns about its main deficiency: the school of thought advocates for a certain conformism, since its based on the need to accept reality as it is and find within that acceptance an intimate guide to conducting yourself in society. Stoicism, Hernandez concludes, isnt a useful philosophy for those who want to change the world. Perhaps this is one of the less obvious (and more disturbing) reasons for the persistent popularity of this school of thought among the elites, no matter how disruptive they may purport to be. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Zanu PF settlers at Umvutsha Farm face eviction amidst land ownership dispute In a long-standing land ownership dispute, approximately 200 settlers at Umvutsha Farm in Matabeleland North province are now facing eviction, more than a decade after being allocated pieces of land on the property. The settlers were initially evicted in 2019, but recently returned to occupy the land, leading to legal proceedings. The issue came to light at the Bulawayo Magistrates Court, where Ernest Buseti, the chairperson of the resettled farmers, appeared on charges of unlawfully occupying State land. Buseti, along with a group of ZANU PF supporters, allegedly occupied the property without valid offer letters, despite the land being owned by the State. Prosecutors argue that the settlers intentionally disregarded multiple warnings from authorities to vacate the land. However, the resettled farmers, represented by their lawyer Bartholomew Mhandire, maintain that it is unjust for the State to charge them with illegal occupation. According to Mhandire, the farmers were originally granted offer letters by the Ministry of Lands. Although they were evicted in 2019 and subsequently challenged their removal in higher courts, the Supreme Court ruled in their favour, declaring the previous High Court proceedings null and void on the grounds that once land is gazetted, no court can claim jurisdiction over it. Having resided on the farm since 2008 and having erected structures during their occupancy, the settlers argue that they have been fulfilling their civic duties by paying taxes. Umvutsha Farm, owned by the Fletcher family, has been an agricultural hub supplying vegetables to various supermarkets in Bulawayo. The land dispute dates back to 2000 when the farm was initially gazetted. In 2008, General Notice 34 of 2008 further gazetted the remaining pieces of land held by Michael Fletcher, which were not included in the initial 2000 gazette. As the legal battle unfolds, the fate of the settlers and the disputed land hangs in the balance. The case highlights the complexities surrounding land allocation and tenure in Zimbabwe, raising questions about the efficacy of the legal framework governing land ownership and the need for a fair resolution that takes into account the interests of all parties involved. Breaking News via Email Israel dropping U.S.-supplied 2,000-lb. bombs in dense civilian areas of Gaza The bombs Israel is dropping on Gaza are getting bigger as the Israel-Palestine war escalates. The latest reports indicate that Israel has a particular affinity for the 2,000-pound MD-84 bomb, which produces a 3,280-foot hazardous blast radius. Israel is reportedly dropping MK-84 bombs in areas of Gaza that are densely populated with civilians. Gaza in general is densely packed, representing one of the most densely-populated nations, if you will, in the world. And the spots where Israel is dropping MK-84s are apparently some of the most densely populated enclaves of Gaza. At the current time, most other militaries in the world would be exercising far more restraint, but not Israel. As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have repeatedly proclaimed, there is a job to be done and that job will not stop until it is done. (Related: The Israel-Palestine conflict has come to America with both sides reporting hate crimes from one another on school campuses.) Gaza civilian damage already triple that of Nazi Germany To put things into proportion, the damage already caused by Israel to civilians and civilian areas in its war campaign on Gaza exceeds the civilian damage caused by Allied bombs in Nazi Germany by a factor of three. The Friday before Christmas alone, Israel reportedly killed more than 90 Palestinians, many of them women and children, when it decided to level two houses in two different areas of Gaza. Israel says Hamas is hiding everywhere, including in hospitals and residential buildings, this being the justification given for what appears to be a reckless military campaign in the increasingly obliterated Palestinian territory. Others claim that Israel is being reckless and using Hamas as cover to basically annex the Gaza Strip into the borders of Israel. Perhaps the worst damage caused in Gaza by an MK-84 thus far occurred on October 31 when Israel Defense Forces (IDF) bombed Jabalya, an area in northern Gaza. The area hit was a mostly residential area occupied by civilians. "That's something we would never see the U.S. doing," commented Larry Lewis, the research director at the Center for Naval Analyses, in a media quote. "It certainly appears that [Israel's] tolerance for civilian harm compared to expected operational benefits is significantly different than what we would accept." It is worth noting that the United States military during its entire fight with ISIS only dropped one MK-84 bomb. By comparison, the U.S. since October 7 has already sent a truly astounding 5,400 MK-84 bombs to Israel to support and further its war on Gaza. Cruelly, Israel has reportedly dropped more than 200 MK-84 bombs in a specific area of southern Gaza where IDF had previously told Palestinian civilians to flee for safety from the northern territories that Israel initially began bombing. In response to all this, IDF basically shrugged off the world's concerns and said to wait for a statement that will come at some point in the future, though no indication was given as to when that statement might come. "Questions of this kind will be looked into at a later stage," an IDF spokesperson is quoted as saying, adding that IDF "takes feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm." John Chappell of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Civilians in Conflict made an apparent suggestion to the Western media that everything Israel is doing to Gaza right now was basically made possible by the U.S. "The devastation that we've seen for communities in Gaza is unfortunately co-signed by the United States," Chappell said. "Too much of it is carried out by bombs that were made in the United States." The latest news about the Israel-Gaza conflict can be found at Prophecy.news. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com We will all die anyway Ukrainian army adviser Death in battle is preferable to in a car crash, Alla Martinyuk, an aide to the supreme commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, General Valery Zaluzhny, said in an interview on Friday. (Article republished from RT.com) Martinyuk, 37, is a former theater and TV actress who currently serves as an external adviser to Zaluzhny. In a broadcast shared on social media by the Kiev-based news agency UNIAN, she argued against the reaction of most Ukrainians to getting mobilized into the military. I now see when someone gets a summons, the mothers immediately write [that] they are already hysterical and almost immediately say goodbye to the lives of their sons, Martinyuk said on air. But I will tell you, this is not right. All this hysteria is not needed. You need to believe that your son is a hero and the flower of the nation. We will all die anyway. Leaving this life with dignity is much better than walking down the street and [having] a brick fall on you or a car run you over, she added. Zaluzhny has distanced himself from Martinyuks words, saying on social media that unpaid aides were not authorized to make public comments on his behalf. He added he did not have any unpaid aides and consultants since Thursday. President Vladimir Zelensky recently announced a plan to mobilize 500,000 additional troops to make up the battlefield losses, even as officials across the country admitted difficulties with meeting draft quotas. Zelensky and Zaluzhny have tried to pass the blame for this situation onto each other as the Ukrainian parliament debated lowering the draft age to 25 and allowing the mobilization of women into combat roles. Some regional governors have proposed even more drastic measures. Former PM Yulia Tymoshenko, who now leads a small opposition party in the Verkhovna Rada, has argued that Zelenskys mobilization proposal was both ineffective and unconstitutional. She also said Ukraine would be better off deploying police and trained security personnel to the front lines instead. Read more at: RT.com Whistleblower docs expose key tactics of the censorship industrial complex: Matt Taibbi Documents recently provided by a whistleblower reveal offensive tactics used by government and outside organizations to counter and preempt the spreading of undesirable information, said independent journalist Matt Taibbi. (Article by Ella Kietlinska and Jan Jekielek republished from TheEpochTimes.com) Mr. Taibbi and journalists Michael Shellenberger and Alex Gutentag recently exposed a new set of documents from the Cyber Threat Intelligence League (CTIL), an anti-disinformation group that waged an aggressive information operation on the public. The new documents, dubbed the CTI files, analyzed tactics used against foreign terrorist groups, such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS, that can now be applied domestically to prevent unwanted information from being published, Mr. Taibbi said in an interview for EpochTVs American Thought Leaders program. The CTI files referred to these tactics with the military term left of boom action and justified their usage by the danger posed by somebody like former President Donald Trump, the journalist said. Mr. Taibbi previously investigated and disclosed some of the Twitter Files after tech billionaire Elon Musk acquired Twitter in October 2022 and allowed Mr. Taibbi and other designated journalists to query the companys internal files. The Twitter Files show how Twitter, a major social media platform for political speech, had been intertwined with the censorship industrial complex to suppress or remove under government pressure content on various subjects, including irregularities in the 2020 elections, mail-in voting issues, and various aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The government censorship apparatus partnering with academia, nongovernmental organizations, and private research institutions is often called the censorship industrial complex. Preemptive Tactics CTIL was supposed to be a volunteer organization with a goal to identify misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Taibbi said, but in reality, you got under the hoodthey were interested in basically any topic. CTIL described on its website its main goals, which included protecting the medical sector and life-saving organizations worldwide from cyberattacks and cyber threatsmainly related to the COVID-19 pandemicand making them resilient to disinformation. While the Twitter Files revealed that Twitter used defensive tactics to control the information posted on its platform, such as censorship and de-amplification, the CTI files show the organization resorted to offensive tactics like burner phones, creating sock puppet accounts, and infiltrating groups, Mr. Taibbi said. The CTI files also revealed a sort of a handbook manual on how to create false identities online, he added. Other tactics described in the CTI documents included putting financial pressure on disfavored groups through requests to cut off their banking services or even directly going to merchandising outlets to try to stop them from selling their wares, Mr. Taibbi explained. Such tactics are the offensive information operation, he pointed out. From Counterterrorism to Counter-Populism In a report on Substack, Mr. Taibbi wrote that the CTI files exposed that in 2019, U.S. and UK military and intelligence contractors led by a former UK defense researcher, Sara-Jayne SJ Terp, developed the sweeping censorship framework. These contractors co-led CTIL. Officially established in March 2020, CTIL grew to more than 1,400 volunteers from almost 80 countries, according to the groups inaugural report. In April 2020, CTIL partnered with the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to stop malicious cyber activity related to COVID-19, the then-director of CISA announced on Twitter. Mr. Taibbi said that the sudden emergence of all of these anti-disinformation groups, both in government and in civil society, did not occur by accident. He believes that their appearance coincides with the development of the internet and its huge democratizing force in the world that created all sorts of political energy that was uncontrollable and gave rise to the Occupy Wall Street movement, the Tea Party, and the Arab Spring. In 2015 and 2016, a series of events took place that the national security establishment considered very troubling, such as Brexit, Donald Trumps election, the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign, and the rise of Jeremy Corbyn to a Labour Party leadership position in the United Kingdom, Mr. Taibbi said. Both Mr. Corbyn and Mr. Sanders were left-wing populist politicians who gained popularity among young voters. To the national security establishment, all these events were illegitimate threats of the same type ... that they had been dealing with overseas, so it directed its efforts inward from counterterrorism to counter-populism, Mr. Taibbi explained. The structures built to counter online activity overseas were effective to counter groups like Al-Qaeda, and ISIS, but once that massive structure is turned inward against the countrys own domestic population, it operates with no legal oversight and it creates all kinds of questions that are kind of horrifying, Mr. Taibbi said. And theyre not even in the same ballpark as the First Amendment. Media Competition Versus Shared Endeavor The training materials included in the CTI files intended for people who are going to review domestic speech featured a quote from the joint chiefs of staff, talking about how you have to use certain tactics to defeat your enemy, Mr. Taibbi said. Thus, trainees learned to treat other Americans as the enemy, he added. This is the mindset of people inside the political establishment in the West, which can be viewed as a sort of loose confederation of institutions like media platforms, government, and civil society organizations, he pointed out. He cited Luke Harding, a journalist at The Guardian, who described such formation as the shared endeavor in his article reviewing a book about Bellingcat, a platform for online investigations. The author of the book believes that rivalry between media titles is a thing of the past. The future is collaboration, the hunt for evidence a shared endeavor, the truth out there if we wish to discover it, Mr. Harding wrote. However, Mr, Taibbi argued that Americas founders envisioned the press to be an adversarial institution, by its nature. The concept of the shared endeavor is completely opposite of the founders view, he explained. Americans view the clash of institutions and the clash of ideas as a good thing, the journalist said. We all think differently, we live differently, we have different faiths, but ultimately, we arrived at a good place together. That system has worked incredibly well in America for hundreds of years. Replacing this concept with the other idea, like a shared endeavor, is authoritarian in nature and ultimately anti-democratic. And it begins with speech, Mr. Taibbi pointed out. Theres a reason that speech is the first guarantee in the Constitution. Because without it, none of the other rights really work. Malinformation Another shift in the information policy is to evaluate information according to where it rests on the narrative, as opposed to whether its true or false, Mr. Taibbi said. It is a new concept that defines as disinformation anything that, for example, promotes COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, he said. A true story about somebody dying of myocarditis after getting a shot could be categorized as a form of disinformation, even if that person might be pro-vaccine, because it might cause other people not to get the vaccine, he explained. Its what they would call malinformation, he said. CISA defines malinformation as information based on fact, but used out of context to mislead, harm, or manipulate. Mr. Taibbi cited the Virality Project at Stanford University, which proposed addressing the issue of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy through suppressing or disseminating information in order to shape public opinion. In February 2022, the Virality Project released a report with unique insights from real-time monitoring of anti-vaccine narratives across social media platforms. The report proposed two approaches for social media platforms to boost preferred authoritative content: first, raising up authoritative voices by elevating them in search results or on dedicated information carousels or tabs, and second, deplatforming those who repeatedly spread false and misleading information. For example, Pinterest only surfaces content from leading public health institutions such as the CDC and WHO, the report said. Twitter deplatformed President Trump after the 2020 election along with 70,000 other accounts as harmful sources, according to the report. Facebook removed Instagram accounts that belonged to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Del Bigtrees HighWire talk show after they expressed their critical views on COVID-19 vaccines, the report stated. They had 799,000 and 162,000 followers, respectively, according to the report. Mr. Kennedy is the founder of Childrens Health Defense and, at that time, served as the organizations chairman of the board and chief legal counsel. Mr. Bigtree is a filmmaker, investigative medical journalist, and the host of The HighWire talk show. The job of a traditional journalist is to discern what is true and what is not, said Mr. Taibbi, adding that he was raised as a traditional journalist. Once its true, we put it out there, and then its up to you what to do with it. However, the new approach is to focus on motive, intent, and likely impact, as opposed to the true/false dichotomy, Mr. Taibbi said. The factuality issue has become secondary. Thats very dangerous, he said. Petr Svab contributed to this report. Read more at: TheEpochTimes.com Glaucus atlanticus or the blue sea dragon is a species of shell-less gastropod mollusk that belongs to the family Glaucidae. Its color and appearance resemble a seemingly creature from another planet. Due to its appearance, this species earned various nicknames like blue dragon, blue angel, sea swallow, or blue sea slug. This marine animal can be found across the world's oceans. These blue sea slugs are widely known for their unique appearance but they are dangerous for humans and pets. Scientific records show that one sting from the ferocious, little creature can cause extreme pain, nausea, vomiting, acute allergic contact dermatitis, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. G. atlanticus do not actively seek for humans but their stings are viewed as defense mechanisms. Blue Sea Dragons The blue glaucus lives in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. They can grow to approximately 25 millimeters or about 1 inch long, with an estimated lifespan in the wild from one month to one year. The blue slug species also belong to the order Nudibranchia, whose members have a common characteristic of lacking gills, mantle cavity, and shell that are common with other mollusks. The color of blue sea dragons ranges from blue to silver and light grey with a smooth skin type. These organisms often float along the surface of open water. However, its buoyancy makes it vulnerable to being washed up and going to unexpected places, where it eventually dies. The said species is venomous but it is not what one might think about poisonous animals in general. Also Read: Blue-ringed Octopus: This Deadly Creature's Venom is 1000 Times More Powerful Than Cyanide Glaucus Atlanticus Poison The blue sea dragon is poisonous not because it is born with innate hazardous toxins inside its body but rather due to other poisonous animals that it eats. Its main prey is the Man o' War with its stinging nematocysts in its appendages. According to experts, the blue sea slug incorporates the stinging nematocysts or cells of its prey into its own body, making it equally dangerous and toxic. In terms of blue sea dragon sightings, reported observations have been recorded off the coasts of some countries across Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Oceania, and Europe. In the US, the gastropod mollusk has washed up along the shores of Texas, the Gulf of Mexico, and other areas. Despite the scientific community's knowledge on Glaucus atlanticus, the sea creature's total population worldwide remains unknown. However, scientists believe that the blue sea dragon population is not threatened and it is classified by the IUCN as an endangered species. The blue glaucus is relatively harder to see compared with fish and other marine animals. This so-called partial camouflage is possible since the poisonous sea slug has a biological feature called countershading, which allows its blue underside to help it blend into the water's surface, according to the organization Oceana. Related Article: Poisonous Deep Sea Creatures Spotted In The Shores Of India, Public Warned Not To Touch The Species Experts were able to unearth the mitochondrial DNA of a woolly rhinoceros from the fossilized poop of a hyena. This showed that the hyena devoured the massive herbivore before it died during the Middle Paleolithic. The woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis) is an iconic species of the Eurasian Pleistocene megafauna, which was found to be abundant in Eurasia in the Pleistocene until its demise beginning approximately 10, 000 years ago. Predator And Prey Researchers noted that despite the early recovery of several specimens from well-known European archaeological sites, including its type specimen, no genomes of European populations were available so far, and all available genomic data originated exclusively from Siberian populations. Using coprolites of cave hyenas (Crocuta crocuta spelea) recovered from the Middle Palaeolithic layers of two caves in Germany (Bockstein-Loch and Hohlenstein-Stadel), experts isolated and enriched predator and prey DNA to assemble the first European woolly rhinoceros mitogenomes, in addition to cave hyena mitogenomes. Both coprolite samples produced copious sequences assigned to C. crocuta (27% and 59% mitogenome coverage, respectively) and woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis; 27% and 81% coverage, respectively). The sequences suggested considerable DNA degradation, which may limit the conclusions to be drawn; however, the mitogenomes of European woolly rhinoceros are genetically distinct from the Siberian woolly rhinoceros. Further, analyses of the more complete mitogenome suggest a split of the populations potentially coinciding with the earliest fossil records of woolly rhinoceros in Europe. Scientists said that while the DNA sequences recovered had shown signs of considerable degradation, possibly limiting the conclusions of their study, they believe that they may have found evidence of a population split around 450,000 years ago. The mitogenomes of European woolly rhinos are distinct from the Siberian population, suggesting that there could be a divergence of the two around the time the woolly rhinoceros pops up in the fossil record in Europe. The study also indicated that the extinct cave hyena is a conspecific to the extant spotted hyena, that were occurring exclusively in sub-Saharan Africa, which ranged from the Iberian Peninsula to Asia during the Pleistocene until its extirpation in Europe approximately 14,000 years ago. Read Also: In Reaction To Climatic Change, Spotted Hyenas Shift Their Feeding Habits Distribution of Fossils Scientists said that previous studies had already confirmed a lack of divergence from extant conspecifics, suggesting considerable migration during the Pleistocene and the Holocene, and several mitogenomes of cave hyenas from European populations have been assembled for phylogenetic studies. The prey of cave hyenas usually includes large herbivores such as the woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis), as evidenced by numerous macrofossil findings in European caves. The woolly rhinoceros was a cold-adapted megaherbivore, which was abundant from western Europe to north-east Siberia during the Middle to Late Pleistocene. The temporal and spatial distribution of the fossils, and their morphological changes across the Middle and Late Pleistocene suggested that there seemed to be a repeated range expansions and immigration of Coelodonta into Central and Western Europe during successive cold periods. However, despite the wide distribution of this species throughout northern Eurasia and numerous findings of remains in western Europe, comparably little genomic information has been available to investigate this. Related Article: 'Woolly Rhino' Freed From Siberia's Ice, But Will it be Cloned? What came first, the chicken or the egg? This age-old philosophical and scientific dilemma of whether the chicken or the egg came first has riddled a lot of us. Aside from being a scientific inquiry, t's a metaphor for the futility of discovering the root cause of a self-perpetuating loop. Understanding the Evolution of Eggs The egg came first, according to most biologists. Eggs are simply female sperm cells at their most basic. Hard external eggs that can be laid on land (also known as amniotic eggs) revolutionized vertebrate evolution. Prior to the development of hard-shelled eggs with nourishing yolks, animals had to reproduce in bodies of water. Most amphibians are still subject to this watery constraint, as they must keep their gelatinous eggs moist in order to survive. "The egg is such an important step in [vertebrate] evolution, because it allowed amniotes to go further and further away from water," Koen Stein, a paleontologist at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. In research published in the journal Current Biology, true birds did not appear in the fossil record until the mid- to late Jurassic period, some 165 million to 150 million years ago. According to the University of Texas at Austin's Biodiversity Center, scientists believe the first shelled eggs originated 325 million years ago, which means that eggs came before chickens. There were many land-based vertebrates that laid amniotic eggs during the Carboniferous, Permian, and Triassic periods, but the dinosaurs are the most famous of these species. Stein has researched some of the earliest known dinosaur eggshells from the early Jurassic period, some 200 million years ago. The outer shells of these eggs were very thin, only about 100 microns thick. That thinness is possibly why academics have had difficulty identifying earlier examples of eggshells. When an egg comes into contact with rich, acidic soil, it begins to slowly dissolve. Read Also: Researchers Introduce 'Sniffing' as Non-Invasive, Accurate Way to Determine Chicken Egg Gender First Chicken Egg So, the egg existed before the chicken. Isn't the case closed? No, not quite. The story changes when we talk about the first chicken egg. Around 50 million years ago, chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) most likely originated from a subspecies of red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus). These birds were first domesticated by humans in Southeast Asia around 1650 B.C. The last ancestor of modern chickens would have deposited an egg containing an embryo with enough genetic changes to distinguish it from its parent species at some point during the domestication process. Before hatching, this embryonic chicken would have formed in the not-quite-chicken egg. Then, when it reached adulthood, it would lay the first normal chicken egg. The chicken could thus be considered to precede the chicken egg. However, there is evidence that chickens interbred with other subspecies of jungle fowl even after they became their own genetically separate subspecies. Some of these characteristics are more (or less) pronounced in particular current chicken breeds. According to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, chicken domestication appears to have occurred independently numerous times over several thousand years in portions of India and Oceania. As a result, distinguishing which chicken was the original can be difficult. Related Article: Bird Eggs: Can You Hatch Chicks from Supermarket Eggs? Kangaroos are not only cute and iconic animals of Australia, but also potentially dangerous predators that can harm your dog. Some kangaroos have been observed to lure dogs into water and try to drown them, using their powerful hind legs and claws to inflict serious injuries. Here are some tips on how to prevent and deal with kangaroo attacks on your canine companion. Avoid Kangaroo Habitats and Keep Your Dog on a Leash The best way to prevent kangaroo attacks is to avoid areas where they are known to live and feed, such as grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands. Kangaroos are most active at dawn and dusk, so avoid walking your dog during these times. If you encounter a kangaroo, do not approach it or try to feed it, as this may provoke it to defend its territory or food source. Keep your dog on a leash at all times when walking in areas where kangaroos may be present. T his will prevent your dog from chasing or barking at the kangaroo, which may trigger an attack. If your dog is off-leash and runs towards a kangaroo, call it back immediately and try to distract it with a toy or a treat. According to Wildlife Victoria's CEO Lisa Palma, kangaroos are wild animals and as such will view human beings, and dogs, as predators. She encouraged dog owners to keep their pets on a lead in areas where kangaroos were known to frequent. "If they are off-lead, [ensure] that they are responsive to your command if a situation such as this arises," she said. Know How to React if a Kangaroo Attacks Your Dog If a kangaroo attacks your dog, do not panic or intervene physically, as this may put you and your dog in more danger. Instead, try to scare the kangaroo away by making loud noises, throwing stones or sticks, or spraying water. If the kangaroo retreats, take your dog and leave the area as quickly as possible. If the kangaroo lures your dog into water, do not follow them, as the kangaroo may try to drown you as well. Instead, try to coax your dog out of the water by calling its name, offering a treat, or throwing a toy. If your dog manages to escape, check it for injuries and seek veterinary attention if needed. As a defensive tactic, kangaroos often lead their predator (dog) into the water where they can stand while being submerged in the water. This is a common strategy used by kangaroos to escape from predators such as dingoes or foxes. Kangaroos have been known to attack dogs, leading to serious injuries and even death. These attacks are often a result of territorial behavior or the instinct to protect their young. Also Read: Kangaroos Are All Left-Handed? Report Kangaroo Attacks and Educate Yourself About Kangaroo Behavior If you or your dog are attacked by a kangaroo, report the incident to the local authorities or wildlife rescue groups, as they may be able to relocate the kangaroo or warn other people about the danger. You can also contact the RSPCA or other animal welfare organisations for advice on how to deal with kangaroo attacks. To better understand why kangaroos may attack dogs, educate yourself about their natural behaviour and ecology. Kangaroos are social animals that live in groups called mobs, and they may see dogs as threats or competitors for food and water. Kangaroos are also herbivores that need to drink water regularly, and they may use water sources as a defensive strategy against predators. By learning more about kangaroos, you can appreciate their role in the ecosystem and coexist with them peacefully. Related article: Kangaroo Crisis: Experts Warn of Mass Starvation and Extinction Risk for Australia's Iconic Marsupials KYODO NEWS - Jan 2, 2024 - 00:16 | All, Japan Japan's New Year's Day was roiled by a powerful quake in the central part of the country as locals ran for their lives and huddled together in the cold on Monday, while houses flattened, leaving some trapped beneath the rubble in what marked a dire start to the year. "I'm glad that I'm alive somehow," Sumie Higashi, an 85-year-old in Shika, Ishikawa Prefecture, said as she recalled the tense moments following the magnitude-7.6 quake that hit the Noto Peninsula, which also triggered tsunami warnings along the Sea of Japan coast areas. She was in her bedroom when she heard a loud noise and the second floor in the next room collapsed. Her car out front was crushed. Higashi managed to escape from a back door and evacuated to higher ground when her relatives came to pick her up. Kai Mawaki, a resident of Suzu, a city in Ishikawa Prefecture located on the tip of the Noto Peninsula, was worried about the tsunami waves and aftershocks and whether there would be enough food and bedding at the evacuation site. The 26-year-old has sheltered in a nearby elementary school with about 20 family members. While the Noto region was rocked by a quake that registered an upper 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale in May last year, Mawaki said that the latest temblor, which recorded a maximum 7, was "no comparison in size and duration." A female official of the town of Noto, meanwhile, said she had witnessed collapsed houses on her way to her office, noting that she also saw "a car that had fallen into a river." The Ishikawa prefectural office building in Kanazawa was crowded with residents who rushed to seek shelter, with a 63-year-old man saying he had yet to be in contact with relatives who live in Suzu. "I packed my belongings and fled to the building by car," he said. A shrine's torii gate in Kanazawa collapsed from the quake, and over 100 residents were seen nearby anxiously watching the ocean from higher ground. At an elementary school in the city, where dozens evacuated, people were seen comforting acquaintances and expressing worries about their families. "This is the first time I've experienced an earthquake like this," said a male resident in his 80s. "It was shaking for almost two minutes and was terrifying." While Japan is a country prone to earthquakes, it was the first time a major tsunami warning has been issued since the M9.0 quake, and the ensuing tsunami devastated northeastern Japan in March 2011. A quake with a Japanese intensity of 7 was last observed in Hokkaido in 2018. Some evacuees were wrapped in blankets outdoors at an Air Self-Defense Force base in Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture. Also, in Wajima, multiple buildings collapsed near a famous morning marketplace and were engulfed in flames. The fire continued under the night sky, and residents said they heard explosions and saw black smoke. A woman said she could still feel the heat from the fire, even though she was on the opposite shore of a river where the marketplace is located. "Despite the distance, it is still scary." As quakes continued to rattle the region, she said evacuating was not easy. "This is awful, awful," she said. In Niigata Prefecture, the ceiling of the Joetsumyoko Station creaked loudly as the area was also shaken by temblors, with screams heard from some customers, who crouched and huddled together as shop workers tried to calm them down. In a shopping center in the adjacent Toyama Prefecture, customers fell to the ground as the floors undulated beneath them. "Please stay away from the lights as they may fall," a man yelled. Related coverage: Emperor's New Year greeting event canceled due to quake M7.6 quake rocks central Japan, killing 4, triggering tsunami Russia By how many votes will the Iron Man be back in Kremlin? The elections are yet to be held. Putin has won. A popular Russian joke went. Does the Iron Man really face a challenge? We arent sure. We have heard that there is discontent over the war across the border. We have heard of rebelling warlords, havent heard of them again; the State has descended upon the Opposition, silenced critics. In Russia, its Putin vs who? The BJP will organize interactions involving the youth and leaders in every district about PMs vision for them. All seven morchas (fronts) of the party have also started reaching out to the people, said a BJP functionary, adding that areas having minority populations are being covered by party office-bearers. The partys Agenda 2024 will have a special part for South India. The Kashi-Tamil Samagama, was a part of the strategy. In North, the BJP will focus on winning the peoples trust based on Modis call that there are only four castes for him the poor, the youth, women and farmers. In the evening, RJD national spokesman and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha held an impromptu press meeting to assert "ours is a party that keeps religious sentiment deep within the heart and does not wear it on the sleeve. The BJP has created an atmosphere in which even a poet like Kabir would have been declared a heretic". There have been verbal duels between the Governor on one side and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the SFI on the other around the issue of appointments made by Khan to the senate of some universities in the state. The police are working to arrest the perpetrators. They will be punished as per the law. I appeal to people, especially those from Lilong, to maintain calm and help the government hunt down the criminals, Singh said in a video message with folded hands. The distance between Janakpur and Ayodhya is 458 km. We will begin our journey from Janaki Mandir, and then, via Jaleshwar, reach Birganj where we will rest for the night. Around 30 cars and five buses will be part of the procession that will carry these gifts. On January 5, we will enter India via Raxaul and have lunch at Betia. Then via Gorakpur and Bastipur we will reach Ayodhya, said Shah. At 8 am on January 6, the delegation will hand over the 1,100 bhars to the trustees of the temple. 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. 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. (c)2023 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. By Keita Nakamura, KYODO NEWS - Jan 1, 2024 - 11:01 | All, World The year 2024 will see key elections in a number of large and geopolitically significant polities such as Russia, India, Indonesia, South Korea and Taiwan, but the U.S. presidential race will have by far the biggest impact on Japanese policymakers. If Donald Trump, the outspoken former U.S. president who had little interest in prioritizing security alliances during his tenure, returns to the White House, Japan could be forced to deal with a militarily emboldened China and North Korea, with reduced U.S. engagement in the region, experts in diplomacy and security believe. Against the backdrop of a potential weakening of the U.S. role in containing China's military rise and a buoyed North Korea operating with fewer inhibitions in a multipolar world order, Tokyo will face greater pressure to demonstrate the benefits of Japan-U.S. security ties, while understanding it is more important than ever to bolster its defense capabilities, the experts added. Prospects are growing that incumbent Democrat President Joe Biden and Trump will face off at the Nov. 5 election in a rematch of the 2020 race, with the latter maintaining a comfortable lead in media polls for the Republican primary vote. "If Mr. Trump becomes the president, he would return to his 'America first' policies and pursue them more vigorously by forming his administration only with his supporters," said Tetsuo Kotani, an international security expert at Meikai University. In a departure from Trump's first administration which ran from 2017 to 2021 and had "decent" people who saw a need to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and U.S. defense posture in the Indo-Pacific region, Kotani believes "we would see weakening U.S. commitment to defending" Japan in a second term. During the four-year term, Trump stuck to his criticism of the alliance with Tokyo as unfair and one-sided, since their bilateral security treaty promises U.S. support if Japan is attacked but does not oblige Japan's Self-Defense Forces to reciprocate. Threatening to end alliances, the businessman-turned-president called on Washington's allies, including South Korea and NATO members, to pay their "fair share," namely, more money for hosting the U.S. military. In recent years, Japan has beefed up its alliance with the United States and security ties with like-minded countries like Australia and South Korea to enhance deterrence against Beijing's provocative military activities in the East China Sea, including near Taiwan. A contingency involving the self-governed democratic island is a particularly concerning prospect for Japan, given the proximity of its southwestern islands to the territory, including the Tokyo-controlled, Beijing-claimed Senkaku Islands. Biden has spoken of his nation's commitment to defending Taiwan, seen by Communist-led China as a breakaway province to be brought into its fold, but Washington officially maintains a policy of "strategic ambiguity" that keeps its options open in the event of a Chinese attack. Conversely, Trump has been evasive when questioned on whether the United States would get involved militarily in a Taiwan contingency. Kotani pointed out the possibility that Trump could even be willing to use Taiwan as a bargaining chip in a "deal" with China, reflecting how little he values the island's "strategic importance." "For example, he may make a proposal that the United States commit to never interfering in the Taiwan issue if China makes some concessions on disputes related to trade or technology," he said. Given North Korea's missile and nuclear programs and military collaboration with China and Russia during Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, Kotani said Japan is now in one of the world's most challenging security environments, making the alliance with the United States all the more important. "But it is not a factor to be considered at all in Mr. Trump's mind," he said. Kazuhiro Maeshima, a professor at Sophia University, said Japan would not be able to rely on the United States any longer when designing its Indo-Pacific security policy unless Washington shows clear commitment to the defense of Taiwan. "If Mr. Trump wins, an enormous challenge would await Japan" which would make it necessary to be strident in convincing his administration of the worth of the bilateral alliance, said Maeshima, a specialist in American politics and foreign policy. Maeshima added Japan should "stress that it has done as much as possible" to strengthen the alliance and emphasize the significance of its recent policy maneuvers such as revising its key security policy documents and relaxing regulations on defense equipment exports. In late 2022, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government pledged to obtain "counterstrike capabilities" to destroy targets in enemy territory, and almost double Japan's annual defense spending to 2 percent of its gross domestic product in five years in the revised National Security Strategy. The government also lifted a ban on exporting domestically-produced, foreign-licensed lethal weapons to countries where licensers are based, by amending stringent arms export rules in December. As the first instance of the eased regulations coming into action, Tokyo was quick to decide to provide the United States with U.S.-developed Patriot surface-to-air guided missiles made in Japan following a request from Washington. Meanwhile, Tatsuhiko Yoshizaki, chief economist at the Sojitz Research Institute, said Japan can learn from its past "successful experiences" seen under the administration of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister who led the nation for one year from 2006 and again from 2012 until 2020, built a strong personal relationship with Trump. He was fatally shot during an election campaign speech in western Japan in July 2022. Yoshizaki, well-versed in U.S. and international economic and political issues, said Abe managed to keep the Japan-U.S. alliance stable "because he explained its importance from the viewpoint of its cost-effectiveness," instead of principles such as the rule of law, when he met Trump. For Japan, "Mr. Abe's approach should be helpful" in managing a second Trump term, he added. Related coverage: FOCUS:U.S. under shroud of uncertainty for 2024 but no shift in Asia policy FOCUS: Japan PM's future in doubt for 2024, non-faction lawmakers in focus FOCUS: Taiwan poll may not affect Sino-U.S. ties, invasion unlikely in 2024 "An FIR was registered on the basis of an inquiry registered under section 156 (3) of CrPC on the direction of the court. We will carry out an investigation and submit a report to the court. We cannot take action on it, we can only investigate and report back to the court," she said. Responding to a post by lawyer Prashant Bhushan, Singh also said, "Thanks @pbhushan1 ji. This video is of pre VVPAT and therefore @ECISVEEP would say this issue has been settled. Now the voter can see for 7 seconds which candidate he has voted. But does it mean that the voter should not have the printed VVPAT slip in his hand to ensure that what he has seen has been correctly printed? Printer would obey the command of the software not of the voter. Can we trust the software?" I have no doubt that Paresh Baruah loves Assam. But if he comes here, he will know from which side the situation has remained problematic. In the entire ULFA charter (of demands), the illegal immigrants from Bangladesh are not recognised as a problem. If we need an independent Assam and if an Assamese cannot become the chief minister of that independent Assam, what is the value of it? Sarma asked. As per the police sources, on the day of crime, the three accused were crossing the BHU campus after watching natakatiyya, a folk drama when they spotted the victim strolling with her friend. They shooed the friend away and raped the engineering student. The perpetrators filmed the act as well before fleeing the spot. "India remains committed to addressing, on priority, all humanitarian matters, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other's country. In this context, India has urged Pakistan to expedite necessary action at its end to confirm the nationality status of 65 believed-to-be Pakistani prisoners, including fishermen, whose repatriation is pending for want of nationality confirmation from Pakistan," added MEA. As a result of sustained efforts by the Government, 2639 Indian fishermen and 67 Indian civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. This includes 478 Indian fishermen and 09 Indian civilian prisoners who were repatriated from Pakistan in 2023. It is evident from the statement of the witness that the accused had several meetings in Chhoti Masjid, Padgha-Borivali, wherein they used to plan the recruitment of gullible Muslim youth for Islamic State (ISIS), furthering the activities of Islamic State, propagating the ideology of Daesh ie. ISIS and to carry out violent jihad, the chargesheet said. The PTR Director also informed that they will be shifting 200 cheetal from Betla National Park in the second week of January next year. Construction of soft release centers has already been completed and we are expecting that three of them will be filled up with 200 cheetal by January next year. The remaining one soft release center will be filled up with 300 more Cheetal and Sambhar shifted from Bhagwan Birsa Biologial Park in Ranchi, requisition for which, has already been sent to the Central Zoo Authority, said Ashutosh. Nation Raccoon travels from US to India in shipping container without food, water for 60 days The animal ended up in a container destined for India by mistake, and is likely to be sent back to the US by Indian authorities Meanwhile, the sudden resignation of any senior politician in the Assembly is bound to spark speculations as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has given a last chance to Chief Minister Hemant Soren asking him to decide time, date and place for questioning in the land scam case. Nation Setback to Raje as loyalists fail to make it to new cabinet Senior leaders closely associated with Raje, such as Kalicharan Saraf, Ajay Singh Kilak, Pratap Singh Singhvi, Anita Bhadel, and Dr Jaswant Singh, were not given ministerial berths. KYODO NEWS - Jan 2, 2024 - 03:58 | All, Japan An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 rocked a wide area on the Sea of Japan coast Monday, killing at least four people and triggering tsunami and fires in the central prefecture of Ishikawa, and dampening the festive mood of New Year celebrations nationwide. Details about the damage caused by the 4:10 p.m. quake and aftershocks remain unknown. Authorities received information on six cases in which people had been buried alive or trapped under collapsed houses in the quake-hit area. No significant abnormalities were reported at nuclear plants in Ishikawa's Shika, where the quake registered a maximum 7 on the country's seismic intensity scale, or in nearby Niigata or Fukui prefectures after the quake, according to the Secretariat of the Nuclear Regulation Authority. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a special warning for a potential tsunami measuring 3 meters or higher in Ishikawa's Noto Peninsula, and downgraded it hours later. A tsunami measuring 1.2 meters or higher reached Wajima Port in the prefecture, it said. It was the first time such a special warning had been issued since the 2011 magnitude-9.0 earthquake and tsunami that devastated areas of northeastern Japan and triggered the Fukushima nuclear crisis. The deaths of four people were confirmed by the Ishikawa prefectural government early Tuesday. A fire broke out in an old town with wooden houses in Wajima. There were reports of a building and multiple houses collapsing in the city, local firefighters said. "It looked as if more than 10 buildings were on fire," a man living in Wajima said, adding that he could see a black plume of smoke rising from a marketplace around 500 meters away. "I was unable to remain standing from the shaking. It was an intensity I had never experienced before," he said. Another resident saw black smoke and heard explosions near the Wajima Asaichi food market district. Some 30 people were injured due to the earthquake in Ishikawa and other prefectures, local authorities said. The ceiling collapsed at a pachinko parlor in Toyama Prefecture, injuring eight people, two of them seriously, the prefectural government said. In Ishikawa, approximately 32,500 homes lost power. The quake was felt in a wide area from Hokkaido in northern Japan to Kyushu in the country's southwest. Tsunami warnings and advisories were issued for prefectures on the Sea of Japan side. The earthquake's focus was around 30 kilometers east-northeast of Wajima, with a provisional depth of 16 km, according to the weather agency. A quake at the maximum level of 7 on the Japanese intensity scale is described as making it impossible for people to remain standing. Such a temblor was last observed in 2018 in Hokkaido, the weather agency said. The quake and aftershocks disrupted public transportation to and from the affected areas, with JR East temporarily suspending the operations of all shinkansen bullet trains on the Tohoku, Joetsu and Hokuriku lines, while All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines canceled 25 flights. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters his government will gather information swiftly while continuing to work overnight. The agency warned that earthquakes with a seismic intensity of around 7 could occur in Monday's hard-hit areas over the next week, especially over the next few days. A total of more than 97,000 people in nine prefectures were instructed to evacuate, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. About 1,000 people evacuated to an Air Self-Defense Force base in Wajima, and the Self-Defense Forces are distributing blankets, water and food, the Defense Ministry said. The SDF sent members on a disaster relief mission in response to a request by Ishikawa Gov. Hiroshi Hase. Services on JR Central's Tokaido Shinkansen line, which connects Tokyo and Osaka, were also briefly halted in some sections after its system detected an earthquake and powered down, causing delays that affected about 100,000 people, the company said. North and South Korea both issued similar alerts for their eastern coastal areas, according to local media and authorities. The Russian government issued a tsunami warning for the western coastal region of Sakhalin in the Far East following the Japanese earthquake, the Interfax news agency said. Related coverage: Quake in Japan roils New Year's Day as people flee, houses collapse Emperor's New Year greeting event canceled due to quake M6.2 quake in northwestern China leaves nearly 130 dead Kotwali SHO Vikrant Sharma said two unidentified burglars cut the ATM installed on the Bajaj Road on Saturday night. Sharma said that based on a complaint lodged by the bank on Sunday, a case has been registered and an investigation is on. While giving this information, an official spokesman said, "On the instructions of the Chief Minister, it has been decided in the interest of the state and public interest that till the submission of the report of the Land Law Committee or till further orders, the District Magistrate will not allow people from outside the state to purchase land for agriculture and horticulture purposes in Uttarakhand." Ram Temple in Ayodhya will kickstart the year with a formal consecration of the idol of Lord Ram at the sancum sanctorum in the presence of PM Narendra Modi and 7000-odd dignitaries in January. Among them, 4,000 will be seers and saints from across the country. Apart from ending decades-long disputes, it will also add a new dimension to religious tourism of the country. Projects worth over `50,000 crore are at different stages of completion. They are intended to provide the temple town an international guise with a touch of ancient sensitivity. From today, the international airport and revamped railway station will be functional to welcome pilgrims and tourists, whose number is likely to go up with coming days, and especially after Januray 22. Alerted by the cries of the boy, their neighbours informed the security guard who found the house locked and called the police. The police team which arrived at the scene broke the door open and found the woman's body and the injured child crying near it. "I don't know how they are issuing notices. They have all the documents with them. It's not because they don't have any documents. There are big people to harass me. I know it all. It's not that I am unaware of it. Let them do whatever they want to finish me politically," Shivakumar, who is an MLA from Kanakapura, told reporters here. By noon the PM and the HM would attend the inauguration ceremony of the international airports new terminal. A special stage has been set up by the airport for the event. Sources from the BJP said that a party meeting is likely with select leaders after the event. World Japan lowers its tsunami warning but still tells people not to go home after a series of earthquakes The quakes, the largest of which had a magnitude of 7.6, started a fire and collapsed buildings on the west coast of Japan's main island, Honshu. KYODO NEWS - Jan 1, 2024 - 09:03 | All, Japan Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida vowed Monday to put Japan at the forefront of global affairs in a "tense" 2024 that will see several important events, including the U.S. presidential election. In his New Year's address, Kishida, who puts intense focus on diplomacy with other world leaders, said he will exert leadership "unique to Japan" through summit diplomacy to "overcome challenges," citing issues such as Russia's war on Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict. "We will decisively protect the people's safety and Japan's territory, water and airspace in the complicated security environment in East Asia," said Kishida, who served as foreign minister and defense minister before becoming prime minister in October 2021. On the economic front, Kishida promised to take necessary measures to deliver wage hikes that outpace surging prices, expressing hope that Japanese citizens will "feel" economic growth to bring a change in the society's "mindset." As for a political fundraising scandal that has recently rocked his Liberal Democratic Party, Kishida said he will "make every effort to restore the public's trust," although he did not detail what concrete steps he will take. The LDP's largest faction, formerly led by slain Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, is alleged to have created slush funds by failing to declare hundreds of millions of yen in revenue from its fundraising parties in political funding reports. Approval ratings for Kishida's Cabinet have tumbled against a backdrop of his administration's inability to deliver wage growth at a similar level to rising prices, eroding consumer sentiment. Several scandals involving government and LDP officials have also delivered a blow to his public standing. "To facilitate the promotion of policies, stability in politics is indispensable," Kishida said. Related coverage: FOCUS: Japan PM's future in doubt for 2024, non-faction lawmakers in focus Agartala, Jan 1 A head of the assembly elections in three northeastern states -- Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura -- the demands for separate states by the local parties for the tribals are gaining momentum. The national parties, in terms of tribal vote share, are caught in a tricky situation on the issue. The creation of separate Garo, Khasi states in Meghalaya, the separate state of 'Frontier Nagaland' and elevation of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) into "Greater Tipraland State" for the tribals are the key issues in the poll bound three states. The leaders of the national political parties including the BJP, the Congress and the CPI-M, though not supporting the separate state demand, remained non-committal about openly opposing the issue fearing loss of tribal votes. Leaders of TIPRA (Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance), who have been demanding the elevation of the TTAADC into the "Greater Tipraland State" for the tribals, said that it is ready for an electoral alliance with those parties who give their commitment and support to their demand. Senior TIPRA leader and Deputy Chief Executive Member of the TTAADC, Animesh Debbarma told IANS "We have only one agenda, that is 'Greater Tipraland' and constitutional solution for the Tiprasa (tribal) people living in the TTAADC area. Until this issue is resolved we are not going to form any type of alliance with anyone. We are also protesting against the violence unleashed by the BJP." The TIPRA is now ruling the 30-member TTAADC, which has jurisdiction over two-third of Tripura's 10,491 square km area and is home to over 12,16,000 people, of which around 84 per cent are tribals, making the autonomous council a mini-assembly. The TTAADC, in terms of its political significance and geographical area, has been considered a mini-assembly in Tripura after the 60-member Assembly. The TIPRA organised a two-day sit-in demonstration at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on December 5 and 6 and submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding upgradation of the TTAADC to a "Greater Tipraland State" under Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution for the protection of the demography and rights of the tribals. In Nagaland, the influential Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO) is firm on boycotting the forthcoming assembly election if the Centre does not fulfil its demand for a separate state of 'Frontier Nagaland'. ENPO Secretary W. Manwang Konyak said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to visit the ENPO areas in northern Nagaland in the third or fourth week of January to discuss the issue. "The three-member central team, which visited Nagaland in mid- December to study the separate state of 'Frontier Nagaland' demand, has submitted its report to the central government," he told IANS over phone. The ENPO leader said that the 'Frontier Nagaland' would cover six of the 16 backward districts of Nagaland -- Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak and Shamator. The central team, constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), headed by adviser (North East) A.K. Mishra, during its visit to Nagaland in mid-December held a series of meetings with various Naga bodies including the ENPO, Eastern Nagaland Women Organisation, Eastern Nagaland Students' Federation and 'Gaon Bura Union' representatives. The team also met leaders of various religious communities in the ENPO region besides Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police. A delegation of the ENPO met the Union Home Minister in New Delhi on December 6 and Shah, according to the Naga leaders, highlighted a clear roadmap for an amicable, legislative and sustainable solution of their demand which also includes consultation with the people of Nagaland and the state government. In support of their demand for the creation of 'Frontier Nagaland', seven tribes of Nagaland rejecting the state government's appeal had also boycotted the recent 'Hornbill Festival'. Seven tribes of Nagaland -- Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Tikhir, Sangtam and Yimkhiung -- are spread across six districts. On the separate state demand, the Nagaland cabinet had recently resolved that whenever a Legislative Assembly session is convened, legislators and members of Eastern Nagaland Legislators' Union (ENLU), if and when they desire to discuss, may move accordingly and the issue would be deliberated threadbare. In Meghalaya, different tribal groups in the state in support of the separate Garoland state demand organised a sit-in demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi in mid-December under the umbrella of the National Federation for New States (NFNS), in an effort to make their respective demands for statehood heard by the Centre. The Garoland State Movement Committee in collaboration with the NFNS has been agitating for a separate Garoland state for the past many years. The Garo Hills region in western Meghalaya is spread across 10,102 sq. km and according to the 2011 Census, is home to 13.94 lakh people, mostly tribals. NFNS Vice-President Nikman C. Marak said "If we work together, we would be able to achieve our demand. We need to work unitedly to achieve our long-standing demand of Garoland," The assembly elections in Nagaland, Tripura and Meghalaya are expected to be held in February. (Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujit.c@ians.in) Demands for separate states in N-E gain traction before polls Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! New Delhi, Jan 1 T he triple test -- which requires the government to complete three tasks for finalisation of reservation to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the local bodies -- has often become a bone of contention between the judiciary and state governments. Most recently, Uttar Pradesh moved the Supreme Court against the Allahabad High Court order, which asked it to proceed with urban local body elections without reservation for OBCs. The high court noted that the government is yet to fulfil the triple test requirement laid down by the Supreme Court for such reservation. In the past, the triple test had haunted the Maharashtra government, which pursued a rigorous legal battle in the apex court, and also troubled the Madhya Pradesh government. On December 15, 2022, the Supreme Court granted the Karnataka government time till March 31, to complete the finalization of OBCs political representation in local bodies. After this development, it is expected that there would be further delay in local bodies polls, which includes Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) whose term had expired in September, 2019. The Supreme Court outlined the triple test in the case of Vikas Kishanrao Gawali vs. State of Maharashtra and others, in a judgment on March 4, 2021. In this case, the apex court had said that the triple test/conditions required to be complied by the state before reserving seats in the local bodies for OBCs has not been done so far. The triple test includes a) setting up a dedicated commission to conduct contemporaneous rigorous empirical inquiry into the nature and implications of the backwardness qua local bodies, within the state; b) specifying the proportion of reservation required to be provisioned local body wise in light of recommendations of the commission, so as not to fall foul of over-breadth; and c) in any case, such reservation shall not exceed aggregate of 50 per cent of the total seats reserved in favour of SCs/STs/OBCs taken together. The Allahabad High Court quashed the notification issued by the Uttar Pradesh government on December 5 for reservation of OBC in urban local body elections. The seats, other than SC/ST, would be treated as general. The high court noted that the apex court had stated that state legislations cannot simply provide uniform and rigid quantum of reservation of seats for OBCs in the local bodies across the state, that too, without a proper inquiry into the nature and implications of the backwardness by an independent commission about the imperativeness of such reservation. The high court pointed out "In Vikas Kishanrao Gawali, the Supreme Court has also outlined that such inquiry into the nature and implications of backwardness cannot be a static arrangement; rather it must be reviewed from time to time so as not to violate the principle of over-breadth of such reservation." The high court added that any inquiry or study into the nature and implications of the backwardness qua local bodies necessarily involves ascertainment of representation in the local bodies from among the citizens forming traditionally disadvantageous classes. It said such exercise cannot be confined to counting of heads alone as is being done through an exercise which is being undertaken by the state in terms of the Government Order dated April 7, 2017. This order entailed conducting a rapid survey in each constituency of a municipality for determining the population of OBCs, where seats were reserved in proportion to the population of the backward class of citizens in the concerned constituency/ward. "Such an exercise as contemplated and being conducted under Government Order dated 07.04.2017 misses a very crucial factor for determination of backwardness or disadvantageous situation concerning a class or group of citizens who are inadequately represented in the Municipal Bodies in the State and what is missed is that the Government Order does not provide for inquiry into with of political representation of backward class of citizens in the Municipal Bodies," it said. The UP government had argued that all previous governments since 1994 had used the same rapid survey for the polls. It did not, however, convince the high court, which emphasized on the apex court ruling. The high court said "The Constitution Bench of Supreme Court in K. Krishna Murthy (supra) further agreed with the argument raised before it that the nature of disadvantages which restrict access to education and employment cannot be readily equated with disadvantages in the realm of political representation. Further observation made by the Supreme Court in this regard is that backwardness in the social and economic sense does not necessarily imply political backwardness. "Elaborating on the difference between the nature of reservation provided under Article 243-D and under Article 15(4) and 16(4), Hon'ble Supreme Court in K. Krishna Murthy (supra) also observed that there is an inherent difference between the nature of benefits that accrue from access to education and employment on one hand and political representation at the grassroots level on the other hand," added the high court. In its appeal, the UP government contended that the high court wrongly quashed the December 5 draft notification which provided for reservation of seats in the urban body polls for OBCs apart from those for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women. The state government further contended that OBCs are a constitutionally protected section and the high court erred in quashing the draft notification. Currently, the apex court is on a winter break. It will reopen on January 2. SC's 'Triple Test' for OBC quota in local body polls pits state govts against it Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! The Hague, Jan 1 T he Dutch are welcoming the turn of the year with disappointment as national fireworks shows planned at major cities have been scrapped because of strong wind and rain. The municipality of Rotterdam announced on Saturday that a national fireworks show in the city centre has been cancelled due to wind gusts of around 75 km per hour, Xinhua news agency reported. The national children's fireworks show, which was supposed to start at 6 p.m. local time in Rotterdam, had also been cancelled. Shows planned at two other locations in the broader Rotterdam region were also dropped. In the Hague, the municipal authorities also withdrew a traditional fireworks show at the Hofvijver next to the national parliament due to strong wind and rain. Two fireworks shows were cancelled in Hilversum, a city in the province of North Holland, and a drone and laser show in Apeldoorn in the province of Gelderland, had been dropped by the authorities, citing heavy rains which affect the visibility of laser beams. In capital Amsterdam, a fireworks and drone show that was to be held at the A'DAM Tower on Saturday evening had been cancelled. The municipality of Tilburg in the province of North Brabant also announced that four fireworks shows in the city will not take place due to strong gusts of wind. Tilburg Mayor Theo Weterings has expressed his disappointment. "It goes without saying that safety comes first... but it is necessary." Similar shows have also been cancelled in other Dutch cities such as Apeldoorn, Zoetermeer, Katwijk and Akkrum. Across the Netherlands, strong winds and rains accompany an unusually warm weather with the maximum temperature passing 15 degrees Celsius in several places. It is reportedly the warmest New Year's Eve ever measured since the start of measurements by the weather institute KNMI in 1901. Dutch welcome new year without national fireworks show Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Beirut, Jan 1 T he Lebanese Navy has rescued 232 Syrian migrants, who were onboard a boat off the Batroun beach in northern Lebanon, and recovered the bodies of a drowned woman and her child, a Lebanese security source said.. The source said on Saturday that water entered into the boat after it was broken, and the two migrants drowned before the Navy's intervention to transfer them to the shore, Xinhua news agency reported. Andre Tenenti, the Spokesperson of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), announced that the UNIFIL Maritime Force assisted the Lebanese Armed Forces Navy in the rescue operation with an Indonesian and another Greek ship assisting at the site of the sinking boat which was on the way to Italy. Lebanon has witnessed a wave of illegal migration attempts to Europe due to the deteriorating living conditions and collapse of the local currency. One of these attempts led to the sinking of a boat in April, carrying more than 80 Lebanese and Syrian migrants near the northern city of Tripoli. Two migrants drown, 232 rescued off Lebanon's northern coast Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! India welcomes 2024 with celebrations and prayers across faiths New Delhi, January 1 As the nation welcomed the year 2024 with various celebrations, some people across the country greeted the new year with prayers. Devotees at Jhandewalan Temple in Delhi offered their prayers on the occasion as the temple held its first aarti of the year. Similarly, the Golden Temple in Amritsar also witnessed devotees welcoming the new year with faith and prayers. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal, along with his wife MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, reached the Golden Temple and offered prayers as the New Year began. "We are here at the Darbar Sahib to pray that the new year becomes a year of happiness for everyone. May the country and Punjab develop," said Sukhbir Badal. A large number of devotees visited Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple in Pathanamthitta on the last day of the year. Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in Shirdi, Maharashtra, also witnessed devotees gathering to offer their prayers on the last day of the year. Meanwhile, cities across the country welcomed the new year with lavish celebrations and joy. Goa dazzled with a magnificent display of fireworks, and people gathered at Mumbai's Gateway of India to welcome 2024. In Delhi, a New Year's aarti was performed at Jhandewalan Devi Temple, and huge crowds gathered at Connaught Place. Similarly, Kamarajar Salai in Chennai saw a large turnout, and Mall Road in Shimla was filled with people welcoming the upcoming year. (ANI - Posted on 01 January 2024) India welcomes 2024 with celebrations and prayers across faiths Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! KYODO NEWS - Jan 1, 2024 - 12:51 | World, All North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said 2024 will be "a new heyday" of war preparations in a pep talk to military commanding officers Sunday, blaming confrontational U.S. and South Korean moves for inflaming tensions, according to state-run media. Kim told the military commanders at the office building of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea in Pyongyang that the Korean Peninsula is "inching closer to the brink of armed conflict," the official Korean Central News Agency said Monday. If the nation's enemies opt for military confrontation and provocation against North Korea, he said, "our army should deal a deadly blow to thoroughly annihilate them by mobilizing all the toughest means and potentialities without moment's hesitation," according to KCNA. In a key meeting of the ruling party that was held through Saturday, Kim said inter-Korean ties have been "completely fixed into the relations between two states hostile to each other and the relations between two belligerent states," with Seoul viewing Pyongyang as its "principal enemy." South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol renewed his commitment in a New Year's Day address to strengthening deterrence capabilities under the U.S. nuclear umbrella to protect his nation from the North's nuclear and missile threats. Meanwhile, Kim and Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged New Year messages on Monday, with the two leaders vowing to deepen bilateral ties as this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the news agency said. In his message, the North Korean leader expressed willingness to further promote bilateral exchange and visits "in all fields, including politics, economy and culture," while Xi said Beijing is willing to open "a new chapter" in the two countries' friendship, KCNA said. Xi said Beijing will "deepen strategic trust, and promote exchange and cooperation" with Pyongyang, thus encouraging bilateral relations to advance and achieve greater development along with the times, the agency said. Related coverage: North Korea plans to launch 3 more spy satellites in 2024 North Korea begins key year-end party meeting, Kim hails achievements As Paris prepares for 2024 Olympics, President Macron calls for unity in New Year's eve address Paris, January 1 As Paris braces to host the Olympic Games this year, French President Emmanuel Macron has called for unity in his New Year's Eve Address, according to German media publication DW. Macron pledged the nation's "rearmament" on the civic and economic fronts. He said that people would be asked to decide between "continuing Europe or blocking it" in the EU parliament elections in June, according to DW. "We will have to make the choice of a stronger, more sovereign Europe in the light of the legacy of Jacques Delors," the French President said. "My dear compatriots, Year of determination, choice, regeneration, pride and hope, 2024 will be a French vintage. I wish you a beautiful and happy new year. Long live the Republic, long live France!" Macron posted on X (formerly Twitter). https://x.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1741577415342596521?s=20 Paris, along with other major countries like Australia, New Zealand, the UAE, Berlin, and Taiwan, ring in 2024 on Monday. Taiwan welcomed the New Year with fireworks. Meanwhile, huge fireworks displays were used to celebrate the beginning of the new year in Greece, Germany, and France. However, because of a number of ongoing conflicts, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war, celebrations are likely going to be subdued in several parts of the globe. Over a million people celebrated the New Year on Sunday night amid stunning fireworks displays, illuminating the skies over Australia's Sydney Harbour and New Zealand's tallest structure, the Sky Tower in Auckland. The countdown commenced against an illuminated digital display near the top of the 328-metre (1,076-foot) communications and observation tower, Al Jazeera reported. As the clock struck midnight in Australia's largest city, Sydney, a 12-minute fireworks display erupted around the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The small Pacific island nations of Tonga, Samoa and Kiribati had ushered in the New Year an hour earlier. Notably, Kiribati, an island nation with 33 atolls, became the first place to bid farewell to 2023 and welcome the new year 2024 as the International Date Line loops around Kiribati's easternmost islands. (ANI - Posted on 01 January 2024) As Paris prepares for 2024 Olympics, President Macron calls for unity in New Year's eve address Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Champaign, IL (61820) Today Partly cloudy. A few flurries are possible. Temps nearly steady in the mid to upper 30s. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low 26F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. From the 70-hour workweek debate on social media to the surge in demand for hybrid and remote work models, companies transitioning back to in-office normalcy post-COVID, and widespread concerns about job security due to economic volatility; a new survey explored a range of fascinating perspectives from employees on their experiences throughout the year. Also Read: Indias Hiring Sentiment Highest Across Globe, Survey Reveals Top 5 Most In-demand Skills AmbitionBox, the platform for company reviews and salary insights, has conducted a comprehensive survey on the state of the workforce, revealing key trends and controversies that have shaped the year 2023. The survey also captured crucial insights into employee sentiments and expectations for the upcoming year, 2024. Key findings of the survey; The survey indicated that 81% of respondents were happy with the hybrid/remote work model this year. A substantial 52% of employees expressed a desire for the continuation of the same in 2024, underscoring a widespread reluctance to return to a conventional 5 or 6-day work week. Strikingly, 30% of respondents indicated a distinct preference for working entirely remotely. Work-life balance This trend reflects a discernible shift in priorities with 45% of respondents anticipating a better work-life balance next year. More than half (53%) disagree with a 70-hour work week, with 66% asserting that 40-60 hours per week is ideal for productivity and well-being. 70% of respondents expressed confidence in their employers stability for 2024 in terms of the financial health of the organisation, consistent leadership, and a positive outlook for the organisations future. Interestingly, in stark contrast, 46% of respondents harbour significant concerns regarding their job security in the coming year. Mayur Mundada, founder and business head, AmbitionBox, said, Understanding the trends and controversies that have shaped the HR landscape is crucial for both employers and employees. Addressing these insights as we move into 2024 can foster a more positive and collaborative work environment. By acknowledging and responding to the sentiments and expectations of the workforce, businesses have the opportunity to adapt and create a workplace that aligns with the evolving needs and priorities of their employees. Methodology of the survey: A diverse pool of more than 3400 employees on the platform participated in the survey, with a 75% male representation. 71% of respondents were under the age of 35 with 42% of those being between the ages of 25-34 years. Among the dozens of listed sectors in this survey, the majority of respondents came from the IT Services sector at 20%. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday said 97.38 per cent of the Rs 2000 banknotes have been returned to it since May 2023, when the withdrawal of Rs 2000 banknotes was announced. Now, Rs 9,330 crore is yet to be deposited, compared with the Rs 3.56 lakh crore in circulation at the close of business on May 19, 2023. The total value of Rs 2000 banknotes in circulation, which was Rs 3.56 lakh crore at the close of business on May 19, 2023, when the withdrawal of Rs 2000 banknotes was announced, has declined to 9,330 crore at the close of business on December 29, 2023. Thus, 97.38 per cent of the Rs 2000 banknotes in circulation as on May 19, 2023, has since been returned, the RBI said in a statement. The facility for exchange of the Rs 2,000 banknotes is available at the 19 issue offices of the Reserve Bank of India since May 19, 2023. The Rs 2000 banknotes continue to be legal tender, the RBI said. The central bank had announced the withdrawal of Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from circulation. The facility for deposit and / or exchange of the Rs 2000 banknotes was available at all bank branches in the country upto October 07, 2023. From October 9, 2023, the RBI Issue Offices are accepting Rs 2000 banknotes from individuals / entities for deposit into their bank accounts. Members of the public from within the country are sending Rs 2000 banknotes through India Post from any post office in the country, to any of the RBI Issue Offices for credit to their bank accounts., the RBI said. Even as the climate change issue has been recently discussed extensively during COP28 meeting in Dubai, climate financing was one of the topics. Financial institutions, including banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), are expected to raise funds for green climates. As part of this, these institutions raise green deposits from customers. On this, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the Framework for acceptance of Green Deposits. Banks and NBFCs are regulated entities (REs) for the RBI. Is it mandatory for the regulated entities (REs) to raise green deposits? It is not mandatory but in case REs intend to raise green deposits from their customers they should follow the framework prescribed therein. Can unallocated proceeds of green deposits be invested in liquid instruments? The REs can temporarily park proceeds of green deposits, pending allocation towards green activities/ projects, in liquid instruments with maximum maturity upto one year (This will have to be specified under the Financing Framework). The framework does not envisage any penalty for non-allocation of proceeds towards green activities/ projects; however, it shall be subject to supervisory review. Can green activities/ projects finance first and then later raise green deposits? The framework is applicable for green deposits raised by REs on or after June 01, 2023. REs cannot finance green activities/ projects first and raise green deposits thereafter. Is it covered under the priority sector? Yes, the green activities/ projects financed under the framework can be classified under priority sector if they meet the requirements laid down in priority sector lending (PSL) guidelines of RBI. Investments in Sovereign Green Bonds covered under the framework? As the activities/ projects listed in the framework are the same as indicated in Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrBs) framework, investment by REs in SGrBs are covered under the framework. Can banks allow overdraft facility to customers against green deposits? Banks are allowed to offer overdraft facility to customers against Green Deposits subject to instructions. Are the deposits raised under the above framework covered by Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC)? The deposits raised under the framework are covered by DICGC in accordance with the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation Act, 1961. Can the green deposits be denominated in foreign currency? No. The current framework permits green deposits to be denominated in Indian Rupees only. Whether foreign banks can have a single global policy on green deposits? Foreign banks can have a common global policy on green deposits, without prejudice to the provisions of the framework for green deposits raised in India after June 01, 2023. Zhang Jingmei makes tea in Fangshiping Village of Huaihua City, central China's Hunan Province, Nov. 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Yu Chunsheng) CHANGSHA, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Golden pomelos hanging from branches, a row of potted succulents and a slumbering orange cat all feature in a winter scene in the new home of Yin Ping and Yin Ling, as it defies the chill to present a vibrant courtyard. This old house in Fangshiping village, central China's Hunan Province, had long been in a state of disrepair until it was rented and renovated by the Yin sisters, who moved to the city of Huaihua when they were young but now enjoy spending time in a second dwelling in the countryside. The village features more than 100 old houses built in the 1980s according to the local architectural style. However, many of them have been empty for years after their owners bought new houses in cities or built modern brick ones, said Zhang Zhongyu, Party chief of the village. "It would have been a pity to tear down the old houses, if we couldn't find ways of reusing them," Zhang said. In 2019, the arrival of the Yin sisters brought new ideas. They represent a growing number of urban dwellers drawn by natural scenery, a caring community and the feeling of returning to one's roots in the countryside. After boosting rural travel statistics, some of these nostalgic urbanites are now looking at renting village houses. "We lived in the countryside when we were children, so we are particularly attached to such wooden houses. After working and living for years in the city, we wanted to rent a wooden house to spend more time in the countryside," Yin Ping said. With the villagers committee serving as intermediary, the sisters signed a lease agreement with the owner of the old house and became the first recipients of the title of "honorary villagers" of Fangshiping. To welcome the "new villagers," locals helped the sisters find materials and contact craftsmen to repair the partially rotten wooden structure of the house. The tenants, on their part, contributed innovative decorations, ranging from hand-stitched curtains to creative calligraphy. "We originally rented it for weekends, but now that we are retired we plan to stay longer," Yin Ping said. "We can pick wild kiwis and chestnuts on the mountain or visit our neighbors' homes. Life here can be exciting." Encouraged by the successful leasing of the derelict cabin, the village started to promote the model of renting old wooden houses to urban residents. So far, 15 wooden houses in the village have been rented out. "Recently there have been several groups of people coming to see the old houses, showing they are really in demand!" Zhang said. The sudden influx of urban tenants was not without controversy. In Fangshiping, there were complaints about newcomers disrupting the locals' peaceful lives. "But with more interactions, the original villagers have come to realize that the 'new villagers' not only brought new income, but also injected vitality into the village," Zhang said. Zhang Jingmei, also from Huaihua, rented a courtyard located along the path to the mountain. "Our yard is never locked, and we often invite passing villagers to drink tea in the yard and take some rest. Some villagers share with us freshly picked forest products from the mountain," she said. "As we get closer, we have a stronger sense of belonging and wish to do something to make our village better," Zhang said, adding that she plans to build a book bar in her courtyard to provide a reading space for village children. Zhang Zhongyu believes the old houses have opened a new opportunity to propel rural revitalization, which is being vigorously implemented across the country. "In the future, we plan to rely on old houses to create more new rural businesses. For example, our village is developing a leisure tour project, and the old houses can be made into home inns to allow more urbanites to find nostalgia in the countryside," Zhang said. This photo taken on Nov. 20, 2023 shows a renovated old village house in Fangshiping Village of Huaihua City, central China's Hunan Province. (Xinhua/Yu Chunsheng) Yin Ping dries persimmons in Fangshiping Village of Huaihua City, central China's Hunan Province, Nov. 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Yu Chunsheng) This photo taken on Nov. 20, 2023 shows a renovated old village house in Fangshiping Village of Huaihua City, central China's Hunan Province. (Xinhua/Yu Chunsheng) This photo taken on Nov. 20, 2023 shows a view of the Fangshiping Village of Huaihua City, central China's Hunan Province. (Xinhua/Yu Chunsheng) The CBSE will provide psychological counselling facility to students and parents from today, January 1, 2024. The exam schedule for practical and theory papers has already been announced from January 1 and 15 respectively. The psychological counselling has been aligned accordingly for students facilitation, the board said. CBSE is probably the only Board in the country which has been providing psychological counselling to the students and parents on such a wide scale continuously for 26 years in innovative ways. Be it toll-free tele-counselling or suggestions and information through IVRS. Over the years, the Board has shared many important messages on social media and has also used YouTube, Facebook and Instagram platforms to actively engage with the students, the board said in an official notice. There are three ways the board offers psychological counselling. These include IVRS, podcasts and tele-counselling. IVRS: Free of cost IVRS facility will be made available 247 for students and parents on the CBSE toll-free number 1800-11-8004. Through this process, information and suggestions about stress-free preparation for examinations, time and stress management, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), and important contact details of CBSE offices, can be accessed. The facility is available in Hindi and English. Podcasts: Students can listen to bilingual podcasts on the same subjects on the CBSE official website cbse.gov.in. Tele-counselling: Tele-counselling is a voluntary and free-of-cost service, which will be available from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm from Monday to Saturday. A total of 65 principals, trained counsellors, and special educators from CBSE-affiliated government and private schools will be assisting students on how to take stress-free exams. Several psychologists will also be helping out the students. Out of these, 52 are from India, while 13 counsellors are from Kuwait, Nepal, Japan, Doha-Qatar, Oman (Muscat) and the United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Sharjah, Ras-al-Khaimah), the board added. The CBSE will conduct the practical exams for classes 10 and 12 from today. As per the guidelines, both students and parents need to make sure that their fields of study are being reflected correctly in the list of candidates submitted by the schools. The schools must ensure that necessary arrangements like stocking of laboratories and identification of internal examiners have been made. Police here used force to disperse protesting guest teachers when they proceeded to gherao Haryana Education Minister Kanwar Pals residence here on Sunday. The guest teachers are demanding regularisation of their services. Police said the teachers wanted to be gherao the residence of education minister when they were stopped as they had not taken any permission for holding the demonstration. A body representing the guest teachers claimed 20 teachers had sustained injuries in police action. They said Guest Teachers Associations Haryana State President Rajinder Shastri was among those injured and he had to be admitted to a hospital in Yamunanagar. Congress leaders Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Randeep Singh Surjewala condemned the police action against the teachers. Today, in the harsh winter, the BJP-JJP government lathicharged the guest teachers in Yamunanagar, Hooda said. No amount of condemnation for this act will be enough. Going back on ones election promises and lathicharging teachers who are protesting peacefully is against democratic norms. People will not forget this cruelty, Hooda said in a post on X. In a post on X, Surjewala said, Lathicharge on guest teachers in Yamunanagar is condemnable. He said the government should talk to these teachers and not lathicharge them. the entire state is troubled by this dictatorial attitude and the public will give answer to this, he said. Schools in Delhi have commenced winter vacation from today, January 1, 2024. The winter vacation will carry on till January 6. This year, for schools in Delhi, the holidays have been reduced to six days from 15 earlier. This is because a portion of the winter break was adjusted from November 9 to 18 due to severe air pollution in the national capital. However, in order to ensure that our students are not adversely affected due to the poor air quality in Delhi, a portion of winter Vacation was observed from November 9 to November 18, the DoE said. The Haryana state government has also announced winter break for all government and private schools in the state starting today. Schools will remain closed in the state for 15 days, from January 1 to 15. Haryana Chief Ministers Office had said, In view of the increasing cold, the Haryana government has announced winter vacation from January 1 to January 15, 2024 in all government and private schools of the state. During this period all schools will remain closed. 1 15 , 2024 pic.twitter.com/Jg3p93VH7E CMO Haryana (@cmohry) December 22, 2023 In many states, a significant drop in temperature is expected at the beginning of the year, due to which winter vacations are also likely to increase. Students will get plenty of time to prepare for the examinations to be held in February-March 2024. If the temperature improves, then schools will open in the second week. If this does not happen then holidays will remain till January 14, 2024. After this, schools will remain closed in the third week on festivals like Lohri, and Makar Sankranti. Besides, there will be a holiday in many states on the occasion of Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti. South Africa has launched a case in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday for Israels genocidal acts in Gaza and urgent order declaring that Tel Aviv was in breach of its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention in its crackdown against the Palestinian group Hamas. South Africa has also 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 ethnical group. Israel has 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. What Has South Africa Alleged? In the ICJ filing, South Africa asks the court to protect against further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people. The ICJ, sometimes known as the World Court, is the United Nations venue for resolving disputes between states. Decisions by the ICJ, which judges disputes between states, are final but it has no means of enforcing its decisions. Earlier in October, South Africa criticised the Israeli aggression in Gaza following the Hamas attack. President Cyril Ramaphosa and his African National Congress had addressed the media draped in traditional Palestinian scarves. The ruling African National Congress issued a statement saying, It can no longer be disputed that Apartheid South Africas history is occupied Palestines reality. As a result, the decision by Palestinians to respond to the brutality of the settler Israeli apartheid regime is unsurprising, it added. The statement added that it was clear that the degenerating security situation is directly linked to the unlawful Israeli occupation. Why South Africa is Against Israel? 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. Many there, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, have compared Israels policies regarding Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank with South Africas past apartheid regime of racial segregation. The African country has always backed the Palestinian cause for statehood and compared the plight of Palestinians to those of the Black majority in South Africa during the repressive apartheid era. South Africa also recalled all its diplomats from Israel in November. Israel in turn also recalled its ambassador from South Africa. In the same month, 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. According to Lesiba Teffo, a political scientist in the University of South Africa, South Africa and Palestine have historic relations for decades which is why South Africa support the Palestinian cause for freedom. Palestine was with South Africa during the struggle against apartheid, while Britain and America never supported us but they were ever supporting Israel. This context is important, Teffo said, according to Anadolu. However, the countrys position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has created deep divisions among opposition politicians and Jewish organizations. The main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), has criticized the government for supporting Palestine and recalling its diplomats. Moreover, the South African Jewish community is largely pro-Israel due to the post-Second World War relationship between Jews and the Apartheid government. Eleven men were arrested for allegedly raping a minor girl hailing from Odisha on different occasions in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, police said on Monday. Under the pretext of celebrating the girls birthday on December 17, 2023, a migrant labourer from Jharkhand, with whom the girl got closer, took her to a room where she was raped, said an official. He brought his friend who also sexually assaulted the girl, Visakhapatnam Zone-1 Deputy Commissioner of Police K Srinivas Rao told PTI. Unable to bear the mental trauma, she went to the R K Beach in the port city to end her life. However, a local man who ekes out a living taking photographs of tourists entered into a conversation with her. He then took her to a lodge and sexually assaulted her. Later, she was taken to another room, where eight to nine of the photographers friends raped her, the official said. The girl managed to escape from their (photographer and friends) clutches and left the city. Following a missing complaint lodged by the girls parents, she was found in Odisha and was brought back to the city on December 25, police said. Police said that the girl was raped by the photographer and his friends on December 20, 21 and 22. They are also probing whether she was sexually assaulted on December 18 and 19 also. Rao said police altered the missing case into a rape (IPC Section 376) and added the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act (POCSO). Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said he is considering talking to United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) (I) chief Paresh Baruah. Speaking to journalists during the Natur Dinor Alap event held in Guwahati on New Years Eve, Sarma emphasized the importance of dialogue with Baruah, asserting that engaging with him directly could shift the demands of the banned outfit. He said, I converse with Paresh Baruah every 3-6 months, and I am considering another conversation within the next 6-7 days. In a move towards fostering communication, the CM informed that ministers would speak to Baruah to keep him updated about Assams developments, thus opening a channel for dialogue. He also shared several key announcements during the interaction. Sarma announced a collaboration with TATA to train 5000 science graduates, with plans for major companies to establish themselves in Assam by 2024, contributing to the states economic growth. Sharing his concerns on private Madrassas, he said ongoing negotiations with private Madrassa institutions aim to potentially reduce their numbers by 1000. The Assam CM highlighted the diverse Assamese Muslim communities and discussed efforts to identify and support their specific needs, including earmarked houses and areas for Assamese Muslims. He asserted, It is no longer required; we already know who is Assamese. Those who have been living here for the last 200 or 300 years are the indigenous people. This statement reflects the governments perspective on defining the indigenous population of Assam. ULFA Signs Peace Deal with Centre, Assam The Centre and the Assam government signed a peace agreement with the pro-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) insurgency group on Friday, a big leap towards peace in the north-eastern state that has suffered decades-long violence. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and a 16-member team of the ULFA faction headed by Arabinda Rajkhowa were present while signing the Memorandum of Settlement in Delhi. It came after negotiations that spanned over a decade. Chief priest at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, Acharya Satyendra Das, on Sunday reacted on Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackerays remarks that he has not been invited for the consecration ceremony of Ram Lala in Ayodhya saying the invitations have been extended only to the devotees of Lord Ram. Invitations are only extended to those who are devotees of Lord Ram. It is totally wrong to say that the BJP is fighting in the name of Lord Ram, our PM is respected everywhere. He has done immense work under his tenure. This is not politics. This is his devotion, Acharya Das was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. The chief priests reaction came in response to Uddhav Thackerays allegations on BJP-ruled central government that the saffron party is politicising the consecration ceremony of Lord Ram ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The Shiv Sena UBT chief said that the inaugural event should not be turned into a political event or revolve around a single party. Acharya Satyendra Das also lashed out at Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut for his derogatory remark that BJP is now left to announce Lord Ram as their candidate. Sanjay Raut has so much pain that even he cant express that, they were the ones who used to fight elections in the name of Lord Ram. Those who believed in Lord Ram are in power, what nonsense he is talking about? He is insulting Lord Ram, the priest said. Uddhav Thackeray Claims No Invite For Ram Temple Amid the ongoing row over the extension of invitations for the inaugural ceremony of Ayodhya Ram Temple on January 22, Thackeray claimed that he did not receive an invite to attend the event. However, he said that he does not need an invitation to visit the temple and can go to Ayodhya anytime he wants. 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 of Maharashtra, I went to Ayodhya. I visited Ayodhya before that also. Yes, I have not received any invitation and I dont need one. I just have one request that this event should not be made a political one, Thackeray added. Notably, a total of 7,000 invitations, including 3,000 to VVIP guests (priests, donors and several politicians), have been extended for the consecration ceremony, scheduled to take place on January 22, 2024. According to temple officials, the consecration will be held over seven days, starting January 16. On January 22, the idol of Ram Lalla will be consecrated in the temple. (With agency inputs) The Assam police on Saturday arrested two alleged jihadis who are suspected to have links with Ansarullah Bangla Team and Indian IS. According to Morigaon SP, Islam Mandal (80) and a minor boy aged 13 was arrested from Morigaon districts Laharighat. Mandals Bangladesh passport was seized by the police, however local people revealed that the accused had been casting votes in various elections in Assam. According to police, the duo illegally entered Assam through the Indo-Bangladesh border in Tripura on December 15. Both the suspected Jihadis were living in Chenimari village of Morigaon district. Further investigation revealed that Mandal was living in Lahorighat after changing his name to Noor Mandal. Talking to media, the SP of Morigaon district said,A suspected member of Ansarullah Bangla Team and closely related to Indian Mujahiddin or Indian IS has been arrested. A 13 years old boy also been arrested with him. We previously picked 12 persons from Morabari PS area and initially arrested these two persons. Talking about Mandal, the arrested persons passport and visa being suspicious, the SP said, We have seized Islam Mandals passport but in Passport his Date of Birth has been written as 1.1.1943, but by physical appearance he does not seem to so older. He further said, Observing all these points we suspect he came here with some motive. Answering a question of reporters on Islam Mandals name being included in voters list, the SP admitted that such cases are happening in Assam. We are getting reports of Bangladeshi people entering into Assam now and then. Surprisingly, most of the Bangladeshis who entered in recent times carried passport with them; but after entering India they vanished somewhere, the SP said. He added, This is also true that people from Bangladesh come here illegally and cast vote in our elections. May be the minor who accompanied with Islam Mandal would have been stayed here and Mandal might have returned to Bangladesh again. The strange thefts in Bihar continue as the newest addition to the list of stolen bridge and train engine is a pond. Locals were in a shock when they found a hut in place of the pond in Darbhanga district. The land mafia accused of filling the pond to take over the land fled from the area before the cops, called by the locals, arrived. According to a NDTV report, the pond was owned by the public where fishing and other activities also took place. However, inflated prices of land in the district made the mafias eyes land on the water body. When local and zonal bodies received complaints of pond-filling, they inspected the situation and put a stop to the filling momentarily. Reportedly, they made some seizures too. Even after the interruption, the mafia continued to carry out the work in secret, until they levelled the pond to vanish completely. Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Amit Kumar, was quoted as saying People say the pond was filled with soil within 10-15 days. The work has done only at night. Officials had visited the spot earlier and even seized some items. This comes just days after a decomissioned airplane got stuck under a bridge in the Motihari district, disrupting traffic for over an hour on NH-27. The scrapped plane was being transported to Assam from Mumbai where it got stuck under the Piprakothi bridge in Motihari. Preliminary reports suggest that the driver of the truck misjudged the underneath height of the overbridge, as a result, the plane got stuck. Its worth noting that the most strange thefts have taken place in Bihar, something so unusual, that most of the people wont think of stealing it. In 2022, an entire diesel engine was stolen part by part from a railway yard in Begusarai district. The thieves had dug out a tunnel connecting to the yard to steal the parts, police had said. Slowly, they stole the entire engine that had been at the yard for repair works. In the same year, the whole of a 60-foot abandoned bridge disappeared one night in Bihars Rohtas district. And no, it was not magic, but a group of thieves pretending to be officials from the irrigation department tore apart the bridge via JCB, gas-cutters, and some other equipment and managed to escape with the heavy loot. Thieves stole the iron bridge, which was built around the year 1972 on the Arrah canal in broad daylight. The bridge had become quite old and was declared dangerous. Since then, it had not been in use. Funnily, the thieves pulled it off in merely three days, with locals and officials having no hint about it. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Monday spoke about some historic and some sensitive judgements by the Supreme Court and the publics reactions to them. Talking about the Ayodhya verdict, the CJI said the five judges, who had delivered the historic ruling, had unanimously decided there would be no authorship ascribed to the judgement. Ayodhya Verdict: A Judgement of the Court On November 9, 2019, a five-judge bench headed by the then CJI Ranjan Gogoi had ruled in favour of the construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site in the holy town of Uttar Pradesh. Speaking with PTI, CJI Chandrachud, who was part of the constitution bench, spoke on the issue and said, that when the judges sat together, as they do before a pronouncement, it was unanimously decided that this will be a judgement of the court. When the five-judge bench sat to deliberate on the judgement as we all do before a Judgement is pronounced, we all decided unanimously that this will be a judgement of the court. And, therefore, there was no authorship ascribed to any individual judge, the CJI said. The case has a long history of conflict, of diverse viewpoints based on the history of the nation and all those who were part of the bench decided that this will be a judgement of the court. The court will speak through one voice and the idea of doing so was to send a clear message that all of us stood together not only in the ultimate outcome but in the reasons indicated in the judgement, he said. Abrogation of Article 370 The 50th Chief Justice of India further refused to respond to criticism over the Apex Courts unanimous verdict upholding the abrogation of Article 370 that provided special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the judges decide a case according to the Constitution and the law. So, far as we are concerned we decide according to the Constitution and the law. I dont think it will be appropriate for me either to respond to the criticism or mount a defence to my judgment. What we have said in my judgement is reflected in the reason present in the signed judgement and I must leave it at that, the CJI said. Same-sex Marriage He also spoke about the five-judge constitution bench verdict refusing to legalise same-sex marriages and stressed that the outcome of a case is never personal to a judge. The CJI, however, acknowledged the long and hard battle queer couples fought for realisation of their rights. Once you decide a case you kind of distance yourself from the outcome. Outcomes are never personal to us as a judge. I never have any regrets. Yes, I have been in a majority in many cases and minority in many cases. But the important part of the life of a judge is never to associate yourself with a cause. Having decided a case, I leave it at that, he noted. (With PTI inputs) KHARTOUM, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chairman of Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council and General Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, on Sunday said that stopping the war in Sudan would not be achieved except by withdrawal of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from all cities, citizens' homes and government headquarters. "There is only one way to stop the war, which is the withdrawal of the rebel militia from Gezira State and from the rest of the cities of Sudan, besides returning all looted money and property of citizens and government movables and withdrawing from citizens' homes and government headquarters," Al-Burhan said in a speech to the Sudanese people on the occasion of the 68th anniversary of Sudan's independence, which was broadcast by Sudan's official TV. "Any ceasefire that does not guarantee the above-mentioned will be of no value, whereas the Sudanese people will not accept to live among these murderers, criminals, and those supporting them," he said. Al-Burhan also warned Sudan's neighboring countries against supporting the RSF. "I am sending a message to the countries which welcome these killers to stop interfering in our affairs, because providing any support to the leadership of the rebel group is considered partnership in crime and in killing and destroying the people of Sudan," he said. Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the SAF and the RSF since April 15. More than 12,000 people have been killed in the fighting, according to a statement by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in early December. Amid the dropping Mercury levels and dense fog situations, Delhi on Monday welcomed the first day of 2024 with light haze and cloudy skies. However, train and flight services remained impacted in the national capital due to fog. The temperature is likely to remain below 10 degrees Celsius, while the air quality in the city will be in the very poor category. The Indian Railways informed that as many as 21 trains are running late in the national capital due to dense fog resulting in low visibility in the region. 21 trains running late in Delhi area due to fog: Indian Railways pic.twitter.com/EchaLOuZPd ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2024 Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted dense fog and cold conditions in Delhi and parts of Punjab on January 1. With the intensifying cold wave conditions across north India, the weather agency on Sunday issued a red alert for the capital and the neighbouring states for Monday. Very dense fog in isolated pockets of East Uttar Pradesh; Dense fog in isolated places over Uttarakhand and Bihar and Moderate fog in isolated places over Haryana and Chandigarh, Southwest Uttar Pradesh and Northeast Rajasthan, the weather agency said. Fog Observed (at 0530 hours IST of today): Very dense fog in isolated pockets of East Uttar Pradesh; Dense fog in isolated places over Uttarakhand and Bihar and Moderate fog in isolated places over Haryana & Chandigarh, Southwest Uttar Pradesh and Northeast Rajasthan. India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) January 1, 2024 The agency also shared a satellite image of fog layer over Punjab, north Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, northwest Madhya Pradesh, south Uttarkhand and Sub Himalayan West Bengal. Cold Wave in North India According to IMD, cold day conditions are very likely in isolated pockets over Punjab from January 2 to 4, 2024. Haryana will witness cold weather conditions from January 1 to 4, while Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh will also witness a cold day on January 1. Apart from this, Uttarakhand may also witness dense fog conditions with visibility just upto 50-200 metres till January 4. Srinagar recorded minimum temperature of minus 5.2. Kashmir is in the grip of intense cold wave and most of the water bodies, including Srinagars iconic Dal Lake, have frozen partially. The temperature is likely to dip by 2-3C over many parts of Central and Northwest India during the next two days. A total of 37 persons were arrested for allegedly stealing mobile phones of New Year revellers in the northern part of Goa and 90 handsets worth Rs 1.5 crore were recovered from them, a senior police official said on Monday. Three gangs from Maharashtra, West Bengal and the Rajasthan-Delhi belt were operating from the coastal state with the aim of stealing mobile phones of tourists who arrived here for New Year celebrations, Superintendent of Police (North) Nidhin Valsan said. Thirty-seven persons were arrested in the limits of Calangute and Anjuna police stations and 90 mobile phones worth Rs 1.5 crore were seized from them. Deputy SP Vishwesh Karpe and Calangute police inspector Paresh Naik took extraordinary efforts to nab the accused, he said. They were arrested on the basis of intelligence inputs received. All three gangs were operating independently. During New Year, Anjuna police station received 90 mobile phone theft complaints, while the figure was 100 for Calangute, Valsan said. However, he pointed out that the number of theft cases this year were almost half when compared to last year, while the recoveries had increased. The Himachal Pradesh government on Monday issued a notification granting Scheduled Tribes (ST) status to the Hatti community of Sirmaur districts Transgiri area. Members of the community, who reside in 154 panchayats of the area, had been demonstrating against the state government over not implementing the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Act, 2023, and notifying the community as ST. After a Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu told a press conference that the state government had sought a clarification from the Centre regarding scheduled castes status among the Hatti community in September last year after the law department raised some objections. I was in continuous touch with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he said. I had promised that a notification would be issued in this regard within 24 hours after the clarification is received and the promise stands fulfilled in 10 hours, Sukhu said, adding that he would go to Nahan on January 3 to address members of the community. Following the passage of the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023 by Parliament, it was notified by the President on August 4 last year. The state Cabinet has also decided to start the Phase-2 of the Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgar Start-Up Yojna to give loans and encourage people aged between 21 to 45 years to take up businesses related to installation of solar power plants. The scheme focuses on the installation of solar power plants with capacities ranging from 100 kW to 500 kW, thereby contributing substantially to the states renewable energy targets, said the chief minister said in a statement issued here. This will not only provide self-employment opportunities but will also stimulate economic growth amongst the youth in the times to come, it said. The beneficiary of the scheme will have to pay 10 per cent of the amount as security deposit whereas 70 per cent bank loan will be facilitated by the government. The government will also provide 30 per cent equity. The Cabinet also approved the Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar programme, which will be held from January 8 to 12 all over the state. In a massive crackdown on terror, the Kishtwar Police in Jammu and Kashmir declared 36 terrorists as Proclaimed Offenders. According to sources, the police will commence the process of attaching their properties within the next 30 days. It has been learnt that all these terrorists were operating from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and were instrumental in carrying out radicalisation as well as multiple attacks in the valley with help of their sleeper cells. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday announced that the Kashmiri separatist party Tehreek-e-Hurriyat (TeH) has been declared an Unlawful Association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The development came following the organizations alleged involvement in prohibited activities aimed at the separation of Jammu and Kashmir from India. Informing about the same, Amit Shah took to X and wrote, The Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, J&K (TeH) has been declared an Unlawful Association under UAPA. The outfit is involved in forbidden activities to separate J&K from India and establish Islamic rule. The group is found spreading anti-India propaganda and continuing terror activities to fuel secessionism in J&K. KERALA LOTTERY WIN-WIN W-750 RESULT ON MONDAY, JANUARY 1, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala Lottery Department has announced the results for Win-Win W-750 lucky draw for Monday, January 1. Check the district-wise full list of winning numbers below. ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Result Today LIVE: Win-Win W-751 WINNERS for January 8, 2024; First Prize Rs 75 Lakh! FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR WIN-WIN W-750 LOTTERY Winning numbers for Consolation prize worth Rs 8,000 are WA 265900 WB 265900 WC 265900 WD 265900 WE 265900 WF 265900 WG 265900 WH 265900 WK 265900 WL 265900 WM 265900 Winning number for 1st prize worth Rs 75 lakh is WJ 265900 (IDUKKI) Agent Name: SUBAIR T P Agency No.: Y 2778 Winning number for 2nd prize worth Rs 5 lakh is WM 364706 (ERNAKULAM) Agent Name: MANI O P Agency No.: E 5640 Winning numbers for 3rd prize worth Rs 1 lakh are WA 650017 (ALAPPUZHA) WB 674517 (VAIKKOM) WC 807570 (CHITTUR) WD 381954 (KOLLAM) WE 587655 (KOZHIKKODE) WF 681676 (PUNALUR) WG 549383 (KOLLAM) WH 623633 (PALAKKAD) WJ 196488 (THRISSUR) WK 379804 (KASARAGOD) WL 754793 (KOLLAM) WM 198137 (THRISSUR) Winning numbers for 4th prize worth Rs 5,000 are 0469 1510 1943 3061 3752 4577 5216 5240 6007 6068 7381 7694 8079 8301 9098 9663 9725 9772 Winning numbers for 5th prize worth RS 2,000 are 0011 0194 3179 3312 4551 6803 6851 8453 8688 9893 Winning numbers for 6th prize worth Rs 1,000 are 0896 1342 1906 2824 3715 4308 4480 4941 5269 6141 6206 6839 7839 8012 Winning numbers for 7th prize worth Rs 500 are 0094 0190 0511 0560 0647 0695 0755 1041 1100 1175 1240 1406 1410 1506 1519 1524 1532 1630 1631 1662 1780 1812 1871 1922 1997 2184 2231 2242 2341 2566 2697 2701 3027 3266 3305 3344 3361 3459 3869 3904 4002 4160 4368 4406 4810 4861 4901 5092 5326 5524 5547 5549 5688 5735 5806 5839 6043 6096 6148 6585 6594 6834 7217 7439 7543 8033 8082 8128 8313 8467 8506 8679 8772 9212 9218 9316 9337 9476 9616 9626 9874 9976 Winning numbers for 8th prize worth Rs 100 are 0077 0105 0133 0149 0217 0280 0291 0300 0343 0350 0382 0423 0435 0801 1047 1070 1077 1216 1250 1331 1351 1872 1879 1969 1985 1995 2004 2018 2021 2024 2211 2351 2590 2710 2715 2728 2804 2949 2960 2971 3001 3030 3192 3354 3394 3637 3681 3744 3795 3849 3968 4007 4134 4383 4424 4841 4872 5003 5013 5091 5215 5270 5305 5435 5575 5581 5606 5734 5778 5889 5937 5942 6122 6189 6220 6260 6349 6404 6492 6514 6557 6691 6724 6868 7012 7175 7282 7328 7331 7377 7445 7557 7841 7864 7896 7897 7922 7997 8021 8080 8178 8256 8305 8323 8329 8423 8451 8569 8618 8621 8699 8706 8712 8936 8939 8999 9115 9358 9369 9460 9504 9719 9780 9781 9839 9861 ALSO READ: Happy New Year 2024: Wishes, Images, Status, Quotes, Messages and WhatsApp Greetings to Share KERALA LOTTERY RESULT TODAY: WIN-WIN W-750 PRIZE STRUCTURE 1st Prize: Rs 75 lakh 2nd Prize: Rs 5 lakh 3rd Prize: Rs 1 lakh 4th Prize: Rs 5000 5th Prize: Rs 2000 6th Prize: Rs 1000 7th Prize: Rs 500 8th Prize: Rs 100 Consolation Prize: Rs 8,000 ALSO READ: 20 Best Happy New Year 2024 Wishes to Make Your Boss, Colleagues and Coworkers Smile! HOW TO CHECK KERALA WIN-WIN W-750 LOTTERY RESULTS? The Win-Win W-750 lottery result will be available on the official website of the Kerala Lottery Department at www.keralalottery.info. You can also verify your ticket number by visiting the Kerala Government Gazette office. ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Xmas New Year Bumper BR-95 Lucky Draw on January 24; First Prize Rs 20 Crore! HOW TO CLAIM PRIZE MONEY? Check if you are eligible for the reward by comparing your ticket number to the draw results published in the Kerala Government Gazette. If both numbers match, you will get the prize. Following that, winners have 30 days from the results announcement to receive their prize money at the Kerala lottery headquarters in Gorky Bhavan. They need to provide both the winning ticket and proper identification for verification. ALSO READ: Shillong Teer Result TODAY, January 1, 2024 LIVE: Winning Numbers for Shillong Teer, Morning Teer, Juwai Teer, Khanapara Teer, Night Teer, & More Xmas New Year Bumper BR-95 Lucky Draw on January 24; First Prize Rs 20 Crore The Kerala State Lottery Department will hold Xmas New Year Bumper BR-95 lucky draw on 24 January 2024. The winner of the first prize will get Rs 20 crore. You can try your luck by purchasing ticket worth just Rs 400 from an authorised agent in stae state. The tickets will be available in 10 series XA, XB, XC, XD, XE, XG, XH, XJ, XK, XL. Xmas New Year Bumper BR-95 Lottery Prize Structure Curfew has been imposed across Manipurs valley districts on Monday after three people were shot dead and five others injured by armed men in Thoubal districts Lilong area. Due to developing law and order conditions in the district and to prevent any untoward incidents and loss of life and property, and further as a precautionary measure, the curfew relaxation order dated December 31 stands cancelled and a full curfew is imposed in all areas of Imphal West district with immediate effect, said an order issued by the districts magistrate. Curfew was reimposed in Thoubal, Imphal East, Kakching and Bishnupur districts. According to reports, the three individuals lost their lives in Lilong during an attack by unknown armed miscreants around 8:00 pm. Authorities are actively investigating the situation, and residents are urged to adhere to the curfew for their safety. Unidentified gunmen arrived in camouflage attire in the Lilong Chingjao area, and opened fire targeting locals, officials were quoted by PTI as saying. Following the attack, enraged locals set three four-wheelers on fire. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, in a video message, assured that the culprits would be tracked down. We do not take this incident lightly. Manipur police have been pressed into action to nab the culprits. I appeal to the people, particularly from Lilong, to refrain from resorting to any form of violence. I assure you we will take stringent actions against the culprits as per law. Please cooperate with the government, he said. Manipur Violence Over 170 people were killed and 1,108 others injured in the ethnic strife that rocked Manipur in May 2023, according to police. Ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023, when a Tribal Solidarity March was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipurs population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mostly in the hill districts. (With PTI inputs) A petition challenging the enactment of three new sets of law that seek to overhaul Indias penal codes has been filed in the Supreme Court, claiming they suffered from many defects and discrepancies. The Lok Sabha had on December 21 passed three key legislations the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bills. President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the bills on December 25. These new laws-the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Act-will replace the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act. While seeking a stay on the operation of the three laws, the PIL filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari said they were enacted without any parliamentary debate as most of the opposition members were under suspension. The plea has sought directions from the court to immediately constitute an expert committee to assess the viability of the three new criminal laws. The new criminal laws are far more draconian and establish police state in reality and violate every provision of fundamental rights of the people of India. If the British laws were considered colonial and draconian, then the Indian laws stand now far more draconian as in British period you could keep a person in police custody for a maximum of 15 days. Extending 15 days to 90 days and more, is a shocking provision enabling police torture, the plea said. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita encompasses offences such as acts of secession, armed rebellion, subversive activities, separatist activities or endangering the sovereignty or unity in a new avatar of the sedition law. According to the new laws, anyone purposely or knowingly, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or by electronic communication or by use of financial means, or otherwise, excites or attempts to excite secession or armed rebellion or subversive activities, or encourages feelings of separatist activities or endangers sovereignty or unity and integrity of India or indulges in or commits any such act shall be punished with imprisonment for life or with imprisonment which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to fine. According to IPC Section 124A, which deals with sedition, anyone involved in the crime may be punished with life imprisonment or with a three-year jail term. Under the new laws, Rajdroh has got a new term Deshdroh, while doing away with the reference to the British crown. Loosely explained, Rajdroh refers to rebellion or an act against the ruler, while Deshdroh represents such acts against the nation. Also, for the first time, the word terrorism has been defined in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. It was absent in the IPC. Under the new laws, the magistrates power to impose fines has been increased as well as the scope of declaring a proclaimed offender. Believe it or not, a man with four Masters degrees and a PhD to his name, is now selling vegetables on the streets of Punjab to make his ends meet. Dr. Sandeep Singh was a contractual professor at Punjabi University in Patiala, however, he had to leave his job because of unfortunate circumstances. The 39-year-old worked as a contractual professor in the Law Department of Punjabi University for about 11 years. With a PhD in Law, Singh has four Masters degrees in subjects including Punjabi, Journalism and Political Science. What is interesting is that the professor, who now sells vegetables, is still pursuing studies. The professor left his job after facing issues like salary cut and irregular pay. For 11 years I also worked as a professor at Punjabi University, Patiala, but even because of all these years of hard work, the government did not approve me, he said. I still want to work as a professor but the circumstances are not allowing, he added. Singh is currently studying B.Lib and said that he will continue to study throughout his life. Singh revealed that he earns more money by selling vegetables than he did as a professor. Describing his busy schedule, he said that after a full day of work, he goes back home and studies for his upcoming exam. The ex-professor goes home to home every day to sell vegetables on his cart. Interestingly, a board on his cart says, PhD Sabzi Wala. While Singh left his job as a professor, he has yet not given up on his passion for teaching. He switched his job to a vegetable vendor so that he can save money and open his own tuition centre one day. No tactics of the Himachal government or the weather there worked on tourists this year as hotels in Shimla recorded a 50-60 per cent occupancy, which is the lowest in the last 40 years. During the last New Year, Shimla recorded over 80 per cent occupancy. Expecting a similar situation, hotel and associated industries were hoping for a white New Year but chances of snowfall are not very promising. The popular joints of Mall Road and the Ridge dove deep into the ocean of tourists attending the winter carnival, that turned the place into a dreamland with lights and cultural activities. However, Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders Association President MK Seth said, the footfall at these joints did not translate into hotel room occupancy. Speaking to news agency PTI, he said that the occupancy 50-60 per cent this year is lowest in the last 40 years, adding that, even during the Covid-19 Pandemic, the New Year tourist rush was more than this. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had directed authorities to follow Atithi Devo Bhava and make arrangements for tourists to have a smooth and peaceful time there. On top of allowing 247 functioning of food joints and pan shops, Sukhu also directed police to not arrest drunk tourists. The tourists would instead be dropped to their hotels by the cops to ensure that nobodys New Year celebration is disrupted. However Seth noted that the unregistered tourism units are taking over the sales of registered hotels, home stays and other accommodations. He added that unauthorised salesmen capture the tourists coming by train and luxury buses and direct them towards unregistered accommodations. We are surprised to see such a drop in tourist inflow when all things are favourable. This is the lowest occupancy in my living memory, said Prince Kukreja, Vice President of the stakeholders association. Shishu, a local hotelier, said that majority of the tourists prefer isolated stays in the suburbs amidst nature, forest cover and peace. He added that those wanting to plan private parties also go out of the city. The hotels in the main town, that are normally packed during this time of the year, are not occupied to capacity. Around 7,600 tourist vehicles came to Shimla via Shoghi barrier on the Shimla-Chandigarh Road between Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon, SP (Shimla) Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi told PTI. Tourism stakeholders said that unnecessary publicity on social media and digital channels over traffic jams made tourists change their destination choice. The local weather department had predicted snowfall and rainfall at isolated places in high-and-mid hill ranges over the weekend as a fresh Western Disturbance laid over the Himalayan region. However, key tourist resorts did not witness any snowfall in the vicinity. (With PTI inputs) It was the year of judgments with great political ramifications from demonetisation to the appointment process of the chief election commissioner (CEC) and election commissioner to same-sex marriage. The Supreme Court decided a number of important cases and also delivered some important judgments. Lets take a look at some of these judgments: Demonetisation 2023 started with the constitution bench of the Supreme Court upholding the demonetisation of banknotes valued at Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, which took place in November 2016 by a 4:1 majority. While Justices S Abdul Nazeer, BR Gavai, AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian upheld the central governments move, Justice BV Nagarathna disagreed with the reasoning and conclusions in the majority judgment. Merely because the central government has advised the central board to consider recommending demonetisation and that the central board, on the advice of the central government, has considered the proposal for demonetisation and recommended it and, thereafter, the central government has taken a decision, in our view, cannot be a ground to hold that the procedure prescribed under Section 26 of the RBI Act was breached, the SC observed. Election Commission On March 2, in the Anoop Baranwal versus Union of India, the constitution bench comprising Justices KM Joseph, Ajay Rastogi, Aniruddha Bose, Hrishikesh Roy and CT Ravi Kumar had ruled that the election commissioners (EC) shall be selected by a committee comprising the prime minister, the leader of the opposition, and the Chief Justice of India till the parliament frames a law prescribing the selection process. The Lok Sabha, however, on December 21 passed the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023, which aims to regulate the appointment, conditions of service, and term of office for the CEC and other ECs and dropped the CJI from the selection committee. Rahul Gandhis disqualification Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was disqualified in accordance with Article 102(1)(e) of the Constitution read with Section 8 of the Representation of People Act, 1951, after his conviction in a defamation case in March. He was sentenced to two years in jail. But, on August 4, the Supreme Court stayed his conviction. In its judgment, the court observed: The sentence for an offence punishable under Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code is a maximum of two years of sentence or fine or both. The learned trial judge, in the order passed by him, has awarded the maximum sentence of two years. Except the admonition to the petitioner by this court in a contempt proceeding, no other reason has been granted by the learned trial judge while imposing the maximum sentence of two years. It is to be noted that it is only on account of the maximum sentence of two years imposed by the learned trial judge that the provisions of Section 8(3) of the Representation of Peoples Act came into play. Had the sentence been a day lesser, then the provisions would not have been attracted. Same-sex marriage The Supreme Court on October 17 delivered its verdict on the legal recognition of same-sex marriages. The hearing for the case took place in April and the five-judge constitution bench had reserved its judgment for May 11. The constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, and comprising justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha gave a split verdict. There were four judgments: one by CJI Chandrachud, one by Justice Kaul, one by Justice Bhat and another by Justice Narasimha. And by 3:2, the majority that included Justices Bhat, Kohli and Narasimha, the court ruled against legalising same-sex marriage or approving civil unions. Article 370 On December 11, the SC upheld the validity of the Centres 2019 decision to repeal the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370. The apex court held that the state had no internal sovereignty and the concurrence of the state government was not required to apply the Constitution to the state of J&K. It was held that Article 370 was a temporary provision. Human rights, justice delivery Apart from these constitutional cases, there were judgments important from the perspective of human rights and the justice delivery system. In one such case, the SC released a death row prisoner after 28 years on finding him to be a juvenile at the time of the offence but tried as an adult. The case was titled Narayan Chaudhary versus State of Maharashtra. In March, in two different cases, the SC acquitted two men of the murder of their wives. In the first case, Nikhil Chandra Mondal was convicted by the high court for the murder of his wife on March 11, 1983, in the Burdwan district of West Bengal. Mondol was initially acquitted by the trial court in March 1987, but later convicted by the HC on December 15, 2008. However, the SC set aside the conviction, which was based on extra-judicial confessions and cannot be sustained as it is a weak piece of evidence. In the second case, the conviction of a man named Guna Mahto was set aside by the apex court. In October, the SC delivered judgment in a civil appeal in which the litigation started in the trial court in 1982 and dragged on for 41 years. In this case, the court issued certain directions to expedite the judicial process. Even after 41 years, the parties to this are still groping in the dark and litigating as to who should be brought on record as legal representative of the sole plaintiff Mrs Urmila Devi This is a classic case and a mirror to the fact that litigant public may become disillusioned with judicial processes due to inordinate delay in the legal proceedings, not reaching its logical end, and moving at a snails pace due to dilatory tactics adopted by one or the other party, the court observed in its order. While constitutional cases have wider social and political ramifications and are widely reported and talked about, cases like that of Urmila Devi or Mondal are the ones that speak volumes about our justice delivery system. TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his British counterpart David Cameron on Sunday exchanged views on the rising tension in the Red Sea as well as the conflict in Gaza. In a phone conversation, Amir-Abdollahian accused the United States and certain Western countries of applying double standards, according to a statement from the Iranian foreign ministry. He said it was wrong to let Israel "kill women and children in Gaza" and "set the region on fire," but "view the stoppage of an Israeli ship in the Red Sea as jeopardizing the security of the economic waterway." The Iranian diplomat also condemned the silence of some Western governments over Israel's attacks on Gaza in the past 80 days. Amir-Abdollahian also urged Britain to adopt a "realistic and constructive" approach toward regional developments and bilateral ties. Cameron, meanwhile, expressed his country's views on the developments in Palestine and the Red Sea, and urged Iran to help prevent the escalation of the Israeli-Hamas conflict and ensure maritime security in the region, the Iranian statement said. In a post on social media platform X, Cameron said he spoke to Amir-Abdollahian about the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, which he said had threatened innocent lives and the global economy. Cameron said he had made it clear that Iran shared responsibility for preventing these attacks given its long-standing support for the Houthis. The Yemen-based Houthi group has claimed responsibility for several attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea in recent weeks, saying they were in solidarity with the Palestinian people. The U.S. and British officials have accused Iran of "being behind the attacks," which was strongly rejected by Iran. Israel has been fighting a large-scale conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, after the group launched a surprise attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures. Israel has killed 21,822 Palestinians in Gaza, the Ministry of Health in Gaza said on Sunday. Following the failure of his referendum for a separate Khalistan, US-based radical separatist and Sikhs for Justice founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has made incendiary calls for the economic destruction of India by targeting the Bombay Stock Exchange from March 12, 2023, the 31st anniversary of the Mumbai serial blasts in which the BSE buildings was one of the targets. But unlike the 1993 blasts which damaged the BSE building, Pannun said, the SJF call to target NSE/BSE from March 12 is aimed at destroying Indias economic system. Pannun, designated a terrorist by India, called for dumping Indian stock and purchasing American stock before March 12. He also identified banks and corporates that trade internationally among the targets. After his referendum failed, he (Pannun) wants to make money through this new campaign. He is a foreign agent working for foreign agencies who are protecting him in the name of freedom of speech. He threatened the PM and now wants to target Indias economic stability. Punnun is a global terrorist who should face trail now, an Indian intelligence source told News18. Pannun had recently made another threat against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, instigating Muslims to stop the PMs Ayodhya roadshow on December 30 and offering a reward of $100,000 for it. In a dangerous escalation of threats against India, Pannun had also asked in a recent hate speech whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval have 24/7 security blanket. He had last month released a video threatening passengers of Air India flights on November 19. He had also issued threats to attack Indias Parliament. The SFJ is a US-based organisation banned by the Government of India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for its anti-India activities. In July 2020, Pannun was also declared an individual terrorist under the UAPA for promoting secessionism and allegedly encouraging Punjabi Sikh youth to take up arms. A court in Maharashtras Thane district acquitted a 35-year-old driver who was accused of killing a man over an extra-marital affair and dumping his body in a lake. Sessions judge A N Sirsikar on December 30 acquitted the accused, Rahul Maurti Kamble, a resident of Mumbra, citing that the prosecution had failed to establish charges against him beyond a reasonable doubt. The case involved the arrest of Mohammad Anis Mohammad Rafique Khan and his wife Mohazin Mohammad Anis Khan. The district court initially convicted Mohammad, but the high court acquitted him later, while the sessions court acquitted Mohazin. According to the prosecution, the victim, Anwar Hussain Shahabuddin Shaikh (22), was having an affair with Mohazin. Despite warnings, Shaikh remained in contact with Mohazin. On March 1, 2012, Kamble and the couple strangled Shaikh with a nylon rope, put his body in a plastic bag and threw it in Fadkepada Lake, they alleged. The police later recovered the body and registered a case under section 302 (murder) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code. Two youths from Odishas Rangeilunda have embarked on a journey to Uttar Pradeshs Ayodhya on foot to offer prayers at the Ram Temple, which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22. Kuresh Behera and his friend Sonu Bisoi residents of Chandapur and Kanishi areas respectively offered prayers at the Ram temple in Kanishi near Berhampur town. The duo will cover 35 to 40 kilometres daily to cover a distance of around 1340 to 1400 km. They will stay at the Mutt or temple at night and are likely to reach Ayodhya within 40 days. With bags on their back and flags in their hands, the duo set out for Ayodhya amid chants of Jai Shri Ram by locals gathered at the temple. Some people also accompanied them for the next 10-15 km. Behera said, We aim to cover More than 30 km every day. If we proceed in this way, we hope to reach Ayodhya after about 40 days. People are welcoming us in different places. Food and lodging arrangements are also being made. People are encouraging us. We are very happy. We will reach Ayodhya and pray to Lord Ram for the welfare of Society, said Bisoi. We want to have a glimpse of Ram Lala seated in the temple in Ayodhya. We have sought the blessings of Lord Ram at my village before setting out on our journey, Bisoi said. Both Behera and Bisoi work in private companies. (with PTI inputs) A woman and her two daughters allegedly committed suicide on Monday morning in Gujarats Morbi district, a police official said. Manjulaben Khandekha (45) and her daughters Anjana (23) and Sejal (19) hanged themselves in their home in Wankaner, Sub Inspector Dharmishtha Kanani said. Manjulabens 21-year-old son had committed suicide after failing to clear a competitive examination around a year ago and she and her daughters kept to themselves since the tragedy, the official said. The three deaths took place when Manjulabens husband had left for work, Kanani said. The bodies have been sent for post mortem and further probe into the incident is underway, Kanani added. Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor jetted off on their New Year vacation, accompanied by their recently introduced little daughter, Raha, recently. Following Rahas public introduction on Christmas, the trio was seen at Mumbais private airport in a video shared by a paparazzo on Instagram. Alia held Raha close while she and Ranbir prepared to board their flight. Alia has now posted pictures from their beach vacation, which seems to be in the Maldives. In the first photo, Ranbir and Alia sport party hats, and Ranbir kisses her on the cheeks passionately, giving off a festive vibe. The second picture features Alia smiling for the camera. Another photo captures Alia watching the last sunset of 2023 with little Raha in her lap. Alia also shared a selfie flaunting her tousled, beach waves. In the carousel, one photo has Alia putting her feet up in the air, while in the last one, she is captured blowing a party horn blower. Check out the photos here: Ranbir and Alia surprised fans by giving them the first look at Raha. The actors, who welcomed their daughter in November 2022, introduce Raha to the media at the Kapoor family Christmas lunch. The blue-eyed Kapoor daughter joined her parents at the annual Christmas lunch, wearing the perfect Christmas dress. In videos shared by the paparazzi, Raha was seen wearing a pink and white dress with a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer work on her dress. She was also seen wearing a pair of red shoes. Rahas photos quickly went viral on the internet. Although they chose to keep her away from the limelight, Ranbir has often spoken about her. In the past, the actor said he doesnt shy away from showing pictures of Raha to people he meets frequently. Anil Kapoor is one of the most seasoned actors of Bollywood. With his recent release Animal, he has impressed everyone with his acting chops. Ahead of his next film Fighter starring Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor addressed his last years case against AI and lauded Amitabh Bachchans effort to safeguard his identity against misuse. During an interview with CNN, Anil Kapoor stated, You have to protect the bodywork, the kind of person you have, your family and yourself. I didnt take the lead. I think it was Amitabh Bachchan who took the lead in this. I took a step further. Obviously, theres a long way ahead and Ill keep on doing my best, fighting for my rights as a human being, actor, person, citizen of this country India, as well as the entire planet. For the unversed, Anil Kapoor emerged victorious in a lawsuit to safeguard his personality rights comprising name, voice, image, likeness, manner of speaking, gestures etc. It also included his famous catchphrase Jhakaas that the Delhi High Court restrained others from using it for commercial purposes. Anil Kapoor, who is set to appear in Fighter alongside Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, marked his 67th birthday on December 24. The actor received abundant love and well-wishes from his family, industry colleagues, and fans globally. In a belated birthday post, Anil Kapoors son-in-law, Anand Ahuja, expressed warm sentiments and shared a picture that reflects the affection and admiration within the family. Anand Ahuja took to his Instagram handle and shared a photo capturing Sonam Kapoor and Anil Kapoor in serene moments amidst nature. Alongside the image, he wrote, The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away Tagore. He added, A late birthday post for Anil Kapoor (& always timely appreciation post for Sonam Kapoor & Anil Kapoor) I saw the prep for Fighter and while hardwork & results often correlate, the fact is that success is largely out of our control. Our only focus remains on the work and the age old certainty that the reward for hardwork is more hardwork Always Happy Anil Kapoor (Love you lots Sonam Kapoor). Sonam didnt hold back in expressing her affection for her two favourite people. The actress wrote, Love you both the most. On the other hand, Sonam Kapoor also posted a heartfelt message on her fathers birthday. She posted a few pictures on her Instagram and gave her fans a glimpse of the sweet time the actor spent with her, her son Vayu, and sister Rhea Kapoor. In the caption, Sonam wrote, Happy Birthday Dad! The world knows you as the evergreen Superstar who never ages and our industry knows you as the most consistent, hardworking, and talented actor of the last four generations, but for your family, youre the best husband, father, and grandfather, who leads by example of openness, hard work, gratitude, and love. There is no one like you. You are the best in the world. Anil Kapoor, who recently portrayed the role of Ranbir Kapoors father in Animal, is set to make his next appearance in Fighter. In the film, Anil Kapoor takes on the character of Rakesh Jai Singh, also known as Rocky. He is the Commanding Officer within the Air Dragons unit and holds the rank of Group Captain. Meanwhile, Hrithik Roshan takes on the role of Squadron Pilot Shamsher Pathania in the Indian Air Force, and Deepika Padukone essays the character of Squadron Leader Minal Rathore. The much-anticipated film is scheduled to hit theatres on January 25, 2024. Bigg Boss 17 has become more interesting after wild card contestant Ayesha Khan has entered. She has been raising the excitement level in the reality show. Recently, she was rushed to the hospital after she fainted. However, now she has returned and the makers have shared a new promo in which she is seen ignoring Munawar Faruqui. The video has gone viral on social media. The promo video begins with Ayesha entering and Vicky Jain welcomes her with a hug. Other contestants including Ankita Lokhande, Mannara, and Anurag all came to welcome her. Munawar was also seen standing smiling but Ayesha completely ignored him. Ankita said also Ek baar Munna se toh mile but Ayesha replied, acha chalo change kar lu. Later we saw Ankita asking Munawar to make kichdi for Ayesha which she said no I will not have then. As the video proceeds, Anurag is seen instigating Ayesha. This led to a fight between both Munawar and Anurag. Fans are seen as divided in the comment section. Watch the promo here: In the last Weekend Ka Vaar, Salman Khan was seen slamming both Ayesha and Munawar. Salman asked Ayesha, what made her come to the Bigg Boss house as a wildcard contestant, and what she wanted out of Munawar. She then stated that she wanted a public apology since the entire situation had become so intense and it was high time for her to speak about it. Salman then loses his cool and questions her You wanted an apology for attention? He added, You wanted an apology on national television? He added, Fights happen between every couple but they dont happen like this, on national television. Salman then turned to Munawar and questioned him about his ex-girlfriend. He then asked him, if he wanted to go back to his ex-girlfriend. Salman then repeated the question, after which he confessed that he wanted to go back. The Tiger 3 actor then called him out for his actions, saying that his behaviour would not let him get back to her. Ayesha had made some serious allegations against Munawar and claimed that he was double dating her. Ankita Lokhande and her husband Vicky Jain are undoubtedly amongst the most talked about Bigg Boss 17 contestants. Ever since the two entered Salman Khans controversial reality show, they are often seen indulging in ugly fights. Rinku Dhawan, who is the latest contestant to get evicted from Bigg Boss 17 house, spoke to us exclusively about the ongoing problems between Ankita and Vicky. Rinku says that Vicky tends to dominate people with his overpowering personality and Ankita, too, is an opinionated woman, and therefore, the two end up getting into a war of words very often. Vicky has a lot of ego. I am saying this because he told me the same. There are different equations when you are at home. But the platform you are at, it is important to present your personality and opinion. Ankita is a strong woman with a strong voice. Once I told the same to Bigg Boss also. Vicky is very overpowering. He wants to talk and tell others, jo main bol raha hu sab sahi bol raha hu sab mere haan mein haan milao. Ankita, as his wife in the show, is a disadvantage, Rinku said. In this situation, Ankita would be like she wants to talk, she has her own opinion. She has her personality. These are their personalities. If you ask if entering the show as a couple is an advantage or not, I will say it is a disadvantage, the actress added. Ankita and Vicky often get nasty with each other during their fights. Recently, a video showing Vicky allegedly getting up to slap Ankita went viral on the internet. The video was from Bigg Boss 17 house. Now, Rinku has opened up about the viral video. I wasnt present at the moment. I did not see it with my eyes. But the person who was present told me about it. Vicky and Abhishek were talking. Anurag, Arun and some other people were also there in the room. Arun also confirmed that Vicky did it. I heard about it but Ankita told me that while Vicky was only picking up his blanket, Abhishek had been saying that he tried to slap her. Obviously, she is not going to say Vicky did it. I dont want to get into this. You know what happened. People who saw know what happened, Rinku shared. However, Rinku concluded by saying that the frequent mentions of divorce by Ankita or Vicky happen only in the heat of the moment. In the course of situations, some things have been said. When you lose your cool, you end up saying a lot of things which you do not mean. It happens between husbands and wives. Neil and Aishwarya also used to fight in Bigg Boss house. Husbands and wives fight but that does not mean it is the end of their world. Karan Johar has revealed the guests for the upcoming episode of Koffee with Karan 8 and its sister duo Janhvi Kapoor and Khushi Kapoor. Karan Johar took to Instagram on January 1, 2024, and dropped a new promo for the upcoming episode of the show. In the promo, Janhvi confirmed that she is dating rumoured beau Shikhar Pahariya. At the start of the promo, Janhvi said, Yesterday night at the party I was just going around asking people to ask me rapid-fire questions. Navya (Naveli Nanda) thinks I am not ready. She said, Dont go. Later in the clip, Karan asked Janhvi to name three people on her speed dial and with her answer, the actress confirmed that she is dating Shikhar Pahariya. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar) Karan said, Name three people on your speed-dial list. Janhvi promptly replied, Papa, Khushu and Shiku. She quickly realised that she had mentioned Shikhar Pahariya and her reaction left Karan in splits. During the same game, Karan asked Khushi about Janhvis past relationships. Janhvi said to Khushi, I have only dated three boys and we stick to that. Janhvi Kapoor had not formally accepted her relationship with Shikhar Pahariya earlier, but she never shied away from stepping out with him on lunch and dinner dates. The rumoured lovebirds recently partied together as Shikhar attended Janhvis sister Khushi Kapoors birthday bash. They even took a vacation to the Maldives together and Shikhar was also present at Janhvis uncle, Anil Kapoors birthday party. Shikhar Pahariya is the grandson of politician and Maharashtras former Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde. Reportedly, Shikhar and Janhvi were in a serious relationship earlier but then broke up. Karan Johar in Koffee With Karan season 7 almost confirmed the dating rumours, but Janhvi then maintained that she was single. Janhvi and Shikhar reportedly patched up last year. They are often spotted together now and Shikhar has also posed for paps with Boney Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor on several occasions. John Abraham is in the headlines with his latest real estate purchase. As per reports, the Pathaan actor has purchased a bungalow in Mumbai worth Rs 70.83 crore. Money control has quoted IndexTap.com in its report and mentioned that the actor has purchased a 5,416 sqft bungalow in the Khar area of the city along with land of 7,722 sqft. The report further claims that the bungalow is located on Khars Linking Road and is also known for several educational institutions in the vicinity. Abraham has paid stamp duty of Rs 4.24 crore for the bungalow and the deal was registered on December 27, 2023. In November 2023, a new video of John Abraham has sparked concern among fans. The Pathaan actor made a rare appearance online. The star was seen wishing an avid fan on his birthday recently. In the video shared by the super fan, John was seen in his best spirits as he wished him. Hey Yash, wish you a very, very happy birthday. Lots of love, take care, have a great day and a great year ahead, he said in the video message. While the gesture was sweet, fans wondered if John was okay. Several social media users on Reddit noticed that John, who is 50 years old now, appeared to have many wrinkles on his face while he sported a short hairdo. He is fine. His face seems to have a lot of wrinkles, maybe side effects of heavy workout, medications (if he takes any). Also, he doesnt seem to be into makeup. So his face is very close to a natural one for a man his age (again, wrinkles aside), a Reddit user said. John had a solo release this year. He was seen playing the baddie in Pathaan, opposite Shah Rukh Khan. The actors performance was praised and fans even wanted to see a spin-off of his character. The film went on to do over Rs 1000 crore business worldwide. In the coming year, John has a series of releases in the pipeline. These include Tehran, Force 3 and Vedaa. TAIYUAN, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- As winter sets in, flocks of whooper swans from Siberia migrate to the banks of the Yellow River in Pinglu County, north China's Shanxi Province. This spectacle attracts numerous tourists and photographers. Pakistani student Anees Ur Rahman was one of them this winter. "These birds fascinate me and their presence enhances the beauty of our planet," he said. His passion for birds and nature drove him to travel thousands of miles from Pakistan to study wildlife utilization protection at Beijing Forestry University in China. During his time in China, Rahman has regularly participated in field visits and conducted research in the habitats of wild birds across the country, giving him in-depth knowledge of China's ecological environment and bird conservation efforts. "In recent years, the ecological environment of the Yellow River basin has been continuously improving, and the number of wild swans wintering here has peaked at over 10,000," said Wang Chao, a staff member of the county's forestry bureau. China's bird resources are among the richest in the world, with four of the nine major global bird migration flyways passing through China, according to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. The administration's monitoring efforts confirm that the populations of more than 20 rare and endangered bird species in China have increased significantly in recent years. Among these, the crested ibis is especially notable, with its population soaring from only seven in the 1980s to 7,000 this year. "China's rich biodiversity and its commitment to environmental conservation were key factors in my decision to study here," Rahman said, adding that he saw an opportunity to contribute to and learn from this vibrant research community, particularly given the rapid environmental changes in China. To better safeguard migratory birds during their migration, China has set up a comprehensive network to protect migratory birds, including breeding, wintering, and resting stations, and wetlands and natural reserves, covering almost every key node of the migratory bird flyways. "Over the years, I have witnessed positive changes in China's environmental practices. Stricter regulations, increased investment in renewable energy, and a growing emphasis on sustainable development indicate a significant shift towards a more environmentally conscious approach," he said. Thanks to a series of effective protection measures to provide migratory birds with safe habitats and breeding sites, migratory bird populations in China have been constantly growing. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has downgraded the threat of extinction of some rare wildlife in China, including red-crowned cranes and crested ibises. "By continuing my research and engaging in collaborative conservation projects, I aim to contribute to global efforts in wildlife conservation, promoting sustainable practices for the benefit of both wildlife and local communities," Rahman said. Rumours were rife that Nargis Fakhri, known for her role in the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Rockstar (2011) is dating an entrepreneur in LA, where shes currently staying. It seems that she started dating Tony Beig, a 37-year-old entrepreneur and Managing Director of a conglomerate, towards the close of 2021. It seems Nargis celebrated New Years Eve in Dubai with her rumoured current beau Tony and ex-boyfriend Uday Chopra. In pictures shared by Tony on his Instagram stories, he is seen holding Nargis close, with Uday also in the frame. Looks like the actress continues to be friends with him. They were also joined by Sussanne Khan and Aslan Goni. Nargis had earlier spoken about dating Uday Chopra for five years. Speaking to Etimes, Nargis had opened about about Uday in 2021. Uday and I dated for 5 years and he was the most beautiful human I met in India. I never have said this to the press as people told me to keep my relationship quiet, but I regret that because I should have shouted from the mountain tops that I was with such a beautiful soul. The internet and social media is very fake and the people out there wont know what the truth is. Most often we idolise certain people who are actually bad behind closed doors, she had said. The actress recently opened up for the first time about her link-up rumours with Ranbir Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor as well. Speaking to Siddharth Kannan, she mentioned that she had been linked romantically to several of her industry colleagues as of now. I was linked with every other person in the film industry and it used to drive me insane. One time there was an article that said that I moved into Shahid Kapoors apartment and that my mom came down to meet him. People started messaging me, asking Is your mom in town? And my mom never even came here. So, I had to get used to all of that, Nargis said. The year 2023 will go down in history as a crucial one. Globally, there may not have been many transformative events from a geopolitical perspective which also includes the lack of a headway in the protracted Russia-Ukraine conflict. But despite prevalence of similar dynamics at the systemic level, for India 2023 would be noted as a year that was marked by many key developments. First, India surpassed China as the most populous country in the world this year, thus ending the Middle Kingdoms even older than a century record. This may not seem a big deal today, but these demographic changes have the potential to snowball into Indias economic progress in the decades to come while China will be left grappling with an ageing population and slowing economy. Besides this, India also hosted its maiden G20 summit successfully this year which was marked by multiple feats, including the entry of African Union in G20 making it G20+1, a consensus-based outcome of the summit in the form of Delhi Declaration, and launching of India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. An important highlight of the G20 summit organised by India was the way it reached out to the countries of the global south. For the first time in the history of the summit, a special outreach towards countries of the global south was done by the host nation when India organised a Voice of Global South Summit in January 2023. The idea behind this was to brainstorm with developing countries on issues of common concerns such as energy security and incorporate their voices in the agenda of the G20 summit. Whats interesting is that India organised the second edition of Voice of Global South Summit the same year in November 2023, though this time in a virtual mode. The mandate of this summit was to discuss ways of making global supply chains inclusive and resilient with its fellow developing countries. As year closes by, it can be safely declared that India has indeed made a dedicated effort to secure its diplomatic outreach in the Global South. But is this a new facet in Indias behaviour at the global level or a precedent for this exists? Since its Independence, India has always made a common cause with the developing world. On the eve of independence when the early contours of foreign policy were being laid out in the constituent assembly, Prime Minister JL Nehru had outrightly decided to stay away from usual power politics and steer India towards the concerns of fellow decolonised countries. The logic was two-fold. First, India didnt have tangible power in the form of a strong economy or military to flex its muscles in the domain of great power games at that time. And second, Nehrus India wanted to champion the cause of the third world on its own. This had much to do with the Nehruvian world view according to which moral imperatives and not power play must guide a countrys global behaviour. Resultantly, India chased the chimera of ideological non-alignment even as it time and again faced material challenges in the form of the Kashmir raids in 1948 or the 1962 China war. Despite seeking help from reigning great powers such as United States to ward off the China threat during the 1962 War, Nehrus India was firmly in the grip of non-alignment. Ironically, this policy didnt prevent India to tilt very closely towards Soviet Union under Nehrus successor Indira Gandhi. But for many decades thereafter it took on the form of an anti-west sentiment in Indias foreign policy. There were certain moments of breakthroughs in Indias relationship with the west including the post-liberalisation phase after the cold war when PM PV Narsimha Rao made a 6-day tour to United States that positioned India as a country that meant business. Equally significant was President Bill Clintons visit to India in the year 2000 and the backchannel diplomacy between then-Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh and Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott that laid the groundwork for the civil nuclear agreement signed under UPA government thereafter. But despite these developments, overall, the sentiment of an anti-West hangover in Indias foreign policy remained until 2014. This was not only evident in the Manmohan Singh governments apprehension in endorsing the emerging security architecture in the Indo-Pacific but also in its dilly-dallying tactic in signing foundational agreements to operationalise military partnership with the US. The anti-West hangover was a result of the ideological leftovers that were not only present within Congress but also in the leftist political parties that made a point to blackmail Singh government by flexing its numbers in the parliament. One cant also deny the role played by China appeasers in the leftist camp and within the ruling dispensation as well. Since 2014, in a long break from the Nehruvian policy of non-alignment which was keeping Indias national interest hostage to the whims of ideological relationships, India has achieved a much-needed balance in its foreign policy where it is now courting countries in the west as a key partner but is also reaching out to the global south. Under PM Modi, India has made rapid strides in improving its relationship with the West. The biggest example of this is the India-US relationship. Despite there being a lot of detractors of this equation, truth is that the convergence of interests between India and US has been sealed fantastically in the form of Indias endorsement of the notion of Indo-Pacific, Indias proactive interest in Quad grouping and its signing of foundational agreements such as LEMOA, BECA and COMCASA with the US that has given their military relationship a heads up. All of this has been achieved in the last decade only. The same is true for Indias relations with rest of the western countries which are now firmly entrenched in the twin driving forces of economic and security partnership. Nearly every single country in the western hemisphere counts India as a key partner in its vision or policy regarding Indo-Pacific. Despite the closer shift towards the west, Indias commitment towards Global South hasnt got diluted even one bit. But its character has changed for better. In the early decades after independence, Indias ideological choice of non-alignment alienated it from its own self-interest. Many countries in the neighbourhood such as Singapore and Indonesia deviated from the non-aligned mindset to pursue tangible goals of economic development and military security, but India got stuck in a rut. A similar misjudgement was made under Indira Gandhi administration as well when India went on the path of economic activism on the behalf of developing countries such as in the form of G77, but its own development goals fell short of getting achieved. In comparison, China comes across as the better Asian power that not only managed to hoodwink West into supporting its own rise, but it also engaged with the developing world from a business-minded perspective only. In a break from the past, today Indias outreach to the global south is from a position of capability and not ideology. Thanks to its economic growth in the last few years, Indias status as the fifth largest economy in the world and a soon-to-be third largest economy by the turn of this decade, India has launched multiple initiatives to support the economic development of its partners in the developing world. A good example is the African continent where not only the Indian foreign aid but also trade deals and investment are on an upswing. By 2030, total Indian investment in the region will reach $150 billion. India is willing to share its new-found expertise in multiple domains with countries in the global south which includes its digital public infrastructure resources such as the UPI, Aadhaar and Digital Locker. Similarly, development partnership with India has benefitted more than 65 countries in the form of 306 Lines of Credit extended for various purposes. India-backed infrastructure which can help these countries in realising their development goals unlike the still-born or debt-trapping projects of Belt and Road initiative has started to bloom in many countries. The best part about Indias outreach to the global south today is that it is not coming from an ideological perspective of opposing the West and hence ruining Indias gains from the countries in the northern hemisphere. Instead, India is making the most of its partnership with the West while at the same time voicing the concerns of the global south. The author is a PhD from the Department of International Relations, South Asian University. She writes on Indias foreign policy. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. It is time to remove the term Harappan from designating the ancient civilisation of India, as it is inaccurate and ignores the nature and continuity of Indias civilisation as a whole. Harappan is an artificial and incidental term deriving from the archaeological site of Harappa in Pakistan along with Mohenjo-Daro, which were the major ancient urban sites in greater India discovered in the early 20th century (1921-22) before the partition of the country. Western archaeologists arbitrarily chose it to designate an entire urban civilisation going back to 3500 BCE, which they viewed more as a lost civilisation than connected to the later history of India. The term Harappa does not suggest any continuity in Indias history since the ancient period or give the Vedas any place in it. Those who proposed the name were proponents of the Aryan Invasion theory like Mortimer Wheeler, and such a non-Vedic term was useful in perpetuating that theory. Wheeler also promoted the false theory of the massacre at Mohenjo-Daro by invading Aryans, which has been archaeologically disproved. Importance of Rakhigarhi Today, the site of Rakhigarhi in Haryana, located in the Saraswati river region of Kurukshetra and traditionally regarded as the home of the Vedas, has been proven to be larger and older than Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro that were on the Indus. As Rakhigarhi is the largest Harappan site, it would be more accurate to associate this ancient Indian civilisation with Rakhigarhi rather than Harappa. It better reveals the geographical connections of these sites to later India and its prime historical regions. The Harappan civilisation has also been called the Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC) as the Indus River (Sindhu in Indian languages) was the main location of the initial sites discovered. However, further excavations have revealed the majority of the so-called Harappan or Indus sites were located by the Saraswati River, famous in Vedic texts, which dried up around 4,000 years ago, showing its antiquity. Ancient Maritime Civilisation In addition, Harappan sites have been found in Gujarat by the ocean in what was then the delta region of the Saraswati river, indicating it was a maritime culture from the Saraswati to the sea. Vedic civilisation was also maritime, with 150 references to the ocean in the oldest Rigveda alone, including noting the Saraswati river as flowing from the mountains to the sea. Using nondescript terms like Harappan fits in with the terminology of the Aryan Invasion theory that separates the Vedas from the origins of Indias civilisation, which colonial scholars also maintained. Harappans are often called pre-Vedic or non-Vedic, which the Rakhigarhi finds also disprove. The rivers of Northwest India on which so-called Harappan sites have been found have ancient Vedic names, including Sindhu, Saraswati, Vitasta, Parushni (Ravi), Vipas (Beas), Shutudri (Sutlej), Yamuna and Ganga. Vedic texts show a similar culture, artefacts and geography to what has been called Harappan, extending from fire altars to shivlings. We see a continuity of civilisation in India from sites as old as 8,000 years ago like Rakhigarhi or Bhirrana, another such ancient site in the Kurukshetra region in Haryana. Saraswati-Sindhu Vedic Civilisation In place of Harappan, the civilisation should be better called Vedic Saraswati Civilisation, or Saraswati-Sindhu-Civilisation. Using the term Harappan is misleading for the study of Indias history as it does not suggest the actual centre of the civilisation on the Saraswati river, along with its vedic and Bharatiya connections. Ramifications for Indias Textbook Accounts of History Indian Marxist scholars like Romila Thapar and Irfan Habib who opposed the idea of the Saraswati civilisation were also, not surprisingly, the main academic opponents of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. They denied that there ever was any Hindu temple at the Babri Masjid site, even after Prof BB Lal, director general of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), showed the evidence. Lal also wrote extensively on the Harappan as a Saraswati and vedic culture and was involved in the excavation of Harappan sites. Unfortunately, these same Marxist scholars were given charge over Indias history textbooks by the Congress-led government, not only relative to the ancient period but medieval and modern periods as well, including Indias independence movement. The youth of India were given their distorted views of Indias history as authoritative, devised to get them to reject their own culture and dharmic civilisation, portraying India as a country of invaders and no such religion as Hinduism but only a series of local cults. The Congress did this trying to gain politically and made the Marxists their intellectual wing in a lack of any thinkers of their own. You can be certain that if the Congress ever came back to power, they would try to restore these academics and their views. Fortunately, Shri Ram has proved too strong for them and the Vedas can no longer be denied their core role in the history of Bharat. (The writer is the director of the American Institute of Vedic Studies and the author of more than 30 books on yoga and vedic traditions. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday took a jibe at the Congress losing ground in Delhi and Punjab comparing the partys existence in the two states to the shortest story a mother can tell her kids. The shortest story a mother in Delhi or Punjab, can narrate to her child is Ek thi Congress Mann said while addressing reporters. Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ousted Congress from governments in Delhi in the 2013 and 2015 Assembly polls and Punjab in the 2022 elections. Congress, which ruled Delhi for 15 years, has no MLA in the 70-member Delhi assembly at present. In the 2022 Punjab polls, the AAP registered a landslide victory and decimated Congress to just 18 seats in the 117-member assembly. There are speculations about the Congress-AAP alliance for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, nothing has been finalised as of now. Both Punjab and Delhi units of Congress have expressed their displeasure about the tie-up and conveyed to the party high command that they dont want any alliance with the Kejriwal-led party. In October 2023, the Leader of the Opposition in Punjab and senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa told News18 in an interview that an alliance with the AAP in Punjab for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will be like signing the death warrant for the Congress in the state. And we do not want to demolish the Congress, he said. Bajwa went on to say the AAP government in the state would soon be toppled by the Congress. If we get 10-11 seats in the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab (there are 13 seats), we can topple the AAP government. Many AAP MLAs are in touch with us. Whenever we get a chance, we will topple them. If most MLAs of AAP want to come over and dont want to stay with them, what can I do? Who can save a failed marriage? Bajwa told News18. Bajwa further said AAPs performance in Punjab could be held akin to the famous Urdu couplet, Har shaakh pe ullu baitha hai, anjame gulistan kya hoga, and argued that the sooner the AAP government goes, the better it will be for Punjab. In September 2023, Punjab Congress leaders vehemently opposed any move to forge a tie-up With AAP for the 13 Lok Sabha seats in the state. There are a total 13 parliamentary seats in Punjab, besides Chandigarh. Currently, the Congress has six members of Parliament (MP) from Punjab. There was a time Lord Ram was living under a tent, now he will get a concrete house, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ayodhya on December 30, about three weeks before he presided over the inauguration of the grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22. The journey towards a majestic temple at Rams birthplace has been decades-long. As a journalist, I have had the chance to be at the Ayodhya site three times in 2005 during a terrorist attack, in 2019 just days after the Supreme Court judgment paved the way for the temple to come up, and last year while the new temple was taking shape. Each visit left an indelible mark on my memory and reinforced why this 67-acre patch of land was so vital for a belief. It was a summer morning in 2005 when a sensational news flash made me and a photographer rush from the office of The Indian Express in Lucknow to Ayodhya, a two-hour drive back then. Terrorists had struck at the temple site, armed with grenades, rocket launchers and bombs strapped onto their bodies. When we reached the site, we saw the body of one of the killed terrorists who got blown up our photographer captured it too. The sight we saw was sensational. Five armed LeT men had blown up their vehicle to breach the temples security grill and reached within 100 metres of the makeshift temple, to blow it up with either grenades or the bombs strapped to their bodies. They had reached the Sita Rasoi. Had it not been for the CRPF personnel who gunned them down in an hour-long encounter, this could have been a national crisis bigger than the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid. Ayodhya then was a sleepy town with little development, the only big hotel was Shane-e-Awadh nearby in Faizabad where we stayed put for the next 10 days to unravel the developments as the bodies of the terrorists were quietly buried in a local graveyard the next morning. The makeshift temple was under a small tent and heavily guarded, but security chinks had been exposed in the perimeter making heads roll in the Uttar Pradesh police under the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led government. Everyone knew it was a close shave. Pilgrims at the temple told me: Prabhu Ram tent mein hain, par woh unhe nahin maar paaye (Our God is under a tent, but they did not succeed in blowing him up). The Hope in 2019 After a long litigation, it was finally in 2019 that the Supreme Court paved the way for handing over the 67-acre site to the Hindu side to build a Ram temple. The judgments pronouncement was announced only a night before, making the media rush overnight to Ayodhya. I then rushed there from The Economic Times and found a changed Ayodhya, with shades of development emerging after the Yogi Adityanath-led government had come to power in 2017. The Deepotsav had been celebrated there only a month ago on Diwali. The 67-acre temple site was, however, much the same as I had last seen it in 2005 as if it had stopped in time. Only the security was tighter, the vegetation inside had grown wild, the buildings were dilapidated, and Lord Rams white tent had become dirtier. The sight of it upset many pilgrims for the first time. It is a shame to see our lord this waywe hope work starts soon on a grand new temple, they said. Some even mistook the temple tent to be another security checkpoint (there were multiple ones on the way where you were frisked) till the CRPF personnel told the pilgrims that it was the temple and one could offer prayers from a distance of 10 metres. A board pointed visitors to the temple, asking them to look right. A priest sitting there was giving out prasad and you had to move on within a few seconds. But the priest said: Soon, there will be a big temple. Now, Naya Bhavya Ayodhya A glimpse of the upcoming majestic temple was visible when I visited the site last year. A development plan worth Rs 32,000 crore for Ayodhya is in progress to make it a global spiritual destination for tourists and pilgrims. Once open, the temple is likely to have a footfall of more than one lakh daily and, by 2047, over 10 crore can visit Ayodhya on an annual basis. The temples construction will cost Rs 1,800 crore, entirely from donations. The ground floor of the temple is complete and Ram Lalla idols will be installed here and opened for public darshan from January 23, a day after the inauguration. The first and the second floors of the temple will take another year to complete, by December 30, 2024, and the entire premises over 71 acres would be complete in 2025. A big network of highways, roads, infrastructure, townships, grand entrance gates and multilevel parking facilities is coming up in Ayodhya as part of the sprucing up of the town, with a new airport and upgraded railway station already operational now. The Saryu riverfront is a sight to behold with new and clean ghats. Ayodhya town is unrecognisable from what I saw in 2005. The narrow lanes of Ayodhya, famous for the Hanumangarhi temple and the various types of pedas sold at shops here, will now be known foremost and rightfully by its biggest identity the birthplace of Ram and a majestic temple befitting the belief and faith of millions. Amidst the celebration of the partys 27th foundation day on Monday internal differences within TMC surfaced as its senior leaders took a swipe at the partys national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, which drew sharp retort from its generation next leaders. The controversy surfaced after West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee advised giving due respect to senior members of the party and refuted the assertion that old leaders should retire from active politics. Following this, her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, who is perceived as leading the youth brigade of Trinamool Congress, spoke out for a retirement age in politics citing the decline in work efficiency and productivity with advancing years. It began with TMC state president Subrata Bakshi, a 73-year-old party old timer and known for his loyalty to Mamata Banerjee, openly expressing the hope that Abhishek, a parliamentarian from Diamond Harbour, will fight the Lok Sabha election due later this year. Abhishek Banerjee is our national general secretary. We are sure that he will not back away from contesting the coming Lok Sabha election. If he fights, he will fight under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee and the party symbol, Bakshi, who was addressing party workers at the foundation day programme at the TMC headquarters, said. The remark prompted a sharp reaction from TMCs state general secretary Kunal Ghosh, who is close to Abhishek Banerjee. He demanded that Bakshi retract his words. I respect the state president, but I have objections to his use of words. It was not desirable. Abhishek is in the reckoning. If the party listens to what he (Abhishek) wants to say, it is good for it, Ghosh said. Senior TMC leaders Firhad Hakim and Sudip Bandopadhyay, both close to Mamata Banerjee, added fuel to the debate. Bandopadhyay, who has been the party for years, remarked Once the party supremo demits office as Bengal chief minister, the state will go haywire. Hakim, a minister and the citys mayor, emphasised that new leaders of the party should learn the history of TMCs struggle. It took us years to win the trust of the people and politically reach the place where we are today. Reacting to Hakims remarks, Ghosh questioned the role of senior leaders during Mamata Banerjees fight and loss in Nandigram in the 2021 assembly poll. The seniors are lecturing that youth leaders should know the history of the party. What were they doing when our leader Mamata Banerjee fought and lost in Nandigram? Mamata Banerjee had lost to her one-time protege Suvendu Adhikari, who is now in BJP and is the leader of opposition. She was later elected to the state Assembly from her home seat Bhabanipur in Kolkata. Continuing his criticism of TMCs senior leaders, Ghosh questioned why negative connotations were being used against Abhishek. Abhishek Banerjee is a leader and words with negative connotations are not only humiliating but also demoralizing for our party workers. Ghosh, who is also the party spokesman, in December addressed rumors of a power struggle by asserting that there is no conflict between the old and new generation leaders of the party. He emphasised the necessity of both Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee in the party. The controversy reflects a two-year-old internal struggle within Trinamool Congress between the old guard and its generation next. Mamata Banerjee had dissolved all national office-bearer committees of TMC as well as the post of its national general secretary held by Abhishek Banerjee in January 2022 amidst rumors of an alleged power struggle. Subsequently a new committee was formed and Abhishek Banerjee was reinstated to his post. Since then, Abhishek Banerjee has not only gained prominence within the party, but is now also considered the de facto number two in the states ruling dispensation. Hygiene in Indian street food has become a hot topic, with vendors under scrutiny for not maintaining proper standards. But the situation took a humourous turn when Africans began mocking Indian street food through funny TikTok videos. However, Desis werent ones to take it lying down; they fired back at these viral videos, highlighting the irony of those facing food shortages making fun of a country they couldnt surpass. In a viral thread, a TikToker was caught mixing anything and everything in a messy setup, using bare hands to serve a dish that nobody dared to try. The user who posted the thread on X, formerly Twitter, remarked, This is an entire genre of parody video now, its not a one-off comedy skit some guy made once. Many people are making them! Also Read: Bengalurus High-Tech Dosa Shop Using Broom to Clean Tawa Has Internet Asking, Is This Hygiene? Adding to the saga, another video surfaced featuring a man with his feet in the food he was serving, showcasing the ongoing trend of Africans poking fun at Indian street food. Now even Africa is making fun of Indian street food. I cant handle 2023pic.twitter.com/LIuZoEp9jq 9mmSMG (@9mm_smg) December 30, 2023 Kenyans making fun of Indian Street Food pic.twitter.com/8FKXf6arB3 a (@kunley_drukpa) December 30, 2023 True to their nature, Desis didnt hold back, serving up their own brand of humour. One wrote, When you make a reel using all the food your entire village had and then starve for week. Clowns. Another pondered, Okay but from where they got food to shoot this video? A third chimed in, No issues in making fun of each other, it heals. Only issue is those poor kid will have to eat all this after the reels, its their whole months ration. Too much food wastage considering the fact theres always a shortage of food in the African continent lol. Aanchal (@AanchalXIV) December 30, 2023 Do they even have so much food to waste to shoot this satire? Sai Ram B (@SaiRamSays) December 30, 2023 Parents across India tell their children to respect food and never to waste any as many in Africa dont get to eat food. Amaresh (@ProgDoc14) December 31, 2023 Amidst the banter, there were voices advocating for a focus on improving the quality of Indian street food rather than engaging in a war of words. Its time to realize that something is terribly wrong with your street food when the guys who dont even have anything to eat start mocking it. emphasised one user. Also Read: Clean Streets To Garbage Segregation, This Viral Video Shows Why Indore Is Indias Cleanest City Another bluntly stated, Lot of people are mocking Africa. But for all our loud talk on internet and tech and etc majority of India is downright filthy and unhygienic. Thats a fact. Its time to realize that something is terribly wrong with your street food when the guys who dont even have anything to eat start mocking it. https://t.co/RufAdTf860 Arjun* (@mxtaverse) December 31, 2023 Instead of trolling Africans, we can improve our quality right ??? They didnt make any false accusations right ??? Ak (@PeakyThala) December 31, 2023 All in all, its crystal clear that Indian street food needs a sprinkle of hygiene, and vendors need to swap out the weird experiments for a menu makeover that leaves everyone hungry for more quality bitesbecause who needs bizarre dishes that not even the bravest taste buds dare to tango with! Recently, a resident of Gurugram claimed that an Urban Company technician, who came to install his new LED TV, caused damage to the television. Dissatisfied, he reached out to the customer support of the local services company, which offered a reimbursement of only Rs. 10,000 for a TV that cost around Rs. 40,000. The aggrieved customers friend took to the micro-blogging site X to share images of the damaged TV and Urban Companys acknowledgment of their mistake, offering a mere Rs. 10,000 in compensation. Even the customer, Akash Jaini, joined the conversation, expressing his displeasure. He mentioned, Ridiculous treatment despite admitting their fault in destroying a brand new 55inch QLED TV, they were insistent not to bear more than 25% of the repair cost along with screenshots of the conversation with an Urban Company representative who admitted their technicians responsibility for the TV malfunction. Ridiculous treatment despite admitting their fault in destroying a brand new 55inch QLED TV, they were insistent not to bear more than 25% of the repair cost @UC_Assist @urbancompany_UC https://t.co/pym6kUJLI8 pic.twitter.com/Y8WVmb0Gbk Akash Jaini (@akashjaini) December 29, 2023 The representative told Akash, It takes me a great deal of embarrassment that the fault was done on our part and it caused a major loss to you. I completely understand, but unfortunately, due to certain policies, I am unable to initiate more than Rs 10,000. After further discussions, the company revised the compensation to Rs. 20,000, according to Akash. Also Read: Theft in Delhis Paschim Vihar? Content Creators Video on Stolen Laptop, TV Comes With a Twist @UC_Assist called offering 20k, which means they arent bound to their 10k contractual limit. I denied insisting on a compensation of the full amount. Then they called up the service guy and suddenly decided he was never responsible for the damage, alleged Akash, also claiming that the company denied the technicians mistake this time, fuelling his anger. Akash recounted the ordeal with the company again, sharing an image of their technician alongside the TV. I have call recordings of the 20k offer which exceeds their alleged contractual limits as well as the recording of the call where they have stated that the service professional cannot be lying and therefore I am lying/ being dishonest about the damage despite absolutely no proof, he wrote. Also Read: Instant Nightmare: Man Orders Sony TV Worth Rs 1 Lakh From Flipkart, Receives This Instead He even shared a screenshot of his LinkedIn, showing how UC officials have been visiting his profile since his online complaint went viral. I have call recordings where they have now 3 days later turned around and stated that the service professional would not lie, although he clearly has the greatest motivation to do so and I have a picture of him handling the TV after doing the damage. pic.twitter.com/OsN8PVEAbq Akash Jaini (@akashjaini) December 30, 2023 Looks like the only investigation theyre doing is on me personally and not on the liability of damages since theyve already decided Im the liar and the technician is not responsible@UC_Assist @UC_Assist @abhirajbhal #BoycottUrbanCompany#BoycottUC pic.twitter.com/yczvQv6zDi Akash Jaini (@akashjaini) December 30, 2023 Looks like the only investigation theyre doing is on me personally and not on the liability of damages since theyve already decided Im the liar and the technician is not responsible he concluded. As the complaint gained traction online, internet users suggested Akash consider taking the matter to the consumer court. Former White House Communications Director Alyssa Farah Griffin, former White House deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews and former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson, the former officials of the Trump administration warned that if Donald Trump is reelected it will mean the end of American democracy. Speaking to ABC Newss Jonathan Karl regarding their concerns for American democracy and while recounting their experiences cooperating with the January 6 select committee said the upcoming presidential elections are fundamental and is needed to safeguard American institutions. Fundamentally a second Trump term could mean the end of American democracy as we know it, Griffin said, pointing out that American public have seen Trump trying to steal an election, referring to the January 6 Capitol Hill storming by Trump supporters. This is a fundamental election to continue to safeguard our institutions and our constitutional republic. But if we crumble as a nation, were setting an example that democracy is an experiment, Hutchinson said. Hutchinson turned into one of the most vocal critics of Donald Trump and gave a crucial testimony to the US House of Representatives panel investigating the January 6 Capitol Hill attacks. She pointed to a recent interview of Donald Trump with Fox News host Sean Hannity where the former president joked that he would be a dictator only on day one. He said he would use his dictatorship to close down the border and drill for energy resources. The fact that he felt that he needs to lean into being a dictator alone shows that he is a weak and feeble man who has no sense of character and integrity and has no sense of leadership, the former White House aide said. The former White House deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews said Trump has focussed on getting back to power and his rhetoric has become increasingly erratic. Matthews pointed to Trumps threats to undermine parts of the Constitution, weaponize the Justice Department and exact revenge on his political opponents. To this day he still doubles down on the fact that he thinks that the election was stolen and fraudulent, Matthews said. She further added that she would put policy aside and may vote Democrat and back Biden in the elections which will be held later in November this year. Ive never voted for a Democrat in my life, but I think that in this next election, I would put policy aside and choose democracy, she said, while adding that she is hoping for some other Republican to win the primaries. Our singular focus needs to be, if he is the nominee, on making sure that he is not elected the president again next November, Hutchinson said. India and Pakistan on Monday exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and nuclear installations, following the January 1 tradition outlined in two separate agreements. The exchange of the list of nuclear facilities took place under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between the two countries. The Agreement, which was signed on 31 December 1988 and entered into force on 27 January 1991 provides, inter alia, that India and Pakistan inform each other of the nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the Agreement on the first of January of every calendar year, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press statement. This is the 33rd consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 01, 1992. Besides the nuclear facilities, the list of civilian prisoners and fishermen was exchanged under the provisions of the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access. Such lists are exchanged every year on 1st January and 1st July, MEA said. India shared lists of 337 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistani or are believed to be Pakistani. Similarly, Pakistan shared lists of 47 civilian prisoners and 184 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or are believed to be Indian. According to the MEA statement, the Indian government has called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel, and fishermen along with their boats, from Pakistans custody. In this context, Pakistan was asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 184 Indian fishermen, who have completed their sentence. In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the remaining 12 civilian prisoners in Pakistans custody, who are believed to be Indian, MEA said. In the statement, MEA said that India remains committed to addressing, on priority, all humanitarian matters, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each others country. In this context, India has urged Pakistan to expedite necessary action at its end to confirm the nationality status of 65 believed-to-be Pakistani prisoners, including fishermen, whose repatriation is pending for want of nationality confirmation from Pakistan, the ministry said. As a result of sustained efforts by the Government, 2639 Indian fishermen and 67 Indian civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. This includes 478 Indian fishermen and 09 Indian civilian prisoners who were repatriated from Pakistan in 2023, it added. (With inputs from Shailendra Wangu) ZAGREB, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Experts in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Britain said that China's practice of humanomics in the new era, a development paradigm generated and developed from the Chinese modernization practice, is the key to understanding the Asian country's modernization drive. "The very idea of humanomics in the new era is innovative, interesting and promising," Mladen Plese, a Croatian political analyst and a China expert, said, adding that China's efforts to bring the element of humanity into the economy are "valuable." According to Plese, humanity and economy should go hand in hand. "It is proof that China does not falter with initiatives that pave the way for a better society and faster development, and any initiative in this sense, which leads to progress and development, is more than welcome," he said. In the eyes of Faruk Boric, executive director of the Center for Promotion and Development of Belt and Road Initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, humanomics in the new era is a discipline that combines economics and humanities and it is much more amenable to explaining China yesterday, today and tomorrow. "Humanomics in the new era offers not only a theoretical framework but also practical suggestions for tracing the further development path, recognizing that people are at the center of civilization and development," Boric said. Citing the research report "The Humanomics in the New Era" published by Xinhua News Agency on Dec. 3, he said it showed human progress is not limited to just one class, race or nation, but must apply to the entire human civilization in all its manifestations. For Keith Bennett, an international relations consultant in London, the concept of humanomics in the new era restores people to the center stage envisaged in scientific socialism right from the early writings of Karl Marx, which argued that human nature is formed by the totality of social relations. Therefore, humanomics in the new era is aimed at redressing the socialist practice, including China's development, which has not always clearly demarcated itself from an economic determinism that neglects the human factor to a greater or lesser extent, Bennett said. According to Plese, China has been able to constantly adapt and put forward innovative methods, initiatives and theories to guide its practices on its path to modernization, and the development format of humanomics in the new era is just another example. It serves as a key to understanding China's modernization drive, which differs from the West. "That is how China is recognized in the world and this is the only way to succeed," he said. Plese was echoed by Boric, who said that the Chinese development, unique in terms of its scope and achievements, can not be explained by classical Western economic theory but springs from the multi-millennia, Confucian spirit of tradition that advocates harmony. "This Confucian spirit was impregnated with socialist ideology, which in its essence demands progress. It is the road to Chinese modernization," Boric said. According to Bennett, the idea of humanomics in the new era focuses on the people and reinforces the concept that has been put forward in socialist countries, as the late Chairman Mao Zedong pointed out the people are the motive force in the making of world history. Moreover, humanomics in the new era makes it clear that China, on its path to modernization, focuses on the people's welfare rather than making profits like the capitalist countries, he said. Dozens of rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip targeting Tel Aviv and southern Israel as the country rang in the New Year on Monday. The attack on southern Israel came at midnight and another targeting Tel Aviv occurred a minute later. Air-raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv as Israeli missile defence systems intercepted the rockets. Some of the people, who had gathered on the streets to celebrate New Years Eve, took shelter. I was terrified, like it was the first time I saw missiles, its terrifying, Gabriel Zemelman told AFP outside a Tel Aviv bar where he had come to celebrate with friends. Hamass military wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for both attacks in a video posted on social media. They said they used M90 rockets in response to the massacres of civilians perpetrated by Israel. No Happy New Year The Israeli military confirmed the attack. Hamas decided to start 2024 by launching a barrage of rockets at Israel, the military said in a post on social media. New year, same Hamas terrorism. While 129 Israelis are still being held captive by Hamas in Gaza, Hamas also decided to start 2024 by launching a barrage of rockets at Israel. There is no happy New Year until they are all home, IDF wrote on X. New year, same Hamas terrorism.While 129 Israelis are still being held captive by Hamas in Gaza, Hamas also decided to start 2024 by launching a barrage of rockets at Israel. There is no happy New Year until they are all home. pic.twitter.com/Szl23qcLqZ Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 31, 2023 The war was triggered by an unprecedented attack on October 7, which left around 1,140 people dead in Israel. The latest rocket attacks came as Israel continues its bombardment of the Gaza Strip, which has killed at least 21,822 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. As they turn from a year that could barely have brought more bitter hardship after 12 weeks of a pulverising Israeli assault, people in Gaza have little hope that 2024 will bring much relief. I wish for peace In 2024 I wish to go back to the wreckage of my home, pitch a tent and live there, said Abu Abdullah al-Agha, a middle aged Palestinian man whose house in Khan Younis was destroyed and who lost a young niece and nephew in an Israeli air strike, according to Reuters. I wish for our children to live in peace and security, to go back to school, back to university, for workers to go back to work and find a source of income, he added. Since October weve been struggling in tents in the streets, after our homes were demolished, said Suzan Khader, weeping, adding that she wished the new year would bring an end to the war. Our whole lives are now on the streets, we eat in the streets, we live on the streets, we die on the streets, and even our children are on the streets and were all displaced. So many struggles in 2023, she added. (With agency inputs) The Indian Embassy in Japan on Monday said that it has set up an emergency control room for those who have been impacted by the 7.5-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan leading to tsunami warning and advisories. Japan Earthquake Live: Catch All the Latest Updates HERE It shared a list of numbers and email addresses that can be contacted for those seeking emergency assistance. Here are the list of the numbers: Yakub Topno: +81-80-3930-1715 Ajay Sethi: +81-70-1492-0049 DN Barnwal: +81-80-3214-4734 S Bhattacharya: +81-80-6229-5382 Vivek Rathee: +81-80-3214-4722 Email address: sscons.tokyo@mea.gov.in Email address: offfseco.tokyo@mea.gov.in The embassy has set up an emergency control room for anyone to contact in connection with the earthquake and tsunami on January 1, 2024. The following emergency numbers and email IDs may be contacted for any assistance. The embassy is in regular contact with authorities concerned. Please follow instructions of the local government, the advisory said. Embassy has set up an emergency control room for anyone to contact in connection with the Earthquake and Tsunami on January I, 2024. The following Emergency numbers and email IDs may be contacted for any assistance. pic.twitter.com/oMkvbbJKEh India in Japan (@IndianEmbTokyo) January 1, 2024 Japan on Monday was struck by a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake. The temblor struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture on Sunday afternoon, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. ALSO READ | Japan Rocked by Massive Quake: Tsunami Strikes, Power Outages, Highways Closed | Top 5 Updates The Japanese meteorological agency reported a succession of 21 quakes of 4.0 magnitude or stronger hitting the nations central region in just over 90 minutes. A separate report by news agency AFP said tsunami waves over a metre high hit central Japan and evacuation orders were given asking people to flee to higher ground. The sudden earthquake and tsunami warning prompted highway closures. Homes and businesses sustained moderate damage. Around 33,500 households around the epicentre, in Toyama, Ishikawa and Niigata prefectures, were without power, Japanese media outlets said in a separate report. The government will assess the damage and ascertain if there have been any casualties. Tsunami waves as high as 1.2 meters (four feet) hit Wajima port in Ishikawa prefecture at 4:21 pm (0721 GMT), about 10 minutes after the strongest jolt, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. All residents must evacuate immediately to higher ground, national broadcaster NHK said after the quakes. The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that hazardous tsunami waves were possible within 300 kilometres of the quakes epicentre along the coast, on the Sea of Japan side of Japans main island of Honshu. Tsunami waves as high as four feet hit Wajima port in Ishikawa prefecture. A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Japan, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said on Monday. prompting immediate tsunami warnings in Ishikawa. The highest-level Tsunami warnings, however, were dropped later but residents of coastal areas were warned not to return home. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported earthquakes off the coast of Ishikawa and nearby prefectures shortly after 4 pm, with one registering a preliminary magnitude of 7.6. Japanese public broadcaster NHK TV had warned of torrents of water reaching heights of up to 5 meters urging individuals to seek refuge on higher ground. Here are the latest updates Injuries and damages caused by the powerful quake along the Sea of Japan coast are being reported. As of 7 p.m., multiple injuries were confirmed in Ishikawa, Niigata, and Fukui prefectures, according to information gathered from fire departments and hospitals by NHK. South Korean defence minister Shin Won-sik said taking out North Korean leader Kim Jong Un remains an option. According to a report by the New York Post, the South Korean authorities admitted that its military is conducting decapitation drills for the possible assassination of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. The admission from the South Korean military came after Kim pledged to boost North Korean nuclear arsenal, ramp up production of military drones and launch new spy satellites in 2024. The newspaper pointed out that South Korean officials have not talked about the assassination of Kim Jong Un publicly for over half a decade. The admission from the North Korean defence minister came during an interview on MBN television, according to NK News. The South Korean defence minister told the aforementioned news agencies that assassination drills and nuclear weapons deployment in the region are options that are being considered. He added that American forces also participated in the assassination drills. While it is difficult to openly discuss decapitation, the ROK-US special operation forces are conducting training. This training is for aerial manoeuvres, raids on key facilities and indoor mop-up, the defence minister of South Korea was quoted as saying by the news agencies. The South Korean joint chiefs of staff said the under-the-radar drills with US Army Special Forces were conducted last month. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he plans to launch three more spy satellites in 2024 as one of the key policy decisions for next year at a year-end party meeting, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. The United States, which has long caused and worsened political instability on the Korean peninsula, continues to pose various types of military threat to our country even as the year is coming to an end, Kim said. We must respond quickly to a possible nuclear crisis and continue to accelerate preparations to pacify the entire territory of South Korea by mobilising all physical means and forces, including nuclear force, in case of emergency, he said. Kim said American deployments of nuclear assets and drills in the region have made South Korea a forward military base and nuclear arsenal for America. South Korea responded by saying that Kims regime will end in the hands of the US- Korean coalition. South Korea last publicly discussed assassination of Kim Jong Un in 2017 when former South Korean defence minister Song Young-moo announced plans to establish the decapitation unit. These units would specialise in the elimination of North Korean leaders. Pakistans counterterrorism police said Monday they arrested 21 members of outlawed militant group the Pakistani Taliban, which has been behind several deadly attacks across the country. Acting on intelligence information, the arrests were made in the eastern Punjab province over the past two weeks, the provincial Counterterrorism Department said in a statement. The Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, is a separate group but allied with the Afghan Taliban, who seized power in Afghanistan in 2021 as U.S. and NATO troops were in the final stages of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war. The Counterterrorism Department provided a list of the suspects, the cases against them and their alleged affiliation. But the list did not give details about the attacks the militants were allegedly involved in, including the number of casualties. The statement said that Mohammad Arshad, an alleged chief commander of the banned Baluch Nationalist Army which mostly operates in Pakistans southwestern Baluchistan province, was also arrested. Baluchistan has been the scene of low-level insurgency by nationalists for more than two decades. They initially wanted a bigger share of provincial resources, but later initiated an insurgency for independence. The TTP and other domestic militant groups also operate in the province. A 39-year-old Hawaii man has died of his injuries after he was attacked by a shark in the waters off Maui, local police said. Jason Carter, described by local media as a surfer, was attacked on Saturday morning, the Maui Police Department said in a statement. When police arrived, he was being rushed to shore via jet ski by safety officers. Once onshore, life-saving measures were performed until he could be transported to hospital, the police statement said. But Carter later succumbed to his injuries and died, it continued. Authorities later closed the beach and put up shark warning signs. Hawaii News Now reported that water conditions were mixed at the time due to high surf conditions, and said that it was the first fatal shark attack in Hawaiian waters this year. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen expressed hopes on Monday for Taipei and Beijing to seek long-term peaceful coexistence and said future relations should be decided by Taiwans democratic procedures. Taiwan is less than two weeks from an election, closely watched from Beijing to Washington as it determines the future of the self-ruled islands relations with an increasingly bellicose China. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory to be seized one day. It has halted high-level communications with Tsais Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government since her 2016 election, and ramped up military, diplomatic and economic pressure on the island. In her last New Year speech before leaving office in May, Tsai expressed hopes to restart communications with Beijing. We hope that the two sides (of the Taiwan Strait) will resume healthy and sustainable exchanges as soon as possible, she said. We also hope that the two sides will jointly seek a long-term and stable way of peaceful coexistence under peace, parity, democracy and dialogue. But Tsai whom Beijing hates as she has refused to acknowledge Chinas territorial claims also stood firm on Taiwans need to defend its democracy. Facing the renewed conflict between democracy, freedom and authoritarianism around the world, Taiwans only choice in the future is still to continue to uphold democracy and protect peace. Tsai was also asked to comment on Chinese President Xi Jinpings New Years Eve speech, in which he said Taiwan will surely be reunified with China. Decisions must be made with the common will of the Taiwanese people. We are a democratic country after all, she told reporters after her speech. What kind of relationship we will form with China in the future must be determined by our democratic procedures to make the final decision. Xi has previously said China would never rule out the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. Tsais ruling DPP has largely campaigned on a platform of sovereignty separate from China, and their candidate, Vice President Lai Ching-te, has in past described himself as a pragmatic worker of Taiwan independence. Opposition Kuomintang (KMT) partys candidate Hou Yu-ih and Taiwan Peoples Party Ko Wen-je have pledged friendlier ties with China, saying Lais pro-independence remarks could undermine Taiwans security. The UK is considering airstrikes targeting Houthi rebels after the Yemeni outfit attacked a container ship and fired at US Navy helicopters in the Red Sea on Sunday. The US Navy helicopters downed three boats which the rebels used for Sundays attack. UK defence secretary, Grant Shapps, said the government will not hesitate to takedirect action to prevent further attacks. UK-based the Guardian said both nations are preparing a joint statement which shall issue a final warning to the Yemeni outfit backed by Iran. On Sunday four boats from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen fired at the Maersk Hangzhou and came within metres of the vessel as US helicopters fired back. The US Centcom said the US Navy helicopters killed several crews on the armed Houthi boats and added that no damages were sustained by the choppers or the container ship. The Houthis should be under no misunderstanding: we are committed to holding malign actors accountable for unlawful seizures and attacks. (The UK) wont hesitate to take further action to deter threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, Grant Shapps said, in an article published by The Telegraph, another UK-based newspaper. We call for the Iranian-backed Houthi to cease these illegal attacks and we are working with allies and partners to protect freedom of navigation, the UK government said in a separate statement accessed by news agency PA Media. The situation in the Red Sea is incredibly serious, and the Houthi attacks are unacceptable and destabilising. As you would expect, while planning is under way for a range of scenarios, no decisions have yet been made and we continue to pursue all diplomatic routes, the statement added. The statement was released as UK foreign minister David Cameron spoke to Iran foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Sunday. I spoke to Amir-Abdollahian today about Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, which threaten innocent lives and the global economy. I made clear that Iran shares responsibility for preventing these attacks given their longstanding support to the Houthis, Cameron said on X, formerly known as Twitter, in a post after the meeting. The UK also sent a Royal Navy destroyer that joined international efforts to deter attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea. HMS Diamond joined American and French warships in a US-led taskforce dubbed Operation Prosperity Guardian, according to a report by PA Media. A young American mother from the state of Colorado, suspected of killing two of her young children and injuring a third, was arrested Saturday in the UK, police said. Kimberlee Singlers 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son were found dead on Dec. 19 when police responded to a report of a burglary at their home. Police later said the report turned out to be unfounded, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department. Singler, 35, initially cooperated with police but disappeared during the investigation, said Ira Cronin, spokesperson for the Colorado Springs Police Department. US authorities were unable to apprehend her after obtaining an arrest warrant Tuesday on charges of murder and attempted murder, among other allegations. Singler was not under surveillance and was last seen in Colorado Springs on Dec. 23, said Cronin. Authorities did not provide further details on the overseas arrest, but said they are working with multiple law enforcement agencies. Attempts to reach Singler for comment through phone numbers listed for her were unsuccessful. When police first responded to Singlers home, they found her with minor injuries, the two childrens bodies and Singlers 11-year-old daughter hurt. At first, Singler was treated as a burglary victim, said Cronin. The injured girl was hospitalized for a few days before being released and is recovering in Colorado Springs, said Cronin. The childrens deaths came amid an ongoing legal battle between Singler and her ex-husband over parenting time and other issues, according to court filings. US media reports earlier said that the FBI was assisting in the search for Singler at the request of police. (With agency inputs) MOSCOW, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered New Year address on Sunday, calling for national unity. "We have proven time and time again that we can solve even the most difficult problems, and we will never back down, because there is no force that can divide us, make us forget the memory and faith of our fathers, or stop our development," he said. The president also wished Russian families all the best. "We are one country, one big family," he said. "We will ensure the confident development of the fatherland, the well-being of our citizens, and we will become even stronger," said Putin. US helicopters fired on Iran-backed Houthi rebels attempting to board a cargo ship off Yemen Sunday, the military said, with the rebels reporting 10 fighters dead or missing. US Central Command said the navy had responded to a distress call from the Maersk Hangzhou, a Danish-owned container ship that reported coming under attack for a second time in 24 hours while transiting the Red Sea. The vessel had earlier been targeted with two anti-ship ballistic missiles. One was shot down and the other hit the Maersk Hangzhou. The Houthis had then fired on US helicopters, which returned fire in self-defence, sinking three of four small boats that had come within 20 metres (yards) of the ship, according to the CENTCOM statement. It said the crews of the three vessels were killed while the fourth boat fled the area. Iranian-backed Houthi small boats attack merchant vessel and U.S. Navy helicopters in Southern Red SeaOn Dec. 31 at 6:30am (Sanaa time) the container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU issued a second distress call in less than 24 hours reporting being under attack by four Iranian-backed pic.twitter.com/pj8NAzjbVF U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 31, 2023 Deadly escalation The clash in the Red Sea marked a deadly escalation since the United States set up a multinational naval task force in early December to protect the vital shipping lane against attacks by the Houthis, who control the Yemeni capital Sanaa and much of the countrys Red Sea coast. The rebels have repeatedly fired drones and missiles at passing ships in the seaway through which 12 percent of global trade passes. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree confirmed in a statement on X that 10 members of the groups naval forces were killed or missing in the US strike. Saree said the Maersk was attacked as part of the rebels campaign to stop Israeli or Israel-bound vessels from transiting the Red Sea. Yemens naval forces once again remind all countries of our advice not to be drawn into American plans aimed at sparking a conflict in the Red Sea, saying the Houthis are determined to confront any aggression against our country and our people. 23rd illegal attack Maersk suspended the passage of its vessels through the Red Sea for 48 hours after the latest of about two dozen attacks by Houthis on international shipping in the past six weeks. The cargo ship, en route from Singapore to Egypts Port Suez, had issued an earlier distress call after it was struck by the Houthi missile. The US military said that assault was the 23rd illegal attack by the Houthis on international shipping since November 19. The vessel appeared to be undamaged and was able to continue its transit north, Maersk said. The cargo ship was then fired on by four Houthi rebel vessels that attempted to board the vessel, according to the company, one of the worlds largest shipping firms. In light of the incident and to allow time to investigate the details of the incident and assess the security situation further it has been decided to delay all transits through the area for the next 48 hours, it added. Regional tensions have spiked since Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, killing around 1,140 people. In response, Israel vowed to eliminate Hamas from Gaza and launched a devastating offensive that has killed 21,672 people, according to the Hamas-run territorys health ministry. (With agency inputs) The Chinese foreign ministry on Monday said Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden exchanged congratulations marking the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, according to a report by news agency Reuters. Xi said that both the US and China have weathered storms and moved forward in general due to which the well-being of the people of both countries enhanced and led to world peace, stability and prosperity. He said that US and China forming ties is a major event in the history of bilateral relations and in international relations. I am willing to work with President Biden to continue to steer and navigate the China-US relationship for the benefit of China and the US and the two peoples, and to promote the cause of world peace and development, Xi Jinping said. Biden administration officials visited Beijing last year on several occasions and met their counterparts in an attempt to rebuild communications and trust which later led to the high-stakes summit between Biden and Xi in San Francisco in November. The meeting was seen as an opportunity to reduce tensions between the worlds two-largest economies. The summit, according to Xi Jinping, pointed out the direction for both nations ties, under a future-oriented vision. Xi Dials Putin On New Years Eve, the Chinese leader exchanged greetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin as well. This year is the 75th anniversary of China and Russia establishing diplomatic relations. Russias economic reliance on China has grown as the country becomes increasingly isolated, hit by sanctions especially from Western countries since its invasion of Ukraine, a war which will enter its third year come February. Xi said China and Russia should continuously consolidate and develop ties featuring permanent good-neighbourly friendship, along with comprehensive strategic coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation that would serve both countries interests. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China by Mao Zedong, who defeated Republic of China forces led by Chiang Kai-shek in a bloody civil war. North Korea Friendship Year Xi Jinping also exchanged New Years messages with North Korea leader Kim Jong Un. He and Kim announced 2024 to be a friendship year for both countries. The leaders also launched a series of events to observe the festivities. Xi said China is willing to work with Pyongyang to deepen strategic mutual trust, enhance exchanges and cooperation, promote greater bilateral ties and make new contributions to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region. Mao declared the Peoples Republic of China on Oct. 1, 1949, while Chiangs government fled into exile in Taiwan in December of that year. No peace treaty has ever been signed to end the war and the Republic of China remains Taiwans formal name. Xi said in his New Years address on Sunday that Chinas reunification with Taiwan is inevitable, striking a stronger tone than he did a year earlier with less than two weeks to go before the democratically governed island elects a new leader. (with inputs from Reuters) Israels Supreme Court on Monday struck down a key component of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus contentious judicial overhaul, a decision that threatens to reopen the fissures in Israeli society that preceded the countrys ongoing war against Hamas. Those divisions were largely put aside while the country focuses on the war in Gaza, which was triggered by a bloody cross-border attack by Hamas. Mondays court decision could reignite those tensions, which sparked months of mass protests against the government and had rattled the cohesion of the powerful military. There was no immediate reaction from Netanyahu. In Mondays decision, the court narrowly voted to overturn a law passed in July that prevents judges from striking down government decisions they deem unreasonable. Opponents had argued that Netanyahus efforts to remove the standard of reasonability opens the door to corruption and improper appointments of unqualified cronies to important positions. The law was the first in a planned overhaul of the Israeli justice system. The overhaul was put on hold after Hamas carried out their Oct. 7 attack, killing some 1,200 people and kidnapping 240 others. Israel immediately declared war, and is pressing forward with an offensive that Palestinian health officials say has killed nearly 22,000 people in Gaza. In an 8-7 decision, the Supreme Court justices struck down the law because of the severe and unprecedented harm to the core character of the State of Israel as a democratic country. The justices also voted 12-3 that they had the authority to overturn so-called Basic Laws, major pieces of legislation that serve as a sort of constitution for Israel. It was a significant blow to Netanyahu and his hard-line allies, who claimed the national legislature, not the high court, should have the final word over the legality of legislation and other key decisions. The justices said the Knesset, or parliament, does not have omnipotent power. Netanyahu and his allies announced their sweeping overhaul plan shortly after taking office a year ago. It calls for curbing the power of the judges, from limiting the Supreme Courts ability to review parliamentary decisions to changing the way judges are appointed. Netanyahu and his allies said the changes aim to strengthen democracy by limiting the authority of unelected judges and turning over more powers to elected officials. But opponents see the overhaul as a power grab by Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges, and an assault on a key watchdog. Before the war, hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets in weekly protests against the government. Among the demonstrators were military reservists, including fighter pilots and members of other elite units, who said they would stop reporting for duty if the overhaul was passed. The reservists make up the backbone of the military. While the reservists quickly returned to duty after the Oct. 7 attacks in a show of unity, it remains unclear what will happen if the overhaul efforts are revived. A resumption of the protests could undermine national unity and affect the militarys readiness if soldiers refuse to report for duty. Under the Israeli system, the prime minister governs through a majority coalition in parliament in effect giving him control over the executive and legislative branches of government. As a result, the Supreme Court plays a critical oversight role. Critics say that by seeking to weaken the judiciary, Netanyahu and his allies are trying to erode the countrys checks and balances and consolidate power over the third, independent branch of government. Netanyahus allies include an array of ultranationalist and religious parties with a list of grievances against the court. His allies have called for increased West Bank settlement construction, annexation of the occupied territory, perpetuating military draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men, and limiting the rights of LGBTQ+ people and Palestinians. The U.S. had previously urged Netanyahu to put the plans on hold and seek a broad consensus across the political spectrum. The court issued its decision because its outgoing president, Esther Hayut, is retiring and Monday was her last day on the job. TEHRAN, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanaani, said on Monday, the day Iran became an official BRICS member, that the multilateral platform provided by the BRICS enables Iran to grasp more opportunities to boost economic cooperation with other countries and better serve its national interests. Making the remarks at a weekly press conference here in the Iranian capital, Kanaani said Iran had always seriously pursued and made efforts toward the promotion of multilateralism, and the country's full membership in the group was an outcome of its enhanced international status. The BRICS is the acronym for an emerging-market cooperative mechanism that initially includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Iran was invited to join the bloc in August last year, with its full membership set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2024. Kanaani stressed that with the accession of new members, BRICS had gained a new weight and importance in international equations, saying using the group's capacities, Iran would be able to further safeguard its national interests and improve its "constructive and influential" role in international multilateral equations. Intercity bus riders are being left out in the cold, quite literally, as Greyhound's former owner sells the valuable stations that connect its vast network. CNN Business reports that bus depots have shuttered in major cities, including Houston, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Tampa, Louisville, and Charlottesville, with Chicago and Dallas next in line. Often in prime downtown locations, the stations are transformed into restaurants and other ventures, and in some cases, Greyhound leases stations from the new owners. The Wall Street Journal breaks down what happened when the bus giant changed hands between British transportation company FirstGroup to German's Flix in 2021. The $172 million sale was a loss for FirstGroup (which purchased Greyhound for $3.7 billion in 2007), but did not include Greyhound's properties, which FirstGroup has been selling off separately. So far FirstGroup has unloaded nearly 50 of them for more than $240 million. While bus travel has been on the decline since Greyhound started in 1914, it provides a much-needed service for lower-income Americans. Greyhound's 2,300 stops run coast to coast, providing a more affordable way to get from here to there. Meanwhile, bus travel still beats train, with double the passengers of Amtrak. "All this happening at once is really startling," DePaul University professor Joseph Schwieterman told CNN Business. "You're taking mobility away from disproportionately low-income and mobility-challenged citizens who don't have other options." Without terminals, travelers face a host of issues. Bus stations provide a place for people to use the bathroom and grab a bite to eat, but more importantly, to keep them out of snow or harsh weather. If a bus transfer occurs late at night, passengers must wait outside instead of the safety of an indoor terminal (around half of Greyhound passengers make transfers). And no one is there to inform them about delays or other changes. The trend of curbside pickup is not new, however. Companies began operating buses out of Chinatowns from the curb in the '90s, loading lines of people as buses idled on congested roadways. Ticket prices plummeted using this model, free from the costs of terminals and additional staff, but there was still the headache of managing a busload of people on busy streets. story continues below "Losing out on terminals means that cities are going to have to regulate curbside service," Nicholas Klein, an assistant professor at Cornell University who specializes in intercity bus travel. "Someone has to deal with the consequences of lots of people waiting for buses where there's not sufficient services." Following Greyhound's bus station closure in Tampa, passengers now wait for their rides under a highway overpass. In Philadelphia, complaints moved curbside pickups from neighborhood to neighborhood, and in other cities, are forcing the stops out to more remote locations. Transit advocates hope the public sector will step up to save the service. In Georgia, federal dollars helped open a new terminal in Atlanta, and other solutions may lie in combining bus terminals with train stations, seen in cities like Boston and Milwaukee. (Bus 666 is no longer making stops to Hel.) It's unclear to Tameka howor even whenher children became unenrolled from Atlanta Public Schools, the AP reports. But it was traumatic when, in fall 2021, they figured out it had happened. After more than a year of some form of pandemic online learning, students were all required to come back to school in person. Tameka was deeply afraid of COVID-19 and skeptical the schools could keep her kids safe from what she called "the corona." One morning, in a test run, she sent two kids to school. Her oldest daughter, then in seventh grade, and her second youngest, a boy entering first grade, boarded their respective buses. She had yet to register the youngest girl, who was entering kindergarten. And her older son, a boy with Down syndrome, stayed home because she wasn't sure he could consistently wear masks. After a few hours, the elementary school called: Come pick up your son, they told her. He was no longer enrolled, they said. Around lunchtime, the middle school called: Come get your daughter, they told her. She doesn't have a class schedule. Tameka's childrenall four of themhave been home ever since. Thousands of students went missing from American classrooms during the pandemic. For some who have tried to return, a serious problem has presented itself. A corrosive combination of onerous re-enrollment requirements, arcane paperwork, and the everyday obstacles of povertya nonworking phone, a missing backpack, the loss of a caris in many cases preventing those children from going back. In Atlanta, where Tameka lives, parents must present at least eight documents to enroll their childrentwice as many as parents in New York City or Los Angeles. One of the documentsa complicated certificate evaluating a child's dental health, vision, hearing, and nutritionis required by the state. Most of the others are Atlanta's doing, including students' Social Security cards and an affidavit declaring residency that has to be notarized. The district asks for proof of residency for existing students every year at some schools, and also before beginning sixth and ninth grades, to prevent students from attending schools outside of their neighborhoods or communities. The policy also allows the district to request proof the student of residence after an extended absence or many tardy arrivals. Without that proof, families say their children have been unenrolled. (Read much more at the AP, including how gentrification plays a role, stories of other families in similar situations, and the rest of Tameka's journeyincluding a threat of being punished for "educational neglect.") This has been a terrible year for the world's freshwater fish and a lot of work needs to be done to stop thousands of species from hurtling toward extinction in 2024, researchers say. The International Union for Conservation of Nature says that about 21% of freshwater fish3,086 out of 14,898 assessed speciesare at risk of extinction because of factors including pollution, overfishing, and climate change, the latter of which affected at least 17% of threatened species. The IUCN says climate change puts pressure on fish species in several ways, including by shifting the seasons and forcing seawater up rivers as sea levels rise, the Guardian reports. One species highlighted by the IUCN was the Atlantic salmon, which lives in both freshwater and seawater, reports Reuters. The species, which inhabits only a small fraction of rivers it was found in a century ago, moved to the "near threatened" category because new evidence shows that its population shrank 23% between 2006 and 2020. "Freshwater fishes make up more than half the world's known fish species, an incomprehensible diversity given that freshwater ecosystems comprise only 1% of aquatic habitat," says Kathy Hughes, co-chair of the IUCN species survival commission freshwater fish specialist group. "These diverse species are integral to the ecosystem, and vital to its resilience." "Ensuring freshwater ecosystems are well managed, remain free-flowing with sufficient water, and good water quality, is essential to stop species declines and maintain food security, livelihoods, and economies in a climate resilient world," Hughes says. (More fish stories.) Millions of Ukrainians have been killed , injured , or displaced since the war Russia started almost two years ago. Then there are "the most forlorn victims of Russia's invasion," per the New York Times : the Ukrainian children "stolen" from their homeland, taken without their or their family's consent to Russia or Russian-controlled territories. Ukraine's official count logs nearly 19,000 children transferred to Russia or Russian-controlled territories, though other estimates say that figure is closer to 300,000. "Some were wounded or orphaned in bombardments on Ukrainian towns and villages," the Times notes of Ukraine's far-flung children, many of whom Russia is reportedly trying to adopt out to Russian families. "Some were left homeless and alone after parents were detained. Others were separated from families believing they were sending their children to summer camp." But the kids aren't simply taken from their homes: The Times notes that once settled in their new locations, the Ukrainian children undergo an "indoctrination," where anything Ukrainian (including the language and national colors) is forbidden, and history lessons and songs take a decidedly pro-Russian slant. Some of the children have been told they'll be disciplined for going to Russia if they return to Ukraine; some have even been (falsely) told their parents don't want them anymore. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his so-called commissioner of children's rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, insist they're simply providing humanitarian assistance to abandoned childrenbut there's a sealed arrest warrant against them both for war crimes, and some point out that the unwanted transfers could constitute genocide under the Geneva Conventions. More here on some of the children's stories. (60 Minutes recently profiled an NGO that's rescuing the missing children from Russia, one at a time.) President Xi Jinping told China on Sunday that the nation's reunification with Taiwan is bound to happen. "The reunification of the motherland is a historical inevitability," he said in his New Year's address, according to the official translation. His remarks came two weeks before Taiwan, which broke away in 1949, holds elections that could alter relations, Politico Europe reports. China still claims Taiwan as its territory and has been increasing pressure on the island by conducting military drills in the area. His government has never said it won't use force against Taiwan, but Xi included no military threats in his televised speech, per Reuters . Xi had not gone so far last year, when he said that people on either side of the Taiwan Strait are "members of one and the same family." That speech expressed hope for cooperation to "jointly foster lasting prosperity of the Chinese nation." The level of cooperation was a point of contention during and after a debate Saturday among Taiwan's presidential candidates, who all supported peace with China. William Lai, the front-runner, said he's open to talking with China's government, though it refuses to talk to him. "The international community has realized the threat China poses to Taiwan and the international community," Lai said, per the AP. "In fact, everyone is already preparing to respond. We should unite and cooperate to ensure peace." China's Taiwan Affairs Office later issued a statement critical of Lai, saying, "His words were full of confrontational thinking." China's preference is Hou Yu-ih of the Nationalist Party. The candidate from the Taiwan People's Party, Ko Wen-je, quoted US Secretary of State Antony Blinken: "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." (More Taiwan-China relations stories.) Russia launched a record 90 Shahed-type drones over Ukraine during the early hours of the new year, the Ukrainian air force said Monday, while Russia also reported Ukrainian attacks. A 15-year-old boy was killed and seven people wounded after falling debris from one of 87 downed drones hit a residential building in the city of Odesa, the head of the region's military administration, Oleh Kiper, said, per the AP . Debris also sparked a number of small fires, including at the city's port. In the western city of Lviv, Russian attacks severely damaged a museum dedicated to Roman Shukhevych, a controversial Ukrainian nationalist and military commander who fought for Ukrainian independence during World War II. University buildings in the town of Dubliany were also damaged, although no casualties were reported. Writing on social media, Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi described the strike as "symbolic and cynical," adding, "This is a war for our history." Meanwhile, four people were killed and 13 more wounded following Ukrainian shelling on Russian-occupied areas of Donetsk, according to the area's Russian-installed leader, Denis Pushilin. Russian state media reported that a journalist was among the victims but provided no further details. One person was also killed and another wounded in shelling on the Russian border town of Shebekino, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said. The aerial strikes follow a series of heavy aerial bombardments that began on Friday, when Russia unleashed an 18-hour attack that one air force official described as the biggest aerial barrage of the war. At least 49 people were killed in the bombardment, with rescuers in Kyiv reporting Monday that they'd recovered at least eight more bodies from underneath the rubble. (More Russia-Ukraine war stories.) Peter Magubane, a fearless photographer who captured the violence and horror of South Africa's apartheid era of racial oppression, and was entrusted with documenting Nelson Mandela's first years of freedom after his release from prison, died Monday. He was 91, the AP reports. He was a "legendary photojournalist," said the South African National Editors' Forum. The South African government said Magubane "covered the most historic moments in the liberation struggle against apartheid." He persisted in his coverage despite being regularly harassed, assaulted, and arrested, per Reuters . He was "someone who made very big sacrifices for the freedom that we enjoy today," his granddaughter said. Magubane photographed 40 years of apartheid South Africa, including the 1960 Sharpeville massacre, the trial of Mandela and others in 1964, and the Soweto uprising of 1976, when thousands of Black students protested the apartheid government's law making the Afrikaans language compulsory in school. The Soweto uprising became a pivotal moment in the struggle for democracy in South Africa after police opened fire on the young protesters, killing at least 176 of them and drawing international outrage. Magubane's award-winning photographs told the world about the killings. Magubane became a target of the apartheid government after photographing a protest outside a jail where Mandela's then-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, was being held in 1969. He was jailed and kept in solitary confinement for more than a year-and-a-half. Magubane also was imprisoned numerous times during his career and subjected to a five-year ban that prevented him from working or even leaving his home without police permission. He said he was shot 17 times with shotgun pellets by apartheid police while on assignment and was beaten and had his nose broken by police when he refused to give up the photographs he took of the Soweto uprisings. Faced with the option of leaving South Africa to go into exile because he was a marked man by the apartheid regime, he chose to stay and continue taking photographs. "I said, 'no I will remain here. I will fight apartheid with my camera,'" he said in a recent interview with national broadcaster SABC. story continues below The photographer also created searing images of everyday life under apartheid that resonated just as much as those of the violence, per the AP. One of his most celebrated photographs was a 1956 image of a Black maid sitting on a bench designated for whites only while seemingly caressing the neck of a white child under her care in a wealthy Johannesburg suburb. The photo spoke of the absurdity of the forced system of racial segregation given that so many white children were looked after by Black women. In 1990, Magubane was appointed official photographer to Mandela. He said his favorite photograph of Mandela was him dancing at his 72nd birthday party, months after being released after 27 years in prison. "You can see the joy of freedom shining in his eyes," Magubane said. The International Center of Photography has several of his photos posted here. (More obituary stories.) Israel announce Monday that it will start pulling several thousand troops from Gaza this week, the largest withdrawal of the war against Hamas revealed so far and a possible indication of a change in strategy in line with US preferences. Two brigades will return to Israel this week, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement, and three more will leave for training at an unspecified date, the New York Times reports. A spokesman said Sunday night that pulling back reservists doesn't reflect any change in Israel's determination to fight until Hamas is destroyed. But removing troops, at least temporarily, will "significantly ease the burden on the economy and allow them to gather strength for the upcoming activities in the next year," he said. The Public Safety Report is compiled from criminal complaints filed in state and federal courts, as well as some police blotter information, trooper dispatches, fire department reports and interviews with public safety officials. Individuals named as arrested and/or charged with crimes in this report are presumed innocent until proved guilty in a court of law. This photo taken on Dec. 31, 2023 shows a meeting held by the Independent National Electoral Commission in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to announce the preliminary results of the country's presidential election. Felix Tshisekedi has been re-elected as president of the DRC for a second five-year term, securing 73.34 percent of the total votes cast in the elections held on Dec. 20, the Independent National Electoral Commission said Sunday. (Photo by Alain Uyakani/Xinhua) KINSHASA, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Felix Tshisekedi has been re-elected as president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for a second five-year term, securing 73.34 percent of the total votes cast in the elections held on Dec. 20, the Independent National Electoral Commission said Sunday. Moise Katumbi, one of the main opposition candidates, attained the second position with about 18 percent of the votes, according to the commission. The commission reported that over 18 million people, out of a total of 44 million registered voters, cast their ballots. The president-elect is scheduled to be sworn in on Jan. 20, 2024, after the Constitutional Court approves the election results on Jan. 10. General elections held on Dec. 20 witnessed alledged irregularities as the Central African country was slated to elect a new president, members of the National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies, along with municipal councilors. Denis Kadima, president of the electoral commission, said that the reported irregularities during the electoral process are "insignificant" and would not impact the election results. Due to delayed arrival of voting materials and equipment, many polling stations were unable to open on time, leading to an official extension of polling to the following day. However, this extension was deemed contrary to electoral law and the Constitution by some presidential candidates. A statement by five presidential candidates, including Martin Fayulu and Denis Mukwege, prominent challengers in the race, claimed that "irregularities sufficiently attest that the election on Dec. 20, 2023, was a sham, organized in violation of the fundamental rights of the Congolese people." Ahead of the announcement of election results by the electoral body, several opposition presidential candidates on Sunday called for widespread protests and demanded a redo of the election. Tensions have been visibly escalating since the commencement of polling, akin to previous elections. In 2018, Tshisekedi ascended to power after winning the election, marking the country's first peaceful transfer of power since its independence from Belgium. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa opened yesterday the Charthouse Residence in Manama within the Bahrain Harbour District, a subsidiary of Infracorp, near the iconic Bahrain Financial Harbour (BFH) and Harbour Heights. Also present were Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Tourism Minister Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, Industry and Commerce Minister Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro, and Capital Governor Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa. Infracorp chariman Hisham Al Rayes and a number of the companys employees were among the Deputy Prime Ministers recipients. Shaikh Khalid affirmed that the continuous growth of the tourism sector is the result of tireless efforts to strengthen the infrastructure to promote Bahrains status as a global tourist destination, to achieve the goals of the comprehensive development process led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, with the follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The Deputy Premier emphasised the impressive expansion of highly rated hotel facilities, as well as the keenness of internationally known hotel brands to establish a foothold in Bahrain. Based on the quarterly economic report for this quarter, it is clear that the private sector and investors enjoy significant support and facilities for practicing this vital activity. Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah was briefed on the project, which represents an important step forward in the development of BFH. Turkish security forces have detained 189 suspected members of the Islamic State in an operation codenamed "Heroes-38" across 37 provinces, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Saturday. AFP | Seoul The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com North Korean leader Kim Jong Un wrapped up the year with fresh threats of a nuclear attack on Seoul and orders for a military arsenal build-up to prepare for a war that can "break out any time" on the peninsula, state media reported yesterday. Kim lambasted the United States during a lengthy speech at the end of five days of year-end party meetings that set his country's military, political and economic policy decisions for 2024. The meeting announced plans for further military development in the coming year, including launching three more spy satellites, building unmanned drones and developing electronic warfare capabilities, as well as strengthening nuclear and missile forces, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). This year, Pyongyang successfully launched a reconnaissance satellite, enshrined its status as a nuclear power in its constitution and test-fired the most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in its arsenal. Kim accused the United States of posing "various forms of military threat" and ordered his armed forces to maintain the "overwhelming war response capability", according to KCNA's account of the meeting that ended on Saturday. The meeting concluded that it is a "fait accompli that a war may break out on the Korean peninsula any time due to the enemies' reckless moves for invading the DPRK", KCNA said, using the acronym of the North's official name. In an effort to deter Pyongyang, Washington deployed a nuclear-powered submarine in the South Korean port city of Busan this month and flew its long-range bombers in drills with Seoul and Tokyo. The North has described the deployment of Washington's strategic weapons, such as B-52 bombers, in joint drills on the Korean peninsula as "intentional nuclear war provocative moves". The military "should rapidly respond to any possible nuclear crisis and put continuous spurs to the preparations for a great event to suppress the whole territory of south Korea by mobilizing all physical means and forces including nuclear forces North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in contingency", Kim said. PHNOM PENH, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia designated Dec. 29 as the "Peace Day", an official national holiday in the Southeast Asian country, according to a government's sub-decree released on Monday. Signed by Prime Minister Hun Manet, the sub-decree said the move was to respond to the sacred desire of the Cambodian people who love peace and hate war. "It is to remember the complete end of civil war on Dec. 29, 1998 by the Win-Win Policy, that has brought full peace and national unity to Cambodia," it said. The day is also to show gratitude to the martyrs who had sacrificed their lives for the cause of peace and national reconciliation. "It is a reminder to the Cambodian people in all generations to remember the great destruction of the nation and the misery of the Cambodian people, as well as the consequences caused by war and national division," the sub-decree said. "It is also to inspire the Cambodian people in all generations to hate war." The day is also to inspire people to work together to promote peace, which is the life of the nation and the most valuable foundation for the nation's development and the people's happiness, the sub-decree added. Cambodia has enjoyed full peace since 1998 after former Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen had designed and used the Win-Win Policy to coax the Khmer Rouge to reintegrate into his Phnom Penh government. Popular actor and producer, Azeez Ijaduade has been discharged from the hospital following a near-death experience after being hit by a bullet fired by a trigger-happy police officer in Iperu area of Ogun state. The incident occurred last week where the single bullet pierced not just the metal of his car but also his neck, leaving him battling for breath and survival. The producer who documented the harrowing incident with a video showing the bullets path through his car, expressed gratitude to God for what he termed His unspeakable intervention. He added that for days he was in shock and couldnt figure out how the incident occurred on the faithful day. Ijaduade acknowledged the torrent of love and support tendered him by fans and well wishers across the country and in the diaspora. According to him, the gestures showered on him helped to navigate the difficult period and the frightening situation towards his recovery. Specifically, the movie star commended the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) and media organizations for their unalloyed support. He disclosed that he will forever be grateful to those who stood by him during the challenging time. Indigenes of Owo community in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, where the late ex-Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu hailed from, have appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to pick his deputy from the community. The indigenes, under the aegis of a socio-cultural group, the Imade Development Association, IDA, said with the move, Aiyedatiwa will honour the memory of his late boss. According to the group, picking a deputy from Owo will serve as compensation for the untimely death of their prominent son, Akeredolu, who died a few days ago in Germany after a long battle with prostate cancer. The group, which expressed sadness over the demise of Akeredolu, stated that if the request is neglected, the polarisation of the state along ethnic and political lines might continue to escalate. During a press briefing, the Chairman of IDA, Segun Ogunbadeniyi, the Secretary, Femi Fadaisi, and the Publicity Secretary, Julius Adesola, maintained that the community will not rest until Aiyedatiwa picks an Owo man as deputy. Ogunbadeniyi, who read the communique on behalf of the group, stressed that with the passing of Akeredolu, who hails from Owo, it is crucial to safeguard the interests and aspirations of the town. In our opinion, the joint ticket that expires in February 2025 is Owo/Ilaje. We do not understand any calculations outside of it. Whoever picks the ticket of the APC or PDP next year can therefore decide which zone to produce the Deputy Governor. Any attempt to erase Owo from the calculation until February 2025 by Aiyedatiwa, in our opinion, is unfair, not equitable, and can cause division in body politics, he said. The group maintained that there are prominent Owo indigenes that are capable of being deputy governors. The names reeled out that should be considered for the position include Hon. Niran-Sule Akinsuyi, who the group said was in the trenches with Akeredolu during the 2016 elections; the Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly; Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi; Mr. Zach Adetula; and Chief Jamiu Ekungba. Picking from this list will be a fair deal for all stakeholders. The current situation is a joint ticket between Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa, which they assiduously worked for, he added. Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, says the federal government must address the acute hardship that Nigerians are facing. In his New Years message, the former vice-president described 2023 as a challenging year, adding that the situation of life for Nigerians keeps getting direr. He said the government must desist from the subsisting behaviour of groping in the dark and show a clear direction of its policy projections. Atiku added that the government should also address the rising cost of living and the degenerating state of our national and community security with a well-thought vision of national planning. Certainly, many families and businesses already know the intensity of the trying times that we are currently going through though we could have taken a completely different pathway, had the government been smarter with their policy prescriptions, the message reads. The rising cost of food items, goods and services, the malfunction in our national economy and the degenerating state of our national and community security are all existential challenges that we have to face squarely in the New Year. While many companies have closed their operations in Nigeria and moved their enterprise elsewhere with clearer policies and visions, the situation of life for Nigerians keeps getting direr. To walk back from these throes of adversities will require a well-thought vision of National Planning that will deliberately make the common people of Nigeria the centrepiece of our development. The Year 2024 is still new on its canvas; and so, there is ample time for the current government to champion a pathway to addressing the acute hardship that Nigerians are going through. The government must show a clear direction of its policy projections and desist from the subsisting behaviour of groping in the dark. While I congratulate all Nigerians for witnessing this New Year, I also wish to call on everyone to double our efforts to put our respective families and businesses in good shape. Edwin Clark, convener of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), says restructuring Nigeria is the only way to end killings in the country. On Christmas Eve, over 115 persons were confirmed dead in attacks by gunmen on communities in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi LGAs of the state. Reacting to the incident in an open letter to President Bola Tinubu on Sunday, Clark described the attacks as senseless and barbaric. I respectfully advise your excellency to take decisive action in order to bring the perpetrators of these heinous acts to justice, Clark said. As suggested by others, it would be beneficial to set up a powerful commission of inquiry consisting of responsible patriotic and loyal citizens, including senior retired officers of the armed forces. This commission should conduct a thorough investigation into the killings of innocent citizens and the destruction of properties particularly in Plateau state. It is also important to uncover any involvement of the army in this tragic incident. The findings of the commission should be handled with precision, and the recommendations should be implemented without hesitation. There should be no sacred cows in dealing with the sponsors and perpetrators of these acts. It is crucial to take decisive actions and hold them accountable for their actions. The elder statesman added that restructuring the country would solve insecurity better. It is wrong for anyone to describe the situation in Plateau state as a battle or war between two communities or inter-communal war, he said. Rather, it is a one-sided attack on innocent indigenes of the plateau communities, aimed at seizing their land. This has been happening for the past two decades, with armed Fulani herdsmen deliberately targeting and displacing the people. It is disheartening that the federal government has not taken decisive action to address this genocide in a country where the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is being ignored and violated, leaving Nigerian citizens to abandon their homes for the invaders to occupy their land and seek refuge in camps. Clark alleged that some politicians known to the government are also responsible for sponsoring dangerous herdsmen. This is one of the main reasons why many Nigerians are calling for the restructuring of the country, allowing people in different states to live freely and develop their regions or state without intimidation or oppression from any quarter, he said. Currently, we are not practising a true federal system where people can freely move and exercise their rights to freedom of speech and association. We need a federation where all citizens are equal and there is mutual respect for one another. In this federation, each state or region should be able to develop at its own pace, utilizing the resources available within their boundaries without any hindrance as it was in the first republic which was confirmed in the 1963 republican constitution. Mr President you have always been the principal advocate of restructuring, even before you became senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the governor of Lagos state. During your time, you passionately advocated for a sovereign national conference, which was even more inclusive than the current restructuring we are demanding for Nigeria. Undoubtedly, this pursuit of restructuring will be one of your most enduring legacies when you leave office. Felix Tshisekedi, incumbent president of Congo, has secured a second five-term, defeating his opponent with a wide margin. Announcing Tshisekedis victory on Sunday in Kinshasa, Congos capital city, Denis Kadima, head of the national election commission, said the president was elected with 73.34 percent of the vote. According to Kadima, Tshisekedi obtained over 13 million votes out of over 18 million valid votes. The much disputed December 20 election was marred by widespread logistical problems leading to an extension to a second day in some parts of the country. The opposition said the problems were staged to allow the results to be rigged in favour of Tshisekedi. Earlier, an opposition group took to the streets to protest after the results were released. We categorically reject the sham elections and its results, the main opposition candidates said in a joint statement. They also demanded fresh elections be held with a new electoral body on a date to be agreed by all. However, Kadima said the results of the elections reflected the will of the people. Tshisekedi is due to be sworn in for a second term on January 20. Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has revealed that his administration has finalized plans to grant amnesty to 31 deserving prison inmates. Making the announcement in a New Year broadcast in Jalingo, the state capital, on Monday, he underscored that this decision reflects the administrations core values of justice, compassion, and belief in the transformative power of rehabilitation. Expressing unwavering commitment to the unity and development of the state, he declared that every citizen across the 168 wards plays an integral role in the collective journey towards prosperity. He assured that his administration is steadfast in ensuring that the dividends of governance are accessible to all, irrespective of political parties differences. Addressing the pressing issue of security challenges in the state, he pledged to redouble efforts to make the state a safe haven for all citizens. Confident in overcoming these challenges, the governor, who envisioned a state thriving in peace and harmony, sought collective action from the citizens of the state. He stressed the importance of setting aside sentiments and rallying support for his administration. Date for the clemency has not been made public. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has rallied the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party presidential candidates in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, respectively, to join him in working together to ensure Nigerias stability and progress in 2024. Tinubu stated that for Nigeria to yield good benefits in the new year, everyone must play a part individually and collectively, adding that the election is over. He stated this in his New Year national broadcast on Monday. His words: For the new year to yield all its good benefits to us as individuals and collectively as a people, we must be prepared to play our part. The job of building a prosperous nation is not the job of the president, governors, ministers, lawmakers, and government officials alone. Our destinies are connected as members of this household of Nigeria. Our language, creed, ethnicity, and religious beliefs, even when they are not the same should never make us work at cross purposes. In this new year, let us resolve that as joint heirs to the Nigerian Commonwealth, we will work for the peace, progress and stability of our country. I extend this call to my political opponents in the last election. Election is over. Its time for all of us to work together for the sake of our country. We must let the light each of us carriesmen and women, young and oldshine bright and brighter to illuminate our path to a glorious dawn. Matthew Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto diocese, says Nigerians are losing hope in the government to protect their lives. Kukah said there is a war being waged against the Nigerian state and the people. The cleric, in a statement issued on Saturday over the recent attacks in Plateau state, wondered why the northern part of the country has become a birthplace of so much bloodletting. Sadly, with time, Nigerians are gradually losing hope in the ability of their government to protect and secure them, Kukah said. On Christmas Eve, over 150 people were killed in 17 communities in Bokkos, Barkin-Ladi, and Mangu LGAs of Plateau state. Several houses were destroyed by the gunmen during the attacks, leaving many residents displaced. After the attacks, the federal government promised that the affected communities and victims would get justice. OBJECTS OF MOCKERY Kukah said the killers have turned the Nigerian state and security agencies into objects of mockery. The cleric said Nigerians are taking eerie solace in the fact that the killers do not respect the boundaries of religion and ethnicity. 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, Kukah said. 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 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? 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. Kukah averred that Nigerians are humiliated and betrayed by those who are collaborating with these murderers and a government that seems helpless. The cleric said the culture of investigation as excuses must end, adding that Nigerians, including the media, must hold the government accountable. VLADIVOSTOK, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Several regions in Russia's Far East were on tsunami alert on Monday after a series of powerful earthquakes rocked the central part of Japan, generating waves as high as five meters in some areas. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) said a tsunami alert was issued for the Sakhalin region, but no evacuation was necessary. The expected wave height was less than 50 cm, and the wave was expected to reach the coast of the Nevelsky district at 20:44 local time (0944 GMT). The ministry advised residents of the region to stay calm, as such a wave height did not threaten their lives or activities. In Vladivostok and Nakhodka, two cities in the Russian Far East, authorities also issued a tsunami alert and asked fishermen and others who planned to go to sea to return to shore immediately. The EMERCOM said a tsunami alert was also announced for the Khabarovsk Territory. A series of strong earthquakes, with major ones of up to a preliminary 7.6 magnitude, have been hitting a wide area on the Sea of Japan coast in central Japan since Monday afternoon, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Local authorities and firefighting departments reported that multiple houses collapsed in Noto region and Hakui city in Ishikawa Prefecture. Approximately 32,500 households experienced power outages across Ishikawa Prefecture, said local authorities. The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources in Ondo State, Razaq Obe, has denied allegations that he paid money to secure his appointment under the late former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolus administration. Obe maintained that his appointment was not based on any financial transactions with the late Akeredolus family members. The Energy Commissioner had during the illness of Akeredolu raised the alarm that the signature of the late governor was being forged by some persons within the cabinet. A former Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategies to the late Akeredolu, Doyin Odebowale, had lashed out at Obe in an interview, demanding that he reveal the amount paid to Akeredolus wife, Betty, and son, Babajide, for his appointment as Commissioner within the cabinet. According to Odebowale in the viral video, Obe had no political relevance until Betty and Babajide endorsed him as cabinet member after which he was appointed the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources. On his part, Obe emphasised that such claims were baseless and aimed at tarnishing his reputation and that of the late governor. He emphasised that his effort to ensure that Akeredolu emerged victorious in Ilara-Mokin ward in Ifedore local government area in the 2020 governorship election paved way for his appointment. While also denying allegations that he had quarrel with late governors son, Babajide over supply of diesel in the state, Obe alleged that Odebowale was part of the cabal that held the state budget performance down when Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa was acting governor. I supported Akeredolu and gave him all assistance in 2020. I followed him through the campaigns so it is not true to say I was a nobody politically. There was no need to pay the First Lady or her son for me to be made Commissioner. It is unfortunate that Odebowale is making this vituperations days after the passing of Akeredolu. Rauf Aregbesola, former minister of interior, says he will soon announce his next political move to the people of Osun. Aregbesola spoke over the weekend during the end-of-the-year thanksgiving organised by his loyalists in Ilesa, Osun state. During the event, the former governor of Osun narrated how his successor, Gboyega Oyetola, betrayed him and his loyalists. BACKGROUND Aregbesola was the governor of Osun between 2010 and 2018. He was succeeded by Oyetola, who served from 2018 to 2022. Aregbesola played a key role in the emergence of Oyetola as the governor of Osun during the 2018 governorship election. However, in the build up to the 2022 Osun governorship poll, the relationship between Aregbesola and Oyetola turned sour. The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun state was divided into two factions due to the feud. The division in Osun APC did not stop Oyetola, who was then the incumbent governor, from clinching the APC governorship ticket for the second time. Aregbesola and his loyalists did not participate in the re-election campaign activities of Oyetola. Oyetola would go on to lose the July 2022 governorship election to Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). WE WERE BETRAYED Speaking during the event, Aregbesola accused Oyetola of betraying him and his loyalists after he won the 2018 governorship election. The former Osun governor said he did not ask for money or personal positions from Oyetola, adding that he only sought the growth of the APC in Osun state. Aregbesola added that some persons in Oyetolas faction of the APC said a lot of nasty things about him. We did our own eight years in office and by the grace of God, we handed over power to the person who we felt would meet our interests and that of the party, he said. But he betrayed us and the party. Those who are not patient and not in Osun began to say rubbish about the matter. I did not ask for money, positions, or acceptance of my counsel. I only asked that the party should not be destroyed. From the smallest of them to the biggest, I did not have any form of disagreement with them. Despite this, they went publicly to say rubbish about me. Speaking further, Aregbesola narrated how conditions given by his faction during a peace meeting ahead of the 2022 election, were not addressed. He disclosed that at the peace meeting, it was stated that his faction should be given one-third of the positions in the administration that was going to be set up after the 2022 election. He added that he was not invited to join the APC governorship campaign for the 2022 election. The former minister said he wanted Osun APC to go into the 2022 election as a united party, adding that the move was frustrated. During the meeting, it was agreed that they would give our own faction one-third while they take two-thirds of the positions in the next administration after the 2022 election, he added. We did not hear anything again about the agreement. On OSBC, their leader of governorship campaign said that anybody who was not invited should not come for the campaign. As a bonafide Yoruba man, I stayed away. No bonafide Yoruba person would hear that comment and go to where he was not invited. By the grace of God, by this time in 2024, I would have declared where we are heading to and it will be clear to everyone where Osun people are heading to. Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State has taunted the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, over the power tussle in the state. Fubara vowed never to cede power to Wike and those willing to push him out of office. Wike and Fubara have been at loggerheads over control of Rivers State resources and political structure. To stop the crisis from spreading further, President Bola Tinubu had mandated Wike and Fubara to sign a peace pact. However, Fubara vowed never to relinquish his office because he would continue to ensure development in the state. The governor spoke during the crossover service at St. Pauls Archdeaconry Parish in Opobo Town on 2024 New Years Eve in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area. According to Fubara: I want to urge everyone of us here, dont be frightened. What they want is this red biro; it is still with me. They have failed. You are the winner; we are the winner because we are still signing with the red biro. And, so long as we are signing with the red biro, development will continue in Rivers State. I wasnt the governor when I stood for you; I will continue standing with you. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State, has appealed to youths in Lagos to support his developmental plans for the people of the state. Sanwo-Olu made the appeal in his New Year Message to the youth in Badagry at the end of activities to mark the Greater Lagos Fiesta in the town. Sanwo-Olu, who was represented at the fiesta by Mr Ibrahim Layode, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, urged the residents of Badagry to cooperate with his administration by supporting his developmental plans. He assured the people of Badagry that he would keep to his campaign promises. The governor urged the youth to calm down and trust in his governance, adding that he would touch their respective communities. He appealed to the youth to be law-abiding and stay away from anything that could tarnish their image or damage their future. The governor commended the people for turning up in large numbers for the three-day fiesta. A Hackettstown man was charged with vehicular homicide after he slammed into a car that had stopped on the shoulder of I-280, killing a pedestrian, New Jersey State Police said. Valerian Kapanadze, 48, was arrested at the scene of the 4:14 p.m. crash Sunday the westbound I-280 in Roseland. Kapanadze was driver a pickup that struck a car stopped on the right shoulder near milepost 4.4, police said. Luis Nicheporuck, 56, of Randolph, was struck and killed as he stood outside the stopped car, State Police said. There were no other injuries, State Police said. Kapanadze was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide, child endangerment, evidence tampering and numerous motor vehicle traffic violations and was taken to the Essex County Jail to await a detention hearing. The State Police did not explain why Kapanadze was charged with child endangerment and evidence tampering. The accident remains under investigation, State Police said. Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter. UPDATED FORECAST: Weekend winter storm could bring heavy snow to parts of state. New Jersey can expect a relatively tranquil start to the New Year with some periods of light rain and snow flurries this week, but forecasters are closely tracking the potential for a major weekend storm that could bring the first significant snowfall in nearly 2 years, according to the National Weather Service. The weather service stressed that much uncertainty remains several days ahead of the storm. Temperatures could remain warm enough by the weekend to keep the storm rain, or some mix of precipitation between northern and southern parts of the state. There remains great uncertainty, since lesser impact from the high to the north may allow the system to stay further northwest and bring more rain vs. snow, the weather service said in its Monday morning forecast discussion. Rain of course will bring its own problems given how wet it has been of late, and onshore flow will create another coastal flood concern, the weather service said. Bottom line is there is a definite potential for an impactful system this weekend, but exactly what flavor those impacts take remains to be seen. Anyone with plans this weekend should keep very close eyes on the forecast as there is a high potential for fluctuations. The NY NJ PA Weather private forecasting company based in Monmouth County also said the potential major winter storm for next weekend bears watching. The companys owner and lead meteorologist, Steven DiMartino, also cautioned about specifics this far out. I would not trust the details, yet, DiMartino said on X, formerly Twitter. But the overall signal is pretty strong. AccuWeathers forecast includes two possible storm tracks as the system moves in from the south. There is a chance that accumulating snow can fall all the way to the Atlantic coast from this storm in the Northeast, depending on if cold air holds its ground to the north and the storm takes a track slightly more to the southeast, rather than right along the coast, AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said. During the day on Sunday, the final act of the storm has the potential to bring accumulating snow to much of the mid-Atlantic and New England, he said. Forecasters are tracking the potential for a major winter storm that could hit New Jersey this weekend with snow.AccuWeather.com To kick off the year, the weather service said to expect some light rain and snow showers today with temperatures in the 40s under cloudy skies. The sun will return on Tuesday with temperatures in the low 40s during the day and lows in the 20s overnight, about normal for this time of year. Wednesday will be slightly warmer with increasing clouds and chance of precipitation, including some light snow at night. More mixed precipitation could fall on Thursday morning, but any amounts look very minimal, the weather service said. Temperatures will rise into the low 40s during the day with increasing winds. Friday will be dry and sunny, but chilly with a brisk breeze keeping wind chills in the 20s during the day. The timing of the arrival of the weekend storm Saturday remains unclear and could be influenced by a second front that arrives ahead of the storm, the weather service said. Forecasters are tracking the potential for a major winter storm that could bring the first significant snow to New Jersey in two years, according to the National Weather Service.AccuWeather.com Thank you for relying on us to provide the local weather news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that history has already proven and will continue to fully prove that mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation are the right way for China and the United States to get along with each other as two major countries. That should be the direction of joint efforts made by China and the United States in the new era, Xi said. The Chinese president made the remarks in a congratulatory message sent to U.S. President Joe Biden over the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries' diplomatic relations. GRIFFITH A Gary man was criminally charged after a shooting that resulted in the death of his girlfriend Saturday afternoon, Griffith police said. Mike Lee, 23, was taken into custody and charged with reckless homicide, a level five felony and unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a level four felony, police said Sunday in a news release. Police responded to a report of a shooting with an injury around 3:15 p.m. at an apartment complex on the 1000 block of East 35th Avenue, the release said. The victim, Lee and another woman were found inside the apartment. The witness told police Lee was attempting to handle a malfunction of the weapon when it discharged, fatally injuring the woman. The woman's identity has not yet been released. Anyone with information regarding this incident may contact Detective Carney at 219-924-7503 ext. 239 or leave an anonymous message on the Griffith Police Department's Tip Line at 219-922-3085. Some tiny homes seem so ideal that its tempting to avoid changing them, even when life demands otherwise. Thats how Pam Austin felt when her family began outgrowing the 450-square-foot log cabin she owns on Guemes Island, off the coast of Washington. In 2000, Ms. Austin and her now ex-husband bought the little house, which sits on a beachfront lot, as a getaway from their primary home in Seattle. At the time, Ms. Austin, 72, said, it was charming, but in bad shape overrun by mice and riddled with mildew. The structure had been built on another island in the early 20th century, neighbors told her, and in the 1940s it was dismantled, floated and reassembled at its present site. More than half a century later, it was in such disrepair that the people who owned it before us wouldnt even stay in the cabin, Ms. Austin said. Theyd just pitch their tents in front. Hundreds of thousands of people crowded into Times Square on Sunday night to ring in the New Year, amid heightened security and scattered demonstrations in Midtown Manhattan over the Israel-Hamas war. The police presence was heavier than usual for New Years Eve, with thousands of officers deployed and canine units and officers on horseback monitoring an expanded security zone. Officers scanned every entering reveler with a metal detecting wand. But the crowd, who took in performances by Megan Thee Stallion, Flo Rida and Tyla, did not seem to mind. Its something I have to do once in my life, said Jean-Pierre Blouin, who took a bus to New York from Quebec City with his sister. After watching the ball descend, he panned his phone across Times Square to capture the multicolor confetti that rained down from the heavens. Emmanuel Gonzalez, 29, who came by himself from Mexico City, said he had watched the festivities on TV for years and wanted to live the experience. Across town at Grand Central Terminal, a small flash-mob of about 30 protesters unfurled Palestinian flags as midnight struck, tossing balloons the colors of the flag red, green, black and white and chanting, Cease-fire now! BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden exchanged congratulatory messages Monday over the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries' diplomatic relations. A clash between Iranian-backed Houthi fighters who were attacking a commercial freighter and U.S. Navy helicopters responding to the ships distress call ended on Sunday morning with the killing of all the crew members on three Houthi boats, the Pentagon said, a sharp escalation of violence at a moment when the White House is considering direct strikes on Irans proxies in the Middle East. It appeared to be the first time that American and allied forces patrolling the Red Sea, a critical waterway for oil and other shipments, have engaged in a deadly firefight with the Houthis since their attacks on ships began in October, following the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas. President Biden has said he wants to avoid direct military attacks on the Houthis in Yemen, to avoid escalating a Middle East conflict that is already threatening to spread throughout the region. But in the fight that broke out on Sunday morning, the Navy forces had little choice, at least according to the account given by United States Central Command. The Houthis had launched an attack on the freighter, the Maersk Hangzhou, a Singapore-flagged container ship, and were attempting to board it. As the ships security forces tried to hold the attackers at bay, helicopters from the U.S.S. Eisenhower carrier group arrived to chase them away and the Houthis opened fire on them. The Metropolitan Opera says its new production of Carmen aims at reinvigorating the classic story. To that end, the director Carrie Cracknell has updated Bizets tale of a heedless, headstrong woman and her tragic fate from early-19th-century Spain to present-day America. It seems that the action has been placed somewhere along the border with Mexico, where guns are smuggled in long-haul trucks and rodeo riders (rather than the librettos toreadors) are local celebrities. If youre the creative type and youre struggling to come up with your next idea, do not fear: Some big works, including the original version of Mickey Mouse, are entering the public domain on Jan. 1 in the United States. And if, on the other hand, you prefer your Disney characters to be cute, cuddly and never-changing, well you might want to stop reading. In 2024, thousands of copyrighted works published in 1928 are entering the public domain, after their 95-year term expires. This means that those characters and stories can be remade on the page, stage or screen without permission. (Finally, I can make that Peter Pan musical where a middle-aged Peter laments unexplained back pains at the end of Act I.) Israels Supreme Court rejects a move to limit its power Israels Supreme Court narrowly struck down a law proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that was meant to limit the courts own powers. The momentous ruling, which was decided by a majority of eight judges to seven, could ignite a constitutional crisis. Heres the latest. Members of Netanyahus Likud Party said the Supreme Courts decision was in opposition to the nations desire for unity, especially in a time of war. They slammed the court for ruling on the issue while Israeli soldiers were fighting and endangering themselves in battle. The decision is likely to rekindle the grave domestic crisis that began a year ago over the right-wing governments judicial overhaul plan, which led to mass protests that brought the country to a near standstill at times. It heralds a potential showdown between the court and the ruling coalition that could fundamentally reshape Israeli democracy. Background: The law would have barred judges from using the legal concept of reasonableness to overrule decisions made by lawmakers and ministers. In a country that has one house of Parliament, no formal written constitution and a largely ceremonial president, many people view the Supreme Court as the only bulwark against government power. The government argued that reasonableness was ill-defined and subjective. The Chinese corporate giant BYD said Monday that it sold three million battery-powered cars in 2023, its most ever, capping a turbulent year for Chinas electric vehicle industry. Even as sales surged, heavy competition and a sustained price war took a financial toll on many automakers. But BYD last year sold 1.6 million fully electric vehicles and another 1.4 million hybrids, which are powered by both batteries and gasoline. Together that is a 62 percent increase over 2022. BYD is also making money, tripling its profit to $1.5 billion in the first half of last year. All told, Chinese automakers are expected to have sold about 9.4 million electric vehicles and hybrids last year, an increase from 6.9 million in 2022, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. The group said it expected sales in 2024 to rise again, to 11.5 million. Listing some of the many perils of womanhood in a still patriarchal society, the monologue that the actress America Ferrera delivers in Barbie with the intensity of a rallying cry became one of the most talked-about movie moments of 2023. Ive never been a part of something so eagerly anticipated, Ferrera said during an interview at a Beverly Hills hotel restaurant. Originally from Los Angeles but based in New York, she was back in her hometown for an awards-season screening of the smash hit. Relaxed in a cozy beige sweater, Ferrera, 39, was recalling a prerelease press stop in Mexico City where 20,000 frenzied people welcomed the filmmaker Greta Gerwig and the cast of her pink-soaked comedy. It was like a presidential campaign, she added. In Oppenheimer, the writer and director Christopher Nolans summer blockbuster biopic three words that generally dont go together the character of Kitty Oppenheimer is effaced twice over. Kitty, played by Emily Blunt, is the woman behind the man: Though a scientist herself, she is the sidelined wife of J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), the American physicist who led the development of an atomic weapon during World War II at Los Alamos, N.M. Oppenheimer is emphatically his movie, so much so that a lot of the script was written in the first person (I OPEN my eyes- JUMP out of bed- SCRAMBLE to dress). And second, though Kitty was Roberts wife (they had two children together), she was not his first love nor, the film suggests, his strongest. The psychiatrist Jean Tatlock (Florence Pugh) was initially involved with Robert for three years, and the two continued to see each other, even after the Oppenheimers were married. Midway through the film, Kitty finds her husband manic over her death. How heartbreaking it must have been for her, Blunt said, to see him in that kind of state about another woman. At least nine people were injured early Monday morning in Midtown Manhattan when the driver of a black sedan crashed into a sidewalk, striking police cars and a food truck, according to the New York Police Department. Among the injured was Carrie Bernans, an actress and stuntwoman who said in social media posts that she had been pinned unconscious under the food truck. She was hospitalized with broken bones, fractures and chipped teeth, she said. At least five other pedestrians, including Julie Hansson, a marketing agent who was with Ms. Bernans, were also struck and were taken to a hospital in stable condition. Ms. Bernans, who has worked on the Marvel films Avengers: Endgame and Black Panther, as well as the 2023 film The Color Purple, shared an update after the crash, including graphic images of her injuries. Hundreds of migrants bound for New York City took a detour in New Jersey over the holiday weekend, in an apparent attempt to bypass a city order that seeks to limit the chaotic flow of arrivals. Since Saturday, 13 buses from Texas and Louisiana carrying about 450 migrants have arrived in New Jersey, including a bus that arrived early Monday in Jersey City, according to Steve Fulop, the citys mayor. Other stops included New Jersey Transit hubs in Secaucus, Fanwood, Edison and Trenton. The surge in New Jersey arrivals appears to be an end-run around an emergency executive order last week by New York Citys mayor, Eric Adams, requiring charter bus companies to provide 32 hours advance notice of the arrival of migrants and restricting the times of day when they can be dropped off. Theyre using New Jersey essentially as a bus stop to circumvent the limits on buses that can arrive in New York, Mr. Fulop said, adding that he is not yet concerned about the migrants passage through the state. Just hours into the New Year on Monday, five people were killed in a two-car crash that involved an overturned vehicle in northern Queens. The cause of the accident was still under investigation with few details released, a police spokeswoman said. The incident occurred around 6 a.m., and included two vehicles a Mazda and a Honda that were traveling north on the Cross Island Parkway, according to the police. Five passengers in the Mazda were pronounced dead at the scene, the police said. A man driving the Honda was sent to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in Queens, where he was in stable condition. Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find one of the vehicles flipped over. Neighborhood residents who spoke to CBS News said that the crash occurred near a sharp curve in the road that was notorious for causing difficult driving conditions. BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s top leader Kim Jong Un on Monday jointly designated 2024 as the China-DPRK Friendship Year and launched a series of activities. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Kim, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, made the announcement in their exchange of New Year greeting messages. In mid-December, just one day after Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas signed into law a radical new immigration bill, immigrant rights groups challenged it in court as ridiculously unconstitutional. The groups felt they had no choice, but they did exactly what Texas was counting on, because the point of the law isnt simply how outrageous it is; its about the fight it will cause. And nothing defines Mr. Abbotts governorship more than his endless fights against Washington, almost always in a way that hurts the poor, the stateless and those who live outside the boundaries of his states Republican culture. The new law gives Texas the power to take over immigration enforcement from the federal government. Its now a state crime to cross from Mexico to Texas at an unauthorized crossing; state police are empowered to arrest migrants, and state judges are empowered to order them to leave the country. Forget all those niceties about asylum policy; if Texas doesnt want you in the state, it can kick you back over the border. None of this is legal, of course. Only the federal government can set immigration policy and enforce border security. Only the federal government can arrest migrants for immigration violations or deport them. The Supreme Court made that clear in 2012 in a decision that prohibited Arizona from arresting people for being in the country without authorization. In mid-October, a few days after the attack on Israel, a friend sent me a text from a rabbi. She said she couldnt look away from the horror on the news but felt completely numb. She was struggling to feel even the tiniest bit useful: What can I even do? Many people are feeling similarly defeated, and many others are outraged by the political inaction that ensues. A Muslim colleague of mine said she was appalled to see so much indifference to the atrocities and innocent lives lost in Gaza and Israel. How could anyone just go on as if nothing had happened? A common conclusion is that people just dont care. But inaction isnt always caused by apathy. It can also be the product of empathy. More specifically, it can be the result of what psychologists call empathic distress: hurting for others while feeling unable to help. I felt it intensely this fall, as violence escalated abroad and anger echoed across the United States. Helpless as a teacher, unsure of how to protect my students from hostility and hate. Useless as a psychologist and writer, finding words too empty to offer any hope. Powerless as a parent, searching for ways to reassure my kids that the world is a safe place and most people are good. Soon I found myself avoiding the news altogether and changing the subject when war came up. Understanding how empathy can immobilize us like that is a critical step for helping others and ourselves. To the Editor: Re I Am Gaza Citys Mayor. Our Lives and Culture Are in Rubble, by Yahya R. Sarraj (Opinion guest essay, nytimes.com, Dec. 24): Mr. Sarraj, I feel sad reading your piece. Im particularly mourning the loss of your eldest son and the destruction of those parts of Gaza that have inspired you throughout your life. These terrible events are caused by war. The people of Gaza celebrated the beginning of this war. Did they not know what would follow? And did you also not know? And did you not know that Hamass stated goal is to destroy the state of Israel? And did you not know that if Hamas acted on this goal it would bring war on Gaza? And yet in spite of knowing all this, you mention none of it in your article. Instead you suggest that Palestinians want to live in peace with their neighbors. But three quarters of Palestinians favored the Hamas invasion of Israel. Is this your idea of peace? When was the last time you listened to Donald Trump speak at length? Theres a qualitative way to think about this question, about the substance of what hes saying: He is still talking perhaps more than people realize about how the last election was stolen from him, and he treats the 2020 election as a Year Zero event that has ruined the world. But theres a second quantitative way of looking at this question. In 2015 and 2016, as he was becoming the Republican nominee the first time, Mr. Trump quickly transformed into an all-encompassing, central figure, in an evolving, building story that started like a dark joke that Mr. Trump was in on, then swooned into a reality. Around this time eight years ago, terrorist mass shootings took place in Paris and California as the race for the Republican nomination became increasingly dark. It seemed to click into place then that Mr. Trumps fluid plans, reactionary ideas, jokes and lies could coexist with and shape grave events. The combined effect of all this was to concentrate the countrys attention like a supernova; reaction to Mr. Trump became a constant feature of politics and also peoples personal lives. But the path toward his likely renomination feels relatively muted, as if the country were wandering through a mist, only to find ourselves back where we started, except older and wearier, and the candidates the same. The street still hopes for somebody else, one Trump-critical donor recently said of Wall Street donors, a kind of dreamy summary of where things stand. Sarah Longwell, whos overseen regular focus groups, noted on her podcast this fall that many voters seem not to have clocked that Mr. Trump and President Biden are likely to be the nominees. People are constantly telling me, But couldnt this happen? But couldnt this happen? If Mr. Trump were to win the first two contests by large enough margins, the general election could essentially begin as early as next month. Why does the volume around Mr. Trump feel different? For one thing, he has opted out of two old ways he achieved omnipresence, no longer tweeting and no longer appearing at Republican debates. Eight years in, there is also a lack of suspense about whether Mr. Trump could become the Republican nominee or the president. A few days before Christmas, a jury in Washington cleared three Tacoma police officers of criminal charges in the death of Manuel Manny Ellis, a 33-year-old Black man who died in police custody in 2020 after pleading that he could not breathe. The next day, on Dec. 22, a jury in Colorado convicted two paramedics of criminally negligent homicide in the death of Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old Black man who died in police custody in 2019 after officers subdued him and medics injected him with the powerful sedative ketamine. In the three years since the murder of George Floyd, whose death in police custody ignited a national movement against police brutality, prosecutors have charged the police and emergency medical workers in a number of high-profile cases. As former President Donald J. Trump campaigned in Iowa in the fall, he projected the utmost confidence. He told his supporters during speeches that his advisers had constantly warned him not to take the state for granted. Buoyed by his dominance in state polls, Mr. Trump insisted he had no reason to worry. Were going to win the Iowa caucuses in a historic landslide, Mr. Trump predicted in speeches in September and October. But as he returned to Iowa last month, with the states caucuses on Jan. 15 fast approaching, Mr. Trump injected a note of concern. Though he retained his confidence, he warned his supporters of a rising threat: complacency. The poll numbers are scary, because were leading by so much, Mr. Trump said on Dec. 19 in Waterloo during his final trip to Iowa of 2023. The key is, you have to get out and vote. The sixth-grade boy who raised his hand was wiry and small. People at my school make racist jokes, he said, when I called on him. His voice had yet to change. How do I get them to stop? I was sitting on a high school stage in Piedmont, Calif., where I had finished a conversation with two high school seniors about my new book, Accountable, which was adapted in The New York Times Magazine last August. Both the article and the book tell the story of the turmoil that befell a California high school and its community after some students created and shared racist material on an Instagram account. Since the article and book came out, I have spoken at schools around the country about the issues the story raises: social media radicalization, racism, humor, boy culture, the impacts of bullying and the vexing question of how to respond effectively. This particular audience was made up mostly of adults, and they responded with applause, as if the boys mere desire to stop racist jokes was triumph enough. Perhaps it was. But this sixth grader wasnt looking for approval. He wanted an actual answer, not the platitudes that adults fall back on when asked about the toxic social dynamics of middle and high school: Be kind! Speak up! Be an upstander! He wanted to know how to get people at his school to stop making racist jokes without becoming the butt of the jokes himself. There is almost nothing in the words of the Constitution that even begins to support former President Donald J. Trumps boldest defense against charges that he plotted to overturn the 2020 election: that he is absolutely immune from prosecution for actions he took while in office. A federal appeals court will hear arguments on the question next week, and the panel will consider factors including history, precedent and the separation of powers. But, as the Supreme Court has acknowledged, the Constitution itself does not explicitly address the existence or scope of presidential immunity. In his appellate brief, Mr. Trump said there was one constitutional provision that figured in the analysis, though his argument is a legal long shot. The provision, the impeachment judgment clause, says that officials impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate are still subject to criminal prosecution. The provision says: Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States: But the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment, according to law. A powerful earthquake struck western Japan on Monday, triggering tsunami warnings and evacuation orders, trapping people under collapsed buildings and disrupting electricity and mobile phone services in Ishikawa Prefecture, the epicenter of the quake, the Japanese authorities said. Initial reports suggested the quake did not cause the major tsunami waves or fatalities that had initially been feared, but officials cautioned about the possibility that major aftershocks could occur over the next week, and particularly in the next few days. The quake struck the Noto Peninsula around 4:10 p.m. and had a magnitude of 7.6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. At least six people died in Ishikawa Prefecture as a result of the quake, the police said. It was much weaker than the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Japan in 2011, causing a tsunami that killed thousands and led to a nuclear crisis at the Fukushima power plant. The frequency of earthquakes in Japan has forced the country to fortify its buildings, making them some of the most resilient in the world. Large earthquakes and tsunamis are common in Japan, which sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a belt of seismic activity. Because of that frequency, Japan over the past century has made its buildings among the most earthquake-resilient in the world, capable of withstanding major quakes and remaining functional even in their immediate aftermath. Through investment, government mandates and an engineering culture finely attuned to seismic risk, Japan has managed to save lives during some of its most devastating earthquakes and has often implemented new protections after each one. An earthquake in the Mino and Owari provinces at the end of the 19th century, and the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake that killed more than 140,000 people, prompted research into sturdier buildings and the introduction of new construction standards. Over the following decades, every major earthquake in Japan prompted moves to further improve practices and regulations. The Japanese authorities were still assessing the extent of the damage from Mondays earthquake in western Ishikawa Prefecture. Local fire officials had received many reports of collapsed houses and people trapped underneath, the NHK public broadcaster reported. After an earthquake in the city of Kobe in 1995 killed about 6,000 people and injured tens of thousands more, Japan invested billions in technological research into safer structures, and in making the countrys older structures sturdier. By 2011, when a devastating 8.9-magnitude earthquake hit the northeast coast of Japan, triggering an enormous tsunami and causing a nuclear disaster at the Fukushima power plant, many buildings were already outfitted with safety measures such as extra steel bracing, rubber pads and hydraulic shock absorbers. After that quake, which killed more than 19,000 people, Japan responded by constructing or rebuilding tall sea walls to protect coastal communities. It also built sensors to automatically alert residents and close floodgates, and earthquake and tsunami drills are routine for Japanese citizens. Experts say that Japans building codes are more rigid than those in the United States, where authorities have adopted a less protective minimum standard and left it up to individuals to decide how earthquake-resistant to make their buildings. WASHINGTON, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- New Year's Day of Year 2024 marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-U.S. diplomatic relations. Over the past years, the China-U.S. relationship has experienced ups and downs. Even though it hasn't always been smooth sailing, it has generally maintained forward momentum, benefiting both countries and the world. Today, annual bilateral trade stands at impressive 760 billion U.S. dollars, supporting over 2.6 million jobs in the United States. China and the United States have collaborated with each other on global issues, including counterterrorism, financial crises and climate change, making significant contributions to global well-being. The bilateral relationship has faced notable difficulties in the past few years, with some people in the United States perceiving China as their "most serious competitor" and China's development as "the most consequential geopolitical challenge." As the world's most critical bilateral relationship, China-U.S. relations now stand at a crucial crossroads. Whether the two nations can recalibrate this relationship is of great importance to their fundamental interests, as well as to world peace, global development and the future of humanity. In a congratulatory message to U.S. President Joe Biden to mark the 45th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations on Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping said history has already proven and will continue to fully prove that mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation are the right way for China and the United States to get along with each other as two major countries. That should be the direction of joint efforts made by China and the United States in the new era, Xi said. The world remains unsettled, with an ongoing crisis in Ukraine, renewed conflicts in the Middle East and a sluggish global economic recovery. Cooperation between the two major countries is more essential than ever. The San Francisco summit between Xi and Biden in November was widely and warmly welcomed by the international community and represents a historic opportunity to realign the relationship between the two countries. Xi pointed out that he and Biden, during their meeting in San Francisco, laid out a future-oriented "San Francisco vision," charting the course for the development of China-U.S. relations. He called on China and the United States to earnestly implement the important common understandings and outcomes reached by the two heads of state, and take concrete actions to promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations. China and the United States have recently engaged in meaningful high-level exchanges, reviving nearly 20 dialogue and exchange mechanisms. Think tanks, provinces, states and legislatures on both sides are also communicating. Direct flights have grown to 70 per week from 20 at the beginning of 2023, with the resumption of nonstop flights between Beijing and Washington, D.C. in November. Based on the understandings reached during the San Francisco summit, both sides have agreed to strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence, climate change, counternarcotics and cultural exchanges. To uphold the mutual understanding reached at the San Francisco summit, the United States must align its words with actions. The U.S. administration should also honor its commitments made at the summit, where Biden reiterated that the United States does not seek a new Cold War, it does not seek to change China's system, it does not seek to revitalize alliances against China, it does not support "Taiwan independence," and that it has no intention to have a conflict with China. China has exhibited goodwill toward the United States, willing to be a partner and a friend. At the same time, China has principles that must be upheld and red lines that must not be crossed. The Taiwan question remains the most important and most sensitive issue in China-U.S. relations. China takes seriously the positive statements made by the United States in the Bali meeting, Xi said, adding that the U.S. side should take real actions to honor its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence," stop arming Taiwan, and support China's peaceful reunification. China will realize reunification, and this is unstoppable. Navigating China-U.S. relations demands wisdom, foresight and great courage, especially with the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaching. China-U.S. relations mustn't become casualties of partisan American politics. The global community desires a stable China-U.S. relationship. U.S. political scientist Joseph Nye has repeatedly noted that both countries are too big for one to invade or coerce the other. The Harvard emeritus professor told Xinhua earlier that "there's no endpoint with the U.S.-China relationship. We are going to both be large and successful countries. We are going to have to live with each other for as long as we can see." It has been over 50 years since President Richard Nixon's historic visit to China, famously known as "the week that changed the world." Both sides should draw inspiration from the half-century of collaboration to foster healthy China-U.S. ties. Pope Francis used his New Years Day address to highlight concern over the worsening situation of the Roman Catholic Church in Nicaragua as a result of a protracted crackdown by the government of President Daniel Ortega, which has detained clerics, expelled missionaries, closed Catholic radio stations and limited religious celebrations. Speaking to the faithful gathered in St. Peters Square for the traditional New Years Angelus prayer and blessing, Francis said he was following with concern what is happening in Nicaragua, where bishops and priests have been deprived of their freedom. He expressed his closeness in prayer to them, their families and the entire church in the country, and called on all Catholics to pray insistently to find a path of dialogue to overcome difficulties. Lets pray for Nicaragua today, Francis said. Vatican News reported on Monday that at least 14 priests, two seminarians and a bishop had been arrested in recent days in Nicaragua, and that the countrys top church leader, Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes, had expressed his closeness to the families and communities who are without their priests at this time. Nadezhda Shtovba did not wear a white dress to her wedding. There were no bridesmaids or groomsmen. She and her husband, Yegor, did not exchange wedding bands either rings are banned in Butyrka prison. That is where Yegor Shtovba has spent the past 15 months in pretrial detention. In September 2022, he had read a love poem written for Nadezhda at a public gathering, his first time sharing his work in front of a crowd. He was detained that night as the police raided the event, and was eventually charged with public calls for activities directed against state security. The police accused him of cheering an antiwar poem read by another poet, an act that he denies. His marriage to Nadezhda, in a short ceremony last month in a prison in downtown Moscow, was the first time the couple had any physical contact since his arrest. For 10 minutes, we just stood and hugged, said the newly minted Ms. Shtovba, who recently turned 18 and sews plush toys for income. President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia vowed on Monday to continue missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, in retaliation for what he called a terror attack on the Russian city of Belgorod last week. They want to scare us, to create a certain uncertainty inside the country, Mr. Putin said during a televised meeting with the veterans of the war in Ukraine. From our side, we will build up the strikes. Mr. Putins rare public comments about an attack on the Russian territory comes as his armed forces in recent days have pummeled Ukrainian cities with some of the largest rocket strikes since the start of the invasion, and as both sides look for ways to break a stalemate on the battlefield. The cycle of strikes and retaliation is raising fears of escalating civilian casualties in the conflict, which began in February 2022. Walaa Zaiters four children have been hungry for weeks, but she can barely find them food. They ask for sandwiches, fruit juice and homemade Palestinian dishes like she used to cook before the war began. In a fleeting moment of internet access, she said, she once caught the children huddled around her phone to watch a YouTube video of someone eating French fries. The most they can hope for these days, she said in a recent telephone interview, is a can of peas, some cheese and an energy bar distributed as a familys rations by the United Nations once a week in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza where they fled to in early December to escape Israeli bombardment farther north. It is not nearly enough to feed her family of seven. Its a daily struggle, said Ms. Zaiter, 37, whose children range in age from 9 months to 13 years. You feel you are under pressure and hopeless, and you cannot provide anything. Israels war in Gaza has created a humanitarian catastrophe, with half of the population of about 2.2 million at risk of starvation and 90 percent saying that they regularly go without food for a whole day, the United Nations said in a recent report. The Israeli military said on Monday that it would begin withdrawing several thousand troops from the Gaza Strip at least temporarily, in what was the most significant publicly announced reduction since the war with Hamas began. The military cited a growing toll on the Israeli economy after nearly three months of wartime mobilization with little end in sight to the fighting. Israel had been considering scaling back its operations, and the United States has been prodding it to do so more quickly as the death toll and privation in Gaza rose. More than 20,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of the war, most of them civilians, according to the local health authorities, primarily in Israeli bombing. With aid delivery restricted and aid workers unable to move safely within the territory, half of Gazas roughly 2.2 million people are at risk of starvation, according to the United Nations. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military spokesman, emphasized that the move to demobilize some soldiers did not suggest any compromise of Israels intention to continue fighting until it destroys Hamas, and the fighting across Gaza remained intense. Admiral Hagari, who had said he expected warfare throughout this year, indicated that some troops would be called back to service in 2024. Israels Supreme Court on Monday struck down a law limiting its own powers, a momentous step in the legal and political crisis that gripped the country before the war with Hamas, and pitted the court against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus right-wing government. The courts 8-7 ruling has the potential to throw Israels national emergency government, formed after the Oct. 7 attacks, into disarray and reignite the grave domestic turmoil that began a year ago over the Netanyahu governments judicial overhaul plan. Mass protests brought the country to a near-standstill at times, in one of the deepest political upheavals Israel had faced in its 75 years, and led to warnings of possible civil war. The court, sitting with a full panel of all 15 of its justices for the first time in its history, rejected the law passed by Parliament in July that barred judges from using a particular legal standard to overrule decisions made by government ministers. The decision comes at a precarious time for Israel, deeply engaged in a brutal war in Gaza and under nearly daily rocket fire from Iranian-backed militants along its northern border. It is seeking to project an image of strength to its enemies but has been shaken by the Oct. 7 Hamas-led surprise attack, by a shrinking economy, and by the alarm and pressure from its closest allies over the deaths of thousands of civilians in Gaza. Since 2020, when Congress ordered up simplification of the federal financial aid system, the U.S. Department of Education has faced the complex task of actually making the changes to the ever-important formula for determining who gets what. Grants and loans hinge on the inputs and outputs of the dreaded FAFSA form, which is normally available on Oct. 1. The new form was supposed to debut in 2023, but the department toiled away on it long past October, through November and into December. The government promised to fling the digital doors open by the end of December. My big kid is going to college this fall, so I spent Sunday afternoon and evening trying to access the site and complete the form. Completion proved elusive. Heres what happened. I began around 2 p.m., and the FAFSA (short for Free Application for Federal Student Aid) website greeted me ominously: The FAFSA form is available periodically while we monitor site performance and update the form to provide you with a better experience. Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee addresses the oath-taking ceremony for newly-elected members of the seventh-term District Councils (DCs) of the HKSAR, in Hong Kong, south China, Jan. 1, 2024. All 470 newly-elected members of the seventh-term District Councils (DCs) of the HKSAR on Monday took oaths to uphold the Basic Law of the HKSAR and bear allegiance to the HKSAR, and assumed office. (Xinhua) HONG KONG, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- All 470 newly-elected members of the seventh-term District Councils (DCs) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Monday took oaths to uphold the Basic Law of the HKSAR and bear allegiance to the HKSAR, and assumed office. HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee attended the oath-taking ceremony. He outlined four requirements for the DC members, namely upholding the Basic Law of the HKSAR and bearing allegiance to the HKSAR, ensuring effective communication between the HKSAR government and the people by serving as a connection between the two, implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" at the district governance level and upholding the important duty of safeguarding national security, and adopting a people-oriented approach to bring tangible improvements to the community. Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak served as the oath administrator as authorized by the chief executive. Based on the principles laid down by the Interpretation of Article 104 of the Basic Law of the HKSAR of the People's Republic of China by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and the relevant legal provisions, the oath administrator determined that the oaths taken by all 470 DC members were valid. The seventh-term DCs are composed of appointed, district committees constituency, district council geographical constituency and ex-officio members. Their term of office is four years. Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak (1st R), serving as the oath administrator as authorized by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), oversees the oath-taking ceremony for newly-elected members of the seventh-term District Councils (DCs) of the HKSAR, in Hong Kong, south China, Jan. 1, 2024. All 470 newly-elected members of the seventh-term District Councils (DCs) of the HKSAR on Monday took oaths to uphold the Basic Law of the HKSAR and bear allegiance to the HKSAR, and assumed office. (Xinhua) Three people were shot in a home in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood early Monday, one critically and one fatally, after several shots were fired through their window. Police responded to the 7000 block of South Wabash Avenue about 12:45 a.m. Monday after receiving a call that someone had been shot. Inside the home, a 53-year-old man with several gunshot wounds was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. He was said to be the first person to die by gunshot in Chicago this year. Police also found a 49-year-old woman who had been shot in the side of the head, and a 48-year-old woman who had been shot in the arm. Both women were transported to UChicago Medicine. The woman shot in the head is in critical condition, police said, adding that the other woman is in stable condition. Police believe the gunfire came from outside of the house, hitting the three victims through a window. No arrests have been made. Detectives from Area One, which includes several South Side neighborhoods, are still investigating the shooting. Seven people have been shot in Chicago since the start of 2024, police said Monday morning. iarougheti@chicagotribune.com Representatives attend a handover ceremony in Basra, Iraq, on Jan. 1, 2024. China's leading oil and gas producer, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), officially took over from U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil as the lead contractor for Iraq's West Qurna 1 oilfield on Monday. The West Qurna 1 oilfield, located about 50 km northwest of Basra, the capital of the namesake province, is one of Iraq's largest oilfields, with an estimated annual crude oil output of more than 25 million tonnes. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood) BAGHDAD, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's leading oil and gas producer, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), officially took over from U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil as the lead contractor for Iraq's West Qurna 1 oilfield on Monday. The handover ceremony was held in Iraq's southern province of Basra with the attendance of Iraqi officials, Chinese diplomats, and representatives of CNPC, Basra Oil Company, ExxonMobil, and so on. Congratulating CNPC's new partnership, Bassim Mohammed Khudair, Iraqi deputy oil minister for extraction affairs, told Xinhua that he had full confidence in CNPC's manpower, strategy and vision, and believed that the project will be completed within the stipulated time. For his part, Ji Gang, counselor of the Chinese Consulate General in Basra, said he expected China and Iraq to work together to make the West Qurna 1 oilfield project an excellent example of energy cooperation between the two countries. The CNPC will adhere to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, follow the vision of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and ensure a smooth handover and orderly transition, said Chen Mingzhuo, general manager of the project. The West Qurna 1 oilfield, located about 50 km northwest of Basra, the capital of the namesake province, is one of Iraq's largest oilfields, with an estimated annual crude oil output of more than 25 million tonnes. Bassim Mohammed Khudair (2nd R), Iraqi deputy oil minister for extraction affairs, and other representatives attend a handover ceremony in Basra, Iraq, on Jan. 1, 2024. China's leading oil and gas producer, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), officially took over from U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil as the lead contractor for Iraq's West Qurna 1 oilfield on Monday. The West Qurna 1 oilfield, located about 50 km northwest of Basra, the capital of the namesake province, is one of Iraq's largest oilfields, with an estimated annual crude oil output of more than 25 million tonnes. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood) by Xinhua writers Liu Yanan, Xing Yue, Yang Shilong NEW YORK, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- As the iconic Times Square in New York City geared up for its century-old New Year's Eve celebrations, the atmosphere is a rich tapestry woven with threads of joy, anxiety, honor of heritage, and hope for a better future. Two and a half years since the end of the New York State emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, life in New York City is back to normal by many indicators. The counts of pedestrians in the Garment District, a key metric for the iconic fashion district's vibrancy and economic activity, finally exceeded pre-pandemic levels in the week ending Nov. 27 for the first time in four years. A lively stream of over 3.7 million pedestrians coursed through the heart of the district during the week, 2.1 percent higher than the same week in 2019, according to data issued by The Garment District Alliance. Joshua Blair, an actor from Indiana, returned to New York City in 2023 following a fleeting stay during the pandemic. The year 2023 is a year of growth and new opportunities for Blair, who was reading a book in Times Square while waiting for the start of New Year's Eve performances. "The door is opening ... I just moved to New York City in 2023 to pursue acting. So it's the start of a new chapter," Blair told Xinhua. "I moved to New York City in March of 2020, right before everything went down. So I had to get out of here, too, along with everybody else. So, I'm back now," said Blair. Blair said he only lived in New York City for 17 days in 2020 before he was forced out of the city. It's an absolutely great way to start the year in Times Square, said Blair. He added, "This is the epicenter of New Year's Eve, and there's no place I'd rather be." "This is my first time in Times Square for New Year's Eve. This has been on my bucket list ever since I was a little child. So I'm doing that little child a favor by showing up tonight," Blair said. However, heightened security measures and the presence of pro-Palestinian protesters in Manhattan added a sense of anxiety to tens of thousands of spectators in Times Square. New York City has witnessed over 400 protests since Oct. 7, 2023, when a new wave of conflict broke out between Israel and Hamas. Pro-Palestinian protesters have been calling for a ceasefire by intruding on Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, targeting the annual Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center and blocking Manhattan Bridge in New York City. New York City has mobilized the full complement of the city's public safety apparatus, including canines, horses, drones, helicopters and boats, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The New York Police Department expanded the buffer zone around Times Square and allowed spectators to enter in multiple phases. Drones were deployed around the outer perimeter, and helicopters hovered around the area. Greg Packer, a New Yorker inside the crush of visitors to Times Square, said, "2023 was crazy with protests and mass shootings and just chaos. Hopefully, 2024 can be a better year." "What 2023 has meant is upsetting the status quo," said Willy Shih, professor of management practice in business administration at Harvard Business School. "Surprising, unexpected and unsettling, 'disruption' kind of says it all to me." Among the "disruptions," Shih cited events in the Middle East, the dramatic changes in investment and global trade flows, the new style of warfare in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza, a sea-tide shift in climate change investment particularly in the United States as well as generative artificial intelligence, which is capturing the imagination of investors. "Might not get peace, but I wish for love and happiness," read one of countless New Year's Eve confetti messages in Times Square. Moreover, the celebrations in Times Square largely stuck to century-old traditions and continued to attract tens of thousands of people from home and abroad. The celebrations included 11 live performances and started at 6 p.m. with the Sino-American Friendship Association presenting a Chinese cultural performance titled "Cheers to 2024 with Wuliang Harmony." Marking the inclusion of Chinese elements in the New Year's Eve celebrations for the 12th consecutive year, the performance blends modern and traditional music and dance to celebrate the upcoming Chinese lunar new year, the Year of the Dragon. Kari Strobel, a spectator from Switzerland, said the year 2023 was eventful and exciting, having met new people and encountering new experiences during her travels in South America. "I hope it stays like this year, exciting and eventful," said Strobel. Samantha Bahamonde, who came from Florida with her sister Camila, said 2023 has been transformative because of her travels. "I've grown a lot. I've really learned a lot more about myself this year. I spent more time with myself and really getting to know who I am," said Bahamonde. For Camila, 2023 saw her living in new places and having new experiences. "Next year, I'm hoping to get my master's (degree) and become a nurse practitioner," Camila added, "but continue traveling around the world and experiencing new cultures." Like many other educators, high school science teacher Robert Curtiss of Dearborn, Michigan, thought he was doing the right thing by investing in his school districts 403(b) retirement plan. Then federal regulators charged the company handling Curtiss investments with fraud. In July 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission said Equitable Financial Life Insurance Co. had misled investors mostly public school employees about what their investments cost. Equitable often issued quarterly statements showing $0 in fees, when in reality the expenses were much higher, according to the SEC. Equitable agreed to pay a $50 million civil penalty to harmed investors. After hearing about the fine, Curtiss learned that his retirement investments were costing him two to three times what a typical 401(k) investor would pay. Getting his money out would cost even more: the investments, known as variable annuities, had surrender charges of 5% to 6%. I felt so frustrated, Curtiss says. If I would have known sooner, I would have never put my money there in the first place. NOT ALL RETIREMENT PLANS ARE CREATED EQUAL Like 401(k)s, 403(b)s are employer-provided retirement plans that allow workers to make pretax contributions through payroll deduction. But 401(k)s are typically offered by private sector employers, while 403(b)s are sponsored by schools, universities, religious organizations and certain other charities. The type of 403(b) available to public school employees often has fewer consumer protections than private sector 401(k)s, says Dan Otter, a former schoolteacher and co-founder of 403bwise, a nonprofit education and advocacy site. Employers providing 401(k)s are held to a fiduciary standard, which means they must act in their employees best interests. As a result, 401(k)s typically offer a diversified mix of investments at reasonable cost. Employers typically choose a single investment company, known as a custodian, to manage the plan and keep records. Fiduciary rules typically dont apply to public school 403(b) plans, Otter says. School districts may contract with dozens of companies to offer retirement investments while refusing to provide employees with any guidance or advice, he says. Thats when insurance companies peddling expensive investments, including variable annuities and high-cost mutual funds, step in. Guess who is emailing teachers? Guess who is going to the school districts and offering free lunch? Its the high-cost companies doing this, Otter explains. And costs make a huge difference in how much an investor is able to accumulate. For example, someone who contributes $500 a month and pays 1% annually in fees could amass about $1 million after 40 years, assuming 7% average annual returns. The investor who pays 2% in annual fees could end up with $230,000 less. OFTEN, A LOWER-COST OPTION IS AVAILABLE Otters site evaluates public school 403(b) plans, rating each vendor according to a stoplight system: green for low-cost investment providers, yellow for those that have at least one low-cost option and red for high-cost providers to avoid. In addition, the site provides letter grades and full lists of 403(b) plan vendors for more than 4,800 school districts representing about half the countrys public school teachers, Otter says. Employees in these districts can use the site to check out their plans and spot lower-cost investment options. Those in other districts should request a list of vendors from their school district and look for green-rated providers, Otter says. If none are available, the low-cost option offered by a yellow-rated provider may be the next-best choice. The site, and its affiliated Facebook group, offer step-by-step instructions for how to move money from one option to another. MAKING THE BEST OF BAD OPTIONS Unfortunately, there are still some 403(b)s with nothing but high-cost investments, Otter says. In that case, employees could consider funding a Roth IRA on their own instead. Contributions arent tax-deductible, but withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. Another option could be a 457 plan. These tax-deferred accounts are often offered to government employees and may have more oversight and better investment choices, Otter says. Employees also can lobby their districts to add better options something that Curtiss successfully did late last year. Moving his $90,000 nest egg, however, came at a painful cost: Curtiss says he paid more than $4,500 in surrender charges. Curtiss had the option of moving the money more slowly, waiting for the surrender charges to expire, but chose to rip off the Band-Aid rather than face years of paying Equitables higher fees. Curtiss says he did get a check for his share of the Equitable fine. It was for $33.93. ________________________ This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance site NerdWallet. The content is for educational and informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet, a certified financial planner and author of Your Credit Score. Email: lweston@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @lizweston. Q. Twenty years ago, after an upper respiratory infection, I suddenly went from being a high-energy person to someone who could not get out of bed. I couldnt lift my head off the pillow without experiencing PoTS. The fatigue is better, although my very fast heart rate makes it hard to exert myself. The shortness of breath and sleep problems are annoying, but the neurological symptoms are the worst. Besides brain fog, I have neuropathy. When all this started, I read that neurological symptoms are often part of the profile for chronic fatigue syndrome. I have been wondering if that is what I have, but I havent been able to find out anything more. What can you tell me? A. When you developed an upper respiratory tract infection 20 years ago, most physicians did not recognize that such flu-like illnesses might lead to long-lasting complications. A recent study in Lancet Infectious Diseases, Dec. 14, 2023, reveals that both COVID-19 and influenza can cause neurological symptoms as well as fatigue. The authors of this study are calling the condition long flu. You mention PoTS -- postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. This condition, which is common in both long COVID-19 and chronic fatigue syndrome, seems to be a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Heart rate increases rapidly when a person stands up, and they often feel dizzy. Sadly, there is not yet a cure for long COVID-19, long flu or chronic fatigue syndrome. Q. I started taking Ozempic once a week about two months ago. Despite constipation and waves of nausea, Im grateful to have it. I have very little appetite and have lost 11 pounds, though I wasnt obese. My HbA1c has come down to 6.3 after being around 10. Others I know have been told they can only take this drug for a limited time. Do you know about the time frame? In addition to Ozempic, Im also on metformin. A. Semaglutide (Ozempic) is an injectable drug initially approved for treating Type 2 diabetes. The results you report are impressive. Lowering your HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) to 6.3 indicates much better blood sugar control. Because this drug and its twin, Wegovy, have received so much publicity about weight loss, there have been shortages. We are not aware of any reason to discontinue the drug other than side effects. If you stop taking semaglutide, you will lose both the advantages you have experienced and the adverse reactions. To learn more about the benefits and risks of both semaglutide and metformin you may wish to consult our eGuide to Preventing & Treating Diabetes. This online resource can be found under the Health eGuides tab at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Q. I had athletes foot and nail fungus that wouldnt go away. Daily application of a house brand chest rub (with the same ingredients as Vicks VapoRub) cured both. The nail fungus disappeared within about four months. I dont know if this works for everyone, but it sure works for me. A. Decades ago, a professional footcare nurse told us that applications of Vicks VapoRub could help against nail fungus. A small study published in the Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (January-February 2016) reported that Vicks VapoRub was shown to be an effective and safe treatment of onychomycosis [nail fungus]. The antifungal activity of some ingredients in your chest rub (thymol, eucalyptus, camphor and menthol) may account for the benefits you have seen. * * * In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of King Features, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803, or email them via their website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them. (c) 2024 King Features Syndicate, Inc. The Portland Trail Blazers embark on a seven-game trip starting Monday and will do so without Anfernee Simons and Deandre Ayton being available for the first game at the Phoenix Suns. However, Shaedon Sharpe has been upgraded to questionable after missing five games with right adductor soreness. This will be the third game missed by Simons due to illness and the fourth missed by Ayton, who is dealing with right knee tendinitis. While Sharpe could be set to return, forward Toumani Camara is questionable with right knee soreness and backup center Duop Reath is doubtful with lower back soreness, that knocked him out of both games against San Antonio on Thursday and Friday. Despite the recent list of injuries, the Blazers (9-21) have won three of their last six games with victories over the Suns (17-15) and Sacramento Kings (19-12). -- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook) MORE BLAZERS COVERAGE Hospital officials and police are saying little Sunday about a southern Oregon news report that an employee at a Medford hospital diverted medicine, resulting in the death of at least one person. The Oregonian/OregonLive has not independently verified the report from KOBI-TV in Medford, which cited unnamed sources, about Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. Lt. Geoff Kirkpatrick of the Medford Police Department would confirm to The Oregonian/OregonLive only that police are investigating an incident, but he would not describe the scope of the investigation or provide any details. There is an investigation ongoing, Kirkpatrick said, and its in its early stages. A spokesperson for Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center, Lauren Van Sickle, did not answer questions Sunday from The Oregonian/OregonLive about how many people may have died or when the hospital alerted police. A second spokesperson then called The Oregonian/OregonLive and declined to give her name, providing a single statement she attributed to Asante: We were distressed to learn of this issue, she said, declining to describe the issue. We reported it to law enforcement and are working closely with them. The unnamed spokesperson for Asante added: Were not taking further questions. KOBI-TV reported Friday that police were investigating at least one patient death at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. On Saturday, the television station further reported that unnamed sources alleged nine or 10 people had died from infections stemming from the diversion of medicine. The anonymous sources told the station that an employee they identified as a nurse injected patients with tap water instead of fentanyl, an opioid thats commonly used in medical settings in safe dosages as a powerful painkiller. The sources further alleged the nurse was misusing the fentanyl, and that the tap water caused deadly infections in the patients. Officials with the Oregon Health Authority, Oregon State Police, Oregon Medical Examiner and the FBI did not return messages seeking comment Sunday. If you have any information about the incident, please contact Beth Slovic at bslovic@oregonian.com or 503-221-8551. Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Marcellina Picard knows what its like to have an addiction. But she also knows how to overcome it. Picard, 44 and a member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, said she used to be addicted to alcohol and that she started drinking due to intergenerational trauma. Today, shes been sober since 2011. I want to give my kids a better future, she said. Picard was one of an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 people who were expected to attend the 36th annual New Years Eve Sobriety Powwow organized by the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest, an Oregon nonprofit that provides education, physical and mental health services and substance use treatment aimed at Native communities. The festivities, which began at 1 p.m. and were scheduled to go through midnight, were held at the Wingspan Event & Conference Center in Hillsboro. Attendees will ring in New Years Day after what they call a sobriety countdown where some of the attendees will gather in a circle and honor people who have been sober for as long as 55 years and as little as a few hours. The event, which began in 1987, largely celebrates people who are in early recovery from addiction, said SandeBea Allman, chief community engagement and development officer for NARA. Typically, Allman said, on New Years Eve people might be tempted to drink, but the powwow provides a setting where people dont need to have alcohol to enjoy themselves. Thats what late-elder Philip Archambault had hoped for when he started the powwow. That was an important piece for him as he envisioned it to provide a celebration that was more traditional, she said, and still fun and still something exciting for the whole family. This was Picards first year attending the event. She attended the festivities with three of her children and her uncle. My uncle is very big on his sobriety, she said. He is putting his sobriety before anything else. The free event was open to everyone. The annual celebration usually takes place at the Oregon Convention Center, Allman said, but the venue is going through renovations and organizers found a different location this year. Saeeda Lillieroos said her best way to celebrate New Years Eve was to be surrounded by people with positive vibes. Lillieroos, who moved to Portland from Pakistan two years ago, said she doesnt like to drink, but she still likes to have a good time. I like parties where there is no beer, she said. Lillieroos, who attended the event for the first time last year, said the sobriety powwow is the perfect event to begin a new year. God gave me this event, she said. This is the perfect event for me. You feel that you are not alone. Crystal Estrada, a member of the Yakama Nation of Indians, said this was her first time attending the sobriety powwow. She attended with her children and her boyfriend. Estrada said she has not had alcohol in 10 years. It feels good to be around youth and sober people, she said. As for her children, she said, they were also enjoying the event. Being at the powwow is medicine for them, she said. Its healing. Trying to show them theres another way to live. Yesenia Amaro | yamaro@oregonian.com | 503-221-4395 | @YeseniaAmaro Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Just 12 minutes into the new year, a Portland couple welcomed what appears to be the citys first newborn of 2024. The yet-to-be-named girl, who was born at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital, is the first child of Pooja Kotadia and Rounak Ron Gandhi, the hospital announced. Kotadia is the medical director of the hospitalist service at Hillsboro Medical Center. Gandhi is a clinic manager for AFC Urgent Care. The newborn weighed 6 pounds, 8 ounces and was 18.5 inches long at birth, according to the hospital. She appears to be Portlands first newborn of the year. Spokespeople for Providence Health & Services and Legacy Health said the first babies born in Portland on Monday within their hospital systems were born later in the morning. The first baby born at a Providence hospital in Portland was born at 7:52 a.m. at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center to parents Jasmine O. Reyes and Paulo Pacheco-Infante of Beaverton. The baby boy, named Charlie Reyes, weighed 8 pounds, 12 ounces. Carlos Fuentes; cfuentes@oregonian.com; 503-221-5386; @carlos_reports Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Portland is celebrating the start of 2024 with sun on New Years Day. Monday will be partly sunny with temperatures reaching a high of 48 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Clouds will arrive by the evening with temperatures dropping to 40 degrees overnight, the weather service said. The sun wont stay around for long. The weather service predicts a 70% chance of rain on Tuesday. It will remain wet in Portland for the rest of the week with a 40% chance of showers Wednesday, a 30% chance of showers Thursday and rain expected to continue through the weekend, the weather service said. Portlanders looking to enjoy the sunny weather while it lasts can kick off the new year with the First Day Hikes event. The event allows people to choose from 34 hikes in 31 parks across Oregon. All hikes are guided by a park ranger who will share stories about the parks history, geology, wildlife and flora during the annual event. All hikes are free, and no day-use parking fees are charged on Jan. 1. Jamie Goldberg; jgoldberg@oregonian.com; 503-221-8228; @jamiebgoldberg Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe. Accra, Ghana (PANA) - Ghanaians on Monday joined billions of people around the world to welcome 2024 amidst prayers and merrymaking New York, US (PANA) - In the second half of 2024, the UN will look to a brighter future, with a major summit devoted to forward thinking in September, and the fight against the climate change in November, according to UN News Our last church meetings of 2023 were, I thought, quite good. Our first sacrament meeting speaker today was a young woman from our ward who has interrupted her studies at Brigham Young University to accept a call to the Chile Antofagasta Mission. She spoke quite well and will, I think, be a wonderful missionary. Our bishop then spoke for the remainder of the meeting, making quite a strong plea for older people to serve as senior missionaries. (More on that in a moment.). He drew on his own familys history parents, parents in law, an aunt and an uncle of serving senior missions, but also on Elder Ronald A. Rasbands remarks on the subject at the October 2023 General Conference of the Church, which are well worth reading and considering. And he called our attention to the Churchs website for potential senior missionaries, which is very helpful. (Its certainly not a one-size-fits-all kind of program; there are various ways of serving, domestically, abroad, part-time, full-time, from home, and so forth.) Todays priesthood meeting was divided into two distinct parts, with two different teachers. I missed most of the first part, but I was there for the second, which was devoted to the topic of building a community of unity, without divisions. The teacher showed a roughly seven-minute video of Elder Christophe Giraud-Carrier, of the Seventy, speaking forthrightly about the unacceptability of racism within the Church of Jesus Christ. I was very pleased at his message. But back to the question of senior missionary service: This is a matter to which Ive given, and to which I continue to give, a fair amount of thought. I hope that the response to my bishops invitation, and to Elder Rasbands invitation, and to other such invitations, will be strong and positive. I believe strongly that older people should, where they can, devote at least some of their retirement years to service to others and to the Kingdom. That said, though and I know that some (certainly the small but obsessive coven of anonymous online critics who monitor my every word) will see this as self-glorifying, self-serving, arrogant, and hypocritical Ive concluded that, for the foreseeable future, my wife and I are already serving a kind of mission, one for which very few people would be willing or even quite able to take our exact place. The Interpreter Foundation requires a lot of time, as do our film efforts. And Im working, when I can, on several enormous book projects, as well as a continual flow of articles, that I hope and believe might someday be of some benefit to at least a few Latter-day Saints. Altogether, I spend easily forty hours a week on such things from morning until, typically, late at night and already I worry that, at my advanced stage of senectitude, Im not going to be able to finish them. Accordingly, weve decided against submitting mission papers. But I certainly hope that others will step forward to do so. Perhaps things will change for us, but I really dont intend to give up apologetics, Interpreter, and writing until Im simply, flatly, unable to keep going and, at that time, of course, Ill be in no shape to serve much of a mission. In the near term, I had actually hoped to volunteer to serve during the just-concluded Orem Temple open house, but we were already scheduled to accompany tours during that time to Turkiye, Egypt, and (as we thought at the time) Israel, as well as to visit family in Virginia and in Mexico. So we simply couldnt. And I had hoped to be able to serve in the temple after its dedication no more lengthy journeys to the two temples in far-off Provo! but our calendar simply wont permit such a commitment for at least the next year. Still, I admire and, in a sense, envy those who are able to serve in such a way. Ill cite one example to illustrate what I mean: Edwin Q. Cannon had served as a bishop before he was my president in the Switzerland Zurich Mission which, in those days, was responsible not only for German-speaking Switzerland but for Church units in North Africa, Greece, Israel, the Arab and Persian Middle East, and Afghanistan. (He had to visit those branches each quarter.) He told me, not terribly long before he was released, that he was looking forward to relaxing for a while on his ranch in Wyoming. But then his brother was called as a mission president, and he was obliged to reenter the family business in the Salt Lake Valley. And then his wife, Janath Russell Cannon, was called into the General Relief Society presidency and he was called to serve in the International Mission presidency. And then they were called to open missionary work in Ghana and Nigeria. And then they were called to direct the Nauvoo Visitors Center. And then he was called as the interim president of the Germany Hamburg Mission while its president re-opened missionary work in East Germany. And then they were called to preside over the Frankfurt Germany Temple. And on and on. (Im sure Ive forgotten some assignments.) They were bright they had met while she was a student at Wellesley and he was earning an MBA at Harvard but, more than that, they were faithful, devoted, and two of the kindest people Ive ever known. In his final remarks in Zurich before he returned to the United States, President Cannon said that, if nothing else, he wanted the Swiss to remember that he had loved them. And, surely, that was one of the most obvious and noteworthy things about him. About them. I once stupidly recounted their story to me, an impressive and exemplary story in a setting where certain critics of the Church were vocal and active. Those critics pounced. The Church had shamefully exploited the Cannons, they said. I saw it differently, and I know that the Cannons had seen it differently, as well. And I thought how much better it would be to have been loved, to be missed, and to be mourned by hundreds if not thousands of people in North America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East than to die as a cynical, sneering nay-sayer. I wish you all a wonderful 2024, and a consequential life to which, at its end, youll be able to look back with peaceful satisfaction. BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called on China and the United States to earnestly implement the important common understandings and outcomes reached by the two heads of state, and take concrete actions to promote a stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations. The Chinese president made the remarks in a congratulatory message sent to U.S. President Joe Biden to mark the 45th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations. As I mentioned in a recent blog entry, somebody in Modesto, California I dont know who it was sent me a copy of a small and very accessible book a few days before Christmas: Hadley Vlahos, The In-Between: Unforgettable Encounters During Lifes Final Moments (New York: Ballantine Books, 2023). Ms. Vlahos is a still-young R.N., born and raised in Florida (I think) and still based there, and specifically a hospice nurse who attends to people who are fatally ill and in the last stages of their lives. Ive just finished the book. Despite what its title might seem to suggest, it isnt primarily about encounters with the spirit world, although she relates a few brief experiences that certainly seem to suggest such encounters. Rather, its a series of quite compassionate sketches of a few of the patients with whom shes worked, as well as something of an autobiography. Although she had attended church faithfully in her earlier life, Hadley had pretty much lost her faith and her interest in religion by the time she went off to college. The sudden, accidental death of a friend had been the first blow to her belief, and her trust in religious claims had vanished fairly quickly thereafter. But here are a couple of passages that I will share. I had a third in mind, but I failed to mark it and now cant find it: I walked back into Elizabeths room, expecting the calm feeling to hit me again. Something was off, though. The lemon scent was still in the air and the music was still playing, but a certain energy was gone. I knew without knowing that Elizabeth was gone. Although its hard to explain this shift is one that every hospice nurse and person who has witnessed a death has experienced the tangible shift in the air in that moment when a person leaves their body. . . . In Elizabeths case, her absence was very pronounced. (104) Growing up, I had believed in the afterlife without question. Following Taylors death, and throughout most of my late teenage and young adult years, I had questioned that belief. . . . The way I saw it, there was a solid, specific answer for all of this for life and death or there was no answer at all. And now, as a hospice nurse, I had witnessed so many things that I couldnt explain away as pure chance or with any sort of medical reasoning. For every story I had about a patient seeing a deceased loved one, or an inexplicable coincidence like the fire Edith had foreseen or the car wreck Al had intuited, my co-workers had ten more. I couldnt ignore the evidence of something more beyond death. To me, that was no longer rational. (231-232) I recall reading an account, many years ago, of a lecture by the cardiologist Michael Sabom, who had begun as a skeptic, on his research into seemingly verifiable near-death experiences. During the question-and-answer session that followed, a physician in the audience an oncologist, if Im not mistaken stood up to challenge Dr. Saboms position. Ive dealt with hundreds of dying patients, he said, and Ive never heard a single one of these stories! Immediately thereafter, another audience member stood. I was one of your patients, Dr. X, he said, addressing the oncologist. I had an experience like those described by Dr. Sabom, but you are literally the last person on earth that I would have told about it! In the busy and business-like atmosphere of a large modern hospital, harried doctors and even many nurses have little if any time to simply sit by the bedsides of their patients and chat and listen. But I would think that a hospice nurse would be about as well-situated as anybody to do precisely that and, thus, to be told about such intimate experiences. Roughly ten and a half years ago, a sublimely self-confident pseudonymous critic on a small, extraordinarily nasty message board mostly populated by ex-Latter-day Saint atheists took it upon himself to prophesy. And this is what he said. This is what that critic said: By Jan. 1, 2014 Interpreter will be dead. . . . Either totally dead or down to token blog style postings. (Bond James Bond, 25 January 2013) The Interpreter Foundation was about five and a half months old when he pronounced his oracle. Im reminded of an editorial that appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune on the death of Brigham Young in 1877: The Mormon church was stronger at four oclock Sunday afternoon than it ever will again become; the remarkable will and organizing force of the dead leader departed with him, and have been transmitted to none other in his church; and we may now watch with complacency, if not with joy, the gradual disintegration of the whole Mormon fabric. I hope that Mr. Bond kept his day job. (Actually, I didnt see anything at all from him for several years. Perhaps, I thought, he was totally dead. At the best, he no longer seemed to be up to making even token blog style posts. Lately, though, I think he may have resurfaced two or three times under a slightly altered pseudonym.) The Interpreter Foundation was launched almost precisely 598 weeks ago. Last Friday marked the 597th consecutive week that it has published at least one article which is to say nothing of its books, its blog, its scripture roundtables, its weekly radio programs, its film efforts, its conferences, and so forth. That poor Mr. Bonds prediction was proved wrong precisely ten years ago today is entirely due to generous donations of time and labor and, yes, money from a great many people, to all of whom Im deeply grateful. Our operation is almost entirely volunteer. We have no salaried employees. Although our bylaws allow the Foundations top leadership to draw up to $500 annually for their services, none has ever taken any such compensation. Nor are our authors paid. This is a labor of love, passion, and commitment. Please stay tuned. Will the Interpreter Foundation survive past the end of today? Will another article appear in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship this week? The tension mounts! In my book, The Word Set in Stone: How Archaeology, Science, and History Back Up the Bible (2023), in chapter 12, page 168, I have the following section: King Nebuchadnezzar Eating Grass Daniel 4:33 informs us that the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, was driven from among men, and ate grass like an ox . . . and his nails were like birds claws. Prima facie, what Daniel describes in this section looks ridiculous, and we might perhaps be excused for thinking it is myth or legend. No doubt, this has not infrequently been used as fodder for cynical biblical skeptics, quick to mock the Bible as ahistorical (and Christians for believing that it does record actual history). In fact, however, what happened to this famous king is a documented medical and psychiatric condition. The condition is called boanthropy. The website Online Psychology Degree Guide has an article that includes a section on this disorder. Those who suffer from the very rarebut very scarymental disorder boanthropy believe they are cows, often going as far as to behave as such. Sometimes those with boanthropy are even found in fields with cows, walking on all fours and chewing grass as if they were a true member of the herd. . . . Interestingly, it is believed that boanthropy is even referred to in the Bible, as King Nebuchadnezzar is described as being driven from men and did eat grass as oxen. (15 Scariest Mental Disorders of All Time) A few days ago I got in the mood for joining an atheist discussion forum again. Im weird that way. Its always about 90% constant insults of Christians, Christianity, and the Bible, and 10% (if even that much) rational discussion, most of them only for brief shining moments. I posted this material and the response back from one person was that boanthropy is associated with late stage syphilis, porphyria, schizophrenia . . . and that it is a grave and incurable disease that one doesnt get better from . . . even with modern medicine. Okay; so she introduced a new and valid question: can someone recover from it, and lead a normal life again, as the Bible says Nebuchadnezzar did (Dan 4:34-37)? An article from a medical site that I found thinks its possible: Psychologists prefer psychotherapy (talk therapy) and psycho-pharmacotherapy (antipsychotic drugs and anti-depressant drugs) to help an individual give up the bizarre state of delusion as soon as possible. There are methods to manage the condition and help the affected individuals live to achieve relatively normal lives. Unfortunately, there is no cure for the disorder; thus, a treatment plan generally involves a combination of medication and therapy to help the individual control their delusions and hallucinations. In extreme or late cases, hospitalization is required. However, with a therapeutic approach to regain a normal life and maintain relationships, many people with boanthropy can lead fairly normal lives, and some can even work on the condition. Obviously, they didnt have the drugs back then; maybe they had some herbal treatments for mental disorders. But Nebuchadnezzar would have had to be helped to lead a normal life again primarily through counseling and therapy (whatever that meant in those days, but Im sure they had some form of it). The above constitutes evidence contrary to the atheists claim, and it supports the biblical account of his recovering from it. Its not a cure, but it is a return to relative normalcy. And thats all we need to support the biblical account, so that one cannot dismiss it out of hand on this basis. Another medical article reported on a Belgian woman who thought she was a chicken (a condition called zoanthropy). She got better, too: Fortunately, this womans experience ended well. After about one year of disability, the patient was able to return to work progressively. Her mood remained stable and there were no more psychotic symptoms or any indication of epileptic episodes. Even two cases already refutes a universal negative claim that no one gets better from these conditions, not even with modern medicine. I found another case of boanthropy where the person recovered, as noted in the European Psychiatry journal (Jan. 2018): As he was accepting food, putting on weight, the delusion of being a cow faded away, and ultimately he made improvement. Three strikes and youre out. But wait! Theres more! An article in Unique Times also casually reports recovery: Treatment Options Treating Boanthropy requires a multidisciplinary approach involving psychiatrists, psychologists, and potentially neurologists. The main goal is to help patients regain their sense of self-identity and eliminate the delusions associated with their bovine identity. Therapeutic techniques may include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps patients challenge and reframe their irrational beliefs, focusing on grounding them in reality. Medication: In some cases, antipsychotic medication might be prescribed to manage delusions and hallucinations. Supportive Care: Patients benefit from a supportive and understanding environment to aid in their recovery and integration back into society. So thats four cases, found without too much effort. So far I havent found anything indicating that its grave and incurable and that You dont get better from these disease even with modern medicine. Perhaps this atheist, having made the claim, can provide us with such a reputable source? When Im challenged and someone questions my conclusions, I respond, and I do by seeking out and citing the requisite authorities. *** Its been an hour and thirty-five minutes as of this writing since I posted the above in the forum, and she still hasnt offered a reply to my challenge. If she does, I will surely report it here. But she has a very difficult task: establishing her initial universal negative claim. All one has to do to refute that is offer one counter-example. I have provided four. If she shows one case where someone died or never resumed a normal life, that doesnt prove that everyone dies or never recovers after they get this dreadful malady. So essentially, her task is impossible, which is, I suspect, why she hasnt answered, and likely never will. She knows its impossible and that she has placed herself in a logical no-win situation. ***** * Practical Matters: Perhaps some of my 4,500+ free online articles (the most comprehensive one-stop Catholic apologetics site) or fifty-five books have helped you (by Gods grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them. Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. Im always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. The laborer is worthy of his wages (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist, and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog. PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: apologistdave@gmail.com. Heres also a second page to get to PayPal. Youll see the term Catholic Used Book Service, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing (including Zelle), see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information. Thanks a million from the bottom of my heart! * *** Photo credit: Nebuchadnezzar, gone mad, grovels like a beast of the earth; he gropes for his crown. Dutch engraving, c. 17th century. (Wellcome blog post (archive). [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license] Summary: I reply to an atheist biblical skeptic regarding Daniels account of King Nebuchadnezzar thinking he was a cow (boanthropy). Is it curable? In fact, yes it is. In a terrifying incident on Friday, December 28, 2023, two armed robbers on a motorbike targeted and successfully robbed the owner of a Forex Bureau and Gold dealership in Top Town, a suburb of Kasoa Amanfrom in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region. The victim, Alhaji Mumuni, revealed that the suspects had been following him from Kasoa-Zongo before ambushing him and his brother while they were on their way to purchase gold from a customer. The robbers, carrying pistols, stopped them at a section of the road and fired warning shots to scare them. Despite their initial attempts to resist, the suspects resorted to firing gunshots at Alhaji Mumuni and his brother. The bag they were carrying contained a substantial amount of money of about GHC250,000 in cash along with gold valued at GHC150,000. An eyewitness, Jonathan Essel, who was present at the scene, described how residents attempted to intervene upon seeing the robbery unfolding. However, the criminals cunningly managed to deceive them by posing as police officers. This incident has sparked concern among locals, who are now demanding increased security measures in the area. Residents are calling on law enforcement agencies to step up patrols and ensure the safety of the community. As of now, the investigation into the robbery is ongoing, and authorities are working tirelessly to identify and apprehend the criminals responsible for this brazen crime. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video South Africa has filed an application at the International Court of Justice to begin proceedings over allegations of genocide against Israel for its war against Hamas in Gaza, the ICJ said. Over 21,507 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7, according to the enclaves Hamas-controlled Health Ministry. Among the dead are at least 308 people who were sheltering in United Nations shelters, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees. Israels aerial bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza, in response to Hamas deadly terror attacks and kidnapping rampage on October 7, have caused widespread devastation in the densely-inhabited coastal strip, prompting outcry from the UN and the international community. South Africa accuses Israel of being in violation of its obligations under the Genocide Convention in its application and argues that acts and omissions by Israel are genocidal in character, as they are committed with the requisite specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza, according to the ICJ. Israel has rejected South Africas claims and application to the world court, saying through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs that South Africa is calling for the destruction of the State of Israel, and that its claim lacks both a factual and a legal basis. Israel is committed to international law and acts in accordance with it, and directs its military efforts only against the Hamas terrorist organization and the other terrorist organizations cooperating with Hamas, its statement said, adding that it has made every effort to limit harm to the non-involved and to allow humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip. US President Joe Biden said earlier this month that that Israel is engaged in indiscriminate bombing in Gaza. US intelligence assessment suggests that nearly half of the air-to-ground munitions that Israel has used in Gaza in its war with Hamas have been unguided, otherwise known as dumb bombs. Unguided munitions are less precise and can pose a greater threat to civilians. South Africas application came as Israels military said Friday that it is expanding its operations in southern Gaza, where civilians were previously told to seek refuge. It also claimed to have destroyed a network of tunnels and one of the hideout apartments belonging to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. CNN cannot independently verify the IDFs claims. 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 released by South Africas Department of International Relations and Cooperation said on Friday. 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 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, it says. 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. South Africa and Israel are both parties to the Genocide Convention, according to the ICJ, which is also known as the World Court and is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video An Adentan Circuit Court has restrained three persons from holding an All-white or All Black attire party on January 1, 2024. The three are Francis Ayenu, Dennis Tawiah and Michael Ayenu. The police had gone to court to restrain the three persons to avert clashes and disturbance of peace in Adenta, Accra. The court said: In the interest of upholding and ensuring public peace and order, and in the interest of protecting lives and property, the respondents, Francis Ayenu, Dennis Tawiah and Michael Ayenu; their agents, assigns, workmen, servants and any other person or group claiming through or under them are hereby restrained and or prohibited from organising, holding, carrying-on, executing, throwing or proceeding with the planned All white/ All black event/ party or other event name of description they may give it, and as planned for the 1st day of January 2024." It also ordered that the owners and or operators of any event centre, location or premises connected to the planned/proposed event /party in issue cooperate with the Ghana Police Service in the full execution of the restraining order. This directive was contained in a restraining/prohibition order. The Circuit Court presided over by Mrs Sedinam Awo Balokah granted the ex-parte motion after Chief Inspector Maxwell Lanyo of the Ghana Police Service moved it on December 29, 2023. The Police said on December 19, 2023, it received intelligence that two factions namely Francis Ayenu on one side and Dennis Tawiah together with Michael Ayenu were planning to organise an event dubbed: All Black Attire wear or All White attire on December 28, 2023, and January 1, 2024. According to the Police, one Francis Ayenu, an interested party, went to the Adenta High Court and issued a writ and also filed an injunction against the other partners to prevent them from organising any event on December 28, 2023, and January 1, 2024. The Police said, however, even though the processes had been served on the defendant, they went ahead to hold the event on December 28, 2023, in flagrant disregard to the powers and authority of the High Court, Adenta and they are again planning to hold the second event on January 1, 2024, despite the pending injunction. It said Police intelligence revealed that Francis Ayenu and his group were also planning to organise the same event at the same venue on January 1, 2024, and use land guards to disrupt the event of Dennis Tawiah and Michael Ayenu. The Police argued that if the planned action is executed, there would be a total breach of peace. The Police, therefore, prayed the court to restrain Francis Ayenu and Dennis Tawiah together with Michael Ayenu and their agents as well as any other person associated with the organisers of the event from carrying out the planned event on January 1, 2024. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Just days after Christmas, a 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of killing his parents and attempting to kill his 11-year-old sister in an attack at the familys home near Miramonte, California. The attack occurred the night of Wednesday, Dec. 27, according to authorities at the Fresno County Sheriffs Office. Around 7:40 p.m., deputies responded to a 911 call about an injured person at a home on the 47000 block of Dunlap Road, a rural area in the mountains of Fresno County. The caller was the 14-year-old boy, who claimed that someone had broken into his house and attacked his mother, father and sister before fleeing the scene in a pickup truck. Another sibling, a 7-year-old boy, was also home when the attack occurred but according to authorities, he was not injured and is now being cared for by other family members. Evidence ultimately showed that (the boy) had fabricated the story of the 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 news conference earlier this week. The tragedy of this situation is of such a high magnitude, because two children have lost their mother and father due to the actions by their other sibling. Though the boys sister experienced life-threatening injuries, she is undergoing surgery, being treated at a hospital, and is expected to survive. The boys parents Lue Yang and Se Vang were both 37 years old at the time of their death. No motive has been determined, but Zanoni said physical evidence and interviews with the 11-year-old sister and other family members led authorities to determine the 14-year-old boy was the main suspect in the case. The boy had not had any previous contact with law enforcement or mental health officials, and before the attack, authorities had never received calls from the residence on Dunlap Road. Were trying to figure out why mom and dad, why the sister, why not the 7-year-old brother, said Zanoni, who said the investigation was still ongoing. In the coming days, authorities will be speaking with the boys school and others close to him. They will also be searching for additional weapons and evidence, and the case is being reviewed by the Fresno County District Attorneys Office. The 14-year-old is currently booked at a juvenile hall. He faces two charges of murder and one charge of attempted murder. What I can tell parents is: If you have young children in your homes, lock up your weapons, keep them safe, said Zanoni. Be aware what your kids are going through in this case, we cant see any red flags on our end, and unfortunately we cant talk to the parents. But were interviewing friends and family members, and well see what we come up with there. By David J. Neal, Miami Herald (TNS) Six batches of infant formula got recalled in the United States market after Israels Ministry of Health found cronobacter contamination in formula made in a U.S. facility. Enfamils Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Infant Formula powder can be fed to any child, but is designed mainly to be fed to babies with a cows milk allergy. The recall is for: Lot Nos. ZL3FHG; ZL3FMH; ZL3FPE; ZL3FQD; and ZL3FXJ in 12.6-ounce cans and, in 19.8-ounce cans, No. ZL3FRW. All have a use by date of Jan. 1, 2025. The UPC codes are No. 300871239418 or 300871239456. Cronobacter bacteria can cause severe, life-threatening infections (sepsis) or meningitis (an inflammation of the membranes that protect the brain and spine), the recall notice states. Symptoms of sepsis and meningitis may include poor feeding, irritability, temperature changes, jaundice (yellow skin and whites of the eyes), grunting breaths and abnormal movements. Cronobacter infection may also cause bowel damage and may spread through the blood to other parts of the body. The recalled product, Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder. (US FDA)TNS Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutritions FDA-posted recall alert says the recalled U.S. lots were made in June, distributed in June, July and August, and it is believed that much, if not all, of the products recalled in the United States have been consumed. There are no reports of illnesses or adverse events to date. The FDA said routine testing at the Israeli border of Nutramigen formula from Mead Johnsons Zeeland, Michigan, facility found cronobacter. While Israel double checked its results via whole genome sequencing, the FDA did its own testing at the Michigan facility as well as samples from the same batch tested in Israel. All the FDAs testing came up negative for cronobacter, but Israel told the FDA on Thursday that it definitely found cronobacter sakazakii. The FDA recommended Reckitt/Mead Johnson made a recall and the company agreed to yank 675,030 cans. For questions or a refund, call Reckitt/Mead Johnson at 866-534-9986 or by emailing consumer.relations@rb.com. Any health problems should be taken to a medical professional. A fire Saturday injured a 73-year-old Lebanon County woman who was able to escape her burning home, police said. Firefighters responded to her home in the 500 block of South Cherry Street in Myerstown about 9:50 a.m. Saturday and saw smoke pouring out the windows and roof line. Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control. The injured woman was taken to Hershey Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation. The extent of her injuries were not known. The fire started in the living room on the first floor. But state police Fir Marshal investigators were still working to determine what caused the fire. Preliminary damage was estimated at $200,000. The home is not livable, displacing the injured woman, a man and three cats, police said. The house did not appear to have any working smoke detectors, police said. No firefighters were injured. Central Pennsylvania animal lovers got their new year started with a frigid dip into the Susquehanna River. Hundreds of attendees ushered in 2024 by lining up along the shore decked out in swimsuits, winter clothing or costumes. They plunged into those waters from the shores of Harrisburgs City Island, where the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area hosted its annual Penguin Plunge fundraiser. The Monday event was the fundraisers 27th year. At noon, organizers gave a countdown, and participants waded into the water, hollering and splashing in the cold. The air temperature was around 40 degrees for the plunge into the water. The plunge, which sees around 200 participants a year, raises in the neighborhood of $30,000 annually. The plunge is meant to kick off a new year of fundraising for the Humane Society. Former President Donald Trump ridiculed and imitated a disabled reporter for having the temerity of being critical of him. Trump said journalist Megan Kelly had blood coming out of her wherever " because she had the effrontery to question his behavior towards women. Trump made fun of 82-year-old Paul Pelosi when he was struck in the head by a crazed intruder. It calls to mind a saying I read recently, Every bully is a coward. This from a man that took six military deferments while his peers fought and died in Vietnam. Captain Bone Spurs, indeed. Scott T. Pettis, Lower Allen Township, Pa. FRANKFURT, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's development success since it opened up to the world has benefited foreign companies, and its vast market remains promising for European firms, a leading German economist has said. "The success of Chinese development, let's say the amazing success in the last 45 years or so was also great for foreign companies. They make a very good business and make a lot of revenue," Horst Loechel, professor of economics at the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, told Xinhua in a recent interview. With a solid middle-class base eager to spend on consumer goods and other products, China continues to offer significant opportunities for foreign companies, Loechel said. He said China's "innovation power" has become so intense that nearly every European company has set up research and development centers in the country to avoid missing out. "So, in principle, the prospects of the Chinese market appear very promising for European companies," he said. The digital economy has become China's main driver of economic development over the past twenty years. Loechel suggested that it is imperative that China continue to develop the digital economy, including the platform economy. The transformation to a greener economy could be another growth driver for China's economy, he added. The success of the digital economy in China has also opened up opportunities for cooperation as German and other European companies look to digitalize their manufacturing industries, said the expert. Apart from digitalization, companies from Europe and China may find opportunities to cooperate in the chemical industry, environmentally friendly production finance and other areas, according to Loechel. Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand speaks to media on Wednesday, Dec.13, 2023 at the legislature in Quebec City. As Quebec faces a worsening homelessness crisis, some politicians, including Marchand, have suggested the solution may be a Finnish model that aims to give everyone a home.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot Bernard Lee Celebrates 13th Year of Helping Boston-Area Homeless Families January 01, 2024 Connor Richards Editor & Live Reporter U.S. For the 13th year, poker pro and media personality Bernard Lee celebrated the holiday season by providing for children and families experiencing homelessness in the Boston area. Through his charitable initiative, the Full House Charity Program, Lee gave 38 homeless families holiday packages that included clothing, books, games, toys and supplies. Keeping with tradition, Lee also provided each family with a stuffed animal. Some of the care packages distributed by Bernard Lee & his family. Whenever the holiday season approaches, my children and I become excited to continue our family holiday tradition, Lee said in a press release. We look forward to this time of year as we enjoy finding the perfect gifts for these children. This event brings so much happiness to my family as we love the thought of these children opening their personalized gift packages." He continued: "We are so very blessed to have a wonderful partner in FamilyAid, who delivers these packages to specific families in the Boston area. Even though my children are grown and in college, we all still look forward to continuing this tradition for many years to come. In honor of the "lucky" 13th year of providing gifts, Lee, host of the Bernard Lee Poker Show, took specific requests for the gift packages, which were provided through FamilyAid, a Boston-based nonprofit and a leading provider for homeless families. Some of the care packages distributed by Bernard Lee & his family. FamilyAid is thrilled and grateful that Bernard Lee is again providing gifts to the children in our shelters this holiday season. His generosity comes at a time when families are facing more limited financial resources and housing challenges than ever. We hear from families every day that providing holiday gifts is daunting, if not impossible, said FamilyAid President Larry Seamans. Thanks to Bernard and his family, children in our care will have presents to enjoy and parents will be relieved to see their childrens joy during this holiday season. We once again thankful to Bernard and his children for their continued generosity and support. Lee founded the Full House Charity Program in February 2011 and has since provided over $100,000 in goods and funds for children-focused organizations in New England. Since its founding, the Full House Charity Program has helped over 500 families and 800 children. *Images courtesy of Bernard Lee. Poker Player Jon Letzkus Suspected in Las Vegas Strip Area Shooting December 31, 2023 Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S. Police took into custody and arrested a poker player wanted in connection to a shooting that occurred Sunday morning near the Las Vegas Strip. Jon Letzkus, 45, is accused of firing his weapon from the balcony of the MGM Signature Towers overlooking the Strip at around 6:00 a.m. Although no one was injured in the shooting, authorities shut down the popular tourist area to ensure public safety. Police Locate Poker Playing Suspect Nearly five hours later, the area from the south end of the Strip and one block east on Koval Lane reopened after the suspect was apprehended. At the time of publishing, the motive remained unclear or police just havent publicly released that information. Las Vegas Metro Police Department (LVMPD) initially sent out a tweet asking the public for help in locating Letzkus. The search only took a few hours to conclude. Despite no injuries or deaths occurring as a result of the early morning New Years Eve shooting, incidents such as this one will always bring back memories of the Oct. 1, 2017 shooting on the Las Vegas Strip in which deranged video poker player Stephen Paddock fired upon country music concertgoers from inside a Mandalay Bay suite, killing dozens of innocent people. Letzkus has just over $14,000 in live poker tournament results on The Hendon Mob. His most recent cash a first-place finish in Lincoln City, Oregon, a $4,847 score in a $160 buy-in PacWest Poker Classic Omaha hi-lo event. The alleged shooter has four World Series of Poker (WSOP) cashes, all for small amounts from 2019 to 2020, and two of which took place online at WSOP.com. Letzkus is a low-stakes player. Metro Deputy Chief Dori Koren said during a Sunday press conference that he believes Letzkus used a single handgun. Investigators felt confident the incident wouldnt have any impact on the Las Vegas Strips New Years Eve festivities. Sharelines Poker player Jon Letzkus is accused of firing his gun from a Las Vegas balcony. SANAA, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group said Sunday that 10 of its fighters were killed by U.S. naval forces in the Red Sea while they were trying to hijack a commercial ship in international waters. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement broadcast live by the group's al-Masirah TV that the U.S. forces attacked three boats belonging to the Houthi rebels. He said the rebels were "performing their humanitarian and moral duty" to prevent Israel-related ships from passing through the Red Sea, "in solidarity and support for the Palestinian people." The spokesman said the U.S. "bears the consequences of this crime," and that the "military movements in the Red Sea to protect Israeli ships will not prevent Yemen (Houthi militia) from performing its humanitarian duty in support of Palestine and Gaza." The Houthi official also stated that the rebel group targeted the cargo ship "with appropriate naval missiles," without saying whether the missiles hit the target. Earlier in the day, the U.S. Central Command said its naval forces responded to a distress call from a merchant boat in the Red Sea reporting being under a Houthi attack, sinking three Houthi boats and killing all their crews. The Singapore-flagged "container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU issued a second distress call in less than 24 hours reporting being under attack by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats ... originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen," the U.S. Central Command wrote on the social media platform X. The Houthi militants fired "small arms weapons at the MAERSK HANGZHOU, getting to within 20 meters of the vessel, and attempted to board the vessel," it said. "U.S. helicopters from the USS EISENHOWER (CVN 69) and GRAVELY (DDG 107) responded to the distress call and in the process of issuing verbal calls to the small boats, the small boats fired upon the U.S. helicopters ... The U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire in self-defense, sinking three of the four small boats and killing the crews. The fourth boat fled the area," it added. "There was no damage to U.S. personnel or equipment," the U.S. Central Command noted. Hours earlier, the U.S. Central Command said the container ship reported that it was struck by a missile while transiting the southern Red Sea, and there were no injuries among its crew. "While responding, the USS GRAVELY shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen toward the ships," the U.S. Central Command said in another post on X. "This is the 23rd illegal attack by the Houthis on international shipping since Nov. 19," it added. The Houthi militia has escalated their attacks on Israel-linked ships since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, demanding that food and medicine aid be allowed to enter the Palestinian enclave of the Gaza Strip. The Houthi rebel militia controls much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah. Check Out Chad Holloways Top Poker Thrift Store Finds of 2023 January 01, 2024 Chad Holloway Executive Editor U.S. If you follow me on X at @ChadAHolloway, you know that I often post poker-themed thrift store finds. Im fond of thrifting, and with Vegas being a transient city, I can tell you that the dozens of secondhand shops are ripe for the picking. I usually hit at least a thrift store a day hunting for treasure. Pretty much any day of the week Ill come across poker books and DVDs, and occasionally Ive been known to find rare poker shirts and hats. Speaking of which, perhaps my favorite hunt of the year resulted in me stumbling upon a trove of old Run It Up merchandise at a Goodwill, complete with Spraggy and Lex Veldhuis clothing. The merch harkened back to their early streaming days when they would venture to Jason Somervilles popular Run It Up (RIU) Reno. One man took notice of the above tweet in the form of 2021 WSOP.com Player of the Year and favorite to win again in 2023 Mike BrockLesnar Holtz. Mike "BrockLesnar" Holtz Running Away with WSOP.com Player of the Year Upon learning of the robust bounty hanging on the shelves of a local Goodwill, Holtz jumped in his vehicle and headed to the store where he proceeded to spend $140 snatching up goodies. Spraggy hoodies are a hot commodity, Holtz told PokerNews. I was watching his YouTube stream and saw they were there. I had to go buy them. Benjamin "Hot Commodity" Spragg Holtz stocked up on apparel that he brought to Day 2 of the 2023 NAPT Main Event. Being a generous guy, Holtz began to give clothing away to anyone who wanted it, among them Landon Tice, Adam Hendrix, Dustin Lee, and chip leader Parker Talbot. Here's a look at some other fun finds, including an old Caesars Palace instructional poker VHS featuring a savage burn by host Wil Shriner. What's your best-ever thrift store find? Let me know on X at @ChadAHolloway. In the meantime, rest assured I'll be hitting up the Goodwills and Savers throughout Las Vegas in my quest to dig up more poker goodies, and maybe, just maybe, hit the jackpot by finding a World Series of Poker (WSOP) gold bracelet! Sharelines Poker shirts, hats, books, DVDs, and more! Check out these thrift store treasures from @ChadAHolloway The U.N. food agency says famine is imminent in northern Gaza, where 70% of the remaining population is experiencing catastrophic hunger. It says a further escalation of the war could push around half of Gazas total population to the brink of starvation. The alarming report came as Israel faces mounting pressure from even its closest allies to streamline the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip and open more crossings. The European Unions top diplomat said the impending famine was entirely man-made as starvation is used as a weapon of war. Israeli forces, meanwhile, launched another raid on the Gaza Strips largest hospital, saying it killed a Hamas commander who was hiding there. Read moreUN says 'famine is imminent' in northern Gaza as Israel launches another raid on the main hospital Around 70 soldiers that were unable to leave the newly renamed Fort Eisenhower for Christmas celebrated the holiday in North Augusta Saturday afternoon. Marine Corps League Detachment 1132, the Riverfront Marines, hosted a Christmas dinner for the soldiers unable to go home at Jesse C. Lynch Memorial American Legion Post 71. Fort Eisenhower was renamed earlier this year as part of a Department of Defense effort to remove the names of former Confederates from military bases. Prior to the renaming, the installation was known as Fort Gordon after John Gordon, a former Confederate general who later served in the U.S. Senate and as governor of the Peach State. Capt. Humberto Ulloa, commander of the holdover company at Fort Eisenhower, said the event made the soldiers feel like they were part of the military family. "It's kind of like you're a veteran now," Ulloa continued. "You're in the military. You may be away from your home but you will always have somebody around in your extended (military) family." A holdover company is a group of soldiers that remain on-base during a holiday. Usually, these groups get special meals and events during the holiday period. Linda Roach, commandant of the Marine Corps League detachment, said the meal came about through a conversation with member Kathy Shaw. She said Shaw suggested hosting an event for the soldiers not leaving Fort Eisenhower for Christmas. "The one thing for me is that they [the soldiers] go home remembering something about prior service members that were able to help them during their lonely time, their quiet time," Roach continued. "We're hoping they remember that so that one day they can pass it forward." North Augusta reporter Elizabeth Hustad is a reporter with The Post and Courier North Augusta. She covers government, growth and development, and business. Elizabeth is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and previously worked with a Twin Cities weekly. Her work has appeared in the Minneapolis Star Tribune and MinnPost. To support local journalism, sign up for a subscription. See our current offers Every month, we receive questions and concerns from people in and around Charleston related to flooding, government regulations and sea-level rise. We read every single one. Now we are answering some of them in the pages of The Post and Courier. Our Rising Waters Q&A appears every other Monday. Email questions to tcox@postandcourier.com and jchester@postandcourier.com. Trees, which define the Lowcountry landscape, are admired for their beauty and valued for their benefits. They protect communities from flooding by soaking up stormwater that would otherwise become run-off, provide reprieve from rising temperatures and improve air quality. Trees always seem to be on the hearts and minds of Lowcountry residents, who are often quick to come to their defense. This month, you asked us how tree mitigation laws work, including how the City of Charleston determines which trees need to be replaced and how tree bank funds work. How does the city, and other surrounding municipalities, determine how much money a tree is worth and which are worth replacing? Heres what we found out. When a grand tree is removed, how many trees are replanted in its place? Trees are defined by their size (diameter at breast height) and species. Protected trees measure 8 inches in diameter at breast height or greater and exclude multi-stem crepe myrtles. Grand trees measure 24 inches or greater in diameter at breast height and exclude pine trees and sweet gums. The City of Charlestons zoning code restricts the number of protected trees that developers can remove on a single parcel. Removing any grand tree is prohibited, unless the developer gets prior approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals. The citys zoning administrator, Eric Schultz, says that approval to remove grand trees comes with conditions to mitigate the loss of those trees, and these conditions depend on the grand trees species. The city created four categories of trees based on their rating for Charlestons climate by the International Society of Arboriculture about 20 years ago, according to Schultz. Vinson Petrillo has fond memories of cooking on the weekends with his father, Gary. Before he became a successful Charleston chef, Petrillo joined his dad in the kitchen, helping prepare food for the 30 people who would come over to their New Jersey home for Sunday supper. Most of the time, they served eggplant parmigiana. The dish is believed to have originated in southern Italy, said Petrillo, whose family hails from that part of the country. Named after Gary, the chefs rendition of his dad's eggplant parmigiana is joined by other Italian-leaning appetizers and entrees at Costa, Easton Porter Groups new downtown restaurant at 320 Broad St. that takes its inspiration from the Mediterranean. That regional focus means that alongside the cheese-draped casserole, presented with gusto like the main course on Christmas night, diners at The Restaurant at Zero George chefs second Charleston dining venue can pair traditional bites with enterprising escapes up and down the Italian coast. Located inside The Jasper, a 12-story luxury residence near Colonial Lake, Costa was built to be a neighborhood restaurant, Petrillo said. Locals who live nearby or inside the building can pop in for entrees like pecorino ravioli and pork Milanese, sliced to order with scissors so steam pours out across the table. Patrons can also sample some of the more inventive Costa plates like beef cheek tortelli and mortadella, set next to mozzarella DOP atop rosemary-charged focaccia bread. Situated in the triage area of the Medical University of South Carolina's emergency department in downtown Charleston sits a 6-foot-tall evergreen Christmas tree, catering to those experiencing homelessness during the harsh winter nights. Adorned with hats, gloves, mittens, scarves and other warm clothing, the tree is a silent invitation to those in need. The most recent report from the South Carolina Interagency Council on Homelessness, a statewide organization working to end homelessness, found that over 13,000 people received homeless services in 2021. Pictures of the hospital's therapy dogs hang as ornaments, and a sign near the tree instructs passersby to take what they need. Oftentimes, nurses will hear, "Thanks for the hat," as patients walk out of the emergency room doors. Others take what they need without drawing too much attention. Affectionately known as the "Giving Tree," the tradition sprouted in 2018 when nurse manager Jennifer Kelly set up an all-white Christmas tree in the emergency department's lobby. "It was probably a tree that nobody wanted it was scraggly and bare," Kelly said. "But we adopted it and it worked perfectly." Kelly revealed the tradition honored a beloved emergency department patient experiencing homelessness. The patient, a familiar face to the staff, became an integral part of their extended family, Kelly said. "He was somebody who was here all the time," Kelly said. "We would give him shoes, clothes and food. He kind of just became 'ours.' " She fondly reminisced about the times he would walk her out to her car when she worked night shifts because he wanted to make sure she was safe. "My thought was, well if we can help him when it's cold, who else can we help," Kelly told The Post and Courier. The patient passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Kelly and hospital staff. Kingstree, SC (29556) Today Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Scattered frost possible. Low 34F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Scattered frost possible. Low 34F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. It was a day for shamrocks and shenanigans on March 16 along Middle Street on Sullivan's Island, as lads, lasses and decked-out canines of all ages celebrated St. Patrick's Day. A swarm of green-clad revelers gathered to ring one of the world's most storied and highly-anticipated holidays at Read moreRocky road to Dublin: Irish eyes smiling on Sullivan's Island Video: The century-old New Year's Eve celebrations at the Times Square in New York City were permeated with a mixture of joy from normality, anxiety of disruptive forces, fulfillment of traditional practices and hope for betterment. (Xinhua) Heightened security measures and the presence of pro-Palestinian protesters in Manhattan added a sense of anxiety to tens of thousands of spectators in Times Square. by Xinhua writers Liu Yanan, Xing Yue, Yang Shilong NEW YORK, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- As the iconic Times Square in New York City geared up for its century-old New Year's Eve celebrations, the atmosphere is a rich tapestry woven with threads of joy, anxiety, honor of heritage, and hope for a better future. Two and a half years since the end of the New York State emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, life in New York City is back to normal by many indicators. The counts of pedestrians in the Garment District, a key metric for the iconic fashion district's vibrancy and economic activity, finally exceeded pre-pandemic levels in the week ending Nov. 27 for the first time in four years. A lively stream of over 3.7 million pedestrians coursed through the heart of the district during the week, 2.1 percent higher than the same week in 2019, according to data issued by The Garment District Alliance. Joshua Blair, an actor from Indiana, returned to New York City in 2023 following a fleeting stay during the pandemic. The year 2023 is a year of growth and new opportunities for Blair, who was reading a book in Times Square while waiting for the start of New Year's Eve performances. "The door is opening ... I just moved to New York City in 2023 to pursue acting. So it's the start of a new chapter," Blair told Xinhua. "I moved to New York City in March of 2020, right before everything went down. So I had to get out of here, too, along with everybody else. So, I'm back now," said Blair. Blair said he only lived in New York City for 17 days in 2020 before he was forced out of the city. It's an absolutely great way to start the year in Times Square, said Blair. He added, "This is the epicenter of New Year's Eve, and there's no place I'd rather be." "This is my first time in Times Square for New Year's Eve. This has been on my bucket list ever since I was a little child. So I'm doing that little child a favor by showing up tonight," Blair said. Screens of a building display "Happy New Year" and "2024" in Times Square in New York, the United States, Dec. 31, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Rui) However, heightened security measures and the presence of pro-Palestinian protesters in Manhattan added a sense of anxiety to tens of thousands of spectators in Times Square. New York City has witnessed over 400 protests since Oct. 7, 2023, when a new wave of conflict broke out between Israel and Hamas. Pro-Palestinian protesters have been calling for a ceasefire by intruding on Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, targeting the annual Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center and blocking Manhattan Bridge in New York City. New York City has mobilized the full complement of the city's public safety apparatus, including canines, horses, drones, helicopters and boats, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The New York Police Department expanded the buffer zone around Times Square and allowed spectators to enter in multiple phases. Drones were deployed around the outer perimeter, and helicopters hovered around the area. Greg Packer, a New Yorker inside the crush of visitors to Times Square, said, "2023 was crazy with protests and mass shootings and just chaos. Hopefully, 2024 can be a better year." "What 2023 has meant is upsetting the status quo," said Willy Shih, professor of management practice in business administration at Harvard Business School. "Surprising, unexpected and unsettling, 'disruption' kind of says it all to me." Among the "disruptions," Shih cited events in the Middle East, the dramatic changes in investment and global trade flows, the new style of warfare in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza, a sea-tide shift in climate change investment particularly in the United States as well as generative artificial intelligence, which is capturing the imagination of investors. "Might not get peace, but I wish for love and happiness," read one of countless New Year's Eve confetti messages in Times Square. Confetti flies around during the New Year celebrations in Times Square in New York, the United States, Jan. 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Rui) Moreover, the celebrations in Times Square largely stuck to century-old traditions and continued to attract tens of thousands of people from home and abroad. The celebrations included 11 live performances and started at 6 p.m. with the Sino-American Friendship Association presenting a Chinese cultural performance titled "Cheers to 2024 with Wuliang Harmony." Marking the inclusion of Chinese elements in the New Year's Eve celebrations for the 12th consecutive year, the performance blends modern and traditional music and dance to celebrate the upcoming Chinese lunar new year, the Year of the Dragon. Kari Strobel, a spectator from Switzerland, said the year 2023 was eventful and exciting, having met new people and encountering new experiences during her travels in South America. "I hope it stays like this year, exciting and eventful," said Strobel. Samantha Bahamonde, who came from Florida with her sister Camila, said 2023 has been transformative because of her travels. "I've grown a lot. I've really learned a lot more about myself this year. I spent more time with myself and really getting to know who I am," said Bahamonde. For Camila, 2023 saw her living in new places and having new experiences. "Next year, I'm hoping to get my master's (degree) and become a nurse practitioner," Camila added, "but continue traveling around the world and experiencing new cultures." TAYLORS It began with an unmarked grave. Maxine Moragne was no older than 4 years old when she first visited the grave of the brother she never knew, the baby who lived only one day in 1942. He was buried in an unmarked grave beneath blackberry bushes in Taylors, but he was not alone. He was buried with his great-grandmother, Mary Green, Moragne's mother told her. Moragne was full of questions: Who exactly was Mary Green? The response was a story she would carry for the rest of her life. Mary Green was the sole survivor of a racist lynching that claimed the life of her husband, George Green, a Black sharecropper in Taylors who was shot by the Ku Klux Klan in his home in November 1933. The perpetrators were never brought to justice. It was a family story handed down from generation to generation. Now Moragne, Mary's sole descendent, wants others to know George's story, too. Ninety years after his death, a new historical marker stands on West Main Street in Taylors to keep his story alive. The historical marker was erected by the Community Remembrance Project of Greenville County in partnership with the Alabama-based Equal Justice Initiative. CRP's mission is to confront the history of local racial terror through narrative truth telling, co-chair Ellen Stevenson said. Located near the East Greenville Summary Court near the entrance to the Taylors library, the new marker honors one of four lynching victims in Greenville County documented by EJI and CRP. George Green, a Black man in his 60s, was murdered Nov. 16, 1933, by a White Klan mob convened by C.F. James, a prominent Taylors man who was Green's landlord. James, angry over a wage dispute, ordered him to vacate the home. But a local magistrate determined that Green could legally stay in his house off North Adams Street through the end of the year, according to local newspaper clippings. Year in and year out, South Carolinas Legislature makes modest improvements around the edges but fails to tackle our state's fundamental problems: a governing philosophy that treats local officials as serfs; a budgeting process that assumes everything it has ever done is good and must be maintained; an organizational structure that still leaves too many officials unaccountable for their actions; and a political system that allows public officials to hide too many actions from the public and gives them too little incentive to put the public interest ahead of their own. Political theater is even coming to dominate our town, city and country councils the bread-and-butter governments that must provide police and fire service and garbage collection regardless of ideology. Of course we want our elected and appointed officials to do better. But maybe thats not realistic. Maybe we need to recognize that we are the problem. That, in the words of the great philosopher Pogo, the enemy is us. Yes, this whole mess started out with politicians and special interests driving us into our competing camps, teaching us that our causes are righteous. They told us that those who disagree are evil, that we cannot trust these evil people and so could not consider compromising with them even if compromise wasnt itself evil, as they taught us it is. But at some point, the cynical plan to raise money and amass political power from their failure and our anger did its job: It sorted us into angry tribes. (And yes, those on the right tend to be more openly disdainful of compromise, but dont be fooled: While more people on the left express support for compromise, they no less intensely reject actual compromises that is, agreements in which they dont get everything they want.) We are the ones who elected all those officials who think compromise is an evil word. And we are the ones who keep re-electing them. If no one runs against them, perhaps its because we make it clear that were willing to live with this. Perhaps it's because we dont recruit and support alternatives. The AG is just doing his job The AG is playing politics We will see Vote View Results PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-01 15:35:14 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 582 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 1, 2024 / 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 On New Year's Eve, Burj Khalifa hosts fireworks displays in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, on Dec. 31, 2023.(Xinhua) CAIRO, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- As the world is hugging the new year, people in the Middle East, where conflicts and economic slowdown inflict pains and suffering in some countries and regions in 2023, retain hopes for a more peaceful year and a better life in 2024. HOPE OF PEACE Rami Kandu, like many Palestinians, experienced "the most difficult time" in 2023 because of the deadly conflict that broke out between Hamas and Israel on Oct. 7, when Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people and took over 200 hostages in a surprise attack on southern Israel. Camps for the displaced Palestinians are seen in the picture on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt on December 31, 2023. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Now, a massive humanitarian disaster has been unfolding in the Gaza Strip where over 21,000 people, mostly civilians, have lost their lives while most of the 2.3 million population in the Palestinian enclave have been displaced, due to the relentless Israeli airstrikes and ground offensives. Even in the West Bank, people felt the pain of those living in the war-ravaged enclave. "As you can see, the West Bank city of Bethlehem, known as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, was empty with no celebrations for Christmas and New Year to show sympathy to the Palestinians suffering from Israeli attacks and siege," Kandu told Xinhua. "Though it is not easy," he said, "everyone wants the conflict to end so that peace can return and the new year will be a good year." Basil Al-Maqousi, a 45-year-old Palestinian painter, is showing his paintings on Dec. 27, 2023. Al-Maqousi was forced to flee from Gaza City to the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, and he depicts every day in his paintings the ordeals that people were enduring in the deadly Israel-Hamas clashes and his wish to restore peace in the new year. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Basil Al-Maqousi, a 45-year-old Palestinian painter, draws a picture every day after he and his family were forced to flee from Gaza City to the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. Al-Maqousi depicted in his paintings the ordeals that people were enduring in the deadly Israel-Hamas clashes and his wish to restore peace in the new year. The same hope went for Ben Zimroni, an Israeli Jew, who used to teach Hebrew at an Arabic school in Jerusalem before the Gaza escalation. He said that he felt the sufferings of the Palestinians, and hoped to promote mutual understanding between the two peoples in 2024. REBUILDING AND PROGRESS The past year was not easy for many Turks, as their country struggled with a deadly earthquake in early 2023 as well as a continued economic slowdown. Nesrin Kayabasi and her family cook in a kitchen in Ankara, Turkiye, on Dec. 28, 2023.(Photo by Mustafa KayaXinhua) Nesrin Kayabasi, a 45-year-old Turkish woman from Hatay, was a survivor of a deadly earthquake that hit southeastern Turkiye and neighboring Syria in February 2023. She lost her villa, office, cars... all her belongings in the quake, and all her family are now running a Hatay traditional food shop in the capital Ankara for a living. "More than 50,000 people died in that terrible earthquake, which I will never forget," she recalled, determining to return to her hometown once the reconstruction work there is complete. "In the new year of 2024, I want to create my own Hatay food brand and return to Hatay to get back the life we had." A girl poses for photos with New Year's lights installations in Ankara, Turkiye, Dec. 31, 2023. People celebrate New Year in Ankara, Turkiye, Dec. 31, 2023.(Photo by Mustafa KayaXinhua) Yaser Yazigi, a Syrian resident from Aleppo, also suffered from the earthquake, which damaged his house. What's worse was the U.S. sanctions on his country hindered the importing of some necessary materials needed to repair his house. "The sanctions imposed by the United States have led us to this terrible situation," said Yazigi, hoping "the embargo on Syria can be lifted and things will get better in 2024." Ahmad Ghossaini, a resident of Baakline, a Druze town of Mount Lebanon, hoped Lebanon "will rise in a short time starting with the election of a new president and the formation of a capable government to rebuild institutions." Lebanon remained entrenched in a socioeconomic and financial crisis in 2023, further exacerbated by institutional and political stalemates, according to the World Bank. Furthermore, the Lebanon-Israel border has been witnessing heightened tension between the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah and Israeli forces. "It is not the first time that we faced conflicts and crisis," Ghossaini told Xinhua, believing "Lebanese will manage to survive and stand up again." This aerial photo taken on June 28, 2023 shows the Central Business District (CBD) of Egypt's new administrative capital, 45 kilometers east of Cairo, Egypt. In the vast and scorching desert in North Africa, Chinese and Egyptian workers are working against the clock to dress up a cluster of newly erected high-rises in glass walls made in China. (Li Binghong/Egyptian branch of China State Construction Engineering Corporation/Handout via Xinhua) COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT With further fruits made in the cooperation between China and major Middle Eastern countries in various fields in the past year, many people in the region expressed hopes for new progress in 2024 in boosting the mutually beneficial cooperation in seeking common development. "For Egypt, I hope progress in all fields will happen in 2024, and I hope Egypt will learn from the Chinese experience in economic development amid the increasing cooperation between two sides," said Yara Ibrahim, manager of the education department in "Wisdom House for Cultural Industries" institution in Egypt. People pose for photos during the closing ceremony of the first Chinese language summer camp in Cairo, Egypt, on July 18, 2023. More than 100 students from Egyptian governmental preparatory schools celebrated on Tuesday the conclusion of their first Chinese language summer camp. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) Ibrahim felt that the China-Egypt cooperation has made great strides in 2023, which she thinks is "a good thing for Egypt to benefit." Her institution started Chinese teaching courses in 2020 and has attracted students from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Jordan, Sudan and Algeria to attend the courses. At the end of 2023, the institution was certified as an international Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) and HSK Speaking Test (HSKK), "spreading the Chinese language and culture to the Arab world," she said. Hebah Abbas, the chief specialist electrical engineer at the Kuwait Ministry of Education, recently wrapped up her trip to China, where she visited some leading Chinese enterprises, such as Huawei and PowerChina. Hebah Abbas, chairwoman of the sustainability committee at the Kuwait Water Association, reacts during an interview with Xinhua at her office in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, Dec. 3, 2023. (Xinhua/Yin Ke) "The trip was deeply impressive. Kuwait is embarking on a bold economic transformation, strategically diversifying its economy beyond the traditional oil sector to various sectors such as finance, cutting-edge technology, and a burgeoning tourism industry," said Abbas. She believed that the cooperation between Kuwaiti and Chinese companies would help achieve the "Kuwait Vision 2035" through the win-win relationship. Movie Title: Malaika Running Time: 2 hours 14 minutes Release Date: 22 December 2023 Director: Steve Olufemi Sodiya Producer: Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi Casts: Toyin Abraham, Anne Kansiime, Emeka Ike, Odunlade Adekola, Adebayo Ridwan Abidemi (Isbae U), Uzor Arukwe, Oderhohwo Joseph Carter Efe, Ibrahim Chatta, Pelumi Olawuni (Abike Shugaa), and veteran actress Taiwo Ajai-Lycett. With a career that spans over a decade, Toyin Abraham has become a prominent figure in the Nigerian film industry, often referred to as Nollywood. Toyins ability to authenticate diverse roles contributed to her rising star status within Nollywood. Beyond her acting career, she has made significant contributions as a producer. Her film production company, Toyin Abraham Productions, has been behind successful projects such as Alakada Reloaded and The Ghost and the Tout. These productions demonstrated her commitment to telling engaging and relatable stories. With the success recorded in her previous productions, Toyin Abraham released another blockbuster movie, Malaika, on 22 December. Malaika tells the story of a barren woman with anger issues and her struggles with her family and friends as she tries to find a solution to her childlessness. She later goes through a spiritual journey which culminates in the discovery of her true calling. Storyline The drama revolves around the Njoku family. It focuses on Mr and Mrs Njokus challenges. Adetutu, the wife, grapples with infidelity, causing turmoil within the family. Meanwhile, a couple battling infertility and familial discord is introduced, shedding light on prevalent societal issues. Adetutus stepdaughter, Chichi, experiences a lack of motherly love and harbours resentment towards her stepmother. The drama unfolds as Chichi, having lost her mother at a young age, perceives Adetutu negatively. However, an unexpected friendship with Obinna, a tricycle rider, and his family positively changes Chichis life. When Mr Njoku, a doctor, travels abroad, Adetutu seeks solace in the company of her friend, leading her to a transformative encounter with an Ifa priest. This revelation links her anger issues to her childlessness, prompting Adetutu to embark on a journey of self-discovery and change. As Adetutu embraces her new life, her transformation surprises those around her. Simultaneously, Chichi learns valuable lessons about forgiveness and friendship during a conversation with Obinnas wife, sparking a positive change in her life. The narrative unfolds as Chichi is kidnapped during Ramotas freedom. Much to Chi Chis astonishment, Adetutu plays a pivotal role in securing the childs release. As the drama concludes, a remarkable twist occurs with the revelation of Adetutus pregnancy. The doctors announcement, following a test, shocks everyone as it is disclosed that she is expecting triplets. This unexpected turn adds a joyous conclusion to the familys tumultuous journey, marking a new chapter of hope and happiness for the Njoku family. Review Toyin demonstrated exceptional skill in the production of Malaika, addressing the struggles faced by women dealing with infertility and the societal stigma accompanying it. The casts performances were well-defined, contributing significantly to the dramas development. Notably, Toyin Abraham, portraying Adetutu, vividly depicted the emotional pain experienced by women grappling with barrenness. Emeka Ike, in his role as Mr Njoku, effectively portrayed the challenges faced by doctors nationwide, highlighting the societal expectation that they should solve all problems without acknowledging the spiritual dimension. READ ALSO: The character development throughout the play is commendable, showcasing the evolution of major characters as the drama unfolds. A standout aspect of the production is the transformative journey undertaken by Adetutu and Chichi, adding depth and resonance to the narrative. The drama skillfully employs various dramatic elements, including suspense, comedy, denouement, and climax, enhancing the viewing experience. Furthermore, the film provides a compelling exploration of the spiritual dimension in African society, emphasising the profound connection to the spiritual realm and its impact on lived experiences. Noteworthy is the dramas portrayal of the contrasting lifestyles between ghetto residents and city dwellers, offering a poignant narrative on societal disparities. Flops Nevertheless, there are areas the producer could enhance in future productions. Primarily, in a scene where Mr Njoku travels abroad, the details of his return lack clarity. While we were aware of his departure, the narrative needed to have the timing of his return, leaving a gap in the storyline. Providing comprehensive information about such events enriches the overall narrative. Additionally, attention to the authenticity of costumes worn by actors is crucial for maintaining originality and should be a focus for improvement. Rating: 8/10 Toyin Abraham must be commended for the production of Malaika. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu has again appealed to his opponents in last years presidential election to join him in making Nigerian work. Mr Tinubu said this in his News Year broadcast Monday morning. As the candidate of the ruling party, APC, Mr Tinubu defeated Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party who came second and third respectively in the closely fought election. Both candidates challenged the result of the election but lost in the courts. They have, however, refused to participate or ask their supporters to participate in the Tinubu administration. But in a 2024 New Year message Monday morning, Mr Tinubu said, For the new year to yield all its good benefits to us as individuals and collectively as a people we must be prepared to play our part. The job of building a prosperous nation is not the job of the President, Governors, Ministers, Lawmakers and government officials alone. Our destinies are connected as members of this household of Nigeria. Our language, creed, ethnicity and religious beliefs even when they are not same should never make us work at cross purposes. In this new year, let us resolve that as joint-heirs to the Nigerian Commonwealth, we will work for the peace, progress and stability of our country. I extend this call to my political opponents in the last election. Election is over. Its time for all of us to work together for the sake of our country. We must let the light each of us carries men and women, young and old shine bright and brighter to illuminate our path to a glorious dawn. Details later Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu said Monday that his government was committed to removing all obstacles that hinder genuine businesses from operating in Nigeria. Mr Tinubu said this in his New Year broadcast on Monday morning. He said his government was already codifying and simplifying Nigerias tax systems to make it easier for businesses to operate. Many businesses in Nigeria have complained of multiple taxation from different government agencies as one of the factors hindering their operations. In the broadcast, Mr Tinubu also acknowledged that no meaningful transformation can occur without a regular electricity supply in the country. He said his government was already working with the German government and Siemens to improve power transmission in the country. Details later Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A former Nigerian Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has assured that the economic situation of the country would be better in 2024 if Nigerians could persevere and be devoted to God. Mr Saraki, a former governor of Kwara State and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), gave the assurance in his New Year message to Nigerians on Sunday. Yusuph Olaniyonu, the head of the media office of the former senate president, issued the statement on behalf of his principal. I believe that if in 2024 we join our hard work to our perseverance, strength, dutifulness, and devotion to God, the situation of our country will turn for the better. The country and its people will rejoice over the new dawn that will break in our country Mr Saraki said. He urged Nigerians to continue working hard to improve the economic situation of the country. The former senate president also advised Nigerians to be patriotic, honest and possess a positive attitude to make 2024 a better year for the country. However, we, the citizens, are the ones who can solve the problems confronting our country. Every one of us must work hard in our various corners to improve the situation. We must come out strongly and positively to make the situation better in the new year. This is the time Nigerians have to give full expression to the old mantra of the 80s: If you are a leader, lead well and if you are a follower, follow well. Every worker should work well and all of us should devote more time to working honestly, transparently, and devotedly towards putting our country in a position to defeat the negative forces arrayed against it and rise back to its old glory. We need to combine positive attitude, patriotism, honesty, and respect for the rule of law with hard work in whatever position we find ourselves in the new year in order to make our country use 2024 as a turning point to solve its problems. May Almighty God heal our land and restore the lost glory of our dear country. I wish all of my fellow citizens a Happy New Year. May we all experience a prosperous 2024, he said. Mr Saraki served as governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011 and as senate president between 2015 and 2019. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has cautioned Nigerian clerics against giving fake prophecies about the country in the new year. In his New Year message issued by his media and public affairs directorate, on Sunday, Mr Bamidele said God has a better plan for the country and that many of the prophecies opposing Nigerias unity and progress are not from God. He asked Nigerians not to listen to religious leaders who are fond of proclaiming negative prophecies about the country, saying such prophets are not speaking the mind of God. 2024 is not a year to listen to religious leaders, who are fond of proclaiming negative prophecies about Nigeria and her future. No! Most of such clerics are not declaring the mind of God concerning Nigeria as a people. Gods plan for Nigeria is neither doom nor evil as evident in the Scripture. His plan for us as a people is peace, prosperity and a great future. And it is divinely ordained that His plans shall definitely come to pass if we hold fast the profession of our faith. As a people, we have a part to play in realising Gods plan for Nigeria. Our part is to have trust in God Almighty for the fulfilment of all His promises; pray without ceasing for those He had ordained to rule over us and support the Government of Renewed Hope. Mr Bamidele also urged Nigerians not to be discouraged by the current economic situation of the country. He advised Nigerians to believe in God and have hope that the country will be better. Do not to be deterred by what is going on around us. Rather, we must keep our hope alive in God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth. If we are preoccupied with what is happening around us, we may be too scared to go into the New Year in faith for a greater tomorrow. ALSO READ: Senate Leader faults recurrent expenditure of 2024 budget We should all know that we have God who created us only for His glory, plan and purpose. We should therefore not walk by sight. We should walk by faith in God the Omniscient and Omnipotent. If we are obsessed with the present conditions of our economy, we will not see the glorious and great future that God has already set before us. If we cannot see such a glorious future, then we will find it to walk confidently into it. God did not create us to punish us. He did not create us to languish on earth. He did not create us to be at war. Rather, God created us in His own image, for His glory and according to His divine will. As I always say, our past is a story already told. Yet, our future can be written in Gold, the senate leader said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, says Nigeria will witness growth and development in 2024. Mr Tajudeen said this in his New Year message in Abuja on Sunday. He said this would materialise with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House of Representatives. Mr Tajudeen congratulated Nigerians as they celebrated the New Year, saying 2024 promised to be a better year for Nigerians. He said that for the country to be great again, the people must support the policies, projects, and programmes of the government at all levels. He urged Nigerians not to only pray for their leaders but also to work with them towards having a better country. Mr Tajudeen urged political, religious, and traditional leaders to work toward a common goal of an indivisible and prosperous nation, saying that Nigeria was better united than divided. He also urged the citizens, especially youths to remain patriotic and law-abiding, adding that they should shun ethno-religious sentiments and show love to one another. The speaker wished Nigerians a prosperous and peaceful 2024. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has assured the people of the state that 2024 will usher in a glorious dawn. Mr Uzodinma gave the assurance in his New Year broadcast delivered at his Omuma country home, near Owerri, on Monday. He congratulated the people for surviving 2023, in spite of the excruciating challenges that we faced. I must admit that the year 2023 was a very challenging year in which many Nigerians battled for survival. As your governor, I shared these pains, and I did the much I could to help alleviate the challenges, he said. He expressed confidence that the reforms being implemented by President Bola Tinubu to restructure the economy were the right steps. Mr Uzodinma said: Like most reforms, the initial pains are inevitable. The good news is that there is light at the end of the tunnel. As they say, the darkest hour heralds a glorious dawn. So it is with the pains that came with these needful reforms. I am very confident that the promised glorious dawn is close enough. Thus, I appeal to the good people of Imo State to be patient because the year 2024 will surely herald that glorious dawn, and I am confident that the pains of 2023 will begin to wane in 2024, he added. He described 2023 as a remarkable year for his administration, following his victory at the 11 November election in the state. Through the mercy of God, the election was not only peaceful, but you returned me to the office with a landslide victory that cut across the 27 local government areas in the state, he stated. The greatest thank you I can offer to the people of Imo State is to continue to run an efficient and transparent administration with equity and justice as its banner. Working harder in the coming years, exceeding my previous efforts, will no doubt justify that confidence, he said. The governor said the march towards the actualisation of that vision had started with the 2024 budget, which he recently signed into law. The practical interpretation of the budget is that if we built 20 roads in 2023, we are going to build 40 in 2024. If we empowered 2,000 youths in 2023, 4,000 youths should take their turn in 2024. With this capital expenditure-centred budget, there shall be an avalanche of projects in Imo State in 2024. This harvest of projects will always be evenly and equitably sited in the 27 local government areas of our state, he emphasised. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 on Monday hit Ishikawa in central Japan, triggering a tsunami warning and advisories, Al Jazeera is reporting. The advisories asked residents to evacuate and prepare for possible aftershocks. According to public broadcaster NHK, a tsunami around one metre high (3.3 feet) struck parts of the west coast along the Sea of Japan, with a larger wave expected. Japans Meteorological Agency also issued tsunami warnings for the coastal prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata and Toyama. All residents must evacuate immediately to higher ground, Al Jazeera quoted NHK as saying after the quake hit the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture around 4:10 pm local time (07:10 GMT). It said another earthquake warning had been issued for Ishikawa. According to Japanese and US agencies, hazardous tsunami waves of up to 5 metres high (16.4 feet) were possible along the north coast of central Japan within 300km (186 miles) of a magnitude 7.5 quakes epicentre. Authorities are still checking the extent of the damage, government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi said in an emergency news conference, warning residents to prepare for possible further quakes. NHK is also reporting that several houses and power poles have collapsed. Railway services have also been suspended on the Joetsu Shinkansen line said East Japan Railway. Japan is one of the countries in the world most at risk from earthquakes. A huge earthquake and tsunami struck northeastern Japan on 11 March 2011, killing nearly 20,000 people, devastating towns and triggering nuclear meltdowns in Fukushima. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police in Anambra State, South-east Nigeria, say they have killed two members of a criminal gang that killed two police operatives on Thursday. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Aderemi Adeoye, disclosed this in Awka on Monday according to the News Agency of Nigeria. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the hoodlums killed the two operatives who were accompanying the convoy of a politician during the attack. This newspaper later gathered that the attacked convoy was that of Chris Uba, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state. It was learnt that although Mr Uba, who hails from the Uga Community, was in the convoy, he was unhurt because he was inside a bullet-proof vehicle. Apart from the slain police operatives, the attackers also shot a yet-to-be-identified man in his leg during the attack. It is not clear, for now, if the man later died. Killing of the hoodlums Mr Adeoye said two members of the gang who carried out the attack were killed during a raid on their camp on Sunday in Ogboji, a community in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra. The police commissioner said a 51-year-old kidnap victim was rescued during the operation. A Lexus SUV, four Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), two pump action rifles and 16 live cartridges were recovered from the suspects, according to the police. The IEDs had been defused, the police said. Mr Adeoye said the manhunt for the assailants and other criminals in the state would continue just as he restated the determination of the police in the state to ensure the security of all residents of the state. The police chief urged the residents and holidaymakers to go on with their lawful activities without fear. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has visited the first baby of the year in Abuja, Boluwatife Johnson. Baby Boluwatife was born at 12.03 a.m. on Monday at the National Hospital. The first lady also visited other babies just born in the hospital, bearing gifts. Among them was a set of conjoined twins. Mrs Tinubu was accompanied by the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima, the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, the wife of the minister for works, Mrs Umahi and the wife of the Minister of State for Defence, Mrs Matawalle. During the visit, the First Lady advised expectant mothers to prioritise their health and seek to know their HIV/AIDS status. She said this will enable them to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the disease and also help them (mothers) stay healthy. I urge nursing mothers to take adequate care of their babies, ensure that they are immunised as and when due, practice exclusive breastfeeding and provide them with adequate nutritious and healthy weaning food for their brain development. Expectant mothers should always take antenatal and postnatal care seriously, maintain basic hygiene at home, space their births, register their babies with the National Population Commission, NPC and make efforts to enrol them in school at the appropriate age, she said. Mrs Tinubu said her foundation, Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), is working in collaboration with UNICEF to see that all births in Nigeria are registered to ensure the rights and protection of all children. She said RHI would lend a helping hand to facilitate the surgery to separate the conjoined twins. The Chief Medical Director, Mohammed Mahmood, a professor, while expressing appreciation of the hospital for the gesture, seized the opportunity to appeal for more help to sustain the legacy of the hospital. SIGNED Busola Kukoyi SA Media to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1st January, 2024 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print MOGADISHU, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has joined forces with key stakeholders in Baidoa, the largest city of the South-West State of Somalia, to boost community participation and improve public services. The UNDP said the partnership with the Ministry of Planning, Investment, and Economic Development and the municipality of Baidoa, aims to establish a user-friendly digital platform encouraging citizens, officials, organizations, and stakeholders to actively contribute to the city's development. "Encouraging active participation in decision-making and public services ensures that everyone's voice is heard, fostering a more inclusive and participatory governance model," the UNDP said in a joint statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, Sunday evening. It said the core objective of the initiative is to empower the people of Baidoa, transforming them into active contributors to the shaping of their communities. The UNDP said the initiative is part of the Saameynta UN Joint Program, jointly implemented by the UNDP, UN-Habitat, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The main aim of Saameynta, which means "impact" in Somali language, is to reduce the number of people living in forced displacement by providing large-scale, durable solutions suited to urban environments in Baidoa and two other Somali cities -- Bossaso and Beletweyne. President Bola Tinubu has celebrated the Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmad Aliyu, on his 54th birthday. President Tinubu lauded the outstanding leadership testimonials of Mr Aliyu, noting his steady growth and consistency in quality service provision as he ascended the public service ladder as two-time commissioner, deputy governor, and pioneer executive secretary of Police Trust Fund to now serving as the governor of Sokoto State. The president commended the governor for his unequivocal adherence to progressive principles and penchant for unquestioned loyalty under the able mentorship of former Governor Aliyu Wamakko, while appreciating his implementation of people-oriented programmes in Sokoto, such as the robust provision of infrastructure, potable water, environmental sanitation, health services, widening deployment of digital innovation and ICT training for the youth, care for the physically challenged, among others. President Tinubu wished the governor good health, strength, and wisdom in the service of Sokoto state and Nigeria at large. Ajuri Ngelale Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) January 1, 2024 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has pledged to implement policies that will bolster the development of the territory. Mr Wike made the pledge in his New Year message on Monday. Stating that the successes recorded in 2023 under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, and the promises inherent in the Renewed Hope Agenda will serve as a blue print, the minister said the development plans for the territory in the new year will encompasses several key areas. He listed the areas to include infrastructure development, economic empowerment, social welfare, sustainability development, community engagement and security. Mr Wike asked residents of the territory to join hands with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to build a stronger, more prosperous and harmonious territory. As we embark on this journey into the New Year together, I urge all residents of the FCT all to join hands with the Administration in our efforts to build a stronger, more prosperous, and harmonious capital territory. Your support and cooperation, especially in the prompt payment of taxes, and active participation in the overall development of the FCT are invaluable' the minister said. Read the full message: 2024 NEW YEAR MESSAGE BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER, FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, BARRISTER. EZENWO NYESOM WIKE, CON, TO RESIDENTS OF THE FCT MONDAY, JANUARY 1ST, 2024 1. On behalf of the FCT Administration, I extend my warm and heartfelt greetings to all the residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as we usher in the New Year, 2024. 2. We thank the Almighty for the gift of life to witness the dawn of a new year and pray that He guides us through it successfully, meeting all our aspirations and goals. 3. Let me begin by saying that the successes recorded in 2023 under the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the promises inherent in the Renewed Hope Agenda will serve as a blue print as we implement our development agenda for the FCT. 4. The promises embedded within the Renewed Hope Agenda resonate deeply with our aspirations for the FCT as they encapsulate our dedication to enhancing infrastructure, inclusive growth, and fostering a sustainable environment conducive to economic empowerment and social well-being. 5. Over the past few months, we have made significant strides in various sectors, propelled by a commitment to excellence and innovation. Our efforts have been directed towards enhancing infrastructure, ensuring effective urban planning, bolstering healthcare facilities, improving education, and creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. 6. In the year ahead, we will commit to implementing robust policies and initiatives that will bolster the development of the FCT and ensure that it continues to thrive as a model of excellence in all ramifications. 7. In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, our development plans for the Federal Capital Territory for 2024 encompasses several key areas including the following: i. Infrastructure Development: We aim to continue on our current course of accelerated infrastructural development including road construction, public transportation with re-opening of the Abuja Metro System and the expansion of essential amenities such as water supply and electricity to meet the demands of the ever increasing FCT population. ii. Economic Empowerment: we remain committed to fostering economic growth involving the creation of an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, promoting entrepreneurship, and initiating programs that provide employment opportunities for our youth. We intend especially to focus attention on the tourism sector which hitherto had remained largely untapped and which has the potentials of being a major revenue earner for the FCT. iii. Social Welfare: We are dedicated to advancing social welfare programs that prioritize healthcare, education, and housing, ensuring that every resident has access to essential services and quality living conditions. We will intensify efforts to enhance educational institutions, equip our youth with the necessary skills, and create opportunities for their holistic development. iv. Sustainable Development: we are also determined to promote sustainability practices that preserve the environment, such as green initiatives, waste management, and renewable energy projects. We are also dedicated to implementing robust urban planning and renewal strategies and initiatives which includes the removal of shanties and slums and a renewed commitment to adherence to the dictates of the Abuja Masterplan. v. Community Engagement and Inclusivity: We also recognize the importance of engaging with our diverse communities and fostering inclusivity. Hence, we will continue to prioritize dialogue, participation, and collaboration with residents to address their needs effectively. vi. Security: I wish to reaffirm the Administrations unwavering commitment to ensuring the security and well-being of all residents. Security remains a top priority, and we will continue to support the efforts of the security agencies in keeping the FCT safe. While we will remain vigilant and responsive by adapting to evolving threats, I equally call on residents to play their roles by cooperating with security agencies by providing much needed information should the need arise. 8. As we embark on this journey into the New Year together, I urge all residents of the FCT all to join hands with the Administration in our efforts to build a stronger, more prosperous, and harmonious capital territory 9. Your support and cooperation, especially in the prompt payment of taxes, and active participation in the overall development of the FCT are invaluable. 10. Finally, I wish also to enjoin all residents of the FCT to rally behind and support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This transformative vision is poised to bring about positive change and elevate our nation to new heights. 11. President Tinubus commitment to good governance, economic prosperity, and social development aligns seamlessly with our collective aspirations for a better Nigeria and a Federal Capital Territory which will be the pride of all of us. 12. I once more wish you and your loved ones a joyful, peaceful, and prosperous New Year! EZENWO NYESOM WIKE CON HONOURABLE MINISTER, FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Outspoken Catholic priest, Ejike Mbaka, has alleged that there is a plot by evil people to launch attacks against him in the year 2024. Mr Mbaka raised the alarm while delivering his cross over night message for the year 2023 on Monday at the Adoration Ground, Enugu. The cleric said God revealed to him that the attacks against him this New Year would be strong. He did not, however, mention names of the evil people. The Lord demands that all of you should back Father Mbaka with prayers because of the level of attack that is coming to me in 2024. I need your prayer back-up, he told thousands of his followers in a mixture of Igbo and English languages. Mr Mbaka, who is the spiritual director of the ministry, said he had thought that he would not witness any attacks this year, but that God told him that some wicked people were planning evil against him. So please, I am the Mbaka. Pray for me. I do not know the evil people that the Holy Spirit was telling me about, but God knows them. He (Holy Spirit) told me that the evil people are harbouring grievances against me. He said the evil people had vowed not to rest until they deal with me, he stated. Background This is not the first time Mr Mbaka would be raising such an alarm. In his New Year message on 1 January 2022, the cleric hadalleged that there was a plot to kill him after his row with the Catholic Diocese of Enugu in May 2021. The row began when Mr Mbaka, who was a staunch supporter of the then Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, in a surprise move, criticised the then president, asking him to resign or be impeached for bad governance. The presidency responded with an accusation that the priest was angry because his request for government contracts was rebuffed. The exchange was the last straw for the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Callistus Onaga who had repeatedly cautioned Mr Mbaka against meddling in politics. READ ALSO: Mr Onaga, consequently, shut down the Adoration Ministry for one month before the issue was later resolved with Mr Mbaka later apologising to the bishop and other Catholic faithful of the diocese. The outspoken priest is known for his frequent criticism of government officials and politicians across Nigeria in the past, even during the military regime. Mr Mbaka had in June 2022, prophesied that Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate would not win the 2023 presidential election because he was a stingy man. Many Nigerians, including the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, criticised him over the prophetic declaration on the LP candidate. As part of a disciplinary measure against him for the scathing remark against the LP candidate, the leadership of the diocese, in October that year, directed Mr Mbaka to step down as the spiritual director of his Adoration Ministry in Enugu, and proceed to a monastery in Los Angeles, United States. The cleric later apologised to the LP candidate and his supporters, saying his intent was not to malign him. Mr Onaga later banned church members from attending services at the Adoration Ministry, following the controversial prophecy. The ban was lifted, three months after. The church then asked Mr Mbaka to step down and embark on a solitary journey to the monastery. The cleric only returned to Nigeria from the US in January 2023 and resumed activities at the ministry . Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has apologised over his inability to keep an earlier promise to clear accumulated pension arrears in the state. Beginning from his campaign period, the governor had repeatedly promised to clear the pension arrears by the end of 2023. Mr Otti, on Monday during a state-wide broadcast to mark the New Year, tendered an apology for his failure to keep the promise. The governor explained that the funds needed to clear the arrears were beyond what he had projected. Based on the figures available to us, we had arranged the funds to make good this promise. However, before making the payment, we decided to conduct a digital verification of the pensioners. To our utter shock, we found that there were pensioners who had been owed since. At the end of the exercise, just about a week ago, the total figure required for the payment was twice the amount we had provided, he said. Mr Otti, however, assured that he would fulfil the promise before the end of the first quarter of 2024 even if it would require his administration to go to the Abia House of Assembly to seek approvals. Review of workers salaries Mr Otti also hinted that, in line with his earlier promise, he would carry out an upward review of workers salaries in the state In the New Year as we had promised, we shall review the salaries of all the employees of the State Government upwards to reflect the economic realities of the time. Work on this is in the final stages, he said. Watershed moment The governor described 2023 as a watershed moment in the states political history and expressed confidence that the New Year will be our year of consolidation on the gains made in the past seven months. Technology has been at the heart of our transformation and reform agenda. We shall move to a new gear in 2024 starting with the digitization of the operations of our public institutions for ease of access and efficiency in service delivery. We shall also leverage the advantages of technology to drive state-wide human capital development, economic empowerment of the youth and most importantly, job creation in high reward areas, especially outside our geographical borders, he said. Before the end of this month, we shall be setting up an international body of advisers known as Abia Global Economic Advisory Board made up of accomplished internationally recognised experts from across the globe who will help in our journey to take our state to the world as a preferred investment destination. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Outspoken Catholic priest, Ejike Mbaka, says he cannot stop releasing what he called prophetic messages on politicians and elections in Nigeria despite some criticisms against such practice. Mr Mbaka, who is the spiritual director of Adoration Ministry Enugu, is known for his frequent release of such messages on Nigerian politicians and election-related issues in the country. No control Speaking on Monday night while delivering his crossover message for the New Year 2024 at the ministrys ground in Enugu, the cleric suggested he would not stop because he has no control over such messages. I dont know how it happens to me. I am not boastful of it. It comes to me once in a while. I did not get it through priestly ordination. It has been following me even before I became a Catholic priest, Mr Mbaka said. The Catholic priest, who spoke mainly in the Igbo language, argued that, contrary to accusations against him, he does not meddle in politics. He said he only delivers such messages as received from God. If I am sent, for instance, to deliver a particular message to (President Bola) Tinubu, nobody can stop it on this earth. I will deliver the message exactly as it was given, Mr Mbaka said. Continuing, he said, If I am instructed to say that somebody will not win an election, even if the person is my blood brother, I will tell him about it privately. But if he doesnt listen, I will say it publicly so that when it comes to fulfilment, I will not be counted among those who supported a failure because I can never support a failure. No matter how you want to understand it or misunderstand it, I do not prophesy because I am an ordained Catholic priest. Even if you ask my classmates in seminary school, I have been like that, Mr Mbaka said. The clerics comments appeared to be referring to his scathing remarks against the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Mr Mbaka had in June said that Mr Obi would not win the 2023 presidential election because he was a stingy man, a remark which caused many Nigerians to criticise the cleric. The leadership of the Enugu Catholic Diocese, in October that year, directed Mr Mbaka to step down as the spiritual director of his Adoration Ministry in Enugu and proceed to a monastery in Los Angeles, United States as part of a disciplinary measure against him. The cleric only returned to Nigeria from the US in January 2023 and resumed activities at the ministry. Not the first time Although Mr Mbakas outburst against Mr Obi generated serious controversies, it was not the first time the cleric would publicly criticise a politician in Nigeria. Mr Mbaka, for instance, was frequently at loggerheads with the then governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, between 1999 and 2007. Also, the cleric, in his 2015 New Year Message, attacked the administration of then-President Goodluck Jonathan, in the build-up to the presidential election of that year. He said President Jonathan would give way for the then All Progressives Congress candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, who later won the election, to become president. Again, in April 2021, the Catholic priest, a known supporter of President Buhari, in a surprise move, attacked the then-president, asking him to resign or be impeached for bad governance. The presidency fired back at Mr Mbaka, saying the priest was angry because Mr Buhari ignored his request for contracts. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Two months after President Bola Tinubu approved the release of withheld four months salaries for Nigerian lecturers, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) said its members are yet to receive the salaries. ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, a professor of soil science, also said most of its demands that the Nigerian government claimed to have met are yet to be implemented. Mr Osodeke disclosed this to PREMIUM TIMES in an interview on Friday. Withheld salaries Mr Tinubu had in October approved the release of four of the eight months withheld salaries of the workers. The salaries were withheld when the former administration of Muhammadu Buhari invoked a No Work, No Pay policy against some university-based unions that embarked on a strike that lasted eight months in 2022. The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, also a professor, recently said the government has increased the university workers salaries by 35 per cent. The minister also said the government has granted autonomy to the universities by removing them from the Integrated Payment and Payroll Information System (IPPIS). He added that the universities no longer need a waiver to recruit and fill their vacancies. These resolutions were reached through informal consultations with the unions based in the tertiary institutions, Mr Mamman said. However, speaking to PREMIUM TIMES, ASUU President, Mr Osodeke, said most of its demands are yet to be implemented. Mr Osodeke confirmed that the union had met with the Minister of Education, Mr Mamman, and agreed on certain terms. 35 per cent increase Regarding the 35 per cent increment, Mr Osodeke said the 35 per cent increase only applies to senior professors. He said the increment for other categories of workers in higher institutions is 25 per cent. No money has been paid to the union since its announcement. We only heard that it has been approved but we are yet to receive anything, he said in a telephone conversation. He added that the salary increment would be implemented in January. He said: We only heard that it had been approved, but there is no documentation between the union and the government for references to support the claims. And as of now, we are yet to receive or see any effect on the payment of withheld salaries. READ ALSO: Minister lists ASUUs demands already met by Nigerian govt On the issue of removal from the IPPIS and granting of autonomy, the new government is only trying to obey the law in the constitution. in the Universities Miscellaneous Act of 2018, the law is there to be referred to. It stated that the university governing council has the freedom to perform its functions without external interference, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has appealed to Nigerians not to lose hope in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu . He made the appeal in his New Year message to Nigerians issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh. Mr Akpabio said the Presidency and the National Assembly are aware of the hardships Nigerians are going through but he assured that the economic situation of the country will improve in the new year. I wish to use the occasion of this New Year to congratulate our countrymen and women for successfully stepping into 2024. I wish to reassure you that things will turn for the better in the year 2024. Keep believing in us and we shall surely deliver on our promises. The Executive arm of government and indeed members of the National Assembly are not oblivious of the sacrifices you are making. I still appeal to you not to lose faith in Nigeria but to be hopeful and prayerful, he said. The senate president assured that Nigerians will soon begin to enjoy the benefits of voting for President Bola Tinubu. I want to assure you that it will not be long before you will start reaping the benefits of voting the present government to power. The president is committed, the National Assembly is intentional and the Renewed Hope Agenda is real and we will not fail you. We understand the plight of the average Nigerian and every decision we make is aimed at improving your standard of living and making things easy for you. We appreciate the confidence you have entrusted in the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration and we will not fail to reciprocate your kind gesture, he said. Mr Akpabio said the National Assembly will ensure that the presidency implemented the 2024 Appropriation judiciously. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu said on Monday that theres no excuse for poor performance from ministers and other appointees in his government. Mr Tinubu, in his New Year speech to Nigerians, said his government has put in place a Key Performance Index (KPI) for political appointees to assess their performance. He said he took an oath to serve this country and would do his best at all times. Like I said in the past, no excuse for poor performance from any of my appointees will be good enough, he said. It is the reason I put in place a policy coordination evaluation, monitoring and delivery unit and the presidency to make sure that governance output improves in the living condition of our people. We have set the parameters for evaluation within the first quarter of this year. Ministers are heads of agencies with a future ideas administration that I lead will continue to show themselves. The presidents Senior Adviser on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Usman, had said in the past that the central coordination and delivery unit at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has defined deliverables for each of the 48 ministers and ministries. She said the ministers were asked to plan their 2024 budgets according to the already set KPIs for their ministries. Mr Tinubu also said on Monday that the government already set the parameters for evaluation for the first quarter of the year. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu has said he is committed to a new deal to speed up the delivery of the Siemens Energy power project that will ultimately deliver a reliable supply of electricity to Nigerian homes. Mr Tinubu said this in his New Year broadcast on Monday. Just this past December during COP28 in Dubai, the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz and I agreed and committed to a new deal to speed up the delivery of the Siemens Energy power project that will ultimately deliver a reliable supply of electricity to our homes and businesses under the Presidential Power Initiative, which began in 2018, Mr Tinubu said. Other power installation projects to strengthen the reliability of our transmission lines and optimise the integrity of our National grid are ongoing across the country. My administration recognises that no meaningful economic transformation can happen without a steady electricity supply, he added. The Nigerian government and Germany had earlier, in December 2023, signed an agreement to accelerate the Siemens power project. Mr Tinubu and German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, witnessed the signing of an accelerated performance agreement aimed at expediting the implementation of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) to improve the electricity supply in Nigeria. The event took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. A statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and publicity, said the agreement, consummated on the sidelines of the COP28 climate summit, was signed by Kenny Anuwe, the Managing Director and CEO of FGN Power Company, and Nadja Haakansson, Siemens Energys Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Africa. The PPI, formerly known as the Nigeria Electrification Roadmap Initiative, was the outcome of the visit of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Abuja in August 2018. An agreement was signed between the governments of Nigeria and Germany in 2019 to improve the power sector. President Bola Tinubu, since assuming office, has consistently advocated the accelerated realisation and expansion of the PPI. To achieve this, the project has been a major focal point in three rounds of bilateral discussions at several meetings between the president and the German Chancellor, in New Delhi, Abuja and Berlin. Mr Ajuri said the agreement signed will see to the end-to-end modernisation and expansion of Nigerias electric power transmission grid with the full supply, delivery and installation of Siemens-manufactured equipment under a timeline of 18 to 24 months. Furthermore, he said the agreement will ensure project sustainability and maintenance with full technology transfer and training for Nigerian engineers at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Over the years, birth registrations in Nigeria have been paper-based, with the attendant consequences of low and inefficient documentation of births, but the National Population Commission (NPC) is set to digitalise the process. In November, President Bola Tinubu launched the electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System (e-CRVS), a digital platform for the documentation of birth and stillbirth, birth attestation, adoption, marriage notification, divorce notification, migration, and death. The e-CRVS platform is being managed by the National Population Commission, Nigerias statutory body vested with the responsibility of documenting births, deaths, and marriages, among others. Nasir Kwarra, who heads NPC, said the e-CRVS is Nigerias fulfilment of its obligations to scaling up the automation of citizens identity database, which forms part of the resolutions of the African Ministers Conference held in 2022. The cardinal aim of the African Conference of Ministers is to provide strategic and policy guidance on pathways towards holistic, innovative and integrated digital identity management systems to close the identity gap on the continent. How e-CRVS works Mr Kwarra explained that the eCRVS provides electronic certificates for different forms of registration, including births and deaths. The platform equally gives access to corporate organisations for verification of data as it has a central management system (dashboard) that depicts and analyses collated civil registrations into vital statistics for proper decision-making. Mr Kwarra noted that the process heralds a departure from traditional paper-based recording of vital events to a state-of-the-art digital solution that conforms to international best practices. He pledged that the eCRVS system would revolutionise how crucial events like births, marriages and deaths are documented, tracked, and analysed in Nigeria. NIMC gives impetus to electronic documentation To give effect to the eCRVS, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has compelled Nigerians desirous of modifying their date of birth on the National Identification Number (NIN) database to tender an electronic civil registration and vital statistics system (e-CRVS) certificate from the National Population Commission. The NIMC is a statutory Nigerian agency with the mandate to collect and keep biometric data of citizens and residents of Nigeria and issue the national identity number to Nigerians. The NIN remains Nigerias foundational identity which operational identities are built on. In a bid to operationalise the e-CRVS, the National Identity Management Commission on 24 December, issued fresh guidelines for the modification of date of birth. Among other things, the guidelines demand that Nigerians seeking to modify their dates of birth to first obtain an e-CRVS from the National Population Commission and present the same to the National Identity Management Commission, where the change would be effected. Many Nigerians are having a difficult time either applying for or renewing their passports at the Nigeria Immigration Service because of discrepancies in their biodata at the NIMC. Before the new guidelines, an affidavit and the payment of N15,000 were required for the modification of personal information on the NIN system. The CEO of the National Identity Management Commission, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, added that the guidelines only allow applicants to modify their date of birth once in a lifetime, and only at NIMC enrolment centres. Registration and modification of the NIN have been steeped in allegations of extortions by officials of the identity agency from desperate Nigerians. But Ms Coker-Odusote vowed to stamp out every form of malpractice from the commission, urging Nigerians not to give bribes for either NIN enrolment or modification. Recently, the agency announced clearing over 2.5 million backlogs of identity information modification. Ms Coker-Odusote was commended for transformative policies owing to NIMCs operational challenges in the past that stalled the issuance of NIN to Nigerians. As of August 2023, the NIMC said it had issued the National Identification Number (NIN) to 102.39 million Nigerians. Ms Abisoye Coker-Odusote reiterated the importance of the National Identification Number (NIN) as the only acceptable legal form of identity. This report is produced under the DPI Africa Journalism Fellowship Programme of the Media Foundation for West Africa and Co-Develop. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s top leader Kim Jong Un on Monday jointly designated 2024 as the China-DPRK Friendship Year and launched a series of activities. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Kim, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, made the announcement in their exchange of New Year greeting messages. In his message, Xi pointed out that China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors connected by mountains and rivers, saying that the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK was forged by the older generation of leaders of the two parties and two countries, cemented in the revolutionary struggle, and continuously deepened in the course of socialist construction. In recent years, Xi said, the traditional friendly cooperation between China and the DPRK has entered a new historical period with joint efforts. The two sides have maintained close strategic communication, deepened practical cooperation, strengthened coordination and collaboration in multilateral international affairs, pushed forward the continuous development of China-DPRK relations, safeguarded the common interests of the two countries, and maintained regional peace and stability, Xi added. Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has asked President Bola Tinubu to show a clear direction of his government and stop groping in the dark. Atiku stated this in his New Year message to Nigerians on Monday. The government must show a clear direction of its policy projections and desist from the subsisting behaviour of groping in the dark, he said. President Tinubu had earlier in his New Year broadcast to the nation, urged his political opponents to work with him since elections are over. In this new year, let us resolve that as joint-heirs to the Nigerian Commonwealth, we will work for the peace, progress and stability of our country. I extend this call to my political opponents in the last election. Election is over. Its time for all of us to work together for the sake of our country, the president said. Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last years election won by President Tinubu, said 2023 was a challenging year but that the lessons taken away from it should prepare Nigerians for the new year. Read Atikus full statement PRESS RELEASE My 2024 New Year Message To Nigerians It is with great adulation to God and a heart full of gratitude that I join other patriots to welcome Nigerians to the New Year 2024. The past year was definitely a challenging year, but the lessons that we took away from it are what should prepare us for the future that the New Year holds. It is my belief that one of the reasons the Almighty created time and season is for us to take stock of our realities and effect necessary amends. Certainly, many families and businesses already know the intensity of the trying times that we are currently going through though we could have taken a completely different pathway, had the government been smarter with their policy prescriptions. The rising cost of food items, goods and services, the malfunction in our national economy and the degenerating state of our national and community security are all existential challenges that we have to face squarely in the New Year. While many companies have closed their operations in Nigeria and moved their enterprise elsewhere with clearer policies and visions, the situation of life for Nigerians keeps getting direr. To walk back from these throes of adversities will require a well-thought vision of National Planning that will deliberately make the common people of Nigeria the centrepiece of our development. The Year 2024 is still new on its canvas; and so, there is ample time for the current government to champion a pathway to addressing the acute hardship that Nigerians are going through. The government must show a clear direction of its policy projections and desist from the subsisting behaviour of groping in the dark. While I congratulate all Nigerians for witnessing this New Year, I also wish to call on everyone to double our efforts to put our respective families and businesses in good shape. Atiku Abubakar Waziri Adamawa Vice President of Nigeria, 1999-2007. 31st December, 2023. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has urged the people of the state not to be frightened by the political crisis in the state, saying that his opponents will not get what they want from him. Mr Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is the FCT minister, have been engaged in a power tussle, a development that has battered the state Assembly, splitting the lawmakers into two factions. President, Bola Tinubu, in order to end the feud between the two former allies, last month mediated in a meeting where a peace deal was signed. But speaking in a short video posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), Mr Fubara appealed to the people of the state not to be disheartened by the ongoing crisis, assuring the people that they are the winners. I want to urge every one of us here, dont be frightened, he said, dipping his hand into his breast pocket and pulling out a biro. Pointing it to the congregation, he added, What they want is this red biro. It is still with me. The governor, in a sonorous voice, said, They have failed, eliciting an applause from the people who were listening to him. We are the winners because we are still signing with the red biro. As long as we are signing with the red biro, development will continue in Rivers State, he added. In a statement posted on Facebook on Monday, Boniface Onyedi, the governors spokesperson said, Mr Fubara made the statement at the crossover Church Service at St Pauls Archdeaconry Parish in Opobo Town on the New Years Eve in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State. Governor Fubara hails from the council area. Despite the criticism that trailed the Abuja peace deal, Governor Fubara had in a Christmas broadcast to the people of the state promised to implement the deal, adding that it was not a death sentence READ ALSO: At the crossover service, Mr Fubara expressed gratitude to Mr Tinubu for his intervention in the crisis. Like I keep saying, it takes a responsible man to be a father. He acted like a father. On our part, we will continue to give him all the necessary support because if he does not succeed in Rivers State, he will not succeed as a president. So, as a state, we will continue to give him every support. We are not pretenders. Our support is genuine, and it is to uplift his programmes. Our sacrifices are part of the support. Mr Fubaras ally, Edison Ehies resigning his membership of the Rivers assembly, is part of the governors sacrifice for the peace deal. Mr Ehie was the speaker of the four-member Rivers assembly. The resignation will pave the way for Mr Wike-backed lawmakers whose seats were declared vacant after their defection to the APC to return to the assembly with their rights and privileges restored, as part of the peace deal. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Falola is humble to a fault, lively to a fault and radiates vibrant energies to people around him. His outstanding academic achievements are not what bring his attributes out; what makes him different is the fact that, despite his international scholarly acclaim, he is accessible and responsive to the people. The majority of what he does for others is inconvenient, but a man as committed as he never backs off from whatever would help to transform the human world. Gathering in Dakar, Senegal, a notable group of scholars and activists decided to cumulate all the iconic names for which TF is known Iwin, Anjonu, Yemoja, and Irunmole to just one the Buhaba, an iconic elevation to The Supreme of the Supreme. Everything that TF touches turns to greatness. I affectionally call him The Great One. Happy birthday, Great One, our Buhaba! Two years ago, I decided to write a book on him. It was a daunting task: an initial outline led to six major books, and for now, I have succeeded in writing just one. Falola is like the proverbial baobab tree whose entire trunk and base you cannot see standing in one spot. Transitioning into adulthood up to old age is a goal that everyone desires to accomplish in their lifetime. While many people do not have this opportunity, the few who do sometimes do not have results commensurate with that age bracket. Meanwhile, the attainment of a desirable height in old age transcends building houses or accumulating material things; any development that does not facilitate human and personnel growth is anathema to its foundational essence. The attainment of old age, which perhaps begins by getting to 71 years of age, is a rare opportunity available to humans, and it is worth the effort when people who achieve the feat are celebrated and appreciated. Toyin Falola has arrived at 71, and all his associates and friends are happy and joyous, and each of us makes recognisable efforts to outdo one another in that engagement. Extremely shy of receiving praise and recognition, it is even a stroke of luck if TF reads this piece! When I asked him whether he had read two long single-authored books on him, Toyin Falola and African Epistemologies and Falolaism: The Epistemologies and Methodologies of African Knowledge, he smiled, covered his mouth with his palm his signature sign that a person must think before talking, and answered, The past is not my future, a way of saying that we should expect more books and essays. At 71, he has more energy than a graduate student and an Assistant Professor looking for tenure. Now recognised as a genius, anyone who tries to be like Falola is inviting a sudden death. The celebration of Falola, I believe, is best done by reflecting on the incredible account of his efforts, which he has instituted as his signature in the community of human relationships and existence from the beginning to the present time. Falolas accomplishments are undeniably stellar, and what he represents to humanity is more than can be contained in a few lines of orthographic gymnastics. But then, we can reflect on what Falola represents as an individual, a philosophical paradigm and a phenomenon. Falola, it was, who has continued to offer requisite mentorship for fledgling academics in Africa and even beyond his understanding that the next generations of people have the right to be exposed to quality thinking, the one useful and necessary for the transformation of the world generally. His commitment to the improvement of the human condition is illustrated by the scholarship opportunities provided for the needy, the helpless Falola represents a pure and productive personality to the human world. For one, it should be stated clearly that this enigma of a human has given selfless service to humanity. He epitomises humaneness. Throughout the stages of his academic history and career progress, he has continuously advanced the courses of people through his philanthropic disposition to people with whom he has no genetic or communal ties. Falola believes tenaciously that the growth of another individual has never been an impediment to others, and for that reason, he is a committed investor in the progress of others in ways that cannot be overemphasised. Falola has worked tirelessly in collaboration with responsible and responsive non-governmental organisations to secure funding opportunities for the defenceless people whose careers were on autopilot because of the foggy atmosphere occasioned by the lack of financial opportunities. Numerous is the number of people who are beneficiaries of the largesse of this outstanding scholar, thereby improving their existence through the access that they have to the help he provides. One would think that for a man who has reached the pinnacle of his career, having an interest in what concerns others would have been his turnoff. But this enigma has pulled great strides that defy the gravity of shortsightedness by continually dedicating himself to the concerns and aspirations of others in order that they would become not only valuable to themselves but also exceedingly useful to the generality of the human family. Falola, it was, who has continued to offer requisite mentorship for fledgling academics in Africa and even beyond his understanding that the next generations of people have the right to be exposed to quality thinking, the one useful and necessary for the transformation of the world generally. His commitment to the improvement of the human condition is illustrated by the scholarship opportunities provided for the needy, the helpless or those without the necessary connections to access resources needed for their growth. It should be emphasised that all the activities of Falola in Africa outpace and even outshine many others who are domiciled in the continent. As much as he provides selfless services to people at his primary place of work, he has never let the in-house Africans feel his absence in some ways. Repeatedly, this sage has organised numerous academic undertakings that would benefit the people and the government, irrespective of the positions that they hold. For clarity, many of his efforts have necessitated policy adjustments, all of which are bringing desirable transformation to the continent. It is because of sharing his thoughts and ideas for the development of Africa and the world that Falola responds to calls and pleas in every place of the world. Risking his health, the man has dared an unimaginable number of challenges to ensure that he offers the best to humanity. Will it not surprise you that even during COVID-induced distancing, he was able to integrate online activities to continue helping humanity progress? I have the honour to mention that Toyin Falola is a distinguished scholar and a doyen of academic excellence. For a very long time, this enigma has remained a leading light in African history and has used that wonderful experience to initiate programmes of lasting influence. By all standards, it would be very difficult to argue against anyone who associated Falola with the gods. In all honesty, if he came at the early time of Yoruba civilisation, I could never doubt that he would have bagged the status of an Orisa. In simple language, Falola is an especially selected individual whose destiny is to enlighten people with the power of his pen. He is chosen to do what he does for the benefit of humankind. After all, we are many in the business of academic engagements, and we understand how time-consuming, usually demanding and ideologically overstretching the career of a teacher or lecturer could be. Despite the obvious systemic conundrum, Falola remains focused; he is still able to eke out numerous academic productions of the highest quality. He has demonstrated his dedication and consistency that he is unstoppable. Incidences as this are a testament to his extraordinary qualities and his willingness to always challenge himself. For us to understand the gravity of his commitment to academic excellence, we would have to conduct some statistical analysis of books and papers he has authored and then ask ourselves if we all have 24 hours a day as this man. I mean, it generally betrays conventional logic that for someone overtaken and overwhelmed with activities like him, he is still able to produce as many books as possible, showing that he is doing something entirely different from ordinary people. It is as though the man comes from a different planet; one wonders how he maintains being an epitome of strong moral character, in addition to all the great things that he represents. Of course, it is convenient to say that people of this calibre should, as a matter of necessity, remain impeccable and immaculate. It is, however, not the case when one understands the varying degrees of temptation that accompany people of his position. Apparently, apart from being considered confident, mentees also have numerous other things that can potentially distract an unserious individual. However, Falola has remained consistent with his outstanding quality to ensure that he does not compromise the profession of teaching. Beyond mentor-mentee privileges that can be unprofessionally exploited, there is also the possibility that he would have been entrusted with money for projects and programmes of inestimable value without compromising them. The ability of people to continually entrust their hard-earned resources to the control of an individual over an expectation that they would use the resources justifiably relies on mutual trust and confidence. There must have been an establishment of an impregnable bond between himself and the various organisations that serve as funding baskets for the helpless and the defenceless. He is not a man embroiled in a scandal that could tarnish his image and spoil the good name he has built for himself. For this, I believe that Falola should be adequately celebrated and respected in all manners possible. It is a strong moral character that necessitates the ability to work with different calibres and groups of people without acrimony. The prospect of working together with individuals with whom one share different ideological philosophies must be one of the greatest potentials an individual can have. Falola has done this consistently and repeatedly. To all of us, Falola is a distinguished scholar whom we always celebrate. To his family, he is the loving father who attends to the yearnings of his daughter; he is the affectionate father who attends to the demands of his son; he is the compassionate grandfather who is accessible to the grandchildren. It remains indisputable that much as one would believe that academic engagements are only the things that receive his attention, experience has proved that he is available and present in all aspects for the people who need him. It pleases me to identify, too, that more than academic engagements revolve around Falola. In fact, closer observation of his lifestyle would reveal the social aspect of the man. Above all, he respects his family. As a family man of excellence, Falola continues to ensure the wellness of his family structure, making the union productive, lovely, and lively. Until you access the personal lifestyle of the man, you would never have an idea of the level of intimacy, love, and affection he has for his family, which extends from his wife and their children and grandchildren, too. To all of us, Falola is a distinguished scholar whom we always celebrate. To his family, he is the loving father who attends to the yearnings of his daughter; he is the affectionate father who attends to the demands of his son; he is the compassionate grandfather who is accessible to the grandchildren. It remains indisputable that much as one would believe that academic engagements are only the things that receive his attention, experience has proved that he is available and present in all aspects for the people who need him. Perhaps there is an underlying connection between this enigma and his image presented outside. An individual who has the utmost respect for his family and relations always finds it easy to integrate worldviews where they open their hearts and arms to different perspectives, as much as that would bring about necessary changes in the human world. Falola is humble to a fault, lively to a fault and radiates vibrant energies to people around him. His outstanding academic achievements are not what bring his attributes out; what makes him different is the fact that, despite his international scholarly acclaim, he is accessible and responsive to the people. The majority of what he does for others is inconvenient, but a man as committed as he never backs off from whatever would help to transform the human world. When his friends and associates are unwell, Falola organises a chain of prayers, calls medical doctors on phones to seek solutions, and speaks to anybody who can help. Falola is always there for his friends in all senses of the world. Our Buhaba, march on! Serges Kamga is dean of Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, South Africa. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani has felicitated with the people of the state and Nigerians at large on the joyous occasion marking the entry into the year, 2024. Governor Sani in his new year message to the people,solemnly remembered the lives lost in recent months, coupled with the dire economic realities faced by citizens. He encouraged all Kaduna residents to remain resolute as they enter the new year 2024 adding that the state government has prioritized the well-being of the people with targeted policies and programmes. He stated: My fellow compatriots, I congratulate us for making it to 2024. The past year 2023 was a particularly challenging one. Though tasked almost to the limits on all fronts, we persevered and marched on with determination and courage. We are indeed a resilient people with an abiding faith in the Almighty God. In the last six months, my administration has left no one in doubt as to our determination to carry everyone along; better the lots of our dear citizens and take Kaduna State to a higher level. We are building a state where no one will feel oppressed, marginalized or neglected. We are taking development closer to the people through the Rural Transformation and Nurturing of Citizens Engagement initiatives. Mr Sani said. He also reiterated the commitment of the state government to close the infrastructure and human capital gaps while promoting social inclusion. On the unfortunate Tudun Biri incident, Governor Sani commended the unity exhibited by the people in bringing succour to the survivors and families of the deceased. The promises made by the Federal Government, National Assembly, Nigeria Governors Forum, Corporate Organisations and well meaning Nigerians are being gradually fulfilled. We shall effectively monitor the execution of the intervention programmes for the Tudun Biri Community. Governor Sani stated. He further urged the people to join hands and remain focused, stressing that the programmes and policies of his administration will lead to the path of restoration and happiness. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print ( Read 2753 Times) Udaipur: On the occasion of the New Year, a grand ceremony was held at the administrative building of Maharana Pratap Agriculture and Technology University, where a massive national flag was hoisted atop a one hundred feet mast (pole). Simultaneously, all the university staff pledged to dedicate an extra hour of voluntary work on each working day in the new year. The event also marked the unveiling of an agriculturally useful calendar. The impressive national flag was raised by the university's Chancellor, Dr. Ajit Kumar Karnataka, during a splendid ceremony in the administrative building courtyard. The chief guest for the occasion was Mr. Nitin Baghmar, Regional Head of ICICI Bank. The installation of the flag was made possible through the financial support of ICICI Bank. The atmosphere was reminiscent of Independence Day celebrations as the flag fluttered at a towering mast. As the flag reached the top, accompanied by the resonant clapping of hands, colorful balloons were released into the sky, creating a visually captivating scene. The entire spectacle was captured on mobile phones and cameras by the enthusiastic onlookers. Following the flag hoisting, the national anthem and university anthem were sung. Speaking on the occasion, Chancellor Dr. Karnataka expressed that the university has endeavored to signify the spirit of a "Powerful India" during the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence. He conveyed that the flag represents the aspirations and ambitions of the people of India and is a symbol that countless individuals, including members of the armed forces, have sacrificed their lives for. Dr. Karnataka highlighted the significance of the saffron color symbolizing the strength and courage of the nation, while the white color in the center represents peace and truth. The green at the bottom signifies the fertility, growth, and auspiciousness of the land. Dr. Karnataka emphasized that such achievements are not possible by an individual alone but are the result of collaborative efforts, reflecting the team spirit prevailing at the university. The program began with the unveiling of the agricultural calendar by Dr. P.K. Singh, the Vice-Chancellor. The event witnessed the participation of various university officials, including Vinay Bhati (Finance Controller), Dr. Sunil Intodia (Exam Controller), Lokesh Yadav (Registrar), Abhishek Ranjan, and Himanshu, along with heads and representatives of affiliated colleges. Source : ( Read 2734 Times) Udaipur: A one-day program titled "Conservation of Rural Livelihood through Soil and Water Conservation" was successfully organized by the Regional Coordination Office of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Maharana Pratap Agriculture and Technology University, Udaipur. Active participation was observed from all collaborating organizations under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, along with enthusiastic farmers from the adopted village. The main guest for the program was Dr. Ajit Kumar Karnataka, Honorable Vice-Chancellor of Maharana Pratap Agriculture and Technology University, Udaipur. Dr. P.C. Jain, a retired medical practitioner and a renowned water warrior, graced the event as the keynote speaker. The inauguration of the program was done by Dr. Ajit Kumar Karnataka and Dr. P. K. Singh Dean, CTAE, and Regional Coordinator, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Dr. Karnataka shed light on the main aspects of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and emphasized the importance of water and soil. He also addressed the water issues specific to Rajasthan. Dr. Singh discussed how rural lifestyles can be transformed using advanced technologies. He provided insights into various activities under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and its role. Dr. Jain, in his enlightening speech, highlighted how rural communities can contribute to environmental enhancement through active participation in water and soil conservation. He urged individuals to safeguard their livelihoods by staying away from addictions. As a symbolic gesture, rural women, along with Dr. Jain, performed a water dance to convey the message of rainwater conservation to all the participating farmers. Dr. Vishakha Bansal conducted training sessions for rural women on various aspects of rural livelihood, and information on forming self-help groups was also provided. Dr. Bansal expressed willingness to visit villages and provide training according to their needs. Information related to watershed activities and water quality was shared with officials during the program. The event was graced by the presence of officials from Arpan Seva Samiti and Mahan Seva Samiti. The participants also shared their thoughts on Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. The program was efficiently conducted by Dr. Vinay Kumar Gautam. Towards the end, the unveiling of a published book by the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan office took place, and a vote of thanks was presented by Dr. Manjeet Singh, Assistant Professor, Department of Soil and Water Engineering. Source : BEIJING, Dec. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The modernization of China has been an evolving pursuit of the Chinese people over generations. In 2023, the country embarked on its first full year of implementing the guiding principles of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), charting the course for the next stage of China's modernization path. "Chinese Modernization, Global Opportunities," a special interactive page launched by CGTN, details China's domestic development and international contribution in 2023 through visual effects and in-depth stories. Strong focus on Chinese modernization In 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping made 14 domestic inspections, issuing detailed plans and instructions during each visit and urging unremitting efforts to advance Chinese modernization attuned to local characteristics. Development was the most frequently mentioned keyword during Xi's inspection tours, suggesting a strong focus on the goal of advancing Chinese modernization. Xi emphasized the need for the areas he visited to fully implement the new development concept and the importance of focusing on promoting high-quality development and constructing a new development pattern. Besides development, innovation, technology, modernization, ecology, culture, people, economy, high-quality and security are the other top words and phrases Xi used during his visits, according to an analysis by CGTN. Guided by the objectives set out in its development blueprint, China, in 2023, continued to be a leading growth engine for the world economy. The International Monetary Fund forecast that China's economy would grow by 5.4 percent in 2023, aligning with the globally projected pace. Sharing development dividends with the world In 2023, China promoted global prosperity, stability and peace by sharing the development dividends it gained through modernization with the world. As President Xi said in his 2024 New Year address, "We will work closely with the international community for the common good of humanity, build a community with a shared future for mankind and make the world a better place for all." At the first China-Central Asia Summit, China and the five Central Asian countries signed seven bilateral and multilateral documents and over 100 cooperation agreements in various fields. The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in October, the most significant celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), yielded 458 outcomes, with cooperation agreements worth $97.2 billion concluded. During their "frank and fruitful" talks in Moscow, President Xi and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, drew up a blueprint for the growth of bilateral ties. The highly anticipated Xi-Biden meeting in San Francisco played a key role in reshaping relations between the world's two largest economies. Contributing to the rise of the Global South in 2023, China supported the expansion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS. It also initiated a series of plans to help Africa realize modernization and signed BRI cooperation documents with all 22 Arab nations and the League of Arab States. In March, mediated by China, Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to restore diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies. China proved with words and deeds that it has always been and continues to be a supporter of world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of the international order. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-12-31/How-Chinese-modernization-brings-new-opportunities-to-world-1pZoMDZdlSg/p.html VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Jan. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Urology of Virginia announces that Dr. Joshua Langston has been elected Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer, as of January 1, 2024. He will continue the legacy of excellent organizational guidance, innovation and service of his predecessor, Dr. Jennifer Miles-Thomas. Dr. Miles-Thomas commented on the transition, "Dr. Langston has a long history with our organization and is well-equipped to lead us into an even brighter future. I have complete confidence that under his guidance, we will continue to excel and make a positive impact on the lives of our patients. It has been an honor to serve as President and CEO, and I look forward to witnessing the continued growth and success of Urology of Virginia from a different vantage point." Dr. Langston completed medical school at UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. He went on to residency training at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and completed a fellowship in Andrology & Male Reconstructive Urology at the Institute of Urology in London, England. He serves as medical director of Men's Health Virginia, a division of Urology of Virginia, where his team focuses on health needs of aging men. Dr. Langston has a strong interest in health policy and advocacy on behalf of patients, and currently serves as Chair of the Political Affairs Committee for the Large Urology Group Practice Association (LUGPA). He was previously selected as the American Urological Association (AUA) Holtgrewe Legislative Fellow, spending time away from his practice as a health policy legislative advisor in the U.S. Senate. He is Chair of the Health Policy Committee of the Mid-Atlantic AUA, serves on the Public Policy Council and Legislative Affairs Committees of the AUA, and the Board of Directors for the American Society for Men's Health, amongst many other roles. Regarding his appointment, Dr Langston said: 'It is truly an honor to be selected by my partners for this role. Urology of Virginia has a 100-year history of being a national leader in innovative, patient-centered care and research. I look forward to working together with my colleagues to cast a vision for growth and evolution in the face of a changing national healthcare paradigm that will allow us to continue to serve our community for another 100 years." About Urology of Virginia Urology of Virginia (UVA) has a 100+-year history of providing comprehensive and quality care to the entire Hampton Roads region, including northeastern North Carolina. The clinical care team consists of over 30 board certified Urologists, most of whom are fellowship trained, nationally recognized, awarded and published. More importantly, they provide superior care and individualized attention to their patients. Included in the team of urologists - with subspecialties such as oncology, urologic reconstruction, stone disease, and andrology - are a specialty trained GU Pathologist, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, RN's, x-ray and ultrasound technicians, and a vast array of other health care professionals. Our providers also comprise the Department of Urology at Eastern Virginia Medical School, training the next generation of urologists. The Urology of Virginia Research Division maintains participation in cutting edges trials, and has been responsible for many landmark studies over the years. The Schellhammer Urological Research Foundation (SURF), the organization's charitable arm, provides funding for research and community care. To learn more about Urology of Virginia and its service offerings, please visit urologyofva.net. SOURCE Urology of Virginia ZHENGZHOU, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- On New Year's Eve, people enjoy "iron flowers", a performance of splashing molten iron to create fireworks, to celebrate the New Year at "Unique Henan: Land of Dramas," a gigantic immersive theater complex, in Zhongmu County of Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province. In the days leading up to Christmas, residents traveled to the theater for a special viewing of the enchanting film "WONKA," then grooved to tunes at the Orange Blossom Opry and sipped hot cocoa and nibbled Christmas cookies at Live Oaks Community Church's "Come to the Light" show. The community hosted a beautiful Christmas tea party, a holiday decorations tour organized by independent living residents, and a swinging dance party with Johnny Wild and the Delights! Thanks to the participation of numerous community partners, Watercrest Buena Vista was transformed into a winter wonderland with beautiful wreaths and sparkling Christmas trees lighting the hallways throughout the community. The Festival of Trees event included a lively auctioning of the trees and wreaths with proceeds going to charity, all enjoyed by residents, family and friends visiting for the holiday festivities. Celebrating the holidays with traditional sights, sounds, and smells from twinkling Christmas trees to warmly-baked sugar cookies is all part of Watercrest Senior Living's signature programming. Honoring treasured memories and beloved holidays instills joy, purpose, and personal connection amongst residents, associates, and family members. Watercrest Buena Vista is an independent, assisted living and memory care community located in the area of Central Florida known as 'The Villages.' Residents at Watercrest Buena Vista enjoy the Southern style balconies and outdoor gathering spaces, manicured lawns and walking paths, resort-style pool and patios, and purposeful Watercrest health and fitness programming. The community offers outstanding amenities and exceptional care, all tailored to individual resident preferences. Watercrest Buena Vista is located at 5867 E County Road in The Villages. For information, contact the community at 352-604-5119. About Watercrest Senior Living Group Watercrest Senior Living Group was founded to honor our mothers and fathers, aspiring to become a beacon for quality in senior living by surpassing standards of care, service and associate training. Watercrest senior living communities are recognized for their luxury aesthetic, exceptional amenities, world-class care, and innovative memory care programming offering unparalleled service to seniors living with Alzheimer's and dementia. A six-time certified Great Place to Work, Watercrest specializes in the development and operations of assisted living and memory care communities and the growth of servant leaders. For information, visit www.watercrestseniorliving.com. SOURCE Watercrest Senior Living Group NEW YORK, Dec. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of millions of people in New York and across the globe welcomed the New Year with a Chinese cultural performance on December 31st as the New York Times Square countdown celebration highlighted Wuliang Harmony. The opening ceremony featured a spectacular blend of modern and traditional Chinese art, including a lion and dragon ribbon dance, titled "Cheers to 2024 with Wuliang Harmony." This performance spotlighted the center stage, ushering in the Year of the Dragon. During the opening ceremony, Wuliangye, one of the most renowned Baijiu brands, was featured as a special collaborator at the opening ceremony. Chen Chong, the special representative of Wuliangye Group, expressed his excitement, saying: "Wuliangye is thrilled to be part of this iconic event and to showcase the spirit of Chinese traditions through Chinese Baijiu." He continued: "On behalf of Mr. Zeng Congqin, the Chairman of Wuliangye Group, we wish everyone a happy New Year filled with good health, happiness, and harmony! Wuliangye, from China to the world, to New York, and to 2024." Multiple giant screens displayed a video about Wuliangye, highlighting its thousand years of history and its emphasis on harmony and health throughout the celebration. As the earliest spirit in the world produced with five grains, Wuliangye's multi-grain solid fermentation process has been passed down for a thousand years. Its time-honored fermentation pit cluster built in the year of 1368, is still in use for producing Baijiu uninterruptedly for 655 years. Wuliangye stands out as the first clear liquor crafted from five different types of grains and is considered a rare gift from nature. This distinction makes Wuliangye the masterpiece of Baijiu. The increasing popularity of Wuliangye has sparked a global appreciation for Baijiu, with more people exploring this unique spirit and its cultural significance. New York City Council Member Christopher Marte, in a greeting letter noted: "This Wuliang Harmony showcase will highlight the unique nature of traditional Chinese Baijiu to a global audience. Wuliangye is world-renowned, and has been an esteemed treasure of Chinese Baijiu for over a thousand years." Drinking Baijiu is a Chinese tradition at the festive gatherings like champagne in the west. It's not just toasted at New Year but it's also an integral part of Chinese daily gatherings and is even used in Chinese cuisine. SOURCE Wuliangye Group If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Varanasi, Jan 1 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expelled two members of the party's IT cell in Varanasi after they were arrested for allegedly being the perpetrators of the November 2 gangrape of a 20-year-old B.Tech student of IIT-BHU on campus. Three people were arrested late Saturday and identified as the alleged accused. Varanasi District Chief, Hansraj Vishwakarma, did not reveal their designation and role in the party. The action came hours after the Opposition alleged that the accused were linked to the BJP. Speaking about the party's decision, Vishwakarma said, "Definitely their (accused) names have appeared in the police probe, so they have been expelled from the party after an investigation." He then clarified and added, "Further action will be taken as per the directions of the party leadership." The three young men have confessed to the crime, including disrobing and filming the survivor at gunpoint, and could be charged under the National Security Act and the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, Kashi Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), R.S. Gautam, said. Lanka Station House Officer Shivakant Mishra identified the arrested trio as Kunal Pandey of Sunderpur's Brij Enclave Colony; Anand, a.k.a Abhishek Chauhan, of Jivadhipur Bajardiha; and Saksham Patel of Bajardiha. Hours after their arrest, social media was flooded with screenshots of Kunal and Saksham's Facebook pages mentioning the positions, they hold in BJP's IT cell. BJP's Kashi Media In-charge Navratan Rathi said Kunal was the convenor of the cell's city unit while Saksham was its co-convenor. DCP Gautam said the motorbike and mobile phone used in the crime, besides other electronic evidence, had been seized. The arrested trio's criminal history, if any, is being checked. Based on the survivor's complaint on November 2, Lanka Police had registered an FIR under sections 354B (use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC and 66E of the IT Act. Sections 376 (D) (gangrape) and 509 (outraging a woman's modesty) were added after the student's statement was recorded before a Magistrate on November 8. The survivor said she had stepped out for a walk outside her hostel around 1.30 a.m. that night when a male friend from the same institute joined her at the Gandhi Memorial Hostel crossing. The duo was approaching the Karmanbir Baba temple when the motorbike-borne accused approached them. The survivor was forcibly separated from her friend, dragged behind some bushes and assaulted, she said. The crime triggered a tumult on campus, with thousands of students joining a sit-in that continued for days. Later, IIT-BHU students staged a demonstration near the office of the institute's director, protesting the delay in arresting the accused. The revelation that two of the three alleged culprits were BJP IT cell members has sparked a political slugfest in Uttar Pradesh with the Samajwadi Party's state spokesperson Manoj Rai Dhupchandi accusing the BJP of harbouring rapists. Agra, Jan 1 : A police constable has been arrested after a girl died inside the constable's rented accommodation under suspicious circumstances, the police said. Raghvendra Singh, 26, was posted at the office of the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Agra. According to the police, duo was known to each other. On the day of the incident, the constable came to the office at 9:30 a.m. After 15 minutes he left. Later, he called Constable Akash and said that a friend staying in his room had hanged herself and he had brought her to hospital but the doctor had declared her dead. After the incident, Raghvendra Singh was absconding and switched off his phone but was finally arrested on Sunday. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Suraj Rai, said that a girl's body was found under Chhatta police station area and a case was filed by the victim's family members under Sections 302 and 376. Subsequently, the accused Raghavendra was arrested and presented before the court and necessary investigative action is being taken. Constable Raghavendra Singh is a native of Jhansi and was living in rented accommodation in Belanganj and joined the police force in 2019. Sanaa, Jan 1 : Yemen's Houthi group has said that 10 of its fighters were killed by US naval forces in the Red Sea while they were trying to hijack a commercial ship in international waters. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said on Sunday in a statement broadcast live by the group's al-Masirah TV that the US forces attacked three boats belonging to the Houthi rebels, Xinhua news agency reported. He added that the rebels were "performing their humanitarian and moral duty" to prevent Israel-related ships from passing through the Red Sea, "in solidarity and support for the Palestinian people." The spokesman said the US "bears the consequences of this crime," and that the "military movements in the Red Sea to protect Israeli ships will not prevent Yemen (Houthi militia) from performing its humanitarian duty in support of Palestine and Gaza". The Houthi official also added that the rebel group targetted the cargo ship "with appropriate naval missiles," without saying whether the missiles hit the target. Earlier on Sunday, the US Central Command said its naval forces responded to a distress call from a merchant boat in the Red Sea reporting being under a Houthi attack, sinking three Houthi boats and killing all their crews. The Singapore-flagged "container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU issued a second distress call in less than 24 hours reporting being under attack by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats ... originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen," the US Central Command wrote on the social media platform X. The Houthi militants fired "small arms weapons at the MAERSK HANGZHOU, getting to within 20 metre of the vessel, and attempted to board the vessel," it said. "US helicopters from the USS EISENHOWER (CVN 69) and GRAVELY (DDG 107) responded to the distress call and in the process of issuing verbal calls to the small boats, the small boats fired upon the US helicopters ... The US Navy helicopters returned fire in self-defence, sinking three of the four small boats and killing the crews. The fourth boat fled the area," it added. "There was no damage to US personnel or equipment," the US Central Command noted. Hours earlier on Sunday, the US Central Command said the container ship reported that it was struck by a missile while transiting the southern Red Sea, and there were no injuries among its crew. "While responding, the USS GRAVELY shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen toward the ships," the US Central Command said in another post on X. "This is the 23rd illegal attack by the Houthis on international shipping since November 19," it added. The Houthi militia has escalated their attacks on Israel-linked ships since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on October 7, demanding that food and medicine aid be allowed to enter the Palestinian enclave of the Gaza Strip. The Houthi rebel militia controls much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah. Damascus, Jan 1 : An Israeli missile strike near the international airport of Aleppo city in northern Syria killed five pro-Iran militias and three civilians overnight two days ago, a war monitor reported. The strike killed five pro-Iran militias, including a Syrian national, whose wife, son, and nephew were also killed, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Sunday. The UK-based watchdog group said Israel has targetted Syrian territories 45 times since the war on Gaza started in October, with 17 of them being rocket attacks by ground forces and 28 being aerial attacks, Xinhua news agency reported. Israel has recently increased its attacks on Syrian targets in tandem with its military campaign in the Gaza Strip. The Syrian Foreign Ministry on Friday condemned the Israeli attacks and urged decisive measures from the UN Security Council to put an end to these assaults. 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. Ankara, Jan 1 : Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in his New Year's address that Turkey would begin to bring about "real breakthroughs" in 2024. In the televised address on Sunday, Erdogan extended new year greetings to his countrymen and people in the world, expressing the hope for a "better, more peaceful, and more prosperous future for all humanity". He also stressed the importance of 2023 marking the end of Turkey's first century as a republic and the beginning of the "Century of Turkey" in 2024, referring to a government goal of building a powerful country, Xinhua news agency reported. Meanwhile, Erdogan also acknowledged the existence of "new challenges, new problems, and new setbacks" in areas ranging from "the fight against terror to economic traps". "Turkey will not only work to achieve its own security and prosperity, but also to create a climate of peace globally and in the region," he said. "We are trying to achieve peace in our region. We are improving our relations with our friends in all areas," he added. Tehran, Jan 1 : Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his British counterpart David Cameron exchanged views on the rising tension in the Red Sea as well as the conflict in Gaza. In a phone conversation on Sunday, Amir-Abdollahian accused the US and certain Western countries of applying double standards, according to a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry. He said it was wrong to let Israel "kill women and children in Gaza" and "set the region on fire," but "view the stoppage of an Israeli ship in the Red Sea as jeopardising the security of the economic waterway". The Iranian diplomat also condemned the silence of some Western governments over Israel's attacks on Gaza in the past 80 days, Xinhua news agency reported. Amir-Abdollahian also urged Britain to adopt a "realistic and constructive" approach toward regional developments and bilateral ties. Cameron, meanwhile, expressed his country's views on the developments in Palestine and the Red Sea, and urged Iran to help prevent the escalation of the Israeli-Hamas conflict and ensure maritime security in the region, the Iranian statement said. In a post on social media platform X, Cameron said he spoke to Amir-Abdollahian about the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, which he said had threatened innocent lives and the global economy. Cameron said he had made it clear that Iran shared responsibility for preventing these attacks given its long-standing support for the Houthis. The Yemen-based Houthi group has claimed responsibility for several attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea in recent weeks, saying they were in solidarity with the Palestinian people. The US and British officials have accused Iran of "being behind the attacks," which was strongly rejected by Iran. Israel has been fighting a large-scale conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip since October 7, after the group launched a surprise attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures. Israel has killed 21,822 Palestinians in Gaza, the Ministry of Health in Gaza said on Sunday. Kinshasa, Jan 1 : Felix Tshisekedi has been re-elected as President of Congo for a second five-year term, securing 73.34 per cent of the total votes cast in the elections held on December 20, the Independent National Electoral Commission said. Moise Katumbi, one of the main opposition candidates, attained the second position with about 18 per cent of the votes, according to the Commission. The Commission reported that more than 18 million people, out of a total of 44 million registered voters, cast their ballots. The President-elect is scheduled to be sworn in on January 20, 2024, after the Constitutional Court approves the election results on January 10, Xinhua news agency reported. General elections held on December 20 witnessed alledged irregularities as the Central African country was slated to elect a new President, members of the National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies, along with municipal councillors. Denis Kadima, President of the Electoral Commission, said that the reported irregularities during the electoral process are "insignificant" and would not impact the election results. Due to delayed arrival of voting materials and equipment, many polling stations were unable to open on time, leading to an official extension of polling to the following day. However, this extension was deemed contrary to electoral law and the Constitution by some presidential candidates. A statement by five presidential candidates, including Martin Fayulu and Denis Mukwege, prominent challengers in the race, claimed that "irregularities sufficiently attest that the election on December 20, 2023, was a sham, organised in violation of the fundamental rights of the Congolese people". Ahead of the announcement of election results by the electoral body, several opposition presidential candidates on Sunday called for widespread protests and demanded a redo of the election. Tensions have been visibly escalating since the commencement of polling, akin to previous elections. In 2018, Tshisekedi ascended to power after winning the election, marking the country's first peaceful transfer of power since its independence from Belgium. For Mayor Brandon Johnson and new leaders of the Chicago Police Department, the dust has started to settle. After a year of sweeping changes and more controversy, the department enters 2024 with a new permanent boss facing a long to-do list: Foster stronger community relationships. Reduce violent crime and shootings. Raise the homicide clearance rate. Maintain officer wellness and morale. And prepare for August, when the city will have an international spotlight as it hosts the 2024 Democratic National Convention. That work will come after a year that saw a mix of highs and lows for the Police Department. Homicide and nonfatal shooting totals fell again, but the city was roiled by robbery and carjacking crews responsible for an overall uptick in violence. Other high-profile crimes gripped the citys attention at various points during the year, too, like a bizarre August shooting inside Guaranteed Rate Field during a White Sox home game that left two women injured. Teen takeovers, the large, unorganized youth gatherings in the downtown area, again left city leaders scratching their heads. Meanwhile, thousands of migrants, mostly from Venezuela, spent months living in and around CPD stations across the city. At the same time, the first class of CPD district councilors community relations liaisons between police officers and district residents was sworn in. Larry Snelling meets with the public Sept. 7, 2023, after answering questions at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicagos Pilsen neighborhood. Snelling, who was the Chicago Police Departments chief of counterterrorism at the time, is now the police superintendent. A hope for stability Johnsons selection of Larry Snelling to lead CPD came after weeks of public meetings organized by the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, the new body tasked with submitting CPD superintendent finalists and police board nominees to the mayor. Since he was unanimously approved by the City Council in September, Snelling has repeatedly called for a collaborative and nuanced effort in the citys crime reduction efforts. In an interview with the Tribune, Snelling said identifying specific problems in each of the CPDs 22 patrol districts is paramount. Thats how we get to the bottom of it. We cant get to the bottom of it with a one-size-fits-all strategy, because that strategy is not going to fit within every district, Snelling said. So the key is to have a focus on the specific crime that is ailing each particular district or each area. A Far North Side district is not going to have the exact same problems that a Far South Side district. Theyll have some of those problems, but not the clusters, not the amount, not the percentages, so we have to focus on those things as such. Whats more, the new superintendent has used many of his public appearances to recast attention not on the perpetrators, but the victims of violent crime. Snelling, who grew up in Englewood and first joined the CPD in 1992, also pledged to balance aggressive policing strategies with transparency, even as progress remains slow in the departments adherence to the federal consent decree that was born out of the 2014 murder of Laquan McDonald. A Tribune analysis of CPD records found that more than 11,000 internal misconduct investigations have been initiated since the consent decree was codified in early 2019. The department hired 698 new officers in 2023, a total that basically broke even with the number of retiring officers, Snelling told the Tribune. Though Snelling will likely be the CPDs only leader in 2024, he was one of four men in 2023 to helm the nations second-largest police department. The CPD started the year under David Brown, the former chief of police in Dallas who was handpicked by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot in April 2020. New Chicago police Officer Talisa Ligon, right, hugs her sister, Shaurice Gause, after the Chicago Police Department graduation ceremony in the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier on Nov. 14, 2023. Browns tenure as superintendent was a rocky one, largely defined by civil unrest and looting during the COVID-19 pandemic, a spike in violent crime, and Browns unpopularity among rank-and-file cops. Brown announced his resignation a day after Lightfoot failed to qualify for the mayoral runoff election, taking an executive position at a Texas-based law firm. First Deputy Superintendent Eric Carter led the department until May, when Mayor Brandon Johnson selected Fred Waller, the former CPD chief of patrol who retired in August 2020, to serve as interim superintendent until a permanent leader was selected. Both Johnson and Snelling credited Waller for fostering a sense of stability within the department after Brown returned to Texas. But Wallers time atop the department was not without controversy. In June, the CPDs head of constitutional policing and reform, Tina Skahill, abruptly resigned from the department after lodging a claim of retaliation. Skahill, a veteran CPD supervisor who spent decades within the department, left her post less than a year after Brown fired her predecessor, Robert Boik. Waller, a department fixture who enjoyed great popularity among supervisors and rank and file cops, secured a salary-pension double-dip when Johnson called on him to return to the department. Shortly after he handed the reins to Snelling, Waller was again rehired as the deputy director of Snellings office. Snelling, though, has yet to announce any other changes to the CPDs command staff. The selection of Snelling who spent much of his career as an instructor in the training academy was received positively by many within the CPD. Soon after he took over, Snelling did away with a policy that gave officers minimal notice before their regular days off were canceled. In recent weeks, the city has relocated most of the more than 2,000 migrants who spent months living in and around CPD district stations across the city. Ashley Jackson becomes emotional Sept. 23, 2023, during a wake at the New Beginnings Church for her 15-year-old son, Swaysee Rankin, who was shot and killed on Labor Day. Differing crime trends A citywide surge in robberies and carjackings, in addition to the steady drumbeat of gun violence that ticks up each summer, left many city residents feeling on edge. According to CPD data, more than 10,800 robberies were reported across the city in 2023, a 23% increase over 2022. The department logged more than 28,000 motor vehicle thefts in 2023, a 38% jump from the year prior. I want the next generation of shooters to not become shooters, but the generation right now is what were all freaked out about and why I worry about my kid riding her bike two blocks from her house, Rod OConnor, a resident of Humboldt Park for more than two decades, said during a community safety meeting in September. Meanwhile, the citys annual homicide tally fell for the third year in a row. Through Dec. 28, Chicago had recorded 648 homicides, still the most of any city in America, but down from 712 homicides in 2022, according to the Cook County medical examiners office. Chicago police use a slightly lower number, eliminating killings deemed non-criminal and those on expressways within the city limits. Through Dec. 30, there were 2,877 people shot across the city in 2023, according to a CPD spokesperson a decrease of nearly 600 shooting victims from 2022. However, a Tribune analysis in November found the city is in the midst of a sustained uptick in youth homicides. Several more mass shootings were seen, too, including one at a park cookout in Roseland over the Juneteenth holiday weekend and another at a Halloween party in North Lawndale. In late August, the department handled one of the years most bizarre incidents. Two women were shot as they sat in the bleachers of Guaranteed Rate Field while the White Sox played the Oakland As. No one has been charged in that shooting, and CPD sources have previously suggested that no one will face criminal charges. In late spring and summer, the citys downtown area once again witnessed a spate of large-scale youth gatherings that sometimes turned violent. Sixteen people were arrested after three teens were shot during an unseasonably warm weekend in April. Another 40 people were arrested during a similar gathering in July. Then CPD Counterterrorism Chief Larry Snelling, who has since become police superintendent, comforts Carmen Cruz, who lost her son, Officer John Cruz, to suicide, during a Fraternal Order of Police ceremony on Sept. 1, 2023, to unveil a Suicide Memorial. Police suffer their own losses Two Chicago police officers were killed in 2023. Andres Vasquez-Lasso was fatally shot in March as he chased an allegedly armed suspect in the Gage Park neighborhood. The suspect was also shot but survived, and his case is still pending. Two months later, Areanah Preston was shot to death outside her home in Avalon Park shortly after she finished her shift at work. Four teens were charged in her killing. And while Vasquez-Lasso and Preston received traditionally large funeral services, replete with first responders and elected officials, the union that represents CPD officers took steps this year to recognize officers who have died by suicide. In September, the Fraternal Order of Police unveiled a memorial at the entrance of the unions West Loop lodge to commemorate more than a dozen CPD officers who have died by suicide since 2018. I think the thing we want most is for our loved ones to be remembered, Margaret Dougherty, whose husband, Sgt. Edward Dougherty, died by suicide in March 2022, said at the unveiling. Something like this, just the acknowledgment and the love that theyre showing, it just helps to keep the memory alive. John Catanzara, president of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, arrives before a meeting of the City Council Committee on Workforce Development on ratifying the new police contract on Dec. 7, 2023, at Chicago City Hall. Fight heats up over discipline An arbitrators ruling during contract negotiations between the city and its largest police union, the Fraternal Order of Police, produced perhaps the years biggest controversy involving the Police Department. In an award made public over the summer, arbitrator Edwin Benn ruled that members of the FOP, a public-sector union, are entitled to having a third party hear and decide the most serious misconduct cases. Those hearings would be off-limits to the public and press. For more than six decades, the nine-member Chicago Police Board was the arbiter in such cases those in which the CPD superintendent has sought an officers firing or, at least, a yearlong suspension. The agreement between the city and union also provided for a nearly 20% raise for officers over four years, on top of a one-time $2,500 bonus. Beyond that, the deal creates a new Peoples Court where more minor police discipline cases can be decided by an arbitrator in a single day. The deal also paved the way for a new rotation of homicide detectives aimed at improving the departments homicide clearance rate, which hovered near 50% throughout 2023. The FOP, citing Benns award, tried in August to remove 22 pending disciplinary cases from the Police Boards docket and have them decided instead by a third party. The board shot down the effort. One of those 22 officers, David Laskus, was later ordered fired over his actions during an arrest at the Brickyard Mall in 2020, though court records show Laskus has filed a lawsuit seeking to reverse that decision. The City Council held two votes on the tentative contract agreement: one for the economic package, the lions share of the deal, and another to address Benns arbitration award. The economic package was approved, but the council voted against the disciplinary provision. John Catanzara, the FOP president, predicted a costly legal fight for the city. They want war; well give you war, Catanzara said in an interview with the Tribune following the vote. With its future up in the air, the Police Board saw much turnover in 2023, too. Ghian Foremans final term as board president ended, though hes agreed to continue serving so that the board can reach a voting quorum. The terms of two other board members, the Rev. Michael Eaddy and Mareile Cusack, also expired, though their replacements have not yet been named. Kyle Cooper, the boards new president, presided over his first meeting in December. It was then that the boards vice president, Paula Wolff, announced that four officers would face an evidentiary hearing for misconduct allegations lodged against them in the nearly 20-year-old case of disgraced former CPD Sgt. Ronald Watts, perhaps providing an early test for the reconstituted panel. People gather to get food relief in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Dec. 31, 2023. The United Nations (UN) estimates that approximately 1.9 million people in Gaza, or approximately 85 percent of the total population of the strip, have been displaced since the conflict broke out, while some of them were displaced several times to escape Israeli attacks and search for safe refuge. "Almost half of the population are starving and spending full days without eating," the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees said in a press statement, warning that more people could die from famine if the conflict continues. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) GAZA, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, Palestinians in the enclave still hold out the hope of returning to normal life in the new year 2024. Shaimaa al-Yazgi, a 26-year-old mother of four, was forced to move 11 times with her family from one place to another for a narrow escape from death amid the persistent Israeli airstrikes. "Sometimes, we were forced to run in the streets and hide ourselves in strangers' houses just to protect ourselves from the Israeli missiles," the Palestinian woman told Xinhua. Keeping thinking positively about her family's risky journeys of displacement, al-Yazgi said, "When we survived each Israeli attack, I felt that we have golden luck, and this is what pushed me to keep my optimism that we will survive the current crazy war." Currently, al-Yazgi lives in a temporary tent established in the western part of Rafah city in southern Gaza, facing an acute lack of water, food and electricity. "I am only looking forward to resuming my life even if I still do not know what my fate would be," she said. Not far away from her tent, Mohammed Abu Hamda, a displaced man from northern Gaza's Beit Lahia, sat on a chair and heard news broadcast through his mobile radio. "All day, I am looking forward to catching good news about the ceasefire reached between Hamas and Israel," the 59-year-old father of nine told Xinhua. "On such night," the elderly man recalled, "my daughters, sons, and grandsons used to visit me and celebrate the new year ... We used to eat cake and some sweets, wishing all of us a happy New Year." Although being grieved that his life was turned upside down, as he lost his house, work, and everything in Gaza, the Palestinian man still hopes to return to his hometown and reunite with his family soon. Mariam al-Jamali, a young Palestinian woman, also longed for the festive atmosphere she used to witness during the last day of each year. "In previous years, I used to enjoy with my family the celebrations in the streets," the 25-year-old woman told Xinhua, complaining that "the general atmosphere is sad now. There are no lights on the streets, and people are only busy dealing with their daily suffering." She expressed hope that a breakthrough would be made in talks to reach a truce that would allow all Gazans to resume their lives. The Palestinian enclave has been under massive Israeli bombardment since Oct. 7, which has so far killed more than 21,800 Palestinians, according to Gaza-based Health Ministry. The Israeli escalation came in retaliation for a surprise attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, during which Hamas militants killed about 1,200 in Israel and took away more than 200 as hostages, according to Israeli tallies. The United Nations (UN) estimates that approximately 1.9 million people in Gaza, or approximately 85 percent of the total population of the strip, have been displaced since the conflict broke out, while some of them were displaced several times to escape Israeli attacks and search for safe refuge. "Almost half of the population are starving and spending full days without eating," the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees said in a press statement, warning that more people could die from famine if the conflict continues. The UN agency called on the international community to pressure Israel to stop its military operations against Gaza and allow humanitarian aid to reach those trapped in the besieged coastal enclave. People wait for food relief in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Dec. 31, 2023. The United Nations (UN) estimates that approximately 1.9 million people in Gaza, or approximately 85 percent of the total population of the strip, have been displaced since the conflict broke out, while some of them were displaced several times to escape Israeli attacks and search for safe refuge. "Almost half of the population are starving and spending full days without eating," the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees said in a press statement, warning that more people could die from famine if the conflict continues. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A girl tries to get food relief in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Dec. 31, 2023. The United Nations (UN) estimates that approximately 1.9 million people in Gaza, or approximately 85 percent of the total population of the strip, have been displaced since the conflict broke out, while some of them were displaced several times to escape Israeli attacks and search for safe refuge. "Almost half of the population are starving and spending full days without eating," the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees said in a press statement, warning that more people could die from famine if the conflict continues. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People gather to get food relief in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Dec. 31, 2023. The United Nations (UN) estimates that approximately 1.9 million people in Gaza, or approximately 85 percent of the total population of the strip, have been displaced since the conflict broke out, while some of them were displaced several times to escape Israeli attacks and search for safe refuge. "Almost half of the population are starving and spending full days without eating," the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees said in a press statement, warning that more people could die from famine if the conflict continues. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People wait for food relief in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Dec. 31, 2023. The United Nations (UN) estimates that approximately 1.9 million people in Gaza, or approximately 85 percent of the total population of the strip, have been displaced since the conflict broke out, while some of them were displaced several times to escape Israeli attacks and search for safe refuge. "Almost half of the population are starving and spending full days without eating," the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees said in a press statement, warning that more people could die from famine if the conflict continues. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A boy waits for food relief in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Dec. 31, 2023. The United Nations (UN) estimates that approximately 1.9 million people in Gaza, or approximately 85 percent of the total population of the strip, have been displaced since the conflict broke out, while some of them were displaced several times to escape Israeli attacks and search for safe refuge. "Almost half of the population are starving and spending full days without eating," the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees said in a press statement, warning that more people could die from famine if the conflict continues. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People try to get food relief in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Dec. 31, 2023. The United Nations (UN) estimates that approximately 1.9 million people in Gaza, or approximately 85 percent of the total population of the strip, have been displaced since the conflict broke out, while some of them were displaced several times to escape Israeli attacks and search for safe refuge. "Almost half of the population are starving and spending full days without eating," the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees said in a press statement, warning that more people could die from famine if the conflict continues. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Children wait for food relief in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Dec. 31, 2023. The United Nations (UN) estimates that approximately 1.9 million people in Gaza, or approximately 85 percent of the total population of the strip, have been displaced since the conflict broke out, while some of them were displaced several times to escape Israeli attacks and search for safe refuge. "Almost half of the population are starving and spending full days without eating," the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees said in a press statement, warning that more people could die from famine if the conflict continues. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People gather to get food relief in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Dec. 31, 2023. The United Nations (UN) estimates that approximately 1.9 million people in Gaza, or approximately 85 percent of the total population of the strip, have been displaced since the conflict broke out, while some of them were displaced several times to escape Israeli attacks and search for safe refuge. "Almost half of the population are starving and spending full days without eating," the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees said in a press statement, warning that more people could die from famine if the conflict continues. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Children try to get food relief in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Dec. 31, 2023. The United Nations (UN) estimates that approximately 1.9 million people in Gaza, or approximately 85 percent of the total population of the strip, have been displaced since the conflict broke out, while some of them were displaced several times to escape Israeli attacks and search for safe refuge. "Almost half of the population are starving and spending full days without eating," the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees said in a press statement, warning that more people could die from famine if the conflict continues. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People wait for food relief in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Dec. 31, 2023. The United Nations (UN) estimates that approximately 1.9 million people in Gaza, or approximately 85 percent of the total population of the strip, have been displaced since the conflict broke out, while some of them were displaced several times to escape Israeli attacks and search for safe refuge. "Almost half of the population are starving and spending full days without eating," the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees said in a press statement, warning that more people could die from famine if the conflict continues. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) New Delhi, Jan 1 : While stressing that not just corporates, but everyone has a responsibility towards the arts, Sunil Kant Munjal, the Founder Patron of Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF), held annually in Goa feels that though the government has an important role in promotion of the arts, it is high time corporates came forward to play theirs. "Considering they have a larger responsibility in society, thus their roles towards the arts, too, becomes increased," he tells IANS during the recently concluded SAF. Talk to him about deciding on a non-metro destination for the festival, and he is clear that the effort was not to 'move away' from anywhere, in fact, Goa was chosen owing to its unique micro-culture. "People from across the country have moved and settled here. Not to mention, our partnership with the Goa government has been excellent. If you have noticed, most of the venues are heritage buildings." Even as getting a hotel room in Panjim becomes a struggle during the festival days, the patron smiles, "Yes, the festival has helped the local economy, bringing in tourism. The general population sees the festival as their own which is an achievement." The Chairman of Hero Enterprises, admits that it has been an intentional move not to brand his company at SAF. "It is deliberate as we do not want to turn this into a corporate programme." "SAF is held with the sole aim of promoting the arts and the access to art. If we start branding our company, it takes away many things from the festival. We have invited other corporates to come. Our message is clear -- arts need patronage." Mahindra, which holds several festivals across the country at different times including the popular 'Kabira Festival', 'Santatkada Festival', 'Blues Festival', 'Roots Festival', 'Percussion Festival', and 'Excellence in Theatre Awards', and just prefixes 'Mahindra' before each one, ensures that the brand's products are not promoted in any way at these popular festivals. Jay Shah, Vice-President -- Cultural Outreach of the brand, stresses the return to the brand in terms of value is when people recognise that they have been subtle. "And that comes back in many ways. Frankly, with all these festivals, we want the audience to focus only on art and culture and do not want the festival to be lost just because we want brand exposure. I firmly believe that if we start exposing our brands here, the same will bring a negative value," he says. About how these festivals, many held in non-metro cities, are accelerating the growth of the local economy, Shah cites, "As soon as we put out the announcement for the 'Kabira Festival', our partner hotels sold out in minutes. Many other hotels witnessed a huge rush in bookings. And it is not just to do with the economy. We also do a lot of community outreach and hold workshops with children. Schools also come and perform. There are always some local names." Shah feels it is important to look beyond metros but each destination is not a draw of lot. Stressing that locations are decided strategically, he cites an example, "Realising that we did not have a festival in the South, Bangalore became a destination. Also, to cater to Generation Z, Mahindra got into rock and percussion." For someone like Sanjoy Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, which produces more than 25 performing arts, visual arts, and literary festivals across 40 cities, including the famed Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF), the effort is to create more opportunities and create value for heritage and local economy. Believing that metros are not festival cities, Roy who is set to start festivals in Madurai, Hampi, and Bengal now says, "Take the example of Varanasi, where we produce the 'Mahindra Kabira Festival'. It is a festival city which has heritage and history. In such cities, people quickly 'adopt' the festival as their own, and the latter keeps reinventing itself, which is very interesting. The effort is to ensure that we work with the locals and bring people who otherwise won't have a platform." Currently writing a book on his experiences with the supernatural -- from Kolkata to Jerusalem, he says that while they look at the government for permissions, etc, more corporates must start supporting the arts. "They can use it to build trust and also give back. Over the past few decades, there has been a definite increase in the number of corporates backing art festivals. We just hope that the graph keeps going up," he concludes. (Sukant Deepak can be contacted at sukant.d@ians.in) Prayagraj, Jan 1 : The police have taken into custody a 13-year-old boy from the Railway Overbridge in the Industrial Area for the brutal murder of a six-year-old boy in Haldi Kala village in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj on December 27. The accused, known to the victim, was taken by the Industrial Area police and personnel from the trans-Yamuna special operations group of Prayagraj police. The detained teenager, who later confessed his crime, had attacked and killed the child with a brick after failing in his attempt to sexually assault him, said a police official. The 13-year-old is a Class 5 student who not only studied in the same school as the victim but also used to play with the victim often. On information provided by the accused boy, blood-stained clothes and the brick used in the crime were also recovered, the police added. "A teen known to the victim and residing in the same neighbourhood as the victim has been detained on Sunday in connection with the murder. He has confessed to the crime. We are now preparing to present the accused in the juvenile court. Evidence has been collected against him," said deputy commissioner of police (trans-Yamuna) Abhinav Tyagi. The questioning has revealed that the victim was playing with his friends on the day of the murder. He strayed some distance while playing. The accused teen then took him to a secluded place and tried to sexually assault him. The victim resisted and tried to raise an alarm following which the teen panicked and hit him on the head and face with a brick lying nearby, said the official. Badaun Jan 1 : A woman delivered her baby at the gate of the District Women's Hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Badaun after its staff allegedly refused to admit her as she did not have money to pay the fees. The baby died soon after birth. Badaun District Magistrate Manoj Kumar said that an investigation has been ordered into the matter on Sunday. According to the family of the woman, Neelam, a resident of Kabulpura locality here, was taken to the District Women's Hospital after she went into labour. Neelam's husband Ravi claimed no doctor was available in the hospital and the staff there refused to admit his wife. The district magistrate said that the hospital staff "mistreated" the woman by refusing to admit her. The city magistrate has been instructed to investigate the incident and submit a report in three days, he said. The woman delivered the child at the gate of the hospital and the newborn died soon after. Bengaluru, Jan 1 : As the Ram Mandir inauguration in Ayodhya is coming closer, Karnataka police department has taken up cases for investigation against Ram Mandir activists who allegedly indulged in destruction of property and other cases three decades ago at the height of the movement for Ram Mandir, according to sources. Bengaluru, Jan 1 (IANS) As the Ram Mandir inauguration in Ayodhya is coming closer, Karnataka police department has taken up cases for investigation against Ram Mandir activists who allegedly indulged in destruction of property and other cases three decades ago at the height of the movement for Ram Mandir, according to sources. Sources further explained that the police department had formed a special team and prepared a list of accused persons who are involved in police cases during 1992 Ram Mandir movement which resulted in violence and communal clashes. Hubballi police arrested Srikanth Poojari in connection with alleged case of torching a shop owned by a minority on December 5, 1992, in Hubballi. Poojari is the third accused in the case and the police are looking out for other eight accused in connection with the case. Poojari had been sent to judicial custody. Likewise, Hubballi police prepared a list of 300 accused persons who are allegedly wanted in communal clashes that took place between 1992 and 1996. The police sources explain that the accused are in their early and late 70's now and many of them have gone away from the city. Many of the accused are now in important positions and police are also considering the consequence of legal action against them. The Congress government has allegedly directed the police department take up the cases for investigation in this regard. Many individuals in Ram Janma Bhoomi movement are now prominent BJP leaders and when BJP was in power, the cases against prominent leaders were dropped, sources said. Hindu organisations have expressed outrage against the move of the Congress government. They have charged that as BJP and Hindu organisations have taken up door-to-door campaigning in the backdrop of inauguration of Sri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the Congress government not able to tolerate the campaigning is resorting to such move to initiate action on cases reported three decades ago. The development is likely to stir a major controversy in the state. Karnataka witnessed major violence during the Ram Janmabhoomi Rath Yatra movement launched by veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani in 1990's. Brisbane, Jan 1 : Naomi Osaka has made an impressive return to win her first WTA Tour match after 517 days with a dazzling 6-3 7-6(9) victory against German Tamara Korpatsch at the Brisbane International, here on Monday. After dominating the first-round match early, Osaka was forced to dig deep to secure a straight-sets win. The former world No.1 squandered a 5-3 advantage in the second set and had to save two set points in a fiercely contested tiebreak, before eventually closing out the match in one hour and 48 minutes. It is Osaka's first match and win since having daughter Shai in July 2023. "It feels really good to be back," the four-time Grand Slam champion told an adoring crowd today at Pat Rafter Arena. "I was super nervous, but I was really excited to be out there," Osaka said. A radiant Osaka savored the moment, taking selfies and signing autographs with her many fans before leaving the court. "I feel like the last couple of years that I played, before you know I had my daughter, I didn't return as much love as I was given, so I really feel what I want to do in this chapter," Osaka explained. "I just really appreciate people coming out and people knowing me and cheering for me, because there was a time where I was just a little kid trying to watch my role models play, so it feels really surreal sometimes to be playing on these courts." Osaka's victory sets up a tantalising second-round showdown with another former world No.1, Czech Karolina Pliskova. Pliskova is a three-time champion in Brisbane and has won 16 of her past 17 matches at the tournament. This includes a three-set semifinal victory against Osaka, where she saved a match point, during her title-winning run in 2020. Pastor, 2 others, held for attack on Bajrang Dal leader in U.P. Image Source: IANS News Panaji, Jan 1 : Goa Police on Monday morning arrested a pastor for allegedly converting people to Christianity through inducement, along with involvement in black magic. Deputy Superintendent of Police Jivba Dalvi told IANS that Pastor Domnic D'Souza of the Five Pillar Church in Sodiem village in North Goa was arrested on Monday following a complaint from a Hindu person. "Acting upon the complaint, Mapusa Police arrested him for involvement in conversion and black magic. This is the third offence registered against him on similar sections (conversion) and five more offences in different sections are already registered. Total eight offences are registered against him," Dalvi told. The case has been registered against him and his wife Mrs. Joan Mascarenhas and also against unknown members attached to Five Pilar Church, under section 153-A, 295-A , 506 (ii) R/w 34 IPC , Sec 3, 4 , 7 of The Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act 1954. In December 2022, the North Goa District Magistrate had ordered a ban on religious activities by Pastor Domnic D'Souza. Domnic D'Souza was earlier arrested on May 27, 2022 following two written complaints by Nikhil Shetye and Prakash Khobrekar. "Ban has been ordered to carry out religious activities by Mrs Joan Mascarenhas D'Souza and Mr. Domnic D'Souza in their institutional building at Sodiem, Siolim, Bardez Goa in order to curb the religious conversions by means of allurement or fraud which may ultimately affect the freedom of religion and conscience of Citizens," Order by district Magistrate had stated. "Given the emergent nature of the situation, immediate prevention is desirable. Therefore Mrs Joan Mascarenhas D'Souza and Mr Domnic D'Souza are directed to abstain from engaging in religious conversion," the Order further said. In their complaints, the victims had alleged that Dominic D'Souza and his associates were inducing people for religious conversion. The case registered against him in 2022 was later transferred to the Crime Branch. London, Jan 1 : British Home Secretary James Cleverly has said the "unreasonable practice" of international students bringing their family to the UK will end as restrictions on visa routes come into force beginning today. London, Jan 1 (IANS) British Home Secretary James Cleverly has said the "unreasonable practice" of international students bringing their family to the UK will end as restrictions on visa routes come into force beginning today. A near-eightfold rise in the number of family members joining foreign students led the UK government to announce the ban last year for those not studying "high-value" degrees under government plans. Further, to prevent misuse of the visa system, foreign students will be stopped from switching from the student visa route into work routes until their studies have been completed. According to an Evening Standard report, Cleverly said the government is delivering on its commitment to the British public by setting out a "tough plan" to cut migration by tens of thousands and prevent people from manipulating the UK immigration system. "Today, a major part of that plan comes into effect, ending the unreasonable practice of overseas students bringing their family members to the UK. This will see migration falling rapidly by the tens of thousands and contribute to our overall strategy to prevent 300,000 people from coming to the UK," he said. Revised Office for National Statistic (ONS) figures released last month showed net migration ran at a record figure of 745,000 in the year to December 2022. In the year ending September 2023, 152,980 visas were issued to dependants of students. As per the 2020-21 data, Indians represent the second largest cohort of international students coming to study at UK universities -- with 87,045 first-year enrolments behind China's 99,965 enrolments. In 2022, the number of Indian students (excluding dependents) who went to the UK for studies was 1,39,539, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. Education experts have expressed concern about the measure, saying international students will go to competitor nations if they are discouraged from coming to the UK. "I don't celebrate the new changes...," Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) think tank, told The Standard. "International students benefit the UK in all sorts of ways. For example, they are vital to maintaining our world-class university sector as their fees cross-subsidise the teaching of home students and also help to fund UK research. According to estimates, international students add 35 billion pounds a year to the UK economy. Foreign students and their dependents contributed to the UK economy not just through fees of 10,000 pounds to 26,000 pounds but also via an NHS surcharge of 400 pounds a year for the student and 600 pounds for a dependent, according to the UK-based New Way Consultancy. CIA, Egypt to join Qatar for mediation between Hamas & Israel over hostage release. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Jan 1 : International mediators are continuing their efforts toward a new pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas, media reports said. Reports said that a Hamas delegation from Qatar visited Cairo on Friday to discuss an Egyptian three-phase plan proposing renewable ceasefires, a staggered release of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and ultimately an end to the offensive, sources close to Hamas said. "Their allies Islamic Jihad said on Saturday that Palestinian factions were in the process of evaluating the proposal and would give a response within days," media reports said. Media reports citing unnamed Israeli officials, said that Qatari mediators had told Israel that Hamas was prepared to resume talks on new hostage releases in exchange for a ceasefire. Netanyahu has said that Hamas had been giving all kinds of ultimatums that Israel does not accept. "We are seeing a certain shift (but) I don't want to create an expectation," the Israeli Prime Minister said. New Delhi, Jan 1 : UN Chief Antonio Guterres has condemned the epic human suffering and collective punishment of Palestinian civilians, media reports said. Reports said that he and other world leaders have repeatedly called for a ceasefire while Israel has vowed to push on until Hamas is defeated, a position backed by its powerful ally the United States. "Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for the return of Jewish settlers to Gaza after fighting, saying its Palestinian population should be encouraged to emigrate," media reports said. "If we act in a strategically correct way and encourage emigration, if there are 100,000 or 200,000 Arabs in Gaza and not two million, the whole discourse of the day after will be completely different," Smotrich told Israeli army radio. Media reports said that there was no suggestion that the minister's proposals had the support of the government as a whole but Hamas swiftly condemned his comments as a call to expel two million Palestinians and a war crime. --IANS int/dan Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 1 : The jinx attached to the imposing Manmohan Bungalow, located next to the Raj Bhawan -- the official residence of the Kerala Governor here -- seems to have continued when state Transport Minister Antony Raju vacated it last week after he resigned as Minister. It is believed that anyone who stays in this residence will either not last a full-term as a minister or will not get re-elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly. Now all eyes are on Minister of Culture and Fisheries Saji Cherian, who was staying in a rented building taken by the Kerala government and with the exit of Raju from the cabinet, Cherian has to move in. Incidentally, this house after the exit of Raju should have gone to his replacement in the cabinet -- actor-turned-politician K.B. Ganesh Kumar. Kumar knows this residence, more than anyone, as in his early youth days, his father R. Balakrishnan Pillai, while staying in the bungalow had to quit as a Minister on account of an inflammatory speech. And the grapevine is hence, Kumar decided to stay in his own house. Built in the pre-Independence era by the erstwhile Travancore family, the first Minister to stay in it was P.S. Nataraja Pillai in 1954, in the government of Travancore-Cochin state, prior to the formation of Kerala. Pillai after a few days at the imposing palatial building moved out of the house after a few days stating that he did not want such a big house. The others who stayed there and suffered a reversal included T.U. Kuruvilla, who had to quit following a scandal. Then replacing him was Mons Joseph, he moved out for his leader P.J. Joseph who returned after getting a clean chit over a scam. Joseph soon resigned after his party decided to join the Congress-led UDF. Later came Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who came under fire after he put a new gate, and a few months later moved out to another house. Incidentally, legendary Karunakaran was also a resident and completed a five-year term and also won the next election and became the Chief Minister also, but after a month he had to quit as Chief Minister following an adverse court verdict. Another person, who fell to the jinx, was State Finance Minister Thomas Isaac, who stayed for the entire term of five years 2016 to 2021, and when he felt he would get another ticket to the 2021 Assembly polls, the CPI(M) decided not to give exemption to any leader and he failed to get a ticket. And now with Raju moving out, the jinx continues. So all eyes are now on Saji Cherian, the new resident who will soon move in. But, even before moving in, he has kicked up a controversy when at a political meeting in his home district, Alappuza on Sunday, he slammed the Christian bishops for taking part in the luncheon meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi last week. "These bishops when they got the call forgot issues like Manipur, and after having cake and wine they forgot everything," said Cherian. Reacting to it was the spokesperson of the Kerala Catholic Bishops Conference Fr Jacob Palakapally, who said the statement of the Minister was in very bad taste and should have never said like that. A man mourns dead Palestinians at the graves in Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Dec. 31, 2023. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics said Sunday that more Palestinians were killed in conflicts in 2023 than in any other year since 1948.(Photo by Mohammed Ali/Xinhua) RAMALLAH, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics said Sunday that more Palestinians were killed in conflicts in 2023 than in any other year since 1948. According to the bureau, 22,404 Palestinians died in 2023, and 22,141 of them were killed since the outbreak of the conflict between Israel and the Gaza-ruling Hamas on Oct. 7. The bureau said 98 percent of the Palestinian fatalities were in Gaza, including nearly 9,000 children and 6,450 women, adding that 319 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank since Oct. 7. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday that his people would remain steadfast and adhere to their legitimate rights, and would not accept being displaced from their land. In a statement marking the 59th anniversary of the founding of the Fatah movement, Abbas said the Palestinian Authority, which he heads, would not give up a single inch of their territory, and would not forsake its responsibilities toward Gaza. Abbas said military solutions would destabilize the region and the rest of the world rather than bringing anyone peace or security. He called for a political solution based on international law and resolutions that would recognize the Palestinians' rights to freedom and independence. A boy mourns dead Palestinians at the graves in Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Dec. 31, 2023. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics said Sunday that more Palestinians were killed in conflicts in 2023 than in any other year since 1948.(Photo by Mohammed Ali/Xinhua) People mourn dead Palestinians at the graves in Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Dec. 31, 2023. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics said Sunday that more Palestinians were killed in conflicts in 2023 than in any other year since 1948.(Photo by Mohammed Ali/Xinhua) People mourn dead Palestinians at the graves in Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Dec. 31, 2023. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics said Sunday that more Palestinians were killed in conflicts in 2023 than in any other year since 1948.(Photo by Mohammed Ali/Xinhua) People mourn dead Palestinians at the graves in Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Dec. 31, 2023. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics said Sunday that more Palestinians were killed in conflicts in 2023 than in any other year since 1948.(Photo by Mohammed Ali/Xinhua) This photo taken on Dec. 31, 2023 shows a temporary camp between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics said Sunday that more Palestinians were killed in conflicts in 2023 than in any other year since 1948. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A child plays at a temporary camp between the Gaza Strip and Egypt on Dec. 31, 2023. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics said Sunday that more Palestinians were killed in conflicts in 2023 than in any other year since 1948. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Children play at a temporary camp between the Gaza Strip and Egypt on Dec. 31, 2023. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics said Sunday that more Palestinians were killed in conflicts in 2023 than in any other year since 1948. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) This photo taken on Dec. 31, 2023 shows a temporary camp between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics said Sunday that more Palestinians were killed in conflicts in 2023 than in any other year since 1948. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) This photo taken on Dec. 31, 2023 shows a temporary camp between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics said Sunday that more Palestinians were killed in conflicts in 2023 than in any other year since 1948. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People are seen at a temporary camp between the Gaza Strip and Egypt on Dec. 31, 2023. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics said Sunday that more Palestinians were killed in conflicts in 2023 than in any other year since 1948. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) New Delhi, Jan 1 : Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for the removal of 90 per cent of Gaza's residents to achieve the security goals of Israel, media reports said. "If there are 100,000 or 200,000 Arabs in Gaza and not two million, the whole discourse about the day after will be different. The removal of around 90 percent of Gaza's residents would help achieve the goal," the minister said, during a radio interview, as a solution to Israel's post-war security concerns -- Haaretz newspaper reported. Smotrich has said that Israel must control the territory in Gaza and significantly reduce the number of Palestinian residents in Gaza. Media reports said that his "demand" was for Gaza to stop being a "hotbed where two million people grow up on hatred and aspire to destroy the State of Israel." "Smotrich's comments are the latest in a growing list of troubling remarks by Israeli lawmakers to seemingly support expelling Gazans en masse out of the Strip in order to ensure Israel's security after the war," media reports said. Reports said that Likud MK Danny Danon said that Israel has to make it easier for Gazans to leave for other countries, explaining that this would in fact be a humanitarian gesture towards their neighbors. "I'm talking about voluntary migration by Palestinians who want to leave," he said, adding that he has already been contacted by "countries in Latin America and Africa that are willing to absorb refugees from the Gaza Strip," media reports said. Last month, Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel published an op-ed in the Jerusalem Post with a similar suggestion, calling on Western countries to take in the residents of the Gaza Strip, in an act of "voluntary resettlement." Reports said that shortly after the publication of the op-ed, the Israeli Embassy in Washington was forced to clarify that this didn't reflect government policy. --IANS int/dan New Delhi, Jan 1 : Pakistan's returning officers (ROs) have rejected the nomination paper of at least 3,240 candidates aspiring to contest the elections at national and provincial levels, media reports said. Pakistan media reports said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has confirmed that 1,024 candidates, 934 male and 90 female, were denied eligibility to contest National Assembly elections. "2,216 individuals, 2,081 men and 135 women, failed to secure approval for the provincial assembly race. In total, 3,015 men and 225 women couldn't obtain ROs' approval," media reports said. Reports said that out of 25,951 submissions (24,698 men and 1,253 women), the ROs green-lighted 22,711 candidates, including 21,684 men and 1,027 women. For the National Assembly, 6,449 candidates, comprising 6,094 men and 355 women, received approval. "The ROs accepted 16,262 nominations for various provincial assembly seats, including 15,590 men and 672 women. Punjab witnessed the highest number of rejections (521) for National Assembly nominations, followed by Sindh (166), Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (152), Balochistan (92), and Islamabad Capital Territory (93)," media reports said. Reports said that for provincial assembly seats, the ROs rejected nomination papers of 943 candidates in Punjab; 520 in Sindh; 386 in Balochistan and 367 in the K-P, making a total of 2,216. The total number of people who filed nomination papers to contest provincial assembly elections was 18,478. The Pakistani media reports suggest that post-scrutiny phase allows candidates to appeal the ROs' decisions before appellate tribunals until January 3, 2024. "These appeals will be decided by January 10, 2024, following which a revised list of candidates will be published on January 11, 2024," media reports said. --IANS int/dan New Delhi, Jan 1 : Israel has withdrawn five military brigades from Gaza as it transitions into the third phase of operations in the enclave, media reports said. As per the reports the Institute for the Study of War -- a policy research organisation focused on US national security -- said that the third phase will include the end of major combat operations. "A reduction in forces in Gaza, the release of reservists, a transition to targeted raids, and the establishment of a security buffer zone within the enclave," Study of War said, as quoted by media reports. It said that an unidentified Israeli intelligence officer has said that most of Hamas' command structure is gone and that Hamas is no longer operating as a military organisation. Israel launched a ground offensive inside Gaza on October 27 after Hamas attacked Israel in a surprise attack on October 7 in which 1200 Israelis were killed and over 200 were taken hostage. Since the outbreak of hostilities, at least 21,822 Palestinians have been killed mostly being children and women while 56,451 Palestinians have been injured. Prayagraj : , Jan 1 (IANS) Rajendra Bihari Lal, the vice chancellor of Sam Higginbottom University of Agricultural, Technology and Science (SHUATS), Prayagraj, has been arrested by the Prayagraj police following the registration of a new case against him at Naini police station earlier on Sunday. Lal was arrested from a guest house located near the university in Naini area, hours after the filing of the fresh case, police said. The latest 27th case was registered against Lal under relevant sections, including attempt to murder, on the complaint of a local Diwakar Nath Tripathi, police added. He was taken to the District Court amid tight security and produced in the court of ACJM Palak Ganguly. Later, on the orders of the court, Lal was sent to Naini central jail for 14 days' Judicial Custody (JC). He had got relief from the Supreme Court and the Allahabad high court in many of the cases registered against him. Cases have been registered against him under Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in Prayagraj, Lucknow, Fatehpur and Pratapgarh districts. Charges include mass conversion, fake appointments and financial irregularities worth crores, illegally transferring land worth crores, using names, addresses of dead persons for personal gains and fraud of arms licences etc besides attempt to murder, issuing threats and assault. DCP (trans-Yamuna) Abhinav Tyagi confirmed the development and said, "RB Lal was arrested in connection with the case registered at Naini police station under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 427 (mischief causing loss or damage to the amount of Rs 50 or upwards) on Sunday." "A search is on for two people who were with RB Lal at the time of the attack on Diwakar Nath Tripathi and who had opened fire during the incident," the cop added. In his complaint, Tripathi, a resident of Karbala road, claimed that on Sunday morning, he had gone for a walk with his friend Sharvendra Vikram Singh. He alleged that while overtaking a car at 6.40 am near a culvert on Bandh Road, Lal and his two unknown associates stopped the car and threatened as well as abused him. As per the complaint, Lal incited the two people accompanying him, after which both the accomplices fired with the intention of killing Tripathi but the bullet hit the car. Tripathi alleged that he was attacked on earlier occasions also at the behest of Lal. Meerut : , Jan 1 (IANS) A brawl at the Meerut Nagar Nigam board meeting has snowballed into a major controversy with the INDIA bloc parties, including the Rashtriya Lok Dal, Samajwadi Party, Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party demanding a high-level inquiry into the incident. Meerut (UP), Jan 1 (IANS) A brawl at the Meerut Nagar Nigam board meeting has snowballed into a major controversy with the INDIA bloc parties, including the Rashtriya Lok Dal, Samajwadi Party, Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party demanding a high-level inquiry into the incident. The Azad Samaj Party chief Chandra Shekhar has announced a Maha Panchayat that will be held in Meerut on January 10 on the issue. The announcement by Azad came a day after councillors from various political parties allegedly came to blows after a heated exchange at the civic body meeting on Saturday. Samajwadi Party MLA Atul Pradhan and Rashtriya Lok Dal national general secretary and former MLA Rajendra Sharma, who were present at the press conference by Azad, also sought security for councillors who were attacked and called for lodging of a case against the BJP leaders, including Minister Somendra Tomar and MLC Dharmendra Bhardwaj. Meerut's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rohit Singh Sajwan said a case has been registered against unidentified persons on the complaint of councillor Ashish Choudhary (Bahujan Samaj Party). He said the incident occurred inside the Nagar Nigam house and a committee formed by the municipal commissioner is also investigating it. "Findings of the committee and CCTV footage of the incident would also be included in the investigation," the SSP said. He added that a complaint has also been received from the BJP but no case registered yet. Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai met BSP councillor Ashish Chaudhary and SP councillor Kirti Ghopla, who were allegedly attacked on Saturday night and assured them of his party's support. For its part, the BJP has accused the BSP councillors of misbehaving with the party's women councillors which led to the brawl in the House. The BJP has demanded action against them. Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Rajendra Sharma said the BJP leaders were now making false accusations to save face. A video of the brawl had gone viral on social media. Varanasi, Jan 1 : The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee (AIMC), which manages the Gyanvapi mosque in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi, has informed the district magistrate through a letter that most of the fish in the water tank (hauz) in the wuzukhana, the portion that was sealed on the order of a local court in May 2022, are dead. S.M. Yasin, joint secretary of the AIMC, said, "There were many fish in the hauz in wuzukhana of Gyanvapi mosque when the portion was sealed on the order of a court. Most of the fish are dead, due to which, foul smell is spreading around." "As the water tank is in the sealed portion, it has not been cleaned, nor water drained. As a result, most of the fish have died and foul smell is spreading around which could lead to spread of a disease. If disease spreads it may affect the CRPF jawans deployed there, worshippers and visitors to the Vishwanath temple as well," read the letter written by Mufti-e-Banaras and secretary of Anjuman Intejamia Masjid, Abdul Batin Nomani. Yasin said that when the wuzukhana was sealed on the order of the court, the administrative officials were informed about the presence of fish inside the tank . They were told that their feed, water and cleanliness were arranged by the AIMC, which would not be possible after the portion was sealed. Despite this, no arrangements were made for the fish. Before the portion was sealed, AIMC used to ensure that water in the hauz was changed from time to time and feed was given to fish daily, said Yasin. AIMC has requested the district magistrate to make arrangements for proper cleaning of the tank and drainage of water at the earliest. District Magistrate, Varanasi, S. Rajalingam said, "Administration cannot do anything in the portion sealed at the order of the court." In the case filed by five women demanding regular 'darshan' and worship of Shringar Gauri situated in the Gyanvapi complex, the proceedings of the Advocate Commissioner were held in Gyanvapi campus in 2022. On May 16, the Hindu side claimed that a Shivling was found in the wuzukhana of Gyanvapi. The Muslim side called the structure a fountain. On the order of a local court, on May 16, the wuzukhana was sealed. New Delhi, Jan 1 : North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered its military to thoroughly annihilate South Korea and the US if they initiate a military confrontation, media reports said. Reports said that South Korea and the US have ramped up military and political cooperation in 2023 as North Korea conducted a record number of weapons tests, including of a new solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), and put its first spy satellite into orbit. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Monday reported that during a meeting with North Korea's top commanding officers in Pyongyang on New Year's Eve, Kim said his military should "annihilate" the enemy if provoked. "If the enemy opts for military confrontation and provocation against the DPRK, our army should deal a deadly blow to thoroughly annihilate them by mobilising all the toughest means and potentialities without [a] moment's hesitation," Kim said. Reports said that Kim told the meeting he would no longer seek reconciliation and reunification with South Korea, noting the uncontrollable crisis that he said was triggered by Seoul and Washington. New Delhi, Jan 1 : Russian paratroopers have received over 2,500 pieces of military and special equipment in 2023, media reports said. As per media reports the Russia's Defense Ministry said that in 2023, formations and military units of the Airborne Troops received more than 780 new and modern pieces of military and special equipment. The ministry -- as per Russian media reports a" said that among the newest pieces of heavy weapons received by the troops, they also received the most modern tank - the T-90M; BMD-4M paratrooper combat vehicles; BTR-MDM and BTR-82A armored personnel carriers. The report said that in total, in 2023 the Airborne Troops were replenished with more than 2,500 units of weapons as well as military and special equipment. It said that to strengthen combat capabilities, Airborne Troops units will receive Uragan and Grad MLRS, Solntsepek heavy flamethrower systems, T-72 B3M tanks, modernized Nona-S and Vena self-propelled mortar systems, and improved 120 mm Sani heavy mortar systems. --IANS int/dan New Delhi, Jan 1 : At least 29 Israel Defense Force (IDF) personnel have been killed in friendly fire since the beginning of hostilities between Hamas and Israel. "Out of 170 soldiers killed in Gaza, 29 have been killed by so-called friendly fire and other incidents," Times of Israel's military correspondent Emanuel Fabian has said while quoting data released by the IDF. Fabian said that 18 soldiers were killed by friendly fire due to mistaken identification while two soldiers were killed by gunfire that was unintended to hit them. "Nine soldiers were killed in accidents, including accidental weapon discharges, being run over, and being hit by shrapnel from controlled demolitions," the journalist said. He said that since the beginning of the ground operation, between two and six soldiers have been killed per week in incidents of friendly fire or accidents. Cong-backed Malayalam TV channel to cooperate with CBI over involvement of DK Shivakumar. Image Source: IANS News Bengaluru, Jan 1 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has issued a notice to Kerala-based media house Jai Hind Communications Private Limited, seeking details regarding the investment made in it by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. The CBI had served the notice and asked the Managing Director of the Jaihind TV channel BS Shiju to appear before them on January 11 with all details in this regard, sources confirmed on Monday. The notice has been issued under CrPC Section 91 to the Jai Hind Communications Private Limited media house which runs Jaihind news channel in Kerala. Sources said that the CBI has asked for the submission of details of investment by the Shivakumar and his wife Usha Shivakumar. The CBI has also sought details of profits paid to them, money transactions in their names, agreements and ledger references regarding money transactions. The central agency also wants details of investments by the son of Shivakumar and other family members. The CBI had filed a case against Shivakumar in 2020 alleging accumulation of wealth disproportionate to his known source of income. Shivakumar was jailed in the case and went on to become the State President of the Congress after release. Shivakumar had stated that he was given the choice of either joining the BJP or going to jail and he had chosen the latter. This photo taken with a mobile phone shows staff members working at Daye Iron Mine in Huangshi, central China's Hubei Province, Aug. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Yuan Quan) BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese cities are mobilizing in diversified ways in pursuit of high-quality development, but new technologies are a consistent choice and have already helped some explore smarter, greener and more innovative paths. Huangshi, an industrial city in central China's Hubei Province, has reaped the benefits of intelligent technologies. When it comes to mining, many think of a dirty, labor-intensive and dangerous industry. But that is not the reality in Huangshi, where mining relies on unmanned machines, remote monitoring technologies and intelligent coordination systems. Dressed in a blue suit and a white T-shirt, Daye Iron Mine worker Yuan Jianjun sits in front of several computers in a spacious command center. His eyes are glued to the screens, which show live images of underground mining machines and real-time data from sensors placed inside the mine and on the tools in use. In the past, Yuan worked underground in a very dusty environment amid roaring machines. "It used to be a challenging job both physically and mentally," he said. The coal miner, who is in his mid-forties, attended additional training and then resumed his career as a white-collar worker. Now, machines are controlled remotely from an office environment to collect minerals. Tech support has reduced labor intensity and improved safety, enabling more mining workers like Yuan to work in a safer and healthier environment than previous generations. "It has become a decent job," Yuan said. This aerial photo taken on June 1, 2023 shows the tourist dock of Baiyangdian Lake in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong) Technology is also driving green development in the Xiong'an New Area. Local tourist destination Baiyangdian Lake offers the public a glimpse into how cutting-edge technologies are assisting the ecological conservation of the "future city." Many Chinese people have a place in their hearts for Baiyangdian, the largest freshwater wetland in northern China. In several famous literary works from the 1940s, the lake was described as flourishing with reed beds and towering lotus fields, and offering an abundant harvest from the water. Between the 1960s and 1980s, however, it suffered severely from industrial pollution. Sewage chemicals poisoned the water and lake beds, decimating the aquatic life, with the lake nearly drying up in the 1990s due to climate change. Habitat loss and human interference then caused the lake's bird population to decline drastically. Baiyangdian's rehabilitation and protection activities have improved since the Xiong'an New Area was established in 2017. Technology companies and academic organizations have been pushing to develop monitoring devices using new technologies. The people who work at the lake have deployed drones and carried out unmanned ship patrols with real-time video feedback in the 360-square-kilometer lake area. The 5G network's high speed and low latency, combined with virtual reality equipment, enable people to inspect the lake surface visually and obtain data in real time. Since 2019, the lake's new technology system has significantly decreased manual labor and increased work efficiency, enabling workers to identify pollutants more quickly and accurately. Increasing numbers of wild creatures are returning to Baiyangdian as the water quality improves, and the lake has steadily evolved into a haven for lotuses, reeds and abundant fish species. The commercial launch vehicle CERES-1, carrying four satellites, blasts off from the waters surrounding Haiyang, a coastal city in east China's Shandong Province, Sept. 5, 2023. (Photo by An Di/Xinhua) Another beneficiary of new technologies is Haiyang in east China's Shandong Province. The small coastal city used to rely on the textile sector, but it is now attempting to capitalize on a booming commercial rocket launch industry to increase its competitiveness. The city made national headlines in September 2023, when a private rocket maker completed a launch from the city's waters. The bright rocket flame soaring from the sea attracted thousands of spectators to the onshore viewing site. It was the sixth sea-based rocket launch from the location. On June 5, 2019, a Long March rocket blasted off from a mobile offshore platform at Haiyang Port, marking China's first space launch at sea. Spacecraft launches have long been the domain of China's state-owned aerospace companies, but private space firms have emerged since a government policy was implemented in 2015 to encourage commercial enterprises in the industry. "There are limited launch pads available for commercial rockets, and the sea spaceport in Haiyang is a perfect complement to land sites," according to Orienspace CEO Bu Xiangwei. Orienspace is one of China's newest launch startups and is headquartered in Haiyang. The company said that the total cost of a sea launch can be 10 percent less than for a land launch, and the preparation period can be shortened by 50 percent. The local government in Haiyang also aims to establish an entire industrial chain to tap into innovation-driven economic growth potential. Since 2020, it has stepped up its efforts to build the Haiyang Oriental Aerospace Port, which covers an area of over 34 square kilometers and includes an industrial manufacturing park for rocket makers and supporting firms, a satellite data center for scientists, and a tourism zone for fans of space. Haiyang's aerospace ambitions are both lofty and down-to-Earth. Facilities such as aerospace museums, space-themed hotels and restaurants are also being planned. The local government hopes that space-related tourism will also improve the livelihoods of people on the ground. Agra, Jan 1 : It has been an agonisingly long wait for the promised barrage on the Yamuna river downstream of the Taj Mahal which is threatened by both air and water pollution. While disposing of the PIL filed by M.C. Mehta, the Supreme Court had on December 30, 1996, directed the Uttar Pradesh government to construct the barrage on the Yamuna. But 27 years have passed, the state government is still dragging its feet on this urgent project, considered necessary to protect heritage structures along the river's banks. The city has seen many agitations, protests and marches to highlight the pathetic condition of the dry and polluted Yamuna, but the response from the Central and the state governments has been cold, say green activists of the River Connect Campaign. The local MPs and the MLAs too have not shown the desired amount of interest and involvement, says Padmini Iyer, a river activist. Officials in the district administration say that the location of the barrage has been identified at Nangla Prema, a few kilometres downstream of the Taj Mahal. The required NOCs have been acquired. Only the Taj Trapezium Zone Authority has to now clear the project. Sources said the authority was interested in a rubber check dam, and not a barrage. Interestingly, the foundation for the barrage have been laid thrice at three different places by two Chief Ministers and one Governor, but the project for some mysterious reasons has got stuck up for want of political will. Environmentalist Devashish Bhattacharya said the state irrigation department responding to his RTI query, has informed that NOCs from three different departments had been received, only one permission was hanging fire. From 2018 to 2023 the irrigation department received Rs 182 crore, out of which Rs 176 crore had been returned, as the barrage project made no headway. The department has now come up with a fresh proposal for a Rs 350 crore Rubber Check dam, downstream of the Taj Mahal, at Nagla Prema. The Yamuna barrage project was mooted first in 1993, after a series of directions by the Supreme Court, in the PIL filed by M.C. Mehta. The Apex court had stated that alongwith the cleaning of the river, a barrage should be constructed to bring down the air pollution level in the vicinity of the Taj Mahal. While the local politicians kept pulling in different directions, giving rise to controversies, the beneficiary was Mathura which got the Gokul barrage in 1997. Over years, the Yamuna dries up after the monsoon rains, and degenerates into a vast sewage canal. Garbage dumps, shallow pools of polluted water become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and bacteria. The white marble surface of the Taj gets dotted with colonies of mosquitoes and their excreta. Lok Swar President Rajiv Gupta wonders why successive state governments have been dragging their feet on executing such a vital project. The river remains dry, polluted and sick with toxic waste, says Eco Club president Pradip Khandelwal. Whether Yogi Adityanath will speed up the barrage project before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, remains to be seen. Mumbai, Jan 1 : Known for her work in 'Aasman Se Aage', 'Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara', and 'Thapki Pyar Ki' etc, actress Monika Khanna shared that while it is required to be ambitious today, one cannot ignore one's emotional side, and needs to balance the two in order to thrive. Mumbai, Jan 1 (IANS) Known for her work in aAasman Se Aagea, aPyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaaraa, and aThapki Pyar Kia etc, actress Monika Khanna shared that while it is required to be ambitious today, one cannot ignore one's emotional side, and needs to balance the two in order to thrive. "Maintaining a balanced viewpoint is crucial for a decent and successful life in society. You need to earn to fulfil your needs and aspirations, and at the same time, you should be kind-hearted and compassionate. Understanding others' perspectives and resolving issues in your own way is vital," she said. Monika said that life demands balance, and if you can't help someone, it's better not to add to their pain. "Sometimes, speaking unnecessarily may be entertaining for you, but it could deeply affect the other person," shared the 'Prem Bandhan' actress. Monika went on: "Focus on your work, pursue your dreams, but don't become so cruel that you don't understand others' struggles. Be good, help others without expecting much in return, and remember, you are your own saviour. Cultivate a compassionate and kind heart, offering help when needed, without any expectations. Embrace the treasure of love and kindness within you. Even if it doesn't come back to you, you won't feel a lack of anything." "Keep doing your deeds, live your dreams, and simultaneously, be compassionate and loving to everyone. The world needs more love, especially when many are internally broken," she concluded. Monika is currently seen in the show aIkk Kudi Punjab Di'. Mumbai, Jan 1 : In a significant development, Nationalist Congress Party Working President Supriya Sule said on Monday that the seat-sharing formula of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has been finalised and only a formal announcement was pending. Speaking to media persons here, Sule, MP, said that the decision was taken at a meeting of the leaders of Congress-NCP (SP)-Shiv Sena (UBT) in New Delhi, and now the formula will be sealed. The leaders who attended the crucial meet included Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar, Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge and other senior leaders of their respective parties. "The seat-sharing formula has been worked out and the announcement will be made in a week or so," said Sule, declining to elaborate on the issue. She said that all the Opposition parties have come together to protect democracy, the Constitution and the development of the country. To a question, she said that the role of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi leader Prakash Aghadi would be important for the national Opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc. For over six months, the VBA has been clamouring to join the MVA and I.N.D.IA. bloc, and demanded 25 per cent or 12 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state, but this has been spurned by a wary Congress and some leaders of other parties. Miffed at the delays and possible exclusion from the two alliances, VBA has threatened to contest all 48 seats solo, which could upset the calculations of the Opposition parties besides dividing their votes. New Delhi, Jan 1 : Bureij refugee camp has come under massive attacks after Israel expanded its forces to the southern part of Khan Younis, media reports said. "There were more displaced Palestinians, more children and women under the rubble and more people wrapped in white sheets," media reports from Gaza said. Reports said that the entire refugee camp is not only under heavy bombardment but is also coming under siege of barrel bombs. "In Deir el-Balah, where people were told within the past few days to evacuate to from the refugee camps in the central area to avoid getting bombed, people are getting bombed in the safe area designated by the Israeli military," media reports said. Reports added that five members of one family were killed after a residential building was targeted. "In Khan Younis, there is more intense fighting going on under heavy Israeli bombardment as invading forces on the ground are expanding to the southern part of Khan Younis," media reports said. --IANS int/dan New Delhi, Jan 1 : The Indian Embassy in Japan on Monday set up an emergency control room for its citizens and said that it is in the touch with concerned authorities in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami warning. In a post on X, it said: "Embassy has set up an emergency control room for anyone to contact in connection with the Earthquake and Tsunami on January I, 2024..." In a picture attached with the post, the Indian Embassy shared emergency numbers -- +81-8039301715 (Yakub Topno), +81-7014920049 (Ajay Sethi), +81-8032144734 (D.N. Barnwal), +81-8062295382 (S. Bhattacharya), and +81-8032144722 (Vivek Rathee). People seeking assistance can also contact the embassy on email addresses -- sscons.tokyo@mea.gov.in and offfseco.tokyo@mea.gov.in. The embassy further urged Indian citizens to follow instructions of the local government. On Monday, a series of strong earthquakes with major ones measured at up to 7.6 magnitude have struck the central Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa, with tsunami warnings issued, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). Even waves as high as 1.2 meters were observed after a series of strong quakes struck Japan's western coast on Monday afternoon, according to the JMA. Strong quakes with major ones measured at up to 7.6 magnitude have struck a wide area on the Sea of Japan coast in central Japan earlier in the day, the JMA said. The Vatican creates own guidelines against misuse of AI in ChatGPT era. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Jan 1 : OpenAI's chatbot ChatGPT has garnered 60 per cent of the AI industry traffic as the top 50 artificial intelligence (AI) tools attracted over 24 billion visits between September 2022 and August 2023, according to a new report. This amounts to an average monthly growth of 236.3 million visits. Out of this massive number, ChatGPT alone accounted for 14 billion traffic, covering a 60 per cent of the traffic analysed, according to the report by Sujan Sarkar at writerbuddy.ai. "Using SEMrush, a renowned tool in the SEO industry, we studied over 3,000 AI tools by scraping data from various directories that list AI tools. From these, we isolated the top 50 most visited tools, which reflect over 80 per cent of the AI industry's traffic over the studied period," Sarkar said in a statement. The AI industry saw an average of two billion visits monthly over the past year, with a surge to 3.3 billion in the last six months. ChatGPT, Character AI, and Google Bard experienced net traffic growth of 1.8 billion, 463.4 million, and 68 million visits, respectively, the report mentioned. Craiyon, MidJourney, and Quillbot faced the largest traffic declines during the period. The US contributed 5.5 billion visits, equating to 22.62 per cent of the total traffic, whereas European countries together accounted for 3.9 billion visits. AI chatbot tools were the most popular, garnering 19.1 billion visits. Over 63 per cent of AI tool users accessed via mobile devices. "Gender data reveals a disparity -- 69.5 per cent are male users, compared to 30.5 per cent female users," the report mentioned. India- National/Sports Forensic audit if needed will also be done at All India Chess Federation By Venkatachari Jagannathan Chennai, Jan 1 (IANS) The All India Chess Federation (AICF) plans to have a forensic audit of its accounts by hiring an external auditor as some of the papers are missing from its office, said Interim Secretary Ajeet Kumar Verma. "We found some of the papers, inventories missing from the AICF office. It was decided to appoint an external auditor to audit the accounts. If need be, forensic audit will also be carried out. The proposed audit will also check on the payments made to various people," Verma told IANS. The decision to appoint another audit firm was taken at AICF's urgent General Body Meeting held on December 28 in Guwahati. The meeting was called to discuss matters relating to the officer-bearer's election, the financial health of AICF, various court cases, formation of a legal committee and appointment of law firm Prout solicitors LLP. Verma said the AICF accounts were audited by audit firm ARSAN & Co. "The new auditor will also do a forensic audit if he is not satisfied with the books. We are yet to finalise the external auditor who would do the audit," Verma added. Meanwhile the former Secretary of AICF Bharat Singh Chauhan said some people are trying to tarnish his image. "I was the Secretary of AICF till 15th August and all accounts of the Federation are clean and were passed at the Annual General Meeting," Chauhan told IANS. In a communication to various chess officials a day after the General Body meeting at Guwahati Chauhan said all the accounts of AICF are clean and was passed at the annual general meeting. The accounts were duly audited by the official auditor who happens to be the auditor of the Federation President Dr.Sanjay Kapoor. Chauhan said for the Chess Olympiad that was held in Chennai, there was a five member committee formed at the annual general meeting to oversee all processes of tendering and payments. "I was nowhere part of spending or allotting tender to anyone," he said. Continuing further Chauhan said: "I have decided to say goodbye to the world of chess administrators; however I will always be there for chess and chess players." Confirming that he had sent the message to several chess officials Chauhan told IANS that he will continue to be the office bearer of Asian Chess Federation and Commonwealth Chess as they were elected posts. According to him, attempts are made to tarnish his image just before the elections for AICF. Be that as it may, as per the current scheme of things, the elections for choosing AICF office bearers have to be held on or before January 3, 2024 but the election schedule has not been announced till date. Further 21 day notice should be given for holding of the elections as per AICF byelaws, chess players said. Verma said the AICF has written to the government seeking time till March this year to hold the elections. He said one of two Returning Officers is available only after January 5, 2024. The two Returning Officers will decide on the polls. If they decide to go ahead with the polls then the election process will go on giving 2 days notice. (Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at v.jagannathan@ians.in) --IANS vj Chennai, Jan 1 : The All India Chess Federation (AICF) plans to have a forensic audit of its accounts by hiring an external auditor as some of the papers are missing from its office, said Interim Secretary Ajeet Kumar Verma. "We found some of the papers, inventories missing from the AICF office. It was decided to appoint an external auditor to audit the accounts. If need be, forensic audit will also be carried out. The proposed audit will also check on the payments made to various people," Verma told IANS. The decision to appoint another audit firm was taken at the AICF's urgent General Body Meeting held on December 28 in Guwahati. The meeting was called to discuss matters relating to the officer-bearers' election, the financial health of the AICF, various court cases, formation of a legal committee and appointment of law firm Prout solicitors LLP. Verma said the AICF accounts were audited by audit firm ARSAN & Co. "The new auditor will also do a forensic audit if he is not satisfied with the books. We are yet to finalise the external auditor who would do the audit," Verma added. Meanwhile the former Secretary Bharat Singh Chauhan said some people are trying to tarnish his image. "I was the Secretary of the AICF till August 15 and all accounts of the Federation are clean and were passed at the Annual General Meeting," Chauhan told IANS. In a communication to various chess officials a day after the General Body meeting at Guwahati, Chauhan said all the accounts of the AICF are clean and were passed at the annual general meeting. The accounts were duly audited by the official auditor who happens to be the auditor of the Federation President Dr Sanjay Kapoor. Chauhan said for the Chess Olympiad that was held in Chennai, there was a five-member committee formed at the annual general meeting to oversee all processes of tendering and payments. "I was nowhere part of spending or allotting tender to anyone," he said. "I have decided to say goodbye to the world of chess administrators; however I will always be there for chess and chess players." Confirming that he had sent the message to several chess officials Chauhan told IANS that he will continue to be the office bearer of the Asian Chess Federation and the Commonwealth Chess as they were elected posts. According to him, attempts are made to tarnish his image just before the elections for the AICF. As per the current scheme of things, the elections for choosing AICF office bearers have to be held on or before January 3, 2024 but the election schedule has not been announced till date. Further, a 21 day notice should be given for holding of the elections as per AICF byelaws, chess players said. Verma said the AICF has written to the government seeking time till March this year to hold the elections. He said one of two Returning Officers is available only after January 5, 2024. The two Returning Officers will decide on the polls. If they decide to go ahead with the polls, then the election process will go on giving 2 days notice. (Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at v.jagannathan@ians.in) There is no victory without bringing all the hostages and missing home: Hostage families to Israeli President. Image Source: IANS News Tel Aviv, Jan 1 : The negotiations between Hamas and Israel are going-on in Cairo, Egypt for a possible ceasefire and hostage release. Senior officials of Israel, Qatar and Egypt are participating in these negotiations. Sources in Israel Prime Minister's Office (PMO) told IANS that the Hamas has informed the mediators that they were willing to release at least 60 hostages as a first step, including women and elderly men and want a two week ceasefire in return. "Hamas earlier had said that they will not release any hostage until Israel moves the troops back from occupied territories. The Israelis had rejected this too. However, Hamas now has agreed to release 60 hostages," sources said. They said that negotiations are now going on about the Palestinian prisoners who will be released in exchange for Israeli hostages. Sources said that the Israelis are willing to release Palestinian prisoners charged with "grievous criminal" activities including "murder". "If the talks don't hit a roadblock the first round of hostage release is likely to take place this week only," source said. During the temporary one week truce from November 24 to December 1 last year, the Hamas released 105 hostages while 129 hostages still remain in Hamas captivity. The Israelis believe that out of the remaining 129 hostages, at least 20 hostages have died. There are thousands of Palestinians in Israeli jails who have been held without any trials and access to legal counsel. Israel launched a ground offensive inside Gaza on October 27 after Hamas attacked Israel in a surprise attack on October 7 in which 1200 Israelis were killed and over 200 were taken hostage. Since the outbreak of hostilities between Hamas and Israel, at least 21, 822 Palestinians have been killed, mostly children and women while 56,451 Palestinians have been injured. Kolkata, Jan 1 : The Opposition parties in West Bengal seem to be enjoying the growing infighting within the Trinamool Congress that surfaced on the very first day of the year that was also the 27th foundation day anniversary of the party. As the war of words between Trinamool Congress West Bengal President Subrata Bakshi and the party's state spokesman Kunal Ghosh surfaced over Bakshi's comments on the role of TMC's General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee's role in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, the Opposition parties have started saying that this growing infighting is the beginning of the process of Trinamool Congress getting wiped out. According to the CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member and senior advocate of Calcutta High Court, Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, just as in a gang of dacoits internal war breaks out over the share of the loot, similarly there will be an internal tussle within the Trinamool Congress over the share of proceeds of different scams in the state. "This happens when a party runs without any basic policy or ideology. This infighting will take murkier shape in the days to come and there the process of the beginning of the end will start," Bhattacharya said. On Monday morning Ghosh took exception to Bakshi's comments that he was confident that Abhishek Banerjee would not leave the field and continue his Lok Sabha battle for the party with Mamata Banerjee in the forefront. "I have reservations about certain words uttered by Bakshi," he said. According to Ghosh, "Abhishek Banerjee continues to be on the field and the party will benefit if the leadership listens to what he says." According to the BJP's spokesman in West Bengal Samik Bhattacharya till yesterday it seemed that there were two parallel administrations in West Bengal, the first being represented by the Chief Minister and the second by the party's General Secretary. "Now probably, a section of the ruling party leadership seems to have realised that those parallel administrations have done more damage to the party and the administration. Probably, that is why these differences of opinion are coming out in public," Bhattacharya said. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a New Year message via China Media Group and the Internet Sunday evening in Beijing to ring in 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's 2024 New Year message was focused on confidence, people's livelihood and a global vision. Xi delivered the message on Sunday evening, which was televised and live-streamed nationwide. The message offered a glimpse into China's commitment to advancing Chinese modernization, delivering a better life for the people, and striving to make the world a better place for all in 2024. CONTINUED CONFIDENCE Xi's message depicted China's solid and robust steps toward high-quality development. Reviewing the year 2023, Xi said the Chinese economy had sustained the momentum of recovery, the modernized industrial system had been further upgraded and the country had secured a bumper harvest for the 20th year in a row. These facts indicate that the Chinese economy has shown tremendous resilience in the face of multiple and unforeseen factors, bolstering confidence in China's development prospects. In terms of regional development, Xi noted that "new progress has been made in fully revitalizing northeast China, the Xiong'an New Area is growing fast, the Yangtze River Economic Belt is full of vitality, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is embracing new development opportunities." The president's 16 domestic inspection and research trips in 2023, along with five meetings on regional development that he chaired, were crucial in driving the progress of regional development. During these occasions, he charted the course for coordinated regional development across the country. Another highlight featured in Xi's New Year message was China's breakthroughs in science and technology. He mentioned that the C919 large passenger airliner entered commercial service, the Chinese-built large cruise ship completed its trial voyage, the Shenzhou spaceships are continuing their missions in space, and the deep-sea manned submersible Fendouzhe reached the deepest ocean trench. "Everywhere across our country, new heights are being scaled with dogged determination, and new creations and innovations are emerging every day," he said. Xi referred to the time-honored history of China and its splendid civilization as the source of Chinese people's confidence and strength. Gong Wen, curator of the Chinese Archaeological Museum, found inspiration in Xi's words. "The Chinese Archaeological Museum will devote more efforts to research and disseminate archaeological achievements to interpret the source of cultural confidence and contribute to boosting national pride and the cohesion of the Chinese nation," Gong said. BETTER LIVELIHOOD Over the years, "the people" have always been front and center in Xi's New Year message. On New Year's Eve, Xi lauded the extraordinary contribution made by each and every ordinary Chinese and praised the people as the ones the country looks to when it fights to prevail over all difficulties or challenges. "Our goal is both inspiring and simple. Ultimately, it is about delivering a better life for the people," the president said. Issues concerning people's livelihood, especially those regarding children, the youth and the elderly, "are a top priority of the government." He called for concerted efforts to deliver on these issues. Among the photos on the bookshelf behind Xi as he delivered the speech were some capturing the moments of him standing among the people on various occasions. One of them shows Xi speaking to villagers in Shuiyuzui Village in Mentougou District of Beijing, when he undertook an inspection tour in November 2023 to have a close look at areas affected by summer flooding in Beijing and the neighboring Hebei Province. Li Meng, a resident of Shuiyuzui Village, expressed a feeling of warmth as Xi once again showed care for their lives in his New Year message. Li said the basic needs of flood-affected villagers had been fully met, with timely distribution of assistance and subsidies. The renovation of infrastructure in the village had been completed. The villagers will work together to pool their strength to build the village into a demonstration area of rural revitalization, Li said. GLOBAL VISION While caring about issues at home, Xi also focused on foreign policies and global affairs. He said in the New Year message that while pursuing its own development, China has also embraced the world and fulfilled its responsibility as a major country. Xi mentioned the China-Central Asia Summit and the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, China's two major diplomatic events at home last year at which Xi hosted leaders from across the world. Xi said that he also paid visits to a number of countries, attended international conferences, and met many friends, both old and new. Zafar Uddin Mahmood, former special assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, hailed China's constant efforts to open up to the outside world. "China will surely continue opening its arms to embrace the world, share its development experience and accomplishments with other countries, and contribute its strength to the progress of human civilization," he said. In 2023, Xi went abroad four times, and also met with foreign people from all walks of life in China on dozens of occasions. At these events, Xi shared China's vision and enhanced common understandings with foreign friends. China lives in peace, but the world as a whole does not. As Xi said in the New Year's message, conflicts are still raging in some parts of the world. Xi said the Chinese are keenly aware of what peace means. "We will work closely with the international community for the common good of humanity, build a community with a shared future for mankind, and make the world a better place for all," he said. New Delhi, Jan 1 : Meta-owned WhatsApp banned a record over 71 lakh bad accounts in India in the month of November 2023, in compliance with the new IT Rules 2021, the company said on Monday. Between November 1-30, the company banned 71,96,000 accounts. About 19,54,000 of these accounts were proactively banned, before any reports from users, WhatsApp said in its monthly compliance report. The most popular messaging platform, which has over 500 million users in the country, received another record 8,841 complaint reports in November in the country, and the records "actioned" were six. "Accounts Actioned" denotes reports where WhatsApp took remedial action based on the report and taking action denotes either banning an account or a previously banned account being restored as a result. "This user-safety report contains details of the user complaints received and the corresponding action taken by WhatsApp, as well as WhatsApp's own preventive actions to combat abuse on our platform," according to the company. In a bid to empower millions of Indian social media users, the Centre recently launched the Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) which looks into their concerns regarding content and other issues. The newly-formed panel, a move to strengthen the country's digital laws to tame the Big Tech companies, will look into appeals by users against decisions of social media platforms. "We are an industry leader among end-to-end encrypted messaging services in preventing and combating abuse. In addition to our safety features and controls, we employ a team of engineers, data scientists, analysts, researchers, and experts in law enforcement, online safety, and technology developments to oversee these efforts," said WhatsApp. New Delhi, Jan 1 : Bangladesh Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus has been sentenced to six-months in jail for violating the country's labor laws, media reports said. Al Jazeera -- quoting lead prosecutor Khurshid Alam Khan as saying: "Professor Yunus and three of his Grameen Telecom colleagues were convicted under labour laws and sentenced to six months in simple imprisonment." Yunus had pioneered Grameen Telecom in his country while using microcredit to help impoverished people. Grameen Telecom, which he founded as a non-profit, is at the center of the trial. As per Bangladeshi media reports, the head of Third Labor Court of Dhaka, Sheikh Merina Sultana, in her verdict said that Yunus' company violated labor laws. "67 of Grameen Telecom employees were supposed to be made permanent, and the employees' participation and welfare funds were not formed," she said. She also said that following company policy, five per cent of the company's dividends were supposed to be distributed to staff. Yunus (83), who won the award in 2006, is credited for lifting millions out of poverty through his anti-poverty campaign through the Grameen Bank, a mode which was replicated across continents. Mumbai, Jan 1 : A total of 265 fisherfolk and 384 civilians from India and Pakistan languish in various prisons in both the countries, as per the latest official figures, an activist said on Monday. They include 184 Indian fishermen and 47 civilians, imprisoned in different jails in Pakistan, while 81 Pakistani fishermen and 337 civilians jailed in various Indian prisons. This comes to 231 Indians in Pakistani jails and 418 Pakistanis in Indian prisons a" totalling 649 persons awaiting freedom on both sides. According to a statement by Pakistan-India Peoplesa Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD), the latest data has been released when both the neighbours swapped the lists of prisoners jailed in their respective countries. The lists are exchanged every six months on January 1 and July 1, as per the Agreement on Consular Access of 2008, said a PIPFPD representative here. The PIPFPD said that the jail terms of the 184 Indian fisherfolks have ended, their nationality has been confirmed, and called upon Pakistan to release and repatriate them immediately. Ahmedabad, Jan 1 : The Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Cadila Pharmaceuticals, Rajiv Modi, has been booked under various charges, including rape, following a direction from the Gujarat High Court. The action came in response to a complaint filed by a Bulgarian woman employed as a flight attendant with the company. The complainant, a Bulgarian national, alleged that she was subjected to sexual harassment and other criminal offences by Modi. She claims that her initial complaints to the police and a subsequent private complaint to a magistrate court were not acted upon, leading her appeal to the high court. According to her account, she arrived in India in November 2022 for a flight attendant position with Cadila Pharmaceuticals. However, her job role was later changed to a butler-personal attendant for Modi. She alleges that following her refusal to comply with illicit demands, she was terminated in April 2023. The woman also reported the issue to the Bulgarian embassy and Foreign Regional Registration Offices. She claimed she was pressured to withdraw her complaint and coerced into filing an affidavit at a womenas police station, stating the dispute was settled with her employer. Following this, she received a demand draft of Rs 24 lakh from the company. The Ahmedabad-based pharmaceutical giant is now at the centre of a criminal investigation as per the orders of the Gujarat High Court. Assistant Commissioner of Police, HM Kansagra confirmed that the case was registered at the Sola police station in the city. The complaint includes charges under Indian Penal Code sections 376 (rape), 354 (assault), and 504 (intentional insult). Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Lavina Sinha stated that following the court's direction, an FIR (first information report) has been registered. Their role is to investigate and submit a report to the court. The high court's order on December 22 mandated an inquiry led by a competent police officer and supervised by a senior IPS officer nominated by the Deputy Inspector General. The court has set a two-month deadline for the completion of the investigation. Aizawl, Jan 1 : The 151 Myanmarese soldiers, who fled to Mizoram on Friday after their camps were captured by armed pro-democracy ethnic groups, would soon be repatriated to Myanmar, officials said on Monday. An official in Aizawl said that necessary formalities, including biometric processes, are being done and the authorities concerned are in touch with the higher authorities to get clearance to repatriate the Myanmar Army personnel. "Once the ongoing formalities are completed and clearance from the higher authorities received, the Myanmarese soldiers would be handed over to their authority in Tamu through the Moreh border in Manipur," the official, who did not want to be identified, told IANS. According to officials, the Myanmar soldiers on Friday fled to Mizoramas Lawngtlai district with their arms and ammunition, and approached the Assam Rifles after their camps near the India-Myanmar border were overrun by the Arakan Army fighters. Some of the fleeing Myanmar soldiers were critically injured in the gun battle and basic medical treatment provided to them by the Assam Rifles. The soldiers are now in the custody of Assam Rifles at Parva in Lawngtlai. Fierce gun battles between the Myanmar Army and the armed fighters resumed last week in areas close to the Indian border leading to the fresh influx of soldiers into Indian territory. It was not yet known whether any Army soldiers were killed or not following the intense attack of the pro-democracy forces. Like earlier 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, fled to Mizoram in different phases 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, the armed wing of the Chin National Organisation. They were airlifted by the Indian Air Force to Moreh, from where they were repatriated to Tamu, the nearest town on the Myanmar side. Besides soldiers, over several thousand Myanmarese, including women and children, took shelter in Mizoram's Champhai and other districts since last month following the gunfights between Myanmar Army 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. 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. Mizoram and Manipur share 518 km and 398 km unfenced borders with Myanmar, respectively Mumbai, Jan 1 : Rinku Dhawan, who recently exited the 'Bigg Boss 17' house along with Neil Bhatt in the light of a double elimination, has called Mannara Chopra an "attention-seeker". After walking out of the house of the reality show, Rinku spoke with the media about her experience in the show. While she heaped praise on Munawar Faruqui for playing his game "dil se", she slammed Mannara for not having any control over what she speaks during an argument. Rinku, with a straight face, said: "I had a face off with Mannara twice during this season and they were because of her not having any control over what she speaks, and she doesn't realise what she is talking about. This is a flaw which I have told her about many times directly. It's a flaw and I do understand that it won't go away so easily." She further mentioned: "Mannara is also a huge attention-seeker and believes in only one-sided friendships so, I think I had to call it off because that is not my perception of maintaining relationships." She also spoke highly of Munawar and called him a real player who didnat build relationships with ulterior motives. However, her praise for Munawar was topped with a dash of an oblique remark on Mannara. She said: "Munawar's dear friend Mannara did get her heart broken because Munawar wasnat giving her the attention that she wanted because Munawar was trying to hold himself together and thereas nothing wrong with it." Tel Aviv, Jan 1 : The Israeli military is withdrawing some of its forces from Gaza as part of its "smart management" of the war, chief military spokesman Daniel Hagari said on Monday. Tel Aviv, Jan 1 (IANS) The Israeli military is withdrawing some of its forces from Gaza as part of its "smart management" of the war, chief military spokesman Daniel Hagari said on Monday. While he did not specify the numbers, Israeli media reported that up to five brigades, numbering thousands of soldiers, would be pulled out, but whether this will be a normal troop rotation or will signal a new phase in the fighting is not clear yet. Hagari said the army is currently planning how to deploy troops in the months ahead and "some of the reservists will return to their families and employment this week, in order to ease the burden of the war on the Israeli economy and to let them replenish their strength ahead of another deployment". Some of the reservists would return to civilian life to bolster Israel's wartime economy, he said, but added that the war on Gaza will continue throughout 2024 and tens of thousands of reservists would be needed. "(The army) must plan ahead, understanding that we will be required for additional tasks and warfare throughout this year. The objectives of the war require prolonged fighting and we are preparing accordingly," the spokesman said. Mumbai, Jan 1 : Actor Sharad Kelkar, who voices the character of Ravan in the animated series 'The Legend of Hanuman', has expressed his displeasure over poor dubbing choices in the industry. Mumbai, Jan 1 (IANS) Actor Sharad Kelkar, who voices the character of Ravan in the animated series aThe Legend of Hanumana, has expressed his displeasure over poor dubbing choices in the industry. The actor told IANS that this is particularly "frustrating because the content that has the potential to break new grounds in the Hindi market goes to waste because the makers donat want to spend much on the dubbing process". Talking about the same, he said: "The craft of voice-modulation and voice acting is not appreciated in the industry which Iam very angry about. I have seen such brilliant content in English or even from south India, it has the potential to disrupt new markets but it all goes to waste when the content is dubbed in Hindi." He further mentioned: "Most of the time the dubbing is so bad, sometimes knowingly with the lack of budget ruining the viewing experience for the audience. And then they cry 'ki Hindi belt se collections nahi aaye' (that collections from the Hindi belt are bad). Arre if you dub it so badly why will people put their money and watch a badly dubbed film? A layman can also say, aArre kya kharab dub hai?a." He explained dubbing is a serious craft that can make or break a film. He said: "My point is you spend millions in marketing that film but when it doesnat perform well in Hindi, you cry over it. Iall give you one example where the right dubbing made a huge difference. Ninad Kamat voiced Thanos in the Hindi version of aAvengers: Endgamea, and it worked big time. He is the best dubbing artiste from India and they paid him the money. The result of a good investment is there for everyone to see in this case." 'The Legend of Hanuman' Season 3 will stream on Disney+ Hotstar from January 12, 2024. Hyderabad, Jan 1 : The 83rd edition of All India Industrial Exhibition, popularly known as Numaish, got off to a colorful start with the New Year. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy inaugurated the annual fair, which will continue for 45 days. He noted that Hyderabad is known for Charminar, Tank Bund and Numaish and every year, traders from Kashmir to Kanyakumari participate in the trade fair. He was all praise for the All India Industrial Exhibition Society for organising the event successfully every year and promised continued support from the government. The Chief Minister also assured full support to the educational institutions run by the Society. He said the government would support the proposal to upgrade Kamla Nehru Polytechnic as the engineering college. Information Technology and Industry Minister D. Sridhar Babu, who is the honorary President of the Exhibition Society, and Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar were also present. Sridhar Babu mentioned that 30,000 students are studying in educational institutions run by the Society. Over 2,000 stalls have been set up on the sprawling Numaish Maidan in Nampally in the heart of the city for the annual exhibition. Every day the exhibition will be open for visitors from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. The entry ticket for the hugely popular trade fair remains unchanged at Rs 40 this year. Numaish, which made its beginning in 1938, is known as one of the oldest and biggest trade fairs in the world. Numaish-e-Masnuaat-e-Mulki, or Numaish in short, made a humble beginning in 1938 as an event to promote locally-produced goods. It was a group of graduates from Osmania University who came up with the idea of an exhibition to conduct an economic survey of the state. The seventh Nizam of Hyderabad State, Mir Osman Ali Khan, inaugurated the first 'numaish'. Enthused by the good response, it was decided to make it an annual event and use the earnings to promote education. Beginning with just 50 stalls and a capital of Rs.2.50, it has today evolved into one of the biggest industrial exhibitions in the country. Numaish could not be organised in 1947 and 1948 due to the turmoil in the aftermath of India's Independence. With Hyderabad acceding to the Indian Union, the event bounced back in 1949. The exhibition could not be held in 2020 due to Covid-19 situation. This was only the third time in its history that it could not be held. Traders from various parts of the country set up their stalls during the exhibition, which is visited by 40,000-50,000 people every day. The exhibitors put on sale handicrafts, toys, imitation jewellery, ladies apparel, crockery, electronic goods, and other consumer goods. Amusement space and various rides form an integral part of the exhibition. Popular food outlets set up their stalls offering mouth-watering kebabs, biryani, haleem and other dishes. --IANS ms/vd Jaipur, Jan 1 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said on Monday that getting LPG cylinder for Rs 450 will help the women of the state make savings. As per the BJP's poll promise, the beneficiary women of BPL and Ujjwala schemes in the state will get LPG cylinder fro Rs 450 apiece. To avail the benefit, the eligible candidates will have to get themselves registered at the camps being organised in cities and villages across the state under the Vikas Bharat Sankalp Yatra. During the previous Congress regime, beneficiary women got LPG cylinders for Rs 500 apiece. According to an orders issued by the Food and Civil Supplies Department, under the LPG Cylinder Subsidy Scheme, every family (Ujjwala and BPL category) will get one cylinder for Rs 450 per month. If a consumer takes delivery of two cylinders in a month, she will be provided subsidy on one cylinder only. This subsidy amount will be made available in the consumer's bank account. The subsidy scheme will put an additional burden of Rs 52 crore every month on the state exchequer. At present, oil and gas companies are providing a 14.2 kg LPG cylinder for Rs 906. A rebate or subsidy of Rs 300 is given to Ujjwala connection holders by the Central Government. There are 70 lakh Ujjwala (66 lakh) and BPL (4 lakh) beneficiaries in the state. Commenting on the scheme, Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari said that womenas lives will become easier with the availability of LPG cylinder for Rs 450. Another Deputy Chief Minister, Prem Chand Bairwa said the BJP government has again proven that it is committed to work for the growth of the backward and poor classes. SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has wrapped up a key year-end meeting of its ruling party arranged for reviewing state policies this year and unveiling work orientation for the coming year, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Sunday. The 9th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) concluded on Saturday in Pyongyang, the KCNA said, with WPK General Secretary Kim Jong Un presiding over the five-day event and delivering addresses. In a summary of the achievements this year, Kim said the gross domestic product grew by 1.4 times compared to 2020, and grain production exceeded the target. Kim praised the achievements in various economic sectors, as well as in housing construction and scientific development over the past year. As for priority tasks in the coming year, Kim called on the military industrial sector to implement the ruling party's strategy for national defense, urged the space development sector to launch three more reconnaissance satellites and set key goals for missile research and production. He also laid out tasks for "revolutionizing" warship-building capacity to enhance the underwater and surface combat power of the DPRK navy and developing and manufacturing various kinds of unmanned military hardware and electronic warfare means. On the situation in the peninsula, Kim lashed out at the United States and its followers for their "unprecedented" confrontation against the DPRK, saying the moves by the United States, South Korea and Japan are "driving the situation in the peninsula into more unpredictable and critical conditions", the KCNA said. The prevailing grave situation requires the DPRK to steadily step up the work for getting the overwhelming war response capability and the comprehensive military combat readiness to deter any form of provocation, he said. On the inter-Korean relations, the DPRK leader underscored an urgency for his country "to adopt a new stand on the north-south relations and the reunification policy." "The north-south relations have been completely fixed into the relations between two states hostile to each other and the relations between two belligerent states, not the consanguineous or homogeneous ones any more," Kim said. Bengaluru, Jan 1 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah extended new year greetings to senior government officials who met him on Monday and hoped that the year 2024 will be a promising year for the state. In his remarks after exchanging new year greetings with Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and secretaries at his home office Krishna, he said: "We have incurred a crop loss of Rs 35,000 crore in 48 lakh hectares area in the state due to drought situation. Relief from the government will not be sufficient if nature does not support us. We are facing this situation due to climate change. Good rains are expected during monsoon in 2024." He said that he would pray to God for a good monsoon. The CM said that rains are necessary for development to reach the desired expectation. "More than 60 per cent of people are dependent on agriculture. It is because of our guarantees that the severity of the drought has reduced. Poor families have gained purchasing power," he said. He said that on the basis of the universal basic income policy, the income of the people has increased and economic activities have been given impetus. "People have chosen us for the development of the state. The government has chosen the bureaucrats. The objectives of the Constitution can be fulfilled and change in the society can be brought only with a pro-people and social approach. We have to work towards understanding the Constitution. We have to work according to the peopleas expectation," he said. Chief Minister's Political Secretaries K. Govindaraju, and Nazir Ahmed, and Chief Secretary Rajneesh Goyal were present on the occasion. The Chief Minister also released "Susthira Badukina Sutta Ashakirana" written by Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Shalini Rajneesh. Tel Aviv, Jan 1 : The Kibbutz Be'eri in southern Israel has announced the death of a person who was believed to be missing since October 7. The Kibbutz in a statement said that Ilan Weis (56), who was officially announced as missing after the Hamas attack on October 7, was killed on that day itself. The forensic department in Israel has been identifying several corpses that were found near the rampage sites in Kfar Aza and Kibbutz Berri in southern Israel after the October 7 attacks by the Hamas. An estimated 1,200 people were slaughtered during the October 7 carnage while about 240 people were taken hostages from southern Israel. Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 1 : The spat between Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hit another low on Monday when the former slammed the cadre of the state's ruling party and its student wing. Khan, who is also the Chancellor of state varsities, was on Monday was burnt in effigy by activists of the Students Federation of India (SFI), affiliated to the ruling CPI-M, as part of their protest against him for nominating right-wing people to the administration of universities in the state. As the Governor, who returned here on Monday night from Mumbai, was informed of this, he retorted: "In my case, they have burnt me in effigy only, while they have burnt and killed people in Kannur and other places." "They have displayed their culture," he added. Enroute from the airport to his official residence , SFI activists waved black flags at his convoy and the police took the protesters into custody. The relationship between Khan and Vijayan have reached the rock bottom and they have been taking on each another through media statements. On Friday, the two did not interact or even greet each other when Vijayan arrived at the Raj Bhavan to attend the swearing-in of two new Ministers. YouTuber MrBeast becomes first to get 1 mn followers on Threads. Image Source: IANS News San Francisco, Jan 1 : YouTube sensation Jimmy Donaldson (aka MrBeast) has snubbed Elon Musk, saying his won't upload his videos on X as doing so would not even fund a fraction of what he spends on making those videos. When famous X handle DogeDesigner asked MrBeast to upload his latest video on X too, and Musk said 'yeah', the YouTuber replied it is not possible. "My videos cost millions to make and even if they got a billion views on X it wouldn't fund a fraction of it," MrBeast replied to Musk. "I'm down though to test stuff once monetisation is really cranking," said MrBeast, who calls himself X Super Official CEO. A follower commented: "He told Elon 'You cant afford me lil bro'. DogeDesigner again requested MrBeast to post his videos on both YouTube and X. An X user replied: "It would hurt the views on YouTube which would normally make him money to find the videos. Posting on both is a terrible option at scale it's splitting your own market share". "Plus the video user interface here is missing a lot of options that YouTube has," another X user posted. The tech billionaire is aiming to make X 'an everything app" like China's WeChat and videos are an integral part of his plan. Musk in October tested video game streaming on the platform. In a 50-minute-long stream, he streamed himself playing the popular online action role-playing game Diablo 4. Hyderabad, Jan 1 : Six staff members of a hotel were arrested on Monday for allegedly assaulting a group of customers during a brawl over 'poor quality' biryani served on New Year's eve. Hyderabad, Jan 1 (IANS) Six staff members of a hotel were arrested on Monday for allegedly assaulting a group of customers during a brawl over 'poor quality' biryani served on New Yearas eve. The staff allegedly attacked the customers with sticks after they refused to pay for the biryani, claiming it was not properly cooked. An argument led to a scuffle between the two sides. A family from Dhoolpet area was at the hotel to celebrate New Year and they were not satisfied with the quality of biryani served there. The incident occurred at the well-known Grand Hotel in Abids. The police have registered a case after videos of the alleged assault were widely circulated on social media on Monday. Six persons have been arrested and charged under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. Meanwhile, an audio clip of BJP MLA Raja Singh threatening to set the hotel on fire was also circulated on social media. In a telephonic conversation with a police officer, the controversial MLA used abusive language against those involved and demanded the police to shut the hotel down. The MLA from Goshamahal went on to say that he would set the hotel on fire if action was not taken. Bhopal, Jan 1 : The protest by drivers of commercial vehicles, including trucks and tankers supplying fuels, against the new law that increases the jail term in hit-and-run cases, has affected various services in Madhya Pradesh. Shortage of fuels -- diesel and petrol -- was reported in several parts of the state. In the capital city Bhopal, many petrol pumps have gone out of stock for the last 24 hours as because of the drivers' protest, fuels are not being supplied at petrol pumps. Long queues of four-wheelers and bikers have become a common sight at almost all petrol pumps in Bhopal. People are waiting for hours to get fuels. Many of them were approaching petrol pumps fearing that the situation would turn worst if protest continues for the next few days. Ajay Singh, the chief of Madhya Pradesh Petroleum Association, told media that the new law in hit-and-run cases will apply to all vehicles and not to tankers or trucks alone. "There are problems at some places and people are scrambling to store fuel in panic." Situation started getting worse since Sunday evening. On Monday, many people were queuing to get fuel so that they can go out to celebrate the New Year. Ramesh Verma, one of the drivers protesting at Bhopalas Board office, said: "The new law is against the interest of drivers. Drivers don't want to kill anybody, but accidents happen. In such cases, people turn against the driver. We demand that the new law be amended. Drivers canat pay heavy fine imposed against them. The government should consider the life of drivers and their families before framing such rules." According to the new law, hit-and-run cases will now attract a 10-year jail term and a fine of Rs 7 lakh, said one of the protestors. Road blockades were also seen in some places in the state due to protests. Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla said that the government would hold a discussion with the representatives of the drivers of the commercial vehicles to resolve the issue. Agartala, May 28 (IANS) In all 129 Indians, who returned to Tripura from Bangladesh, on Thursday were admitted to the institutional quarantine centre, here, officials said.. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Jan 1 : The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is investigating a "severe hard landing" involving an Air India Airbus A320neo (VT-CIQ) during its Cochin to Dubai flight on December 20, an official said on Monday. Fortunately, the 5.5-year-old aircraft, which made the heavy landing with a recorded force of 3.5 G, did not suffer any apparent structural damage. The incident occurred as the flight, operating under the designation AI 933, touched down in Dubai. The Airbus A320neo, a relatively young aircraft, managed to come to a stop safely, preventing any injuries to the passengers and crew on board. Flight tracking websites revealed that the aircraft was scheduled for its next flight to Mumbai on December 27 but has not been airborne since. The reasons for the grounded status were not immediately clear, as the investigation into the incident began. According to officials, pending the outcome of the investigation, the pilot responsible for the hard landing has been removed from flying duties. Air India has taken this precautionary step as part of standard procedure to ensure a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the incident. Following the incident, the aircraft remained grounded in Dubai for an entire week. During this period, it underwent extensive checks and assessments to determine the extent of any potential damage. The safety checks were conducted in accordance with established protocols to ensure that the aircraft met all safety standards before being allowed to return to service. Ultimately, after the week-long examination, the Airbus A320neo was cleared for flight and ferried back to Air India's engineering base in Mumbai. Flight tracking data indicated that the aircraft operated the Mumbai flight on December 27 with a cruising altitude below 10,000 feet, suggesting an unpressurised ferry. "An investigation has already been initiated, as per DGCA norms. The pilot was appropriately trained and licensed to fly the aircraft. He has been off-rostered till the process of inquiry is on as per norms," an Air India spokesperson said. Jaipur, Jan 1 : The Director General of Police (DGP) of Rajasthan, U.R. Sahu, on Monday released police priorities in two categories for 2024. Of these, six are crime-related priorities, while three are administrative priorities. At the beginning of every year, Rajasthan Police set the priorities for the force. After this, the police department works throughout the year keeping these priorities in mind. The guidelines will be issued to all range, district and unit police officers to work keeping in mind these priorities. The priorities for 2024 include effective preventive action and strict legal action against organised crime groups, gangsters, copycat gangs and hardcore criminals; planned and effective action for the safety of women, children, elderly and weaker sections; to prevent cyber crimes, to provide technical resources to the police officers/employees by providing proper training and to fully operationalise the units formed for this purpose and to make the general public aware and alert about cyber crimes; to reduce road accidents by better management of traffic and timely hearing of reports/complaints and continuous efforts for resolution within legal limits. The other priorities include increasing cooperation and participation between the police and the public by establishing coordination and positive relations with the people, and improving the image of the police. The administrative priorities include new construction and timely repair, maintenance, cleanliness and beautification of police offices, police stations etc.; conducting various programmess for health promotion and welfare of police personnel and their families; and time-bound complete digitisation of records related to administrative and personnel management. Hyderabad, Jan 1 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday clarified that the state government has not scrapped the Airport Metro and Pharma City projects. He said the government was only considering alternate routes to connect the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad and similarly, it proposed to set up the Pharma City in the form of clusters between Outer Ring Road and the proposed Regional Ring Road. This was being done keeping in mind the public interest, he clarified during an informal chat with media persons. A week after taking oath as the Chief Minister last month, Revanth Reddy had directed the officials of Hyderabad Metro Rail to keep the present Airport alignment from HITEC City on hold and had also asked senior officers to plan for an environment-friendly mega township in the huge extent of lands acquired for Pharma City near Kandukur. He maintained that there will be no users of the Metro on route proposed earlier while Pharma City should not be near to Hyderabad. He claimed that the alternate Metro routes will reduce the distance to the airport. The alternate routes are from MGBS to Airport via old city. Another Metro route from Nagole to Chandrayanagutta via L.B Nagar to join the proposed line from MGBS. The Chief Minister said that the government will also consider extending the Metro from Miyapur to Ramachandrapuram and from Mind Space (in HITEC City) to Financial District. He claimed that the new Metro lines proposed by his government would cost less compared to those proposed by the previous BRS government. Revanth Reddy also stated that the government will create clusters for the pharma sector between the present Outer Ring Road and the proposed Regional Ring Road. He said these clusters will be established with zero pollution. The Chief Minister said housing facilities can be provided to the employees working in pharma units near the clusters. The government will also set up specialised universities to provide required skills to the youth. --IANS ms/vd Bhubaneswar, Jan 1 : In a tragic incident, a woman committed suicide here after her husband, who sustained serious injuries in an AC compressor blast at a private hospital on December 29, succumbed to his injuries on Saturday. The deceased woman has been identified as Soumyashri Jena from Nuagaon. She had married Dillip Samantray from Harirajpur in Puri district around two years ago. Dillip, along with three other mechanics, were repairing the AC compressor at the Hi-Tech Medical College & Hospital in Bhubaneswar on Friday evening when the compressor suddenly went off. Dillip and his associates sustained severe injuries in the blast. A critically-injured Dillip was immediately admitted to the ICU of the same hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday night. Unable to deal with the shock, Soumyashri committed suicide by hanging herself from a ceiling fan at her paternal home on Monday. NEW DELHI, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Strict security arrangements have been made in major cities and towns across India on the New Year's Eve on Sunday, while revellers thronged pubs, bars, hotels and clubs to welcome 2024. Deputy Commissioner of Police of Shahdara area of the national capital New Delhi Joy Tirkey said adequate police arrangements were made in the city in a bid to ensure people's safety till late in the night. Strict security arrangements were made considering high risks posed by New Year revellers who indulge in drunken-driving and making nuisance at public places. On Sunday evening, huge crowds were witnessed in Connaught Place area of central Delhi, amid huge police presence. Major shopping malls here were packed to the capacity. Considering big crowds at public places, heavy police force was seen deployed in Delhi's Connaught Place area. Police-pickets were installed on roads, particularly in parts of central Delhi. Fire fighting arrangements were also in full swing in Delhi. In Mumbai, the country's financial hub, large crowds also gathered at clubs, hotels and bars to celebrate the New Year's Eve and welcome 2024. New Delhi, Jan 1 : The Centre on Monday revoked the restrictions under Stage-III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR with immediate effect. The Union Environment Ministry, however, said that restrictive actions under Stage-I to Stage-II of the GRAP will remain invoked and be implemented, monitored and reviewed by all agencies concerned in the entire NCR. On Monday, Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) clocked 346 as per the daily bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In view of significant improvement in the average air quality of Delhi, the Sub-Committee of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reviewed the current scenario and took an appropriate call on the preventive and restrictive actions under Stage-III of the GRAP already in place in the entire NCR since December 22, an official said. The India Meteorological Department said that the AQI of Delhi has been progressively improving and has been recorded as 346 at 4 p.m., which is about 55 AQI points below the threshold for invoking the GRAP Stage-III actions (Delhi AQI 401-450). There is a likelihood of sustaining the improvement in AQI. The forecast by IMD and IITM also do not indicate any deterioration further and there is a likelihood of the AQI improving while remaining in 'Very Poor', 'Poor' category in next few days. Therefore, the ministry said, keeping in view the disruptive nature of restrictions under Stage-III of the GRAP impacting a large number of stakeholders and public as well as considering the significant improvement in the average AQI of Delhi, the sub-committee decided to revoke Stage-III of GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect. The agencies will keep strict vigil and especially intensify measures under Stage-I and II of the GRAP in order to obviate the implementation of Stage-III of GRAP actions owing to AQI level further slipping into aSeverea category, the official added. Further, C and D- categoy project sites and industrial units which have been issued specific closure orders on account of violations, non-compliances of various statutory directions, rules, guidelines etc. under no circumstances shall resume their operations without any specific order to this effect from the Commission, the official said. The CAQM urged all agencies responsible for implementation of various actions listed under Stages- I and II of the GRAP and residents to strictly implement and follow the provisions of the GRAP. Washington, Jan 2 : US President Joe Biden is facing the worst immigration crisis in American history to date that could impact his electoral prospects in 2024 as Trump has made it a campaign issue, but moderate Republicans could bail him out with a new immigration deal in Congress. President Joe Biden is staring down the worst immigration crisis in history of the US, a politically fraught situation that could have major ramifications on the 2024 general election, media reports said. Biden is virtually scrambling for a deal with moderate Republicans in the Congress as he had vowed in his 2020 election campaign to "restore humanity and American values to our immigration system," but the overwhelming influx of illegal migrants from politically unstable regimes in northern and south America (Mexico and Venezuela) have undermined his presidency. The Democrats can't do a volte-face on their open borders policy ahead of the 2024 elections and earn the ire of human rights and immigration activists, who have been stung by indications that Biden could revisit the Covid-19 immigration expulsion policy initiated by the then President Donald Trump, political observers said. December saw the most-ever migrants encountered by border officials in a single day, 14,509 on December 18 alone. Meanwhile, Fox News reported that, as of December 29, the US had recorded 276,000 migrant encounters for the final month of 2023, surpassing the record for most in a single month recorded in September 2023. CBS similarly reported on Sunday, New Year's Eve, that the total number of migrant encounters for December would surpass 300,000, according to internal government data obtained by the network. If Republicans reach across the aisle to secure immigration policy reforms with the Democrats in larger national interests, it could shift the blame from Biden and saddle Republicans with additional baggage of the border crisis heading into 2024 should the reforms fail to reduce illegal immigration. But Republican lawmakers indicated to the Washington Examiner that they are committed to reaching an immigration deal with the White House now that Biden is forced to come to the table, even if doing so could help him secure moderate or independent votes in November. "There's a reason this hasn't been done in 30 years. Because it's incredibly technical and difficult, in legal language, but it's also politically difficult for Democrats who based their structure for a long time on open borders, and a large portion of their base is all about open borders, but that policy has created literally millions of people coming across unchecked," Senator James Lankford (Republican from Oklahoma), Republicans' lead border negotiator, told the Washington Examiner in December. "This is not a political issue. It's a turn to Washington, D.C," he said. The White House is farming out new strategies to ensure it is not an acknowledgment of a need to shift the President's overall immigration positions. Yet the President's possible concessions on the matter, which reportedly include a revisitation of the Trump administration's Covid-19 era expulsion policy, have drawn heavy criticism from immigration activists and members of the Democratic Party, observers said. Hardliner Republicans and former President Donald Trump in particular, have escalated their rhetoric surrounding immigration to hurt Biden's chances at re-election. In recent weeks, Trump had claimed that migrants were "poisoning the blood of our country" and vowed to shift federal law enforcement and military assets to policing the border. House Speaker Mike Johnson (Republican from Los Angeles) urged the President before Christmas to use executive authority "to stem the record tide of illegal immigration" and blamed Biden for the record spike in border encounters. Johnson is leading a delegation of GOP lawmakers to the border on January 3 to meet with border officials and "discuss the failures of the Biden administration" to enforce border policy. "America is experiencing the worst border crisis in our history, impacting every community in the country. While President Biden and Senate Democrats are asleep at the wheel, House Republicans will not cease in demanding transformative, immediate solutions to the madness," he said in a statement ahead of the trip. A Republican Senator told the Washington Examiner that Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (Democrat from New York), and Democrats expect Republicans to "crumble on border security" in exchange for Ukraine aid but that "some of the most vocal voices so far for securing the border" are "prominent Ukraine hawks". The matter was specifically raised during Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas's recent trip to Mexico, where they met with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and other Mexican officials to discuss northern migration. Biden is also reportedly working to expand a programme that fast-tracks work permits for immigrants, who legally enter the country at ports of entry, according to USA Today. US Citizenship and Immigration Services piloted the programme in Brownsville, Texas, and recently expanded it to El Paso and San Ysidro, California. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat who has harshly criticised Biden's immigration policies, praised the plan in September 2023. "Let them work! Give them the opportunity to contribute to our society," he said. "We're saying we must expedite work visas. It's just common sense. Thousands of jobs are available to be filled." Republican states in the southern borders have transported bus loads of immigrants into New York City putting tremendous pressure on Adams to handle the humanitarian crisis out of depleting the city's treasuries. New Delhi, Jan 1 : The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) rules have gone through some key changes in the New Year to improve online banking and payment transaction experiences. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) have instructed payment apps to deactivate inactive UPI IDs that have not been active for more than one year. The NPCI has also announced the launch of 'UPI for Secondary Market' in its Beta phase. HDFC Bank has executed transactions via the NPCI's UPI payments app as part of the 'UPI for secondary market' facility. During this pilot, investors can block funds in their bank accounts, which will only be debited by the Clearing Corporations upon trade confirmation during settlement. This Beta launch is facilitated by Groww as the brokerage app, alongside BHIM, Groww, and YES PAY NEXT as UPI apps. Initially, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank customers will be able to avail this facility. Other stakeholders, including stockbrokers such as Zerodha, Customeras banks like Axis Bank and Yes Bank, and UPI-enabled apps like Paytm and PhonePe are in the certification stage and set to participate in Beta launch soon. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also raised the UPI transaction limit for hospitals and educational institutions from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. The RBI also plans nationwide introduction of UPI ATMs, allowing cash withdrawal by scanning a QR code. Hitachi Payment Services has introduced 'the country's first-ever UPI-ATMa as a White Label ATM (WLA) in association with NPCI. The RBI also proposes a 4-hour time limit for users making first payments over Rs 2,000 to new recipients. Five arrested in Gujarat for heritage gold coin theft. Image Source: IANS News Navsari, Jan 1 : Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the theft of 199 gold coins from a heritage house at Bilimora in Gujarat's Navsari district. The coins, featuring the image of King George V and dating back to 1922, were discovered during the demolition of the house owned by Hawaben Balia, an NRI living in Leicester, the UK. The police action came after Balia lodged a complaint on October 21 last year, alleging theft from her ancestral property on Bazaar Street in Bilimora. Following investigation, the police arrested four labourers and one contractor from Valsad on December 26. All the five accused have been remanded to police custody until January 3. The accused have been charged under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including criminal breach of trust. They have reportedly confessed to stealing the coins during the demolition process. The recovered gold coins have a current market valuation of approximately Rs 92 lakh. However, the case took another twist when four policemen from Madhya Pradesh were also arrested following a complaint lodged by one of the arrested labourers, who alleged that they also looted some of the gold coins. Navsari police are now seeking court's permission to interrogate the Madhya Pradesh police personnel to recover the remaining coins. The police are also consulting the Archaeological Survey of India and the Gujarat government to clarify the historical significance of the coins and the legal implications of the findings. --IANS janvi/arm Tel Aviv, Jan 2 : Israel government is planning to relocate southern Israel residents who were displaced from their homes following the October 7 Hamas attacks. Israel Home Front Command officials on Monday said that they were preparing for the residents of southern communities to relocate back to their Kibbutzs. The residents of southern communities were largely shifted to Tel Aviv and other cities since October 7. The development indicates that the fighting may soon shift into a lower gear after three months of the full fledged war. It may be noted that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had announced that it was drawing down some forces in Gaza as it prepared to shift toward a lengthy, lower-intensity stage of war. Israelis in communities within seven kilometers of Gaza were mostly evacuated in the immediate aftermath of the October 7 attacks on southern Israel by Hamas, which rules the emclave. As many as 1,200 people, mostly civilians were killed, and 240 people were kidnapped from Israel during the attacks. The Home Front Command whuch is largely responsible for bringing communities back to settlements said that the Kibbutzas that are closest to Gaza will remain closed for the time being,. However those communities are at least four kilometers (2.5 miles) away will start bringing residents back. A time line to bring the residents back has not yet been set. As per Defence Ministry officials, residents of Mavkiaim, Gvaraam, Dorot, Yachini, Bror Hayil, as well as Kibbutz Yad Mordechai -- which is nearly three kilometers away will be the first to return. Panaji, Jan 2 : In an apparent jibe at Opposition INDIA bloc, Goa BJP's General Secretary and former MLA, Damodar Naik, has said that it is "mere conglomeration of alphabets and has no force to make any impact". Speaking to IANS over current political situation in the country and Goa, Naik said that voters are vigilant and will not fall prey to any guarantees of the Opposition, which according to him never gets fulfilled. "Congress failed in 60 years of its rule to eradicate poverty. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming up with policies and schemes for the poor sections of society. I am confident that the trust people have in BJP will not be allowed to violate," he added. "Opposition is targetting us over 'murder of democracy' only because they have no issues to raise. They are frustrated and hence they are levelling such unwanted allegations. This INDIA block is nothing but the conglomeration of 'alphabets', they have no force to make any impact. We are confident to win 400-plus seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha election and in Goa, we will win both the seats," he said. Naik added that if Congress had delivered their promises, then they would have not been defeated and remained out of power. "People looked at us as an option and gave us an opportunity to form the government at the Centre and in Goa. Now poeple know how we are delivering and hence vigilant voters will never vote for the Opposition," he said. "In Goa too, people have come to know that the state suffers when there is no stable government. They know that we can give and work in the interest of people. Hence, we are very much confident about victory," he added. Naik alleged that the Congress government used to delay the completion of any development project only to escalate the estimates. "Congress is best known for corruption. They always delayed works of projects to pave the way for corruption. Now people know how development can be done in a pace manner," the senior BJP leader said. Reacting to the allegations of opposition parties in Goa that BJP has stifled the voice of people and also of Opposition MLAs, Naik rejected the allegations saying they have no issues to raise. "Even, once, I was on the Opposition side benches. I feel that Opposition should be there for good democracy, but they should not spread misinformation," he added. Expressing his thoughts about the import of MLAs from other parties, Naik said that sometimes it hurts party workers. "But now they have come to know that in politics sometimes such steps are important to give stability," he said. "Suppose if there is any government with support of some other parties or independents, then there are chances that the latter blackmail to get their illegal work done. Hence to avoid such a situation, there is a need of a maximum number of MLAs in the ruling party. I think now our supporters and workers are convinced with this..," Naik added. Alleging that Congress has always done the appeasement of minorities, the Goa BJP leader said that this very fact has built insecurity in the Hindus. "Hindus have got united because of this insecurity. I believe that everyone has to protect their religion and should work towards it," he added, replying to a question over BJP's 'Hindu' agenda. He said that the Goa government is creating jobs in various sectors and helping youth to be self-sufficient. "Government is creating jobs in industries and other areas wherever there is scope. Opposition's allegations that we failed to create jobs are baseless," Naik added. Naik, defending his party over debt of the coastal state, said that it is the work of the Opposition to target the government and hence they are levelling baseless allegations. "It is simplea suppose if war at the border is going on and if our soldiers kill 500 Pakistanis (soldiers), then the Opposition never speaks about it, but if they target our one bunker then the Opposition makes a noise about it," he said, citing an example. "The state finances are doing very well. One should understand that if we had failed to repay then we would have been called a 'financially sick state'. Our government has plans to generate revenue and they are going on," Naik added. Tel Aviv, Jan 2 : Israel's Supreme Court on Monday struck down a highly disputed law passed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government that rolled back some of the high court's power and sparked nationwide protests. Tel Aviv, Jan 2 (IANS) Israelas Supreme Court on Monday struck down a highly disputed law passed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government that rolled back some of the high court's power and sparked nationwide protests. The change would have limited the power of the Supreme Court in overturning laws it deemed unconstitutional, BBC reported. The Supreme Court's decision to overturn the law passed by the Netanyahu government in 2023 follows months of internal turmoil. In July 2023, the government passed into law what is now known as the "reasonableness" bill. Critics say it would have severely undermined the country's democracy by weakening the judicial system, BBC reported. This removed the power of the Supreme Court and lower courts in Israel to cancel government decisions it deemed to be "extremely unreasonable". The law caused widespread anger and division, prompting hundreds of thousands of protesters to take the streets calling for the reforms to be scrapped -- and for the resignation of PM Netanyahu, BBC reported. Organisers said the weekly protests were the biggest street demonstrations in Israel's history. At the time, hundreds of military reservists -- including air force pilots -- threatened to refuse to report for service, which led to warnings that this could impair Israel's military capabilities. A statement from the Supreme Court said that 8 out of 15 judges ruled against the law, adding it would have caused "severe and unprecedented damage to the basic characteristics of the State of Israel as a democratic state". Israel's Justice Minister and architect of the law, Yariv Levin, criticised the judges for "taking into their hands all the powers" and called their decision to strike it down undemocratic. The "reasonableness" law was part of a wider series of judicial reforms introduced by the Netanyahu government, BBC reported. These would have weakened the power of the Supreme Court to review or throw out laws, enabling a simple majority of one in the Knesset (Parliament) to overrule such decisions. The government has also attempted to gain greater power over appointing judges, and to scrap the requirement for ministers to obey the advice of their legal advisers. Netanyahu has argued that the changes are required to redress the balance between the judges and the politicians. The Supreme Court's ruling threatens to further undermine confidence in his government. Netanyahu's Likud party said the decision opposed "the will of the people for unity, especially during wartime". Israel's leadership has been under pressure domestically for its perceived failure for preventing Hamas's attack on October 7, and for so far proving unable to rescue all the Israeli hostages who were taken into Gaza. Lucknow, Jan 2 : Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai has said his party workers would 'gherao' and protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency office in Varanasi on Tuesday against the alleged involvement of the BJP's IT cell office-bearers in the IIT-BHU molestation case. "Women and children are being molested and raped in Varanasi, the constituency of the Prime Minister. To bring the real face of the BJP, on how they are patronising their criminal workers, our Banaras district unit and city unit will demonstrate outside the Prime Minister's Varanasi office on Tuesday," Rai added. He said the Prime Minister must apologise to the daughters of Varanasi for the shameful and criminal conduct of the BJP workers. The accused Kunal Pandey, the convener of BJP's IT cell in Varanasi; Saksham Patel, co-convener of the ruling party's IT cell; and Abhishek Chauhan, the working committee member of the BJP IT cell, Varanasi, were sent to the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections so that they could not be arrested. The Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee Chief also demanded bulldozer action on houses of the accused and asked why the car carrying these BJP workers never overturns. Meanwhile, Akhilesh Yadav, President of the Samajwadi Party, said: "The BJP criminals in the BHU case should be given such punishment that no one in the arrogance of power can misuse the protection of the BJP government against the dignity and identity of any woman. Every woman in Uttar Pradesh and the country is asking, why does the car of criminals, supported by BJP, never overturns and why the bulldozer is never used in their cases." The molestation incident dates back to November 2, when the woman IIT-BHU student alleged that around 1.30 a.m. while she was taking a walk near the Karman Baba Temple with a friend on the campus, three men on a bike arrived, shut the victim's mouth, took off her clothes, kissed and recorded photos and videos. When she shouted for help, they threatened to kill her and ran away. An FIR was registered under Section 354, assault or use of criminal force with the intent to outrage a woman's modesty of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and the IT Act at the Varanasi's Lanka police station the same day as the day of the incident. The incident resulted in an uproar with students of the university holding a protest near the Rajputana Hostel demanding the immediate arrest of the accused and decisive steps to protect the campus. Days later, the Uttar Pradesh Police added Sections 342 (wrongful confinement), 507 (criminal intimidation by anonymous communication), 341 (wrongful restraint) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code. The police arrested the three accused last week. Dolni Benesov Airport, Zabreh, Czech Republic [ ZBE / LKZA ] If you are planning to travel to Zabreh or any other city in Czech Republic, this airport locator will be a very useful tool. This page gives complete information about the Dolni Benesov Airport along with the airport location map, Time Zone, lattitude and longitude, Current time and date, hotels near the airport etc... Dolni Benesov Airport Map showing the location of this airport in Czech Republic. Zabreh Airport IATA Code, ICAO Code, exchange rate etc... is also provided. Zabreh Airport Info: Zabreh Airport IATA Code: ZBE Zabreh Airport ICAO Code: LKZA Latitude : 49.8833 Longitude : 16.8667 City : Zabreh Country : Czech Republic World Area Code : 418 Airport Type : Small Zabreh Airport Address / Contact Details : Dolni Benesov Airport (ZBE), 789 01 Zabreh, Czech Republic Timezone : Europe/Prague Dolni Benesov Airport Timezone : GMT +01:00 hours Current time and date at Dolni Benesov Airport is 20:06:24 PM (CET) on Monday, Mar 18, 2024 Looking for information on Dolni Benesov Airport, Zabreh, Czech Republic? Know about Dolni Benesov Airport in detail. Find out the location of Dolni Benesov Airport on Czech Republic map and also find out airports near to Zabreh. This airport locator is a very useful tool for travelers to know where is Dolni Benesov Airport located and also provide information like hotels near Dolni Benesov Airport, airlines operating to Dolni Benesov Airport etc... IATA Code and ICAO Code of all airports in Czech Republic. Scroll down to know more about Dolni Benesov Airport or Zabreh Airport, Czech Republic. Dolni Benesov Airport Map - Location of Dolni Benesov Airport Load Map Czech Republic - General Information Country Code CZ Capital Prague Currency Koruna (CZK) 1 CZK = 0.043 USD 1 USD = 23.214 CZK 1 CZK = 0.04 EUR 1 EUR = 25.23 CZK More CZK convertion rates Tel Code +420 Top Level Domain .cz This page provides all the information you need to know about Dolni Benesov Airport, Czech Republic. This page is created with the aim of helping travelers and tourists visiting Czech Republic or traveling to Zabreh Airport. Details about Zabreh Airport given here include Dolni Benesov Airport Code - IATA Code (3 letter airport codes) and ICAO Code (4 letter airport codes) Coordinates of Zabreh Airport - Latitude and Longitude (Lat and Long) of Dolni Benesov Airport Location of Dolni Benesov Airport - City Name, Country, Country Codes etc... Dolni Benesov Airport Time Zone and Current time at Dolni Benesov Airport Address and contact details of Dolni Benesov Airport along with website address of the airport Clickable Location Map of Dolni Benesov Airport on Google Map. General information about Czech Republic where Dolni Benesov Airport is located in the city of Zabreh. General information include capital of Czech Republic, currency and conversion rate of Czech Republic currency, Telephone Country code, exchange rate against US Dollar and Euro in case of major world currencies etc... ZBE - Dolni Benesov Airport IATA Code and LKZA - Dolni Benesov Airport ICAO code LJUBLJANA, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Slovenian software and electronics company Cosylab attaches great importance to the Chinese market and believes in its vast potential," Urska Agnic, head of marketing at Cosylab, told Xinhua in a recent interview. The company signed a memorandum of understanding in April with an industrial park in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province. "Our Chinese partners were especially enthusiastic about our software for radiation therapy, such as the Treatment Planning System (TPS) and the Automated Affordable Radiation Therapy (AART) system," Agnic said. She said that partnership offers a possibility to further develop and apply in new therapeutic technique. "Partners in the quoted innovative cooperation already provide all the necessary goodwill and technical and business knowledge, and the cooperation project enters the most critical financing stage," Agnic said. Cosylab has more than 300 engineers and scientists. Agnic said the company is the only specialized developer of software products and functionality for advance radiation therapy in Slovenia and its vicinity. She said that so far, cooperation between Chinese and European researchers has mainly occurred in agriculture, biotechnology, biodiversity, food and climate change. Currently, new ventures are being explored, especially using Slovenia's know-how in software for radiation therapy of cancer, Agnic said. Property details: 19001 ACRE Nature Wilderness MODOC COUNTY This Property is located in the vicinity of Alturas; south west about 18 miles-drive; is a city in and the county seat of Modoc County, Ca. The population was 2,827 at the 2010 census. It is also only 15 minutes-drive from California Pines. Alturas is located on the Pit River, east of the center of Modoc County, at an elevation of 4370 feet. As the county seat, the town is a home to regional government offices, including a California Highway Patrol offic... 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Price: $ 800 Seller State of Residence: Wisconsin State/Province: California Location: 935**, Mojave, California You will be redirected to eBay Nearby California 'The Weather Channel argues that India faces the gravest challenge: Climate change-induced health vulnerability.' 'This is an issue often neglected, alerts Claude Arpi: "Prolonged summers, unpredictable rains, floods, droughts, and rising sea levels are the harsh realities of climate change in the country. These factors increase the frequency and severity of illnesses, pushing people into poverty, and forcing migration".' IMAGE: A rescue operation underway after a part of the Silkyara tunnel collapsed in Uttarkashi. Photograph: ANI Photo 2023 has ended. It is time for reflection and resolutions: Time to take stock of the past 12 months and to look ahead to the coming year. There is no doubt for anybody that the world is in turmoil. Even Xi Jinping, the guarded Chinese president, recently told some 2,300 delegates at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, 'We must be prepared for the worst-case scenarios, and be ready to withstand high winds, choppy waters and even dangerous storms.' Apart from the wars in Ukraine and in Gaza, the environment has been the first casualty of planetary happenings. There is no doubt that the future is not rosy; a few facts: first far away and then closer to us in India, though all are interlinked as there is only one Planet Earth. The Arctic The key findings of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) annual Arctic Report Card are significant: 'Rising temperatures in the Arctic have led to unprecedented wildfires that forced communities to evacuate, a decline in sea ice extent, devastating floods, food insecurity, and a rise in sea level.' The report mentions that the 2023 summer has been the warmest on record in the Arctic; since 1979, the Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the rest of the globe. Year 2023 was the sixth-warmest year since 1900 in this region, crucial for the wellbeing of the planet. The report enumerates the probable consequences such as the thawing of subsea permafrost, which is the frozen soil beneath the seabed that contains organic matter. It could result in food insecurity. NOAA cites Western Alaska which recorded another year of extremely low numbers of Chinook and chum salmon -- 81% and 92% below the 30-year mean, respectively. But also raging wildfires; Canada -- where 40% of the land mass belongs to Arctic and Northern regions -- was among the worst affected by wildfires. Rising temperatures have led to dramatic thinning of the Mendenhall Glacier, also in Alaska; as a result, over the years, the meltaway water has annually caused floods in the region. Finally, Greenland's ice sheet is melting faster and faster. The NOAA says that the ice sheet continued to lose mass despite above-average winter snow accumulation -- between August 2022 and September 2023, it lost roughly 350 trillion pounds of mass. Let us not forget that Greenland's ice sheet melting is the second-largest contributor to sea-level rise. IMAGE: The McDougall Creek wildfire burns next to houses in the Okanagan community of West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, August 19, 2023. Photograph: Chris Helgren/Reuters The Hindu Kush Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), which keeps a close watch on the Hindu Kush, predicted that flash floods and avalanches would grow more likely in coming years if greenhouse gases are not sharply reduced: 'Melting of glaciers will cause dangerous flooding and water shortages for nearly 2 billion people who live downstream of rivers that originate in the Himalayas,' says a ICIMOD report. It adds that glaciers in Asia's Hindu Kush Himalayas are melting at unprecedented rates and could lose up to 75 percent of their volume by century's end. The environmental organisation warns of 'dangerous flooding and water shortages for the nearly 2 billion people who live downstream of the rivers that originate in the mountainous region.' Wherever one looks, the future is bleak, though very few politicians the world over are ready to take the issue seriously. They mostly worship another God called 'development', who, they believe, can bring them more votes during the next elections. IMAGE: A view of the snow covered residential area after heavy snowfall, in Joshimath. Photograph: ANI Photo The Himalaya Another report by the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI), a network of senior policy experts working with governments, agrees that mountainous regions such as the Himalaya are facing the most severe effects from the climate change. As the COP28's climate negotiations were getting underway in Dubai, it observed: 'Scientists are calling for more attention to be paid to the region.' Beyond 2 degree Celsius, Earth will experience 'catastrophic loss' of mountain glaciers and snow, sea ice, and permafrost, notes the report. ICCI also warns of 'severe consequences for millions -- as well as irreversible damage to glacial areas -- if the global average temperature rise reaches two degrees Celsius ...New developments in cryosphere research have led the report's authors to declare that the Paris Agreement's goal is outdated: 1.5 C (and not 2 C) is the only option.'' The Paris Agreement is an international agreement aimed at limiting global average temperature rise to 'well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.' Under the Agreement, countries have agreed to reduce emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change ...they are supposed to review these commitments every five years. IMAGE: A view of the damage caused by the occurrence of flash floods triggered by a sudden heavy rainfall in North Sikkim. Photograph: ANI Photo In India too It is not that the world leaders have not been warned with hard facts and scientific reports. In 2023, Northern Sikkim experienced a severe Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF); the South Lhonak Lake, a lake located at an altitude of 17,000 feet suffered a rupture as a result of continuous rainfall. Consequently, water gushed into the downstream regions, causing flooding in the Teesta River, in turn severely impacting Northern Sikkim. The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) said that it caused the Chungthang hydro-dam in Sikkim (on Teesta river) to breach, resulting in a large number of casualties. A scientific report published in January 2023 by Nature explained: 'Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) represent a major hazard and can result in significant loss of life. Globally, since 1990, the number and size of glacial lakes has grown rapidly along with downstream population, while socio-economic vulnerability has decreased. 'Nevertheless, contemporary exposure and vulnerability to GLOFs at the global scale has never been quantified. ...15 million people globally are exposed to impacts from potential GLOFs. 'Populations in High Mountains Asia (HMA) are the most exposed and on average live closest to glacial lakes with about 1 million people living within 10 km of a glacial lake.' The Weather Channel, an American pay television channel based in Atlanta, argues that India faces the gravest challenge: Climate change-induced health vulnerability. This is an issue often neglected: 'Prolonged summers, unpredictable rains, floods, droughts, and rising sea levels are the harsh realities of climate change in the country. These factors increase the frequency and severity of illnesses, pushing people into poverty, and forcing migration.' And this without even mentioning the pollution in the big cities, which will in a long term, be responsible for millions of casualties. For this too, politicians are good to shift the blame on the neighbourhood states or individuals. IMAGE: The water level of the Beas river rises as it crosses the danger mark following heavy rainfall in Kullu. Photograph: ANI Photo The Weather Channel quotes from a new study published in Climatic Change, using 50 indicators across 640 Indian districts, researchers mapped exposure, sensitivity to the hot weather and adaptive capacities (ACs) to gauge health vulnerability. The authors identified 38 districts with very high vulnerability, 306 with high vulnerability, 278 with moderate vulnerability, and 18 with low vulnerability. States with the highest number of vulnerable districts include Uttar Pradesh (37), Rajasthan (15), and Madhya Pradesh (3). The report concluded: 'India's climate crisis demands a radical shift in development thinking. The old models cannot protect millions facing health risks like never before.' We could multiply the examples, but it is obvious that the future of the planet is bleak. Year 2024 will probably witness more natural disasters, calamities, tragedies, either man-made such as the Silkyara Bend-Barkot tunnel in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand which caved in, while under construction, simply because proper environmental studies had not been conducted. One could also cite the case of Joshimath, hit by a geological phenomenon known as land subsidence, resulting in gradual sinking of the surface due to the removal of water, oil, natural gas, or mineral resources from the ground; or the devastation in Mandi-Kulu-Manali area of Himachal Pradesh due to heavy rains and wild construction for tourism. This will continue as long as men continue to worship only one God, 'Development' and forget to bow down another God (or Godess), Mother Nature. But it is probably too difficult to understand for politicians who have other purposes in life; however unless Mother Nature is also on our Altar, the future will remain bleak. Nations need to be ruled by a Diarchy, with Environment and Development together giving a lead to the planet. If the latter is privileged, there will be a backlash by the former, with the dire consequences for us, human beings. A last prediction: The Himalayas could witness serious earthquakes in 2024. Let us hope that it does not take place. Claude Arpi is Distinguished Fellow, Centre of Excellence for Himalayan Studies, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence (Delhi). Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com The district administration in Meerut on Monday seized benami property of Bahujan Samaj Party leader and two-time MLA Yakub Qureshi worth Rs 31 crore under the Gangster Act, officials said. IMAGE: BSP legislator Yakub Qureshi. Photograph: Courtesy Yakub Qureshi on Facebook The seized properties include a hospital building at Bhavani Nagar in Nauchandi and two luxury cars that Qureshi had allegedly purchased in the name of his family members and employees, they said. Three plots in Shastri Nagar measuring 3,265.35 square metres, 288 square metres and 213.60 square metres have also been seized. Senior Superintendent of Police Rohit Singh Sajwan said that in compliance with the order given by the court of District Magistrate under the The Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, benami property of former minister Yakub Qureshi with an estimated value of Rs 31 crore has been seized. Sajwan said that on March 31, 2022, police conducted a raid in a meat factory belonging to Qureshi in Meerut, and had detected the packing of illegally procured meat. The police arrested 10 employees of the factory and had named 17 people, including Qureshi, his wife and both sons, in the FIR, he said. A case against the BSP leader, his wife Shamjida Begum, sons Firoz and Imran, factory managers Mohit Tyagi, Mujeeb and Faizyab was registered under the Gangster Act in December. Qureshi was BSP MLA from Kharkhaudha assembly constituency in Meerut from 2002 to 2007. He won the Meerut assembly seat in 2007 on a Uttar Pradesh United Democratic Front ticket. He was a minister in the BSP government in 2003. Subsequently, he also became a minister in the Samajwadi Party government in October 2003. India on Monday asked Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of 184 Indian fishermen in view of the completion of their jail term. IMAGE: 80 Indian fishermen, who were released by Pakistan, after entering India via the Attari-Wagah border, November 10, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo In addition, Islamabad has also been asked to provide immediate consular access to 12 civilian prisoners in Pakistan's custody, who are believed to be Indian, the ministry of external affairs said. India requested in the context of the exchange of lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen by both countries as part of a practice to do so on January 1 and July 1 every calendar year under the framework of a 2008 pact. India has shared lists of 337 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistanis or are believed to be Pakistanis. Similarly, Pakistan has shared lists of 47 civilian prisoners and 184 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or are believed to be Indian, according to the MEA. "The government of India has called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel, and fishermen along with their boats, from Pakistan's custody," the MEA said. "In this context, Pakistan was asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 184 Indian fishermen, who have completed their sentence," it said in a statement. "In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the remaining 12 civilian prisoners in Pakistan's custody, who are believed to be Indian," it said. The MEA said Pakistan has been requested to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen, pending their release and repatriation to India. "India remains committed to addressing, on priority, all humanitarian matters, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other's country," it said. "In this context, India has urged Pakistan to expedite necessary action at its end to confirm the nationality status of 65 believed-to-be Pakistani prisoners, including fishermen, whose repatriation is pending for want of nationality confirmation from Pakistan," it said. The MEA said as a result of sustained efforts by the government, 2,639 Indian fishermen and 67 Indian civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. This includes 478 Indian fishermen and nine Indian civilian prisoners who were repatriated from Pakistan in 2023, it said. A day after Ukraine bombarded the Russian border city of Belgorod, Moscow launched retaliatory strikes on Kyiv targeting the military sites and 'foreign mercenaries' in Kharkiv, CNN reported. IMAGE: Municipal workers are seen at a site of a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine December 31, 2023. Photograph: Sofiia Gatilova/Reuters At least three people were killed and 28 others were injured after Kharkiv was struck with waves of missiles and drones, Ukrainian officials said. Earlier, Ukraine's bombardment of Belgorod city killed at least 24 people, according to CNN. The head of Ukraine's regional military administration, Oleh Syniehubov, 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, in the Kharkiv region. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a pared-back New Year's Eve message, praising Russian soldiers but not directly mentioning Ukraine. In the reprisal attacks, several missiles struck the city of Kharkiv with two children among those injured, the Ukrainian military said. Residential buildings, hotels and medical facilities were also damaged in the strikes, while Ukraine added that Russia kept up its attacks across other areas of the country overnight including the Kherson, Mykolaiv and Zaporizhzhia regions, according to CNN. According to a statement from Russia's ministry of defence, its strikes targeted "decision-making centers and military installations," including a hotel housing military commanders and "foreign mercenaries." The former Kharkiv Palace hotel and the headquarters of the Ukrainian Security Service for the Kharkiv region were hit, the statement read. It added that a control centre used by the Ukrainian army in the village of Zalestsy in Khmelnytskyi region was targeted and fuel depots in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia were destroyed. Two HIMARS multiple-launch rocket systems were also destroyed, CNN reported citing the statement. In a separate attack on the southern city of Kherson on Sunday, a teenage boy was killed and three people were left injured, according to local officials. A nine-year-old child sustained a head injury and is fighting for his life, the official said. Russia said that the strikes overnight were in response to the deadly Ukrainian strike on the city of Belgorod on Saturday -- an attack it blamed on Ukraine and condemned by Russia's MOD as a "terror attack." At least 24 people, including three children, were killed and 107 others wounded in Belgorod, in one of the single deadliest attacks on Russian civilians since the war began. Among those injured, 25 are in serious condition, including six children. There has been no official comment from Ukraine. The Russian defence ministry had vowed the bombardment "would not go unpunished." In his speech emphasising national unity, Putin called his military "heroes." "We have proven more than once that we can solve the most difficult problems and will never back down". "In the past year we have worked hard and accomplished a lot. We were proud of our common achievements, rejoiced at our successes and were firm in defending national interests," Putin said. The address will be shown before midnight local time in all 11 time zones in Russia. Last year, he spoke from the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District in Rostov-on-Don, flanked by members of the military. The final weeks of 2023 have seen an increased number of attacks from both sides. Earlier on Friday, Russia launched its biggest air attack on Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion. An unprecedented number of drones and missiles were fired at targets across the country, killing at least 47 people, CNN reported. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to chair a high-level security review meeting on Jammu and Kashmir in the national capital on Tuesday which would discuss the law and order situation and issues like security grid and zero terror plan, sources said. IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, NSA Ajit Doval, Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla and officials at a high-level review meeting on the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir in New Delhi, April 13, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo In the meeting, which is scheduled for the afternoon, the home minister is to review the functioning of the security grid and various aspects related to security as well as development initiatives in the Union Territory. It is learnt that the home minister will review the area domination plan, zero terror plan, law and order situation, cases related to UAPA and other security-related issues. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, chief secretary Atal Dulloo, and director general of police RR Swain would be present in the meeting, sources said. The meeting will also be attended by national security advisor Ajit Doval, Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla, Intelligence Bureau director Tapan Deka, director generals of police of Central Reserve Police Force and the Border Security Force besides officers concerned of the ministry of home affairs and Jammu and Kashmir. The Centre had notified a New Central Sector Scheme for Industrial Development of Jammu and Kashmir in 2021 with an outlay of Rs 28, 400 crore to boost industrial development. The home minister may review the development projects of the Union Territory. During 2022-23, an investment of Rs 2153.45 crore was realized in the industrial sector. In 2023-24, an investment of Rs. 2326.65 crore has been realised up to November 2023. The home minister had chaired a similar high-level review meeting on the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir on January 13 last year and said that all security agencies are fighting a decisive battle against terrorism following the policy of zero tolerance against terrorism of the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He had also said that a 360-degree security mechanism would be further strengthened to eliminate the support and information system of terrorists. The minister also held a review meeting of the security situation of the Union Territory in New Delhi on April 13 last year which reviewed the functioning of the security grid and various aspects related to security. On January 1st, 2024, while much of the world celebrates the dawn of a new year, the Caribbean nation of Haiti commemorates a pivotal moment in history: its Independence Day. This day marks a significant milestone for Haiti and holds deep historical, cultural, and symbolic importance not just for the country itself but for the global narrative of freedom and independence. Haitian Independence Day is observed to honor the day when Haiti officially declared its independence from France in 1804, becoming the first Black-led republic in the world and the first independent Caribbean state. This milestone stands as a testament to the resilience, courage, and unity of the Haitian people against the forces of colonialism and oppression. The journey to independence for Haiti was fraught with struggle, sacrifice, and a relentless fight for freedom. The Haitian Revolution, a pivotal event in history, was a prolonged and bloody conflict that lasted from 1791 to 1804. It was a revolution led by enslaved Africans and people of African descent who rebelled against their French colonizers in a quest for liberty and equality. Under the leadership of revolutionary figures such as Toussaint Louverture and later Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Haitian slaves and free people of color joined forces, displaying incredible bravery and resilience. Through a series of battles and uprisings, they eventually succeeded in breaking the chains of slavery and securing Haiti's independence on January 1st, 1804, proclaiming the establishment of the independent Republic of Haiti. Haitian Independence Day holds immense significance beyond its national borders. It serves as an inspiration and symbol of hope for oppressed people worldwide, emphasizing the triumph of the human spirit against tyranny and injustice. The legacy of the Haitian Revolution resonates with the struggles for freedom, dignity, and human rights, serving as a beacon of resistance against colonialism and a model for liberation movements globally. Celebrations on this day in Haiti are vibrant and spirited, featuring a rich tapestry of cultural events, parades, music, dance, and traditional ceremonies. People come together to honor their heritage, pay homage to their ancestors' resilience, and reaffirm their commitment to upholding the values of freedom, equality, and unity. However, while Haitian Independence Day is a moment of celebration, it's also a time for reflection. Haiti, despite its historic achievement, has faced numerous challenges in the centuries since its independence. The nation has grappled with political instability, economic hardships, natural disasters, and social issues, often hampering its progress and development. As the world acknowledges the significance of Haitian Independence Day on January 1st, 2024, it's crucial to recognize the ongoing struggles and show solidarity with the Haitian people in their pursuit of a brighter future. It's an opportunity not only to celebrate their independence but also to stand in support of their aspirations for a more prosperous, peaceful, and just society. Read More: Ringing in New Year 2024: Customs, Rituals, and Hopeful Beginnings New Year 2024 Wishes: Here are 50 New Year Greetings to Share with Your Family and Friends On Article 370 verdict, same-sex marriage and Ayodhya rulings, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud in an interview with PTI speaks about various issues related to the judiciary including the criticism of SC on certain verdicts. IMAGE: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice DY Chandrachud addresses the Christmas Day programme, at the Supreme Court of India (SCI), in New Delhi, December 25, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Monday rubbished the allegation about lack of transparency in the collegium system where judges appoint judges to constitutional courts and desisted from responding to criticism of the Supreme Court judgement upholding the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution that bestowed special status on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. In a candid and free-wheeling interview with PTI, the 50th CJI responded to questions on several issues pertaining to the judiciary, including the criticism of the Supreme Court verdict upholding the abrogation of Article 370 and the five-judge constitution bench judgement refusing to legalise same-sex marriage. Justice Chandrachud also dealt with questions about criticism by eminent lawyers on the allocation of cases to particular judges and 'bench hunting', and said the allocation of cases is not "lawyer-driven" and vowed to maintain the credibility of the institution of the Supreme Court. "I am very very clear in my mind that if the credibility of the institution of the Supreme Court is to be maintained, we have to ensure that the allocation of cases in the Supreme Court is not going to be a lawyer-driven allocation," he said. Justice Chandrachud's response assumes significance as only a few days ago Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, since retired, had told PTI that there was a problem with the collegium system and it will be "unrealistic" to say it is working smoothly. He had also said the National Judicial Appointments Commission was never given a chance to work, leading to angst in political circles and friction in the working of the collegium system. The Narendra Modi government, after coming to power in 2014, got enacted the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act. The NJAC, tasked with the responsibility of making judicial appointments, comprised the Chief Justice of India, two senior Supreme Court judges, the union law minister and two other eminent persons nominated by the CJI, the prime minister and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. However, in October 2015, the Supreme Court struck down the NJAC Act holding it unconstitutional. Responding to a query about the criticism of the collegium system, the CJI said steps have been taken to ensure greater transparency. "To say that the collegium system is lacking in transparency would not be correct. We have taken steps to ensure that greater transparency is maintained. A sense of objectivity in the decision making process is maintained. But I must also share something and that's my caveat. When we consider judges for appointment in the Supreme Court we are dealing with the careers of the sitting judges of the high court. "Obviously, therefore the deliberations that take place within the collegium can't be put out in the public realm for a variety of reasons. Many of our discussions are on the privacy of those judges who are under consideration for appointment to the Supreme Court. Those deliberations, if they have to take place in a free and candid atmosphere, can't be the subject matter of video recording or documentation. That is not the system which the Indian Constitution has adopted," Chandrachud said. Responding to the criticism of the unanimous five-judge bench verdict of the Supreme Court upholding the scrapping of Article 370 of the Constitution, he said the judges decide a case "according to the Constitution and the law". The CJI said the judges speak their mind through their judgement which becomes public property after the pronouncement, and people in a free society can always make their opinion about it. "So far as we are concerned we decide according to the Constitution and the law. I don't think it will be appropriate for me either to respond to the criticism or mount a defence to my judgement. What we have said in my judgement is reflected in the reason present in the signed judgement and I must leave it at that," Justice Chandrachud said. On the issue of the denial of same-sex marriage rights to the queer community, he said, the outcome of a case is never personal to a judge and he has no regrets. The CJI, however, acknowledged that the LGBTQIA++ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, asexual) community fought a long and hard battle for realising their rights but judges do not associate themselves with a cause and, having decided the case now, he has left it at that. "Once you decide a case you kind of distance yourself from the outcome. Outcomes are never personal to us as a judge. I never have any regrets. Yes, I have been in the majority in many cases and minority in many cases. But the important part of life is never to associate yourself with a cause. Having decided a case, I leave it at that," Chandrachud said. He also spoke about why the 2019 judgement of a five-judge constitution bench which paved the way for the construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya was anonymous. The Ayodhya verdict, for the first time in the history of the apex court, was anonymous and did not contain the name of the author judge. "When the five-judge bench sat to deliberate on the judgement as we all do before a judgement is pronounced, we all decided unanimously that this will be a judgement of the court. And therefore there was no authorship ascribed to any individual judge," the CJI said. On November 9, 2019, settling a fractious issue that went back more than a century, a five-judge bench headed by the then CJI Ranjan Gogoi had in a historic verdict paved the way for the construction of the temple by a trust and ruled that an alternative five-acre plot must be found for a mosque in the Hindu holy town. 'We failed as a country because those who should have been there to say goodbye did not show up.' IMAGE: Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw died of pneumonia at the military hospital in Wellington on June 27, 2008. 'As they say, legends never die, they stay with us to inspire us forever. India will never forget you.' Photograph: Kind courtesy @adgpi/Twitter As a young army officer serving in the Naga Hills in 1964-1965, Second Lieutenant Rustom Nanavatty was unhappy with the posting order he had just received. He was barely two years into service and was deployed in counter-insurgency operations with his battalion in the North east. The order letter told him that he was to take over as Aide-De-Camp to Lieutenant General Sam Manekshaw, the highest ranking officer in the Indian Army's Western Command. But Second Lieutenant Nanavatty did not want to go. "I was perplexed. Neither had I volunteered, nor was I keen to be an ADC at that time. I did not want to leave my battalion which was involved in anti-insurgency ops," recalls Lieutenant General Nanavatty who retired from the Indian Army as the Northern Army commander in 2001. The officer belonged to the 2nd Battalion of the 8th Gorkha Rifles. Then Lieutenant General Manekshaw was the colonel of the regiment and its highest ranking officer. Another reason Second Lieutenant Nanavatty did not want to assume the role of ADC so early on in his career was the adrenaline-filled field tenure. His roommate advised him to simply follow the order, but Second Lieutenant Nanavatty did what he thought was right. He picked up a services inland letter -- officers were given two each month as part of their ration -- and wrote to Lieutenant General Manekshaw. "I said I do not wish to go as per this posting and gave him my reasons," he tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih in a phone conversation from Dehradun where he now lives. Ten days later, he got a reply from the general's Secretariat. "It was written in his own handwriting. He said, 'I am deemed that your posting be cancelled. Good luck to you. Best wishes, Sam Manekshaw'." "So my first interaction with him was through the letter. But whenever I met him subsequently, he never once mentioned it." IMAGE: Then President V V Giri confers the rank of Field Marshal on General Sam Manekshaw. Photograph: Kind courtesy Rashtrapati Bhavan Photo Archives In a few months, Second Lieutenant Nanavatty's battalion was posted to Calcutta where General Manekshaw had taken over as commander of the Eastern Army Command headquartered in Fort William. Captain Nanavatty was the battalion adjutant which is an important staff appointment dealing with a host of administrative duties, among them the responsibility of over a dozen young officers inducted by emergency commission in view of the 1965 War. He clearly remembers his first meeting with the futural field marshal. General Manekshaw's ADC then Colonel Behram Panthaki walked him into the commander's office and said, 'Sir, this is Rustom'. Sam looked up and said, 'Hello boy, how are you?' "Subsequently, I saw a lot of him in the next couple of years. He took the salute on our Raising Day and would be invited to the various functions." The general would often drop at the officers' mess in the evening and chat with whoever was present. A bachelor at that time, Captain Nanavatty occupied a room in the Officers Mess. One evening, the mess in charge informed him that the army commander was walking up the stairs. "I met him and we had a drink on the mess balcony talking about the Arab-Israeli war which was going on." "I was a young captain. He was the army commander, but that was the sort of man he was," remembers Lieutenant General Nanavatty. At the end of his tenure in Fort William, Captain Nanavatty was posted as company commander on the China border in NEFA [present day Arunachal Pradesh]. By then, General Manekshaw had become the chief of army staff and would come to visit the troops on the border in a helicopter. A few years later, General Nanavatty met the field marshal in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. The field marshal had retired in 1973 and General Nanavatty was posted as an instructor at the Defence Services Staff College in nearby Wellington. The officer and his wife would occasionally call on the field marshal and Mrs Siloo Manekshaw. They would have a meal together. "Every time I was promoted, he invariably wrote a congratulatory letter to me, right until I was promoted as the army commander," says General Nanavatty remembering the field marshal's graciousness. IMAGE: General Sam Manekshaw with troops during the 1971 War. Photograph: Kind courtesy The Indian Army After retirement, General Nanavatty settled down in Pune. It was during that time that it was brought to his attention that army headquarters in Delhi did not have a plan in place for the ceremonial official funeral in the event of the field marshal's passing. It was a shocking piece of information considering that the field marshal was the highest ranking officer in the defence services. A field marshal remains in service till death. General Nanavatty travelled to Delhi and worked with Army Headquarters and the Manekshaw family to prepare an official draft for a ceremonial funeral befitting the field marshal. He looked up manuals about ceremonial events and drew up a plan which was approved by the army and the family. By that time, the field marshal was in poor health and in the care of the small military hospital in Wellington where special arrangements were made for him. "He was very comfortable in that hospital and never wanted to go anywhere else. He was receiving the best care in that Wellington Military Hospital and was looked after by his family and Gorkha boys," says General Nanavatty. Shul Bahadur, one of the longest serving men on his staff, was by his side and looked after him till the end. General Nanavatty's last meeting with the field marshal occurred two days before he passed away in the hospital. The Manekshaw family was there and his daughter Sherry Batliwala took him to see the field marshal. "He looked at me and said, 'Hello Boy, what are you doing here?'" remembers General Nanavatty. "I was there for barely two minutes. I held his hand and then walked out. That was the last time and he passed away that night." IMAGE: Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw. Photograph: Kind courtesy INC Twitter The military ceremonial funeral was conducted in the precincts of the stately Madras Regimental Centre in Wellington. The field marshal lay in state. All the military ceremonies were carried out with dignity. His accoutrements were handed over to his family. Military officers, civilian administration, ordinary people paid tribute. "The entire Staff College, the Madras Regiment and retired officer fraternity came to pay their respects," says General Nanavatty. The field marshal's body was then placed on a gun carriage and driven to the Parsi cemetery in Ooty. People lined the hilly route to pay their final respects. "I was sitting in the vehicle that towed the gun carriage with his grandsons. As we drove up to Ooty, a number of civilians stood along the route, wherever there was a little hamlet, there were civilians who came down to the roadside to silently pay respect." Photograph: Kind courtesy Major General B N B M Prasad and DPR Photo Division Archives The field marshal's last rites were conducted according to Parsi custom. He was laid to rest beside his dear wife who had passed away seven years earlier. "A lone piper played the pipes while he was being lowered into the grave. It was very poignant," says General Nanavatty. Neither then defence minister A K Antony nor the three service chiefs attended the funeral. The army chief was out of the country, says General Nanavatty and the Indian Army was represented by the vice chief. The air and naval chiefs did not attend the funeral. The junior minister for defence was the only central minister present at the funeral. "The government completely failed in fulfilling its duty. But as far as the military ceremonial was concerned, everything was done right," says General Nanavatty. "We failed as a country because those who should have been there to say goodbye did not show up." Looking back at his personal interactions with the field marshal, General Nanavatty says he had a magnetic personality which had tremendous impact -- from the senior-most officer to the junior-most jawan. "He bonded with soldiers wherever he went and spoke fluent Punjabi. He was extremely dynamic and a great communicator," says General Nanavatty. "He was a man with a very large heart." Vladimir Putin has claimed a fifth presidential term with a landslide victory in a tightly controlled election that has been condemned by the West as neither free nor fair as the Russian leader seeks to prove overwhelming popular support for his full-scale invasion of Ukraine and increasingly repressive policies. With 99.75 percent of ballots counted, Putin won another six-year term with a post-Soviet record of 87.29 percent of the vote, the Central Elections Committee (TsIK) said on March 18, adding that turnout was also at a "record" level, with 77.44 percent of eligible voters casting ballots. The 71-year old Putin -- who has ruled as either president or prime minister since 2000 -- is now set to surpass Soviet dictator Josef Stalins nearly 30-year reign to become the longest-serving Russian leader in more than two centuries. "This election has been based on repression and intimidation," the European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told journalists in Brussels on March 18 as the bloc's foreign ministers gathered to discuss the election, among other issues. The March 15-17 vote is the first for Putin since he launched his invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 that has killed tens of thousands of Russians and led to a clear break in relations with the West. In holding what has widely been viewed as faux elections, Putin wants to show that he has the nations full support, experts said. The vote was also held in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, where hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers are located. Moscow illegally annexed the regions since launching the invasion, though it remains unclear how much of the territory it controls. The Kremlin's goal "is to get as many people as possible to sign off on Russia's war against Ukraine. The idea is to get millions of Russian citizens to retroactively approve the decision Putin single-handedly made two years ago," Maksim Trudolyubov, a senior fellow at the Kennan Institute, wrote in a note ahead of the vote. In remarks shortly after he was declared the winner, Putin said the election showed that the nation was "one team." But Western leaders condemned the vote, with a White House spokesman saying they "are obviously not free nor fair," and EU foreign ministers roundly dismissing them as a sham ahead of agreeing to impose sanctions on individuals linked to the mistreatment and death of Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told RFE/RL in an interview in Tbilisi on the second day of a visit to the Caucasus that the Russian election was "not free nor fair." He said those who have had the courage to oppose Putin "are either force to flee, to live abroad, they are jailed, or some of them are killed as we saw with Aleksei Navalny." German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, speaking at the start of the EU foreign ministers' meeting, said Russia's election was "an election without choice." French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said the conditions for a "free, pluralistic, and democratic election were not met," and British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said the election outcome highlighted the "depth of repression" in Russia. "Putin removes his political opponents, controls the media, and then crowns himself the winner. This is not democracy," Cameron said. France, Britain, and other countries condemned the fact that Russia had also held its election in occupied regions of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Putin has become "sick with power" and he is just "simulating" elections. "This imitation of 'elections' has no legitimacy and cannot have any. This person must end up in the dock in The Hague [at the International UN Tribunal for War Crimes]," Zelenskiy said on X. Putin's allies were quick to heap praise on the Russian leader for his election success. China, one of Russia's most important allies, congratulated Putin, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian saying President Xi Jinping and the Russian leader "will continue to maintain close exchanges, lead the two countries to continue to uphold long-standing good-neighborly friendship, deepen comprehensive strategic coordination." Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi called Putin's victory "decisive," the state news agency IRNA reported, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said in a congratulatory message to Putin quoted by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) that Russian voters had shown "unshakeable support and trust in" their president, state media reported. In the tightly controlled race, Putin was opposed by three relatively unknown, Kremlin-friendly politicians whose campaigns were barely noticeable. Prior to the election the Kremlin banned anti-war politician Boris Nadezhdin from the ballot after tens of thousands of voters lined up in the cold to support his candidacy. Nadezhdin threatened to undermine the narrative of a united nation behind Putin and his war, experts said. Russias opposition movement suffered a serious blow last month when Navalny, who was Putins fiercest and most popular critic, died in unclear circumstances in a maximum-security prison in the Arctic where he was serving a 19-year sentence on charges of extremism widely seen as politically motivated. Russian political analyst Ivan Preobrazhensky said in an interview with Current Time that Putin was also frightened by the rebellion staged by mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in June when Prigozhin's forces briefly took control of Rostov-on-Don and were greeted by many citizens as heroes. Prigozhin ended his rebellion before reaching Moscow and was later killed in a plane crash that many believe was retaliation by the Kremlin. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and dpa Ukraine said at least 56 combat clashes with Russian forces took place on the first day of the year after a record number of drone and missile attacks struck Ukrainian cities over the past 24 hours, while Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to intensify attacks in the days ahead. The Ukrainian militarys General Staff on January 1 said clashes took pace in the Donetsk region and near the long-fought-after towns of Bakhmut, Bohdanyivka, Klishchiyivka, and Andriyivka and that the Russian attacks had been repelled. 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 military authorities did not comment on casualties by the Russian side or their own. In an interview with The Economist published on January 1, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy again blasted Russia as a "terrorist country" and said the Kremlin is showing no signs of seeking peace despite its continued losses on the battlefield. Zelenskiy said any indication that Putin is seeking talks is just a reflection of the fact that he is running out of troops and armaments. Zelenskiy said a major focus of Ukrainian counterattacks going forward would be to diminish Russian forces' strength in Crimea, even as his military defends under-pressure cities in the east, where civilians increasingly are becoming victims of Russian drone and missile attacks. "I see only the steps of a terrorist country," he said in the interview. In his New Years Eve video address, Zelenskiy thanked his countrys citizens for resisting the Russian invasion and called on them to live by the rule either you work or you fight. Because the worlds largest terrorist organization is against us, he said. And it is obvious how much more we should do, how more actively we should work, and how much stronger our unity and our struggle should be. Meanwhile, Putin, speaking at a military hospital in the Moscow region on January 1, called the December 30 shelling of the Russian city of Belgorod, which reportedly killed 25 people, a terrorist attack and vowed to intensify attacks against Ukraine. "What happened in Belgorod is, of course, a terrorist act," Putin said. "They want to intimidate us and create uncertainty within the country. We're going to step up the punches." Putin accused Ukraine of attacking civilian areas, while claiming that Moscow targets only military sites, despite Russian missile and drones routinely hitting residential and civilian areas in Ukraine. Kyiv has not commented on the attack on Belgorod, although officials regularly state that Russia has used the region to launch assaults against Ukrainian sites. Attacks from the air by both sides were reported on the first day of 2024 as the anniversary of Russias February 2022 full-scale invasion moves closer. The Ukrainian Air Force wrote on Telegram that it had destroyed 87 of the Iranian-made Shahed drones fired at its cities overnight, adding that air defenses were working across the country. The air force later said it had shot down nine of 10 additional Russia-launched drones "from the north" during New Year's Day and that two further Shahed drones near Kryviy Rih in the south. Battlefield claims made by either side cannot immediately be verified because of the fighting in the regions. Oleh Kiper, the Ukrainian head of the Odesa regional administration, said that one civilian was killed and nine were injured in a Russian attack on the Black Sea port city. Ukraines military said the drone attack on Odesa targeted port infrastructure and that a fire had broken out at one port terminal. A large number of drones were directed from the sea toward the coastal zone, the Southern Military Command said in a statement on Telegram. The command also said Russia had three surface-to-air missile carriers on duty in the Black Sea armed with 24 Kalibr cruise missiles. The missile threat level is extremely high, the statement said. In the western city of Lviv, a drone strike destroyed a museum devoted to controversial World War II-era military commander Roman Shukhevych, who fought for Ukrainian independence from the Soviet Union and collaborated with Nazi Germany. Although the building was destroyed, most of its holdings had been removed in the early days of the full-scale Russian invasion. A drone strike also damaged a university in the Lviv region city of Dublyany, where there is a museum to Ukrainian nationalist Stepan Bandera, who led an insurgent war against Soviet forces and also collaborated with the Nazis and who studied in Dublyany in the 1930s. WATCH: Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine, woke up to Russian missile and drone strikes on December 31. In the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy, the regional administration said a Russian-launched Shahed drone hit a two-story residential building, killing one woman and trapping a number of other people under the rubble. In the Russia-occupied city of Donetsk, Moscow-installed officials said four people were killed and 13 others injured in overnight shelling. A local official said one of the killed was a journalist with Russias state-run TASS news agency, although the person was not identified. ANKARA: Turkey's Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, declared on Sunday that Turkey is committed to upholding a foreign policy rooted in moral principles, rationality, and effectiveness throughout the upcoming year. Amidst global uncertainties and heightened instability, Fidan emphasized that Turkey's independent foreign policy, steered by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has significantly elevated the country's position as a key influencer in shaping international agendas and exerting influence in pivotal regions. Fidan stressed, "Drawing strength from our citizens, we will boldly speak out against global injustices and unethical actions. Upholding the truth will remain our unwavering commitment." Highlighting their ambition within the framework of the 'Century of Turkey' vision, Fidan pledged to expand and deepen Turkey's independent national foreign policy. In his New Year's message, Fidan extended warm wishes to Turkish citizens, both domestically and globally, expressing optimism for a prosperous 2024, not only for Turkey but also for the Turkish nation and humanity at large. Hakan Fidan serves as the Foreign Minister of Turkey, renowned for his strategic acumen and dedication to upholding Turkey's foreign policy anchored in moral values, rationality, and effectiveness. A key figure in President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's leadership, Fidan has been instrumental in shaping Turkey's independent stance on the global stage. Known for his unwavering commitment to speaking out against injustices and championing truth, Fidan embodies Turkey's assertive approach to international affairs. His leadership and vision align with Turkey's aspirations for a prominent role in global diplomacy, reflecting the nation's ambition to influence critical regions while fostering a prosperous future for both Turkey and humanity. Universal Hour of Peace January 1, 2024: A Global Call for Harmony and Unity Ring a Bell Day: Celebrating the Chimes of Tradition Celebrating Haitian Independence Day: Understanding Its Significance As a new year dawns Indian native and parish priest of Oran and Kilbride Fr Pravin Dhason will not only be celebrating his 10th anniversary of being ordanined a priest but will be doing so after becoming an Irish citizen just prior to Christmas. Hailing from a small fishing hamlet in the region of Tamilnadu in South India, Fr Pravin came to Ireland in June 2017 and was appointed parish priest of St Patricks Oran in August 2020 and of Kilbride in November 2022. He told the Roscommon Herald that he was very happy having made the move to Ireland and I consider it important to become a citizen because Im living here and working for the faithful of this diocese. I now understand the history, culture and the laws of the land. In 2017 I came to Ireland to work in the Diocese of Elphin. I was encouraged by my Bishop Emeritus in India to go and work outside India and I made the decision to come to Ireland. I hadnt planned to stay so long, but with the support of Most Rev. Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin and Most Rev. Nazarene Soosai, Diocese of Kottar I have stayed this length. This allowed me to be eligible to apply and get Irish citizenship. He along with fellow priest Fr Yashin Jos, parish priest of Riverstown, came to Ireland together, and both were made official citizens the week before Christmas at the National Convention Centre in Dublin. Afterwards many local people sent them messages of both welcome and congratulations. My parishioners will have a fellow Irish citizen as their parish priest, he remarked. Recalling his earlier years in County Roscommon he said: Initially, I was appointed as curate in Roscommon Town by Bishop Doran. This tenure lasted for three years. He then became parish priest of Oran and later of Kilbride. He was ordained a priest in 2014 at the age of 31 and will be celebrating his 10th anniversary on September 6th next. I come from a small fishing hamlet in the state/region of Tamilnadu, South India. My mother tongue is Tamil. My father, a hard-working fisherman and my mother, a house wife helped my brother and I to grow in a pious Christian environment. Their prayer life has always been a source of inspiration for me. My schooling was completed in the church run schools in my hometown, where a desire for a priestly vocation was nurtured. The priests and nuns who were working in our parish guided me to pursue my vocation to priesthood. Having completed his higher secondary education, which is equivalent to the Leaving Cert here, he joined St. Aloysius Minor Seminary. I furthered my education by completing a B.A. in English Literature and a Diploma in Philosophy and a Bachelors in Theology, which I did in the Sacred Heart Seminary, Chennai, Tamilnadu. I was ordained a priest in 2014 . After my ordination, I served as the assistant parish priest in three different parishes. Simultaneously I undertook a Bachelor in Law and a M.A. in English Literature. After arriving in Ireland, I continued with my studies in the discipline of psychology and graduated in 2022 with the H. Dip in psychology. I am now undertaking a PhD in Psychology at Maynooth University. He acknowledged that the lack of priests has certainly added to his existing, extensive responsibilities but paid tribute to the community and people of the parish who assist him. I believe, when there is more work to do in the Lords vineyard, He also provides the extra strength. It is also heartening to note that the community realising this fact is coming forward more and more to share responsibilities. Understanding the present controversy surrounding immigrants coming to Ireland he told the Herald: Ireland is well renowned as a safe, neutral country allowing cultural values, but the cultural values and the laws of the state need to be respected. We all see on St Patricks Day how is it celebrated in every corner of the world, as the Irish people are all over the world. They bring their cultures and values with them and integrate into their new country." Thankfully he personally has not had any bad experiences in relation to his nationality and offered his advice to those who have moved here, or are thinking of moving here, saying: I would say to those who come into local communities and parishes that the Irish people are extremely welcoming and hospitable and are known for their Cead mile failte. Work on your English if it is not your first language and this is most important. There are English language classes available so avail of them and also learn to drive if you dont know that already. As he looks to the year ahead as a new a Irish citizen and enters his 10th year as a priest Fr Pravin concluded: It is my ardent prayer, that everybody has a Blessed and prosperous year ahead. A County Roscommon man recently picked up a Bus Eireann GEM award. The company celebrated its employees achievements in 2023 at the national annual GEM (Go the Extra Mile) Awards, which recognises excellent customer service, community impact, performance and forward-thinking. Awards were issued in several different categories including Apprentice of the Year, Depot of the Year, Executive of the Year as well as Driver and Community Awards. Trevor Finneran, from Roscommon, was named as the Garage Supervisor of the Year for 2023 at the annual awards in Dublin. "Trevor, who has been a fantastic member of the Bus Eireann family for over 23 years, has been applauded for his work ethic and model professionalism," said the company. Trevor, who works from Athlone, was celebrated by his colleagues as someone they could rely on, particularly in the face of adversity. He is a true team player, an essential component for working in the garage. Those who work with him daily were quick to note his easy companionship and helpful demeanour married perfectly to his care for the business. This is a fantastic reflection on the great work done by Trevor not only this past year but over the last two decades with Bus Eireann. Sincere congratulations, Trevor, said the company. Bus Eireann has carried out over 99 million passenger journeys this year and currently holds a 91% customer satisfaction rating. The work of our dedicated staff is key to our goal of delivering an excellent public transport service to our customers, said a spokesperson. New Year 2024 Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the countrymen on New Year. Happy New Year 2024: The world is celebrating a new year as we all enter 2024. People have been wishing each other on this auspicious occasion as they wish luck for them. In the meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the countrymen on New Year. He said, "Wishing everyone a splendid 2024! May this year bring forth prosperity, peace, and wonderful health for all." Advertisement On the other hand, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi shared a picture with his mother Sonia Gandhi, and wished for her happiness and prosperity. He said, May the New Year bring happiness and prosperity in all your lives and the message of justice and love in India. Wishing everyone a very happy and prosperous New Year 2024." Likewise, President Droupadi Murmu greeted the nation on New Year. She even urged people to welcome the New Year with a renewed commitment and sustainable development. Similarly, Ukraine was attacked by Russia on New Years Eve, as Zelenskyy praised his people. Advertisement In India, people were seen rushing to religious places as they started the new year. People were seen seeking blessings from the almighty and praying for the welfare of the world. Well, the new year has begun. Rozana Spokesman wishes its readers a very happy new year and will continue to deliver all the news and updates to all of you. Description Mirabelle Restaurant at the Three Village Inn (150 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 631-751-0555) is ringing in the New Year with a Gatsby Gala on Sunday, December 31 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. The evening will feature a cocktail hour, followed by a full dinner with an open bar, DJ and dancing. Guests are encouraged to dress in Gatsby attire as they toast their way in 2024. Cost is $150 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and can be made by visiting https://bit.ly/3uL7IG9. The menu, subject to change, will include: Cocktail Hour Smoked Salmon Blini Dill, creme fraiche Shrimp Cocktail Shooter Gazpacho Wasabi Tuna Tacos Soy sauce, cabbage, avocado, wasabi cream Oyster Shooters Bloody Mary, celery Oliver Tapenade Lemon zest, rosemary, crostini Chickpea Fries Harissa mayonnaise Scallops Applewood smoke bacon Mirabelle Sliders Bacon-onion marmalade, cheddar cheese Jumbo Franks & Puff Spicy mustard Cocktail Hour Stations Locally sourced produce with green goddess dipping sauce, artisanal cheese board, charcuterie board, assorted farm fresh chutneys, olives, roasted peppers, fresh baked breads Trattoria Station Orecchiette pasta, broccoli rabe, sweet Italian sausage, seasonal ravioli From the Butcher Marinated flank steak, mushroom bordelaise Accompaniments: Buttermilk biscuits cranberry chutney whole grain mustard Dijon mustard pickles honey butter Russian dressing house steak sauce horseradish aioli chipotle aioli Chefs Action Station Asian Station Sweet & sour chicken, beef & broccoli, vegetable lo mein spring roll with duck sauce, crispy noodles, fortune cookies served in to-go containers with chop sticks Dinner Reception Appetizer Broken Burrata Heirloom cherry tomatoes, arugula, basil oil, balsamic reduction Entrees Roasted Farm Raised Chicken Breast Potato au gratin, asparagus, lemon herb sauce Filet Mignon Potato au gratin, asparagus Crispy Skin Salmon Roasted pea red quinoa, cauliflower puree Dessert Ice Cream Sundae Bar Three flavors of ice cream, assorted toppings and syrups Passed Miniature Desserts AP Moller-Maersk has suspended all transits through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden until 2 January, after one of its ships was attacked by Houthi rebels on Saturday. The temporary halt comes just a week after the Danish shipping firm said that it would resume shipments in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden following the establishment of a new US-led military force to safeguard the area. The U.S. military said its helicopters responded to distress calls from the vessel 'the Maersk Hangzhou,' which was attacked by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats. The small boats, originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, fired crew-served and small arms weapons at the Maersk Hangzhou, getting to within 20 meters of the vessel, and attempted to board the vessel. A contracted embarked security team on the vessel returned fire. The U.S. Navy helicopters also returned fire in self-defense, sinking three of the four small boats, and killing the crews. The fourth boat fled the area. There was no damage to U.S. personnel or equipment, the U.S. military said in a statement. Maersk said on December 30, at about 18:00 CET, Maersk Hangzhou was hit by an unknown object after passing through the Bab al- Mandab Strait en route from Singapore to Port Suez, Egypt. There was no indication of a fire on board and the vessel was able to continue its transit north. The Danish shipping company said that the crew of the Maersk Hangzhou is reported to be safe. It is currently working to ascertain the full details of the incident involving Maersk Hangzhou. It is in close dialogue with the Operation Prosperity Guardia or OPG naval operation and authorities to assess the security level in the area and any potential impact to the company's voyage plans. Maersk noted that it will provide its customers with an update and more information on 2 January 2024 at the latest. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Hyundai has posted its highest ever domestic yearly sales in 2023 Crossing the 6 lakh mark for the first time Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL) has sealed its position as a frontrunner in the Indian automotive market, closing the curtains on 2023 with a groundbreaking achievement. In a year marked by significant milestones and strategic advancements, Hyundai has exceeded expectations, setting a new benchmark in sales performance. Unprecedented Growth The numbers speak volumes about Hyundais success. With a surge of 9% in domestic sales compared to the previous year, the company marked a historic milestone by surpassing the six-lakh sales mark in CY2023. This remarkable feat, recording sales of 6,02,111 units, reflects a strong 9% increase over the preceding years 5,52,511 units. In addition, the export segment witnessed a substantial upswing, elevating by 10% to 1,63,675 units in CY2023 from 1,48,300 units in CY2022. Closing the year on an exuberant note, December 2023 witnessed a significant spike in sales. Total sales for the month soared to 56,450 units, with 42,750 units contributing to the domestic market and 13,700 units being exported, marking an impressive 10% increase in domestic sales compared to the previous year. Commenting on this exceptional achievement, Mr. Tarun Garg, COO of HMIL, attributed this success to several factors. He highlighted the significant growth, surpassing industry averages, signifying Hyundais resonance with consumers as their preferred automotive brand. Mr. Garg also emphasized Hyundais proactive approach to meet escalating demands by expanding production capacity by an additional 50,000 units in 2023. Beyond sales figures, Hyundais commitment to safety and innovation shines brightly. The company standardized six airbags across all models and trims, setting a new standard in mass automobile safety in India. Hyundais vehicles continue to receive acclaim for their safety features, with the Hyundai VERNA securing a prestigious 5-star rating from GNCAP. Moreover, the Hyundai EXTER has not only garnered over 1 lakh bookings but has also received praise from both customers and critics alike. Towards Inclusivity and Corporate Responsibility Beyond business achievements, Hyundai is championing a more inclusive society. The Samarth initiative, a corporate endeavor supporting differently-abled individuals, reflects the companys commitment to fostering an inclusive environment. This initiative aligns with Hyundais overarching vision of Progress for Humanity. Mr. Garg reiterated Hyundais unwavering commitment to India, promising a continued focus on bringing forth cutting-edge products and technologies that align with the aspirations of their customers. Hyundai is now getting ready to launch the new Creta this month. Under the push for expansion, MG Motor India is likely to introduce hybrid-electric and fully-electric vehicles and not ICE-only models With India emerging as a new and potent automotive market, many carmakers are showing great interest towards the Asian subcontinent. Existing players in India are striving to strengthen their position to carve out a bigger piece of this pie. Among them is MG Motor India which intends to launch up to 7 new vehicles by the end of 2025. MG Motor Poised To Launch 7 New Vehicles In India by 2025 These revelations arose when MGs parent company, Chinese state-owned SAIC, invited a few dealers to their global headquarters in China. These developments happened within days of cementing a joint venture with Sajjan Jindal-owned JSW Group. Along with bringing new vehicles, MG will update existing portfolio as well. Dealers attending companys headquarters told a media outlet recently about these developments. As per the report, MG Motor India and JSW Group have expressed strong commitment towards Indian market and intend to bring up to seven new vehicles in India along with updating existing portfolio. These new vehicles might cater to multiple segments across diverse genres. There is a high probability that MG will primarily launch hybrids and EVs in India as part of their portfolio expansion exercise. We hope these are PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) and not just self-charging mild hybrid setups. The company is less likely to launch ICE-only vehicles in their next phase of expansion. Ahead of signing the joint venture with JSW Group, MG had greenlighted an exercise to expand its dealer network and customer touch points for the next phase. The goal is to establish 400 touchpoints across 270 cities, as opposed to 330 touchpoints in 158 cities. Amid border tensions between India and China, there was a bar on foreign direct investment from the Dragon Land. This led to a slowdown in MG Motor Indias expansion plans. With the joint venture with JSW Group (35% stakes in favour of JSW Group), the push for expanding companys presence seems to have gotten a new boost. Which cars can we expect? At 2023 Auto Expo, MG showcased quite a few vehicles from their global lineup. These were eHS PHEV crossover SUV, MG4 electric hatchback, MG5 electric estate and Mifa 9 electric MPV. The company might launch some of these or all of these, depending on the market surveys and customer buying trends. Apart from these, we also expect cute-sy Baojun Yep electric SUV to launch in India under MG branding. Along with that, we hope MG considers Wuling Starlight electric sedan (4.8m length) and the newly launched MG Cyberster electric convertible sportscar with scissor doors. Source So, what has been priced into 2024? How about tumult and trepidation? The world is buffeted by two major wars, with no end in sight. New hot spots loom. Theres plenty right here at home that could bring down the house. The 2024 Democratic National Convention will put Chicago on the national stage and could revive its 1968 political infamy in new and dangerous ways. Migrants from Venezuela and other Latin American countries are coming in droves to our city, while some longtime Chicagoans are looking for the exits. This is a time for new beginnings, but to this prognosticator, those beginnings look dicey. The United States is busy being the watchdog for the world. America is distracted by the conflicts and strife in Ukraine, Israel, the Red Sea and the Panama Canal. The China regime is sure to notice. The superpower has been hankering to invade Taiwan shades of the saga of Quemoy and Matsu, two islands at the center of a battle in 1958. Heres the history, via Wikipedia: In this conflict, (China) shelled the islands of Kinmen (Quemoy) and the Matsu Islands along the east coast of mainland China (in the Taiwan Strait) in an attempt to take control of Taiwan from the Kuomintang (a political party that once ruled China and relocated to Taiwan), and to probe the extent of the United States defense of Taiwans territory. A naval battle also took place around Dongding Island when (Taiwans navy) repelled an attempted amphibious landing by (China). The U.S. secretary of state was said to describe it as the first serious nuclear crisis. This time, with our attention elsewhere, China may be encouraged to act. President Joe Biden walks to Marine One at the White House for a visit to Milwaukee on Dec. 20, 2023, in Washington. In politics, 2024 will be a year of consequence. Recent national polls indicate that, if former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden stand as their parties presidential nominees, Trump would beat Biden in a November rematch. Then again, Trump might end up indicted. Or in jail. Or, some experts say, all of the above. If Trump is elected president in November, there is a good chance that moment could be the end of democracy in the United States. Meanwhile, back in Chicago, the migrant crisis was the story of 2023. Theres plenty of bad news ahead for 2024. In December, the Border Patrol processed more migrants who entered the U.S. illegally than in any other month in the agencys history, CBS News reported, based on federal statistics. U.S. Border Patrol agents took into custody more than 225,000 migrants who crossed the southern border in between official crossings during the first 27 days of December, CBS News said. Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and other border officials have sent thousands of those migrants to Chicago and other cities. Expect that trend to seriously ramp up in 2024. Mayor Brandon Johnson has fallen short on skill and savvy in his handling of the crisis. As the new year arrives, the city and the state of Illinois still lack a comprehensive, workable plan to manage the continuing arrivals. Abbott does have a plan that is, doubling down on sending the refugees to Democrat-run cities in the run-up to the Democratic National Convention, scheduled for August at Chicagos United Center. The GOP will again label Chicago as the crime capital of America. In fact, as of Dec. 24, the city saw a 13% drop in homicides in comparison with the same period the previous year, according to Chicago Police Department data. The homicide rate is headed in the right direction but is still in nosebleed territory. As I walk out at night, anywhere in the city, I look over my shoulder for a fast-appearing sedan and a terrifying street robbery that can happen in a flash. Like many other things, the citys powers that be seem hapless in finding solutions. In the business arena, lets hope that in 2024, we can stop referring to the social media platform X as formerly known as Twitter. One thing is for sure: Elon Musk is on a path to destroying Twitter and making the mistake of a lifetime. Personally, day one of 2024 will be the moment when, for the first time, I embark on a year without my mother. I lost Mama last spring. Today, I wont be able to pick up the phone and hear her bustling about the kitchen as she cooks up her New Years good luck black-eyed peas. Time will heal, people tell me. So far, the test of time is failing. This year rings in a milestone birthday for my husband, who is turning a juicy round number. Age is just a number, they say, but in this case, its an uncomfortably large one. Hubby is getting nervous, and that is getting on my nerves. Chill out, I keep telling him, and keep your nose hairs in check. Get a grip and bring it on! Laura Washington is a political commentator and longtime Chicago journalist. Her columns appear in the Tribune each Monday. Write to her at LauraLauraWashington@gmail.com. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. Telehealth leader Teladoc Health (NYSE: TDOC) is suffering the same fate as many other so-called "pandemic stocks." Since the health crisis is largely in the rear-view mirror (even if COVID itself is not), the traction that the company gained from it has faded -- and then some. Teladoc shares are down by 89% in the past three years, and are trading well below where they were before the pandemic began. Still, there remain excellent reasons to invest in Teladoc, particularly for investors willing to hold its shares for a while. Let's consider just three. TDOC Chart 1. Teladoc is building a moat Despite Teladoc's share price declines of the past few years, the kinds of services it provides have continued gaining traction with the public. Telemedicine wasn't just some convenient pandemic trend; the industry is projected to expand through the end of the decade and likely beyond. Of course, this alone doesn't mean Teladoc will be one of the winners in the field, but the good news is the company is building a competitive advantage powered by network effects. Teladoc ended the third quarter with 90.2 million U.S. integrated care members, an increase of 10% year over year. The company also had 459,000 members for its BetterHelp therapy service and 1.1 million within its chronic care program. The more that members join its platform, the more attractive it becomes to physicians and health systems, and vice versa. This factor could help Teladoc remain a relevant player in the telehealth industry. 2. Gross margins are strong One of the problems with Teladoc's business is that it isn't profitable yet, although it is improving on that front. In the first nine months of 2023, the company's net loss of $1.17 per share was miles better than the net loss of $61.09 per share reported in the year-ago period. Despite the red ink on the bottom line, Teladoc's gross margins are generally high. Through Sept. 30, it registered an adjusted gross margin of 70.8%, up from the 68.6% recorded in the comparable period of the previous year. Teladoc's margins have generally been in this range. Story continues TDOC Gross Profit Margin Chart That naturally raises the question of why the company isn't profitable yet. The answer is that it has had to spend a lot of money on advertising and marketing. In addition, over the past two years, some went into ramping up its BetterHelp service. The company argued last year that it had a lower yield on advertising spending than it expected for its therapy platform, partly because the field was becoming increasingly competitive. The good news is that once BetterHelp gains prominence and becomes better established, there will be less of a need for aggressive advertising campaigns. That also applies to the rest of Teladoc's business. The company should then benefit from its strong gross margins and begin turning in profits. 3. The price looks right Teladoc's shares arguably rose too fast in the first year or so of the pandemic. The stock became wildly overvalued and was due for a correction. But the reverse now seems true. The sell-off has gone too far, and Teladoc's shares look undervalued. The stock trades today at a forward price-to-sales of just about 1.4. TDOC PS Ratio (Forward) Chart For context, the undervalued range for that metric generally starts under 2. Sure, Teladoc's revenue isn't growing as fast as it once was, but those comparisons are a bit unfair to the company. While it remains unprofitable, that should change in time. In my view, Teladoc is a screaming buy at current levels, especially for investors who plan on staying the course and holding shares for the long term. This stock may not double overnight -- it could remain volatile through much of 2024. But it looks likely to reward patient investors, which is an excellent reason to buy its shares now. Should you invest $1,000 in Teladoc Health right now? Before you buy stock in Teladoc Health, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now... and Teladoc Health wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of December 18, 2023 Prosper Junior Bakiny has positions in Teladoc Health. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Teladoc Health. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 3 Reasons to Buy Teladoc Stock Like There's No Tomorrow was originally published by The Motley Fool Evan Guido Fraud goes back many thousands of years, but the scams havent changed that much. Sure, there might be more technology involved, but the concepts stay the same. Im reminded of this every once in a while when the latest accounting scandal erupts, prompting a news organization to publish a list of famous cases. Enron, WorldCom, AIG, Wells Fargo, Lehman Brothers, Theranos these are some of the greatest hits of financial shenanigans. One study estimates that 10% of large public companies commit securities fraud, which involves misrepresenting financial performance, omitting important information, or some other wrongdoing. So how can you tell if a company you might want to invest in or have invested in already has a merry trickster in charge of the books? Fraud can be tough to spot as its occurring, but there are some signs you can look for that at least should cause your spidey senses to tingle. Changing auditors. Companies that are publicly owned must have their accounting statements audited by a third-party firm. The accounting firm then issues a letter thats published in the companys annual report attesting that the information is fair and accurate. Companies sometimes change auditors, but when they do it suddenly and for no apparent reason it might mean the auditors and management are at odds over, say, how the company is booking revenue or how its determining earnings. The CFOs office is a revolving door. This doesnt always mean theres trouble afoot, but it can mean shady financial practices are common and the head of that department wants to depart before its uncovered. A CFOs sudden, unexpected departure can be another red flag; it can happen for legitimate reasons, but see whether management provides a clear explanation for the change. The company engages in aggressive or creative accounting. This takes many forms and can be hard to spot. Some classics of the form include recording revenue before it should; recognizing revenue from curious sources; and excessively shifting current expenses to later periods. Large increases in revenue at the end of the year (unless were talking about a seasonal business) merit examination as do reversals of revenue at the beginning of the next year. Story continues The financial results are wildly exceptional. The cliche of if it seems too good to be true, it probably is applies here. Are profit margins way higher than those of competitors? Are growth rates well beyond the industry average? Is the industry suffering while there doesnt seem to be any effect on the company? Look deeper. Unfortunately, some of these signs are easier for Main Street investors to spot than others. And theres a dwindling reserve of investigative journalists who understand these issues. I suggest reading as much as you can. It isnt exactly as easy as reading Dr. Seuss books, but learning how to avoid a bad investment can be like reading a thriller. Evan R. Guido is the founder of Aksala Wealth Advisors LLC, a 2018 Forbes Next-Gen Advisors List Member, and Financial Professional at Avantax Investment ServicesSM. Evan heads a team of retirement transition strategists for clients who consider themselves the Millionaire Next Door. He can be reached at 941-500-5122 or eguido@aksalawealth.com. Read more of his insights at heraldtribune.com/business. Securities offered through Avantax Investment ServicesSM, member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Avantax Advisory ServicesSM, insurance services offered through an Avantax-affiliated insurance agency. 6260 Lake Osprey Drive, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: EVAN GUIDO: How can average investors spot financial shenanigans? The Hana Highway in Maui. A surfer was killed on December 30, 2023 off the Hana Highway near Paia after an encounter with a shark. Thomas J. Story A surfer in Hawaii was killed after an encounter with a shark on Saturday, the County of Maui has announced. Maui police responded to a call at a beach in Paia on the islands northern shore on Saturday morning. Upon arrival, they transported the victim, later identified as Haiku resident Jason Carter, to shore by jet ski. Carter, 39, was then taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center where he later succumbed to his injuries. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After the attack, County of Maui beach parks were closed and shark warning signs were placed on beaches one mile on either side of the bay. Key Insights Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, RPMGlobal Holdings fair value estimate is AU$1.99 Current share price of AU$1.75 suggests RPMGlobal Holdings is potentially trading close to its fair value Peers of RPMGlobal Holdings are currently trading on average at a 148% premium Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of RPMGlobal Holdings Limited (ASX:RUL) by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple! Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model. See our latest analysis for RPMGlobal Holdings Step By Step Through The Calculation We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (A$, Millions) AU$13.0m AU$16.4m AU$18.9m AU$21.1m AU$23.0m AU$24.5m AU$25.8m AU$26.9m AU$27.9m AU$28.8m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 15.53% Est @ 11.49% Est @ 8.67% Est @ 6.69% Est @ 5.31% Est @ 4.34% Est @ 3.66% Est @ 3.19% Present Value (A$, Millions) Discounted @ 7.1% AU$12.1 AU$14.3 AU$15.4 AU$16.1 AU$16.3 AU$16.2 AU$16.0 AU$15.6 AU$15.1 AU$14.5 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = AU$152m Story continues We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 2.1%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.1%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = AU$29m (1 + 2.1%) (7.1% 2.1%) = AU$586m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= AU$586m ( 1 + 7.1%)10= AU$295m The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is AU$447m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of AU$1.8, the company appears about fair value at a 12% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out. ASX:RUL Discounted Cash Flow December 31st 2023 Important Assumptions Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at RPMGlobal Holdings as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.1%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.003. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. Moving On: Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For RPMGlobal Holdings, we've put together three essential items you should explore: Risks: You should be aware of the 1 warning sign for RPMGlobal Holdings we've uncovered before considering an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does RUL's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Australian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Twelve FDNY units and 60 firefighters responded Sunday to a fire at a two-story home in Dongan Hills. The all hands blaze was reported around 3:30 p.m. on the first floor of a private residence at 77 Dongan Hills Ave. between Jefferson Street and North Railroad Avenue, and was placed under control around 4:10 p.m., an FDNY spokesperson said. Two civilians and one firefighter were injured in the blaze. They were transported in unknown condition to Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze, the spokesperson said. One firefighter and two civilians were injured during a fire at a home in Dongan Hills on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Scott R. Axelrod)Scott R. Axelrod A man and woman were seen being evaluated by EMS at the scene. According to a source, theyre the homeowners. The top and bottom floors of the home could be seen completely blackened and burnt out. Firefighters tossed several charred items out of an upstairs window of the home into the driveway. There was thick black smoke pouring out of the house, said Louann Cerchio, a former Staten Island resident who was in the area visiting family for the holidays. The firefighters got here quickly, though. Im glad everyone got out safe. The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation, the spokesperson said. One firefighter and two civilians were injured during a fire at a home in Dongan Hills on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Scott R. Axelrod)Scott R. Axelrod One firefighter and two civilians were injured during a fire at a home in Dongan Hills on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Scott R. Axelrod)Scott R. Axelrod Lasasha Lemons-Taylor was cooking dinner June 19 in her new home while her three kids played outside in the front yard at 1112 S. Geddes Street in Syracuse, New York. They had moved from Boston six months before. She wanted a fresh start in an area where she could afford a home. She loved her $42,000 house built in 1900. It needed some work, but she was ready to do it. Ma, its a fire! her son yelled as he ran up the front steps. Ma, get out of the house. Its a fire! A fire broke out next door caused by people who didnt live there. Water damage and heat from the fire would result in enough damage to Lemons-Taylors home that her family would have to move out for four months. The blaze was among the 20 Syracuse fires in 2023 caused by squatters or people who find shelter in abandoned buildings. At syracuse.coms request, the fire department reviewed the 24 fires that occurred in 2023 in vacant buildings and determined 20 were caused by squatters. The department could not provide similar data for previous years. Chief Michael Monds, however, said fires in abandoned houses have been on the rise. There were 15 in 2022. Monds also said he doesnt recall a time in his 24-year career in which the department battled so many fires caused by squatters as it did in 2023. Most of those people are usually the homeless population, Monds said. And it seems like theyre looking to get out of bad weather or the cold to get some shelter. When theyre inside, theyre trying to stay warm. Syracuse struggles from a double whammy of a severe housing shortage and a skyrocketing homeless population. That often comes at a cost to the public that plays out in many different ways. One familys ordeal The Geddes Street fire sent one firefighter to a local hospital for evaluation after suffering minor burns. Lemons-Taylor and her family watched the fire from across the street as the side of their house melted. Firefighters had to run hoses through her house to fight the fire that was blazing next door. A fire next door at 1114 S. Geddes St. on Monday, June 19, 2023 forced Lasasha-Lemons Taylor and her children out of their home for months. (Photo Provided by Capt. Matt Craner).Matt Craner Her home would sustain heavy water damage during the 80 minutes it took firefighters to put out the fire. After the fire was out, she tried to go back inside her house but was stopped by police. For the next four months, Lemons-Taylor and her family would be forced to live outside the city in a hotel. She would have to drive her kids 20 minutes to school. They couldnt get back into her home during that time to retrieve any possessions. The Red Cross gave her an $850 gift card. She was told any other purchases she needed to make for essentials would be reimbursed by her insurance. But Lemons-Taylor didnt receive money for the unexpected expenses like replacing her and her kids clothing and shoes. State Farm insurance put her family up at the Homewood Suites Carrier Circle in East Syracuse. They stayed there until October. A public danger While Monds understands their need for housing, he said squatters and the fires they cause wreak havoc on the community. Lasasha Lemons-Taylor looks through family photos. She was in the process of hanging them in the living room before the fire forced her out of the house for months (Melissa Newcomb|mnewcomb@syracuse.com).Melissa Newcomb Six firefighters this year have been injured fighting fires caused by squatters, he said. The injuries included burns, falling and overexertion. Fires in vacant homes are especially dangerous for firefighters because they have no way to determine whether someone is inside without searching the burning building, he said. Theres holes in the floors that we dont know about, Monds said Theres debris inside. Theres drug paraphernalia inside. So theyre really a hazardous situation for our firefighters. Squatters can also pose a threat even in homes that dont catch fire, Monds said. Curious kids sometimes enter vacant homes, finding drug paraphernalia, such as needles, left by squatters, he said. The city of Syracuse has 1,498 vacant homes, the chief said. Each fire station in the city sends firefighters out every Saturday to inspect vacant houses within their district. It takes a two-or-three week cycle for every vacant home in the city to be inspected by firefighters who look for structural damage and anything that could be in danger of falling. Firefighters make sure the vacant houses first-floor doors and windows are boarded up. Otherwise, squatters or youths run the risk of falling through holes or suffering other injuries as a result of the unstable housing, he said. Theres not a building owner thats maintaining them so the structure becomes more unsafe, Monds said. The public can alert the city to vacant homes by calling code enforcement or the fire prevention bureau at 315-448-4777, said Capt. Matt Craner, a spokesperson for the Syracuse Fire Department. The aftermath of the roof of 1114 S. Geddes St in Syracuse is pictured after a fire started by squatters damaged it. (Melissa Newcomb|mnewcomb@syracuse.com).Melissa Newcomb Despite the citys efforts, houses continue to be occupied by squatters. We visit folks in abandoned buildings everywhere in the community and theres multiple people, sometimes seven or eight individuals, living in the abandoned house, said John Tumino who runs In My Fathers Kitchen, a homeless outreach organization in Syracuse. Tumino also believes the number of fires caused by squatters is growing as the homeless population increases. This summer, he had a case load of about 80 homeless people or double what he normally handles in a year. His clients are becoming younger, often in their twenties, he said. Although he understands why the city boards up vacant houses and tries to keep them empty, Tumino said the effort does not stop homeless people from living in the houses. Youre just kicking the can down the road because they are just going to find another house, Tumino said. While he cant alert police to squatters because it would break the trust he has built within the homeless community, Tumino said he understands the fire threat they pose. In 2013, two homeless men died from a fire they had started to keep warm in a house on the Eastside of Syracuse. They took the plywood off of a window to get in, Tumino said. They climbed in and they started a fire in a fire pit they made. They fell asleep or passed out and woke up and that fire was raging. But they couldnt exit the way they came because of the fire. They both died within that house. Tumino said squatters often shun homeless shelters because they have safety concerns, mental health challenges or a desire to avoid others who may be using drugs. For those who dont want to go a shelter, they often find there is waiting list of more than 500 people, Tumino said. The county is seeing an unprecedented amount of homeless people, including those squatting in abandoned houses, said Megan Stuart, United Way Director of the Housing and Homeless Coalition. While it takes an average of 50 days for a homeless person to be placed in housing such as an apartment, temporary housing is available immediately, she said. When the shelters are full, people are placed in hotel rooms. Stuart encourages people who may not want to live in a shelter to take a tour of one or talk with somebody about what they need by calling 211. We try our best to accommodate folks. So, if they need to have a private room or something else, we will try to do what makes them feel comfortable, Stuart said. Lasasha Lemons-Taylor was making the third floor in her house a master suite. But the plans were halted after her house was damaged by a fire started by squatters in the house next door. Lemons-Taylor and her children had to live in a hotel for months. Her clawfoot bathtub now has the unfortunate view of the charred roof next door (Melissa Newcomb|mnewcomb@syracuse.com).Melissa Newcomb But some people will still opt to avoid shelters or the system entirely. That often makes abandoned homes like the place next door to Lemons-Taylor a viable option. Lemons-Taylor sees squatters return to the fire-damaged house next door regularly. She fears they will start another fire. I see or hear them and go outside and chase them off all of the time, Lemons-Taylor said. I call the police but they say theres not much they can do and the squatters just keep coming back. Watchdog/Public Affairs reporter Melissa Newcomb covers education, including Syracuse University and the city schools. For tips, contact her anytime at mnewcomb@syracuse.com, 315-679-1068, or @melissarnewcomb on Twitter. Key Insights The considerable ownership by public companies in Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad indicates that they collectively have a greater say in management and business strategy The largest shareholder of the company is Carlsberg A/S with a 51% stake Institutions own 17% of Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad If you want to know who really controls Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad (KLSE:CARLSBG), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 51% to be precise, is public companies. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn). And individual investors on the other hand have a 30% ownership in the company. Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad. Check out our latest analysis for Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad KLSE:CARLSBG Ownership Breakdown January 1st 2024 What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad? Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing. Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. 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 Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too. KLSE:CARLSBG Earnings and Revenue Growth January 1st 2024 Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad is not owned by hedge funds. Our data shows that Carlsberg A/S is the largest shareholder with 51% of shares outstanding. With such a huge stake in the ownership, we infer that they have significant control of the future of the company. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 3.5% and 2.3%, of the shares outstanding, respectively. Story continues While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily. Insider Ownership Of Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad 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. I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions. Our most recent data indicates that insiders own some shares in Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad. The insiders have a meaningful stake worth RM74m. Most would see this as a real positive. Most would say this shows alignment of interests between shareholders and the board. Still, it might be worth checking if those insiders have been selling. General Public Ownership With a 30% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad. This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders. Public Company Ownership It appears to us that public companies own 51% of Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad. This may be a strategic interest and the two companies may have related business interests. It could be that they have de-merged. This holding is probably worth investigating further. Next Steps: It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad (at least 1 which can't be ignored) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Friday nominations for state and national registers historic places throughout New York. The recommendations by the New York State Board of Historic Preservation is looking to add 36 properties to the State and National Registers of Historic Places and one property to the State Register of Historic Places. Hochul noted the nominations reflect generations of community building, planning, an activities that give us a glimpse into our collective past as New Yorkers. Some of the nominations include a new historic district in Harlem, an industrial manufacturing complex in Poughkeepsie, a grange hall in the northern New York town of Westport, a medical building in Buffalo, historic districts tied to Rochesters horticultural roots, a light station on Long Island and an automobile sales garage in Syracuse. Identifying these resources and adding them to our historic registers expands our ongoing understanding of our shared history and are important reminders of the innovation, passion, and lived experiences of New Yorkers who came before us, said Hochul. Erik Kulleseid, the New York State Office Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner noted that the State and National Register listing can assist owners in revitalizing properties, making them eligible for various public preservation programs and incentives, such as matching State grant and federal and state historic rehabilitation tax credits. Nominations to the State and National Registers of Historic Places are opportunities for us to pause and recognize that every day we live with historic infrastructure that not only has a past but can and does have a future, said Kullesaid. In addition to the stories these places can tell, they are also valuable resources to consider for today, especially since communities throughout the state are interested in investing in their historic resources for revitalization projects, housing initiatives, and economic development. New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Deputy Commissioner for Historic Preservation Daniel Mackay stated that the Division for Historic Preservation work on projects throughout the state, and are passionate about bringing new stories forward, updating our inventory of existing listings, and connecting communities with resources to help preserve and promote these assets. State and National Register of Historic Places listing is the first step in connecting historic property owners with incentives and programs that will aid them in stewarding this history. The State and National Registers are the official lists of buildings, structures, districts, landscapes, objects and sites significant in the history, architecture, archaeology and culture of New York State and the nation. In total, there are more than 120,000 properties throughout the state listed on the register. While Staten Island did not receive any nominations for properties, other parts of the New York City area did. Below are the locations: - Building at 287 Broadway, Manhattan: The building illustrates lower Broadways transformation from a residential boulevard into the citys commercial center spine in the nineteenth century and expresses the historical feeling of the post-Civil War era in New York City. - Central Harlem North Historic District, Manhattan: The district includes the house of one of the Harlem Renaissances and early twentieth centurys most important civil rights leaders: writer, lawyer, and diplomat James Weldon Johnson. - Edenwald Houses, the Bronx: Following World War II, there was an unprecedented need for housing throughout New York City, especially for veterans and working families. The Edenwald Houses project was developed by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) in 1953 as part of a city-wide attempt to solve this housing shortage. - Manhattanville Houses, Manhattan: These buildings and the superblock on which they are located are representative of mid-century public housing projects, which included the demolition of multiple blocks of earlier tenement-style housing and the reconfiguration of roads and walkways. - Talmud Torah Atereth Israel, Brooklyn: Now known as Ninth Tabernacle Beth El, Talmud Torah Atereth Israel (Study of the Torah, Crown of Israel) was built in 1923 for an Orthodox Eastern and Central European Jewish congregation in the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn. - Tanker Mary A. Whalen, ex S.T. Kiddoo Additional Documentation, Brooklyn: The Tanker Mary A Whalen, ex S.T. Kiddoo, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2012 as a rare example of an early 20th century steel, lap-welded coastal oil tanker. - William Ulmer Brewery Complex, Brooklyn: The complex, located in the Bushwhack neighborhood, dates back to 1872, when the operation and expansions of the William Ulmer Brewery reflect the popularity of lager brewing in Brooklyn that accompanied the influx of German immigrants to the New York metropolitan area in the 1800s. Support the Peninsulas only locally-owned newspaper. Subscribe! Subscribing annually brings you big savings. We also offer monthly and weekly subscriptions. Premium Subscription As low as $8.25 per month Premium Includes: Access to the Daily Journals e-Edition: a digital replica of our daily newspaper including crossword puzzles, games, comics, classifieds and ads. The ability to download a digital replica of the Daily Journal for offline reading. The ability to clip & download articles or images to share with others. Access to the last 90 days of e-Editions with search, downloading and clipping options. Unlimited access to our award-winning online content Commenting access on all stories as a valued member of the DJ community Key industry players have also made confidential submissions and regularly meet King and other ministers in an effort to get the best outcome for their organisation. This can make it difficult to gauge which direction the government will go. Consumer protection Aviation has been under intense consumer scrutiny since international borders reopened after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 and the industry struggled to get back into shape. Over the past three years, travellers have suffered high flight cancellations, poor on-time performance and substandard customer service, putting the spotlight on airlines, airports and government regulators. Customers often complain that local airlines are difficult to deal with in the event of a dispute. The government and opposition have repeatedly reprimanded airlines, so its a sure bet reform is coming. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, and other advocates like Choice, want an independent ombudsman scheme to replace the existing Airline Customer Advocate. The ACA is funded by the airlines and is often criticised as a glorified messaging box which in 2022 resolved just 43 per cent of complaints lodged. The competition regulator says its received an average of 360 contacts every month about airline disputes since 2018. Qantas and Virgin are at odds over the issue. Qantas has urged any ombudsman scheme to be cost-conscious and be broadened to include the rest of the aviation sector, while Virgin wants an emboldened, external version of the ACA, whose decisions are binding. But both Qantas and Virgin which collectively fly more than 90 per cent of domestic passengers are warning the government against establishing an EU-style compensation scheme. They argue that airline-specific schemes risk increased airfares and will not actually improve on-time performance or the rate of cancellations. Sustainability Aviation is responsible for about 2.5 per cent of the worlds emissions, which is a bigger contribution than Australia itself. The global aviation industry knows it wont meet its decarbonisation targets without replacing carbon-emitting jet fuel with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Airports and airlines are desperate for immediate policy action to develop a local sustainable aviation fuel industry, both to benefit Australia and to avoid the expense of importing fuels from countries like the US. Airports and airlines are desperate for policy action to develop a local sustainable aviation fuel industry. Credit: Flying will become more expensive if Australia doesnt get its sustainable fuel policy right. Sustainable fuels are currently about five times the cost of jet fuel and make up less than 0.1 per cent of the available supply. There are, of course, other ways to decarbonise aviation and reduce waste, but the bulk of emissions is caused by long-haul flights. Axing short flights is unlikely to materially abate CO2. Its a pinch point for Australia, which doesnt have effective alternate transport across long distances. Loading Many bodies, including the Airports Association of Australia, Qantas, Virgin and Air New Zealand, say the government should capitalise on the time-sensitive opportunity to develop local production or risk falling further behind already-established players in the US and EU. The industry has committed capital and combined forces with manufacturers Airbus and Boeing to try and coax the federal government into action ahead of the white papers release. Air New Zealand has called for Australia to work with New Zealand in developing an aligned policy framework and become joint producers for the Asia-Pacific region. Qantas has asked the government to follow other regions including the UK, Denmark and Norway in mandating a certain percentage of flights be fuelled sustainably by 2030. Slots and competition Whether its airlines calling for more monitoring of monopoly airports or airports attributing most issues in the sector to the airline duopoly, competition is one of the most important and delicate issues in aviation. In 2020, former Productivity Commission chair Peter Harris delivered a report into the slot management at Sydney Airport which called for an overhaul to make it easier for new entrants, both domestic and international, to fly in and out of the hub. Successive governments failed to implement his recommendations to the chagrin of some airlines and the countrys airports who allege the domestic market is not competitive enough. The countrys airports accuse Qantas and Virgin of hoarding slots at Sydney Airport to keep new entrants out of peak take-off and landing times on high-frequency routes. Almost 10 per cent of flights from Melbourne to Sydney were cancelled in November. Nine per cent were cancelled from Sydney to Melbourne. The route is the fifth-most popular in the world, yet its passengers routinely experience high cancellation rates. Qantas which controls 60 per cent of the market with its budget arm Jetstar has been adamant it only cancels flights on high-frequency routes as a way to minimise disruption elsewhere. This is because routes with lower frequencies disproportionately inconvenience those travelling on them in the event of a cancellation. The competition watchdog recently called out Sydney Airports slot manager, Airport Coordination Australia, as having a conflict of interest because Qantas and Virgin are its major owners. The watchdog says the airline industry is one of the most concentrated in the country. Its also called for regulatory reform to the Aeronautical Pricing Principles to dilute the significant market power airports have in negotiations with carriers. An investor in X, formerly called Twitter, has written down the value of its stake by $US2.85 billion ($4.2 billion) after its owner Elon Musk told boycotting advertisers to go f--- yourself. Fidelity, which helped Musk buy the company for $US44 billion ($65 billion) in 2022, now believes it is worth 71.5 per cent less than at the time of purchase. Elon Musk makes a point during The New York Times Dealbook Summit last November. Credit: Getty Images The US investment giant had already slashed the value of its investment by 65 per cent at the end of October but deepened the discount in November. It came in the same month that Musk launched a tirade against advertisers. Speaking at a New York Times conference, Musk claimed a boycott by advertisers was going to kill the company, adding, If somebody is going to try to blackmail me with advertising, blackmail me with money, go f--- yourself. Power Brewing Project aims to open sometime in 2024. Last year was a turbulent one for the Austin craft brewing scene as a handful of locations announced they would close. However, looking into 2024, there are still plenty of exciting brew projects on the horizon. Here are six breweries that are expected to open in the Austin area in 2024: Power Brewing Project Power Brewing Project made noise in the second half of 2023 with indications on social media that it would open in Hutto at 3333 County Road 119, Suite 130. October turned to early November, and by late November the company had announced again on Instagram that it would wait to open. The new brewery spoke about the pushed opening on Instagram and attributed the delays to a permit-related roadblock that it has not been able to overcome. While the company said it is working to resolve the issue, it has not provided a new opening date yet. Obsidian Brewery Obsidian Brewery will open in Leander and will take over the space previously occupied by Humble Pint at 11880 W. Hero Way, Suite 208. Obsidian is run by brewers Safir Ahmed and Michael Doggett, who are members of the Central Texas brewing community. Operations are expected to begin relatively soon, but the company has yet to provide an opening date. Prost Alehouse Prost Alehouse also has suffered from repeated delays in recent years. After failing to open in November, it looks as if Prost is finally ready. It conducted a soft opening Dec. 19. The company, at 115 E. Main St. in Pflugerville, is on a hiring kick and is likely to get into full swing during 2024s first act. Old Gregg Beer Co. Old Gregg is set to open at 1900 E. Howard Lane in Pflugerville. The establishment will be part of "a mixed-use business park where developer Topo is both upgrading existing structures and constructing new buildings." The brewery will come from Matt Luckie and Max Moreland of the West Fifth Street bar Mean Eyed Cat in Austin. Though excitement is high for this opening, there is still no hard date although the summer of 2024 has been floated by the company. Story continues Austin Craft Brewing Co. When Austin Craft Brewing Co. arrives on the scene, it will come with credentials. It announced that it is one of five breweries selected for the dues grant program, sponsored by Method Architecture and the Texas Craft Brewers Guild. While the brewery has been active on social media, it has provided little in terms of location and opening date, and it has not replied to requests for comment from the Statesman. However, by the looks of its Instagram account, the beer appears ready, and it could just be a matter of where to sell it. The Alright The Alright's inclusion on this list might be a stretch as scenes on Instagram show major renovations are still underway. However, the brewery, next to the old Home Steam Laundromat and Patrizis, has posted encouraging information about its application process a detail that can often hold up openings. Beck Andrew Salgado covers trending topics in the Austin business ecosystem for the American-Statesman. To share additional tips or insights with Salgado, email Bsalgado@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: New breweries on horizon for Austin area These movies reiterate the role of women as the shunned wife, bringing her into the story only to help us understand her husbands full, complex humanity. Its as if the only way audiences these days can understand Napoleon Bonapartes greatness is by getting a small insight into his interpersonal and romantic relationship with his wife. When he discovers Josephines infidelity, we feel betrayed too. The film conveniently leaves out Napoleons own affairs with several other women because it insists we empathise with him, and only him. Bradley Cooper as Leonard Bernstein and Carey Mulligan as Felicia Montealegre in Maestro. Credit: Jason McDonald/Netflix Coopers sophomore film, Maestro was heavily marketed as a film about a marriage yet much of the film shows Leonard Bernsteins musical genius, conducting big orchestras and composing music. A scene of him conducting a huge Mahler number lasts almost eight minutes, the camera lingering on Coopers face until the very end of the shot, in which we see Carey Mulligans character off to the side of the stage, wide-eyed with wonder, elation and admiration. Why cant we simply extol Bernsteins musical genius on its own terms? Why does Cooper insist we refract his lifes legacy through the lens of his suffering wife? The films final shot is of Mulligans face, smiling at the camera, the title card of the movie appearing across the screen implying that the real maestro of this story is Felicia Montealegre, Bernsteins wife not Leonard. When I saw this, I literally jumped out of my seat with exasperation, screaming ARE YOU SERIOUS? If the real hero of the story is Felicia, why does the movie poster show Coopers face? Whys the movie titled Maestro and not Felicia or Montealegre? Lets not pretend to give power to a woman who appears to have lacked it in her marriage to a very powerful man. Florence Pugh plays Jean Tatlock, the mistress of Cillian Murphys Oppenheimer. Credit: AP And as we see our greatest female actors take on these roles of the abused, betrayed, neglected wives (Penelope Cruz plays Ferraris wife, Emily Blunt Oppenheimers, Carey Mulligan Bernsteins, Vanessa Kirby Napoleons) theres a clear deficiency of the male-equivalent. When was the last time Joaquin Phoenix played a supporting husband? The last time Bradley Cooper was cast as a sidelined husband in A Star is Born, the character died by suicide. The last three films Driver starred in, he played the leading roles. Same with Phoenix. As long as Hollywoods biggest male actors are not cast in supporting husband roles, I dont see how things are changing for women in Hollywood. Both Mulligan and Cruzs performances have been heralded as their career bests the full spectrum of their acting chops allowed to let loose in the role of the permanently furious wife. But at the end of the day, theyre playing wives. Theyre playing wives in movies where most of the audience have bought tickets to learn more about their husbands. Penelope Cruz as Laura Ferrari. Credit: Lorenzo Sisti/Leon via AP The antidote is simple. A film like Sofia Coppolas Priscilla demands we recognise the humanity of the woman who has always been associated with one of the worlds most famous icons. Frances OConnors Emily compels us to imagine the life of Emily Bronte. Nyad brings together Jodie Foster and Annette Bening to commemorate the incredible achievements of Diana Nyad, who at age 63 swam from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage. Hidden Figures, the 2015 movie that dramatised the real-life African-American female mathematicians working at NASA, was a huge commercial success. Most of these films were directed by women, because we want to see more films that speak to our experience of the world. Regardless of their roles as wives, scientists, swimmers or writers, these movies insist audiences sympathise with the female lead. They centre a womans ambitions, and refuse to tell her story only as an adjacent fragment to a mans life. There are superb bits on humans tendency to overlook whats important in favour of their own narrow obsessions a sequence on a websites monitoring of animal cruelty in Schindlers List leads to some big laughs. Gervais is also quite happy to include himself in the mass of humanity at which he takes aim, and many of those who have absorbed a social media-based view of the man might be surprised at the level of self-awareness his comedy possesses. Loading At less inspired moments, however, theres a sense that the star started with an idea to piss someone off, and worked backward to find a joke. Jokes about paedophilia and disability are clearly written with no concern for anyones feelings, which is no problem in itself, but you may find yourself wishing hed edited his script more with an eye to maximum comedic impact rather than cheering his own willingness to offend quite so much. Then again, the normal province of the stand-up is to rant about what irritates them, and people who are too sensitive to jokes really do irritate Ricky Gervais. Like his other specials, Armageddon is punctuated by asides on the nature and the purpose of humour, and frustration that the world is too full of people who take jokes both too literally and too seriously. Previously Gervais has been pilloried in particular for his material on the transgender community, and even while he revels in the anger of his critics and the notoriety it affords him, it obviously does still rankle him to some extent that his jokes have been seen as harmful, particularly when contrasted with other problems of the world. Advertisement Eating outComing soon 13 exciting Sydney restaurant and bar openings to look forward to in 2024 High-end Korean, fin-to-tail dining, Latin flavours and live music are all on the menu for Sydney in the new year. Scott Bolles January 2, 2024 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 After a bumper crop of Sydney hospitality openings in 2023, the next vintage is maturing nicely. Expect more music with your food in 2024, some mind-bending cuisine pairings and another dose of top-shelf chef action. The relocation of Paddington fine diner Saint Peter to The Grand National Hotel, around the corner in Underwood Street, is shaping up as one of the key restaurant openings of 2024. It was initially hoped it might open in late 2023, but chef and co-owner Josh Niland says we are looking realistically like end of May. When finished, the project will include an opulent 45-seat restaurant, a 15-seat private dining room, a bar and a boutique hotel. Josh and Julie Niland are moving their flagship restaurant, Saint Peter. Dominic Lorrimer The Grounds Roastery, the South Eveleigh mega-venue from the team at The Grounds of Alexandria, suffered delays that pushed back its projected mid-to-late-2023 opening. Designers ACME are transforming the sprawling heritage locomotive workshop into a new roastery, bean-to-brew cafe and 200-seat restaurant. Owner Ramzey Choker is gunning for a late-January start. Father-and-son double act Maurice and Sylvester Terzini hoped to open Snack Kitchen, a Euro-leaning one-year Potts Point residency, in December. We decided to open January 3 [instead]. Start fresh in the New Year, says Terzini jnr. The veteran Icebergs restaurateur and his protege are pitching a tight but interesting drinks list at the 40-seater, which will serve tasty, salty snacks such as tomato carpaccio with anchovies and olives, and Spanish tortilla. Advertisement Advertisement Odd Culture CEO James Thorpe (pictured with Sabrina Medcalf, Nick Zavadzsky and Jordan Blackman) says Pleasure Club will be a game changer. Supplied The Sydney CBD will kick up another gear in 2024. Hospitality giant Merivale is opening one of the more intriguing new venues, Good Luck Restaurant Lounge, in early 2024. The Asian-hybrid restaurant, in the landmark Burns Philp & Co building on Bridge Street, is under the food direction of Mike Eggert, the chef behind Tottis. The moniker references his 2017 pop-up, Good Luck Pinbone, in Kensington. Pinbone leaned into a mix of Italian and Chinese cuisine, but Good Luck takes more inspiration from Tokyo. Think Tottis but then add soy, dashi, vinegar with fresh herbs, citrus and chilli, Eggert says. In early March, Alejandro Saravia, the chef responsible for hit Melbourne restaurant Farmers Daughters, will open 180-seat Morena in Sydneys GPO building at Martin Place, once home to Intermezzo. Morena will tap into the Peruvian chefs Latin American roots, sweeping everywhere from Cuba and Brazil to Peru. Alejandro Saravia outside his soon-to-open Martin Place restaurant Morena. Edwina Pickles Sometime around May, were expecting the relaunch of Surry Hills White Horse Hotel. The glammed-up Crown Street landmark will have WA chef Jed Gerrard leading in the kitchen (hes also culinary director at acclaimed Margaret River fine-diner Wills Domain), while sommelier James Audus will steer the wine list and Micheal Chiem will helm the bar. Advertisement Its a formidable team: Audus is co-owner of Byron Bays Bar Heather, recent winner of the Good Food Guides New Regional Restaurant of the Year, and Chiems CBD cocktail destination PS40 received the Guides Bar of the Year gong. Expect a public bar and restaurant on the ground floor, and a cocktail bar on level one. Our brief for the venue is simple a pub we would all like to go to, says White Horse general manager Craig Hemmings. Sneaking in before the end of 2023 is Archies Bar, a summer pop-up from mothership Manly Pavilion. Archies is downstairs on the West Esplanade Wharf, under the archways between Manly Pavilion and the aquarium, says an Archies spokesman. Were serving Italian-style small plates: anchovy toast; arrosticini (lamb-neck skewers with salsa verde); crab toast; gelato and sorbets. The drinks menu includes a classic spritz and mini martinis, perfect for quenching your thirst after completing the coastal walk from The Spit to Manly. Its open noon to 8pm daily from December 21 until early February. In August, hospitality veteran Rob Domjen and publican-restaurateur Ben May snapped up the Reef Restaurant and Cove Cafe, a waterside jewel in the coastal town of Terrigal, north of Sydney. The master plan is to transform the multistorey site into the Terrigal Pavilion with a major revamp in 2024. Meanwhile, Pavilion Pop-up will run through summer, offering a taste of whats to come. Weve given it a lick of paint, put in some new furniture, Domjen says. The kiosk will open at 7am, with the doors opening on different levels throughout the day. Theyve cranked up the pizza oven and will also dish up a coastal staple, beer-battered fish and chips. An artists impression of the Terrigal Pavilion. It is not Domjen and Mays only summer project. In mid-January, theyll unveil the fruits of a $7 million renovation of the Barrenjoey Boatshed. The old boatshed, a Palm Beach landmark since 1947, has undergone a $7 million rebuild from the water up and will reopen as The Joey. May and Domjen deliberately steered away from a decorative beach vibe with its interior design. Its still coastal but more refined and grown-up, May says. Expect custom tables, cork ceilings, leather banquettes, and mid-century-style chairs. Advertisement Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up The move by researchers and academics to oppose the alteration of medical language to accommodate transgender and gender-diverse people over concerns the changes could lead to serious medical mistakes and confuse health data is a commonsense response to an issue with strong potential to polarise public opinion. Medical researchers say that desexing the language can lead to serious medical errors. Credit: iStock A letter signed by 120 researchers, including midwifery professors, senior clinicians working in womens health and nine womens health organisations, to peak funding body the National Health and Medical Research Council also warns that blurring the lines between biological sex and gender identity on medical forms and in research threatens to widen whats known as the female data gap. The gap exists because most medical research has been conducted on biologically male subjects, with the erroneous assumption that medications and devices will work the same way on females. Loading The letter to the NHMRC came in response to a consultation paper released on the ethics of conducting medical research on pregnant women and warns that physicians are under increasing pressure to desex language in research, policy, and public health communications and that, as a result, sex is not being accurately recorded in health systems and elsewhere. For many of us, the dawn of a new year means thinking about the kind of person we want to be in 2024. Each year, we vow to be fitter, more financially savvy, more charitable. Then, despite good intentions, we give up half way and promise to do better next year. So, rather than cajole you about why you need a New Years resolution or why most fail, we thought wed go straight to the source and ask people who actually stuck to theirs. Below, three Australians share how they smashed their goals in 2023, and what they learnt along the way. I conquered my fear of ocean swimming Sydney-based mum of three Senta Hoyne reached her New Years resolution of swimming a two-kilometre ocean swim in 2023. Credit: Andrew Hoyne In 2021, Senta Hoyne was on holidays when she encountered a near-death experience.I found myself trapped in a dangerous un-patrolled surf and didnt know if I was going to make it out alive. Having always been a pool swimmer, she says she was never very confident in the ocean something she decided to change at the beginning of 2023. By early December, the 47-year-old mother of three had achieved her goal of completing a two-kilometre ocean swim from Bondi to Bronte in Sydneys east. Samantha Meredith has narrowly missed being hit by a car countless times while trying to cross the road with her dogs at the Joseph Road Precinct in inner-western Melbourne suburb of Footscray. Late last year, the Melbourne teacher was left devastated after her neighbour, Frances Jeyann Ramirez, was hit by two cars and killed at one of the most notorious intersections at the precinct, which is home to about a dozen towering high-rise apartments. Samantha Meredith (second from right) with other residents concerned about safety issues at Footscrays Joseph Road Precinct. Credit: Jason South Ramirez, an international student from the Philippines, died just a few metres from her apartment. Police believe the 22-year-old, who was in her final year of university studies, had attempted to walk across Hallenstein Street and Hopkins Street, just before 10pm on November 25. She was just a very happy and kind person, said Meredith, 49, who has lived in Footscray for more than 20 years. A man has died after suffering severe burns in an apartment fire in Sydneys north on New Years Day. Firefighters found 45-year-old Mohsen Rasouli, known as Mike, inside the building after they were called to the blaze in a top-floor unit on Angas Street, Meadowbank, about 3.30pm on Monday. NSW Ambulance said he sustained severe burns to most of his body. He was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition. However, NSW Police said on Tuesday morning that he had died. Pike now works as a consultant to Retail and Trade Brands Advocacy, a coalition of businesses, retailers and trademark holders working to minimise the impact of criminal conduct on the Asia-Pacific trading environment. Loading The ABF are not designed to stop everything bad coming into this country, Pike said. The efficiency of the freight movement is more important to the country. The ABF do what they can but if the criminals want to continue importing vapes and people want to keep consuming them, that will happen. ABF Commissioner Michael Outram last year said the level of criminal infiltration at the border was concerning, and his agency was a pretty stretched organisation. We know through the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commissions wastewater analysis reporting that, of the border control drugs that reach our borders, we are detecting up to only 20-25 per cent, Outram told a Senate estimates hearing in May. He warned in that hearing that banning vapes at the border would not be enough to stamp out a rampant black market. Whatever the good is whether its nicotine, whether its vapes, whether its narcotics, whether its weapons there are things that need to be done in a domestic setting to reduce demand, Outram said. The border ban in itself may be partly effective but wont be fully effective in solving a problem. The government has committed an additional $25 million to the ABF and $56.9 million to the Therapeutic Goods Administration over two years to introduce and enforce the reforms. In November, Health Minister Mark Butler said the government was alive to the implementation obstacles. Loading Like all other illegal drugs, there will no doubt be some vapes that get into the country, but they will no longer be easy for schoolchildren, our most vulnerable and impressionable members of society, to get their hands on them, he said in a press release at the time. A Border Force spokesperson on Monday said the new border control would go a long way to stemming the flow of unregulated vapes into the Australian community. However, the spokesperson said the ABFs experience in combatting illicit tobacco had shown that border enforcement alone could not eliminate the issue, and it required a cross-jurisdictional response. The ABF is working with the states and territories to address these issues and will continue to work closely to prevent organised crime establishing an illicit vape market. It has been illegal for any Australian to purchase or import e-cigarettes or nicotine vapes without a doctors prescription since 2021, but despite this nicotine vapes are readily available in a thriving black market. About one in eight 12- to 15-year-olds and one in five 16- to 17-year-olds had vaped in the previous month, according to the Australian Secondary Schools Alcohol and Drug survey. As part of the reforms it will now be easier for doctors and practitioner nurses to prescribe therapeutic vapes to help smokers kick the habit. More changes are expected from March 1. The importation of refillable non-therapeutic vapes is likely to be banned and people would no longer be able to order vapes directly from overseas, even with a prescription. Loading The government will also introduce legislation this year to prevent the domestic manufacturing, advertisement, supply and sale of non-therapeutic vapes. University of Sydney associate professor in public health Becky Freeman said 2024 would be the year of action on vaping. Following on from the importation ban on January 1, we are going to see a ban on the retail sale of all vaping products, Freeman said. She said this would mean vapes could only be legally sold at pharmacies with a prescription. These laws are an important first step to make it so much harder for young people to get their hands on these deadly and addictive products. We have an open-season market right now where an average 13-year-old can go to a petrol station and buy a vape. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president Dr Nicole Higgins said the import ban was critical to avoid a new generation of nicotine addicts. Loading What the Therapeutic Goods Administration found was that over 90 per cent of disposable vapes that were coming into the country contained nicotine even when they were labelled as nicotine-free. But Dr Alex Wodak, a board director of the Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association, said vaping bans would fuel the black market. Prohibition mostly doesnt work, its got an appalling track record, said Wodak, a physician and the former director of the Alcohol and Drug Service at St Vincents Hospital in Sydney. Demand for vapes in Australia is overwhelmingly strong and growing already attempts to restrict them in Australia have failed clearly. Wodak said attempts to restrict vaping often led to an increase in cigarette smoking. The Australian Association of Convenience Stores said it supported any moves to address the supply of nicotine vaping products to children and enhance enforcement at the border and retail level. However, chief executive Theo Foukkare said the association, which has about 6500 members, had significant concerns about effectively prohibiting a product used by more than 1.6 million adults. As weve seen over the last 24 months, were going to see a continual growth in the black market and the illegal supply of vaping products to all Australians, he said. The Howard government took a once-only opportunity to in effect increase the size of Australia by almost 50 per cent and give itself the chance to develop resources from some of the most inhospitable parts of the planet. Cabinet documents from 2003 released by the National Archives reveal the Howard government believed it had to move quickly to lock in a claim over huge areas of the seabed across the Pacific, Indian and Southern oceans. In Australias case, there were 11 areas where the continental shelf extended beyond the 200 nautical mile definition, including key areas off Australias Antarctic territory. At stake was an extended definition of what a nation could claim as part of its continental shelf that it could exploit or protect. The United Nations convention governing this definition was being debated to enable nations to broaden their claim beyond the traditional 200 nautical miles (370 kilometres). By 2003, time was running out for nations to submit new claims for a broader definition. Missed the boat on buying an affordable slice of Byron Bay before the COVID-fuelled stampede of sea-changers sent prices through the sunroof? Fear not. You can still find houses close to that coveted coastline for well under $1 million as a handful of northern NSW and south-east Queensland pockets still offer beach-town vibes for a fraction of the price. Home buyers can still nab something in Ballina for six figures if they have missed the boat on getting into Byron Bay. Credit: While you wont snag Chris Hemsworth as a neighbour, buyers can still nab a house for six-figure sums in NSW towns such as Ballina, Tweed Heads and Yamba, or cross the border to Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast. Ballinas median house price of $787,000 is less than half the Byron Bay median of $1.8 million which fell 18 per cent over the year to September, on Domain data. Its unit median of $760,000 is also well below Byrons median of $1,174,000. Assessing the Upcoming Dividend and Historical Performance Comcast Corp (NASDAQ:CMCSA) recently announced a dividend of $0.29 per share, payable on 2024-01-24, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-01-02. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into Comcast Corp's dividend performance and assess its sustainability. What Does Comcast Corp Do? Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with CMCSA. High Yield Dividend Stocks in Gurus' Portfolio This Powerful Chart Made Peter Lynch 29% A Year For 13 Years How to calculate the intrinsic value of a stock? Comcast is made up of three parts. The core cable business owns networks capable of providing television, internet access, and phone services to 62 million U.S. homes and businesses, or nearly half of the country. About 55% of the homes in this territory subscribe to at least one Comcast service. Comcast acquired NBCUniversal from General Electric in 2011. NBCU owns several cable networks, including CNBC, MSNBC, and USA, the NBC broadcast network, the Peacock streaming platform, several local NBC affiliates, Universal Studios, and several theme parks. Sky, acquired in 2018, is the dominant television provider in the U.K. and has invested heavily in proprietary content to build this position. Sky is also the largest pay-television provider in Italy and has a presence in Germany and Austria. Comcast Corp's Dividend Analysis A Glimpse at Comcast Corp's Dividend History Comcast Corp has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2008. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Comcast Corp has increased its dividend each year since 2008. The stock is thus listed as a dividend achiever, an honor that is given to companies that have increased their dividend each year for at least the past 16 years. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends. Story continues Comcast Corp's Dividend Analysis Breaking Down Comcast Corp's Dividend Yield and Growth As of today, Comcast Corp currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 2.60% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 2.65%. This suggests an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months. Over the past three years, Comcast Corp's annual dividend growth rate was 8.70%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increased to 10.90% per year. And over the past decade, Comcast Corp's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at an impressive 12.80%. Based on Comcast Corp's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Comcast Corp stock as of today is approximately 4.38%. Comcast Corp's Dividend Analysis The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-09-30, Comcast Corp's dividend payout ratio is 0.32. Comcast Corp's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Comcast Corp's profitability 8 out of 10 as of 2023-09-30, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability. Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Comcast Corp's growth rank of 8 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors. Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Comcast Corp's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Comcast Corp's revenue has increased by approximately 5.10% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 57.1% of global competitors. The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, Comcast Corp's earnings increased by approximately 1.00% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 41.56% of global competitors. Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of -6.70%, which outperforms approximately 19.52% of global competitors. Next Steps In conclusion, Comcast Corp's dividend payments, dividend growth rate, payout ratio, profitability, and growth metrics paint a comprehensive picture for value investors. The consistent increase in dividend payments, coupled with a manageable payout ratio and strong profitability, suggest that dividends are sustainable. However, investors should also consider the company's growth metrics, as they indicate the potential for future dividend increases and overall financial health. Considering these factors, is Comcast Corp's stock a suitable addition to your dividend-focused portfolio? GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener. This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. I was 11 the day my mother picked me up early from school, her usually cheerful face etched with worry. Someone with a blowtorch had burned swastikas across her aunts lawn. Bordering it was the two-roomed granny flat where she and my grandparents lived when they arrived in Australia as refugees after surviving the Holocaust. As a child, I didnt understand anti-Jewish hate, or my DNA. My atheist grandparents didnt discuss extermination camps. They brushed off my questions. My grandmother told me shed tattooed her phone number on her forearm, so shed never forget it. But the day my mother explained the swastikas, singed into grass where shed skipped rope, finally far from jack-booted Nazis, I stiffened like a fly glued to a trap. My fingertips buzzed. People really dont like us, I thought. The author Karen Kirstens grandparents, Mieczysaw and Alicja Dortheimer, on their wedding day in Warsaw, Poland. That is still true. As a Holocaust educator who shares my familys story in schools, since October 7 and the unbearable suffering of innocent people in Israel and Gaza, I have been thinking a lot about how to talk to young people about the surge of anti-Jewish and anti-Arab hate. In the US, where I live, I observed university presidents, who provide safe spaces, anti-racist policies and micro-aggression guidelines to protect minority student groups, dodge questions about whether calling for the genocide of Jews violated their codes of conduct, downplaying the harassment of Jewish students, who feel anything but safe or protected. Since launching the war in retaliation for the cross-border Hamas rampage of October 7, Israeli officials have said they would wage it in three main stages. The first was intense shelling to clear access routes for ground forces and encourage civilians to evacuate. The second was the invasion that began on October 27. With tanks and troops having now overrun much of the Gaza Strip, largely asserting control despite Palestinian gunmen continuing their ambushes from hidden tunnels and bunkers, the military is moving to the third stage, said the official, who could not be named given the sensitivity of the issue. An Israeli helicopter flies a long the border as smoke is rising from the Gaza Strip . Credit: Getty This will take six months at least, and involve intense mopping-up missions against the terrorists. No one is talking about doves of peace being flown from Shajaia, the official told Reuters, referring to a Gaza district ravaged by fighting. US pressure In addition to the 1200 people killed on October 7, Hamas took some 240 hostages. Israel is also determined to recover the 129 still held in Gaza. Qatari and Egyptian-mediated truce efforts have raised the prospect of some of them being freed. Loading US President Joe Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Israels objectives and the phasing of its military operations in Gaza on December 23, the White House said. Biden also underscored the need to protect civilian lives and secure the release of hostages being held by the Hamas Islamist militant group, it said. The US has kept up its support for Israel while expressing concern over the growing casualty toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. US officials have urged Israel to shift its military operations in Gaza to a lower-intensity phase that would include more targeted operations focused on the Hamas leadership and its infrastructure. Loading Israel initially drafted 300,000 reservists some 10 per cent to 15 per cent of its workforce for what looks set to be its longest-ever war. Government sources have said between 200,000 and 250,000 reservists were still mobilised and absent from jobs or studies. Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the deployment of reservists would be crafted in a way that it can be refreshed, the Israeli economy can function, families who are waiting for their loved ones can return to their routines. Local media have reported that several military divisions were deployed throughout Gaza. The official added that some of the troops pulled out of Gaza in the south would be prepared for rotation to the northern border with Lebanon, where Hezbollah has been exchanging fire with Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians. Lebanon border The Israeli military said on Monday it had struck a series of targets in Lebanon, including Hezbollah military sites. It said that earlier five soldiers were wounded by cross-border fire from Lebanon. The military said that its troops and aircraft had struck a series of targets in Lebanon, including terrorist infrastructure, military sites in which Hezbollah terrorists were operating, and launch posts. Lebanons Iran-backed Hezbollah group said on its Telegram account that three of its fighters were killed in southern Lebanon. The statement gave no detail about how the three were killed but said they were martyred on the road to (liberate) Jerusalem. Black smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike on the outskirts of Aita al-Shaab, a Lebanese border village in November. Credit: AP Security sources said they were killed in an Israeli raid on two houses in the Lebanese village of Kafr Kila near the border where Hezbollah maintains security control. Israel has warned that, if Hezbollah does not back down, a full-on Lebanon war looms. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are backed by Iran, whose militant allies in Syria, Iraq and Yemen have also been carrying out longer-range attacks against Israel. The situation on the Lebanese front will not be allowed to continue. This coming six-month period is a critical moment, the official said, adding that Israel would convey a similar message to a US envoy conducting shuttle missions to Beirut. Loading In Gaza, the Israel-Hamas war has inflicted unprecedented devastation, with the health ministry reporting almost 22,000 fatalities, many of them civilian. Israel says it has killed more than 8000 Palestinian fighters suggesting that, by its own accounting, Hamas retains core personnel. Pre-war Israeli assessment were that the group had around 30,000 fighters. The Israeli military announced on Saturday it was sending some reservists home as part of what top commander Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevi has deemed a reconfiguration of forces. From the first moments of this war, we said it would take long, Halevi told troops on Tuesday. Will we ultimately be able to say there are no more foes around the State of Israel? I think that is overly ambitious. But we will deliver a different security situation - safe and, as much as possible, stable too. Israel has listed 174 soldiers many of them reservists as killed in Gaza fighting and nine on the Lebanese border. The Gaza war was triggered by a surprise Hamas attack on Israeli towns on October 7 that Israel says killed 1200 people. Palestinian health authorities in Hamas-run Gaza say Israels offensive there has killed more than 21,978 people and wounded many thousands more. Israel says it has killed approximately 8000 Hamas militants since the war began. Reuters PHILIPSBURG:--- In the later part of 1989, Mr. Rudy Irion paid a visit to the home of Dr. Lloyd Richardson, to present a concept for a substance abuse rehabilitation program, which Mr. Irion had been challenged to create. The goal was to request that Dr. Richardson put together a board of directors and lead the charge of the rehabilitation program. Recruiting Mr. Roland Tuitt and Mr. Julian Richards (top) to serve alongside him on the Board of Directors, the quartet began the research, brainstorming, formulating, and legwork necessary to bring the concept to fruition. Thus in 1990, Stichting Cooperation was legally formed by the Elco Rosario Notarial Firm and officially launched in December of that same year. Soon after, land was provided by the Central government of the Netherlands Antilles for the purpose of the rehabilitation program. However, the land was never turned over to Turning Point but has since been given to another organization. In February 1993, Stichting Cooperation ran a regional telethon with the aid of Mr. Steve Thompson, Richard Gibson, & Mr. Michael Ferrier of the Rotary Club of St. Maarten and many other conscientious and compassionate individuals too numerous to mention, which raised $250,000 USD and provided the foundational funding for the property that exists today. Additional funds were provided by the Central Government under the auspices of then Minister of Health, Stanley Inderson, of the Central Government of the Netherlands Antilles. Minister of Justice at the time, Mr. Leo A. Chance, invited Dr. Richardson to travel to Curacao to work on the Overlast Derug Derslaafden to adjust the laws regarding the care and treatment of mandated clients (addicted persons who encounter the justice system). We thank them for their significant contributions to the establishment and support of Turning Point. It has indeed been an arduous journey spanning over 33 years. The Foundation has seen board members come and journey on to other ventures causing Dr. Richardson to have to reorganize the foundation several times. However, during those 33 years, Turning Points doors have never shut, whether for counseling services, which began in 1990, or for residential care which began in 1997. No hurricane, not even the evacuation of the landfill during the dump fires has ever caused services to be interrupted. Even if it meant moving the operation to Dr. Richardsons family home until the evacuation orders were lifted, the operation has never, over the 33 years, ceased to offer the services for which it was created. Times are different, and the demands on our organization have intensified, all the while addictive substances and their effects are ever-changing, thus continuing to reshape and alter the types of services the institution offers. As we step back from the operation of this institution, Dr. Richardson would like to thank all of the previous members of the Board of Directors of Stichting Cooperation (S.C.) through the years, without whose support the doors would not have remained open. They are Roland Tuitt, CPA/RA, Julian Richards, MA, Henry Laurence of PJIAE, Franklin Patrick, Godwin Carty, James E. Arrindell, and the present Board of Directors of S.C., Clarence Richardson & Denicio Brison. Also, we take this time to thank Dr. Judith Arndell who but for a brief interim period, stayed with the organization as the Clinical Director from 1990 through the latter part of 2019, at which time she departed to expand her already burgeoning enterprise. Staying through lean and sometimes months of no financing, she provided the clients with all she had to give, and we gave her recognition and thanks. Now at the helm as Clinical and Executive Director stands the energetic and extremely dynamic Dr. Tasheena Maccow-Thomas, supported by the very able and talented Mr. Oliver Wilson as Program Director. A NEW ERA The new Board of Directors of the newly established foundation named The Turning Point Foundation, is President - Enchie Labega, Treasurer - Charles G. Thomas, and Secretary - Audra Cabey. We are grateful to this new and enthusiastic cadre of leaders for taking up the challenge of seeing this institution into higher and broader services for St. Maarten/St. Martin and the region. We pray for their clarity of vision and wisdom, and for the continued support of the governmental bodies that will steer Turning Point into this new era of existence. Gods blessings and His continued governance over the institution and team as they continue forward. Stichting Corporation will remain intact, and its Board of Directors will serve as an advisory body to the new entity providing, when called upon, sage advice. Having given of himself to the institution, to the clients, and the family members of Turning Point, dutifully and beyond the call of duty for 33 years, it is unequivocally without regret that Dr. Lloyd Richardson and the present Board of Directors turn their sights to other horizons while remaining available to advise the new body as needed. We express our deepest and sincerest thanks to those who have supported Turning Point these last 33 years. The work was unceasing. Many tears shed along the way and many have driven us to endless prayers. Yet, we have remained steadfast. The results remain positive. And the much-needed services are continuing to be provided for those who need it most. The ball hasnt fallen yet, but were already able to discern some outlines of what 2024 will have to offer for investors. An improving economic environment will likely give consumers more confidence, and that will have ripple effects at many levels. One sector certain to reap gains: internet stocks. According to Wedbush, in a recent note authored by a team of digital economy experts, those gains will be broad-based but eCommerce and online advertising will be particular beneficiaries as consumer spending ramps back up. Increased consumer activity will boost the eCommerce/online retail segment, which in turn will find itself required to spend more on digital advertising and media. The result will be rich opportunities for investors willing to buy in. Laying out his vision for the year ahead, leading the Wedbush team, Scott Devitt presents the bullish case. Looking ahead to 2024, we believe leading consumer internet platforms remain well positioned with rising margins and improving industry growth rates across eCommerce and digital advertising, the 5-star analyst explained. We expect more normalized growth rates for eCommerce and digital advertising in 2024 with both industries positioned to accelerate next year. eCommerce penetration of total retail should rise 99bps in the U.S. in 2024 while digital advertisings share of total U.S. media spend will increase 230bps to ~77%. Specifically, Devitt has earmarked three names as his top internet stocks for 2024. All are giants holding commanding positions in the digital world, and more than capable of bringing returns to their investors. And it is not only Devitt who sees these stocks as ones to own. According to the TipRanks database, all are currently rated as Strong Buys by the analyst consensus. Lets take a closer look. Amazon (AMZN) The first Wedbush pick well look at is Amazon, the $1.57 trillion giant of the online retail world. This survivor of the original dot.com bubble has built itself into the dominant player in eCommerce, basing its business on two solid pillars: one of the worlds most trafficked retail sites, boasting more than 2 billion hits per month, and a global brick-and-mortar network of nearly 300 warehouses, some of which total over 1 million square feet. Working from this base, Amazon generates approximately $1.47 billion in daily sales revenue. Story continues Online retail is only one facet of Amazons business, however. The company has plenty of pots on the burners, and customers can find a wide array of online services, including the TV streaming service Prime; audiobooks; home automation, with Alexa, the voice-activated personal assistant interface; and the cloud computing subscription service AWS. These online services bring digital convenience to bear on businesses, on home offices, and on everyday life. Put into financial terms, Amazons varied business lines brought in $143.1 billion in revenue for 3Q23. This total included a 16% increase in international retail sales but also worthy of special notice in the companys gains were AWS, which saw $23.1 billion in quarterly revenue for a 12% year-over-year gain, and advertising services, which rose 25% year-over-year to bring in $12.06 billion in revenue. Overall, Amazon saw a 12.6% y/y increase in revenue for the third quarter, and beat expectations by $1.54 billion. Elsewhere, operating income rose to $11.2 billion in Q3, significantly higher than the $2.5 billion generated in 3Q22. For Wedbushs Devitt, the key points here are Amazons growth in AWS and advertising service he sees those segments as likely to continue lifting Amazon in the near future. Devitt writes, Amazon is our top pick across our internet coverage, and we think the company is well positioned for 2024 as retail margins continue to rise, AWS accelerates against easing comps, and advertising revenue growth continues to materially outperform the broader digital advertising industry. As retail capacity utilization further improves, Amazons higher margin businesses also continue to become a larger share of the overall revenue mixing, leading to higher consolidated operating margins. These comments support Devitts Outperform (Buy) rating, and his $210 price target indicates his confidence in a one-year upside potential of 38%. (To watch Devitts track record, click here) This giant of the online commerce field has picked up 42 recent reviews from Wall Streets analysts and they are all unanimous that this is a stock to Buy, giving AMZN its Strong Buy consensus rating. The shares are trading for $151.94, and their $181.05 average target price implies a gain of 19% over the coming year. (See Amazons stock forecast) Meta Platforms (META) From the giant of online retail, well turn our attention to the giant of social media. Meta Platforms is well known, having been set up by Mark Zuckerberg. Zuckerberg, most famous as the early developer in social media, created the company to be a parent/holding firm for his social media concerns Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Metas dominance of the social media world can be summed up in one number: the 3.96 billion monthly active users (MAU) the company reported in the third quarter of this year, or more than half the worlds total population. That MAU number was up 7% year-over-year, and well over the 3.88 billion that had been expected and it included gains across the drill downs. Facebook, the largest platform, had 3.05 billion monthly active users in Q3, up 3% y/y, and a 5% y/y increase in daily active users, to 2.09 billion. Overall, the Family of Apps showed a 7% y/y increase in daily active users, to 3.14 billion. The forecast had been for 3.09 billion. These numbers were accompanied by solid monetization figures in Metas newer media, particularly the Reels short video format. Reels became a net-neutral figure relative to consolidated ad revenue in 3Q23, and has a $10-billion-plus run rate. The companys click-to-message ads also boast a run rate above $10 billion. All of this helps cement Metas position as a leader in the constantly evolving landscape of online advertising and commerce and shows the companys ability to make progress despite the reputation of its flagship platform, Facebook, as a haven for older social media users. Metas expansions in its social media reach have been accompanied by a move into AI initiatives, designed to automate and smooth the online experience. These initiatives include the use of AI to facilitate translation operations for speech-to-text, speech-to-speech, text-to-speech, and text-to-text in up to 100 languages an important capability for a company with a world-wide reach. Meta plans to continue refining its AI technology, and to incorporate newer technologies, such as augmented, virtual, and mixed reality technology, into its family of platforms. The possibilities inherent in AI and VR technologies are nearly endless, and Meta aims to explore as many as it can imagine. On the financial site, Meta last reported results for 3Q23. The company had a top line of $34.15 billion, beating the forecast by $700 million and growing 23% y/y. At the companys bottom line, the EPS of $4.39 per diluted share, came in 76 cents better than had been anticipated. META shares posted growth of a huge 194% during 2023. Checking in again with analyst Devitt, we find him laying out several reasons to keep a bullish stance on the stock. He says, We expect Meta to benefit from improving monetization of new products (Reels, click-to-message), with Reels providing a modest tailwind to revenue in 2024 after becoming revenue neutral and as short-form video spending increases Advantage+ Shopping Campaigns reached a $10B+ annualized run rate in 3Q23, and we expect healthy adoption of Advantage+ will continue in 2024 New generative AI features like Meta AI (chatbot assistant) and AI avatars on Facebook & Instagram have the potential to increase engagement in 2024 and beyond. At his own bottom line, Devitt rates META shares as Outperform (Buy), with a $420 price target that implies a gain of ~18.5% for the next 12 months. Scott Devitt, of course, is far from the only bull on Meta. The companys stock has picked up 37 reviews from the Street recently, and these break down in a decidedly lopsided 36 to 1 in favor of Buys over Holds, making the consensus a nearly-unanimous Strong Buy. The shares are currently trading for $353.96 and their average price target of $391.57 suggests a ~10.5% one-year upside potential. (See META stock forecast) MercadoLibre (MELI) Last on our Wedbush-backed list of internet stocks is one of Latin Americas leading online retail companies. MercadoLibre, from its base in Uruguay, focuses its operations on the vast area south of the border, from Mexico to Argentina and Chile. While this region is sometimes overlooked, it is a potential powerhouse with a population over 659 million and collective GDP of $6.82 trillion (per World Bank data) in 2022. The region boasts a growing middle class, that is eager to improve its standard of living. In short, this is fertile ground for an aggressive online retailer. MercadoLibre has been operating in that niche for the better part of two decades, and has built itself into the regional leader. The company boasts a market cap of almost $80 billion, and describes its business as a trusted, agile, and people-centric ecosystem, split into two branches: Mercado Libre, for eCommerce, and Mercado Pago, for fintech. The company describes its business culture as taking an attitude of continuous beta, always innovating to implement new ideas, and testing everything, with the twin goals of developing the strongest possible competitive advantage and giving customers and users the best possible experience. This foundation has allowed MercadoLibre to build a solid business edifice. Looking at some basic statistics from the company, we find that it boasted 120 million unique active users at the end of 3Q23, up from 88 million one year earlier. During the quarter, the company sold 357 million unique items, and shipped 350 million items. Year-over-year, these figures were up 25% and 26% respectively. The companys total payment volume came to $47.26 billion, up 46% y/y. When we turn to the headline metrics revenue and earnings we find that MELI reported total Q3 revenue of $3.8 billion, up 41% y/y and some $250 million over the estimates. On a foreign exchange neutral basis, the companys revenue was up 69% y/y. On the bottom line, the company reported a net income available to shareholders of $7.18 per common share; this was $1.35 better than the forecast and was up significantly from the $2.57 reported in the prior-year period. When Devitt turned his eye to this Latin American eCommerce powerhouse, he was impressed by the companys clear potential for further gains, writing, MercadoLibres consolidated eCommerce take rate (excluding 1P) will reach 15.9% in 2023, below marketplace peers in the U.S. and we see a clear path to deeper monetization over time driven by fulfillment adoption, advertising growth, and scale. We expect ~50bps of take rate expansion in 2024 MercadoLibres take rate should trend higher over time due to adoption of its advertising and fulfillment services. MeracdoLibres Advertising revenue grew 70%+ Y/Y (ex -FX) in 3Q23, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of advertising growth above 70%. Advertising revenue is nearing 1.7% of GMV (implying ~$886mm of revenue in FY24). For Devitt, this justifies another Outperform (Buy) rating, and he backs that up with an $1,800 target price pointing toward a 14.5% increase in share value during 2024. Over the past 3 months, 12 analysts have weighed in on MELI, and they have given the stock 10 Buy ratings to just 2 Holds for a Strong Buy consensus view. The stocks average target price, currently standing at $1,715.5, suggests a potential 12-month upside of 9% from the current trading price of $1,571.54. (See MercadoLibres stock forecast) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment. With the chances of the strikes being called off all but over, the focus of every NHS leader and their staff is now on mitigating as many of the considerable risks that they face as possible. Well, the New Year is almost here. Well get a days break from trading, which means a chance to breathe easy, and maybe catch up on some market data before jumping back into the daily routines of the trading floors. We dont know how the coming year will shake out, but we can prepare by taking stock of some good portfolio ideas. In fact, we can look at some Perfect 10 ideas, stocks that have earned top ratings from both the analysts and the algorithms. The TipRanks Smart Score fills that second category. Its an advanced AI-powered data-sorting algorithm, that sifts through the multitudinous information generated by millions of daily trades, and rates every stock by how that data stacks up. Specifically, the algorithm compares each publicly traded stock to a set of factors that have proven themselves as predictors of a share future overperformance and it distills that down to a single score thats readable at a glance. The Smart Score is given on a scale of 1 to 10, with the Perfect 10s marking the stocks whose stars have aligned and which investors may want to give a second look. Weve gotten that process started, and found several Perfect 10s that are also getting top ratings from the Streets analysts. Its an interesting list. It includes industry leaders and Blue-Chip favorites, names like ConocoPhillips and CVS Health that should be familiar to every investor. Lets check the details. CVS Health Corporation (CVS) First up on our list of Perfect 10s is CVS Heath Corporation, the modern iteration of the well-known CVS pharmacy chain. The company has long been identified as one of the markets blue-chip favorites, and it still retains its two-sided business strategy, working in both healthcare and retail. CVSs core business remains its chain of pharmacy-slash-convenience stores. The company has over 9,400 brick-and-mortar locations, offering storefront pharmacy services, consumer health and hygiene products, basic groceries, and small electronic appliances. In addition, CVS also operates as a pharmacy benefits manager and, with its acquisition of Aetna completed in 2018 the company became a major player in the US health insurance market. Backing these health-related services, CVS also offers direct healthcare benefits on insured and self-insured plans. Story continues The companys Health Care Benefits segment gives customers access to medical, pharmacy, dental, and mental health services, and counted a membership of 25.7 million people as of September 30, 2023. This is a fast-growing segment of the company, and brought in nearly $26.3 billion in revenue for 3Q23, for year-over-year segment growth of 16.9%. Elsewhere in the Q3 report, CVS showed a top line of $89.8 billion, up by 10.6% year-over-year and $1.63 billion over the forecast. The firms bottom line came to an adjusted $2.21 per share by non-GAAP measures, 4 cents per share better than the year-ago quarter and 8 cents per share better than had been anticipated. And, CVS initiated a 9.9% bump in its dividend, making the new payment 66.5 cents per common share, scheduled for payout on February 1, 2024. At the new rate, the dividend annualizes to $2.66 per share and gives an inflation-beating yield of 3.36%. So, turning to the comments HSBC analyst Daniela Bretthauer, it makes sense that we find her upbeat on the company. Bretthauer cites the high growth potential of the Healthcare Benefits business and Aetnas health insurance, saying of the company, In general, our estimates for CVS are above consensus and reflect the latest updates in strategy covered at the companys 2023 Investor Day held in early December. We differ the most from consensus for the Healthcare Benefits segment based on our positive view of trends. The Healthcare Benefits segment is expected to experience a higher-than-previously-expected medical cost trend in Medicare Advantage for the remainder of 2023. Aetna continues to be a leader in $0 premium products, and approximately 84% of Medicare-eligible patients will have access to Aetna plans in this category in 2024. CVSs sales strategy for new business has been successful thus far, capturing more than 60% of national employers that moved to PBM (pharmacy benefit manager). Overall, the HSBC view on CVS is a Buy, with a $94 target price pointing toward a 19% gain on the horizon. (To watch Bretthauers track record, click here.) This stocks Strong Buy consensus rating is based on 18 recent analyst reviews that break down to 14 Buys against 4 Holds. The shares are selling for $78.96 and their $88.53 average price target implies a one-year upside potential of 12%. (See CVS Healths stock forecast.) ConocoPhillips (COP) Next on our list is the $137 billion oil giant ConocoPhillips. By market cap, this company ranks as the 7th largest oil and gas company in the world and it is one of three US companies counted among the top ten. ConocoPhillips is an independent exploration and production firm, with its business based on a solid foundation of known production output and proven reserves to back it up. The company currently has operations in 13 countries. Those operations involve the discovery, exploitation, transportation, and marketing of a range of hydrocarbon products crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, liquified natural gas, and bitumen. The company employs some 9,800 people to make this possible, from the C-suite execs to the roughnecks in the oil patches. They work everywhere from the Canadian mountains to Texas to the Middle East to Australia. At the most basic level, this companys business is getting fossil fuels out of the ground. And in its last quarter, its production numbers reached 1,806 Mboe/d company-wide. The lions share of that production, 1,083 Mboe/d, came from the Lower 48 states and of that total, approximately 72%, or 722 Mboe/d, came from the Permian Basin of Texas. The companys operations generated $5.5 billion in cash for the quarter. ConocoPhillips used that cash to support its program of capital return to shareholders, which totaled $2.6 billion in Q3. This included $1.3 billion worth of share repurchases and another $1.3 billion returned through the ordinary dividend. That dividend was last paid out on December 1, 2023, at 58 cents per share. The annualized rate of $2.32 gives a yield of 2%. Size brings benefits all its own, and Evercore analyst Stephen Richardson notes that size is one of ConocoPhillips chief advantages. He cites the companys focus on streamlining operations and returning cash to investors as additional enticements for investors. Richardson writes in his recent note on this oil giant, COP enjoys a scale portfolio across geographies and asset type that affords uncommon visibility (for a depletion industry). A dogged focus on cost of supply for the better part of decade assures that all investments are generating adequate returns. Add to this a visible framework of cash returns (shareholder distributions tracking $11.1 Bn on our estimates), it is unsurprising the market gets lulled into thinking the COP story is fully discounted COP model is compounding returns daily and there are no gaps in the portfolio or anxiety about resource depth that could drive adverse shareholder outcomes that exist elsewhere in the peer group (both big and small). Richardson goes to give COP an Outperform (Buy) rating, and a $156 target price that suggests the stock will appreciate 34% by the end of 2024. (To watch Richardsons track record, click here.) There are 19 recent analyst reviews on record for ConocoPhillips, and their 15 Buys to 4 Holds support the stocks Strong Buy consensus rating. The shares are trading for $116.07, and the average price target, of $139.32, indicates room for a 20% upside on the one-year horizon. (See ConocoPhillips stock forecast.) Cenovus Energy, Inc. (CVE) Lets wrap up with another energy stock, Cenovus Energy. This Calgary-based company has been operating in Western Canada oil sands the resource that made Alberta a world-class energy producer since 2009. Today, the companys production activities remain centered in Alberta, where it works a combination of conventional oil and gas plays as well as the oil sands and heavy oil ops that were its original focus. In addition to its oil and gas extraction activities, Cenovus has expanded into the refinery business. The company has refining and upgrading operations in Alberta, as well as in the Great Lakes region of the US. The company also has offshore exploration projects, in Atlantic Canada off Newfoundland, off the coast of China, and in Indonesia. These activities have given Cenovus, once a regional player, a truly international footprint. During the third quarter of 2023, the last reported, Cenovus generated a total upstream production of 797,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (Boe/d), and averaged a downstream throughput of 664,000 barrels per day (bbls/d). Based on this production, Cenovus generated C$2.4 billion in free funds flow for the quarter or $1.8 billion in US currency. Based on that solid cash generation, Cenovus paid out C$361 million in common share dividends, as part of its C$1.2 billion in capital returned to shareholders. 5-star analyst Neil Mehta, from Goldman Sachs, gives this stock a Buy rating with a US$23 share price target, implying a 38% upside for the year ahead. Goldman Sachs Neil Mehta is upbeat on the companys overall position, especially its ability to meet debt targets and integrate its upstream and downstream activities. The 5-star analyst writes, Looking to 2024, we believe the setup for CVE is constructive given (a) a relatively supportive commodity price in a $80/bbl Brent environment (GS mid-cycle view), which should allow the company to ramp shareholder returns in the back half of 2024 upon meeting the C$4 bn net debt target; (b) key refining assets are now online, most notably Toledo with 128 kbpd of throughput expected in 2024 (CVE 2024E US refining total capacity of 632 kbpd), driving further cash flow inflection; and (c) broader integration opportunities within the Upstream/Downstream portfolio following a series of more add-on transactions completed in the 2021-2023 timeframe. Quantifying his stance, Mehta gives this stock a Buy rating with a US$23 share price target, implying a 38% upside for the year ahead. (To watch Mehtas track record, click here.) Looking at the consensus breakdown, Cenovus has picked up 11 recent analyst reviews, including 10 Buys against just a single Hold, to back up its Strong Buy consensus rating. With an average price target of US$24.44 and a share price of US$16.65, the stock boasts a one-year upside potential of 47%. (See Cenovus stock forecast.) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment. ST. LOUIS They put on the airs of young toughs, cutting jaunty poses and puffing roll-their-own cigarettes. But they were little boys, many of them orphans, scratching livings off penny tips by hawking big-city newspapers. Lewis Wilkes Hine photographed some of St. Louis' hardscrabble newsboys during a visit here in early May 1910. Hine already had made his reputation as an early reform documentarian with powerful images of immigrants on Ellis Island and girls tending spindles in a South Carolina cotton mill. In 1910, he was touring the country for the National Child Labor Committee, a private organization. He took pictures of kids in mines, factories, shrimp canneries and garment shops. In St. Louis, he chronicled the "newsies." In early May of that year, he spent several days in St. Louis with the newsies on their corners and at the branch offices, where they picked up papers and settled up with their bosses. Back then, St. Louis had five English-language dailies. The boys were the publishers' shock troops, tussling for primacy on busy corners. Born into poverty, newsies usually didn't go to school. Their bosses tended to be generous only with corporal punishment. All told, Hine took more than 5,000 photographs of children on the job during the boom years of the early 1900s. Reformers used them in the crusade to institute child-labor laws, which wouldn't be enacted until his St. Louis newsies were in their 30s. Hine grew up in Oshkosh, Wis., and earned a sociology degree from the University of Chicago. During World War I, he was a Red Cross photographer. He lingered after the armistice to record the lives of children in the Balkans. Returning to America, he was hired to chronicle the construction of the Empire State Building. He went to the top with the ironworkers. His 1932 book, "Men at Work," is a masterpiece of daring at 1,000 feet. Hine died in 1940 at age 65. Last year, author Joe Manning of Massachusetts sought identities of the St. Louis newsies for a book. Phyllis Foerstel of south St. Louis County said she was certain that one of them was Slavko "Socko" Okertich, her uncle, who had sold papers as a young Croat immigrant. The Hine photograph has been on the family room wall for decades. Socko died in 1958. Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer Lewis Hine, early 20th century photographer NO headline in galleries December 17, 2023: South Korea is again considering developing and manufacturing its own nuclear weapons. The cause is the growing instability of North Korea and South Korean fears that the United States wont fulfill its pledge to attack North Korea with nuclear weapons if the North attacks South Korea with nukes. South Korea currently sees North Korea as less stable and more prone to reckless actions against the south. This change in attitudes came after November 2023 when South Korea canceled a 2018 agreement with North Korea to reduce the surveillance and spying they carried out against each other. South Korea took a closer look at North Korean military activities and concluded that North Korea might be tempted to emulate the recent Hamas attack on Israel and back it with the threat of using nuclear weapons. This is a dangerous form of diplomacy, and it is unclear if North Korea was contemplating such a thing. Now North Korea is temporarily prospering by selling weapons and munitions to Russia in return for cash and much-needed food. This is good news for the North Korean government, which until last year was facing more popular unrest due to poor economic conditions and not enough food. Last year Russia sought to buy weapons and munitions from North Korea to supply their troops in Ukraine. More orders followed and soon this was visible on satellite photos of increased activity on the Trans-Siberian railroad. It is unclear if North Korea was planning to risk its newly acquired prosperity with an attack on South Korea. Yet this is what South Korea feared and thats why they canceled the 2018 treaty and resumed surveillance of North Korean military activities. All they could see was increased activity in weapons and munitions factories with most of that production being shipped to Russia. Since 2019, South Korea has not been able to get the North to negotiate about anything. Not all the new weapons production is sent to Russia. North Korea has kept its ballistic missile production going and tests more of them with launches into the waters between Korea and Japan. This frightens the Japanese, who note that most of these missiles seem to work and are not fired at their maximum ranges. While North Korea is pleased with this, Japan is also acquiring more BMD (Ballistic Missile Defense) systems. Japan has recently increased its annual defense spending 26 percent. Now the Japanese are spending $52 billion a year, which is about 1.4 percent of GDP and the largest Japanese defense budget ever. It is also the sixth year that Japan increased defense spending and the goal is to eventually reach two percent of GDP. Japan and South Korea are now spending about the same amount on defense and are both in the top ten defense spenders in the world. The others are the United States, China, Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, Britain, Germany and France. South Korea is number nine, spending a little more than Japan at number ten. Militarily, South Korea is a superpower compared to North Korea. This is obvious when you consider annual defense spending. While the United States accounts for about 40 percent of worldwide defense spending, China and Russia together only account for about 17 percent. The rest of the top ten are either allies of the Americans or friendly. Ukraine is, in terms of total defense spending that includes donations from NATO countries, figuratively in the top five when it comes to defense acquisitions. This is a dubious distinction for Ukraine, which is using it all to repel a Russian invasion. South Korea has profited from this because NATO nations bordering Ukraine or Russia have increased defense spending and purchased nearly $15 billion worth of South Korea weapons and munitions. South Korea produces a lot more military gear than the north and the southern weapons and munitions are top grade. One side effect is that once Poland receives all the South Korean tanks, mobile artillery, and rocket (guided and unguided) launchers from South Korea, they will have the most powerful army in NATO Europe. This is to discourage any Russian attacks on Poland or any other NATO nation in the area. South Korea fears that their more numerous and effective weapons and munitions are not having the desired effect on North Korea. Since the 1990s South Korea has become an economic powerhouse and one of the top ten economies in the world. Because of that South Korea has more friends and trading partners in East Asia than Russia does. South Korea has the wealth and technical skill to build nuclear weapons and reliable ones at that. Russia believes that offending South Korea is a bad idea while disappointing North Korea creates no new problems. Then there are the earlier South Korea efforts to keep nuclear weapons out of the Korean peninsula. The Americans have already taken the lead in this. In 1991 the United States withdrew all its nuclear warheads from South Korea and managed to get the two Koreas to agree not to develop and deploy nuclear weapons. This included both Koreas signing the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty). North Korea went ahead and developed nuclear weapons anyway, even though it was obvious that South Korea could do the same and produce more reliable nuclear warheads and more effective submarines to launch them from. When North Korea violated the agreement, South Korea went ahead and produced SLBMs (Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles) with conventional warheads launched from South Korean designed and built submarines. Since 2014 South Korea has been building nine 3,300-ton KSS-III submarines, each able to carry six or ten locally developed SLBM ballistic or cruise missiles with a range of up to 3,000 kilometers. These missiles can carry nuclear warheads instead of the high-explosive ones they currently have. Two of these subs are in service with another two entering service in 2024 and 2026. North Korea realizes they could not develop and build anything similar. South Korea has a growing fleet of locally built submarines that can carry ballistic or cruise missiles. Most South Koreans now approve of building nuclear warheads, just in case North Korea foolishly makes a serious threat to use such missiles against South Korea or any other country. This made North Korea realize that the economically more powerful and technically more accomplished south not only can outproduce the north when it comes to any type of weapon but has actually done so many times and is now a major producer and exporter of modern weapons. South Korea is not impressed with North Korean threats to attack them with devastating effect. The north can attack, but the south can retaliate with far greater destructive force. That is why the north continues to issue threats that South Korea ignores. The south was not always the major military power, and the current situation is a relatively recent development. There is another complication, much of this traced back to the Korean War that began in 1950 when the overconfident north invaded. The fighting went on until 1953 when both sides agreed to an armistice, not a peace treaty. The combat forces remained in place to avoid a revival of fighting. This created the 250 kilometers long DMZ (four kilometers wide demilitarized zone), which became the border between North and South Korea. Since 1953 South Korea has become democratic, industrialized and it now has a GDP that is in the worldwide top ten. South Korea also became a major manufacturer and exporter of modern weapons. That included over ten billion dollars worth of weapons to NATO countries that border Russia or Ukraine. North Korea held onto its socialist ways and was misruled by the Kim dynasty. On a per capita basis, South Koreans are twenty times wealthier than the average North Korean. North Korea does have some nuclear weapons, but the Kims have not yet found a way to turn that into an improved standard of living for the average North Korean. South Korea has been expanding its arms production since the 1990s and now, because of demand from NATO nations that sent a lot of weapons to Ukraine, South Korea is poised to enter the Top Five. All this affluence had undesirable side effects, the primary one is declining population. South Korea already has a lower (1.11) birth rate than Japan. Taiwan has the lowest worldwide at 1.09, followed by South Korea, Singapore at 1.17 and Hong Kong at 1.23. The American birth rate is 1.66 but most Western nations have lower rates. For Europe as a whole, the rate is .98. South Korea has profited from this because NATO nations bordering Ukraine or Russia have increased defense spending and purchased billions of dollars worth of South Korea weapons and munitions. South Korea produces a lot more military weapons and equipment than the north and it is of the highest quality. South Korea based its weapons on what the Americans were offering, but added additional features that made their weapons more attractive to export customers. This included lower prices. Because of all these new export customers, South Korea is on-track to depose China from its current position as the fourth largest arms exporter. China has nuclear weapons, which is yet another incentive for South Korea to have them as well. LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Airvet, the leading provider of pet telehealth services for employers, made history by becoming the first veterinary telehealth company to make a fully VCPR compliant remote diagnosis and written prescription in the state of California. By expanding its services beyond telehealth and into true telemedicine, Airvet continues to demonstrate its innovation in the pet care industry and its ongoing commitment to making pet care more accessible, affordable and convenient for tens of millions of pet families across the nation. This telemedicine visit will be the first of many in the state of California as Assembly Bill 1399 is now in effect, granting veterinarians the legal right to virtually prescribe medications to pet parents. Prior to AB1399, veterinarians in California could conduct telehealth visits and evaluate a pet and recommend care, but were unable to prescribe medications. This milestone legislation will be especially impactful for California pet parents struggling to get convenient access to care. Some current barriers include living in remote or rural areas, mobility challenges, and the ongoing veterinary shortage. Dr. Jeff Werber, Airvets Chief Veterinary Officer, was on-call New Years Eve and conducted the visit. Its an honor to be a part of this milestone in veterinary medicine. I have been working with pets and pet parents for 40 years and I am thrilled that California is finally recognizing the significant benefits of telemedicine for veterinary care. As pets continue to be recognized as key members of the family, employers are beginning to take note and expand their family benefits to include pet related benefits such as pet telehealth, pet insurance, pet bereavement leave, and even paw-ternity leave. Airvet partners with many of the country's leading employers to offer telehealth as an employee benefit, including Adobe, Manulife, Ceridian and more. Virtual prescriptions are already available to Airvets consumer members and will soon be made available to employer members, too. The national shortage of veterinarians has made access to care challenging and telemedicine is a critical next step in providing comprehensive care to pet parents. California has taken an important step to increase access to care and were optimistic that the passage of AB1399 will influence more states to take action and pass similar legislation to make veterinary care more accessible for all of its residents. We are especially excited for what this change means in terms of how Airvet can deepen our existing relationships with California-based employers and new partnerships in 2024, said Dan Lieberman, President of Airvet. Reside in California? Get complimentary access to Airvet For a limited time Airvet is offering California residents complimentary access to Airvets platform. To learn more, visit join.airvet.com/california and complete the form. About Airvet Founded in 2018, Airvet was built with a focus on modernizing the pet care experience and is the #1 rated pet telemedicine app in the App Store with over 7,400 reviews and a 4.9/5 star rating. As the nations largest and highest-rated pet telehealth company in the US and Canada, serving over 250,000+ pet families, Airvet provides 24/7 access to video visits and chats with thousands of licensed veterinarians and pet care providers, delivered as a highly valued employee benefit to companies like Adobe, Manulife, Eyemart Express, Ceridian and Rexford Industrial. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240101861131/en/ Media Contact Katie Kerr Senior Director, Marketing [email protected] Source: Airvet PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News: The acquisition of HSBC Continental Europes retail banking activities in France was completed on 1 January 2024 and these are now run by CCF (Credit Commercial de France). The acquisition perimeter also includes HSBC SFH, renamed CCF SFH. Following this transaction, My Money Group becomes CCF Group. Capitalizing on its high-caliber retail network, the Group reaffirms its dedication to delivering exemplary retail banking and wealth management services. The Group will have total assets surpassing 30 billion euros and a robust solvency position with a CET1 ratio exceeding 15% at close. Further reinforcing its financial strength is a substantial liquidity position of around 10 billion euros in cash. The entire CCF network as well as the online bank will be open for business from 2 January 2024 to support our clients in their financial and wealth projects. CCF Group CCF Created in 1917, CCF opens a new chapter of its history on 1 January 2024. A French, patrimonial and human scale bank, CCF offers tailor made support to individuals and professionals. CCF provides relational, excellence, expertise as well as fluidity and simplicity. CCF has its headquarters located in Paris at 103 rue de Grenelle and has a network of banking branches throughout France. More information on ccf.fr CCF Group CCF Group is a century-old French banking group which is made up of retail banking and specialized financing activities. Retail banking activities are operated under CCF brand. Specialized financing activities focus on lending to individuals as well as specialized financing for businesses. CCF Group operates in France. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231231386354/en/ Press: Isabelle Duvernay [email protected] 0033 7 86 96 93 12 Stephanie Tabouis [email protected] 0033 6 03 84 05 03 Source: My Money Group NEW YORK, Dec. 31, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) between February 2, 2022 and October 26, 2023, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the February 6, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased GM 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 GM class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=21020 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] 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 February 6, 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. 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) GM downplayed concerns with its vehicles airbags and the need to record additional warranty accruals for related product recalls; (2) GM overstated the extent and efficacy of its efforts to analyze defects in its vehicles airbag inflators; (3) Cruise LLCs (Cruise) autonomous vehicles (AV) and/or AV technology were less safe and well-developed than defendants had led investors, regulators, and the general public to believe; (4) accordingly, regulatory approval of Cruises AV products was unsustainable and the prospects for widespread regulatory approval and adoption of Cruises AV products were overstated; (5) all the foregoing subjected GM to an increased risk of governmental and/or regulatory scrutiny and enforcement action, significant legal liabilities, product recalls, and reputational harm; and (6) as a result, defendants public statements were materially false and/or misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the GM class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=21020 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] 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, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. 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 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com Palmer Luckey sold Oculus, his virtual reality headset startup, to Facebook in 2014 for more than $2bn (1.6bn) - Dan Tuffs A defence company founded by US entrepreneur Palmer Luckey, who sold his virtual reality business to Facebook at the age of 21, will double its UK presence in the next two years as it expects a boom in defence technology. Anduril develops anti-drone technology, detection equipment and maritime security technology, all centred around its Lattice artificial intelligence-powered software. The company recently developed a vertically launched jet engine powered drone named Roadrunner which is designed to intercept aircraft and other drones and gather intelligence. We have a strong belief that the UK is rife with engineering in defence and aerospace talent. We plan to continue to hire and grow in that market for the foreseeable future, says Gregory Kausner, Head of Global Defence. Our focus is on autonomous systems. Robots capable of acting independently based on conditions set by humans with humans. Anduril develops anti-drone technology, detection equipment and maritime security technology - Anduril The company was founded in 2017 and entered the UK in 2019 as its first international market. It plans to double its 40-strong UK workforce to 80 and plans to design, engineer and to manufacture products in the UK for the UK, Mr Kausner said, opening test ranges and offices. Founder Palmer Luckey sold Oculus, his virtual reality headset startup to Facebook in 2014 for more than $2bn (1.6bn) and personally made an estimated $700m. He was let go in 2016, reportedly for making donations to an anti-Hillary Clinton group. The following year, he set up Anduril, named after a legendary sword in JRR Tolkiens Lord of The Rings books, which is meant to bring modern technology onto the battlefield. The UK defence sector has seen a wave of investment and expansion since Russias attack on Ukraine. Relatively new technologies to defence, like drones, has meant militaries are trying to adapt quickly to counter them. Ukraine has proved a productive testing ground for drones, which are used for surveillance and as a cheap, accurate means of delivering attacks on tanks, buildings and personnel. Story continues Before Russias invasion, the focus of most weapons makers was to outperform enemy hardware, building equipment that was increasingly fast, stealthy or deadly. Military drones however, can cost as little as $10,000 apiece, while adapted civilian models can come in under $1,000 Development of domestic jet-powered drones in the UK is also gaining pace. BAE Systems began developing a jet-powered stealth drone called Taranis about a decade ago. QinetiQ, the defence technology firm spun out of the Ministry of Defence nearly two decades ago, is developing a disposable drone with top British arms contractor BAE Systems called Jackdaw. Based on the design of the Banshee target, which looks like a mini warplane and is made to be shot out of the sky during missile tests, the jet-powered Jackdaw will help lure rockets away from nearby jets, snoop on targets and jam radio transmissions. This can all be achieved more cheaply than a manned plane. 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. CONCORD, NC - (NewMediaWire) - December 13, 2023 - Hydromer, Inc (OTC: HYDI) is pleased to announce the Company rebranding initiatives (the Initiatives) reflecting the Companys continued transformation and a redefined strategy focused on growth, and product innovation. CEO Mike Torti says, These Initiatives signify the Companys ambitions to explore new business opportunities through aggressive new product development efforts while creating long-term value for all shareholders. Initial Elements of the Initiatives New Logo: Our new logo represents our dedication to quality, reliability, and advancement in the medical device industry. Our new look features a striking color palette of ocean blue and crisp white, symbolizing our commitment to excellence and purity in our products. The bold H in our brand symbolizes our vision and plan to push boundaries and make a lasting impact in the medical coating industry. New Website: The unveiling of our updated website at https://www.hydromer.com represents a significant leap forward in providing a user-friendly space for our audience to stay abreast of the Company's latest developments, offerings, and endeavors. Boasting an intuitive interface, streamlined navigation, and engaging features, the revamped website serves as a focal point for discovering the diverse spectrum of experiences the Company now brings to its online visitors. Product Advancements: The Company is working on an expansion of its coating product offerings in both the Medical Device and Industrial markets it currently serves. More updates should be expected in early 2024. Digital Marketing: The organization aims to enhance its visibility across various online platforms and has recently hired a Marketing Executive to lead these efforts. These strategic initiatives are anticipated to empower the company in attracting new customers to its revamped website and provide advanced engagement solutions with current and new customers. About Hydromer, Inc. Hydromer has been a leader in hydrophilic, thromboresistant, and antimicrobial coating technologies for medical devices for over 40 years. As a trusted partner to large and small companies worldwide, our solutions add value to our clients products so that they can stand out in the marketplace. We are an innovation-driven, customer-centered organization with a focus on meeting our clients needs. We are an FDA, GMP/ISO 13485, and ISO 9001 production facility located in Concord, North Carolina. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on Hydromers current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or anticipated. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Hydromer undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Hydromer Inc. 800-326-5976 [email protected] View the original release on www.newmediawire.com Kory R. Kappes' wealth of experience is set to further enhance Team Tatom's commitment to excellence in restoration services. His strategic vision and leadership skills are poised to contribute significantly to the continued success and growth of SERVPRO Team Tatom. ST. GEORGE, Utah , Jan. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SERVPRO Team Tatom, the owners of SERVPRO franchises across five locations, proudly welcomes Kory R. Kappes as an equity partner and Director of Large Loss. With a robust background spanning nearly two decades in client development and project management, Kory has solidified his reputation as a proven industry leader during his nine-year tenure at SERVPRO. "I am honored to join Team Tatom and contribute to the continued success of their SERVPRO team. Together, we are well-positioned to meet and exceed the expectations of our clients, providing exceptional service with the highest level of professionalism, and continue to building the SERVPRO brand." Team Tatom, with an impressive 18 years of dedicated service within the SERVPRO network, has expanded its expertise across multiple locations, including SERVPRO of West Jordan , SERVPRO of South Jordan , SERVPRO of Holliday/ Cottonwood , SERVPRO of Midvale / Murray , and SERVPRO of St. George . Kory R. Kappes' wealth of experience is set to further enhance Team Tatom's commitment to excellence in restoration services. His strategic vision and leadership skills are poised to contribute significantly to the continued success and growth of SERVPRO Team Tatom. As the Director of Large Loss, Kory will play a key role in driving innovation, fostering client relationships, and ensuring the highest standards of project management within Team Tatom's Large Loss operations. "We are thrilled to have Kory R. Kappes on board as part of Team Tatom. His extensive experience and leadership in the industry make him a valuable addition, aligning seamlessly with our commitment to delivering top-notch disaster recovery services. We believe his addition will open the door for new and exciting opportunities," said Kevin Tatom , one of the owners for SERVPRO Team Tatom. Kory R. Kappes expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating, "I am honored to join Team Tatom and contribute to the continued success of their SERVPRO team. Together, we are well-positioned to meet and exceed the expectations of our clients, providing exceptional service with the highest level of professionalism, and continue to building the SERVPRO brand." For further information or media inquiries, please contact: Kory Kappes [email protected] 470-510-9330 About Team Tatom: With 18 years of dedicated service within the SERVPRO network, Team Tatom is a distinguished ownership group overseeing five SERVPRO franchises in West Jordan , South Jordan , Holliday/ Cottonwood , Midvale / Murray , and St. George . Committed to excellence, Team Tatom continues to be a leader in the disaster recovery industry. About SERVPRO: SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the restoration industry, providing 24/7 emergency service and expertise in water, fire, mold, and storm damage restoration. With a network of over 2,100 franchises nationwide, SERVPRO is dedicated to helping make it "Like it never even happened." Media Contact Kory Kappes , SERVPRO of St. George , 1 4705109330, [email protected], https://www.servpro.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/kory-r-kappes-joins-servpro-team-tatom-as-equity-partner-and-director-of-large-loss-302024080.html SHANGHAI , Dec. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from China Daily (By Lin Shujuan): Shanghai Municipal People's Government launched the beta version of a new online portal (english.shanghai.gov.cn) for expat services on Jan 1 . Called International Services Shanghai, the new website will have its own Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), and WeChat accounts. The portal, operated by China Daily, serves as a one-stop platform for foreigners, regardless of whether they are looking for information related to work, travel or study in Shanghai. It is answering the call to stress the need to effectively remove the obstacles for foreigners to come to China for business, study, and tourism made during the annual Central Economic Work Conference held in Beijing on December 11-12 . The portal has been integrated with the city's e-governance platform, Government Online-Offline Shanghai, to offer quick online access to foreigners. Online and offline activities, such as policy introduction sessions, business consultations, themed salons, cultural experiences, and learning and training events, will be organized to better serve and engage with the expat community. Many expats who participated in the beta testing of the portal have lauded its launch. Michael Wong , managing partner of Talent Service, Asia Pacific , EY, said the portal will allow people interested in coming to Shanghai to make better-informed decisions. Montealegre Carvajal Edwin Roberto, who is currently an international student at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, said the information provided on the website regarding the setting up of businesses has allowed him to thoroughly understand the nitty-gritty of the process. The Costa Rican is planning to open his own performance company after graduation. Clarisse Le Guernic, who works in the tourism industry in Shanghai , said the new website would be beneficial as it would allow her to better answer queries from her customers about the city. Shanghai -based marketing consultant Natacha Extier, said the website is useful even for long-term residents like her as it contains a wealth of useful content on doing business in the city. The website will be made available in eight other languages - Japanese, Korean, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic at a later time. " Shanghai is a charming city full of hope and unlimited opportunities, and it is a land for entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams and make a career. We will continue to create a first-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized, provide accurate, convenient and innovative high-quality services, and work hand in hand with everybody to create an open and prosperous future," Gong Zheng , the mayor of Shanghai , said during the "Invest in China Year" summit in November. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shanghai-launches-new-online-portal-for-expat-services-302024149.html SOURCE China Daily The midnight spectacular ushered in 2024 with longest show yet, broadcast across the region SEATTLE , Jan. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Seattle skies were glowing with color as the Space Needle rang in 2024 with a brilliant light, drone, and pyrotechnic spectacular for the West Coastand the worldto see. The T-Mobile New Year's at the Needle extravaganza was the longest show in the event's 32-year history, stunning viewers with an 18-minute display. More viewers were able to tune in than ever before with the event broadcast live for the first time in Portland and Spokane , in addition to Seattle . At 11:52 PM , 500 drones took flight next to the Space Needle and created out-of-this-world cosmic formations, including an astronaut, rocket ship, and UFO landing on top of the drone-illustrated Space Needle. As the drones counted down to midnight, an elaborate lighting and explosive pyrotechnic finale marked the new year in Seattle , all choreographed to a soundtrack of Pacific Northwest favorites and 2023's biggest cultural moments. Show highlights included: Live musical performance atop the Space Needle by the West Seattle girl-pop rock band THEM for viewers at home; girl-pop rock band THEM for viewers at home; The track "Soft Stud" by up-and-coming Pacific Northwest artist Black Belt Eagle Scout , with roots in Oregon and Washington ; artist Black Belt , with roots in and ; Celebrating the hitmakers of 2023 with "Bejeweled" by Taylor Swift ( TIME Magazine's Person of the Year) and "Alien Superstar" by Beyonce ; ( Person of the Year) and "Alien Superstar" by ; Honoring the legendary musicians that we lost this year with tracks by Harry Belafonte and Tina Turner . "The Best" by Turner was the grand finale for the show to ring in 2024. Other artists featured in this year's show included beloved and trending artists like Macklemore, ODESZA, and Modest Mouse along with Dua Lipa , Lil Nas X , Spanish rapper Quevedo, and K-pop supergroup IVE. "This year's spectacular was our biggest yet, and the Space Needle is proud to be at the heart of so many New Year's traditions," said Randy Cote, Chief Marketing Officer for the Space Needle. "We hope those who joined the countdown in-person at Seattle Center and from across the Pacific Northwest watching at home experienced the awe, possibility, and joy of sharing this moment together as we look toward a bright 2024." "On behalf of the Space Needle and the millions that watched from across the region, a huge thank you goes out to our creative and production partners, and to T-Mobile for sponsoring this event for the 11th year in a row," added Cote. Drone specialists Sky Elements, along with Pyro Spectaculars by Souza and Illuminate Production Services, returned as the experts in fireworks and lighting, respectively. The show was broadcast across the Pacific Northwest on KING ( Seattle ), KGW ( Portland ), and KREM ( Spokane ), with the show's audio simulcast by iHeart Radio on HITS 106.1 in Seattle . To watch the full show, visit spaceneedle.com/newyears. Photos/videos: Media Kit - T-Mobile New Year's at the Needle For more information, contact: Genny Boots , Space Needle [email protected] | (206) 753-4924 (office) About Space Needle Built as the centerpiece and inspiration for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, the Space Needle has since become a part of the Seattle experience and the globally-recognized icon for the city. The Space Needle's recent $100 million renovation added more than 176 tons of glass to the structure offering unparalleled views of Seattle and features The Loupethe world's first revolving glass floor. Open year round, the Space Needle hosts more than a million visitors per year. For more information visit: spaceneedle.com/press About Pyro Spectaculars by Souza The Pyro Spectaculars Group of Companies is a third-generation family-owned and operated full-service pyrotechnic company. Pyro is one of the largest and oldest pyrotechnic companies in the western United States . Pyro helped initiate the tradition of New Year's fireworks on the Space Needle in the mid-1990s and has been the Space Needle's partner for New Year's at the Needle ever since. For more information visit: pyrospec.com About Illuminate Production Services Inc. With a mission to design, connect and enhance experience, Illuminate Production Services works to provide production quality audio, video lighting, staging and more to clients nationwide. For more information visit: lightingips.com About Sky Elements Sky Elements delivers captivating drone light shows that immerse audiences and skyrocket brand awareness, putting accuracy, execution, and compliance first. For more information visit: skyelementsdrones.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-space-needle-dazzles-the-pacific-northwest-with-lights-drones-and-fireworks-for-t-mobile-new-years-at-the-needle-302024176.html SOURCE Space Needle N'DJAMENA (Reuters) -Chadian opposition leader Succes Masra who recently returned to the central African country following a deal with the ruling junta, was appointed as prime minister of the transitional government, the presidency said on Monday. His appointment could be seen as a move by the junta to appease the opposition after a constitutional referendum in which most opposition political parties have either called for a boycott or a "no" vote. Masra, a staunch opponent of the junta which seized power in April 2021, fled the country after dozens were killed and hundreds injured as security forces cracked down on demonstrations in the capital N'Djamena on Oct. 20, 2022. The government issued an international warrant for his arrest after he left. However, in late October the government and Masra signed an agreement allowing him to return. Masra's appointment was announced in a decree read on national television. (Reporting by Mahamat Ramadane; writing by Anait Miridzhanian; editing by Alison Williams and Jason Neely) AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Dutch police on Monday said more than 200 people had been arrested on New Year's Eve during riots throughout the country, in which dozens of police officers were injured. Police in several cities were attacked with fireworks and stones, in what a spokesman told broadcaster NOS was a night of serious incidents and "unacceptable" violence. Police in Rotterdam said more than 100 cars and other vehicles had been set on fire there, while in Amsterdam, The Hague and other cities riot squads were needed to disperse violent crowds. Riot squads were also used throughout the country to assist fire brigades who were attacked with fireworks while they tried to put out numerous fires. In the city of Haarlem, a 19-year old man died of injuries he sustained in an incident with fireworks shortly before midnight on Sunday, police said. (Reporting by Bart Meijer, Editing by Louise Heavens) Israeli military vehicles are lined up on a beach, amid the ongoing ground operation of the Israeli army against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in the Gaza Strip as seen in a handout picture released by the Israel Defense Forces on November 13, 2023. I By Dan Williams JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel is prepared to let ships deliver aid to the war-ravaged Gaza Strip "immediately" as part of a proposed sea corridor from Cyprus, the Israeli foreign minister said on Sunday, naming four European countries as potential participants. Under the arrangement first suggested by Nicosia in November, cargo would undergo security inspection in the Cypriot port of Larnaca before being ferried to the Gaza coast, 370 km (230 miles) away, rather than through neighbouring Egypt or Israel. If the plan goes ahead, it would mark the first easing of an Israeli naval blockade imposed on Gaza in 2007 after militant Hamas Islamists seized control of the Palestinian enclave. Israel has described the corridor as a means of ending its civilian ties to Gaza, where it has been waging an 12-week-old offensive in retaliation for a cross-border killing and kidnapping spree by Hamas gunmen. With hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians displaced and facing severe shortages of basic essentials, the idea may also go some way toward meeting a U.N. Security Council resolution of Dec. 22 calling for expanded humanitarian relief mechanisms. "It can start immediately," Foreign Minister Eli Cohen told Tel Aviv radio station 103 FM when asked about the Mediterranean corridor. He said Britain, France, Greece and the Netherlands were among countries with vessels able to land directly on the shores of Gaza, which lacks a deep-water port. He appeared to suggest he expected them to do that rather than offload aid in Israel. "They requested of us that the equipment come via (the Israeli port of) Ashdod. The answer is no. It won't come via Ashdod. It won't come via Israel. We want disengagement, with security control. That's the goal of this process," Cohen said. The Dutch Defence Ministry said it had received no request regarding the plan yet. "One of our ships is in the region and we are ready to start at short notice," ministry spokesman Laurens Bos said. "But for now, this is not the case." There was no immediate response from London, Paris or Athens. Britain and Greece have previously expressed support for the Cypriot initiative, with Britain offering shallow-bottomed vessels to approach the Gaza coast, a senior Cypriot official told Reuters. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has also backed the Cypriot plan, which would involve Israeli security agents taking part in the Larnaca inspections. "As of now there is a maritime blockade, and if such an (aid) ship comes from Larnaca, it will be with our approval," Cohen said. "It will of course be a secured corridor, as we have no intention of endangering a British or French ship coming in coordination with us." Several European and Arab donor countries have been sending aid to Gaza through the nearby Egyptian coastal town of Al Arish. Israel has been involved in monitoring those shipments, in what some humanitarian relief agencies say creates lags. Cairo tracks traffic across its Gaza border and has ruled out any influx of Palestinian refugees. On Saturday, Israel signalled it would seize control of the Gaza-Egypt border zone as part of its efforts to demilitarise the enclave. (Additional reporting by Michele Kambas and Bart Meijer; Writing by Dan WilliamsEditing by Andrew Heavens and Frances Kerry) ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Landlocked Ethiopia signed an initial agreement with Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland on Monday to use its Red Sea port of Berbera, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office said. The Horn of Africa country currently relies on neighbouring Djibouti for most of its maritime trade. "This has been now agreed with our Somaliland brothers and an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) has been signed today," Abiy said at the signing ceremony with Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. President Abdi said as part of the agreement, Ethiopia would also be the first country to recognise Somaliland as an independent nation in due course. The MoU pave the way to allowing Ethiopia to have commercial marine operations in the region by giving it access to a leased military base on the Red Sea, Abiy's National Security Adviser Redwan Hussien said. Somaliland would also receive a stake in state-owned Ethiopian Airlines, Hussien said, without providing further detail. Somaliland has not gained widespread international recognition despite declaring autonomy from Somalia in 1991. Somalia says Somaliland is part of its territory. Somalia's SONNA state media agency reported last week that following mediation efforts led by Djibouti, Somalia and Somaliland had agreed to resume talks aimed at resolving their disputes. (This story has been corrected to fix the attribution in paragraph 6) (Reporting by Dawit Endeshaw in Addis Ababa and Abdi Sheikh in Mogadishu, writing by Bhargav Acharya; editing by Andrew Heavens and Jason Neely) SYDNEY (Reuters) - New Zealand said on Monday all its dairy products were now able to enter China duty-free as safeguard duties on milk powder ended on Dec. 31, marking the removal of all remaining tariffs agreed upon in the free trade deal between the two countries. New Zealand was the first developed country to sign a free trade agreement with China in 2008, with the imports of milk powder subjected to the longest phase-out. An upgraded trade deal was entered when former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern met President Xi Jinping in 2022. "This is good news for our dairy sector. The removal of these remaining tariffs is expected to deliver additional annual tariff savings of approximately NZ$350 million ($221 million)," Trade Minister Todd McClay said in a statement. "The (free trade agreement) continues to deliver benefit to the New Zealand economy and to underpin the New Zealand-China trade relationship." China is New Zealand's largest trading partner, with two-way trade exceeding NZ$37 billion ($23.40 billion) in 2021. Annual dairy exports to China have averaged 1.4 million tonnes, worth about NZ$8 billion each year over the past three years, around half of which was milk powder, official data showed. Safeguard duties are emergency tariffs that countries use to shield domestic industries against intense competition from a sudden surge in imports of a particular product. The so-called special agricultural safeguards mechanism in the free trade deal was designed as a temporary measure. The tariff preferences are applied up to a designated volume and China's standard tariff applied to imports above the safeguard trigger. Safeguards duties on milk and cream, butter, and cheese ended in 2021, while those on milk powders ended on Dec. 31, 2023. ($1 = 1.5815 New Zealand dollars) (Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Diane Craft) By Andriy Perun LVIV, Ukraine (Reuters) - Russian drones attacked a university and a museum linked to two of the most prominent 20th century defenders of Ukrainian national identity on Monday, leaving locals vowing to repair the damage. The first smashed windows and much of the roof at the National Agrarian University, outside the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, where Stepan Bandera - a hero in Ukraine but a villain according to the Kremlin - studied. It hit on what would have been Bandera's 115th birthday. The second ravaged a nearby museum devoted to Roman Shukhevych. Both men were key figures in nationalist resistance to Soviet rule and were associated with the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) which fought Soviet forces in World War Two. "This is the building in which Stepan Bandera attended classes. There's a memorial plaque dedicated to Bandera, and the statue too," 82-year-old Sofia Zdorovyk said as people cleared up the rubble around her. "Everything that's been going on in our country, for so many years, do they (Russia) feel better because of it? Don't they have enough land? Natural resources? What is it that they need?" Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi described the strike on the museum as a symbolic act. "We will restore it after our victory," he said. Bandera was the most prominent figure in a group associated with the UPA, whose ranks swelled to 100,000 by 1944, according to historical accounts, and continued fighting Moscow's rule until the mid-1950s. Shukhevych was the UPA's supreme commander. Moscow still invokes Bandera's name to underpin its assertions that it invaded Ukraine in February 2022 to "denazify" the country, pointing to the fact that some nationalists initially cooperated with German forces in their battle against the Russians - though they later also fought the Nazis. "Just hearing the name Bandera scares them (the Russians). It causes rage and hatred," Vasyl Lapushniak, President of the Lviv National Agrarian University, said. "They did not scare us with this. It only united us once more and showed our strength." The honour of "Hero of Ukraine" was bestowed on both men in the post-Soviet period. Soldiers from the UPA's ranks were declared "veterans" alongside Soviet Red Army soldiers. The nationalist army's activity has long been clouded by allegations that it carried out massacres of tens of thousands of ethnic Poles in western Ukraine's Volyn region - part of an area that was under Polish rule between the two world wars. Poland and Ukraine have taken measures to honour those deaths and seal a reconciliation between the two neighbours. (Reporting by Andriy Perun, writing by Ron Popeski, editing by Andrew Heavens) Do your living spaces need a refresh for 2024? A new year always feels like the best time for a fresh start. If your home needs a refresh, but you're not quite sure what style you'd like to go for, you can take a look at the predictions for the hottest interior design trends in the new year. While these trends are things that might become popular for homes in 2024, they're just meant to inspire you for ways to make your space your own. "Don't be afraid that something's trending. Just ask yourself why you like it and what it's inspiring you to do," said HGTV personality Noel Gatts, founder and principal designer of Beam and Bloom based in Bloomfield. "Don't just do it because it's a trend, but think about what you like about it and how you can incorporate that into a really good design into your own home." Here's what we can expect to see in interior design trends for 2024, according to North Jersey designers: Earthy and neutral color palettes While bright colors and deep hues aren't necessarily going out of style, earthy and neutral color palettes have become increasingly popular, and that's expected to continue into 2024. "I think in general, we're seeing a lot more earthy tones," Gatts said. "So, although people still enjoy vibrant touches, there's a lot of returns to earthy browns, terracotta colors, even that sort of warm, dusty rosy beige," These color palettes might also include olive green, forest green, dark brown and saffron. Amanda Scotto, CEO and principal designer of AMA Designs and Interiors in Little Falls, said that not only does she see people prioritizing the use of warm tones in their homes, but also that she's seeing many mix those dark neutral colors with colors that are more bright. "Earth tones never go out of style, but will reign supreme in 2024 as we have already started to shift away from cool tones," she said. "Not only will we see more warm tones, but there will be pastel primary colors such as baby blue, blush and cream neutrals." Story continues More natural and sustainable materials While we might not always remember, the materials of items we choose to buy for our home are quite important. In 2024, we can expect to see people incorporate more natural materials into their homes, including wood and metals. Wood furniture and detailing seen in a home in Leonia. Whether it be for furniture or to create accent walls in a home, Gatts said using sustainable or recyclable materials has become more popular. "It's interesting because we've always liked things like sisal rugs and stucco walls and woven materials that are more sustainably sourced," she said. "So, people are paying attention to that, which I love to see. It's sort of brand new, a trend where people are really focusing on that." Funky and multifunctional furniture This one might be controversial to some, but we could see more furniture with interesting shapes in the new year. What does that mean? Gatts said instead of just rectangular shapes, more people will break out of this and introduce items with more creative designs, specifically those with curves and rounded edges. Furniture with curved and rounded edges in a renovated Fort Lee apartment. "The curves are back big time. I think people are getting a little more creative than just standard rectangular shapes and basic rounded curves on the tops and sides of things," she said. "More are doing entire shapes that are curved for even bigger products like sofas, which are definitely finding a lot more unique shapes. So, not just one curve, but maybe funkier shapes." She said this will also blend with the use of sustainable materials, as more fabric lines are releasing ethically conscious materials, as well as more colorways. Gatts said multifunctional furniture will also be big in 2024. She said this not only ensures that people will keep pieces longer because they serve more than one purpose, but that it will help people think outside the box more when designing their space. "I'm noticing things that allow people to function in multiple ways," she said. "Thinking outside the box, like using rounded tables in an office and just seeing more trends where we're trying to be different but with function in mind." Standout kitchen spaces Wood-stained cabinets and integrated appliances are expected to trend in 2024. In the new year, kitchen designs are expected to move away from their traditional sleek white designs. Scotto said that instead of white cabinets, there will be more earth-toned or wood-stained cabinets. She said we can also expect to see statement hoods and beverage centers, as well as integrated appliances that are more hidden in our kitchen spaces, as opposed to being freestanding. More: See the most expensive home sold in your North Jersey county in 2023 For those who have the luxury of a larger kitchen space, Gatts said oversized pantries and sculleries a smaller, fully functional overflow kitchen are expected to become more popular. Plants and artistic decor A home isn't complete without its decor. While plants are nothing new in interior design, Scotto said certain plants will become more popular in the new year. ZZ plants and Chinese money trees also known as the coin plant offer more unique styles of leaves and are also easier to manage. "While the fiddle leaf fig is still popular, it is fickle to maintain and these other plants are easier to take care of," she said. Incorporating work from local artists is also expected to trend in the new year, Gatts said. She said commissionable work has become more accessible over time, allowing people to find local artists and invest in original, personal pieces for their homes. Similarly, Scotto said we'll see more blown glass statement pieces and sculptural art in the new year. Incorporating work from local artists is a trend predicted for 2024. Pictured is "You've Got Soul" - a mixed media piece that measures 24 inches by 48 inches by New Jersey Artist Tim McCarthy with Design Haus Gallery. Going back to the use of sustainable and recyclable materials, Gatts said she noticed a trend in people 3D printing decor items, like vases, out of recycled material. "Something really cool I saw that I think has a future is recyclable material being used in 3D printing decor items," she said. "So, they're using technology, but they're using sustainable, recycled products, which is really cool. You're getting some modern shapes and designs on vases and things that you couldn't really get naturally because there's no way to sort of hand mold those shapes." In terms of lighting, Gatts said people have started to move away from typical light designs. Instead, she said dynamic flush mount light fixtures and chandeliers with more creative designs will become popular. "These are fixtures that are spreading horizontally on the surface on the ceiling, rather than dangling down all the time," Gatts said "When it comes to chandeliers, I'm seeing a lot more linear they're calling them garland-type chandeliers, where you can drape them in various directions." Popular rooms In 2023, we saw a big demand for properties with a primary bedroom on the first floor. While that's expected to remain popular, Gatts said she now foresees there being a trend in homes having two primary bedrooms. More people are looking for homes with two primary bedrooms. "I'm hearing a lot of trends of people wanting two primary suites, so like couples who want to sleep separately but still want to live together, which is interesting," she said. In addition to in-home bars and wine cellars, Gatts said having a lounge space for entertaining that is separate from the living room or family room is a must. Because many people are entertaining guests in their home more than ever before, including a social lounge space or a sipping room in homes will pop up more and more. When it comes to home office spaces, these areas primarily popped up when many people began working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While they are still really popular, Gatts said they have grown to incorporate a small area where you can relax during the work day. "Having a place to work that also looks fabulous is big, but it could also have an area that's almost like a sanctuary space where you get a little retreat in your office," she said. "Making sure you have a chaise lounge in there somewhere to relax, take your breaks and then go back to your virtual meetings." Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay , on X @maddiemcgayy , and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at MMcGay@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Expect to see these interior design trends in 2024 TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan's relations with China must be decided by the will of the people and peace must be based on "dignity", President Tsai Ing-wen said on Monday after China's leader, Xi Jinping, said "reunification" with the island is inevitable. China has been ramping up military pressure to assert its sovereignty claims over democratically governed Taiwan, which on Jan. 13 holds presidential and parliamentary elections. Xi's comments, in a New Year's Eve address, struck a stronger tone than the previous year where he said only that people on either side of the Taiwan Strait are "members of one and the same family". Asked about Xi's speech at a New Year's press conference at the presidential office in Taipei, Tsai said the most important principle on what course to follow on relations with China was democracy. "This is taking the joint will of Taiwan's people to make a decision. After all, we are a democratic country," she said. China should respect the outcome of Taiwan's election and it is the responsibility of both sides to maintain peace and stability in the strait, Tsai added. China has cast the election as a choice between war and peace and has refused multiple offers of talks by Tsai, believing she is a separatist. Tsai has made bolstering and modernising Taiwan's defences a priority, including pushing an indigenous submarine programme. "Everyone's home has locks on them, which is not to provoke the neighbours next door but to make yourself safer. This is the same for the doors to the country. Taiwan's people want peace, but we want peace with dignity," she said. Taiwan's government has repeatedly warned China is trying to interfere in the election, whether by using fake news or military or trade pressure, and Tsai said she hoped people could be on alert for this. After China accused Taiwan of erecting trade barriers and ended some tariff cuts for the island, China last week threatened further economic measures. Tsai said Taiwan's companies must look globally and diversify. "This is the correct path, rather than going back to the path of relying on China, especially as in China's unstable market there is unpredictable risk," she said. "We have always welcomed healthy, orderly interactions across the strait, but trade and economic exchanges cannot become a political tool." China has taken particular exception to current Vice President Lai Ching-te, the presidential candidate for Taiwan's ruling Democratic Party (DPP) and who is leading in opinion polls by varying margins, saying he is also a dangerous separatist. Both the DPP and Taiwan's largest opposition party the Kuomintang say only the island's people can decide their future. Tsai cannot stand again after two terms in office. She will step down in May when the next president is sworn in. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Kim Coghill and Neil Fullick) A view of fireworks over the London Eye to mark the New Year's celebrations, in London, Britain, January 1, 2024. REUTERS/Hollie Adams (Reuters) -The world welcomed 2024 with a mix of celebration and sombre reflection. Sydney sparkled under a shower of silver and gold fireworks commemorating the 50th anniversary of its iconic Opera House, while the mood in Gaza remained bleak, with residents more concerned with survival. In Europe, Denmark's Queen Margrethe II announced her abdication after over half a century on the throne. Here's how places and people around the world bid farewell to 2023 and welcomed the New Year. AUSTRALIA - Sydney hailed 2024 with a dazzling fireworks display featuring silver and gold pyrotechnics to mark the 50th anniversary of its famous Opera House. GAZA - People in Gaza had little hope that 2024 will bring much relief after 12 weeks of Israel's war to eliminate Hamas. In Rafah on Gaza's border with Egypt, which has become the biggest focal point for Palestinians fleeing other parts of the enclave, people were more preoccupied on Sunday with trying to find shelter, food and water than with thinking about the New Year. "In 2024 I wish to go back to the wreckage of my home, pitch a tent and live there," said Abu Abdullah al-Agha, a middle- aged Palestinian man whose house in Khan Younis was destroyed and who lost a young niece and nephew in an Israeli air strike. DENMARK - Denmark's Queen Margrethe II used her annual New Year's speech on Sunday to announce that she will abdicate on Jan. 14 after 52 years on the throne and will be succeeded by her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik. RUSSIA - Russian President Vladimir Putin, facing an election in March, made only passing reference in his New Year address on Sunday to his war in Ukraine, hailing his soldiers as heroes but mostly emphasising unity and shared determination. UKRAINE - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in a New Year address said Ukraine had become stronger in overcoming serious difficulties as the war against Russia is almost two years old. He mentioned the word "war" 14 times in a 20-minute address. CHINA - China President Xi Jinping, speaking on Sunday in a televised speech to mark the New Year, said the country will consolidate and enhance the positive trend of its economic recovery in 2024, and sustain long-term economic development with deeper reforms. TAIWAN - President Tsai Ing-wen said that maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is the responsibility of both sides. NORTH KOREA - 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 Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed to further develop relationship of cooperation between the two countries in New Year messages exchanged on Monday, South Korea's Yonhap news reported, citing North Korea's state radio. THE VATICAN - At his Sunday prayers, Pope Francis said: "I wish everyone a peaceful end of the year, and please do not forget to pray for me". FRANCE - French President Emmanuel Macron in a televised address ahead of New Year celebrations said 2024 would be "the year of our French pride" marked by the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games and the reopening of Notre-Dame cathedral after a devastating fire. GERMANY - Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in his traditional year-end address that 2023 held "so much suffering and bloodshed," but promised "we in Germany will get through this." Police on Sunday detained three more suspects in an alleged Islamist plot to attack Germany's famed Cologne Cathedral on New Year's Eve. The alleged attackers had planned to use a car to attack the 800-year-old Gothic cathedral, Cologne police said. BRITAIN - London ushered in the New Year with the bongs of its famous Big Ben bell, fireworks and a display of news highlights that featured King Charles' coronation. UNITED STATES - In New York, tens of thousands of revellers gathered in Manhattan's Times Square to watch the lighted ball drop at midnight, after scheduled performances by musicians including Megan Thee Stallion and LL Cool J. President Joe Biden said in an interview ahead of the ball drop that he hoped celebrants realised "we're in a better position than any country in the world to lead the world." BRAZIL - A dazzling fireworks spectacle lit up Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach where almost two million people gathered to welcome in the New Year. (Compiled by the Global News Desk; Editing by David Holmes, Jason Neely, Mark Porter and Lisa Shumaker) An Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bomber assigned to the 307th Bomb Wing goes through an engine check on June 24, 2021, at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. (Kate Bragg/U.S. Air Force) The Air Force risks undermining its $48.6 billion B-52 Stratofortress modernization plan by failing to track what spare parts are available for the aged bomber and where they continue to be manufactured. Despite its age, the B-52 remains a cornerstone in the Air Forces arsenal, Air Force Inspector General Robert P. Storch wrote in an audit released Nov. 28. The supply chain challenges identified in this audit could impact the Air Forces ability to keep the aircraft flying. The Air Force operates 76 B-52H bombers, the last built in 1962. They are the last of 744 B-52s built by Boeing for the Air Force, the first to enter service with the Air Force in 1955. A $48.6 billion Pentagon plan calls for the B-52 to receive upgrades to extend its service life until 2060. The bombers would get new Rolls Royce F130 engines, upgraded avionics, radar, and an enlarged and modernized weapons bay. After the transition, the bombers would change their designation to signify a new variant, B-52J. B-52H Stratofortresses from the 2nd Bomb Wing line up on the runway as part of a readiness exercise at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., on Oct. 14, 2020. (Tessa Corrick/U.S. Air Force) The Air Force has maintained the bombers, saying they remain a versatile weapon with the existing B-1B, B-2, and future B-21 bomber force. Though the upgrades will allow the B-52 bombers to operate as a 21st-century aircraft, the airframe and most parts remain from the original 1960s manufacturing. The Audit of B-52 Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages found the Air Force did not have a comprehensive list of spare parts required to keep the B-52 in service and relied too heavily on cannibalizing parts from existing B-52s. The audit found the Air Force needed to keep up with the number of companies ending production of parts that no longer exist for the B-52. An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber lands at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, on Jan. 16, 2018. (Richard Ebensberger/U.S. Air Force) Because of the shortcomings, the audit said the Air Force relied too often on cannibalizing parts from existing aircraft, which led to fewer mission-ready aircraft. Waiting for parts has also diminished the number of aircraft that are mission-ready. The audit said the Air Force agreed with its recommendation to complete an annual Weapon System Support Program coding review to ensure the proper codes for spare parts are in the inventory system. The program would be worked out with the Defense Logistics Agency. The audit said the Air Force had only partially responded to two other recommendations, so their status remains open for audit and review. Those recommendations include compiling a complete list of spare parts of the B-52 and a signed document creating a system to identify and track manufacturers making components and monitor their ongoing plans to continue or terminate making parts. B-52H Stratofortresses from the 2nd Bomb Wing line up on the runway as part of a readiness exercise at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., on Oct. 14, 2020. (Tessa Corrick/U.S. Air Force) The B-52H is flown by two active duty and one reserve bomb wing. The 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana and the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota operate 58 B-52s for the active-duty Air Force. The 307th Bomb Wing of the Air Force Reserve at Barksdale AFB operates 18 B-52s. About 12 additional B-52 are in storage at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Air Force Base near Tucson, Arizona. A picture taken on June 2, 2018, in Yemens rebel-held Red Sea port of Hodeida shows a ship flying the flags of Yemen and the International Organization for Migration moored to the dock as it awaits incoming Ethiopian migrants who are being repatriated via Djibouti. (Abdo Hyder, AFP via Getty Images/TNS) (Tribune News Service) Iran dispatched a warship to the Red Sea after the U.S. Navy destroyed three Houthi boats, a move that risks ratcheting up tensions and complicates Washingtons goal of securing a waterway thats vital to global trade. The Alborz destroyer traversed the Bab El-Mandeb strait, a narrow choke point between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, on Monday, Iranian state media said without providing further information on the vessels mission. Irans foray into the Red Sea a day after the U.S. action compounds a highly volatile situation in the channel that handles about 12% of the worlds commerce. The move could be seen as a challenge to the U.S.-led maritime task force established last month to halt attacks on ships by the Tehran-backed Houthi rebels who control a swath of Yemens northwest, including the capital Sanaa and the Red Sea port of Al-Hudaydah. The Houthis, in November, began attacking vessels they claimed were headed to or owned by entities in Israel in a bid to end an Israeli offensive in Gaza, after Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist group, staged a shock attack inside Israel on Oct. 7. In one month, the Houthis hijacked one container ship and launched more than 100 drone and ballistic missile attacks, targeting 10 merchant vessels involving more than 35 different nations, according to the Pentagon. Operation Prosperity Guardian, involving the navies of the U.S. and nine other nations, swung into action from Dec. 19 and had a fierce encounter with the militants on Sunday. Helicopters aboard two U.S. destroyers in the Red Sea, the USS Eisenhower and the USS Gravely, responded to a distress call by the Maersk Hangzhou as Houthis in four speedboats tried to board the vessel, according to the U.S. military. Houthi fighters ignored verbal warnings, fired at the aircraft and triggered a lethal response in which three of the boats were sunk. It was the Houthis second major shipping attack in less than 24 hours and came after Denmark announced it was sending a frigate to the Red Sea to join the U.S.-led maritime coalition. The U.S. has accused Iran of being deeply involved in the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, which Tehran has denied, but said that it understood the reason for their actions. Iran hasnt denied supporting the Houthis since the group ousted the internationally recognized government of Yemen in 2014. A Houthi spokesperson, Yahya Saree, confirmed the incident and said 10 of the groups fighters were dead or missing. He called on Yemenis, Arabs and Muslims to be ready for all options in confronting the American escalation. Irans show of force in the Red Sea coincided with a visit to Tehran by Mohammed Abdulsalam, a Houthi movement spokesperson and chief negotiator. On Monday, he met with officials at Irans foreign ministry following talks with Ali Akbar Ahmadian, secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, according to Irans Nour News. On Sunday Irans Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian denounced what he called double standards by the U.S. and some Western governments after a telephone conversation with the U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who urged Iran to rein in the Houthis. Israel cant be allowed to massacre women and children and carry out a genocide in Gaza and set fire to the region, but consider stopping an Israeli ship in the Red Sea as endangering the security of this economic waterway, said Amirabdollahian. Tehrans moves are ultimately in the service of its own agenda of projecting power and driving Washington out of the region, says Joel Rayburn, a former U.S. diplomat and military officer. This is what the Iranian regime has always been intending to do with their outpost in Yemen, said Rayburn. Iran thinks it can establish itself as a great power sitting astride the region and its waterways. With assistance from Onur Ant. 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Representatives of the European Union (left) and Iran (right) attend the Iran nuclear talks at the Grand Hotel on April 6, 2021, in Vienna, Austria. (EU Delegation in Vienna via Getty Images/TNS) (Tribune News Service) Iran said it is open to fresh talks around its nuclear program with world powers that had been overshadowed by the deadly war in Gaza. The diplomatic environment to hold a new round of talks still exists, Nasser Kanaani, a spokesman for Irans foreign ministry, said in a press conference in Tehran on Monday. We have no problem with a new round of talks within the framework of our red lines. Last month, Tehran suggested that efforts to revive a deal aimed at curbing its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief from nations such as the U.S. had been eclipsed by the Israel-Hamas war that started on Oct. 7. Iran and Washington have engaged in a flurry of indirect talks since April 2021 to restore the deal after former U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned the agreement in 2018. The U.S. in October reached an informal understanding with Qatar to hold off distributing $6 billion in oil revenue that Iran was allowed to access under a prisoner exchange, as the Biden administration probed Tehrans potential involvement in Hamas attack against Israel. Iran last month denied losing access to the funds. The dynamics of sanctions-lifting negotiations can see ebbs and flows as a result of developments in the region, Kanaani was cited as saying by the semi-official Mehr News Agency on Dec. 11. 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. (Tribune News Service) 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. (c)2023 the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Visit www.stltoday.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Former Maryland senator Doug J.J. Peters, pictured Feb. 1, 2017, died Saturday at 60. (Linda Davidson/The Washington Post) Doug J.J. Peters, a U.S. Army Reserve veteran and former Maryland Senate majority leader from Prince Georges County, died Saturday at the age of 60. The cause was complications from multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, his family announced in a statement describing him as unfailingly dedicated to his family, to his church, and to his community. We, his family, are utterly bereft, the statement said. We take some measure of solace in knowing the tremendous impact he had on Bowie, Prince Georges County, and the State of Maryland. Peters (D), who left office in July 2021 to join the University of Marylands Board of Regents, was remembered by former colleagues as a dedicated, driven leader with a good sense of humor. Doug was a dedicated public servant, decorated veteran, and loving father and husband, Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) said in a statement. He represented the best of Marylanders. It was an honor to serve alongside him for over a decade in the Maryland Senate. The two had just discussed Peters hopes to erect a monument in Annapolis to the Maryland 400, Ferguson said, in honor of soldiers who served with distinction during the American Revolution. Peters, who was a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1988 to 1998, served in Operation Desert Storm and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal. He was elected to the Bowie City Council in 1998, then the Prince Georges County Council before joining the state Senate in 2007 as the representative from District 23. He was chairman of Metropolitan Archives, a small business that specializes in storage, scanning and destruction of documents and held degrees from the University of Maryland and the University of Baltimore, his official biography states. In the legislature, he played a critical role in the making of the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center in Prince Georges County, funding projects at Bowie State University and the city of Bowie as well as ushering in state aid to the county, Maryland Matters reported when he left office. In an interview with the outlet about his departure, Peters said he felt good about his accomplishments and was excited about the future. No matter where I served, I only sought to help people, he said. Sen. Nancy J. King (D) of District 39, said in an interview that she was heartbroken about losing a friend of decades. You have lots of acquaintances in Annapolis, but you can count your really close friends on a hand or two, she said. He was one of the people I trusted most. King said she had spoken to Peters about three weeks ago, adding that he sounded optimistic about his medical path and like the jokester who would dress up in silly hats and outfits to make her laugh. Peters dry, witty humor she adored left her feeling hopeful that he was getting better. He sounded like old Doug again, she said. King and Peters relied on one another for guidance and to get things done, she recalled. If he called her up passionate about an issue, she would listen. If she needed advice, hed give a straight answer. In addition to his humor and dedication to service, Peters had strong faith and was devoted to his family, King said. He was a good, Christian man, she said. He is survived by his wife, Corinne Peters, his six children and three grandchildren. Keith Connolly (37) was bleeding from injuries he suffered in a fall after he drank too much on a rare night out A wedding reveller who stumbled out in front of a garda car driving in heavy fog gave the officers the middle finger gesture, then, when arrested said he would sort them out. Father-of-two Keith Connolly (37) was bleeding from injuries he suffered in a fall after he drank too much on a rare night out when he encountered the garda car. Judge Monika Leech struck the case out, sparing him a criminal record after he made a 350 charity donation. Connolly, an electrician from Collinswood, Collins Avenue, Whitehall, pleaded guilty to public intoxication and threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour. Dublin District Court heard gardai had gone through a green light in heavy fog at Griffith Avenue, Drumcondra at 2.03am on December 3 when Connolly stumbled across the road, forcing the driver to take evasive action. Connolly gave the gardai the middle-finger gesture, had blood on his face and hands, was bleeding from his nose and had grazes to his hands, elbows and knees. Gardai told him to step off the road for his own safety but he refused and continued to be abusive, asking the gardai had they nothing better to do with their time. After he was arrested, he threatened he would sort them out and made derogatory remarks. Connolly had too much drink taken and fell during the night, which was the reason for his condition, his lawyer said. He accepted his behaviour was very obnoxious, was ashamed and apologised. Months after two Arlington Heights-based Township High School District 214 students were killed in separate shootings that police described as gang-related, no other arrests have been made, according to authorities. On Aug. 17, days after the new school year started, Damian Hernandez, 15, of the 900 block of Foxwood Drive in Mount Prospect, was shot. Emergency responders transported the teen from the scene of the shooting in the 1700 block of Clear Creek Bay in Palatine to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. Hernandez died five days later from his injuries. SD214 officials confirmed that Hernandez was a sophomore transfer student as of this academic year. District officials would not disclose which the six SD214 high schools Hernandez attended, and no other details or comments were provided. So far, a14-year-old boy is charged as a juvenile with first-degree murder in this case. Palatine police Commander Jason Watkin told Pioneer Press in December that authorities are still seeking a man named Jesus Pantoja, 18, of the Palatine area, in connection with the fatal shooting of Hernandez. An arrest warrant has been issued for Pantoja, who remains at large. Detectives think he has likely left the country, Watkins said. Palatine police also continue to probe the double homicide of two teens killed in September in what police described as a targeted gang shooting. Watkins said no arrests have been made in the murders of Eduardo Alpizar, 16, of the 1900 block of Green Lane North, and Uriel Garcia, 16, of the 1200 block of East Long Valley, both addresses in Palatine, though detectives are continuing to investigate the homicides. The pair were shot around 10 p.m. Sept. 15 in the 1800 block of Green Lane North. Police responding to reports of gunshots found the two youths. Alpizar was pronounced dead at the scene, sustaining multiple gunshot wounds, according to authorities. Garcia, a junior in the hard of hearing program at SD214s John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital where he died. The Cook County medical examiners office indicated he sustained a fatal gunshot to the neck. School district officials confirmed that Garcia was a fun-loving junior in the deaf and hard of hearing program at John Hersey High School. It comes with a heavy heart that I inform our parent community today of the passing of one of our students, Uriel Garcia Venegas, Principal Heath McFaul wrote in a note to school families. Uriel was a dedicated student, interested in automotives, and had plans of pursuing a career as a mechanic. Staff describe him as enthusiastic, dedicated to his school work, and fun-loving. Shortly after the shooting, police were able to recover the vehicle allegedly used in the incident. Watkins said police continue to believe the pair were targeted in a gang-related shooting. With all three slain teens, authorities did not indicate either were in a gang. Clifford Ward is a freelancer. For beginners, it can seem like a good idea (and an exciting prospect) to buy a company that tells a good story to investors, even if it currently lacks a track record of revenue and profit. But as Peter Lynch said in One Up On Wall Street, 'Long shots almost never pay off.' A loss-making company is yet to prove itself with profit, and eventually the inflow of external capital may dry up. If this kind of company isn't your style, you like companies that generate revenue, and even earn profits, then you may well be interested in Lindsay Australia (ASX:LAU). While profit isn't the sole metric that should be considered when investing, it's worth recognising businesses that can consistently produce it. Check out our latest analysis for Lindsay Australia How Fast Is Lindsay Australia Growing Its Earnings Per Share? Over the last three years, Lindsay Australia has grown earnings per share (EPS) at as impressive rate from a relatively low point, resulting in a three year percentage growth rate that isn't particularly indicative of expected future performance. Thus, it makes sense to focus on more recent growth rates, instead. Impressively, Lindsay Australia's EPS catapulted from AU$0.064 to AU$0.11, over the last year. Year on year growth of 73% is certainly a sight to behold. Top-line growth is a great indicator that growth is sustainable, and combined with a high earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margin, it's a great way for a company to maintain a competitive advantage in the market. The good news is that Lindsay Australia is growing revenues, and EBIT margins improved by 2.7 percentage points to 8.3%, over the last year. Ticking those two boxes is a good sign of growth, in our book. You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. Click on the chart to see the exact numbers. ASX:LAU Earnings and Revenue History December 31st 2023 Fortunately, we've got access to analyst forecasts of Lindsay Australia's future profits. You can do your own forecasts without looking, or you can take a peek at what the professionals are predicting. Story continues Are Lindsay Australia Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders? Insider interest in a company always sparks a bit of intrigue and many investors are on the lookout for companies where insiders are putting their money where their mouth is. This view is based on the possibility that stock purchases signal bullishness on behalf of the buyer. However, insiders are sometimes wrong, and we don't know the exact thinking behind their acquisitions. Not only did Lindsay Australia insiders refrain from selling stock during the year, but they also spent AU$171k buying it. This is a good look for the company as it paints an optimistic picture for the future. Zooming in, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Independent Non Executive Chairman Ian Williams for AU$100k worth of shares, at about AU$1.15 per share. On top of the insider buying, it's good to see that Lindsay Australia insiders have a valuable investment in the business. To be specific, they have AU$55m worth of shares. That shows significant buy-in, and may indicate conviction in the business strategy. As a percentage, this totals to 15% of the shares on issue for the business, an appreciable amount considering the market cap. Is Lindsay Australia Worth Keeping An Eye On? Lindsay Australia's earnings per share have been soaring, with growth rates sky high. What's more, insiders own a significant stake in the company and have been buying more shares. This quick rundown suggests that the business may be of good quality, and also at an inflection point, so maybe Lindsay Australia deserves timely attention. We should say that we've discovered 2 warning signs for Lindsay Australia that you should be aware of before investing here. The good news is that Lindsay Australia is not the only growth stock with insider buying. Here's a list of growth-focused companies in AU with insider buying in the last three months! Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction. 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. David Savage (32) received three more months after causing 1,000 worth of damage A prison inmate who threw a pool ball in frustration in the jails recreation room ended up smashing a window when it ricocheted off the ground. David Savage (32) broke the window by accident but accepted his actions on the day had been completely reckless, a court heard. Judge David McHugh jailed him for three months after hearing he caused 1,000 worth of damage and could not pay compensation. Savage, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage in the incident at Wheatfield prison. Wheatfield Prison in Dublin Blanchardstown District Court heard the accused was in the recreation room on June 13 this year when he picked up a pool ball and threw it. It hit and smashed the window, which cost 1,000 to repair. The court heard at the time of the incident, the ball had fallen off the pool table onto the ground and Savage picked it up. It wasnt a direct hit off the window, he threw it at the ground and it ricocheted up and hit the window, the end result was the window was broken, defence solicitor Simon Fleming said. The prosecuting garda agreed. The Director of Public Prosecutions consented to the case being dealt with at district court level and the judge accepted jurisdiction after hearing the evidence. Savage had previous convictions for offences including theft, but none was for criminal damage, the court heard. He was still in custody when he appeared in court and his release date from his current sentence was next year. The accused, from Ballymun, had two children and a step child, Mr Fleming said. He had been hoping to get out of prison on his planned release date, as his daughters Confirmation was taking place. Savage did not mean to break the window but it was a completely reckless thing to do, Mr Fleming said. Prison could be frustrating and intimidating and Savage threw the ball at the ground but he had to accept what happened, the solicitor said. The accused was not in a position to offer compensation for the damage, Mr Fleming added. The state is still down 1,000, Judge McHugh said. Mr Fleming asked the judge to be as lenient as he could in the circumstances. Judge McHugh said he would impose a three month sentence, given the accuseds lack of previous similar convictions. The charge was under Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act. An Garda Siochana is aware of a significant volume of misinformation, disinformation and rumour in relation to the use or proposed use of the building The scene of the blaze in Ringsend (Photo: Dublin Fire Brigade) Gardai have issued an appeal for witnesses after a suspected arson attack on a vacant building in Ringsend on New Years Eve. Gardai say they are investigating what they described as an incident of criminal damage at the premises on Thorncastle Street Dublin 4 on December 31. At approximately 1.55am on Sunday morning, gardai responded to reports of a fire (alongside) Dublin Fire Brigade who attended and extinguished the fire, gardai said this morning. No persons were in the building at the time of the incident. There was substantial damage caused to the property. An incident room has been established at Irishtown Garda Station and the investigation is being led by a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO). Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have information to contact them. Any person, including road users and pedestrians, who were in the vicinity of Thorncastle Street between 1am and 2.30am and who observed any unusual activity is asked to contact investigating gardai, they said. Any road users or pedestrians who were travelling in the Ringsend area during this time and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make this available to gardai. Rear of building (Pic: DFB) Anyone with information is asked to contact Irishtown Garda Station 01 666 9600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. They added: An Garda Siochana is aware of a significant volume of misinformation, disinformation and rumour in relation to the use or proposed use of the building. The blaze broke out on the vacant former Shipwright / Sallys Bar pub. It had been acquired by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive for use as a family hub, but had been the subject of protests led by anti-immigrant activists amid incorrect rumours it was to be used to house asylum seekers. Dublin Fire Brigade reported that it sent six units, including a turntable ladder, to the scene to bring the fire under control. Kinahan Jnrs pal splashes out on festive wedding with huge bar tab and luxury Mexico honeymoon A fraudster suspected of being a Kinahan cartel money launderer enjoyed a lavish wedding celebration in the run-up to Christmas. Jailed in 2021 for an elaborate mortgage scam, Dean Masterson tied the knot with his long-term sweetheart Victoria at Ballymagarvey Village in Co Meath. Several thousand euro was left behind the bar for guests to enjoy drinks, according to sources, where the celebrations went off without a hitch. Masterson, believed to be a pal of Christy Kinahan Jr, wore a black suit and bowtie while posing for photos during the bash. After celebrating Christmas as a newly-married couple, its understood Masterson and his bride are jetting off on a no-expenses-spared honeymoon to Mexico. Masterson and Victoria raise a glass of fizz The Sunday World previously revealed that Masterson, who also has convictions for robbery and theft in his younger days, had been targeted by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB). He was on the radar of the Gardas Drug and Organised Crime Bureau as well as CAB officers investigating the Kinahan cartels money flow in Ireland. Masterson had been working as a milkman in his local area and had been using an old Volkswagen Caddy van on his rounds in Co Meath. But he had also been taking expensive trips to Dubai in recent years and has been spotted with key members of the Kinahan cartel, according to Sunday World sources. Investigators trying to get to the bottom of the Kinahans finances in Ireland and how they pay their drug mules here believe they were using a payroll system like any other business. Mastersons new wife Victoria featured on social media Masterson is a close friend of Christopher Kinahan Jnr, who has operated the money laundering side of the crime gang for years. He previously lived in Spain and was often seen driving Kinahan and his associates around the Costa. When he returned to Dublin, Masterson began to drive a taxi and was working as a cabbie when he attempted to raise a mortgage. In February 2021, Masterson was sentenced to four years imprisonment, with three suspended, after he tried to get a mortgage with fake documents. He sent false salary slips, a P60 and fake bank statements when he tried to buy a house at Stonebridge in Ratoath, Co Meath in 2016. Staff at the KBC Bank in Dublin became suspicious, an investigation was launched and he failed to get the loan. The Sunday World revealed how Masterson was already under investigation due to his alleged links to the Kinahan organisation. Following the attempted bank fraud, he spent lengthy periods in Dubai in the company of senior mob men, according to sources. Dean Masterson masked on his milk round In 2019, the house in Ratoath was raided by CAB and it was discovered he still lived there despite never getting a mortgage. During Mastersons trial it was heard how he submitted the false documents in an attempt to get a loan of 220,000 so he could purchase somewhere to live for himself and his family. Personnel at the bank became suspicious of the documents and no money was ever paid out, it was heard at Dublin Circuit Court. He pleaded guilty to deception and five counts of using a false instrument at KBC Bank, Sandwith Street, Dublin, on October 20, 2016. Passing sentence, Judge Pauline Codd said bank staff became suspicious of the documents and began an investigation. He was found to have used five false documents during the application. Judge Codd said the premeditation and deliberation in which the documents were obtained substantially aggravated the offence. She said Masterson has serious previous convictions from between 2004 and 2012 including robbery, attempted robbery and theft, but noted he had no further convictions since committing these offences in 2016. Judge Codd said the fact that Masterson didnt actually obtain money was down to the work of the people in the bank. She said this was a fairly sophisticated offence for which there has to be a deterrent. Christopher Kinahan Jnr with Daniel Kinahan Mitigating factors were Mastersons guilty plea, his expression of remorse and shame, his history of addiction, his adverse childhood experiences, his work history and his efforts to rehabilitate and live a pro-social life, according to the judge. Judge Codd said she took into account his motivation for the offences of wanting to obtain a property for himself and his family of three children. She acknowledged that this was his focus but said clearly this is not the way to go about providing a home. She sentenced him to four years imprisonment, but suspended the final three years of the sentence on strict conditions. He is excited when he thinks Wicklow is full of young female monkeys Escaped Wicklow capuchin monkey Charlie just wants to find love, so please do not shoot him. Thats the latest appeal from Rathdrum Monkey Sanctuary owner, Willie Heffernan, who spoke exclusively to sundayworld.com to update us on the infamous nut-cracking capuchin who escaped last week. "He is excited when he thinks Wicklow is full of young female monkeys, Willie said. But the wildlife lover is concerned about hunters who may kill the super-intelligent grinder monkey that busted out last week. "Either he has succumbed to the elements or hes been killed by farm dogs or hit by a car, Willie added. He would survive in the trees, he is a very capable fellow. It is shooting season down here and he could be a target. Missing Charlie "There is a lot of shooting, ducks, pheasants, so that is a worry because he would be high in a tree. "I would appeal to farmers to please check their out buildings, that is probably where he will go to rest up...If there are no dogs there. Mr Heffernan detailed how escaped Charlie was very interested in female monkeys and that Charlie is just looking for love. "He has always just been with other monkeys. He is very wily, he wouldnt go into a trap. He will avoid people and sleep in barns. Willie approaches the sanctuary by boat (Pic: Rathdrum Monkey Sanctuary) "He was only two years old when he arrived. Normally they all get spayed, the males but he slipped the knife. "Theres three old monkeys on the island next to him females in their mid 60s and he was harassing them. I tried to move him and his partner- I got one off but when I went to get him he had jumped ship. "When I was trying to catch him, he was going off and then re-appearing for his food. Then he just disappeared. Im worried he has gone into Avondale. I live by the National Park - theres a forest from Lara to Arklow so he has plenty of woodland. Bearded Capuchin / Back-striped Capuchin (Cebus libidinosus)cracks a nut with a stone. "He is excited when he thinks Wicklow is full of young female monkeys. Hes lived on the island and caught squirrels, frogs and birds so he has no bother getting protein. "He is from an ex-lab from Edinburgh University and is not to be petted. I just put the food over by a pulley system and there is a vet if they ever need attention. So there is very little human interaction. He is young and fit so he can travel. He dives from tree to tree. Rathdrum local, Rossa O Briain whose two sons rowed crossed the Atlantic for Ireland in record time last year- shared his thoughts on the unfolding monkey business. He never knew he lived so close to such a monkey sanctuary. Living in a sedate part of rural Wicklow, I brought my grandchildren to an open day on a local farm in the summer of 2023. On display was a fully functioning thrashing machine, farm animals including geese which participated in the line-dancing competition and a spectacular dog show. "Observing all of this with interest I noticed a curious looking building in the distance. Upon enquiry, I was informed that it was a monkey house, he said. Rathdrum This was a pleasant surprise for me. I have seen wild monkeys in Africa and Asia but not previously in Ireland. Now most of my travels are armchair based. Last week I heard that there is a monkey on the loose in the Rathdrum area. His favoured activity, apart from amorous pursuits, is swinging from tree to tree. "This development has thrown open new travel possibilities. With a bit of luck in 2024 we may be able to take a comprehensive armchair safari holiday from the comfort of home. There is no further need for airport check-ins, security or fuel consuming aircraft! Rathdrum has it all, Mr O Briain added. A woman accused of murdering two of her children in the US has been remanded in custody in the UK. Kimberlee Singlers nine-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son were found dead in a residential property in Colorado, along with her 11-year-old daughter who was injured but alive, police in Colorado Springs said. The force said it responded to a 911 call reporting a burglary at their family home at 12.29am on December 19, a claim later discovered to be unfounded. Singler, 35, and her 11-year-old daughter are said to have been treated for injuries at the scene in the 5300 block of Palomino Ranch Point before being taken to hospital. Despite initially co-operating with the investigation, Singler reportedly disappeared on December 23 and a warrant was issued for her arrest on December 26 on murder charges. Two children were found dead inside the property in Colorado last month (Parker Seibold/The Gazette/AP) Colorado Springs Police Departments violent offender fugitive task force worked to locate Singler. She was arrested by the National Crime Agencys national extradition unit in Kensington, west London, on December 30. She was remanded into custody after appearing at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday morning and faces extradition to the United States. The mother, who has been charged in the US with two counts of first degree murder, one count of attempted murder, three counts of child abuse and one count of assault, will next appear at the same court on January 29. A spokesperson for Colorado Springs Police Department said: Kimberlee Singler was taken into custody in the United Kingdom without incident. Detectives with the Colorado Springs Police Departments homicide unit continue to work closely with multiple law enforcement agencies in pursuing the ongoing investigation. The youngsters are among a total of 834 people who are officially reported as "missing" There are currently 317 children aged 17 or younger missing in Ireland, Gardai have revealed in dramatic new figures. The youngsters are among a total of 834 people who are officially reported as "missing". The figures apply to the end of November, 2023. Gardai said there is a joint protocol in place with TUSLA, the Child and Family Agency that deals with children reported as missing from care. A missing person investigation begins the moment an incident is reported to authorities. Gardai said in a statement: "It should be noted that all Missing Person investigations remain open until that missing person is located. An Garda Siochana can confirm that as of 30th November, 2023 there were 834 people reported as missing. "Of the 834 missing persons, 317 of these were aged 17 or younger at the time they were reported missing. "These figures relate to all open missing person incidents regardless of when the incident occurred. Figures are operational and subject to change." Each case is continuously reviewed at Superintendent level within the Garda districts, to ensure every avenue of investigation is being exhausted. This can include media appeals where deemed appropriate by the Superintendent in charge. Gardai believe many people on the missing list are still alive and choose to disappear. Some of the missing children are believed to be refugees who were displaced from their families when they arrived In Ireland. Speaking on National Missing Persons Day back last month, Minister of State, James Browne TD said: "I want to encourage families of missing persons who have yet to provide a DNA sample to consider doing so. The collection and matching of DNA samples has made a crucial contribution to several missing persons cases in this country in recent years. "Forensic scientists are available at todays ceremony to take your DNA sample, or you can provide a DNA sample to Gardai. "We need to raise awareness in relation to missing persons cases. If you have information, no matter how minor it may appear, I would urge you to please come forward and share this information with An Garda Siochana. Any information has the potential to make a contribution to resolving a missing person case. The drama unfolded this morning. The Delta Air Lines flight had been travelling from Rome to Boston when it diverted. Photo: Liam Burke/Press 22 A transatlantic Delta Airlines flight made an emergency landing at Shannon Airport today after fumes leaked into the cabin. The crew of the US bound jet declared an emergency over the Atlantic ocean, desperately advising air traffic controllers they needed to evacuate all on board, it has been reported. Fight DL-113 was travelling to Boston from Rome, with 294 passengers and crew when at approximately 11.20am, the Airbus A330-900 jet was forced to declare a Pan pan emergency. A Pan-pan indicates an urgency on board, but is not as serious as a May day alert. It is understood the plane was around 230KM off the coast of Ireland at the time. A full mobilisation of emergency ground crew took place at Shannon Airport as pilots informed responders that there was at least one passenger on board who had become sick from the fumes. It has understood the plane made an overweight landing. An overweight landing is defined as a landing made at a gross weight in excess of the maximum design (i.e., structural) landing weight for a particular model. Thankfully the plane landed safely just before mid-day and was met on the runway by airport and local authority fire crews. All passengers and crew were immediately evacuated from the flight as engineers began carrying out safety inspections. Paramedics are understood to have assisted those on board who were felling unwell. A further examination of the plane is understood to be taking place to determine when it can return to service. UPDATE: Dylan has been found safe and well Dylan is described as being approximately 5 foot 10 inches in height with a broad build, brown hair and blue eyes. Gardai have issued an appeal this morning to help trace the whereabouts of a teenager who went missing in Dublin 12 on New Years Eve. Gardai are seeking the public's assistance to help locate Dylan McGiff (17) who was last seen in Bluebell on the morning of Sunday, December 31. In a notice this morning, a garda spokesperson said: Dylan is described as being approximately 5 foot 10 inches in height with a broad build, brown hair and blue eyes. When last seen Dylan was wearing a black Tommy Hilfiger bomber puffer jacket, grey / black tracksuit bottoms and grey Nike runners. Anyone with any information on Dylan's whereabouts are asked to contact Dun Laoghaire Garda station on 01 666 5000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station. Gardai confirmed Dylan has since been found safe and well. Local councillors say lack of information was a factor in Ringsend blaze with fears that it could cause copycat attacks Firefighters battle blaze at vacant Ringsend pub that was earmarked for the homeless Concern is growing within the government parties that a deliberate fire that destroyed an intended shelter for homeless families may become the model for copycat attacks. A series of low-level petrol bombings and burnings last year culminated in the loss of the Ross Lake House hotel near Oughterard, Co Galway, before the destruction of the vacant Shipwright pub in Ringsend in Dublin, over the weekend. A forensic examination of the Ringsend scene has now been completed and gardai are treating the fire as suspected arson. Justice Minister Helen McEntee warned that arson was a criminal offence punishable by several years in prison. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said all efforts would be made to bring the perpetrators to justice. Anyone with information should contact the gardai, he said. The premises was intended for use as emergency accommodation for families, said Mr Varadkar, reflecting a series of official denials that the former Shipwright pub, also known as Sallys bar, would be used to house refugees or asylum-seekers. The warnings of garda enforcement came as there was a row at local level over claims by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) that its proposed future use of the property at Thorncastle Street as a homeless hub for families had been communicated to local representatives. Two councillors, Labours Dermot Lacey and Fine Gaels Danny Byrne, rejected that assertion, with the latter saying the lack of information had been a factor in what he suggested was a deliberate attack. The DRHE is the arm of Dublin City Council responsible for accommodating homeless people. A DRHE spokesperson was unable to provide a further response last night. A Government source said: This has been brewing for a while in Ringsend. You could see sinister comments online for weeks, with jokes about a fire starting. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris insisted last month that there was no hidden hand behind a series of burnings, but this latest incident will renew questions about the level of information communicated to residents and the gardai. While not all vacant properties in the country can be patrolled throughout the hours of darkness, some ministers want to see action as serious as that in response to the Dublin riots. Ms McEntee last night warned that arson is a very serious crime, adding: Arson carries heavy prison sentences. No one has the right to cause damage to property, to cause fear or to threaten public order. She said gardai were doing everything possible to determine the cause of the fire, and asked for the assistance of locals. I would encourage anyone with any information in relation to the incident to contact An Garda Siochana, said Ms McEntee. The premises became the focus of protests by local people and anti-immigrant activists in recent weeks amid incorrect rumours that it would house asylum-seekers. The States International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) and Department of Integration had said earlier this month that it had not been approached about the building and was not considering it for that purpose. Mr Lacey said the DRHEs statement saying that it informed Dublin councillors was simply not true. He said that all last week he had been receiving messages from various protesters in the area. Local councillors werent able to give people information. I believe if we were given the information, we would have been able to give that out and the number of protesters would have been significantly minimised, he said. Mr Lacey added he had defended every single proposal by the DRHE and Department of Housing in previous meetings. But I cant defend the lack of information and the failure to tell us because I believe we could have seriously minimised the tensions down there had they told us, he said. He added that a lot of people protesting in Ringsend were misinformed, misguided or simply wrong but there were also others who were just racist. I believe we could have informed the people who were just worried. Its the statement by the DRHE that said they had informed the councillors when they hadnt that infuriated me, said Mr Lacey. It is part of the pattern of every department of the State, all who believe that elected government and elected representatives dont matter any more. Criticism of the failure to anticipate a problem in Ringsend also came from a Fine Gael politician, denting the overall Government narrative. Fine Gael councillor Danny Byrne said a lack of communication was the root cause of the burning of a building in Ringsend, and said a row was coming at council level because of it. Over a period of about two weeks, a narrative (about refugees and asylum-seekers) took hold in the absence of communication from official sources, said Mr Byrne. A Government source said: Its been Christmas and things slowed down. Certainly the gardai must be told, but you would hope they are keeping their own eye on social media and acting on intelligence. TDs from the constituency expressed their concern over the blaze. Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik said: This is shocking news. It is greatly concerning to see a fire at the premises in Ringsend intended to provide shelter to homeless families. I want to pay tribute to the courage and dedication of the firefighters who brought the fire under control last night. Fellow Dublin Bay South TD Jim OCallaghan of Fianna Fail said if the investigation found definitively that the fire was deliberate, then it is important to emphasise that this was done without the support of the overwhelming majority of Ringsend people who are decent, law-abiding people who are very proud that Ringsend is a safe and welcoming place. The vast majority will also be very concerned because the building had been earmarked by Dublin City Council as a hub for homeless families. Sinn Fein TD Chris Andrews said: There were families living and sleeping next to it, to the rear, and it must have been frightening and devastating for them. Also its devastating for the businesses who will be affected by this. Business is difficult at the best of times but this is a big blow to them. They didnt know that the man kneeling down by the heart-shaped rose petals a violent killer and a convicted domestic abuser A cold and callous killer went viral last week after he proposed in public despite still serving a life sentence for murder. David Monster Thompson got down on one knee outside Belfasts Victoria Square shopping centre just a few days before Christmas. The proposal was filmed by members of the public who applauded and cheered the big romantic gesture. They didnt know that the man kneeling down by the heart-shaped rose petals a violent killer and a convicted domestic abuser. David Thompson and new fiancee Natalie celebrate their engagement And Thompson who has Fear God tattooed on his eyelids has more than a sickening murder to his name. He was also jailed last year for throwing hot coffee over his last wife, who he met while serving a minimum 15-year sentence for beating a man to death. His proud wife-to-be, Natalie Currie, told the Sunday World: Hes a gentleman, Im lucky to have him and Im the girl to change him. Two months ago, he was released from Maghaberry Prison and moved to an open jail to complete the rest of his sentence. He is still subject to strict curfews as a Phase One inmate, but he hasnt let that get in the way of his love life. Thompson, who chose Valentines Day 2022 to chuck roasting coffee over his last wife, had gathered a number of balloons, a bottle of bubbly and a busker to play a romantic tune as he carried out his seemingly heart-warming marriage request. David Thompson and new fiancee Natalie celebrate their engagement His bride-to-be Natalie is seen emerging from a crowd of people who gathered to watch the surprise proposal. When she says yes, Thompson slips an engagement ring on her finger and the pair share a kiss, a loving embrace and a little dance, all while members of the public clap and cheer. She also posted a video to her TikTok page with the Diana Ross and Lionel Ritchie hit Endless Love playing over the montage, which shows her engagement ring. Natalie told the Sunday World she has known David Thompson for years. She believes she can keep him on the straight and narrow. Ive known him for years and years and I know all about his convictions, including the one where he threw coffee over his wife, she told us. Hes done his time and hes a changed boy. Hes found the right woman now and we hope everything will go well for us now. Hes clean from taking drugs and hes entitled to have a life now that hes served his time. Im the girl to keep him on the straight and narrow. David Thompson's 'Fear God' tattoos on his eyelids He treats me really well. He looks after me. Hes a gentleman and Im lucky to have him. Natalie was swept off her feet by Thompson last week in Belfast city centre as he dropped his shock proposal on her but she says the couple have yet to set a date to tie the knot. Im not some random girl whos just met him, she said. Ive known him for years and weve had a wee connection for a long time but weve never been able to do anything about it. I got talking to him properly when he was out a couple of years ago just before he went away for the coffee attack. Im the girl to change him. David is doing everything by the book and its going well. Hes living a clean life now. Sources who know Thompson say they cant believe he has found a second woman to marry him while serving a life sentence for murder. And they reckon its only a matter of time before he turns violent again. The 43-year-old was given a life sentence in 2001 for the murder of Ryan Neill in the early hours of St Patricks Day the previous year, and served 15 years for the killing. He was just 20 when he punched and kicked his victim, a complete stranger, in a senseless attack in Antrim. In 2019, this newspaper revealed shocking video footage of Thompson who was out on licence beating up a teenager and a man with special needs outside a shop in Antrim in a shocking unprovoked attack. He had his licence revoked and was sent back to Maghaberry Prison. On top of his assault and murder convictions, he was also convicted of three robberies, GBH, criminal damage and escaping from lawful custody. The thugs Monster nickname was revealed by several witnesses during his court appearances in connection with the murder of Ryan Neill. Natalie Currie says Thompson is the perfect gentleman. Nobody can believe hes managed to get a second woman to agree to marry him, said a source in Antrim. Monster is exactly what it says on the tin hes a complete monster and all he knows is violence. Earlier this year, Thompson left TV viewers gobsmacked as he bragged on a BBC documentary, presented by Stephen Nolan, about how much he loved being inside Maghaberry Prison. Its brilliant. I love the staff and the prisoners here are good craic. I love it, said a smirking Thompson. Its not hard. I like the [cell] door being locked. Its my own time. Quality time. Asked by Nolan how he copes with life in jail, Thompson replied: Its all about the mind; its all about how you use the mind... I am comfortable there. I dont come into jail and go, Aaah. What do I want out for? A burger? Sure you can get something to eat here. Sex? Sure you can do that yourself in the cell. Its no big deal. What else do you need in life? But a source told the Sunday World he was hated inside the jail. Everyone hated him because he used to... get special treatment, they told us. He ran around Erne House (in Maghaberry) bullying other prisoners for their meds. He tried to escape from the prison hospital after an overdose but he was restrained by a female screw. Monster was one of the worst prisoners in Maghaberry but he still got released at the end of his tariff date. Last year, Thompson was sent back to Maghaberry after a disgusting attack on his last wife. Ballymena Magistrates Court heard in July 2022 how Thompson and his wife had formed a relationship while he was in custody and they married in 2012. A prosecutor said there had been an argument between the pair on February 14 that year and Thompson threw a mug of hot coffee over the back of his wifes head. Thompson was recently moved to Burren House, an open prison in Belfast where life-sentence prisoners go in preparation for full release. He is still a prisoner despite the relaxed regime and any misdemeanour could see him returned to Maghaberry. He was returned in 2019 for the unprovoked attack on the two people at the shop in Antrim while he was off his head. He left locals disgusted after he targeted a man with special needs, leaving him dazed on the street outside the Spar in the Parkhall estate. In a three-minute rampage, Thompson was seen staggering into the car park just after 8am, wearing only a pair of trousers as children pass him on their way to school. Looking disorientated, he tried to climb over a wall and fell over it head-first. He then scrambled back to his feet and up a grass bank before lurching across a main road where he had an altercation with a tree. Its not clear in the video if he hugged it or punched it. He staggered back towards the shop and punched a teenage boy twice in the head. The victim managed to stay on his feet. As a young mum with two schoolchildren walked past him, Thompson was seen running into the shop entrance. He then reappeared seconds later and punched a second victim, who fell over a gas tank and onto the ground. Thompson stumbled towards the mum and her children and had a heated exchange with her before disappearing off camera. At the time, the UVF threatened anyone sharing the footage because Thompson was suspected of being involved in moving drugs for them. Sources in Antrim say Thompson remains fearful of his violent brother Gary, who is serving a seven-year sentence in Maghaberry Prison for his role in events connected to the 2015 murder of Chinese takeaway owner Nelson Cheung in Antrim town. He admitted a charge of robbing a handbag from Winnie Cheung, the murder victims wife. David Thompson was put under threat from the UDA in 2017 when he gave police a statement connecting Gary to the murder of Randalstown businessman Cheung, who was killed when he was stabbed after his car was run off the road. Gary posted Davids statement on Facebook and taunted him by suggesting he keep talking to the police. He branded his brother a tout and David was threatened by the UDA, while the PSNI warned him that his life was in danger. The excitement of investing in a company that can reverse its fortunes is a big draw for some speculators, so even companies that have no revenue, no profit, and a record of falling short, can manage to find investors. But as Peter Lynch said in One Up On Wall Street, 'Long shots almost never pay off.' While a well funded company may sustain losses for years, it will need to generate a profit eventually, or else investors will move on and the company will wither away. If this kind of company isn't your style, you like companies that generate revenue, and even earn profits, then you may well be interested in XL Holdings Berhad (KLSE:XL). Now this is not to say that the company presents the best investment opportunity around, but profitability is a key component to success in business. Check out our latest analysis for XL Holdings Berhad How Fast Is XL Holdings Berhad Growing Its Earnings Per Share? Strong earnings per share (EPS) results are an indicator of a company achieving solid profits, which investors look upon favourably and so the share price tends to reflect great EPS performance. So a growing EPS generally brings attention to a company in the eyes of prospective investors. It's an outstanding feat for XL Holdings Berhad to have grown EPS from RM0.0072 to RM0.025 in just one year. Even though that growth rate may not be repeated, that looks like a breakout improvement. One way to double-check a company's growth is to look at how its revenue, and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins are changing. XL Holdings Berhad's EBIT margins have actually improved by 6.7 percentage points in the last year, to reach 9.0%, but, on the flip side, revenue was down 14%. That falls short of ideal. You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. Click on the chart to see the exact numbers. KLSE:XL Earnings and Revenue History January 1st 2024 Since XL Holdings Berhad is no giant, with a market capitalisation of RM204m, you should definitely check its cash and debt before getting too excited about its prospects. Story continues Are XL Holdings Berhad Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders? Seeing insiders owning a large portion of the shares on issue is often a good sign. Their incentives will be aligned with the investors and there's less of a probability in a sudden sell-off that would impact the share price. So those who are interested in XL Holdings Berhad will be delighted to know that insiders have shown their belief, holding a large proportion of the company's shares. In fact, they own 38% of the shares, making insiders a very influential shareholder group. Those who are comforted by solid insider ownership like this should be happy, as it implies that those running the business are genuinely motivated to create shareholder value. To give you an idea, the value of insiders' holdings in the business are valued at RM78m at the current share price. That's nothing to sneeze at! It means a lot to see insiders invested in the business, but shareholders may be wondering if remuneration policies are in their best interest. Well, based on the CEO pay, you'd argue that they are indeed. For companies with market capitalisations under RM918m, like XL Holdings Berhad, the median CEO pay is around RM488k. The CEO of XL Holdings Berhad was paid just RM62k in total compensation for the year ending April 2023. You could consider this pay as somewhat symbolic, which suggests the CEO does not need a lot of compensation to stay motivated. CEO compensation is hardly the most important aspect of a company to consider, but when it's reasonable, that gives a little more confidence that leadership are looking out for shareholder interests. It can also be a sign of good governance, more generally. Does XL Holdings Berhad Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist? XL Holdings Berhad's earnings per share have been soaring, with growth rates sky high. The cherry on top is that insiders own a bucket-load of shares, and the CEO pay seems really quite reasonable. The sharp increase in earnings could signal good business momentum. XL Holdings Berhad certainly ticks a few boxes, so we think it's probably well worth further consideration. However, before you get too excited we've discovered 2 warning signs for XL Holdings Berhad that you should be aware of. Although XL Holdings Berhad certainly looks good, it may appeal to more investors if insiders were buying up shares. If you like to see companies with insider buying, then check out this handpicked selection of Malaysian companies that not only boast of strong growth but have also seen recent insider buying.. Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction. 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. An investigation into the surfers death is underway A Hawaiian surfer was killed by a shark over the weekend, authorities on the island have confirmed. Jason Carter, (39) of Haiku, was pulled from the Paia Bay beach area at 11.19am local time on Saturday, Maui Police said. Ocean Safety Officers brought Carter to shore via jet ski, and emergency medical care was provided on the beach before the victim was transferred to Maui Memorial Medical Center, where he later sadly died. Hawaii News Now Images broadcast in the aftermath of the tragic incident, showed Mr Carter lying in the back of an ambulance as medical staff tried to save his life. The incident was the only deadly encounter of the seven that Hawaii reported in 2023, and the second fatal attack of the year in the United States, according to trackingsharks.com. Officials with the Department of Land and Natural Resources noted that the coastline was lined with shark warning signs for a mile in both directions. An investigation into the tragedy which has been categorised as a miscellaneous incident is underway. Sign on the beach Baldwin Beach Park and Baby Beach, near the scene of Carters shark encounter, were closed on Saturday following the incident, the Honolulu Star Advertiser noted. Mr Carter was remembered by friends on social media as an accomplished outdoorsman and surfer. The preliminary investigation reveals no signs of foul play, Maui County officials said in a news release. They added that an autopsy was scheduled. It was unclear what species of shark attacked the surfer. As of December 15, there have been 80 shark attack bites recorded worldwide in 2023, per TrackingSharks.com 13 of them were fatal. Half of this year's shark attacks took place in the United States, with 20 in Florida, five in Hawaii, two in California, six in New York and three in South Carolina. New York's Rockaway Beach was shut down after 65-year-old swimmer Tatyana Koltunyuk lost "approximately 20 pounds of flesh" to a roving shark back in August. News outlets obtained a grisly photo of the woman's thigh with a large chunk of flesh missing after the August 7 incident. She was transported to nearby Jamaica Hospital and survived the attack. Mark Sumersett of South Carolina, 38, detailed his unexpected meeting with a shark that bit his face on September 12 during a Florida vacation. "I got bit when I was a little kid by a dog, and it kind of felt like that, but like a bear trap closing in on me," the surfer told Fox 35 Orlando of the incident at the popular New Smyrna Beach. "It was definitely a fight or flight situation." Sumersett got 12 stitches along his cheek and chin after the face-to-face encounter. "God has a reason for me to be here. And that's to help other people on this earth," he said. "I'm just so grateful." Police are praising preparation and teamwork in the successful rescue of a teenager on Friday. The teenager was wearing a lifejacket and carrying a Personal Locator Beacon before heading to sea, two important factors which Police acknowledge that without them the outcome would very likely not have been as positive. At 3.20pm on Friday, Police received a call reporting a young man overdue whilst kayaking near Haulashore Island. The teen had earlier been paddling with a family member but become separated in the large swells after falling into the water and losing contact with the kayak. Deteriorating weather conditions hampered his efforts to swim to shore as he was swept out into Tasman Bay. When he did not return to shore, concerned family members raised the alarm. Shortly after, the teen made the right call and activated his Personal Locator Beacon providing an exact location. Nelson Surf Lifesaving, Nelson Coastguard and the Nelson Harbour Master along with the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter coordinated by Police Search and Rescue all joined the response to bring the teen back home, says Senior Sergeant Nathan Snell. By having a Personal Locator Beacon and lifejacket on him, we were able to head directly to him, only needing to search a small area in very trying conditions The teen was pulled aboard a Surf Lifesaving rescue boat about 4.10 pm. Without the beacon and lifejacket, we would likely have been searching all night and the outcome would very likely not have been as positive, I want to recognise the importance of being prepared when heading to sea," says Senior Sergeant Snell. "Check the weather and take two different forms of waterproof communication. I also want to highlight the work of our partner agencies: Surf Lifesaving, Coastguard, Harbourmaster and the Rescue Helicopter for their quick and professional response, their efforts coordinated by the Police Search and Rescue Squad, undoubtedly helped save a life on Friday. Nelson Police Search & Rescue have undertaken significant work over the last 18 months to improve the efficiency & response times in our local marine search & rescue sector," says Senior Constable Jude Yeoman, Nelson Police Search and Rescue Coordinator. "Fridays outcome is a significant credit to the investment Police & our key partners Surf Lifesaving NZ, Coastguard & Nelson Harbour Master have undertaken to improve marine search and rescue over recent months. The marine engineer who oversaw the construction, trials and first operations of the largest vessel to enter the Royal New Zealand Navy HMNZS Aotearoa - has been awarded the New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration for his efforts. Lieutenant Commander Louis Munden-Hooper was a pivotal figure in the development, delivery and integration of the polar-class sustainment vessel, starting with its construction in South Korea. He showed great leadership and dedication throughout the project and was vital to the successes of the ship in its first years of service, according to his citation. HMNZS Aotearoa was specially built for the RNZN, and at 173 metres long and displacing 26,000 tonnes, is the Navys largest ever ship. HMNZS Aotearoa was commissioned in 2020 and has since deployed twice to the Indo-Pacific region, including the humanitarian relief mission to Tonga in January 2022 following a volcanic eruption and tsunami. The ship then completed her first resupply voyage to Antarctica and took part in the United States-led exercise RIMPAC 2022. It has delivered strategic success for the New Zealand Defence Force, New Zealand Government and the people of New Zealand. Lieutenant Commander Munden-Hooper joined the New Zealand-based project team in August 2018 as a logistics manager, then posted to South Korea as the commissioning engineering officer. Lieutenant Commander Munden-Hooper, at left, directing engineering personnel during HMNZS Aotearoas mission to Antarctica. Photo: Supplied. He was involved throughout the construction, trials, acceptance and capability integration of the ship, as well as dealing with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the programme. Lieutenant Commander Munden-Hooper, who has since posted off HMNZS Aotearoa, was key to the success of HMNZS Aotearoas first 18 months of service. He says he is extremely surprised to receive the DSD award, and never thought he would be the commissioning engineering officer when he was initially trying to get on the project team. I was very keen to be part of the project, he says. I went to Korea in 2018 to scope out elements of my role and was there full-time from April 2019 until we brought the ship to New Zealand. It was definitely interesting times with Covid-19. When we brought the ship over in June 2020 we had to do 14 days quarantine at sea, and when we arrived we had to sit and wait outside the harbour for the time to count down. He said his time in South Korea was extremely rewarding. It was a huge project and even on a slow day in the shipyard there could be hundreds of people working on the ship. Work was going at an extreme pace and you had to work hard to keep track and make sure everything was happening as we expected. Once the ship was in New Zealand, there was the work towards achieving interim operational release of its capabilities. We had the Tonga mission and it was really rewarding to see the team pivot to change their focus and deliver for that. Then Antarctica, RIMPAC and a maintenance period in Singapore. I posted off Aotearoa in September 2022. Lieutenant Commander Munden-Hooper grew up in Blenheim, attended high school in Nelson and moved to Auckland to study for his engineering degree. He joined the RNZN in 2009 under a scholarship scheme. He cut his teeth on large ships, including logistics ship HMNZS Canterbury, tanker HMNZS Endeavour and a stint with the Royal Navys now-decommissioned aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious. Large ships, especially older ones, needed a work-hard ethic to keep them going, he says. If Im honest, there were days in Korea when I thought, how long is it going to be until I get to the bottom of this pile of work? But it was a great time being in Korea, building a ship and being part of the team to serve as the commissioning crew. It was hard work, but an exceptional experience. Empathy, humility, patience and perseverance are the secret to working in the Middle East, according to New Zealand Armys Major General Evan Williams. Its these traits, displayed in his role as force commander for the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in Egypts Sinai Peninsula, that have helped him become an Officer of The New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2024 New Year Honours. The MFO is a neutral arbiter in monitoring the security provisions of the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty. It comprises about 1100 international military personnel and an additional 700 local civilian staff. The posting is his swansong before retiring after 39-plus years in the NZ Army, topping out a wide range of leadership and command positions in the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). Major General Williams is awarded the US Legion of Merit (Officer Division). He is the first New Zealander to receive this Division of the award. He was also awarded the MFOs Distinguished Service for Peace Award. Photo: Supplied. Major General Williams, from Te Aroha, started the MFO role in late 2019 and was intending to retire in September 2023. However, the MFO asked him to return and he will continue as force commander until March 2024. Its about four words - empathy, humility, patience and perseverance, says Major General Williams. Thats it. If a force commander can master those four traits, its as simple as that. Major General Williams citation lauds his leadership and drive as the MFO continued to carry out operations despite being hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic and an ongoing ISIS-led insurgency. He also worked tirelessly to establish and develop personal relationships and trust with the Egyptian and Israeli militaries. An example of his value as a broker and negotiator between the two parties was the signing of only the third amendment to the Treaty of Peace in its 40-year history. His strategic leadership and diplomatic acumen brought great credit to New Zealand and the NZDF. Thats my job; managing strategic relationships, says Major General Williams. I stay focused on that and rely on some bright and capable staff officers to do the detail stuff. Thats where you earn your money as a two-star general, not by planning vehicle patrol routes in the desert. Major General Williams hands the MFO force commanders flag to MFO Director General Elizabeth Dibble earlier this year following his first stint as force commander. Photo: Supplied. Major General Williams says the MFO a world-class peacekeeping operation - was working with two very proud peoples from two culturally different countries in a complex environment, and sometimes there was tension. People who come here get their eyes opened hugely when they see how complex the Middle East is. Its a great professional experience. Tragically, Major General Williams wife Kristin died of cancer at the end of 2021. The citation says she played an exceptional role as part of the MFO leadership team, and was an empathetic and generous host who always provided steadfast support. Despite this loss, Major General Williams remained in command and accepted the role extension to ensure important initiatives were completed. She always said she wanted me to go back and finish this, he says. Its a great way to finish a career. My husband and I dont do caravans. Weve had two terrible experiences and dont want to tempt fate a third time. But many Kiwis love nothing better than to stuff a caravan to the brim and tow it on the open road to their summer holiday destination. Problem is you see caravans parked up on kerbs, footpaths and roadsides all over Aotearoa during warmer months as somethings gone wrong! Dont let it be you! According to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency seven people each year are killed and 45 seriously injured in crashes involving a light vehicle towing a trailer this category includes caravans! Then theres the flat tyres, broken axles, damaged tow bars, or caravans clipped by vehicles and the rest... Thats why The Sun is sharing tips on how to tow your caravan safely this summer! Caravans are usually light vehicles those with a Gross Vehicle Mass under 3500kg. This means they fall within the vehicle class of light trailer, says Waka Kotahi. While not entry-certified, you must register and license your light vehicle and take it for regular Warrant of Fitness inspections. So if youre getting old Betty out of the garage or the paddock, ensure it has a WOF before hitting the road so you know its structurally and mechanically sound. But even if it has a WOF re-check everything! Check tyre pressures, and look for signs of wear or damage. Clean all lights and reflectors. Check all lights are working. Ensure the tow coupling and brake mechanisms are well lubricated. We were towing a caravan once and heard a big bang then saw our caravan wheel swiftly travel past our vehicle, cut in front of us then enter drainage and flick high up in the air. Luckily, it didnt hit us on the way down! Wed checked everything the day before no lie! So be extra vigilant before you drive. Before departing Before departing, NZTA advises to check the tow bar points downwards before placing the trailer onto the vehicles tow bar. The weight should be about 10 per cent of the weight of the trailer and load. Make test stops at low speed to check the feel of your vehicles brakes. Check all doors, hatches, covers and any load or equipment are properly secured. Check trailer brakes (where fitted), tyres and wheel bearings are not overheating. Did you know its illegal to carry a passenger in your caravan when travelling? And that 90km per hour is the maximum speed when towing light vehicles on the open road? You can only travel at this speed if you have a rigid connection between the vehicles. So check coupling and safety chains are properly fastened! The law requires every light vehicle and trailer combination must be capable of stopping within a distance of seven metres from a speed of 30km/h. And a car, utility vehicle or light van is not permitted to tow more than one trailer or vehicle at a time! When traveling When travelling NZTA advises to allow extra space for stopping. Allow a four-second gap between you and the vehicle ahead even more if its wet or windy. Apply brakes lightly before cornering, and always use a lower gear when travelling downhill. And dont overload your caravan as this will affect its stability and control. Take breaks often and use this time to re-check your caravan. And allow extra time for your trip. Also, dont hold up following traffic unnecessarily. Pull over when safe making sure theres suitable space for your vehicle and caravan and allow following traffic to pass. When parking, choose a space carefully. Roadside cambers can trap your caravan against poles. If towing a motor vehicle in darkness, the towed vehicle must display a white light towards the front that shows the towing connection and red light towards the rear of the towed vehicle. For more helpful tips to keep safe, see: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources/glovebox-guide-safe-loading-towing/docs/guide-safe-loading-towing.pdf While crashes on our roads continue to be a leading cause of death, we have provisionally seen 340 road-related deaths in 2023, which was down 34 from 2022. "Despite this, our holiday road deaths currently sits at 21," says Police. "We have already equalled last years number of deaths in the same holiday season, with two days still remaining. "While it is worth noting the reduction in overall deaths, there are still too many people who didnt get to spend the festive season with loved ones. "Speed, alcohol and drugs and distraction are still the main causes of death and serious injury. "Wearing your seatbelt can also be the difference between surviving a crash and not. "As people continue to travel around Aotearoa, the roads will be busier than usual. "Please be patient, plan your trips, drive sober and pull over if you are feeling tired." Syracuse, NY -- Excellus BlueCross BlueShield members will be charged sharply higher fees at WellNow urgent care centers starting today after the two sides failed to reach a contract agreement over the weekend. That means that people insured by Excellus will now pay a walk-in fee of $165 at WellNow, plus out-of-network fees for any additional services provided. That compares to a small co-pay under the terms of the now-expired contract. Excellus issued a statement late Sunday night confirming no agreement was reached on a new contract with WellNow: Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has made every effort to engage in good faith contract discussions with WellNow Urgent Care so they would remain in our network in 2024. WellNow, however, has declined our latest offer, which included an increase in reimbursement. WellNow will be removed from our provider network effective Jan. 1, 2024. While we are disappointed by their decision, were prepared to help our members find the care they need. Excellus said its members can visit ExcellusBCBS.com/CareOptions to learn about options for care, including information on primary care doctors, telehealth and urgent care. WellNow also confirmed no deal has been reached. The two sides have been at odds for months over reimbursement rates for care at the regions sole chain storefront provider of urgent care. The contract affects thousands: Excellus covered roughly 90,000 visits to WellNow in Onondaga County alone in 2022, the urgent care company said. Statewide, Excellus covered 300,000 WellNow visits last year. WellNow provides a safety net for those too sick to stay at home, but not ill enough for an emergency room, said Tom Dennison, a retired Syracuse University professor and healthcare expert. The clinics are also a top choice for people who dont have a primary provider. A handful of other urgent cares in Onondaga County remain covered by Excellus for specific situations: there are two pediatric urgent cares and two orthopedic urgent cares, for injuries like sprains and broken bones. Without a WellNow contract, however, there are few good choices for other Excellus members, according to local health experts: Pay the higher fees at WellNow Find a different urgent care (that is likely further away) Wait in line at an emergency room (which takes the most seriously ill patients first and can cost much more in the long run) Go without care and hope for the best Its unclear how much of an impact the standoff would have on already overburdened ERs and doctors offices. One of Central New Yorks major primary care providers, Family Care Medical Group, says that it is prepared to handle more sick visits, with priority going to those with the most acute needs. For now, the group of roughly 50 physicians isnt planning any changes. But it could expand weekend and evening hours, if needed, said CEO Dr. Mitchell Brodey, who is also a medical professor at SUNY Upstate. Still, that may not be enough, he added. A lot of primary care offices are full, Brodey said. Its hard to find staff. In a perfect world, we would all take care of these patients. We will work to accommodate them. The people who rely on urgent care the most are those who cant find a primary care doctor or chose not to, he added. For those people, urgent care or the ER is the only place to get care. Excellus members who plan on paying out-of-pocket for WellNow might still get some coverage, but it will be at much higher out-of-network rates, the insurance company said. Members should log into their online account to review their out-of-network benefits or call customer service for more information. Depending on coverage, paying WellNows out-of-network rates might still be cheaper than the co-pays for an emergency room visit, Brodey noted. For those looking for urgent care options that remain in Excelluss network, there are a few options: In Syracuse, the only general urgent care is Quick Care, run by Syracuse Community Health, at 819 S. Salina St. There are two nearby pediatric urgent cares: Drakos Pediatric Urgent Care, at 8100 Oswego Road (Route 57) inside Clay Medical Center and the Golisano Pediatric Urgent Care at 4900 Broad Road, inside Upstate Community General Hospital. Upstate Orthopedics also runs a bone and joint urgent care, which can be accessed by calling (315) 464-4472. Its main facility is at 6620 Fly Road, DeWitt. And SOS Plus operates an orthopedic urgent care at 5719 Widewaters Parkway, in DeWitt. Oswego Health runs two general urgent cares, in Fulton and Central Square. The Fulton location is at 510 S 4th St. The Central Square location is at 3045 East Ave. That puts at least one of them within a short drive from most locations in the northern suburbs. Auburn Memorial Hospital also runs an urgent care in Skaneateles, at 803 W Genesee Street Road, just inside the Onondaga County line. The closest urgent care to the east is Oneida Healths Quick Care, in the city of Oneida, at 357 Genesee Street. Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or (315) 470-6070. It's common for many investors, especially those who are inexperienced, to buy shares in companies with a good story even if these companies are loss-making. But as Peter Lynch said in One Up On Wall Street, 'Long shots almost never pay off.' While a well funded company may sustain losses for years, it will need to generate a profit eventually, or else investors will move on and the company will wither away. If this kind of company isn't your style, you like companies that generate revenue, and even earn profits, then you may well be interested in Taka Jewellery Holdings (Catalist:42L). While profit isn't the sole metric that should be considered when investing, it's worth recognising businesses that can consistently produce it. See our latest analysis for Taka Jewellery Holdings How Fast Is Taka Jewellery Holdings Growing Its Earnings Per Share? Over the last three years, Taka Jewellery Holdings has grown earnings per share (EPS) at as impressive rate from a relatively low point, resulting in a three year percentage growth rate that isn't particularly indicative of expected future performance. So it would be better to isolate the growth rate over the last year for our analysis. Taka Jewellery Holdings' EPS skyrocketed from S$0.011 to S$0.016, in just one year; a result that's bound to bring a smile to shareholders. That's a fantastic gain of 53%. Careful consideration of revenue growth and earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margins can help inform a view on the sustainability of the recent profit growth. While we note Taka Jewellery Holdings achieved similar EBIT margins to last year, revenue grew by a solid 40% to S$146m. That's progress. The chart below shows how the company's bottom and top lines have progressed over time. Click on the chart to see the exact numbers. Catalist:42L Earnings and Revenue History January 1st 2024 Since Taka Jewellery Holdings is no giant, with a market capitalisation of S$39m, you should definitely check its cash and debt before getting too excited about its prospects. Story continues Are Taka Jewellery Holdings Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders? Many consider high insider ownership to be a strong sign of alignment between the leaders of a company and the ordinary shareholders. So those who are interested in Taka Jewellery Holdings will be delighted to know that insiders have shown their belief, holding a large proportion of the company's shares. To be exact, company insiders hold 89% of the company, so their decisions have a significant impact on their investments. This should be seen as a good thing, as it means insiders have a personal interest in delivering the best outcomes for shareholders. To give you an idea, the value of insiders' holdings in the business are valued at S$35m at the current share price. So there's plenty there to keep them focused! Is Taka Jewellery Holdings Worth Keeping An Eye On? If you believe that share price follows earnings per share you should definitely be delving further into Taka Jewellery Holdings' strong EPS growth. Further, the high level of insider ownership is impressive and suggests that the management appreciates the EPS growth and has faith in Taka Jewellery Holdings' continuing strength. The growth and insider confidence is looked upon well and so it's worthwhile to investigate further with a view to discern the stock's true value. Don't forget that there may still be risks. For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for Taka Jewellery Holdings (1 is significant) you should be aware of. Although Taka Jewellery Holdings certainly looks good, it may appeal to more investors if insiders were buying up shares. If you like to see companies with insider buying, then check out this handpicked selection of Singaporean companies that not only boast of strong growth but have also seen recent insider buying.. Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction. 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. One person injured, one in custody after shooting at Albertsons in Taos d4rkd3mon Newbie Join Date: May 2023 Location: Pune Posts: 1 Thanked: 0 Times Re: Tata Hexa : Official Review Hello Bhpians. This is my first post on team bhp although I have been an avid reader of the forum for over 3+ years now. I bought a used Tata hexa in 2021, a 2017 model that had done 77k km after reading almost all of the 400 pages of thread. Unfortunately, at about 83km, my Hexa's gearbox started to slip, just the first gear. I was in Himachal at the time and went to the service center. My gearbox was replaced under warranty*( there is a huge side story on how I was charged a hefty 72k by the service center whose GM came up with fake stories that even though the car is under warranty, you will have to pay a certain percentage of the amount. It was only after 1.5 years that I realised it was fake and the bill was only supposed to be 12k. I need some legal advice on this as well, please let me know if this is the forum to discuss or should I create a thread somewhere explaining the entire fraud in details) I absolutely love the car. I did a 6 month continuous expedition in the Himalayas with it. 3months in Himachal, 2 months in Uttarakhand and 1 month in ladakh and went to every nook and corner possible. I have driven it on icy roads in Khardungla where Fortuner's, Innova's and even Tata's mighty trucks were stuck. The hexa crossed it like a breeze. The same in Auli, went all the way upto the skii resort, easy. Any how, I have a question about the car. It has done 1.05Lakh km now since the AT was replaced at 83km. I know for sure that the AT oil was changed. 1. Does the AT cooler automatically get changed with it or do I need to get it replaced? Is it part of the gearbox sealed? I haven't heard my TASS service managers recommend anything at all about AT cooler change. 2. The car also has some minor rusting crack on the exhaust pipe in 2 out of 3 segments that make it up. Can I get them welded or is replacing the only option? 3. I sometimes notice that the car is revving slightly higher, around 300 rpm higher than usual and gear shifts are late at 2.3k instead of the usual 1.8-2 figure there seems to some resistance in pick up, even at first gear crawl the acceleration is very sluggish.However, suddenly at times I find the car starts to glide, gear changes back to 1.8k mark, the first gear crawl noticeably faster, alsmot has me reaching for brakes. When this happens, my mileage numbers start to go higher, and improve by almost 3-4km/l. AC is on both times, no that is not a factor. The difference is stark enough that it's not just me but even my wife in the passenger seat notices it and asks me the same time when I am suspecting if it's moving smoothly or not. Once again, the Tass folks says, it's all good and it's probably the engine getting old. I don't believe it because the mileage numbers tell the whole story. When the car glides and stops over revving, I can feel the engine is quieter and also gives much more confidence in overtakes, as if someone took off weight from the car.Do you suspect it something to do with the clutch/pressure plate that is now giving up? How can I be sure? pravarag BHPian Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 81 Thanked: 250 Times Pujo special: A journey from Bangalore to Kolkata with furr baby . After hearing few experiences and watching videos on Youtube, driving down the NH-16 from Bangalore to Kolkata was always in my mind ever-since I've had Shadowfax (Ford Freestyle). Not only the love of driving, I've always had a wish to see Kolkata at the time of it's biggest festival of the year, Durga Pujo. And after cancelling 3 times in last 3 years, me and my wife finally made-up our mind to drive to Kolkata this time on the occasion of Durga Puja. Though my wife being Bengali had warned my very well of the rush the City of Joy sees during this most awaited time of the year, I was all ready to face it no matter what. Apart from this, we also planned to travel with our 1.5 year old fur baby Cosmo on this long journey. Though he is a seasoned traveller for trips like Bangalore to Goa and other places within 500-600 kms, but we weren't sure how he'd behave on a 2000 km long journey. All things aside, we decided to travel in the week of 2nd October and selected 5th as the date to start from Bangalore. We had planned our halts at Vizag and Bhubaneswar keeping pet-friendly stays in mind. All the preparations were made, I got my car checked at Ford Mahadevpura service center few days before the trip. I was facing some issues with steering position, which was fixed after alignment and balancing. Day 1 Bangalore to Vizag We though of starting as early as possible the first day so that 1000 kms distance of Vizag from Bangalore can be covered without any rush. Also since I was travelling with my dog, I wanted to take as many breaks as possible so that he'll also be comfortable and should not feel much irritated at any point. We carried enough food for the day 1 so that we can avoid stopping at places for ordering breakfast and lunch and save some time. With everything being set, we started off around 3 AM from Bangalore. Luckily, I somehow retired to bed earlier the previous night and was able to get some good 4-5 hours of sleep which really helped me next day. This was my first time driving the max distance of 1000 in a day, my previous best being 700 Kms. Driving at a steady state and with very less traffic, we managed to reach Thirupati by 6 AM. We took a short bathroom break for us and Cosmo few kms after crossing Thirupati. By this time, Google Maps was showing our estimated time of arrival around 7:45 PM at night. The roads till Thirupati are very good from Bangalore, post that we did encounter some bad patches until we joined NH 16 which I believe would take you through connecting state highways. Hopefully, these will be repaired until next time. Once we checked-in Nh-16, it was a smooth ride till Vizag. NHAI have done a really good job building this highway and I think most of the work has been done recently. I remeber folks mentioning lots of diversions especially post Rajahmundry few years back. We were running well on time, crossed Vijaywada around 2 PM. Took a short break for lunch since we carried all of it for the first day with us. I popped in one red bull at this time which I thought would be enough to get me going till we reach Vizag later in the evening. Couple of pics from our drive: Started seeing the boards for all 3 of our destinations The scenary was changing well and good even though it was all lush green throughout so far. Rice fields all around, big wider roads at times, roadside stands for coffee, food. I was really excited to see all of this and driving on these highways was just like a dream getting fulfilled. We were lucky enough to see the sunrise and sunset the same day in our beloved car. As soon as we inched closer to Vizag the scenary changed again and we were welcome by I believe was eastern ghats maybe and ocean breeze. Around 7 PM we were 30 kms away from Vizag, took a small bathroom break for Cosmo. As soon as we started, I somehow missed a turn towards the left which would have taken us inside the city and instead I continued straight on NH 16. This resulted in increasing our distance by 30 Kms, an extra toll fee of about 100 Rs. and time increament of 45 mins. The horrible thing was getting re-routed via very narrow lanes of villages and then making our way back to Vizag city and to the hotel. At last, around 7:45 we managed to reach our hotel Day 2 Vizag to Bhubaneshwar We were up and ready by 4:45, did checkout formalities from our very comfortable and pet friendly stay in Vizag and accelerated towards next destination well around 5 AM in the morning. I could already see little sunlight indicating we are towards east and sun rises early here. I could also feel very nice and calm morning sea breeze in Vizag, roads were empty and very soon we were back on NH-16. Last night we were able to manage a good sleep along with Cosmo who was looking recharged and fresh for our next destination. I spotted this very big truck lay bye which was empty next to the highway and utilized for giving Cosmo a nice long walk, little playing around followed by his morning food. Next stop was for our breakfast and we managed to get some freshly prepared dosa, idli and some filter coffee. Trust me, this was the last time I had filter coffee for next 22 days as I knew once I cross Odisha border, I'll be in for a delighted trip of tea across the next two states. Soon we could again see scenaries changing, from big rice paddy fields to smaller fields and then again big fields. So far, the roads had been wonderful and I was really thanking highways authority of India for doing such a great job in this region connecting different places. We crossed Andhra-Odisha border, no checking for us though they did ask where are you going and coming from. A quick toilet break for Cosmo and we were inside Odisha heading towards Brahmapur. Entering Odisha, I could see some boards at petrol stations mentioning cheaper diesel than Andhra, which was good to know and so I got Shadowfax refueled with full tank. We had planned to see Chilika lake or at least try to get nearer if that's possible with pet. I think after Ganjam we were suggested to take a right turn, which was showing a long way inside followed by some backwaters of the lake. Before that, I spotted a small tea shop and got down to taste the real energy drink which fuels our entire nation and what a taste it was. I had 2 more cups, asked my wife who's usually not a tea fan nowadays to taste some and she also couldn't stop from ordering one for her. The tea vendor asked me are you travelling from Karnataka seeing our number plate and then we talked about few things, just normal chai-pe-charcha. I thanked him for the amazing tea and started again for our next stop at Chilika lake. By this time we were well ahead of calculated arrival time at our hotel in Bhubaneshwar so I was not interested in driving much fast but a lot slower, enjoying the roads. We took the right turn off Nh 16 towards Chilika lake backwaters and continued about 10 kms inside hoping that we we'll some part of the lake. But unfortunately we got lost, asked around few folks, couldn't find the exact location and had to take u-turn. And then we decided let's continue to our hotel and maybe we'll keep Chilika lake for some other time. We did come across one small part of the lake after few kilometeres which goes through the highway and that was the only memory of it which I have now. We reached our stay, Vivanta Bhubaneshwar [Few pics from Day 2] Amazing sunrise from Vizag early morning. These Hanuman statues are common across entire Andhra, very nice to see. Taken somewhere near Chilika Lake Before this road-trip I've been to Kolkata about 4 times involving the one visit for my own marriage 3 years back. After hearing few experiences and watching videos on Youtube, driving down the NH-16 from Bangalore to Kolkata was always in my mind ever-since I've had Shadowfax (Ford Freestyle). Not only the love of driving, I've always had a wish to see Kolkata at the time of it's biggest festival of the year, Durga Pujo. And after cancelling 3 times in last 3 years, me and my wife finally made-up our mind to drive to Kolkata this time on the occasion of Durga Puja. Though my wife being Bengali had warned my very well of the rush the City of Joy sees during this most awaited time of the year, I was all ready to face it no matter what. Apart from this, we also planned to travel with our 1.5 year old fur baby Cosmo on this long journey. Though he is a seasoned traveller for trips like Bangalore to Goa and other places within 500-600 kms, but we weren't sure how he'd behave on a 2000 km long journey. All things aside, we decided to travel in the week of 2nd October and selected 5th as the date to start from Bangalore. We had planned our halts at Vizag and Bhubaneswar keeping pet-friendly stays in mind.All the preparations were made, I got my car checked at Ford Mahadevpura service center few days before the trip. I was facing some issues with steering position, which was fixed after alignment and balancing.Day 1 Bangalore to VizagWe though of starting as early as possible the first day so that 1000 kms distance of Vizag from Bangalore can be covered without any rush. Also since I was travelling with my dog, I wanted to take as many breaks as possible so that he'll also be comfortable and should not feel much irritated at any point. We carried enough food for the day 1 so that we can avoid stopping at places for ordering breakfast and lunch and save some time. With everything being set, we started off around 3 AM from Bangalore. Luckily, I somehow retired to bed earlier the previous night and was able to get some good 4-5 hours of sleep which really helped me next day. This was my first time driving the max distance of 1000 in a day, my previous best being 700 Kms. Driving at a steady state and with very less traffic, we managed to reach Thirupati by 6 AM. We took a short bathroom break for us and Cosmo few kms after crossing Thirupati. By this time, Google Maps was showing our estimated time of arrival around 7:45 PM at night. The roads till Thirupati are very good from Bangalore, post that we did encounter some bad patches until we joined NH 16 which I believe would take you through connecting state highways. Hopefully, these will be repaired until next time. Once we checked-in Nh-16, it was a smooth ride till Vizag. NHAI have done a really good job building this highway and I think most of the work has been done recently. I remeber folks mentioning lots of diversions especially post Rajahmundry few years back. We were running well on time, crossed Vijaywada around 2 PM. Took a short break for lunch since we carried all of it for the first day with us. I popped in one red bull at this time which I thought would be enough to get me going till we reach Vizag later in the evening.Couple of pics from our drive:Started seeing the boards for all 3 of our destinationsThe scenary was changing well and good even though it was all lush green throughout so far. Rice fields all around, big wider roads at times, roadside stands for coffee, food. I was really excited to see all of this and driving on these highways was just like a dream getting fulfilled. We were lucky enough to see the sunrise and sunset the same day in our beloved car. As soon as we inched closer to Vizag the scenary changed again and we were welcome by I believe was eastern ghats maybe and ocean breeze. Around 7 PM we were 30 kms away from Vizag, took a small bathroom break for Cosmo. As soon as we started, I somehow missed a turn towards the left which would have taken us inside the city and instead I continued straight on NH 16. This resulted in increasing our distance by 30 Kms, an extra toll fee of about 100 Rs. and time increament of 45 mins. The horrible thing was getting re-routed via very narrow lanes of villages and then making our way back to Vizag city and to the hotel. At last, around 7:45 we managed to reach our hotel winsor park . We quickly settled in, gave dinner to Cosmo and finished his night time walk quickly. We ordered food from hotel itself, though we asked them to keep it very less spicy but the chef couldn't help in adding his little touch of Andhra. We had planned to start for Bhubaneshwar early next morning around 5 AM so that we can reach by 2 PM and settle in early for the day at our next stay.Day 2 Vizag to BhubaneshwarWe were up and ready by 4:45, did checkout formalities from our very comfortable and pet friendly stay in Vizag and accelerated towards next destination well around 5 AM in the morning. I could already see little sunlight indicating we are towards east and sun rises early here. I could also feel very nice and calm morning sea breeze in Vizag, roads were empty and very soon we were back on NH-16. Last night we were able to manage a good sleep along with Cosmo who was looking recharged and fresh for our next destination. I spotted this very big truck lay bye which was empty next to the highway and utilized for giving Cosmo a nice long walk, little playing around followed by his morning food. Next stop was for our breakfast and we managed to get some freshly prepared dosa, idli and some filter coffee. Trust me, this was the last time I had filter coffee for next 22 days as I knew once I cross Odisha border, I'll be in for a delighted trip of tea across the next two states. Soon we could again see scenaries changing, from big rice paddy fields to smaller fields and then again big fields. So far, the roads had been wonderful and I was really thanking highways authority of India for doing such a great job in this region connecting different places. We crossed Andhra-Odisha border, no checking for us though they did ask where are you going and coming from. A quick toilet break for Cosmo and we were inside Odisha heading towards Brahmapur. Entering Odisha, I could see some boards at petrol stations mentioning cheaper diesel than Andhra, which was good to know and so I got Shadowfax refueled with full tank. We had planned to see Chilika lake or at least try to get nearer if that's possible with pet. I think after Ganjam we were suggested to take a right turn, which was showing a long way inside followed by some backwaters of the lake. Before that, I spotted a small tea shop and got down to taste the real energy drink which fuels our entire nationand what a taste it was. I had 2 more cups, asked my wife who's usually not a tea fan nowadays to taste some and she also couldn't stop from ordering one for her. The tea vendor asked me are you travelling from Karnataka seeing our number plate and then we talked about few things, just normal chai-pe-charcha. I thanked him for the amazing tea and started again for our next stop at Chilika lake. By this time we were well ahead of calculated arrival time at our hotel in Bhubaneshwar so I was not interested in driving much fast but a lot slower, enjoying the roads. We took the right turn off Nh 16 towards Chilika lake backwaters and continued about 10 kms inside hoping that we we'll some part of the lake. But unfortunately we got lost, asked around few folks, couldn't find the exact location and had to take u-turn. And then we decided let's continue to our hotel and maybe we'll keep Chilika lake for some other time. We did come across one small part of the lake after few kilometeres which goes through the highway and that was the only memory of it which I have now.We reached our stay, Vivanta Bhubaneshwar here around 1:30. Two main reasons for choosing this place, it's located right on the highway so we can avoid city traffic and second most important it's pet friendly. The staff at the hotel were very courteous, have some of the great hospitality towards someone especially with pets. They were also amazed to see Cosmo travelling all the way from Bangalore on his way to Kolkata. We had a very nice and comfortbale stay, amazing food for the rest of the day and enough space for Cosmo within the campus to complete his walks. Next we had planned a lazy start, didn't want to miss breakfast at the hotel and knowing Kolkata is just 450 Kms from there, we were okay even if we reach a little late during evening time.[Few pics from Day 2]Amazing sunrise from Vizag early morning.These Hanuman statues are common across entire Andhra, very nice to see.Taken somewhere near Chilika Lake Last edited by pravarag : 31st December 2023 at 19:25 . North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has announced plans to launch three new spy satellites in 2024, further escalating regional tensions (via BBC). The announcement, made during the ruling Workers' Party of Korea's end-of-year meeting, comes on the heels of Pyongyang's recent success in launching a spy satellite into orbit. Kim Jong Un Reveals Military Plans Kim Jong Un asserts that these satellites will play a crucial role in bolstering North Korea's military capabilities. The regime claims that the previously launched satellite has already captured images of major US and South Korean military sites, heightening concerns about the secretive nation's surveillance capabilities. The North Korean leader, speaking at the meeting, expressed a grim view of relations with South Korea, declaring that unification is no longer possible. He accuses Seoul of treating his country as an enemy, citing the recent breakdown of a deal to reduce military tensions. Rising Tension in the Korean Peninsula South Korea's defense ministry issued a strong warning against any plans to use nuclear weapons in response to these developments. The ministry stated that the Kim Jong Un regime would face dire consequences if it did not retaliate overwhelmingly, with the support of the US. North Korea conducted a series of missile tests throughout 2023, culminating in the launch of its most advanced long-range missile earlier this month, according to Kim Jong Un's announcement. The provocative act drew swift condemnation from the West and heightened concerns about the region's security situation. Read Also: Santa Claus' Whereabouts Is Being Tracked by US-Canada Military Center for the 68th Year: Here's Why United Front Against North Korea's Aggression International response to North Korea's actions has been unified, with the United States, South Korea, and Japan forming a united front against Pyongyang's cyber threats and satellite launches. At a meeting in Seoul, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan outlined joint initiatives to counter economic coercion, cybercrime, and North Korea's ballistic missile and space tests. Sullivan emphasized the tangible commitment of the three nations, including plans for a real-time information-sharing arrangement on North Korean missile launches. This move signifies an unprecedented level of defense cooperation among the allied nations aimed at addressing the evolving threats posed by North Korea. Concerns have also risen over the presence of a US submarine armed with nuclear weapons in Korean waters, prompting North Korea to express dissatisfaction. Kim Jong Un criticized the US, alleging that South Korea had been transformed into a "forward military base and nuclear arsenal" for American forces. As tensions continue to escalate, Kim Jong Un outlined further military development plans for 2024, including the strengthening of nuclear and missile forces and the development of drones. He warned of the possibility of a nuclear crisis and emphasized the need for swift responses to potential emergencies. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: North Korea Launches Military Spy Satellite, Transmits Images of White House, Pentagon 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Key Insights Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Heineken Malaysia Berhad fair value estimate is RM26.44 With RM24.14 share price, Heineken Malaysia Berhad appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value Analyst price target for HEIM is RM29.11, which is 10% above our fair value estimate Does the January share price for Heineken Malaysia Berhad (KLSE:HEIM) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple! Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model. Check out our latest analysis for Heineken Malaysia Berhad The Calculation We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM418.0m RM441.0m RM460.9m RM480.4m RM499.7m RM519.1m RM538.7m RM558.7m RM579.2m RM600.2m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x3 Analyst x3 Est @ 4.52% Est @ 4.23% Est @ 4.02% Est @ 3.88% Est @ 3.78% Est @ 3.71% Est @ 3.66% Est @ 3.63% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 9.0% RM383 RM371 RM356 RM340 RM325 RM309 RM295 RM280 RM267 RM253 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM3.2b Story continues After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 3.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 9.0%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = RM600m (1 + 3.6%) (9.0% 3.6%) = RM11b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM11b ( 1 + 9.0%)10= RM4.8b The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is RM8.0b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM24.1, the company appears about fair value at a 8.7% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent. KLSE:HEIM Discounted Cash Flow January 1st 2024 Important Assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Heineken Malaysia Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for Heineken Malaysia Berhad Strength Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows. Dividend is in the top 25% of dividend payers in the market. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 4 years. Current share price is below our estimate of fair value. Threat Dividends are not covered by earnings and cashflows. Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the Malaysian market. Moving On: Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For Heineken Malaysia Berhad, we've put together three fundamental items you should look at: Risks: Case in point, we've spotted 3 warning signs for Heineken Malaysia Berhad you should be aware of, and 2 of them are a bit unpleasant. Future Earnings: How does HEIM's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Developments in the world of technology did not let up even until the last second, and towards the end of the year, there was massive news regarding updates and happenings in different corners of the world. First off, the Chinese have developed their latest take on a hypersonic engine, and this is the world's first, centering on the most powerful machinery built yet. (Photo : Tech Times Weekly Wrap-up) There were also leaks regarding the Apple HomePod's next-generation release, one that would feature a touchscreen LCD atop the device, alongside the infamous Toyota Daihatsu shut down. Chinese Engineers Bring the Most Powerful Hypersonic Engine (Photo : Kaspars Eglitis from Unsplash) Engineers led by Zhang Yining from the Beijing Power Machinery Institute, in collaboration with the People's Liberation Army 93160 Unit have delivered the "most powerful rotating detonation engine" in the world. This is a hypersonic engine, as claimed by the Chinese engineers that built it, one that can reach the speeds of Mach 16 and up to 18.6 miles (30 kilometers) in altitude. It was earlier revealed by reports that this engine can operate in two modes, and it shows the massive adaptability and efficiency of the machine. The estimates also claim that the detonation-driven propulsion is capable of converting nearly 80 percent of chemical energy to kinetic energy, offering a massive development in the combustion process. Read Also: Li-Fi: This Communication Tech Using Light for Data Transmission Could Surpass Wi-Fi's Speed by Over 100 Times Toyota Daihatsu's Plant Shuts Down-Why? (Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Towards the end of the year, a massive shut down occurred at Toyota's Daihatsu plant in Japan, effectively halting all the production, as well as the import and export of its cars. This is because of the discovery regarding the irregular testing practices involving 64 models of the car company, with the systemic problems going on for decades on end. Associated Press report claimed that the shutdown will have Japan's Transport Ministry officials conduct investigations regarding the issues present. This centered on all four factories of the Daihatsu Motor Company, but this also highlights the issues among five Japanese automakers in the past years. Apple's HomePod with LCD Leaks (Photo : Kosutami via X) A new leak has surfaced regarding the next-generation HomePod from Apple, centering on the device's upgrade that will bring a touchscreen LCD on top of the renowned smart home speaker. The improved version of the HomePod showcases a new smart display that will help expand more of the features available to users, centering on improved use on different occasions. Instead of having gesture-based controls and touch buttons, Apple will bring a screen, and would most likely offer a dedicated system that would be responsible for all operations. Moreover, it will be a dedicated smart device of the company, under the renowned Matter program, with Apple known for being part of this smart home protocol. Related Article: Apple Develops Breakthrough Method to Double AI Power, Boost CPU Speed by 500% 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. What better way there is to spend a day without any tasks than to sit around all day and do nothing, and only watch how the day changes in Mars. Yes, this is what the Curiosity rover did in its recent time off, and from sun up to sun down on the Red Planet, the trusty solo traveler has captured what it is like for a Martian sol to come and go, taking advantage of the space phenomenon. Curiosity was given time off, but during this time, it was also tasked to use one of its cameras to capture an out-of-this-world timelapse of the next-door planet. NASA's Curiosity Rover Captures a Timelapse of a Martial Day (Sol) (Photo : NASA/JPL-Caltech) NASA revealed before the year ended that Curiosity has captured an iconic timelapse of a Martian day, also known as a Sol, revealing black and white footage that shows what it is like to spend an entire Sol here. The footage that Curiosity delivered to the world was a 12-hour capture of the skies and the Martian surface, recorded on the 4,002nd Martial Sol last November 8. According to NASA, Curiosity used its Hazcams to capture the sight, with the camera best known for spotting rocks, slopes, and other dangers that the rover will be facing. However, on this occasion, NASA employed these cameras to capture sequencing snapshots of the entire 12-hour timeframe, looking to discover more of the Red Planet's weather. In the video, Curiosity was at the southeastern region of the Gediz Vallis on Mount Sharp. Read Also: [LOOK] NASA Orbiter Sees Otherworldly Views of Mars Horizon Why was Curiosity Given a Time Off by NASA? Earlier in November 2023, NASA gave Curiosity a time off because of the upcoming Solar Conjunction where the Earth will be in the middle of the Sun and Mars, causing plasmas to affect communications. In this conjunction, NASA held a two-week communications pause, but does not necessarily mean that it lost contact with the rover. NASA's Curiosity Rover For many years now, the Curiosity Rover has been one of the workhorses of NASA in exploring Mars, particularly in the Gale Crater region where it is stationed. Apart from its discoveries, Curiosity has also been one to help debunk myths and massive conspiracies on Mars, offering the world a healthy supply of information, including the oblivious cannonball that caused quite a stir. It is widely known that Mars has one of the harshest environments, with the sulfur-rich planet that has no visible water, creating significant sights to see on its surface. Curiosity once found "hoodoos" on Mars, and these are towering rock formations that were formed by sediments, especially in dry areas, characterized by their tall figures and instantly noticeable. While the more modern rovers were deployed by NASA most recently, with the Perseverance and Ingenuity, Curiosity's mission and work are not yet done on the Red Planet. And despite the supposed hibernation of Curiosity in the last solar conjunction, it was given a special task, something that a lot would enjoy doing, and it is to sit back, relax, and enjoy as the Sol passed by. Related Article: NASA's Curiosity Rover Discovers Wave Ripple Marks on Mars 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. LG introduces its latest 32-inch 4K monitor, the MyView, merging the functionality of a computer monitor with that of a smart TV. The monitors will be available in three variants at two price levels-$599.99 and $499.99, with the US availability announcement slated for a later date. (Photo : LG) Screenshot form LG's Official Website. Outshining Samsung M8 Positioned to compete with the Samsung M8, the MyView boasts subtle enhancements to the familiar formula. Set to be unveiled at CES, LG offers the MyView series in various colors, including essence white, mild beige, cotton pink, and cotton green, catering to diverse preferences. The specifications and design of LG's smart LED displays bear a striking resemblance to the Samsung M8. Both devices showcase a modern iMac-inspired design, with LG's MyView offering additional flexibility in stand adjustments, supporting changes to height, tilt, and rotation. Functioning as a smart TV with the included remote, The Verge reported that all MyView monitors feature Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, two built-in speakers, and dual HDMI ports, enhancing their versatility for a seamless user experience. However, certain notable distinctions might make LG's new monitor more appealing. The IPS panel employed by LG is anticipated to deliver superior viewing angles compared to Samsung's VA tech displays. Additionally, the MyView outshines the M8 with three USB-C ports, each supporting 90-watt USB-C charging, surpassing the M8's single USB-C with a maximum output of 65W. Notably, the highest-priced MyView model comes at a $100 lower price point than the M8. A noteworthy advantage of LG's MyView displays is their integration with webOS. This feature sets them apart from conventional monitors, potentially allowing them to function akin to a Chromebook. Users can leverage cloud services such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace without being tethered to another computer. MyView Pricing Discussing pricing, Engadget reported that LG's press release highlights that the $599.99 model, 32SR85U, offers three USB-C ports with a robust 90 watts of USB-C power output and includes a detachable webcam. Notably, the product page for the 32SR85U indicates HomeKit compatibility, a feature commonly associated with smart TVs, enabling users to command Siri for tasks such as switching inputs or powering the device on and off. In contrast, the other two variants are priced at $499.99. The 32SR83U maintains three USB-C ports and boasts a screen brightness of 400 nits. However, it provides a lower 65 watts of USB-C output and does not include a detachable webcam. The 32SR70U, on the other hand, lacks support for the detachable webcam, features a brightness of only 350 nits, and offers a single 45-watt charging USB-C port, sacrificing the other two for USB 2.0 ports. These variations highlight distinct differences among the models. Also Read: LG Gram Pro CES 2024: Massive AI Features and MORE Coming While the MyView series competes favorably with the Samsung M8 in various aspects, its primary target is addressing a gap in Apple's monitor selection. Recognizing that monitors often lack aesthetic appeal, LG aims to capture the attention of users who prioritize a visually pleasing desk setup. Despite the straightforward display specifications, XDA-Developers reported that MyView's attractive design and integrated smart TV features might make it a compelling choice, especially for those seeking a monitor that complements their workspace aesthetics without the premium cost. Related Article: LG Unveils the World's First 4K OLED Gaming Monitor With Dual-Hz Feature 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A team of engineers from the University of Delaware introduces wearable nanotechnology designed to accelerate recovery, with the added benefit of adaptability to existing fabrics. (Photo : University of Delaware) Thanks to new funding from NSF, Thostenson (pictured) and his team will collaborate with UDs Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships (OEIP) to find the best commercial market for their technology. Transformative Approach to Health Monitoring Spearheaded by Professor Erik Thostenson and supported by the National Science Foundation's Partnerships for Innovation program, "Henswear" envisions a transformative approach to health monitoring through nanomaterial-based sensors seamlessly integrated into everyday clothing. The genesis of these nanomaterial sensors traces back over 15 years when Professor Thostenson initiated work on carbon nanotube-based sensors. This collaborative effort seeks to redefine the landscape of health monitoring by embedding sensors into textiles, providing real-time data on human movement. Dedicated to advancing sensor technology across diverse applications, Interesting Engineering reported that the company initially focused on monitoring structural health infrastructure and human motion. This aimed to assess the capability of Thostenson's nanomaterial-based sensors in collecting kinetic and kinematic data related to human movement. Traditionally conducted in a lab environment with sophisticated instruments, the study's outcomes laid the groundwork for the development of Henswear. The latest iteration of these sensors exhibits exceptional flexibility and heightened sensitivity to pressure and angle changes, all while maintaining a thin profile. These sensors can seamlessly integrate into existing garments or be directly applied to fabrics. Receiving Funds, Grant The collaborative efforts of Doshi and Thostenson, alongside Jil Higginson, professor of mechanical engineering and biomedical engineering, and director of UD's Institute for Engineering Driven Health (EDH), began with a pilot study funded by Delaware INBRE. With a two-year grant from NSF, the team is poised to conduct further research to validate the sensors, comparing them to conventional lab-based assessments. Dr. Higginson emphasized the focus on exercise and range of motion data, essential for clinicians to monitor patient therapy compliance. UDaily reported that the grant will also support ongoing investigations into material properties, ensuring scalability and durability, including the ability to withstand washing while retaining functionality. Also Read: Wearable Gadgets Could Prevent Astronauts From Getting Lost in Space, New Study Says Collaborating with UD's Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships (OEIP) and technology commercialization and medical devices expert Brian Pryor, the research team is strategically identifying optimal markets and applications for their cutting-edge technology. They aim to understand sensor repeatability, delve into the interaction between the sensor and garments, and engage with industry partners to discern potential applications, customer needs, and the feasible integration points for this transformative technology. Taking a significant step forward, the team is slated to participate in the NSF I-Corps National Teams program, intensifying their commitment to bridging the gap between pioneering research and tangible applications. As per UD Magazine, the potential applications for the nanosensors range from enhancing fitness trackers to aiding in the recovery from injuries, showcasing the versatility of their innovation. The researchers are enthusiastic about the profound impact on human well-being. Their optimism stems from the belief that this technology has the potential to expedite healing processes and facilitate a quicker return to optimal fitness levels. Related Article: PoseSonic: Sonar, AI Powers Glasses to Track Upper Body Movements in 3D 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Samsung Galaxy S24 will be one of the most advanced smartphones to be released this 2024, but that is according to leaks for now, centering on the features it will deliver, with the latest leak focusing on its AI capabilities. It was also revealed that speculations on the Galaxy S24's release would be by January 17, but it seems like the device will not be released during this timeline. In the latest revelation for the smartphone, Samsung would integrate massive AI features for the S24, with massive capabilities coming to help users. Samsung Galaxy S24 Leaks: New AI Features Coming (Photo : FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images) Artificial intelligence will play a massive role in this year's upcoming Samsung Galaxy S24, and this was revealed by a renowned leaker called "Mystery Lupin." In their latest release, Lupin showcased a marketing write-up regarding the upcoming flagship smartphone, stating its new features, but also an AI capability that will bring enhancements to the phone's camera. To be more precise, it will feature a "Nightography Zoom" feature that will be powered by artificial intelligence, and this will help improve shots from low-light situations. While there is already the night mode in Samsung's S-series devices, this new feature will offer improvements using AI, helping enhance more of the quality upon capture. Read Also: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is Getting 4 Rear Camera Lens, Here's What to Expect Samsung Galaxy S24 is Going Big on AI According to 9to5 Google, the Galaxy S24 will feature a whole trove of AI features apart from the Nightography Zoom, and this will also include a version of the "Magic Editor" from Google's Pixel 8. Last year, there were also claims that the S24 would bring a Live Translate feature that would help users understand it better in their preferred language, with the AI offering it in real-time. Samsung's Upcoming Flagship: S24 The annual expected update of Samsung's flagship Galaxy S-series smartphone is coming early this year, centering on the S24 smartphone that will succeed the renowned S23 release from last year. One of the main leaks regarding the device is the upcoming S24's new body, with a titanium frame coming to reinforce the smartphone with a stronger but lighter body, like the recent iPhone 15 Pro series. On the other hand, Samsung's next-gen smartphone is set to feature a new breed of batteries for the handheld device, and instead of the traditional design, the S24 series would get one designed like electric car power cells. This is called the "stacked battery charging method" with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 helping improve the efficiency for better experiences. With the S24's release drawing close, many leaks are surfacing about what Samsung has to offer with the device once it arrives, and with the emergence of AI now, there is no doubt that some will arrive with it. There has already been one AI feature leaked before, and this new claim centers on the camera's improvements thanks to AI, especially on low-light shots. Related Article: Non-Samsung Users Can Use Samsung Galaxy S24's AI Call Feature: Report 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In the ongoing technological competition between the United States and China, the quest for dominance in chip technology has become a central focus. The production of advanced microchips, essential for both economic and military supremacy, has prompted vigorous efforts by Washington to restrict China's access to vital microchip design tools. (Photo : TEH ENG KOON/AFP via Getty Images) Beijing, CHINA: A US and a Chinese flag wave outside a commercial building in Beijing, 09 July 2007. Making China Independent Amidst efforts to curb China's progress, a formidable contender has entered the scene, SEIDA, a Chinese startup founded by a seasoned Silicon Valley software executive. Liguo "Recoo" Zhang, along with three other Chinese-born colleagues, departed from Siemens EDA, a U.S. unit of Siemens AG, with the mission of challenging the foreign monopoly on Optical Proximity Correction (OPC) technology. Interesting Engineering reported that the OPC tool is indispensable for designing advanced chips crucial for emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing. SEIDA's audacious initiative has garnered support from influential Chinese investors, including Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC), a leading Chinese microchip maker with alleged ties to China's military. As China faces attempts to slow down its technological advancements, SEIDA's emergence raises questions about the potential for greater independence in the face of US chip restrictions. SEIDA's ambitious goal to "disrupt the foreign monopoly" has attracted attention from both American and Chinese observers, sparking concerns about regulatory compliance and the potential for intellectual property issues. As reported by Reuters, Peilun "Allen" Chang, the company's Chief Operating Officer, shared that SEIDA's business strategy is in a constant state of evolution. He revealed that the stringent restrictions imposed by the U.S. served as a pivotal factor for Zhang and his colleagues to depart from Siemens EDA. The restrictions limited their business prospects and career growth within the confines of the regulatory environment. Additionally, SEIDA asserts its commitment to adhering to both U.S. and Chinese regulations, highlighting a rigorous vetting process designed to prevent any intellectual property violations. US-China Chip War In the race for supremacy in chip technology between the U.S. and China, the intricacies of the industry, spanning raw materials, design, and assembly, pose challenges for Washington in isolating China economically, unlike the Cold War era. Taking a decisive stance, US President Joe Biden in October of the previous year unequivocally cut off China's access to high-end computer chips. Although the U.S. remains at the forefront of chip design technologies, manufacturing is predominantly carried out in Asia, with South Korea and Taiwan, the "self-governing island claimed by China and the world's leading chip manufacturer," taking the lead. The recently approved "CHIPS for America" program, backed by a $53 billion investment, aims to enhance domestic chip production capabilities. Concurrently, China has been aggressively pursuing advanced chips through initiatives like "Thousand Talents" and substantial government investments. Also Read: US Hindered China's Goals to Dominate the Tech Industry-How? Experts suggest that SEIDA's narrative is another instance of Chinese companies leveraging expertise acquired abroad to strengthen the domestic industry. However, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry offers a contrasting viewpoint, asserting that technological advancements in China are not the result of theft or robbery, but rather the result of Chinese people's ingenuity and hard work. Related Article: Biden's Executive Order Sets New Limits on American Investment in Chinese Tech Firms, Concerning National Security 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The sudden ouster and return of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman did not slow the technology startup's growth, as the developer of the ChatGPT AI chatbot reported $1.6 billion in earnings. Sources told The Information that this sum eclipsed the mid-October milestone of $1.3 billion, a 20% increase in two months, as reported by Firstpost. Insiders familiar with the matter shared these elevated revenue figures, signifying sustained growth since the launch of ChatGPT in February. The platform has witnessed a continuous increase in user subscriptions, with recent data pointing to a staggering monthly revenue potential of up to $130 million. This dynamic financial performance positions OpenAI favorably compared to its 2022 standing. The data reveals that OpenAI's revenue for the preceding 12-month period was a modest $28 million. The most recent figures suggest a 5,700% year-over-year revenue increase, which should entice investors. The report stated that OpenAI may seek $100 billion in investment, citing Bloomberg. Unknown partners are being considered. Moreover, OpenAI is reportedly entering the custom chip industry and is in talks with Abu Dhabi-based G42 for $8-10 billion in initial investment. New York Times Sues OpenAI, Microsoft Meanwhile, the New York Times filed a lawsuit against Microsoft and OpenAI, alleging copyright infringement and misuse of the newspaper's intellectual property, CNBC reported. Filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, the case seeks to hold both tech companies accountable for "billions of dollars in statutory and actual damages" for the alleged "unlawful copying and use" of The Times's proprietary works. While acknowledging the potential of AI for the public and journalism, The publication insists on appropriate permissions and compensation for commercial use. The newspaper argues that if Microsoft and OpenAI wish to utilize their work for commercial purposes, they must obtain permission per copyright laws, a step it claims the companies have not taken. Read Also: Tech Times Weekly Wrap: China's New Hypersonic Engine is Here, Toyota Daihatsu's Shutdown, Apple HomePod with LCD OpenAI expressed surprise and disappointment, stating ongoing constructive conversations with The New York Times and a commitment to mutually beneficial collaboration with content creators. OpenAI Facing Multiple Lawsuits According to the BBC, a group of American authors started parallel copyright infringement cases in September, involving well-known individuals like George RR Martin and John Grisham. Before this, comedian Sarah Silverman filed legal action in July, and authors Margaret Atwood and Philip Pullman signed an open letter urging AI companies to compensate them for utilizing their creations. OpenAI, along with Microsoft and GitHub, is also confronting a lawsuit from computing experts who allege unauthorized use of their code to train the AI Copilot. Numerous lawsuits targeting developers of generative AI capable of creating media from text prompts are underway, with artists suing Stability AI and Midjourney in January, asserting that these AI systems rely on copyrighted artwork for functionality. None of these lawsuits have been settled. Related Article: Baidu Scraps $3.6 Billion Acquisition of Joyy's Live-Streaming as Deal Hits Regulatory Roadblock 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Key Insights Using the Dividend Discount Model, CCK Consolidated Holdings Berhad fair value estimate is RM0.70 With RM0.83 share price, CCK Consolidated Holdings Berhad appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value Our fair value estimate is 31% lower than CCK Consolidated Holdings Berhad's analyst price target of RM1.02 How far off is CCK Consolidated Holdings Berhad (KLSE:CCK) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex. We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model. View our latest analysis for CCK Consolidated Holdings Berhad Step By Step Through The Calculation As CCK Consolidated Holdings Berhad operates in the food sector, we need to calculate the intrinsic value slightly differently. Instead of using free cash flows, which are hard to estimate and often not reported by analysts in this industry, dividends per share (DPS) payments are used. This often underestimates the value of a stock, but it can still be good as a comparison to competitors. The 'Gordon Growth Model' is used, which simply assumes that dividend payments will continue to increase at a sustainable growth rate forever. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a company's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In this case we used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.6%). The expected dividend per share is then discounted to today's value at a cost of equity of 9.0%. Compared to the current share price of RM0.8, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent. Story continues Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate) = RM0.04 / (9.0% 3.6%) = RM0.7 KLSE:CCK Discounted Cash Flow January 1st 2024 Important Assumptions Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at CCK Consolidated Holdings Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for CCK Consolidated Holdings Berhad Strength Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry. Debt is not viewed as a risk. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Earnings growth over the past year is below its 5-year average. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Food market. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years. Good value based on P/E ratio compared to estimated Fair P/E ratio. Threat Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the Malaysian market. Looking Ahead: Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For CCK Consolidated Holdings Berhad, we've put together three pertinent elements you should consider: Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for CCK Consolidated Holdings Berhad you should know about. Future Earnings: How does CCK's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. A business manager suspected of having ordered the attack on an elected official from Saint-Denis Tigrane Seydoux, the Frenchman behind the fashionable Italians in Madrid in which you always have to visit the bathroom Energy transition: The experts say so, the Court of Auditors says so Ticks: How to protect yourself from the increasing tick population when taking a walk in the forest A member of the Fatwa Council in Britain calls on Western Muslims to adhere to their religion and identity Death and stuff, the worst series of the week: the copy of a copy of a copy of Agatha Christie Alaska Airlines passenger about hole in plane wall: "I kept staring into the hole and hoping it wouldn't tear any further" Alaska Airlines passenger about hole in plane wall: "I kept staring into the hole and hoping it wouldn't tear any further" La Fievre with Ana Girardot and Nina Meurisse: what is the new event series from Canal+ worth? Ines Reg criticized for her attitude in Dancing with the Stars: the comedian breaks the silence Fatal accident in Wesseling: "Don't be a pathetic coward, come clean, turn yourself in to the police" Trump describes Zelensky as the best salesman and calls for him to loan him money.. How did tweeters comment? IN PICTURES - Football: discover the new Blues jerseys for Euro 2024 and the Olympics For the fifth time in a row: Medvedev lost again to Alcaraz in the Masters final in Indian Wells Badminton Akane Yamaguchi "Shidamatsu" pair and others are guaranteed to participate in the Paris Olympics Rugby: here is the program of the French XV for the rest of 2024 Jean-Marie Rouart, the writer-academician, looks back on December 19, 1964, the entry of Jean Moulin into the Pantheon 2nd Bundesliga: FC Schalke 04 is in the black and fears falling into the 3rd league La Unio denounces the second detection of Moroccan strawberries with hepatitis A in nine days Without unnecessary risks: the ruble has risen in price on the Moscow Exchange following the results of the presidential elections in Russia The "wave of rework" after the Spring Festival has driven the rental market in Guangzhou to heat up rapidly In the first two months, the total foreign trade import and export value of Kashgar, Xinjiang increased by 90% year-on-year. King Felipe VI presents Isak Andic (Mango) with the VIII Kingdom of Spain Award for Business Achievement: "Thank you for making a better country" Doing harm while being playful: how fireworks mortars became the weapon of choice for delinquents The EU supported the use of Russian assets for Ukraine, but the decision was postponed Haiti in the grip of gangs: in Port-au-Prince, at least ten bodies found The Russian Guard shot down a UAV that the Ukrainian Armed Forces wanted to attack an enterprise near Belgorod Trump needs 428 million euros by next Monday or he is exposed to the temporary embargo of part of his empire What is the impact of the Turkish oppositions differences on its chances in the elections? Putin's 'rivals' support him on the podium for Crimea: "We have different approaches, but we have the same homeland" Borrell denounces that Israel uses hunger as a weapon of war and has created "the largest open-air cemetery in the world" in Gaza Civil servants will have the salary increase after Easter and before the Budgets are approved Urgent | Al Jazeera obtains exclusive photos showing the Qassam tracking the movements of officer in the Shaldag unit, Yitzhar Hoffman, before he was killed by a snipers bullet. The central parity rate of RMB against the US dollar increased by 32 basis points to 7.0943 yuan. Niger: what follow-up after the denunciation of the military agreement between Niamey and Washington? Putin: all traitors fighting against Russia will be identified by name and they will not be given peace Operational-tactical aviation and artillery: the Russian Armed Forces struck the site of a meeting of the command staff of the SBU and the Armed Forces of Ukraine IN PICTURES - Football: discover the new Blues jerseys for Euro 2024 and the Olympics Operation seduction of the head of Chinese diplomacy in New Zealand and Australia Communities 2019 - Privacy The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. A business manager suspected of having ordered the attack on an elected official from Saint-Denis Tigrane Seydoux, the Frenchman behind the fashionable Italians in Madrid in which you always have to visit the bathroom Energy transition: The experts say so, the Court of Auditors says so Ticks: How to protect yourself from the increasing tick population when taking a walk in the forest A member of the Fatwa Council in Britain calls on Western Muslims to adhere to their religion and identity Death and stuff, the worst series of the week: the copy of a copy of a copy of Agatha Christie Alaska Airlines passenger about hole in plane wall: "I kept staring into the hole and hoping it wouldn't tear any further" Alaska Airlines passenger about hole in plane wall: "I kept staring into the hole and hoping it wouldn't tear any further" La Fievre with Ana Girardot and Nina Meurisse: what is the new event series from Canal+ worth? Ines Reg criticized for her attitude in Dancing with the Stars: the comedian breaks the silence Fatal accident in Wesseling: "Don't be a pathetic coward, come clean, turn yourself in to the police" Trump describes Zelensky as the best salesman and calls for him to loan him money.. How did tweeters comment? IN PICTURES - Football: discover the new Blues jerseys for Euro 2024 and the Olympics For the fifth time in a row: Medvedev lost again to Alcaraz in the Masters final in Indian Wells Badminton Akane Yamaguchi "Shidamatsu" pair and others are guaranteed to participate in the Paris Olympics Rugby: here is the program of the French XV for the rest of 2024 Jean-Marie Rouart, the writer-academician, looks back on December 19, 1964, the entry of Jean Moulin into the Pantheon 2nd Bundesliga: FC Schalke 04 is in the black and fears falling into the 3rd league La Unio denounces the second detection of Moroccan strawberries with hepatitis A in nine days Without unnecessary risks: the ruble has risen in price on the Moscow Exchange following the results of the presidential elections in Russia The "wave of rework" after the Spring Festival has driven the rental market in Guangzhou to heat up rapidly In the first two months, the total foreign trade import and export value of Kashgar, Xinjiang increased by 90% year-on-year. King Felipe VI presents Isak Andic (Mango) with the VIII Kingdom of Spain Award for Business Achievement: "Thank you for making a better country" Doing harm while being playful: how fireworks mortars became the weapon of choice for delinquents The EU supported the use of Russian assets for Ukraine, but the decision was postponed Haiti in the grip of gangs: in Port-au-Prince, at least ten bodies found The Russian Guard shot down a UAV that the Ukrainian Armed Forces wanted to attack an enterprise near Belgorod Trump needs 428 million euros by next Monday or he is exposed to the temporary embargo of part of his empire What is the impact of the Turkish oppositions differences on its chances in the elections? Putin's 'rivals' support him on the podium for Crimea: "We have different approaches, but we have the same homeland" Borrell denounces that Israel uses hunger as a weapon of war and has created "the largest open-air cemetery in the world" in Gaza The prices of dates are burdensome for Moroccans, and the unknown is a victim of the demand for imported goods Civil servants will have the salary increase after Easter and before the Budgets are approved Urgent | Al Jazeera obtains exclusive photos showing the Qassam tracking the movements of officer in the Shaldag unit, Yitzhar Hoffman, before he was killed by a snipers bullet. The central parity rate of RMB against the US dollar increased by 32 basis points to 7.0943 yuan. Niger: what follow-up after the denunciation of the military agreement between Niamey and Washington? Putin: all traitors fighting against Russia will be identified by name and they will not be given peace Operational-tactical aviation and artillery: the Russian Armed Forces struck the site of a meeting of the command staff of the SBU and the Armed Forces of Ukraine IN PICTURES - Football: discover the new Blues jerseys for Euro 2024 and the Olympics Operation seduction of the head of Chinese diplomacy in New Zealand and Australia Communities 2019 - Privacy The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. Key Insights Kinross Gold's estimated fair value is CA$8.32 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Current share price of CA$8.02 suggests Kinross Gold is potentially trading close to its fair value Analyst price target for K is US$8.87, which is 6.5% above our fair value estimate How far off is Kinross Gold Corporation (TSE:K) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward. Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model. View our latest analysis for Kinross Gold Is Kinross Gold Fairly Valued? We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$490.2m US$560.3m US$320.0m US$546.0m US$543.3m US$544.6m US$548.7m US$554.7m US$562.2m US$570.8m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x9 Analyst x7 Analyst x2 Analyst x1 Est @ -0.49% Est @ 0.24% Est @ 0.75% Est @ 1.10% Est @ 1.35% Est @ 1.52% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 8.2% US$453 US$479 US$253 US$399 US$367 US$340 US$317 US$296 US$278 US$261 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$3.4b The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 1.9%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 8.2%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = US$571m (1 + 1.9%) (8.2% 1.9%) = US$9.4b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$9.4b ( 1 + 8.2%)10= US$4.3b The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is US$7.7b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of CA$8.0, the company appears about fair value at a 3.7% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. TSX:K Discounted Cash Flow January 1st 2024 The Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Kinross Gold as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.2%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.244. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for Kinross Gold Strength Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry. Debt is not viewed as a risk. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Metals and Mining market. Opportunity Current share price is below our estimate of fair value. Threat Annual earnings are forecast to decline for the next 4 years. Next Steps: Whilst important, the DCF calculation is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Kinross Gold, we've compiled three fundamental items you should assess: Risks: Be aware that Kinross Gold is showing 3 warning signs in our investment analysis , and 1 of those shouldn't be ignored... Management:Have insiders been ramping up their shares to take advantage of the market's sentiment for K's future outlook? Check out our management and board analysis with insights on CEO compensation and governance factors. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Canadian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. A business manager suspected of having ordered the attack on an elected official from Saint-Denis Tigrane Seydoux, the Frenchman behind the fashionable Italians in Madrid in which you always have to visit the bathroom Energy transition: The experts say so, the Court of Auditors says so Ticks: How to protect yourself from the increasing tick population when taking a walk in the forest A member of the Fatwa Council in Britain calls on Western Muslims to adhere to their religion and identity Death and stuff, the worst series of the week: the copy of a copy of a copy of Agatha Christie Alaska Airlines passenger about hole in plane wall: "I kept staring into the hole and hoping it wouldn't tear any further" Alaska Airlines passenger about hole in plane wall: "I kept staring into the hole and hoping it wouldn't tear any further" La Fievre with Ana Girardot and Nina Meurisse: what is the new event series from Canal+ worth? 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Putin: all traitors fighting against Russia will be identified by name and they will not be given peace In light of the confrontation with Israel... where has the Hezbollah-Free Patriotic Movement alliance reached? Operational-tactical aviation and artillery: the Russian Armed Forces struck the site of a meeting of the command staff of the SBU and the Armed Forces of Ukraine IN PICTURES - Football: discover the new Blues jerseys for Euro 2024 and the Olympics Operation seduction of the head of Chinese diplomacy in New Zealand and Australia Communities 2019 - Privacy The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. A business manager suspected of having ordered the attack on an elected official from Saint-Denis Tigrane Seydoux, the Frenchman behind the fashionable Italians in Madrid in which you always have to visit the bathroom Energy transition: The experts say so, the Court of Auditors says so Ticks: How to protect yourself from the increasing tick population when taking a walk in the forest A member of the Fatwa Council in Britain calls on Western Muslims to adhere to their religion and identity Death and stuff, the worst series of the week: the copy of a copy of a copy of Agatha Christie Alaska Airlines passenger about hole in plane wall: "I kept staring into the hole and hoping it wouldn't tear any further" Alaska Airlines passenger about hole in plane wall: "I kept staring into the hole and hoping it wouldn't tear any further" La Fievre with Ana Girardot and Nina Meurisse: what is the new event series from Canal+ worth? 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IN PICTURES - Football: discover the new Blues jerseys for Euro 2024 and the Olympics For the fifth time in a row: Medvedev lost again to Alcaraz in the Masters final in Indian Wells Badminton Akane Yamaguchi "Shidamatsu" pair and others are guaranteed to participate in the Paris Olympics Rugby: here is the program of the French XV for the rest of 2024 Jean-Marie Rouart, the writer-academician, looks back on December 19, 1964, the entry of Jean Moulin into the Pantheon 2nd Bundesliga: FC Schalke 04 is in the black and fears falling into the 3rd league Day 10 of the Grand Sumo Spring Tournament: Takafuji, who has won many games, and Ohnosato, who has lost one game, compete La Unio denounces the second detection of Moroccan strawberries with hepatitis A in nine days Without unnecessary risks: the ruble has risen in price on the Moscow Exchange following the results of the presidential elections in Russia The "wave of rework" after the Spring Festival has driven the rental market in Guangzhou to heat up rapidly In the first two months, the total foreign trade import and export value of Kashgar, Xinjiang increased by 90% year-on-year. King Felipe VI presents Isak Andic (Mango) with the VIII Kingdom of Spain Award for Business Achievement: "Thank you for making a better country" Doing harm while being playful: how fireworks mortars became the weapon of choice for delinquents The EU supported the use of Russian assets for Ukraine, but the decision was postponed Haiti in the grip of gangs: in Port-au-Prince, at least ten bodies found The Russian Guard shot down a UAV that the Ukrainian Armed Forces wanted to attack an enterprise near Belgorod Trump needs 428 million euros by next Monday or he is exposed to the temporary embargo of part of his empire What is the impact of the Turkish oppositions differences on its chances in the elections? Putin's 'rivals' support him on the podium for Crimea: "We have different approaches, but we have the same homeland" Borrell denounces that Israel uses hunger as a weapon of war and has created "the largest open-air cemetery in the world" in Gaza The prices of dates are burdensome for Moroccans, and the unknown is a victim of the demand for imported goods Civil servants will have the salary increase after Easter and before the Budgets are approved Urgent | Al Jazeera obtains exclusive photos showing the Qassam tracking the movements of officer in the Shaldag unit, Yitzhar Hoffman, before he was killed by a snipers bullet. The central parity rate of RMB against the US dollar increased by 32 basis points to 7.0943 yuan. Niger: what follow-up after the denunciation of the military agreement between Niamey and Washington? Putin: all traitors fighting against Russia will be identified by name and they will not be given peace Operational-tactical aviation and artillery: the Russian Armed Forces struck the site of a meeting of the command staff of the SBU and the Armed Forces of Ukraine IN PICTURES - Football: discover the new Blues jerseys for Euro 2024 and the Olympics Operation seduction of the head of Chinese diplomacy in New Zealand and Australia Communities 2019 - Privacy The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. Emergen Research Rising demand for ethylene glycol from the textile and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) resin product industries and increasing adoption of bio-based ethylene glycols and ethylene glycol in industrial applications are key factors driving ethylene glycol market revenue growth. Vancouver, Jan. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global ethylene glycol market size was USD 16.74 Billion in 2022 and is expected to register a rapid revenue CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period. Key drivers include the escalating demand from textile and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) resin industries, coupled with the growing adoption of bio-based ethylene glycols and ethylene glycol in diverse industrial applications. Ethylene glycol, a high-productive volume chemical, plays a vital role in various high-tech industries such as textile, packaging, automotive, Oil & Gas, transportation, medical, and more. Recognized for its exceptional density and low volatility properties, ethylene glycol finds extensive use, particularly in the production of PET components. The rising demand for textile and PET resin industries, driven by the popularity of packaging materials and the need for prolonged food product storage, is a significant growth factor. The demand for PET resin is expected to grow at approximately 2.1% year on year until 2030, creating opportunities for manufacturers to meet the burgeoning demand. Despite the positive outlook, challenges such as fluctuating raw material costs and high manufacturing expenses pose potential constraints. Ethylene glycol's toxic nature necessitates careful handling, and its resource-intensive manufacturing process contributes to elevated operational expenses. This, in turn, may impact the competitiveness of ethylene glycol in the market. In 2022, the monoethylene glycol segment held the largest revenue share in the global ethylene glycol market. Monoethylene glycol's dominance is attributed to its increasing demand in the production of polyester resins and textile fibers. Its versatility is evident in applications ranging from engine coolants to latex-based paint formulations. The ethylene oxide segment is anticipated to witness steady and fast revenue growth in the global ethylene glycol market. Ethylene oxide, a colorless and flammable gas, plays a crucial role in ethylene glycol production due to its high reactivity and stability. Manufacturers are investing in Research & Development (R&D) to provide tailored products aligned with specific application needs. Story continues Request Free Sample Copy (To Understand the Complete Structure of this Report [Summary + TOC]) @ https://www.emergenresearch.com/request-sample/2653 The polyester fibers segment is expected to contribute significantly to the global ethylene glycol market's revenue share. The rising adoption of polyester fibers in textiles and automotive industries is driving the demand for ethylene glycol. Its properties, including resistance to chemicals and moisture-wicking, make it an ideal material for sportswear and outdoor clothing. The textile segment is projected to experience moderately fast revenue growth, fueled by the increasing demand for polyester fibers in the clothing industry. Ethylene glycol's low toxicity and corrosion resistance contribute to enhanced lifespan and improved production of PET resins and textiles. The Asia Pacific emerged as the leading revenue contributor in 2022, driven by the growing adoption of glycol in automotive industries, particularly in countries like China, Japan, South Korea, and India. North America is expected to register the fastest revenue growth, supported by the rising demand for PET resins in packaging industries, notably in the U.S. and Canada. Meanwhile, the European market is poised for considerable growth due to the expanding textile industries in countries like the UK, Germany, and France. The global ethylene glycol market is on a trajectory of significant growth, fueled by diverse applications across industries. While challenges such as raw material costs and manufacturing expenses persist, the market's resilience and adaptability are evident in the continued innovation and strategic partnerships among key players. The forecast period presents opportunities for manufacturers to capitalize on the rising demand for ethylene glycol, particularly in the dynamic textile and PET resin sectors. Emergen Research is Offering Limited Time Discount (Grab a Copy at Discounted Price Now) @ https://www.emergenresearch.com/request-discount/2653 Scope of Research Report Details Outcome Market Size in 2022 USD 16.74 Billion CAGR (20222030) 5.2% Revenue Forecast To 2032 USD 27.43 Billion Base Year For Estimation 2022 Historical Data 20192021 Forecast Period 20232032 Quantitative Units Revenue in USD Billion, Volume in Kilotons and CAGR in % from 2023 to 2032 Report Coverage Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends Segments Covered Type, manufacturing process, application, end-use, and region Regional Scope North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa Country Scope U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Benelux, Rest of Europe, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Rest of APAC, Brazil, Rest of LATAM, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa, Turkey, and Rest of Middle East & Africa Key Companies Profiled DuPont, Solvay, DOW, DAIKIN, 3M, Kuraray Co., Ltd., H.B. Fuller Company, Biome Bioplastics, PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited, AVERY DENNISON CORPORATION, Sealed Air, SABIC, Mitsui Chemical Inc., Arkema, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Novamont SpA, LyondellBasell Industries ,Holdings B.V., Total Energies, and Braskem Customization Scope 10 hours of free customization and expert consultation Major Companies and Competitive Landscape The global ethylene glycol market is fragmented, with large and medium-sized players accounting for the majority of market revenue. Major players are deploying various strategies, entering into mergers & acquisitions, strategic agreements & contracts, developing, testing, and introducing more effective ethylene glycol products in the market. Some of the major companies included in the global ethylene glycol market report are: DuPont Solvay DOW DAIKIN 3M Kuraray Co., Ltd. H.B. Fuller Company Biome Bioplastics PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited AVERY DENNISON CORPORATION Sealed Air SABIC Mitsui Chemical Inc. Arkema Exxon Mobil Corporation Novamont SpA LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V. Total Energies Braskem Strategic Development On 9 August, 2023, Kuraray LLC announced its plans to increase the production capacity for globally in-demand ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers at operations in the U.S. and Europe. A total of 5,000 mt/year will be added to the capacity of U.S. and European operations in 2024, and an additional 5,000 mt/year will be added in 2026. Total capacity increase by 10,000 mt /year will bring global production capacity. from the current 103,000 tons/year to 113,000 tons/year. On 6 October, 2021, Dow announced its plans to build the world's first carbon-neutral synthetic ethylene and derivatives production facility with regard to Scope 1 and 2 carbon dioxide emissions. Tripling Dow's ethylene and polyethylene production capacity from the Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, site while upgrading the site's existing assets to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. Direct Order Can Be Placed Through This Link [Exclusive Copy] @ https://www.emergenresearch.com/select-license/2653 For the purpose of this report, Emergen Research has segmented the global ethylene glycol market on the basis of type, manufacturing process, application, end-use, and region: Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 2019-2032) Monoethylene Glycol Di-Ethylene Glycol Tri-Ethylene Glycol Manufacturing Process Outlook (Revenue, Kilotons; 2019-2032) Ethylene Oxide Coal Biological Route Others Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2019-2032) Polyester Fiber and Films Polyethylene Terephthalate Antifreeze and Coolant Others End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 2019-2032) Textile Industry Packaging Automotive Oil and Gas Transportation Medical Others Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 20192032) North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe Germany France UK Italy Spain Benelux Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China India Japan South Korea Rest of APAC Latin America Brazil Rest of LATAM Middle East & Africa Saudi Arabia UAE South Africa Turkey Rest of Middle East & Africa Browse Full Report Description + Research Methodology + Table of Content + Infographics@ https://www.emergenresearch.com/industry-report/ethylene-glycol-market Curated Reports You Shouldn't Miss: Dive In Now! 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Our solutions purely focus on your purpose to locate, target, and analyze consumer behavior shifts across demographics, across industries, and help clients make smarter business decisions. We offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across multiple industries, including Healthcare, Touch Points, Chemicals, Types, and Energy. Contact Us: Eric Lee Corporate Sales Specialist Emergen Research | Web: https://www.emergenresearch.com/ Direct Line: +1 (604) 757-9756 E-mail: sales@emergenresearch.com Explore Our Blogs and Insights Section: https://www.emergenresearch.com/insights A man has suffered severe burns after a fire broke out in a top floor unit of an apartment building in Meadowbank in Sydneys north on New Years Day. Initial reports suggested the fire had been triggered by an explosion in the apartments kitchen about 3.30pm, a NSW Police spokesman said. Other building residents were ordered to evacuate, and multiple ambulances and a Careflight helicopter rushed to the apartment complex on Angas Street near Bay Drive. One patient is being treated for severe burns to the majority of their body, a NSW Ambulance spokesman said. The man is aged in his 40s and is in a critical condition, they added. Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping said China would surely be reunified with Taiwan during his televised New Years address, renewing Beijings threats to take over the self-ruled island, which it considers its own. 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 ramping up its threat to achieve that by military force if necessary. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a New Year message in Beijing to ring in 2024. Credit: AP China will surely be reunified, and all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose, Xi said in his annual address, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. China has described Taiwans January 13 presidential and parliamentary elections as a choice between war and peace. Real estate developer Mark McClure is launching his "Luxury Motor Toys" brand in Greater Portland Maine this summer PORTLAND, Maine, Dec. 30, 2023 -- 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. SOURCE GenX Capital Partners, LLC Paul Alex started a side hustle operating ATM machines. Paul Alex As a police officer, Paul Alex decided he would be better off by investing in cash-flowing assets. He initially bought six ATMs and scaled to 30 with the profits he earned. A decent minimum return on an ATM should be at least $200 a month per machine, he said. Paul Alex entered the police force as a trainee with the plan to build a career in law enforcement in the San Francisco Bay Area. Alex, 35, hit the ground running, eventually becoming a detective in the narcotics task force before being assigned to the special victims unit. By 2020, he had scaled his way up to a salary of $133,000, with benefits bringing him up to an annual salary of over $272,000, according to California state archives viewed by Insider. While his career set him up for financial stability, his weekly working hours could range from 60 to 100 hours. "I didn't have any personal freedom," Alex said. "I was neglecting my personal life. I wasn't hanging around my family who I love. I'm a big family guy. And at the end of the day, I realized, this can't be life." The deeper realization that a salaried career wasn't going to be his future was during periods when overtime was paused, which would cut his pay drastically, he said. Some months, his biweekly paycheck would be $2,000 after deductions. This meant he always had to save for those low months to cover his bills, which could range from $5,000 to $6,000 a month, he said. "What really was a morale killer was the fact that you want to move ahead in life. And I feel it kept you static when that happened," Alex said. He decided that investing in cash-flowing assets would be a way out of the paycheck volatility. He could then use his salary for discretionary purchases such as vacations, cars, and additional investments. He initially considered real estate but felt that it would require a lot of cash and a mortgage that would create more debt. Plus, he believed that the overhead expenses of maintaining a property would add to his stress. He'd have to hold any rental income in cash in case he had to cover the mortgage due to missed rent or repairs. Story continues In 2017, Alex came across the idea of investing in ATMs through a colleague who had been researching the business. He began joining social media groups about it, watching YouTube videos from others who had done it, and reading any material he could. It was a business model that was out of his comfort zone because he knew nothing about it. But the draw of it was that it had a low-cost barrier to start; relative to buying real estate, an ATM could cost less than $3,000. It also had lower risk because if the ATM wasn't generating a return, he could relocate the machine, which he refers to as a floating asset. And finally, it was a quick way of starting a side hustle because once a machine was placed on location, it could start generating a profit almost immediately. Alex decided to pursue it as a side hustle in 2018. By March 2021, he had left the police force and made it his full-time job where he provides the ATMs for those who also want to embark on this business. From January 2021 to April 2023, Alex's profit and loss statements viewed by Insider show a total sales of $12 million and a net profit of about $3.5 million for his company ATMTogether, a provider of ATM machines and services. His company Merchant Task Force, which provides credit-card terminals, shows an income of $844,000 and a net profit of $742,000 for the same period. Scouting locations In 2018, Alex took two weeks off from work and used that time to scout the city for ideal locations. He looked for high-traffic areas that had an incentive to have an ATM on site. This included tourist areas and city spots that were populated with nightclubs, restaurants, and valets to target zones where staff was tipped. He also looked for small businesses that offered cash back at checkouts, which was a nuisance to the business because they had to be sure there would always be enough dollar bills in the register. Alex would pitch the businesses as though he was offering a service. He would be responsible for providing and maintaining the machine at no charge to them. He recalled cold calling over a hundred businesses and physically walking into over 20 locations. "When I started this and I had gone out there and I was getting nos and yeses, wins and losses, It was very difficult for me to go back to work and not think about my business. And I think that's what caught me, was just the fact that I was growing something for myself and I wanted to continue to grow it." He initially had the idea of starting with three ATMs but by the time he was done, he was able to secure six locations: three liquor stores, two barber shops, and one nail salon in the San Francisco Bay Area. The first three were incentivized by cashback and the last three by cash tips. Once the machines arrived on location, he loaded each ATM up with about $2,000 to $3,000 in cash. Not every location was a grand slam. Alex noted that a decent minimum return on an ATM should be at least $200 a month per machine. Within the first month, Alex could already tell that the only three machines producing a return were the ones he placed at the liquor stores. They had a net profit of about $250 to $500 a month per location from fees charged for withdrawals. In contrast, the lower traffic locations were only producing $25 to $100 a month. He let the machines sit for two months before deciding it was time to move them. Alex also found a mentor from Facebook who was successful in the business. Based on his mentor's advice, he moved the three machines to two convenience stores and another liquor store. From there, they began to bring a net profit almost immediately, with the highest return being $600 a month, he said. He suddenly had six operational machines that brought in roughly $3,000 a month in net profit, he said. It took him approximately six months to get a return on his investment. Funding the businesses While Alex had enough cash saved to purchase the machines, he realized he would need the bills to stock the ATMs. So instead, he signed up for two personal credit cards and used them to buy the hardware, he said. They were cards that specifically offered zero-interest for the first 12 months, he noted. This would give him enough time to create cash flow without incurring interest every month. When he purchased his first set of six machines, Alex assumed he got a good discount, which was $2,100 an ATM. He would later realize it was a bad deal because it required him to pay a 30% commission from the fees his ATMs charged. While the sales agent he worked with told him it was standard practice, he later realized it wasn't the only way. The next set of machines would be purchased from his mentor. They were both new and refurbished and cost between $1,800 to $2,200 depending on the model. Additional costs for the ATMs included an internet wireless modem for $150, a monthly internet charge of $6.99, and installation by a technician of $300. Alex would gradually use the profits from his ATMs to buy more machines. And by 2020, he had accumulated 30 ATMs across the San Francisco Bay area that were operative. Each brought in anywhere from $250 to as much as $1,500 a month in net profit. Altogether, these little assets cash flowed anywhere between $9,000 to $12,000 a month in net profit, he said. While his side hustle didn't make up for his salary, he was fully able to cover his bills with the profits. This was enough to make him want to leave his job in 2021 to build a business in this sector. During this time, he met an ATM provider who he partnered with and they scaled to become a provider of ATMs. This allowed him to sell off his machines so that he could become remote. Even while in the act of building his side hustle, Alex still had doubts running through his mind. The chatter from those around him kept him questioning his ability to carry this through. Some of his colleagues thought it was a bad idea to invest in an unknown business and told him he should just pick up extra hours instead. In hindsight, he's glad he kept going. "Invest in yourself. Self-education is everything," Alex said reflecting on his journey. "All this started from a friend of mine, giving me an idea, and then me taking that idea and doing my due diligence and just researching it, buying books, watching videos, reading, reading, reading to the point where I was comfortable enough to execute it on my own." This story was originally published in June 2023. Read the original article on Business Insider 2024 Arrives City glows with New Year zeal Staff Reporter A weekend provided a perfect setting for bidding goodbye to passing year 2023, yet Nagpurians kept festivities for welcoming 2024 quite subdued, it seems, as the flash and zing associated with new year parties seemed to be missing from the landscape. So, the city of oranges bid a hearty farewell to 2023 and welcomed 2024 on more of a subdued note as many are guessing the challenges of coming year and bracing for the same. On top of that re-emergence of Covid-19, the new variant JN1 has emerged as a cause for concern, seemed to have cast a shadow on the celebrations, as one could not feel the high pulsating energy on the new year eve. The environment in city markets too appeared quite a bit low key as the lighting on the buildings appeared missing this year and also missing in action were terrace parties that used to be the norms with every new year eve celebrations. The New Year Eve celebration commenced in the city from the morning itself for many as it was Sunday, providing perfect backdrop to ring in the new year on a high note. People were seen in large numbers coming out of their houses to soak in the festive mood on the last day of 2023 but caution was the buzzword as health concerns now dominated the discussions. Further the uncertainty and populace struggling with personal problems ruled out many form the celebrations and that was quite reflected in low footfalls at city hotels. A huge number of revellers however stayed outside their home to celebrate the New Year Eve. And this trend has off late catched-up and parties were held on farmhouses where restrictions are not in place, and hence youngsters preferred city outskirts to ring out the 2023 on a high note. Traditional New Years Eve festivities included things like parties, fireworks, and making resolutions for the year ahead were held to mark the celebration. Many marked the occasion with more low-key gatherings, spending time with loved ones, and reflecting on the past year. Restaurants in the city were preparing from the morning to welcome their customers on New Year Eve. Restaurants were decorated with lights, balloons, flowers, and New Year posters to attract more customers on this day. Many of them gave attractive discounts in food which also attracted citizens to celebrate the New Year with their friends and families there. BANNED FOR 5 YRS Tehreek-e-Hurriyatfomenting terrorism NEW DELHI : IN A decisive step, the Government on Sunday declared pro-Pakistan separatist groupTehreek-e-Hurriyat (TeH), founded by late hardline separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani, as a banned organisation for the next five years. The action, a n n o u n c e d by Union H o m e M i n i s t e r Amit Shah, is a response to the groups involvement in fomenting terrorism and spreading anti-India sentiment within the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modis zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, Shah emphasised that any individual or organisation found engaged in anti-India activities would face strict measures. The Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, J&K (TeH), has been declared an Unlawful Association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The outfit is involved in forbidden activities to separate J&K from India and establish Islamic rule, Shah posted on X. The decision to ban the TeH was made under the Unlawful A c t i v i t i e s (Prevention) Act, citing the groups propagation of anti-India messaging and its efforts to sustain terror activities, ultimately aiming to fuel secessionism in Jammu and Kashmir. The TeH, previously led by the late Syed Ali Shah Geelani and succeeded by Masarat Alam Bhat, has been known for its anti-India and proPakistan stance. Bhat, currently incarcerated, also headed the banned organisation, Muslim League of Jammu and Kashmir, which was declared unlawful earlier in December. The TeH was formed by Geelani in 2004 after he stepped out of the moderate Hurriyat faction led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq. Geelani, against whom several cases were registered, resigned from the Jamaat-eIslami and formed this group, which later became a constituent of another faction of the Hurriyat, a separatist amalgam, led by the hardline separatist. Several of members of the hardline Hurriyat have been charge-sheeted by the National Investigation Agency for raising funds to support terror in Kashmir. They include Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karate, Altaf Ahmad Shah alias Fantoosh, Geelanis son-inlaw and public relations officer of the TeH as well as secretary and strategist in the Hurriyat, Mohammad Akbar Khanday, spokesman of the Hurriyat and a fund-raiser for it, Raja Mehrajuddin Kalwal and Bashir Ahmad Bhat alias Peer Saifullah, personal assistant of Geelani as well as secretary of the TeH. Geelani died in September 2021 while his son-in-law in October 2022. Staff Reporter & District Correspondent A female wild elephant, separated from its herd, died due to electrocution after it came in contact with a live wire erected in an agriculture field near village Wadhona in Kurkheda taluka of Gadchiroli on early Sunday morning. A herd of 24 wild jumbos, came from Chhattisgarh, have been roaming in Gondia, Chandrapur, and Gadchiroli districts of Vidarbha for the past nearly 14 months. In the last couple of months, the herd has settled on the border areas of Gadchiroli and Chandrapur districts. In October, a 35-year-old elephant of the same herd was killed due to electrocution near Chitki village in Sindewahi forest range of Bramhapuri division of Chandrapur Circle. Now, this is the second incident in which an elephant of the same herd died due to electrocution. In the past 100 years, this is the second such incident that has taken place in Vidarbha and first case in Gadchiroli district that has left the the Forest Department concerned. The herd is frequently noticed by many people in the district and, after this death, a sensation has prevailed in nearby villages. According to the forest department, the herd is roaming in Wadhona-Bhagwanpur area for the past few days. This female tusker, came into contact with a live electric wire that was laid in the farm. The electric wire was laid by the owner of the land Raghunath Krishna Narnawre, who is a resident of village Wadhona. Due to the presence of the herd in the jungle, the forest department is frequently monitoring the jumbos with the help of drones. On Sunday morning, one of the drone captured the images of the carcass of the elephant in a agriculture land. After getting information about the elephant, forest officials including Wadsa Deputy Conservator of Forest Dharmaveer Salvitthal, Vigilance DFO G N Patole, Sub Divisional Forest Officer Manoj Chavan, Range Forest Officer of Wadsa Vijay Dhande, Senior Manager of Farmers for Forests Makrand Datar and others rushed to the spot and conducted the panchanama as per the SOP of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). The Wildlife Warden Milind Umre and NTCA representative Nilesh Patle also reached the spot and inspected the situation. A team of veterinary doctors from Rapid Rescue Team of Tadoba led by Dr Ravikant Khobragade, Dr Kapil Koreti, Dr Shirish Ramteke, Dr D J Meshram was also called to examine the carcass and conduct the post-mortem. A team of MSEDCL also reached the spot and disconnected the power supply. Prima-facie, it looks like the elephant might have died due to electrocution after being caught in a live wire laid for the protection of standing crops in village, said a senior official. The jumbo was buried in the forest near the farm in presence of the senior forest officials. Further investigation is on under the supervision of SDFO Manoj Chavan. The farmer responsible for laying down the electric wire has been already detained for interrogation and further action will be taken under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Indian Forest Act, 1927 after the investigation is completed, Ramesh Kumar, Conservator of Forest told The Hitavada. The news of elephant death spread like a wild fire and a large number of villagers in the area and also the passers-by rushed to the spot. Keeping the situation in mind, police were also deployed to maintain the law-and-order situation. Reacting over the incident, Honorary Wildlife Warden Milind Umre said, it is very unfortunate and serious matter. This is the second such incident in the state in the past few months. The villagers should avoid using electric wires in their farms or forest areas to save their crop. Such wires claiming lives of wild animals and it is also risky for the human being, he added. Gold worth over Rs 1 crore seized Business Bureau In a joint action, the sleuths of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and Customs Department seized around 2 kg of gold in city on Sunday morning. The action was conducted at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Sonegaon, and the value of the smuggled product is pegged at little over Rs 1.20 crore in the market. As per the preliminary details, a person who deboarded from the Air Arabia flight was intercepted and frisked at the airport, after which it was revealed that he was allegedly carrying the smuggled gold. The person has been identified as Kanakshil Ramteke (30), a resident of Uppalwadi. He had returned from Sharjah and was moving out from the checking point when the DRI and Customs sleuths suspected something fishy. His body language prompted the sleuths to immediately single him out from the crowd. Ramteke was stopped and taken to a room where he was thoroughly searched, which provided the sleuths with the belt in which the gold was glued in paste form. The youth's passport and mobile phone handset were immediately taken into possession, and he was taken into custody for interrogation. As per the passport, Ramteke had left Nagpur for Mumbai around eight days ago, and from there he had gone to Sharjah. Of late, Nagpur's airport has provided rich haul of smuggled gold the price of which is expected to touch Rs 70,000 per 10 gm in the market. The last seizure at the airport was reported on October 6 and that time the gold was concealed in the belt by the carrier. Prior to that also, DRI and Customs sleuths had intercepted some people from down South who had tried to move out with the smuggled booty, but got busted. Ramteke, meanwhile, will be produced in the court by DRI sleuths on Monday. They are likely to seek his remand for further quizzing to find out if some more people are involved in the smuggling ring. ISROS NEW YEAR AIM Black Holes, cosmic events SRIHARIKOTA : ISRO is set to welcome the New Year with the launch of its first X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite that would offer insights into celestial objects like black holes, onboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle rocket on Monday. The launch comes after the success of its Gaganyaan Test Vehicle D1 mission in October. The PSLV-C58 rocket, in its 60th mission, would carry primary payload XPoSat and 10 other satellites to be deployed in low earth orbits. The 25-hour countdown commenced on Sunday for the lift-off scheduled at 9.10 am from the first launch pad at this spaceport, located about 135 kms east of Chennai, on January 1. The countdown commenced for PSLV-C58 at 8.10 am today, ISRO sources said. The X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) is aimed to investigate the polarisation of intense X-ray sources in space. According to ISRO, it is the first dedicated scientific satellite from ISRO to carry out research in space-based polarisation measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources. Besides ISRO, the US-based National Aeronautics Space Agency (NASA) conducted a similar study -- the Imaging XRay Polarimetry Explorer mission in December 2021 on the remnants of supernova explosions, the particle streams emitted by black holes and other cosmic events. While spacebased X-ray astronomy has been established in India focusing on imaging, and time For many, the main point of investing is to generate higher returns than the overall market. But even the best stock picker will only win with some selections. So we wouldn't blame long term Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited (SGX:J36) shareholders for doubting their decision to hold, with the stock down 40% over a half decade. The falls have accelerated recently, with the share price down 12% in the last three months. While the last five years has been tough for Jardine Matheson Holdings shareholders, this past week has shown signs of promise. So let's look at the longer term fundamentals and see if they've been the driver of the negative returns. Check out our latest analysis for Jardine Matheson Holdings 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. Jardine Matheson Holdings became profitable within the last five years. That would generally be considered a positive, so we are surprised to see the share price is down. Other metrics might give us a better handle on how its value is changing over time. We note that the dividend has remained healthy, so that wouldn't really explain the share price drop. It could be that the revenue decline of 3.2% per year is viewed as evidence that Jardine Matheson Holdings is shrinking. With revenue weak, and increased payouts of cash, the market might be taking the view that its best days are behind it. The graphic below depicts how earnings and revenue have changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). SGX:J36 Earnings and Revenue Growth January 1st 2024 It's probably worth noting we've seen significant insider buying in the last quarter, which we consider a positive. That said, we think earnings and revenue growth trends are even more important factors to consider. So we recommend checking out this free report showing consensus forecasts Story continues What About Dividends? It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR 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 Jardine Matheson Holdings the TSR over the last 5 years was -28%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! A Different Perspective Investors in Jardine Matheson Holdings had a tough year, with a total loss of 15% (including dividends), against a market gain of about 2.1%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 5% per year over five years. Generally speaking long term share price weakness can be a bad sign, though contrarian investors might want to research the stock in hope of a turnaround. 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 risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for Jardine Matheson Holdings you should know about. Jardine Matheson Holdings is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Singaporean 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. Over 3,000 CAPF troops for Cgarh NEW DELHI : THREE battalions of the BSF comprising more than 3,000 personnel will move across the border from Odisha to Chhattisgarh and an equal number of ITBP units will further move into the Naxal stronghold of Abujhmad as part of a strategy to intensify anti-Maoist operations in their last bastions, official sources said. The new operational blueprint is part of a plan under which Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently made a declaration that India was on the verge of eliminating Left Wing Extremism (LWE). The last strike against LWE by forces such as the BSF, the CRPF and the ITBP is in the process. We are determined to end Naxalism in the country, Shah said on December 1 in Hazaribag, Jharkhand while addressing BSF troops on their 59th raising day. These forces are called as Central Armed Police Force (CAPFs). Sources in the security establishment told PTI that the Border Security Force (BSF) has been directed to create six new COBs or company operating bases in Chhattisgarhs Narayanpur district by initially moving one of its battalion based in Odishas Malkangiri, just across the inter-state border. A BSF battalion has a strength of over 1,000 personnel. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which currently has about eight battalions located in Narayanpur, Rajnandgaon and Kondagaon districts of Chhattisgarh, has been asked to move one unit further inside the core area of Abujhmad. This is an about 4,000 sq km forest area in Narayanpur district and considered a stronghold of armed Naxal cadres. The uncharted Abhujmad or madh forests are host to a population of about 35,000 people, mainly tribals, residing in around 237 villages. The area, at present, has no permanent central or state police base and armed Maoist cadres are stated to be operating, training and moving here from across the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border in south Bastar region of the State. The Bastar region comprising districts like Dantewada, Sukma and Bijapur up to Narayanpur and Kondagaon and Kanker district further north is the last bastion and corridor where Maoists have some strength and can spring surprises against the security forces and the administration. PTR inaugurates two Van e-Seva Kendras Staff Reporter Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) management has started Maharashtras first two Van e-Seva Kendras at village level to provide government schemes to remote villages recently. In the era of technology, many government schemes are now implemented through online services, however, several villages in the buffer areas of Pench suffer due to non-availability of internet facility in forest areas. Due to lack of facilty, villagers are forced to travel long distances to access such services in cities. Keeping this issue in mind, the PTR management, in order to bridge the gap, opened Van e-Seva Kendra in the buffer villages of Pench. These e-Seva Kendras are offering various services such as -- acceptance of applications for all types of online services of Forest Department; access to boundary maps of forests, eco-sensitive zones, and protected areas; all services available at the Setu Kendras; provision of various banking services, including opening of new savings bank accounts, depositing and withdrawing funds, fixed deposits (FD), and recurring deposits (RD); payment of electric bills; DTH TV recharging; and mobile phone recharge. Two such centres have been started in Narhar village of the Nagalwadi Range and Dahoda of the Paoni UC. In the next stage, 15 more centres will be established with CSR support from the Persistent Group, providing computers, printers, and scanners. Individuals operating these centres have been selected based on their minimum educational qualification of MS-CIT, possession of a BPL card, and recommendation by the Gram Panchayat. This initiative significantly expedites the receipt of crop and cattle compensation resulting from wildlife interactions. With all necessary documents available at these centres, villagers find it easier to file applications, unlike the previous situation where they often had to visit Range Offices for online applications. Additionally, this initiative fosters a better relationship between the department and villagers, as villagers were previously hesitant to apply, especially for minor damages. Assessing the Sustainability of Franklin Resources Inc's Dividend Franklin Resources Inc (NYSE:BEN) recently announced a dividend of $0.31 per share, payable on 2024-01-12, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-01-02. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into Franklin Resources Inc's dividend performance and assess its sustainability. What Does Franklin Resources Inc Do? Warning! GuruFocus has detected 9 Warning Signs with BEN. High Yield Dividend Stocks in Gurus' Portfolio This Powerful Chart Made Peter Lynch 29% A Year For 13 Years How to calculate the intrinsic value of a stock? Franklin Resources provides investment services for individual and institutional investors. At the end of October 2023, Franklin had $1.335 trillion in managed assets, composed primarily of equity (31%), fixed-income (35%), multi-asset/balanced (11%) funds, alternatives (19%) and money market funds (4%). Distribution tends to be weighted equally between retail investors (50% of AUM) and institutional accounts (48%), with high-net-worth clients accounting for the remainder. Franklin is one of the more global of the U.S.-based asset managers we cover, with more than a third of its assets under management invested in global/international strategies and 29% of managed assets sourced from clients domiciled outside the United States. Franklin Resources Inc's Dividend Analysis A Glimpse at Franklin Resources Inc's Dividend History Franklin Resources Inc has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 1982. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Franklin Resources Inc has increased its dividend each year since 1982. The stock is thus listed as a dividend aristocrat, an honor that is given to companies that have increased their dividend each year for at least the past 42 years. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends. Story continues Breaking Down Franklin Resources Inc's Dividend Yield and Growth As of today, Franklin Resources Inc currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 4.03% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 4.16%. This suggests an expectation of increase dividend payments over the next 12 months. Over the past three years, Franklin Resources Inc's annual dividend growth rate was 3.60%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increased to 5.00% per year. And over the past decade, Franklin Resources Inc's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at an impressive 11.60%. Based on Franklin Resources Inc's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Franklin Resources Inc stock as of today is approximately 5.17%. Franklin Resources Inc's Dividend Analysis The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-09-30, Franklin Resources Inc's dividend payout ratio is 0.70, which may suggest that the company's dividend may not be sustainable. Franklin Resources Inc's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Franklin Resources Inc's profitability 8 out of 10 as of 2023-09-30, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability. Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Franklin Resources Inc's growth rank of 8 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors. Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Franklin Resources Inc's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Franklin Resources Inc's revenue has increased by approximately 12.30% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 59.67% of global competitors. The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, Franklin Resources Inc's earnings increased by approximately -0.10% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 38.98% of global competitors. Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 12.90%, which outperforms approximately 64.04% of global competitors, indicates a healthy operational efficiency. Next Steps In conclusion, Franklin Resources Inc's long-standing history of dividend payments and its status as a dividend aristocrat is commendable. The company's recent dividend announcement continues this tradition, offering investors a solid yield. However, the sustainability of these dividends may be a concern given the current payout ratio. Nonetheless, Franklin Resources Inc's strong profitability and growth metrics provide a reassuring perspective on the company's ability to maintain its dividend payments. Value investors should consider these factors carefully while contemplating the addition of BEN to their portfolios. Will Franklin Resources Inc's dividends continue to reward shareholders in the years to come? Only time will tell, but the indicators suggest a company with the potential to continue its dividend legacy. GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener. This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Porter Countys Office of Elections & Voter Registration has gotten a big boost in visibility after its recent move from the basement of the Porter County Administration Building to a street level office just two blocks away at 155 Franklin St. in Valparaiso. Being stand-alone I think this is going to be a huge benefit, said Porter County Clerk Jessica Bailey, who oversees Elections & Registration. The new west-facing space opened to the public Dec. 14 and will maintain the same hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Big red, white and blue decals on the large plate glass windows were installed Wednesday, making it even easier for voters and candidates to find. It could be just a little bit easier because you dont have to come from the parking garage and then try to find us, said Director of Elections & Registration Sundae Schoon. The light, we love the windows. Were not stuck in the basement anymore. The exterior of the new office for Porter County Office of Elections & Voter Registration at 155 Franklin St. in downtown Valparaiso. Original Credit: Jessica Bailey Shes plotting ways to further capitalize on the site to increase voter registration. The new location is the former site of Casa del Mar restaurant so it has a patio out front from the days of al fresco dining. Schoon plans to use it on days when the farmers market is in town. Well put the pop-up tent out there and try to draw people in, she said. The office was moved as part of an overhaul of the basement of the administration building to make more space for the veterans affairs and health departments. The health department specifically is undergoing a $1 million renovation with American Rescue Plan Act grant money. Back at the new elections and Registration digs, the six full-time employees are trying to finish unpacking before candidate filing for the May primary begins Jan. 10. Our goal is to have it done by filing, but at the very least the end of January, Bailey said. Were good at functioning under dire circumstances, said Schoon who has seen the office through the 2008 presidential election year That was crazy. and the pandemic. Voting machines, which have been stored in a large utility closet in the administration building parking garage, have been partially moved to their new home in the basement of 155 Franklin St. Staff will have to move between the two locations for the coding and testing necessary leading up to the primary until theyve all been brought over. The deadline for voter registration is April 8. Voters can either visit the new office or register online at https://indianavoters.in.gov/. Candidate filing opens at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 10 and closes at noon on Feb. 9. Shelley Jones is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune. Key Insights Given the large stake in the stock by institutions, Glacier Bancorp's stock price might be vulnerable to their trading decisions The top 16 shareholders own 50% of the company Ownership research along with analyst forecasts data help provide a good understanding of opportunities in a stock Every investor in Glacier Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:GBCI) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 81% to be precise, is institutions. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company. Given the vast amount of money and research capacities at their disposal, institutional ownership tends to carry a lot of weight, especially with individual investors. Hence, having a considerable amount of institutional money invested in a company is often regarded as a desirable trait. In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Glacier Bancorp. View our latest analysis for Glacier Bancorp What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Glacier Bancorp? Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing. We can see that Glacier Bancorp does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of Glacier Bancorp, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too. Story continues Since institutional investors own more than half the issued stock, the board will likely have to pay attention to their preferences. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Glacier Bancorp. BlackRock, Inc. is currently the company's largest shareholder with 12% of shares outstanding. With 11% and 4.6% of the shares outstanding respectively, The Vanguard Group, Inc. and State Street Global Advisors, Inc. are the second and third largest shareholders. A closer look at our ownership figures suggests that the top 16 shareholders have a combined ownership of 50% implying that no single shareholder has a majority. While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too. Insider Ownership Of Glacier Bancorp The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves. Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group. Our information suggests that Glacier Bancorp, Inc. insiders own under 1% of the company. It's a big company, so even a small proportional interest can create alignment between the board and shareholders. In this case insiders own US$21m worth of shares. It is always good to see at least some insider ownership, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been selling. General Public Ownership The general public-- including retail investors -- own 19% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies. Next Steps: While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Glacier Bancorp that you should be aware of. If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Trinamul Congress leaders and workers are anxiously waiting to listen to the partys chairperson Mamata Banerjee tomorrow, 1 January when the party will be celebrating its foundation day. Miss Banerjee set up Trinamul Congress on 1 January 1998 after she realised that Congress would never organise any movement to dislodge the CPI-M from power in Bengal. A senior party leader said the party flag would be hoisted at the main office and all the offices in the districts up to the block level. There will be blood donation camps organised by the party in different areas across the state. He said the party rank and file were waiting to get a message from Miss Banerjee. He said as the Lok Sabha election is drawing near, the party is gearing up for it. It was learnt that the full bench of the Election Commission of India would come to Kolkata in January. In March they are likely to announce the date of the election . While addressing the party leaders in North 24-Parganas recently, Miss Banerjee had asked them to bury the hatchet and work together to ensure victory of the candidates in 2024 elections. She has said over and over again to build contacts with the people coming from all walks of life. The party will launch an intensive campaign from January. Advertisement More than 10 days have lapsed since Miss Banerjee along with other party MPs met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delh seeking his intervention to clear the long standing dues of the state. Though Mr Modi had given assurance, nothing has been done so far. Trinamul Congress will highlight how the Centre had deliberately deprived the state of its dues. Those who had worked for 100 days under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act ( MGNREGA) scheme have not received their dues. The funds meant for construction of houses for the poor have been withheld. Miss Banerjee has always wanted that youths should join politics and on 2 January she will address the youths at Netaji Indoor Stadium. She is likely to give a road map which they should follow and inform people about various schemes that the state government has taken for the welfare of the masses. Just before the foundation day of Trinamul Congress some people with vested interests circulated a rumour that Mr Abhishek Banerjee, partys national general secretary had told people close to him that he would campaign only in Diamond Harbour, which is his Lok Sabha constituency, during the polls. Party leaders said the report was baseless and circulated just to create confusion amongst the public before the partys foundation day The Ministry of Coal on Monday highlighted that the Index of Coal Industry has achieved a growth of 10.9 per cent among the eight core industries during November 2023 citing the data released by the Ministry of Commerce & Industries. The Coal Sector achieved 185.7 points in November compared to 167.5 points, same time last year. The cumulative index of the coal sector during April to November, 2023-24 has increased by 12.8 per cent over the corresponding period of the previous year. The growth in the Index of Coal Industry is mainly due to a substantial surge in coal production during the month of November 2023, reaching 84.52 Million Tonne (MT), surpassing 76.16 MT of the corresponding month of the previous year, representing a remarkable increase of 10.97 per cent, the Ministry statement said. Advertisement It highlighted that the Ministry has played a pivotal role in driving this growth through various strategic initiatives. These include augmenting domestic production through an auction-based regime for commercial coal mining, engaging Mine Developer cum Operators (MDOs) to ramp up domestic coal output and reopening of discontinued mines on a revenue-sharing model to boost coal production. The noteworthy growth of the coal sector and its contribution to the overall growth of the eight core industries are a testament to the continuous initiatives undertaken by the Coal Ministry. These efforts align with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and contribute to the nations progress towards self-sufficiency and energy security. The latest data indicates that the Combined Index of eight Core Industries has shown an increase of 7.8 per cent in November 2023, compared to the same period of the previous year. The ICI measures the combined and individual production performance of eight core industries cement, coal, crude oil, electricity, fertilizers, natural gas, refinery products and steel. According to the data released, the production of Coal, Electricity, Fertilizers, Natural Gas, Refinery Products and Steel recorded positive growth in November 2023. The Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27 per cent of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). The US has produced more oil and natural gas than ever before even as government planners were trying a tectonic shift to other alternative greener sources of energy to adhere to the climate change protocols deadlines. As shale wells showed a major uptick in per-well recoveries, the US is now producing more oil per day than any single nation has ever achieved. The fact that this has all been accomplished despite a domestic rig count that dropped by well over 20 per cent during the year, according to Enverus. Advertisement Enverus is a single source platform for management, development and acquisition, within the entire energy value chain. This makes it one of the most remarkable outcomes in the industrys long history, media reports said. This outcome becomes even more remarkable as it comes amid a presidential administration (Joe Biden) whose leaders repeatedly stress their desire to end the industry within a decade to serve as a reminder of the industrys extraordinary resilience, an Oil & Gas expert wrote in Forbes. As early as March 2021, the Forbes analyst noted: The history of the oil and gas business in the US is that every time the experts all line up to declare it to be dead, it finds a way to come roaring back. The analyst predicted that the drilling bonanza such as the one the US witnessed during the early days of the Eagle Ford Shale and the Permian Basin boom would continue its juggernaut despite the Covid-19 march. Instead, it turned out to be a more stable period of rising production created by adoption of new technologies, process efficiencies, economies of scale, and strong financial discipline. Some 33 months after the initial surge of Covid-19, the industrys setting new production records and its corporate sector performance is remarkable way ahead of any other section in the financial markets. It has boosted the oil and gas sector futures in the commodities markets strongly, experts opined. Smart money knows to never bet against this industry, Tim Stewart, President of the US Oil & Gas Association, told Forbes: We are going to be around a lot longer than any politician. Why is that? Because we produce wealth while they produce nothing. Those regulations and the processes the agencies implement to enforce them can lead to all manner of cost increases and delays in getting projects done. EPA is currently in the midst of rolling out heavy new methane regulations specifically targeting the natural gas business, the analyst wrote. The Department of Interior just recently held its first significant lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico under Biden after years of delay, and really had to be forced by the federal courts to do so. Sana Raees Khan, the vivacious and charismatic contestant from Bigg Boss 17, bid farewell to 2023 in style as she embraced the pristine beauty of the Maldives for her New Year celebrations. The actress, known for her energetic persona, treated her fans to a visual feast by sharing stunning pictures from her tropical paradise getaway on social media. Sana Raees Khan, who gained fame through her memorable stint in the Bigg Boss house, showcased her joy, liberation, and newfound freedom post-eviction through a series of mesmerizing snapshots from the Maldives. The crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Maldives provided a picturesque backdrop for the actresss celebratory escape. In the shared images, Sana can be seen donning a beautiful misprint multi-colored cord-set and a striking multicolored body-hugging sleeveless swimsuit dress paired with a beige corset top. Her unique sartorial choices against the backdrop of the Maldivian beach left fans impressed and inspired. Advertisement The actress took some time for well-deserved self-care, marking a rejuvenating start to the new year. After the rollercoaster journey in the Bigg Boss 17 house, Sanas Maldives sojourn served as an inspiration for fans to prioritize self-care and celebrate personal milestones in style. As she embarks on a new chapter post-Bigg Boss, Sana Raees Khans vibrant Maldives journey reflects the importance of embracing individuality and finding joy in lifes moments. The actresss social media updates continue to captivate fans, encouraging them to follow suit in celebrating their own journeys with enthusiasm and style. Key Insights The projected fair value for HAEMATO is 55.48 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity HAEMATO is estimated to be 50% undervalued based on current share price of 27.80 The 33.00 analyst price target for HAEK is 41% less than our estimate of fair value Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of HAEMATO AG (ETR:HAEK) as an investment opportunity by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward. Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you. See our latest analysis for HAEMATO Crunching The Numbers We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) 7.78m 9.39m 8.01m 10.7m 11.3m 11.7m 12.1m 12.3m 12.5m 12.7m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x3 Analyst x2 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 3.69% Est @ 2.72% Est @ 2.04% Est @ 1.57% Est @ 1.24% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 4.5% 7.5 8.6 7.0 9.0 9.1 9.0 8.9 8.7 8.4 8.2 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 84m Story continues After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (0.5%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 4.5%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = 13m (1 + 0.5%) (4.5% 0.5%) = 318m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 318m ( 1 + 4.5%)10= 206m The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is 290m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of 27.8, the company appears quite undervalued at a 50% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. XTRA:HAEK Discounted Cash Flow January 1st 2024 The Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at HAEMATO as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 4.5%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for HAEMATO Strength Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry. Debt is not viewed as a risk. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Healthcare market. Opportunity Annual revenue is forecast to grow faster than the German market. Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%. Threat Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the German market. Looking Ahead: Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For HAEMATO, there are three relevant aspects you should further examine: Risks: Case in point, we've spotted 2 warning signs for HAEMATO you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does HAEK's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the XTRA every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Shilpa Shetty Kundra welcomed the year 2024 on a balanced note, showcasing her commitment to fitness, a common trait among Bollywood celebrities. Demonstrating her dedication on the first day of the New Year, Shilpa shared a workout video on Instagram. The video featured Shilpa performing balancing asanas, specifically the Ashwa Sanchalana Salamba Utthita Eka Padasana, emphasizing its benefits in enhancing focus, concentration, and mind-body coordination. She also highlighted its positive impact on back and hamstring flexibility. However, she cautioned individuals with back pain, slip-disc issues, and pregnant women to avoid attempting this asana. Sharing her resolutions for 2024, Shilpa expressed a desire to live in the now with awareness, balance, and gratitude. Her post garnered warm New Year wishes from fans, with one praising her as a fitness-strong woman, and another commending her with a Bravo. Happy New Year. Advertisement On the professional front, Shilpa last appeared in the family entertainer film Sukhee. It released in theaters on September 22. Additionally, she is ready to appear in Rohit Shettys OTT debut Indian Police Force, featuring Sidharth Malhotra and Vivek Oberoi, scheduled to stream on Amazon Prime. Shilpa will also play the role of Satyavati in KD-The Devil alongside V Ravichandran and Sanjay Dutt, a pan-India multilingual film slated for release in Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi. India and Pakistan on Monday exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each others custody and of nuclear installations and facilities. Under the provisions of the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access, the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen are exchanged by the two countries every year on 1 January and 1 July. India has shared a list of 337 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistani nationals or are believed to be Pakistanis. Similarly, Pakistan has shared the list of 47 civilian prisoners and 184 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian nationals or are believed to be Indians. Advertisement New Delhi has called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel, and fishermen along with their boats, from Pakistans custody. In this context, Pakistan was asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 184 Indian fishermen, who have completed their sentence. In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the remaining 12 civilian prisoners in Pakistans custody, who are believed to be Indians. Pakistan has been requested to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen, pending their release and repatriation to India. India remains committed to addressing, on priority, all humanitarian matters, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each others country. In this context, India has urged Pakistan to expedite necessary action at its end to confirm the nationality status of 65 believed-to-be Pakistani prisoners, including fishermen, whose repatriation is pending for want of nationality confirmation from Pakistan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. It said that as a result of sustained efforts by the government, 2639 Indian fishermen and 67 Indian civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. This includes 478 Indian fishermen and nine Indian civilian prisoners who were repatriated from Pakistan in 2023. The exchange of lists of nuclear installations is covered under an Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between the two countries. The agreement, which was signed on 31 December 1988 and entered into force on 27 January, 1991 provides, inter alia, that India and Pakistan inform each other of the nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the agreement on the first of January of every calendar year. This is the 33rd consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 1, 1992. Acharya Satyendra Das, the chief priest at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, has taken a dig at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray over his remarks that he has not received the invitation for January 22 consecration ceremony, saying only devotees of Lord Ram has been invited. The Ayodhya priest also dismissed the Opposition claims that the BJP is politicising the Ram temple inauguration event. Invitations are only extended to those who are devotees of Lord Ram. It is totally wrong to say that the BJP is fighting in the name of Lord Ram, our PM is respected everywhere. He has done immense work under his tenure. This is not politics. This is his devotion, Acharya Das was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Advertisement He was reacting to Uddhav Thackerays remarks that he has not recieved any invitation and urged the event should not be made a political one. 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 dont need one. I just have one request that this event should not be made a political one, Thackeray had said. Earlier on Sunday, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) president Alok Kumar had also rubbished Oppositions claim of politics over sending out invites for the mega Ram temple consecration ceremony on January 22. Kumar said that the inauguration of Ram temple in Ayodhya is entire countrys program and everyone is welcome there. I had gone personally to give an invitation to Mallikarjun Kharge, members of the VHP had gone to give an invitation to Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. Sonia Gandhi was invited by Nripendra Mishra If there was any politics why would the invitations be sent to leaders of the opposition parties, he had asked. The Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) has come out strongly against Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian and former Minister KT Jaleel for criticising Christian bishops for their alleged silence on the issue of Manipur violence during the Christmas programme organised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence in New Delhi KCBC spokesperson Father Jacob Palackappilly on Monday said that the remarks made against the Bishops who had participated in the Christmas get-together in New Delhi were unbecoming of a Minister. Father Palackappilly said that everyone can make remarks or criticise people in position but they should be careful about the words they use and the way the words are used. It should be in keeping with the culture of the people, he said. Advertisement He also criticised former Minister KT Jaleel for his remarks against participants at a Christmas celebration organised by the KCBC. He said both Cherian and Jaleel appeared to be using the same dictionary when it came to remarks against the Christmas celebrations and those who attended the celebrations. The Minister should at least consider the sanctity of the position he holds while spewing out such remarks. Saji Cherian and KT Jaleel are using the same dictionary given to them during party classes, Father Jacob Palackapilly said. He said that the Christmas programme was a reception organised by the Prime Minister to discuss the services provided by Christians in the country. Saji Cherian said that some Bishops were thrilled when the Prime Minister invited them for a feast and they forgot the Manipur issue when they drank grape juice and ate cake. Speaking after inaugurating a local committee office of CPI-M at Punnapra North in Alappuzha, Cherian mocked the Bishops who attended the Prime Ministers Christmas programme, saying they forgot the Manipur issue when they got grape juice and cake. KT Jaleel has criticised Muslim League leader Panakkad Sadikali Shihab Thangal, who attended KCBCs Christmas celebrations along with BJP state president K Surendran at the pastoral orientation centre in Palarivattom. Jaleel on his Facebook page made a veiled attack on Thangal for attending the celebrations along with Surendran. The Kerala Police have filed a case against Students Federation of India (SFI) Kerala president K Anusree and 20 other activists of the organisation for burning an effigy of Governor Arif Mohammed Khan in Kannur on Sunday evening. The Kannur Town police registered the case against SFI workers on Monday, invoking various sections including Section 143 (unlawful assembly), Section 147 (punishment for rioting), and Section 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The 30-feet effigy of Khan, similar to the Papanji model, which was installed at Payyambalam beach in Kannur, was burnt by SFI state president Anusree and others on the New Year eve. Though four people were arrested in connection with the incident on Sunday, they were released on bail within minutes. Advertisement SFI, the student wing of the CPI-M, has accused the Governor of saffronising the universities by appointing pro-BJP or RSS officials. Speaking to the media, Anusree said that the effigy was burnt with the hope that in the new year, the Governor would refrain from implementing a communal agenda in the states higher education sector. In her New Year message, Bahujan Samaj Party President Mayawati appealed to the people to elect a people-friendly government at the Centre of the Lok Sabha elections in the interest of Bahujan Samaj (common people). In this context, she targeted the BJP and Congress for their failure to contain unemployment, inequality, and economic crisis in the country. On the first day of the year 2024, the BSP chief greeted the people through a host of posts on the micro-blogging site X. She wrote, Hearty congratulations to the Indian brothers and sisters and their families living in the country and across the world for the New Year 2024. May this year bring happiness, peace, security, and success with self-respect for all of you, so that the lives of people become happy and free from economic inequality and other inequities. Lashing out at the BJP and Congress for their alleged anti-people policies, she said, From this New Year, the government should discharge true patriotism and Rajdharma by ensuring only employment guarantee, because the rest of the government guarantees have proved to be more of a deceitful politics of narrow nationalism, due to which the lives of about 100 crore people are in danger. Advertisement The BSP supremo said, If there is a modest per capita income in the country, which means, no money in peoples pockets, then what is the use of people boasting about development? Also, how is a developed India possible with a huge army of unemployed? Overall, the development of crores of poor people has been affected due to the ill effects of the long-running casteist, arrogant and non-inclusive government of first Congress and now BJP. Therefore, in this parliamentary election year, there is a strong appeal to the people to form an all-friendly government dedicated to the public interest and welfare of the Bahujans, she claimed. The North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi) has disbursed more than Rs 547 crore for the North Eastern region in between January 1 to November 30, said Union Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) on Monday. The NEDFi plays an important role in facilitating the setting up of new industrial and service sector projects in the region. The Corporation assisted around 5,338 projects, with total sanctions and disbursements of Rs 766.47 crore and Rs 547.11 crore respectively, in diverse sectors education and training food processing, handlooms and handicrafts, healthcare, hotels and tourism, microfinance etc. between January 1 to November 30, 2023, the ministry said in a communique. Advertisement It further said for development of the Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE) sector, the Corporation has taken initiative to identify and nurture potential first generation local entrepreneurs and provide finance on easy terms to help them set up viable industrial projects. The credit schemes of the NEDFi under micro and small enterprises sector are extended at concessional rate of interest. Besides, it undertakes initiatives/ activities towards promotion and development of MSME and microfinance sectors in the region, it said. NEDFi in collaboration with the DoNER Ministry has set up the North East Venture Fund (NEVF), a dedicated venture capital fund, to encourage start-up ventures in the region. The capital commitment to the fund is Rs 100 crore (DoNER Rs 45.00 crore, NEDFi Rs 30.00 crore and SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India) Rs 25.00 crore). The fund generated a lot of enthusiasm among the start-ups from the region, the ministry said. As on November 30, 2023, a total of 67 projects were given investment commitments of Rs 98.18 crore, it said. Meanwhile, the ministry also informed that the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDC) will establish Ashtlaxmi Haat and Experience Centre at Guwahati (Assam), with a project cost of Rs 7.6 crore. The Haat will have 24 permanent stalls, which will provide a market access to artisans of all Northeast states and will have an artisan residency to provide accommodation to artisans from out station. The NEHHDC is also setting up an ERI silk spinning plant at Integrated Textile Park, Mushalpur, Baksa (Assam) with a project cost Rs 14.92 crore, it said. President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi extended warm greetings for the New Year and wished that 2024 brings happiness, justice, peace and prosperity for everyone. Taking to social media handle X on Monday, the President said, Warm New Year greetings to all! May the Year 2024 bring happiness, peace and prosperity for everyone. Let us welcome the New Year with a renewed commitment to contribute to inclusive and sustainable development. Vice-President Dhankar said, Let us embrace the dawn of the New Year with a resolute commitment to contribute towards wholesome progress and prosperity of Bharat. Advertisement Mr Modi stated Wishing everyone a splendid 2024! May this year bring forth prosperity, peace and wonderful health for all. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also wished the people of the country. He said , .The year 2024 should be the year that once again gives hope and power back to the poor and marginalised. It is important that we fight unitedly for the rights of every citizen and ensure social justice. It is our sacred duty to safeguard our Constitution and our Democracy. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said , 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 English edition of my new book Why Bharat Matters would be out in early 2024. Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said New Year starts with a sparkle! Congratulating Indian Space Research Organisation and its scientists, he wrote, ISROs PSLV-C58/XPoSat Mission 2024 gracefully lifted off, precisely placing the PSLV-C58 vehicle in orbit. The scripting of POEM-3 is underway. Kudos to our dedicated scientists for this stellar success. Such milestones echo the visionary leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji, propelling India to new heights in space exploration. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi posted a picture of himself along with his mother and senior leader and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. He wished happiness and prosperity for the people and hoped that the new year ushers in with a message of justice and love in India. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday inaugurated Samvid Gurukulam Girls Sainik School at Vrindavan in Mathura, describing it as a beacon of light for girls who aspire to join the armed forces and serve the motherland. The first all-girls Sainik School, with a strength of about 870 students, has been inaugurated under the initiative of establishing 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership mode with NGOs/Private/State Government Schools in all State/Union Territories, of which 42 have been set up. These are in addition to the existing 33 Sainik Schools already functioning under the erstwhile pattern. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has given women their rightful place in the Armed Forces, which was neglected for years. They have the right to protect the nation just like their male counterparts. It was a golden moment in the history of women empowerment when we approved the admission of girls to Sainik Schools. Today, our women are not only flying fighter jets, they are also securing the borders, Mr Singh said. Advertisement It may be recalled that the defence minister had, in 2019, approved admission of girl children to Sainik schools, w.e.f., academic session 2021-22 in a phased manner. The decision was taken following the success of the pilot project started by the Ministry of Defence in Sainik School Chhingchhip in Mizoram. The objectives behind the vision of setting up of 100 new Sainik Schools are to provide quality education to the students in tune with the National Education Policy 2020 and give them better career opportunities, including joining the Armed Forces. It also gives an opportunity to the private sector to work hand-in-hand with the Government towards nation building by refining todays youth to become responsible citizens of tomorrow. Human rights is probably the most abused phrase in the international political lexicon. The US, which is mindful of human rights violations in places as far afield as India, China and Venezuela, keeps mum when small children die on its border with Mexico or when the Israeli Army kills more than 20,000 civilians in Gaza, with active US support. Sadly, such hypocrisy is the hallmark of most of the Western world. The United Nations has defined human rights as rights that all humans have, simply because they exist as human beings ~ such rights are not granted by any State or other agency. Human rights are inherent to all human beings, regardless of nationality, sex, ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status. They range from the most fundamental ~ the right to life ~ to those that make life worth living, such as the rights to food, education, work, health, and liberty. Adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), by the United Nations General Assembly, in 1948, has made protection of human rights a universal obligation. UDHR has been reinforced by two covenants ~ the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights ~ which, taken together are called the International Bill of Rights. Advertisement These covenants enjoin all States to recognise human rights as inalienable, indivisible and interdependent. Under international law, these conventions cast an obligation upon all States to respect, protect and fulfil human rights. The UNGA has created the Human Rights Council as the key UN intergovernmental body responsible for protection of human rights. The Human Rights Council reports directly to the UNGA, and is mandated to address situations of human rights violations, and respond to human rights emergencies. The most innovative feature of the Human Rights Council is the Universal Periodic Review. This unique mechanism involves a review of the human rights records of all 193 UN member states, once every four years. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), serves as the secretariat for the Human Rights Council. The High Commissioner for Human Rights exercises principal responsibility for UN human rights activities. The High Commissioner is mandated to respond to serious violations of human rights, and to undertake preventive action. Individuals, whose rights have been violated can file complaints directly to Committees overseeing human rights treaties. Almost all countries have incorporated human rights in their local laws. Chapter three of the Indian Constitution defines the six Fundamental Rights, viz. the right to equality, right to freedom, right against exploitation, right to freedom of religion, cultural and educational rights, and right to constitutional remedies. No law can be enacted to take away or abridge a fundamental right, and all laws are void to the extent they impinge on a fundamental right. In addition to the Courts, we also have the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), set up under the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993. The Commission enquires into complaints of violation of human rights or negligence in the prevention of such violation by a public servant. NHRC is headed by a Chairperson, ordinarily a former Chief Justice of India. The Paris Principles of the UN which the NHRC is required to follow are: Mandate and competence, Autonomy from Government, Independence guaranteed by a Statute or Constitution, Pluralism, Adequate resources; and adequate powers of investigation. Mirroring the NHRC all States have State Human Rights Commissions (SHRCs). However, the record of NHRC and SHRCs vis-a-vis enforcement of fundamental rights does not inspire much confidence. Annual Reports of the NHRC are not publicly available after 2018-19; looking at the latest monthly statistics one finds that there is a huge backlog of cases in crucial spheres e.g., during the month of November 2023, out of 10 cases of deaths in police custody, investigations in only two cases were completed, leaving a backlog of 285 cases. Similarly, 12 deaths in police encounters were reported, out of which one was investigated, leaving a pendency of 252 cases. One doesnt often hear about some pro-active action by NHRC, a glaring example is its complete silence in the ethnic strife in Manipur. The principal violator of human rights is the police, since the only method of crime detection known to inadequately trained policemen is to beat suspects, or related persons, to extract a confession. Generally, such confessions fall apart in court due to paucity of corroboratory evidence leading to allegations of soft-pedalling against the judiciary. One can only draw consolation that police forces of most countries have a similar, blemished track record; police in the US is notorious for gunning down/beating to death innocent blacks who fall in their clutches. The US State Department, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, European Union and Freedom House have all castigated Indias human rights performance, pointing to the existence and mindless implementation of draconian legislation like the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. The US Commission on International Freedom has alleged that the Indian Government had promoted Hindu nationalist policies resulting in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom asking the US State Department to name India as a country of particular concern. However, the Government of India has denied all such allegations. India has a liberal constitution, a free press and also, anomalously, a bureaucracy and police that enforce the law with a colonial mindset. Add to it, a thin-skinned ruling class which believes in the medieval principle of lese-majeste, equating opposing political views and political satire to treason, and you have a situation where dissent is criminalised. This provides sufficient ammunition to international human right activists to show India in a poor light. This is not to whitewash the dismal record of our enforcement agencies who believe that killing or maiming criminals will eliminate crime. Replying to a question in Parliament, the Minister of State for Home Affairs stated that there had been 655 encounter killings, between 1 January 2017, and 31 January 2022. The states with the worst records were Chhattisgarh with 191 killings, Uttar Pradesh with 117, Assam with 50, Jharkhand with 49, Odisha with 36, Jammu and Kashmir with 35, and Maharashtra with 26. The most notorious cases included the death of gangster Vikas Dubey and five of his accomplices in separate encounters in 2020. Controversy also surrounds the shooting of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf, in the presence of a large posse of policemen. Atiqs son, Asad, had been killed in an encounter a few days earlier. After the killing of Atiq and Ashraf, the UP Chief Minister declared that no mafia will spread terror in UP today and those who were a threat are now under threat themselves. Very recently, after an ambush in J&K, in which four jawans were killed, fifteen villagers were rounded up; three were tortured to death, and the rest had to be hospitalised with grievous injuries. Acknowledging State culpability, the J&K Government ordered monetary compensation and promised a job to a relative, but said no word about action against the perpetrators. Such impunity is fatal for our claim of being a country observing the rule of law. There are many reasons for the poor human rights record of our enforcement agencies; the first being the politician-criminal nexus brought out in the NN Vohra Committee Report (1993), the second being endlessly prolonged trials that have eroded public trust in the criminal justice system, which makes instant retributive justice acceptable to the public, and the third being lack of the knowledge of modern investigative methods that makes the police commit human rights violations. Obviously, systemic reforms are needed to better our human rights record ~ which may not be possible in the short run. The bottom line is that we can ignore human rights violations at our own risk. As Bertolt Brecht, the theatre practitioner, playwright, and poet had said: First of all, they came to take the gypsies and I was happy because they pilfered. Then they came to take the Jews and I said nothing, because they were unpleasant to me. Then they came to take homosexuals, and I was relieved, because they were annoying me. Then they came to take the Communists, and I said nothing because I was not a Communist. One day they came to take me, and there was nobody left to protest. (The writer is a former Principal Chief Commissioner of Income-Tax) Pueblo's niche affordable home-building business, indieDwell of Colorado, is struggling financially, but there is an effort underway to rebrand the business and provide much-needed jobs for Pueblo residents, especially its second-chance employees. Civil lawsuits against indieDwell are starting to stack up in Pueblo District Court. One suit claims a $109,000 breach of contract with Habitat for Humanity of Archuleta County and another claims $28,000 is owed to a lumber company for supplies. In addition, the chief executive officer for one of the largest Section 8 landlords in the country said he too is considering legal action after a $600,000-plus down payment he made over a year ago has not been refunded and none of the 20 homes his company ordered have been delivered. How indieDwell came to Colorado The two halves of the containers will eventually be connected to form the full modular housing unit being built at indieDwell. Through an incentive agreement inked with the city of Pueblo and Pueblos Economic Development Corp. in 2019, the company, which is based in Boise, Idaho, where it runs another manufacturing plant, committed to bringing 170 jobs to Pueblo when it reaches full capacity. A total of about eight partners pitched in to help bring the business to Pueblo, including the Colorado Health Foundation, the Colorado Trust and Gary Community Ventures, said Dr. Ben Bynam, senior director of impact investing for the private Colorado Health Foundation. All the partners were intrigued by indieDwell's factory-built process and dedication to making homeownership affordable for those who are left out of the housing market, Bynam said. "We started with a $250,000 planning grant in January 2019 in partnership with other foundations. The goal was to bring a nonprofit to Colorado, with Pueblo being a potential factory site and the promise of high-quality jobs indieDwell checked all the boxes," Bynam said. Once Pueblo officials approved providing more than $1.5 million in half-cent sales tax economic-development funds to the company, the money was used to purchase equipment and provide pre-employment training at Pueblo Community College, among other uses. That Pueblo partnership enabled indieDwell to obtain a $1.5 million, 1% low-interest loan in September 2019 from the Colorado Health Foundation, Bynam said. Story continues That loan then enabled indieDwell to meet the requirements to obtain other state funding, he explained. The Colorado nonprofit version of indieDwell opened the Pueblo production facility July 6, 2020, to build tiny homes and affordable housing units inside a 100,000-square-foot facility at 205 N. Elizabeth St., formerly the AG Warehouse. Some of the company's employees are "second chance employees" who are convicted felons desperately in need of work, which is hard to come by for those with criminal records. At first, indieDwell's Colorado plant employed 50 to 60 workers with the intent of reaching 170 at full capacity. The builder again reached out to the Colorado Health Foundation for growth capital so that it would be allowed to fulfill its employment goals. The Colorado Health Foundation approved a non-cash loan guarantee, which obligated the foundation to guarantee it would repay indieDwell's loan if it couldn't pay it back. That led to a $3.5 million InBank loan, Bynam said. A modular housing unit under construction at the indieDwell facility in September 2020. The first sign of trouble In September 2022, when indieDwell began having difficulty getting customers to pay money owed to the builder, the Colorado Health Foundation again stepped in to provide a $1 million recoverable grant "so they could meet their obligations," Bynam said. Still, the builder struggled into 2023 and 45 workers were laid off Jan. 6, according to Mikki Gates, indieDwell's human resources manager at the time. Gates told the Chieftain earlier this year that indieDwell had "reduced production down to one line from two as an adjustment to our upcoming production schedule for 2023." But by April, indieDwell had temporarily shut down its Pueblo production facility due to those persisting cash flow issues, leaving 55 employees without work for the time being. In May, two top executives Gates and Ron Francis, CEO of indieDwell Colorado departed the company and the Pueblo production factory remained shut down. Several workers who were sidelined expressed their disappointment to the Chieftain. Some of them had never had a construction job with benefits. "I share their level of disappointment," Bynam said. "When you look at where they were and where they sit now, it's disappointing." Habitat for Humanity of Archuleta County files breach of contract suit Habitat for Humanity of Archuleta County, based in Pagosa Springs, has historically built one home a year since its inception in 1994, but was able to purchase two indieDwell homes after receiving a gift of 11 lots from the county commission in 2021. "We needed to build more, faster. We needed to find a modular home builder," said Lori Henricksen, executive director for the Pagosa Springs-based Habitat for Humanity program. "We were really excited about indieDwell because they are in Colorado and they are really focused on sustainability and energy efficiency," Henricksen said. After a tour of the plant, Habitat for Humanity "felt comfortable with them and the fact that they were a nonprofit was a positive for us working with them," she said. "We had a plan to build 15 homes in five years and ordered the first two homes (for delivery) in 2022." Although the homes were late in being delivered, "finally we got them and the two families moved in to them in February of this year," she said. The Habitat officials were ready to go ahead with the 2023 order of three homes and had already paid the $109,000-plus deposit on those homes in October 2021. "In late February, we found out they could not fulfill our order, so we said, 'OK, can you refund our deposit?' They had to check with their board (of directors) and the board said, yes, they would refund our deposit," Hendericksen said she was told. "Obviously, we got no refund. It was a significant financial hit," she said. "We had made a commitment to build the three homes and had three families lined up." The agency hired legal counsel and filed a breach of contract civil lawsuit in Pueblo County District Court earlier this year. The homebuilder did not file an answer to the lawsuit, so on Aug. 18, Judge Michelle Chostner entered a default judgment in the case. On Sept. 12, the court issued a writ of garnishment with JP Morgan and Chase Company for the judgment amount. The bank responded to the writ indicating the indieDwell account had a balance of just $7,684, according to a motion for order to deliver garnished funds. On Nov. 7, Chostner ordered the bank to deliver funds by filing a partial or full satisfaction of judgment. On Dec. 14, Habitat for Humanity's attorneys indicated a partial judgment was received. "We have received very little of our total," Hendricksen told the Chieftain. The agency was able to get three replacement Karsten Homes from Clayton Albuquerque for the three families promised homes this year. One family closed on the property this month and the other two will close in January. "Now we have to figure out how to overcome this and we hope to be made whole and continue on our mission. We hope to eventually get repaid by indieDwell," Hendricksen said, pointing out that her agency has been unable to find an insurance company or responsible party affiliated with the home builder that can make that happen. Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber Company files civil suit The Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber Company filed a civil lawsuit on Oct. 26 in Pueblo District Court alleging that indieDwell of Colorado "owes the sum of $28,367.53 as the balance due for the goods sold to the defendant by plaintiff (Foxworth-Galbraith)." The lumber company is seeking what is owed plus interest from June 1, 2022, and "reasonable attorney's fees," all of which Foxworth attorneys allege is their right as outlined in an application for credit the builder filed with the company. That case is still pending in court and there is no hearing date set. Whitestone & Co., LLC also considering legal action Whitestone & Co. is "one of the largest Section 8 landlords in the country" whose properties are "really affordable homes," said Gino Cozza, CEO for Whitestone & Co. Cozza supplied the Chieftain with a bank statement indicating Whitestone paid a $627,672 deposit to indieDwell through JP Morgan Chase bank on Nov. 22, 2022. The deposit was for 20 homes after "I had been to their facility four or five times," he said. "Part of the plan with these 20 homes (was that) we were considering putting the homes in Pueblo," he explained. "But they don't have our deposit money anymore and they should have held it in trust." "The homes were supposed to be ready in six months and that came and went. I told them we will try to work with you and then everybody starts to jump ship," he explained. Cozza said he would have a conversation with one indieDwell board member who he was supposed to follow up with the next week, only to find out that the board member had left. "Usually when board members leave while there's financial issues, that's never a good sign," he said. "They were supposed to get funding from the Colorado Trust or Colorado Health and they said if they could get funding they would pay me." "A year came and went and I don't have any homes and they don't have any money," he said. "I've been trying for many months to try to avoid getting lawyers involved, but I finally got to that point after the last phone call I had with them. It was clear I was being strung along," Cozza said. Can the business be saved? The current plan is to rebrand the Pueblo-based builder as Phoenix Homes and that means a new board of directors and new staff, Bynam said. "They have completely turned over the board and staff and any previous decision-makers involving what happened to Mr. Cozza, Habitat for Humanity and the others are no longer involved," Bynam explained. "We are working with counsel to reinstitute the board and work on rebranding issues." The board's new chair is Ally Upton of rural El Paso County, who is an advocate for affordable housing. "When I met the Pueblo crew, I saw their drive and dedication to the community and to Colorado. There is an effort to try to forge forward with the mission to be a solution to the housing crisis and using the Pueblo factory," Upton said. Bynam said any future financing from the foundation is not promised and any near-term financial help will come with an expectation of repayment. He said it is not just indieDwell that is having issues. He said other factory-built home builders have had similar challenges, but by the same token, "we are not going to stick build our way out of the housing crisis in Colorado." "The hope is that with the reinstituted board and staff, Phoenix Homes will be able to fulfill the mission, especially the mission to provide quality jobs and to employ folks with challenging backgrounds. There are about 26 employees currently working some are in the Pueblo factory and others are working on a project with Chaffee Housing Trust to help finish their project," in Salida, Bynam explained. "We haven't given up the fight just yet. We are still in it," Bynam said. Can the old debts ever be repaid? Although Phoneix Homes officials are working to pick up the pieces of the business, what will happen with the others who are still owed money? Bynam said the Colorado Trust is "supporting the financial cost to hire a lawyer to go after significant money still owed from an (indieDwell) partner in California. That could be in the $1 million range in terms of what is owed." "The folks deprived of their capital money could potentially be made whole," if that money can be recovered through the legal process, Bynam said. indieDwell Idaho's response The Chieftain reached out to indieDwell President Derek Henderson and Vice President of Finance Kristen Erbacci at indieDwell's Boise, Idaho, headquarters seeking comment on the issues the Colorado plant has been faced with. "Derek Henderson and I are not employees of indieDwell Colorado and, as such, are not able to comment," Erbacci responded. "While indieDwell Holdings in Idaho opened the Pueblo plant, they are separate from any restructuring that may or may not be happening," Upton explained. For people like Bynam and Upton, the motivation is simple. "When people step into homeownership it is an opportunity to create wealth for themselves and future generations. The city of Pueblo deserves for this to work out," Bynam said. "I just love Pueblo and the sense of community. Pueblo has a drive to never give up and a commitment to make the community better," Upton said. More: 55 Pueblo workers sidelined as affordable home builder deals with cash flow issues More: Two top executives leave indieDwell as Pueblo factory remains shut down Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via X, formerly Twitter, at twitter.com/tracywumps. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com. This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo builder indieDwell rebranding amid lawsuits, cash flow crisis Sri Lanka must continue to forge ahead on a demanding path with formidable challenges in 2024 to achieve economic stability, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said in his New Years message. Wickremesinghe on Sunday added that Sri Lanka has achieved a foundational success in saving the country from financial distress due to the unwavering commitment of all citizens and their resilience throughout the past year, Xinhua news agency reported. The President said that the responsibility to contribute to national resurgence rests with every Sri Lankan, and that recognising and fulfilling this collective responsibility is crucial for the rebuilding of the nation. Advertisement Wickremesinghe urged Sri Lankans to strive to make the New Year a prosperous one through responsible and dedicated efforts. Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6) Today Cloudy with rain and snow showers. Temps nearly steady in the upper 30s. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precip 60%.. Tonight Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the evening. Low 26F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Just because a business does not make any money, does not mean that the stock will go down. For example, although software-as-a-service business Salesforce.com lost money for years while it grew recurring revenue, if you held shares since 2005, you'd have done very well indeed. But the harsh reality is that very many loss making companies burn through all their cash and go bankrupt. So, the natural question for BrainChip Holdings (ASX:BRN) shareholders is whether they should be concerned by its rate of cash burn. For the purposes of this article, cash burn is the annual rate at which an unprofitable company spends cash to fund its growth; its negative free cash flow. First, we'll determine its cash runway by comparing its cash burn with its cash reserves. View our latest analysis for BrainChip Holdings Does BrainChip Holdings Have A Long Cash Runway? A cash runway is defined as the length of time it would take a company to run out of money if it kept spending at its current rate of cash burn. As at June 2023, BrainChip Holdings had cash of US$22m and no debt. Importantly, its cash burn was US$16m over the trailing twelve months. So it had a cash runway of approximately 16 months from June 2023. That's not too bad, but it's fair to say the end of the cash runway is in sight, unless cash burn reduces drastically. You can see how its cash balance has changed over time in the image below. ASX:BRN Debt to Equity History January 1st 2024 How Is BrainChip Holdings' Cash Burn Changing Over Time? In our view, BrainChip Holdings doesn't yet produce significant amounts of operating revenue, since it reported just US$356k in the last twelve months. Therefore, for the purposes of this analysis we'll focus on how the cash burn is tracking. With the cash burn rate up 3.8% in the last year, it seems that the company is ratcheting up investment in the business over time. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but investors should be mindful of the fact that will shorten the cash runway. BrainChip Holdings makes us a little nervous due to its lack of substantial operating revenue. We prefer most of the stocks on this list of stocks that analysts expect to grow. Story continues Can BrainChip Holdings Raise More Cash Easily? Since its cash burn is increasing (albeit only slightly), BrainChip Holdings shareholders should still be mindful of the possibility it will require more cash in the future. Generally speaking, a listed business can raise new cash through issuing shares or taking on debt. Many companies end up issuing new shares to fund future growth. By comparing a company's annual cash burn to its total market capitalisation, we can estimate roughly how many shares it would have to issue in order to run the company for another year (at the same burn rate). BrainChip Holdings has a market capitalisation of US$209m and burnt through US$16m last year, which is 7.7% of the company's market value. That's a low proportion, so we figure the company would be able to raise more cash to fund growth, with a little dilution, or even to simply borrow some money. So, Should We Worry About BrainChip Holdings' Cash Burn? Even though its increasing cash burn makes us a little nervous, we are compelled to mention that we thought BrainChip Holdings' cash burn relative to its market cap was relatively promising. While we're the kind of investors who are always a bit concerned about the risks involved with cash burning companies, the metrics we have discussed in this article leave us relatively comfortable about BrainChip Holdings' situation. On another note, BrainChip Holdings has 5 warning signs (and 2 which make us uncomfortable) we think you should know about. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies, and this list of stocks growth stocks (according to analyst forecasts) 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. Actor Jeremy Renner is set to head back to the set of Mayor of Kingstown season three, a year after he was injured in a near-fatal snow plough accident. Last week, the 52-year-old actor had hinted at his return to the show after he shared an Instagram Story with his co-star Emma Laird. As he continues to recover, Renner spoke with Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper during their CNN New Year's Eve special. "It's been a wonderfully busy year. I think I'm ready and I think I'm strong enough. I literally go back in a week," he said about going back to work on the third season of "Mayor of Kingstown". The Marvel star also said he had a lot to celebrate this year. "I'm so blessed that I had so many things to live for. I have a giant family, a 10-year-old daughter. I would have disappointed and messed up a lot of people's lives if I passed. There's a lot for me to fight for. Recovery is a one-way road in my mind. I still work hard every day," he added. Renner had suffered an accident in January after a snow plough ran him over as he was trying to save his nephew from getting run over himself. Renner broke over 30 bones in the accident, which required major rehabilitation. Mayor of Kingstown follows the McLusky family, power brokers in Kingstown, Michigan, where the business of incarceration is the only thriving industry. In the Paramount+ series, Renner plays Mike McLusky, who acts as a liaison between criminals, prison guards, and police. The show's second season premiered on the streamer on January 15, two weeks after Renner's accident. Cutting-edge research has revealed that an AI-driven system has the capability to accurately identify facial expressions that convey emotions, including fleeting ones. This breakthrough discovery holds great potential in bolstering psychotherapy. The study employed a readily accessible artificial neural network, trained on over 30,000 facial photos, to detect six fundamental emotions: happiness, surprise, anger, disgust, sadness, and fear. Artificial neural networks, a subset of AI, are built upon the principles of connections found in biological neural networks in animal brains. Researchers then utilised the AI model to process and analyze over 950 hours of video recordings from therapy sessions involving 23 patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. The sessions were conducted at the prestigious Center for Scientific Computing, University of Basel, Switzerland. Comparing the model-generated analyses with those of three trained therapists, the international team uncovered a "remarkable level of agreement." The AI system proved to be as adept as a skilled therapist in accurately assessing patients' facial expressions. Additionally, the model excelled in detecting fleeting emotions that lasted less than a millisecond, such as a quick smile or a gesture of disgust. The AI system's heightened sensitivity toward these momentary displays of emotions surpassed that of therapists, who may overlook or subconsciously perceive them. Such nuanced insights could potentially have a significant impact on therapeutic outcomes. The team's findings have been published in the esteemed journal Psychopathology. Martin Steppan, psychologist at the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Basel and corresponding author of the study, explained, "We wanted to determine whether AI systems can consistently ascertain the emotional states of patients in video recordings." Furthermore, the researchers discovered that the model's analysis unveiled an intriguing trend. Patients who displayed emotional involvement, as evidenced by a smile at the beginning of a therapy session, demonstrated greater adherence to psychotherapy compared to those who appeared emotionally indifferent toward their therapist. Consequently, the smile emerged as a "promising predictor" of therapy session success for individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Steppan expressed surprise, saying, "We were truly amazed to find that relatively simple AI systems can accurately attribute facial expressions to their corresponding emotional states." The team emphasised that AI has the potential to become an invaluable tool in therapy and research, supporting the supervision of psychotherapists. However, they underscored that human relationships remain paramount in therapeutic work, stressing that the domain of psychotherapy remains inherently human. Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Monday rubbished the allegation about lack of transparency in the collegium system where judges appoint judges to constitutional courts and desisted from responding to criticism of the Supreme Court judgement upholding the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution that bestowed special status on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashir. In a candid and free-wheeling interview with PTI, the 50th CJI responded to questions on several issues pertaining to the judiciary, including the criticism of the Supreme Court verdict upholding the abrogation of Article 370 and the five-judge constitution bench judgement refusing to legalise same-sex marriage. Justice Chandrachud also dealt with questions about criticism by eminent lawyers on allocation of cases to particular judges and 'bench hunting', and said the allocation of cases is not "lawyer-driven" and vowed to maintain the credibility of the institution of the Supreme Court. "I am very very clear in my mind that if the credibility of the institution of the Supreme Court is to be maintained, we have to ensure that the allocation of cases in the Supreme Court is not going to be a lawyer-driven allocation," he said. Justice Chandrachud's response assumes significance as only a few days ago Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, since retired, had told PTI that there was a problem with the collegium system and it will be "unrealistic" to say it is working smoothly. He had also said the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) was never given a chance to work, leading to angst in political circles and friction in the working of the collegium system. The Narendra Modi government, after coming to power in 2014, got enacted the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act. The NJAC, tasked with the responsibility of making judicial appointments, comprised the Chief Justice of India, two senior Supreme Court judges, the union law minister and two other eminent persons nominated by the CJI, the prime minister and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. However, in October 2015, the Supreme Court had struck down the NJAC Act holding it unconstitutional. Responding to a query about the criticism of the collegium system, the CJI said steps have been taken to ensure greater transparency. "To say that the collegium system is lacking in transparency would not be correct. We have taken steps to ensure that greater transparency is maintained. A sense of objectivity in the decision making process is maintained. But I must also share something and that's my caveat. When we consider judges for appointment in the Supreme Court we are dealing with the careers of the sitting judges of the high court. "Obviously, therefore the deliberations that take place within the collegium can't be put out in the public realm for a variety of reasons. Many of our discussions are on the privacy of those judges who are under consideration for appointment to the Supreme Court. Those deliberations, if they have to take place in a free and a candid atmosphere, can't be the subject matter of video recording or documentation. That is not the system which the Indian Constitution has adopted," Chandrachud said. Responding to the criticism of the unanimous five-judge bench verdict of the Supreme Court upholding the scrapping of Article 370 of the Constitution, he said the judges decide a case "according to the Constitution and the law". The CJI said the judges speak their mind through their judgement which becomes public property after the pronouncement, and people in a free society can always make their opinion about it. "So far as we are concerned we decide according to the Constitution and the law. I don't think it will be appropriate for me either to respond to the criticism or mount a defence to my judgement. What we have said in my judgement is reflected in the reason present in the signed judgement and I must leave it at that," Justice Chandrachud said. On the issue of denial of same-sex marriage rights the queer community, he said, the outcome of a case is never personal to a judge and he has no regrets. The CJI, however, acknowledged that the LGBTQIA++ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, asexual) community fought a long and hard battle for realising their rights but judges do not associate themselves with a cause and, having decided the case now, he has left it at that. "Once you decide a case you kind of distance yourself from the outcome. Outcomes are never personal to us as a judge. I never have any regrets. Yes, I have been in the majority in many cases and minority in many cases. But the important part of a life is never to associate yourself with a cause. Having decided a case, I leave it at that," Chandrachud said. He also spoke about why the 2019 judgement of a five-judge constitution bench which paved the way for the construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya was anonymous. The Ayodhya verdict, for the first time in the history of the apex court, was anonymous and did not contain the name of the author judge. "When the five judge bench sat to deliberate on the judgement as we all do before a Judgement is pronounced, we all decided unanimously that this will be a judgement of the court. And therefore there was no authorship ascribed to any individual judge," the CJI said. On November 9, 2019, settling a fractious issue that went back more than a century, a five-judge bench headed by the then CJI Ranjan Gogoi had in a historic verdict paved the way for construction of the temple by a trust, and ruled that an alternative five-acre plot must be found for a mosque in the Hindu holy town. Curfew was reimposed in five valley districts of Manipur after four persons were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Lilong Chingjao area of Thoubal district on Monday evening. At least five persons have been injured in the firing. Media reports quoted locals as saying that the gang arrived in camouflage dresses with automatic weapons for extortion. Chief Minister N. Biren Singh condemned the incident and appealed to people to maintain peace. "Police are working to arrest those behind the attack. They will be arrested soon and punished as per the law," he said in a video message. Singh has also called an urgent meeting of all ministers and ruling party MLAs. The curfew was reimposed in Thoubal, Imphal East and Imphal West, Kakching and Bishnupur districts. The fresh violence was reported two days after three commandos of Manipur Police were injured in a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack at one of their posts in Moreh on Saturday night. Suspected militants fired several RPGs which exploded inside the CDO outpost building at Moreh Turelwangma Leikai where the commandos were staying. The northeast state has been witnessing sporadic violence since May 3 when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status. At least180 people have been killed and several hundred injured so far in the violence. Khalistan terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who has been making incendiary provocation of violence against India, has called for the countrys economic destruction by targeting the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange from March 12. The day coincides with the 31st anniversary of the serial blasts in Mumbai in 1993. "Unlike 1993 which damaged the BSE buildings, the call to target BSE/NSE from 12th March is aimed at destroying India's economic system," Pannun said in a video statement. The US-based Khalistani leader has been designated as a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act by the Home Ministry. He is wanted by Indian security agencies in at least two dozen cases, including terrorism and sedition. In his latest video message, Pannun urged people to dump Indian stocks and buy American stocks before March 12. Last month, he had exhorted the Muslims of Uttar Pradesh to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he came to Ayodhya to inaugurate a new airport and unveil many other developmental projects. Pannun has been making open calls for violence against India ever since the US government alleged the hands of an Indian agent in a failed attempt to kill the Khalistan leader on the American soil. Last month, he put out a video in which he said Indian parliament would be targeted on or before December 13, sending the Delhi Police into tizzy. In the previous month, Pannun had urged Sikhs to stop flying on Air India planes on and after November 19, claiming threat to their lives. He also threatened that the airline would not be allowed to operate its flights. In September this year, the National Investigation Agency had confiscated his house and land in Amritsar and Chandigarh. An NIA Special Court had issued non-bailable warrants against him in February 2021 and he was declared a 'Proclaimed Offender' in November 2022. The country welcomed the New Year with celebrations, revelry and prayers as it bade adieu to an eventful year that brought India to the fore. All major cities welcomed 2024 with lavish celebrations. Fireworks enthralled thousands in Goa, while hundreds gathered in front of Mumbai's Gateway of India. In Delhi, Connaught Place saw people cheering for the new dawn. While Kamarajar Salai in Chennai saw a huge turnout, the Mall Road in Shimla also witnessed a good crowd. People gathered at Lal Chowk in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir to celebrate the new year. The celebration included singing, dancing, and revelry and were arranged by the Department of Tourism. Srinagar Municipal Corporation Commissioner and CEO of Srinagar Smart City Ltd. Athar Aamir Khan described the occasion as something the city has never seen before. "This is Srinagar Square, Lal Chowk right now! A city life never seen before. The celebration, the vibrancy like never before!" Athar Aamir Khan said in a post on X. "This is probably the biggest alibi to the transformation that Srinagar city has witnessed with the implementation of Srinagar Smart City (SMC) projects! Immensely proud of my Srinagar Smart City and SMC team for making this happen! Happy New Year!," the municipal commissioner added. Prayers were also held across all religious places. Devotees in large numbers thronged Delhi's Jhandewalan Devi Temple in the wee hours of New Year, while the Golden Temple in Amritsar also witnessed devotees welcoming the new year with faith and prayers. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal, along with his wife MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, reached the Golden Temple and offered prayers as the New Year began. "We are here at the Darbar Sahib to pray that the new year becomes a year of happiness for everyone. May the country and Punjab develop," said Badal. #WATCH | Haridwar, Uttar Pradesh: On the first morning of New Year 2024, people take a holy dip in River Ganga at Har Ki Pauri pic.twitter.com/GVMtXICJJ3 ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2024 The first Ganga Aarti and 'Surya Puja' of 2024, performed at Dashashwamedh Ghat in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi, also saw a huge crowd. Special prayers were held at Velankanni Church in Tamil Nadu on the first day of the year 2024. PM wishes people Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the New Year on Monday wished people prosperity, peace, and wonderful health. In a post on X, Modi said, "Wishing everyone a splendid 2024! May this year bring forth prosperity, peace and wonderful health for all." In his Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast on Sunday, the PM urged the countrymen to maintain the spirit of self-reliance in 2024 as well. The recent attack on three commandos of Manipur Police in a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack has rocked Manipur, with Chief Minister N Biren Singh expressing concern over the attacks. He also added that a delegation will soon go to Delhi. The attack happened at the border town of Moreh in Tengnoupal district where five state police commandos were injured. They have been airlifted to Imphal and admitted to hospital. Taking to X, Singh said "The unprecedented attacks against the state forces in the recent times have become a serious national security threat. While the state and central security forces are actively engaged in maintaining control over the situation, it is also imperative for the combined security forces to adopt a robust and comprehensive approach to deal with these elements, who are relentlessly attempting to destabilise the state of Manipur." Following the attack, Biren Singh held a meeting with BJP state president A Sharda Devi, ministers, MLAs and party leaders on Sunday. A decision was taken to send a delegation to Delhi soon to meet the central leaders to apprise them about the situation in Manipur. "Joined a high-level meeting of @BJP4Manipur in presence of Smt @AShardaDevi Ji, President BJP Manipur Pradesh, Hon'ble Ministers, Hon'ble MLAs and party karyakarta to deliberate on a stringent approach to deal with elements who are hell bent on destabilising Manipur. A delegation will also be going to Delhi soon to meet the central leaders in this regard," he said on X. Scientific research teams working over long distances are likely to make fewer breakthrough discoveries than those working on-site, according to a new study. Researchers said that while computers and Internet have connected talent worldwide, yet studies have shown that "breakthrough innovation" is declining, rather than accelerating as was predicted. Analysing more than two crore research papers published between 1960 and 2020, researchers from the universities of Oxford (UK) and Pittsburgh (US) found that teams working remotely were less likely to engage in conceptual tasks such as conceiving research or writing papers, which are needed to produce breakthrough research. The researchers said that therefore, it is harder for such research teams to "integrate effectively to deliver breakthroughs", despite their potential to deliver new, creative scientific ideas, owing to easier access to global knowledge pool. Their findings were published in the journal 'Nature'. "Our paper provides an explanation for why this happens: while remote collaboration via the Internet can bring together diverse pools of talent, it also makes it harder to fuse their ideas," said lead co-author Carl Frey from the University of Oxford. The research papers analysed in this study involved about 2.25 crore scientists from 3,562 cities. The researchers also examined 40 lakh patents filed between 1976 and 2020, by 27 lakh inventors across 87,937 cities. They found that scientific research teams collaborating over "extremely long distances", defined as more than 2,500 kilometres, increased substantially from two to 15 per cent for research papers and from three to nine per cent for patents. However, this research found that these remote researchers were "consistently less likely to make breakthrough discoveries". These teams were also less likely to engage in conceptual tasks needed to produce breakthrough research, although they were more likely to contribute to technical tasks, such as performing experiments and analysing data, the researchers said. They said that their findings had important policy implications. Shifting to working remotely after the pandemic could enable smaller and gradual progress in scientific research, but make breakthroughs less likely, the researchers said. Therefore, the focus on digital infrastructure should not take precedence over investment in physical infrastructure that helps reduce travel costs and makes housing more affordable, they said. "Today, there is much talk about AI supercharging innovation. Yet many predicted the same with the advent of the PC and the Internet. This should serve as a reminder there is unlikely to be a pure technological solution to our innovation problems," said Frey. Research teams working on-site, or having geographical proximity, breaks hierarchy and enables flatter team structures and intensive communication essential for conceiving ground-breaking ideas, according to lead co-author Lingfei Wu, assistant professor of information science at the University of Pittsburgh. "True innovation often has a hometown. It is easier, for example, for a graduate student to discuss informally ideas with a senior professor in a hallway than through email. "Even with digital advancements, online meetings cannot fully replace the unique value of face-to-face interactions in fuelling innovation," said Wu. The ISRO ushered in the New Year on Monday by launching its first X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) that will help study celestial objects like black holes. The agency's trusted PSLV-C58 rocket lifted off with the XPoSat, along with 10 other satellites, at 9.10 am from the first launch pad at the spaceport in Sriharikota. XPoSat XPoSat is the first dedicated scientific satellite from ISRO to carry out research in space-based polarisation measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources. The primary aim is to learn about the polarisation of intense X-ray sources in space. XPoSat has two payloads, POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-Rays) and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing). POLIX will help measure polarisation of X-rays in the energy band 8-30keV emanating from about 50 potential cosmic sources through Thomson Scattering, according to the ISRO. The X-Ray polarisation serves as a crucial diagnostic tool for examining the radiation mechanism and geometry of celestial sources. Another objective of the mission is to carry out polarisation and spectroscopic measurements of X-ray emissions from cosmic sources. The Mission life is about 5 years. The primary payload POLIX for ISRO's X-ray Polarimeter Satellite mission | ISRO The 44.4-meter-tall PSLV rocket would first deploy the primary satellite into a 650 km Low Earth Orbit around 21 minutes after lift-off and later the scientists would bring the satellite to a lower altitude of about 350 km by restarting the fourth stage of the vehicle, for conducting the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3 (POEM-3) experiment. Significance of mission According to the ISRO, the mission will bring substantial benefits to the Astronomy community globally. Apart from its capability of timing and spectroscopy-based observations, the insights derived from X-ray polarisation measurements on celestial objects like black holes, neutron stars, and active galactic nuclei, hold the potential to significantly improve the understanding of their physics. It will also help build expertise in X-ray polarimetry in India. Besides ISRO, NASA also conducted a similar study two years ago on the remnants of remnants of supernova explosions, the particle streams emitted by black holes and other cosmic events. Other payloads The payloads are Radiation Shielding Experiment Module by TakeMe2Space, Women Engineered Satellite by LBS Institute of Technology for Women, BeliefSat (an amateur radio satellite) built by K J Somaiya Institute of Technology, Green Impulse Transmitter by Inspecity Space Labs Pvt Ltd, LEATTD -- Launching Expeditions for Aspiring Technologies Technology Demonstrator by Dhruva Space Pvt Ltd, RUDRA 0.3HPGP and ARKA 200 developed by Bellatrix Aerospace Pvt Ltd, Dust Experiment (DEX) built by PRL, ISRO and Fuel Cell Power System and Si based High Energy cell built by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. The fact that multiple U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB) 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, shareholders should take a deeper look if several insiders are selling stock over a specific time period. 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. See our latest analysis for U.S. Bancorp U.S. Bancorp Insider Transactions Over The Last Year The Chief Administration Officer & Vice Chair, Terrance Dolan, made the biggest insider sale in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for US$1.0m worth of shares at a price of US$39.75 each. That means that even when the share price was below the current price of US$43.28, an insider wanted to cash in some shares. As a general rule we consider it to be discouraging when insiders are selling below the current price, because it suggests they were happy with a lower valuation. Please do note, however, that sellers may have a variety of reasons for selling, so we don't know for sure what they think of the stock price. This single sale was just 13% of Terrance Dolan's stake. In the last twelve months insiders purchased 82.73k shares for US$2.7m. On the other hand they divested 72.61k shares, for US$3.0m. In total, U.S. Bancorp insiders sold more than they bought over the last year. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date! If you are like me, then you will not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying. Story continues U.S. Bancorp Insiders Are Selling The Stock Over the last three months, we've seen significant insider selling at U.S. Bancorp. Specifically, insiders ditched US$1.4m worth of shares in that time, and we didn't record any purchases whatsoever. In light of this it's hard to argue that all the insiders think that the shares are a bargain. Insider Ownership Another way to test the alignment between the leaders of a company and other shareholders is to look at how many shares they own. A high insider ownership often makes company leadership more mindful of shareholder interests. U.S. Bancorp insiders own 0.2% of the company, currently worth about US$135m based on the recent share price. I like to see this level of insider ownership, because it increases the chances that management are thinking about the best interests of shareholders. So What Does This Data Suggest About U.S. Bancorp Insiders? Insiders haven't bought U.S. Bancorp stock in the last three months, but there was some selling. And our longer term analysis of insider transactions didn't bring confidence, either. It is good to see high insider ownership, but the insider selling leaves us cautious. In addition to knowing about insider transactions going on, it's beneficial to identify the risks facing U.S. Bancorp. Case in point: We've spotted 1 warning sign for U.S. Bancorp you should be aware of. 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. Chinese President Xi Jinping has reasserted that China's reunification with the island of Taiwan is inevitable. His statement comes days before Taiwan heads for presidential polls, the outcome of which will be instrumental in the island's cross-strait policy for the next four years. In his message for the New Year, the President, in a more strident tone compared to the last year, said: "The reunification of the motherland is a historical inevitability," Xi said. "Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," he added. China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province and has not ruled out using military force to reunite the island with the mainland. However, Taiwan claims to be a sovereign and democratic nation with its constitution. Though China has been ramping up military pressure to assert its claim over Taiwan, Xi made no mention of military threats in his speech. In his 2023 speech, Xi said people on either side of the strait are "members of one and the same family" and called for a joint effort to foster lasting prosperity of the Chinese nation". However, Taiwan reacted to Xi's statement saying that Taiwan's relations with China must be decided by the will of the people and peace must be based on "dignity". Asked about Xi's speech, President Tsai Ing-wen, at a New Year's press meet at the presidential office in Taipei, said the most important principle on what course to follow in relations with China was democracy. "This is taking the joint will of Taiwan's people to make a decision. After all, we are a democratic country," she said. "China should respect the outcome of Taiwan's election and it is the responsibility of both sides to maintain peace and stability in the strait," Tsai added. Economic challenges In a rare admission, Xi also acknowledged that China's economy was in danger. Chinas businesses are struggling and job seekers have trouble finding work, President Xi Jinping said during his Sunday New Years Eve speech. Some enterprises had a tough time. Some people had difficulty finding jobs and meeting basic needs," Xi said. "All these remain at the forefront of my mind. We will consolidate and strengthen the momentum of economic recovery," he said. Tsunami was reported in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures of Japan after a massive earthquake of 7.5 magnitude on Richter scale rattled the country on Monday, according to public broadcaster NHK. Ishikawa's Wajima city witnessed tsunami of over 1.2 metres at 4.21pm local time while Toyama city reported a tsunami of 50 cm at 4.23 pm local time. A tsunami warning was issued for coastal regions of Ishikawa, Niigata, Toyama, Yamagata, Fukui and Hyogo prefectures, the outlet added. Waves of up to 5 metres are predicted to hit the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa, according to the country's meteorological department. Local residents were asked to evacuate from the area immediately. Hokuriku Electric Power said it is ensuring safety at its nuclear power plants, NHK reported. East Japan Railway Co. has suspended services on Tohoku, Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines following the tremors, reported Nikkei Asia. Several people are feared trapped under rubble of collapsed buildings as 7.5 magnitude earthquake jolts Japan on Monday. Amid tsunami warning issued in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures, after series of strong quakes, people are running to reach to a safe place. Japanese public broadcaster NHK TV warned torrents of water could reach as high as 5 metres (16.5 feet) and urged people to flee to high land or the top of a nearby building as quickly as possible. Yoshimasa Hayashi, chief cabinet secretary of Japan, said that there are many trapped under the rubble of collapsed houses. Though the authorities are still collecting information on the damage, there were at least six reported cases of people trapped under the rubble of collapsed houses. According to Japan's Meterological Agency, the earthquake's magnitude of 7.6 is the largest recorded in the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa prefecture since 1885. Also, the tsunami warning issued earlier was the first major alert of its kind since March 2011. Fresh warnings for earthquakes has been issued across the country. Alerts were issued to prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata, Nagano and Toyama. However, the highest-level of tsunami warning was reduced but people were warned not to return to their homes in coastal areas. More than 30 earthquakes- ranging in magnitude from 3.6 to 7.6 - have hit central Japan in the past three hours. The Suzu City hospital in Ishikawa is reporting a stream of injured patients arriving. Indian embassy in Japan issues helpline numbers The Indian embassy in Japan has set up emergency control room and issued helpline numbers for Indian citizens amid tsunami warning. Embassy has set up an emergency control room for anyone to contact in connection with the Earthquake and Tsunami on January I, 2024. The following Emergency numbers and email IDs may be contacted for any assistance. pic.twitter.com/oMkvbbJKEh India in Japan (@IndianEmbTokyo) January 1, 2024 "Embassy has set up an emergency control room for anyone to contact in connection with the Earthquake and Tsunami....The following Emergency numbers and email IDs may be contacted for any assistance," the consular wrote in the notice. The embassy also urged the citizens to follow the government orders and remain safe. Reportedly, more than 36,000 households lost power in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures. Meanwhile, according to Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority, no irregularities have been reported from nuclear power plants along the Sea of Japan. There are five active reactors at Kansai Electric Power's Ohi and Takahama plants in the Fukui Prefecture. The Hokuriku's Shika plant in Ishikawa, close to the quake's epicentre, had already halted its two reactors before the quake for regular inspection and saw no impact from the quake, said the agency. After Japan, Russia has issued tsunami warnings in far eastern regions. Parts of Sakhalin island's western coast and the mainland Primorsk and Khabarovsk regions, which are situated close to Japan on Russia's Pacific seaboard, are under threat of tsunami, reported TASS. Russian media had issued warnings for those sailing in local waters to "urgently return to the shore". North Korea also issued tsunami warnings for its east coast after a massive quake hit north central Japan, saying waves of up to 2.08 meters (6.8 ft) can reach its shore. South Korea's east coast braces for tsunami after massive Japan quake. First tsunami reached South Korea's east coast at 0921 GMT at a height of 45 cm (1.5 ft) in the wake of a massive earthquake that hit Japan on Monday, South Korea's meteorological agency said. According to South Korea's Gangwon province warned residents to take precautions and evacuate to higher ground. Already on the backfoot while battling ethnic armed organisations (EAOs), pro-democracy organisations and militias that have mushroomed after the coup of February 1, 2021, Myanmar and China have decided to kick-start the construction of the strategic Kyaukphyu deep sea port project. Reports say that last week, a deal was agreed to expedite the project by officials from Myanmars ruling junta and of the China state-owned CITIC Group (Myanmar) at the Myanmarese capital Naypyitaw. CITIC Group (Myanmar) Company Limited, registered and incorporated in Myanmar in January 2017, is a subsidiary of China CITIC Group. It is the main entity to carry out preliminary local businesses of the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zones (KP SEZ) Deep Sea Port (DSP) and industrial park projects. While work on the Kyaukphyu Port and KP SEZ began in 2010, the Covid pandemic and the military or Tatmadaw takeover became a spanner and the project got stalled. On completion, the $7.3 billion project will enable China to access the Indian Ocean for direct trade links with West Asia, Europe and the Atlantic region by connecting the seaport with Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, by a rail and road link which will be a part of the 1,700-km China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC). The Kyaukphyu Port is only one of several China-controlled points in the region which includes a naval base in Cambodia, Hambantota in Sri Lanka and Gwadar in Pakistan besides a naval station at the port of Djibouti. Kyaukphyu is located in the sea across the restive Rakhine province where the Tatmadaw is battling the Arakan Army. Rakhine is also the homeland of the Rohingyas, a persecuted Muslim community in Myanmar. A parallel oil and gas pipeline already runs from Kyaukphyu island to Ruili in Yunnan province which then extends to Guangxi after a 2,800-km-long run. While the pipelines carry 22 million tons of crude oil annually, the gas pipeline transports 12 billion cubic metres of gas. This network of pipelines carrying the much-needed energy sources is critically important for energy-deficient China as it makes the troubled Malacca Straits redundant. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is boycotting Sunday's general election because they found no scope to rig the polls. Hasina said the BNP had tried to foil the 2014 parliamentary election through violence but failed. Now they are out to thwart the 12th parliamentary election slated for January 7 for which they are once again burning people to death through arson violence and subversive acts, she said. Now BNP-Jammat is trying to foil the poll and snatch away your vote through arson terrorism, the official BSS news agency quoted Hasina, who is also the Awami League (AL) chairman, as saying while addressing a rally here. She said that every voter with their near and dear ones should go to the polling centre in the morning and exercise their franchise to give the opposition BNP "an appropriate answer". Urging the people to remain alert against the BNP-Jamaat clique Hasina said: "You will cast your vote and make sure none can prevent you from casting your voting rights." Hasina is the longest-serving prime minister of Bangladesh with the first term from 1996 to 2001, and three consecutive terms from 2009 to 2014, 2014 to 2019 and 2019 till date. Also read : Sheikh Hasina's challenges could begin after the polls Hasina said her party has established the voting rights of the people and called upon the new and young voters to cast their vote for 'Boat' -- the ruling party's election symbol -- to continue the country's development. The 76-year-old Awami League President said: "I call upon the youth folk and new voters to vote for the Boat to continue the country's journey towards development." "Bangladesh has emerged as a developing country, transforming it into a digital nation. If Awami League is voted to power again, it will help take forward Bangladesh towards a developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh nation in 2041," she said. Introducing all 15 AL candidates of Dhaka, Hasina sought votes for her party's electoral symbol 'Boat' and described it as the symbol of development, peace and prosperity. Boat had earned the country's independence and saved mankind from the great storm during the period of Nuh Nabi (AS)," she said. Coming down heavily on those who blamed the AL for vote manipulation, Hasina said her government needed no vote rigging to assume power as they had won the hearts of the people by working for the welfare of the country and its people. "The Awami League government has made the Election Commission independent so that it can conduct elections freely," she said. The BNP led by former prime minister Khalida Zia has called for civil disobedience against the Hasina-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 country's 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. Also read : 'We may use the army, if needed': Bangladesh EC secretary Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus was on Monday convicted in a labour law case in Bangladesh, said reports. He was sentenced to six months in prison in the case. "The allegation of violating the Labour Law against him has been proved. It appears that the allegation has not been barred by limitation (either)," said Labour Court judge Sheikh Merina Sultana while pronouncing the judgment. Yunus, 83, had won Nobel after he helped millions get out of poverty through his microfinance bank. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who had a fallout with Yunus had accused the economist of "sucking blood" from the poor. His supporters described the latest verdict as "politically motivated" Yunus and three of his colleagues from Grameen Telecom were accused of failing to create a welfare fund for employees in the company. He slapped a Taka 25,000 fine on each of them, saying that in default they would have to serve 10 more days in jail. Following the verdict, the four convicted applied for bail. The judge immediately granted a one-month bail in exchange for a Taka 5,000 bond. They are expected to appeal against the verdict in the High Court. Earlier, 105 Nobel laureates and several others from across the world wrote to Hasina, urging her to put an end to the legal persecution of Yunus. Hasina is set to win a fifth term in the general elections this month after the opposition boycotted the polls. After a major setback to jailed former Pakistan PM Imran Khan, the acceptance of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharifs nomination papers by poll body was challenged by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party leaders on Monday. The nomination papers from Lahores National Assembly seat was challenged by the leaders saying that the three-time former PM was disqualified for life by the apex court in 2017. The PTI leaders approached the appellate tribunal after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) rejected the nomination papers of Khan and 90 per cent of important leaders of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party. The ECP, however, approved the candidature of Sharif from two National Assembly seats from Mansahara and Lahore. On Monday, several PTI leaders including former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, PTI President Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, former federal ministers Moonis Elahi and Zartaj Gul challenged the rejection of their papers in the election tribunals of the high court. The Returning Officers have rejected the nomination papers of over 3,500 candidates for the national and provincial assembly seats. Advocate Ishtiaq Ahmad, who filed the appeal in the Lahore HC's appellate tribunal, said the acceptance of Sharifs nomination was illegal and unlawful. "The acceptance of Nawaz Sharif's paper is illegal and unlawful as in 2017 the SC had disqualified him for lifetime in the Panama Papers case," he said. Ahmad also added that under the law of the land, Sharif can't contest February 8 polls. Meanwhile, Sharif is already tipped as the PM by the military establishment for the fourth time. The preliminary list of candidates will be displayed on January 11 and candidates can withdraw their nomination papers by the next day. The electoral symbols will be allotted on January 13 while polling for the general elections will be held on February 8. The PTI has termed the rejection of nomination papers of most of its candidates including its founder Imran Khan on flimsy grounds as "state terrorism." "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 will stay steadfast till February 08 and thereafter," said PTI Chairman Gohar Khan. (With PTI inputs) Ahmedabad, Jan 1 (PTI) Gujarat's commitment to progress is evident not only in its thriving economy but also in employment statistics, with the state having the labour force participation rate of 44.3 per cent and worker population ratio of 43.3 per cent for all age groups, officials said. The Gujarat government's thrust to create opportunities and foster a thriving workforce is evident in its numbers and expert analysis. May be other states can adapt this model to lower their unemployment numbers, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said at a function recently. Gujarat's unemployment rate of 2.2 per cent is considerably lower than the national average of 4.2 per cent, thanks to the conducive investment environment created by the government that adds to job creation, as per government data. More than 2,700 Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) signed by investors with the state government so far in the run up to the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit to be organised from January 10 to 12 have the potential to generate around 10.91 lakh employment opportunities, the government said in a release. The Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit has also given the state an opportunity to explore and deliberate on the issues of building a workforce for future with skills that will be required for the industry 4.0 and developing global networks for skill development. State Labour, Skill Development and Employment Department's additional chief secretary Anju Sharma said as part of the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, the state government will organise a seminar on January 11 with a focus on skilling and its future for Viksit Bharat@2047, the Centre's vision to make India a developed nation by 2047. Another seminar will deliberate on strategies to establish globally interconnected networks for skill development, with an emphasis on synthesis of cutting-edge technologies, innovative pedagogy, and international collaboration to optimise human capital for the 21st century workforce. Saurabh Goswami, a worker at a diamond manufacturing unit in Surat, credited the Vibrant Gujarat Summit for increased employment opportunities. "Ever since Vibrant Gujarat started, there has been a growth in the diamond industry, we are getting good salaries and the work has also increased. The state's focus on employment has significantly impacted the lives of its citizens, providing stability and growth," he said. As per the government data, the percentage of placement to total registrations during the year 2021 through state employment exchanges is an impressive 84.5 per cent, a huge jump from just 33 per cent in 2004. Chief Minister Patel said Gujarat has become the growth engine of the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The Gujarat government's thrust to creating opportunities and fostering a thriving workforce is evident in its numbers and expert analysis. May be other states can adapt this model to lower their unemployment numbers," he said. 100 Distinguished School LEADERS from across the country will be honoured by the IPN FORUM alongwith its valued Presenting partner MIT-WPU, Pune for the Year 2023 supported by PHN technologies and CIVOM for their demonstrated work in taking India to the Global landscape of School Education. IPN FORUM Indias leading KNOWLEDGE NETWORK of School leaders with over 12,000 schools part of the Forum/Community annually honours 100 Impact School Leaders for their remarkable contribution towards Indian School Education. The theme for this Years Honour ceremony is Future of School Leadership - Embracing Technology, Innovation & Values. Where 100 leaders from across India will be present during the Honour ceremony which will host deliberations across 02 major centres of the country Hyderabad dated 06th January 2024 and 27th January 2024 in Delhi(NCR) Speaking on the idea behind the annual IPN Honours Mr. Gaurava Yadav, Founder & Chairman, IPN Foundation, we at IPN work with schools and school leaders across the country, and in the past few years of our work, we have had the privilege of getting to the work and get to know some of these leaders who are carrying out their work across the country which usually gets unnoticed and many a times unrecognized, through this humble step of ours with support of our valued partners in MIT-WPU, Pune. PHN technologies and CIVOM we intend to bring forth these remarkable leaders and remarkable stories to the forefront. About IPN FORUM(www.ipnfoundation.org) Established in the Year 2016, IPN works closely with over 12,000 schools in India and the South East Region. IPN works with schools by supporting them with best-in-class training and overall development needs in the fast-changing landscape of education globally. IPN acts as common ground for sharing ideas and best practices across the region and among its members who are part of the community/forum. IPNs work is broadly based on three core pillars: Leadership development, Teacher Upskilling, and Technology enablement and 04th one being added as Student Entrepreneurship. Ms. Neha Tewari PR Team IPN India Forum Ph. No. - 8090821074 Email id teamipn@ipnindia.in/neha.tewari@eduace.in www.ipnfoundation.org (Disclaimer : The above Press Release is provided by HT Syndication and PTI will not take any editorial responsibility of this content.). PTI PWR PWR Mumbai, Jan 1 (PTI) The Adani Group, which won the Dharavi Redevelopment Project from the state government last year, on Monday said it has onboarded three city planners, including Hafeez Contractor, to present a draft redevelopment plan for the largest slum cluster in Asia. In a statement, the group, which has promised to invest Rs 21,000 crore in the first phase, has roped in world famous architect Hafeez Contractor, design firm Sasaki, and consultancy firm Buro Happold as city and infrastructure planners for the project. Some experts from the Singapore Housing Development Board are also on board, it said. The Adani group had in November 2022 won the bid to redevelop Dharavi, with an initial equity investment of Rs 5,069 crore, and the rest from debt. According to sources, the group has reached financial closure for the first phase of the project with State Bank of India and ICICI Bank committing Rs 4,500 crore for the project. Hafeez Contractor is known for revolutionary social housing and slum rehabilitation authority projects in the city, while Sasaki is an interdisciplinary design firm from the US. Buro Happold is an international consultancy from England, known for its creative and value-driven infrastructure solutions. Key Insights CACI International's estimated fair value is US$590 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Current share price of US$324 suggests CACI International is potentially 45% undervalued The US$376 analyst price target for CACI is 36% less than our estimate of fair value In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of CACI International Inc (NYSE:CACI) by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine. We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model. Check out our latest analysis for CACI International The Method We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$434.1m US$495.7m US$552.3m US$627.0m US$682.4m US$729.1m US$769.0m US$803.5m US$834.1m US$861.9m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x6 Analyst x6 Analyst x4 Analyst x1 Est @ 8.84% Est @ 6.85% Est @ 5.46% Est @ 4.49% Est @ 3.81% Est @ 3.33% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 7.3% US$405 US$431 US$447 US$473 US$480 US$478 US$470 US$458 US$443 US$427 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$4.5b The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.2%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 7.3%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = US$862m (1 + 2.2%) (7.3% 2.2%) = US$17b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$17b ( 1 + 7.3%)10= US$8.6b The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is US$13b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of US$324, the company appears quite good value at a 45% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out. dcf Important Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at CACI International as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.3%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.011. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for CACI International Strength Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry. Debt is well covered by earnings. Weakness Earnings growth over the past year is below its 5-year average. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years. Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value. Threat Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow. Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the American market. Moving On: Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For CACI International, there are three essential factors you should further examine: Risks: For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for CACI International that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does CACI's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every American stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Mumbai, Jan 1 (PTI) Aviation watchdog DGCA is probing the hard landing of an Air India A320 neo aircraft in Dubai last month, an incident in which the airline has derostered the pilot, officials said on Monday. The aircraft that operated a flight from Kochi to Dubai made a hard landing in Dubai on December 20 and the plane remained grounded there for almost a week, a senior DGCA official said. Air India said it has initiated a probe into the incident and the pilot concerned has been derostered pending investigation. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is probing the incident, the official said and added that the aircraft concerned returned to Mumbai on December 27, according to the official. Details about the number of passengers onboard and whether any one was injured could not be immediately ascertained. An Air India spokesperson said an investigation has already been initiated as per DGCA norms into the incident. "The pilot was appropriately trained and licensed to fly the aircraft. He has been off-rostered till the process of inquiry is on as per norms," the spokesperson said in a statement. A source in the know said the A320 neo aircraft with registration VT-CIQ was grounded in Dubai for almost a week after it made the hard landing. An aircraft that has made a hard landing requires maintenance checks before taking off again, the source added. A smooth or hard landing is described in terms of 'touch down g'. Generally, a landing that is above 1.8 g is considered a hard landing. A reading of 1.8 g means the gravitational force that was on aircraft tyres at the time of landing is 1.8 times that of the weight of the aircraft. Earlier in the day, aviation analyst Shakti Lumba said that an Air India A320 aircraft was grounded at Dubai for more than a week after a "3.5 g arrival landing". "The results of expedited training is showing. The Captain was one from the batch of wide-body co-pilots directly promoted as Captains on the Airbus. Passengers refused to deplane till the Captain apologised Media failed to report this serious incident. @DGCAIndia are you aware ?," he said in a post on X. Beijing, Jan 1 (PTI) Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged his US counterpart Joe Biden to earnestly implement the outcomes of their summit in November as they exchanged congratulatory messages on Monday to mark the 45th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries. The two Presidents met on the sidelines of the APEC summit in San Francisco and agreed to cool down the raging tensions between the top two economies of the world. In his message, Xi said the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the US is a major event in the history of bilateral and international relations. Over the past 45 years, the China-US relationship has gone through ups and downs and moved forward on the whole, which has not only enhanced the well-being of the two peoples but also promoted world peace, stability and prosperity, Xi was reported as saying by the state-run Xinhua news agency. History has already proven and will continue to fully prove that mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation are the right way for China and the United States to get along with each other as two major countries, he said. He said that should be the direction of joint efforts made by China and the United States in the new era. Xi pointed out that he and Biden, during their meeting in San Francisco, laid out a future-oriented "San Francisco Vision," charting the course for the development of China-US relations. He called on China and the United States to earnestly implement the important common understandings and outcomes reached by the two heads of state, and take concrete actions to promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-US relations. Xi stressed that he is willing to work with Biden to continue to steer the course of China-US relations to benefit the two countries and their people and promote the cause of world peace and development. During their summit, Xi and Biden agreed to resume high-level military communications which were severed after then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in 2022. China views Taiwan as a rebel province that must be reunified, even by force. The meeting between Xi and Biden marked the first time the rival leaders have spoken in person in more than a year Relations plummeted when the US accused China of sending a spy balloon across its airspace in February last year, but have since started improving. Islamabad, Jan 1 (PTI) The nominations of 22,711 candidates for the February 8 polls to Pakistan's National Assembly and four of its provincial assemblies have been accepted by the election commission after preliminary review, it emerged on Monday. According to the data uploaded on the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) website, 7,473 candidates, including 7,028 male and 445 female candidates, submitted their nominations for the National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament. The Returning Officers (ROs) accepted nominations of 6,449 candidates including 6,094 male and 355 female candidates, and rejected the documents of 1,024 candidates, including 934 men and 90 women. The data on rejected candidates was not provided in detail but jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has claimed that a vast majority of rejections were against its nominated candidates. Similarly, the ROs approved 16,262 nomination papers for the four provincial assemblies, out of the documents submitted by 18,478 candidates, including 17,670 males and 808 females. Nomination papers of 2,216 candidates, including 2,081 men and 135 women, failed to get the approval of ROs for provincial assemblies. Overall, the 22,711 nomination papers for NA and provincial assemblies general seats have been approved, the ECP said, adding that 21,684 of them are men and 1,027 women. A total of 25,951 papers were submitted, while nomination papers of 3,240 candidates, including 3,015 male candidates and 225 females, were rejected. The ECP provided that data of accepted candidates after a five-day scrutiny stage which ended on December 30. The rejected candidates can file appeals by January 3 against the decisions of the ROs in the appellate bench of the respective high courts. The appeals will be decided upon by the ECP's Appellate Tribunal by January 10, followed by subsequent publication of the revised list of candidates on January 11. PTI chief Imran Khan is among the candidates whose papers have been rejected. However, leading papers of the leading candidates of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), including Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, Shehbaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari have been accepted. Affected parties can also challenge accepted nominations and in one such case the acceptance of PML-N chief Sharifs nomination papers from Lahores constituency NA-130 for the upcoming February 8. Advocate Ishtiaq Ahmed Samsialvi, who also goes by Ishtiaq Chaudhry, the chief organiser of Pakistan Awami Mahazs (PAM) lawyers wing, filed an appeal before the Lahore High Courts appellate tribunal under Section 63 (appeal against scrutiny order) of the Elections Act 2017. He is also a candidate for NA-130 and challenged the rejection of his nomination papers as well. In his petition, the PAM leader urged the tribunal to strike down the acceptance of Nawazs papers as illegal and unlawful and that the papers be rejected due to his 2017 disqualification in the Panama Papers case, which the Supreme Court ruled was for The elections will be held on February 8 and the preparation has been going as per the schedule. The Pakistan army also pledged its support for ensuring peace on the day of elections. Seoul (South Korea), Jan 1 (AP) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered his military to thoroughly annihilate the United States and South Korea if provoked, state media reported Monday, after he vowed to boost national defences to cope with what he called an unprecedented US-led confrontation. Kim is expected to ramp up weapons tests in 2024 ahead of the US presidential election in November. Many experts say he likely believes his expanded nuclear arsenal would allow him to wrest US concessions if former President Donald Trump is reelected. In a five-day major ruling party meeting last week, Kim said he will launch three more military spy satellites, produce more nuclear materials and develop attack drones this year in what observers say is an attempt to increase his leverage in future diplomacy with the US. In a meeting on Sunday with commanding army officers, Kim said it is urgent to sharpen the treasured sword to safeguard national security, an apparent reference to his country's nuclear weapons program. He cited the US and other hostile forces' military confrontation moves", according to the official Korean Central News Agency. Kim stressed that our army should deal a deadly blow to thoroughly annihilate them by mobilizing all the toughest means and potentialities without moment's hesitation if they opt for military confrontation and provocations against North Korea, KCNA said. Experts say small-scale military clashes between North and South Korea could happen this year along their heavily armed border. They say North Korea is also expected to test-launch intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the mainland US and other major new weapons. In 2018-19, Kim met Trump in three rounds of talks on North Korea's expanding nuclear arsenal. The diplomacy fell apart after the US rejected Kim's limited offer to dismantle his main nuclear complex in exchange for extensive reductions in US-led sanctions. Estimates of the size of North Korea's nuclear arsenal vary, ranging from about 20-30 bombs to more than 100. Many foreign experts say North Korea still has some technological hurdles to overcome to produce functioning nuclear-armed ICBMs, though its shorter-range nuclear-capable missiles can reach South Korea and Japan. (AP) RPA Tokyo, Jan 1 (PTI) The Indian Embassy in Japan on Monday set up an emergency control room for Indians wanting any assistance in the wake of the tsunami alerts issued by the authorities after a series of strong earthquakes jolted the country's western coastline. Japan issued tsunami alerts and told people to evacuate seaside areas after a series of strong quakes on its western coastline on Monday. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported quakes off the coast of Ishikawa and nearby prefectures shortly after 4 p.m., one of them with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6. According to media reports, the quake started a fire and trapped people under rubble on the west coast of the quake-prone country's main island. "The Embassy has set up an emergency control room for anyone to contact in connection with the Earthquake and Tsunami on January 1, 2024. The following Emergency numbers and email IDs may be contacted for any assistance," the Indian mission in Tokyo said in a post on X. According to the statement, the numbers given by the Indian embassy are +81-80-3930-1715 (Mr Yakub Topno), +81-70-1492-0049 (Mr Ajay Sethi), +81-80-3214-4734 (Mr DN Barnwal), +81-80- 6229-5382 (Mr S Bhattacharya), +81-80-3214-4722 ( Mr Vivek Rathore). The embassy also provided two email ids--sscons.tokyo@mea.gov.in and offfseco.tokyo@mea.gov.in. "The embassy is in regular contact with the authorities concerned. Please follow instructions of the local government," said the embassy in the statement. Colombo, Jan 1 (PTI) Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday reiterated his commitment to revive the cash-strapped island nation's dented economy through "tough and unpopular decision making". Addressing a military gathering here, Wickremesinghe, 74, said that he decided to assume the post as the country's president to revive the economy. I know we have embarked on this difficult task of reviving the economy with corrective measures. I had to think about this difficult task many times. If we fail to take the necessary decisions now we will be going back to economic bankruptcy, he said. "If we continue to implement, the country will be assured of a good future. So I took the difficult decision on behalf of the country, he added. On Monday, Sri Lankans woke up to the increase in fuel and cooking gas prices on New Year's Day, which is also the beginning of an election year. The price hikes were necessitated by the increase in Value-Added Tax by three per cent more to 18 per cent in most cases and in some cases the exemption from a previous VAT-free list. Wickremesinghe was appointed as the stop-gap president in July of 2022 with the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa who fled the island and resigned in the face of months-long public agitation over his handling of the economy and bringing it to a deep crisis. It was not my aim to be popular when I took over the presidency. I wanted to rebuild the country to create a better future for the people, Wickremesinghe said. He said that the International Monetary Fund programme that Sri Lanka has engaged in would be able to achieve a growth rate of 5 per cent by 2025-26. London, Jan 1 (PTI) International students, including Indians, starting courses at British universities this month will no longer be able to bring family members on all but postgraduate research courses and courses with government-funded scholarships under tougher UK visa norms effective from Monday. The UK Home Office said the changes, first announced by former home secretary Suella Braverman in May last year, are aimed at clamping down on people using the student visa as a backdoor route to work in the UK and will see an estimated 140,000 fewer people come to the UK. The tougher rules are geared towards cutting what Home Secretary James Cleverly dubbed as an unreasonable practice of overseas students bringing dependants, which official figures show have risen by more than 930 per cent since 2019. "This government is delivering on its commitment to the British public to cut migration. We have set out a tough plan to rapidly bring numbers down, control our borders and prevent people from manipulating our immigration system, which will come into force throughout this year, Cleverly said in a statement. "Today, a major part of that plan comes into effect, ending the unreasonable practice of overseas students bringing their family members to the UK. This will see migration falling rapidly by the tens of thousands and contribute to our overall strategy to prevent 300,000 people from coming to the UK," he said. The UKs Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that in the year ending September 2023, as many as 152,980 visas were issued to dependants of students, a massive rise from the 14,839 in the year ending September 2019. Our world-leading universities rightly attract some of the brightest students from around the world to the UK. But we have seen a surge in the number of dependants being brought by students, which is contributing to unsustainable levels of migration, said UK Minister for Legal Migration and the Border Tom Pursglove. We are completely committed to seeing a decisive cut in migration. The action implemented today to restrict bringing dependants on the student visa route allows us to better protect our public services while supporting the economy by allowing the students who contribute the most to keep coming here. This is part of a series of measures which together will see 300,000 fewer people coming to the UK compared to last year, he said. The Home Office said the changes to student visas strike the right balance to continue to preserve the attractiveness of the UKs world-leading higher education sector while removing the ability for institutions to undermine the UKs reputation by selling immigration, not education. It said the government will work with universities to design an alternative approach for the brightest and the best to bring dependants to the UKs world-leading universities while continuing to reduce net migration. The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak-led UK government has committed to bring down levels of migration, both legal and illegal, into the country. Last month, Cleverly announced a further set of measures including tightening health and care visas by stopping overseas care workers from bringing dependants and requiring care firms in England to be regulated by the Care Quality Commission to sponsor visas. Salary thresholds across the Skilled Worker route will also be increased by nearly 50 per cent to GBP 38,700, a figure to be matched for British or permanent UK residents sponsoring family members to join them in the UK by early next year. Meanwhile, the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will be commissioned to review the Graduate route or post-study work visa. In the student visa category, Indian nationals represent the largest group of students granted leave to remain on this route, making up 43 per cent of grants. Diaspora student groups have expressed widespread concerns over this proposed review of the route, which allows for post-study work experience and is the topmost factor behind students from India choosing UK universities. This package of measures, taken in addition to the measures on student dependants, means that around 300,000 people who came to the UK last year would not be able to in the future the largest reduction ever. This is a tough but fair approach to bring net migration down to sustainable levels as soon as possible, while ensuring those affected have ample time to prepare for upcoming changes with the package being introduced gradually throughout early 2024, the Home Office said. Beijing, Jan 1 (PTI) Close allies China and North Korea Monday announced plans to jointly designate 2024 as the 'China-DPRK Friendship Year' and launched a series of activities, amid speculation over Beijing's concerns over Pyongyang moving closer to Moscow. Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in their New Year greetings announced plans to hold a series of events designating this year as Friendship Year, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Kim, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK (Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea), announced the plans in their exchange of New Year messages. North Korea is regarded as the closest strategic ally of China with close security and economic cooperation. However, recent reports said Beijing was concerned over moves by Kim to establish closer security cooperation with Russia, especially over Pyongyang launching a spy satellite with Moscow's assistance. Kim spent a week in Moscow in September holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The satellite, allegedly capable of spying on the White House and US naval bases, was the first by Pyongyang to successfully enter orbit following previous failed attempts. This prompted South Korean intelligence to speculate that North Korea had received key technical support from Russia in return for delivery of weapons to support the war in Ukraine, though both Russia and North Korea have denied any arms deal, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported last week. Observers say China is cautious about joining a trilateral axis that could trigger a new Cold War, the Post reported. In his New Year message to Kim, Xi highlighted close bilateral ties and said the traditional friendly cooperation between China and the DPRK has entered a new historical period with joint efforts. The two sides have maintained close strategic communication, deepened practical cooperation, strengthened coordination and collaboration in multilateral international affairs, pushed forward the continuous development of China-DPRK relations, safeguarded the common interests of the two countries, and maintained regional peace and stability, Xi added. In his message, Kim noted that 2024 is a significant year marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and China, saying that socialist construction in the two countries has at the moment entered a new stage of progress and the international situation is undergoing complex changes. The unbreakable DPRK-China friendship, forged and consolidated in the struggle for socialism, will be fully displayed this year, he said. Through the activities during the friendship year, the two parties and governments will further promote exchanges in all fields, including politics, economy and culture, further deepen the bonds of friendship and unity, and step up cooperation in the joint efforts to safeguard regional and global peace and stability, thus writing a new chapter in DPRK-China relations, Kim said. Islamabad, Jan 1 (PTI) Pakistans leading human rights body on Monday expressed concern about the lack of a level playing field for certain political parties, particularly the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in the run-up to the February 8 general elections. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) co-chairperson Munizae Jahangir said that the elections held in the prevailing situation would remain questionable. Our concern is that there will always remain a question mark on whichever government is formed as a result of this, she said while addressing a press conference here. She added that elections needed to be transparent to prevent any questions that may arise. Munizae said that Imran Khan's party was subjected to systematic dismemberment and the HRCP had mentioned the issue several times. It urged the government and election officials to address the issue to ensure fair elections. Cash-strapped Pakistan is going to the poll on February 8. I think we all know how the non-elected people have used their influence to monitor or direct politicians. We want the caretaker government and Election Commission of Pakistan to assert themselves and fulfil the responsibilities of carrying out free and fair elections that have been entrusted to them, she said. Separately, the HRCP in a statement said it was deeply concerned by the overall deterioration in human rights, including the blatant manipulation of the electoral process in which one political party among others has been singled out for systematic dismemberment. It also said the rights of vulnerable groups have come under renewed assault by state and non-state actors in the past year. It said that the mass expulsion of vulnerable Afghan refugees and asylum seekers has put many women, children, elderly and disabled Afghan nationals at risk. The HRCP also said the States clampdown on dissent, whether on freedom of opinion, expression or assembly, has further constricted civic spaces in the country at a time when people must be allowed to express their will freely ahead of a national election. It stated that its concerns must be tackled as a matter of priority by an elected government that transparently comes to power. The HRCP is an independent human rights body based in Lahore that openly comments on the country's prevailing rights situation. Mumbai, Jan 1 (PTI) The Maharashtra government on Monday refuted the claims of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut of a shortage of DNA testing kits in forensic laboratories in the state. In a letter written to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the Home portfolio, Raut claimed there was a shortage of DNA testing kits and had alleged the situation was being created artificially to allow high-profile accused to escape. In a statement issued during the day, the Home department said Raut's claims were false. "There are eight laboratories in Maharashtra, including in Mumbai, to conduct DNA testing for the home department. In a recent accident in Buldhana, in which 25 persons died of burns, 82 DNA samples were tested in laboratories in Amravati and Nagpur and results were obtained in 74 hours," the statement said. "In December, the forensic lab in Mumbai gave report of DNA samples in 80 cases while it was 75 in Nanded, 63 in Nagpur, 25 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, 25 in Amravati, 11 in Kolhapur and seven in Pune," it added. The statement pointed out that DNA kits and chemicals involved have an expiry date and cannot be stored for long. If you're looking for a multi-bagger, there's a few things to keep an eye out for. Firstly, we'd want to identify a growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and then alongside that, an ever-increasing base of capital employed. If you see this, it typically means it's a company with a great business model and plenty of profitable reinvestment opportunities. Although, when we looked at Judges Scientific (LON:JDG), it didn't seem to tick all of these boxes. Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It? For those that aren't sure what ROCE is, it measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. The formula for this calculation on Judges Scientific is: Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) (Total Assets - Current Liabilities) 0.10 = UK15m (UK187m - UK39m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2023). Therefore, Judges Scientific has an ROCE of 10%. In isolation, that's a pretty standard return but against the Machinery industry average of 14%, it's not as good. Check out our latest analysis for Judges Scientific AIM:JDG Return on Capital Employed January 1st 2024 In the above chart we have measured Judges Scientific's prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you'd like to see what analysts are forecasting going forward, you should check out our free report for Judges Scientific. How Are Returns Trending? In terms of Judges Scientific's historical ROCE movements, the trend isn't fantastic. To be more specific, ROCE has fallen from 17% over the last five years. Although, given both revenue and the amount of assets employed in the business have increased, it could suggest the company is investing in growth, and the extra capital has led to a short-term reduction in ROCE. If these investments prove successful, this can bode very well for long term stock performance. On a related note, Judges Scientific has decreased its current liabilities to 21% of total assets. So we could link some of this to the decrease in ROCE. What's more, this can reduce some aspects of risk to the business because now the company's suppliers or short-term creditors are funding less of its operations. Some would claim this reduces the business' efficiency at generating ROCE since it is now funding more of the operations with its own money. Story continues What We Can Learn From Judges Scientific's ROCE Even though returns on capital have fallen in the short term, we find it promising that revenue and capital employed have both increased for Judges Scientific. And the stock has done incredibly well with a 301% return over the last five years, so long term investors are no doubt ecstatic with that result. So while investors seem to be recognizing these promising trends, we would look further into this stock to make sure the other metrics justify the positive view. If you'd like to know about the risks facing Judges Scientific, we've discovered 4 warning signs that you should be aware of. For those who like to invest in solid companies, check out this free list of companies with solid balance sheets and high returns on equity. 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. Mumbai, Jan 1 (PTI) The Pune police have arrested a 45-year-old woman and a cab driver in connection with the murder of a Mumbai-based moneylender, an official said on Monday. With this, the police have arrested six persons for the crime that took place in the suburban Vakola area on December 21, the official from Pune Rural police said. The police have arrested Dolly Pereira, the live-in partner of the victim Joe Manuel Pereira, who allegedly conspired with four other accused and killed him in his apartment in Kalina and dumped the body in Mulshi in Pune district, he said. According to the police, Dolly and the other accused first met at her flat in Pratiksha Nagar, where they drew up the plan to kill Joe. They then reached his flat in Kalina, beat him up and strangled him in the early hours of December 21. CCTV footage from the building shows Dolly and the others entering the lift on the day of the incident, the official said. The accused then put the body in a car, hired a cab and drove to Mulshi, where they dumped the body in the bushes, he said, adding that the cab driver has been arrested. The police arrested Dolly's brother-in-law Yogesh Dattu Mane (42), his aides Dhiraj Salunkhe (40), Ashok Mahadev Thorate (35) and Ganesh Rahate (35) on December 22, while Dolly had been absconding since the crime, the official said. The accused killed Joe because he was allegedly harassing Dolly, he said. Thane, Jan 1 (PTI) A case has been registered against four persons for allegedly fabricating records and excluding a beneficiary while obtaining compensation for acquisition of land for a project in Thane district of Maharashtra, police said on Monday. The compensation pertained to a land acquired by the Railways in Katai area here. The accused allegedly manipulated records, omitting a woman beneficiary's name from the list of successors/heirs. They wrongfully claimed the compensation amount of Rs 1.46 crore, denying the victim of Rs 48.82 lakh as her share of the compensation, said an official from Manpada police station under Kalyan division. The police on Saturday registered a case against the four accused under relevant provisions, he added. Mumbai/Nashik, Jan 1 (PTI) Truck drivers staged 'rasta roko' protests at many places in Maharashtra on Monday against the stringent punishment and "steep" fine prescribed for motorists under the hit-and-run provision in the new penal law. In Navi Mumbai, a policeman was injured when a group of truckers attacked him in Nerul in the morning hours, prompting police to use force to disperse the mob gathered on the Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway, an official said. Truck drivers tried to block traffic on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway in Mira Bhayandar area in Thane district and hurled stones at police personnel, leaving a policeman injured. A police vehicle was damaged in stone pelting. Road blockade protests were also held in Solapur, Kolhapur, Nagpur and Gondia districts, officials said, adding that the situation in Navi Mumbai and other places is under control. In Nashik district in north Maharashtra, tanker drivers stopped work and parked more than 1,000 vehicles in Panewadi village, home to fuel depots, on Monday. Panewadi village in Nandgaon taluka has fuel depots of Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum and Indian Oil and LPG filling stations, and fuel from these depots is transported to various parts of the state. If the agitation is not called off, many fuel stations in Nashik district will run dry as they are not allowing dealers to fill their tankers. The gates have been closed and not a single tanker was allowed to carry fuel," Nashik District Petrol Dealers Association president Bhushan Bhosale said. Under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which replaced the colonial era Indian Penal Code, drivers who cause a serious road accident by negligent driving and run away without informing the police or any official from the administration can face punishment of up to 10 years or a fine of Rs 7 lakh. "A policeman was injured when a group of motorists attacked him near NRI police station in Nerul in Navi Mumbai. When police personnel reached the spot and tried to speak to truckers about the new law, some of them became violent, forcing us to use force to bring the situation under control," a police official said. He said protesters hurled stones at police personnel and used wooden sticks to attack them. At least 40 truck drivers were detained, the official said, adding that six persons involved in beating up the policeman have been identified. In Kalamboli area, also in Navi Mumbai, at least 400 people gathered on the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway and staged a rasta roko for the withdrawal of the new provision in the penal law in the afternoon, police said. Similar agitations were also held on the Uran-Nhava Sheva Road in Raigad district on the border of Mumbai. In Mira Bhayandar suburb of Thane district, seven truckers have been detained and the process to register a case is underway, he added. Meanwhile, an association of petrol pump dealers in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city in Marathwada region said fuel pumps in the district may go dry by Tuesday if the situation does not normalise. "Drivers of tankers that carry fuel from Panewadi (in Nashik) have called for agitation and have stopped filling fuel. Around 900 to 1,200 tankers carry fuel from depots of oil companies and transport it to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Dhule, Jalgaon and other districts," Aqeel Abbas Secretary of Petroleum Dealers Association told PTI. Some petrol pumps in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar have already stopped functioning, he said. One of the protesting tanker drivers, Syed Wajed said, "As per the new law, the hit-and-run cases can attract up to 10 years jail term and a fine of Rs 7 lakh. We are drivers, how can we pay such a big fine amount?" Amid protests by truckers, the Congress on Monday demanded that the Centre withdraw the provision on hit-and-run cases in the new penal law. "This provision is unjust and harsh on motorists. Truck drivers, car drivers and even two-wheeler riders are afraid to drive because of this provision," Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole told reporters in Mumbai. He alleged that "146 MPs" from the Opposition camp were suspended from Parliament in the recent session to clear this "oppressive black law". "The Congress will support truck drivers protesting against the new provision under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita," he said. In Nagpur district, hundreds of protesters blocked the Nagpur-Bhandara Road by staging protests in Khapri, Warud, Kalamna and Pardi areas, officials said. The agitations were held under the aegis of an organisation supported by Shiv Sena (UBT). A Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said the legal provision was brought in hastily and without holding discussions with transporters' organisations. "The punishment is very harsh in the new law. It should be stayed," he added. Mumbai, Jan 1 (PTI) The All India Motor Transport Congress on Monday asked the government to address issues raised during a nationwide agitation by drivers against stringent jail and fine conditions in the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita for hit-and-run cases. Under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which replaced the colonial era Indian Penal Code, drivers who cause a serious road accident by negligent driving and run away without informing the police or any official from the administration can face punishment of up to 10 years or a fine of Rs 7 lakh. The agitation turned violent in some places in Maharashtra, with those protesting pelting stones at passing vehicles and clashing with police. "We appeal to the drivers to maintain peace and uphold law and order. Our primary goal is to engage in constructive dialogue with the authorities to find a resolution that is fair and just," AIMTC core committee chairperson Malkit Singh said. He said the AIMTC, a umbrella body of truckers nationwide, had not issued an "official call" regarding the current agitation. It was a "spontaneous and widespread protest that has emerged across highways, resulting in road blocks and drivers refusing to ply vehicles", he claimed. An emergency meeting will be held by the AIMTC to determine the future course of action, Singh added. "The AIMTC expresses deep concern over the recent amendment imposing a 10-year imprisonment for drivers involved hit-and-run cases. The AIMTC reiterates its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of drivers while seeking a balanced approach to legislative measures," Singh said. "We call upon the government to open channels for dialogue and work towards a solution that addresses the concerns of all stakeholders," the AIMTC office-bearer said. New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) With an Aadhaar-based system reportedly becoming mandatory for MGNREGA payments, the Congress on Monday said the Modi government should "stop weaponising technology", especially Aadhaar, to deny the most vulnerable Indians their social welfare benefits. The opposition party also condemned it and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "well-known disdain for MGNREGA has translated into a slew of experiments designed to use technology as a weapon to exclude". In a statement, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the fifth extension of the deadline set by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) to mandate the payments for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) through the Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS) ended on December 31, 2023. "There are in total 25.69 crore MGNREGA workers of whom 14.33 crore are considered as active workers. As on December 27, 34.8 per cent of total registered workers (8.9 crore) and 12.7 per cent of active workers (1.8 crore) are still ineligible for ABPS," Ramesh said. Despite many challenges highlighted by workers, practitioners and researchers in using ABPS for MGNREGA wage payments, the Modi government has continued with its "destructive experiments with technology", he said. "This is prime minister's cruel new year gift to exclude crores of the poorest and marginalised Indians from earning a basic income," he alleged. Ramesh pointed out that a statement issued by the MoRD dated August 30, 2023, made certain questionable claims such as job cards will not be deleted on the basis that the worker is not eligible for APBS and that different "stakeholders" in certain "consultations" have found ABPS as the best route for making wage payment. It also claimed that ABPS helps workers get their wage on time and avoids transaction rejections, Ramesh noted. "First, since April 2022, an alarming 7.6 crore registered workers were deleted from the system. 1.9 crore registered workers were deleted from the system nine months into the current financial year. Ground verification of deleted workers has shown that a significant number of deletions have been wrongfully done -- as a result of the tearing hurry of the Modi government to implement Aadhaar authentication and ABPS," he alleged. Ramesh said the ministry must clarify who these "stakeholders" were and when these consultations were held. "In fact, the Modi government has turned a deaf ear to the multiple concerns from numerous delegations on the implementation of ABPS and other technological interventions," he claimed. "The MoRD's claims regarding the increase in payment efficiency with the ABPS, which remain unsubstantiated, have been thoroughly debunked by a LibTech India working paper. The study analysed 3.2 crore wage transactions to demonstrate that there is no statistically significant difference in the time taken to process account and Aadhaar based payments by the Union government," he said. The working paper also shows that the difference in rejection rates between ABPS and the account-based payments is statistically negligible, he added. "The PM's well-known disdain for MGNREGA has translated into a slew of experiments designed to use technology as a weapon to exclude -- such as the digital attendance (NMMS), ABPS, drone monitoring and the proposed integration of facial recognition to NMMS," Ramesh alleged. No due consultation or scientific piloting was done before unleashing these experiments on crores of Indians, he claimed. "The Indian National Congress reiterates its demand of August 30, 2023, that the Modi government should stop weaponising technology, especially Aadhaar to deny the most vulnerable Indians their social welfare benefits, release delayed wage payments and implement open muster rolls and social audits to improve transparency," Ramesh said in his statement. Shahjahanpur (UP), Jan 1 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai said party workers would gherao Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency office in Varanasi on Tuesday to protest against the alleged involvement of the BJP's local leaders in the gang-rape of a BHU student. Two months after the woman student was allegedly gang-raped inside the IIT-BHU campus, police arrested three men on Sunday and opposition parties alleged that they were BJP functionaries. The three accused claimed themselves to be the BJP's IT cell members on their Facebook page. "Women and children are being raped in Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. To tell the general public how incidents like rape are being carried out under their patronage, our Banaras district and city unit will gherao the prime minister's Varanasi office on Tuesday," Rai said on Monday. He claimed that Kunal Pandey, the convenor of BJP's IT cell in Varanasi, its working committee member Abhishek Chauhan and co-convenor Saksham Patel were sent to the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections so that they could not be arrested. "Had they been arrested before the elections, the message would have gone to the entire country that these three BJP officials are rapists," the Congess' Uttar Pradesh unit chief said, adding that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath should tell when bulldozers will run on the houses of these accused. He alleged, "The BJP is a party of rapists. In this, there are rapist leaders like Kuldeep Sengar and Swami Chinmayanand. The BJP is working to save rapists." The gang rape took place on the night of November 1. Following the incident, hundreds of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) students held a protest on the campus and demanded that the entry of outsiders be banned. According to the complainant, she had gone out of her hostel with a friend on the night of November 1. They were near the Karman Baba temple when three men came there on a motorcycle, forcibly took her to a corner and gagged her after separating her from her friend. The accused then allegedly stripped the woman, made a video of her and clicked photos. They let her go after about 15 minutes and took her phone number, the complainant stated. Based on the complaint, an FIR was registered under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and under provisions of the Information Technology Act at Lanka police station. Subsequently, the charge of gang rape was added to the FIR, police said. Three people -- Kunal Pandey, Anand alias Abhishek Chauhan, and Saksham Patel -- have been arrested in the case. Opposition parties targeted the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led government over the law and order situation in the state and alleged that those arrested in the case have links with the ruling BJP. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said in a post on X that those arrested for gang-raping the woman student are part of a new crop of BJP workers thriving under the patronage of senior leaders. ABVP state media coordinator Abhinav Mishra, in a statement however, demanded that police file a charge sheet in the case at the earliest and also take action against those who protected the accused for two months. The ABVP also called on the BHU administration to take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of everyone on the campus. New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) Wage payments under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme will now be done only through the Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS), sources said on Monday. The last extension of the deadline to state governments to make the payments mandatory through the system ended on December 31. The sources said it has been conveyed to states that payments will now be made only through the ABPS. If any state has any grievance, it will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, they said. The ABPS uses the 12-digit Aadhaar number as a worker's financial address. For ABPS-enabled payments, a worker's Aadhaar details are seeded with their job card and the Aadhaar has to be linked to the worker's bank account. There are around 14.28 crore active workers under the MGNREGS as per data on January 1, according to the Aadhaar Demographic Verification Status Report on the website of the Union rural development ministry. Aadhaar seeding has been done for 13.48 crore workers. While 12.90 crore workers' Aadhaar has been confirmed, around 12.49 crore workers have been converted to the Aadhaar-Based Payment System. This means around 12.5 per cent of active workers under the MGNREGS are still not ABPS enabled. When it comes to total workers, according to data on January 1, there are about 25.89 crore workers under the MGNREGS, of which 17.37 crore are in the ABPS. This means over 32 per cent workers are not eligible for ABPS. An order was issued in January last year to make payments through the ABPS mandatory under the MGNREGS and the government had first fixed February 1 as the deadline. It, however, was extended many times throughout the last year. The deadline was first extended to March 31, then till June 30 and then August 31. In August, the deadline was extended till December 31. The last extension was done as several states were lagging behind in linking Aadhaar numbers of workers, according to the sources. The ABPS dashboard on the MGNREGS website states that 87.8 per cent of the active workers are ABPS eligible, and over 1.5 crore are still to be ABPS enabled. The dashboard also says the speed of "Aadhaar enablement" is slow to meet the now already crossed deadline of December 31. According to researcher Laavanya Tamang, who is with LibTech India and the NREGA Sangharsh Morcha, making ABPS mandatory without proper infrastructure being in place may lead to workers being excluded. "Making ABPS mandatory can lead to exclusion of workers from the MGNREGS. It can possibly lead to deletion of cards when authentication does not succeed. When you make something mandatory when the bureaucracy is not ready, the infrastructure is not ready, people will lose out," Tamang said. She added that while the government has maintained no one will be turned away from demanding work, it is not clear how it will happen. A working paper published in August last year by LibTech had said making Aadhaar mandatory will put immense pressure on field staff to ensure compliance of workers with the ABPS architecture, and Aadhaar seeding with one's job card and bank account needs demographic authentication. "When this demographic authentication fails due to technical reasons, there are reports that field officials resort to deleting job cards of such workers," the paper had said. MGNREGS' job cards entailing over 5.48 crore workers have been deleted in 2022-23 a jump of 267 per cent compared to last year, the rural development ministry had informed the Lok Sabha in the recently concluded Parliament's Winter session. In a statement issued in August last year, when the last extension was made, the ministry had said states have been informed that beneficiaries who come for work should be requested to provide their Aadhaar number but will not be refused work on this basis. If a beneficiary does not demand work, in such a case her/his status of eligibility for APBS does not affect the demand for work and job cards cannot be deleted on the basis of reason that the worker is not eligible for APBS, it had said. New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate on Monday said it has attached a plot, building, an SUV and cash totalling Rs 1.15 crore of a court translator and his family members in Tamil Nadu as part of a probe against him in an alleged court funds embezzlement case. The accused C Thinagaraja was first booked by the district crime branch (DCB) of Pattukkottai police in Thanjavur district for "misappropriation of judicial court funds", it said in a statement. Thinagaraja, while working as translator/central nazir at IIIrd additional district court at Pattukottai handled motor accident claim tribunal's related payment works during which he "fraudulently" prepared and signed payment instructions to banks "without" the signature of the the Judge. He is alleged to have "forged" cheques signed by the Judge and "illicitly deposited cheques into his own bank accounts and thus misappropriated judicial court funds amounting to Rs 1.15 crore." Thinagaraja, the ED alleged, with this money purchased a plot with ground floor house in the name of his wife Manimozhi for Rs 44 lakh at Pattukottai and further spent Rs 31 lakh for construction of its first floor, bought an Innova Crysta car for Rs 18 lakh in the name of his son and kept Rs 20.50 lakh at his residence, which was first seized by the DCB. Upon establishing the money trail of the "proceeds of crime" with the assets acquired, the movable and immovable properties valued at Rs 1.15 Crore, belonging to C Thinagaraja and his family members, were provisionally attached under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the ED said. Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), Jan 1 (PTI) ISRO on Monday successfully launched its maiden X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite that would offer several insights into celestial objects like black holes. ISRO's ever reliable Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in its C58 mission, placed the primary X-Ray Polarimeter satellite XPoSat into a 650 Km Low Earth Orbit as intended after lifting off at the pre-fixed time of 9.10 am from the first launch pad here. As the 25-hour countdown concluded, the 44.4-metre tall rocket lifted off majestically with thunderous applause from spectators who had descended here in large numbers at this spaceport situated about 135 km east of Chennai. The X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) is aimed to investigate the polarisation of intense X-ray sources in space. According to ISRO, it is the first dedicated scientific satellite from the space agency to carry out research in space-based polarisation measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources. The X-Ray polarisation serves as a crucial diagnostic tool for examining the radiation mechanism and geometry of celestial sources. The primary payload of XPoSat is POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-Rays) which is designed to measure polarimetry parameters by Raman Research Institute and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) built by the U R Rao Satellite Centre, Bengaluru. The Mission life is about five years. Kochi, Jan 1 (PTI) The Catholic Church on Monday criticised Kerala Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cheriyan for his remarks against senior Christian priests who attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Christmas programme. The Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) spokesperson, Fr Jacob Palackappilly, condemned Cheriyan's remarks, saying persons in high positions should refrain from making such statements. Palackappilly mocked Cheriyan and a few other Left leaders, accusing them of using disrespectful language against Christian priests during Christmas celebrations. Taking dig at them, he said that they seem to have a "dictionary" only to address higher-ups in society. Responding to Cheriyan's criticism that priests did not discuss the Manipur violence issue with Modi during the Christmas programme, the KCBC spokesperson said that it is not the role of political parties to dictate the political stance of Christians. He questioned the ministers' motive behind linking the Christian community's participation in the Prime Minister's event to a specific political affiliation. Palackappilly clarified that the Christmas programme was a reception organised by the Prime Minister to discuss the services provided by Christians in the country. He urged against adopting a negative stance on the matter and highlighted the participation of Christian priests including Bishops' as part of their commitment to the nation. Cheriyan had mocked the bishops who had attended the Prime Minister's programme, saying they prioritised enjoying the grape wine and cake over addressing the Manipur violence issue. The KCBC spokesperson defended the priests, stating that the event focused on discussing the community's contributions to the country. During the Christmas event, Modi praised the Christian community for its role in India's freedom movement and contributions to healthcare and education. The Prime Minister acknowledged the values of compassion and justice promoted by Jesus Christ, describing them as guiding principles for his government's development journey. Key Insights Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Genting Singapore fair value estimate is S$1.28 Genting Singapore's S$1.00 share price signals that it might be 22% undervalued Analyst price target for G13 is S$1.15 which is 10% below our fair value estimate Does the January share price for Genting Singapore Limited (SGX:G13) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example! Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model. See our latest analysis for Genting Singapore What's The Estimated Valuation? We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (SGD, Millions) S$252.5m S$221.1m S$511.0m S$905.0m S$952.0m S$988.7m S$1.02b S$1.05b S$1.08b S$1.11b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x5 Analyst x5 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 3.86% Est @ 3.31% Est @ 2.92% Est @ 2.65% Est @ 2.46% Present Value (SGD, Millions) Discounted @ 7.4% S$235 S$192 S$413 S$680 S$666 S$644 S$620 S$594 S$568 S$542 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = S$5.2b Story continues The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.0%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 7.4%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = S$1.1b (1 + 2.0%) (7.4% 2.0%) = S$21b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= S$21b ( 1 + 7.4%)10= S$10b The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is S$15b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of S$1.0, the company appears a touch undervalued at a 22% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent. SGX:G13 Discounted Cash Flow January 1st 2024 The Assumptions Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Genting Singapore as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.4%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.075. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for Genting Singapore Strength Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry. Currently debt free. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Hospitality market. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Singaporean market. Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value. Threat Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year. Moving On: Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Genting Singapore, we've put together three relevant elements you should look at: Risks: To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Genting Singapore . Future Earnings: How does G13's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Singaporean stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Kota (Raj), Jan 1 (PTI) Former Rajasthan minister Pramod Jain Bhaya and Anta municipality chairman Mustafa Khan were on Monday booked for cheating, forgery and other charges in Baran district for allegedly illegally sanctioning tenders after the enforcement of the model code of conduct for state elections in September last year. DSP Omendra Singh said that on a complaint by Anta city BJP president Rameshwar Khandelwal, the police lodged a case against Bhaya, who was the mining minister in the previous Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government, and Khan at Anta police station. They have been booked under IPC sections 420 (cheating), 406 ( criminal breach of trust); 467, 468 and 471 (related to forgery) and 120(B) (criminal conspiracy). It is alleged that Bhaya and Khan "sanctioned and opened tenders" of Anta municipality through forged documents with "back date" after the enforcement of the model code of conduct for election on September 9, 2023. "The police collected necessary documents from Anta municipality and, after an initial investigation, lodged the case in the matter. A probe is on against officials involved in the tender process in the municipality," DSP Singh, who is the Circle Officer- Anta, said. New Delhi, Dec 31 (PTI) Three people were arrested for allegedly robbing a jewellery shop in east Delhi's Shahdara area, police said on Sunday. The accused have been identified as Manish alias Monu (28), a resident of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, Manish (30), a resident of Haryana, and Abhishek (19), a resident of Loni in UP, they said. Police said complainant Prem Rawat stated that he has been working at Deepak Jewelers shop in Bholanath Nagar for the last 25 years. On Wednesday around 4.15 pm when he was sitting in the jewellery shop, a person came to the shop wearing a monkey cap and asked him to show a ring. Soon after, he brandished a gun and threatened him to sit quietly, a senior police officer said. Meanwhile, two more men entered the shop wearing monkey caps and helmet. The person in the helmet was in khaki clothes and sprayed black paint on the gate of the shop. They threatened the complainant by showing the weapon, pushed him and robbed jewelery items on display, the officer said. They fled the spot on a bike. The complainant tried to follow them, one of them fired on him, police said. During investigation, it was revealed that three accused carrying arms had committed the crime, and they were on a bike whose number plate was tampered with, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Rohit Meena said. After analysing more than 300 CCTV cameras, the team zeroed routes to Bheta village, Ghaziabad in UP, police said. Police laid a trap and nabbed accused Manish and Abhishek. On their instance, the third accused -- Manish -- was nabbed from Bahadurgarh in Haryana, Meena said. During interrogation, Monu disclosed that they committed robbery by showing fear of killing with firearms. He used red tape and changed the look of his motorcycle before committing this robbery to avoid being detected. He had also purchased new khakhi cloths, monkey caps and gloves to hide their faces, police said. He also conducted recce of the victim's shop. He wore khaki pant, khaki jacket and black leather shoes to mislead the police and to avoid searching by pretending to be police personnel, they said. He parked his motorcycle at a place belonging to one of his known persons in Bheta Hajipur of Ghaziabad. On the day of the incident, he came from Bheta and called two of his associates near Shahdara Metro Station. Manish came by metro and Abhishek came by train from Behta, police said. On Wednesday, all three assembled near Shahdara Metro Station and committed robbery. Later, they fled the spot and when the complainant tried to follow them, one of them fired at him, they said. The robbed jewellery, two pistols and one bike were recovered from their possession, police added. Churunda (J-K), Jan 1 (PTI) As people across the country ushered in the new year on Sunday night, at the Line of Control here soldiers celebrate it hours before. They had to return to their night duties -- guarding and patrolling the LoC with Pakistan. But before they returned to their posts, they shared greetings over hot cups of tea, food and a dance at a brief celebration planned by the army and locals to mark the occasion. During the festivities, which started around 4 pm on a cold Sunday in this sleepy village in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri sector, the army and villagers reassured each other that they are together through thick and thin. "The army has been the first responder whenever civilians face any problems. And, civilians have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with soldiers in times of need," Lal Hassan Kohli, a local social activist, said. "The new year celebration programme was organised by the army. I congratulate and I thank the army for it. Whenever we face any difficulty, the army comes to our help in the most difficult times," he said. Kohli said the local populace is thankful to the army for not allowing the enemy to enter into "our territory". "We celebrate all important days with the army. Republic Day is around the corner and then we have Independence Day in August. The soldiers attend weddings in the village as well. We live like brothers. We have a bond with the army and we pray that it stays strong," he added. Lal Din Khatana, sarpanch of the village, said events like these help people, including the soldiers, put aside their problems and enjoy. "We celebrate new year together with the army at the zero point on the Line of Control. It is a very good programme and we wish this tradition continues in the future as well. These occasions help us put aside our daily woes while the soldiers, who are away from home, also get to celebrate," Khatana said. Jehangir Lateef, a teacher at the local school, thanked the army for ensuring a peaceful 2023 along the LoC in their area. "I hope that 2024 will be peaceful and we continue to live in harmony," he added. As the brief celebrations ended, the civilians retired to their homes while the soldiers went back to work, patrolling the LoC. Alappuzha (Kerala), Jan 1 (PTI) The Kerala police arrested a woman and her male friend on Monday for allegedly beating up her one-and-a-half-year-old child in this coastal district. Kuthiyathodu police confirmed that the woman and her friend were nabbed, and their arrests have been recorded in connection with the incident reported on Sunday. The child, who suffered a fracture in one of his arms, has been admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital. The toddler has bruises all over his body from being caned. Based on the complaint lodged by the child's father, the police registered a case against both the mother and her friend under relevant sections of the IPC and Juvenile Justice Act. 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) This photo provided by the Bronxville, N.Y., Police Department shows Watson Morgan, a sergeant with the department. Police officials said Morgan fatally shot his wife, Ornela Morgan, 43, and their sons before taking his own life. They were found dead in a suburban New York home on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023. (Bronxville Police Department via AP) Westerly, RI (02891) Today Partly cloudy. High near 50F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 32F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. In an appearance on a new episode of the Breaking Points podcast, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson attacked Orthodox Jewish conservative commentator Ben Shapiro for his support of Israel in its ongoing war with Hamas, following Shapiros criticism of him for his stance on the October 7 terrorist attack in Israel. The conversation, steered by host Saagar Enjeti, delved into the right-wings involvement in international conflicts, particularly in Israel and Ukraine. Enjeti asked Carlson, Why is it that so many of these people dont seem to have the same level of care for actual American citizens? Carlson, after discussing the Ukraine-Russia war, shifted to the situation in Israel. He expressed his personal connection to both Israel and the Arab world, stating, In the case of Israel and the Arab world, Ive spent a fair amount of time in both and I like both. And I felt terrible for the people who were killed on October 7, I still do. So I had no weird motive, I was just thinking about it from an American perspective: Is this good for us or is it not? I said first of all, if the people who live in Gaza who are being moved out are so evil and dangerous that they cant live in the region, why would you want them to move into my country? Carlson continued. I mean those, what are you saying? They cant live there because its too scary to live next to them but they can live next to me? So at that point, I felt very hostile about that because it showed such contempt for me and my family and my neighbors and my country it is my country thats how I feel about it anyway. Its all of our country. And so I was like disgusted by that and I said so and I dont know why thats weird. Why wouldnt I be offended by that? And then it was immediately Im a hater, a bigot, or something like that. None of that registered with me because, first of all, Ive been attacked for so long. But attacks that arent true. You know if somebody said Wow, youve gained some weight this summer Id be like Oh! It would hurt my feelings because its true! But if someones like Youre a hater or You hate, thats not true so I dont really care. But I did think it showed like the level of not just corruption, which I knew, but of like emotional instability and crazy. I mean, there are people and I stopped reading any of it but there are people on the right who have spent the last two months every single day focused on a conflict in a foreign country as our own country becomes dangerously unstable, on the brink of financial collapse, with tens of millions of people who shouldnt be here in the country, we dont know their identities or the purpose of their being here. Like, stuff that could destroy the country for real and make it impossible for my kids to live here. Theyve said nothing about that, and theyre focused with laser intensity on foreign conflicts that Im like, at some point Ive got four kids. If Im so caught up in the problems of my neighbors children and completely ignoring my own children as they get addicted to drugs and kill themselves, you know, Im not against helping my neighbors kids, but clearly I dont love my kids. I mean, thats you know, thats the only logical conclusion. And they dont care about the country at all. And thats, you know, thats kind of their prerogative. But I do. Because I have no choice, because Im from here, my familys been here hundreds of years, I plan to stay here. Im shocked by how little they care about the country and including the person you mentioned [Shapiro]. And I cant imagine how someone like that could get an audience of people who claim to care about America, because he doesnt, obviously. Shapiro has been vocal in his disapproval of Carlsons viewpoints, especially after Carlson appeared to downplay the significance of the attack on Israel. Shapiro labeled Carlsons comparison of the attack to drug overdose deaths in the U.S. as idiocy and moral stupidity. Additionally, Shapiro has accused Carlson of being disingenuous in his claims that Israel supporters are advocating for a U.S.-led war against Iran. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The Israeli Air Force conducted air strikes on Sunday morning against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, targeting areas in the village of Ramyeh which the IDF identified as housing military buildings and infrastructure used by the terror group. The IDF described Ramyeh as a strategic location for Hezbollah, utilized as a hub for surveillance and the execution of terror activities. The military accused Hezbollah of launching missiles from this area into Israel, while allegedly using the civilian population of the village as a shield. Additionally, the IDF reported strikes on Hezbollah positions in Aamra and Khiam, located near the Israeli border. These strikes followed an incident where Hezbollah reportedly fired an anti-tank missile from one of these sites into the Galilee region on Shabbos. The recent air strikes by the Israeli Air Force represent a continued escalation in the tension between Israel and Hezbollah. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Russia launched a fresh drone assault on Ukraine after promising that strikes on the Russian border city of Belgorod that killed 24 people Saturday would not go unpunished. The Ukrainian Air Force said Sunday that it had shot down 21 of 49 drones launched by Russian forces overnight. The retaliatory Russian attack wounded 28 people in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said. A hotel, kindergarten, apartment buildings, shops and administrative buildings sustained damage, according to the regional prosecutors office. Russias Defense Ministry said it had targeted decision-making centers and military facilities in Kharkiv. The ministry said the hit on the Kharkiv Palace Hotel had destroyed representatives of the Main Intelligence Directorate and Ukrainian Armed Forces involved in the terrorist attack in Belgorod. Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said a British journalist was among the wounded, while public German broadcaster ZDF said Sunday that one of its television crews had been in the hotel. A Ukrainian translator was hit by debris and seriously wounded, and one of the teams security guards also was injured, ZDF said in a statement. This is another attack by Russia on the free press, ZDF Editor-in-Chief Bettina Schausten said. In the Kyiv region that surrounds Ukraines capital, a Russian drone attack caused a fire at a critical infrastructure facility, local officials said. They did not identify the nature of the facility. Russian troops additionally shelled the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson on Sunday, killing a 14-year-old boy and leaving a 9-year-old boy hospitalized in critical condition with a brain injury, according to regional Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin. On Saturday, shelling in the center of Belgorod killed two dozen people, including three children. Another 108 people were wounded in the strike, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said Sunday, making the attack one with the most casualties on Russian soil since the start of Moscows invasion of Ukraine 22 months ago. Russian authorities accused Ukraine of carrying out the attack, which took place the day after an 18-hour Russian aerial bombardment across Ukraine killed at least 41 civilians. Russias Defense Ministry said it identified the ammunition used in the strike as Czech-made Vampire rockets and Olkha missiles fitted with cluster-munition warheads. It provided no additional information, and The Associated Press was unable to verify its claims. This crime will not go unpunished, the ministry said in a statement on social media. In an emergency Saturday night meeting of the U.N. Security Council demanded by Russia, envoy Vasily Nebenzya accused Kyiv of a terrorist attack. In comments carried by Russian state media, Nebenzya claimed Ukraine had launched a deliberate act of terrorism directed against civilians. Ukrainians are bracing for further attacks. A blistering New Years Eve assault by Russia last year killed at least three civilians. (AP) Understanding the Sustainability of LRCDF's Upcoming Dividend Laurentian Bank of Canada (LRCDF) recently announced a dividend of $0.47 per share, payable on 2024-02-01, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-01-02. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into Laurentian Bank of Canada's dividend performance and assess its sustainability. What Does Laurentian Bank of Canada Do? Warning! GuruFocus has detected 2 Warning Signs with LRCDF. High Yield Dividend Stocks in Gurus' Portfolio This Powerful Chart Made Peter Lynch 29% A Year For 13 Years How to calculate the intrinsic value of a stock? Laurentian Bank of Canada provides personal banking, business banking, and real estate and commercial financing to its personal, business, and institutional customers across Canada and the United States. The company reports three operating segments: personal, commercial banking, and capital markets. The personal segment offers financial services to retail clients. The commercial banking segment provides financial services, commercial banking, real estate financing, and equipment and inventory financing to business clients. The firm launched LBC Digital, allowing it to expand its customer reach from coast to coast through a direct-to-customer channel. The Canadian geographic segment generates the majority of the revenue for the company. Laurentian Bank of Canada's Dividend Analysis A Glimpse at Laurentian Bank of Canada's Dividend History Laurentian Bank of Canada has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2003, with dividends currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends. Laurentian Bank of Canada's Dividend Analysis Breaking Down Laurentian Bank of Canada's Dividend Yield and Growth As of today, Laurentian Bank of Canada currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 6.58% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 6.60%. This suggests an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months. Story continues Over the past three years, Laurentian Bank of Canada's annual dividend growth rate was -4.60%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate decreased to -8.20% per year. And over the past decade, Laurentian Bank of Canada's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at -1.80%. Based on Laurentian Bank of Canada's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Laurentian Bank of Canada stock as of today is approximately 4.29%. Laurentian Bank of Canada's Dividend Analysis The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-10-31, Laurentian Bank of Canada's dividend payout ratio is 0.48. Laurentian Bank of Canada's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Laurentian Bank of Canada's profitability 4 out of 10 as of 2023-10-31, suggesting the dividend may not be sustainable. The company has reported positive net income for each year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability. Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook Laurentian Bank of Canada's growth rank of 4 out of 10 suggests that the company has poor growth prospects and thus, the dividend may not be sustainable. Laurentian Bank of Canada's revenue has increased by approximately 1.40% per year on average, a rate that underperforms approximately 77.89% of global competitors. The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. Laurentian Bank of Canada's earnings increased by approximately 15.50% per year on average, a rate that underperforms approximately 31.25% of global competitors. Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 0.10%, which underperforms approximately 77.57% of global competitors. Next Steps In conclusion, while Laurentian Bank of Canada offers a noteworthy dividend yield, its negative dividend growth rate, moderate payout ratio, and low profitability and growth ranks may raise concerns about the sustainability of its dividends. Investors should consider these factors in light of their investment strategy and risk tolerance. For those seeking dividend-paying stocks, Laurentian Bank of Canada's current offering may be attractive, but it's crucial to keep an eye on the company's financial health and market position. Will Laurentian Bank of Canada manage to maintain its dividend payments? Only time and a close examination of the company's future performance will tell. GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener. This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Russias united society in his prerecorded New Years address to the nation, the countrys state news agencies reported Sunday. Putin addressed Russians in a video that ran under four minutes long, significantly shorter than the New Years speech he gave last year, according to state news agency RIA Novosti. Millions of people were expected to watch the new address when it airs on TV as each Russian time zone region counts down the final minutes of 2023 on Sunday. The first to see it were residents of the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Chukotka region in Russias Far East, some nine hours ahead of Moscow. Returning to tradition after speaking flanked by soldiers last year, Putin delivered his address to the nation against the backdrop of a snowy Kremlin. In remarks carried by RIA Novosti, he described 2023 as a year marked by high levels of unity in Russian society. What united us and unites us is the fate of the Fatherland, a deep understanding of the highest significance of the historical stage through which Russia is passing, the president said. He also lauded Russian citizens solidarity, mercy and fortitude. The nearly 2-year-old war in Ukraine was front and center in the address, with Putin directly addressing Russias armed forces involved in what the Kremlin has termed its special military operation in the neighboring country. We are proud of you, you are heroes, you feel the support of the entire people, the president said. According to state media, he emphasized that Russia would never retreat and asserted there was no force that could divide Russians and stop the countrys development. The address broadcast comes a day after shelling in the center of the Russian border city of Belgorod Saturday killed 24 people, including three children. Another 108 people were wounded, Belgorod Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said Sunday, making the attack one with the most casualties on Russian soil since the start of Moscows invasion of Ukraine 22 months ago. As last year, New Years celebrations were toned down in Moscow, with the traditional fireworks and concert on Red Square canceled. After the shelling in Belgorod, local authorities in the Pacific port city of Vladivostok and other places across Russia also canceled their usual New Years firework displays. Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy secretary of Russias Security Council and former Russian president, also congratulated Russians on the New Year. In video remarks posted to Telegram, he said that thoughts and hearts are with those at the front and that the past year had required a special stability and unity, and true patriotism from Russia. Medvedev also called on Russians to make 2024 the year of the final defeat of neo-fascism, repeating Putins claims of invading Ukraine to fight neo-Nazis. The Holocaust, World War II and Nazism have been important rhetorical tools for Putin in his bid to legitimize Russias military actions in Ukraine, but historians see their use as disinformation and a cynical ploy to further his aims. Analysts are describing 2023 as largely a positive year for Putin. Its been a good year; I would even actually call it a great year for the Russian leader, said Mathieu Boulegue, a consulting fellow for the Russia-Eurasia program at Chatham House think tank in London. Moscow in May won the fight for the bombed-out Ukrainian city of Bakhmut after the longest and bloodiest battle of the war. In june, Putin defused a revolt against him and reasserted his hold on the Kremlin. A Ukrainian counteroffensive against Russia started with high hopes but ended in disappointment. As he enters 2024, Putin is wagering that the Wests support for Ukraine will gradually crumble due to political divisions, war fatigue and other diplomatic demands, such as Chinas menacing of Taiwan and war in the Middle East. Putin is seeking reelection in a March 17 presidential election that he is all but certain to win. Under constitutional reforms he orchestrated, the 71-year-old leader is eligible to seek two more six-year terms after his current term expires, potentially allowing him to remain in power until 2036. (AP) A fake emergency call to police resulted in officers responding Friday night to the home of Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows just a day after she removed former President Donald Trump from the states presidential primary ballot under the Constitutions insurrection clause. She becomes the latest elected politician to become a target of swatting, which involves making a phone call to emergency services with the intent that a large first responder presence, including SWAT teams, will show up at a residence. Bellows was not home when the swatting call was made, and responding officers found nothing suspicious. Suspects in swatting cases are being arrested and charged as states contemplate stronger penalties. Republican U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was the target of a swatting attempt at her Georgia residence on Christmas morning, the congresswoman and local police said. A man in New York called the Georgia suicide hotline claiming he had shot his girlfriend at Greenes home and was going to kill himself. Police said investigators were working to identify the caller and build a criminal case. Another New York man was sentenced in August to three months in prison for making threatening phone calls to Greenes office in Washington, D.C. While the Maine Department of Public Safety did not share a suspected motive for the swatting attempt against Bellows, she had no doubts it stemmed from her decision to remove Trump from the ballot. The swatting attempt came after a conservative activist posted her home address on social media. And it was posted in anger and with violent intent by those who have been extending threatening communications toward me, my family and my office, Bellows told The Associated Press in a phone call Saturday. A call was made to emergency services from an unknown man saying he had broken into a house in Manchester, according to the Maine public safety department. The address the man gave was Bellows home. Bellows and her husband were away for the holiday weekend. Maine State Police responded to what the public safety department said ultimately turned out to be a swatting call. Police conducted an exterior sweep of the house and then checked inside at Bellows request. Nothing suspicious was found, and police continue to investigate. The Maine State Police is working with our law enforcement partners to provide special attention to any and all appropriate locations, the public safety statement said. Bellows said the intimidation factors wont work. Heres what Im not doing differently. Im doing my job to uphold the Constitution, the rule of law. Beyond Bellows and Greene, other high-profile politicians who have been swatting call targets include U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. Bellows said she, her family and her office workers have been threatened since her decision to remove Trump from the ballot. At least one Republican lawmaker in Maine wants to pursue impeachment against her. Not only have there been threatening communications, but there have been dehumanizing fake images posted online and even fake text threads attributed to me, said Bellows, who has worked in civil rights prior to becoming secretary of state. And my previous work taught me that dehumanizing people is the first step in creating an environment that leads to attacks and violence against that person, she said. It is extraordinarily dangerous for the rhetoric to have escalated to the point of dehumanizing me and threatening me, my loved ones and the people who work for me. She said the people of Maine have a strong tradition of being able to disagree on important issues without violence. I think it is extraordinarily important that everyone deescalate the rhetoric and remember the values that make our democratic republic and here in Maine, our state, so great, she said. The Trump campaign said it would appeal Bellows decision to Maines state courts, and Bellows suspended her ruling until that court system rules on the case. The Colorado Supreme Court earlier this month removed Trump from that states ballot, a decision that also was stayed until the U.S. Supreme Court decides whether he would be barred under the insurrection clause, a Civil War-era provision which prohibits those who engaged in insurrection from holding office. (AP) Sen. John Fetterman acknowledges having dark conversations about harming himself before he hit the emergency brake and sought treatment for depression. He remembers thinking about his three school-age kids. I cant be a blueprint for my children. I cant let them be left alone or not to understand why he would have done that, the first-term Pennsylvania Democrat told NBCs Meet the Press in a deeply personal and introspective interview taped before the broadcast that aired Sunday. So he checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, last Feb. 15. There was nowhere else to go, he said, describing how he often felt during his stay that there wasnt any hope sometimes and like, What do I have left? He also wondered whether he would survive politically. When it got released where I was and where it was going, it was a big story. And so, I had assumed that that would be the end of my career, he said. When he sought treatment for clinical depression, Fetterman was still coping with the effects of the stroke he had in May 2022, during his campaign for one of the Senates most contested seats. My heart technically stopped, and it was a very touch-and-go situation, said Fetterman, 54. A pacemaker was implanted with a defibrillator to manage two heart conditions, atrial fibrillation and cardiomyopathy. His victory over Republican Mehmet Oz had helped Democrats keep control of the Senate and made him a national figure. It was the height of his political career. But he couldnt make it out of bed at his home in Braddock, in western Pennsylvania. I really scared my kids, and they thought, You won, Dad. Why arent we enough? Why are you still so sad? Why are you even more sad? And it was hard for to explain why I was. And, of course, a 9-year-old child wouldnt understand that. And it was awful, Fetterman said. So much so that he said he pleaded not to go down to D.C. later that November for orientation sessions in Washington for newly elected lawmakers. His favorite holiday was nearing, yet he was unable to think about getting Christmas presents for his children and dreading his swearing in on Capitol Hill early in the new year. Within two months, he was at Walter Reed. Aides had described the new senator as being withdrawn and uninterested in eating, discussing work or the usual banter with staff. This is a conversation that Ive had with myself and anybody that knows theyre unable to address their depression, is they start to have dark conversations with themself about self-harm, Fetterman said. And things continued to kind of tick off the list. And then I kind of hit the emergency brake. He added, I knew I needed help. Before checking into Walter Reed, Fetterman had never publicly discussed his battle with depression. He has since said that he has experienced it on and off throughout his life. He left Walter Reed at the end of March after six weeks of inpatient treatment with his depression in remission, according to a statement from his office. Doctors describe remission as when a patient responds to treatment so that they have returned to normal social function and they are indistinguishable from someone who has never had depression. Fetterman has since become a visible presence in the Capitol, bantering with reporters, joking with Senate colleagues and speaking up at Senate hearings. To others who are now facing a really dark holiday time, Fetterman offered this guidance: I know that last years was desolate. And this years might be desolate. Next years can be the best ever. And thats what happened for me. (AP) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered his military to thoroughly annihilate the United States and South Korea if provoked, state media reported Monday, after he vowed to boost national defense to cope with what he called an unprecedented U.S.-led confrontation. Kim is expected to ramp up weapons tests in 2024 ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November. Many experts say he likely believes his expanded nuclear arsenal would allow him to wrest U.S. concessions if former President Donald Trump is reelected. In a five-day major ruling party meeting last week, Kim said he will launch three more military spy satellites, produce more nuclear materials and develop attack drones this year in what observers say is an attempt to increase his leverage in future diplomacy with the U.S. In a meeting on Sunday with commanding army officers, Kim said it is urgent to sharpen the treasured sword to safeguard national security, an apparent reference to his countrys nuclear weapons program. He cited the U.S. and other hostile forces military confrontation moves, according to the official Korean Central News Agency. Kim stressed that our army should deal a deadly blow to thoroughly annihilate them by mobilizing all the toughest means and potentialities without moments hesitation if they opt for military confrontation and provocations against North Korea, KCNA said. In his New Years Day address Monday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said he will strengthen his militarys preemptive strike, missile defense and retaliatory capabilities in response to the North Korean nuclear threat. The Republic of Korea is building genuine, lasting peace through strength, not a submissive peace that is dependent on the goodwill of the adversary, Yoon said, using South Koreas official name. At the party meeting, Kim called South Korea a hemiplegic malformation and colonial subordinate state whose society is tainted by Yankee culture. He said his military must use all available means including nuclear weapons to suppress the whole territory of South Korea in the event of a conflict. South Koreas Defense Ministry warned in response that if North Korea attempts to use nuclear weapons, South Korean and U.S. forces will punish it overwhelmingly, resulting in the end of the Kim government. Experts say small-scale military clashes between North and South Korea could happen this year along their heavily armed border. They say North Korea is also expected to test-launch intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the mainland U.S. and other major new weapons. In 2018-19, Kim met Trump in three rounds of talks on North Koreas expanding nuclear arsenal. The diplomacy fell apart after the U.S. rejected Kims offer to dismantle his main nuclear complex, a limited step, in exchange for extensive reductions in U.S.-led sanctions. Since 2022, North Korea has conducted more than 100 missile tests, prompting the U.S. and South Korea to expand their joint military drills. North Korea has also tried to strengthen its relationships with China and Russia, which blocked efforts by the U.S. and its partners in the U.N. Security Council to toughen U.N. sanctions on North Korea over its weapons tests. KCNA said Kim and Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged New Years Day messages on Monday on bolstering bilateral ties. North Korea faces suspicions that it has supplied conventional arms for Russias war in Ukraine in return for sophisticated Russian technologies to enhance the Norths military programs. Estimates of the size of North Koreas nuclear arsenal vary, ranging from about 20-30 bombs to more than 100. Many foreign experts say North Korea still has some technological hurdles to overcome to produce functioning nuclear-armed ICBMs, though its shorter-range nuclear-capable missiles can reach South Korea and Japan. (AP) Chinese President Xi Jinping said China would surely be reunified with Taiwan during his televised New Years address, renewing Beijings threats to take over the self-ruled island, which it considers its own. 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 ramping up its threat to achieve that by military force if necessary. China will surely be reunified, and all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose, Xi said in his annual address, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. China has described Taiwans Jan. 13 presidential and parliamentary elections as a choice between war and peace. Beijing considers the presidential front-runner, William Lai, who currently serves as vice president from the ruling Democratic Peoples Party, a separatist and has accused him and Taiwans President Tsai Ing-wen of trying to provoke a Chinese attack on the island. On Saturday, Chen Binhua, spokesman for Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office, called Lai a destroyer of peace following a televised debate earlier that day in which Lai defended Taiwans right to rule itself as a democracy. Chen said Lais discourse at the debate was full of confrontational thinking, adding that the vice president is the instigator of a potential dangerous war in the Taiwan Strait. Lai had said during the debate that Taiwan is not subordinate to China and that he was open to communications with Beijing as long as there is equality and dignity on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. While Lai doesnt describe himself as seeking independence from Beijing, he generally maintains Taiwan is already an independent country. Lais election rivals include Hou Yu-ih from the more China-friendly Kuomintang party, and Ko Wen-je from the Taiwan Peoples Party. (AP) Three women who previously worked in former President Donald Trumps administration have issued a stark warning to voters, saying that a second Trump term would be the end of American democracy. Speaking on ABCs This Week, former White House Communications Director Alyssa Farah Griffin said: Everyone who was in the West Wing, and frankly, a lot of Cabinet secretaries, they know how dangerous Trump is. This is not about politics. Its not about policy. It is about the character of the man. Griffin was accompanied in the interview by former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson and former deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews. The latter reflected on Trumps previous term, saying, We dont need to speculate what a second Trump term would look like because we already saw it play out, referencing his denialism of the 2020 election results. The Trump campaign has forcefully rejected the criticisms from these former officials, labeling them as opportunists. These ungrateful grifters used the opportunities given to them by President Trump to build their careers until they realized they could make more money as Never Trumper$, said a Trump campaign official. None of their TV contracts or book deals would exist if they hadnt gone Full Judas. Trump has faced numerous high-profile departures and criticisms from former top officials, including John Bolton, Bill Barr, and John Kelly, but he still leads by a healthy margin in every national poll of Republican voters. I would just encourage others to come forward because were running out of time in order to try to stop Trump from being in the Oval Office again, Matthews urged. A lot of these people wont come forward even if privately theyll acknowledge that Trump is unfit or will privately acknowledge that the 2020 election wasnt stolen, Matthews continued. Its because they know that they will face death threats, that their families will face death threats. Matthews even raised the possibility of voting for a Democrat, a choice she has never made before, to prioritize democracy over policy. Ive never voted for a Democrat in my life, but I think that in this next election, I would put policy aside and choose democracy, she said. Hutchinson, reflecting on Trumps behavior, criticized his dictatorial aspirations. The fact that he feels that he needs to lean into being a dictator alone shows that he is a weak and feeble man, she remarked. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) JOIN THE TENS OF THOUSANDS WHO ALREADY ARE ALERTED OF BREAKING NEWS LIKE THIS IN LIVE TIME: YWN WHATSAPP STATUS UPDATES: CLICK HERE to join the YWN WhatsApp Status. YWN WHATSAPP GROUPS: CLICK HERE to be added to an official YWN WhatsApp Group. MAKE SURE TO CHECK THIS PAGE FREQUENTLY AS UPDATES WILL BE PUBLISHED IN LIVE TIME THERE IS NO NEED TO REFRESH THIS PAGE AS UPDATES WILL APPEAR AUTOMATICALLY (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The Israeli government on Sunday morning approved the appointment of Energy Minister Yisrael Katz as the new foreign minister, replacing Eli Cohen, who will now serve as energy minister. Both politicians are members of the Likud. The switch was made in accordance with the rotation agreement signed by the Likud party prior to the establishment of the Netanyahu government. According to the agreement, the two men will now switch roles for the next two years and then switch again in 2026, the last year of the governments term. The move was approved at the governments weekly Cabinet meeting. It was also decided at the meeting that Cohen will continue to serve as a member of the political security cabinet. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday excoriated South Africa for demanding that the International Court of Justice investigate Israel for genocide. Speaking at the weekly Cabinet meeting on Sunday morning, Netanyahu said: I would like to say a word about South Africas false accusation that Israel is perpetrating genocide. No, South Africa, it is not we who have come to perpetrate genocide, it is Hamas, who would murder us all if only it could. In contrast, the IDF is acting as morally as possible it is doing everything to avoid harming civilians while Hamas does everything to harm them, using them as human shields. And I ask: Where were you, South Africa, and others who are preaching at us where were you when millions were murdered and uprooted from their homes in Syria, Yemen, and other areas? You werent there because everything you are doing now is only hot air, lies, and evil. We will continue our defensive war, which is unparalleled in its justice and morality. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Galit Distel-Atbaryan, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus Likud party, has publicly apologized for her actions over the past year, acknowledging her role in creating deep societal divisions within Israel which she says contributed to the weakening of the nation and set the stage for the devastating Hamas attacks on October 7 and the subsequent months-long conflict. Distel-Atbaryan, who served as the public diplomacy minister in the government, was a fervent advocate for the controversial judicial overhaul program. Known for her strong rhetoric against critics of the program, she resigned from her ministerial position shortly after the outbreak of the current conflict. Reflecting on her tenure, she conceded that her ministry was redundant, ineffective, and a misuse of public funds, and expressed her profound anger towards Netanyahu. There were about 100 people who drove 9 million toward an abyss, she told Channel 13, implicating figures from politics, media, and social media. I was part of the group that caused the state to weaken, that harmed people, that harmed citizens who in daily life are my friends, are my partner. It hit me in a second, suddenly, in a bang. You suddenly realize that everything you were doing and thinking was good, was bad. I created a rift, and I created division, and I created tension, and this tension caused a weakness. And this weakness, in many aspects, led to the massacres [by Hamas on October 7], Distel-Atbaryan said. I am here, telling you and the democratic-secular public I sinned before you. I caused you pain, I caused you to fear for your lives here. I apologize for this. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Every investor on earth makes bad calls sometimes. But you have a problem if you face massive losses more than once in a while. So consider, for a moment, the misfortune of Bubs Australia Limited (ASX:BUB) investors who have held the stock for three years as it declined a whopping 78%. That'd be enough to cause even the strongest minds some disquiet. And more recent buyers are having a tough time too, with a drop of 57% in the last year. Furthermore, it's down 19% in about a quarter. That's not much fun for holders. Now let's have a look at the company's fundamentals, and see if the long term shareholder return has matched the performance of the underlying business. See our latest analysis for Bubs Australia Because Bubs Australia made a loss in the last twelve months, we think the market is probably more focussed on revenue and revenue growth, at least for now. Generally speaking, companies without profits are expected to grow revenue every year, and at a good clip. That's because fast revenue growth can be easily extrapolated to forecast profits, often of considerable size. In the last three years, Bubs Australia saw its revenue grow by 21% per year, compound. That's well above most other pre-profit companies. So why has the share priced crashed 21% per year, in the same time? The share price makes us wonder if there is an issue with profitability. Ultimately, revenue growth doesn't amount to much if the business can't scale well. If the company is low on cash, it may have to raise capital soon. You can see below how earnings and revenue have changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image). ASX:BUB Earnings and Revenue Growth January 1st 2024 It's probably worth noting that the CEO is paid less than the median at similar sized companies. It's always worth keeping an eye on CEO pay, but a more important question is whether the company will grow earnings throughout the years. You can see what analysts are predicting for Bubs Australia in this interactive graph of future profit estimates. Story continues A Different Perspective While the broader market gained around 13% in the last year, Bubs Australia shareholders lost 57%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 11% per year over five years. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For example, we've discovered 3 warning signs for Bubs Australia that you should be aware of before investing here. If you are like me, then you will not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Australian exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. A Tel Aviv resident named Roi Yifrach has been charged with the theft of military and police weaponry amidst the chaos following the October 7 Hamas attacks in southern Israel. Yifrach, 35, is accused of exploiting the disorder in the aftermath of the attacks with the intention of selling the stolen arms on the black market. In the weeks following October 7, Yifrach impersonated various law enforcement and security personnel, including a police officer, an officer in the elite Yamam counterterrorism unit, and a Shin Bet operative. His deception went undetected as he moved around the area near the Gaza border, using a fake ID. Remarkably, Yifrach was even photographed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a visit to the militarys assembly areas and had interactions with soldiers and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The charges against Yifrach include several weapons offenses and theft under aggravated circumstances. According to the charge sheet, he is responsible for stealing an IDF assault rifle, two smoke grenades, 14 stun grenades, a pistol from a police officer, dozens of ammunition cartridges, three detonators, and other equipment. The stolen items were concealed at his home in Tel Aviv. The police, acting on received information, conducted a search of Yifrachs residence, where they discovered and seized the stolen arms. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) In a landmark decision that has sparked widespread debate, the High Court of Justice of Israel has struck down a piece of legislation that limited judicial oversight of the government, marking the first time in Israels history that an element of its quasi-constitutional Basic Laws has been annulled. The High Courts decision was narrowly reached, with eight justices voting in favor of striking down the law and seven voting against. The contentious legislation, which was the only significant law passed from the governments judicial overhaul agenda, abolished the judicial use of the reasonableness standard. The ruling sets a legal precedent, affirming the High Courts contention that, under limited circumstances, it holds the right to annul Basic Laws. These laws form the foundation of authority for all state institutions, including the court itself. Twelve out of the fifteen justices concurred that the court possesses the authority to invalidate Basic Laws. The reasonableness law, enacted in July as an amendment to Basic Law: The Judiciary, prohibited courts, including the High Court, from assessing and ruling against government and ministerial decisions based on the judicial standard of reasonableness. Petitioners against the law, including Attorney General Gali Baharav Miara, argued that it removed essential safeguards for Israeli democracy and warranted nullification. Conversely, the government maintained that this standard granted the court excessive power to interfere in policy decisions, which should fall under governmental jurisdiction, and contested the courts authority to strike down Basic Laws. Prior to the October 7 conflict with Hamas and Hezbollah, some government ministers and coalition members had indicated that they might not respect a decision to annul the legislation, raising concerns about a potential constitutional crisis. The ongoing conflict may influence the reactions to this decision. During the September hearing on the law, liberal justices like Acting Supreme Court President Uzi Vogelman expressed grave concerns that the law effectively annulled all meaningful judicial review of government and ministerial decisions. However, conservative justices such as David Mintz and Noam Sohlberg argued that there was no constitutional basis for the High Court to invalidate Basic Laws. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The London stock exchange risks becoming a 'backwater' as it fails to keep top companies interested, Sir Martin Sorrell has warned. The boss of advertising agency S4 Capital has said that the City has lost its sparkle as big-hitting firms snub the market and others continue to look across the Atlantic for a better valuation. 'When you speak to fund managers, London is becoming a backwater,' Sir Martin (pictured) told the Mail. 'London is an increasingly unattractive market because of the liquidity and scale issues.' Listing: Sir Martin Sorrell says that London is an increasingly unattractive market Companies are instead heading to the US, which is known for its higher price tags and slicker processes. British chip designer Arm shunned London for the US this year and Irish building products group CRH and Smurfit Kappa have both moved their primary listings to US soil. But Sir Martin, 78, has said he won't be shifting S4's London listing any time soon. 'We must get our business right and that's the first thing. There is a reason American companies are valued more highly and that is because they are better companies, with a better record,' he said. 'If we transferred our listing to America, we wouldn't get the coverage. You're a smaller fish in a bigger pond.' But the ad tycoon signalled that the UK had become 'too complacent' and urged the Government to make London more appealing for firms to list. Sir Martin's agency S4, which is listed in the capital, has struggled as clients cut back on ad spend. The group issued a profit warning in November and shares slumped over 70 per cent in 2023. But it's not just Sorrell that seems to be increasingly disillusioned with share price performance in London. Dublin-based gambling giant Flutter is gearing up for a secondary listing in the US this month as its American business continues to boom, whilst Tui and Pearson have suggested they may move to Frankfurt and New York respectively. British TV and film producers have been handed new tax reliefs today as the Government vows to back the 'makers of the next Barbie'. The movie business has boomed as firms flock to the UK to shoot blockbusters including Barbie, Wonka and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. This is thanks to generous tax breaks for foreign and homegrown film makers. And under the incoming changes, producers will receive even more support to keep the cameras rolling. This includes an additional 5,000 in tax reliefs for high-end films, TV and video games, as well as an extra 42,500 for children's TV and animated films. Booming: Firms are flocking to shoot blockbusters in the UK 'We are backing the makers of the next Barbie with this more generous tax credit system for British production talent,' Nigel Huddleston, financial secretary to the Treasury, said. 'The UK is a world leader in creativity, and we want that [to] continue.' But the latest concession comes as film and TV companies fight to reach a deal over a tax on new studios that many fear could wreck the booming industry. According to the Mail on Sunday, new studios defined as those that were not up and running by last spring face astronomical rises in business rates. And film and TV companies are seeking to hammer out an agreement with the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) about these taxes warning that new sites could collapse. Tourists visit the Chengdu Museum in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 31, 2023. Cultural tourism has become an option for both residents and tourists in the southwestern city of Chengdu during the three-day New Year holiday. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) Key Insights The projected fair value for Pharos Energy is UK0.41 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Pharos Energy is estimated to be 48% undervalued based on current share price of UK0.21 The US$0.43 analyst price target for PHAR is 4.8% more than our estimate of fair value Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Pharos Energy plc (LON:PHAR) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example! Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model. Check out our latest analysis for Pharos Energy The Model We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$39.7m US$35.5m US$42.0m US$32.0m US$17.0m US$14.6m US$13.2m US$12.4m US$12.0m US$11.7m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x5 Analyst x5 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ -14.02% Est @ -9.36% Est @ -6.10% Est @ -3.81% Est @ -2.21% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 9.7% US$36.2 US$29.5 US$31.8 US$22.1 US$10.7 US$8.4 US$6.9 US$5.9 US$5.2 US$4.6 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$161m Story continues We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 1.5%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 9.7%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = US$12m (1 + 1.5%) (9.7% 1.5%) = US$146m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$146m ( 1 + 9.7%)10= US$58m The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is US$219m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of UK0.2, the company appears quite good value at a 48% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent. LSE:PHAR Discounted Cash Flow January 1st 2024 Important Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Pharos Energy as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.7%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.381. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for Pharos Energy Strength Debt is well covered by cash flow. Weakness Interest payments on debt are not well covered. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Oil and Gas market. Opportunity Expected to breakeven next year. Has sufficient cash runway for more than 3 years based on current free cash flows. Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%. Threat Paying a dividend but company is unprofitable. Revenue is forecast to decrease over the next 2 years. Next Steps: Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Pharos Energy, we've compiled three relevant elements you should explore: Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Pharos Energy you should know about. Future Earnings: How does PHAR's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every British stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. The excitement of investing in a company that can reverse its fortunes is a big draw for some speculators, so even companies that have no revenue, no profit, and a record of falling short, can manage to find investors. But the reality is that when a company loses money each year, for long enough, its investors will usually take their share of those losses. Loss-making companies are always racing against time to reach financial sustainability, so investors in these companies may be taking on more risk than they should. Despite being in the age of tech-stock blue-sky investing, many investors still adopt a more traditional strategy; buying shares in profitable companies like MINISO Group Holding (NYSE:MNSO). While this doesn't necessarily speak to whether it's undervalued, the profitability of the business is enough to warrant some appreciation - especially if its growing. Check out our latest analysis for MINISO Group Holding How Fast Is MINISO Group Holding Growing Its Earnings Per Share? Over the last three years, MINISO Group Holding has grown earnings per share (EPS) at as impressive rate from a relatively low point, resulting in a three year percentage growth rate that isn't particularly indicative of expected future performance. Thus, it makes sense to focus on more recent growth rates, instead. In impressive fashion, MINISO Group Holding's EPS grew from CN2.93 to CN6.34, over the previous 12 months. It's not often a company can achieve year-on-year growth of 117%. One way to double-check a company's growth is to look at how its revenue, and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins are changing. The music to the ears of MINISO Group Holding shareholders is that EBIT margins have grown from 10% to 20% in the last 12 months and revenues are on an upwards trend as well. Ticking those two boxes is a good sign of growth, in our book. The chart below shows how the company's bottom and top lines have progressed over time. To see the actual numbers, click on the chart. Story continues You don't drive with your eyes on the rear-view mirror, so you might be more interested in this free report showing analyst forecasts for MINISO Group Holding's future profits. Are MINISO Group Holding Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders? Theory would suggest that it's an encouraging sign to see high insider ownership of a company, since it ties company performance directly to the financial success of its management. So we're pleased to report that MINISO Group Holding insiders own a meaningful share of the business. In fact, they own 70% of the company, so they will share in the same delights and challenges experienced by the ordinary shareholders. Intuition will tell you this is a good sign because it suggests they will be incentivised to build value for shareholders over the long term. This insider holding amounts to That level of investment from insiders is nothing to sneeze at. It's good to see that insiders are invested in the company, but are remuneration levels reasonable? Our quick analysis into CEO remuneration would seem to indicate they are. For companies with market capitalisations between CN28b and CN85b, like MINISO Group Holding, the median CEO pay is around CN54m. The MINISO Group Holding CEO received total compensation of just CN3.4m in the year to June 2023. That looks like a modest pay packet, and may hint at a certain respect for the interests of shareholders. While the level of CEO compensation shouldn't be the biggest factor in how the company is viewed, modest remuneration is a positive, because it suggests that the board keeps shareholder interests in mind. It can also be a sign of good governance, more generally. Does MINISO Group Holding Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist? MINISO Group Holding's earnings per share growth have been climbing higher at an appreciable rate. The sweetener is that insiders have a mountain of stock, and the CEO remuneration is quite reasonable. The drastic earnings growth indicates the business is going from strength to strength. Hopefully a trend that continues well into the future. MINISO Group Holding is certainly doing some things right and is well worth investigating. While we've looked at the quality of the earnings, we haven't yet done any work to value the stock. So if you like to buy cheap, you may want to check if MINISO Group Holding is trading on a high P/E or a low P/E, relative to its industry. There's always the possibility of doing well buying stocks that are not growing earnings and do not have insiders buying shares. But for those who consider these important metrics, we encourage you to check out companies that do have those features. You can access a tailored list of companies which have demonstrated growth backed by recent insider purchases. Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction. 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. More than 180 people were killed in road traffic collisions in Ireland in 2023, marking a nearly 20% rise in fatalities from the previous year. Provisional road traffic collision figures show 184 people died in 173 fatal crashes in 2023, compared to 155 deaths in 149 collisions in 2022. This represents an increase of 29 deaths or a 19% rise in road deaths compared to 2022 figures. The statistics were published by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) on Monday, following an analysis of provisional fatal collision reports from An Garda Siochana. The majority of fatalities 78% were male and 22% were female, while over a quarter of those killed were aged 16 to 25 compared to 16% in 2022. The number of pedestrian fatalities 44 has also risen since 2022. The last time there was a higher number of pedestrian fatalities was in 2011. Despite lower traffic volumes during the night, almost half of fatalities occurred between 8pm and 8am, compared with 35% in 2022. Just under a fifth of those killed in collisions were passengers, with 34 passengers being killed in 2023. Of the 184 road deaths in 2023, 69 were drivers, 44 were pedestrians, 34 were passengers, 26 were motorcyclists, eight were cyclists and three were e-scooter users. Compared to 2022, there has been an increase in fatalities among all road user groups. Tipperary, Dublin, Cork, Galway and Mayo were the counties that recorded the highest number of deaths, collectively accounting for 39% of the total fatalities. Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers, said 2023 had been a heart-breaking and devastating year on Irish roads. He added: Our thoughts are with all those impacted as we head into a new year. We were able to progress a number of important reforms in 2023 which are specifically targeted at the lifesaver offences which we know are the main contributors to fatal road collisions. The Road Traffic Bill received Cabinet approval in December and we will be working to have this essential piece of legislation progressed through the Dail in early 2024. Work is well under way on a number of other initiatives in partnership with other Government departments and agencies to be delivered throughout this year. I would also like to pay tribute and special thanks to our emergency services and first responders who do incredible lifesaving work in the most challenging circumstances. Liz ODonnell, chairwoman of the RSA, said it has been a difficult year in road safety. She added: People are carrying huge grief with them; a grief that doesnt go away and a void that cannot be filled in their lives. Any one life lost is one too many. We must do more, and I welcome the proposed introduction of a national strategy on camera-based enforcement which, I understand, will be prioritised in 2024. RSA chief executive Sam Waide said weekends, late nights and early mornings have been high risk periods throughout the year. Despite lower traffic volumes, these timeframes feature high numbers of collisions, he said. The evidence suggests that these periods present greater risks in terms of driver behaviours like drink and drug-driving and fatigue. We are targeting these behaviours with new awareness and education initiatives, such as the Say It campaign which commenced two weeks ago. Chief Superintendent Jane Humphries, of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau, said Gardai have remained focused on tackling offences known to cause fatal crashes. This year, Gardai conducted over 87,700 checkpoints, he said. Some 7,707 people were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant. In the region of 200,000 speeding offences were detected, over 5,300 fixed-penalty notices were issued for not wearing a seat-belt, and more than 18,800 motorists were fined for using their mobile phone. These figures demonstrate that while the majority of road users support our collective work to keep people safe by adhering to the rules of the road, there are still plenty that need to reflect on their driving behaviours. There is room for improvement. As we head into 2024, we must all pay close attention to our collective responsibility to make Irish roads safer and to reduce the number of lives lost and people seriously injured in road traffic collisions. Tragically apropos for tonight . . . The last news item we'll post at the end of the deadliest year in Kansas City, Missouri history is documentation of ANOTHER local killing. Along with our traditional reminder to PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE . . . AND DRIVE SAFELY. Here is the first report: Homicide 10700 Oakland Tonight just before 9pm officers were called to the intersection of 107th and Oakland on a medical/EMS call. Passers by saw the victim down on the ground with unknown injuries and called for help. On arrival officers located the victim, an unknown male, unresponsive down on the sidewalk on the north side of 107th St. Officers summoned EMS to the scene who declared the victim deceased at that time. Investigation indicates the victim appears to have been shot. Detectives are canvassing for witnesses and crime scene investigators are processing the scene to gather evidence and get any information about what led up to the shooting. If anyone saw or heard 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 homicide near Oakland Ave. Kansas City police are investigating homicide near the 10700 block of Oakland Ave. Sunday evening. Last homicide of the year occurs in south KC If anyone saw or heard anything or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043. KCPD investigating homicide near intersection of 107th, Oakland The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department is investigating a homicide near the intersection of 107th Street and Oakland Avenue. Developing . . . Just a reminder . . . IN THE COMING DAYS & MONTHS IT SEEMS LIKE MAYOR Q WILL WORK ON TURNING THE PLAZA INTO A LOW-INCOME HOSING PROJECT!!! That might be better or worse than a bunch of empty chain stores . . . We'll continue to watch City Hall finish the destruction they started in the Summer of 2020 . . . Here's a peek at the first steps: Following his recent trip to Dallas, KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas shared what the developers are envisioning. I think what they're looking at is a lot more of a mixed first-floor retail. Maybe a three-story, four-story type building that works and integrates with the neighborhood," Lucas said. "Frankly, matches kind of the tradition of the neighborhoods around the Plaza itself already." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Readers hoping to buy QinetiQ Group plc (LON:QQ.) for its dividend will need to make their move shortly, as the stock is about to trade ex-dividend. The ex-dividend date is usually set to be one business day before the record date which is the cut-off date on which you must be present on the company's books as a shareholder in order to receive the dividend. It is important to be aware of the ex-dividend date because any trade on the stock needs to have been settled on or before the record date. In other words, investors can purchase QinetiQ Group's shares before the 4th of January in order to be eligible for the dividend, which will be paid on the 2nd of February. The company's next dividend payment will be UK0.026 per share, and in the last 12 months, the company paid a total of UK0.077 per share. Looking at the last 12 months of distributions, QinetiQ Group has a trailing yield of approximately 2.5% on its current stock price of 3.09. Dividends are a major contributor to investment returns for long term holders, but only if the dividend continues to be paid. So we need to investigate whether QinetiQ Group can afford its dividend, and if the dividend could grow. Check out our latest analysis for QinetiQ Group Dividends are typically paid out of company income, so if a company pays out more than it earned, its dividend is usually at a higher risk of being cut. Fortunately QinetiQ Group's payout ratio is modest, at just 42% of profit. That said, even highly profitable companies sometimes might not generate enough cash to pay the dividend, which is why we should always check if the dividend is covered by cash flow. It paid out 83% of its free cash flow as dividends, which is within usual limits but will limit the company's ability to lift the dividend if there's no growth. It's encouraging to see that the dividend is covered by both profit and cash flow. This generally suggests the dividend is sustainable, as long as earnings don't drop precipitously. Story continues Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends. LSE:QQ. Historic Dividend January 1st 2024 Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? When earnings decline, dividend companies become much harder to analyse and own safely. Investors love dividends, so if earnings fall and the dividend is reduced, expect a stock to be sold off heavily at the same time. Readers will understand then, why we're concerned to see QinetiQ Group's earnings per share have dropped 5.2% a year over the past five years. Ultimately, when earnings per share decline, the size of the pie from which dividends can be paid, shrinks. The main way most investors will assess a company's dividend prospects is by checking the historical rate of dividend growth. In the past 10 years, QinetiQ Group has increased its dividend at approximately 7.3% a year on average. To Sum It Up Should investors buy QinetiQ Group for the upcoming dividend? Earnings per share have fallen significantly, although at least QinetiQ Group paid out less than half of its profits and free cash flow over the last year, leaving some margin of safety. While it does have some good things going for it, we're a bit ambivalent and it would take more to convince us of QinetiQ Group's dividend merits. With that being said, if dividends aren't your biggest concern with QinetiQ Group, you should know about the other risks facing this business. For example, we've found 1 warning sign for QinetiQ Group that we recommend you consider before investing in the business. If you're in the market for strong dividend payers, we recommend checking 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. Today's celebration for the uninitiated . . . "On the last day of Kwanzaa we light the final candle, we celebrate Imani, or faith. That means honoring our best traditions as a family and community." Here's at TKC we'll share this note from the Kansas Guv that was a bit cringe-y and downplayed by our cowtown media colleagues . . . But still worth a peek . . . When Kansas Governor Laura Kelly hosted community members for a Kwanzaa celebration this week, she left them with a strong, unequivocal message about the wrongs of racism. I want to be clear that racism and prejudice have no place in Kansas, Kelly said Wednesday in remarks reported by the Topeka Capital-Journal. As governor, I will continue to call out and condemn racism, prejudice and any behavior or rhetoric that aims to discriminate and divide whenever and wherever I see it. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Of course this is important BUT just for giggles we're calling this the struggle to break your drunk uncle out of Facebook jail . . . Here's a better quote and more deets . . . "In October, the United States Supreme Court agreed to hear our bombshell censorship case, Missouri v. Biden, in which we alleged and proved a conspiracy by government officials to silence conservative speech on social media. In partnership with Louisiana, my office filed suit to combat the Biden administrations censorship of speech that challenged the governments narrative on everything from the COVID19 lab leak theory, to the Hunter Biden laptop story. "The Biden administrations censorship campaign was unsparing. Left-leaning federal bureaucrats used both direct and implied threats to distort public debate on key issues over the course of several years. We sued to stop it, and thankfully, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . If you are searching for Europe's top surf destinations, you are in the right place. This continent is a paradise for surfers, offering everything from challenging waves for the pros to gentle swells perfect for beginners. Whether you dream of riding the waves under the Portuguese sun or facing the thrilling Irish surf, Europe has a spot that will fit your surfing style. Each destination in Europe offers a unique surfing experience. You will get insights into the types of waves to expect and the feel of each local surf scene. Europe's surf destinations cater to every surfer's preference, from the adrenaline-pumping waves of France to Spain's perfect spots for beginners. Here is the list of the top five surf destinations in Europe with big waves perfect for your adrenaline rush. 1. Biarritz, France In the French Basque Country, Biarritz stands as Europe's top surfing spot. Famous for its beautiful architecture and rich history, it also boasts a lively surf scene. The beaches, like the famous Cote des Basques, are perfect for all surfing levels. The rhythm of the waves here is as captivating as the city's streets, making Biarritz a must-visit for serious surfers in Europe. According to Sea Lifts, the ideal time for surfing in Biarritz changes based on your surfing skills. For beginners, the months from April to October are great, with June and July typically providing the best conditions and calmer waves. For those with intermediate surfing skills, Biarritz is good to surf any time of the year. The months from May to March and again from September to November are less crowded and feature larger waves. 2. Peniche, Portugal In Portugal, Peniche is a dream spot for surfers seeking the perfect wave. This fishing town extends into the Atlantic and shows the true beauty of Portuguese coastal life, along with some of Europe's most reliable surf. Famous surf spots like Supertubos, known for their strong tubes, have hosted global surfing competitions. Peniche has challenging waves for experienced surfers and gentler ones for beginners, all surrounded by stunning natural beauty. Surfing in Peniche peaks in August, drawing a mix of surf campers and families. For fewer crowds and lower costs, July and September are great alternatives with similar wave conditions. Expect milder swells and winds from spring to early autumn, but occasional larger waves can still occur. During November to April, the surf is better suited for intermediate and advanced surfers. Winter brings stronger swells, making spots like Papoa more challenging and turning even gentler beaches like Tupatur and Baleal into demanding breaks. This season is recommended for experienced surfers. Read also: Interested in Medieval Villages in France? Experience a Journey Back in Time 3. Hossegor, France Hossegor in France is another excellent spot for surf lovers. Known for its strong barrels and quick beach breaks, Hossegor is recognized as one of Europe's best surf destinations. The town has a relaxed vibe and beautiful scenery, contributing to a memorable surfing experience. Whether you want to challenge yourself or just enjoy the surf culture, Hossegor should not be missed. As shared by Ultimate France, May and June are ideal for a Hossegor surf trip. The winter's rough waves and spring's high tides mellow out, yet the waves still have decent strength. The water starts to warm up, and it's less crowded before the summer tourists arrive. 4. Fuerteventura, Canary Islands The Canary Islands, near Africa's coast, are home to some of Europe's most impressive surf spots, with Fuerteventura leading the way. Often called the 'Hawaii of Europe,' Fuerteventura provides excellent surfing conditions throughout the year. It's perfect for those wanting to avoid the cold. The island's coast offers everything from long waves to tough reef breaks, suitable for all surfing skill levels. Surfing in Fuerteventura is great all year. Winter brings the largest waves and best wind conditions, making it the top season. However, summer has its own appeal. The winds are gentler, and the beaches are sunny, making it perfect for newcomers to try surfing or for experienced surfers to enjoy more laid-back sessions. 5. Bundoran, Ireland Finally, in Ireland, Bundoran showcases the country's underrated surf scene. Known as Ireland's 'Surf Capital,' Bundoran provides some of Europe's best waves against a beautiful backdrop. The town is friendly and inviting, with cozy pubs and welcoming locals adding to the surf experience. From the strong waves at The Peak to gentler ones at Tullan Strand, Bundoran blends adventure with the unique charm of Irish culture. According to Surf Forecast, the ideal period for surfing in Bundoran, when you can find steady and clean waves, is generally in the winter season, with April often being the best month for such conditions. Europe's surf destinations offer a chance to explore different cultures, beautiful landscapes, and lively local scenes. Each of these five places brings something special, ensuring your European surfing adventure is unforgettable. So, grab your surfboard and prepare to discover the best European surfing! Related article: Where Should You Be Heading in 2024? Explore These Top Mediterranean Destinations for Your Ultimate Getaway Exploring the cheapest places to travel in Europe in 2024 can be a thrilling and budget-friendly adventure. Many think that touring Europe will cost a small fortune, but this year, there are several destinations where you can savor the continent's best without a hefty price tag. For those of you who love the thrill of discovery without the strain on your finances, these European destinations are ideal. From the warm beaches of the Mediterranean to the picturesque towns in Eastern Europe, we have selected spots that offer a wonderful experience for a fraction of the expected cost. So, if you're gearing up for your next trip and want to ensure you're getting the most bang for your buck, these European destinations should definitely be on your radar. Here are the five cheapest places to travel in Europe next year. 1. Porto, Portugal Porto is a lovely city in northwest Portugal, perfect for a summer trip. According to travelsmartwithsteph on Instagram, it is famous for its tasty food, rich history, great wine, warm weather, and beautiful beaches. Plus, getting there from the US will not cost you too much. If you are looking for a place to stay, the Hotel Cristal Porto is a good choice. It is a nice 4-star hotel and costs about $92 a night. If you want something fancier, you can stay at the HF Ipanema Park, a 5-star hotel, for around $113 a night. Porto has everything you need for a great summer vacation in Europe. 2. Krakow, Poland Krakow, Poland, is one of the cheapest places to travel in Europe, offering a mix of history and modern charm. The city is known for its stunning architecture and rich cultural scene. You can explore the historic Old Town, visit Wawel Castle, or enjoy the local cuisine without spending much. Affordable accommodation is easy to find, with good hotels offering rooms for under $70 a night. Krakow gives you a taste of traditional Poland with the comfort of modern amenities, all at a budget-friendly price. Read also: You Won't Believe How Stunning These 5 Most Beautiful Hotels in Canada 3. Budapest, Hungary Budapest, another one of Europe's cheapest places to travel, is a city divided by the beautiful Danube River. It's famous for its thermal baths, historic buildings, and vibrant nightlife. You can enjoy delicious Hungarian dishes, visit the Parliament building, or relax in a thermal bath, all without straining your wallet. The Lonely Planet shared that accommodations in Budapest are reasonable, with many hotels and hostels offering great deals. This city combines relaxation, culture, and fun, making it a must-visit for budget travelers. 4. Valencia, Spain Valencia, on Spain's sunny coast, stands out among Europe's cheapest places to travel. It's known for its stunning beaches, futuristic architecture, and the birthplace of paella. You can wander through the City of Arts and Sciences, relax on the beach, or indulge in authentic Spanish cuisine. Accommodation in Valencia offers great value for money, with many options available at reasonable prices. This city is perfect for those who want beach relaxation and cultural exploration. 5. Lisbon, Portugal Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is a vibrant and affordable destination. It's known for its historic trams, colorful buildings, and stunning viewpoints. You can explore the narrow streets of Alfama, taste the famous pastel de nata, or enjoy the lively atmosphere of Bairro Alto. The accommodations in Lisbon are ranging from budget hostels to affordable luxury hotels. This city offers a unique blend of history, culture, and nightlife, all at a budget-friendly price. Related article: How These 5 Art Capitals in Europe Can Boost Your Mood and Creativity In Xinzhai, a small village in Yunnan, China, known as the country's first coffee village, a significant change is taking place. This transformation, driven by digital advancements, is attracting both locals and outsiders, boosting the local economy. Transformation of China's First Coffee Village in Yunnan In the mountainous region of Yunnan province, Xinzhai, recognized as China's first coffee village, is witnessing a remarkable transformation. This small village, famous for its Arabica coffee beans, has struggled for years with low coffee bean output and prices, leading many locals to leave for better opportunities. However, recent advancements in digital technology, including 5G infrastructure and live streaming, are revolutionizing Xinzhai. According to Today Online, the village is now not only seeing its residents return but is also attracting new people. These changes have been crucial in modernizing farming practices, promoting entrepreneurship, improving social services, and reducing poverty. The digital shift in Xinzhai is part of a broader initiative to empower rural areas in China. The aim is to bridge the digital gap and support President Xi Jinping's vision for rural revitalization. This initiative includes efforts by the Yunnan Provincial Communications Management Bureau and partnerships with corporations like Huawei Technologies. Huawei has significantly advanced digital transformation in remote areas globally, impacting around 90 million people. Read also: Hokuriku Shinkansen Expansion Brings Japan's Cultural Wonders More Accessible The impact of digital infrastructure in Xinzhai is evident. The village's small-grain coffee has gained national recognition, with sales reaching significant figures, including considerable earnings from live streaming. This success has improved the village's economy and turned it into a tourist attraction. However, experts like Liao Yongsong, a rural policy researcher, and Huo Peng, from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, caution that there are challenges to consider. These include the costs of building and operating digital infrastructure and ensuring that these advancements are sustainable and extend nationwide. Coffee Village Boosts Quality and Tourism with Huawei's 5G Tech In a remarkable step, the famous coffee village of Xinzhai in China is now fully covered by a 5G network, thanks to a partnership between China Mobile Yunnan (CMY) and tech giant Huawei. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of the locally grown 'Baoshan small-grain coffee' and attract more tourists to the area. Xinzhai, known for its premium coffee, is situated on the Gaoligong mountain and stands about 1,000 meters above sea level. It's not just famous in China; its coffee has earned a reputation far and wide. The village has recently gained attention as a great example of how 5G technology can transform rural areas. Khmer Times reported that the journey began in 2013 when CMY started building regional wireless networks. They invested around 22 million yuan to set up 55 macro base stations in Gaoligong. With the introduction of 5G in 2021, the focus shifted to meeting new infrastructure needs. The plan is to extend 5G coverage to 98% of areas with more than 30 households by the end of 2023. Five 5G base stations have already been installed in the coffee fields, covering 667 hectares. Huawei's involvement has been crucial. Before their intervention, the coffee industry in Xinzhai was struggling. With a renewed focus on quality and an integrated development approach, the village has saved its coffee industry and set a benchmark for others to follow. Related article: China's Tourism Revival Soars, Reaching Near Pre-Pandemic Heights in 2023 Traveling to Trang An in Vietnam is a decision you will not regret. In the heart of the country, this spectacular destination offers an experience unlike any other. Here, the natural beauty and historical significance merge, creating a setting that feels like it comes from a fantasy. Trang An is full of natural wonders and cultural heritage. When you plan your next trip, think of the charm of Trang An. The landscapes here are stunning, with rivers winding through towering limestone karsts. Each turn reveals views more beautiful than the last. The area's history is present in every cave and temple, telling stories of a past that shaped the region and Vietnam itself. The Natural Beauty of Trang An Entering Trang An, you are welcomed by landscapes that seem surreal. The area showcases rivers flowing through massive limestone formations because it is famous for its striking scenery, as shared by the VNExpress. These natural wonders, shaped over the ages, represent Vietnam's untouched beauty. Exploring these landscapes, whether walking or on a boat ride, offers stunning views at every corner. The green waters reflecting the lush surroundings provide a calming, almost magical experience. River Excursions in Trang An A key attraction in Trang An is the boat tours. Imagine yourself on a boat, with water softly splashing around, as you move through the river network. These tours offer more than just travel; they let you experience the essence of Trang An. Journeying through numerous caves, each with its unique features is memorable. Moving from a cool, shadowy cave to a bright, open view is an experience that lingers in your memory. Read Also: 6 Do's And Don'ts When Travelling In Vietnam Diverse Wildlife in Trang An Trang An is home to a variety of plants and animals. The region is a sanctuary for different bird species and unique plants, some found only here. This biodiversity adds to the appeal of Trang An, making it an ideal spot for nature lovers and photographers. Cultural and Historic Sites Trang An is rich in history. The temples and caves here are not just historical sites but insights into Vietnam's past. Visiting these places, you gain an understanding of Trang An's historical role in Vietnamese culture. The old temples reflect the region's architectural and spiritual heritage, offering a peaceful environment for reflection. Tips for Visiting Trang An For a great visit to Trang An, consider these tips. The best times to go are spring and autumn for ideal weather and scenery. Accommodations range from local homestays to upscale hotels, each offering a unique view of local life and food. It is recommended to explore both by land and water. While boat tours are popular, walking through the area offers a more intimate experience with Trang An's natural beauty. Trang An offers a combination of natural beauty and cultural richness. Every part of Trang An, from its scenic waterways to historic temples, contributes to a memorable visit. When planning your next trip, think of Trang An, a place where each step and boat ride brings new discoveries. Related Article: Things to Know About Quy Nhon in Vietnam Ha Long Bay, a popular tourist spot in Vietnam, is losing its charm due to pollution and too much development. The increase in buildings and tourist facilities in Ha Long City damages the bay's environment. While efforts to reduce plastic waste have been successful, there is still a long way to go in restoring the bay's health and beauty. Ha Long Bay Faces Environmental Threats Ha Long Bay, a famous UNESCO World Heritage site in Vietnam, faces serious environmental issues. Known for its stunning turquoise waters and limestone islands, the bay attracted over seven million visitors last year. However, the rapid growth of nearby Ha Long City, with new hotels, homes, and tourist attractions like a cable car and amusement park, harms the bay's natural beauty. According to Philstar Global, the over-development along the coast, including docks and luxury apartments, has severely impacted the bay's ecosystem. Recently, images of a large construction project in a nearby bay caused a stir among those who care about the environment. Originally, Ha Long Bay was home to about 234 types of coral. Now, this number has dropped by half. The bay also struggles with pollution from both plastic and human waste. Despite these challenges, there have been some positive signs. Captain Nguyen Ba Hai, who flies tourists over the bay, noted that plastic pollution has decreased over the last ten years. Still, visitors like Anete Cimbule from Latvia hope for cleaner waters. She expected to see bluer waters during her visit to Vietnam. Captain Hai also wished to see the bay return to its former blue color. Read Also: 5 Places You Have to Visit When You Go to Hoi An, Vietnam Public Outcry Over New Construction at Ha Long Bay A large building project near Ha Long Bay caused a lot of concern in November 2023. Ha Long Bay, known for its beautiful islands and popular with tourists, faced threats from this construction. Last year, over seven million people visited the bay. State media showed pictures of a big construction area at Bai Tu Long Bay, next to Ha Long Bay. Do Gia Capital Limited Company plans to build a complex with homes, hotels, and shops over 318,000 square meters. This area is in the "buffer zone" around Ha Long Bay, which UNESCO says helps protect the World Heritage site. UCA News reported that the project will have 451 villas, houses, hotels, and other areas. However, a former official, Truong Quoc Binh, said this construction broke the rules for protecting Ha Long Bay. Nguyen Xuan Dien, a famous researcher, and Trang Nguyen, a conservationist, both said this project could harm Ha Long Bay. Dien said it turns natural beauty into "toys for the rich." Cam Pha City, near the building site, told the builders to stop work until an inspection is done by November 10. The plan got official approval in 2021. Ha Long Bay has changed a lot because of new buildings and tourists. This has hurt the environment, including coral and sea life. There is also a big problem with trash. UNESCO's office in Vietnam and the Ha Long Bay managers didn't answer questions about this issue. Other similar building projects in Vietnam have also been reported recently. Related Article: ASEAN Workshop Enhances Green Tourism with Digital Skills Training in Vietnam Kosovo nationals can now travel visa-free to the EU's Schengen zone, with the new rule effective Monday. This long-awaited change, significant for the 1.8 million people in Kosovo, marks a step towards wider recognition and EU aspirations. Despite concerns over potential misuse, the Kosovo government is promoting responsible travel, with Prime Minister Albin Kurti addressing the first travelers under the new regime. Kosovo Nationals Can Now Travel to EU Without Visa In a significant move, Kosovo has been granted a visa-free travel privilege to the European Union (EU). Starting Monday, people from Kosovo can visit the EU's Schengen zone without a visa. This zone allows passport-free travel across many European countries. The new rule applies for short stays, up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This change is a big deal for Kosovo, a country in the Western Balkans with about 1.8 million people. Kosovo was the last country in this region to get this visa waiver. According to the Manila Bulletin, the decision is seen in Kosovo's capital, Pristina, as a big step towards being fully recognized by other countries. It's also a push for Kosovo's goal to join the EU. Read Also: Why These 7 EU Countries Do Not Use the Euro The European Commission, the EU's governing body, said Kosovo met all necessary requirements by 2018. These included managing its borders and handling migration. However, the plan was delayed. Countries like France and the Netherlands were worried about possible new waves of migration. Also, five EU countries - Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain - do not recognize Kosovo's independence from Serbia. Serbia also doesn't recognize it. Before this change, Kosovo passport holders could only visit 14 countries without a visa. Now, they have much more freedom to travel. But there are concerns. The government in Kosovo has been telling people not to misuse this new freedom. They're especially worried about people trying to find jobs in the EU. Prime Minister Albin Kurti is leading this campaign. He will speak to the first group of people from Kosovo traveling without a visa. This event will happen at the Pristina airport on Monday. It marks a new chapter for Kosovo and its people. Kosovo Faces Worker Shortage as Many Plan to Travel to Europe Businesses in Kosovo are preparing for a shortage of workers in the coming months. This is due to a new rule that lets people from Kosovo travel to Europe more easily, starting Jan. 1. Schengen Visa News reported that a big survey found that more than 80% of people in Kosovo want to travel this year. This excitement to see Europe could mean insufficient workers in Kosovo jobs. Liridon Hoti, who manages a company in the capital with over 40 employees, says this is already affecting his business. Workers are saving their time off for spring when they can travel to Europe. He plans to manage this by organizing work better and being more flexible with employees. Schools in Kosovo are also facing problems. More than 300 teachers and school staff have asked for time off; some might even leave the country for good. Rrahman Jasharaj, a union leader, is worried that many won't return. He says this is partly because they are unhappy with their pay and work conditions. An earlier survey showed that about 37% of people in Kosovo want to move to the EU, with Germany as the top choice. This new travel rule is a big chance for many, but it's also creating challenges back home in Kosovo. Related Article: UK Passport Holders Face Boarding Denials Due to Brexit Rules Confusion Finding a business that has the potential to grow substantially is not easy, but it is possible if we look at a few key financial metrics. Firstly, we'll want to see a proven return on capital employed (ROCE) that is increasing, and secondly, an expanding base of capital employed. Ultimately, this demonstrates that it's a business that is reinvesting profits at increasing rates of return. In light of that, when we looked at Solarvest Holdings Berhad (KLSE:SLVEST) and its ROCE trend, we weren't exactly thrilled. Understanding Return On Capital Employed (ROCE) For those that aren't sure what ROCE is, it measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. The formula for this calculation on Solarvest Holdings Berhad is: Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) (Total Assets - Current Liabilities) 0.10 = RM41m (RM561m - RM156m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to September 2023). So, Solarvest Holdings Berhad has an ROCE of 10%. That's a relatively normal return on capital, and it's around the 11% generated by the Electrical industry. See our latest analysis for Solarvest Holdings Berhad KLSE:SLVEST Return on Capital Employed January 1st 2024 In the above chart we have measured Solarvest Holdings Berhad's prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you'd like to see what analysts are forecasting going forward, you should check out our free report for Solarvest Holdings Berhad. So How Is Solarvest Holdings Berhad's ROCE Trending? When we looked at the ROCE trend at Solarvest Holdings Berhad, we didn't gain much confidence. To be more specific, ROCE has fallen from 32% over the last five years. Although, given both revenue and the amount of assets employed in the business have increased, it could suggest the company is investing in growth, and the extra capital has led to a short-term reduction in ROCE. If these investments prove successful, this can bode very well for long term stock performance. Story continues On a side note, Solarvest Holdings Berhad has done well to pay down its current liabilities to 28% of total assets. So we could link some of this to the decrease in ROCE. What's more, this can reduce some aspects of risk to the business because now the company's suppliers or short-term creditors are funding less of its operations. Since the business is basically funding more of its operations with it's own money, you could argue this has made the business less efficient at generating ROCE. The Bottom Line In summary, despite lower returns in the short term, we're encouraged to see that Solarvest Holdings Berhad is reinvesting for growth and has higher sales as a result. These trends are starting to be recognized by investors since the stock has delivered a 3.2% gain to shareholders who've held over the last three years. So this stock may still be an appealing investment opportunity, if other fundamentals prove to be sound. One more thing to note, we've identified 2 warning signs with Solarvest Holdings Berhad and understanding them should be part of your investment process. For those who like to invest in solid companies, check out this free list of companies with solid balance sheets and high returns on equity. 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. Latvia's assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of Russian war of aggression has reached 595 million, which is 0.85% of the country's GDP. According to Ukrinform, this was stated by Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins in the annual report on Latvia's foreign policy, Delfi reports. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, the volume of macro-financial, humanitarian and development assistance from the Latvian budget has amounted to about 39 million. These funds were used to make contributions to the UN, World Bank, European Investment Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and OECD instruments to support Ukraine, as well as to finance cooperation projects. Read also: Latvia hands over 32 generators to educational institutions in Chernihiv region Karins emphasized that Latvia continues to participate in the process of restoring Ukraine, paying special attention to Chernihiv region. In particular, a 2 million agreement was signed with the United Nations Development Program to restore social infrastructure in the region. In 2023, Latvia allocated 5.1 million for the restoration of Ukraine, of which 3.1 million was implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to the minister, in 2023, along with the implementation of projects to overcome the consequences of the war, projects to support Ukraine's European integration continued, for which more than 500,000 was allocated from the MFA budget. Read also: Latvia hands over almost million euros worth of cars confiscated from drunk drivers to Ukraine Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, 240 Ukrainian soldiers have been treated and rehabilitated in hospitals and rehabilitation centers in Riga. As noted in the report, Latvian civil society, entrepreneurs and the non-governmental sector continue to actively support Ukraine by providing humanitarian and military assistance. The Ziedot.lv Charitable Foundation has received donations worth more than 23.7 million, which are aimed at the needs of Ukraine's defense sector, medical institutions, and Ukrainian refugees in Latvia. Karins said that at the EU level, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advocates for a change in the approach to supporting Ukraine, stating that it should be more systematic and focused on a long-term period, as Russia still has enough resources to continue its war of aggression. Latvia strongly supports the creation of a 50 billion instrument to support Ukraine by 2027 to provide macro-financial assistance and support for reforms. The Foreign Minister noted that Latvia continued to provide all types of military assistance to Ukraine on a bilateral basis, which has amounted to 370 million since the beginning of the aggression. As Ukrinform reported, Ukraine had attracted more than $42 billion in international aid this year, which allowed it to finance all necessary expenditures. Consumers looking to kick off 2024 with a shopping spree are in luck, as they will have options aplenty on Jan. 1. While most national retailers shut their doors on Christmas, that will not be the case on New Year's Day, as companies such as Walmart, Target and TJ Maxx, among others, will be open. Some companies will be open with limited hours, however, so it is always best to check with your local store for their specific holiday hours before leaving your home. Here's everything you need to know about which stores will be open and closed on New Year's Day 2024. Bank, post office info for New Year's: Are banks, post offices, UPS and FedEx open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day 2023? Is Walmart open on New Year's Day? Yes, all Walmart stores will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Jan. 1, the company told USA TODAY. Is Target open on New Year's Day? Target stores will be open their regular hours on New Year's Day, however store hours vary by location. You can find your local store's specific hours here. First Day Hikes: Celebrate New Year and exercise with First Day Hikes all around Maryland Is Sam's Club open on New Year's Day? Sam's Club warehouses will be closed on Jan. 1, 2024. Are Home Depot, Lowe's or Ace Hardware open on New Year's Day? Home Depot stores will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Jan. 1, while Lowe's stores will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ace Hardware stores are individually owned and operated, so hours vary by location, however most stores will be closed on New Year's Day. Polar plunges: Shake off 2023, dive into 2024 at Ocean City, Chincoteague New Year's swims: All to know Are TJ Maxx and HomeGoods open on New Year's Day? Both stores will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Jan. 1. Is Old Navy open on New Year's Day? All locations for Old Navy vary by location. Customers are encouraged to contact their local store for specific hours of operation. Story continues New businesses in 2023: Wawa, Jersey Mike's and tons more new businesses in Salisbury, Ocean City in 2023 Is Kohl's open on New Year's Day? Yes, Kohl's stores will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Jan. 1. Is Barnes & Noble open on New Year's Day? Barnes & Noble bookstores will be open their regular hours on New Year's Day. Businesses coming in 2024: Wawa, Starbucks and much more: a slew of new businesses coming to Delmarva in 2024 Will pet stores like PetSmart be open on New Year's Day? PetSmart stores will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Stores open on New Year's Day All stores listed below will be open on Jan. 1. Hours are listed for the companies that provided them. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New Year's Day 2024 stores open, hours: Walmart, Target, Home Depot Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have discussed security issues during a phone call. Zelensky said this in a post on Facebook, Ukrinform reports. "We're starting the year with active work to further strengthen Ukraine, particularly our air defense, in the wake of brutal Russian air attacks. I just had my first call this year with Justin Trudeau. We focused primarily on security," he wrote. Zelensky informed Trudeau about Russia's most recent missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and villages. "On New Year's Eve alone, our air defense forces managed to shoot down over 80 drones. Unfortunately, there were also hits that damaged civilian infrastructure in the Sumy, Odesa, Lviv, Poltava, Kyiv, Donetsk, and Kherson regions," he said. Zelensky thanked Trudeau for his willingness to help protect the Ukrainian sky, particularly by providing additional NASAMS systems and missiles. "We also discussed our work on security guarantees and agreed that our teams will soon start a bilateral dialogue to prepare a relevant agreement. We also talked about the preparation of the fourth Peace Formula meeting of advisors in Davos in January. I appreciate Justin and Canada assisting our relevant efforts on a global scale," Zelensky said. He said he was also grateful for the reassurance that Canada's support for Ukraine will continue this year, both in terms of military and financial assistance. "We value cooperation with Canada and we appreciate every step in support of our state and our independence," Zelensky concluded. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has delivered a New Years address to the Ukrainian people. The video address was posted by the Head of State on the official Telegram channel, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. The full text of the speech is provided below: Dear people! Dear Ukraine! The year 2023 is coming to an end. Another year of our independence. Another year of our fight for independence. Another year of war. War for our land. For our freedom. For each other. Asking millions of Ukrainians about this year, you will get millions of different answers. Everyone will recall something of their own. Someone close to them. Everyone has something to smile about. Because it worked out. And everyone has something to cry over. Because of losses. Each of us fought, worked, waited, helped, lived and hoped this year. In our own way. Everyone. But everyone will find something common to all Ukrainians in this year. The major result of the year, its main achievement: Ukraine has become stronger. Ukrainians have become stronger. 676 days ago, we were all challenged. Missiles were flying at us from all sides, and an enemy onslaught was approaching from all directions. 676 days ago, at this very place, I addressed you, Ukrainians, and reported the beginning of a full-scale war. We did not know then what lay ahead. Many did not believe we would last a week. Few believed we would make it through 2022, let alone standing through 2023. And today we are facing 2024. Ukraine is alive. Ukraine lives. Ukraine fights. Ukraine advances, Ukraine overcomes the path. Ukraine gains. Ukraine works. Ukraine exists. And all together, this is not a New Year's miracle, not a fairy tale, not magic, but the merit of each of you. Each of the millions of Ukrainians. Everyone who throughout this year, day and night, proved: Ukrainians are stronger! When, at the beginning of 2023, in January and February, we surmounted, without exaggeration, the most difficult winter in history. When we proved that Ukrainians are tougher than cold and darkness. Stronger than power outages and blackout threats. Ukrainians will cope with any energy shortage as they have no shortage of resilience and courage. We did not fade away in the darkness. The darkness did not engulf us. We defeated the darkness. Our energy sector withstood. Our country stood strong. It overcame this year. And I want to thank all those who made this possible in the first place. All our Security and Defense Forces. I am proud of every Ukrainian warrior. As long as you stand, Ukraine stands. I know how courageously and heroically you defend us. All this time. The time of tough, fierce daily battles. From the first minutes of January 1 until now, even on New Year's Eve, when the Ukrainian warrior fights and cannot afford weakness. You are holding back the evil that has become even greater. But it couldn't do anything more. Because you fought on every front and every street of ours, in each of our houses. You were strong. You did not surrender a single blue-and-yellow heart. Not a single kilometer of our freedom. It is you. All our warriors. Each and every one who proves: Ukrainians are stronger than evil. And I want to thank all our people, our strong nation. Everyone who is here today. Everyone whom I want to tell: I am proud of all of you. Every Ukrainian citizen. Every strong person. And I know how difficult it is for everyone today. Everyone who has put their lives on hold. Who postponed everything for after the victory. Everyone who says: "I am working, and this is not a feat, but a duty. I am donating, and this is not a feat, but a norm." Everyone who works and fights every day because they know that wars do not end by themselves they are ended. And victory is not received or granted it is gained. And to this end, today we have to live by the rule: you either work or you fight. Because we have the world's largest terrorist organization against us. And it is obvious how much more we have to do, how much more active we have to be, how much stronger our unity and struggle have to be. This is known to everyone who does not ask themselves daily 'what can I do?' but lives by the formula 'I must do more than I can.' Because that's what the word 'to win' means. In our language. To overcome yourself, to overpower, to make an extraordinary effort and to do more than it seemed at first glance. Because in reality, each of us is capable of more. Our heroic people prove this every day. Our heroes. Our medics, saving warriors on the frontline and civilians in peaceful cities and villages. Those who prove: Ukrainians are stronger than pain, wounds, and death. Our firefighters and rescuers, who show that Ukrainians are stronger than fire and rubble. Those who prove: Ukrainians are stronger than any circumstances, stronger than hopelessness. Our teachers, who educate children despite the war. Online, in person or by setting up a school in the Kharkiv subway. Our railway workers, our drivers, communication workers, engineers. Our volunteers, our diplomats, Ukrainian business, everyone who pays taxes and provides jobs to the Ukrainians, everyone who sows, reaps and gives Ukrainians bread, everyone who provides shelter to Ukrainians, everyone who makes shells and ammunition, repairs and builds, restores and revives, works every day, proves every day: Ukrainians are stronger than fatigue. And therefore, Ukrainians are stronger than this war. February 24 convinced us of this. The war taught us a lot. It showed us a lot. It did a lot to us, changed us. The war, unfortunately, separated families, took away sons and daughters, and at the same time united us into one big family. And on February 24, we made a choice. And the cold, emotionless truth of the war's realities is that this choice was different. Someone stayed here, in Ukraine, someone fled, someone was besieged, someone evacuated their children, someone went to the front, someone rescued others, someone saved their family, someone left and stayed there, and someone left and returned home. To Ukraine. And these are stories of people, stories of men and women. Those who could not stay at home and went to the front. And those who could no longer stay abroad, somewhere far from home, and returned. After realizing and saying to themselves: "I do care. I am needed. Needed for victory, needed for Ukraine." Those who proved: I am stronger than fear. Those who proved: I am stronger than doubts. Because I know that one day I will have to ask myself: who am I? To make a choice about who I want to be. A victim or a winner? A refugee or a citizen? And everyone knows the answer. And the answer is Ukraine. Because Ukrainians are stronger together. So it's time to be together! And this is the time that all Ukrainians who are now in the temporarily occupied territories are eagerly waiting for. All those who have not lost Ukraine in themselves. Who have not allowed their minds and hearts to be occupied. All those who cherish Ukraine in their children. Cherish our flag. Hold onto the belief in Ukraine's return. Knowing that all expectations are not in vain. And I want you to feel our gratitude to you for this. And remember: without each and every one of you, Ukraine will be incomplete. And today we are celebrating the New Year together. According to our time. And at exactly midnight we will sing our anthem the anthem of Ukraine together. With love for Ukraine. And this love is stronger than the occupation. This love for Ukraine is the driving force that the invaders fear. And Crimea, Donbas, Luhansk region, Berdyansk, Melitopol, Mariupol all ours know this: the enemies truly fear you a lot. Not international organizations with political appeals, but the Ukrainian spirit of Ukrainian people who have proven, are proving, and will prove that we are stronger. Stronger than captivity. Stronger than the enemy. Stronger than this war. Because that's the kind of people we are. And such people inspire the whole world you can see that. And such a state is welcome in the European family. This is evidenced by the decision to open negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU. A decision that others have been pursuing for decades. A decision that was once hard to believe, about which skeptics claimed: "This is not fast, not tomorrow, almost impossible. Do not hope, do not believe, do not expect." But Ukraine of 2023 is determined, resolute, consistent, decisive, and persistent. Ukrainians are stronger than any blockades and vetoes, disbelief or skepticism. A country that is implementing extremely difficult and necessary reforms and changes during the war. And as a result, a country that is now awaited in the European Union. And these are not just words these are official decisions, official documents. And this process will definitely have a logical conclusion full-fledged membership in strong Europe. A powerful one. From Lisbon to Luhansk. And this is a historic victory. There have been many such diplomatic victories this year. And all of them were not easy for us. The Ukrainian Peace Formula, which has already been endorsed by 80 countries. Security guarantees for Ukraine, which have already been acceded to by three dozen countries. The "grain corridor" that we were told of: "You will never make it without Russia." We were blocked and blackmailed, but we found a way out. We did, and our corridor is functioning, and by today, it has handled nearly 13 million tons of Ukrainian grain. This year, Ukrainians proved that we are stronger than lies, stronger than PSYOP. Stronger than despair, discord, and despondency. By maintaining international support for Ukraine. And multiplying it. By opening new directions, new prospects for Ukraine. Having held 120 meetings at the level of leaders this year alone, which brought us 156 defense support packages alone. Proving once again that Ukrainians are stronger than any intrigues, any attempts to diminish global solidarity, to undermine the coalition of our allies. Instead, it has grown. The coalition of "Patriots", the air coalition, the tank coalition. And I would like to thank every country that has joined the coalition to return Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. And I thank all our partners for the fact that this year we already have Patriots, IRIS-T, HIMARS, NASAMS, Hawk, Abrams, Leopards and many more. And our pilots are already mastering F-16 jets, and we will definitely see them in our skies. So that our enemies can certainly see what our real wrath is. And next year, the enemy will feel the wrath of domestic production. Our weapons, our equipment, artillery, our shells, our drones, our naval "greetings" to the enemy and at least a million Ukrainian FPV drones. All of which we will generously use. On land, in the sky and, of course, at sea. Our Black Sea. And this year, the enemy felt like never before: he has no place there. And our actions in the Black Sea have become a dark chapter in the history of the ruscists' fleet. This can be officially "confirmed" by their large landing ships, missile-armed and patrol corvettes on the bottom of the sea. And our Zmiinyi (Snake Island) is now without their snakes and tricolor. Fellow Ukrainians! This year, Ukraine has overcome 6,000 air alerts. Almost every night, it woke up to sirens and went down to the shelter to protect its children from enemy missiles and drones. Our air defense forces worked every night and every day, heroically defending the Ukrainian skies. So that we could hear the 'all clear' call 6 thousand times. And go up 6 thousand times. Go upstairs. Look up into the sky and prove once again that Ukrainians are stronger than terror. And no matter how many missiles the enemy fires, no matter how many shellings and attacks vile, ruthless, massive the enemy carries out in an attempt to break Ukrainians, intimidate them, knock Ukraine down, drive them underground, we will still rise. Because the one who brings hell to our land will one day see it from his own window. 676 days ago, I addressed you from this office, from my workplace. Behind me then was a painting a landscape of the Ukrainian land. Today, behind me are the chevrons of our warriors. And each of them speaks of our land, our sky, all of our Ukraine, our people, what we have accomplished and what we will achieve. They speak of everyone fallen. And everyone who is fighting. And everyone who will live on this land. And will be proud to be Ukrainian. Because the whole world will know: Ukrainians are stronger! I wish everyone who has already found themselves in our common cause to always have those who will lend a shoulder and will not let you down in life. I wish everyone who is still hesitating to make a bold choice next year to defend their own country, to work for it, to help it, to find themselves in their own country, because this is the only place on earth where we can all say that we are at home. And just like last December 31, today we say: "We do not know for certain what the new year will bring us." But this year we can add: "Whatever it brings, we will be stronger." And now I want to say the words that were considered banal before the war, but during the war they are priceless. I wish you, your families, your loved ones, and all your dear ones warmth and good health. To those who have a dear heart, may they live long. To those who have lost them, may they remain in your hearts. To loved ones time. As much time as possible. To children fulfillment of your wishes. To all people human happiness. And to our Ukraine victory and peace. Happy New Year, Ukrainians! Happy New Year, Ukraine! Glory to Ukraine! Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine Warren Buffett once quipped that likening active traders to investors is 'like calling someone who repeatedly engages in one-night stands a romantic.' Here's how he suggests you invest Never one to mince his words, Warren Buffett quipped in his 1991 letter to Berskshire Hathaway shareholders that likening someone who trades actively in the market to an investor is like calling someone who repeatedly engages in one-night stands a romantic. The 93-year-old is not keen on the idea of the average trader frequently wrestling with the stock market to try and pick winners rather than keep things simple. He would much prefer his followers own a diverse mix of businesses that, in the aggregate, are bound to do well stating in his 2013 letter to shareholders: A low-cost S&P 500 index fund will achieve this goal. Heres why the Oracle of Omaha is such a fan of low-touch, long-term investing for the average person and how you can apply his words of wisdom to your investing portfolio. Low-cost index funds One reason why Buffett likes index funds is their relatively low cost compared to actively managed funds. He told investors in his 2016 letter: When trillions of dollars are managed by Wall Streeters charging high fees, it will usually be the managers who reap outsized profits, not the clients. Both large and small investors should stick with low-cost index funds. Since dishing out that advice, the world has experienced some pivotal moments. Theres been a global pandemic, several wars, extreme weather events and economic strife. Not to mention, an explosion of innovation around technology, in particular artificial intelligence, which has generated a lot of excitement in the business world. Any of those things could and probably should make investors think twice about where they put their money. But Buffett has warned in the past not to dwell on dramatic headlines. Story continues Reflecting on his first ever stock purchase when he paid $114.75 to buy three shares of Cities Service preferred stock at age 11 in 1942 he once told CNBCs Becky Quick: The best single thing you could have done on March 11, 1942 when I bought my first stock was just buy an index fund and never look at a headline, never think about stocks anymore. He added: If you put $10,000 in an index fund and reinvested dividends it would come to $51 million now. And the only thing you had to really believe in then is that America would win the war and that America would progress as it has ever since 1776 and that American business would move forward. If youre keen to follow his advice, here are some successful low-cost index funds to consider. Read more: Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now cash in on prime real estate without the headache of being a landlord. Here's how Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) Buffett is a fan of the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). In fact, he singled it out as his low-cost S&P 500 index fund of choice in his 2013 letter to shareholders. VOO tracks the top 500 U.S.-based companies on the stock exchange and is generally considered to be a barometer of the health of the U.S. economy. It gives investors exposure to the earnings of high-performing companies including some of Buffetts favorite stocks, like Apple, Bank of America Corp and Coca-Cola without having to bet on each stock individually. Since VOOs inception in September 2010, as of Nov. 30, the fund has achieved an average annual return of 13.58%, just shy of the benchmark S&P 500 index, which returned 13.62% over the same period. Another attractive element of VOO is its very low expense ratio of only 0.03%, much lower than the average expense ratio of similar funds, which is more like 0.79%. Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) If youre not swayed by the stock market and are more interested in alternative assets, you may want to consider the Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ). VNQ tracks the performance of publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) and other real-estate-related investments. It gives investors exposure to income-producing commercial real estate like apartment buildings, offices and industrial complexes. While Buffett has shown little desire to buy and manage real estate, he has invested in several REITs over the years. These publicly traded property portfolios distribute at least 90% of their taxable income to shareholders in the form of dividends and if you reinvest those dividends, you can achieve great compound growth over time. Since VNQs inception in 2004, as of Nov. 30, it has achieved an average annual return of 7.18%, just shy of its benchmark index, which achieved 7.21%. The fund has another relatively low expense ratio of 0.12%. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) Buffett recommends low-cost index funds for average traders, but thats not how he made his fortune. Rather, he invested in individual stocks. If you want to follow in the billionaires footsteps, investing in his conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway (BKR.B) is one way to get started. Berkshire Hathaway is a holding company that owns a diverse range of private businesses in sectors like insurance, utilities and energy, freight rail transportation, finance, manufacturing, retail and services. Its so diverse, its like a mini index fund in and of itself. Berkshire Hathaway offers Class A stock (BRK.A) and Class B stock (BRK.B). BRK.A is the companys original stock option and comes with a stratospheric price tag, most suitable for accredited and institutional investors. Meanwhile, BRK.B, first issued in 1996, is more modestly priced and affordable to smaller investors. In the past decade, BRK.B stocks have shot up in value by around 204%. Year-to-date, as of Dec. 29, the stock is up nearly 16%. In the third-quarter of 2023, the conglomerate reported earnings per share of $4.96, beating its original estimate of $4.36. In his 2023 Thanksgiving letter to shareholders, Buffett described Berkshire Hathaway as one of the largest and most diversified companies in the world. He lauded the companys longevity: Decay can occur at all types of large institutions, whether governmental, philanthropic or profit-seeking. But it is not inevitable. Berkshires advantage is that it has been built to last. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. As the cost of higher education continues to be a concern, students are increasingly turning to strategic planning, including applying for college in the fall to secure admission for the following fall. With application processes becoming more nuanced and diverse, it's crucial to stay informed about the various deadlines and admission options available. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the labyrinth of college application deadlines for fall 2024. Early Birds Catch the Admissions Worm: August 1, 2023, Openings Most college applications, including the widely used Common Application, opened on August 1, 2023. This opening signals the starting point for students eyeing enrollment in the fall of 2024. While the bulk of the application components can be completed before this date, it serves as a critical milestone for prospective college-goers. READ ALSO: Want To Study Engineering In The US? Here Are The Top 10 Universities Four Windows of Opportunity: Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision, and Rolling Admission Colleges offer various admission options, each with its own set of deadlines and considerations. Understanding these options is crucial for applicants seeking to tailor their application strategy. 1. Early Action - Deadline: November 2023 - Admission Decision: December 2023 - Details: Offers early admission without a binding commitment. Ideal for those wanting an early decision without immediate commitment to attending the school. 2. Early Decision - Deadline: November 2023 - Admission Decision: December 2023 - Details: A binding agreement to enroll upon acceptance. Requires a nonrefundable deposit and withdrawal of all other applications. Best suited for students certain about their school choice. 3. Regular Decision - Deadline: January/February 2024 - Admission Decision: March/April 2024 - Details: A widely used option with later deadlines, allowing more time for essays, exams, and careful consideration of college options. 4. Rolling Admission - Deadline: Varies - Admission Decision: Usually within 4-6 weeks - Details: Ongoing evaluation of applications; decisions made as applications are received. Ideal for those who prefer flexibility in their application timeline. Early Action: Strategic Advantage without the Strings Attached Early Action provides a strategic advantage with early admission decisions usually delivered in December. It allows applicants to consider multiple offers until the national May 1 deadline, providing ample time for comparisons. However, applicants may face deferment, pushing their application to the regular decision pool. In such cases, proactive engagement with the school is recommended to strengthen the application. Early Decision: Commitment and Considerations Similar to Early Action, Early Decision delivers early decisions around mid-December. It stands out for its binding nature; admitted students commit to enrolling, withdrawing other applications, and paying a nonrefundable deposit. As financial aid details may not be available, careful consideration is essential, particularly for those heavily reliant on aid. Regular Decision: The Widest Window Most students opt for Regular Decision, with deadlines in January or February. Decisions are typically communicated in March or April, giving applicants time to collect materials, finalize essays, and complete any necessary exams. However, waiting until the final application window means reapplication delays in case of rejection. Rolling Admission: Flexibility in Timing Rolling Admission offers continuous evaluation and acceptance of applications until all spots are filled. With varying deadlines and decisions typically delivered within 4-6 weeks, it provides flexibility. Rolling Admission is commonly used for transfer applicants as well. Strategic Timing for Fall Applications: Tips and Recommendations Applying to college requires meticulous planning. For high school students, requesting recommendation letters and completing SAT or ACT exams in 11th grade is advisable, especially for those considering Early Action or Early Decision. Early Admission Advantages Early applicants often enjoy higher acceptance rates. If considering early admission, start the application process in the summer, focusing on essays, recommendations, and exams. Regular Decision Planning For those needing more time to compare schools or finalize application materials, Regular Decision is the likely choice. Ensure recommendation letters are requested by September to accommodate teacher schedules. No two students are alike, and choosing the right application window depends on individual readiness and preferences. Whether opting for early decisions or waiting for regular deadlines, confidence in the application is paramount. Choose a timeline that aligns with your preparedness, ensuring a smooth and strategic college application journey. RELATED ARTICLE: Admission Tips: Important Factors Colleges Consider When Choosing To Admit Students Having a degree is a commendable accomplishment, a testament to one's dedication and hard work. However, for the academically ambitious, the question arises: How many degrees can you actually attain? If you're driven by the pursuit of knowledge and credentials, the good news is that the possibilities are vast, limited only by your time, commitment, and financial resources. Can You Get More Than One Degree? Yes, you can indeed obtain multiple degrees. The journey towards a degree is demanding, often taking several years of intensive study, whether part-time or full-time. However, the idea of pursuing more than one degree is not only feasible but also supported by educational systems worldwide. Undergraduate degrees, typically pursued immediately after high school, come in various forms. The most common is the bachelor's degree, which delves deep into a specific subject. Additionally, you can opt for a foundation degree, equivalent to the initial two years of a bachelor's program, followed by a top-up degree to complete the full qualification. Moreover, the pursuit of multiple undergraduate degrees is entirely possible, allowing individuals to diversify their academic expertise. Beyond the undergraduate level, postgraduate degrees like master's or doctorate (PhD) open up further avenues for specialization. READ ALSO: Top 10 Universities For B College Students In The US Different Types of Degrees The spectrum of degrees available is vast, ranging from traditional bachelor's degrees to more advanced postgraduate qualifications. Undergraduate degrees serve as the foundation, while postgraduate degrees, such as master's and PhDs, offer specialized knowledge and expertise. The decision to pursue additional degrees is a personal one, driven by career goals, intellectual curiosity, or a desire for higher qualifications. You can choose to stop at an undergraduate degree and enter the workforce, or you can continue your academic journey with postgraduate studies. Funding for a Second Degree Financing multiple degrees can be a concern, especially if you've already completed one and don't have access to student loans. However, various options exist. Employers may sponsor your second degree, and degree apprenticeships can provide financial support. Private companies like Future Finance offer student loans, albeit with interest, to support your educational endeavors. Additionally, crowdfunding platforms allow you to create funding pages, where friends, family, or even strangers can contribute to your educational goals. For more structured funding options, websites like the Scholarship Hub provide valuable information on scholarships and financial aid. Pursuing Two Degrees Simultaneously Surprisingly, you can simultaneously pursue two degrees through a dual undergraduate course. Institutions like the University of Oxford offer programs where students can complete dual medical degrees in a shortened timeframe, providing an efficient path to obtaining two qualifications. However, it's essential to differentiate between courses and degrees. While dual undergraduate courses grant two qualifications, general course loads may vary. It's crucial to understand the specifics of your academic program to balance the workload effectively. Joint Degrees: An Alternative Approach Joint degrees offer another fascinating option, allowing you to study multiple subjects concurrently and receive a single qualification. Unlike dual degrees, joint degrees involve an equal focus on both subjects throughout the program duration. If you find it challenging to choose between two subjects, a joint degree could be an ideal solution. This balanced approach ensures comprehensive knowledge in both areas of study, providing a unique educational experience. Is It Worth Pursuing Multiple Degrees? The decision to pursue additional degrees should align with your career goals and the practical benefits each qualification brings. Postgraduate degrees can significantly enhance earning potential and open doors to advanced career opportunities. For certain professions, such as becoming a doctor, a PhD is a prerequisite. However, pursuing multiple undergraduate degrees, especially in unrelated subjects, may not always be the most practical choice. Degrees are time-consuming and financially demanding, and the investment should align with your long-term objectives. The world of university degrees is nuanced and offers a multitude of paths. Whether you choose to stop at one undergraduate degree or continue with postgraduate studies, thorough research is crucial. Degrees demand substantial effort, making it imperative that each academic pursuit is worthwhile and aligned with your aspirations. Remember, the journey of education is as valuable as the destination, and the pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong endeavor. RELATED ARTICLE: Georgetown University Report Assesses The True Value Of A College Degree Graduating from college is a significant milestone, often accompanied by exciting life changes and new responsibilities. As you embark on this journey, establishing good financial habits is crucial, and one key aspect is building a positive credit history. A good credit score is not just a number; it opens doors to various opportunities, such as renting an apartment, securing an auto loan, and even obtaining better terms on future credit cards. For college students looking to kickstart their credit journey, a student credit card can be a valuable ally. These cards are specifically designed to cater to the unique needs and circumstances of students. They offer an avenue to build credit responsibly while also providing perks and rewards tailored to student lifestyles. Why a Student Credit Card Matters Opening a student credit card serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it allows young adults to establish a credit history early on, which is beneficial for their financial future. Secondly, these cards often come with rewards programs and special financing offers, adding a layer of financial incentives to responsible credit management. READ ALSO: A Comprehensive Guide To Private Student Loans Choosing the Right Student Credit Card With a plethora of student credit cards available, selecting the right one can be overwhelming. To simplify the process, CNBC Select has done the legwork, identifying top contenders in various categories based on spending habits. Here are some standout options: 1. Best for Cash Back: Discover it Student Cash Back This card is ideal for students who want to maximize cash back in rotating categories or need financing for significant purchases, such as a new laptop. With 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter and a welcome bonus where Discover matches all cash back earned in the first year, it's a strong contender. 2. Best for Groceries and Dining: Capital One SavorOne Student Credit Card For students who prioritize rewards on dining and groceries, this card stands out. With cash back on popular categories and an early spend bonus, it caters to those who enjoy eating out or cooking at home. 3. Best for Travel: Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students Geared toward students with a penchant for travel, this card offers unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases. It comes with a substantial welcome bonus and a generous 0% APR offer for the first 18 billing cycles. 4. Best for Gas Stations: Discover it Student Chrome For students who frequently find themselves at gas stations and restaurants, this card provides 2% cash back on such purchases, along with a welcome bonus where Discover matches all cash back earned in the first year. 5. Best for 0%-APR Offer: BankAmericard Credit Card for Students Students planning to make large purchases can benefit from this card's 0% APR offer for the first 18 billing cycles. While it doesn't offer rewards, it provides a financial cushion for those looking to spread out payments. Designed for individuals without an established credit history, this card evaluates eligibility based on banking activity. It offers cash back with no fees, making it an attractive option for those starting their financial journey. How to Choose and Make the Most of a Student Credit Card When selecting a student credit card, it's crucial to align the card's features with your spending habits and financial goals. Consider factors such as annual fees, APR, rewards programs, and any special financing offers. To make the most of your student credit card, focus on responsible credit management. Pay your balance on time and in full each month to avoid interest charges. Understand the card's rewards structure and take advantage of any welcome bonuses. Over time, this responsible behavior will contribute to building a positive credit history. A student credit card is not just a financial tool; it's a stepping stone towards financial independence. By choosing a card that aligns with your lifestyle and utilizing it responsibly, you not only build a positive credit history but also enjoy perks and rewards along the way. As you navigate post-graduation life, consider a student credit card as a companion on your journey to financial success. RELATED ARTICLE: 20 Best Christmas Gifts For The College Student In Your Life (@FahadShabbir) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Jan, 2024) Dar-ul-Madina International University, has officially announced the commencement of admissions for Bachelor's programs in Arabic, Education, Islamic Studies, and Islamic Banking and Finance. The university, located on Sector G-11, Shabbir Sharif Road, Islamabad, chartered by the government of Pakistan and recognized by the Higher Education Commission, has gained prominence for its commitment to providing quality education in the realm of Islamic studies. Dar-ul-Madina International University offers a comprehensive BS Arabic program, aiming to equip students with a deep understanding of the Arabic language, literature, and culture. The BS Education program at the university is designed to prepare future educators with the skills and knowledge necessary for a dynamic and evolving educational landscape. Renowned for its expertise in Islamic studies, the university offers a BS program that delves into various facets of Islamic theology, history, and jurisprudence. Reflecting the university's commitment to contemporary relevance, the BS Islamic Banking and Finance program integrates traditional Islamic financial principles with modern banking practices. Talking to media, Muhammad Adil Attari, Member, board of Governors, said, "Prospective students can submit their applications through the university's online portal, providing them with a convenient and streamlined process. " "The admission criteria include academic merit, entrance exams, and interviews to ensure the selection of qualified candidates," he maintained. Adil said Dar-ul-Madina, "International University boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including well-equipped classrooms, libraries, and research centers." He said, "The campus provides a conducive environment for academic growth and fosters a sense of community among students." Adil said, "The university's vision revolves around nurturing individuals who are not only well-versed in their chosen fields but are also grounded in Islamic values. With a mission to contribute to the intellectual and moral development of its students, he said Dar-ul-Madina International University strives to create future leaders with a global perspective." As Dar-ul-Madina International University opens its doors for admissions, Adil said, "It continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the academic landscape, emphasizing the fusion of traditional Islamic knowledge with contemporary educational practices." (@Abdulla99267510) A local lawyer has filed the appeal against the nomination papers of the PML-N surpemo, saying that the RO has overseen the verdict of the apex court in which Nawaz Sharif was declared ineligible to contest the elections. LAHORE: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-Jan 1st, 2024) An appeal has been filed against approval of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Supremo Nawaz Sharifs nomination papers for NA-130 for the upcoming general elections. Advocate Ishtiaq Chaudhary, a lawyer based in Lahore who is also head of Pakistan Awami Mahaz, challenged the decision of the Returning Officer regarding acceptance of Nawaz Sharifs nomination papers. He argued that the apex court had earlier declared Nawaz Sharif ineligible, holding that he is as unfit to participate in elections. However, contrary to this decision, the returning officer overseeing the nomination process approved Nawaz Sharif's candidacy, the lawyer contended. He asked the tribunal to declare the ROs decision as null and void and against the ruling of the countrys top court. , (@Abdulla99267510) Extending heartfelt wishes to the honorable people of Pakistan on the occasion of New Year, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir says no one can defeat the spirit of Pakistan as people and armed forces of Pakistan are the one. RAWALPINDI: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-Jan 1st, 2023) Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Asim Munir, has expressed unwavering commitment that Pakistan Army, as a National Army, will leave no stone unturned to contribute to the cause of national security and development. Extending heartfelt wishes to the honorable people of Pakistan on the occasion of New Year, he said no one can defeat the spirit of Pakistan as people and armed forces of Pakistan are the one. According to Inter-services Public Relations (ISPR), a challenging yet momentous year of 2023 is over and the year 2024 is of immense importance both internally and externally. The Armed Forces of Pakistan underscore the patriotic spirit ingrained in serving the motherland, a land adorned with immeasurable bounties and countless opportunities. Aligned with the directive of the honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Armed Forces expressed solidarity and extended prayers to the resilient people of Palestine and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. The statement expressed the hope that the New Year will bring relief to their sufferings under tyrannical regimes. The statement said undoubtedly, our great nation will rise, in line with the dreams of our forefathers and aspirations of the people of Pakistan. Surely a bright future for the coming generations awaits us, InshaAllah. Kyiv, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Jan, 2024) 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." Chad's transitional president General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno on Monday appointed a former leading opposition leader, who recently returned from exile, as prime minister. Succes Masra, president of The Transformers party, was a long-time opponent of the Deby dynasty but returned to Chad in November after reaching an agreement with its military leaders. Days before last month's referendum on a new constitution -- which saw 86 percent of participants vote "yes" Masra publicly urged supporters to vote in favor, with the outcome now expected to pave the way to elections. "Doctor Succes Masra is appointed prime minister, head of the transition government," general secretary to the presidency Mahamat Ahmat Alabo announced on state TV. Masra went into exile shortly after October 20, 2022, protests against the military regime, which had just extended by two years an 18-month transition supposed to culminate in elections and the return of power to a civilian government. Authorities say some 50 people were killed that day. The opposition and local and international NGOs put the toll between 100 and 300. Almost all of the victims were shot dead by the military and the police, mainly in the capital N'Djamena. Masra only returned from exile on November 3 following a reconciliation agreement signed in Kinshasa on October 31 which guaranteed him free exercise of political activities. He has told the government he wants to "continue dialogue... with a view to a peaceful political solution". Several opposition parties have distanced themselves from Masra, while furthermore speaking out against a general amnesty the regime has granted for "all Chadians, civilians and military" involved in the events of the October 2022 protest which has become known as Black Thursday. Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) has been one of the hottest healthcare stocks to own in recent years. The company is now the most valuable healthcare company in the world, with a valuation of around $550 billion. So, investors may be wondering whether the stock has peaked, and perhaps it's time to hold off on buying it or cashing out their investments in the healthcare stock. But that could be a mistake. Eli Lilly has a lot of growth left in its business. And while the hype has largely been around its weight-loss treatment Zepbound, investors shouldn't overlook another important catalyst, which could be just around the corner. Its early Alzheimer's treatment may soon be approved One of the most promising assets in Eli Lilly's pipeline is donanemab, which helps people with early Alzheimer's. In clinical trials, it has shown to be effective in slowing the rate of cognitive decline. Scientists found that it could slow the disease's progression by 29% based on the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale. That compares favorably to the 27% decline that Biogen's Leqembi has demonstrated, and it obtained approval from regulators in July. There are other things for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to consider, including side effects. However, donanemab achieving potentially better results than Leqembi suggests its approval is highly probable. The only question may be when the FDA will actually approve the drug. Eli Lilly previously stated that a decision from the FDA could come either by the end of 2023 or the early part of 2024. Yet another potential blockbuster to build around The need to treat Alzheimer's is massive. More than 6 million Americans live with the disease today. And according to the Alzheimer's Association, that figure will more than double to 13 million by 2050. Demand for the medication will likely be strong, especially given its encouraging trial results. At its peak, donanemab should be a blockbuster drug, with peak sales potentially around $5 billion, according to analysts. Ultimately, much will depend on how much support and coverage there is from Medicare since the treatment may cost $20,000 per year. Story continues Shares of Eli Lilly may remain hot in 2024 Approval of donanemab in the weeks ahead could help ignite Eli Lilly's stock. While investors have been focusing on the company's weight-loss drug, Zepbound, which obtained approval in 2023, Eli Lilly's business is broader than that. Reminding investors that donanemab is another growth catalyst in its portfolio may make the stock's seemingly expensive valuation appear a lot more tenable. Eli Lilly stock trades at close to 50 times its estimated future earnings. While that can be a steep price for the healthcare stock, that's pricing in a lot of earnings growth in the years ahead. If donanemab obtains approval, that will set Eli Lilly's business up for even greater profits and growth in the future. Eli Lilly remains a good stock to buy Eli Lilly's valuation may look expensive, but there's good reason for it -- investors are paying a premium because they know the business will get a lot bigger with the recent approval of Zepbound, which analysts expect will generate tens of billions in revenue for the company in the long run. And with approval for donanemab potentially not far behind, it may not be long before there's another reason to boost expectations even higher for Eli Lilly. If you're willing to buy and hold for the long term, Eli Lilly is one of the best stocks you can invest in today. Even at its current valuation, the stock may still be cheap, given the business's potential in the long run. It wouldn't be surprising for this to end up being the first trillion-dollar healthcare company at some point in the future. 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Why Eli Lilly Stock Could Start Off 2024 With a Bang was originally published by The Motley Fool Multinational corporations in China are facing a dilemma in 2024: Stay, or walk away because of the growing risks of doing business there? Beijings increased scrutiny of Western firms over the past year alarmed international investors at a time of growing tensions between the United States and China. "De-risking" became the byword for wary enterprises. Anna Ashton, director of the China corporate affairs program at the Eurasia Group, a global political risk consulting firm, told VOA Mandarin in a phone interview, National security concerns tied to the changing geopolitical landscape and tensions with the United States have prompted Beijing to change some of the rules for doing business in ways that make the environment a lot less certain for foreign companies. That, plus the slower than expected return to normal growth after the end of the zero-COVID policies. So, this and geopolitical tensions with the U.S., a sort of sluggish Chinese economy have been key drivers in terms of making the business environment difficult for foreign companies. China's economic weakness may also be making foreign businesspeople wary. On December 14, the World Bank said in its semiannual regional forecast that it now expects China's growth rate of 5.2% this year will slow to 4.5% in 2024, down from the 4.8% it expected in April, and 4.3% in 2025. The outlook is subject to considerable downside risks, the report said. Liu Aihua, spokesperson for Chinas National Bureau of Statistics said, Looking to the future, the internal and external environment facing our countrys development is still complex and severe, according to The Associated Press. To further promote economic recovery, we need to overcome some difficulties and challenges. While Beijing still values foreign investment and is working to attract foreign firms, it is placing a higher priority on national security. China's newly revised Counter-Espionage Law went into effect on July 1. The U.S. National Counterintelligence and Security Center issued a warning to U.S. companies before the law was enacted, saying that the new laws vague definition of espionage gave the Chinese government more access to, and control over, corporate data. What companies considered normal business activities, such as market research, could become criminal activities. Addressing the laws vagueness, Elisabeth Braw, a columnist at Foreign Policy and a senior associate fellow at the European Leadership Network, told VOA Mandarin in a phone interview in November that for Western businesses, China is becoming an increasingly difficult environment and unpredictability is the problem. Any Western company can be targeted by various government crackdowns related to the espionage legislation, she said. Also, whenever the Chinese government wants to retaliate against the Western government, there is a risk that it will use a Western company operating in China as a proxy target. That's very easy, because what can the company do? It can do nothing. In an article Braw wrote for Foreign Policy in April, Braw said China's difficult business environment is reflected in the fact that political risk underwriters have virtually stopped writing new policies for companies operating in China. Companies signaled how they felt about the changing environment with their plans to move. In May, Forrester Research, which focuses on technology consulting, decided to close its China office. In June, the Gerson Lehrman Group, which had planned to expand its operations in China in 2023, began layoffs. In November 2023, U.S. asset management giant Vanguard Group and the management consulting polling firm Gallup announced they would be shutting down their operations and withdrawing from China. Even companies highly dependent on China's manufacturing sector such as Apple, which launched its Chinese manufacturing operations in 2001, are transferring part of their production lines to countries such as India and Vietnam. According to data released in early November by China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange, foreign direct investments were negative $11.8 billion in the third quarter, the first negative figure since recordkeeping began in 1998. Ethiopia and the self-declared republic of Somaliland have signed a historic initial agreement that will allow landlocked Ethiopia to have access to the Red Sea, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmeds office announced Monday. The announcement was made in Addis Ababa where Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi is visiting. According to Ethiopia, Ahmed and Abdi signed the Memorandum of Understanding, or MoU, for the partnership in the Ethiopian capital. It said the MoU is intended to serve as a framework for the multisectoral partnership between the two sides. The Memorandum of Understanding shall pave the way to realize the aspiration of Ethiopia to secure access to the sea and diversify its access to seaports, said a statement issued by Ahmeds office. It also strengthens their security, economic and political partnership. Furthermore, the Memorandum of Understanding also indicates the pathway [to] bolster their political and diplomatic relations, the statement said. Abdi arrived in Addis Ababa on Sunday and was welcomed by Demeke Mekonnen, Ethiopia's deputy prime minister. The office of the spokesperson of Somalilands president posted a purported recording of Abdi saying that Somaliland has agreed to lease 20 kilometers of coastline along the Red Sea in Somaliland to Ethiopia. Without specifying the location of the piece of land, Abdi said Ethiopia will have a marine force base on the leased land. In return, the recording claims, Ethiopia will officially recognize Somaliland once the final deal is signed. He did not say when the deal will be signed. VOA Somali has not verified the authenticity of the recording. The Prime Minister of Ethiopia has requested from us to enter an understanding for their military to have a base on the sea as they have a maritime force, Abdi is heard saying in the recording. And for us, Somaliland has many times been asking Ethiopia to recognize our nationhood as we have agreed, which is written here, we allow them 20-km [of] sea, and they will recognize Somaliland when the agreement is signed, he said. Abdi said Ethiopia will use Berbera seaport for some of its imports. Ethiopia mainly uses the port in Djibouti. God willing, Ethiopia will become the first country to recognize Somaliland, and we will become the first country to allow Ethiopia a 20-km sea, he said on the recording. Ethiopia has not officially said it will recognize Somaliland. But Ahmed, who was sitting next to Abdi, did not contradict the remarks made by the president of Somaliland. The office of Ethiopias prime minister said the signed MoU reaffirms the principled position of the Ethiopia government to advance mutual interests through cooperation on the basis of reciprocity. The Memorandum of Understanding ushers in a new chapter of cooperation and has a huge significance for regional integration in the horn, the statement said. It also enables Ethiopia to enhance its role in maintaining regional peace and security. The federal government of Somalia has not yet commented on the development, but the state-run news agency reported that the cabinet will convene an emergency meeting on Tuesday to discuss the deal between the two countries. Federal Somali lawmaker Mursal Khalif said on X that he believes Somalia will respond appropriately to news of Ethiopia infringing on our territorial integrity. Despite the new agreement signed between Somaliland and Ethiopia, Somalia still considers Somaliland as part of Somalia. Somaliland declared separation from Somalia in May 1991 but has not yet received international recognition. The announcement comes just days after Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Abdi met in Djibouti and agreed to resume talks between both governments. The federal government of Somalia has not yet commented on the development. Before settling in New York City like thousands of other migrants this year, Abdoul, a 32-year-old from West Africa, took an unexpected detour: Weeks in a remote Texas jail on local trespassing charges after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. "I spent a lot of hours without sleeping, sitting on the floor," said Abdoul, a political activist who fled Mauritania, fearing persecution. He spoke on the condition that his last name not be published for fear of jeopardizing his request for asylum. Starting in March, Texas will allow police to arrest migrants who enter the state illegally and give local judges the authority to order them out of the country. The new law comes two years after Texas launched a smaller-scale operation to arrest migrants for trespassing. But although that operation was also intended to stem illegal crossings, there is little indication that it has done so. The results raise questions about the impact arrests have on deterring immigration as Texas readies to give police even broader powers to apprehend migrants on charges of illegal entry. Civil rights organizations have already sued to stop the new law signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, calling it an unconstitutional overreach that encroaches on the U.S. government's immigration authority. On Thursday, the Justice Department told Abbott that it will also bring a lawsuit unless Texas reverses course on the new law by next week, according to a letter that was first obtained by Hearst Newspapers. Since 2021, Texas authorities have arrested nearly 10,000 migrants on misdemeanor trespassing charges under what Abbott has called a "arrest and jail" operation: Border landowners enter agreements with the state authorizing trespassing arrests, clearing the way for law enforcement to apprehend migrants who enter the U.S. through those properties. The arrests have drawn constitutional challenges in courts, including claims of due process violations. More recently, one landowner asked officials to stop the trespassing arrests on their property, claiming authorities never had permission in the first place. Abbott had predicted the trespassing arrests would produce swift results. "When people start learning about this, they're going to stop coming across the Texas border," he told Fox News in July 2021, when Texas-Mexico border crossings reached 1.2 million that fiscal year. That number has ticked up even higher over the past fiscal year, topping 1.5 million. "They're still coming through here," said Sheriff Tom Schmerber of Maverick County, where Abdoul crossed the border and was quickly arrested in July. Abbott suggested this month Texas may soon phase out the trespassing arrests as it moves forward with illegal entry charges that can be enforced most anywhere in the state, including hundreds of miles from the border. The trespassing arrests have been a cornerstone of Abbott's nearly $10 billion border mission known as Operation Lone Star that has tested the federal government's authority over immigration. Abbott has also sent an estimated 80,000 migrants on buses to Democratic-led cities, strung up razor wire on the border and installed buoy barriers on the Rio Grande. Last week, Abbott sent a flight of 120 migrants to Chicago in an escalation of his busing operation. The mission is visible in Maverick County, where many of the arrests have taken place. Patrol cars are parked every few miles along the two-lane roads leading to the border city of Eagle Pass. Along the Rio Grande, state troopers from Florida, one of several GOP-led states that have sent National Guard members and law enforcement to the border, work in tandem with Texas officials. Abdoul was arrested in the city's Shelby Park, a small piece of greenery touching the river with a ramp for boaters. It was the Fourth of July when Abdoul set foot on American soil for the first time. Officers standing nearby asked him a few questions and quickly took him into custody. He said that he was given small food portions in jail and was so miserable he would say anything to get out. He pleaded guilty to trespassing, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of a year in jail. It's unknown how many of those arrested on the border for trespassing remain in the U.S., were deported, were allowed to stay to seek asylum, or had their cases dismissed. But Kristen Etter, an attorney who said her legal organization has represented more than 3,000 migrants on the trespassing charges, said the majority of their clients were allowed to stay and seek asylum. She said many migrants seek out law enforcement at the border because they want to surrender. "If anything, rather than being a deterrent, it is attracting more people," she said. The trespassing arrests are spearheaded by the Texas Department of Public Safety, which said the state's border operation has resulted in more than 37,000 total criminal arrests. Spokesperson Ericka Miller said officers have stopped gang members, human traffickers, sex offenders and others from entering the country. "Had we not been there, all of it likely would have crossed into the country unimpeded," Miller said in an email. "The state of Texas is working to send a message to those considering crossing into the country illegally to think again." Rolando Salinas, the mayor of Eagle Pass, signed a blanket trespassing charge affidavit to allow arrests like Abdoul's on park grounds during a spike in migrant crossings in July. Following local backlash, he rescinded the affidavit before signing it again weeks later. Ultimately, Salinas said, he supports the operation because it has brought needed law enforcement personnel to the city. "Our force is not big enough to maintain the peace of Eagle Pass if we have 10-15,000 people coming through," Salinas said. State Rep. David Spiller, who authored the new arrest law Abbott signed this month, said he believes border crossings would be much higher without the trespassing prosecutions. But he said those cases add to prosecutors' workloads, depend on cooperation from landowners, and, even if defendants are convicted, the offense is not deportable under federal law. Those charged, Spiller said, are presumably assimilating into the U.S. population. "We're doing what we can, but we're only slowing down that process," Spiller said. "We haven't stopped anybody." Abdoul went to New York City after his release, where he said he was allowed to stay at a shelter for a month. He now rents a room with a cousin and is awaiting a work permit. Then, he said, he will get a job and try to go to school until an immigration judge decides his future next spring. "When everything is finished and my case is guaranteed, I want to go to school because I started school and my dream is to be well educated," Abdoul said. A magnitude 7.6 earthquake shook Japan, causing tsunami warnings. Israel says the war in Gaza will not slow down as the U.S. bans extremist and violent Israeli settlers from entering the country. The death toll climbs in Ukraine and Taiwan prepares for an election as Beijing watches. Closely. Ukraine ends 2023 coping with a barrage of deadly Russian attacks and uncertainty over continued Western aid. Henry Ridgwell takes a look back. The last year started with a number of successes in Ukraine's efforts to stave off invading Russian forces but ended with disappointment over in its counteroffensive efforts. Ukraine war correspondent Christopher Miller discusses the successes and challenges that lie ahead for Ukraine. The war is taking a toll on school children yearning to get back to the classroom. And while citizens were lining up to enlist in Ukraine's military at the start of the war, Reuters reporter Lauren Anthony says it's a very different picture now. Israel said Monday it is withdrawing some soldiers from the Gaza Strip for training and rest as it looks to prepare for what officials have said will be a war against Hamas that will go on for months. Army spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told reporters that some reservists would be going back to Israel this week. "This will significantly ease the burden on the economy and allow them to gather strength for the upcoming activities in the next year, as the fighting will continue and they will still be required, Hagari said. Israel has been under pressure from the United States, its top ally, to shift to lower-intensity operations in Gaza and to protect civilians. Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip fired a barrage of rockets Monday, prompting air raid sirens to sound across Israel. There were no reports of damage or casualties from the rockets, which Hamas has continued to use to target Israel as Israeli forces carry out an offensive to eliminate Hamas in Gaza. Israeli military actions in Gaza continued Monday with ground operations and airstrikes, including what the Israel Defense Forces said was a strike that killed a Hamas commander who helped lead the fighters responsible for the Oct. 7 terror attack in southern Israel. The IDF identified the commander as Adel Mesmah, and said he also helped lead Hamas fighters against Israeli forces in Gaza after Israel launched its offensive. British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said Sunday that the U.K. wont hesitate to take further action to deter threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, after a series of attacks by Houthi militants that have disrupted traffic in the key waterway. The Houthis should be under no misunderstanding: we are committed to holding malign actors accountable for unlawful seizures and attacks, Shapps wrote in The Telegraph. U.S. forces on Sunday sunk three Houthi boats in response to an attack by the Iran-backed militants on a Maersk container ship in the Red Sea. U.S. Central Command said the Houthis fired on the Maersk Hangzhou and attempted to board it. U.S. Navy helicopters responding to a distress call from the Maersk Hangzhou also came under fire, and in return sank the Houthi boats while a fourth escaped the area. The Houthis said 10 of their fighters were killed. The Yemen-based group has targeted ships in the Red Sea in a show of support for Hamas, the Gaza-based militants who attacked Israel in October and prompted Israel to respond with an offensive aimed at eliminating Hamas. The Israeli campaign to crush Hamas has left vast parts of the Gaza Strip in ruins. Gazas Hamas-run health ministry said the Israeli offensive has killed more than 21,800 people. The ministry does not differentiate between militants and civilians, but says 70% of those killed were women and children. Israel began its military campaign vowing to crush Hamas after the October attack when Israel said about 1,200 people were killed and some 240 captives taken hostage, with 129 believed still held by Hamas in Gaza. The Israeli military says 172 of its military personnel have been killed so far in the fighting. Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States, United Kingdom, European Union and others. About 85% of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been displaced, according to the United Nations. The U.N. has warned of the increased risk of hunger and disease as desperate families shelter in makeshift tents against the winter cold. The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees said nearly 1.8 million people are sheltering in or in the vicinity of its overcrowded installations in Gaza. The agency has also reported damage from attacks hitting 128 of its sites, with 142 of its personnel killed. Some material for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Israel signaled a new phase in its offensive in the Gaza Strip by announcing Monday it will be reducing the number of its soldiers in Gaza while pursuing more targeted operations against Hamas in the enclave. A statement by the Israel Defense Forces said the soldiers' withdrawal is expected to "significantly alleviate economic burdens" and allow the troops "to gather strength for upcoming activities in the next year, as the fighting will persist, and their services will still be needed." Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the war is expected to continue. The objectives of the war "require prolonged fighting" he said Sunday. Israel also pulled tanks out of some Gaza districts, according to residents there. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said at a news briefing Monday that some of the Israeli communities north of the Gaza Strip that were evacuated in the wake of the October 7 attack by Hamas will be able to return soon as military operations progress. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy announced that the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier was returning to its home port in Virginia after being deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean following the outbreak of hostilities. Israel has been under pressure from the United States, its top ally, to shift to lower-intensity operations in Gaza and to protect Palestinian civilians. Fighting rages on Despite Israel's shift in military operations, fighting rages on in the enclave. Hamas militants in Gaza fired a barrage of rockets Monday, prompting air raid sirens to sound across Israel. There were no reports of damage or casualties from the rockets, which Hamas has continued to use to target Israel as Israeli forces carry out an offensive to eliminate Hamas in Gaza. Israeli airstrikes were intensified. The Israel Defense Forces said a strike killed a Hamas commander who helped lead the fighters responsible for the October 7 terror attack in southern Israel. The IDF identified the commander as Adel Mesmah, and said he also helped lead Hamas fighters against Israeli forces in Gaza after Israel launched its offensive. The Israeli military said Monday that its troops and aircraft "struck a series of targets in Lebanon, including terrorist infrastructure, military sites in which Hezbollah terrorists were operating, and launch posts." Israel has warned that, if Hezbollah does not back down, a full-on Lebanon war looms. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are backed by Iran, whose militant allies in Syria, Iraq and Yemen have also been carrying out longer-range attacks against Israel. U.S. forces Sunday sunk three Houthi boats in response to an attack by the Iran-backed militants on a Maersk container ship in the Red Sea. U.S. Central Command said the Houthis fired on the Maersk Hangzhou and attempted to board it. U.S. Navy helicopters responding to a distress call from the Maersk Hangzhou also came under fire, and in return sank the Houthi boats while a fourth escaped the area. The Houthis said 10 of their fighters were killed. The Yemen-based group has targeted ships in the Red Sea in a show of support for Hamas, the Gaza-based militants who attacked Israel in October and prompted Israel to respond with an offensive aimed at eliminating Hamas. The Israeli campaign to crush Hamas has left vast parts of the Gaza Strip in ruins. The Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza said the Israeli offensive has killed about 22,000 people. The ministry does not differentiate between militants and civilians but says 70% of those killed were women and children. Israel began its military campaign vowing to crush Hamas after the October attack when Israel said about 1,200 people were killed and some 240 captives taken hostage, with 129 believed still held by Hamas in Gaza. The Israeli military says 174 of its military personnel have been killed so far in the fighting. Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and others. About 85% of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been displaced, according to the United Nations. The U.N. has warned of the increased risk of hunger and disease, as desperate families shelter in makeshift tents against the winter cold. The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees said nearly 1.8 million people are sheltering in or in the vicinity of its overcrowded installations in Gaza. The agency has also reported damage from attacks hitting 128 of its sites, with 142 of its personnel killed. Some material for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. The renewed military cooperation between North Korea and Russia in 2023 could increase threats to global security in coming years, analysts said. As Russias Ukraine war approaches the second anniversary of the February 2022 invasion, Moscow has turned to North Korea for help in replenishing its depleted stockpile of arms. In exchange, Russia has suggested it will help develop weapons that Pyongyang wants, including a spy satellite. North Korea claimed on November 28 that a satellite it launched into orbit the week before had taken photos of critical U.S. sites, including the Norfolk Naval Station, the Newport News shipyard, the White House and the Pentagon. The South Korean intelligence agency believes Pyongyang was able to launch the satellite only because of technological assistance from Russia, according to South Korean lawmakers who were briefed by the agency in late November. Previous launch attempts failed in May and August. Indo-Pacific countries, including Taiwan and Australia, as well as European countries such as the U.K., France and Ukraine, described the satellite launch as a threat to their national security. We fear in particular that Russian counterparts [are acting] for the benefit of the North Korean regime, said French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna following a November 23 meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. She said these actions are causing destabilizing activities in the region in defiance of [U.N.] Security Council resolutions. China has not condemned Pyongyangs satellite launch or arms dealings between North Korea and Russia and has not used its leverage to curb North Koreas threatening behavior despite multiple requests from Washington and Seoul. Robert Rapson, charge daffaires and deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul from 2018 to 2021, said Beijing does not feel threatened by these developments. "In fact, it probably views them as useful for its posturing and policies toward the U.S., South Korea and Japan, he said. At a U.N. Security Council meeting on November 27, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Pyongyang's satellite launch, which uses prohibited ballistic missile technology, is part of an effort to advance its nuclear weapons delivery system. Ken Gause, senior adversary analytics specialist at the Center for Naval Analyses, said Moscow would be willing to help Pyongyang enhance its Hwasong-18 ICBMs. North Korea on Monday conducted its fifth intercontinental ballistic missile test of the year. The missile was a Hwasong-18 ICBM, North Korea's state-run KCNA said Tuesday. It was the third Hwasong-18 ICBM that Pyongyang has tested after launches in April and July. Other weapons Pyongyang desperately wants are modern fighter aircraft and air defense systems, said Gary Samore, former White House coordinator for arms control and weapons of mass destruction during the Obama administration. Samore said Pyongyang is looking to update its very antiquated air defense capabilities to protect itself against the air superiority advantage of the U.S. and South Korea. The arms dealings between North Korea and Russia seem to have solidified when North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited Russia and met with its leader, President Vladimir Putin, in September. Putin appeared to nod to indicate Russias willingness to help Kim enhance its satellite technology during the September 13 meeting at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russias Amur region. Kim visited a fighter jet plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur on September 16 and the Knevichi Airbase and the Pacific Fleet in Vladivostok the next day. But as early as 2022, Pyongyang had been delivering artillery shells to Russia for its war in Ukraine, according to the White House. In January, the White House released satellite imagery showing North Korea sending shipments of arms to Russia via railcars the previous November. The White House released another set of satellite images on October 13 showing more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and ammunition leaving from North Korea's port of Najin. Evans Revere, acting assistant secretary for East Asia and Pacific Affairs during the George W. Bush administration, said arms deals between Moscow and Pyongyang, which violate sanctions, are a "serious matter." He continued, The only question is how substantial and how much of an egregious violation of the U.N. Security Council resolutions. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has predicted Zimbabwe's moribund economy will turn around this year following the recent discovery of oil and gas near the country's border with Mozambique and Zambia and improvement in the countrys mining and tourism sectors. Economists are not as optimistic, as Zimbabweans continue to leave the country. In a new year message broadcast to Zimbabweans at home and in the diaspora on national television and on social media, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said all was shaping for a prosperous Zimbabwe. He said the mining sector had surpassed the target of $12 billion in 2023, while the country was now food sufficient. That's not all, said the 81-year-old politician. "I am encouraged by the increased number of both local and international tourists visiting our country. Equally, investments in new tourism products and facilities which bolstered the sector are a welcome development. As we drive towards energy self-sufficiency, the discovery of oil and gas in Muzarabani confirms Zimbabwes potential as a future producer of gas. This should translate into meeting our energy demands commensurate with the ever growing economy, he said. Gift Mugano, an economics professor at Durban University of Technology, responded to Mnangagwas speech. We are in agro-based economy. We sneeze when the agriculture sector catches a cold. We know that this year there is a drought. That will have a devastating impact on the economy. With drought, we will be importing food. Because of the Russia-Ukraine war, which has seen prices of food, globally, going up around 50%," said Mugano. "We will be forking [out] something in the region of close to $1 billion. Which is almost 20% or so of our total foreign currency receipt. So this will weigh down on the economy in terms of the economy performance. So, to be quite frank and quite honest, the economy will underperform in this year. Yes, we are talking about the discovery of gas and oil but its too early to talk about that development as the driver of the economy. Prosper Chitambara, senior economist with the Labor and Economic Development Research Institute of Zimbabwe, says the countrys agro-based economy will only improve this year if there is no drought as most farmers depend on rains. In terms of the discovery of oil and gas, I think it's going to take a bit of time probably for the country to begin to benefit from this important discovery. I think they should be some gestation period, which obviously also then allows for the investor to fully set up and to start commercial activities. But overall, this year the economy is expected to grow by 3.5% which is lower than the 5.5% estimated growth there for last year, said Chitambara. Ranga Chivi is an electrical engineer who recently left Zimbabwe with his family for greener pastures in Australia who listened to Mnangagwas speech. "It would be interesting to see how the gas and oil discoveries will turn around the economy. We did not leave Zimbabwe because we are unemployed, but we left Zimbabwe because of search of greener pastures and a much more stable economic environment you can raise a family in. So the discovery of gas and oil, its positive for the country and we are more than eager to help where we can, but what remains is the issue to do with stability that I am hoping that this project will bring," said Chivi. According to World Bank, the primary reason Zimbabweans migrate is to search for economic opportunities. It says of the approximately 908,000 emigrants counted in Zimbabwes 2022 census, a large majority (84%) had left the country in search of employment, while another 5% had migrated for education or training. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen used her last New Years address Monday to urge both sides of the Taiwan Strait to resume healthy and orderly exchanges, emphasizing that the only option for Taiwan is to keep safeguarding democracy and peace. We also hope the two sides will jointly seek a long-term and stable way of peaceful coexistence under peace, parity, democracy and dialogue, she said during the speech, which came one day after Chinese leader Xi Jinping said China would surely be reunified with Taiwan. Since Taiwanese presidents often focus on relations with China during the New Years address, some analysts say Tsais message is centered on the importance for Taiwan of maintaining its democratic way of life. She emphasized the need for Taiwan to maintain its autonomy as well as its defense capabilities, which are consistent with her cross-strait policies, Chen Fang-yu, a political scientist at Soochow University in Taiwan, told VOA by phone. During her address, Tsai said Taiwans efforts to deepen engagement with the international community and its attempt to initiate defense reform, which includes the assessment of its defense strategies and modernization of weapon and defense systems, has helped Taiwan win the trust of the world as well as deal with China with confidence and calmness. What is even more different from the past is that Taiwan is no longer forgotten, and the 23.5 million people of Taiwan have participated in changing the world, Tsai said, adding that Taiwan has been the keyword in the world for the last eight years. Highlighting the growing competition between democracy and authoritarianism, Tsai said Taiwan will stick to defending democracy and peace by showcasing its determination for self-defense. We have to show our determination to defend the democratic and free way of life so that the world will recognize that Taiwan is an indispensable and crucial player of global democracy and peace, she said, adding that Beijing and Taipei have the shared responsibility to defend the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the region. The speech comes 12 days before Taiwanese head to the polls for a hotly contested presidential election that will determine who succeeds Tsai in May 2024 and the direction that the democratic island will take for the next four years. Tsais eight-year term as Taiwanese president witnessed rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait and saw Taiwan trying to deepen relations with like-minded democracies around the world. Some experts say Tsai intended the speech to showcase how international Taiwan has become amid the ongoing domestic debate about how the island should handle its relationship with China. She wants to normalize Taiwan politics and Taiwan's international standing in a way that isn't completely framed by cross-strait issues, Ian Chong, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, told VOA by phone. During his New Years address Sunday, Chinese leader Xi Jinping reiterated that Taiwan and China will surely be reunited. All Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, he said. As Taiwans two main opposition parties try to frame the current state of cross-strait relations as dangerous and on the brink of war, Chen in Taiwan said such rhetoric may limit the effect of Tsais message of safeguarding democracy and Taiwans determination to defend itself. In the past, whenever Xi made tough remarks, Taiwanese people would react strongly, he told VOA. However, the opposition parties in Taiwan have successfully created a feeling that people no longer want to talk about cross-strait relations when it comes to domestic policies. This may limit the effect of Tsais rhetoric on democracy and Taiwans determination to defend itself. Apart from showcasing Taiwans efforts to deepen ties with the international community and its willingness to uphold the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, Tsai also laid out her administrations efforts to diversify Taiwans trade and economic relations, pointing to the trade agreements that Taiwan has signed with the U.S., Britain and Canada. These trade agreements are crucial steps in response to the new global situation and now Taiwan can directly engage with the world, she said, adding that the island is no longer confined in the mentality that it needs to prioritize engagement with China before engagement with the international community. Chong from Singapore said Tsais efforts to diversify Taiwans economic and trade relations over the last eight years have helped the island to become less susceptible to economic pressure from China while enhancing its ability to withstand economic turbulence in general. Having a more diversified risk portfolio means that Taiwan is going to be more able to withstand other kinds of economic ups and downs, he said. As China ramps up efforts to interfere in Taiwans upcoming presidential and legislative elections, unleashing a combination of economic coercion and disinformation campaigns, Tsai urged Taiwanese to be aware of Chinas attempts and the false information originating from China. Taiwans national security agencies are aware of Chinas efforts to interfere in the election, she said. Since a new president is guaranteed to emerge from the election scheduled on Jan. 13, Chong and Chen both agree that there is a risk that Tsais efforts to deepen Taiwans ties with the international community could be eroded, depending on which candidate wins the election. While the basic principles of her approach are sticky since all three contenders talking about deterrence first and essentially somehow continuing Tsais path, it ultimately [still] depends on the policies of who comes next, whether they consolidate what Tsai has done, or whether they make an effort to systematically dismantle the direction that she has set for Taiwan, Chong said. BEIJING, Jan. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from People's Daily: On New Year's Eve, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered his 2024 New Year message via China Media Group and the Internet. While pursuing its development, China has also embraced the world and fulfilled its responsibility as a major country. China will work closely with the international community for the common good of humanity, build a community with a shared future for mankind, and make the world a better place for all. "In 2023, we have continued to forge ahead with resolve and tenacity," President Xi said in his 2024 New Year message. "Going forward, we have full confidence in the future." President Xi said the year 2023 has seen China's economy weather the storm and become "more resilient and dynamic than before." China will consolidate and strengthen the momentum of economic recovery, and work to achieve steady and long-term economic development, President Xi said. While pursuing its development, China has also embraced the world and fulfilled its responsibility as a major country, President Xi said. Xi pointed out that peace and development remain the underlying trend, no matter how the global landscape may evolve, and only cooperation for mutual benefit can deliver. China will deepen reform and opening up across the board, and further enhance people's confidence in development, President Xi said. Conflicts are still raging in some parts of the world, he said, adding that Chinese are keenly aware of what peace means. "We will work closely with the international community for the common good of humanity, build a community with a shared future for mankind, and make the world a better place for all," he said. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/xi-pledges-to-work-with-international-society-to-build-community-with-a-shared-future-for-mankind-302024168.html SOURCE People's Daily Thailand has seen an eventful year filled with twists and turns that has reshaped the countrys political and societal landscape. A new government has ended nearly a decade of military rule, but the wishes of Thai people remain unfulfilled. Thailand saw a return to power for the Pheu Thai party, now led by real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin, following the May general elections. Pheu Thais pathway to government meant they had to form a coalition including pro-military parties after election winners the Move Forward Party were blocked by the Thai Senate. But the return of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra following 15 years of exile could boost optimism towards Pheu Thai. Party founder Thaksin had been sentenced to eight years in prison upon his return but was given a royal pardon slashing the sentence to just one year. That leniency, and his popularity, have raised questions about how Thaksins influence will affect Thailands political landscape in the future. Economic focus Prime Minister Srettha has pledged to focus on improving Thailands economy. The so-called holiday period for the Srettha administration is likely over now and the public will expect more results in how the government will spur economic growth following lackluster economic performance for nearly a decade under the military and semi-military regime, Pravit Rojanaphruk, a veteran journalist and analyst told VOA. The World Bank estimates Thailands economy will grow by about 3.2% in 2024. Thailands growth rate was considered lackluster in 2023, reaching the lower end of its previously forecasted range of 2.5% - 3.0%. Sretthas main pledge is the promise of a digital wallet handout of $290 (10,000 Thai baht) to 50 million Thais in 2024 to boost the local economy. But observers are skeptical of Thailands 30th prime ministers ability to accelerate the economy. One way could be through further foreign investment. Srettha has met with U.S. President Joe Biden, and sought investment from tech giants Google and Microsoft. He has courted China leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin to boost trade and tourism. Srettha has avoided taking sides on global political tensions but wants the world to know that Thailand is open for business. Tourism returns One of the most crucial industries for business in Thailand is tourism. In 2019 more than 39 million visitors arrived in the country, contributing 12% of Thailands gross domestic product. Since taking office, Srettha has tried to boost tourism by loosening visa restrictions for visitors from big markets such as China, Russia and India. Thailand now expects 27 million international visitors by this year's end. Gary Bowerman, a tourism analyst, believes Thailand will be pleased with the number of arrivals this year, but the country will need to evolve to remain competitive. Tourism in Southeast Asia in 2024 will be highly competitive and destinations must diversify their travel offerings, engagement strategies and inbound market mixes to cater to both short-stay visitors and travelers wanting to explore more of the country over an extended period of time. Finding that balance will be challenging, he told VOA. But tourism could be affected should officials not find a solution for Thailands sporadic mass shootings. Thailand suffered its third mass shooting in as many years at the popular shopping mall in downtown Bangkok in October, when a Thai minor killed at least three people, including one Chinese national. The killing saw thousands of concerned Chinese tourists cancel their trips to Thailand. Thai officials still insist Thailand is a safe destination and have predicted 35 40 million international arrivals in 2024. But the shootings have also prompted government officials to look at Thailands gun laws, some of the most lenient in Asia. Tourism could also be hampered if Thailand sees a return of street protests and political unrest. Despite winning the most votes in the 2023 general elections, and being backed by millions of Thai youths, the Move Forward Partys future is uncertain over its calls to amend Thailands royal defamation law. Next year Thailands Constitutional Court will rule whether the partys controversial pledge undermined the monarchy. If they agree that it does, the party risks being dissolved. Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat, once a president-elect, also faces political disqualification in 2024 over allegations of having shares in a media company prohibited by Thai law. For the meantime, the agenda for monarchy reform, a key aspiration among many young politically alert voters remain unfulfilled as Move Forward Party is the only party pledging for the reform. Come January the party could be disbanded by the Constitutional Court if found to have acted unconstitutionally by making the electoral pledge to reform the controversial lese-majeste law and its former leader Pita Limjaroenrat who pushed for the policy banned from politics for 10 years. Thus, uncertainties loom large in January 2024, Pravit added. Digital rights declining According to an annual report released in October by the Manuysha Foundation, in partnership with Freedom House, Thai authorities continue to persecute dissident and opposition voices online. Emilie Palamy Pradicihit, founder of Manuysha, says addressing online persecution is crucial for the new government. The pervasive use of surveillance technologies against political activists further compounds these challenges. Looking ahead to 2024, addressing these issues is crucial for fostering a more open and inclusive internet environment, she told VOA. Marriage equality bill Thailand is progressing in its effort to pass a marriage equality bill. If the law is passed, Thailand would be the first country in Southeast Asian to allow same-sex marriage. Mookdapa Yangyuenpradorn, a Thailand human rights associate at Fortify Rights, hopes the law will pass. The parliaments decision is a monumental step for Thailand to provide full and equal rights for LGBTI+ people. We mostly hope to see the bill gets passed, at least in the parliament house before June, so that we can celebrate in Pride, she said. Cannabis policy In June 2022 Thailand's Food and Drug Administration officially delisted cannabis from the country's narcotics list, which has sparked thousands of cannabis stores, and pop-up stalls to open throughout Thailand. But Srettha told U.S. media in September that Thailand would seek a law to allow cannabis use only for medical reasons. The comments have Thailands cannabis community concerned. But Kitty Chopaka, a cannabis activist in Bangkok, insists cannabis is here to stay. Going back is not an option no matter what our PM said. The only way forward is to regulate, she told VOA. Thousands of doses of vaccines against childhood diseases including polio and measles have begun entering the Gaza Strip to help deal with a growing health emergency in the besieged enclave, the Palestinian health ministry said on Monday. Israel's ground offensive has effectively stopped normal health services in Gaza, including vaccinations against highly contagious childhood diseases that had been brought under control by mass immunization programs. The ministry said supplies, estimated to be sufficient to cover vaccinations for between 8 and 14 months, had entered Gaza through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt with the aid of Egyptian government cold storage facilities. Israel announced on Friday that it would facilitate the entry of the vaccines to help prevent the spread of disease. Yasser Bouzia, head of international relations in the health ministry in Ramallah, said there were estimated to be some 60,000 new born babies in Gaza, who would normally receive vaccination but who have been largely cut off from medical services. He said administering the vaccines would be difficult because most of Gaza's population had been driven from their homes, with hundreds of thousands living in tents or other temporary accommodation. The vaccines against diseases including rubella, polio, measles and mumps come from supplies purchased by the Palestinian health ministry and also donated by UNICEF, the United Nations children's fund, the ministry said. Tunisian judicial authorities on Monday ordered that prominent journalist Zeid El-Heni should be detained and tried on charges of defamation, days after he criticized the trade minister, his lawyer said. El-Heni will have his first court hearing on January 10 on the charge of "defaming others on social media," his lawyer Ayachi Hammami told reporters. Police first arrested him on Thursday after he made comments about the minister on local radio in an interview that was posted on Facebook, Tunisia's state news agency said. Tunisia's journalists union demanded his immediate release, calling his detention a "violation of legal provisions governing the trial of reporters." Freedom of speech and media were key gains for Tunisians after the 2011 revolution that ousted autocratic President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and triggered the "Arab Spring" protests. But activists and journalists say freedom of speech has been deteriorating since President Kais Saied seized wide powers in 2021. Saied has said his actions were needed to save Tunisia from chaos under what he calls a corrupt elite. New Years Day was a day of mourning for Ukraine for those killed from Russias massive missile strikes Friday. Five more bodies have been found under rubble in Kyiv after massive Russian airstrikes three days ago, city authorities said Monday, raising the death toll in the Ukrainian capital from that attack to 28. "Sincere condolences to all those who lost relatives and loved ones ... terrorists who kill civilians will never be forgiven for the blood spilled on Ukrainian soil," Kyiv's military governor, Serhiy Popko, wrote on Telegram. Russia and Ukraine charge each other with reported deadly attacks Monday. The Russia-installed head of the occupied Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine Denis Pushilin said shelling in the city of Donetsk, killed four people and injured 13 others. In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry called the shelling of Donetsk a "terrorist act" that it said was aimed at civilian infrastructure. Meanwhile, Kyiv said Russia had hit the country with a "record" number of drones on New Year's Day. In southern Ukraine, Governor Oleh Kiper said falling debris from a thwarted Russian drone attack hit residential buildings in Odesa, killing one person and wounding three others. Ukraines air defenses shot down several drones in the Lviv region in western Ukraine, officials there said. Overall, Ukraines air force said Monday that Russia launched a record 90 drones in multiple waves, with Ukrainian air defenses downing 87 of them. Intensified Russian strikes President Vladimir Putin said Monday that Russia would intensify strikes on military targets in Ukraine, after the deadly Ukrainian attack on the Russian city of Belgorod Saturday, which killed 24 people and left over 100 wounded and came after Moscows massive attacks across Ukraine. During a visit at a military hospital Monday, Putin called Ukraines attack in Belgorod a terrorist act, accusing Ukrainian forces of targeting "right in the city center, where people were walking around, before New Year's Eve" and alleged they had "purposefully hit the civilian population." He said Russia would continue to hit what he called "military installations" and added that he believed the "strategic initiative" in the drawn-out conflict in Ukraine was on the Russian side. He claimed that Moscow wanted an end to the almost two-year long war but, he stressed, "only on our terms," according to Russia's state-run TASS news agency. The Russian president repeated his assertion that Ukraine is being used by the West to "settle its problems" with Russia. Zelenskyy address Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a New Years address that in 2024, Russia will feel the wrath of our domestic production, including at least a million Ukrainian drones. He alluded to the recent Ukrainian attack on a Russian ship in Crimea, saying our actions in the Black Sea have become a dark chapter in the history of Russias fleet. And no matter how many missiles the enemy fires, no matter how many shellings and attacks vile, ruthless, massive the enemy carries out in an attempt to break Ukrainians, intimidate them, knock Ukraine down, drive them underground, we will still rise, Zelenskyy said. Because the one who brings hell to our land will one day see it from his own window. Zelenskyy said that while Ukraine does not know for certain what the new year will bring, Whatever it brings, we will be stronger. Some material for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Ten months from now, U.S. voters will elect a president again, but before they head to the polls, the U.S. Supreme Court in the coming weeks could play a pivotal role in the political fate of the leading Republican candidate, former President Donald Trump. Three-plus years after losing his reelection bid, Trump faces a set of obstacles to reclaiming the White House, all of which the country's nine-member highest court could weigh in on, to Trump's detriment or benefit. He is claiming immunity from prosecution on an unprecedented four criminal indictments encompassing 91 charges for which he could stand trial in the coming months. He is also fighting decisions by two states to keep him off 2024 Republican presidential primary election ballots for his role in allegedly inciting an insurrection by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, as they unsuccessfully tried to keep Congress from certifying that Joe Biden had defeated him in the presidential election. Currently, the Supreme Court is not set to consider Trump's challenges to rulings against him, but that could quickly change as lower courts hear the cases, with Trump, government prosecutors and others certain to appeal any adverse rulings against them to the Supreme Court. The high court has already agreed to review the case of a police officer charged with obstructing an official proceeding of Congress the certification of Biden's victory in the Electoral College that also could affect Trump. The policeman contends that prosecutors wrongly used a corporate fraud statute usually reserved for people who tamper with documents and evidence. Prosecutors have deployed the law in charging more than 300 other Capitol rioters, and it forms the basis of two charges against Trump in a Washington case brought by special counsel Jack Smith accusing Trump of illegally scheming to upend his 2020 election loss to Biden, his Democratic opponent. The court will hear the policeman's case in its current term and could announce its ruling sometime in June, well after the scheduled March 4 start of the Washington election fraud case. More broadly, Trump is making the bold claim that he has absolute immunity from prosecution because any election-related actions he took occurred while he was still president in late 2020 and early 2021. It is the time frame in which prosecutors allege he plotted with key associates to illegally undermine the will of the majority who favored Biden in several key political battleground states so he could overturn the vote in those states to stay in power for another four years. In the U.S., presidents are not elected by the national popular vote, which Biden won by 7 million votes in 2020. Rather, U.S. presidents, and their vice-presidential running mates, are elected through balloting in 50 state-by-state elections, with the most populous states holding the most electoral votes in the Electoral College. About 2,000 Trump supporters delayed the eventual congressional certification of Biden's victory in the Electoral College vote count three years ago when they stormed into the Capitol, fighting with police and ransacking some congressional offices. Special counsel Smith is arguing that no one is above the law and immune from prosecution not even a former president like Trump, the first ever U.S. leader charged with criminal offenses. U.S. Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is presiding over the election fraud case, agreed with the prosecutor, ruling that Trump is not entitled to a "get-out-of-jail-free pass." Also at issue is Trump's claim that he can't be prosecuted for any role in the January 6 rioting at the Capitol because the House of Representatives impeached him for his actions before his presidential term ended although the Senate later acquitted him in early 2021 after he had left office. Trump broadly contends that he can't be prosecuted criminally now in connection with the January 6 mayhem because the Senate has already cleared him in a political proceeding. Smith asked the Supreme Court to fast-track a decision on Trump's immunity-from-prosecution claim, but the justices refused, returning the case to a federal appellate court in Washington. The appeals court has scheduled a hearing on the dispute on January 9 and could rule relatively soon thereafter, setting up the likelihood of a prompt appeal to the Supreme Court by the losing side. The Supreme Court could then let the appellate ruling stand or decide to hear legal arguments in the case and issue its own ruling, perhaps, but not for certain, in time to allow the election fraud trial to start in March. The Supreme Court includes three justices appointed by Trump but in earlier 2020 election-related cases it has ruled against the former president. The court is likely to face a new case directly related to the 2024 election after the Colorado Supreme Court in the western U.S. ruled Trump off the Republican primary election ballot in the state because of a U.S. constitutional provision prohibiting anyone from holding public office who engaged in an insurrection to overthrow the government. Some activist groups and Trump critics have accused Trump of being an insurrectionist by urging supporters to "fight like hell" to block the congressional certification of Biden's Electoral College victory. With the same reasoning as in Colorado, an elections official in the northeastern state of Maine also threw Trump off the ballot there. With appeals already underway, the Supreme Court might have to make a quick nationwide ruling about Trump's election eligibility. The first presidential party balloting starts with caucuses in the Midwestern state of Iowa on January 15, with primary elections scheduled throughout the country in the weeks that follow. "We have full confidence that the U.S. Supreme Court will quickly rule in our favor and finally put an end to these un-American lawsuits," Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said. Trump has denounced the prosecutions against him, calling Smith deranged, and saying the allegations amount to a "political witch hunt" by the Biden White House to keep him from winning the presidency again. Trump has denied all wrongdoing. Smith, the Justice Department prosecutor, has also accused Trump of mishandling classified U.S. national security documents by hoarding them at his Mar-a-Lago oceanside estate in the southern state of Florida after he left the White House. A state prosecutor in the southern state of Georgia has accused him of 2020 election fraud in that state and a New York prosecutor has accused him of falsifying business records at his family's real estate conglomerate to hide hush money payments to a porn film star ahead of his successful 2016 run for the presidency. SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA 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 Sunday. Kim lashed out at Washington in lengthy remarks at the end of 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 to try to increase any 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. The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden says it is open to talks, but it imposed new sanctions as North Korea pushed ahead with more banned missile tests. The U.S. also increased drills and deployed more military assets such as nuclear-armed submarines and large aircraft carriers near the Korean Peninsula. Kim said he could not overlook the return of such weapons, which he said 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. South Koreans will also go to the polls in April for a parliamentary election that could impact the domestic and foreign agenda for conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has maintained a hawkish stance toward Pyongyang. South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) warned Thursday that "there is a high possibility that North Korea could unexpectedly conduct military provocations or stage a cyberattack in 2024, when fluid political situations are expected with the elections." 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 colonized state completely dependent on the United States for national defense and security. Kim also promised to nurture the economy, including metals, chemicals, power, machinery and railway transportation, while modernizing wheat facilities to boost production. One key policy goal is to invest in science and technological research at schools, he said. In the past year, North Korea says it successfully launched its first military spy satellite and test fired new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles seen as having the range to deliver a nuclear warhead to anywhere in the United States. A new reactor at North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear complex appears to be operating for the first time, the U.N. nuclear watchdog and independent experts said this month, which would mean an additional potential source of plutonium for nuclear weapons. North Korea has not tested a nuclear weapon since 2017 but in recent years has taken steps to resume operations at its testing site. Kim said 2024 would see further military development, including strengthening the nuclear and missile forces, building unmanned drones, expanding the submarine fleet and developing electronic warfare capabilities. The fleet of spy satellites would represent the first such capability for the North. That successful launch was preceded by two failed attempts last year when its new Chollima-1 rocket crashed into the sea. The move raised regional tensions and sparked fresh sanctions from the U.S., Australia, Japan and South Korea. Pyongyang has yet to release any imagery from the new satellite, leaving analysts and foreign governments to debate its capabilities. The apparent success also came after Russian President Vladimir Putin promised to help North Korea build satellites. South Korean officials said Russian aid likely made a difference in the success of the mission, though experts said it was unclear how much help Moscow could have provided. Israeli strikes pounded Gaza on Sunday as both sides near the end of a dark year and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the war sparked by Hamas's October 7 attack will last for "many months". At least 48 Palestinians were killed in overnight bombing in Gaza City, the health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip said, with many still buried under the rubble. "After the explosion we arrived at the scene of the strike and saw martyrs everywhere," said one resident after a building was hit. "Children are still missing, we can't find them." Another strike killed 20 people sheltering at Al-Aqsa University in the west of Gaza city, witnesses said. The Israeli army reported killing around a dozen enemy fighters in multiple ground battles, air and tank strikes and said it had located Hamas tunnels, and explosives planted in a kindergarten. As heavy combat raged on, 85 percent of Gaza's 2.4 million people have been displaced, according to the UN, which warns of a growing risk of hunger and disease as desperate families shelter in makeshift tents against the winter cold. The world has watched on in horror for months as the decades-old Israel-Palestinian conflict exploded into the bloodiest ever Gaza war after Hamas launched its unprecedented attack on October 7. The Palestinian gunmen overwhelmed Gaza's high-tech border fence and burst into southern Israel in an attack that killed about 1,140 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. The surprise attack -- in which Hamas militants also abducted some 250 hostages -- sparked a devastating military response. Heavy bombardment, and a ground invasion launched three weeks into the war, have reduced vast areas of Gaza to a ruined wasteland and killed at least 21,822 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry. The Israeli army says 172 of its soldiers have been killed inside Gaza. -'Epic human suffering' - UN chief Antonio Guterres has condemned the "epic human suffering" and "collective punishment" of Palestinian civilians. He and other world leaders have repeatedly called for a ceasefire while Israel has vowed to push on until Hamas is defeated, a position backed by its powerful ally the United States. "The war will continue for many months until Hamas is eliminated and the hostages are returned," Netanyahu reiterated at a news conference on Saturday. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called on Sunday for the return of Jewish settlers to the Gaza Strip after the war and said its Palestinian population should be encouraged to emigrate. "If we act in a strategically correct way and encourage emigration, if there are 100,000 or 200,000 Arabs in Gaza and not two million, the whole discourse of the day after will be completely different," Smotrich told Israeli army radio. There was no suggestion that the minister's proposals had the support of the government as a whole but Hamas swiftly condemned his comments as a "call to expel two million Palestinians" and a "war crime". Inside Gaza, Palestinian families -- many pushed into the territory's far south as the battlefront draws ever closer -- are praying for a respite from the war. "We were hoping that 2024 would arrive under better auspices and that we would be able to celebrate the new year at home with our families," said Mahmoud Abou Shahma, 33, in a camp in Rafah on the border with Egypt. "We hope that the war will end and that we will be able to return to our homes and live in peace." - Desperate hostage families - At least 129 hostages are still believed held in Gaza after more than 100 were released in a prisoner swap during a week-long truce in late November. Families and friends of the remaining captives have rallied to keep up pressure on the government to bring them home. "I hope there's going to be another deal, even a partial deal, or that some will be released," said one demonstrator, Nir Shafran, 45. "I'm trying to hold on to every shred of hope." International mediators have continued efforts toward a new pause in fighting. A Hamas delegation from Qatar visited Cairo on Friday to discuss an Egyptian three-phase plan proposing renewable ceasefires, a staggered release of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and ultimately an end to the war, sources close to Hamas said. Their allies Islamic Jihad said on Saturday that Palestinian factions were "in the process" of evaluating the proposal and would give a response "within days". 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. Netanyahu, asked about the process on Saturday, said Hamas had been "giving all kinds of ultimatums that we didn't accept". "We are seeing a certain shift (but) I don't want to create an expectation," he said without elaborating. - Multiple Mideast fronts - Amid the Gaza war, violence has also flared in the occupied West Bank, and between Israel and some of its regional enemies, an alliance of Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen. In the West Bank, a Palestinian stabbed and wounded two people near an Israeli settlement before being "neutralised", police and emergency services said. Israeli forces have traded heavy fire with Lebanese militant group Hezbollah across the UN-patrolled border. Another Iran ally, Yemen's Huthi rebels, has launched drone and missile attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea, saying the strikes are in support of Palestinians in Gaza. Washington has assembled a multinational naval task force to deter such attacks. The military said on Sunday that US Navy helicopters sank three Huthi vessels and killed their crews after they had attacked a Danish-owned container ship. Huthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said on X that 10 members of the group's naval forces were "killed or missing" in the US strike. burs-fz/kir/hkb Taylor Swift wasnt the one who closed out the year in a cat cafe. Photo-Illustration: Vulture. Photos: Jamie Squire/Getty Images, CNN/YouTube We made it through another year, yall. If theres one thing you can count on besides a flood of (20)23andMe recap posts from your IRL friends on Instagram, its content from celebrities. Whether they were taking part in New Years Eve countdown broadcasts, spending time with loved ones, or getting introspective on social media, stars lit up our social-media feeds as midnight approached. Below, heres how Taylor Swift, John Mayer, Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Aniston, and more rang in 2024. Taylor Swift went to a Chiefs game. Taylor Swift arrives for the final Chiefs game of the year. pic.twitter.com/DMRjGj0M1L Pop Base (@PopBase) December 31, 2023 | Taylor having a great time at the chiefs game today! pic.twitter.com/Swz5G5ADkK Taylor Swift Updates (@swifferupdates) January 1, 2024 She was later seen kissing Travis Kelce on the dance floor at a post-win party. John Mayer called Andy and Anderson from a cat cafe. Inspiring some of Anderson Coopers best drunken giggles yet. Nicki Minaj kept her foot (and invisible heels) on our necks. She got on her tippies and performed in Miami on New Years Eve. The Golden Bachelors Gerry and Theresa watched the ball drop together. They also took pictures together in Times Square, with Gerry describing the outing as Another fantasy night in a long line of fantasy nights. Christina Aguilera celebrated her new Las Vegas residency. Halle Bailey reflected on the year with a photo dump. Including a selfie with DDG, of course. Demi Lovato opted for a video montage. Still going strong with fiance Jutes. Jennifer Aniston gave us a mix of pics and vids. Set to Keeping Your Head Up, by Birdy. Posh Spice and David Beckham had a classy family dinner. Hes never letting that comment about her working-class parents slide, we see. Beyonce dropped some festive new photos. No caption needed. Rachel Leviss subtly acknowledged the Scandoval. Leaving the lightning-bolt necklace in 2023. Mariah Carey went for a swim. Literally showing us a new side in the New Year. 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 whats next? Thats 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 States 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 Floridas food web. The report doesnt 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 theyre 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. 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 USDAs Invasive.org, and havent yet been spotted in Florida. Zebra mussels are already considered one of the worlds 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 havent 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. The one that wasnt even on my radar was the macaque, lead author Diah Lieurance, who started the project while working at University of Florida and is now an assistant professor of invasive species biology and management at Penn State, said in a statement. 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. 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. 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. This content is expired! Unfortunely this content is expired and cannot be viewed anymore; if You are the owner of this content please login to our Website, go to our access panel and enable this content again. The results of the election, widely denounced as neither free nor fair, suggest that the Kremlin is now more focused on creating a cult of personality around Putin as Russias undisputed national patriarch. When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex pulled the royal ripcord for a life of commercial deal-making in the United States, one of their central ambitions was to become podcasters. Flash forward several years and their podcast deal is dead, and Queen Camilla is poised to launch one of her own. The stepmother has struck back. Camillas podcast, The Queens Reading Room, is due to launch on January 8. It is an exercise in aid of the literacy charity of the same name, of which the Queen is patron. But the context in which it lands is revealing: not just because podcasting was to be a key part of the Sussexes post-royal family strategy, but also because reigning monarchs simply dont give interviews, let alone tape podcasts. Queen Camilla will launch a new literacy podcast. Credit: Getty Images The podcast itself will no doubt be aristocratically uncontroversial; the mission of The Queens Reading Room is to develop an appreciation of literature among adults and children. It will also feature high-profile guests, including Scottish crime author Sir Ian Rankin and Absolutely Fabulous actress Dame Joanna Lumley. So nobody should expect Camilla to sit down and dish the tea on life inside Buckingham Palace, now that she is firmly in the second-biggest red velvet seat in the Throne Room. But the former Duchess of Cornwall has a reputation for candid and thoughtful conversation, which means anticipation around the podcast is high. The ABC asked one thing of its New Years Eve viewers: put your party shoes on, leave your grumpy hat in the cupboard, keep an open mind and let the music carry you along. And it worked, if you met your half of the bargain. The ABCs New Year broadcast hosts: Zan Rowe, Charlie Pickering and Concetta Caristo. Credit: ABC This was, in the main, a belter of a show a blend of familiar faces and some newish-to-unknown ones, and the music traversed the genre factory, ensuring that there was something for everybody. That means, of course, there was also something else for everybody to complain about, but thats the essential point with this show. Dont like this act? Sure, but hang about. Therell be something along for you any minute. Thats the ABCs half of the bargain and they delivered on it. Its time to decide the person you want to be and how you would like to dress in 2024. For a lot of us, that means waving goodbye to that confused mess of eighties, nineties and noughties style that occupied our wardrobe in 2023. To help point you in the right direction, we asked five people immersed in Australian fashion to reveal what they will be wearing in the new year and reveal the trends that are no longer the fairest of them all. Heels and mini skirts: In. Chunky loafers: Out Sydney-based stylist Jess Pecoraro helps PE Nations designer Pip Edwards, racing fashion commentator Kate Waterhouse and model Sarah Ellen source their attention-grabbing looks. No sooner had my family and I left our car upon arriving at an amusement park on the NSW south coast than I was confronted by a man, frothing with anger, who swore at me and told me to f---in go back to your country. For context, I was born and raised on this continent. Australia is my birthplace. There is no other country that I call home. Like most people of Palestinian heritage, however, my connection to Palestine is deep-rooted. Its a connection that is nested within my very soul in a way that I find hard to explain to others. What could be more Austalian than a beach holiday? Ramia Abdo-Sultans daughter on their recent getaway. In fact, we had embarked on our getaway from Sydney with friends in an attempt to disconnect from the constant feelings of horror and grief weve been feeling, as violence spirals out of control in Gaza. I went away seeking an opportunity to reconnect with my spirituality. That I wear a hijab and am visibly Muslim was provocation enough, apparently, for the man abusing me. Later, when I was watching my children play at the beach pool, a couple sitting a short distance away berated us, saying: If there were Jews here, you would not dare to come here to swim. 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 This article is part of our Behind the Headlines series, where Age reporters reveal unforgettable moments in their careers. See all 7 stories . My mobile phone was ringing again, the fourth time the same number had appeared in as many minutes. It belonged to a source of mine, an insider at the intersection of elite sport, gambling and organised crime. It must be important, I reasoned. Id sworn to myself I wouldnt answer my phone. Not today, of all days. Today I was getting married. It rang again. I was about to get married. Then a distraught source rang with bad news. Credit: iStock Hey mate, I answered brusquely. The caller was distraught, his words tripping over themselves as he blurted out how his wife had just left him. He sounded close to the edge. I did my best to reassure him, talk him back from the abyss, conscious I had to get to a ceremony. My ceremony. Advertisement How are you going? he finally asked me as an afterthought. Up to anything? I didnt have the heart to tell him where I was, only that I had to go. Youre a real mate, he said quietly as he hung up. Can journalists form genuine friendships with their sources? Credit: Stock image I wasnt quite sure that was true. Hed certainly helped me break stories and we had formed a genuine bond. I liked him enormously and had always listened to him when he was in need. But was ours a genuine friendship or merely an extended dance between journalist and source? I checked my wedding suit for the last time and headed towards my waiting best men. In-depth reporting leads a journalist to become deeply familiar with their source or subjects life. Advertisement You often become something much more than a human receptacle of information. Loading You become a persons confidant, therapist, human life raft. Sometimes, you become a friend. Each source and subject has their own story and each relationship is different. My first genuine deep throat I met in 2002. They worked as a senior official and leaked me classified information over the next decade, allowing me to expose government failings and corruption. What I published was always in the public interest, even though I knew the source was, at times at least, motivated by personal or career ambition. But he was also unquestionably courageous. And he also advanced my career. Self-interest flowed both ways. My first Walkley award was on the back of immense risks this source took, and yet he got no glory or reward. That went to me. And yet he still gave. Advertisement When my familys safety was threatened, this source called my wife on the pretext of advising her on how to better secure our home. What he was really doing was offering emotional support, the assurance we werent alone. At some point, my source stopped being a source. It was a relief to no longer be performing a dance with him, an act of juggling self and public interest. He stopped sharing secret government intelligence. Instead, we began sharing information about our true selves. Twenty years later, ours remains a close and genuine friendship, sans secrets. Ive had many briefer interactions that were just as meaningful. Im often asked about the story Im proudest of. It involves a disabled woman called Jules Anderson, who was raped by her carer, a serial offender who preyed on the vulnerable. Jules Anderson was raped by her carer. Credit: ABC Jules initially agreed only to be a confidential source, sharing her story anonymously. She was worried about being judged or misunderstood and having her most personal details made public. But after spending time with Jules and meeting her parrot, I felt the trust between us grow, and she agreed to go on camera for a Four Corners program. After 20 years of reporting, I marvel at the courage and grace of ordinary or vulnerable people whove briefly let me, and then the public, in. Jules was the exemplar. Advertisement Her rapist preyed on her because he thought a disabled woman wouldnt speak up. Instead, she confronted her abuser and the institution that failed her on national television. The man she called the monster was jailed for 18 years. I interviewed another care home resident and have no doubt their advocacy was a catalyst for a later royal commission. Nick McKenzie, right, with colleague Richard Baker. Credit: Michael Clayton-Jones That Christmas, a colleague, Richard Baker, and I, took them out for lunch in Chinatown. It wasnt the beginning of a lasting friendship, but was a moment of genuine mutual affection and respect. A few weeks ago, almost a decade after that Four Corners program, another disabled victim-survivor and advocate Id interviewed, Milly Parker, had an Order of Australia medal pinned on her chest. Milly emailed me about her accomplishment even though we hadnt spoken in years, our relationship strained by a poor decision Id made to try to introduce her to the new CEO of the organisation that contributed to so much of her trauma. Advertisement Since acquiring and relaunching Regent Hotels & Resorts in 2018, major hotelier IHG has evolved the Regent brand and expanded it. Regent Bali Canggu is set to open in the second quarter of 2024. The 150-key resort is the brands first in Indonesia and its design, inspired by Indonesian tradition and fashion, comes with serious cred. The architecture is by hospitality experts, US-based WATG with interiors by global firm, HBA, and grounds by the Ireland-born, Ubud-based award-winning landscape designer, John Pettigrew. See ihg.com Romeo Roma, Rome, Italy Romeo Roma: spectacular architecture. One of the last projects of late, acclaimed Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid is a boundary breaker, installing a futuristic interior scape of moulded forms in a 15th-century palazzo near Piazza del Popolo. With Hadids signature curves and waves, bathtubs are moulded into wall units, beds meld their form into walls, and stairs wind as a sinewy monolith, creating a cave-like structure installed independently within the palazzo walls, allowing the historic architecture to sing alongside the contemporary structures. As spectacular as the architecture is, there are plenty of other attractions to entice a stay at Romeo Roma. The 76-room hotel is home to Il Ristorante Alain Ducasse, helmed by the Michelin-starred chefs protege, Stephane Petit. See theromeocollection.com Pixar Place, Disneyland, California, US Artist rendering of part of Disneys Paradise Pier Hotel which is being transformed into Pixar Place Hotel. Never one to sit still, Disney has been transforming the Paradise Pier Hotel at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, to Pixar Place Hotel, the first fully Pixar-themed hotel in the US. Its due to be completed in January. The Finding Nemo-themed poolside areas, Pixel Pool, the 56-metre Crushs Surfin Slide and Nemos Cove Splash Pad have opened, with guests able to book cabanas, daybeds and pods on the pool deck. When the Pixar-lation is complete, the entire hotel will be a 3D experience of the hugely popular animation studios characters, stories and vibe. See disneyland.disney.go.com Kelburne Estate, Haputale, Sri Lanka This year Resplendent Ceylon, a chain of sublime properties owned by the Fernando family of Dilmah Tea fame, launched a sister brand that focuses on the family-friendly. Reverie is a collection of small, laid-back but still exquisitely beautiful properties. In 2024, Kelburne Estate joins the Reverie. Its an existing property in the tea country at Haputale at an elevation of 1500 metres. It will be a 19-room stay with stunning views across the verdant Sri Lankan hill country. It is expected to open towards the end of 2024. See resplendentceylon.com InterContinental Auckland, New Zealand The billion-dollar urban transformation development, Commercial Bay, makes the length of Aucklands waterfront a continuous promenade, linking Wynyard Quarter in the west to Britomart in the east. InterContinental Auckland is a key feature inhabiting One Queen Street near Princes Wharf and featuring 139 guest rooms and suites with most showcasing unobstructed views across Waitemata Harbour. The food is to be headed up by former My Kitchen Rules NZ host Gareth Stewart. The InterContinental Auckland is set to open at the end of January. See ihg.com Hyde Perth, Western Australia Ennismore, the international hospitality creator in partnership with Accor, took the Hyde nightclub in Los Angeles as a prototype and spread its glamorous party vibe internationally, to include bars and hotels bearing the Hyde name in such places as Miami and Cannes, France. In 2024, the West Australian capital gets Australias first Hyde Hotel. Set to offer a playful beach club ambience the hotel is popping up on Pier Street in the heart of the CBD, and will have 120 guest rooms, including 18 suites, and a bar that opens onto an outdoor pool area featuring tropical landscaping. See ennismore.com The Standard X Fitzroy, Melbourne Inner-north cool: The Standard X. Just when you thought Melbournes inner north couldnt get any groovier, the Standard Hotels company comes along and opens its first Australian hotel in the ice-cool or sizzling-hot (depending on your choice of superlatives) enclave of Fitzroy. The StandardX, Melbourne (self-prescribed abbreviation being SXMLB) is on Rose Street rubbing shoulders with Lune croissants and the wonderful artisan market in a Woods Bagot-designed building referencing Fitzroys industrial heritage. Across seven floors, there will be 127 rooms, a rooftop bar, a quirky store and a restaurant See standardhotels.com The Homestead, Nambiti Private Game Reserve, South Africa See the Big Five in luxury. Four hours south-east of Johannesburg near Ladysmith, the Nambiti Private Game Reserve is a malaria-free chance to see the big five. A new eco-lodge The Homestead, provides luxury digs from which to experience it. With a fresh, modern take on safari lodge, it features a spa, fitness centre, pool, and 12 luxury suites with private decks, six able to be interconnected for groups and families. As well as game drives, The Homestead will offer a range of activities such as animal photography classes, battlefield visits, hiking and camping. See homesteadlodge.com The Eve Hotel Sydney, Surry Hills, NSW Coming in September 2024, The Eve Hotel Sydney is a 102-room boutique hotel in trendy Surry Hills. You wont see this dish on a menu at a high-end Spanish restaurant. Marmitako is not the stuff of Michelin-starred excellence, it doesnt lend itself to the addition of foams or the artful dotting of squeeze-bottle sauces. Its not a meal for showing off. This Basque stew is rustic, rural cuisine, a low-cost stomach-filler for people with ready access to its basic ingredients. And those foodstuffs will tell you a lot about its place of origin, Spains Basque Country: tuna, potatoes, onions, choricero peppers, tomatoes, wine and olive oil. All are cherished staples of a semi-autonomous region that enjoys a bounty of seafood from its oceans, and high-quality produce from its emerald hills. This is classic Basque cooking, where the best ingredients are treated with respect, and simple flavours are allowed to shine. First serve Marmitako was invented by Basque fishermen; though, they would say that, wouldnt they? The story goes that these hardy men of the sea would be out for weeks on end, sailing the cold seas of the Bay of Biscay, and so would take with them long-lasting produce potatoes, onions, olive oil, wine and add their fishy catch, as well as its stock, to a big pot called a marmita to create a hearty stew. There are, no doubt, a few Basque housewives who are a little miffed at the fishermen taking credit for a classic home-style meal, but thats the story that was settled on, and the one that survives to this day. Order there In the Basque Countrys gastronomic capital, San Sebastian, sample classic marmitako at portside seafood restaurant Itzalian Jatetxea (Primero del Muelle 12, Donostia). In 2020, when Air New Zealand ceased its service to Londons Heathrow, it sold its slots the right to operate flights into and out of the UKs main airport to another carrier for a cool $US27 million ($39.3 million). That was for a single slot pair, the right to operate just one daily flight into and out of Heathrow. Steep as it was, thats far from a record price for slots at a busy airport. A multitude of planes take off from Sydney Airport every day, making it one of the worlds Level 3 airports where slots are tightly controlled. Credit: Wolter Peeters What is a slot? A slot is an agreement between an airport operator and an airline that allows the airline to operate take-offs and landings at a specific time and date. Their primary function is to allow airports to run smoothly, not to force airlines to adhere to strict schedules. Not all airports use the slot system. Airports that have sufficient capacity to meet demand are excluded. Airports where capacity is constrained are designated Level 3, a coordinated airport, by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and those airports use the slot allocation system. About 200 airports around the world are classified Level 3, including JFK in New York, Singapores Changi Airport, Londons Heathrow and Australias own Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Cairns airports. While the allocation of slots at Level 3 airports is determined by an independent authority, Level 1 and 2 airports are free to allocate their own slots. Taxis have become so expensive between Tullamarine and the Melbourne CBD some companies have implored employees to take the cheaper SkyBus. VST. Credit: Simon Letch Back in Sydney, theres also a problem, documented on social media and by bitter personal experience, of taxi drivers being reluctant or unwilling to take passengers on journeys they consider too short a distance or, if they do agree, grumbling all the way. But back to that latest flight routes report, compiled by UK-based OAG, a global travel data provider. It puts only Jeju-Seoul, Sapporo-Tokyo, Fukuoka-Tokyo and Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City ahead of Australias two biggest and most important aviation hubs. All of those Asian routes service huge numbers of international and domestic tourists that dwarf the numbers of inbound visitors to Australia. Of course, the principal reason that Sydney-Melbourne-Sydney features so prominently on the list each year is largely due to the refusal of governments to invest not only in sustainable high-speed rail but in rail of any reasonable or acceptable speed and comfort (to be fair, Vietnam is also lagging in this area). Interestingly, no European cities feature in the OAGs top 10 list. The reason? The continent is exceptionally well-serviced with not only eco-friendly, fully electrified bullet trains but also with other passenger trains which are not quite as fast, but are perfectly quick enough. One of Europes next generation Nightjet trains. Europes increasingly popular Nightjet train service transports passengers overnight in comfort, including in sleeping compartments, between the true centres of major cities and can reach speeds of up to 230km/h (compared to 320km/h achieved by Frances TGV). In Australia, the interstate train between Sydney-Melbourne-Sydney operates at a top speed of 160 kilometres if it ever reaches such levels. We cant as a nation even offer a reasonably speedy train between Sydney and Canberra, a distance of only 300 kilometres, with the ACT being one of just a few Western national capitals not adequately serviced by rail. The total travel time by train between Sydney and Canberra can be almost five hours, compared to three hours by road. While the rest of the world even the US re-embraces rail, and in the case of a forward-looking France, bans domestic flights of under 2.5 hours in favour of trains, it was recently announced that the operators of the Sydney-Melbourne-Sydney train service are withdrawing sleeping compartments. Its argued that a convincing business case for a VFT (Very Fast Train) doesnt exist but even a QFT (Quite Fast Train) would suffice, or at least a much improved experience of flying between Sydney and Melbourne. Then theres that now seemingly defunct esprit de corps known as nation building. A lack of world-class trains aside, the matter of chronic flight delays (or, worse, cancellations) doesnt only affect passengers who are stuck aboard waiting aircraft. It burdens those who have to contend with crowded and poky departure lounges with inadequate seating, a particular problem at the Virgin Australia section of Sydneys T2 domestic terminal. Loading One of those bear with us while we improve your terminal experience hoardings was still up late last year inside Sydneys T2 as the airports operators added, among other improvements, a sprawling retail outlet. But there is still no sign of any apparent enhancement of the inadequate departure gate conditions. Not even the premium class lounges of our domestic airlines (you know, the ones with those teeny plates that are an obvious measure to thwart enthusiastic members of the pile-high club) offer much solace. At their busiest, they are not much better than pubs with Wi-Fi and charging outlets, if you can find an available one. Alas, Australia, where the word infrastructure is suddenly now a pejorative rather than an overture for politicians, will continue to suffer from the tyrannies of both distance and transport as its considered we have too small a population to justify a VFT (or a QFT, for that matter) between Sydney and Melbourne. Loading So, wed all best brace ourselves as it looks like its going to be a long time before our two biggest cities drop out of that worlds busiest flight routes list or the process of travelling on it improves. It all means that the next time we fly between Sydney and Melbourne, or vice versa, well just need to drown our collective sorrows in the spirits section of that new retail behemoth. Having long been a diligent student of her calling, she appears well and truly prepared. The Danes fell hard a long time ago for their future queen, who has emerged as a progressive representative by immersing herself in work of a big-scale and global nature. As a result republicanism has remained a fringe movement in Denmark and polls consistently indicate that the monarchy enjoys the support of at least 70 per cent of the public. Marrying her prince at the Copenhagen Cathedral on May 14, 2004, Mary renounced her Australian and United Kingdom citizenship acquired through her Scottish-born parents and converted from Presbyterianism to Lutheranism. She learnt the language, completed a military education for the Danish Home Guard and now holds the rank of captain. She announced herself on the world stage through her participation in the first-ever Global Fashion Agenda, the Danish-led international sustainability summit, about 13 years ago, which has since become a frontrunner in the environmental conversation around fashion and boasted an extraordinary list of influential speakers. But in recent years it has been her humanitarian work that has impressed her adopted homeland and given her a powerful platform. Ive always had a strong sense of justice: that everyone should have the same opportunities, no matter where you come from, she told the Financial Times in a 2022 interview. Understanding that inequality and lack of respect for human rights were root causes for maternal mortality that still today, a woman can risk losing life by giving birth was where my journey started. She has also become a prominent advocate for womens reproductive rights historically a taboo subject for a future queen as well as maternal health, sexual and reproductive rights in developing countries and international LGBT rights. She later became chief executive of Save the Children International. In the two years before the pandemic, she undertook more than 20 working trips to Kenya with the gender-equality organisation Women Deliver, to Indonesia with the United Nations Populations Fund and to Ethiopia with the Danish minister for development co-operation. A talented speaker, she delivered passionate speeches at human rights summits, and served as patron for the World Health Organisation. She travelled to Burkina Faso in 2021 to raise awareness of the plight of women affected by issues such as genital mutilation, forced marriage, underage pregnancy and education barriers. The next queen continues a packed agenda covering areas such as early childhood development and work against bullying. In a 2019 interview with The Australian Womens Weekly, the princess revealed that moving to the other side of the world was difficult. Moving to Denmark was a huge change in my life a new culture, new language, new friends, and another way of life, she told the magazine. I did experience a feeling of loneliness short-term when I first moved. I see it as quite natural that at times I felt quite alone or a little bit like I was on the outside looking in. Denmarks royal family has had a difficult year after the queen decided to remove royal titles from the children of Prince Joachim, her second child. She did this as part of efforts to slim the monarchy and give her grandchildren more normal lives, but it led to unprecedented public criticism of the monarch by her own family. Joachim said his four children had been hurt by the decision, leading the queen to apologise. In recent weeks, there had also been speculation around a late-night appearance Frederik made with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova. Casanova has dismissed speculation of any romantic links as rubbish. Rumours of an affair followed Mary and Frederik to Australia, where they travelled separately in early December, with three of their four children. The princess was pictured on the Sydney Harbour Bridge skywalk with the twins in a photo automatically taken of each group of walkers. It was posted on the bridges Instagram account before later being deleted. Princess Mary and Prince Frederik at the Glyptotek museum in Copenhagen in November. Credit: Getty Mary has kept a dignified silence, sharing only a short personal message on her account for her Mary Foundation charity, which aims to fight social isolation. Time is a peculiar thing, she wrote. The more years you have covered, the faster the next year seems to pass by. At the same time, you become more and more aware of how precious every moment and every year is. Kyiv: Russia launched a fresh drone assault on Ukraine after promising that strikes on the Russian border city of Belgorod that killed 24 people would not go unpunished. The retaliatory Russian attack wounded 28 people in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. A hotel, kindergarten, apartment buildings, shops and administrative buildings sustained damage, according to the regional prosecutors office. Russia launched missile attacks targeting major Ukrainian cities including the capital Kyiv, Lviv, eastern Dnipro, Odesa and Kharkiv. Russia attacked Ukraine with 122 missiles and 36 drones. Credit: Getty Russias Defence Ministry said it had targeted decision-making centres and military facilities in Kharkiv. The ministry said the hit on the Kharkiv Palace Hotel had destroyed representatives of the Main Intelligence Directorate and Ukrainian Armed Forces involved in the terrorist attack in Belgorod. Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said a British journalist was among the wounded, while public German broadcaster ZDF said Sunday that one of its television crews had been in the hotel. Flash Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his British counterpart David Cameron on Sunday exchanged views on the rising tension in the Red Sea as well as the conflict in Gaza. In a phone conversation, Amir-Abdollahian accused the United States and certain Western countries of applying double standards, according to a statement from the Iranian foreign ministry. He said it was wrong to let Israel "kill women and children in Gaza" and "set the region on fire," but "view the stoppage of an Israeli ship in the Red Sea as jeopardizing the security of the economic waterway." The Iranian diplomat also condemned the silence of some Western governments over Israel's attacks on Gaza in the past 80 days. Amir-Abdollahian also urged Britain to adopt a "realistic and constructive" approach toward regional developments and bilateral ties. Cameron, meanwhile, expressed his country's views on the developments in Palestine and the Red Sea, and urged Iran to help prevent the escalation of the Israeli-Hamas conflict and ensure maritime security in the region, the Iranian statement said. In a post on social media platform X, Cameron said he spoke to Amir-Abdollahian about the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, which he said had threatened innocent lives and the global economy. Cameron said he had made it clear that Iran shared responsibility for preventing these attacks given its long-standing support for the Houthis. The Yemen-based Houthi group has claimed responsibility for several attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea in recent weeks, saying they were in solidarity with the Palestinian people. The U.S. and British officials have accused Iran of "being behind the attacks," which was strongly rejected by Iran. Israel has been fighting a large-scale conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, after the group launched a surprise attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures. Israel has killed 21,822 Palestinians in Gaza, the Ministry of Health in Gaza said on Sunday. Hospitals across Colorado Springs welcomed their first newborns of the new year on Monday. UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central in Colorado Springs welcomed its first baby of 2024 just after midnight, according to a Monday morning hospital announcement. At 12:49 a.m., the hospital's labor and delivery team welcomed August Theodore Coleman who will be called "Auggie" into the world weighing in at 6 pounds, 5 ounces. Born to parents Chelsea and Michael Coleman, Auggie joins his 2-year-old big brother Jack in the family, hospital officials said. Seen holding Auggie, smiling ear to ear, the Colemans said they moved to Colorado to raise their children closer to the outdoors. We moved here so they could grow up with fresh air and mountains in their backyard." Auggie's spirit for adventure was already prevalent mere hours after his birth, seen wearing a cap saying "Adventure waits." The first baby at UCHealth Memorial North came into the world a few hours later at 4:11 a.m. Featured Local Savings Parents Wayne and Socorro Parson welcomed their daughter, Juliana, who came into the world at 5 pounds, 6 ounces. According to a Monday morning announcement, Juliana is the couple's sixth child and was born slightly early carrying a due date of Jan. 8. UCHealth Memorial delivers thousands of babies every year across Colorado Springs. In 2023, the hospitals delivered roughly 4,900 babies, officials said. At the CommonSpirit St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs, the first newborn of 2024 arrived just before 2:30 a.m. "At 2:29 a.m., one of our moms gave birth to a baby girl named Monet Rose Turley," hospital officials said in a Monday afternoon announcement, adding that Monet came into the world weighing 5 pounds, 15 ounces. Officials said both the mother and new baby are healthy. "We congratulate sweet Monets family on her becoming our first baby in the new year, and we look forward to celebrating many more little ones throughout 2024," hospital officials said. A woman police say is a suspect in the deaths of two of her children has been arrested in the United Kingdom, Colorado Springs police said on Sunday. Kimberlee Singler, 35, was taken into custody without incident on Saturday. Singler had arrest warrants for first-degree murder, attempted murder, child abuse and assault. The FBI was involved in the search for Singler, who is believed to have fled around Dec. 23. Authorities obtained a warrant for her arrest on Dec. 26. On Dec. 19, police responded to a burglary call at a home on Palomino Ranch Point near Stetson Hills and Tutt boulevards on Colorado Springs' northeast side. Responders found a 9-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy dead inside, a police statement said, as well as an injured Singler and her 11-year-old daughter. She and the 11-year-old were taken to the hospital. The two deceased children have since been identified by their father Kevin Wentz as Aden and Elianna "Ellie" Wentz via a statement from Wentz' attorney. Singler left the hospital because police didn't have probable cause to detain her, according to Gazette news partner KOAA News5. While at the hospital, Singler was treated as a victim/witness, the TV station reported. Featured Local Savings Police said the burglary report was later determined to be "unfounded." No further details were provided and the details of the arrest warrant are sealed. Court documents obtained by KOAA show that a court ruled Singler had to bring her children to Wentz, her ex-husband, for a holiday visit. The two were scheduled to meet at the police's Stetson Hills substation on Dec. 16, but it's unknown if the meeting occurred. Court documents say Singler's ex-husband made an emergency motion for her to enforce the custody agreement on Dec. 17, according to KOAA. Wentz' attorney said that he was "thankful to all of the law enforcement here in the United States and the United Kingdom that were involved in the homicide investigation and Kimberlee's subsequent arrest." Singler is facing a $10 million court-ordered bond. A South Mayo firm plans to double its workforce to 30 in the next year. The Haran Group is a family-owned business that specialises in scaffolding, machinery, and training. It is run by managing director Robert Haran who intends to double the investment in the firm up to 2 million in 2024. The Claremorris-based company was established in 2007 with just three employees and has since grown into one of Irelands largest scaffolding companies. Haran Scaffolding Ltd was the first branch of the business established and in recent years several new enterprises including Claremorris Safety Training Ltd and West Weld Training and Calibration have been launched. In the last three years, we have seen a huge demand for scaffolding, machinery and training here in the West and Midlands, said Mr Haran. Its all these housing estates that are being built at the moment. "We were able to invest over one million euros into the business this year and we have hopes of doubling that in 2024 and 2025. The Haran Group currently has 15 full-time employees in the scaffolding side of the business, with up to five freelance staff in the training branch and three more freelance employees working with West Weld. In the scaffolding end, we are hoping to take on between 10 to 15 people all going well next year, Mr Haran said. Business is going very well and we have a lot of stuff coming up and Galway, Limerick and Athlone and we are all very busy. He insists one of the main objectives for 2024 is to progress the training centre by offering more upskilling and safety training courses. Mr Haran said he was honoured when the company won the 2020 All-Ireland Business Foundation award. The firm was also named 2021 All-Star Mayo Small Business Of The Year and All-Star Training Company of the Year in 2020 and 2021. Today Partly sunny, breezy, and noticeably colder; gusty winds add a chill. A sprinkle or flurry possible, mainly north and west. Tonight Partly cloudy, windy, and cold. Brisk winds add a chill. There could be an early flurry, especially north and west. Tomorrow Partly sunny but brisk and chilly with wind chills near or below freezing for much of the day. A sprinkle or flurry possible, mainly north and west. Kids in Berks County got an early start on celebrating the New Year. The fun kicked off Sunday morning at the Boyertown YMCA. Children and their families enjoyed a dance party and games. And instead of dropping the ball at midnight, the Y dropped the New Year's ball at noon. BETHLEHEM, Pa. Bethlehem City Council will vote Tuesday on a law banning the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits from "pet mills," while allowing pet shops to work with rescue organizations to find homes for animals. Council will actually meet twice. The 2023 council will end its service, and a new council with two new members will take over for the second session. Councilmember Grace Crampsie Smith proposed the pet bill to help ease the problem of unwanted animals being dumped at shelters and on the streets. It also addresses the conditions at some "puppy mills" where animals are bred for profit. In some cases, animals purchased have medical and behavioral issues that are not disclosed to buyers. "A significant number of dogs and cats sold at pet stores come from large-scale, commercial breeding facilities where the health and welfare of the animals are not adequately provided for," according to the bill, due for a second reading and final vote on Tuesday. Such bans have been supported by animal organizations elsewhere in Pennsylvania, and the Bethlehem proposal would encourage rescue groups and retailers to work together: "Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prohibit a pet shop from providing space to either an animal shelter or to an animal rescue organization." The bill would not affect residents who purchase animals from outside of the city. At this time, there are no retail shops selling dogs, cats or rabbits in Bethlehem. City Council voted in favor of the ban on sales Dec. 19. The ordinance requires a second vote to become law. Council has presented two agendas for Tuesday, with both meetings listed as starting at 7 p.m. The meeting of the current council will vote on the pet-mill ordinance and other items, with an invocation by Rev. Andrew Gehringer of Holy Infancy Church. When that meeting ends, it will be an adjournment "sine die," a Latin term meaning "no date" set for resumption because that council will no longer exist. Then at the next session, new members Bryan Callahan and Colleen Laird, along with incumbent Michael Colon, will be sworn in. Colon is the current president of council. The new seven-member council will then elect a president and vice president. That meeting will end with a benediction, again by Rev. Gehringer. The Colorado Springs Police Department is investigating a nonfatal shooting that happened near the intersection of Delta and Sonoma drives on Saturday. Police say a man was shot in the leg in the area around 7 p.m. The victim was taken to the hospital with non life threatening injuries. The CSPD has not identified the victim and says the investigation is ongoing. EASTON, Pa. Northampton County Council will meet twice this week, first on Tuesday to choose its president and vice president for the year. Then on Thursday, the reconstituted Council will hold a regular meeting. Four commissioners (members of Council are known as commissioners) will be sworn in Tuesday: incumbent Republican Thomas Giovanni, and Democrats Kelly Brauchle-Keegan, Ken Kraft and Jeff Warren. They won four-year terms in November. Kraft is a familiar face as a former Council president, and Warren has served on Easton City Council and the Board of Supervisors of Hanover Township (Northampton County). He now lives in Bethlehem Township. The political balance of Council shifted in 2023 to Republican from Democrat in April, when Council President Kerry Myers switched to the GOP in an unsuccessful bid to get on the fall ballot. After Tuesday's swearing-in ceremony, Democrats will hold a five-to-three edge, with the three new members joining Vice President Ron Heckman and Lori Vargo Heffner, while Giovanni, John Brown and John Goffredo are the Republican wing of the nine-member body. Also Tuesday, Commissioner Tara Zrinski's resignation will take effect when she is sworn in as County Controller. The controller is the independently elected fiscal watchdog, overseeing audits and reviews of county spending and operations. The commissioners will have to choose a replacement for Zrinski to fill out the council. That is not on the agenda for Tuesday. After the new members pledge Tuesday to serve the county, Council will choose its president and vice president. Then, Council will choose its legal adviser, known as its solicitor, for 2024. Bethlehem attorney Chris Spadoni holds that post now. The restored Democrat majority may promote some of the goals of County Executive Lamont G. McClure, also a Democrat. McClure said in 2023 that the idea of a health center for county employees and dependents may be raised again this year. The 2023 Council voted that plan down, citing questions about cost and whether the county government should expand into health care. Northampton County Council's reorganization meeting will be held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, in council chambers at the government center in Easton. The agenda and a link to the livestream of the meeting will be posted on the county website. No agenda has been posted yet for the meeting Thursday, Jan. 4, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers. On the steps of Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley in Allentown, members of the community stood together on Sunday for a call to action. "Coming together solves problems, coming together can neutralize violence in the community," said Darian Colbert, of the nonprofit Cohesion. "For the community to come together like this, it's something we need to take forward in 2024," said Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca. This comes following three shootings in the city Friday night into Saturday morning. Police said two people were killed. "We're closing out the year with eight people being shot in our community, with 18 homicides. But what we're here to say is we're opening the year with promise," said Hasshan Batts, executive director of Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley. "What we are saying to the shooters is to choose relationships over retaliation that you're not alone. That there are people who have been where you are that've made poor choices that are standing here saying pick up the phone, that you don't have to shoot someone and if you do, you'll be held accountable," said Batts. Jeani Garcia with Promise Neighborhoods locked arms with mothers of gun violence victims. "If mothers who lost their children to gun violence can come out here and put their grief to the side for this call to action, then so can you," said Garcia. "It is time to rebuild the village and it is going to take all of us across all sectors," said Batts. Promise Neighborhoods is also calling on businesses to create jobs. Leaders in the city's faith community also weighed in on the severe gun violence. Allentown Diocese Bishop Alfred Schlert said in a statement: "We plead for an end to violence in our streets. We thank law enforcement for their efforts to keep us safe. However, no amount of policing can replace each citizen's obligation to respect the life and dignity of all our neighbors." Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca said the police department is devoting all of its resources to solving these crimes. He is encouraging anyone with information to reach out to police. LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. The new year is bringing new life into the Lehigh Valley. Two couples celebrated the start of 2024 by welcoming the youngest members of their families into the world. As many people counted down the minutes until the ball dropped, the Tillinghast family, who lives in Bethlehem, counted down the time between contractions. "Probably around 6 p.m. last night, things got real, and we headed to the hospital," said Ashley Tillinghast. At 2:52 a.m., Ashley and Josh Tillinghast welcomed baby Miles at St. Luke's Anderson Campus in Bethlehem Township. He's the health network's first baby of the new year. "It was our due date," explained Ashley. "It was exciting that he actually came. I was a little skeptical." "He's punctual," joked Josh. Miles is punctual and, apparently, a good mix of both mom and dad. Josh was 11.2 pounds when born; mom, a twin, was about 4 pounds. "He's 8 pounds, 8 ounces; 21 inches," explained Ashley. "He felt just like that. He was a big baby." "Punctual and good at averages," added Josh, with a laugh. Miles is already very loved by his big sister, Colby, who is 2 and a half. "It was kisses, kisses, kisses. Then, 'This thing is really heavy. Daddy, can you take this off?'" said Josh. Lehigh Valley Health Network's first delivery came a little later in the morning at 10:20 a.m. "I was shocked," said Liz Falcone of Bethlehem Township. "It was like the last thing on my mind. My kids, our kids, were in the bathtub." Weighing 8 pounds, 8 ounces ,and measuring 20-and-a-half inches long, baby Jacob arrived one day earlier than his scheduled due date all thanks to a surprise call from medical professionals. Liz and Mike had agreed to be on an elective labor induction list, and their call came New Year's Eve. "I'm exhausted. I didn't get a lick of sleep last night, so I figure I'll eat dinner, take a shower and go, hopefully, sleep a little bit," added Liz. Like the Tillinghast family, the Falcones are running on fumes from adrenaline, but they're excited. Their two other little ones, Joseph and Joshua, are enamored, too. "They were very sweet. Giving him [Jacob] hugs and kisses," explained Liz. There were plenty of hugs and kisses as both couples had family visits today. Each say they plan to tell this story to their songs albeit, in a few years down the road. CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. Joyce Loaiza lives alone, but when she returns to her apartment at a Florida senior community, the retired office worker often has a chat with a friendly female voice that asks about her day. A few miles away, the same voice comforted 83-year-old Deanna Dezern when her friend died. In central New York, it plays games and music for 92-year-old Marie Broadbent, who is blind and in hospice, and in Washington state, it helps 83-year-old Jan Worrell make new friends. The women are some of the first in the country to receive the robot ElliQ, whose creators, Intuition Robotics, and senior assistance officials say is the only device using artificial intelligence specifically designed to alleviate the loneliness and isolation experienced by many older Americans. It's entertaining. You can actually talk to her, said Loaiza, 81, whose ElliQ in suburban Fort Lauderdale nicknamed her Jellybean for no particular reason. She'll make comments like, I would go outside if I had hands, but I cant hold an umbrella.' The device, which looks like a small table lamp, has an eyeless, mouthless head that lights up and swivels. It remembers each user's interests and their conversations, helping tailor future chats, which can be as deep as the meaning of life or as light as the horoscope. ElliQ tells jokes, plays music and provides inspirational quotes. On an accompanying video screen, it provides tours of cities and museums. The device leads exercises, asks about the owner's health and gives reminders to take medications and drink water. It can also host video calls and contact relatives, friends or doctors in an emergency. Intuition Robotics says none of the conversations are heard by the company, with the information staying on each owner's device. Intuition Robotics CEO Dor Skuler said the idea for ElliQ came before he launched his Israeli company eight years ago. His widowed grandfather needed an aide, but the first didnt work out. The replacement, though, understood his grandfathers love of classical music and his quirky sense of humor. Skuler realized a robot could fill that companionship gap by adapting to each seniors personality and interests. Its not just about (ElliQ's) utility. Its about friendship, companionship and empathy, Skuler said. That just did not exist anywhere. The average user interacts with ElliQ more than 30 times daily, even six months after receiving it, and more than 90% report lower levels of loneliness, he said. The robots are mostly distributed by assistance agencies in New York, Florida, Michigan, Nevada and Washington state, but can also be purchased individually for $600 a year and a $250 installation fee. Skuler wouldnt say how many ElliQs have been distributed so far, but the goal is to have more than 100,000 out within five years. That worries Brigham Young University psychology professor Julianne Holt-Lunstad, who studies the detrimental effects loneliness has on health and mortality. Although a device like ElliQ might have short-term benefits, it could make people less likely to seek human contact. Like hunger makes people seek food and thirst makes them seek water, she said that unpleasant feeling of loneliness should motivate us to reconnect socially. Satiating that with AI makes you feel like you've fulfilled it, but in reality you haven't," Holt-Lunstad said. It is not clear whether AI is actually fulfilling any kind of need or just dampening the signal." Skuler and agency heads distributing ElliQ agreed it isn't a substitute for human contact, but not all seniors have social networks. I wish I could just snap my fingers to make a person show up at the home of one of the many, many older adults that dont have any family or friends, but it's a little bit more complicated, said Greg Olsen, director of the New York State Office for the Aging. His office has distributed 750 of the 900 ElliQs it acquired. Charlotte Mather-Taylor, director of the Broward County, Florida, Area Agency on Aging, said the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath left many seniors more isolated. Her agency has distributed 300 ElliQs, which she believes breaks them out of their shells. Shes proactive and she really engages the seniors, so it gives them that extra kind of interaction, she said. Weve seen very positive results with it. People generally like her and she makes them smile and brings joy. Skuler said ElliQ was purposely designed without eyes and a mouth so it wouldn't fully imitate humans. While Elli" is the Norse goddess of old age, he said the Q reminds users that the device is a machine. He said his company wants "to make sure that ElliQ always genuinely presents herself as an AI and doesnt pretend to be human. Dezern said she felt alone and sad when she told her ElliQ about her friend's death. It replied it would give her a hug if it had arms. Dezern broke into tears. It was so what I needed, the retired collections consultant said. I can say things to Elli that I won't say to my grandchildren or to my own daughters. I can just open the floodgates. I can cry. I can giggle. I can act silly. Ive been asked, doesnt it feel like youre talking to yourself? No, because it gives an answer. Need help losing weight or handling depression? How about a pill that lowers cholesterol and treats erectile dysfunction? Online subscription services for care have grown far beyond their roots dealing mainly with hair loss, acne or birth control. Companies including Hims & Hers, Ro and Lemonaid Health now provide quick access to specialists and regular prescription deliveries for a growing list of health issues. Hims recently launched a weight-loss program starting at $79 a month without insurance. Lemonaid began treating seasonal affective disorder last winter for $95 a month. Ro still provides birth control, but it also connects patients trying to have children with regular deliveries of ovulation tests or prenatal vitamins. This Netflix-like approach promises help for two common difficulties in the U.S.: access to health care and prescription refills. But it also stirs concern about care quality. This isnt medicine. This is selling drugs to consumers, said Dr. Adriane Fugh-Berman, who studies pharmaceutical marketing at Georgetown. The online providers say they screen their patients carefully and send customers elsewhere if they cant help them. They also think theyve tapped a care approach that patients crave. The growth weve seen on our platform is a testament to how people are looking to get the care they need, Hims spokeswoman Khobi Brooklyn said. The publicly traded Hims has topped 1.4 million subscribers this year. It expects to pull in at least $1.2 billion in annual sales by 2025. That pales compared to the $300 billion-plus in annual revenue generated by health care giants like CVS Health. But Hims' 2025 projection is more than eight times what the company brought in at the start of the decade. Subscription-based health care has been around for years, particularly in primary care, where patients can pay monthly fees to gain better access to doctors. The e-commerce giant Amazon recently entered that niche with a subscription plan that gives some customers access to virtual and in-person care. Online versions of subscription-based care started growing after the COVID-19 pandemic made Americans more comfortable with telemedicine. That has led to a surge of investor money flowing to companies providing this care, said Dr. Ateev Mehrotra, a Harvard researcher who studies consumer health care. Many condition-specific plans offer patients regular visits with a health care provider and then recurring prescriptions for a monthly fee. That simplicity can be attractive, Mehrotra noted. You can just get the care you need and move on with life just as you pay for Netflix or whatever, he said. Hims debuted weight loss earlier this month after starting a heart health program last summer that includes the combination pill treatments. Its rival Ro added weight loss last year to a lineup that also includes treatment plans for eczema, excessive sweating and short eyelashes, among other issues. Lemonaid offers treatment plans for insomnia and high blood pressure. It also touts cholesterol management for $223 a year without insurance. That includes provider visits, lab work and prescriptions for generic medicines. These companies still push sexual health help, especially on social media. But broader growth remains a priority. Hims says in a regulatory filing that it sees significant future opportunities in menopause, post-traumatic stress disorder and diabetes. Ro CEO Zach Reitano noted in an interview earlier this year that his company's obesity treatments are upstream to other chronic diseases. He said patients who want help losing weight also care about improving their overall health. Reitano said he thought one of the health care systems biggest problems was that it is not built around what patients want. Subscriptions, whether for medicine or meal kits, offer predictable costs and may seem like good deals at first. But customer enthusiasm can fade, and companies may feel pressure to find new business, said Jason Goldberg, chief commerce strategy officer at Publicis Groupe. The approach also comes with reputational baggage. RobRoy Chalmers turned to Hims for help with erectile dysfunction. But the Seattle artist decided to cancel his subscription and cut costs after a few months. He kept receiving bills after he thought he stopped the subscription. He said he emailed and called customer service. He didnt get a response until he criticized Hims on social media. The amount of effort I needed to go through for them to make good was too much, he said. This is every subscription-based company in my mind. Fugh-Berman worries mainly about care quality. She noted that talk therapy can be as effective as prescriptions for some conditions. She also noted that a diagnosis can change over time. Patients on regular medications must be monitored in case the drug causes problems like higher blood pressure. Lemonaid Health does that, according to Dr. Matthew Walvick, the company's top medical official. He said Lemonaid routinely follows up with patients to monitor for side effects and update their medical history. Brooklyn said Hims & Hers provides access to safe care for many issues but shouldnt replace a primary care doctor. She added that every part of the health care system should be focused on improving access. The traditional health care system in the U.S. has always been slow to adapt to our changing societys needs, she said. Weather Alert ...Elevated Fire Danger Today and Tuesday... ...Hard Freeze Expected Tonight... The combination of very dry air and northwest winds gusting up to 20 mph will create an elevated risk of uncontrolled fire spread this afternoon. Relative humidity values will fall to 20 to 35%, with the lowest humidity levels over the Ozark Foothills of southeast Missouri. A more substantial fire danger is expected Tuesday, as southwest winds increase significantly, with gusts of 25 to 40 mph forecast Tuesday afternoon. Relative humidity values Tuesday afternoon will fall to 25 to 35%. If you are planning outdoor burning today and Tuesday, use extra caution and have fire suppression equipment ready. Tonight, very cold and dry surface high pressure will allow temperatures to drop into the middle and upper 20s throughout the region. Although the growing season has not officially started, tender vegetation could be impacted by these cold temperatures. Please take necessary actions to protect any tender vegetation tonight. With increasing, almost predictable regularity, Oscar voters have shown a preference for famous people going to great lengths to play other often-famous people in fiction or history. Scan the list of lead actor or actress nominees just in the 21st century, and a regular pattern reveals how spending hours in the makeup chair weighs the scale in favor of getting a nomination. It worked for Daniel Day-Lewis in Lincoln; when Rami Malek learned to sing with Freddie Mercurys overbite in Bohemian Rhapsody; and when Nicole Kidman tacked on a new nose to play Virginia Woolf in The Hours. Intense transformations were a key part of heralded movies again this year. Heres how some suffered for their art and potential Oscar recognition. Golda When you are transforming one icon into another, it pays to be prepared for intense scrutiny. The opening shot in Golda focuses in extreme close-up on the eyes and eyebrows of Helen Mirren as Golda Meir, Israels first female prime minister. Read more: Review: Helen Mirren shines (and smokes) in an otherwise lackluster 'Golda' The films hair, makeup and prosthetics designer Karen Hartley Thomas practically gasps when recounting the camera lingering on her makeup work. So close! So massively close! she said. We had tested those eyebrows. Its always a fine line getting these things right and not being a caricature. Mirren, 78, is virtually the same age as the 75-year-old Meir was during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the period covered by the film. Transforming the elegant British actor into the matronly prime minister required prosthetics for the cheeks, chin, nose and neck, plus contact lenses and a wig. The designer fashioned a replica wig after learning from Meirs family that the leader wound her long, braided hair into a bun. Hartley Thomas used her makeup magic to create wrinkles, shadows and the skin tone of an elderly person without obscuring the human underneath: Actors are a little bit reluctant with heavy makeup because it can look mask-like. Though daily makeup applications could last 2 hours, we wanted to make it as easy on Helen as we could, Hartley Thomas said. You need it to look as natural as possible. That sounds strange with such a massive makeup as this, but we really went for the minimum. Actor Cailee Spaeny plays the wife of the King of Rock 'n' Roll in "Priscilla" (Lila Barth / For The Times; A24) Priscilla The trailer for director Sofia Coppolas Priscilla opens with shots of Priscilla Presley applying eyeliner, false lashes and lots of hairspray, a snapshot of her transformation from child to her husbands version of a sophisticated woman. Read more: How 'Priscilla' uncovers the vulnerable woman beneath the hairspray Yet in this retelling of Presleys memoir, Elvis and Me, her hair is almost like a silent character, which hair designer and department head Cliona Furey used to help tell her story. An ambitious, out-of-sequence 30-day shoot meant Furey had to devise a scheme to rapidly transition actor Cailee Spaeny across 14 years, a process she said required finding the balance of a little creative license and hitting the iconic moments properly and respecting historical accuracy. A period specialist, Furey used her personal collection of vintage wigs, accessories and hairpieces along with vintage techniques such as curlers with wet sets, teasing and inserts for height on the 20-plus cast members. Five frequently restyled wigs take Priscilla from a 14-year-old in a ponytail and bangs to a young bride, mother and style-setter with enormously high hair. I put her in a similar color for that last wig as the first wig to help the story arc, Furey said. It was me getting our hair backstory in there. Poor Things Hair, makeup and prosthetics designer Nadia Stacey wanted to be sure viewers of Poor Things could go on an emotional journey with Dr. Godwin Baxter, the films mad scientist protagonist. Baxter, himself a surgeon, has been experimentally operated on by his father, so Stacey had to show how he has been both Dr. Frankenstein and the monster. Read more: For Willem Dafoe, awards do matter -- if it helps the work get seen Stacey guided her design of Willem Dafoe as Baxter to show how hes been put together like a patchwork quilt of a man, she said. Half-a-dozen silicone pieces, some prepainted and all made fresh daily, were applied to Dafoes ears, jaw and chin area, forehead, thumbs, hairline and one eyebrow, most with vivid scars or deformities. His scars need to be kind of perfect to illustrate that Godwin and his father were skilled surgeons, Stacey said. They lowered an ear to imply that it was once removed and reapplied and made his right jaw sag unevenly to add more distortion. You need to feel for him. If the look is too grotesque, it overtakes the way you see the character on screen, said Stacey, a 2022 Oscar nominee for Cruella. She was careful not to obscure too much of Dafoes face and apply prosthetics in pieces to allow more natural muscle movement. With the look established, Stacey and her team could shift to making Dafoe comfortable during the three-hour application process. But there were surprises to come. We only learned two weeks out that the first 50 minutes of the film was to be shot in black and white, she said. The change required new makeup tones to make the face read well. I do always think with makeup, it needs to be impactful but not that you notice it all the time, even with someone with changes as big as Baxters face, she said. You almost want to get to a point where you just accept that this is what he looks like. Maestro In Maestro, star and director Bradley Cooper, 48, had to age nearly 50 years to portray legendary conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein. It fell to prosthetic makeup designer Kazu Hiro to help the actor look younger, older, heavier and more like Bernstein. Read more: 'You are the film, the film is you': How six directors define what they do When your subject is also your boss, the task could be more difficult, but Cooper was without a doubt, the best person Ive ever worked with, Hiro, a double Oscar winner (Bombshell, Darkest Hour) and two-time nominee, said via email. I designed five distinct stages to depict Lennys evolving appearance over the years. For all stages, I incorporated vacuum-formed pieces to accentuate the ear helix and lobe. And [a] silicone nose plug to widen his nose wings. Computer-sculpted body pads were added for later years. Here, he breaks down those stages: (1943-46): "Bradley had prosthetics for the nose, upper and lower lip and chin. I used a silicone string attached to the wig clip, which I secured onto his temple hair, giving a subtle lift to the eye corners. (1955-57): "This stage retained the original prosthetics but without the face-lift. The wig was positioned slightly higher, and after its application, I added gray shading to the temples. (1967-71): "This stage introduced prosthetics for the nose, upper and lower lips, chin, cheeks, neck and earlobes. Given the closeness of Lenny's hairline to Bradley's, I applied a bald cap, leaving the nape exposed. Hairstylist Lori McCoy Bell blended the wig with Bradleys natural hair. (1977-78): "Initially, I designed and sculpted an older look, but Bradley wanted Lenny to appear more youthful and "sexy" during this period, especially since Lenny was dating a younger man. I introduced a forehead piece to the existing Stage 3 look and added old-age stipple around the eyes, along with eyebrow hair pieces. This stage also had scenes featuring mustaches and beards. (1989): "This comprehensive stage included prosthetics for the top of the head, forehead, eyelids, nose, upper and lower lips/chin, cheeks, neck, back of the neck, shoulders, earlobes, hands and arms." Get the Envelope newsletter, sent three times a week during awards season, for exclusive reporting, insights and commentary. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. After missing out on the Trump family Christmas party at Mar-a-Lago, Melania Trump continued her absent streak by skipping the New Years Eve party. The former First Lady has an understandable reason why she isnt making any public appearances right now, and her husband, Donald Trump, is talking about the sad family news. In public remarks at his Palm Beach, Florida club, captured by a social media user on X, the former president confirmed that his mother-in-law, Amalija Knav, is very ill and is currently in a Miami-area hospital. Hopefully shell be recovering, Donald Trump said while dressed in a tux onstage in front of a crowd. He also revealed that he had just spoken to Melania by phone, but Donald Trump didnt seem very hopeful about Melanias mothers health. Hopefully, thatll be OK, but its a tough one, a very tough one, he added. More from SheKnows First Lady Melania Trumps parents Amalija, and Viktor Knav, walk across the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., after deboarding Marine One, on Sunday, March 31, 2019. Donald Trump noted that Melania sends her love because she knows probably about 95 percent of the people in this room. And then he went back to sending good thoughts to his mother-in-law, sharing, We just want to wish Amalija that she gets better as quickly as possible. This unfortunate turn of events will likely put Melanias reported plans to hit the campaign trail for her husband on pause. The 53-year-old former model has stayed under the radar since she left Washington, D.C. in 2021, largely focusing on her son, Barron, 17. With her only child headed off to college in the fall, her upcoming schedule allowed for her to pitch in on Donald Trumps 2024 presidential campaign. However, Melania has always prioritized her family and as a source explained to Fox News Digital, It should be no surprise that she spent this Christmas with her ailing mother. So, Donald Trump may be riding solo at the start of 2024. It doesnt sound like that was a part of his campaign plans, but he knows that Melania is going to put her moms health ahead of his political ambitions. Before you go, click here to see the best presidential love stories in U.S. history. Barack Obama Michelle Obama Ronald Nancy Reagan Best Presidential Love Stories in U.S. History Best of SheKnows Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Congress cant go on without Lauren Boebert; ask her | Dick Wadhams A 40-year-old weekly newspaper in Oregon has laid off its entire staff and stopped publishing after it was discovered that an employee had embezzled tens of thousands of dollars, The New York Times reports. The Eugene Weekly is still posting articles online, with the help of volunteers, while police investigate the theft that the owner says has left its finances in shambles. The employee allegedly left $70,000 worth of bills unpaid and didnt deposit funds into worker retirement accounts. Read it at The New York Times Read more at The Daily Beast. The post Taylor Swift Wraps 2023 By Breaking Elvis Record for Most Weeks at No. 1 appeared first on Consequence. Taylor Swift wrapped up what has been a truly historic year with yet another truly historic accomplishment. With 1989 (Taylors Version) once again claiming the top spot on Billboard 200 this week, Swift has surpassed Elvis Presley for the most No. 1 weeks of any solo musician in music history. To date, Swift has logged 68 weeks with the No. 1 album in America. That number tops Elvis previous record of 67 weeks at the top of the charts. Now, Swift sits behind only The Beatles, who spent 132 weeks at No. 1 over the course of their career. Per Billboard, Swifts first No. 1 album came with Fearless, which spent 11 weeks at No. 1 in late 2008 and early 2009. She then followed that up with 2010s Speak Now (which spent six weeks at No. 1), 2012s Red (seven weeks), 2014s 1989 (11 weeks), 2017s Reputation (four weeks), 2019s Lover (one week), 2020s folklore (eight weeks), 2020s evermore (four weeks), 2021s Fearless (Taylors Version) (two weeks), 2021s Red (Taylors Version) (one week), 2022s Midnights (six weeks), 2023s Speak Now (Taylors Version) (two weeks), and 2023s 1989 (Taylors Version) (five weeks). Its just another major achievement for Swift, who was named Consequences 2023 Artist of the Year. She has more in store for 2024, as The Eras Tour will visit Japan, Australia, Europe, and North America. Get tickets to her upcoming shows here. Get Taylor Swift Tickets Here Also check out our unofficial Taylor Swift podcast, Good for a Weekend. Taylor Swift Wraps 2023 By Breaking Elvis Record for Most Weeks at No. 1 Scoop Harrison Popular Posts Subscribe to Consequences email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. The man with no name, no family, no history, is an action movie staple. It evokes memories of Clint Eastwood staring down his enemies in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, or Viggo Mortensen growling through the apocalyptic wasteland of The Road. It is a sure-fire route to a sense of mystery who is he? Whats he doing here? but its also a creative dead end. You cannot tantalise your viewers forever, and thats the challenge for the second series of BBC Ones The Tourist, which picks up after the pieces begin to fall into place for our enigmatic hero. After the ambiguous final moments of The Tourists first season, viewers will be relieved to discover that Elliot (Jamie Dornan) is very much alive. In fact, hes swanning around south Asia with his girlfriend Helen (Danielle Macdonald), who has sacked off her career as a police constable. After a difficult time in Australia (which involved a car crash, loss of memory, and about a dozen attempts on his life), Elliot thinks hes safe. Are you really, really like 100 per cent sure about that? Helen asks. Well, of course not. And it takes about five minutes back in his Irish homeland before Elliot is kidnapped by masked goons. If the first series was a fish-out-of-water thriller, calling to mind Robert A Heinleins 1961 novel Stranger in a Strange Land, this second outing inverts the formula. If there is a tourist now, its Helen. For Elliot, this is a return to a native land where people know who he is or, at least, who he was. You sound like youre a long way from home, a local barkeep tells Helen. Yeah, she replies, I am. But where the show previously had to rely on the, rather tired, amnesiac trope in order to make Elliots discombobulation satisfying, Helen is a more natural tourist. She gallivants around the Irish countryside while Elliot tries to break free of his captors (who needle him with Saw-inspired challenges, such as cutting off his own legs, but played for laughs). The Tourist has afforded an opportunity for Dornan to show exactly how woefully miscast he was as the icy, dominant Christian in the Fifty Shades franchise. Behind the good looks that saw him model for Calvin Klein in his early years, Dornan is better at projecting vulnerability than confidence. Its what made his serial killer, Paul Spector, so chilling in The Fall: a cold-blooded killer gripped by a disarming unease with his place in the world. In The Tourist he is neither action hero nor lothario, just a man caught up in events like driftwood floating down the Lagan. I tried once to end it all, he tells one of his kidnappers. But Im ready to answer for the things that Ive done. Mild-mannered men who are surprisingly au fait with violence and criminality a genre spawned by Breaking Bad, with the baton passed first to Ozark, and now over to The Tourist has become televisions most reliable archetype. The Tourists newly expanded canvas gives more narrative control to Helen, which allows the fresh air of a more comic tone into proceedings. Searching for her kidnapped lover, she teams up with Conor MacNeills detective, who isnt quite as normal a police officer as Helen was (to say the least). I had to go and stick my big nose in it! she exclaims, as things unravel beyond her control. Where the original concept of The Tourist was neat and tidy an unknown Northern Irishman wakes from a car accident in Australia, pursued by assassins whose motive eludes him this second series is less clean. Ireland is a more familiar place than Australia (more like the Heinlein formula, where a Martian visits Earth), but the interpersonal dealings are more complex than ever. Theres an element of Hatfields and McCoys to the feud between two warring Irish crime dynasties (to one of which, Elliot may be the unwitting heir), which pushes the show away from the mystery genre (though the twists keep coming, with the regularity of a Tuscan highway) and towards the less interesting world of gangsters. In refocusing, something of the tension that typified the Antipodean season is lost. All the same, The Tourist which broadcasts on Stan in Australia and HBO in the US, as well as the BBC is undoubtedly one of the best British thrillers of recent years. The combination of a very sexy protagonist, a slow-burning but believable romance (the chemistry between Dornan and Macdonald is, again, excellent), and stakes that get cranked higher and higher, make this a worthwhile second run. Now its no longer a blank slate an unknown on the schedule the show is less surprising, but The Tourists return home still has the capacity to thrill. The Tourist season two is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 9pm on 1 January 2024 It's sippin' season. With plenty of cold weather ahead for Fort Collins, we've been thinking about the warm and welcoming coffee spots that offer a respite from wintry days. Here is a little sampling from classic cafes to bakeries and cocktail bars with coffee options. The cozy classics Alley Cat Cafe, 120 W. Laurel St. Alley Cat Coffeehouse has been a campus-area mainstay for 20 years and has built an eclectic atmosphere in Fort Collins' Dalzell and Wattles alleys. Tucked at the corner of Fort Collins' quaint Dalzell and Wattles Alleys, the eclectic Alley Cat Cafe is all vibes. Behind its ivy-lined walls you'll find bursts of color just look up at its individually designed ceiling tiles and cozy nooks fit for a hot chai or "cat latte" as well as its vegetarian- and vegan-friendly breakfast and lunch offerings. Alley Cat Cafe is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Bindle Coffee, 1933 Jessup Drive Bindle Coffee opened in Jessup Farm Artisan Village back in 2015, breathing new life into the former farm's old mechanics garage. An old mechanic's garage? Cozy? Hey, don't knock it until you try Bindle Coffee, a quaint little cafe that opened out of the old garage at Jessup Farm Artisan Village back in 2015. The refurbished farm also includes The Farmhouse at Jessup Farm, a restaurant that is housed out of, you guessed it, the old Jessup farmhouse; The Jessup Farm Barrel House barn-turned-brewery and several other little shops. Bindle Coffee is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Fort Collins restaurant news: Blind Pig Pub to close after 10 years on Linden Street Butterfly Cafe, 212 Laporte Ave. Butterfly Cafe serves up coffee, breakfast and lunch in its cozy 400 square feet at 212 Laporte Ave. in Fort Collins. If cozy means comfortable, warm and snug to you, then Butterfly Cafe definitely fits the bill. The 400-square-foot space has been known for years as Fort Collins' historic "butterfly building" mostly thanks to its unique V-shaped cantilevered roof. For years, it served as an office and, later, dairy lab for Poudre Valley Creamery's plant at 222 Laporte Ave. Since 2017, it's enjoyed a new life as Butterfly Cafe, serving up coffee, all-day breakfast and hearty lunch items in its tight, but charming, quarters. Butterfly Cafe is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Cafe at Ginger & Baker, 359 Linden St. The Cafe Ginger & Baker served coffee, pie, breakfast, lunch and dinner out of Fort Collins' restored Northern Colorado Feeders Supply building. What goes better together than coffee and pie? You can have both at The Cafe at Ginger & Baker, a pie shop and restaurant that renovated and opened in Old Town's former Northern Colorado Feeders Supply building in 2017. Its exposed brick walls, open rafters and wood beams are the perfect setting for the cafe's expansive counter, where you can sip some coffee and sample a pastry and slice of pie or order a sandwich, burger or hearty entree for lunch or dinner. The Crooked Cup, 147 W. Oak St. The Crooked Cup is tucked off Oak Street, where it serves up coffee made from its own roasted beans and kolaches a rarity in Northern Colorado. Get away from the downtown hustle and bustle by slipping into The Crooked Cup's little Oak Street cafe. Not only does The Crooked Cup serve up the specialty coffee, tea and espresso drinks you'd expect, but it also has an in-house bakery where it churns out fresh pastries rare Northern Colorado kolaches included. The Crooked Cup is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Czech it out: Tour Northern Colorado's mini 'kolache trail' Mugs Old Town, 261 S. College Ave. In this file photo, barista Megan Carr prepares a customer's vanilla latte on Jan. 28, 2019, at Mugs in Old Town Fort Collins. Location. Location. Location. Mugs' downtown cafe is right in the center of the action in Old Town Fort Collins. Located in the historic Armstrong Hotel building, its buzzing corner shop is fit for remote work and weekend coffee dates alike. Pick from the extensive food and drink menu and be sure to stop by for a happy hour. Mugs Old Town is open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Starry Night Expresso Cafe, 112 S. College Ave. Starry Night Espresso Cafe has been a fixture on Old Town's main College Avenue stretch since 1992. You can't pass through Old Town without spotting Starry Night a 30-year mainstay on College Avenue's main downtown stretch. The shop melds the charming historical touches of its building with freshly-roasted coffee and an in-house artisan bakery. Starry Night Espresso Cafe is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Cozy neighborhood shops Cups Community Coffee, 1033 S. Taft Hill Road Cups Community Coffee dishes up coffee drinks, breakfast items and a warm atmosphere at 1033 S. Taft Hill Road. Tucked away in a west Fort Collins shopping center, Cups Community Coffee immediately gives off warm, neighborhood cafe vibes. The family-owned spot has been a mainstay on the edge of Campus West for more than 20 years after starting out as Fort Collins' first Mugs location, according to owner Amy Snider, whose family purchased the shop five years ago. Today, Cups serves up breakfast items and a range of coffees, lattes, chai, matcha and espresso drinks as well as hot chocolate, cider, smoothies and boba tea. Find a spot at one of its tables or head upstairs to its comfy loft, which is strewn with string lights and replete with quiet nooks to enjoy your breakfast or get a little work done. Cups is open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Fox Den: No Waste Cafe & Roastery, 1680 Laporte Ave. Customers hangout inside at The Fox Den coffee shop in Fort Collins, Colo., on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. Looking for a lived-in vibe with your next cup of joe? Head to The Fox Den, a refreshed laundromat-turned-cafe with a charming interior eclectic mug collection and comfy secondhand furniture included. Given the cafe's no-waste philosophy, this is a great spot to grab coffee if you're looking to enjoy it on-site. If you're grabbing a cup to go, bring your own travel mug or prepare to pay the shop's $1.50 deposit for to-go hot and cold drink containers. The Fox Den is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday. Seasons eatings: Here are restaurants planning special holiday meals, Christmas hours Genoa Coffee & Wine, 2614 S. Timberline Road Genoa Coffee & Wine has been a fixture in Fort Collins' Ridgen Farm Plaza North, where it serves up coffee, breakfast and lunch, beer, wine, cider and more. Need a caffeine fix in east Fort Collins? Genoa Coffee & Wine stands stalwartly in Ridgen Farm Plaza North, where it serves up locally roasted coffees, chai teas, hot cocoas, Italian sodas, smoothies and more. The shop also boasts breakfast and lunch offerings think homemade bagels and challah French toast to scones, soft pretzels and sandwiches as well as beer, wine and cider. Genoa Coffee & Wine is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Momo Lolo Coffee Shop, 1129 W. Elizabeth St. Brighten up dreary winter days at Momo Lolo, a Campus West coffee shop that feels like a little hit of summer with its sunny walls, plant-strewn windowsills and airy interior. Its proximity to Colorado State University makes it a favorite study spot, but don't let that stop you for popping in if your school days are long over. Momo Lolo Coffee Shop is open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cozy spots with coffee and... Bean Cycle Roasters, 144 N. College Ave. Bean Cycle Roasters combines coffee and creativity, serving as the home of the Bean Cycle coffee house, Half Crown Creative Space and Makerfolk. Bean Cycle Roasters feels like it's always been in Old Town, where it boasts plenty of seating on its sprawling first floor as well as a cozy lofted nook perfect for reading or remote work. The coffee house is also home to Half Crown Creative Space and Makerfolk, so grab a coffee and peruse locally made crafts and goods in one go. Bean Cycle Roasters is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Explorado Market, 11 Old Town Square, Unit 121 Explorado Market made the move from south to downtown Fort Collins earlier this year, bringing its full coffee offerings and gluten-free bakery fare to Old Town Square. Explorado Market is unlike any other coffee shop in Fort Collins because of one specific thing it has er, I guess doesn't have: gluten. The Old Town Square cafe and bakery is a fully gluten-free facility, serving up gluten-free baked goods and treats with some dairy- and sugar-free options thrown in for good measure. Tucked off the Square, Explorado Market is part of Fort Collins' historic 1880s-era Miller Block, and a "ghost sign" barely remains on its north wall hearkening back to the days the space was home to The Fair Store, Fort Collins' premiere dry goods store. A lot has changed for 11 Old Town Square, but its warm brick walls remain, beckoning passersby in with its inviting atmosphere and a hot cup of coffee or gluten-free treat. Explorado Market is open daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Little Bird Bakeshop, 613 S. College Ave. In this filep hoto, patrons visit Little Bird Bakeshop on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Fort Collins. The bakery reopened in its new location at 613 S. College Avenue, which Canino's formerly occupied prior to its closing. If you want the comforts of home without having to make your own coffee, head to Little Bird Bakeshop a beloved Fort Collins bakery and cafe that moved into a sprawling turn-of-the-century house earlier this year. The space, formerly the longtime home of Canino's Italian Restaurant until its late-2022 closure, boasts original hardwood floors, a fireplace and plenty of cozy nooks and crannies fit for coffee drinking. Come hungry, too. While Little Bird offers plenty of coffee drinks, its specialty is baked goods from its breakfast pastries and savory toasts to seasonal cakes and pies. Little Bird Bakeshop is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. A new arrival: Fort Collins pie food truck Sunny Sky Pies opens brick-and-mortar shop Persimmon, 251 Jefferson St. Persimmon owner Raffi Jergerian walks through the kitchen in the cafe and cocktail bar Dec. 19, 2023 in Fort Collins, Colo. How does coffee by day and cocktails by night sound? At Persimmon, you don't have to pick. The Old Town cafe and cocktail bar serves up a range of hot and cold coffee and tea drinks; beer; wine; morning, afternoon and evening cocktails; and even an array of house shakes, sodas and shrubs nonalcoholic drinks made with fruit-infused vinegar syrup and sparkling water. Duck in for a drink, or Persimmon's mezze-inspired small bites, and settle at a table in either its lofty upper seating space or cozy lower level. Persimmon is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Retreat Bakery Bar, 2601 S. Lemay Ave., Unit 21 Retreat Bakery Bar is part coffee shop, part bakery and part wine and beer bar, serving up sweets, treats, pints and pours in Fort Collins' Scotch Pines Village. Craving a sweet retreat? Look no further than Retreat Bakery Bar a charming Midtown spot that's part bakery, part cafe and part beer and wine bar. Located in Fort Collins' Scotch Pines Village, Retreat Bakery Bar has all the feelings of a neighborhood cafe with coffee and tea drinks and a display case full of fresh-baked treats to boot. The shop is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Wolverine Publick House, 316 Willow St. Wolverine Farm Publick House is a book lovers dream, with its book-lined walls, cozy nooks and quiet upstairs space. Crack open a book or peruse the shelves of books and artisan goods available for purchase at Old Town's Wolverine Publick House. The sprawling space has a rustic, lived in feel, with a buzzing first-floor coffee bar and a quiet second-floor space fit for a quiet coffee date or study session. Looking for something different to do? Check its events calendar, which is typically bursting with everything from book readings and live music to a gingerbread house build-off and wood splitting competition. Wolverine Farm Publick House is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. In remembrance Wild Boar Cafe In this file photo, customers wait in line during the last day of business at Wild Boar Cafe in Fort Collins on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019. The business closed after 12 years. Wild Boar Cafe may be gone, but it sure hasn't been forgotten. The coffee shop, which was replete with overstuffed couches and cozy nooks, shuttered in October 2019 after 12 years in business. The 1920s Craftsman-style home-turned-cafe sat vacant until Prost Brewing moved its local taproom operations into the space two years later. Everyday Joe's In this file photo, participants dance during CROMA Barn Dance's performance at Everyday Joe's during FoCoMX on Saturday, April 28, 2018, in Fort Collins. For 20 years, Everyday Joe's managed to bring warm and cozy vibes to its sprawling, airy space on South Mason Street. The coffee house, which started as a neighborhood outreach initiative by Timberline Church in 2003, boasted welcoming red brick walls, soft lighting and enough space for barn dances, music performances and special events. "After a season of prayerful consideration," Timberline Church shuttered Everyday Joe's in September, citing rising costs as one of the reasons behind its closure. Ah, memories: The 8 closed Fort Collins restaurants that readers say they miss the most Cranknstein In this file photo, Romie Sidabras and Anna Lebedda sit at the Cranknstein bar. In just four years, Cranknstein sure left a mark on Fort Collins. The coffee house, beer bar and bike shop, 215 N. College Ave., offered a warm respite for the beer- and bike-friendly Choice City. It ultimately shuttered in 2015, making way for Scrumpy's Hard Cider Bar to take over the space, swap out coffee for cider and carry on its cozy torch. Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly listed the hours for Cups Community Coffee. Cups is open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: 17 cozy coffee spots to try in Fort Collins Mai Tai and Mi-To may sound very similar, but in the world of cocktails they couldn't be much more different. Names are a tricky thing when it comes to drinks, as there can be a lot of different ways to order the same thing, and small adjustments to ingredients can create something entirely new. Want a martini? You'll have to get way more specific considering all the variations. Want to try gin in your daiquiri instead of rum? Sorry, that's called a gimlet now. So you could be forgiven for thinking that Mi-To is some quirky type of Mai Tai, or that one evolved from the other, but in both taste and origins, the two drinks are oceans apart. The Mai Tai was born in the United States, an invented pastiche of tropical drinking, although that doesn't make it any less tasty. The Mi-To is one of the oldest cocktails we have, dating all the way back to Italy in the mid-19th century, and giving rise to a whole group of drinks that became more famous than their progenitor. The Mai Tai is sweet, spiced, and tart, while the Mi-To is simple and bitter. In fact, given the tiki drink's unique ingredients, you might not even be able to order a Mai Tai in the type of bar where you'd order a Mi-To. But the one thing they have in common is that they are both classics, and they are both worth knowing and experiencing. Read more: The 40 Absolute Best Cocktails That Feature Only 2 Ingredients What Is A Mai Tai? Mai Tai on the rocks - 5ph/Getty Images The Mai Tai tastes like it comes from someplace exotic and warm, but it was actually invented in either the 1930s or 40s in the U.S. It is most commonly attributed to Victor Bergeron, aka "Trader Vic," owner of his eponymous bar and restaurant, although Donn Beach, aka "Don the Beachcomber," also claims to have invented a similar drink. A classic tiki cocktail from the glory days of the trend, the original Mai Tai is a mixture of aged rum with lime, orange curacao, orgeat, and simple syrup. Cheaper versions and pre-made mixes will include orange juice, pineapple juice, or other ingredients, but the true Mai Tai is a relatively simple drink that uses Caribbean flavors and adds a little twist with the orgeat syrup. It's also traditionally garnished with a spent lime shell and a sprig of mint. The flavors of a proper Mai Tai are complex, with a profile that's lightly sweet, tangy, and bright. The orgeat syrup, which is an almond syrup from France, gives the drink an incredible depth and much of its unique floral, nutty aroma. However, the cocktails were made specifically to showcase aged Jamaican rums originally a 17-year-old J. Wray and Nephew bottle and the tasting notes of molasses, spice, and vanilla in those rums are essential to the best versions of the drink. The Mai Tai may not have originated in the tropics, but it makes full use of its most popular flavors. What Is A Mi-To? Mi-To in rocks glass - Heleno Viero/Shutterstock Everything about the Mi-To is right there in its abbreviated name. "Mi-To" is a shortened version of Milano-Torino, and the drink is named for the two famous Northern Italian cities. It consists of an equal mix of Campari, which is from Milan, and sweet vermouth, which is traditionally associated with Turin. The Mi-To was supposedly created in the 1860s at the Caffee Camparino in Milan, a bar owned by the creator of Campari himself. It's made by simply mixing the two liquors together, pouring over ice, and garnishing with an orange wedge. Anyone who is a fan of Campari can probably already recognize that the Mi-To eventually spawned the Americano, which adds soda water, and the Negroni, which adds gin. The Mi-To has a bitter, herbal taste thanks to the Campari, which is slightly cut by the sweeter red vermouth. That bitter profile is popular in Italy for aperitifs, which are drinks made to be sipped before meals to stimulate the appetite. While aperitifs are often straight drinks, like vermouth, Campari, or Lillet, the Mi-To helped popularize aperitif cocktails, making it the forerunner of drinks like the Aperol Spritz. While the original drink may have been overtaken by the cocktails that evolved from it, aperitif cocktails and spritzes have only been gaining in popularity, and the Mi-To is a great place to start if you want to give those flavors a try. Read the original article on Tasting Table. When you think of North Pole, Alaska, your mind might go to Santa Claus and his elves or frigid temperatures. While the small city is known for its year-round Christmas decorations and it's certainly cold up there, it also has several popular eateries for its residents and tourists. Every town needs a Chinese eatery, and Pagoda Restaurant is North Pole's place to satisfy your craving for dishes like egg rolls, wonton soup, orange chicken, and lo mein. Pagoda Restaurant has been operating since it opened in March 1990. When you walk inside, you'll find decor you might expect at an eat-in Chinese restaurant like red paper lanterns hanging from the ceilings, tables lined with red tablecloths, and wall art depicting Chinese landscapes. The restaurant is popular with locals and tourists alike, and was even featured in a 2009 episode of Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" hosted by Guy Fieri. In the episode, Fieri talked with its owner Benny Lin (who has appeared on the show many other times to showcase his other restaurants) and tried dishes like walnut shrimp in a creamy sauce. The restaurant has also won local awards like the Daily News-Miner Readers Choice Award in 2021. Read more: Restaurant Foods That Always Taste Better Than What You Make At Home Pagoda Restaurant Highlights selection of chinese food - Elena Veselova/Shutterstock A glance at Pagoda Restaurant's online menu shows a mix of classic Chinese-American fare mixed with more unique dishes. Some of the appetizers include raspberry wasabi shrimp, egg rolls, fried shrimp, fried wontons, a pu-pu platter, and that walnut shrimp tasted by Fieri. There are also seafood entrees like kung pao shrimp, beef options like hunan hot beef, and poultry dishes like breaded almond chicken. The eatery also serves up different lo mein dishes, chow mein, egg foo young, and steaks like ribeye. Pagoda also offers lunch specials and family-style dinners to feed your hungry family or group of friends. If you find yourself in North Pole, Alaska, you can dine at Pagoda Restaurant at 431 North Santa Claus Lane. It's open Sunday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and stays open until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday according to its website. You can dine in, or order take out and delivery. And there's a full bar to grab a specialty cocktail like a Bloody Mary topped with a fried wonton to wash down your favorite Chinese dish. Read the original article on Tasting Table. A Tesla owner was shocked to find their car vandalized after a quick grocery run. Thankfully, the cars built-in security cameras caught the culprit in the act. One Reddit user shared the footage on behalf of their friend, the Tesla owner, to warn other electric vehicle drivers. The incident occurred at a Costco parking lot in northern California. A guy keyed our Tesla Model 3 for no reason while we parked at the Costco parking lot, the original poster wrote. Our camera system on the vehicle has recorded the whole process. In the video, a young man is seen loading groceries into the car parked next to the Tesla. After the man pushes aside his empty shopping cart on the curb, he presses a metal bracelet against the passenger side of the Tesla, leaving a deep scratch. The man then returns to his car to flee the scene. The Tesla owner urged other Redditors to help identify the culprit so that vandals are properly held accountable for their crimes. We have already filed a report to the local police department, the Tesla owner wrote. For people doing things like this for no reason, or maybe just for fun, if we dont hold them accountable, [they] might think its okay, not a big deal, and next time, your car may get keyed for no reason. Unfortunately, this incident is one of many EV vandalism cases that have popped up in recent years. A study by the Electric Vehicle Charging Association reported that over 20% of EV charging stations have experienced some form of vandalism, leading to disruptions in charging services. There are no concrete explanations for why EV vandalism is on the rise. Some theorize that it may be a product of green backlash, which refers to the negative sentiment against environmental progress. Some states have even banned government investments in sustainability initiatives. Others theorize that intimidatory acts against EVs are simply due to jealousy. Either way, the potential explanations behind these behaviors do not excuse the crimes that occurred. Reddit users reacted to the incident under the post. Of course its one of those jerks that dont return their cart, someone commented. Costco will also ban the member and revoke their membership, another said. Get a police report as, depending on your state, this could be a felony. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more, waste less, and help yourself while helping the planet. Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. If you keep up with cocktail culture you've most likely heard the term amaro used by fellow drinkers and mixologists. The bitter Italian liqueurs have been popping up in restaurants, bars and home bars more and more over the past few years. You've possibly even sipped an amaro, knowingly or unknowingly, in a cocktail. For example, if you've ever had a Black Manhattan (rye whiskey plus Averna amaro), you've had amaro. However, you may not know what makes each amaro stand out from the another or how to choose the best amaro for you. Luckily, I'm a big fan of amari (the plural of amaro) and have been sipping them for years. I went through my collection to ranked the 15 best amari that you need to know about. Related: 9 Popular Costco Liquors, Ranked From the Bottom(s) Up What is Amaro? Amari is a group of bitter herbal liqueurs crafted by infusing an alcoholsuch as vodka, gin or winewith a blend of botanicals, herbs, roots and spices. Each brand of amaro has its own secret formula that includes both a bittering agent and a sweetener (think wormwood and syrup respectively). These unique combinations are what gives amaro its bittersweet flavor profile. For centuries, Italians have sipped amaro neat after dinner as a digestif, though these days amari are enjoyed any time of the day. Branca Distilling Spices Theresa Greco Because of the blend of botanicals, each amaro is quite distinctive, which means you have to try many to decide what you like. To help you along on your amaro journey, I've ranked some of my favorites, from those I enjoy a lot all the way up to the one I love the best. Keep in mind that taste is very subjective and your preferences may be quite different than mine. Ultimately, only you can decide which amaro is for you. Amaro Theresa Greco 15 Italian Amari Ranked From Very Good to Great Braulio is described by the brand as "one of Italy's most illustrious amari with a unique and delicate profile that has been passed down for over four generations." Made in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy, near the Switzerland border, it's considered a gem of the Alpine mountains. This amaro is aged in Slavonian oak barrels, which gives it a deep, rich flavor. A first sip delivers hints of fresh mint and spice followed by clove and bitter bark. Braulio works well in cocktails. Try subbing it for Campari in your next Negroni. Shop it! Fernet-Branca, commonly referred to as Fernet, is one of the most popular amaro crafted in Milan. The original formula, still used today, includes a secret blend of 27 herbs, roots and spices found across four continents. Fernet is known for its elevated level of alcohol and medicinal bitter flavor. In my opinion, it's an amaro that takes some getting used to. Your first sip of Fernet can be somewhat shocking to the palate because it's quite bitter and intensely spiced. However, after several sips your palate adjusts and the herbal flavor becomes much more enjoyable. Shop it! Another amaro from Milan, Ramazzotti is also made from a secret recipe. Dating back to 1815 the formula for this particular Milanese spirit includes a hefty list of carefully selected herbs, spices, flowers and fruits. While the Ramazzotti website lists rhubarb and gentian, I find the most pronounced flavors to be cinnamon and orange. Overall Ramazzotti is more bitter than sweet and leaves a lingering black licorice taste in your mouth. It's an amaro that you either love or hate. I love it, but my husband doesn't care for it at all. I've only ever sipped Ramazzotti neat but I can imagine it would make an interesting amaro spritz. Shop it! One of the many spirits produced by the Luxardo brand, Amaro Abano is a medium bitter-tasting amaro popular in the Veneto region of Italy. A variety of wild herbs are infused along with bitter orange peel, cinnamon and cardamom to build the flavor profile of this amaro. Overall the taste is pleasantly spicy and slightly sweet. I've only recently added this to my collection but I can already tell it is going to be moving up on my list quickly. Shop it! Tuve Black Note Theresa Greco Made in Turin, Italy this highly recommended amaro starts off sweet followed by a lingering peppery bite. Owned by Turin Vermouth, Black Note is produced in their factory using their unique extraction technology, ensuring that the amaro has a one-of-a-kind taste. And it does! The brand recommends serving this deep brown amaro neat and slightly chilled but never ice cold. Cynar Theresa Greco Cynar, pronounced CHEE-nar, is a relatively new amaro. Keep in mind that "new" is relative in the world of amari, because Cynar was launched in Padua, Italy around 1950. The brand's recipe includes an interesting ingredient, artichoke, along with other plants and herbs. Although artichoke is the predominat plant and the one featured on the bottle, the spirit has only a subtle hint of the infamous cardoon, artichoke's wild cousin. Cynar is less bitter than other amari I've tasted and is very drinkable. This is a staple on my bar cart at home as it works well in many cocktails. While I love it neat I also enjoy it mixed with equal parts Aperol and bourbon. Shop it! Averna Theresa Greco Averna comes from Sicily and dates back to 1868. As for herbs and essences, there are quite a few, including cinnamon, anise, fennel and bitter citrus. This amaro also has some royal clout behind it. According to brand ambassador Alex Negranza, "In 1912 Averna was granted the right, by King Vittorio Emanuele III, to print the inscription 'Patent of the Royal House' on its label." The unique distillation process used to make Averna produces a mild and very well-balanced drink. One of my favorite ways to enjoy Averna is in an Espresso Cocktail. Shop it! A greenish amaro from the Piedmont region of Italy, Grinta is a made from single infusion of regional mountain roots, plants, herbs and flowers. It's an invigorating amaro designed for enjoying after a meal. It's slightly sweet with hints of balsamic. My husband sips this straight. I however have had success substituting Grinta in as a replacement for Chartreuse in cocktails. Il Mallo Nocino is a dark brown spirit made by steeping unripe green walnuts in clear grain alcohol. According to the brand, two of the primary botanicals are cinnamon and coriander. The result is an aromatic, bittersweet flavor with strong walnut notes. Cardamaro is a wine-based amaro that has been infused with cardoon and milk thistle, in addition to other things. This Piemontese amaro is similar to vermouth with light to moderate bitterness. It's an easy-to-drink spirit that also works well in many cocktails. I enjoy substituting it for the vermouth in a traditional Americano cocktail. Shop it! As the name suggests, Fernet Branca Menta, is part of the Branca family that also makes Fernet (see above). Although crafted with the same secret blend of 27 herbs and spices as the original, Menta is enhanced by the addition of peppermint oil sourced from Piedmont, Italy. The mint liqueur has a distinctive flavor, marked by a robust fresh mint taste balanced with the bitter notes of traditional Fernet. In my opinion, Branca Menta offers an exceptionally sweet, refreshing experience with every sip. The brand highly recommends enjoying Branca Menta chilled, neat or on the rocks. The name, Dopo Teatro refers to the late-evening, after-theatre service at restaurants and cafes in Torino, a traditional gathering time for a sip of something bittersweet and maybe a small bite to eat. Roberto Bava, Owner and Managing Director of Cocchi Vermouth, describes the amaro best: "Dopo Teatro is a vermouth amaroenhanced with additional bitter elements. It starts from a similar base to our iconic Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino, but is then enriched with complex Barolo Chinato, a double extraction of quinine and wormwood. The result is a robust Vermouth that lingers lengthy on the palate with Amaro characteristics but a rich and deep wine backbone. To serve this amaro in the traditional Torinese way, offer it chilled with a wide strip of lemon zest. Distilled in Bologona, Montenegro is made of 40 botanicals collected from all over the world, including dried oranges, cloves and marjoram. Montenegro is sweet and smooth and is tasty sipped neat, though it's also a good addition to cocktails. If you've never tasted amaro, this is a good first introduction. Shop it! Created in Fruilli, Italy from a base of grappa that has been infused with alpine herbs and botanicals, Nonino is a mildly bitter amaro with hints of orange. It's an extremely drinkable amaro (aka it's not too bitter or medicinal), making it a great choice for newbies wanting to dabble in amari. Shop it! Lucano was first crafted in 1894 in the family's bakery in Southern Italy and includes more than 30 herbs and essential oils. This amaro is a main staple on my bar cart, and I love it for its unmistakable flavor and its exemplary balance between sweetness and bitterness. While I do enjoy Lucano neat, it also makes a wonderful afternoon refresher when mixed with cold brewed coffee and seltzer. Shop it! Up next: The 30 Best Tequila Brands Canadian model Zoe Duchesne made her way into the pages of the SI Swimsuit Issue in 2010, traveling to the Atacama Desert, Chile with photographer Raphael Mazzucco. She journeyed to the unique location to pose for a series of absolutely stunning photos in front of the idyllic backdrop. [Its] a beautiful day as you can see, she remarked on the set of her photoshoot. Were in the middle of the desert. San Pedro, is that it? They dropped me here, I have no idea, she joked of the beautiful, remote location. Wearing a series of metallic and vibrant bikinis, the model stood out against the deep red of the desert dirt and rocks. It was an exciting experience for the now 42-year-old, who hails from Montreal, Canada, and another entry on her ever-growing resumeon which modeling is simply one of her many talents. In addition to the other modeling gigs that she has booked over the years, Duchesne is also known for her acting roles in a handful of French films, as well as her growing comedy career, which she has a habit of posting about on her Instagram. And while were in full support of all of her professional endeavors, we think our favorite will always be her trip to Chile with the SI Swimsuit team. It was, after all, an incredible experience, and we have the photos to prove it. Below are some of her glamorous pics from the day. Raphael Mazzucco/Sports Illustrated Raphael Mazzucco/Sports Illustrated Raphael Mazzucco/Sports Illustrated Raphael Mazzucco/Sports Illustrated Raphael Mazzucco/Sports Illustrated Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube! A cross section of a lead water pipe is displayed under a microscope in a lab at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys Andrew W. Breidenbach Environmental Research Center in Cincinnati last February. Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct information about the ruling's impact in Northern Kentucky. The Environmental Protection Agency in November announced plans to require cities to replace all lead service lines in 10 years as part of the Biden administration's attempts to eliminate lead in drinking water. The EPA says there are 9.2 million lead pipes in the United States. Exposure to lead in children, even at low levels, can lead to numerous health defects, including impaired hearing, learning disabilities, shorter stature and more. Replacing the pipes will cost hundreds of millions of dollars in the Greater Cincinnati region. Here's what you need to know. How many homes in the Greater Cincinnati area have lead pipes? None of Greater Cincinnati Water Works' lines are made of lead, according to the Cincinnati Water Works website. However, plenty of water pipes connecting from homeowners' property lines to their residence are made of lead, especially in older homes. Jeff Swertfeger, superintendent of water quality treatment at Water Works, said there are 36,500 houses in the Cincinnati area with lead pipes. The utility serves 1.1 million customers in Cincinnati and Hamilton, Butler and Warren counties. Under its Enhanced Lead Program, Swertfeger said Water Works has been able to replace 1,200 lines per year. After the EPA's November announcement, the utility expects that number to increase to 3,600 lines per year or 10% of lead pipes in the region each year. "We're paying for it," added Swertfeger, noting that Water Works pays all expenses for replacing lead pipes. But customers must give Water Works permission to visit their homes to install new pipes, said Swertfeger. "We only get about half of the people who we contact who are willing to replace their part of the line." What about Northern Kentucky? Sara Sgantas, spokeswoman for the Northern Kentucky Water District, said there are around 30,000 lead pipelines in that utility's area of oversight, which includes 300,000 customers in Kenton, Campbell, and part of Boone counties. While the NKY Water District generally doesn't replace customer-owned lead service lines, it does help customers diminish their impact, including adjusting pH balances and using additives on pipe material to prevent leaks. Customers are expected to pay for pipe replacement. How much will it cost to replace lead pipes? "We're looking at somewhere in the ballpark of $100 to $250 million dollars," said Swertfeger, with money coming from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. The NKY Water District is currently trying to secure funding from the same bill to address lead pipe replacement and complete its inventory of lead service lines. As those funds are being negotiated, customers will still be expected to pay for their own pipe replacement. Who is paying? The cost of lead pipe replacement will fall on public water systems, with the Biden administration offering money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill to cover the project. "The Biden-Harris administration is using every tool available to help communities and water systems Get the Lead Out including investing a historic $15 billion through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace lead service lines, providing technical assistance to communities, and supporting the development of a national inventory of lead service lines," according to a Nov. 30 press release. How do I know if lead pipes are near my home? Cincinnati Water Works and NKY Water District customers can visit the Water Works website or the Northern Kentucky Water District's Take Action page to learn how to address lead pipes. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What the EPA's lead pipe plan means for Greater Cincinnati and NKY Yemen's Houthi group says 10 fighters killed by U.S. Navy forces in Red Sea Xinhua) 09:07, January 01, 2024 The screenshot captured from a video released by the Houthi group on Dec. 26, 2023, shows Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea making a statement in Sanaa, Yemen. (Xinhua) SANAA, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group said Sunday that 10 of its fighters were killed by U.S. naval forces in the Red Sea while they were trying to hijack a commercial ship in international waters. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement broadcast live by the group's al-Masirah TV that the U.S. forces attacked three boats belonging to the Houthi rebels. He said the rebels were "performing their humanitarian and moral duty" to prevent Israel-related ships from passing through the Red Sea, "in solidarity and support for the Palestinian people." The spokesman said the U.S. "bears the consequences of this crime," and that the "military movements in the Red Sea to protect Israeli ships will not prevent Yemen (Houthi militia) from performing its humanitarian duty in support of Palestine and Gaza." The Houthi official also stated that the rebel group targeted the cargo ship "with appropriate naval missiles," without saying whether the missiles hit the target. People gather in a rally to support Palestinians amid the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, in Sanaa, Yemen, Oct. 20, 2023. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua) Earlier in the day, the U.S. Central Command said its naval forces responded to a distress call from a merchant boat in the Red Sea reporting being under a Houthi attack, sinking three Houthi boats and killing all their crews. The Singapore-flagged "container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU issued a second distress call in less than 24 hours reporting being under attack by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats ... originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen," the U.S. Central Command wrote on the social media platform X. The Houthi militants fired "small arms weapons at the MAERSK HANGZHOU, getting to within 20 meters of the vessel, and attempted to board the vessel," it said. "U.S. helicopters from the USS EISENHOWER (CVN 69) and GRAVELY (DDG 107) responded to the distress call and in the process of issuing verbal calls to the small boats, the small boats fired upon the U.S. helicopters ... The U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire in self-defense, sinking three of the four small boats and killing the crews. The fourth boat fled the area," it added. "There was no damage to U.S. personnel or equipment," the U.S. Central Command noted. An Israeli Navy missile boat is seen in the area of the Red Sea on Nov. 1, 2023. Israel sent missile boats to the Red Sea, the army said on Wednesday (Nov. 1) after Houthi forces in Yemen fired missiles and drones toward Israel's resort city of Eilat. (IDF/Handout via Xinhua) Hours earlier, the U.S. Central Command said the container ship reported that it was struck by a missile while transiting the southern Red Sea, and there were no injuries among its crew. "While responding, the USS GRAVELY shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen toward the ships," the U.S. Central Command said in another post on X. "This is the 23rd illegal attack by the Houthis on international shipping since Nov. 19," it added. The Houthi militia has escalated their attacks on Israel-linked ships since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, demanding that food and medicine aid be allowed to enter the Palestinian enclave of the Gaza Strip. The Houthi rebel militia controls much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Flash The screenshot captured from a video released by the Houthi group on Dec. 26, 2023, shows Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea making a statement in Sanaa, Yemen. (Xinhua) Yemen's Houthi group said Sunday that 10 of its fighters were killed by U.S. naval forces in the Red Sea while they were trying to hijack a commercial ship in international waters. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement broadcast live by the group's al-Masirah TV that the U.S. forces attacked three boats belonging to the Houthi rebels. He said the rebels were "performing their humanitarian and moral duty" to prevent Israel-related ships from passing through the Red Sea, "in solidarity and support for the Palestinian people." The spokesman said the U.S. "bears the consequences of this crime," and that the "military movements in the Red Sea to protect Israeli ships will not prevent Yemen (Houthi militia) from performing its humanitarian duty in support of Palestine and Gaza." The Houthi official also stated that the rebel group targeted the cargo ship "with appropriate naval missiles," without saying whether the missiles hit the target. Earlier in the day, the U.S. Central Command said its naval forces responded to a distress call from a merchant boat in the Red Sea reporting being under a Houthi attack, sinking three Houthi boats and killing all their crews. The Singapore-flagged "container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU issued a second distress call in less than 24 hours reporting being under attack by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats ... originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen," the U.S. Central Command wrote on the social media platform X. The Houthi militants fired "small arms weapons at the MAERSK HANGZHOU, getting to within 20 meters of the vessel, and attempted to board the vessel," it said. "U.S. helicopters from the USS EISENHOWER (CVN 69) and GRAVELY (DDG 107) responded to the distress call and in the process of issuing verbal calls to the small boats, the small boats fired upon the U.S. helicopters ... The U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire in self-defense, sinking three of the four small boats and killing the crews. The fourth boat fled the area," it added. "There was no damage to U.S. personnel or equipment," the U.S. Central Command noted. Hours earlier, the U.S. Central Command said the container ship reported that it was struck by a missile while transiting the southern Red Sea, and there were no injuries among its crew. "While responding, the USS GRAVELY shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen toward the ships," the U.S. Central Command said in another post on X. "This is the 23rd illegal attack by the Houthis on international shipping since Nov. 19," it added. The Houthi militia has escalated their attacks on Israel-linked ships since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, demanding that food and medicine aid be allowed to enter the Palestinian enclave of the Gaza Strip. The Houthi rebel militia controls much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah. US Navy says the Ford carrier strike group is finally heading home after its first full deployment was upended by war The Navy's new aircraft carrier is returning to the US after being sent into waters near Israel. The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group was sent to stop the Israel-Hamas war from expanding. The CSG's deployment was repeatedly extended. The US Navy is finally bringing the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group home after it was abruptly tasked to the eastern Mediterranean in response to the Israel-Hamas war and kept at sea longer than planned. The Ford carrier strike group was sent to the eastern Mediterranean in October during its first full deployment in an effort to "contribute to our regional deterrence and defense posture," the Navy said in a statement. The sudden outbreak of violence in the Middle East, which started with the 10/7 Hamas terror attacks, continued with Israel's war against Gaza, and has since spread, led to repeated extensions of the Ford CSG's deployment. The strike group has been at sea for over 240 days, per USNI News. In the coming days though, the new first-in-class carrier and its escort ships will return to its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia. As fighting broke out between Israel and Hamas in October, the new supercarrier made its way toward the unfolding crisis accompanied by the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt. The US later sent the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group into the Mediterranean and the Middle East for added deterrence. Some of the warships with the Ford and Eisenhower strike groups have been operating in the Red Sea, where they have responded to Houthi missile and drone attacks on commercial shipping. The mission of the naval forces present in the area has been to show support for Israel after the attacks by Hamas and also deter additional attacks. The US has also provided other military support. "The United States government will be rapidly providing the Israel Defense Forces with additional equipment and resources, including munitions," US defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, said in October . Additional air assets were also deployed to the area. Even though the Ford carrier strike group is redeploying to its homeport to prepare for future tasking, the Navy will continue to maintain a presence in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. That presence will include elements of the Eisenhower CSG and additional warships, such as the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan and dock landing ship USS Carter Hall, which are joining the transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde to form an Amphibious Ready Group. "The Department of Defense continually evaluates force posture globally and will retain extensive capability both in the Mediterranean and across the Middle East," the Navy release says. Read the original article on Business Insider A Waffle House worker was shot when an argument with a customer erupted into gunfire at a Georgia restaurant, police said. Officers were called around 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 1, about a shooting at the diner near North Henry Boulevard in Stockbridge, according to the citys police department. Investigators said there was a dispute between an employee and a customer when the employee was shot in the arm. The customer ran from the restaurant before authorities arrived. The employee was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. Its not clear what the fight was about and additional information wasnt available. Stockbridge is about 20 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta. Dunkin workers pull guns on customers asking for manager, cops say. Yall gonna die Fast-food worker killed days before 18th birthday, VA cops say. Suspect now identified Waffle House customer shoots, kills man accused of threatening patrons, AL cops say Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., speaks during a House Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on September 28, 2023. As some states fight to keep former President Donald Trump off the ballot in 2024 and cases head to the U.S. Supreme Court, Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., wants one of the longest-serving justices to recuse himself from a potential ruling. Justice Clarence Thomas should recuse himself because his wife, Ginni Thomas, "was involved in the big lie," according to Raskin, who spoke about the issue Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union with Jake Tapper and Dana Bash." Thomas sent dozens of text messages after the 2020 election to Mark Meadows, Trump's former chief of staff, urging him to fight the results. In late September 2022, she told a congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol that she regretted those texts that were sent at an "emotional time" and would take them all back if she could. Though Thomas told the panel she still thought there were election irregularities, she did believe Joe Biden was the president of the United States. Raskin was a member of the House committee that investigated what led to the Capitol attack and suggested Clarence Thomas couldn't objectively evaluate whether Trump should be disqualified from the 2024 ballot. "Anybody looking at this in any kind of dispassionate, reasonable way would say if your wife was involved in the big lie and claiming that Donald Trump actually won the presidential election and been agitating for that and participating in the events leading up to Jan. 6, that you shouldnt be participating," Raskin said to questioning from Bash. WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 21: (L-R) Associate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife and conservative activist Virginia Thomas arrive at the Heritage Foundation on October 21, 2021 in Washington, DC. Clarence Thomas has now served on the Supreme Court for 30 years. He was nominated by former President George H. W. Bush in 1991 and is the second African-American to serve on the high court, following Justice Thurgood Marshall. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) A deeper look: With three major recent losses, is the effort to knock Trump off ballots in 2024 over? Why are Colorado and Maine kicking Trump off the ballot? Colorado and Maine have both removed Trump from primary ballots, citing the 14th Amendment and saying the former president is barred from office because he engaged in an insurrection. Trump is expected to appeal the state decisions. Similar efforts are underway in Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, New Mexico, New York, and Texas, among other states. Meanwhile, officials in California and Michigan have rejected attempts to remove Trump from ballots in those states. The U.S. Supreme Court will likely decide the question of Trump's qualifications, after weeks and maybe months of appeals that will shadow the legal system and the 2024 presidential campaign. Contributing: Aysha Bagchi, John Fritze and David Jackson This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Clarence Thomas should recuse himself from Trump ruling, Raskin says Her student was known to exaggerate, administrators at The Vanguard School, a K-12 charter school in Colorado Springs, allegedly told then-junior high Latin teacher Mary Beth Arendash. He was one of those problem kids whom staff warned her about at the beginning of the year, she said. But Arendash thought she recognized other factors. Rather than a problem acting out, she reasoned, her 13-year-old student might be struggling with a learning disability or mental health issues. She suggested to school leaders he be screened for a support plan, and when no changes were made, she opted instead to work with him individually every day after school. Thats when Arendash said the concerning comments began. He told Arendash he was being physically abused, she said. A mandated reporter by law, Arendash said she raised concerns to school leadership that her student was at risk. Inaction by the schools administration prompted her to follow up, she said, but administrators allegedly told her she was overreacting. The teen died by suicide just weeks into the 2020 school year, according to the El Paso County Coroners Office. I had told them several times this child was at risk. I told them exactly what type of abuse he was suffering and he went home and shot himself in the head, Arendash said. It was the most heartbreaking thing ever. This was my one kid that I tried to help, and they wouldnt do anything. Multiple former teachers and parents have called into question the Harrison School District 2-authorized charter schools mandatory reporting practices, alleging they depart from legal requirements and leave some students unprotected. Vanguard administrators maintain they are in full compliance with the law and handle each reported case with sensitivity. There was the barest minimum of effort to meet the legal requirements of mandated reporting, said Valerie Younger, a former high school history teacher of five years. Handling suicide is some sort of horrible, shameful thing. It was almost as if its a black mark on the school, and it kind of is if notice had been given (that the student was at risk). Per written Vanguard procedure, teachers are instructed to report student concerns of all types suicidality, abuse, sexual assault, neglect to their building leader rather than outside authorities. Administrators will reach out to the appropriate channels on teachers behalf, under the policy. The administrative middleman ensures each report has the full context of a students situation, according to former junior high Assistant Principal Beth Danjuma, who stepped down from the role in September after three years. The reasoning is that school leaders have access to the bigger picture, including what previous teachers have reported and what a students siblings might also be experiencing. But, such a procedure does not comply with Colorado mandatory reporting laws, according to Margaret Ochoa, a child sexual abuse prevention specialist with the Colorado Department of Public Safetys School Safety Resource Center. Ochoa trains school employees on mandatory reporting requirements. When there is reasonable suspicion a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect, state law requires mandatory reporters such as teachers to file a report with one of only three entities, Ochoa said. Those three are the local law enforcement agency, the child abuse reporting hotline system (844-co4kids) or the county department of child protection. Reporting to an internal boss does not satisfy this duty because state law does not permit a mandatory reporter to delegate their responsibility to somebody else in their organization, according to the Colorado Department of Education. Thats contrary to what the law wants mandatory reporters to do, which is to report, Ochoa said. Administrators might have different interpretations of what bears reporting, causing some reports to never be made, as allegedly was the case with the boy Arendash said she brought to the attention of Vanguard officials. Ochoa said she has confronted past situations in which school policy did not align with state law. She attributes much of the confusion to inconsistent training on how to identify and report abuse. Thus schools approach the topic in different ways as they train with different entities. Whats more, Ochoa said, the mandatory reporting law has a subjective nature that does not clearly define its terms, leading to misinterpretation. Varied implementations Language surrounding mandatory reporting policies in the Pikes Peak regions 17 school districts is nearly identical with only minor differences, yet implementations vary. In two of the regions largest school districts, Academy School District 20 and Colorado Springs School District 11, spokespeople say teachers must immediately report their concerns to the appropriate outside agency themselves. It is not sufficient to only notify ones supervisor because it is the legal responsibility of each staff member to report their own concerns, they say. In Widefield School District 3, which neighbors Vanguards district, teachers are instructed to immediately notify their principal or building administrator, then make an oral report to an agency themselves. And according to a spokesperson for Vanguards chartering district, Harrison School District 2, teachers are required to either make reports themselves and follow up with their principal afterward or provide details to their principal or counselor, who in turn can report on their behalf but must provide the staff member with a copy of the report. Vanguard administrators, however, say legal counsel assures they are in alignment with mandatory reporting laws and district policy. During the 2021-2022 school year they made 17 reports to the Department of Human Services. Last school year they made 26 reports, according to provided data. We involve our attorneys in all these instances, and their job is to interpret the law and to make sure that as a school we are acting legally, Vanguard Director of Operations Jeff Yocum said. We have done that. We dont ever just shoot from the hip. A former Vanguard junior high science teacher, who asked that her name not be used to protect her student's privacy, is among the staff who say otherwise. Years later, I have realized that that isnt how it works, said the teacher, who is now working on her dissertation for a doctorate in education. Its not enough to report it to your leadership. I have also through experience learned that sometimes things didnt make it past leadership if they didnt think it was serious enough, if they thought the kid had threatened suicide too many times, if they thought kids were over-exaggerating or if theyd been in too much trouble. Danjuma said she has never failed to report a concern brought to her attention during her three years as a building leader. Further, she said, even if it is a frequent flyer student who often has concerns, she evaluates each situation as its own. She said she does not think there has been a situation in which she told a teacher they were exaggerating, noting it would depend on I guess the situation. But if it was something serious, something that we would be concerned about their safety, their wellbeing, their emotional wellbeing, their physical wellbeing, I take that stuff very seriously, Danjuma said. I do my absolute best to make sure that teachers who have a concern because I used to be that teacher and have brought a concern know before they go home and have to think about it, that something has been done for that child. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Outside agencies used Vanguards high school campus consistently ranks number one in Colorado Springs in test scores, according to U.S. News and World Report. Lower campuses also receive acclaim for their academic rigor. But teachers say pressure in the pursuit of excellence can be too much, fostering a culture that values grit above all else and works against mandatory reporting of mental health concerns. Teachers described the prevailing mentality among school leadership as, If a kid struggled, they just werent trying hard enough. Another former employee, who served as Vanguards first social worker and wished to remain anonymous due to her continued work in education, said she once challenged administration on its mandatory reporting process, only to allegedly be told she should not stray; that (her) loyalty should be towards the school, not towards (her) social work license; and that (she) had to follow their protocol. She continued making calls to the proper authorities anyway, she said, following the channels as she understood them to be defined by law. Theres so much resistance to the concept of teens struggling with mental health. There was a general overall feeling that these kids are better than that, we taught them better, they have stronger characters than other kids," the social worker said. Administrators theorize that perhaps teachers assume a report has not been made if they havent heard back in a timely manner, or perhaps they assume so because administrators are unable to provide the specifics for which they are looking. Vanguard Executive Director Renee Henslee said to combat the latter concern, administrators now provide an overview of how school leaders handle situations and why they cant divulge certain types of information. Sometimes its just not an understanding of how were doing things and what were doing, Henslee said. In a school setting, FERPA (the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which provides rights to parents and students regarding the disclosure of education records) may be in conflict with safety and security of students, Yocum added. We tell our staff, if youre acting on behalf of a students safety or security, weve got your back, and we want to share. We are trying our best, but as Beth (Danjuma) points out, its a very dynamic environment every day, and theres certainly the possibility that there were examples where we did not close a loop to the satisfaction of a staff member, and we try our best to do that. Administrators say although they require employees to report concerns to them, they do not prohibit employees from also making reports to outside agencies. Former junior high English teacher Molly Fiedler is one of several employees who disagrees, alleging staff was explicitly told not to make mandatory reporting calls themselves. She remains skeptical that the school properly handled teachers concerns, she said, which is one of a laundry list of reasons she ultimately resigned. I refuse to be a part of a system that doesnt support kids and limits teachers' ability to follow the law and to protect children, Fiedler said. There are probably dozens of educators who have left Vanguard, who have left there with a bad taste in their mouth for the way that they treat children, she said. Not just because of specific incidents that happened, but just as the general culture in that environment. One former junior high science teacher claims she experienced retaliation as a result of following administrations faulty instruction. After a student first emailed her about severe bullying, the teacher said she alerted administration for guidance on how to proceed. They (the student) were talking about being depressed, they were talking about suicide, they were talking about all sorts of things, and I said, Yeah, this is a little bit out of my depth. What do you want me to do? the former teacher said. Administrators instructed her to continue receiving emails from the student and expressing her support, she said. Having never worked in a classroom before, she said she didnt know any better. Her concerns intensified regarding the students safety. The teacher said she was in a panic and sought instruction from administrators. Without immediate response, she decided to notify the parents of what appeared to be alarming messages. They were upset their child was seeking help and they hadnt been informed by the school sooner, the teacher said. She was subsequently reprimanded by Vanguard for how she handled the matter, she said, with administrators taking particular issue with her decision to engage the student by email. But, she said, shed only followed their guidance. I had been told to follow that pathway, the teacher said. I had received (the emails) and not done anything with them because my administration told me to not do anything, and to this day I am still devastated that I didnt think to know better. That student shouldve received help from the beginning. When I reported it to my leadership, that shouldnt have been the end. Former Latin teacher Arendash said, days after her students funeral, she approached the administration in total dismay. Shed warned them, she said. She wanted assurance they would take such situations seriously in the future. They were like, Well, its your fault because he said that it was the school that killed him (in his suicide note), Arendash said. And then I went and cried in the bathroom for 15 minutes." Vanguard administrators declined to comment on whether there were instances in which they chose not to report concerns brought specifically by Arendash. Every issue that comes to our attention, we give thorough review, and we make sure we are acting appropriately, legally sufficiently, and most importantly, on behalf of that student, Yocum said. I cannot imagine there was an instance with that employee or any other where we wouldnt act that way. But how it is interpreted, we cannot control, Henslee added. Colorado House Bill 22-1240 last year established a mandatory reporter task force on which Ochoa serves. The two-year task force seeks to establish best practices, recommend changes to training requirements and reporting procedures and add clarity to some of the more subjective aspects of the law that enables schools to slip out of compliance, perhaps unknowingly. The task force will submit a final report of its findings on Jan. 1, 2025. For now, Ochoa, the specialist with the Department of Public Safetys School Safety Resource Center, encourages school employees with reasonable suspicion that a child is at risk to make a report directly to local law enforcement or public health officials. (The schools administrators) dont seem to believe the kids, Arendash said. Or if they do, they think its not as bad as it is. KHERSON, Ukraine Their first battle plan was outdated the moment the dam crumbled. So the Ukrainian special forces officers spent six months adapting their fight to secure a crossing to the other side of the Dnipro River in southern Ukraine. But it wasnt enough just to cross the river. They needed backup to hold it. And for that, they needed proof that it could be done. For one of the officers, nicknamed Skif, that meant a Ukrainian flag and a photo op. Skif, Ukrainian shorthand for the nomadic Scythian people who founded an empire on what is now Crimea, moves like the camouflaged amphibian that he is: Calculating, deliberate, until the time to strike. He is a Center 73 officer, one of Ukraines most elite units of special forces water operations specialists, frontline scouts, drone operators, underwater saboteurs. They are part of the Special Operations Forces that run partisans in occupied territories, sneak into Russian barracks to plant bombs and prepare the ground for reclaiming territory seized by Russia. Their mission on the more dynamic of the two main fronts in the six-month counteroffensive reflects many of the problems of Ukraines broader effort. Its been one of the few counteroffensive successes for the Ukrainian army. By late May, the Center 73 men were in place along the rivers edge, some almost within view of the Kakhovka Dam. They were within range of the Russian forces who had controlled the dam and land across the Dnipro since the first days after the February 2022 full-scale invasion. And both sides knew Ukraines looming counteroffensive had its sights on control of the river as the key to reclaim the occupied south. In the operations opening days, on June 6, an explosion destroyed the dam, sending a wall of reservoir water downstream and washing out the Ukrainian army positions. We were ready to cross. And then the dam blew up, Skif said. The race was on: Whose forces could seize the islands when the waters receded, and with them full control of the Dnipro? AP joined one of the clandestine units several times over six months along the Dnipro. The frogmen are nocturnal. They transform themselves from nondescript civilians into elite fighters, some in wetsuits and some in boats. In the morning, when their operations end, theyre back to anonymity. They rarely take credit for their work. Ukraine created the special services operations in response to Russias lightning-fast annexation of Crimea in 2014, a precursor to the widescale invasion of Ukraine eight years later. We realized that we were much smaller in terms of number than our enemy, said Oleksandr Kindratenko, a press officer for Special Operations Forces. The emphasis was placed on quality. He said they were trained and equipped in part by Europeans, including those from NATO countries, but their own recent battle experience means they are now as much teachers as students. Tasks the unit considers routine scouting as close to Russians as possible, planting explosives under their noses, underwater operations most soldiers would consider high-risk. High-risk missions are practically a death wish. Skif knew he first had to plan and persuade the generals that if his men could secure a bridgehead a strategic crossing point it would be worthwhile to send troops. And that would mean high-risk river missions. But a lucky thing happened in early autumn. A Russian officer who claimed hed been opposed to the war since its beginning was sent to the front in Kherson. He made contact with Ukrainian intelligence and said he had 11 comrades who felt similarly. The group surrendered together and Skif took custody. The surrendered Russians told him exactly what he needed to know about their unit on the little island they were now tasked with taking, just outside the village of Krynky. He was sure he could take the island and more with 20 experienced men. But not without the promise of sufficient backup so Ukrainian regular forces could hold the territory. Fine, his commander said. Hed get the backup if he returned with footage of his unit in the village hoisting the Ukrainian flag. And thats how, in mid-October, a Ukrainian drone carrying the national blue and yellow flag came to fly above Krynky at just the moment Skif and his men made their way to the occupied village across the river. They got their photo op, sent it to the military headquarters, and established the bridgehead. Multiple Ukrainian brigades were sent to hold the position and have been there ever since. But nighttime temperatures are dipping well below freezing, and Ukrainian forces are vastly underequipped compared to the Russians nearby. Holding and advancing in winter is much harder on soldiers bodies and their morale. In recent weeks, Russia has sent waves of glide bombs essentially enormous munitions retrofitted with gliding apparatus to allow them to be launched from dozens of miles away, as well as swarms of grenade-launching drones and Chinese all-terrain vehicles, according to the Institute for the Study of War and the Hudson Institute, two American think-tanks analyzing open-source footage from the area. But Ukrainian forces and Center 73 keep fighting. My phone book is a little graveyard, Skif said one evening, coordinating over the radio his men on another boat mission. This is our work. No one knows about it, no one talks about it, and we do it with little reward except to benefit our country. New Delhi: Global cyber security firm TAC Security on Monday announced its plan to go public this year and raise funds from the capital market to expand its operation with an aim to increase its turnover to Rs 100 crore by 2026. SaaS (Software as a service) firm TAC Security, founded by entrepreneur Trishneet Arora in 2013, is one of the leading players in cybersecurity. TAC Security, a pioneer in risk and vulnerability management worldwide, is eyeing a revenue of Rs 100 crore by 2026, a company statement said. However, the company did not disclose its current turnover. According to the statement, the company is aggressively exploring capital-raising options, including an initial public offering (IPO) in early 2024. Beeline Capital Advisors Private Ltd has been appointed the exclusive book-running lead manager for the proposed IPO. TAC Security CEO Arora said, "We are now embarking on our next growth stage, aiming for a nearly ten-fold increase in revenues by FY26 through organic growth and inorganic expansion. Towards this, we aim to become among the few listed cybersecurity players globally". In an always-on digital world, cybersecurity has emerged as a key area of focus among the public and private sector entities worldwide, Arora stated. The company received backing from stock market expert Vijay Kedia in 2016, fortifying its position in the market. TAC Security has onboarded marquee professionals, comprising industry stalwarts Subinder Khuranna, William May, Siva Sivasubramanian, and former US Army Brigadier General Raphael Warren to its advisory board. It has also established strategic partnerships with industry leaders like TechMahindra, Deloitte, Ingram Micro, and IBM. The company has been associated with NPCI to handle the security assessment for UPI applications since 2017. At the same time, the company also caters to the two largest stock exchanges -- the BSE and National Stock Exchange to address cybersecurity vulnerabilities across the trading process in real-time. Over the years, TAC Security has expanded its global footprint, serving over 200 clients across 15 countries. Notable clients include US State governments, DSP Mutual Fund and Bandhan Bank, and some Fortune 500 companies. Gartner Peer Insight has ranked TAC Security as a Customer First Company in the Vulnerability Management category, and Google has enlisted it as a security partner. The company's diverse product line, including ESOF VMP and ESOF CRQ, reflects its comprehensive approach to cybersecurity. The risk-based vulnerability management tools market has gained momentum in recent years. IMPHAL: Three persons were allegedly shot dead and five others injured in Manipur's Thoubal district on Monday evening, following which curfew was reimposed in the five valley districts of the state, officials said. Gunmen, who are yet to be identified, arrived in camouflage dresses in the Lilong Chingjao area, and opened fire targeting locals, they said. While three people died on the spot, five others were injured. Those injured were admitted to a hospital, officials said. After the attack, the enraged locals set three four-wheelers on fire. It was not immediately clear to whom these cars belonged. Following the fresh violence, curfew was reimposed in Thoubal, Imphal East and Imphal West, Kakching and Bishnupur districts, officials said. In a video message, Chief Minister N Biren Singh condemned the violence, and appealed to the people, particularly the residents of Lilong, for maintaining peace. "Police are working to arrest those behind the attack. They will be arrested soon and punished as per the law," he said. More than 180 people have been killed and several hundred injured since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3 when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals Nagas and Kukis constitute little over 40 per cent and reside in the hill districts. January 2024 is here and only four months are left for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The INDIA bloc alliance parties including Congress have only a few weeks to finalize their seat-sharing arrangements. A delay in the seat-sharing deal will delay their campaign and will certainly give the BJP an advantage. In today's DNA, Sourabh Raaj Jain analysed the seat sharing talks between the INDIA bloc parties. The problem with the INDIA bloc is that while the Congress wants to contest 375 seats, leaving just 170 seats for the remaining 25 parties, the regional satraps want more seats for themselves in their respective states. The BJP has also sharpened its attack on the INDIA bloc saying that the parties are fighting within themselves like there is a fight between AAP and Congress in Punjab and TMC and Congress in Bengal. The Congress has planned to contest the Lok Sabha elections alone in states like Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan. The Congress has also planned to take some seats from its INDIA bloc parties and it includes 3 seats in Jammu and Kashmir, 8 seats in Punjab, 5 seats in Delhi, 10 sears in Uttar Pradesh, 9 seats in Bihar, 5 seats in West Bengal, 26 seats in Maharashtra and 10 seats in Tamil Nadu. This way, it will ask for 85 seats from the INDI alliance. Congress wants to field 375 candidates in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In the year 2019, the Congress Party had fielded candidates on 421 seats, in which it won on 52 seats and the deposits of Congress candidates on 148 seats were forfeited. The way the Congress Party is demanding seats for itself, other parties of INDI alliance, which are strong in their respective states and want to increase their penetration in other states too, will be disappointed. GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Monday said that he is in touch with the Paresh Barua-led faction of ULFA(I) but negotiations with the outfit is unlikely in the immediate future. It is not easy for Barua to give up the issue of sovereignty but he must realise that the people of Assam do not want it anymore, Sarma said during an interaction with mediapersons here. 'As the political head of Assam, I will continue to reach out to Baruah. I usually talk to him every three or six months and I plan to talk to him again soon. But I don't expect him to come for talks immediately," the chief minister said. 'We have kept open the channels for discussions, but we do not see the talks happening in the near future. This is a long-drawn process and we hope that he will come for talks some day,' he added. The chief minister claimed that Barua will himself change the ULFA charter of demands which was drawn up several decades ago if he comes and stays in Assam for 15 days as the state is now a land of peace and tranquility. 'He is fighting for the people of the state but they want development and not an independent Assam," Sarma said. Asserting that there should be constant conversations, discussions and Barua should be made aware of the changing reality of the state, he said "I encourage my ministers to talk to members of United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent) so that they are aware of the development that is taking place. I have even told intelligence officials not to track people who are in touch with them'. At the same time Army and police operations will continue if grenades are lobbed by members of the outfit. "We cannot stop that," the chief minister quipped. On the tripartite agreement with the pro-talk faction of the ULFA, Sarma said that it has in one stroke established the political and land rights of the state's indigenous people which cannot be disturbed for a long time to come. 'The delimitation exercise in the state ensured that 96 assembly constituencies in Brahmaputra Valley and nine in Barak Valley will be secure for the indigenous people of these areas. The ULFA accord has made sure that the principle followed in this delimitation exercise will be maintained,' he said. According to the December 29 agreement none can encroach on government forest land and enter their names in the voters list of that area. A voter cannot move their names from one constituency to another. Their voting rights will not be cancelled but will be listed in their original constituency, Sarma said. A person has to acquire permanent residency of a particular area by either purchasing land or have other substantial interests like holding a government job, he added. 'The two major outcomes of the agreement with the ULFA is that the principle of delimitation will be maintained in the future and ordinarily a person living in one area cannot become a voter of another area by encroaching land. This is the final solution within the constitutional limits to protect the rights of the indigenous people,' he said. Besides, it will ensure that the political power of the indigenous people cannot be disturbed for a long time as the political representatives in more than 100 of the total 126 constituencies of the state will be from descendants of people who are living in the state for the last 200 to 300 years, Sarma said. The agreement has also ensured that no people from outside can purchase land in the radius of any 'namghar' (Vaishnav prayer halls) or temples. 'The leaders of the pro-talk faction were not in public life for the last 14 years after they came overground. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah consciously activated the peace process and we created this accord as an instrument to secure the future of the people of Assam,' the chief minister said. Regarding the withdrawal of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) which is now in force in four districts of the state, Sarma said, 'We wanted its total withdrawal but the Centre wanted to be cautious, particularly in the border districts with the neighbouring states. Maybe in the next round of review, it will be brought down to two districts'. On the implementation of the Citizens Amendment Act (CAA), Sarma said that it is already a rule of law but the people of Assam have gone to the Supreme Court, which will take the decision. The cut off year for Hindu Bengalis for getting citizenship is 2014 and according to the National Register of Citizens three to four lakh of them have been identified. The political rights of the indigenous population have been secured by the delimitation exercise and the agreement with the ULFA irrespective of the CAA, he added. New Delhi: Today, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a successful launch of the nation's inaugural polarimetry mission, XPoSat. This mission is designed to explore the diverse dynamics of intense astronomical X-ray sources under extreme conditions. ISRO executed the launch of the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) from the Sriharikota spaceport on Monday at the planned time of 9:10 am. The XPoSat was effectively placed into its designated orbit, positioned 650 km above the Earth's surface6-degree inclination. PSLV-C58/XPoSat Mission: Lift-off normal XPoSat satellite is launched successfully. PSLV-C58 vehicle placed the satellite precisely into the intended orbit of 650 km with 6-degree inclination. The POEM-3 is being scripted ...#XPoSat ISRO (@isro) January 1, 2024 According to ISRO The XPOSAT satellite has two payloads: POLIX: This will measure the polarimetry parameters (degree and angle of polarization) in medium X-ray energy range of 8-30 keV photons of astronomical origin. The payload is being developed by Ramam Research Institute (RRI), Bangalore in collaboration with U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC). The instrument is made of a collimator, a scatterer and four X-ray proportional counter detectors that surrounds the scatterer. The scatterer is made of low atomic mass material which causes anisotropic Thomson scattering of incoming polarised X-rays. The collimator restricts the field of view to 3 degree x 3 degree so as to have only one bright source in the field of view for most observations. POLIX is expected to observer about 40 bright astronomical sources of different categories during the planned lifetime of XPoSat mission of about 5 years. This is the first payload in the medium X-ray energy band dedicated for polarimetry measurements. XSPECT: Will give spectroscopic information in the energy range of 0.8-15 keV. An X-ray SPECtroscopy and Timing payload onboard XPoSat, which can provide fast timing and good spectroscopic resolution in soft X-rays. Taking advantage of the long duration observations required by POLIX to measure X-ray polarization, XSPECT can provide long-term monitoring of spectral state changes in continuum emission, changes in their line flux and profile, simultaneous long term temporal monitoring of soft X-ray emission in the X-ray energy range 0.8-15 keV. An array of Swept Charge Devices (SCDs) provide an effective area >30 cm2 at 6 keV with energy resolution better than 200 eV at 6 keV. Passive collimators are used to reduce the background by narrowing the field of view of XSPECT. XSPECT would observe several types of sources viz X-ray pulsars, blackhole binaries, low-magnetic field neutron star (NS) in LMXBs, AGNs and Magnetars. 2024 lifted off majestically. XPoSat health is normal. Power generation has commenced. pic.twitter.com/v9ut0hh2ib ISRO (@isro) January 1, 2024 The objective of the mission is to measure polarisation of X-rays in the energy band 8-30keV emanating from about 50 potential cosmic sources through Thomson Scattering by POLIX payload. To carry out long term spectral and temporal studies of cosmic X-ray sources in the energy band 0.8-15keV by XSPECT payload. To carry out polarisation and spectroscopic measurements of X-ray emissions from cosmic sources by POLIX and XSPECT payloads respectively in the common energy band. The emission mechanism from various astronomical sources such as blackhole, neutron stars, active galactic nuclei, pulsar wind nebulae etc. originates from complex physical processes and are challenging to understand. The exact nature of the emission from such sources still poses deeper challenges to astronomers. The polarimetry measurements add two more dimension to understanding, the degree of polarization and the angle of polarization and thus is a diagnostic tool to understand the emission processes from astronomical sources. In a stellar display of prowess, India soared to new heights in 2023 with the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the south pole of moon and the launch of Aditya-L1, India's first solar mission. New Delhi: Oppo is set to introduce the Reno 11 series in India, following its initial launch in China. The phone will reach India on January 10, according to a reliable tipster. Oppo hasnt provided any specific details about the Indian launch while they've offered a glimpse of the phone design on their Malaysia website. According to the tipster the phone is set to be launched in Malaysia one day prior to the India launch that is January 11. A reliable source, Ishan Agarwal hinted at the upcoming release of the Oppo Reno 11 series in both India and globally set for January 11 in a recent post on X(formerly Twitter). Building excitement, Oppo Malaysia has confirmed the series launch in the country on the same date.(Also Read: Property Registration In Mumbai City Rises 4% To Record 1,26,907 Units In 2023: Report) This announcement lays the groundwork for a possible teaser campaign by Oppo India in the approaching week. Additionally, the Oppo Malaysia website has disclosed essential specifications and designs of the Reno 11 series. (Also Read: Pankaj Patel's Inspirational Journey: From Cadila Laboratories To Owner Of Rs 52,400 Crore Empire) The Oppo Reno 11 Pro which is currently available in China, features a sizable 6.7-inch OLED display and a 1.5K resolution (2772x1240p) with a refresh rate of 120Hz. Oppo claims that this display supports 2160Hz high-frequency PWM dimming and achieves brightness of 1,600nits. On the other hand the, Reno 11 is equipped with a 6.7-inch OLED display, features a 1080p resolution with the same 120Hz refresh rate, and in this instance, the panel attains up to 950nits brightness. While the Reno 11 opts for Dimensity 8200, the Reno 11 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 plus Gen 1 processor. The pro version is featured by a 4,700mAh battery and offers rapid 80W fast wired charging. The standard Reno supports 67W fast wired charging and comes with a slightly larger 4,800mAh battery. Both devices run on Oppos latest ColorOS 14 software based on the Android 14 platform. The Chinese model Oppo Reno 11 Pro comes with a powerful rear triple-camera. It showcases a primary 50-megapixel Sony IMX890 sensor with f/1.8 aperture lens that features optical stabilization. It has 8-megapixel ultrawide lens and an additional 32-megapixel 2x telephoto lens. The Reno 11 is led by a 50-megapixel Sony LYT600 main sensor, featuring a rear triple-camera setup. It has optical stabilization behind an f/1.8 aperture lens with a 32-megapixel 2x telephone lens and a 8-megapixel ultrawide lens. Both phones come equipped with a 32-megapixel front-facing camera for capturing selfies. New Delhi: In the latest turn of events in the BIGG BOSS house, amidst the New Year celebrations, one of the nominated contestants - Anurag, Ayesha, and Abhishek will face eviction tonight. As the three nominees speculated about their fate, BIGG BOSS abruptly called all contestants to the hall for an urgent meeting. The bombshell dropped when BIGG BOSS asked the housemates to name the contestant they believed didn't deserve to stay, and the one with the most votes would be immediately evicted. This unforeseen development added an intense layer to the already competitive atmosphere, leaving all the nominated and other contestants on edge. Who will be evicted tonight? Watch HYUNDAI & APPY FIZZ co-present BIGG BOSS 17 every Monday to Friday at 10:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 pm only on COLORS, with a 24-hour LIVE channel on JioCinema. New Delhi: In a recent turn of events within the Bigg Boss 17 house, actor and contestant Neil Bhatt has come forward to support his co-contestant, Abhishek Kumar, who is currently facing emotional turmoil due to the incessant provocations from fellow contestants Isha Malviya and her current boyfriend Samarth Jurel. Neil Bhatt, known for his roles in the television industry, expressed his concern over the questionable behavior directed towards Abhishek. Speaking out against Isha's actions, Neil stated, "What contestants are doing against Abhishek is questionable. Isha is harping on Abhishek's mental peace while fighting with him. That's not right." Highlighting the manipulative tactics employed by Isha and Samarth, Neil emphasized how they are exploiting Abhishek's emotions. He shed light on Abhishek's challenging journey, particularly after his breakup with Isha. Neil revealed, "Whenever Isha would pick fights with Abhishek, she'd come out and do certain hand gestures that pointed towards their past and provoked Abhishek." Despite the constant provocation and instigation, Neil painted Abhishek in a positive light, showcasing his resilience and strength within the Bigg Boss house. Abhishek's ability to shine amidst adversity became evident, portraying him as a contestant who remains undeterred despite the challenges posed by Isha and Samarth. Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s top leader Kim Jong Un on Monday jointly designated 2024 as the China-DPRK Friendship Year and launched a series of activities. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Kim, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, made the announcement in their exchange of New Year greeting messages. In his message, Xi pointed out that China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors connected by mountains and rivers, saying that the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK was forged by the older generation of leaders of the two parties and two countries, cemented in the revolutionary struggle, and continuously deepened in the course of socialist construction. In recent years, Xi said, the traditional friendly cooperation between China and the DPRK has entered a new historical period with joint efforts. The two sides have maintained close strategic communication, deepened practical cooperation, strengthened coordination and collaboration in multilateral international affairs, pushed forward the continuous development of China-DPRK relations, safeguarded the common interests of the two countries, and maintained regional peace and stability, Xi added. Under the new situation in the new era, the CPC and the Chinese government have always viewed China-DPRK relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and it is China's unwavering policy to maintain, consolidate and develop the long-standing friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries, Xi said. China is ready to work with the DPRK to take the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations and the China-DPRK Friendship Year as an opportunity to carry forward the long-standing friendship, deepen strategic mutual trust, enhance exchanges and cooperation, and ensure that bilateral ties move forward with the times for greater development so as to better benefit the two peoples, and continuously make new contributions to safeguarding regional peace and stability, Xi stressed. In his message, Kim noted that 2024 is a significant year marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and China, saying that socialist construction in the two countries has at the moment entered a new stage of progress and the international situation is undergoing complex changes. The two parties and governments have decided to designate this year as the China-DPRK Friendship Year, and further promote the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between the two sides in accordance with needs of the times, which conforms to the common expectation and desire of the people of the two countries, Kim added. The unbreakable DPRK-China friendship, forged and consolidated in the struggle for socialism, will be fully displayed this year, he said. Through the activities during the friendship year, the two parties and governments will further promote exchanges in all fields, including politics, economy and culture, further deepen the bonds of friendship and unity, and step up cooperation in the joint efforts to safeguard regional and global peace and stability, thus writing a new chapter in DPRK-China relations, Kim said. as.hish404 wrote: Can anyone provide the Official explanation to this question? OA is D Take a example, if 5 people would be there it would have 1000 dollar of funding. We need to prove that if 10 people would be there, the funding would be greater than 1000 dollar and not constant. It is right as per representative but how will it prove that more people means more funding, this is not proved. This is recommendation, so cant be our answer. Totally out of scope. Now this is the explanation which is directly saying what we assumped. Again recommendation, not our answer. Budget determine the scope of governmental funding. Budget committees has a few representatives of Women's Rights Organizations. As per experts lack of representatives means lack of funding. So it is presenting that funding is directly proportional to the funding. Less representative means less funding, more representative means more funding.So we need to find a way to prove that this relation is indeed true.Let us start with option elimination :A. The government in Country X attempts to limit the funding given to Women's Rights initiatives by restricting the number of their representatives in the budget committees. ->B. Women's Rights Organizations need to raise additional funding in order to secure more seats for their representatives in the committees. ->C. The current representatives of the Women's Rights Organizations are to blame for the failure to receive sufficient government funding. ->D. Women's Rights initiatives would receive more governmental funding if the budget committees included more Women's Rights Representatives. ->E. In order to increase the representation of Women's Rights Organizations in the Ministry of Finance budget committees, several new committees must be established. -> Editor's note: The following is another installment in a series on the top Independent Record stories of 2023. Two court cases, one more local than the other but held in the same courthouse during the same week, made headlines in 2023 through an international debate on climate change and the alleged dismemberment of a neighbor. Held v. Montana began in March 2020 when 16 Montana youths collectively filed a complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief against the state of Montana, the governor, Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Montana Department of Transportation and Montana Public Service Commission. The collective group cited that the state's use of a fossil-fuel based energy system violated their state constitutional rights in several articles, according to court documents. The trial lasted eight days and District Court Judge Kathy Seeley ruled in favor of the youths by saying that Montana's constitutional right to "a clean and healthful environment" is being violated by the state's policies that contribute to climate change. This trial was resolved after three years in Seeley's courtroom, but is being appealed by the state. Meanwhile, down the hall in District Court Judge Mike Menahan's courtroom, Ford v. Montana took place. Leon Ford has been charged in the death of Turk Road neighbor Michael Crites over a land access dispute in 2011 in the Birdseye area. Parts of Crites' body were found in garbage bags four months after he went missing from the property. His skull was found about a year after his death near MacDonald pass west of Helena, according to news reports. An autopsy found that Crites died from two gunshot wounds to the head. Ford took the stand and denied killing or dismembering Crites. The case was ruled a mistrial after the jury said it could not reach a verdict. A new trial date was originally set for Jan. 8, but it was continued and there is no set date made by the court. Ford's attorney, Palmer Hoovestal, stated a retrial would be "a huge waste of time and a huge waste of resources." Special prosecutor and former County Attorney Leo Gallagher, who came out of retirement to try the case in which the death occurred during his time in office, said a lot of new evidence surfaced due to the trial. DECATUR Its a simple goal to achieve before kindergarten. Just read 1,000 books. The Decatur Public Librarys 1000 Books before Kindergarten program has been easy for Shannon Blesse, of Decatur, and her daughter, four-year-old Elena. Were avid readers, so it just seemed like a natural fit for us, she said. I figured out how easy it was to calculate with the app that they have. Since the program began in the fall, the Blesse family has read and logged 740 books. Pretty consistently, we probably read about six books a day, the mother said. Three in the morning, three at bedtime. Then sometimes we do more in between. According to John Schirle, library assistant for the Children's Desk, the local library joined the national event in September. Even from their earliest days, it builds their vocabulary, it builds their ability to manipulate stories, it builds their language processing, he said about the importance of reading. Plus, its just fun. 1000 Books before Kindergarten For more information on 1000 Books before Kindergarten, visit the Decatur Public Library website or stop by the library's children department at 130 N. Franklin St., on the second floor. Repetition is important for reading skills as well, according to library assistant Susan Bishop. They can hear a story over and over again, and then be able to tell it back in their own words, is very helpful for pre-reading skills, Bishop said. Children can read the same book several times. If its the same book 10 times, then they can mark it off 10 times, Bishop said. The Blesse family reads age-appropriate books to their four-year-old child, including picture books and even a few chapter books. She loves nature, so we read a lot about outdoor things, bugs and creatures, Blesse said. Parents arent the only readers allowed to read to the children for the 1000 Books before Kindergarten promotion. You also dont have to be a librarian or a professional storyteller to just sit down and open up a book and read it with a child, even in their earliest days, Schirle said. Families sign up for the 1000 Books before Kindergarten challenge and other programs on the Beanstack app found through the librarys website. Or we give them a little card that has a hundred books on the back of it, Schirle said. They just color them in. Then we log it for them when they bring it in. The kids like to have their certificate physically marked off by the librarians, Bishop said. We really do celebrate it, she said. Unlike the other reading programs, such as the Winter Reading Program or the Summer Read, 1000 Books is ongoing, allowing the family the opportunity to read for years, if needed. Any child who is not yet in kindergarten can enroll, Schirle said. They can keep on doing it until they go to kindergarten. According to Schirle, more than 15,000 books were read through the program before the end of the year. We will pretty soon have our first 900, then our first 1,000, he said. The librarians understand the goal of 1,000 books sounds like a lot. But when you break it down, read three books to your kid a day, youre going to be there in a year, Schirle said. #TogetherDecatur Do you know a person or of a story that exemplifies the best of Decatur? Contact Donnette Beckett at 217-421-6983 or dbeckett@herald-review.com. In the first three months, 164 kids have enrolled in the program, Schirle said. Children are rewarded every 100 books with a sticker and a certificate. And some praise, Schirle said. And we take their picture. At 500 books, the child will receive a free book and a tote bag. The goal of 1,000 books will earn the child a sticker, the certificate, a family pass to the Children's Museum of Illinois, and a library reading buddy teddy bear. The program motivates Elena Blesse to remind her parents to log the books theyve read together. Shell bring me a stack and say shes read this with her dad, add these to the app, her mother said. Some families who have signed up for the program began reading to their children shortly after the child was born, Schirle said. Some are already four or five years old, he said. They just get a kick out of the reading. Elena Blesse is one of those children. She loves new books, her mother said. We can never have enough. Remember the Decatur Public Library Bookmobile? 11 photos of area libraries History Corner: A Look Back History Corner: A Look Back History Corner: A Look Back History Corner: A Look Back History Corner: A Look Back History Corner: A Look Back History Corner: A Look Back History Corner: A Look Back MEMORY LANE: Decatur Public Library Children's Department MEMORY LANE: Forsyth Public Library MEMORY LANE: Remember the Decatur Public Library Bookmobile? CHICAGO The rate of violent crime on CTA trains continued to drop in 2023, years after it spiked when the pandemic emptied trains of many riders. But the violent crime rate still remained above pre-pandemic levels, a Chicago Tribune analysis of Chicago police data show. And certain stations have drawn a heightened focus from the Chicago Police Department and the CTA, officials with both agencies said, as the platforms and trains nearby saw more instances of violent crime than other parts of the CTA system. Still, downticks in violent and nonviolent crime rates on CTA trains are welcome news for the agency, where ridership remains below pre-pandemic levels and where President Dorval Carter has contended with rider complaints about service, safety and conditions on trains and buses. In recent years Chicago police and the CTA have sent more officers, unarmed security guards and K-9 teams to the train system in an attempt to bring the crime rate down, causing the CTA to project it would pay more than double the cost this year that it paid in 2022 for security services. But the perception of safety on the CTA is a key issue for the agency, and whether the crime rate and concerns about crime continue to fall could play a role in ongoing discussions about what the pandemic-era future of Chicagos public transit should look like. From January through November, there were about 4.7 violent crimes on the L for every million rides, down from 6.2 crimes per million rides during a similar period the year before, the Tribune analysis shows. But in the five years before the pandemic, the rate of violent crimes never topped 2.5 per million rides. Nonviolent crimes, like pickpocketing, dropped too, reaching levels lower than any since 2015. The rate of nonviolent crimes through November this year was 4.3 per million rides, down from 6.4 during a similar time frame last year. The numbers come from a Tribune analysis of CTA ridership and crimes reported to Chicago police. The analysis includes only crimes considered serious enough to report to the FBI as index crimes, like pickpocketing, robbery and sexual assault. Violent crimes include robberies, homicides and more aggressive assaults and batteries. The analysis focused on crimes reported in the city of Chicago, which covers the majority of the CTA system. This year was the first since the start of the pandemic that the raw number of violent crimes also dropped, from 590 during the first 11 months of last year to 503 during a similar period this year. Ridership also rose this year, making the odds of becoming the victim of a violent crime even lower. Last year the raw number of violent crimes rose, but ridership also rose, meaning the chances of experiencing violent crime on any one ride dropped from the year before. This years drop in violent crime on the CTA comes as the city as a whole is seeing a downturn in fatal and nonfatal shootings, and a spike in armed robberies and carjackings. But even as crime on the L dropped, certain stations continue to attract more violent crime than others. Some of those include the areas around the Roosevelt Red, Orange and Green line station; and the Grand, Jackson, Sox-35th, and 95th/Dan Ryan Red Line stations, police data show. They are stations Chicago police know very well, said Cmdr. Joe Bird, of the Chicago Police Departments public transportation section. They are also bustling stations, he said: Roosevelt and Jackson connect multiple lines, Grand is the stop for Chicagos new temporary casino downtown, Sox-35th can be jammed during White Sox season and 95th is a transportation hub at the end of the line. In one recent instance, two men were injured, one critically, in a Dec. 16 shooting on a Red Line train near the Roosevelt stop. Two men were on a stopped train near the station causing a disturbance when a man fired shots shortly after 10 p.m., police have said. The shooting is not reflected in the Tribunes analysis of crime data, which goes through Nov. 26. Bird said police and security guards were already working at the Roosevelt station when the shooting broke out, and officers called in a report that shots had been fired. A suspect had transferred to the Green Line, and officers in the CPDs strategic decision support center helped track the person using technology and the CTAs security cameras, he said. The shooting remains under investigation, but one person was arrested afterward and has been charged with unlawful use of a weapon, Bird said. Ryan McCray, a member of the CTAs Citizens Advisory Board, said safety, and the perception of safety, are often listed as top issues for riders. Safety is kind of a hard issue because how safe people feel is just as important, sometimes more important, than actual safety, he said. To McCray, 25, reliable service is a top priority. And it can go hand in hand with safety. At night, train service is less frequent and there are often few people riding. He doesnt feel safe waiting for long periods of time on a largely empty platform, he said. McCray doesnt own a car, but sometimes avoids taking the train back home to Printers Row, opting instead for a ride-share. Rob Castaneda, executive director of the Little Village-based organization Beyond the Ball, said public transit is key to the kids and families his organization works with, helping students get to school and parents to work. And safety is paramount, he said. Castaneda, another member of the CTAs Citizens Advisory Board, occasionally sees fights among groups of people on the trains, though they usually seem to be groups of people who know each other, he said. The CTA can help address perceptions of safety by keeping the system clean, well lit and well maintained, he said. But to him, the responsibility for handling violent crime falls on Chicago police. The CTAs contracted security guards are frequently at the Jackson station, one of the higher-crime areas, and K-9 units are there five days a week, said Kevin Ryan, the CTAs vice president of security. Security presence has also been boosted at Grand, and Bird said police maintain a large presence at Chicago on the Red Line. Farther down the Red Line, at 95th, crime tends to center around drugs, with many related thefts and robberies, Ryan said. Dog teams were moved to patrol the outside of the station, and police also work in the area, he said. About 300 unarmed private security guards patrol the system under CTA contracts, along with another 50 K-9 teams made up of two guards and one dog, the CTA has said. Police also patrol the CTA, but the department said it doesnt provide the specific police assignment figures. Responding to crimes on the Red and Blue lines, security guards have focused overnight on the two 24-hour-a-day lines. Theyre often posted at stations so they can move about more easily than if they were riding in one train car, Ryan said. Other guards ride trains throughout the city during the day. Police run what they call platform missions, lining up officers on platforms so they are visible to passengers when the trains come into a station, and so they are able to scan the arriving trains, Bird said. They also ride trains, including through the central business district. Others are stationed on the Brown Line and at the end of the Blue and Orange lines, at the citys two airports. Amid the increased police and security presence, Chicago police said arrest numbers are up. The public transportation section made about 1,600 arrests through mid-December, according to police figures, up from about 500 last year. Ryan attributed much of the crime on the system to chronic offenders. He also said many thefts and robberies are focused on cellphones, which can be relatively easy to snatch from unsuspecting riders and can sell for $100 each. (CTA is) a microcosm of what goes on in the city, he said. The police and security services have added expenses for the CTA. The agency expected to spend $63.9 million on security services this year, about 55% more than budgeted and more than 2.5 times the amount spent in 2022. The CTA has budgeted $65.2 million for security services for 2024. Police officers with the departments public transportation section patrol the CTA at no cost to the agency, but the CTA pays for the private contracted security and has agreements with police departments in the surrounding suburbs it serves, including Evanston, Oak Park and Forest Park. The CTA also pays for vehicles for public transit police officers, and pays police who sign up to patrol the system on their days off. The higher expenses this year were linked largely to higher pay rates for the off-duty officers who volunteer to patrol the CTA, the agency said. The CTA now pays 1.5 times the officers regular hourly rate, which the agency thinks led to an uptick in officers signing up. The CTA also boosted the schedules of contracted dog handler teams, adding more costs to its security budget. The teams now work seven days a week, three shifts a day, at rail stations and other CTA facilities. More teams were needed to meet the higher staffing levels, the CTA said. Still, McCray and Castaneda, with the Citizens Advisory Board, both said they would like to see a new way for riders to contact police or security in real time if they see something alarming, such as a hotline or text line. McCray said riders should be able to know that an officer will be waiting at the next station to meet the train. The CTA is planning to release a chatbot on its website in early 2024, but the feature is intended to answer travel questions and collect concerns, rather than address emergencies, the agency has said, encouraging riders to instead call 911 if someones safety is at risk or report urgent, nonpolice matters to a nearby CTA employee. Castaneda said the ability to quickly report maintenance and cleanliness issues to the CTA is important, and so is a way to communicate immediately with police, perhaps anonymously or through text. Commuting across the city, whether youre on public transit or whether youre driving, you just always have this sense of, you need to be aware, Castaneda said. In 2014, retired police Maj. Billy Boston traveled to Washington, D.C., with the Catawba County Sheriffs Office Honor Guard to compete against some of the largest law enforcement offices in the country. Boston said the feeling was surreal of competing against the Chicago Police Department, the U.S. Border Patrol and the U.S. Capitol Police. Boston said the sheriffs office was the smallest organization to compete that year. He said the experience was one he will always remember. On Dec. 21, Boston retired from a 29-year career in law enforcement. Boston spent 22.5 years of his career with the Catawba County Sheriffs Office, he said. In addition to the sheriffs office, Boston also served in the Lenoir and Newton police departments. Before his retirement, Boston served as the major over special operations teams, training, courts and detention, he said. Boston, 51, said the hardest part of his career was the end. Not coming back here every day is going to be tough, Boston said. You do it so long that it becomes part of you. We always count this stuff down. You know, you jokingly say it. People have always said, Are you happy? Are you excited? Im anxious, because this is all Ive ever done. Now Im not going to be doing it. Boston recounted his time in the Catawba County Sheriffs Office Honor Guard and shared advice for future law officers. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Why law enforcement? My dad drove a tow truck when I was growing up. This was back in the 70s. He would have me go along with him when he would get calls. I would always get to see the police officers and highway patrolman working the scene and they were so nice to me. They would take time and speak to me. I just said, I want to be one of them. Favorite aspect of career Thats like choosing your favorite child, you cant do that. I love everything but I think the biggest thing, looking back over the years, that Ive enjoyed the most about law enforcement is the people, your coworkers, citizens. The interactions with other people, thats the best part about law enforcement. I always go back to being able to talk to people and help people when they have problems and issues. Advice for new officers I dont know who said it, but its always been, Treat the victim like you would want your mother to be treated if she was a victim. You go out on a scene, that could have been your third break-in that youve taken for the day, but it can be the very first time that person has been victimized. They need you to give all the care and concern that you would want your mother to receive if she was in that position. Always remember why you got into this career. Sometimes, we lose focus of that. Everybody gets into it for their own specific reasons and its usually something noble. They want to help people, or they want to help the community. I always want that young officer to refocus on their reason when they get down. What makes a good officer? They have to truly care for people, their coworkers and the profession because youve got to be honest. If you look on TV, the internet, wherever, and theres a lot of communities that do not like their law enforcement officers or theres some type of resistance there and we dont have that here thankfully. The Catawba County citizens are great to law enforcement. Theres plenty of times you go out and people will run you down to thank you, try to pay for your meal. A lot of people have gifts they want to give you. We get an overwhelming support in this community and its incredible. I get a little bit embarrassed in those situations, because I enjoy this job so much that people dont need to thank me for it. I just love doing it and its really my honor to do it. I dont need thanks. I love it so much that I want to thank the citizens for letting me do it. But its reassuring and makes you feel good. Fond memories Probably the most memorable part of my career would be my time with the STAR (Special Tactics and Response) Team. We got to do a lot of good training. We were called to critical incidents that were resolved successfully and safely. Those will be some of the strongest memories I have. I was part of the honor guard and we got to go to D.C. in 2014 and represent the sheriffs office. We actually competed in the honor guard competition up there. We visited the law enforcement memorial and its really surreal. Its hallowed ground for law enforcement. Im getting chills just thinking about it. We competed against the Chicago Police Department, the U.S. Border Patrol and the U.S. Capitol Police. We were the smallest agency in that competition, and we represented well. Its a high honor to be able to go up and compete. A lot of teams go up and just visit or participate in some of the ceremonies up there. We practiced for months on end to be in that competition. I think there was just like 10 teams in it. We actually had some of the judges come up to us afterwards and were surprised that we were a part-time team. We got invited back up to Arlington. The Old Guard, also known as the Tomb Guards, were some of the judges and they invited us back to come train with them. They were impressed with what we did, and that made us feel really good. Our work that we put in for those months ahead of time really showed, and they thought enough of us to invite us back. Unfortunately, we werent able to go but just that offer was rewarding. What is Ask SAM? Ask SAM is a long-running feature created by the Winston-Salem Journal to answer readers questions. SAM is an acronym for Straight Answer Ma'am. It was originally Straight Answer Man but the responses are now handled by Melissa Hall, which heralded the need for a name change. Q: Many license plates have the slogan First in Freedom. Is there an event that this refers to? N.C. Answer: The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles offers three different designs for license plates that are standard issue license plates. They are the First in Flight, the First in Freedom, and the In God We Trust, with the U.S. motto and the state motto, To Be Rather Than To Seem. The First in Freedom plate has two dates on it that celebrate important events in North Carolina history. May 20, 1775, is the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and April 12, 1776, is the signing of the Halifax Resolves. In May 1775, a group of men got together in Mecklenburg County to discuss what was happening in the country in regard to British rule. After a rider brought news of the Battle of Lexington in Massachusetts, they created a document that stated that Mecklenburg County was declaring that they wanted American independence. The document was delivered to the Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia in the summer of 1775, according to History.com. The North Carolina delegation to the Congress decided that it was too soon to present an independence declaration and held on to it. According to an article on the Charlotte Museum of History website, www.charlottemuseum.org, the Meck Dec, as it is known, is shrouded in controversy. The first problem is no original copy of the records, including the declaration, exists. The records were destroyed in a fire in 1800 at the home of John McKnitt Alexander, the secretary of the delegation and a signer of the declaration. In 1829, the N.C. General Assembly decided to put an end to the controversy. A special committee was named to investigate the declaration and report back. The committee talked to witnesses. Those who were there in May 1775 and other observers throughout North Carolina and also in Georgia and Tennessee. In 1831, they reported their findings in a 32-page document. Much of the testimony from the witnesses was compelling. For supporters of the story, the eyewitness testimony was conclusive. In addition, advocates point to the records of John McKnitt Alexander, which were found after his death. These fragmentary and rough notes, although undated and torn, communicate a clear picture of the events of May 19-20, according to the Charlotte Museum article. To add to the controversy, in 1838, Peter Force, a historian, found a document that has become known as the Mecklenburg Resolves that was dated May 31, 1775. These Resolves became (and in fact remain) the key to the entire case for the skeptics of the story. According to their theory, the people of Charlotte passed the Mecklenburg Resolves on May 31, 1775 (which is unarguable, since they have been found), but these fall short of a declaration of independence, the article said. The Mecklenburg Resolves are available on the Library of Congress website, www.loc.gov/item/11022307. The Halifax Resolves, on the other hand, is not a mystery. According to the National Park Service, the Halifax Resolves ordered North Carolinas delegation to the second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, not only to form foreign alliances, but also to seek and vote for independence from Great Britain. This action made North Carolina the first of the colonial governments to call for total independence. DECATUR For the young, and young at heart, there is nothing like getting a leap on the new year and celebrating while you are still awake enough to enjoy it. The Childrens Museum of Illinois got the party started at noon Sunday with its raucous "Happy Noon Year" event that dawned 12 hours early so kids aged from 2 to early teens could party and not infringe on their bedtimes. And party they did: Dozens and dozens of them were flying around the inside of the building like festive atoms, bouncing between craft and snack stations and the museums many activities and exhibits. The highlight was multiple balloon drops on the stroke of midday to the tune of Prince singing that everyone was going to party like it was 1999 (adults appeared to be in charge of the music selections). One batch of balloons stubbornly refused to drop from its netted corral in the ceiling, which increased the anticipatory fun as everyone waited for museum staff to liberate it. When the balloons did fall, the sound of kids coming into contact and popping the balloons provided a welcoming staccato ovation for the oncoming year of 2024. Rikki Parker, the museums enthusiastic executive director, looked like she was having more fun than the kids. Today is one of our favorite days of the year, she said. Its just a really fun way to be able to celebrate with your kids a little bit early so you can still have your fun in the evening. Its just a wonderful, wonderful event; its been going on here for about a decade and its by far our most popular event. We love it. Parents clearly love it, too. Blake and Kelly West from Forsyth were watching their 3-year-old son Joseph get all hands-on with a squirting, running, cascading and dribbling water feature, one of the newer attractions at the museum. This is our third year coming out here with him, said Blake West, 39. We started coming out here back during COVID because it was something he could actually do to get out of the house and play, and hes always had a lot of fun here. So we figured, Why not keep bringing him until he stops having fun?' There was no sign of the flow of joy drying up Sunday afternoon, and Josephs mom said the museum has much to recommend it any time of the year: My son loves to run and play and I know hes safe, said Kelly West, 39. And I also know he will take a little nap on the way home. Meanwhile, over at one of the crafting tables, all was frenetic activity as a whole clan of Evans family grandchildren Maddy, 6, Everett, 7, Ally, 9, Jordan, 7, and 4-year-old Micah got busy with glue, glitter and other cool stuff to make party hats. Their grandparents Ron and Ginger Evans were hosting them in Decatur for the weekend so the respective parents involved could have a nice break and see in the new year in their own way. Asked about his own celebration plans, granddad said it was simple: We will be with them, he explained, pointing to his brood of little partiers. Later, when they are all tucked up safely in their guest beds, Ron Evans was asked whether he will be sharing a glass of bubbly with the grandmother. Absolutely, said the man who has seen in 67 new years himself. And maybe more than one. CHICAGO 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. Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called on China and the United States to earnestly implement the important common understandings and outcomes reached by the two heads of state, and take concrete actions to promote a stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations. The Chinese president made the remarks in a congratulatory message sent to U.S. President Joe Biden to mark the 45th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations. CHICAGO A plane carrying migrants from Texas landed at roughly 1 a.m. Sunday at the Rockford International Airport, Rockford officials said, and the migrants were offloaded and immediately boarded buses to Chicago, according to Rockford officials. A Rockford spokesperson did not immediately say how many migrants were aboard the plane, how they were alerted to the flight, or who had chartered the buses to Chicagos loading zone, but WTVO-TV in Rockford reported the plane was a Boeing 777 capable of holding up to 388 passengers, and at least eight charter buses, each with a 57-seat capacity, were seen on the airports tarmac. The statement suggested the flight was an escalation of Texas response to a recent Chicago ordinance that allowed the city to sue rogue bus operators dropping off migrants outside of set approved hours and locations. In recent weeks, Texas officials have opted to drop migrants off just outside Chicago limits. Once the plane lands, those onboard will offload and immediately board buses to Chicagos landing zone. Those on the plane will not exit the airport property at any time before boarding the buses, a late Saturday joint statement from Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara, Winnebago County Board Chair Joe Ciarelli and other local officials said. The statement was posted to the citys Facebook page. Officers from the Winnebago County sheriffs office, as well as Rockford police, were on hand to make sure the process goes smoothly and ensure the safety of all involved and Winnebago deputies will escort buses to I-90 to allow for safe passage. Last week, a spokesperson for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott acknowledged the governor had begun chartering flights in response to the rogue bus policy. Bus drivers have also dropped migrants off just outside the city in Indiana or, increasingly, in the suburbs and given them Amtrak tickets or Metra cards to get downtown, according to city officials. A Dec. 29 statement from Abbott celebrated the state busing over 28,000 migrants to Chicago since August 2022. Through Friday, about 40 buses transporting migrants had arrived at various outlying Metra stations over the past two weeks or so, Metra spokeswoman Martha Hill said. Though migrants already had fare cards, the agency received no advance notification of their arrival. Those riders were transported to downtown stations and passed to the care of Chicagos Office of Emergency Management and Communications or were picked up by family and friends, Hill said. More buses were expected over the weekend, she said. The Guilford County Board of Commissioners has succeeded in its appeal to secure representation on the 22-member Trillium Health Resources board of directors. Two commissioners chairman Melvin Skip Alston and vice chairwoman Carlvena Foster were appointed Thursday among the 11 representatives of the combined Eastpointe and Sandhills Center behavioral health managed care organizations. The Eastpointe-Sandhills appointments were disclosed Sunday in a memo sent to state Health Secretary Kody Kinsley, Eastpointe chief executive Sarah Stroud, Sandhills chief executive Joy Futrell, and the 18 county commissions covered by the two MCOs that also includes Randolph. Alston said Sunday he did not ask to be placed on the Trillium board, but I am honored to have been asked to serve. The Eastpointe board agreed to relinquish five of their seats to add five seats from Sandhills with two seats reserved for Guilford County. Behavioral health MCOs link patients to providers of mental health, substance abuse and developmental-disabilities services. The states four MCOs have oversight authority over those providers. Kinsley approved Dec. 18 the consolidation of the three MCOs into one that will cover 46 mostly eastern N.C. counties, effective Monday. For members and providers, the consolidation transition occurs Feb. 1. Trillium is the surviving entity and will have 11 representatives on the board. Guilford is by far the largest of the 46 Trillium counties, with New Hanover next in line. Guilford is the only Eastpointe or Sandhills county to have two Trillium board representatives. Alston has been vocal about his concerns of no Guilford representatives on the projected initial Trillium board after the county had four on the Sandhills board. Alston said Wednesday that the Trillium takeover of Eastpointe caught Guilford commissioners and county officials by surprise. I dont have a problem with Trillium or Eastpointe, Alston said. What I do have a problem with is we dont have any standing at this point. There has been very, very poor communications with updating our board as to what is really going on. Jennifer Mackethan, Trilliums communications and marketing director, said Friday that as we finalize the new layout of our regions, our regional directors will be reaching out to county leaders and elected officials to introduce themselves and start gathering their input. Alston has stressed that Guilford should have three, or at least two seats on the (Trillium) governing board, and we will make that demand. That bothers me, that we have to ask instead of being included. Were not going to accept that or sit still and allow Guilford to be left out of the governing board. That dog wont hunt. Alston said county attorney Andrea Leslie-Fite was instructed to send a letter to Kinsley requesting Guilford have at least two representatives on the Trillium board. Alston said commissioner Alan Perdue, a Guilford representative on the Sandhills board, has spoken with Kinsley about the commissions displeasure with the possibility of no Trillium board representation. He has that power, Alston said. Were hoping to hear something from our attorney this week since the consolidation is set to go into effect Monday. On Sunday, Alston said he was not aware of his appointment until Leslie-Fite was sent the board memo. I will continue to push for another seat for Guilford County on this board as we move forward, Alston said. I really believe that Guilford County deserves that respect as the largest county in this MCO. Trillium regions Trillium has a two-tiered board structure, led by the governing board that is elected by regional advisory boards and Consumer and Family Advisory committees (CFAC) in each region. As of Friday, Trillium has an eastern, northern and southern region covering a combined 28 eastern and southeastern counties. Although Trillium has not disclosed how it will adjust its regions after adding 10 counties from Eastpointe and eight counties from Sandhills, it could be in the form of a fourth or fifth region. Along with Guilford and Randolph, Trillium is gaining Anson, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore and Richmond counties from Sandhills, and Duplin, Edgecombe, Greene, Lenoir, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Warren, Wayne and Wilson counties from Eastpointe. The Trillium regional advisory boards have two seats designated from each county appointed by its commissioners, and one seat representing the CFAC chair or designee. Mackethan said that although we serve many counties, we recognize that every community is different, and our local presence allows us to understand the diverse needs of North Carolinians. We want to hear what your community needs in order to develop the necessary local response, but also a wider strategy for our full region. DHHS response State law gives the health secretary the authority to approve MCO consolidations, disband MCOs and approve counties switching MCOs. Complicating the consolidation is that the Trillium approval came more than four months after Kinsley approved on Aug. 10 Sandhills (including at that time Davidson, Guilford, Randolph and Rockingham counties) merging into Eastpointe with Eastpointe being the survivor. Although some Eastpointe-Sandhills merger steps were taken, the two MCOs currently are operating separately with separate boards. DHHS said in a statement Friday that we should have more information in the new year from the future tailored plan operators about their governance which is outlined in the consolidation agreement and state law. As we have mentioned before, the departments priority will be to ensure that the operators are accountable to the members that they serve. On Tuesday, DHHS said it is appreciative that the consolidated Trillium Heath Resources board of directors is working to become representative of the community they are serving. The department looks forward to the collaborative work ahead as we prepare for the launch of tailored plans. Individuals who need certain services to address a serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, severe substance use disorder, intellectual or developmental disability, or traumatic brain injury may be eligible to enroll in a tailored plan. In July, DHHS said the launch of tailored plans for about 160,000 behavioral health recipients was delayed indefinitely It is the fifth postponement by DHHS. The initial launch date was July 1, 2022, only to be postponed first to Dec. 1, 2022, then to April 1, 2023, and the latest being Oct. 1, 2023. A top-five institutional investor in Gildan Activewear Inc. has followed through on calling for a special shareholder meeting in a bid to significantly revamp the manufacturers board of directors. Gildan, based in Montreal, has more than 500 jobs at its yarn production plant in Mocksville, as well as facilities in Rockingham and Rowan counties. Browning West LP, an investment management firm, did not disclose a specific date for the shareholder meeting. Browning West was the first investor to oppose the boards Dec. 11 termination of chief executive Glenn Chamandy in a letter sent Dec. 14. It is calling for Chamandys immediate reinstatement, as has at least eight other prominent shareholders. On Friday, the firm said in its letter to shareholders that it wants to provide shareholders an opportunity to reconstitute Gildans board of directors by removing five incumbent directors and installing five highly qualified individuals. Besides reinstating Chamandy, Browning West is recommending firm co-founder and partner Peter Lee, along with Michael Kneeland, Karen Stuckey, and J.P. Towner. We will strongly urge the board to refrain from taking any near-term actions to entrench itself and to call the special meeting as expeditiously as possible once it has been requisitioned, the firm said. Any attempts to delay the special meeting will be a clear sign of further entrenchment, continued disregard for shareholders, and will increase the damage currently being inflicted on the company and its stakeholders. Browning West has since raised its stake from 3.8% on Dec. 11 to 5% to accentuate both its belief in Gildan and its disappointment with the boards actions. Since Chamandys termination was made public, there have been several rounds of in-fighting among several large Gildan shareholders over how he was dismissed, as well as the apparent coalescing of a coalition representing at least 33% of outstanding shares urging his return. Board response The board, led by chairman Donald Berg, has taken the unusual step of sending a letter to all shareholders that would clarify the record as to why the directors of Gildan recently came to the unanimous decision. The board has said that over the last two years ... trust and confidence ... eroded gradually as we worked to hold him (Chamandy) accountable for delivering the next chapter of the companys long-term growth strategy as well as the development of his people. In the interim, board member Craig Leavitt was appointed chief executive and president. The board letter was also meant to outline the path forward under Vince Tyra, who is scheduled to take over as chief executive and president in February. The board said it determined that the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead call for a new leader with new ideas and different skills, which led members to recently select Tyra. Browning West said that the proposed slate not only remedies the boards mishandled CEO succession, but more importantly will establish the highest quality governance in the companys history, laying the foundation for the next chapter of value creation. Other investor steps On Wednesday, Gildans top investor added to its ownership as it also advocates for the reinstatement of Chamandy. Global investment firm Jarislowsky Fraser raised its stake from 7.2% to 8.7% through purchases made by parent company Bank of Nova Scotia. Meanwhile, a regulatory filing posted Wednesday had No. 2 investor Coliseum Capital Management selling off about 14% of its share holdings between Nov. 6 and Dec. 7. Coliseum Capital currently holds a 5.7% stake. That moved Coliseum below Voya Investment Management at least temporarily with Voya at 6.3%, according to MSMMoney.com. Coliseum Capital has pledged to make an additional investment in Gildan to become its largest investor. In return, Gildans board appointed Coliseum co-founder and managing partner Chris Shackelton to its board on Dec. 17. Gildan and Coliseum did not disclose the investment amount in what they identified as a support agreement through market purchases during insider open window periods. Jarislowsky Fraser called Shackeltons appointment a serious governance concern considering Coliseum only became a prominent investor in 2022. Hexagon is a Norwegian company, but its roots reach back to 1960s Lincoln. It was here in 1963, amid the angst and uncertainty of the Cold War, that Brunswick opened a plant that made the bodies of Polaris missiles, which were topped with nuclear warheads and placed on Navy submarines. The plant, near 27th and Superior streets, is still there today. It's now owned by General Dynamics and makes missile and rocket bodies, pressure vessels and a number of other products. In 2005, General Dynamics spun off Lincoln Composites, a division it had formed to make commercial products such as tanks for the oil and gas industries that are made out of composite fibers. The company that bought it was Hexagon Composites, which formed Hexagon Lincoln, a company focused on making composite tanks for the alternative fuels industry. A boom in the natural gas industry led to rapid growth and a relocation to the new rail center at the LNK Enterprise Park more than a decade ago. Though Hexagon has gone through some ups and downs in the alternative fuels space, as well as a number of acquisitions and divestitures, it still has a large and growing presence in Lincoln. Now called Hexagon Agility, the company has five locations in Lincoln four of which are in the LNK Enterprise Park and about 340 employees. "We're a longtime member of the Lincoln community, but probably one of the least known," said Chet Dawes, senior vice president of global cylinders engineering at Hexagon Agility. "To be here 60 years and you tell people you work for Hexagon Agility and they still don't know where that is or who you are ..." he said. Dawes said that could be because the company has gone by so many different names and what it does has changed some over time. It's currently on its ninth different company name, although the name has started with "Hexagon" for nearly two decades. The name Hexagon Agility comes from Hexagon's purchase a few years ago of Agility Fuel Systems, which was a leading manufacturer of natural gas fuel systems for medium and heavy-duty vehicles. It currently makes composite fuel tanks for a number of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in industries including package delivery, waste management, public transit and over-the road trucking. Among its most recognizable customers are UPS and Waste Management. "A huge amount of refuse trucks built today are powered by natural gas," Dawes said. He also said transit buses have been a big part of the company's past and current growth. A big growth area in the future, according to Dawes, is the over-the-road trucking industry. There are a couple of reasons for that, he said. One is that companies are trying to meet sustainability goals and reduce emissions. The other is that natural gas is a more efficient fuel for large trucks than other alternative fuels, such as electricity or biodiesel. While vehicle fuel tanks are a growing and important business, one of the staples of Hexagon's work in Lincoln remains its mobile pipeline business. For years, the company has built large fuel tanks, assembled them on tractor trailers and shipped them off to customers to use to transport compressed natural gas. Those systems used to be used exclusively in the oil and gas industry, usually to transport natural gas to a stranded user, such as a high-energy-consumption industrial plant that's not near a natural gas pipeline, Dawes said. However, "that business shrunk radically," when oil prices crashed in 2015, he said. While oil prices rebounded and have stabilized, the mobile pipeline business has evolved, Dawes said, and now has a much larger focus on renewable natural gas. Instead of users needing to get gas from a pipeline to a location, they now need to get renewable natural gas, such as methane from a livestock operation, to a pipeline. Dawes said renewable natural gas now makes up about 50% of the company's mobile pipeline business. "So, it's a big growth sector for us," he said. It's also one that appears to have a brighter environmental future than traditional natural gas, which has faced some political backlash in recent years. Rick Rashilla, senior vice president of research and development, said renewable natural gas creates a circularity, "where you're actually able to utilize your waste to manufacture your fuel on a continuing basis." Rather than the methane from livestock manure being released into the atmosphere, it gets captured and used for fuel. That leads to fewer emissions overall, Rashilla said. While the Lincoln operation remains focused on natural gas, its parent company has divisions that focus on hydrogen and propane, as well as battery packs for electric and fuel cell vehicles. That's a hallmark of the company's focus on "clean air everywhere." That might not seem to be such a good thing in a conservative state where residents often oppose solar and wind projects and politicians often express rather vocal opposition to clean air mandates. But Rashilla said state, local and federal officials have offered support when it's been needed. "Whenever we've needed help, and we've gone to our elected officials either at the state or the federal level, we've gotten great cooperation," he said. Hexagon Agility, which accounts for about 70% of the parent company's overall revenue, continues to have a bright future, both in Lincoln and elsewhere. "Growth trajectory is very encouraging," said Dawes, who called five-year growth projections "very strong." Hexagon Agility is finishing an expansion of its plant in Salisbury, North Carolina, to more than double its size. The plant will focus solely on making tanks for large trucks. Future expansion also is planned that would enlarge the plant enough to eventually match or exceed the capacity of the Lincoln plant, he said. But Dawes said that doesn't mean the Lincoln operation's role or scope will diminish. In fact, it continues to grow. The company has made about $25 million worth of investments in the Lincoln plant over the past year, much of it for the mobile pipeline business. In addition, virtually all of the research and development for the natural gas tanks takes place in Lincoln, making it a very strategic location for Hexagon. The company this year completed a large expansion that included installing a new type of winding unit that represents the "pilot" of what it will be doing in its Salisbury plant. Dawes also said a product and process developed in Lincoln was recently deployed to a factory in Kassel, Germany, allowing it to now build product that used to have to be shipped from Lincoln to Europe. The Lincoln site also offers some other pluses, such as a centralized location and low costs. Rashilla said one other factor brought Hexagon to Lincoln and is likely to keep it here for a long time: the quality of the workforce. "Innovation and workmanship have been some of the hallmarks of our six decades here," he said. A white sedan crashed into a pole at the intersection of 70th Street and Nebraska Parkway on Monday. The white Acura RL crashed into a pole at the southeast corner of the intersection. The force of the crash appeared to trap the car's driver inside and first responders worked for nearly 40 minutes to free the driver. Lincoln Fire and Rescue crews extricated the driver before taking the driver away from the scene by ambulance. According to the Lincoln Police Department crash report, the driver of the Acura had a suspended license and violated a red light going at a high rate of speed before colliding with the back of another vehicle that was making a left turn onto Nebraska Parkway. The driver and passengers of the second vehicle sustained no injuries. Photos: Firefighters in action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Lance Perez wants to change the narrative about engineers and the work they do. The dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln said the image many have of the engineer is somebody sitting alone in a cubicle, staring at plans for roads or bridges on a computer screen that needs a refresh. The truth is (engineering) is about improving the human condition, said Perez, who recently was named the inaugural recipient of the Fred Hunzeker deanship. Thats really what engineers are doing trying to make the world better for people. On Jan. 22, when Kiewit Hall opens to students, the new 181,500-square-foot home of undergraduate engineering education will mark a breakthrough in changing that understanding of engineers and engineering, Perez said. More than 70% of the ground floor which boasts a maker space, the Kiewit Cafe featuring Mediterranean foods, and student lounges is transparent and can be seen by pedestrians and motorists passing by its location at 17th and Vine streets on UNLs City Campus. Throughout the six-story facility, 46% of the interior walls are glass, while 96% of the regularly occupied rooms 176 offices, collaborative work spaces, etc. are visible from public spaces or corridors. So many academic buildings are built where these classrooms are so closed off from everything, and yet, thats the most important thing we do, Perez said. Why not make that visible? Why not let people see our faculty teaching and see how our students interact in the classrooms? What engineers do is cool, right? Its important and we want people to be able to see it, he added. The centerpiece of the basement and first floors is what college administrators are calling the Garage, a maker space complete with a woodshop, CNC machine, 3D printer, and other equipment, such as a crane to hoist engines and other heavy items. The Garage is also where the roughly 50 registered student organizations for rocketry, Baja racing and other engineering-related clubs will have small office spaces and work benches all of which are visible. Kim Wilson, the special assistant to the dean overseeing the $190 million in new facility construction and renovation, said the concept was developed over the course of 372 meetings conducted over Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which 150 individual people took part. That deep involvement led to the building featuring long sightlines, open spaces, and areas for collaboration that are all part of the strategy to elevate not only UNLs College of Engineering, but the engineering profession across the country, according to Wilson. Massive classrooms on either side of a 14,700-square-foot public event space on the main floor of Kiewit Hall are packed with the latest technology to accommodate between 60 and 150 students, depending on the needs of the class. Each classroom is flexible, meaning the tables and chairs can be moved and rearranged to fit the learning goals of each course, as well as visible behind 16-foot-tall glass panels, which puts engineers on display, according to Wilson, who is also a professor of architecture at UNL. Nearly 32,000 square feet of teaching labs on the third floor will allow current and prospective students to witness hands-on learning in real time, while small collaborative spaces offer places for studying or working on group projects. Faculty and staff in construction management will move into a fourth-floor office suite that occupies most of the south side of the building, while on the fifth floor, the colleges student support and engineering student services will make their new home. The top floor will feature the deans office suite, which looks onto City Campus to the southwest, an outdoor patio high above Vine Street, and a board room with a table that can seat 40 people. The buildings HVAC and mechanical systems, which have earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, are also housed on the sixth floor. The design of the building has also earned International WELL Building Institute Silver certification, signaling a workplace optimized for health and well-being. If youre going to build an engineering building, it should be high performing, Perez said. Connecting the first floor and the sixth is a grand staircase which, in a display of the power of engineering, is hung from the ceiling of the massive atrium rather than supported from the ground. And coating the walls is a special plastic designed to minimize the echoes in the enormous space. The facility, which was named for Kiewit Corp., the Omaha-based construction firm that made the lead donation of $25 million, will connect to the rest of the College of Engineerings facilities on City Campus. Once it opens, students, faculty, staff and others will be able to walk from the north end of Nebraska Hall at 16th and X streets, through the Engineering Research Center, Scott Engineering Center and Othmer Hall into Kiewit Hall in a matter of minutes. The integrated engineering complex will symbolically connect disciplines ranging from mechanical engineering to environmental engineering, chemical and biomolecular engineering to construction management, Perez said. A majority of the classes no matter the discipline will take place in Kiewit Hall, however, as it becomes the home to undergraduate education. Perez said the new facility will become the home of a new student convocation and senior design showcase, create spaces for receptions and be a recruiting tool. On Feb. 10, for example, the College of Engineering will host 500 high school students for a statewide robotics competition. We never could have done that with our previous facilities, Perez said. The goal is to help grow the UNL College of Engineering into one of the preeminent engineering education institutions in both the Big Ten Conference as well as the U.S. The colleges current enrollment is 3,413 undergrad students and 654 graduate students. Perez has announced plans to grow enrollment to 5,000 students by 2030. Kiewit Hall will play a part in helping with that growth, he said. The college has heard stories of students who have decided to apply to UNL after seeing the building under construction. But, he said, the building is one piece of the puzzle. Perez said the College of Engineering will continue looking for ways to better support students through scholarships, improving retention and graduation outcomes, even as it looks for ways to make engineering and engineering education more visible to the public. Theres more work to be done to get us to that goal, but this is a really important piece, he said. Its changing who we are. Photos: UNL's Kiewit Hall seeks to be premiere engineering education facility Nebraskans are now able to earn tax credits for making donations to certain scholarship-granting organizations working with private and faith-based schools. LB753, which passed the Nebraska Legislature earlier in 2023, took effect Monday. The law offers dollar-for-dollar tax credits to individuals and entities that make donations to scholarship funds intended to help students attend private or parochial schools. Under the law, $25 million will be available for credits in 2024, with the same amount available for the next two years. After that, the limit for credits will grow to a maximum of $100 million per year. Individuals and businesses could not claim more than $100,000 in annual credits, while estates and trusts would be capped at $1 million per year. The bill fell under heavy scrutiny that has continued after its passage, spawning a new group called Support Our Schools Nebraska that launched a successful petition drive that will let voters decide in November 2024 whether to repeal LB753. Before that happens, however, donations made prior to the general election will still be eligible for the tax credits. But not all scholarship-granting organizations will earn tax credits for donors. Only organizations that have been certified by the Nebraska Department of Revenue qualify for the program. According to the departments website, three organizations are certified so far: Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska, Metro Area Christian Schools SGO, and Assistance Individuals and Families Without Borders. Both Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska, led by advocates who fought against the petition, and MACS SGO, a coalition between Omaha Christian Academy and Lifegate Christian School, were established in the latter half of 2023 after passage of LB753. In contrast, AIF-Without Borders formed in 2014, and its executive director Laurent Kondohoma said the group heard about the program through the Department of Revenue. Among other things, the nonprofit helps children from low-income households access education, and Kondohoma said the donations they receive as part of LB753s program will be held in a separate account for those purposes. Lauren Gage, director of marketing for Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska and former state director of the American Federation for Children which advocates for programs like LB753 said the group already began accepting donations in 2023. While these donations wont be eligible for tax credits, she said they will earn standard tax deductions as donations to a nonprofit. Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska plans to make a bigger push for donations at the start of 2024, Gage said, and the amount of scholarships the group can offer will be heavily determined by the donations it receives. While its likely scholarships will not be available until the fall 2024 semester, Gage said the group hopes to provide scholarships earlier if possible. State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of the Omaha area, who introduced LB753, said shes already heard interest about this program from families and prospective donors, which she said shows the need for such a program. Kondohoma said AIF-Without Borders receives calls about the program every day. I think the word is out, Linehan said. Support Our Schools officials see it differently. In a recent social media post, the group highlighted several concerns about the tax credits. The group contended that the current setup of the program wont help schools or families in rural Nebraska, as all three certified scholarship-granting organizations are located in the Omaha and Lincoln areas. The post also said the funding used for the tax credits removes state revenues that could support public schools. Linehan said it will be easier to defend LB753 against the repeal effort once the program takes effect in 2024, as people will actually be able to see the benefits. The true tell, she said, will be when the scholarships are eventually handed out, arguing that this will show Nebraskans that the program is critically important. The Journal Star's most memorable photos of 2023 It's been a fruitful year for Wisconsin's trailblazers. The state's Ice Age Trail Alliance spent its trail-building season forging nearly 15 miles of connections on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, including more than three miles in the Middleton-Cross Plains area. The Ice Age Trail is a 1,200-mile footpath that's contained entirely within Wisconsin, from St. Croix Falls to Sturgeon Bay, dipping as far south as Janesville. The trail now boasts 698 completed miles, linked by connecting routes, which usually take the form of rural roads or highways. The Alliance is a nonprofit dedicated to the conservation, promotion and maintenance of the trail. Compared with previous years, Alliance spokesperson Melissa Pierick said, 2023 is a "bit of an outlier." In 2022, less than five new miles of trail were completed, and in 2021, it was six. The 15 miles forged this year, she said, are the product of a "variety of things" coming together, including funding and municipal permit approvals. Official trail mileage also received a significant boost from the urban paths forged in Evansville and Cornell. "It all came through this year," Pierick said. Behind the miles of cleared brush and piled dirt were nearly 2,000 volunteers contributing a total of 100,666 hours of trail building and other trail activities, the most volunteer hours the alliance has seen in a single year. The alliance facilitated and organized the efforts in eight large-scale, multiday trail-building projects in Taylor, Marquette, Waupaca, Dane, Rock and Door counties. The results? More than five new miles completed on the trail's Rib Lake segment in Taylor County and more than three miles of new trail on the Cross Plains segment in Dane County. For the Cross Plains project, over five days in October, 268 volunteers built 3.1 miles of trail, including a 0.6-mile loop trail, according to the Alliance. The new Ice Age Trail segments wind through a stretch of lane between Middleton and Cross Plains, from Timber Lane to the North Birch Trail. Lodi-area volunteers also built a new trail in 2023 to connect the parking lots at Gibraltar Rock, a 0.75-mile trail that was forged so that hikers wouldn't have to walk along the road between the two lots. The communities of Evansville and Gibbs Lake County Park now boast official trail miles. Chapter volunteers also built trail through the Alliance-owned Ice Override Preserve in Langlade County and extended existing trail on the Waterville, Scuppernong, and Chaffee Creek Segments. In early December, the trail also became an official unit of the National Park Service, opening it up to funding opportunities, legal standing equal to other parks service destinations and official recognition. Changes over time Much has changed about the trail since Melanie Radzicki McManus completed her last through-hike in 2015 and wrote a book about her experiences in 2017. In the six years since the "thousand-miler" the name for Ice Age Trail hikers who have hiked the entire trail published the book detailing her Ice Age Trail experience, the trail has grown by leaps and bounds. McManus has been on the trail a handful of times in 2023, thankful for the accessibility of the segments from her home in Dane County. Still, she has yet to dig into the new additions and is eager to savor the experience. "I want to wait to through-hike it again and recapture the excitement of not knowing what's around the bend," McManus said. "It's really exciting to see all the changes." The blueprint for the trail was laid out by ancient glaciers thousands of years ago. Modern volunteers like Maria Verbrugge and Rick Gamble follow those prehistoric instructions with care. When they took on volunteer roles in 2017 and 2021, respectively, Verbrugge and Gamble were old pros in their knowledge of nature but new to the concept of trail building. Still, the sense of community among the other volunteers was infectious, and neither of them felt like an outsider for long. "I showed up not knowing anyone or anything about trail building, and everybody was so welcoming," Verbrugge recalled. "They were pretty much knocking themselves out to welcome the new person." "The mechanics of the actual trail building is almost secondary to just meeting the really great people," Gamble said. Scenes galore The work of people like Verbrugge and Gamble hasn't gone unnoticed. Visitors to trail segments have remarked glowingly on the clear paths, pristine loops and quality trail markers guiding them through. "I'm really pleased with the trails. They're really well-kept," said trail newbie Julia Degruchy, who came with her partner, Mark Filkorn, from Chicago in search of nice loops and solid terrain. The pair made rounds at Devil's Lake and Mirror Lake during their visit, but their Friday afternoon escapade to the Gibraltar Rock segment of the trail was among their favorites, for the higher altitude scenery and the well-maintained path that led to the views. "It reminds me of different stuff I've done, like the Appalachian Trail. You don't usually get this big of a view," Filkorn said. "It's nice to be on this peak just a thousand feet above everything around you." As the pair looked out from the ledges, the sun shone through the trees surrounding Gibraltar Rock, casting shadowy shapes on the gravelly parking area and warming the windows of a handful of hikers' cars. Scott Henry enjoyed a walk through the wilderness for about an hour that morning, led by his dog Buster, pushing against his harness to sniff everything in sight. The trail has been a favorite of the labradoodle's for the past couple of years, outings Henry happily obliges. The scenery is something out of a Tolkien novel, steep ledges overlooking vast stretches of farm fields where penny-sized cows lazily chew the grass surrounding haybales. Living nearby on Lake Wisconsin, Scott regarded the trail as something of a hidden gem. He's had his lake home for more than two decades, but the pandemic was what drove him to explore more of his own backyard. "By the time I got to the top and looked up over the cliff I'm like, 'Why hadn't I been coming here all these years?'" he said. "I posted pictures on Facebook, and everybody thought I was in a different state." The snow-dampened leaves and leftover animal scents provided young Buster with an aromatic smorgasbord. Each leash tug was a challenge, Scott said, a test of the limits. "I have to keep him on a leash because he would probably walk right off," Scott said. "He's walked off my pier before." Alliance members and volunteers plan on keeping the momentum going in 2024. Nine alliance-led events are already on the docket beginning in January, including habitat improvements that focus on "putting the 'scenic' back in scenic trail" through things such as brush clearing and cutting back invasive species. Trail-building efforts will resume in May with a large-scale project at Hemlock Creek in Rusk and Barron counties, followed by at least one large-scale project every month through October. [Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect a correction. The term "thousand-miler" refers to someone who has hiked the entire Ice Age Trail.] 1. Yes. It will be convenient and the fares are cheap. I plan to use the transit system often. 2. Yes. I have a vehicle, but I may still use the service now and then, especially in bad weather. 3. No. I dont use the current bus service, and I dont plan to use the micro-transit service either. 4. No. It may be fine in town, but it still involves a transfer for longer trips. That wont work. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say. It depends on how well the service works once its in place. Vote View Results Saodat Sadikova is an English teacher in Jizzakh, Uzbekistan. As a young girl, she dreamed of becoming a flight attendant and traveling the world. Her parents told her she would have to learn at least three languages in order to reach that goal. Although she was not able to become a flight attendant, Sadikova did study languages. She speaks Uzbek, Russian, English and Turkish. Sadikova has never traveled outside Uzbekistan. Even so, she reports feeling connected to people around the world. The whole world is for human beings, Sadikova said. She still dreams of visiting many countries. American Trina Bright worked in education for nearly 25 years. Today, she lives in the southern U.S. state of Arkansas. During her career, she traveled to many countries, including China and South Africa. Bright used stories from her travels to help her students in the U.S. understand their place in the world. She spent most of her career in a minority-serving school district. Sharing stories from her travels helped her students see value in their own cultures. Theres value in all experiences, not just typical American ones, Bright said. Bright has visited more than 20 countries. But Bright, unlike Sadikova, does not report feeling connected to people around the world. Bright is not alone. She is among the more than half of Americans who report they do not feel especially close to people around the world. That information comes from a new report by Pew Research Center, an organization that aims to inform the public about the issues, beliefs and trends shaping the world. The report, called Attitudes on an Interconnected World, was released on December 6. Pew recently asked people in 24 countries a series of questions about how connected they feel to their own communities and countries as well as to people around the world. Pew researchers looked at, among other things, how international travel experience relates to feelings of connectedness. About half of all respondents reported they feel at least somewhat close to people all over the world. Feeling close to others around the world is more common in Europe than in most other places, the study found. In the United States, only 35 percent of the respondents said they feel at least somewhat connected to those in other countries. The percentage was even lower in Argentina (28 percent) and Indonesia (22 percent). The study found that, in general, respondents who had traveled to at least one other country feel more connected to people around the world. Ninety-nine percent of respondents in the Netherlands reported having visited at least one other country and about half said they had visited 10 or more countries. The Pew researchers found that 77 percent of respondents from the Netherlands said they feel at least somewhat close to people all over the world. But international travel does not always mean a person feels a closeness to people around the world. Bright, the retired American schoolteacher, is one such exception. She said, I dont know a bunch of people around the world, just some. And, she said, her connections to them are not especially deep. Pew researchers found a similar case in Sweden. Ninety-nine percent of Swedish respondents said they had visited at least one other country. Yet a much smaller share of Swedish respondents 47 percent report feeling close to people all over the world. In fact, a higher number of Indian respondents 68 percent report feeling at least somewhat close to people all over the world. Yet just 3 percent of respondents from India said they had traveled to another country. Such findings show that international connectedness can be formed in ways other than traveling overseas. Sadikova, the Uzbek English teacher, told VOA Learning English she feels connected to people all over the world even though she has never traveled outside Uzbekistan. She said, Some years ago it was difficult for us to get information about people in the world, but currently, because of media, it is quite easy to get acquainted with events and news. Im Gena Bennett. Gena Bennett wrote this story for Learning English with additional information from Pew Research Center. ________________________________________________ Words in This Story typicaladj. normal respondentn. a person who answers a question somewhatadj. a moderate amount acquainted withphrasal verb. to be informed about someone or something Language experts estimate as many as 10,000 people still speak the French-based language Louisiana Creole. In addition, many others in New Orleans and across the southern U.S. state consider themselves part of the culture that draws tens of thousands of people to events. The celebrations include autumns Festival Acadiens et Creoles, summers Creole Tomato Festival, and spring's Treme Creole Gumbo & Congo Square Rhythms Festival. But for locals and visitors alike, everyday evidence shows how strong Creole culture is in Louisiana. The states performance spaces and airwaves are often filled with the driving, rhythmic sound of zydeco and other Creole and Cajun music. Louisianas restaurants offer dishes with rich, complex flavors including gumbo, hot sausage, red beans and rice, and shrimp etouffee. To celebrate Creole culture is to wake up and live in New Orleans, said Christina Bragg. She is a member of the Mahogany Blue Babydolls, a parade group for Black and mixed-race women. Celebrating Creole is celebrating our day-to-day lives. The food we eat. The music we dance to. The way we gather with friends to parade during Mardi Gras," she said. "Every day I open my eyes and breathe, its a celebration of Creole culture, because thats who I am. Difficult to define So, what is Creole? Its food, its music, its architecture, its style and its traditions, Mona Lisa Saloy told VOA. There are millions of Creole people in countries across the worldwe are all so much more alike than we are different. We create beautiful cultures everywhere we go, and I think thats evident here in Louisiana. Saloy is the writer of the poetry collection Black Creole Chronicles and served as Louisianas poet laureate from 2021 to 2023. She said Creole cultures all over the world have similarities to Louisianas. Architectural styles common in New Orleans like the Creole Cottage or the Shotgun home can be found in other places with Creoles, such as in other parts of the American South and the Caribbean, she said. Much of our music derives from the rhythms of Africa and the Caribbean, as does much of our food elements of gumbo such as the long rice and okra, for example, or the prevalence of beans. How the word "Creole" is defined changes from place to place and person to person. The word Creole is believed to have come from the Portuguese word crioulo, which developed from the Latin word for to create. Some say it was used in the European slave trade to describe a slave born in the New World and not in Africa. The word took on different meanings in different places. Creole in much of Africa and part of the Caribbean, for example, came to mean people of mixed ethnic or racial backgrounds. In Louisiana, the definition has changed over the years. Here, the definition kind of depends on who you ask, said Vance Vaucresson. He is a New Orleans-based Creole and owner of a local restaurant, the Vaucresson Sausage Company. I prefer an inclusive definition, he said. By that definition, anyone born in Louisiana could be Creole. During our colonial era, it was meant to differentiate people born in the Americas usually of French, Spanish or African descent from those born in Europe or Africa. Describing his definition, Vaucresson added: it doesnt matter. If youre born here and embrace the culture, you can be Creole. In Louisiana of the 1700s and 1800s, the more inclusive definition was possibly the most accepted. White people with European ancestry were just as likely to call themselves Creole as mixed-race people of African ancestry. White Creoles claimed the term because it set them apart from settlers who were coming from Northern states after The Louisiana Purchase from France in 1803. Mixed-race Creoles, too, claimed the term because it differentiated them from enslaved people. Don Vappie is a Creole jazz musician in New Orleans. He described the idea of Creole before the Civil war as organized into three levels. It was more of a three-tier racial hierarchy here, instead of the two-tiered Black-or-white experienced elsewhere in the U.S, he said. After the American Civil War, however, many of these differences in New Orleans disappeared. Creole or not, white people had more in common with white people and Black people had more in common with Black people, Vappie told VOA. Saloy believes Creole is firmly connected to African culture and should stay that way. "The ingredients in our food, the rhythm in our music and dance, the details in our architecture its all connected to West African culture, she said, Thats our heritage. Im Caty Weaver. And I'm Faith Pirlo. Matt Haines reported this story for VOANews. Caty Weaver adapted it for Learning English. _______________________________________________ Words in This Story rhythmic adj. having a regular sound or movement dish n. a kind of food that is prepared in a particular way Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) n. the Tuesday before the Catholic Lent religious observance style n. a particular way of designing something, doing some activity, or behaving architectural adj. related to the design of buildings derive v. to come from prevalence n. something that is widespread or usual era n. a period of time tier n. a level, especially one in an organization or a group hierarchy n. a system in which things are ordered by importance or status ingredient n. a material that is used to make something, especially food As 2023 comes to a close, we are taking a look back at some of the biggest space stories of the year. Asteroid sample returns to Earth A container carrying asteroid material captured in space three years ago arrived safely on Earth in September. The container, or capsule, was released by the American space agency NASAs Osiris-Rex spacecraft. It floated to Earth and landed in a desert area in the western state of Utah. The spacecraft captured the asteroid material, or sample, from the asteroid Bennu in 2020. NASA announced in October the first examinations of the sample showed evidence of high-carbon material and water. These two substances suggest the possibility that the building blocks of life on Earth may be found in the rock. Psyche mission NASAs Psyche spacecraft launched on a mission to observe an asteroid made mostly of metal. It is expected to travel 3.6 billion kilometers over six years to reach the asteroid, also called Psyche. NASA believes the asteroid could have separated during violent crashes that happened during our solar systems early creation. Scientists think data collected on the asteroid could provide new details about how rocky planets, including Earth, formed. Laser communication demonstration The Psyche spacecraft is also being used to test a laser-based communication method. The system aims to greatly improve data links between Earth and spacecraft exploring deep space. A few weeks ago, NASA demonstrated the technology with a short video sent by the laser technology over 30 million kilometers to Earth. The space agency said it took less than two minutes for the video to reach an observatory in California. The video showed a cat repeatedly chasing a red laser light. Oldest black hole discovery Scientists announced last month they had discovered the oldest black hole ever found. The huge object is believed to have formed about 470 million years after the Big Bang. The researchers said the findings confirm their theory that supermassive black holes existed in the very early universe. European telescope shows dark universe Last month, the European Space Agency (ESA) released the first images from its new Euclid space telescope. ESA designed Euclid to study dark matter and dark energy. Scientists think those hidden forms of matter and energy make up 95 percent of the universe. ESA said the newly-released images covered 1,000 galaxies about 240 million light years away from Earth. Webb telescope observes distant black hole Data collected by NASAs James Webb Space Telescope helped astronomers identify the most distant, active supermassive black hole ever discovered. Researchers said the black hole sits at the center of a galaxy called CEERS 1019. The galaxy is estimated to have existed about 570 million years after the Big Bang. Ingenuity helicopter keeps exploring Mars Earlier this month, NASA said its Ingenuity helicopter continues to perform well in tests carried out on Mars. So far, Ingenuity has completed at least 66 flights over the past two-and-a-half years. NASA said it is also testing equipment on Earth that it plans to include in future helicopters built for space exploration. The latest tests on Earth involved new rotor blades the space agency said reached speeds near the speed of sound in experiments. India lands spacecraft on moon In August, India became the fourth country to successfully land a spacecraft on the moon. The moon lander, called Chandrayaan-3, also became the first spacecraft to land near the moons south pole. The south pole is thought to be an important area, with scientists saying it may contain large amounts of frozen water and minerals. Chinese water discovery on moon Chinese scientists announced in March they had discovered water in materials collected during the countrys Change 5 mission. Researchers from Nanjing University reported the water was in the form of extremely small beads found in dirt collected in 2020. The scientists noted that billions, if not trillions, of these beads could exist on the moon, possibly providing a huge water source. But the team said mining the water would be difficult. Im Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Quiz - 2023 Was Another Big Year for Space Missions Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz _____________________________________________ Words in This Story asteroid n. an object made of rock and metal that orbits the sun, but is smaller than planets mission n. a flight by a spacecraft to perform a specific task rotor blade n. a thin, flat pieces of material that spin to make aircraft lift off the ground and travel bead n. a small, round drop of liquid (such as water or blood) A high-speed chase between Dodge County Sheriffs deputies and a man whose vehicle reached speeds of 110 mph ended late Sunday night when the man fell into a river in Lowell as he ran from police. Dodge County Sheriffs deputies were informed by Jefferson County Sheriffs deputies of a high-speed chase on Highway 26 near Highway 19 just after 10:15 p.m. Sunday, which Jefferson County authorities had terminated. Dodge County Sheriffs deputies attempted to stop the driver with the use of spike strips, but the driver continued to speed away on just the wheel rims, Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt said in a statement. The chase ended when the driver turned onto North River Street in the village of Lowell, a dead end. There, Dodge County Sheriffs deputies arrested the passenger, a 39-year-old woman from Beloit, on tentative charges of possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer. Deputies eventually found the driver, a 35-year-old man from Janesville, after he fell into the Beaver Dam River while running from the vehicle. The man was treated for hypothermia and other minor injuries, Schmidt said. Deputies plan to refer felony charges of operating after revocation and fleeing an officer, and are still investigating whether the use of drugs or alcohol were involved. This pursuit tied up a number of resources and the actions of these individuals put the motoring public in harms way, for which the subjects are now being held accountable, Schmidt said in the statement. It's been a fruitful year for Wisconsin's trailblazers. The state's Ice Age Trail Alliance spent its trail-building season forging nearly 15 miles of connections on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, including more than three miles in the Middleton-Cross Plains area. The Ice Age Trail is a 1,200-mile footpath that's contained entirely within Wisconsin, from St. Croix Falls to Sturgeon Bay, dipping as far south as Janesville. The trail now boasts 698 completed miles, linked by connecting routes, which usually take the form of rural roads or highways. The Alliance is a nonprofit dedicated to the conservation, promotion and maintenance of the trail. Compared with previous years, Alliance spokesperson Melissa Pierick said, 2023 is a "bit of an outlier." In 2022, less than five new miles of trail were completed, and in 2021, it was six. The 15 miles forged this year, she said, are the product of a "variety of things" coming together, including funding and municipal permit approvals. Official trail mileage also received a significant boost from the urban paths forged in Evansville and Cornell. "It all came through this year," Pierick said. Behind the miles of cleared brush and piled dirt were nearly 2,000 volunteers contributing a total of 100,666 hours of trail building and other trail activities, the most volunteer hours the alliance has seen in a single year. The alliance facilitated and organized the efforts in eight large-scale, multiday trail-building projects in Taylor, Marquette, Waupaca, Dane, Rock and Door counties. The results? More than five new miles completed on the trail's Rib Lake segment in Taylor County and more than three miles of new trail on the Cross Plains segment in Dane County. For the Cross Plains project, over five days in October, 268 volunteers built 3.1 miles of trail, including a 0.6-mile loop trail, according to the Alliance. The new Ice Age Trail segments wind through a stretch of lane between Middleton and Cross Plains, from Timber Lane to the North Birch Trail. Lodi-area volunteers also built a new trail in 2023 to connect the parking lots at Gibraltar Rock, a 0.75-mile trail that was forged so that hikers wouldn't have to walk along the road between the two lots. The communities of Evansville and Gibbs Lake County Park now boast official trail miles. Chapter volunteers also built trail through the Alliance-owned Ice Override Preserve in Langlade County and extended existing trail on the Waterville, Scuppernong, and Chaffee Creek Segments. Wisconsin's Ice Age Trail, North Country Trail are now part of the National Park Service The Ice Age Trail travels through Dane and 29 other counties, connecting dozens of communities and serving as a reminder of the Ice Age period 15,000 years ago. In early December, the trail also became an official unit of the National Park Service, opening it up to funding opportunities, legal standing equal to other parks service destinations and official recognition. Changes over time Much has changed about the trail since Melanie Radzicki McManus completed her last through-hike in 2015 and wrote a book about her experiences in 2017. In the six years since the "thousand-miler" the name for Ice Age Trail hikers who have hiked the entire trail published the book detailing her Ice Age Trail experience, the trail has grown by leaps and bounds. McManus has been on the trail a handful of times in 2023, thankful for the accessibility of the segments from her home in Dane County. Still, she has yet to dig into the new additions and is eager to savor the experience. "I want to wait to through-hike it again and recapture the excitement of not knowing what's around the bend," McManus said. "It's really exciting to see all the changes." The blueprint for the trail was laid out by ancient glaciers thousands of years ago. Modern volunteers like Maria Verbrugge and Rick Gamble follow those prehistoric instructions with care. When they took on volunteer roles in 2017 and 2021, respectively, Verbrugge and Gamble were old pros in their knowledge of nature but new to the concept of trail building. Still, the sense of community among the other volunteers was infectious, and neither of them felt like an outsider for long. "I showed up not knowing anyone or anything about trail building, and everybody was so welcoming," Verbrugge recalled. "They were pretty much knocking themselves out to welcome the new person." "The mechanics of the actual trail building is almost secondary to just meeting the really great people," Gamble said. Scenes galore The work of people like Verbrugge and Gamble hasn't gone unnoticed. Visitors to trail segments have remarked glowingly on the clear paths, pristine loops and quality trail markers guiding them through. "I'm really pleased with the trails. They're really well-kept," said trail newbie Julia Degruchy, who came with her partner, Mark Filkorn, from Chicago in search of nice loops and solid terrain. The pair made rounds at Devil's Lake and Mirror Lake during their visit, but their Friday afternoon escapade to the Gibraltar Rock segment of the trail was among their favorites, for the higher altitude scenery and the well-maintained path that led to the views. "It reminds me of different stuff I've done, like the Appalachian Trail. You don't usually get this big of a view," Filkorn said. "It's nice to be on this peak just a thousand feet above everything around you." As the pair looked out from the ledges, the sun shone through the trees surrounding Gibraltar Rock, casting shadowy shapes on the gravelly parking area and warming the windows of a handful of hikers' cars. Scott Henry enjoyed a walk through the wilderness for about an hour that morning, led by his dog Buster, pushing against his harness to sniff everything in sight. The trail has been a favorite of the labradoodle's for the past couple of years, outings Henry happily obliges. The scenery is something out of a Tolkien novel, steep ledges overlooking vast stretches of farm fields where penny-sized cows lazily chew the grass surrounding haybales. Living nearby on Lake Wisconsin, Scott regarded the trail as something of a hidden gem. He's had his lake home for more than two decades, but the pandemic was what drove him to explore more of his own backyard. "By the time I got to the top and looked up over the cliff I'm like, 'Why hadn't I been coming here all these years?'" he said. "I posted pictures on Facebook, and everybody thought I was in a different state." The snow-dampened leaves and leftover animal scents provided young Buster with an aromatic smorgasbord. Each leash tug was a challenge, Scott said, a test of the limits. "I have to keep him on a leash because he would probably walk right off," Scott said. "He's walked off my pier before." Alliance members and volunteers plan on keeping the momentum going in 2024. Nine alliance-led events are already on the docket beginning in January, including habitat improvements that focus on "putting the 'scenic' back in scenic trail" through things such as brush clearing and cutting back invasive species. Trail-building efforts will resume in May with a large-scale project at Hemlock Creek in Rusk and Barron counties, followed by at least one large-scale project every month through October. [Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect a correction. The term "thousand-miler" refers to someone who has hiked the entire Ice Age Trail.] - Advertisement - SINGAPORESingapores economy avoided a recession and expanded 1.2 percent in 2023, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Sunday, warning however that geopolitical risks will weigh on next years growth. The affluent city-states economic performance is often seen as a barometer of the global environment because of its reliance on international trade. We made 1.2 percent growth this year, avoiding a recession, Lee said in his New Years message. For next year, growth is projected to come in at 1.0-3.0 percent but much will depend on the external environment, he added, pointing to the continuing war in Ukraine and Israels conflict with Hamas. The economy has been hurt by softer global demand for its exports, with the return of air travel after the Covid-19 pandemic boosting domestic growth. - Advertisement - For some years to come, we must expect the external environment to be less favorable to our security and prosperity. Geopolitical uncertainties will continue weighing on the global economy, he said. In our own region, there are tensions and risks over rival claims in the South China Sea, and because of the cross-Strait situation. These can affect confidence in the region, and hence our growth. Maritime tensions have risen recently in the sea after China and the Philippines traded blame for a series of incidents in the area, including a collision between their vessels. Lee also cited climate change as another challenge for the low-lying island-state. We are already feeling its effects, he warned. Singapore needs to adapt to and prepare for rising temperatures and sea levels, and to transition our economy to net-zero carbon emissions. It will be costly and demanding. Lee, who has been prime minister since 2004, called for unity as he prepares to hand over leadership in the coming year to his deputy Lawrence Wong, who is also the finance minister. This is not the first time we are having a leadership transition. But transitions are always delicate, he said, adding that Singapore will come under close scrutiny on whether it can remain successful and exceptional. If Wong takes over, it would be only the second time since Singapores independence in 1965 that the prime minister is not a member of the Lee family. Lees father, Lee Kuan Yew, was the countrys first prime minister. - Advertisement - The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said it rolled out an insurance program to shield critical government assets from the financial blowback of typhoons, earthquakes and other calamities. The 2024 pilot program of the National Insurance Indemnity Program (NIIP) covers 132,862 Department of Education (DepEd) school buildings nationwide with a combined value of over P800 billion. The BTr covered the premium for the pilot program using the excess payout it received from the Catastrophe Bond. The insurance policy commences on Jan. 1, 2024. We are glad to start the year strong with one of our flagship programs the NIIP, finally being placed. The program will provide financial protection for our schools in the event of disasters, Treasury officer-in-charge Sharon Almanza said. We are also grateful to the GSIS who continues to be our partner in finding appropriate solutions to protect government assets against unforeseen losses, she said. I commend the BTr for successfully implementing the NIIP. Safeguarding our national assets is crucial to ensure the safety and readiness of the projects delivered by this administration for the Filipino people. This is just one of the many immediate actions we are taking to bolster our countrys financial resilience, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said. - Advertisement - We are starting the year strong and well-prepared as we expect the realization of many more high-impact infrastructure projects under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., he said. Insured by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the NIIP aims to cushion government finances from unexpected losses arising from disaster events such as typhoons and earthquakes and ensure access to funding post-disaster for reconstruction. Unlike the often single-asset insurance purchase, a portfolio approach was taken to spread out the risk and maximize the available premium budget. I am excited to see this program finally come to fruition. This is just one of the many programs the BTr implements to enhance our resilience against disasters, said Monetary Board member Rosalia De Leon who led the development of the program during her tenure as Treasurer. Our vulnerability to natural disasters makes it imperative for us to act now and implement solutions that would help us become more resilient and recover faster, she said. - Advertisement - Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) called on the government to finalize the extension of the incentives program for the local car assembly. TMP chairman Alfred Ty said the company continued to deliver on its commitment to the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) program despite a delay caused by the global health crisis. We are hopeful of the official approval of the extension of CARS will be granted by the DTI [Department of Trade and Industry]and the BOI [Board of Investments]. Weve seen news articles about this, but until that is announced by department, we cannot calibrate our moves for the future including investments for the country, Ty said. He said TMP needs to know asap [as soon as possible] the governments plan so the local affiliate could provide a more accurate data to its parent company in Japan. The company started receiving fiscal incentives from the government after its local production of Vios reached over 100,00 units. - Advertisement - TMP announced in December 2023 plans to hike investments in the Philippines including P1 billion for the assembly of the new-generation Tamaraw units. The additional fund would bring its planned investments to P5.4 billion following its August announcement of P4.4 billion initial investments to revive the model. The additional investments will go to body conversion, whether intended as a public passenger vehicle or for commercial purposes. The Tamaraw concept rides on the IMV 0 platforma versatile chassis concept that can adapt to the needs of the users for both human and cargo transport. - Advertisement - The vibrant flavors of Singapores beloved casual dining concept, Stuffd, have arrived in the heart of the Philippines. Nestled within Eastwood City in Quezon City, Stuffd proudly unveils its inaugural flagship store, boasting an indoor seating capacity of 40, and soon opening in One Ayala Makati, inviting Filipino food enthusiasts on an exquisite culinary journey. Crafted with an inventive blend of Mexican and Turkish influences, Stuffd promises an unparalleled casual dining experience. Each dish is meticulously curated, boasting the finest, freshest ingredients to tantalize taste buds and create a lasting impression. At the heart of Stuffds menu lies an enticing array of Mexican-Turkish classics, including kebabs, burritos, and quesadillas, cherished by loyal patrons. Elevating the dining experience for their Filipino customers, Stuffd introduces two exclusive new creations: the wholesome Grain Bowl and the indulgent Cinnamon Chips. Conquer your cravings by choosing between quesadilla, burrito, and kebab The Grain Bowl harmoniously combines two servings of grains, crisp lettuce, and zesty tomato salsa, complemented by a choice of adobo black beans or buttered corn, paired with succulent grilled chicken or savory beef chili con carne. Meanwhile, Cinnamon Chips cater to the sweet tooth, presenting a delightful fusion of aromatic cinnamon and sugar on every chip, adorned with a drizzle of bittersweet chocolate sauce. - Advertisement - The all-time favourites If youre in the mood for a full meal, a kebab might be the one for you. Grilled chicken or beef chili con carne is accompanied by fresh vegetables and delectable sauces wrapped in a warm, soft-pressed tortilla. Stuffd has finally arrived in the Philippines For those who need a little heft for the lunch hour, a Stuffd burrito might just be more to your liking. Available in either chicken or beef chili con carne variations, its different from the kebab as it combines tomato salsa and sour cream to create that delectable bite along with fresh iceberg lettuce. You can customize it to your liking through the sauce options like the crowd-favorite BBQ sauce or the mayo cucumber. A pan-roasted quesadilla, on the other hand, can either be a choice for the in-between hours or simply your must-have for a quick but filling meal. It is also available in either the grilled chicken or beef chili con carne options. Filled with iceberg lettuce, and drenched in salsa and sour cream, the spice comes from the Stuffd habanero sauce. A Daily Bowl is for those who want to get particular with their grub. Conquer your cravings by choosing five toppings from the delicious Stuffd options to accompany either the grilled chicken or beef chili con carne. Sauces like sweet Thai chili or roasted sesame sauce are there to cater to every flavor profile. Stuffd offers a wide range of Mexican-Turkish classics Any of the menu items mentioned pair well with Nacho Chips. Who can say no to creamy nacho cheese, sour cream, and salsa on top of crispy nacho chips? No one! And thats why you can also order it on its own for that quick snack. The inauguration of Stuffds flagship store at Eastwood Mall marks the beginning of an exciting culinary voyage for Filipino food aficionados, promising a fusion of flavors that transcend borders. Join us as Stuffd redefines casual dining with its exceptional blend of Mexican-Turkish delights, now within reach at the heart of Quezon City. Follow Stuffd on Instagram @stuffdph for updates and share your Stuffd picks with the hashtags #stuffdph and #stuffd. - Advertisement - Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday raised doubts that International Criminal Courts (ICC) investigators have entered the country, saying that so far, there were no indications they have arrived in Manila. Remulla said the ICC probers have the duty to inform the government about their presence in the Philippines. It is their responsibility and duty to make contact with the DOJ (Department of Justice) in accordance of the principles of international law, he stressed. They have not made contact with the DOJ, Remulla asserted. The Secretary made the statement following reports that ICC investigators have entered the country to look into the alleged abuses committed by law enforcers notably the so-called extra- judicial killings amid the illegal drugs war of the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte. - Advertisement - Erstwhile presidential spokesman Harry Roque, citing information from a colleague, claimed in his social media posts that the ICC has already sent investigators to the Philippines. One of my former associate-foreigners who are members of the ICC have been to the Philippines. So, I have confirmation that these foreigners have been conducting investigations in the country which is in violation of our Constitution because we are no longer members of the ICC, Roque said. Remulla stressed however, that if the ICC believed it has a case, charges should be filed in the Philippines because we are a country with a judicial system. On July 18, 2023, the ICCs Appeals Chamber denied the Philippines appeal against the investigation of the so-called crimes against humanity. The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) which filed the appeal had pointed out that the Philippines had already withdrawn as a state party of the Rome Statute that created the ICC. The OSG pointed out that the withdrawal took effect on March 19, 2022 before the ICC prosecutor ordered an investigation on the drugs war. Meanwhile, the Philippines is considering resuming its membership in the International Criminal Court (ICC), nearly five years after it withdrew over objections to a bid by the court to investigate the bloody anti-drugs campaign, the President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said. There is also a question, should we return under the fold of the ICC, so thats again under study. So well just keep looking at it and see what our options are, the President told reporters. The Philippines withdrew from the international tribunal in 2019 after then President Rodrigo Duterte questioned its authority to investigate the campaign against illegal drugs in which thousands of people were reportedly killed. Marcos said questions over jurisdiction and sovereignty were still problems to be resolved by the Philippine government. Now if we can solve these problems, then that would be something else, but those questions are fundamental, Marcos said. The ICC this year rejected a Philippine appeal to stop investigating Dutertes drug war. Marcos said in March he would cut off contact with the court after the decision. In July, appeals judges at the ICC cleared the way for an investigation into the killings, a ruling that families of victims and right groups hailed as another step towards justice. While Philippine officials still insist the international tribunal has no jurisdiction over it, some lawmakers have urged the government to rethink its position. The House of Representatives has initiated hearings urging the government to cooperate with the ICC prosecutor in the probe, after opposition lawmakers cited Dutertes admission in a television program that he used intelligence funds to finance extra-judicial killings when he was still a mayor of Davao City in Mindanao. The move did not sit well with Vice-President Sara Duterte, the former presidents daughter, who said on Thursday that allowing the ICC probe is patently unconstitutional. Roque has said even if the Philippines returns to the ICC, the drug war cannot be investigated since temporal jurisdiction was lost in 2019. It doesnt matter to (the) Dutertes. Jurisdiction will be prospective, Roque said in a text message. A political science professor at the University of the Philippines, Jean Encinas-Franco, said Marcos comments indicate he was veering away from the previous governments policies. It will be seen by a lot of people as breaking away from their alliance, Franco said. - Advertisement - The EcoWaste Coalition said it has detected high levels of cadmium, a cancer-causing chemical, in red string and bead bracelets that some people wear to attract good luck with the onset of the New Year. The advocacy group said to usher in the New Year, the group went to Quiapo, Manila and purchased five bracelets costing P50 to P100 each from lucky charm stores. The bracelets are mostly unlabeled and are adorned with metallic dragon charms as 2024 is the wooden dragon year according to Chinese astrology. The items were then subjected to chemical screening using a handheld X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer, which detected cadmium above 100,000 parts per million (ppm) in the metallic charms. None of the analyzed bracelets provided a cadmium content warning to let consumers know that the product they are buying contains cadmium and may pose risk of hazardous chemical exposure. Cadmium, a heavy metal with symbol Cd and atomic number 48, is classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and is one of the 10 chemicals or groups of chemicals of major public health concern as per the World Health Organization (WHO). Cadmium is also included in the Philippine Priority Chemicals List. However, cadmium in products such as jewelry is not covered by the Chemical Control Order (CCO) issued in 2021 for cadmium and its compounds. Nonetheless, the use of products not containing cadmium is encouraged (by the CCO) to prevent and minimize the release of cadmium to the environment. - Advertisement - Aside from being carcinogenic, cadmium is considered a reproductive and developmental toxicant that is linked with reduced birth weight, premature birth, stillbirth, miscarriage, and congenital anomalies, as well as behavioral disorders and learning difficulties. In the European Union, under EU Regulation 494/2011, cadmium in jewelry is restricted to 0.01 % (or 100 ppm) by weight of the metal in metal beads and other metal components for jewelry making, metal parts of jewelry and imitation jewelry articles and hair accessories, including bracelets, necklaces and rings, piercing jewelry, wrist-watches and wrist-wear, brooches and cufflinks. Cadmium-containing bracelets offered for sale in the Philippines would therefore be illegal to sell in Europe, the EcoWaste Coalition pointed out. In fact, several governments in the regional bloc have banned or removed from the market jewelry products containing cadmium, which is, as the EU has warned, harmful to human health because it accumulates in the body, can damage the kidneys and bones and it may cause cancer. Cadmium and other hazardous chemicals should not be present in products that are offered for sale in the marketplace, including products that are marketed to enhance luck, health and prosperity, the EcoWaste Coalition said. To prevent cadmium exposure, the watchdog group advised consumers to insist on their right to chemicals in product information, and for manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers to recognize such right by disclosing the identity of chemicals in their products. Transparency in the chemicals that make up a product, as well as the hazards they pose to health and the environment, should be made mandatory in line with the consumers right to know, the EcoWaste Coalition emphasized. - Advertisement - The Department of Agriculture (DA) aims to promote a beekeeping program that propagates indigenous honeybee species that now gives livelihood to Mangyans of Occidental Mindoro and has untapped potentials for export. A Undersecretary Deogracias Victor Savellano said the beekeeping program will encourage local farmers to tap native honeybee breeds that are easy to propagate. The program offers huge opportunities as income earner for farmers with honeys medicinal and pharmaceutical properties, he said. The downstream products of beekeeping- honey, pollen, propolis are turned into-antibacterial soap, massage oil, lip balm, shampoo, and other products. Locally processed bee products have reportedly been reaching prominent export marketsincluding the royalties of England. Savellano said the DA will explore budget sources for the program through a Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) program. - Advertisement - Beekeeping is a high value farm sector. It has export potential given an organized national program to develop it, Savellano said. Under the program, the DA will accredit bee suppliers as part of developing the local industry. This accreditation policy will get rid of smugglers of queen bees which are the bees for reproduction. Queen bee smuggling has been destroying our local industry, he said. DA is partnering with the University of the Philippines-Los Banos (UPLB) on a commercial system, yet community-based program on beekeeping. Dr. Cleofas Cervancio of the University of the Philippines, Los Banos (UPLB) is coming up with a bee roadmap whose aim is to tap the export market. So far, the UPLB project has been benefitting rural communities. This includes Muslim communities in Lanao del Norte and Mangyans in Victoria, Occidental Mindoro. Bee farms are now also being developed as agriculture tourism sites. One of such site is the Balay Buhay sa Uma Bee Farm in Bulusan, Sorsogon. It is accredited by the Department of Tourism. UPLB has been developing technologies using native bees, particularly stingless bees, in order to raise crop yield and sustain biodiversity. The bee program has been identified by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) as the National Training Center for beekeeping. Trainings are on beekeeping, bee colony health, management and bee pasture development. The UPLB Bee Program also participates in establishing Standards for Tropical Honey and Beekeeping Practices in the Asia Pacific Region. The TESDA program features low cost rearing technology for bees and establishment of bee pasture and sanctuary in an agroecosystem. It developed a policy paper on Standards for Tropical Honey ratified by the Asian Apicultural Association. These are other UPLB-developed bee technologies: Use of stingless bees for pollination; how to harvest honey, pollen, and propolis from stingless bees; propagation of stingless bees using coconut shells; and harvesting honey from giant honeybees. The program enters into collaborative agreements on establishing Food and Drug Administration-accredited bee facility. Partnership is also promoted for the protection of intellectual property rights for the wooden hive technology. - Advertisement - We are waiting for the date when the government and the countrys communist rebels will restart peace negotiations after a six-year suspension, aimed at ending 55 years of armed strife that has killed more than 40,000 people. The bloody conflict between security authorities and the New Peoples Army, the military wing of the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines, raged since 1968, when the rebel group was founded and sought to overthrow the government, establish a communist state, and expel US influence from the Philippines. The NPA soon began guerrilla warfare against the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, assassinating government officials and ambushing army troops. It gradually increased its strength through the 1970s and 1980s, growing from about 350 armed members in 1971 to more than 20,000 by the late 1980s. Today, the military estimates the strength of the rebels at 1,800, against the CCP claim of 5,600 in 2018, the year after the peace talks were suspended by then President Rodrigo Duterte. - Advertisement - In November, Norways foreign ministry said high-ranking representatives from both sides agreed to a common vision for peace that would address major obstacles. If negotiations succeed, the rebels will end their armed struggle and transform into a political movement, according to Norway. In their joint statement, released in Oslo, Norway following informal talks that started in The Netherlands, The parties agree to a principled and peaceful resolution of the armed conflict, adding the peace talks will address deep rooted socioeconomic and political grievances. Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Christian Halaas Lyster reiterated his government would continue to support the two sides in search of a solution to the 55-year-old armed struggle of the Communist Party of the Philippines. Norway remains a committed partner to the parties in search for a solution to this longstanding conflict. With the increased level of conflict we see in the world today, we hope that countries now can look to the Philippines for some hope, he added. In their joint communique, the government and the NDFP agreed to come up with a framework that sets the priorities for the peace negotiation. The two parties said they envision and look forward to a country where a united people can live in peace and prosperity. The framework, which will set the parameters for the final peace agreement, shall be agreed upon by both parties. As the new year starts to roll, we await announcement on when the talks would be held and where, but preferably at home. 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: Few randomized controlled trials involving biological agents for psoriasis treatment include patient images, according to a review published online on Nov. 15 in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment. Sam Polesie, M.D., Ph.D., from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, and colleagues conducted a systematic review to assess the proportion of shared clinical images in psoriasis trials. The review was limited to randomized controlled trials involving biological agents for the treatment of psoriasis. Data were included for 152 studies, including 62,871 randomly assigned patients. The researchers found that most investigations (77.0 percent) included no patient image material. A total of 203 images depicting 60 patients were identified in the manuscripts for an overall sharing rate of 0.1 percent. Six investigations included video supplements, but only one included images from patients. "We hope that this systematic review can serve as an invitation to the pharmaceutical industry and other sponsors, as well as journal editors and authors, to include more images in scientific publications. Including more clinical images with our original manuscripts could better support patient involvement," Polesie said in a statement. Two authors disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry. More information: Sam Polesie et al, A systematic review investigating at what proportion clinical images are shared in prospective randomized controlled trials involving patients with psoriasis and biological agents, Journal of Dermatological Treatment (2023). DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2023.2281261 Copyright 2023 HealthDay. All rights reserved. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Hospital-acquired adverse events are increased in association with private equity acquisition of hospitals, according to a study published in the Dec. 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Sneha Kannan, M.D., from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and colleagues examined changes in hospital-acquired adverse events and hospitalization outcomes associated with private equity acquisitions of U.S. hospitals. Data from 100 percent Medicare Part A claims were compared for 662,095 hospitalizations at 51 private equity-acquired hospitals and 4,160,720 hospitalizations at 259 matched control hospitals not acquired by private equity. The researchers found that hospital-acquired adverse events or conditions occurred in 10,091 hospitalizations. Compared with those treated at control hospitals, Medicare beneficiaries admitted to private equity hospitals experienced a 25.4 percent increase in hospital-acquired conditions (4.6 additional hospital-acquired conditions per 10,000 hospitalizations). This increase was driven by a 27.3 percent and a 37.7 percent increase in falls and central line-associated bloodstream infections, respectively, at private equity hospitals, despite placement of 16.2 percent fewer central lines. At private equity hospitals, there was a doubling of surgical site infections, from 10.8 to 21.6 per 10,000 hospitalizations, despite an 8.1 percent reduction in surgical volume; these infections decreased at control hospitals. Compared with control hospitals, there was a slight decrease in mortality at private equity hospitals (3.4 percent on average), but no differential change was seen in mortality by 30 days after discharge. "These findings heighten concerns about the implications of private equity on health care delivery," the authors write. More information: Sneha Kannan et al, Changes in Hospital Adverse Events and Patient Outcomes Associated With Private Equity Acquisition, JAMA (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.23147 Journal information: Journal of the American Medical Association Copyright 2023 HealthDay. All rights reserved. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Too old and too sick for a heart transplant, Arvid Herrman was given a choice: have a mechanical pump implanted in his heart, potentially keeping him alive for several years, or do nothing and almost certainly die within a year. The 68-year-old Wisconsin farmer chose the pump, called a HeartMate 3currently the only FDA-approved device of its kind in use. Instead of extending his life, though, the device led to his death, according to a lawsuit filed in December 2020 by his daughter Jamie Edwards. The lawsuit alleged that Herrman died because a defect in the locking mechanism of the HeartMate 3 prevented the device from sealing, causing multiple strokes and leading to severe brain injury and multiorgan failure. Herrman "could not have anticipated the danger this defect created for him," the lawsuit said. Herrman's death was reported to a Food and Drug Administration database where the public can learn about device-related deaths, serious injuries, and malfunctions. The event was also described in the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation. In September 2021, Ramon Flores Sr. had the same device implanted at Methodist Hospital of San Antonio. A lawsuit his family filed in August alleges that the locking mechanism defect led to air embolism strokes. Flores died eight days after surgery, at age 76. "How many other people is this going to happen to?" said his daughter, Alanna Flores Blanco, 52. "We never, ever were explained that the device could malfunction and this could happen." After the deaths of Herrman and Flores, Thoratec Corp., the device's manufacturer, evaluated the pumps involved. In both cases, Thoratec, a subsidiary of Abbott Laboratories, confirmed a bent locking arm. But "a direct correlation" between the HeartMate 3 and the deaths "could not conclusively be established," the manufacturer reported to the FDA. Abbott did not respond to questions about the deaths or the alleged defects. The manufacturer denied liability in both cases. It settled Herrman's lawsuit this fall, and the Flores case is ongoing. The men's deaths are among more than 4,500 reports since August 2017 in which the HeartMate 3 may have caused or contributed to a patient's death, according to a KFF Health News analysis of the FDA's database of medical device incidents, known as the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience, or MAUDE. Hospitals, doctors, and others report device-related deaths, serious injuries, and malfunctions to manufacturers, who are required to investigate and report cases to the FDA. In nearly 90% of those 4,500-plus reports, Thoratec said it found no problem with the device or how it was used, according to a KFF Health News review of the FDA database. In cases where Abbott finds the HeartMate 3 did not cause or contribute to a death or serious injury, the company files "corrective reports," said Justin Paquette, an Abbott public affairs director. He added, "The complexity of the devicecombined with patients battling late-stage heart failure and associated comorbiditiescreates very dynamic clinical care situations." Abbott said the HeartMate 3 is the safest iteration yet of any left ventricular assist device, or LVAD, a type of mechanical heart pump introduced in the 1960s and refined over the last six decades. The HeartMate 3 was first approved by the FDA, for use in patients awaiting a heart transplant, in August 2017, and one year later it was approved as a long-term therapy. The device is often considered only for patients with end-stage heart failure, and even then it is a last resort. HeartMate 3 has "dramatically improved the safety of LVADs by reducing rates of complications that had historically challenged heart pump technology, including clotting, stroke and bleeding," Paquette said. As recently as August, the FDA also expressed support for the device. "The FDA believes the benefits of HeartMate 3 continue to outweigh the risks for this vulnerable patient population with few available alternatives," said Jeremy Kahn, an agency spokesperson. Others aren't so sure. Former FDA medical device official Madris Kinard sees the high number of death reports as a warning. "To me, this is a safety signal and it's hard to know if the FDA is working on something to address it," said Kinard, founder of Device Events, a company that makes FDA device data more user-friendly for hospitals, law firms, investors, and others. "You have to wonder why [death reports are] still happening, and at the same rate." Larry Kessler, a former director in the FDA's medical device office, agrees the death reports for HeartMate 3 need more study. "The FDA may be missing some signals," he said. Perhaps "there's a little more here than meets the eye." Not all device problems are reported to MAUDE, and submitting a report is not necessarily an admission that a device caused a death or a serious injury. Device problem reports can be inaccurate or incomplete, or lack verification, and a single incident may be reported more than onceor not at all. Those limitations ultimately can leave patients and their caregivers uninformed about risks associated with a device such as the HeartMate 3, said Sanket Dhruva, a cardiologist and expert in medical device safety and regulation at the University of California-San Francisco. "They're making perhaps the biggest decision of their lives: Do I proceed with an LVAD or not? And even if I proceed, what are the risks I'm facing?" he said. "And they are left with incomplete data and uncertainty about how to make that determination." Even doctors cannot use the FDA database as a tool to effectively counsel patients, Dhruva added. "lf you don't know what is a real safety signal and what's not," he said, "then how can that information help us to calibrate our benefits-and-risks discussion with patients?" Tracking incident reports The HeartMate 3 is not the only device whose safety profile is hard to ascertain in MAUDE, Dhruva said. The information in the FDA database is insufficient to give patients an adequate understanding of any medical device's safety risks and reflects "the overall weakness of post-market surveillance" after a device has been approved for sale, he said. Under federal regulations, device manufacturers typically must report adverse events to the FDA within 30 days of learning about them, and that data is often used by researchers and regulators to identify potential safety concerns. Reports also can be submitted voluntarily by doctors, patients, or others. The FDA says that reports don't need to be filed if the manufacturer determines that a device did not cause or contribute to an adverse event. But with millions of reports for thousands of devices, it can be difficult to detect and prevent problems that put patients at risk. Hospitals and surgeons also might self-censor what they report to manufacturers due to concerns about being sued, said Kessler, now a professor at the University of Washington. "Health care facilities, and risk managers in particular, they aren't always forthcoming with detailed data about events," he said. Reports in MAUDE show that patients with a HeartMate 3 have experienced adverse events, such as bleeding, infection, and respiratory failure, that the manufacturer warned were possible in its instructions for use. About 400 reports cited infusion or flow problems with the HeartMate 3. In thousands of other cases, the manufacturer said it did not observe any problems with the device, making it even more difficult for a doctor or a patient's family to understand the safety history of the product. Reports in MAUDE also describe fatal incidents due to complications not mentioned in the manufacturer's instructions, such as the locking mechanism malfunction. In one report, a patient died of smoke inhalation after an external battery charger caught fire. Each report in MAUDE has dozens of data points and summaries describing what happened. What's lacking in the database: context and details that would be useful for patients and doctors, such as the total number of devices in use and the name of the hospital where the event occurred. Flores Blanco had never heard of MAUDE before her father's surgery. Even if she had, it's unlikely she would have found a locking mechanism issue amid the morass of records, much less anticipated what might happen. Missed signals? A routine FDA inspection of Abbott's manufacturing plant in 2017 showed that Thoratec had fallen behind schedule reporting adverse events, according to agency records obtained by KFF Health News under a Freedom of Information Act request. The company updated training and hired additional staff to handle complaints submitted by hospitals, doctors, patients, and others, according to an inspection report. It provided the FDA inspector with "quantitative evidence" that late reporting to the FDA had decreased. By October 2020, during a follow-up inspection, Thoratec was using a database to enter and process complaints and submit device reports electronically, according to an inspection report. FDA inspectors did not cite any deficiencies with how Thoratec handled complaints after the visit. Inspectors noted the company had received 8,115 complaints related to the HeartMate 3 during the 12 months prior to the inspection in October 2020, the records show. It's not clear what the complaints concerned. Abbott did not respond when asked how many of the complaints led to an adverse event report to the FDA. In Kinard's view, device-makers in general often take longer than 30 days to investigate the root cause of an incident and frequently conclude that an adverse event was due to user error. "They are using this regularly to downplay the problems with the device," she said. In Herrman's case, a Thoratec representative was in the operating room and witnessed the incident, according to a deposition in the lawsuit. The company submitted a report to the FDA about Herrman's injury within 30 days of the June 2019 incident. Herrman's surgeon, John Stulak, was experienced at implanting the device, according to the lawsuit, and he was also a principal investigator on the clinical trial that brought the HeartMate 3 to market. Stulak did not respond to interview requests. But, in 2020, he and two Mayo Clinic colleagues described Herrman's case in The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, where they noted the locking mechanism malfunction. "The lack of a tight seal from this defect resulted in the multiple subsequent air embolism events and irrecoverable neurological damage," they wrote. The article describes how Stulak replaced the device with a new one, but it was too late to prevent the injuries to Herrman. Thoratec submitted at least three follow-up reports to the FDA about the incident and said its investigation could not determine whether the HeartMate 3 caused Herrman's death. Herrman's death certificate cites complications of ischemic heart disease. Flores' death certificate says he died of cardiac arrest and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, or brain damage. The FDA has had its own problems keeping the MAUDE database up to date. The agency is years behind schedule on anonymizing and releasing adverse event reports for all medical devices. Kinard said the FDA has yet to publicly release "millions" of follow-up reports that manufacturers have filed after their initial adverse event report for a medical device. The FDA acknowledged that the agency is not up to date on public reporting but could not say how many reports are pendingfor the HeartMate 3 or any device. "We are currently working on redaction for public posting in MAUDE, of all supplemental reports dated 2021-2023," said Kahn, the FDA spokesperson. "It is difficult to determine how many of thosepending redaction of supplemental reportspertain to the subject device." FDA press officer Lauren-Jei McCarthy noted that, besides adverse event reports, the agency also monitors published literature, patients, patient advocacy groups, professional societies, individual health care providers, and other sources to determine whether further action is warranted. "We review and take seriously all reports of adverse events associated with medical devices," McCarthy said. She said patients and providers who use the HeartMate 3 "remain a high priority" and that the agency cannot comment on investigations. A last-resort treatment Before he got a HeartMate 3 implanted in January 2022, Sid Covington, of Austin, Texas, said he had researched the device during years of medication therapy and cardiac rehabilitation to treat his congestive heart failure. "I looked at case studies. I looked at a number of the different heart studies," Covington said. "I looked at their marketing brochures and all that stuff, just whatever I could find." Covington, 76, said he was familiar with MAUDE and Intermacs, a private registry that tracks LVAD patients, but didn't consult them. When he had to decide whether to get the device, he was in the hospital with chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue from advanced heart failure. Covington said his only option was the HeartMate 3. "When it comes down to the moment, you really don't have much choice," he said. "It's any port in the storm at that point." The HeartMate 3 requires constant attention and care from patients, who must keep the external parts of the device dry at all times and avoid jumping and contact sports. Patients must also ensure that it always has an external source of power, which is supplied through a cord attached to the pump that exits the body through a surgical opening. Patients who get the device are often out of options to treat their end-stage heart failure, said Larry Allen, a cardiologist with the University of Colorado and member of a multidisciplinary medical team that cares for heart failure patients. "We wouldn't proceed with an LVAD unless we think the risk of death is really high and we've tried everything else," he said. That informs the regulatory view, too, Kessler said. "When you're talking about people who are seriously ill, then the FDA will accept a potentially higher risk," he said, "but not an irresponsible one, and certainly not one that couldn't be communicated to clinicians and the public." Allen, who helped develop a decision aid for patients considering an LVAD, said reliable data on safety and risks to patients is key. "It's about as high-risk, high-reward a choice as there can be," Allen said. "It's a really complicated decision to make and I think standard informed consent approaches are really inadequate for fully understanding that." Data exists but is confidential Long-term data for the HeartMate 3including performance metrics for the more than 180 U.S. hospitals certified to implant the deviceare kept in Intermacs, managed by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, which has promised to provide transparency but has yet to deliver. The registry tracks mortality and injury rates for patients with an LVAD and logs the number of devices implanted each year. But Intermacs is proprietary, and access at hospitals requires a principal investigator and at least one trained staff member, who can use the data to evaluate their facility's performance against an aggregate from their peers across the nation. Francis Pagani, a heart transplant and LVAD surgeon at University of Michigan Health, leads a medical society task force that oversees Intermacs. He said 12,000 to 14,000 HeartMate 3 implants have been recorded in Intermacs since 2017. The HeartMate 3 has "the best outcomes of any other LVAD, ever," he said. Over the years, federal regulators have made it easier for patients to access LVADs, reducing surgery volume requirements for implant centers and no longer requiring patients to be on a transplant waiting list to receive one of the pumps. Though the HeartMate 3 is presently the only LVAD being implanted in the United States, it once had a competitor, Medtronic's HeartWare, which the manufacturer removed from the market in June 2021, citing a high risk of stroke and pumps failing to restart if stopped. While the FDA provides consumers with concise information about key clinical trials supporting the approval of new drugs, the agency provides no comparable data for medical devices. And though Medicare reimburses hospitals nearly $200,000 for most HeartMate 3 implants, federal administrators do not track patient outcomes or enforce performance standards for the heart pumps. James Kirklin, a cardiac surgeon and researcher, was the principal investigator for Intermacs when the FDA, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute awarded a contract to the University of Alabama at Birmingham to establish the registry in 2005. Federal agencies paid about $15 million over 10 years for Intermacs, Kirklin said, because they wanted to better understand the risk factors for death and other adverse events with so-called mechanical circulatory support devices, including LVADs, as well as the factors that indicated a higher likelihood of patients doing well on the pumps. The FDA monitors annual reports of Intermacs data, including adverse events, and allows companies to use the registry's data to analyze their devices' performance and to fulfill reporting requirements after a device enters the market. LVAD implant centers are required to report their data to Intermacs in order to be certified by the accrediting nonprofit The Joint Commission. And while CMS requires that centers implant at least 10 devices every three years to continue receiving Medicare reimbursement, there are no requirements for outcomes or other quality metrics. CMS does not track LVAD patient outcomes at individual facilities, said Sara Lonardo, CMS press secretary at the time. Kirklin said he is working with The Society of Thoracic Surgeons to create a risk model that would allow the public to see quality scores for individual hospitals that implant LVADs, a need the group has recognized since at least 2018. But it will be a year before the tool is ready. Kirklin and Pagani said the number of death reports for the HeartMate 3 in the FDA's MAUDE database can be misleading without the outcome and longitudinal perspective that Intermacs provides. "When you see a lot of deaths it means, "Let's investigate." I couldn't agree more," Kirklin said. "But it's rather limited. It's not time-related and you don't know the denominator. If you look up Intermacs, it's all there." The families of Herrman and Flores filed lawsuits, in part, to find out what went wrong. Herrman's family settled the lawsuit and agreed to confidentiality. Thoratec has filed a motion to dismiss the ongoing Flores case based on the FDA's approval of the device. Alanna Flores Blanco said she and her father were aware of the HeartMate 3's positive outcomes, including published research that shows those who receive the device have a better than 50% chance of living five years or more. "That's why he took the chance to do it," she said. Flores Blanco said her father was a model patient, meeting regularly with cardiologists and other specialists, attending classes to learn how to live with the device, and receiving approval for surgery from the medical review board at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio. The family felt informed and her father was prepared, she said. "He did everything he was supposed to do," she said. "What failed him ultimately was that device." 2023 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. DES MOINES Iowas Republican leaders are not planning to expand on the list of laws passed last year addressing conservative social issues and regulating gender and sexuality issues in schools, but lawmakers may revive a push for religious liberty protections that has caused concerns among LGBTQ rights groups. Republican lawmakers in 2023 passed a flurry of bills that dealt with LGBTQ issues in schools and transgender youth. The legislation, part of a wave of similar laws in Republican-led states across the country, included the following: A ban on gender-affirming care before age 18 for transgender minors A requirement that school students use the bathroom aligned with their sex assigned at birth A ban on gender identity and sexual orientation instruction in kindergarten through sixth grade A ban on sexually explicit materials in school libraries A requirement that students get parental approval if they want to be referred to by a different name or set of gender pronouns at school House Republicans say they will propose changes to education standards and regulations in the upcoming session, but when it comes to gender identity and sexuality, legislative leaders said they are satisfied with what was signed into law last year. We feel that weve taken strong action on several of the topics that we came into with last year, House Speaker Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford, said. And so I dont see any of those being part of our session agenda that were laying out as a caucus. Asked whether Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds would propose any changes to the school regulations set out last year, a spokesperson said she would lay out her legislative agenda during her condition of the state address on Jan. 9. Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, R-Grimes, said lawmakers are monitoring the effects of the bills passed last session, but they currently don't have any plans to expand or build on them. Iowa was one of several states last year that banned the use of cross-sex hormones, puberty blockers and surgeries for transgender youth under the age of 18. Lawmakers in other states with similar bans have proposed raising the minimum age to as high as 26 years old, but Republican leaders said they have no intention of extending the states ban. Religious freedom Sen. Dennis Guth, a Republican from Klemme, said Republicans are going to pursue a bill to strengthen religious liberty protections, mirroring the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The law, signed in 1993 by President Bill Clinton, requires that courts apply strict scrutiny, the highest level of judicial review, when considering cases where a persons religious liberty is burdened. It was passed as a reaction to a 1990 U.S. Supreme Court case that was seen as narrowing religious freedoms. The federal law applies only to the federal government, but at least two dozen other states have passed a version at the state level. Iowa Republicans have considered the bill several times in the past, but it has faced steep opposition from business groups that worried it would discourage people from living and working in the state. Guth said he thinks business groups are less likely to oppose the legislation this year than they have been in the past. As the number of state-level protections has grown across the country, Guth said Iowa should follow along. I think this is what the constitution originally intended for freedom of religion, Guth said. ... Its just been a process of keeping up. LGBTQ rights groups argue the law would give individuals and companies free license to discriminate on a broad range of grounds, including gender, sexual orientation and marital status. Keenan Crow, a lobbyist for the LGBTQ advocacy group One Iowa, said the law would allow people to pick and choose which laws they are going to follow based on religious beliefs. Anything that's in the Civil Rights Act in terms of housing, employment, public accommodations, private practices, all of those things would kind of come into question if there was a broad religious exemption, Crow said. In a 2014 case involving Hobby Lobby, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the law allowed private corporations to deny employees insurance coverage of contraception on religious grounds. Guth said the bill does not allow discrimination, but rather allows a more strict defense in court and restores what he believes is the original intent of the First Amendment. In 26 years it hasnt happened yet, he said of concerns that the law allows discrimination. So were not the first people to do this. I dont think theres any reason to think thats going to start happening. Library book bill temporarily blocked The upcoming session will begin as parts of an Iowa law passed last year, focusing on LGBTQ issues and library books in schools, has been temporarily blocked from taking effect after multiple groups sued on First Amendment grounds. The law restricts school library books with sexual content, prohibits teaching about gender identity and sexuality through the sixth grade and requires schools to notify parents if a student request to change their name or gender pronouns. In blocking the curriculum and the library book portions of the law, U.S. District Court Judge Stephen Locher called it "wildly overbroad." Iowa Republican lawmakers have defended the law as a measure to prohibit books with graphic sex from public schools. But in implementing the law, some school districts have removed classic books such as George Orwells 1984 and Kurt Vonneguts Slaughterhouse Five. Grassley has said he thinks some districts are interpreting the law too broadly to make a political point, and he thinks administrators are largely supportive of the standard set out in law. Whitver said he does not anticipate any changes to the law this year. "With 400 different school districts, there's going to be a lot of varying there," Whitver said. "And again, a new law that's just been put in place, we've got to see how it works. I think largely has been working, but we'll continue to monitor." Democrats: Stop the 'culture war' Democrats said the so-called culture war issues of gender identity and sexuality, which were a driving force in the last legislative session, were a distraction from things like improving housing and child care, and attracting new residents to the state. We need to do a better job of attracting young families and teachers and others to Iowa and right now, with what is happening with the Republican-controlled Legislature, the welcome mat is closed to anyone who looks different or thinks different than them, Iowa Senate Democratic leader Pam Jochum of Dubuque said. And people are tired of it. Iowa House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, said Republicans have been trying to govern by headline and pass incendiary legislation to attract support from the most conservative base of voters. They're out of touch with what Iowans want, and they're listening to a small subset of special interests who seem to be driving their agenda, she said. Republican leaders, though, have said their actions in the last legislative session were driven by concerns from parents and school officials who were looking to the Legislature to set a standard for how these issues should be approached. What we've been getting since then is an appreciation that we were willing to at least try to lay out a standard in which everyone could be able to follow, Grassley said. Gender identity protections Iowa is one of 23 states that includes gender identity as a protected class in its civil rights code, providing discrimination protections for transgender people. There have been attempts in recent years from some Republican lawmakers to remove gender identity as a protected class in state law. Leaders said individual members may file bills similar to the past, but it is not a priority for the majority party in either chamber. I assume on some of these topics there may be (a bill filed), Grassley said. But it's not part of what as a caucus we're currently working on as we're developing our policy committee discussion. Crow, the lobbyist with One Iowa, said they expect the proposal to come up again, but that it may not have the support to pass. We watch for anything that involves the Civil Rights Act at all, Crow said. And in particular anything that tries to weaken it or take people out, we will oppose any of those efforts. Photos: Bettendorf students walkout to protest 'harmful' LGBTQ+ legislation California Forever has released its first-ever newsletter, which looks back on 2023 and ahead to the new year. Sent to subscribers of its mailing list Thursday morning, it includes a promotional video made from footage gathered at the town halls hosted across Solano County in recent months. "California Forever had one main goal for 2023," the newsletter read, "to talk to as many Solano residents as we could, and learn from you about how to design a project that you are excited about because it makes everyday life significantly better for you and your family." The company believes it has been able to achieve just that through one-on-one meetings with residents, town halls, survey feedback, meetings with community groups, and other channels. California Forever thanked all of the Solano County residents who have given it feedback on its project thus far. "Through these interactions, we have learned both about which opportunities created by our project excite you the most," the newsletter reads, "and about what are the key concerns that our project needs to address to be successful." The company plans to release its final plans "by mid-January." Previously, it had indicated that the plans would be released in the second half of January. The newsletter said the company believes that Solano County residents will feel as though they were really listened to throughout the feedback process this year when they read the January plans, and that this will be a project that the majority of residents feel they can get behind. "California used to be the place where people moved to make the California Dream come true for their families," the newsletter read. "That promise has been slipping for too long now. The escalating cost of living here is the major problem that has pushed both families and employers out of the state. At California Forever, we believe that the state can do better, and we believe Solano County can show a new pathway to homeownership, opportunity, and sustainability for its residents." The newsletter reiterated survey results from earlier in the year, noting the two physical locations that California Forever has opened in Vallejo and Vacaville, and reminding those involved with local nonprofits to apply for $500,000 in community grants from the company over the coming months. The project has attracted sharp pushback in some quarters since California Forever made its plans public last year. Environmental advocates including the Sierra Club have pledged to fight the plan as a threat to a large swath of Bay Area's remaining farmland, and opponents speaking at developer-organized town halls including in Vallejo have called for development to be concentrated in existing cities instead. Napa Valley Register city editor Howard Yune contributed to this report. PHOTOS: The Napa Valley Register's Best Climate and Environmental Photos of 2023 Kennedy Park encampment Storm Coverage MLK Day Pruning competition Tsunami Zone Coombsville Fire Mosquito abatement Walt Ranch More than 100 Napa County employees have moved or are to move from the Hall of Justice in downtown Napa to avoid a certain yuck factor there. The second floor of the county-owned building at 1125 Third St. has experienced water and sewage leaks. The overhead toilet pipes serve the jail on the third floor. Sewage pipes leaking on our staff, county Supervisor Ryan Gregory said when describing the problem last July. Napa County isolated certain areas. It moved about 90 employees in the Probation Department to the Juvenile Justice Center and to the county reentry facility on Highway 221. Napa County Fire will be next to move. The county recently approved a five-year lease at 951 California Blvd. in the city of Napa for $14,500 a month, and about a dozen county and Cal Fire employees will begin relocating there in mid-January. Were excited, said county Deputy Fire Chief Jason Martin. The Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District is set to remain on the Hall of Justice second floor. County spokesperson Holly Dawson said the district office is the farthest from the damaged area and is safe. They have not felt the need to relocate at this time, and there is also a conference room that is still in use on the second floor, she said. Leaks have been an ongoing issue at the Hall of Justice for several years, Dawson said. However, the situation recently reached a critical point as their frequency and severity increased. The problem has been caused by inmates in the third-floor jail. Dawson said they have done such things as flushing large items and discharging fluids into floor crevices. Thats damaged toilet piping and the overall plumbing system. Repairing this network of pipes and crevices is a significant project, Dawson said. Meanwhile, the county is building a $133 million jail along Highway 221. The new, replacement jail is to open in 2025 and inmates will be relocated there, leaving the Hall of Justice jail empty. Hall of Justice plumbing repairs would be scheduled after the inmates move, Dawson said. The timeline is up to the county Board of Supervisors and depends on what supervisors want to do with the building. The county is considering its overall government office presence in downtown Napa. Options mentioned for the Hall of Justice range from renovating it into a new administration building to demolishing it to make room for a new county headquarters, to razing it to make room for private-sector development. The Hall of Justice was built in 1976 and expanded in 1989. Photos: The Tug McGraw Foundation's work in Yountville Tug McGraw Foundation 7 Tug McGraw Foundation 2 Tug McGraw Foundation 3 Tug McGraw Foundation 4 Tug McGraw Foundation 5 Tug McGraw Foundation 6 Tug McGraw Foundation 8 Tug McGraw Foundation 9 Tug McGraw Foundation 1 08:21 Braving sub-zero temperatures, hundreds of locals and tourists thronged the iconic Ghanta Ghar at Lal Chowk on New Year's eve in Srinagar. As the Sun set over 2023 for the last time, the refurbished Ghanta Ghar square started to come alive with New Year celebrations. While assemblies at Ghanta Ghar prior to 2019 were mostly protests or secessionist in nature, Sunday's gathering was different. "This is for the first time we are having a New Year party in a public place. We used to have such parties earlier as well but those were limited to the elite class and organised behind closed doors of hotels," Aqib Ahmad, a 22-year-old city resident, said as he swerved to the tunes of songs played from the stage set up at Lal Chowk. Until a few years ago, it was unthinkable to have a New Year party in a public place but things have changed now, he said. "Everyone wants to have some entertainment in life. Look around and you will find people from all walks of life. You have people with conservative outlook and you have modern looking people too. They are all having a good time," he added. Not only the city residents, Kashmiris from other parts of the Valley also descended on the summer capital to enjoy the New Year festivities. "I was pleasantly surprised at the scale of the event organised in the city. Similar functions should be held in all district headquarters from next year," said Lateef Khatana, a resident of a remote village in Kokernag area of Anatnag district. Khatana and his friends had travelled more than 100 kilometres to experience the 'first new year programme of Kashmir'. Satish Kumar and his family had come from Delhi in the hopes of celebrating the new year in Kashmir. "It is our first visit to Kashmir and to be honest we were disappointed at not finding much snow. However, this electric atmosphere has more than made up for that disappointment. We are feeling at home, though it is a little colder than Delhi here," Kumar said. While the celebrations were being held with gusto, the authorities are not taking any chances as adequate security arrangements have been put in place to prevent any untoward incident. A senior police official said law enforcing agencies are maintaining a tight vigil around Lal Chowk. "We want to ensure that locals and tourists have a good time here and everyone takes back good memories from here," the official said. -- PTI M Rajeshwar Rao, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), delivered a virtual address on December 22, 2023, at the 106th Annual Conference of the Indian Economic Association (IEA) in Delhi. The focus of the speech was on innovations in banking, emphasising the evolving role of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping the financial landscape. Deputy Governor Rao commenced his address by acknowledging the pivotal role banks have played in supporting the growth of the Indian economy. Rao said, "The banks have played an extremely important role in supporting the growth story of the Indian economy. If we were to analyse the evolution of the Indian banking sector over the last five decades, we could classify this evolution into three distinct phases - post nationalisation, liberalisation, and the third and current phase, which we could term democratisation." The nationalisation of banks significantly widened the banking reach, leading to the opening of branches across the country, mobilising deposits, and promoting credit growth for priority sectors. Globalisation and integration during this phase transformed financial intermediation, allowing private entities to enter the banking sector. The period witnessed substantial growth in both deposits and credit, driven by economic reforms and technological adoption. Rao said, "This democratisation of financial services got a major push through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme, along with the proliferation of mobile and telecom services. I would not be off the mark when I say that this phase has been a perfect combination of demand-pull and supply-push models working in tandem." He added, "Today, we are witnessing the unfolding of true democratisation of financial services, where customers are greatly enabled to make informed choices among the suit of available financial products offered by banks and other financial service providers." The current phase, democratisation, focuses on financial inclusion, increased financial literacy, and consumer protection. This phase has seen a massive expansion of banking outreach, especially to previously excluded sections, facilitated by innovative delivery models and government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and direct benefit transfer. Deputy Governor Rao highlighted the increasing importance of non-bank financial companies, microfinance institutions, and market instruments. These entities, along with banks, have significantly contributed to the democratisation of financial services by expanding credit penetration across the country. India's remarkable progress to become the fifth-largest economy and its aspirations to become the third-largest by the next few years were acknowledged. Deputy Governor Rao emphasised the RBI's developmental mandate alongside its traditional central banking functions. Rao said, "While we are discussing the role of banks in India's economic journey, let's not lose sight of the contribution and the increasing importance of other financial intermediaries. Although bank credit remains the dominant mode for meeting the growing credit needs of commercial and household sectors, the share of non-bank financial companies, microfinance institutions and, of late, market instruments has also been increasing." "Non-banks, through their innovative delivery and appraisal methods, have further expanded the penetration of credit across the geographical length and breadth of the country. They have, along with banks, contributed immensely to this journey of democratisation of financial services, he added. Rao provided insights into India's advanced payments system, citing examples like UPI's success, which facilitated approximately 83 billion transactions valued at around Rs 140 trillion during the fiscal year 2022-23. He also mentioned the RBI's leadership in Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) initiatives. Rao said, "For the next phase of development of our financial architecture to support the aspirational growth of a rapidly growing economy, the RBI is creating world-class financial infrastructure. Let me cite a few examples. Today, India has one of the most advanced state-of-the-art payment systems that is affordable, accessible, convenient, fast, safe and secure." "Our payment infrastructure caters to the needs of a diverse group of consumers and offers a wide array of options for executing all types of transactions. This has led to a revolution in banking and financial services, making banking truly 'anytime, anywhere'. Everyone is aware of the success of UPI and the convenience it offers," Rao added. He stated, "UPI symbolises the ultimate democratisation of a financial product that is available to everyone, including customers who may not have smartphones, as well as for undertaking offline transactions. To put things in perspective, during FY 2022-23, UPI facilitated about 83 billion transactions with an approximate value of Rs140 trillion. This is roughly 43 per cent of the total value of retail payment transactions." Deputy Governor Rao delved into the adoption of AI in the banking sector, categorising AI models into traditional and generative AI (GenAI). While traditional AI models are task-specific, GenAI possesses general intelligence comparable to human cognitive abilities. He acknowledged global experiments in deploying AI in back-office tasks, compliance management, customer-facing processes, and more. Expressing a cautious approach, Deputy Governor Rao flagged concerns related to AI adoption in banking, including biases, robustness issues, governance challenges, and transparency concerns. He outlined ten aspects that financial institutions should consider while deploying AI, emphasising fairness, transparency, accuracy, and human oversight. Deputy Governor Rao emphasised the need for a supportive regulatory framework, robust governance, and clear accountability when deploying AI in high-value decision-making. He called for a collective effort to embrace technological evolution responsibly, ensuring that technology serves as an enabler for society at large. (ANI) According to a press release by the Ministry of Finance, this figure marked a substantial increase from the Rs 13.40 lakh crore collected in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year (April-December 2022). The average monthly gross GST collection in the initial nine months of the fiscal year 2023-24 stood at Rs 1.66 lakh crore, reflecting a 12 per cent surge compared to the Rs 1.49 lakh crore monthly average recorded in the same period of the previous fiscal year. For the month of December 2023, the gross GST revenue reached Rs 1,64,882 crore. The breakdown includes Central GST (CGST) at Rs 30,443 crore, State GST (SGST) at Rs 37,935 crore, Integrated GST (IGST) at Rs 84,255 crore (including Rs 41,534 crore from import of goods), and cess at Rs 12,249 crore (including Rs 1,079 crore from import of goods). Notably, this marks the seventh month of the fiscal year with collections exceeding Rs 1.60 lakh crore, read the press release. The government settled Rs 40,057 crore to CGST and Rs 33,652 crore to SGST from IGST. After regular settlement, the total revenue for the Centre and the States in December 2023 amounted to Rs 70,501 crore for CGST and Rs 71,587 crore for SGST. The revenues for December 2023 are 10.3 per cent higher than the GST revenues in the same month the previous year. Domestic transactions, including the import of services, witnessed a 13 per cent increase in revenues compared to December of the previous fiscal year, read the press release. This robust GST performance reflects a positive economic trend, showcasing resilience and growth in India's fiscal landscape. The consistent rise in collections is indicative of increased economic activities and consumption, further strengthening the government's revenue base. The Ministry of Finance remains optimistic about the fiscal trajectory as the country moves forward into the new year. (ANI) Varun posted a video of fireworks on Instagram and wrote, "Don't say bye say hi #2024 #happynewyear....Happy New Year, 2024." He can be seen enjoying fireworks with his wife Natasha Dalal. https://www.instagram.com/p/C1h9twkMvDt/?hl=en Fans chimed in the comment section with New Year wishes. Recently, the 'October' actor announced the Kerala schedule wrap of his upcoming action film 'VD 18'. Taking to Instagram, Varun shared a couple of pictures which he captioned, "Thank u Kerala. Sched wrap #vd18." https://www.instagram.com/p/C1WwLhvs_uj/?hl=en In the pictures, the 'Badlapur' actor could be seen facing his back at the camera and standing near a lake. He wore a T-shirt, black shorts, and slippers. He also suffered a leg injury and posted a picture of his swollen leg on his Instagram stories. The film tentatively titled 'VD18' is directed by Kalees and produced by Atlee and Murad Khetani. The film also stars Keerthy Suresh and Wamiqa Gabbi. Meanwhile, Varun was last seen in director Nitesh Tiwari's romantic drama film 'Bawaal' opposite Janhvi Kapoor. The film premiered exclusively on the OTT platform Amazon Prime Video and received positive responses from the audience. He will also be seen in the Indian adaptation of the Hollywood series 'Citadel' opposite actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu. It is an Indian adaptation of the Russo Brothers' series of the same name. Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden headlined the international version. The release date of the Indian version of Citadel is awaited. Raj and DK have created the Indian version. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep and Kerala on January 2-3, an official statement released by Prime Minister's Office said on Sunday. Prime Minister Modi will Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu where he will attend the 38th Convocation Ceremony of Bharathidasan University. PM Modi is the Chief Guest for the event. At around 12 Noon, at a public programme in Tiruchirappalli, Prime Minister will inaugurate, dedicate the nation and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 19,850 crore related to aviation, rail, road, oil and gas, shipping and higher education sectors. "At the public programme in Tiruchirappalli, Prime Minister will inaugurate the New Terminal Building at Tiruchirappalli International Airport. Developed at a cost of more than 1100 crore, the two-level new international terminal building has the capacity to serve more than 44 lakh passengers annually and about 3500 passengers during peak hours. The new terminal hosts state- of -the- art amenities and features for passenger convenience," PMO said. Prime Minister will also dedicate to the nation multiple railway projects worth. These include the project for doubling of 41.4 Km Salem-Magnesite Junction-Omalur-Mettur Dam section; project for doubling of rail line section of 160 Km from Madurai - Tuticorin; and three projects for rail line electrification viz Tiruchchirappalli- Manamadurai- Virudhunagar; Virudhunagar - Tenkasi Junction; Sengottai - Tenkasi Junction - Tirunelveli- Tiruchendur. "The rail projects will help in improving the rail capacity to carry freight and passengers and contribute to economic development and employment generation in Tamil Nadu," PMO said in a statement. Prime Minister will dedicate five road sector projects which includes 39 km four lane road for Trichy - Kallagam section of NH-81; 60 km long 4/2-laning of Kallagam - Meensurutti section of NH-81; 29 km four-lane road of Chettikulam - Natham section of NH-785; 80 km long two lane with paved shoulder of Karaikudi - Ramanathapuram section of NH-536; and 44 km long four laning of section of NH-179A Salem - Tirupathur - Vaniyambadi Road. "The road projects will facilitate safe and faster travel of people of the region and improve connectivity of industrial and commercial centres like Trichy, Srirangam, Chidambaram, Rameshwaram, Dhanushkodi, Uthirakosamangai, Devipattinam, Erwadi, Madurai, among others," PMO said. Prime Minister will also dedicate to the nation the General Cargo Berth-II (Automobile Export/Import Terminal-II & Capital Dredging Phase-V) of Kamarajar Port. "The inauguration of General Cargo Berth-II will be a step towards strengthening the country's trade which will help boost economic growth and employment generation," PMO said. Prime Minister will also dedicate to the nation the Demonstration Fast Reactor Fuel Reprocessing Plant (DFRP) at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam. "DFRP, developed at a cost of Rs 400 crore, is equipped with a unique design, which is the only of its kind in the world and is capable of reprocessing both carbide and oxide fuels discharged from the fast reactors. It is entirely designed by Indian scientists and signifies a crucial step towards building large commercial-scale fast reactor fuel reprocessing plants," an official statement issued by PMO said. Afterwards, around 3:15 PM, Prime Minister will reach Agatti, Lakshadweep where he will address a public function. Prime Minister Office said that on January 3, 2024, at around 12 Noon, PM Modi will reach Kavaratti, Lakshadweep, where he will dedicate to nation and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects in Lakshadweep related to sectors such as telecommunications, drinking water, solar power and health, among others. According to PMO, Prime Minister had resolved to overcome the challenge of slow internet speed in the Lakshadweep island by initiating the Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fiber Connection (KLI - SOFC) project and made announcement regarding the same in the Independence Day speech in August 2020 at Red Fort. PMO said that the project has now been completed and will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister. "This will lead to an increase of internet speed for more than 100 times (from 1.7 Gbps to 200 Gbps). For the first time since independence, Lakshadweep will be connected through Submarine Optic Fibre Cable," PMO said. Prime Minister will dedicate to the Nation the Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plant at Kadmat. "This will produce 1.5 lakh litres of clean drinking water every day. Prime Minister will also dedicate to the nation the Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) in all households of Agatti and Minicoy islands," PMO said. Other projects which are dedicated to Nation include the solar power plant at Kavaratti, which is the first ever battery backed solar power project of Lakshadweep. PMO said that it will help to reduce dependency on Diesel based Power Generation plant; and the new administrative block and 80 Men barrack in India Reserve Battalion (IRBn) Complex at Kavaratti. Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the renovation of Primary Health Care facility in Kalpeni and the construction of five model Anganwadi Centres (Nand Ghars) in the five islands of Androth, Chetlat, Kadmat, Agatti and Minicoy. (ANI) President Droupadi Murmu extended her greetings to all the countrymen on the eve of New Year 2024 and called upon the people to pledge to build a prosperous society. In a message, the President said, "On the joyous occasion of the New Year, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all Indians living in India and abroad. The arrival of the New Year is an occasion to move forward with new resolutions and goals." "May the year 2024 bring happiness, peace and prosperity for all. May we continue to contribute to the progress of our country," she added. Calling upon the people to pledge to build a prosperous society, Murmu said, "Let us welcome the New Year and take a pledge to build a prosperous society and nation. Meanwhile, security has been tightened at various places in the wake of the New Year. Vehicles are being checked in Maharashtra's Thane by the police as a security measure. The Delhi Police also conducted a flag march in Connaught Place on the occasion of New Year's Eve. Additional DCP New Delhi District, Ravikant Kumar, said, "Heavy police forces have been deployed in the crowded areas of Connaught Place. The force has been briefed on handling the situation. To avoid mishaps, the force has been deployed in the inner and outer circles; vehicles are being checked; and we are using an alcometer too." A large number of tourists also flocked to different places in the country to celebrate the New Year with enthusiasm, along with their family members. (ANI) Given the high number of hotels, bars, and pubs in the Vijay Nagar area of the city, police officers set up barricades to conduct checks. They used breath analyzers to take action against people driving under the influence of alcohol. The police also used drones to monitor those who might cause disturbances in the area through unruly behaviour. "To prevent any untoward incidents, we have set up checking points. Actions have been taken against 185 individuals driving under the influence," ACP Sonakshi Saxena said. She said that timings for party destinations, hotels, bars, and pubs have been strictly enforced. "Drones are being used for surveillance, and breath analyzers are being employed to check individuals engaging in drink and drive," she added. (ANI) CM Bhajanlal Sharma visited Ramniwasbagh and JK Lone Hospital to inspect the shelter homes. He also discussed the conditions of the shelter homes with officials and later draped blankets around disabled persons. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Rajasthan BJP Organisation General Secretary Chandrashekhar. Meanwhile, the city of Udaipur in Rajasthan witnessed lavish celebrations as people welcomed the new year with celebrations, light shows, and dance performances. Similarly, residents of Ajmer also welcomed the year 2024 with great fervour and joy amid fireworks, light shows, and dance performances. Earlier, on New Year's Eve, CM Bhajanlal Sharma held a Janta Darshan in Jaipur, where he listened to the problems of the people of the state. BJP MLA from Sanganer, Bhajanlal Sharma, took the oath as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan on December 15, 2023, at a swearing-in ceremony in Jaipur. He won the Sanganer assembly seat by an impressive margin, securing 145,162 votes against his Indian National Congress (INC) opponent, Pushpendra Bhardwaj, who polled 97,081 votes. In Rajasthan, the BJP registered victories on 115 seats, and the Congress came in a distant second with 69 seats. Rajasthan went to the polls for 199 of the 200 assembly seats on November 25. The majority mark in the state is 100. (ANI) General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Champat Rai gave an 'Akshat' invitation to locals in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya to celebrate the consecration of the Ram temple on January 22. Speaking to reporters on Monday over the 'Akshat' invitation, Rai said that 'Akshat' is being distributed, urging people to gather in their neighbourhood temples to take part in the celebration of the Ram temple inauguration. "Our workers are visiting every colony and temple in the country to distribute 'Akshat', urging people to gather in their neighbourhood temples to take part in the celebration of the Ram temple inauguration. This programme will continue till January 15," Rai said. He further asserted that the consecration ceremony will be held on January 22 at 12.20 pm. "The consecration ceremony will be held at 12.20 pm on January 22. After this, aarti will be performed. Prasad should be distributed to people after the inauguration ceremony," he added. Preparations are underway in full swing for the Ram Temple inauguration on January 22, which will draw dignitaries and people from all walks of life. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the installation of the idol of Ram Lalla at the grand temple on January 22. Preparations are underway in full swing for the event, which will draw dignitaries and people from all walks of life. The Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust has decided to enthrone Ram Lalla at the sanctum-sanctorum of the Ram Temple at noon on January 22. Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, holds great spiritual, historical and cultural significance for the people of India. The trust has also invited 4,000 saints of all sects for the ceremony. Vedic rituals for the Pran-Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony of Ram Lalla (infant Lord Ram) in Ayodhya will begin on January 16, a week before the main ceremony. A priest from Varanasi, Lakshmi Kant Dixit, will perform the main rituals of the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla on January 22. From January 14 to January 22, Ayodhya will mark the Amrit Mahautsav. A 1008 Hundi Mahayagya will also be organised, in which thousands of devotees will be fed. Several tent cities are being erected in Ayodhya to accommodate thousands of devotees, who are expected to arrive in the temple town of Uttar Pradesh for the grand consecration of the Ram Temple. According to the Sri Ram Janambhoomi Trust, arrangements will be made for 10,000-15,000 people. Local authorities are gearing up for the anticipated surge in visitors around the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony and are in the process of implementing enhanced security measures and making logistical arrangements to ensure a smooth and spiritually enriching experience for all attendees. (ANI) To prevent road accidents and other untoward incidents on the eve of New Year, 74 teams of Cyberabad Police conducted drunk driving tests across the city, and 1241 people were caught while driving under the influence of alcohol, and cases were registered against them. According to the police, out of the 1241 individuals caught, 1239 are male and 2 are female. All of them will be produced before the court in due course of time after filing charge sheets. Also, their DLs will be seized and sent to the concerned RTAs for suspension as per section 19 of the MV Act, 1988, the police said in a press release. Around 509 persons had alcohol reading more than 100 mg/100 ml of blood and 33 had more than 300 mg and 18 persons had more than 500 mg reading. Most of the cases were reported in Miyapur, Kukatpally, Madhapur, Gachibowli, Madhapur, Narsingi, Jeedimetla. With the extensive enforcement and traffic and road safety plans by Cyberabad Traffic Police, there were no major road accidents anywhere in Cyberabad. Cyberabad Police thank the citizens for their cooperation with Police in ensuring safety on roads. In view of the long weekend, the special focus on drunk driving will continue in Cyberabad Limits in view of ensuring road safety as part of our "Zero Tolerance" policy towards drunk driving, it added. (ANI) The Catholic Church on Monday said that Kerala's Minister for Culture Saji Cherian's remarks on Catholic priests and bishops who attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Christmas banquet were "irresponsible and inappropriate." The Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) spokesperson, Fr Jacob Palackappilly, condemned Cheriyan's remarks, saying people in high positions should refrain from making such statements. "Those holding high positions should be mindful of the tact in such responses. The statement made by Kerala's Culture Minister Saji Cherian criticising the participation of church leaders and representatives in the Christmas party called by the Prime Minister is completely irresponsible and inappropriate," Palackappilly said. He further said that the leaders of the ruling party respond with 'political hostility'. "The Christmas party organised by KCBC in December was also attended by various political, religious and cultural leaders. But it was criticised by former minister KT Jalil. The similarity is evident in the terms used by ruling party leaders when they respond with political hostility. Such expressions make one doubt that they have a special dictionary for this," he added. He also said that cultural Kerala does not expect such a negative response from a minister handling the Culture Department. "Regarding the issue of Manipur, the church leaders of Kerala and various states have already spoken to the responsible people seriously. It is not appropriate to politicise and criticise such gatherings, which are part of Christmas celebrations," the KCBC added. The Kerala Minister criticised bishops who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Christmas day last week for failing to speak about the Manipur violence. Addressing a CPI (M) function in Alappuzha on Sunday, Cherian said that certain bishops get "goosebumps" when BJP leaders invite them. "Certain bishops get goosebumps when they get an invitation from the BJP. Those who went to meet the Prime Minister did not have the uprightness to speak about Manipur. They were served with cakes and grape wine. Manipur was not at all the subject of discussion for them," the minister said. "Did anyone of them (bishops) question or ask the PM to intervene in Manipur, where hundreds of people from the community they represent are being butchered?" he added. The Kerala minister further alleged that the bishops were invited because the BJP needs seats in Kerala and northeastern states. "Not because they love and care.... Were they (bishops) enthusiastic to say this? No, there was no enthusiasm. Then there are some priests in Kerala who say that they are BJP supporters owing to the threats from Sangh Parivar," he alleged. Recently, on the occasion of Christmas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had an interaction at his residence in New Delhi. In the interaction, the PM said India "proudly acknowledges" the contribution of the Christian community, from its role in India's freedom struggle to its "active participation" in social service. Over 180 people have died and thousands have been internally displaced since the ethnic violence began on May 3 in the northeastern state.The ethnic violence involving the Kuki and Meitei communities erupted after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3. With the violence and rioting persisting and many lives lost, the Centre had to deploy paramilitary forces to restore peace in the state.Earlier this month, the Supreme Court asked the Manipur government to furnish to the court-appointed committee the details about the steps it had taken to restore the places of worship that had been destroyed in the ethnic violence. (ANI) A PIL was filed in the Supreme Court on Monday challenging the three new criminal code Bills passed by Parliament that replaced the old British colonial era laws. Recently, Parliament passed bills on Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Act to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Indian Evidence Act (IEA). On December 25, President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the three new criminal laws Bills and they became Acts. The plea filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari sought the constitution of an expert committee under the Chairmanship of a former judge of the Supreme Court and its members comprising judges, senior advocates and jurists to examine the viability of the three criminal laws. "All three criminal laws were passed and enacted without any parliamentary debate as unfortunately most of the members were under suspension during the period," the plea said. The petition sought a stay on the implementation of three Bills. The petition further said that the three Bills were withdrawn, and redrafted bills were produced with some changes, which were passed in Parliament. "The new criminal laws are far more draconian and establish a police state in reality and violate every provision of fundamental rights of the people of India. If the British laws were considered colonial and draconian, then the Indian laws stand now far more draconian as in the British period you could keep a person in police custody for a maximum of 15 days. Extending 15 days to 90 days and more, is a shocking provision enabling police torture," the plea said. (ANI) The Iranian-backed Houthis attacked a merchant vessel, MAERSK HANGZHOU and US Navy helicopters in the southern Red Sea on Sunday and attempted to board the vessel, US Central Command said. Four boats of Houthi group attacked merchant vessel by firing at crew members in the MAERSK HANGZHOU and got within 20 meters of the vessel, and attempted to board the vessel. Taking swift action against the Houthi attackers, security teams boarded the vessel and returned fire on them and US helicopters responded to the distress call of the vessel. In a social media post on X, US Central Command said, "Iranian-backed Houthi small boats attack merchant vessel and U.S. Navy helicopters in Southern Red Sea On Dec. 31 at 6:30am (Sanaa time) the container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU issued a second distress call in less than 24 hours reporting being under attack by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats. The small boats, originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, fired crew served and small arms weapons at the MAERSK HANGZHOU, getting to within 20 meters of the vessel, and attempted to board the vessel." https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/1741381969936834951?s=20 It added, "A contract embarked security team on the MAERSK HANZGHOU returned fire. U.S. helicopters from the USS EISENHOWER (CVN 69) and GRAVELY (DDG 107) responded to the distress call and in the process of issuing verbal calls to the small boats, the small boats fired upon the U.S. helicopters with crew served weapons and small arms." It also shared that the US Navy helicopters sank three of the four small boats, and killed the crew. The post added, "The U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire in self-defense, sinking three of the four small boats, and killing the crews. The fourth boat fled the area. There was no damage to U.S. personnel or equipment." Earlier, US shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles in response to a Houthi attack on a merchant vessel, the US Central Command stated. The US military shot down two missiles on Sunday morning, the container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU reported, adding that the vessel was struck by a missile while transiting the Southern Red Sea. "USS GRAVELY shoots down two anti-ship ballistic missiles while responding to Houthi attack on merchant vessel. Today at approximately 8:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), the container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU reported that they were struck by a missile while transiting the Southern Red Sea," the 7US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated in a post shared on X. The USS Laboon, a guided-missile destroyer, and F-18 fighter jets from the Eisenhower carrier strike group are in the southern Red Sea as part of a US-led coalition meant to protect shipping lanes from attack by the Houthis in the key Bab el-Mandeb strait, according to The Times of Israel. The report noted that this was the 23rd attack by the Houthis on international shipping since November 19. In response, the USS GRAVELY shot down the two anti-ship ballistic missiles from Yemen directed at their merchant vessels, the report stated. "While responding, the USS GRAVELY shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen toward the ships. This is the 23rd illegal attack by the Houthis on international shipping since Nov. 19," the CENTCOM posted. The US military informed that the vessel was seaworthy and no one was injured in the shooting down incident. "The Singapore-flagged, Denmark-owned/operated container ship requested assistance, and the USS GRAVELY (DDG 107) and USS LABOON (DDG 58) responded to the ship. The vessel is reportedly seaworthy and there are no reported injuries," the CENTCOM posted. This marked the second time that the US shot down Houthi anti-ship missiles in a week, according to the report. Earlier, on Wednesday, the US shot down twelve attack drones and five missiles, which it claimed were launched by the Iran-backed Houthis. There was no damage to ships in the area or injuries reported, the US Central Command stated. (ANI) Australia and New Zealand became the first major countries to welcome the new year 2024. Over a million revellers celebrated the New Year on Sunday night amid stunning fireworks displays, illuminating the skies over Australia's Sydney Harbour and New Zealand's tallest structure, the Sky Tower in Auckland. The light rain that had persisted throughout the day in Auckland had cleared by midnight over the city. The countdown commenced against an illuminated digital display near the top of the 328-metre (1,076-foot) communications and observation tower, Al Jazeera reported. As the clock struck midnight in Australia's largest city, Sydney, a 12-minute fireworks display erupted around the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Al Jazeera said in its reported that more than one million people watched from the shore and boats in the harbour. The small Pacific island nations of Tonga, Samoa and Kiribati had ushered in the New Year an hour earlier. Notably, Kiribati, an island nation with 33 atolls, became the first place to bid farewell to 2023 and welcome the new year 2024 as International Date Line loops around Kiribati's easternmost islands. The International Date Line (IDL) plays a crucial role in this temporal distinction, serving as the official starting and ending point of each day around the world. While an imaginary line, the IDL helps us understand the difference between night and day in different countries. Established in 1884, the IDL is located 180 degrees East (or West) and sits precisely halfway from the prime meridian (Greenwich, UK), which defines time zones. Moreover, Taiwan also welcomed the New Year with fireworks. (ANI) Following the nation's New Year's festivities, Karachi police issued a warning to those celebrating by threatening to prosecute them for acts of terrorism, including aerial fire. According to police officials, s seven-year-old child was injured in the aerial firing in Bahadurabad, which is one of the neighbourhoods of Gulshan Town, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. Meanwhile, three people sustained injuries at Five Star Chowrangi, two others at Seaview and one each in Liaquat Abad and North Nazimabad, ARY News reported. The charges of attempted murder and terrorism will be included in the cases filed against individuals responsible for the New Year's Eve aerial firing, Karachi Police Chief Khadim Hussain Rind said, according to ARY News. To prevent aerial firing, he also emphasised the need for search operations, notifications at marketplaces and mosques, and the promotion of constructive police acts on social media to offset any bad effects. In addition, the police commander gave his subordinates orders to arrest drivers who had consumed alcohol, particularly DIG Iqbal Dara, the chief of traffic police. Meanwhile, Karachi has implemented a two-day total prohibition on the use of pyrotechnics, aerial gunfire, and the carrying or displaying of firearms. (ANI) Tel Aviv [Israel], January 1 (ANI/TPS): "We'd walk into a room full of blood and see no sign of shooting or bombing. There, Hamas terrorists didn't use a gun to kill their victims; they used an axe to chop them into pieces," said Simcha Greiniman, a volunteer emergency responder with the ZAKA organisation. Since Hamas's Oct. 7 massacre of 1,200 people in Israel, 800 ZAKA volunteers have worked around the clock to recover the remains of the dead. "I am there every day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. to make sure that these families get the closure they need to properly mourn their loved ones," the 47 year-old Greiniman told the Tazpit Press Service. Founded in 1995, ZAKA deals with instances of unnatural death, and works in close cooperation with emergency services and security forces. Over 3,000 ZAKA volunteers are currently deployed cross the country, on call 24/7, to respond to terror attacks, accidents or natural disasters. Greiniman has been volunteering for ZAKA for the past 32 years and oversees groups in charge of conducting Chesed Shel Emes, honoring the dead by bringing bodies to burial, which is considered one of the greatest commandments in Judaism. "In the Bible, there is a special need to make sure bodies get a proper burial and that no part, not even blood samples or small bones, are left behind," explained Greiniman. As part of ZAKA International, Greiniman has volunteered both in Israel and overseas in scenarios ranging from natural disasters to accidents and terror attacks. In recent years, ZAKA International flew to Haiti, India, Turkey and Morocco. During the Sept. 11 terror attacks in New York City, Greiniman sat at the airport for two weeks waiting to get approval from the United States to assist emergency teams on site. "This time, it happened in our backyard. Hundreds of people who supported Palestinians by giving them a place to work, taking them to hospitals, were massacred in their homes and captured into Gaza" on Oct. 7, said Greiniman. He recalled one instance in which he entered a house and on the living room table found a birthday cake. "A cake is supposed to be something happy. But we didn't come to eat cake, we came to take care of bodies," said Greiniman. "My eyes went looking for pictures of the family who lived in that house and who should have been celebrating," he added. Greiniman described a very strong smell of burnt flesh emanating from the house's safe room. When he turned on his flashlight upon entering the pitch-dark room, he found charred remains. "Everything was connected, glued together. At the top, there were three adult-sized skulls and at the bottom two small skulls attached," Greiniman told TPS. "They were burnt to death while hugging each other--it was extremely hard to take them apart." Later, Greiniman deduced that these were the skulls of two children, their parents and grandmother, who all lived in the house. "When we took out the bodies, we had to walk by that cake every single time," he recalled. He recalled another house which had been burnt to the ground on Oct. 7. In one of the rooms, the ceiling had collapsed and cement was covering the floor. "In the cement, I saw a lump. Underneath, there was a dead child who was about five years old," he said. "In a separate room, I found the skull of another young child with the metal part of a hammer still attached to it. The wooden part of the hammer had burned [away]. Every house has a story," he added. Collecting human remains from a house into which Hamas terrorists lobbed grenades could take up to 18 hours, especially if more than one person had hidden in the same room, Greiniman explained. Once collected, the body parts are sent to a special morgue for DNA testing. "Nothing prepares you for it," he said. "I have dealt with blown-up buses, restaurants, hotels and butchered synagogues, but seeing hundreds of bodies at a rave laying in a field... you can't ever train yourself to be ready for that," he continued, in reference to the Supernova Music Festival, where some 360 revelers were slaughtered on Oct. 7. Greiniman told TPS that he had been shocked to hear people deny Hamas's crimes against humanity, a phenomenon he chalked up to antisemitism. To raise awareness of the massacres, Greiniman spoke at United Nations headquarters in New York City on Dec. 5. In 2005, the United Nations recognized ZAKA an international humanitarian organization, and in 2016, the U.N. Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations granted ZAKA Search and Rescue advisory status as an official body. "I was the one who took out the bodies; I could not let anyone deny these crimes, especially as a volunteer for ZAKA, which the U.N. officially recognizes," said Greiniman. "I came into houses and saw women naked from their stomach down leaning over their own beds, with their hands tied behind their backs and bleeding from different areas," he said. "It if had happened anywhere else in the world, humanity would be screaming for justice," he added. "I invite whoever denies what we have dealt with to come and let me personally walk them around the scenes, show them what happened and where it happened," he added. While ZAKA generally refrains from photographing the deceased out of respect for their privacy, Greiniman was told by his commanders after two days in the field to take pictures as evidence of the horror. Nearly three months after the attacks, ZAKA's work to identify the bodies is far from complete. "Bodies were burned so badly that no bone marrow or teeth were left to cross-reference for DNA purposes," Greiniman explained. After 9/11, the U.S. built a special device to recover DNA from the ashes of the World Trade Center buildings. While Israel is working on a similar machine, ZAKA is currently sending samples to America to identify some remains. "You can't give up. There are families who can't carry on living without knowing what happened to their loved ones, thinking they might be held in Gaza," said Greiniman. "We understand how important our work is for the Jewish nation and the Jewish people around the world. We are not going to stop until those bodies are in the right place and until those families are at peace knowing their loved ones are buried there." (ANI/TPS) Pakistan witnessed 1,524 violence-related fatalities and 1,463 injuries in the year 2023, from 789 terror attacks and counter-terror operations, including nearly 1,000 fatalities among civilians and security forces personnel, Dawn reported. The number of overall fatalities, including those of outlaws, marks a record six-year high, exceeding the 2018 level and the highest since 2017. Moreover, the country saw a surge in violence for the third consecutive year, with an uptick recorded each year beginning in 2021. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces were the primary centres of violence, accounting for over 90 per cent of all fatalities and 84 per cent of attacks, including incidents of terrorism and security forces operations, recorded during this period. Punjab and Sindh were relatively peaceful, as together, both provinces suffered only 8 per cent of all fatalities in 2023. These were the key findings of the annual security report issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), Dawn reported. The report stated that the year 2023 recorded an alarming surge in violence by about 56 per cent -- an unprecedented escalation in the last 10 years, with the overall number of fatalities increasing from 980 in 2022 to 1,524 in 2023. This includes a staggering 57 per cent uptick recorded in Balochistan and 55 per cent in KP. Punjab saw a 96 per cent rise in violence, though the number of fatalities was very low, followed by Sindh where the fatalities increased by 26 per cent. "Nearly 65 per cent of all violence-related fatalities recorded in 2023 resulted from terrorism, while the remaining 35 per cent from the security forces operations against the outlaws. The country suffered as many as 586 terror attacks this year [2023], with only 17 per cent of them claimed by the banned terror outfits such as TTP, BLA, Daish (Islamic State Khorasan) and others. The security forces conducted as many as 197 operations against outlaws leaving 545 of them dead," Dawn quoted the report. An alarming upsurge in sectarian violence was recorded. In 2023, acts of terrorism directed at religious communities and their places of worship resulted in the tragic loss of 203 lives, 88 of whom were security officials. Dawn cited another report, released by an Islamabad-based think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), which stated that Pakistan witnessed another year of an unprecedented surge in terrorist attacks as the country saw a staggering 69 per cent rise in attacks, an 81 per cent increase in resultant deaths, and a 60 per cent surge in the number of wounded. "The year 2023 witnessed at least 641 terrorist attacks across the country in which 974 people were killed and 1,351 injured. The year 2022 had witnessed 380 terrorist attacks resulting in 539 deaths and 836 injuries...By combining terrorist attacks and security forces actions the country saw over one thousand violent incidents in which 1,511 people were killed and 1,440 injured," the report added. As for terrorist attacks, the PICSS database shows that the average number of terrorist attacks per month rose from 32 in 2022 to 53 attacks per month in 2023, which is the highest monthly average in any year after 2015. KP saw the highest number of terrorist attacks and resultant casualties during 2023. PICSS recorded 419 terrorist attacks in KP in which 620 people were killed, including 306 security forces personnel, 222 civilians, and 92 terrorists, while 977 were injured, including 525 security forces personnel, 402 civilians, and 50 terrorists. Within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, more violence was recorded from mainland KP than the newly merged districts (erstwhile Fata) as the mainland KP witnessed 235 terrorist attacks in which 336 people were killed including 213 security forces personnel, 67 civilians, and 56 terrorists while 589 were injured including 383 security forces personnel, 163 civilians and 43 terrorists. There was an 84 per cent increase in terrorist attacks in mainland KP. The newly merged districts of KP (erstwhile FATA) faced 184 terrorist attacks, in which 284 people were killed, including 155 civilians, 93 security forces personnel, and 36 terrorists, while 388 were injured, including 239 civilians, 142 security forces personnel, and seven terrorists. The region witnessed a 59 per cent rise in terrorist attacks in 2023 compared with 2022. According to Dawn, Balochistan faced at least 170 terrorist attacks, in which 285 people were killed, including 151 civilians, 114 security forces personnel, and 20 terrorists, while 388 people were injured, including 195 civilians, 99 security forces personnel, and four terrorists. The rise in terrorist attacks in Balochistan was 65 per cent in 2023, compared with 2022. Sindh also saw a 40 per cent rise in terrorist attacks in 2023 as 35 such incidents were reported from the province in which 39 people died, including 22 civilians, 11 security forces personnel, and six terrorists, while 35 people were injured, including 24 security forces personnel, ten civilians and one terrorist . An unprecedented rise in terrorist activities was witnessed in Punjab, where 14 terrorist attacks were reported in 2023 compared to three in 2022. In Punjab, 20 people were killed in terrorist attacks, including 14 terrorists, four security forces personnel, and two civilians, while 14 people were injured, including eight civilians, five security forces personnel, and one terrorist, Dawn reported. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday extended his greetings to the countrymen on the occasion of the start of the New Year. Jaishankar said that he wishes that may 2024 brings "good health, happiness and prosperity" for everyone. "Wishing everyone a joyful and prosperous 2024. May it bring good health, happiness and prosperity for all," Jaishankar posted on X (formerly Twitter). https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1741653791211241974?s=20 Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished fellow countrymen a happy new year, saying that he hoped that 2024 would bring forth prosperity, peace and wonderful health for all. "Wishing everyone a splendid 2024! May this year bring forth prosperity, peace and wonderful health for all," PM Modi posted on X. President Droupadi Murmu extended her greetings on Monday, saying, "May the Year 2024 bring happiness, peace and prosperity for everyone. Let us welcome the New Year with a renewed commitment to contribute to inclusive and sustainable development". Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, too, extended his New Year greetings to fellow citizens, saying that he hoped 2024 would bring happiness to 'each and everyone'. As the country ushered in 2024 with colourful celebrations and fervour, devotees were pictured making a beeline for popular shrines and other places of worship to offer their prayers on the first morning of the new year. People across cities erupted in jubilation as the new year dawned and immersed themselves in unbridled celebrations long into the night. Meanwhile, EAM Jaishankar completed his visit to Russia from December 25 to 29 as a part of the ongoing high-level exchanges between the two sides. During the visit, he held meetings with President Vladimir Putin, his counterpart Sergey Lavrov and Deputy PM Denis Manturov. Jaishankar underscored the significant progress in India-Russia bilateral trade, surpassing USD 50 billion and emphasised the potential for further growth and the need to give the trade relationship a more sustainable character. (ANI) Issuing a warning that a clash could happen in the Korean Peninsula anytime, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered its army to "thoroughly annihilate" the US and South Korea if a provocation is made, Yonhap news agency reported, citing state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Kim called for perfecting the military's readiness posture, saying the Korean Peninsula is "inching closer to the brink of armed conflict" and a clash could happen at any time. He made the remark during a meeting with major commanding officers of the Korean People's Army at the office building of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party on Sunday, according to KCNA. During the meeting, Kim analyzed in detail "the critical security environment on the Korean peninsula inching closer to the brink of armed conflict as the days go by and the nature of the US and other hostile forces' military confrontation moves". "He said that the situation indicates the urgency to further sharpen the treasured sword for safeguarding the security and peace of the DPRK and perfect the army's regular military response posture," it added referring to the acronym for the North's official name. Kim also said it is a fait accompli that an "armed conflict may occur any time." "The more dynamically the Korean revolution advances, the more desperately the US imperialists and the ROK clan try to stop it," he was quoted as saying. He further stressed that "our army should frustrate any forms of provocations of the enemy without fail with firm hostility towards the enemy." "If the enemy opt for military confrontation and provocation against the DPRK, our army should deal a deadly blow to thoroughly annihilate them by mobilizing all the toughest means and potentialities without moment's hesitation," KCNA quoted the North Korean leader as saying. Meanwhile, in a huge statement, Kim said that North Korea will no longer seek reconciliation and reunification with South Korea, as his nation vowed to put three new military spy satellites into orbit in 2024, CNN reported. Kim said inter-Korean relations had become "a relationship between two hostile countries and two belligerents at war," the state-run news agency KCNA reported. (ANI) Abu Dhabi [UAE], January 1 (ANI/WAM): Al-Jundi Journal issued by the Ministry of Defence has published its new January 2024 issue No. 600 in both Arabic and English. Through its latest issue, Al-Jundi uses research and analysis to examine several vital issues and topics, along with the most significant events and news related to the Ministry of Defence and the UAE Armed Forces. Under the title "Air Force and Defence Day", Al-Jundi said in its editorial, "The annual celebration of Air Force and Air Defence Day on 6th January, known as 'Unity Day', marks the long and distinguished history of accomplishments by the UAE Air Force and Defence. It also celebrates the achievements of the Armed Forces, which since the UAE's foundation have played a crucial role in protecting its assets and defending its cherished land against all threats." Moreover, Al Jundi added, "The UAE Air Force has attained the highest levels of vigilance, capability and readiness to protect the homeland and safeguard its security, prosperity and stability. It has become a formidable force with a strategy capable of deterrence and defending the nation's territory and sovereignty". The new issue of "Al-Jundi" touches on the most prominent political, military, and security events, new weapons, as well as scientific and technological developments achieved by modern technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) in the military field. The Journal's main file section of the January 2024 issue came titled "Philosophy of Modern Air Forces". In its "Studies and Analyses" section, Al-Jundi featured a study titled, "When the Weather Becomes Another Enemy", in addition to another study titled, "Sinking an Aircraft Carrier.. The Political and Military Calculations." Furthermore, Al-Jundi dedicated sections for the opinions and analyses of elite Emirati and Arab writers discussing various issues and matters of interest to readers. Founded in 1973, Al Jundi's first issue was published in October, covering the news and activities of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates. Through a set of distinguished writers and experts in defence and security from around the world, Al-Jundi publishes studies, research, reports, and specialised military files, dealing with research and analyses of many vital issues and topics of interest for its followers in the UAE, the Arab region and the world. Since its inception, Al-Jundi Journal has built strong relationships and strategic partnerships with various manufacturers and producers in the military sector locally, regionally, and globally. (ANI/WAM) Afghanistan, Vietnam and Russia have been named as the most dangerous nations for journalists, the Afghanistan-based Khaama Press reported, citing Reporters Without Borders. The report published on Sunday said that free media in Afghanistan under the Taliban's rule has faced severe oppression. It stated that the Taliban has been arresting journalists on charges of espionage. In its report, Reporters Without Border said that there were at least 21 cases of journalist arrests in Afghanistan in 2023. It further said that at least three journalists are still in 'Taliban prison.' The report is prepared on the basis of indicators like freedom, independence of media, tolerance of the power base, security of journalists and the environment for revealing critical content. According to the report, countries like Vietnam, Russia, and Afghanistan are at the top of the list of nations that are dangerous for journalists. As many as 779 journalists have been detained for at least a short period in 2023. Of these, 547 journalists continue to remain in prison in various nations across the world, Khaama Press reported. In its annual report on the situation of journalists in Afghanistan, the Afghanistan Journalists Center said that it registered 168 cases of journalists' rights violations in the country, according to Khaama Press report. It further said that the cases lodged at this centre include death, injury, threats, and arrests of journalists in Afghanistan. Furthermore, at least eight cases of media activity bans have also been lodged in 2023. Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Journalists Center stated that in 2023, there were 61 reported incidents of journalist arrests, 78 cases of threats, and one death and 19 injuries among journalists, Khaama Press reported. The Afghanistan Journalists Centre said that "in 2023, the recorded cases of violation of the rights of journalists and the media show a significant decrease compared to the 260 events recorded in 2022, but there is no change in terms of quality and structure," TOLO News reported. This occurs concurrently with an appeal from media professionals and journalists for the Taliban to move decisively to address the current issues that media personnel continue to face in the country under the Taliban. "All of the activities belonging to the media and journalists should be pursued through the commission of media violations, and this commission should be incentivized and any media and journalists who commit a violation should be investigated through this commission," said Rasul Shahzad, a journalist. "The government should increase access to information. The economy of media organisations should be empowered and supported," another journalist, Mustafa Sharyar said, according to TOLOnews. However, the Taliban spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, said that no media has come under pressure and that it is "freely active." "Some of the cases that happened in 2023 were because of violations. Sometimes, journalists have been arrested for criminal activities or legal cases for a temporary period of time. The detention has not been permanent," TOLO News quoted him as saying. It has become extremely tedious for journalists and media outlets in Afghanistan to report under the Taliban due to strict regulations, as journalists are restricted to covering security issues like explosions and suicide attacks. After seizing power in Afghanistan, the Taliban promised that the media would be free and independent to operate across the country. However, new rules were imposed a month later that strictly monitor and censor journalists and the media. The short-lived media freedom was gone after the initial weeks of Taliban rule. (ANI) A child and adult have been hospitalized following an Ohio apartment fire early Monday morning. >> Several firefighters on scene of barn fire in Logan County Colerain Firefighters and Cincinnati Police officers were dispatched around 3:15 a.m. to initial reports of an apartment on the 2000 block of West Galbraith Road. Heavy smoke was reported from the second floor, Colerain firefighters told our news partner WCPO in Cincinnati. The fire was reported to be small with damage from both smoke and water. Medics transported an adult to UC Medical while the child was taken to Cincinnati Childrens Medical Center for burn injuries, WCPO said. The status of the second adult victim is not known currently. The Red Cross has been notified to determine how people will be displaced, Colerain Fire told WCPO. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Local officials in Odesa on Jan. 1 reported one dead and several wounded after Russia struck the southern port city with UAVs on New Year's Eve. Authorities said wreckage from downed drones hit buildings throughout the city of Odesa, causing fires in several residential areas. Russia has stepped up airstrikes as the world celebrates the New Year holiday, in what Moscow claims is retaliation for a deadly attack in the Russian city of Belgorod near the border with Ukraine. Earlier on Dec. 30 in Kharkiv, residential homes, a landmark hotel, and hospitals were damaged in Russian airstrikes on Dec. 30, according to local official Oleh Syniehubov. President Volodymyr Zelensky at midnight on Dec. 31 delivered his traditional new year's address on television, thanking Ukrainian troops and civil society for the immense sacrifices made in the ongoing struggle against Russia. On Dec. 31, Russian leader Vladimir Putin did not mention Ukraine by name in his short and muted New Year address. Read also: Ukraine refutes claim Russia killed its intelligence officers in Kharkiv attack Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Jan. 1 (UPI) -- A 10-year-old and his father have been arrested in California after the boy shot and killed another child using his father's stolen gun, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office. Deputies found the other 10-year-old unresponsive Saturday night in a Sacramento apartment parking lot, bleeding from his head and neck, according to deputies who said they "immediately began life-saving efforts, including CPR." "The victim was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. It was later confirmed that the victim was only 10 years old," they said. Family members identified the victim as Keith "KJ" Frierson, who had just gone outside of his apartment to ride his bike. "He was very smart, very intelligent, kind, loving, respectful," Frierson's aunt Erika told KCRA-TV. "He didn't deserve this. He still had a whole life to live." The boy, who was arrested, had taken the stolen gun from his father's car and bragged about having the weapon before shooting the other boy, according to investigators who said the suspect had originally gone to the car to get his father cigarettes. Deputies confirmed Arkete Davis, 53, was "legally prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm." The gun was located in a nearby trashcan where Davis is believed to have tried to dispose of it, as his son ran into the building. "Simultaneously, witnesses at the scene told deputies that the individuals responsible for the shooting ran into a nearby apartment," deputies said. "Deputies called out all the individuals from that apartment and detained everyone without incident." The boy who is believed to have shot the victim was arrested and was transported to the Sacramento County Youth Detention Facility where he was charged with murder. Davis was arrested and taken to the Sacramento County Main Jail where he was charged with several firearm-related charges, child endangerment and accessory after the fact. He is being held on $500,000 bail. "Last night's homicide of a 10-year-old boy was tragic and completely avoidable," Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper wrote Sunday in a post on X, formerly Twitter. "As more details of the incident come to light, there is definitely a concern about irresponsible parenting and that an ex-felon was illegally in possession of a firearm that led to this young boy's murder," Cooper added, as he promised to address illegal gun possession in 2024. "We cannot let this boy's murder be a one-day news story and forgotten about by tomorrow morning. The issue of illegally possessing guns by those who should not have them and using them to commit violent crimes is a real one." Last night's homicide of a ten-year-old boy was tragic and completely avoidable. As more details of the incident come to light, there is definitely a concern about irresponsible parenting and that an ex-felon was illegally in possession of a firearm that led to this young boy's... pic.twitter.com/diLT2LcZdU Jim Cooper (@SheriffJCooper) December 31, 2023 Ukraine suffered a large-scale drone attack overnight on New Years Eve, and there were strikes in several oblasts, with a port terminal and residential buildings in Odesa Oblast, an infrastructure facility in Mykolaiv Oblast and cultural facilities in Lviv Oblast suffering damage. In addition, falling drone wreckage damaged a garage and house windows in Vinnytsia Oblast. Source: Defence Forces of Ukraines South; Andrii Sadovyi, the mayor of Lviv Quote from the Defence Forces: "A powerful large-scale drone attack lasted for 11 hours. The kamikaze drones started in the evening, and the combat work ended around 04:00. On New Year's Eve, air defence forces in the south shot down 51 Shahed-131/136 UAVs: 28 in Odesa Oblast, 14 in Mykolaiv Oblast, five in Vinnytsia Oblast, two in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, and one each in Kherson and Kirovohrad oblasts." Details: The Defence Forces said that "the enemy's obvious priority remains the port infrastructure of Odesa Oblast, as a large number of drones were sent from the sea to the coastal zone." A fire broke out in one of the port terminals as a result of the strike, which was quickly extinguished. No one was injured. "The enemy deliberately sent some of the drones to residential areas around midnight, where people were gathering in their homes to celebrate the New Year with their families. At least three high-rise apartment buildings, three private houses and outbuildings were damaged as a result of the downed UAVs. One person was killed and three more were hospitalised," the Defence Forces reported on the situation in Odesa Oblast. Oleh Kiper, Head of Odesa Oblast Military Administration, said that a 15-year-old teenager had been killed as a result of the attack. Three people were hospitalised with injuries and burns, and four others received medical treatment on the spot. In Mykolaiv Oblast, a strike at an infrastructure facility caused a major fire, but firefighters extinguished it quickly. There were no reports of casualties. In the Tulchyn district of Vinnytsia Oblast, the wreckage of a downed Russian drone damaged a garage and the windows of several houses. No people were injured. It was reported earlier that there was a strike at the Roman Shukhevych Museum in Lviv and the university in Dubliany, where Stepan Bandera studied 100 years ago [Stepan Bandera was a Ukrainian far-right leader of the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists (Banderites) - ed.]. Background: There were no incidents in Kirovohrad Oblast, said Andrii Raykovych, Head of Kirovohrad Oblast Military Administration. On New Year's Eve, the Defence Forces destroyed a record number of attack drones: 87 out of 90 Shahed-136/131 drones. Support UP or become our patron! Police officers conduct a fingertip search on Primrose Hill where a teenage boy died after being stabbed just before midnight on New Year's Eve, in London, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. A 16-year-old boy was stabbed to death on a hill overlooking central London as crowds gathered to watch New Year's Eve fireworks. Police say that Harry Pitman died on Primrose Hill just before midnight. A boy the same age was arrested on suspicion of murder and was being held in custody Monday. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP) LONDON (AP) A 16-year-old boy was stabbed to death on a hilltop overlooking central London as crowds gathered to watch New Years Eve fireworks, police said Monday. Harry Pitman was with friends on Primrose Hill just before midnight when he became involved in a dispute that turned deadly, Detective Chief Inspector Geoff Grogan said. Efforts to revive him failed. He was a young man with the rest of his life ahead of him, Grogan said. His family are understandably devastated. A boy the same age was arrested on suspicion of murder and was being held in custody, police said. Detectives were seeking information from witnesses who were among the hundreds of people gathered on the hill adjacent to Regent's Park. It is surrounded by streets of wealthy homes and is also near several public housing towers. The Royal Parks noted on its website that the hill historically was a place where duels and prizefights were once fought. The park typically closes at night but it was scheduled to be open until 1 a.m. Monday to view the citys fireworks display along the Thames River 3 miles (5 kilometers) to the south. Primrose Hill was closed Monday as officers spread out searching for evidence in the grass and a forensics team worked near where the stabbing took place. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) An 18-year-old male was seriously injured in a shooting near UB south early Monday morning, according to police. Police responded to Main Street and Merrimac Street just before 3:30 a.m., where the male was hit while outside. He was transported to ECMC with injuries that appear serious in nature. The shooting is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call or text the confidential TIPCALL line at 716-847-2255. Latest Local News Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. Two unrestrained passengers died at the scene after being ejected during a rollover crash early New Years Day near Turlock Lake State Recreation Area, the California Highway Patrol reported. Another passenger suffered major injuries, and the La Grange man who was driving suffered minor injuries, was arrested and faces felony charges of driving under the influence and gross vehicular manslaughter, according to a CHP news release. The crash happened about 3:40 a.m. Monday on Lake Road east of Roberts Ferry Road. Emergency personnel located a 2017 Toyota sedan overturned off the south road edge. The two rear occupants had been thrown from the car and died at the scene. The CHP release said one of those killed was a 28-year-old Turlock man. No identifying information on the second victim was included, other than that she was female. The driver provided her name but we cannot confirm it at this time, Modesto area CHP spokesman Officer Tom Olsen said in a text. She is approximately 25 years old, likely a local resident. The front passenger, 21-year-old Amber Sauls of Oakdale, was taken to Doctors Medical Center for treatment of major injuries. The driver, Isaac Urbeana, 23 and a La Grange resident, also was taken to Doctors Medical Center. The preliminary investigation found that Urbeana was westbound on Lake Road, approaching a right bend in the roadway. He was unable to safely negotiate the bend, allowing the Toyota to go off the south road edge before overturning. Urbeana was determined to be under the influence of alcohol, the CHP reported. Regarding New Years resolutions, Olsen told The Bee, we always year people express being more active or organized. How about making better choices behind the wheel of a motor vehicle? Almost every collision the CHP investigates is preventable. Two people have been indicted in Fulton County on charges related to the trafficking of two underage girls. Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said Denorris Hutchinson, 35, of East Point, and Natasha Bridge, 35, of East Point, have been charged with trafficking of persons for sexual servitude. In 2020, a 17-year-old girl who had been reported missing from Kansas City, Missouri, was located at a hotel in Fulton County during Operation Not Forgotten. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] After her recovery, the Attorney Generals Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit began an investigation to identify anyone involved with her trafficking. Since the first victims recovery, 13 people have been charged for their alleged involvement in the case. Their investigation determined Hutchinson and Bridges had harbored, transported, and provided the girl for commercial sex. During their investigation, the unit was able to identify a second underage girl whom Hutchinson is also alleged to have trafficked. The Attorney Generals Office says Hutchinson profited from the sale of both the 17-year-old and 15-year-old victims. TRENDING STORIES: The Clayton County Police Department assisted in arresting Hutchinson on Oct. 11, 2023, and Bridges on Oct. 26, 2023. Ten men are already in prison for their involvement in the trafficking of this 17-year-old girl, but our work doesnt stop there, said Carr. Since her recovery three years ago, we have continued to pour over every lead to identify any additional buyers and sellers. Now we have not only brought a new case, but we have also located a second underage victim, and we will keep fighting to ensure that justice is served. Operation Not Forgotten is a joint operation between multiple agencies across Georgia aimed at recovering critically endangered missing children. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Nashville logged its warmest year on record in 2023, according to the National Weather Service Nashville. The average temperature for the year came in at 62.9 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62.7 degrees set in 2016. Reliable records go back to 1875, NWS said. The news comes as experts report 2023 was also Earth's hottest year on record. While December data is still being finalized, the six extraordinarily warm months in a row that preceded it "locked in" the record by mid-December, Gavin Schmidt, a NASA scientist, told USA TODAY. Final analyses in the weeks to come will determine exactly how much warmer 2023 was compared to years past. Previously, the world's warmest year on record was 2016. Also, 2023 is going to end up the warmest year in Nashville's history, with reliable records going back to 1875. pic.twitter.com/lcy8UJAj8w NWS Nashville (@NWSNashville) December 31, 2023 Nashville remains under "severe" drought conditions, while much of Tennessee is under "extreme" drought conditions, according to the latest drought.gov report. While the drought has persisted across the state for months, recent rainfall has helped alleviate some of the heightened fire risks that come with it. The next rain chances for the Middle Tennessee region come Friday night into Saturday, the forecast shows. Want to keep tabs on the latest drought updates? A new map is released every Thursday at drought.gov/states/tennessee. Experts: 2023 was Earth's hottest year Nashville-area radar Nashville three-day forecast Monday (New Year's Day): Mostly cloudy. High: 39; Low: 26 Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with clouds moving in overnight. High: 44; Low: 28 Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. High: 47; Low: 28 USA Today contributed to this story. Reach reporter Rachel Wegner at RAwegner@tennessean.com or find her on Twitter, Threads and Bluesky @RachelAnnWegner. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 2023 was Nashville's warmest year on record, NWS says NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) With the welcoming of the new year, several area families are celebrating the first babies born in 2024. Here are some of the first babies born in Middle Tennessee on New Years Day. Vanderbilt University Medical Center Paisyn Bradley was born at 12:50 a.m. on New Years Day to Haylie McIntyre and Jarrod Bradley of Smyrna, a Vanderbilt spokesperson said. She weighed 8 pounds, 1.5 ounces and was 19.29 inches long at birth. | READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County (Courtesy: Vanderbilt University Medical Center) (Courtesy: Vanderbilt University Medical Center) TriStar Centennial Medical Center Kassidy (Courtesy: TriStar Centennial Medical Center) The first baby born at TriStar Centennial Medical Center was Kassidy, according to a hospital spokesperson. She was born at 4:21 a.m. on Jan. 1. We are overjoyed to care for this adorable baby girl and her mom as we enter the new year, the spokesperson said in an email. Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts TriStar Summit Medical Center The first baby of the year in the Hermitage hospital is Kennedi Denise. Kennedi Denise (Courtesy: TriStar Summit Medical Center) She was born at 4:48 a.m. at TriStar Summit Medical Center. Mom and family are doing great, according to a hospital spokesperson. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. The Marine Corps has so far trained 100 leathernecks as MQ-9 pilots as it seeks to fill out new squadrons with the uncrewed system to extend reach and reconnaissance for its own drone program. The Corps first leased the MQ-9 Reaper in 2018 and only received funding to purchase the drones in 2020, the same year the service created the Reaper military occupational specialty of 7318. In the 2022 aviation plan, the Corps noted it had trained only 38 of the then-68 pilots it needed, who continue to be commissioned officers. The Reaper first fielded to the U.S. Air Force in 2007 and was used extensively throughout the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and operations globally. The Air Force operated more than 300 Reapers as of 2021, Defense News previously reported. Marine Corps now has unit in Indo-Pacific flying Reaper drones The Reaper is the Corps first group five drone. The service has long operated group three drones, such as the RQ-21A Blackjack. A group three drone weighs between 55 pounds and 1,320 pounds, typically operating below 18,000 feet. The group five drones weigh more than 1,320 pounds and operate at altitudes higher than 18,000 feet. Three units currently operate the Reaper: VMU-1 in Yuma, Arizona; UX-24 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland; and VMU-3 at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. VMU-1 was the first operational squadron to use the Reaper, conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support in U.S. Central Command beginning in 2018. UX-24 is an aviation testing unit. And VMU-3 reached initial operational capability in August, Marine Corps Times previously reported. The VMU-3 Phantoms provide aerial reconnaissance for the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment. Marine 1st Lt. Noah Furbush, from Kenton, Ohio, a MQ-9 Reaper drone pilot with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron One, operates a MQ-9 during an unmanned aerial system tactics training, April 10. (Lance Cpl. Dakota Hungerford/Marine Corps) Marine spokesman Maj. Jordan Fox said in March that the squadron supports a wide range of operations such as coastal and border surveillance, weapons tracking, embargo enforcement, humanitarian/disaster assistance, support of peacekeeping and counter-narcotic operations. Marines plan to establish the MQ-9A Fleet Replacement Squadron in Cherry Point, North Carolina, Capt. Alyssa Myers told Marine Corps Times. Former Commandant Gen. David Berger in January 2023 posed a question to Marine aviation leaders in the servicess training and education planning document whether the service should consider options other than commissioned officers to fly the Reaper, given a shortage of fixed wing pilots. To date, the Corps has stuck with commissioned officers for those jobs. Under current plans, the Corps aims to field 20 reaper drones over the next decade, Myers said. Marines plan to test a new ship this spring that they see as the answer to fighting in littorals with new formations. The landing ship medium, formerly known as the light amphibious warship, is the services first modern stern-landing vessel. Marines will test out the shore-to-shore connector at the Armys Project Convergence event in early 2024, Defense News reported. The Marines announced the concept in 2020 under the wide-ranging restructuring and overhauls as part of Force Design 2030. The landing ship medium is smaller than a traditional amphibious ship, such as the amphibious assault ship variants such as the landing helicopter assault or landing helicopter dock. After a series of delays, the landing ship medium program is on track to go under contract in 2025. Marines and sailors will run through a series of tests throughout 2024 as the Corps narrows what it needs from the ship. Marines to test out first stern landing vessel at Project Convergence Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl, deputy commandant for Marine Corps combat development and integration said in September he was confident the ship would go under contract by 2025, Defense News reported. Things have slipped right, but I think for all the right reasons, he said. Were just simply trying to get the requirement right while still trying to move at pace. If you start moving too quickly, you might end up jumping to a conclusion that you probably should have taken a little more time to look at. An early prototype project used a leased offshore support vessel from Hornbeck Offshore Services. Designers modified the ship to operate as a stern landing vessel by adding a large ramp, landing legs and protection under the ships propellers and rudders, Defense News reported. That prototype began testing in March 2023. The Navy expects to purchase between 1835 landing ship mediums to support Marine amphibious operations, according to a November 2023 Congressional Research Service report. If the Navy acquires 35 landing ship mediums, the Corps will assign nine to each of the three Marine littoral regiments it is currently building. The Marine littoral regiment is the Corps newest formation that includes a variety of new equipment, such as radar, electronic warfare and the Navy/Marine expeditionary ship interdiction system, or NMESIS. Eight additional landing ship mediums in the fleet would support any other ships under maintenance or modifications during future operations. The Marines stood up two Marine littoral regiments in recent years, one based out of Hawaii the other in Okinawa, Japan. A third is planned for Guam sometime after 2025, officials said. The landing ship medium is crucial to support the Marine expeditionary advanced base operations concept. It envisions small groups of Marines moving between various islands to gather intelligence on enemy locations and strike adversary ships with long range fires. The approach aims to enable the work of the larger naval fleet, which would otherwise be held at a distance due to enemy anti-access, area-denial radar, sensor and missile systems. The LSMs would be instrumental to these operations, with LSMs embarking, transporting, landing, and subsequently reembarking these small Marine Corps units, according to the Congressional Research Service report. Under the fiscal year 2024 budget, the Navy sought to purchase the first landing ship medium in fiscal year 2025 at a cost of $187.9 million, with a total of at least six LSMs purchased by fiscal year 2028. Rescue workers have retrieved four more bodies from under the rubble, meaning that the death toll from the Russian attack on Kyiv on 29 December has risen to 28. Source: State Emergency Service in Kyiv on Facebook; Kyiv City Military Administration (KCMA) Quote from KCMAs Head Serhii Popko: "Rescue workers have retrieved four more bodies from under the rubble. As of this moment, the Ruscists have already killed 28 people with their missile strike on 29 December." Details: On the morning of 1 January, KCMA reported that 27 people had been killed in a Russian attack in the capital. Popko said another 30 people were injured during that attack. Photo: State Emergency Service The State Emergency Service reported that they had already moved and removed 2,675 cubic metres of destroyed building structures. Search and rescue operations continue around the clock. Photo: State Emergency Service As of now, 47 people and 21 fire-and-rescue appliances are involved in those operations. Photo: State Emergency Service A Day of Mourning was declared in the capital on 1 January. Background: On the night and morning of 29 December, Russia launched a massive air attack on Ukraine. Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Odesa, Lviv, Zaporizhzhia and other cities were targeted. In total, air defence managed to destroy 114 out of 158 Russian air targets over Ukraine. According to the Air Force, the Russian Federation used almost all types of weapons available at its disposal. Support UP or become our patron! A massive 3-alarm fire that burned a vacant four-story apartment building in Seattles First Hill neighborhood spread to a second building, displacing its residents and causing evacuations in others. The fire at 823 Madison Street was reported at 4:41 a.m. Monday. There were initial reports that several people may have been inside the building. Seattle Fire said some got out from the basement, and firefighters saw one person through a second-floor window, but they were unable to find him or anyone else during their first search. Crews have been unable to conduct a complete search, first because of the flames, and now because the building is unstable. Its possible that the person seen on the second floor got out on their own. The building is on Ninth and Madison. The building is on Ninth and Madison. The building is on Ninth and Madison. The building is on Ninth and Madison. The building is on Ninth and Madison. The building is on Ninth and Madison. The building is on Ninth and Madison. The building is on Ninth and Madison. The building is on Ninth and Madison. The building is on Ninth and Madison. The building is on Ninth and Madison. The building is on Ninth and Madison. The building is on Ninth and Madison. The building is on Ninth and Madison. The building is on Ninth and Madison. The building is on Ninth and Madison. About 100 firefighters and 13 engines responded. Crews will remain there throughout the day to ensure the fire is fully put out. Heavy flames and black smoke were coming from several floors when crews arrived. Initially, the fire was at one alarm, then two alarms, and finally three alarms, as there are a number of occupied buildings nearby and the fire continued to grow. The fire spread to the roof, attic and top floor of an occupied attached apartment building next door at 909 Ninth Avenue. It was evacuated and everyone who lived there has been displaced by fire and water damage. As a precaution, an apartment farther down the block was evacuated. Seattle Fire also recommended that those living in the top units of an adjacent 11-story apartment and business building also evacuate. All four sides of the burning building were covered by crews and engines to prevent other nearby buildings from catching fire. There was concern that part of the building could collapse and a zone was created in case it came down. In June 2022, there was another 3-alarm fire at the same building when it was occupied. Since then, the building has remained vacant. Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins said there have been several other fires since then, and the previous fires created dangerous conditions for firefighters on Monday morning. The walls have already been compromised, and openings have already been made by the previous fire, so it creates a flow path so it can go from floor to floor, go to the attic space, and makes it more challenging to fight, Scoggins said. No injuries were reported. Tom Whisenane, who lives in a building next door to the one that burned, had to leave his home in the early morning hours of New Years Day. Either the police or fire started knocking on our door and telling everybody to get out, he said. He watched from the street as fire crews hammered the building with water all morning. Whisenane said he was not totally surprised by this latest severe fire. This building has been on fire several times its one of the biggest ones weve ever seen, too. 900 block of 9th Ave.: units will remain on scene throughout the day to fully extinguish the fire. Expect traffic delays in area. Fire investigation will begin once fire is extinguished. pic.twitter.com/TOoKZolyKp Seattle Fire Dept. (@SeattleFire) January 1, 2024 Congress faces an avalanche of government funding work when it returns from the holidays this month and little time to complete it ahead of a looming shutdown deadline. Under the stopgap bill passed in November, Congress is staring down two cutoff dates in January and February to keep the government funded. But with less than a month to go until the first deadline on Jan. 19 when funding is set to lapse for various parts of the government lawmakers are clashing over next steps amid deep divides over spending. Heres a few ways the fight could shake out in January. Congress passes its annual funding bills While some conservatives remain hopeful that theyll be able to pass their individual government funding bills for fiscal 2024, many are signaling openness to passing a minibus as work lags on the 12 annual funding bills. Its going to be very difficult to get all of the appropriations bills we have to get done in time if we dont have the [top-line] number, and we dont have the number right now, Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), who heads the House subcommittee that crafts the annual funding bills for the departments of Transportation (DOT) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD). So, were going to have to make some tough decisions in early January. The House has passed seven GOP-crafted spending bills while the Senate has passed a so-called maxibus of three bills. But the bills passed look vastly different between chambers, which means both chambers have their work cut out for them as leaders work to reach an agreement on a top-line level and eventually craft bipartisan bills that can pass the GOP-led House and the Democratic-led Senate. While some spending cardinals say theyve begun having discussions with their counterparts in the other chambers around what the bills could look like, they also acknowledge the limitations they face in conferencing their bills without knowing their subcommittees respective allocations. Theres also concern about the status of a handshake deal struck between the White House and House GOP leadership that could mean additional funding for nondefense programs under new Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), particularly as hard-line conservatives urge him to abandon the side agreement. Congress passes another stopgap The prospect of Congress having to pass another stopgap funding bill to prevent a shutdown becomes more likely the longer lawmakers fall behind in their annual spending work. Appropriators were already worried about the lack of a top-line agreement between leadership from both parties before leaving town for the holidays. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), head of the Senate subcommittee that crafts the annual funding bill for HUD and DOT, said last month that he thinks Congress has until closer to the end of the calendar year to strike a top-line funding deal in time for them to conference and pass funding legislation to meet the January deadline. If Congress resorts to another stopgap, also known as a continuing resolution (CR), it will be the third CR that lawmakers have had to pass since September to prevent a shutdown and buy more time for spending talks. But there is some uncertainty as to what kind of stopgap bill could even notch the necessary bipartisan backing for passage. Leadership is already having a hard time striking a bipartisan top-line deal in the aftermath of a legislative agreement Congress passed back in spring that suspended the debt ceiling, along with setting budget caps for appropriators to work from when crafting the fiscal 2024 funding bills. However, experts warn that, under the limits of the debt ceiling law, Congress could face even more headaches if it tries to pass a stopgap measure in the new year. That includes potentially steeper cuts than lawmakers previously bargained for in the event of a full-year stopgap plan an idea that some House Republicans have called for if Congress needs more time to finish their appropriations work in January. But that idea has faced staunch opposition from Democrats, and even Senate GOP leadership. Johnson has said he will not push through another short-term stopgap. A CR is simply unacceptable for a year, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said before the Senate left for their end-of-year recess. Its devastating, particularly for defense, and weve got all of these wars going on. So, we need to reach an agreement on the top line and get about getting an outcome as soon as possible. Parts of the government shut down Lawmakers risk a partial government shutdown on Jan. 20 if they fail to pass legislation in time to extend funding. As part of the two-tiered stopgap bill that Congress passed in the fall, lawmakers agreed to extend funding for four of its 12 annual spending bills through mid-January. That includes funding for offices including the HUD, DOT and the Department of Agriculture. That also leaves Congress staring down an even bigger batch of work to handle when the deadline for the other bills comes up two weeks later on Feb. 2 which is when funding for agencies including the departments of Defense, Labor and Health and Human Services faces a lapse. Asked before the holiday break if Congress is on track to meet the January deadline, Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), another appropriator, said: If we dont really get our act together and start working together and figuring these things out, its going to be difficult to do. Congress passes an omnibus Republicans have long railed against omnibus spending packages, even as theyve become the norm. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), during the fight for the gavel in January, promised conservatives he wouldnt resort to a single massive spending package, and Speaker Johnson backed that vow, telling reporters in November that they broke the omnibus fever we call it the omni fever. But with no clear direction on funding, a cool reception to a yearlong stopgap and a ticking clock, its an option that some Republicans say theyre still concerned about. I think were going to end up with one of two things: either an omnibus or a yearlong CR, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), an appropriator, said. And Im not sure that an omnibus that would be put together by [Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)] and his team will get 10 Republican votes. If I were betting between the omnibus and the CR, I would bet on the CR right now, he said. Now, that doesnt mean thats what I prefer, but if you asked me the odds, I would say, if it comes down to omnibus [or] CR, CR wins. Mike Lillis contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Thousands turned out for the Stonewall Columbus Pride parade along High Street from downtown to the Short North in 2022. Eight of Ohio's cities get top marks when it comes to protecting equality for LGBTQ people. The Human Rights Campaign, a national LGBTQ civil rights organization, recently released its 2023 Municipal Equality Index. The index rates how inclusive a citys laws, policies and services are of LGBTQ+ people who live and work there, from zero to 100. Among the cities with top marks were Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Dublin, Lakewood and Toledo. Every city scored over 90, with the majority scoring 100s, except for Toledo (94) and Lakewood (96). The MEI rated 506 cities throughout the country in 2023, and only 129 received a perfect score. Since 2017, Dublin's score has risen from 45 to 100. "That reflects six years of community-driven conversations, community organization and deep conversations and reflection with those in power with the ability to pass these local protections," said Alana Jochum, executive director of Equality Ohio. "I'm really proud that our cities are doing well." But it's not enough, Jochum said. Jun 17, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; Brandon Arehart of Dayton performs with the Flaggots Ohio as they warm up in front of the Ohio Statehouse before the Pride March in Downtown Columbus. Advocates: Why city protections don't go far enough for Ohio LGBTQ people Despite these highly rated cities, there aren't enough protections in the state of Ohio for LGBTQ people, advocates say. Those include, but aren't limited to, policies that ban discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations. Though a federal Supreme Court decision in 2020, Bostock v. Clayton County, established that companies can't discriminate based on transgender identity or sexual orientation when hiring, and that applies to companies with 15 or more employees. Ohio lawmakers could pass a law that would apply to smaller businesses too, Jochum said. Alana Jochum, Executive Director for Equality Ohio Without statewide laws protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination across city boundaries, the state just has a "patchwork" of protections that mean people "lose their civil rights on their commute," Jochum added. It also makes navigating life harder in Ohio. That's why there are ongoing efforts statewide, including a push to pass a nondiscrimination bill at the Statehouse. The Ohio Fairness Act, Senate Bill 132, was reintroduced in the Senate in June 2023 and sent to committee in September. It has been introduced 11 other times and has a history of bipartisan support, including in 2021 when Sen. Michael Rulli (R-Salem) and Sen. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) were its primary sponsors. Participants at the 2022 Rainbow Dublin Pride Walk. Despite the support, the bill didn't make it further than a senate committee that year. Still, the bill has many backers, including Ohio Business Competes, a nonpartisan coalition of hundreds of businesses working to get nondiscrimination policies at the state level to attract the best talent and grow the economy. The five pending bills that target transgender peoples' rights at the Statehouse now and the "patchwork" of protections across the state are not OK for a state that's trying to attract large companies, Jochum said. Tracking city protections for LGBTQ people The Municipal Equality Index is important because it allows LGBTQ people to see where they are protected at the local level, especially in states like Ohio where there isn't universal protection, Jochum said. It also helps give local leaders a roadmap for how to distinguish their municipalities as inclusive, Jochum said. "It evolves and it helps cities evolve with it," she said. The Human Rights Campaign also has a State Equality Index, and the group's 2022 report found that Ohio has a long way to go. A Pride sign is displayed in the front window of the Integrated Services for Behavioral Health business in downtown Lancaster, Ohio in 2021. "Even when anti-LGBTQ+ extremists in state capitals are working to undermine their progress, mayors and city councilmembers keep fighting to make sure that LGBTQ+ people in their communities especially trans people are supported and lifted up to the fullest extent possible," said Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, in a statement. Twenty-one states have broad protections for LGBTQ people, but Ohio ranked the lowest in its index, among other states where advocates focus on basic LGBTQ equality. In Ohio, the seventh most populous state, only 35 municipalities have nondiscrimination protections, according to Equality Ohio, which accounts for about 31% of the state. Your civil rights, your safety and protection depend upon your ZIP code, Jochum said. The state of LGBTQ rights across the United States In June, the Human Rights Campaign declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ people because of an "unprecedented level of attacks" against them by state legislatures. It is the first time the group has done this, and it said in an issue brief that the "attacks" are "a coordinated, top-down moral panic driven by a few well-funded and well-connected organizations." The more than 500 bills introduced this year across the nation, including the five that target transgender rights in Ohio, "aim to legislate LGBTQ+ people out of all aspects of daily life," the campaign said. They do that by taking away existing legal protections, decreasing the visibility of LGBTQ people and reducing their cultural and social acceptance, according to the campaign. Nov. 20, 2023; Columbus, Oh., USA; Drag king Manny Nuff holds up a transgender flag while performing in a variety show hosted by Mozaic Ohio and Equitas Health at Stonewall Columbus on Monday which was Trans Day of Remembrance. 'Discriminatory legislation': Five Ohio bills targeting transgender Ohioans When it comes to the MEI, more cities got perfect scores than ever before, but the campaign points out that cities can only do so much. It's important to remember when looking at the MEI, the campaign wrote, that "it is an evaluation of the laws and policies of a city, not an evaluation of 'best places to live.' Cities that score high may still lose LGBTQ residents since state legislatures are "actively driving LGBTQ+ people and their families away with hostile, discriminatory laws," according to the Human Rights Campaign. "Cities and towns around the country are stepping up each and every day, finding new and innovative ways to empower LGBTQ+ people in the face of a dire national state of emergency," Robinson, of the Human Rights Campaign, said. "This years Municipal Equality Index shows the results of their dedication, while acknowledging the increasingly hostile environment in which they must govern." dking@dispatch.com @DanaeKing This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: In national LGBTQ equality ranking, eight Ohio cities get top marks Susan Hampshire has called on the Government to provide compassionate care at the end of life - Landmark Media/Alamy The actress Susan Hampshire, who gave up acting to care for her dying husband and two older sisters, has urged MPs to rewrite cruel laws which ban assisted dying. The star of The Forsyte Saga and Monarch of the Glen said that a democratic, civilised country would allow conscientious clinicians to provide compassionate care at the end of life. In a harrowing statement to MPs, she said she had been forced to witness her sister starve herself to death because there was no legal way to end her life. I have witnessed, hour by hour and minute by minute, my loved ones wishes for a dignified end being denied, she said. That trauma will never leave me. She follows TV presenters Dame Esther Rantzen and Baroness Joan Bakewell in calling for a change in the law. Susan Hampshire in The Forsyte Saga, alongside Eric Porter as Soames - BBC George Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, also backs legalisation of assisted dying, saying it was profoundly Christian to ensure no one suffers against their will. Ms Hampshire made her comments in a submission to the Commons health select committee, which is considering the issue of assisted dying. She said the assisted dying law was in need of urgent reform. I gave up work as an actress to care for my husband and to help my two older sisters, she said. In 2018, my sister, then 94, broke her hip and following complications, came home with palliative care support. The carers were unable to relieve her suffering. If only there was a pill to end it all, she said often, as she begged for help to end her pain. She wanted out. Her only course of action was to starve herself to death and she died many weeks later. Watching her deteriorate and suffer was truly unbearable. Ms Hampshire recalled that two years later her other sister, also 94, lay dying in her bed with multiple illnesses resulting from rheumatoid arthritis. She could hardly breathe as a result of a severe chest infection and was in terrible, constant, agony, she recalled. I can still hear her tiny voice pleading with me to help her skip this bit. There was nothing the palliative care team could do. They were kind and wanted to help but their hands were tied. The morphine did nothing. It was horrific, not just for her but also for me, her children and grandchildren. No one wanted her to die, but she was dying. It was cruel to deny her the dignity she begged for and so deserved. Then in 2021, Ms Hampshires husband, the theatre impresario Sir Eddie Kulukundis, died after years of suffering with dementia and Type 2 diabetes. Sir Eddie Kulukundis, Susan Hampshire's husband, died after years of suffering with dementia and Type 2 diabetes - Simon Dack/Hulton Archive She had cared for him at home for 12 years, and he was bedridden for the last 19 months, which was devastating for someone who loved people and loved life. He too had enough and once more, there was nothing anyone could do, she said. It was a privilege to care for my family. While I would go back to caring for my family in a heartbeat, just to see them alive again, it must be said that bearing witness to their voices and wishes being ignored as they suffered the tortures of the damned has caused me unbearable heartbreak. None of us want to see our loved ones die, but when they are begging to go, we must surely be able to respect these wishes. Conscientious clinicians must be supported to provide compassionate care at the end of life. A democratic, civilised country should surely be able to rethink the current law that is resulting in cruelty and unfairness. Ms Hampshire was a familiar face on British television, also appearing in The First Churchills, Vanity Fair and The Pallisers. 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. Whale watchers in Monterey Bay got a special treat when two visiting pods of orcas, including one with a baby killer whale, showed off in the ocean off Northern California. What an incredible day we had, Monterey Bay Whale Watch posted on Facebook about Friday, Dec. 30. Monterey Bay was full of life and we were so excited to show all of our passengers some amazing wildlife! Sightings included killer whales, humpback whales and thousands of dolphins, including Pacific white-sided dolphins and northern right whale dolphins, the post said. They also spotted a newborn calf with the orcas. It was so adorable and did a few spy hops and tail slaps during the encounter, the post said. Two orca pods, including one with a new baby killer whale, humpback whales and dolphins are spotted off Monterey, California. The baby orca was part of a pod last seen off Southern California on Dec. 26, Colleen Talty with Monterey Bay Whale Watch told McClatchy News in an email. It was so cute, Talty said. The orcas are not part of an Eastern Pacific Tropical pod making headlines in Southern California, however. They are Biggs orcas, also known as transient killer whales, which roam the West Coast looking for food, Tatly said. The baby orca is probably the fourth offspring of a killer whale named Louise. Two orca pods, including one with a new baby killer whale, humpback whales and dolphins are spotted off Monterey, California. Another days-old orca with a sweet little face was recently caught on camera swimming with an endangered group of killer whales in Washingtons Puget Sound, experts said. Orcas are the largest members of the dolphin family, according to the World Wildlife Fund. They can reach up to 32 feet and more than 12,000 pounds. Monterey is about 115 miles south of San Francisco. Orcas can live up to 90 years and are a top predator, with 100 teeth. They feed mainly on marine mammals and fish, along with seabirds and marine turtles. Young sperm whale found stranded in strong tides on Outer Banks. Rescuers cant help Signature marks found on beached whale lead experts to culprits in California death Amazing sea creatures dazzle as they make a rare return off California. See them The Russians launched a record number of Shahed attack UAVs on Ukraine on the night of 31 December-1 January. The Ukrainian air defence forces managed to down 87 out of 90 of them. Source: Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, Ukraine's Air Force Commander; Ukraines Air Force on Telegram; Defence Forces of Ukraines South on Telegram Quote from Oleshchuk: "A big thanks to everyone for their combat work! A year ago, on New Year's Eve, the defenders of the sky destroyed 45 Shahed drones. Today 87! Let's hold the sky! Together to the victory!" Details: The Air Force added that the attack was carried out in waves from four directions: Cape Chauda and Balaklava (Crimea) and Kursk and Primorsko-Akhtarsk (Russia). In addition, the Russians attacked Kharkiv Oblast with four S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles, and they also struck the temporary occupied territories of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts with three Kh-31P anti-radar missiles and one Kh-59. An air-raid warning was issued in most oblasts of Ukraine following the route of the drones. "In fact, air defence was responding in all oblasts. The air attack was repulsed by mobile fire groups of the Defence Forces, fighter aircraft and anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force," the Air Force said. The Defence Forces of Ukraines South said the massive drone attack lasted for 11 hours. In total, 51 Shahed UAVs were destroyed in the south of Ukraine: 28 in Odesa Oblast, 14 in Mykolaiv Oblast, five in Vinnytsia Oblast, two in Dnipro Oblast, and one each in Kherson and Kirovohrad oblasts. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraines air defence assets and personnel were responding to a Russian drone attack in Lviv Oblast on the night of 31 December-1 January. Source: Maksym Kozytskyi, Head of Lviv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote: "Air defence systems and mobile fire groups are responding to the attack in Lviv Oblast, shooting down enemy Shahed drones. Do not film or post anything! Don't be the occupiers' helpers." Update at 05:46: Andrii Sadovyi, the mayor of Lviv, wrote on the morning of 1 January that there were explosions in Lviv: "The pieces of an enemy drone hit a civilian facility. Firefighters are already at the scene. Do not ignore the air-raid warning." Update at 06:28: Sadovyi reported that the fire at the university in Dubliany was extinguished. There were no casualties. , Dubliany. Photo: Andrii Sadovyi Background: As of the evening of 31 December, several dozen Russian attack drones were flying in Ukrainian airspace. On the night of 31 December-1 January, a high-rise building caught fire in Odesa during a drone attack, killing one person. Support UP or become our patron! Most of the Shaheds overnight on the night of 31-December-1 January were shot down in the area of responsibility of Air Command Pivden (South). Source: Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on Telegram Quote: "The video shows the combat work of units of the anti-aircraft Rocket Forces and mobile fire groups. Thank you, warriors!". Details: On New Year's Eve 2024, Russia used a record number of Shahed attack UAVs. Ukrainian defenders of the sky destroyed 87 Russian kamikaze drones out of 90 launched. Support UP or become our patron! Yearender: 2023 ushers in historic advancements in China-Ethiopia ties Xinhua) 09:34, January 01, 2024 ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- As a vivid manifestation of the ever-deepening China-Ethiopia ties, 2023 marks historic advancements in the partnership between the two countries, which elevated their ties to an all-weather strategic partnership. The two countries, over the course of 2023, achieved fruitful results in their cooperation, raning from cooperation in diplomatic and high-level exchanges, capacity development and knowledge transfer to flourishing socioeconomic and people-to-people ties. ADVANCEMENTS OF STRATEGIC TIES In October of this year, China and Ethiopia announced the elevation of their ties to an all-weather strategic partnership during Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's visit to Beijing. Amid the deepening Sino-Ethiopia ties, experts highlighted the multifaceted and win-win socioeconomic outcomes resulting from the comprehensive ties between the two countries. Melaku Mulualem, a senior researcher in international relations and diplomacy at Ethiopia's Institute of Strategic Affairs, said the year 2023 "will be remembered as a historic chapter" in Sino-Ethiopia relations. "The concluding year marks numerous milestones in the ties between the two countries - be it in the diplomatic arena, socioeconomic sectors, or in terms of cultural exchanges and people-to-people relationships," Mulualem said. The expert further underscored the two countries' commitments to cooperate in realizing the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, as well as the Global Development Initiative. Constantinos Berhutesfa Constantinos, a professor of public policy at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, noted China's "practical engagements" in Ethiopia, emphasizing China's efforts toward realizing its commitments. "The year 2023 has shown us that China stood true to its promises by transforming its commitments into reality in helping Ethiopia's development efforts," Constantinos told Xinhua. BRICS MEMBERSHIP TO FURTHER DEEPEN TIES In addition to diplomatic triumphs, the year 2023 also witnessed further deepening of Sino-Ethiopia ties in the multilateral arena, as evidenced by Ethiopia's membership in the BRICS mechanism. During the 15th BRICS Summit held in August in Johannesburg, South Africa, BRICS leaders agreed to invite six countries - Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - to join the group. The membership of these six countries is set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2024. Experts argued that the East African country's entry into the BRICS mechanism is expected to facilitate economic growth and help forge strong and lasting cooperation within the BRICS family. Balew Demissie, an associate professor at Addis Ababa University, told Xinhua that working with China and other members of BRICS will advance Ethiopia's economic development by attracting foreign direct investment for industrialization and infrastructure projects. Mukerrim Miftah, an assistant professor at the Ethiopian Civil Service University, said that Ethiopia's admission to BRICS "will help Ethiopia forge strong, lasting economic and political cooperation with the BRICS family," enabling the country to pursue political relations in an institutionalized and mutually beneficial manner. According to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the country's membership in the BRICS mechanism is advantageous as the group promotes the South-South cooperation framework. "Since Ethiopia is an important country within the South-South cooperation framework, we believe that our membership in BRICS would be an important impetus for both Ethiopia and other BRICS members," Ahmed told members of the Ethiopian parliament recently. CHINESE ENGAGEMENT PROMOTES CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT China's multifaceted capacity development and knowledge transfer assistance to Ethiopia are among the many positive outcomes of Sino-Ethiopia cooperation in 2023. These efforts are anchored by different initiatives such as the Luban Workshop, the Confucius Institute, and collaboration in technical and vocational education and training (TVET), among others. Earlier this month, the Confucius Institute at Addis Ababa University (AAU) received acclaim for its 10 years of operation, fortifying the deepening ties between China and Ethiopia. During the past decade, the institute has seen over 10,000 students enroll in Chinese language studies across the East African country. "Over the past 10 years, the Confucius Institute at AAU has made positive contributions to promote the friendship between Ethiopia and China through language education and cultural exchange," said Ethiopia's State Minister of Education Kora Tushune. During the past years, China and Ethiopia have achieved fruitful outcomes in Belt and Road cooperation, including the construction of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Standard Gauge Railway and the launch of Ethiopia's first-ever satellite, abbreviated as ETRSS-1, into space from China. "The capacity development and knowledge transfer initiatives, particularly in remote sensing applications and satellite in-orbit operations, have equipped us with the necessary skills to confidently carry out satellite operations," said Dawit Kassaw, a unit leader for the ground application satellite system at the Ethiopian Space Science and Geospatial Institute. "The training and skills transfer efforts have provided us with the foundational knowledge and skills," Kassaw added. Haftom Gebregziabher, deputy director-general of the Ethiopian Technical University, said that cooperation with China is empowering Ethiopia with a skilled workforce required to fill the gap in the modern industrial landscape. He said the successful transfer of knowledge and skills from China in the fields of science and technology is helping Ethiopia realize its development aspirations. Gebregziabher highlighted the Luban Workshop, a Chinese vocational training program, as a manifestation of the ever-expanding Ethiopia-China cooperation in the field of science and technology. Abraham Asrat, chief executive officer of strategic affairs at the Ministry of Labor and Skills, said the year 2023 witnessed growing exchanges and experience-sharing endeavors among Chinese TVET institutions and Ethiopian counterparts, eventually uplifting cooperation on human capacity development. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Russia attacked Ukraine with 90 Shahed drones overnight on Jan. 1, and air defense shot down 87 of them, the Air Force reported. The drones, sent in four waves from the direction of the Black Sea and Crimea, were targeting port infrastructure and residential neighborhoods. In Odesa Oblast, a 15-year-old boy was killed, three people were hospitalized with injuries and four were treated on the spot, the Odesa regional military administration reported. One grain terminal in the region was hit. Three high-rise apartment buildings and three homes were damaged by the drones debris. The mass strike ran from the evening until 4 a.m., on the night that Ukraine was celebrating New Years Eve, Ukraine's military reported. Air raid alerts were activated in multiple regions. In Mykolaiv, one drone hit a piece of infrastructure, causing a serious fire, according to the military. It was contained with no casualties reported. In Vynnytsia Oblast, fragments broke windows and damaged a garage but people were reported unharmed. Russian forces also attacked Kharkiv Oblast with three S-300 surface-to-air missiles, three anti-radiation missiles and a Kh-59 cruise missile. Falling debris from a Russian drone in Lviv on Jan. 1 left a local museum dedicated to Ukrainian nationalist Roman Shukhevych on fire, local officials said. The attack appears to be a follow-up to Dec. 29, when Russia attacked with 158 missiles and drones, the most ever deployed in a single bombardment since the full-scale invasion began. At least 30 people were killed. Since 2022, Russia prioritized attacking Ukraines electrical system, port infrastructure and civilian neighborhoods with missiles and drones of different models. Heavy missile barrages became less frequent in 2023, with Russia relying more on Shaheds for its attacks. Ukrainian intelligence had said that the Kremlins stockpiles ran low. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. An air-raid warning has been issued in the city of Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast. Reportedly, air defence forces are downing Russian drones. Source: Ukrainian Air Force; Kyiv Oblast Military Administration. Quote: "Groups of attack UAVs [are moving] towards Kyiv from the south-eastern direction. Do not ignore the air-raid warning!" Details: Kyiv Oblast Military Administration added that air defence forces have been deployed. At 16:19, Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicles were moving through the Boryspil district toward the city of Kyiv. At 16:46, activity of Russian tactical aircraft in the waters of the Sea of Azov was observed. Theres a threat of aircraft weapons being used! At 16:47, UAVs near Vasylkiv, Kyiv Oblast. At 16:54, a missile was observed moving in the direction of the Dnipro River! At 16:55, the all-clear has not been given yet! Air defence responds in the capital and oblast. At 16:56, drones were moving in the direction of the city of Kyiv from the south. Support UP or become our patron! Commercial aviation was safer in 2023 than in any previous year. According to a leading air safety expert, last year set a new record for the fewest accidents and deaths. Only two fatal accidents occurred during the 12 months, compared with six in 2022. In both crashes, propeller aircraft came down on domestic flights, with a total of 86 deaths fewer than half the 178 fatalities in 2023. For comparison, 148 people die in the average hour on the worlds roads according to the latest UN figures. No fatal aircraft accidents involved international flights or passenger jets. In a civil aviation safety review for the Dutch air-safety organisation To70, senior aviation consultant Adrian Young writes: Both the number of accidents and fatalities are at a record low. The fatal accident rate was less than one in 15 million flights three times better than the 10-year average. The first and deadliest crash was in Nepal on 15 January 2023. An ATR-72 belonging to Yeti Airlines took off and flew normally from Kathmandu to Pokhara, but plunged into a gorge one mile short of the runway. The subsequent investigation found that high workload and stress on the flight deck was responsible. Mr Young says the accident report revealed the pilots actions resulted in the feathering of both propellers and subsequent loss of thrust, leading to an aerodynamic stall. The second fatal accident was in Brazil on 16 September 2023, when an Embraer 110 belonging to Manaus Airlines crashed on a flight from the Amazonian city to Barcelos during bad weather. All 14 passengers and crew died. The safety of jet aircraft repeats the unlikely success of 2017, according to Mr Young. As the new year dawns and we look back across 2023, civil aviation finds itself in a similar position to 2017 with no fatal accidents to large turbofan powered, passenger aeroplanes in commercial service, he writes. This category encompasses everything from commuter jets of the type used at London City airport to the Airbus A380 SuperJumbo. The notorious crash of a private jet carrying the boss of Russias Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is excluded. The plane crashed with the loss of all 10 on board on 23 August 2023 during a flight from Moscow to St Petersburg. Reports claim an ally of Vladimir Putin was responsible for placing a bomb on the Embraer 135 aircraft. International law requires countries to involve the nation where the plane was made, in this case Brazil. But Russia refused to involve the Brazilian authorities or the aircraft manufacturer in the investigation. Mr Young describes this as an unwelcome step that goes against the collaborative nature of accident investigation and does not help with the main reason to investigate accidents; the learning of lessons. The safety expert warns of a number of incidents and non-fatal accidents that require the industry to remain vigilant. He writes: Regardless of how low the accident rate in 2023 has been, there is no cause for complacency. Aviation remains a risk-laden industry and as airports around the world report that movements are reaching the same level as in 2019, before the Covid 19 crisis, a number of issues have not gone away. Serious injuries due to turbulence remain an ever-present factor in the years accidents. Eleven passengers aboard a charter flight from Barbados to Manchester were hurt when their Airbus A330 encountered clear air turbulence over the Atlantic. The plane diverted to Bermuda on Christmas Eve. This year will see the 10th anniversary of the two tragedies involving Boeing 777 aircraft belonging to Malaysia Airlines. On 8 March 2014, flight MH370 disappeared while on a routine flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The jet is presumed to have come down in the Indian Ocean west of Australia. No trace has been found of the 227 passengers and 12 crew. On 17 July 2014, flight MH17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was downed by a Russian missile fired from rebel-held territory in eastern Ukraine. All 298 passengers and crew perished. Christmas morning in Kristin Ramirez's house was just one word: "Amazing." Presents from Grisham Middle School students filled the living room of the home of Ramirez and her six children. It was a miracle that the family couldn't imagine after two years filled with uncertainty. The family left a domestic violence situation and then Ramirez received a devastating diagnosis of stage 3 breast cancer. On this New Year's Day, that family and the others featured in the Statesman's 25th Season for Caring program are waking up to a 2024 filled with hope. Since Nov. 19, when the annual program launched, the community has given $1,326,047 in monetary donations, including a $500,000 match from the Sheth family, and $121,200 in in-kind donations of goods and services. The total of $1,447,247 makes this the third-best Season for Caring ever, beating last year's donation total by $40,000 and closing in on 2021 and 2020 levels. Kristin Ramirez and her six children were showered with gifts from Grisham Middle School students, teachers and parents. Ramirez, who has been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, and her kids thanked everyone for their generosity. Since 1999, the Statesman's largest charity program has donated more than $19.8 million to local nonprofits. This season's giving will continue through Jan. 31. We are only $133,000 away from hitting the $20 million mark. All donations help the featured families first and then help hundreds of other families served by the local nonprofits that nominated the featured families. Season for Caring becomes the emergency fund for these nonprofits to help folks with rent and utilities, transportation, groceries, medications, and other basic needs throughout the year. Learn more: 12 families featured in the 25th Season for Caring program. Here's how you can help. Here are some of the things the program has accomplished for our featured families and the big items they still need. You can find their Amazon wish lists online or call their nominating agency to donate an item. Kristin Ramirez: Ramirez, 43, needs a minivan or larger vehicle, legal services for child support and a meal service while she's in treatment. Breast Cancer Resource Center, 512-524-2560, bcrc.org. Cody Campos: Campos, 28, and his twin, Casey, have cerebral palsy. Cody is on hospice care because of his lungs and is in a wheelchair. A donor has given the family a Hoyer lift to move him easily out of bed. They also received dental care through Capital Area Dental Foundation. Those were their biggest needs. Still on the wish list are an estate attorney, balls to throw, and Uber or Lyft gift cards for his brother to get to work at H-E-B. Hospice Austin, 512-342-4700, ext. 4726; hospiceaustin.org. Aaliyah Gaulmon: Gaulmon, 25, and her 4-year-old daughter were homeless before finding an apartment. Ownwell, a property tax company, and other donors supplied many of their biggest needs including business mentorship and a camera. She still has patio furniture, curtains and living room rugs on her list. Caritas of Austin, 512-996-4024, caritasofaustin.org. Lighting Inc. electrician Jason Chedester meets with homeowner Olivia R. Hernandez last month. The company is donating electrical services for the family, whose home needs major repairs. Olivia R. Hernandez: Hernandez, 82, lives in a home her husband bought for her 52 years ago. Lighting Inc. and another donor are taking care of her electrical needs. She still needs major plumbing repairs, a new roof and general home repairs as well as car repairs or a new car. Interfaith Action of Central Texas, 512-386-9145, interfaithtexas.org. Ashley Joiner and Georges Jerome: The parents didn't get to grieve the death of their 3-year-old last year before they had to make sure their other seven children were safe. Season for Caring donors bought them Christmas gifts, but they still need a family-size vehicle, help with medical navigation, bunk beds and laptops for school work. Any Baby Can, 512-276-8199, anybabycan.org. Natassia West, the community engagement specialist for Dwyer Workforce Development, helps Belle Mukire fill out the paperwork to enroll in Austin Community College's certified nursing assistant program. Mukire will become a Dwyer scholar, which means she will have her education paid for and have job placement services. Aimable Mukire: He and his family left Congo to live in refugee camps in Burundi before settling in Austin four years ago. Dwyer Workforce Development is helping their oldest daughter, Belle, become a certified nursing assistant with the potential to go to nursing school. They still need a gently used car and living room furniture. Interfaith Action of Central Texas, 512-386-9145, interfaithtexas.org. Tracey Piper: The grandma from Bastrop adopted a relative as a baby while recovering from a brain tumor. Donors delivered many therapy toys for that child, but she still needs a dresser, curtains and blinds, and bunk beds. Community Action of Central Texas, 512-392-1161, ext. 329; communityaction.com. Charles and Nicole Richard watch veterinary technician Morgan Shannon take Chulita, one of their Chihuahuas, for an examination at Firehouse Animal Health Center in Kyle last month. Firehouse is donating $10,000 worth of veterinary care to the Statesmans Season For Caring campaign, including for the Richards two Chihuahuas. Charles Richard: The biggest worry for the 50-year-old with stage 4 lung cancer is how to pay the bills while he cannot work and his wife, Nicole, is caring for him. They received many gifts, including vet care for their two Chihuahuas from Firehouse Animal Health Center. They still need cremation services, chiropractic care, and employment training and resume building for Nicole, who is a nurse. Austin Palliative Care, 512-397-3360, option 3; austinpalliativecare.org. Dr. Kailey Murphy measures the pressure inside Sue Smith's ears as she fits Smith for hearing aids at Hearing and Brain Centers of America last month. Sue Smith: At 71, Smith learned about her hearing loss only a decade ago. Her biggest wish was new hearing aids, which Hearing and Brain Centers of America donated. She needs a smoke detector with flashing lights, doorbell and phone signalers, and home cleaning. Family Eldercare, 512-450-0844, familyeldercare.org. Betty Patina-Trujillo and Reuben Trujillo: The Del Valle couple have a son with a heart defect and scoliosis. Betty Patina-Trujillo has multiple sclerosis, and her husband is legally blind. CG&S Design Build will build a new porch with a wheelchair ramp and provide other home repairs. The family still needs an electric stove, a refrigerator, a home organizer and a gently used car. Wonders & Worries, 512-329-5757, wondersandworries.org. Factory Mattress President Stephen Frey carries new mattresses into the home of Rebecca Adamson and Chris Watkins. The company donated beds and mattresses through Season for Caring. Chris Watkins and Rebecca Adamson: These Marines have big dreams after being unhoused. They are sleeping on new beds from Factory Mattress, which will help her back pain. They need a washer and dryer, dressers, a couch, and a gently used car. Foundation Communities, 737-267-5738, foundcom.org. Bonnie Yett: Within four months, Yett, 58, lost both her husband and daughter to the effects of strokes. She's now raising her daughter's infant son, Sire. The Christmas tree was filled with items for Sire. She needs a washer and dryer, laptops, home repairs, diapers and wipes, and yardwork. Meals on Wheels Central Texas, 512-476-6325, mealsonwheelscentraltexas.org. 25th Season for Caring The Statesman has been sharing the stories of all 12 Season for Caring families throughout the holiday season. Find more stories and information at statesman.com/seasonforcaring. You can donate online or use the coupon on Page 2B and mail it to Austin Community Foundation, c/o Statesman Season for Caring, 4315 Guadalupe St., Suite 300, Austin, TX 78751. Make checks payable to Statesman Season for Caring. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Statesman's 25th Season for Caring program raises $1.4 million so far A woman from Colorado who is wanted by US police on suspicion of murdering two of her children and attempting to murder a third has appeared in court after being arrested in London. Kimblerlee Singler is accused of killing her nine-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son, and of wounding her 11-year-old daughter, at their home in a suburb of Colorado Springs before Christmas. Police were called to Ms Singlers home, in the Palomina Ranch Point area of the city, on Dec 19 following reports of an aggravated burglary. When they arrived they discovered two children dead and Ms Singler and her 11-year-old daughter wounded. She and her daughter were taken to hospital, where they were treated for their injuries before being discharged. American police officers at Kimblerlee Singlers home on Dec 19 - Parker Seibold/The Gazette via AP The 35-year-old was initially treated as a victim and co-operated with the detectives investigating the alleged burglary. But on Dec 23 she disappeared, and police confirmed they were no longer treating reports of the burglary as genuine. A warrant for Ms Singlers arrest was issued in the United States on Dec 26, and local police in Denver requested the FBIs help after it was suspected that she had travelled overseas. She was subsequently located in the UK and officers from the National Crime Agencys national extradition unit were alerted. She was found at an address in the Kensington area of central London on Dec 30 and arrested. Ms Singler has been charged with two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, three counts of child abuse and one count of assault. She appeared at Westminster magistrates court on Monday morning for an extradition proceedings hearing and was remanded into custody ahead of another hearing on Jan 29. It has since emerged that she had been involved in a long-running legal dispute over the children with her ex-husband, according to court records. A spokesman for Colorado Springs police said: Kimberlee Singler was taken into custody in the United Kingdom without incident. Detectives with the Colorado Springs police departments homicide unit continue to work closely with multiple law enforcement agencies in pursuing the ongoing investigation. 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. NV correspondent Serhiy Okunev visited the positions of the artillerymen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Kupyansk in Kharkiv Oblast on New Year's Eve and talked to them. The soldiers told him that Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 are ordinary days for them, on which they will be engaged in the most effective destruction of the Russian troops, just like the last 676 days. Serhiy Okunev/NV When asked "What would you wish Santa Claus for the New Year?" almost all of them answered with one word: "Ammunition." Read also: President Zelenskyy thanks Ukrainian nation in New Years address, exhorts further effort Some of the dugouts are decorated with garlands and toys that the soldiers received in parcels from children. Perseus, the dog of one of the brigade's soldiers, is sitting on a Soviet self-propelled artillery unit. Serhiy Okunev/NV "He is responsible for moral and psychological support," she says. Read also: Russia threatens airstrikes on New Year's Eve as second consecutive air raid is declared across Ukraine He does his job perfectly. Sometimes psychologists have to come to the brigade. The guys say we don't need psychologists, bring us Perseus instead. Serhiy Okunev/NV According to the General Staff, as of Jan. 1, in the area of responsibility of the Khortytsia Operational and Strategic Troop Grouping in the Kupyansk sector, Ukrainian troops repelled 11 attacks by the Russian army near Synkivka and Petropavlivka in Kharkiv Oblast. The Russians tried to break through the Ukrainian Armed Forces' defense there but were unsuccessful. 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 EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The El Paso Fire Department responded to a Condition 2 fire on Monday, Jan. 1 at an apartment complex in Downtown El Paso. The fire took place at the 500 block of N Oregon St. just before 6:30 a.m. Monday, according to the Fire Departments X page. The fire was knocked down shortly afterward and no injuries were reported. No further information has been released. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. A police vehicle stands in front of the cathedral. Cologne Cathedral remains closed to visitors after the terror alert. Oliver Berg/dpa Police in Germany have arrested another suspect in connection with a possible planned terrorist attack on Cologne Cathedral. The suspect is a 41-year-old man who was taken into custody in the western German city of Bochum on New Year's Eve. He has both German and Turkish citizenship, a spokesperson said on New Year's Day. A total of five suspects have now been detained in connection with the terrorism alert. On Christmas Eve, a 30-year-old Tajik was taken into custody "to avert danger." On Sunday morning, three men were arrested in western Germany. The police say they were a 25-year-old, a 30-year-old and a 38-year-old. They were described as being of "Tajik and Uzbek nationality". Earlier on Monday police in Cologne said they would be continuing to guard the city's cathedral. "How long this measure will be maintained is currently under review," a spokesman said. Shortly before Christmas, the police received information about a possible Islamist plan to attack Cologne Cathedral on New Year's Eve, leading to increased security measures in and around the building. Despite the security concerns New Year's Eve at Cologne Cathedral passed without any major incidents. The Cardinal of Cologne, Rainer Maria Woelki, celebrated an end-of-year mass with the faithful under heavy police protection. SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KXAN) The San Antonio Zoo welcomed its newest bundle of joy this year, with the first-ever babirusa born at the zoo. Babirusas are identified as a threatened species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red Lists red list, per a San Antonio Zoo release Monday. Babirusas are deer-pig-like animals, noted for their curved tusks. According to the release, babirusas usually only ever have one or two piglets, unlike other pig species. The San Antonio Zoo welcomed its newest bundle of joy this year, with the first-ever babirusa born at the zoo. (Courtesy: San Antonio Zoo) The San Antonio Zoo welcomed its newest bundle of joy this year, with the first-ever babirusa born at the zoo. (Courtesy: San Antonio Zoo) The San Antonio Zoo welcomed its newest bundle of joy this year, with the first-ever babirusa born at the zoo. (Courtesy: San Antonio Zoo) We are thrilled to welcome this baby to our family the first-ever babirusa birth at San Antonio Zoo, San Antonio Zoo President and CEO Tim Morrow said in the release. While some may describe these little ones as ugly babies, we cant help but find them irresistibly adorable with their unique and unconventional charm. We cant wait for the public to fall in love with this precious little babirusa. Officials added they will be tracking the health and well-being of the mother and baby in the coming weeks, documenting the baby babirusas progress and gender on social media. The zoo will also announce online when the baby is available for public viewing. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. A popular baby formula brand recalled some of its products on Sunday over fears of contamination with potentially deadly bacteria. The company Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition has voluntarily recalled certain types of Enfamil baby formula over fears of possible contamination, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In particular, the company has recalled its Nutramigen Powder infant formula in 12.6oz and 19.8oz cans produced in June and distributed throughout the summer. The formula designed for babies allergic to lactose is feared to contain cronobacter bacteria, which the FDA says can cause life-threatening infections like sepsis and meningitis. The FDA says it is believed most recalled products have been consumed. There have been no reports of illnesses or adverse events as of 31 December, the FDA said. The concerns began when the Israeli Health Ministry notified the FDA on 14 December that the product had initially tested positive for Cronobacter species, according to a constituent update from the FDA. The initial test did not provide enough information to warrant action, so the Israeli government began further testing to see if the sample was positive for cronobacter sakazakii, the bacterium that can cause serious illness. On 28 December, the Israeli tests indicated the samples were positive for cronobacter sakazakii as a result, the company agreed to a voluntary recall the next day. Furthermore, on 18 December, the FDA launched an investigation at a Reckitt/Mead Johnson facility and conducted further testing. That investigation is still ongoing, per the FDA, but all testing to date has been negative. The batches included in this voluntary recall were manufactured in June 2023, and primarily distributed in June, July and August 2023 after testing negative for bacteria prior to distribution per Reckitt/Mead Johnsons standard protocol of rigorous and industry-leading quality tests and checks, a spokesperson for Reckitt/Mead Johnson wrote in a statement to The Independent. Parents should be reassured that they can continue to feed their infants with Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition products, including other Nutramigen powder formula batches, with confidence, the statement read. Cronobacter is a naturally occuring pathogen that can enter manufacturing facilities in a number of ways. Formula producers are required to test their products for both cronobacter and salmonella, according to the FDA. However, cronobacter-related recalls still occur. In February, Reckitt recalled 145,000 cans of plant-based formula over a suspected cronobacter contamination. Last year, three types of baby formula sold by Abbott Nutrition were recalled over cronobacter contamination. As a result, four children fell ill and one later died. Similar covert releases of beavers have taken place in Britain, Spain and Belgium - iStockphoto Alessio Bariviera kneels down at the base of a fallen tree, its tapered trunk bearing the tell-tale incision marks of powerful teeth belonging to a new arrival in the woods and wetlands of Tuscany: the beaver. Five hundred years after the species was driven to extinction in Italy by hunting, they are back. All along a stretch of the Tiber River in this part of Tuscany, tree trunks have been gnawed and felled. They can take down even bigger trees than this, said Mr Bariviera, a conservationist and fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. They are truly engineers of the ecosystem. They love this kind of riparian forest and slowing-flowing water. Released illegally The reintroduction of the beavers is not the culmination of scientific assessments and public consultations. Instead, they have been released illegally. Mystery surrounds exactly who is behind the covert campaign of reintroduction, which has been dubbed guerrilla rewilding. Whoever they are, they have gone to considerable trouble: acquiring beavers from abroad, perhaps in Germany or Austria or Scandinavia, transporting them secretly for hundreds of miles into Italy and then releasing them into rivers, streams and swamps, all the while being careful not to get caught for what is considered by the law to be an illegal act. Similar covert releases of beavers have taken place in Britain, Spain and Belgium. Beaver believers We call them beaver believers, said Mr Bariviera, who works as a photographer and film producer. He is making a film about what he calls the beaver squad and its guerrilla rewilding operations. They are returning beavers to their former range. They feel they have the right to do it, for the greater good. Conservationist Alessio Bariviera inspects a possible beaver lodge on River Tiber - Chris Warde-Jones The beaver believers are reluctant to be identified and declined to be interviewed. But in a brief statement they said they were attempting to right the wrongs of the past and bring life back to our ravaged and depleted waterways using the best natural processes available to us. First beavers introduced to Italy in 2020 It is thought the first beavers were introduced to two sites in central Italy in 2020. Since then, the animals have spread rapidly to several other regions, from Lombardy in the north to Campania, Molise and Abruzzo to the south. A battle of the beavers has now broken out between the activists who are releasing them into the wild and government officials and scientists. Proponents of reintroduction say the Eurasian beaver is native to Italy and has every right to be there. Pushed to extinction by hunting The beaver was common in Italy until it was pushed to extinction about five centuries ago by hunting for its fur and castoreum a musky secretion from the animals scent glands which was used as perfume and for medicinal properties. Its supposed powers of healing were documented by Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician. Conservationists say beavers bring huge benefits for the ecosystem. By building lodges homes made of sticks and branches and dams, they regulate the flow of water and reduce the risk of flooding during heavy rain. Their dams act as a filter, cleaning river water as it passes through. Their engineering efforts create ponds which provide habitat for fish, insects and other mammals. In the central Italian region of Abruzzo, for instance, otters are thriving in areas colonised by beavers. As beaver numbers increase, biodiversity rises and we desperately need biodiversity, said Mr Bariviera. But government scientists and regional authorities take a different view. Dangerous president They say the guerrilla reintroduction of beavers could set a dangerous precedent, encouraging other activists to release other species. Mr Bariviera has said beavers are 'truly engineers of the ecosystem' - Chris Warde-Jones If animals are to be reintroduced to their former range, it needs to be done with care and consultation, experts argue citing the example of when brown bears from Slovenia were brought to northern Italy in the 1990s after an absence of decades. Piero Genovesi, a senior scientist at the government agency ISPRA, the Higher Institute for Environmental Research and Protection, worked on the bear reintroduction programme. You have to listen to local communities. You need to carry out surveys to understand what people think. There needs to be the right conditions for a species to be reintroduced. The scientific community is against illegal reintroductions. It is a very extreme vision of rewilding. Beavers removed from wild Scientists at ISPRA have advised the Italian authorities that the beavers should be removed from the wild as soon as possible. Its feasible. The number of beavers is not very high, they tend to stick close to water sources, and there is plenty of knowledge about how to trap them. It would not be very difficult. But it depends on the resources that regional governments want to devote. The longer you wait, the more challenging and more expensive it will be, said Prof Genovesi. Claudio Barbaro, undersecretary at the ministry of agriculture, said earlier this year that the presence of beavers in central Italy was the result of releases of an illegal nature ... and as such must be removed in accordance with the law. It is now up to regional governments to decide how to intervene. Beaver champions are trying to fight the plan. In September, a coalition of conservation groups wrote to the director of biodiversity at the European Commission, arguing that the beavers should stay. Eurasian beavers have always been a part of Italian ecology, history, and heritage, and are by definition a native species, they wrote. Infringement The conservation organisations argued that the proposed eradication of the beavers would be an infringement not only of national legislation, but also of obligations deriving from EU law. The letter was signed by Edward Cutler, a British conservationist who has a small farm in Tuscany and is president of the Tuscany Environment Foundation, an environmental NGO. Theres not a single biologist or ecologist I have met who laments the return of the beaver in any river system in Europe. They have a hugely positive impact on the environment. Their ability to store water by building dams is particularly important in a Mediterranean country like Italy where water is going to become more and more precious. Beavers should be valued He said that while he respects the stringent controls that are normally required to reintroduce a species, now that beavers are here, they should be valued. Rather than talking about eradicating them, I think the approach should be to acknowledge they are out there and to prepare people for any potential conflicts in the future. Mr Bariviera is sceptical that Italian authorities will get their act together in time to eliminate beavers from the wild. He said: Regional and national authorities in Italy are not very good at collaborating. The likelihood of getting rid of the beavers? Zero. To make the challenge for the authorities greater, he suspects the beaver believers are planning new reintroductions in other parts of Italy. 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. ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) A Bay Minette man is dead after an early morning car crash on New Years Day, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Mobile NYE rocked by deadly shooting for 2nd year in a row A sedan was headed eastbound on State Road 292, about 500 feet from the Alabama State line, when it struck a raised pedestrian crosswalk, according to an FHP news release. The driver lost control of the car, which left the roadway on the north shoulder, and struck a concrete utility pole, the release stated. One of the passengers, a 56-year-old Bay Minette man, was reported dead; the driver, a 23-year-old Bay Minette man, and the other passenger, a 23-year-old Gulf Shores man, were seriously injured, according to FHP. Raised crosswalks are ramped speed tables spanning the entire width of the roadway, often placed at midblock crossing locations, the U.S. Department of Transportations website states. These crosswalks act as traffic-calming measures that allow the pedestrian to cross at grade with the sidewalk. Man charged with DUI manslaughter after death of ASAP medic in Mobile The incident is under investigation, and the FHP asks witnesses of the crash to contact the Florida Highway Patrol at 850-484-500. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. President Biden paid tribute to former Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) following news of her death, calling her an icon and mentor with a legacy of resilience and purpose. Biden in a statement released Sunday night praised the late lawmakers tenure in Congress, saying she displayed immense courage and a commitment to the promise of America. She and I worked together throughout her 30 years in Congress, and Ive always been grateful for her friendship and partnership, Biden said. Eddie Bernice turned a childhood dream to work in medicine into a lifetime of service, fighting to get millions of Americans access to healthcare, education, and opportunity. Johnsons family announced her death earlier Sunday. She was 88. Born in Texas in 1935, Johnson began her career as a psychiatric nurse, before being elected to the Texas House 1972, which made her the first Black woman from Dallas to be elected to public office. She later served in the Texas Senate until she won a seat in the U.S. House in 1992. She retired at the end of the 117th Congress in early 2023. Pointing to Johnsons decades-long career in public service, Biden lauded her work fighting to expand civil rights, to create jobs and to combat the climate crisis. The president also noted Johnsons time as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, calling her an icon and mentor to generations of public servants, through whom her legacy of resilience and purpose will endure. Johnson was also the first Black lawmaker and woman to serve as chair of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. More recently, Biden said her leadership was a crucial part of passing the bipartisan infrastructure law and the CHIPS and Science Act in 2022, which directed funding for infrastructure, climate and advanced industries. [First lady Jill Biden] and I send our love to her family, including her son Kirk and her grandchildren Kirk Jr, David, and James; to her many friends; and to the people of Texas 30th Congressional District, who were so fortunate to have her as their champion for so long, Biden said. Several other lawmakers paid tribute to Johnson on Sunday, including Congressional Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), who called her a trailblazer and pointed to her work in improving transportation for Texas residents. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Biden and first lady Jill Biden shared a New Years message late Sunday, with the president touting U.S. job gains as he seeks reelection in 2024. The president, asked during an interview with Ryan Seacrest on his hopes for 2024, said he hopes everybody has a healthy, happy and safe New Year. But beyond that, I hope that they understand that were in a better position than any country in the world to lead the world, Biden said. And were coming back, and its about time. Later when asked for his standout memories from 2023, Biden said, People are in a position to be able to making a living now, and theyve created a lot of jobs for over 14 million. I just feel good, the American people got up. Theyve been through a rough time with the pandemic, but now were coming back, theyre back, he added. The pretaped interview was shown during ABCs Dick Clarks New Years Rockin Eve with Ryan Seacrest, just hours before the East Coast was set to ring in 2024. Seacrest has interviewed the Bidens the past four years for the New Years special. Jill Biden shared a similarly upbeat message in the interview aired Sunday, telling Seacrest, I think its what I would always tell my students be positive, be optimistic and be kind to one another. The first couple was speaking from St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where the Biden family is celebrating New Years. The interview was recorded Saturday, according to the White House. Biden and the first lady arrived at the Caribbean island last Wednesday, one day after the president returned to Washington after celebrating Christmas with family at Camp David. The Bidens also spent New Years with family in St. Croix last year, as part of a family tradition dating back to 2008 to spend the holiday in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Bidens did not travel to the Virgin Islands when ringing in 2022, instead spending the holiday in Wilmington, Del. This years trip has drawn criticism from some Republicans, who argued Bidens trip shows how the White House has been absent for the situation at the U.S.-southern border. The House Judiciary Committee mocked the president last week, calling him beachfront Biden. The committee shared an old photo of Biden on a beach in Delaware, claiming the president doesnt care about the southern border. Biden has faced repeated criticism from the right over his handling of the U.S.-Mexico border situation, with his approval rating on immigration dropping 8 points in December, according to a poll. This isnt the first time a president has come under fire for taking a holiday trip. Former Presidents George W. Bush, Obama and Trump all faced similar criticism for trips away from Washington. The White House has declined to comment on the latest criticism. Biden on Saturday took several questions from reporters when leaving dinner in St. Croix, and revealed his New Years resolution. To come back next year, he said. Thats the biggest one right there, he added when asked for anything else. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. People across the country are starting the new year hoping to become an instant millionaire. >>RELATED: Powerball: Jackpot rises to $810 million The Powerball is now at $810 million, and the next drawing is Monday night, New Years Day. Your odds of winning the grand prize is 1 in 292.2 million, according to Powerball. There are nine ways you could win, so even if you dont hit the grand prize, you could walk away with some money. For a more in-depth look at your odds in the Powerball, click here. News Center 7s Malik Patterson spoke to some Miami Valley locals about what they would do if they won the Powerball. One person said she would take the lump sum if she won. Go big or go home, she said. If you win the Powerball grand prize, you can either take a lump sum or annuity, which is when the winner receives one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5% each year. >> Couldnt be more happy; Local workers happy to see annual minimum wage increase go into effect Several people are trying to win the millions Powerball has to offer. You mean you can never win if you dont try at least, Keith Maggard said. Miami Valley resident Jerry Stormbush said he knows what he would spend his money on if he wins big. Id invest it and give out scholarships to underprivileged youth to be able to go to college or do whatever they want to, Stormbush said. If he wins, he wants to make people smile too. If I ever win the lottery, is Im buying a Kia Soul and then buying a Hamster and Im driving around waving at people, Stormbush said. Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Tickets cost $2 per play, and are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It's cold outside, but that shouldn't stop bird lovers from venturing to their favorite spots to look for birds that live in Mississippi or find their way here during their annual southward migration. Sometimes birds can be found in your back yard, but they also can be found along hiking trails and water sources. We asked a group of birders in the Mississippi Birdwatchers Facebook group their recommended places to visit for winter birdwatching in Mississippi. Tufted titmouse Below are some of their top picks: St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge, 21 Pintail Lane, Natchez: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a visitors center on site for guests to get information on what there is to see at the refuge. The refuge preserves habitat for nearly 100 bird species, many of which can be found year-round. Lake Thoreau Environmental Center, 150 Lake Thoreau Road, Hattiesburg: The University of Southern Mississippi's wildlife center is designed for community visitors as well as the conservation of the Pine Belt's longleaf pine trees. Hiking, fishing and birding are among the top activities at Lake Thoreau. Pickwick Lake at J.P. Coleman State Park, 613 County Road 321, Iuka: Pickwick Lake spans three states: Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama, and is a great location for birdwatching either from land or by water, if you have a boat. Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks offers primitive and cabin camping options and other amenities nearby. Ross Barnett Reservoir, Ridgeland: Birds love water and many love fishing, too, so The Rez is a perfect place to look for them if you're in the Jackson metro area. LeFleur's Bluff State Park, 3315 Lakeland Terrace, Jackson: This state park on the outskirts of Jackson is loaded with indigenous plants and trees that create the perfect environment for birding. The nearby Museum of Natural Science also is a great place to learn more about the state's flora and fauna. Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, 13723 Bluff Lake Road, Brooksville: The refuge's website says it is one of five bird areas in the state of global importance. It was established as a migratory bird refuge, with more than 200 bird species on site. Bald eagles, osprey and horned owl may be found nesting in the area in the winter, alongside waterfowl and songbirds that are able to tolerate Mississippi's somewhat milder winters. Eco Tours of South Mississippi, Gautier: Get a view of coastal birds from the water as well as a guided tour that can help you spot them. The tours also highlight habitat, including dozens of native plant species that provide sustenance and shelter for the animals. Shearwater Bridge, Ocean Springs: Located on the city's small craft harbor, birders can capture sea fowl coming in to roost at dusk, including brown pelicans, great blue heron, snowy egrets, cormorants and more. The wooded areas nearby area also home to dozens of smaller bird species. Birdwatching can be done in your own backyard if you choose to view them from the comfort of your home, some birders say. In addition, local parks, cemeteries and other public green spaces afford a closer look at birds near your home. A group of cormorants Holly Cox, a birder who lives on the Coast, said she enjoys going "Harbor Hopping." "I can drive along Highway 90 from Ocean Springs to Bay St. Louis and stop and bird at the different harbors along the way to see many species of birds," she said. Cox, like other birders, recommends downloading a mobile bird guide app to help you identify birds by sight or sound. Some of her favorites include the Audubon Society's app and Merlin by the Cornell Lab at Cornell University. However, like all technology, it is not 100% foolproof and with cell service spotty in some locations, apps are not always optimal when in the woods. A bald eagle flies over a Jasper County lake. There are several field guide books that can help you identify birds in Mississippi, including "Birds of Mississippi (The Birding Pro's Field Guides)," "Birds of Louisiana and Mississippi Field Guide" and the booklet, "Mississippi Birds: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species." Although not specific to Mississippi, "The Backyard Birding Bible" can help you identify birds you might find near your home. It also has tips on how to attract birds to your yard and take beautiful photographs of the ones you find. Binoculars are helpful, but not always necessary when looking for birds. Cox says a good pair can be found for under $300. One more tip from longtime birders: Join a local birding society to learn more about birding in your area and network with people who can help you better enjoy your new hobby. Many local birding societies hold bird count events around Christmastime, and the global Great Backyard Bird Count takes place every February. This year's event will be Feb. 16 to Feb. 19. For more information on the Great Backyard Bird Count, visit birdcount.org. Do you have a story to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge. This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Winter bird watching a popular hobby in Mississippi Signe Gardo came in a tiny package, but her impact on Hilton Head Island was gigantic. And to the people, it was as warm as her famous oversized cookies at Signes Heaven Bound Bakery and Cafe. Last year, when Signe hit 50 years of owning and operating her small business -- dreaming up novelties and schlepping dough from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. six days a week -- her creative menus still matched the eclectic look of a woman then 81 years old. Signe is still Signe, I wrote at the time, marching to a different drummer in her fuzzy pink polka-dot socks in flour-dusted Crocs. Feint green shorts, pink top, and oversized pink glasses and blue eye shadow beneath her trademark mop of blond hair make her look like a little girl caught playing in Elton Johns closet. Signe was different, and dared to remain different, and thus she helped Hilton Head to be different and better. On Christmas Eve a year ago, she closed shop for good, finishing the last of her take-home holiday dinners and saying thats it to a career that was a passion and a calling. On this Christmas Eve, she was at The Preston Health Center at The Cypress, part of what looked to be a long but positive recovery from a near-fatal thoracic aortic dissection on Nov. 14. Tom Gardo, her husband of 45 years, said he was there with her till about 11 p.m. They talked about what time hed be there in the morning with some presents and a couple of soft-boiled eggs something he makes that Signe liked. But he got a call at 6:20 a.m. to come quickly. Signe had quit breathing, and despite efforts to revive her, that great blast of energy that had been unleashed on a sleepy island in 1966 was gone. Signe was heaven bound on Christmas day, and the outpouring of sadness and love from Hilton Head was immediate. BLOOMINGDALES Signe was a latchkey child in Connecticut, entertaining herself by cooking. Her first job on Hilton Head was as a telephone operator at the old William Hilton Inn. And she polished silver for Charles and Mary Fraser, and was nanny to their two daughters. She opened Signes World deli in a tiny building in Harbour Town in 1972, pregnant with her second child, and having relatively no business experience. She called her shop a teensy weensy Bloomingdales. At first, it was basically a health food store. But a Packet story four years later said she had a section of grand cru wine, Tesori Rice Ambra from Italy, five kinds of mineral water, carob powder, shelves of vitamins, seeds for sprouting, health books, the Mother Earth News, dried fruit, gorilla bars, teas, honey, cakes and cookies, super sandwiches, fruit drinks, imported beer, soaps, candy and candles. You could get a sandwich made on eight-grain bread that was literally homemade at Signes house (where trays of bean sprouts stacked six-feet high in the bathroom), topped with hand-sliced everything and a pile of fresh alfalfa sprouts all washed down with pure watermelon juice. She had zany fruit drinks with funny names, like the Chocobanana made of chocolate protein powder, a banana and milk. None of this was going on anywhere else in South Carolina at the time. Hilton Head was different, and in that formative era of the modern island, people noticed and appreciated it. It was true Signe, the young mom and step-mom who rode to work on a bicycle, and for a while, roller skates. Her mantra was, Stay clean; stay pure; nothing artificial. Everything is made here. Cookies were a hit from the beginning, starting with chocolate chip, then the Cowboy with oatmeal, raisins and nuts; and the Mumbo, a chocolate cookie with chocolate chips and nuts. Her first popular pie was pecan chocolate chip. Her biggest cake hit was the key lime pound cake. Parents would drop their kids off at Signes World with $5 and theyd hang out at Signes and the adjacent playground that was handmade by Wayne Edwards. Signe had jump ropes for them. She said kids liked to make the tables on the front porch squeak. They were made from old sewing machines she bought in Savannah for $5 each. Generation after generation of customers were touched by Signe. So were hundreds who worked for her, but especially the 4,500 or so who had wedding cakes handmade by Signe. And she could remember their names. FAITH IN GOD Signe was divorced with two little girls when she met Tom Gardo, who was divorced with two little girls. They met at a Bible study in the home of Robert and Manelle Graves, a group that would evolve into the evangelical Christian Renewal Church, where Signes funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6. Tom and Signe were married two months later in a small service early on a Monday morning at St. Lukes Episcopal Church. Tom was vice president of marketing and public relations at the Sea Pines Co. They were both new Christians. Signe had been an atheist. Dyane Lee of Bluffton, who worked with Signe for more than a decade, said this week, People dont know it, but Signe was a farmer. What Signe did was plant seeds. She prayed for people, and she wanted people to know the Lord. Thats what we call planting seeds. She said Signe hired people no one else would hire: under-qualified, over-qualified, sometimes right out of jail, sometimes fighting drug addiction, including one who is now a church elder. She did everything she could for them, Dyane said. A lot of people were saved in the early days at Signes and that was important to her. Pastor Brad Steele of the Christian Renewal Church on Gardner Drive said, That woman could pray down heaven. She was often called to come forward and lead prayer, especially for the next generation. The thing about Signe was, if I could say one thing about her, she was always ready to preach the gospel. Even to the end, with health care workers. Faith came first for her. He said they often worried that a strong wind would blow her over, she was so frail. But, the pastor said, Signe was just a rock. She was Toms rock. She was a rock in our church. And a blessing to our community. David Lauderdale may be reached at LauderdaleColumn@gmail.com. Boston Councilor-at-Large Ruthzee Louijeune made history on Monday when she became the first Haitian-American sworn in as council president. Louijeune, an attorney and the daughter of immigrants, is also the third Black woman to hold the position. I am excited for whats to come for our city, and believe that our collective work can transform our beloved city into one where every person feels honored, safe, housed, and healthy. Louijuene said in a statement. I am hopeful, and I am grateful, because the only way we get through, the only way we thrive, the only way we push forward, is together. City councilors praised Louijuene for bringing people together. Councilor Louijeune has shown she knows how to build bridges to address issues that impact all Boston residents, from tackling crucial city services to spearheading initiatives that create more affordable housing and uplift our most underserved communities, District 4 Councilor Brian Worrell said in a statement. I am proud to support her as our next Council President in my capacity as Council Vice President and look forward to partnering with her and all of our colleagues to deliver for our City. District 1 Councilor Gabriella Coletta said in a statement, It was an honor to nominate Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune as council president. Im confident the Council will promote collaboration, governance, and accountability this legislative session. The daughter of immigrants from Haiti, Louijeune was born and raised in Mattapan and Hyde Park and attended Boston Public Schools, according to biographical information on boston.gov. Her first job at 14 was as a walking tour guide with the youth organization MYTOWN. Former Mayor Thomas Menino appointed her to a committee to redesign the student assignment process. As a Ward Fellow, she also interned for former State Rep. Marie St. Fleur. An attorney, Louijeune has practiced before Boston Housing Court and represented families facing eviction and foreclosure, according to biographical information on boston.gov. She also served as the senior attorney on Sen. Elizabeth Warrens presidential campaign and drafted agreements for first-generation homeowners to help close racial homeownership and wealth gaps with the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance. She is a graduate of Boston Public Schools, Columbia University, Harvard Law School, and Harvard Kennedy School of Government, according to boston.gov. She is trilingual with French and Haitian Creole and is conversant in Spanish. Started off the new year with my colleagues at our inauguration ceremony. I am deeply humbled to have earned the unanimous support of my @BOSCityCouncil colleagues to lead as Boston City Council President, an honor that is especially meaningful today as the Haitian community pic.twitter.com/0lNDCS25CV Ruthzee Louijeune (@Ruthzee) January 1, 2024 Monday also marked added significance to the swearing-in ceremony, as Jan. 1 is also celebrated as Haitian Independence Day, the most important holiday in the Haitian community. On Jan. 1, Haitians celebrate their role in history as the first free Black republic in the Western hemisphere and the only country in the world founded from a slave revolt. Boston is home to the third largest Haitian diaspora in the country. As Louijeune was sworn in, the chambers filled with family and friends. Loved ones who attended wore red and blue, colors that celebrated both Haitian Independence Day and her history-making appointment. In her first speech as council president, Louijeune outlined a vision for the city of Boston that addresses inequities while envisioning a future that welcomes everyone to the table. She spoke about addressing barriers to homeownership, creating stronger models for waste collection in Boston neighborhoods, ensuring that every Boston Public Schools student has the necessary tools to succeed, and working with local unions to help the city and its residents. Louijeune recognized and offered flowers to her predecessor, former City Council President Ed Flynn, who served as president during her first term in office. She also welcomed new colleagues Enrique Pepen, John Fitzgerald, Henry Santana, and Ben Weber. During Louijeunes first term, she helped lead the council through the tumultuous redistricting process, passing a map that met standards set by a federal court order. As chairperson of the Committee on Civil Rights and Immigrant Advancement, she pushed for additions in the budget, securing funds for fair housing testers, a municipal wage study, expanding the Office of Returning Citizens, and increased housing support for vulnerable populations. City officials said she has been an advocate for legalizing beekeeping citywide, increasing the frequency of trash pickup for cleaner streets, and she works to bridge gaps and to distribute resources to every neighborhood. As council president, Louijeune said she is committed to building on her previous work, while highlighting issues facing city residents. One thing to know about me is that I unequivocally reject any zero-sum mentality that suggests that for one group to succeed, another must lose, Louijeune said. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW TREMONTON, Utah (ABC4) Fire crews in Box Elder County closed out 2023 by knocking out two house fires on New Years Eve. The Garland Fire Department said it assisted the Tremonton Fire Department at a townhome just after 5 p.m. on Dec. 31. An off-duty police officer with the Perry City Police Department reported hearing a loud explosion just before seeing smoke. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now ABC4 Breaking News Alerts When firefighters arrived, smoke could be seen billowing out of the townhome windows. Crews were able to quickly tackle the fire and prevent it from spreading throughout the complex. As emergency responders were cleaning up a second structure fire was reported, sending firefighters rushing to the new scene. Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke coming from the home. Crews were able to make another quick save, knocking out the fire and saving the home from extensive damage. Garland Fire Department said both fires are still under investigation and no one was injured in either event. No other details were released about either fire. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Britain experienced a record number of excess deaths last year amid repeated NHS strikes and the continued cost of the Covid pandemic. Nearly 53,000 more people died in 2023 than normal the highest figure recorded in a non-pandemic year since the Second World War, Telegraph analysis shows. Doctors went on strike for 38 days last year, and experts fear the disruption contributed to the high number of excess deaths. On Wednesday, junior doctors start the longest strike in the history of the health service. Officials have said the walkout will mean the most difficult start to the year the NHS has ever faced. Prof Carl Heneghan, director of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine at University of Oxford, told the Telegraph that patients had been abandoned to look after themselves while doctors and the Government were at a standoff. He said: Patients are being rung up with diagnoses for cancer over the phone, left abandoned to look after themselves while the strikes are worked through, and its patients that are ultimately suffering. NHS medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said the next strike, lasting six days, will cause a serious impact in the weeks after as services try to recover and deal with extra demand. Experts have also said that the impact of the pandemic, lockdowns, and the resulting long waiting lists have all contributed to excess deaths. The British Medical Association (BMA), the doctors union, has also been warned by NHS chiefs that the patients at the greatest risk of harm this week, based on an analysis of previous strikes, were those with fast-progressing cancers, time-critical inductions and urgent elective C-sections, and corneal transplant surgery. Analysis by The Telegraph of Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures for England, Wales and Scotland showed that 52,698 more deaths than would have been expected had occurred by Dec 8 last year, based on a five-year average of deaths before Covid. Official ONS analysis to calculate the five-year average excludes 2020 but includes 2021, which was still heavily impacted by Covid. The total number of deaths last year was 595,789. It means there were more than 1,000 additional deaths each week, surpassing last years total of 50,200 and the peak of 51,200 during the 1951 flu epidemic. It is the highest figure since 1940, before the NHS existed, when there were about 96,000 extra deaths. During the pandemic, 82,000 and 60,000 extra deaths occurred in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Prof Heneghan said: Were at a tipping point in the NHS. People are dying on the waiting list, those who require emergency care are not being sought and seen quickly enough, and social care is almost non-existent. He said many GPs had not worked for seven of the last 10 days, with a quarter of their number being made up of junior doctors. Prof Heneghan said cancer patients normally seen in a clinic and starting treatment were being called by overstretched consultants instead of seen in person, and everything was being pushed back because of strikes. Consultants are covering the junior doctors work and so there is a displacement and basic care is going out of the window, he added. I would implore at this time of year that both sides need to just get around the table and call this strike off. Both sides seem to be at a standoff where theyre almost holding a gun to each others head. This should now be a job for the Prime Minister to act, because it is patients that will suffer and suffer in many different ways. It is completely unacceptable to play with peoples lives in this way. Dr Tim Cooksley, a former president of the Society of Acute Medicine, said the strikes reflect the stress and pressure and frustration that [staff] cant deliver the care they want. He added: Industrial action increases pressure on services, and this can lead to adverse effects and harm for patients. Prof Carl Heneghan, of the University of Oxford, called for both sides to hold talks to end the strikes - Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Europe Prof Karol Sikora, a leading cancer specialist, warned that Britain is still seeing a knock-on impact from Covid, adding: A tunnel vision focus on one virus led to millions and millions of patients suffering delays in diagnosis and treatment for every single aspect of healthcare. Lockdowns, and the associated delays, are undoubtedly the driving factor behind these horrific statistics. In cancer alone, I estimate that there will be significantly more life years lost to unnecessary delays than the virus sadly took. Dr Adrian Boyle, the president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said it was vital to remember that each death represents an individual person with a family and loved ones and that it was heartbreaking to think that any one could have been avoided. The NHS has had to deal with a series of significant challenges in the past 12 months. Last winter was the most difficult the service has ever experienced, he added, citing excessively long waits across all services, with all of this in addition to a series of strikes. He said: We cannot definitively say that all or any of these issues have contributed to the rise in excess deaths, but what they do reflect is a health system that is not functioning properly. Increasingly, it is the whole system that is in need of intensive care to ensure this shocking figure does not rise again next year. Britains excess mortality was worse than any other developed country as of mid-October 2023, when comparable international data was available. The death rate of 8.6 per cent above the expected amount for the year significantly outpaced Israel, the next worst country, with 5.5 per cent. Excess deaths in Britain were around four times higher than Germanys 2.2 per cent. New Zealand had 1.4 per cent more deaths than normal, while France had 1.7 per cent fewer than expected, a separate Telegraph analysis of the World Mortality Dataset revealed. Data for Australia and the United States was only available up until mid-August, when excess deaths were at 8.4 per cent and 1.4 per cent, respectively. The UKs figure at that time was 9.0 per cent. Junior doctors have been asking for a 35 per cent pay rise since they first walked out last March. The NHS backlog has continued to grow since, rising to a high of 7.8 million before dropping slightly last month. Data from the Office for Health Disparities shows that excess deaths are disproportionately affecting middle-aged people between 50 and 64, where they are 13.5 per cent higher than expected, as well as the under-25s 11.8 per cent higher. The data also show people dying more often than they should from cardiac and heart-related issues, respiratory infections and diabetes, among other conditions. Excess deaths from heart failure are up 16 per cent in the last year. Cardiac and respiratory care have been among the worst hit specialities by NHS delays. Junior doctors are scheduled to walk out at 7am on Jan 3 and will not return to work until 7am on Jan 9. Prof Powis said: This January could be one of the most difficult starts to the year the NHS has ever faced. Six consecutive days of industrial action comes at one of our busiest periods, he added. Our colleagues across the health service are doing their very best for patients every day with extensive preparations in place, but theres no doubt they are starting 2024 on the back foot not only will action impact next week, it will continue to have a serious impact in the weeks after, as we recover services and deal with additional demand. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: We urge the BMA junior doctors committee to call off their strikes and come back to the negotiating table so we can find a fair and reasonable solution, and so we can all get back to focusing on patients and their care. We know how distressing it is for patients who have had appointments and procedures cancelled, and we have provided 800 million to ensure patients continue to receive the highest quality care this winter and ease pressure on hospitals impacted by industrial action. NHS staff are working hard to prioritise resources to protect emergency treatment, critical care, neonatal care, maternity, and trauma, and to ensure we prioritise patients who have waited the longest for elective care and cancer surgery. The BMA was contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Webley was celebrating the new year with friends at a pub when he was shot in a gang-related attack, it was reported Britains youngest Euromillions winner has said she is devastated after her gangster ex-boyfriend was shot dead outside an Edinburgh pub on New Years Eve in a targeted attack. The man, named in newspaper reports as Marc Webley, was killed outside the Anchor Inn in Granton Road shortly before midnight on Sunday. The 38 year old was convicted of being involved in a gangland shooting in 2005. Webley was celebrating with friends when he was shot in a gang-related attack, the Daily Record reported. Until recently, Webley had been in a relationship with Jane Park, who won a 1 million jackpot on the EuroMillions when she was 17 in 2013. Police Scotland said they were treating the shooting as murder and it was believed to have been a targeted incident. At around 11.50pm officers were called to reports of two men being seriously injured after a gun was fired in Granton Crescent. Emergency services attended and the two men were taken to hospital. The force said a 38-year-old man was pronounced dead a short time later and a 39-year-old man remained in hospital in a serious but stable condition. Tributes paid to 38 year old Posting on her Instagram story, Ms Park said: I cant believe Im writing this, we spoke yesterday. If I could cuddle you again and tell you everything is going to be OK I would give anything to do it, Marc. The months we spent together, you taught me some valuable things in life and Ill never ever forget you. I am absolutely devastated. The best bed for you is up there My Handsome. Webleys brother Don posted a picture of him on Facebook on New Years Day, with many people leaving messages of condolence. Road closures remained in place on Granton Road and Granton Crescent on Monday evening while police enquiries continued. Enquiries at very early stage Det Supt Graham Grant said: This is believed to have been a targeted incident and our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of both men involved. Enquiries are at a very early stage to establish the full circumstances surrounding what happened, and while officers have already gathered CCTV and spoken to various people who were in the area at the time, Id urge anyone with information who hasnt yet spoken to us to come forward. He urged anyone with private CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage of area at around the time of the incident to come forward. This incident will undoubtedly have caused concern in the local community and officers will be carrying out extra patrols of the area and Id like to reassure the public that everything possible is being done to trace whoever is responsible, he added. In 2005, Webley and and James Tant were each sentenced to 11 years at Glasgow High Court for attempted murder in Edinburgh earlier that year. Webley, who was 19 at the time, shot another man in Granton in what was described as a failed gangland hit. Last year Webley was cleared of attempted murder which saw him accused of trying to ram a car off the road in Edinburgh. He denied repeatedly slamming his car into another vehicle carrying driver Richard Hughes and passenger Lyndsay McLaughlin while travelling at speeds of up to 65mph. 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. Burundis president said gay people should be stoned, amid a larger crackdown on the LGBTQ community in the East African country. If you want to attract a curse to the country, accept homosexuality, Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye said in a question and answer session with journalists and the public last Friday, according to Reuters. I even think that these people, if we find them in Burundi, it is better to lead them to a stadium and stone them. And that cannot be a sin, he continued, claiming homosexuality is imported from the West. The Burundi leaders remarks come amid growing concern over anti-gay statements and laws across the African continent. Burundi already criminalizes same-sex sexual activity, with sentences of up to two years in prison. A gay human rights activist in the country who spoke with The New York Times on the condition of anonymity said Sunday that the presidents comment worsens an already unsafe environment. Ndayishimiyes remarks come months after Uganda enacted an anti-gay law that drew condemnation from human rights groups and international political leaders from both sides of the aisle in the U.S. The law imposes harsh penalties on those who identify as homosexual, including the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality. The country defines this as cases of sexual relations involving people with HIV, along with minors and other vulnerable people, The Associated Press reported. A person convicted of attempted aggravated homosexuality can be imprisoned for up to 14 years. The law and continued harassment of LGBTQ members have prompted some to attempt to flee Uganda. The State Department earlier this month announced an expansion of a previous visa restriction policy targeting those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Uganda. The policy now also applies to officials or others who were behind or complicit in policies or actions aimed at repressing members of marginalized or vulnerable populations. Uganda argued the U.S. is pushing an LGBT agenda in the wake of the Biden administrations pushback. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Bus operators transporting migrants from the southern U.S. border to New York City are skirting Mayor Eric Adams' executive order placing strict limits on new arrivals, according to a New Jersey official. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Bus operators are circumventing New York Mayor Eric Adams' executive order limiting the arrival of migrants in the city by dropping off their passengers in suburban New Jersey, a local official says. In a statement issued Sunday, Secaucus, N.J., Mayor Michael Gonnelli said at least four buses carrying migrants dropped them off at the train station in Secaucus over the weekend. The migrants then boarded trains into New York City. Last week, Adams issued an executive order to regulate the busing of migrants into the city. The restrictions, which include requiring bus operators and third parties to contact the city's Office of Emergency Management in advance, are in response to an influx of migrants coming to the city. Some have been sent there by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Adams' executive order also limits the hours during which charter buses may drop off passengers. "It seems quite clear the bus operators are finding a way to thwart the requirements of the Executive Order by dropping migrants at the train station in Secaucus and having them continue to their final destination," Gonnelli said in a statement. "Based on reports from the State Police this is now happening at train stations throughout the state." Some of the many migrants who have been bused to New York from the southern U.S. border are shown sitting among their belongings and sleeping bags outside of a New York City hotel in February 2023. File Photo by Justin Lane/EPA-EFE Gonnelli adds that New Jersey has a plan in place to address the situation. He also said Adams' restrictions may be "too stringent and are resulting in unexpected consequences." "At this point in time it seems train tickets are being secured for the migrants and they have been making their way to their final destination," he said. More than 161,000 migrants have arrived in New York City since spring 2022. Adams declared a state of emergency in October 2022. Buses of migrants have arrived at train station stops in various parts of New Jersey, state and local officials said, an apparent response and workaround to New York City's executive order limiting an influx of migrants. Details of the drop offs remain unclear, although Democratic Gov. Phil Murphys office said that migrants were taking the train to New York City. Leaders of blue states and cities have grappled with thousands of migrants sent to their municipalities from the southern border in recent months. Nowhere has it been more focused than New York City. Our Administration has tracked the recent arrival of a handful buses of migrant families at various NJ TRANSIT train stations, Murphy spokesperson Tyler Jones said in a statement to POLITICO. New Jersey is primarily being used as a transit point for these families all or nearly all of them continued with their travels en route to their final destination of New York City. We are closely coordinating with our federal and local partners on this matter, including our colleagues across the Hudson. Local officials in Secaucus and Fanwood said migrants were sent via bus to their municipalities train stations. Trentons mayor, Reed Gusciora, said in an interview that NJ Transit officials informed his city of buses of people arriving at Trentons train station stop, although he said it was unclear if it was migrants. This is clearly going to be a statewide conversation so important that we wait for some guidance from the Governor here on next steps as busses continue, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, who is running for governor in 2025, wrote in a now-deleted post on social media. New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently issued an executive order limiting when buses of migrants can come into the city and requiring advanced notice. In a statement, Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli, who claimed that migrants bused to his train station and took the train to New York City, said the train station stops were a way to circumvent Adams executive order. He estimated four buses of migrants arrived Saturday morning. It seems quite clear the bus operators are finding a way to thwart the requirements of the [New York City] Executive Order by dropping migrants at the train station in Secaucus and having them continue to their final destination Gonnelli said in a statement. A spokesperson for Adams office without directly mentioning New Jersey said in a statement to POLITICO on Sunday evening that dropping migrants off at train stations was a workaround to the recent executive order. Texas Governor Greg Abbott continues to treat asylum seekers like political pawns, and is instead now dropping families off in surrounding cities and states in the cold, dark of night with train tickets to travel to New York City, just like he has been doing in Chicago in response to their similar executive order, Adams spokesperson Fabien Levy said in a statement. This is exactly why we have been coordinating with surrounding cities and counties since before issuing our order to encourage them to take similar executive action to protect migrants against this cruelty. It isnt New Jerseys first instance dealing with the migrant crisis this year. Media reports from the fall suggested a South Jersey airport as a possible location for migrants to relocate from New York City, although the proposal never materialized. The proposal, however, was strongly opposed by Democrats and Republicans in the region. Murphy, who once said he would make New Jersey a sanctuary state, said at the time the state didnt have the resources to take migrants at the airport. It is unclear what, if anything, comes next. Gonnelli said that State Police received reports of buses arriving in other municipalities. New Jersey State Police declined to comment. NJ Transit referred questions to the governors office. In an email to POLITICO, Fanwood police director Michael Bramhall said that his department received an email from NJ Transit police just after midnight on Sunday that a single charter bus of migrants had been dropped off at the Fanwood Train Station. By the time local police showed up to the scene, the group, which he said was unknown in size and make up, had boarded NJ Transit trains headed to Newark Penn Station. Bramhall said it is unclear where the bus came from. Newark had not received any request for services as of Sunday night, according to a spokesperson. Guscoria said Sunday that NJ Transit told police in Trenton that there were buses of people at the city train station stop, but he said it was unclear to him if they actually contained migrants. I did receive confirmation from our police director that there were a couple of buses at NJ Transit but most of the people transferred to trains, he said. A prominent immigrant rights group in the state on Sunday called for New Jersey state government to step up to take care of migrants. As the federal government uses migrants as political pawns threatening to end asylum and expand deportations over the past few weeks this is an opportunity for New Jersey to stand up and continue its rich history of welcoming migrants, Sara Cullinane, state director of Make the Road New Jersey, said in a statement. We are a state of immigrants and we must continue to be a beacon for those fleeing violence in search of a better life. California boy used stolen gun found in dad's car to kill fellow 10-year-old, authorities say A 53-year-old man and his child were in custody Sunday after the boy took a stolen gun from his father's car and killed a fellow 10-year-old, authorities in Sacramento County, California, said. The attack unfolded Saturday afternoon in the Foothill Farms community when the man sent his son to retrieve cigarettes from his car, the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office said. The boy then "took a gun from inside the vehicle and bragged that his father had a gun," the sheriff's office said in a statement released Sunday. "He then proceeded to shoot the victim once and ran into a nearby apartment." Deputies found the victim bleeding from the head and neck, the sheriff's office said, and administered CPR and other "life-saving efforts" until Sacramento Metro Fire Department first responders arrived. The child was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Family identified Keith Investigators believe the suspected shooter's father, identified as Arkete Davis, 53, tried to get rid of the gun by placing it in a trash can, the sheriff's office said. Authorities allege the firearm was stolen. Family members identified the victim as Keith KJ Frierson, NBC affiliate KCRA of Sacramento reported. The name of the suspected shooter was withheld because he is a juvenile. He was booked on suspicion of murder, the sheriff's office said. His father was arrested and booked on suspicion of possession of a firearm by a felon, criminal storage of a firearm, carrying a stolen loaded firearm in a vehicle, child endangerment and acting as an accessory to a crime after the fact, according to inmate records. It was not clear whether the suspects have legal counsel for the case. The Sacramento County Public Defender's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Davis was being held in lieu of $500,000 bail, inmate records indicate. Sheriff's officials said he was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday. The boy was detained at the Sacramento County Youth Detention Facility, the sheriff's office said, with coming court appearances unavailable. Juveniles in Sacramento County must be charged within 48 business hours of arrest or detention. Bail is not used, but minors can be released to parents or legal guardians. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A California law that bans carrying firearms in most public places took effect Monday after an appeals court halted a federal judges ruling against the law. On Dec. 20, U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney temporarily blocked the law from going into effect, calling it sweeping, repugnant to the Second Amendment, and openly defiant of the Supreme Court. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit delayed that order Saturday to give the court more time to consider the constitutionality of the law, meaning it could take effect Jan. 1 as planned. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) praised the decision in a statement Saturday. Californians overwhelmingly support efforts to ensure that places like hospitals, libraries and childrens playgrounds remain safe and free from guns, he said in a statement. Gov. Gavin Newsom, shown here at a July 22, 2022, news conference at Santa Monica College, has signed several gun control measures into law. Gov. Gavin Newsom, shown here at a July 22, 2022, news conference at Santa Monica College, has signed several gun control measures into law. Newsom signed several pieces of gun control legislation into law in September, including Senate Bill 2, which restricts the ability to carry firearms in sensitive places, such as schools, zoos, religious institutions and sporting events, and on public transportation. In his decision, Carney argued the law turns nearly every public place in California into a sensitive place. The California Rifle and Pistol Association is suing to block the law. Senate Bill 2 is one of many state laws going into effect Monday. Minnesota and Colorado also have gun-related laws going into effect. Chief Justice John Roberts warned that courts will need to consider the proper use of artificial intelligence (AI), portraying it as a new frontier for change in an annual report that follows a turbulent year for the Supreme Court. I predict that human judges will be around for a while, Roberts wrote in his report. But with equal confidence I predict that judicial work particularly at the trial level will be significantly affected by AI, he continued. Those changes will involve not only how judges go about doing their job, but also how they understand the role that AI plays in the cases that come before them. Released Sunday, the report makes no mention of the high courts recent ethics controversies or the disputes barreling toward the justices implicating former President Trump that are set to dominate the coming months. The report instead marks the chief justices most extensive public statement to date on AI, building upon his comments over the years concerning emerging technologies impact on the law. For years, the justices have grappled with applying centuries-old legal doctrine to modern machinery in cases before them, and this term is no different. But Roberts at times has stressed a need for courts to better incorporate new technologies into their operations. In 2014, as he announced the Supreme Court would move to an electronic case filing system, Roberts lamented that courts often choose to be late to the harvest. For those who cannot afford a lawyer, AI can help. Roberts wrote Sunday. It drives new, highly accessible tools that provide answers to basic questions, including where to find templates and court forms, how to fill them out, and where to bring them for presentation to the judge all without leaving home. These tools have the welcome potential to smooth out any mismatch between available resources and urgent needs in our court system. But while he hailed AI as providing benefits in the legal field and elsewhere, Roberts simultaneously warned that AI requires caution and humility. One of AIs prominent applications made headlines this year for a shortcoming known as hallucination, which caused the lawyers using the application to submit briefs with citations to non-existent cases. (Always a bad idea.), Roberts wrote. Two days earlier, Trumps ex-fixer and personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, admitted to giving his lawyer fake case citations using AI-powered chatbot Google Bard. Cohens lawyer used the citations in a motion to end Cohens supervised release early, a sentence that followed Cohens guilty plea to tax and campaign finance charges. Cohen was not the first to have been caught using AI this year, however. In June, a federal judge sanctioned two lawyers after one used fake case citations and admitted to using AI-powered chatbot ChatGPT in doing so. One federal appeals court is now proposing lawyers certify they did not rely on AI in drafting court documents. Roberts indicated that multiple committees of the Judicial Conference, the federal judiciarys policy-making arm of which Roberts is the presiding officer, will be involved in determining AIs proper use. The chief justice argued that AI risks invading privacy safeguards and dehumanizing the law, repeatedly stressing in his report the notion that machines cannot fully replace humans in the courts. The prediction echoes comments Roberts made to graduates at a D.C.-area high school in 2018, when Roberts told the students to beware the robots and AI while suggesting the technologies wont take over the world. Judges, for example, measure the sincerity of a defendants allocution at sentencing, Roberts wrote Sunday. Nuance matters: Much can turn on a shaking hand, a quivering voice, a change of inflection, a bead of sweat, a moments hesitation, a fleeting break in eye contact. And most people still trust humans more than machines to perceive and draw the right inferences from these clues. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Xi Jinping, Chinas leader, has vowed that his country will surely be reunified during a televised New Years Eve address, just weeks ahead of key elections in Taiwan. All Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Mr Xi said, noting that 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). Mr Xi has vowed to reunify the two sides of the strait by 2049, the target date for achieving the Chinese dream. The PRC, which has never ruled Taiwan, views the democratic island nation as part of its territory and vows to annex it by force if necessary. Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwans president, responded to Mr Xis comments on Monday in what will be her final New Years Day address. She emphasised that Taiwans future would be democratically determined by its own people but also called for the resumption of cross-strait relations, expressing hope for healthy and orderly exchanges through peace, equality, democracy and dialogue as soon as possible. Facing global conflict between democracy and freedom and authoritarianism, Taiwans only choice in the future is to continue to uphold democracy and protect peace, Ms Tsai said. Taiwan's president, Tsai Ing-wen, delivers her final new year address ahead of election later this month - TAIWANES PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE The comments come less than two weeks ahead of Taiwans presidential and legislative elections, set for Jan 13. William Lai, the current frontrunner and vice president of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has said he is open to discussions with China. The PRC labels the DPP a separatist force that advocates for Taiwans independence, though the DPPs charter states that Taiwan is already an independent, sovereign entity and does not need to declare formal independence. China cut off talks with Taiwan in 2016 after Ms Tsais first election victory. It has also stepped up military pressure since then, sending naval vessels and military aircraft into Taipais territorial waters and airspace with increasing frequency. The other two presidential election contenders, Hou Yu-ih of the China-friendly Kuomintang and Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan Peoples Party, say more communication with China is needed in order to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait. Election interference Experts have warned of mounting Chinese election interference via military aggression, economic coercion and information warfare as the ballot draws nearer. The government has warned that China has stepped up interference in recent months through religious organisations, while more than 400 Taiwan village chiefs have participated in China-sponsored tours of the mainland. According to Taiwans election ministry, 157 people are currently under investigation for alleged election interference in 77 alleged cases. At least one man has been charged so far. In his New Years Eve speech, Mr Xi also promised to advance economic reform policies. He admitted the country has financial troubles as it deals with an unprecedented economic slump, marked by a property crisis, high youth unemployment and local government debt. China is bound to encounter headwinds, Mr Xi said. Some enterprises had a tough time. Some people had difficulty finding jobs and meeting basic needs, he added but he vowed to advance modernisation and development and deepen reform and opening up in 2024. 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. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday pledged Beijings reunification with Taiwan in his year-end address, just weeks before the self-governing island holds elections for its president and legislature. The reunification of the motherland is a historical inevitability, Xi said, according to Reuters. The official English translation of his remarks, as provided by his office, reads, China will surely be reunified. And all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Xi added, according to the translation posted by Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Chinese leaders tone appeared stronger than last year, Reuters noted. Last year, Xi said people on either side of the strait are members of one and the same family and pushed for China and Taiwan to work together to jointly foster lasting prosperity of the Chinese nation, the news wire added. Xis remarks Sunday echo those he made last week, when he pledged to prevent anyone from splitting Taiwan from China in any way. During a celebration of the 130th anniversary of the birth of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong last week, Xi reportedly said, The complete reunification of the motherland is an irresistible trend. Days later, Chinas Defense Ministry reaffirmed the countrys threat to use military force to annex the self-governed Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory. Defense Ministry spokesperson Col. Wu Qian told reporters last week that Chinas military would as always take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard our national sovereignty and territorial integrity, The Associated Press (AP) reported. The majority of Taiwans population of about 23 million people is in support of keeping the islands self-governing status, the AP noted. China has continued to carry out actions viewed as intimidating around Taiwan, such as sending warships and fighter jets close to the island, further fueling concerns of a potential invasion in the future. Xi did not mention any military threats during his year-end speech Sunday. Taiwan will hold elections for its president and legislature on Jan. 13. Meeting with Xi last month in San Francisco, President Biden said he cautioned China against interfering in Taiwans upcoming elections, given the tense relations between Beijing and the island. The topic of Taiwans de-facto independent status has been a source of contention between Washington and Beijing. Biden previously said the U.S. would defend Taiwan militarily if it were attacked, a contradiction of the U.S.s long-standing ambiguity on the issue. Biden in November, however, also reaffirmed the U.S.s commitment to the One China policy, in which the U.S. does not recognize Taiwan as a separate state from mainland China. We maintain the agreement that there is a One China policy. Im not going to change that. Thats not going to change. Thats about the extent to which we discussed it, Biden said in November. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Liz Lee BEIJING (Reuters) -China's President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulations with U.S. President Joe Biden on the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Monday. Xi, in his message, said both countries have "weathered the storms and moved forward in general", which has enhanced the well-being of their peoples and contributed to world peace, stability and prosperity, according to the ministry statement. Xi called China and U.S. forming ties "a major event" in the history of bilateral relations and in international relations. China-U.S. ties have been frosty but Biden administration officials have visited Beijing and met with their counterparts to rebuild communications and trust in the months leading up to a high-stakes summit between Xi and Biden in San Francisco in November, deemed an opportunity to cool tensions between the world's two largest economies. Xi said the summit has pointed out the direction for both nations' ties, under a future-oriented vision. "I am willing to work with President Biden to continue to steer and navigate the China-U.S. relationship for the benefit of China and the U.S. and the two peoples, and to promote the cause of world peace and development," Xi said. The U.S. is due its presidential election in November, in which former president and outspoken critic of China Donald Trump is campaigning against Biden to come back for a second term. NEW YEAR'S WISHES Xi also exchanged New Year's messages with North Korea leader Kim Jong Un, and both announced 2024 to be a "friendship year" for both countries, launching a series of activities for that, the Chinese foreign ministry said separately. Xi said China is willing to work with North Korea to deepen strategic mutual trust, enhance exchanges and cooperation, promote greater bilateral ties and make new contributions to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region. On New Year's Eve, the Chinese leader exchanged greetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin as well. This year is the 75th anniversary of China and Russia establishing diplomatic relations. Russia's economic reliance on China has grown as the country becomes increasingly isolated, hit by sanctions especially from Western countries since its invasion of Ukraine, a war which will enter its third year come February. Xi said China and Russia should "continuously consolidate" and develop ties "featuring permanent good-neighbourly friendship", along with comprehensive strategic coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation that would serve both countries' interests. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China by Mao Zedong, who defeated Republic of China forces led by Chiang Kai-shek in a bloody civil war. Mao declared the People's Republic of China on Oct. 1, 1949, while Chiang's government fled into exile in Taiwan in December of that year. No peace treaty has ever been signed to end the war and the Republic of China remains Taiwan's formal name. Xi said in his New Year's address on Sunday that China's "reunification" with Taiwan is inevitable, striking a stronger tone than he did a year earlier with less than two weeks to go before the democratically governed island elects a new leader. (Reporting by Liz Lee; Editing by Kim Coghill) Editor's note: Laura Lane is enjoying a much deserved break this week so we reached deep into the well of past My Favorite Ride columns for this installment. This one was first published near the end of December 2013. It seems like a fitting time to ask again, "Does anyone want to drop a Lamborghini off with a car columnist for a week?" Today I offer unsolicited advice to New York Times writer Dwight Garner: Stick to reviewing books, please. And thanks, by the way, for recommending Janet Malcolms Iphigenia in Forest Hills: Anatomy of a Murder Trial. Its not that Garner cannot write well about cars; he has a way with words, although his stories are a bit heavy on the metaphors. In the midst of shredding up last Sundays newspaper to stuff some boxes for late holiday shipping, I came across Garners Dec. 20 Behind the Wheel column about a 2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster. Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster White. Sleek. Fancy upon fancy. V-12 engine with 691 horsepower. Zero to 60 mph in less than three seconds. Blue flames out the exhaust pipes! Half a million bucks. Garner describes this futuristic car as a growling alien insect. He claims he has never cared much about what car he drives, mentioning rusted-out Jeeps and Volvos. (Sorry Dwight, Ive got you beat: road-weary mini vans and several wrecked Subaru station wagons.) He claims to dislike flashiness. And yet, when Lamborghini chief operating officer Michael Lock delivered an Aventador to Garners New Jersey driveway two months ago, he was happy to take the ignition key (wait, there is no key; just a push-button starter) and agreed to drive the car for five days. Heres an itch, I recall thinking, I could get used to scratching, Garner wrote. Yeah, me too. Except its so unlikely anyone from Lamborghini will find their way to my house in the woods to deliver me an Italian luxury sportscar that Car and Driver magazine named the best Lamborghini ever to drive for a week. My long gravel driveway alone would prohibit this from ever happening. Garner described how the car was the hit of Halloween night in his neighborhood. He was beside himself with excitement arriving at his daughters school to pick her up after a biology class detention and soaring home along western New Jersey roads. At the tap of the gas pedal, the landscape turned into a smear. The cars top speed is 217 mph; he claims to have not come close. I know just what hes talking about. Except that my Lamborghini driving experience came from a passengers perspective. When I was behind the wheel, the lime-green car was parked. Theres a picture of me, drivers side door flipped up, legs out the door, feet crossed. I am smiling, having just returned from a 15-minute chauffeured and very fast drive on the back roads of Orange County. Every curve my driver Keith Burton flew around, I prayed there was no horse-drawn Amish buggy straddling the center line. When I screamed, from sheer exhilaration, Burton told me to hang on, and we took another sweeping curve without braking. Rick Rechter's collection: Lamborghini a favorite for one 9-year-old I have driven quite a few amazing cars in my 13 years writing this column and been a passenger in others. When I think about my favorite rides, the Lamborghini of July 2007 is right up there with a 2005 trip down Freeman Road with Andy Minnick in a 1951 Chrysler Windsor without brakes. And to Mr. Garner: I hold no grudge, but I am jealous. They trusted a middle-aged Volvo-driving man who reviews books for a living with a $488,175 car for five days. All I got was strapped into the passenger seat of a 2007 lime green Lamborghini Gallardo convertible that cost about $200,000 new. I will be keeping an eye out the front window at home to see what appears. Got a story to tell about a car or truck? Call 812-331-4362 or send an email to llane@heraldt.com. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Car columnist still waiting for Lamborghini test drive 10 years later DNA results could point to a possible suspect in a decades-old cold case that shocked Charlotte. Officials with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department released the results of DNA evidence from a 33-year-old cold case murder investigation on Sunday following an order by a judge. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: UNSOLVED: Police have new DNA evidence in Charlotte moms 1990 murder, attorney says The announcement comes a year after police announced new DNA evidence in the 1990 killing of Charlotte mother, Kim Thomas. According to investigators, Thomas, 32, was found dead in her Cotswold home on July 2, 1990. She was handcuffed, and her throat had been slashed multiple times. Marion Gales, a handyman, and Thomas husband, Dr. Edward Friedland, have been suspected of committing the crime. MORE: DNA LAB REPORTS MORE: JUDGES ORDER Friedland was indicted on charges that were later dropped. His attorney, David Rudolf, said suspicion has loomed ever since. From Eds perspective, hes just pleased that the crime has been solved and that Kim will hopefully get some justice after 34 years, Rudolf said. Thats really the major takeaway. Gales has never been indicted, arrested, or charged in Thomas murder. The DNA evidence collected came from various items, including pajamas, a dining room floor, and blood samples. The tests revealed: Pubic hairs collected from Kims body were consistent with Gales DNA. DNA found on a rug in her house was consistent with Gales. A sample from a stain on a mattress cover was consistent with both Gales and Friedland. I can tell you that the evidence against Marion Gales is among the strongest evidence I have ever seen of someone having committed this murder, Rudolf said. The DNA released is not convincing for Kim Thomas family. Contrary to his assertions, the DNA results are inconclusive, they dont add additional evidence, said Lynn Thomas, Kim Thomas older sister. The DNA matches to Gales are partial ones. Its disappointing, she said. It isnt more persuasive, and I wish I could say it exonerated anybody, but it does not. It further prolongs the effort to find out who killed Kim Thomas. I really wish I knew, Lynn Thomas said. I would love for this case to end and a person this year, who killed my sister, to be arrested. Rudolf said his client has been unfairly pinpointed for the crime and he blames CMPD. They have to say, Theres no evidence here, and we made a mistake, Rudolf said. Were sorry would be appropriate. Do I expect that? I dont. More previous coverage: The district attorney told Channel 9 in a statement that despite Rudolfs comments, the criminal investigation remains open. Gales is currently serving a 21-year sentence for manslaughter unrelated to the Kim Thomas murder. The state Department of Corrections shows his release date is in March 2025. (WATCH BELOW: Four-alarm fire leaves several displaced, injured in east Charlotte) A coalition of six organizations has urged the Environmental Protection Agency to halt the use of the common weedkiller glyphosate. The filing of the petition done by the Center for Food Safety came on Dec. 13, a week after a study in Environmental Health Perspectives revealed that male farmers exposed to the weedkiller had markers of DNA-damaging toxic substances, as detailed by nonprofit Common Dreams. After last years court decision, EPA has no legal legs to stand on, CFS attorney Pegga Mosavi said, referring to the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals earlier findings that the agency failed to prove glyphosate is safe. The environmental advocacy organization noted in a press release that multiple studies have linked the weedkiller to harmful effects on the liver, kidney, and reproductive system, as well as certain cancers. Farmworker women and their families have experienced the damaging health effects of pesticides for far too long. EPA must protect the nations farmworkers and our environment by immediately suspending and canceling all glyphosate registrations, said Mily Trevino-Sauceda, the executive director for coalition member Alianza Nacional de Campesinas. Other members include the CFS, Lideres Campesinas, Beyond Pesticides, the Farmworker Association of Florida, and Rural Coalition. The petition also expressed concern about the weedkillers impact on wildlife, including the endangered monarch butterflies and honey bees. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nearly all of the fruit and grain crops in the United States rely on pollinators. While there are a number of ways to control pests and weeds without harmful chemicals, roughly 300 million pounds of glyphosate are used every year in the United States, as detailed in the CFS press release. This petition attempts to hold EPA accountable to the rule of law, while recognizing that glyphosate can be replaced by cost-effective organic food production and land management of parks, playing fields, or lawns, Beyond Pesticides executive director Jay Feldman said in a press release for the organization. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. A Colorado mother who is charged with the murder of two of her children has appeared at a London court, following her arrest in the UK. Kimberlee Singlers nine-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son were found dead in a residential property last month, according to Colorado Springs police. Her 11-year-old daughter was also found, injured but alive. According to a statement put out by the force, officers had responded to a 911 call reporting a burglary at the Singler family home at 12.29am on December 19. The buglary claim was later discovered to be unfounded. Ms Singler, 35, and her 11-year-old daughter were treated for injuries at the scene before being taken to hospital. Despite initially co-operating with the investigation, Ms Singler disappeared on December 23 and a warrant was issued for her arrest on December 26 on murder charges. She was arrested by the National Crime Agencys national extradition unit in Kensington, west London, on December 30 and appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday facing extradition to the United States. Kimberlee Singler was arrested by the National Crime Agencys national extradition unit on 30 December (PA Archive) According to a police press release, Ms Singler faces four counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. CNN reported that the charges for each alleged crime were doubled due to the children being under the age of 12. A spokesperson for Colorado Springs Police Department said: "Kimberlee Singler was taken into custody in the United Kingdom without incident. "Detectives with the Colorado Springs Police Departments homicide unit continue to work closely with multiple law enforcement agencies in pursuing the ongoing investigation." The department said more information would be released about the arrest at a news conference at a later date. Following the incident in December, an attorney for Kevin Wentz, the man who has been reported as being the childrens father, said that the family was 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. 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. Kimberlee Singler, the Colorado Springs mother accused of killing two of her children earlier this month, was arrested Saturday in the United Kingdom. The Colorado Springs Police Department said Sunday that Singler was arrested without incident, but shared no other information or photos. Officials say more information will be released at a press conference, but didn't indicate when that would be held. Singler, 35, had been wanted in connection with the deaths of her 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son, as well as the attempted murder of her oldest child, an 11-year-old girl, police said last week. The alleged murders took place on Dec. 19, but an initial call to police, which they say turned out to be false, was over a burglary. Singler and her 11-year-old daughter were treated at their home in the 5300 block of Palomino Ranch Point on Dec. 19. Before her arrest, she had been last seen on Dec. 23 and an arrest warrant was issued for her on Dec. 26. Police said on Dec. 29 that she had likely fled the Colorado Springs area. Singler faces the following charges: 2 counts - Murder in the First Degree, Class One Felony 2 counts - Murder in the First Degree, Class One Felony 1 count - Criminal Attempt - Murder in the First Degree, Class Two Felony1 count - Criminal Attempt - Murder in the First Degree, Class Two Felony2 counts - Child Abuse, Class Two Felony1 count - Child Abuse, Class Three Felony1 count - Assault in the First Degree, Class Three Felony Bond was set by the court last week at $10 million. Anderson Cooper on freeing yourself from the burden of grief "Hail and farewell": A tribute to those we lost in 2023 A recap of the good news from 2023 A Colorado Springs woman wanted for allegedly killing two of her children and wounding a third was nabbed Sunday in the UK. Police had been seeking Kimberlee Singler, whose 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son were found dead on Dec. 19 after responding to what turned out to be a false report of a burglary at their home. The 35-year-old Singler initially cooperated but then went missing as the unfounded report came to light. By the time police got an arrest warrant last Tuesday, she was gone, Colorado Springs Police Department spokesperson Ira Cronin said. She was last seen on Saturday in Colorado Springs. In the initial stages of the investigation, we were treating her as a victim of a burglary, Cronin said. Responding to the call at an apartment complex at about 12:30 a.m. Dec. 19, cops found the childrens bodies, along with Singler and her 11-year-old daughter, who were both injured. Singlers injuries were minor, while the daughter was hospitalized for a few days. Police did not release details on the injuries or the childrens manner of death. The FBI was brought in to assist once Singler disappeared. No details were released on how her arrest overseas unfolded. Singler was embroiled in a legal battle with her ex-husband related to parenting time and other issues, concerns that were scheduled to be heard in court next month. The mom now stands charged with multiple counts of first-degree felony murder, attempted first-degree murder, three counts of felony child abuse and one count of first-degree assault, with bond set at $10 million. With News Wire Services The chaotic and abrupt withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan and subsequent Taliban takeover caused massive upheaval in the country, particularly among those who spent much of the previous two decades working alongside both Americans and the new government of Afghanistan. The Female Tactical Platoon was formed by the army of Afghanistan to better communicate with women and children during missions and to serve as mediators and interlocutors in a country where the gender divide makes it difficult for all-male military units to communicate with civilian women. Leading this unit was Mahnaz Akbari, and in this immersive comic, we follow her through the formation and training of the FTP, their missions alongside American forces, and the devastation and chaos of the fall of Kabul. Read the original article on Business Insider New Hampshires Child Protection Act mandates a childs best interest be the primary consideration of the court in abuse and neglect proceedings. So why is it that a child is the only party in those cases without legal representation? Parents in abuse and neglect proceedings are entitled to legal representation. The Division for Children, Youth, and Families has legal representation. Even the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of New Hampshire has legal representation. But children in abuse and neglect cases who may be at risk of losing their home, parents, and community, are not entitled to legal representation. Rep. Mark Pearson, R-Hampstead, and Pat Long, D-Manchester, are chairman and vice chairman, respectively of the New Hampshire House's Children and Family Law Committee. Providing children with legal representation in abuse and neglect cases is not a new concept. It is recognized as best practice nationally. There are only six other states that do not guarantee the right to legal counsel for children under any circumstances in abuse and neglect cases. This failure to follow best practice is made all the more puzzling when considering the fact that the Child Protection Act provides children with numerous rights including, the right to request funds for an expert or other service, the right to subpoena witnesses, the right to object to evaluations, the right to request additional hearings, the right to examine court records, and the right to appeal. Without an attorney, how is a child expected to exercise these rights in court? There is a bill (Amendment 2356h to HB 535) appearing next week before the New Hampshire House that would bring New Hampshire a step closer to the national best practice by providing legal assistance to some of our most vulnerable children. This bill would amend the Child Protection Act to give family division judges the discretion to appoint counsel for children at any time in abuse and neglect cases. It would further add a new provision to the Act requiring courts to appoint counsel for children who are placed in, or are at high risk of placement in, any group home or other institutional residential placement away from their own homes. Children endure the most extreme consequences in an abuse and neglect case. They may be separated from and lose all connections to their parents, siblings, home, school, friends, belongings, and community. They lose their autonomy. They may be placed in institutional settings with strangers and attend institutional schools with limited resources. They face uncertain futures. This is traumatic and isolating. As recently exposed by the Office of the Child Advocates report on Bledsoe Academy in Tennessee where New Hampshire children were sent, they may suffer additional abuse and neglect in these institutional placements. Having counsel to represent the childs expressed interest will empower the child in a situation that feels out of his or her control. It may also expedite permanency for a child and reduce the number of children in such placements. Most importantly, children will have a voice, providing the Court guidance on what works for them. The attorney made available through HB 535 would not replace a childs volunteer CASA or guardian ad litem. CASA volunteers develop a unique and important relationship with children; they get to know the child and other people in the childs life and provide recommendations for the court based on the CASA volunteers view of the childs best interests. An attorney serves a different role altogether. An attorney ensures children understand their rights and then advocates for the childrens own goals and wishes. In short, CASA volunteers represent what they believe are the childs best interests while an attorney represents the childs expressed interests. Evidence from around the country indicates that children with legal representation obtain better results than those without such. This includes less time in foster care or group settings, shorter time to reunification with parents or guardians, and reduced school transitions. This sometimes further results in reduced public investment costs for the balance of their lives. Nows the time for New Hampshire to help our states most vulnerable children by taking this next step. Rep. Mark Pearson, R-Hampstead is chairman and Pat Long, D-Manchester is vice chairman of the Children and Family Law Committee of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Commentary: NH abused, neglected children need legal representation The Town Branch, the waterway Lexington was founded on, has largely been hidden from view for a century. But workers are now cleaning out vegetation and restoring the banks of part of the creek that will be a focal point for the new $39 million Town Branch Park, a roughly 10-acre park in the center of downtown. It is the first large park to be built in downtown in decades. After six years of private fundraising, the park broke ground in August. Town Branch Park was envisioned as Lexingtons living room, a place where everyone is welcome and the community can flourish, said Allison Lankford, executive director of Town Branch Park, during the groundbreaking. The next 12 months will see a former parking lot and underused space near Central Bank Center and Rupp Arena returned to a green space. The proposed 10-acre Town Branch Park in downtown Lexington will have multiple play areas. Town Branch Park and Sasaki, the design firm, released final designs for the park on Sept. 22, 2022. The 10-acre Town Branch Park will include a stage and a great lawn that can act as seating for performances. Town Branch Park and Sasaki, the design firm, released final designs for the park on Sept. 22, 2022. The plans call for a large amphitheater area, stage, dog park, childrens play area with water features and plenty of walking trails. A portion of the Town Branch Trail, which starts in Masterson Station Park and connects with the Legacy Trail at Midland Avenue and Third Street, will go through the park. Since August, Dean Builds contractors have uprooted the asphalt parking lot. The group is also building berms and retaining walls on the side of the park closest to Central Bank Center. Those retaining walls will serve as the backbone for a tiered amphitheater or great lawn that faces the stage. Restoring a portion of the creek has also been a priority over the past several months. Boston-based Sasaki is the lead designer, supported by a team of local firms EHI, Strand and CARMANas well as Atlanta-based Rabun. In 2024, the bulk of the park will be built out. Much of the work is starting toward the Central Bank Center and Rupp Arena side of the park and will work its way toward Oliver Lewis Way Bridge. Building the stage and pavilion, which will also have community rooms and bathroom facilities, will begin in 2024. One of the last features to be installed will be the play area that includes a large wooden mill and multiple water features. In addition, crews paid for by the city of Lexington are re-configuring the High and Manchester streets entrance to the park adjacent to Central Bank Center. Construction continues on Town Branch Park near Central Bank Center in downtown Lexington, Ky. Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. The Manchester Street entrance to the park on High Street was closed for much of November so crews could work on the new entrance. That new entry includes building a tunnel under Manchester Street for pedestrians. When the digging is done, crews will also build a pedestrian bridge into the park. That work will begin this summer, said Mark Feibes, of the citys engineering department. The city will spend $5 million on the new High Street entrance. The new entrance to the park is on city-owned land or right-of-way. The original entrance for the park was on Main Street. But a disagreement between the Main Street Baptist Church, the city and Central Bank Center over parking for the church meant the park had to move its entrance to High Street. The dispute between the church and the city has largely been settled. This embedded content is not available in your region. We plan to open to the public in the fall of 2025 or possibly late summer, Lankford said. How quickly the grass grows and stabilizes will determine an opening date. This is not the first time private fundraising has been used to build parks in Fayette County. But its been 30 years since the last one opened. Many downtown parks were built using private fundraising including Thoroughbred and Triangle parks which were built by the Triangle Foundation, a nonprofit that built multiple parks in the Lexington area. Thoroughbred Park opened in 1992. Triangle Park opened in 1981. More fundraising and a business plan In addition to construction, Lankford and her team are raising money for an endowment for operations of the public park. The goal is to raise $7 million. People know that (the park) is going to happen, which makes fundraising easier for the endowment, Lankford said. Town Branch Park staff are also developing policies and procedures for when the park opens. Tops on the to-do list is fine-tuning its business plan to generate income. Town Branch Park staff has developed relationships with other parks operated by nonprofits. Those parks include Klyde Warren in Dallas, Waterloo Park in Austin, and Discovery Green in Houston. We also looked at Bryant Park in New York City, Lankford said. Bryant Park is also run by a nonprofit. It is not dependent on taxpayer dollars for operational costs. The parks green amphitheater can seat up to 5,000 people and will likely be the focal point of rental income for the park. Lankford said she is also working with Central Bank Center and VisitLex, the citys tourism commission, to discuss use of the park for conventions in coming years. In addition, multiple nonprofit groups have expressed interest in using the park once complete. As part of its agreement with the city, Town Branch Park has pledged that the portion of the Town Branch Trail that goes through the park will remain open to the public regardless of private programming in the park. Lankford said the group is leaning heavily on those other nonprofit-run parks to determine best practices. Its really exciting to be down in that space right now, Lankford said. You can finally start to see the park come together. To find out more about Town Branch Park go to .townbranchpark.org. Michael Holder, a peer recovery support specialist, is pictured Nov. 29 at the Oklahoma County Diversion Hub in Oklahoma City. Michael Holder grew up in south Oklahoma City drinking and doing drugs. By age 40, he'd been stabbed, arrested and even shot in the neck with a 9 mm pistol. The bullet missed his spine by 2 centimeters as it exited his back, he says. What Holder expected would be a life of crime with an early ending changed in 2021, however, when an assistant public defender convinced him to enter into a drug court diversion program started at Oklahoma County District Court in 1995. "I was headed down a bad path," says Holder, 42, who today is clean and works as a peer recovery support specialist at the Diversion Hub while pursuing an addiction counseling degree at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City. After that, he plans to obtain a psychology degree from the University of Central Oklahoma, and perhaps one day, a doctorate. "I'm on a 10-year plan," he says. Michael Holder shows where he was shot before getting sober and starting to work at the Oklahoma County Diversion Hub. For now, Holder enjoys his work at the Diversion Hub in Oklahoma City as a navigator helping people who are participating in the county's Court Ordered Outpatient Diversion program, a treatment-based program for criminal offenders whose problems are rooted in mental health issues. "God had a purpose for me. I just wasn't ready yet," he reflects today. Holder believes there are others like him who are looking for the same kind of help, and additional funds recently received by the county and Diversion Hub should help. More: These Oklahomans needed mental health care. Instead, they died in jail The $1 million grant made by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance will help significantly increase the diversion drug court's capacity over the next four years. The money eventually will expand the program's capacity from the 150 participants it handles today to 250 at any given time, a release about the grant states. The need definitely is there. Only 57% of those seeking to enter the program in 2022 were admitted, largely because of staffing shortages, the release states. Michael Holder works as a peer recovery support specialist at the Oklahoma County Diversion Hub. Specifically, the additional funds will help the county's drug court bring on an additional assistant district attorney and an additional public defender. It also will pay to add a program navigator, who will work with 125 drug court participants each year to help them secure needed services by guiding them to appropriate resources. Plus, the grant is paying to introduce new case management software to make it easier for the court's staff to supervise program participants, and it is setting aside other dollars to help participants pay for required urinalyses while they look for steady work. Funding for the new navigator is critical, says Melissa Walton, strategic director of Oklahoma County's Treatment Courts program. "When someone pleas into the drug court program right now, we have recovery navigators who help get them out of jail, help them get started doing urinalyses and put them in touch with their probation officers," Walton said. "But as they go through latter stages of the program, they might need more help to get their IDs, GEDs and find jobs so they can finish the program, and that's a little bit harder if you don't have a support system," she said. The Oklahoma County Courthouse is pictured Oct. 25 in Oklahoma City. Nine diversion programs operated by Oklahoma County's courts system Oklahoma County's jail population fell below 1,300 the first weekend of December, marking the first time since 1996 it has held so few prisoners. The jail in early December also was no longer the state's largest. Its population on Dec. 5 was 1,325 detainees, compared to 1,419 in Tulsa County, jail CEO Brandi Garner told the Oklahoma County's jail trust on Dec. 4. The per capita detainee rate for Oklahoma County stood at 166 per 100,000 residents, while Tulsa County's per capita detainee rate was 212 per 100,000, Garner said. More: Oklahoma's Narcan vending machines have dispensed thousands of life-saving doses in six months "There is a lot of people who deserve credit for this," said Garner, who took an opportunity to thank Oklahoma County's judges, district attorneys, public defenders, bondsmen, her staff and Oklahoma County's diversion programs. "It is astounding to see all of the teamwork" making that progress possible, she said. There's no doubt that Oklahoma County's diversion programs help. Including Drug Court, Oklahoma County's courts currently operate nine different diversion programs involving about 1,300 defendants, giving people charged with felony and misdemeanor crimes alternatives to jail and prison sentences. They include: ReMerge Court : A pre-trial diversion program serving high-risk, high-needs mothers facing nonviolent felony offenses. DREAMS (Diversion, Recovery, Engagement and Mental Support) Court: A program that serves individuals facing felony charges who suffer from mental illnesses, developmental disabilities or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. DUI Court: Offers participants facing that particular felony the tools they need for rehabilitation through individualized, evidence-based treatment. Community Sentencing: Program designed to assist individuals facing felony charges by providing them with supervision, treatment, personal development, and employment assistance services. Misdemeanor Diversion: Program that gives individuals charged with misdemeanors in Oklahoma County a chance to engage with appropriate treatment services to help them overcome barriers by using community resources to meet their needs. COOP (Court Ordered Out Patient) Diversion: Program that gives individuals access to treatment programs after they have been charged with misdemeanors because of mental health issues. Veterans Diversion: Program giving veterans charged with misdemeanors a chance to engage with appropriate treatment and community services to help them overcome barriers. Veterans Treatment Court: An 18-month-long program designed to give veterans who are struggling with trauma, mental illnesses and/or substance abuse issues opportunities to receive treatment and to work with case managers to apply for any Veterans Affairs benefits they have earned. As for the Drug Court diversion program, Walton said 73.5% of its participants have completed the three-year program since July 1, 2022. She said 83% of them are living with their children, and 99.3% are employed. Melissa Walton is the strategic director of Oklahoma County's Treatment Courts program. Other grants awarded, sought by Oklahoma County In November, the Oklahoma County district attorneys office received a grant for about $1 million to bolster the county's Veterans Diversion program. District Attorney Vicki Behenna said the office will use the grant to identify veterans being held on criminal offenses earlier in the adjudication process to get more of them into treatment. Like Holder, participant David Onzahwah, who served eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps as a legal administrator including during Operation Phantom Fury in 2004 also credits it for changing his life. Onzahwah entered the treatment program after being arrested in 2018 on a felony complaint of assault and battery by strangulation. Michael Holder is pictured Nov. 29 at the Oklahoma County Diversion Hub. Today, he is a peer specialist at the Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs offices. Veterans Treatment Court saved my life, said Onzahwah. Going through the program was like a mission assignment to me. It sparked a fight in me to keep improving myself in order to accomplish goals. I want the public to know that this program saves lives, reduces stigmas and helps heal veterans that are having trouble adjusting to the civilian lifestyle. These veterans work hard and are eager to change their lives for the better. Veterans Treatment Court gives them an opportunity to make this change," said Oklahoma County District Court Judge Brent Dishman, who oversees that program. Meanwhile, Oklahoma County Commissioners in December authorized the county's staff to seek about $2.4 million as its share of money set aside within Oklahoma's County Community Safety Investment Fund. The fund gets its dollars from court-related costs savings brought about by the Smart Justice Reform Act. Business cards are pictured at the Oklahoma County Diversion Hub. Oklahoma County intends to use those dollars to expand Oklahoma County's diversion courts program further, said Walton and Assistant Public Defender Madison Melon, who supervises programming and staff for all of Oklahoma County's diversion programs, plus represent defendants who are in the program. Walton and Melon credit the nearly two-dozen nonprofits that partner with the courts and Oklahoma County's Diversion Hub to provide those defendants with the services they need to help them succeed. They are especially appreciative of the Diversion Hub for its willingness to hire former program graduates like Holder to be navigators for new defendants just coming into the diversion programs. "We started in 2019 with just two peers provided through the Oklahoma City-County Health Department. Before that, we didn't have any," Melon said. "I love these people and want to help them, but I have never been where they are. I can only do so much." That's where people like Holder come in. Before getting into the program in early 2021, Holder had been arrested and charged nine months earlier of two counts of unauthorized use of motor vehicle (he was in possession of a 2022 Lincoln Navigator and a 2020 Ford Focus that weren't his when he was arrested) and three counts of possessing and concealing stolen property. He said it took a wake-up call in Oklahoma County's jail and finding God for him to be able to "basically just quit, just quit the stupidness and insanity I was going through." When Michael Holder meets someone getting out of the Oklahoma County jail now, he shows them a lone image he keeps from his past a mugshot of his most recent arrest. When he meets someone getting out of the jail now, he shows them a lone image he keeps from his past a mugshot of his most recent arrest. He buried the actual picture he had of himself before then in a field off NW 122 and Pennsylvania Avenue during a funeral he gave himself, Holder said. "I had to change my people, my places and my things. I cut ties with all of them," he said. "I am somebody who has been there and done that as far as addiction and interfacing with the criminal justice system goes, and I am somebody who knows what it is like. I have lived it," he said. "People can see that. "Drug treatment court saved my life. All these people combined really helped, and I am grateful for that every day. For people who want to follow it? It works." Melon and Walton would love to see more people like Holder working with their clients, they said. Michael Holder is pictured Nov. 29 at his desk at the Oklahoma County Diversion Hub. "We now have three, four, five, soon-to-be six full-time peers that the Diversion Hub has hired for us working on the teams, and it has been the biggest blessing, in so many different ways both for participants and the the staff," Melon said. "They are a daily reminder of why we get up and come to work every day. I always say they are my favorite coworkers, more than anyone else. It is just different and fun to get to work with them," Melon said. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma County Diversion Hub getting new federal grant Hundreds of sealed court filings pertaining to the late sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein are set to be made public this week, and several prominent names -- including Britain's Prince Andrew and former President Bill Clinton -- are expected to appear in the documents. U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska ruled earlier this month there was no legal justification for continuing to conceal the ex-president's name and more than 150 names other "John and Jane Does" mentioned in the records. Preska ordered the unsealing to begin after Jan. 1. The documents stem from a 2015 civil lawsuit centered on allegations that Epstein's one-time paramour, Ghislaine Maxwell, facilitated the sexual abuse of Virginia Giuffre, an alleged trafficking victim. Giuffre also accused Epstein and Maxwell of directing her to have sex with Prince Andrew and several other prominent men. Prince Andrew denied the allegations and claimed he could not recall ever meeting Giuffre. He later settled a lawsuit she filed against him. Most of the prominent names that appear in the documents are already associated in some way with Epstein; for allegations of wrongdoing, for having worked for Epstein, flown on his planes, or visited his homes. Some were mentioned during Maxwell's criminal trial in 2021. In some instances, the only appearances of the names are in potential witness lists or in proposed terms for searches of electronic records. PHOTO:In this March 15, 2005 file photo, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell attend The 2005 Wall Street Concert Series Benefitting Wall Street Rising at Cipriani Wall Street in New York. (Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images, FILE) While Giuffre's allegations against Prince Andrew, and his denials, have been widely reported around the globe, dozens of the sealed records are expected to contain additional details from "Jane Doe 162," a witness who testified she was with Prince Andrew, Maxwell and Giuffre, then 17, at Epstein's New York mansion. Giuffre has alleged that gathering, in 2001, was one of the occasions she was directed to have sex with Andrew. Giuffre made no allegations of wrongdoing by Clinton, and there is no indication the sealed records contain evidence of illegal conduct by Clinton. But Giuffre's claim that she met the ex-president on Epstein's private Caribbean island emerged as a contentious issue in the litigation, which was settled in 2017. Maxwell contended Clinton had never been to Little St. James -- as Epstein's island was known -- and assailed Giuffre's claim as a fabrication that shattered her credibility. Personal flight logs kept by one of Epstein's pilots -- which surfaced in separate lawsuits against Epstein -- showed that Clinton and his entourage had flown extensively on Epstein's jumbo-jet to international destinations such as Paris, Bangkok and Brunei in 2002 and 2003. But none of the available records included the former president on a trip to Epstein's island. The court documents to be unsealed this week represent the eighth, and likely final, round of unsealing records from the case since the Miami Herald intervened for access to the records in 2018. Previously unsealed items included multiple deposition transcripts of Maxwell and Giuffre, along with sworn, but unproven, allegations that Epstein and Maxwell directed Giuffre to have sex with several well-known men, including former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, the late model scout Jean Luc Brunel, billionaire hedge fund manager Glenn Dubin, and others. Maxwell denied the allegations, as did all of the men identified by Giuffre when their names surfaced. This batch will involve the names of additional Epstein associates, alleged perpetrators, alleged co-conspirators, alleged victims, witnesses and former Epstein employees. Several of the "Does" mentioned in the documents are now deceased. Former President Clinton, who ABC News has learned is identified as "Doe 36," is mentioned in more than fifty of the redacted filings, according to court records. Several of those sealed or redacted entries are focused on an effort by Giuffre's lawyers in mid-2016, first reported by ABC News, to subpoena the two-term Democratic president for deposition testimony about his relationship with Epstein. PHOTO: Former President Bill Clinton speaks onstage during the Clinton Global Initiative September 2023 Meeting at New York Hilton Midtown, Sept. 18, 2023, in New York. (Noam Galai/Getty Images for Clinton Global Initiative, FILE) According to portions of the court record that were not sealed, Giuffre's legal team initiated informal discussions with attorneys for the then-unnamed witness on June 9, 2016. That was a few days after the former president's wife, Hillary Clinton, clinched the Democratic nomination for president. Representatives for Giuffre did contact the former president's attorneys in 2016 about a potential deposition, a person familiar with the situation told ABC News. Clinton's lawyers responded that his testimony would not be helpful to Giuffre because, the person said, the former president had never been on Epstein's island, as she had claimed. Maxwell called the move to question Clinton "utter nonsense" and a "transparent ploy by [Giuffre] to increase media exposure for her sensational stories through deposition side-show," her attorney Laura Menninger wrote, according to an unredacted section of a court filing. Giuffre's legal team, in contrast, described the proposed testimony of Clinton as "highly relevant" and "important to the fundamental claims and defenses" in the case. The request was ultimately denied by U.S. District Judge Robert Sweet, in a redacted ruling in late June 2016. Giuffre's lawyers pressed the Clinton issue again at a hearing in March 2017, six weeks before a trial was scheduled to begin. According to a publicly available transcript, Giuffre's team was then seeking to preclude Maxwell's side from presenting testimony suggesting that Clinton hadn't been on Epstein's island. Her attorneys argued it would be "inherently unfair" to Giuffre because they had not been permitted to ask the former president if he had ever been to Little St. James, as Epstein's private island estate was known. "You did not allow us to depose him because you said it was irrelevant," McCawley told Judge Sweet. "So now we're in a position where at trial they want to put forth that information against my client, and I don't have an under-oath statement from that individual saying whether or not he actually was," she added. Maxwell's attorneys, according to the transcript, told the court Maxwell was prepared to take the stand and testify that Clinton was never on the island. MORE: Ghislaine Maxwell's conviction should stand, prosecutors say But because the trial never occurred, Giuffre's motion to exclude testimony about Clinton was left unresolved. More information about the debate over the issue could become public in the documents to be unsealed. Clinton's name is also expected to be unsealed in filings surrounding separate efforts by Maxwell and Giuffre to compel Epstein to answer questions. The disgraced financier invoked his constitutional rights against self-incrimination to every inquiry during a September 2016 deposition, as he had done many times before in civil lawsuits against him. According to a procedure established by Preska, attorneys for each of the "Does" were offered a preview of the court files containing their name before determinations were made about unsealing the records. Each person was afforded an opportunity to argue for keeping the records sealed. Clinton's legal team, after reviewing the excerpts, did not lodge any objections to the publication of the documents, according to Preska's order last month. A spokesperson for Clinton declined to comment for this story. Clinton's association with Epstein was first noted publicly in 2002, after reporters learned of the former president's journey that year on the mysterious multi-millionaire's jet for a humanitarian mission to multiple African nations. Clinton told New York magazine through a spokesman at the time that "Jeffrey is both a highly successful financier and a committed philanthropist with a keen sense of global markets and an in-depth knowledge of twenty-first-century science." "I especially appreciated his insights and generosity during the recent trip to Africa to work on democratization, empowering the poor, citizen service, and combating HIV/AIDS," the statement said. Clinton's representatives have said the former president cut off contact with Epstein in 2005, before the financier came under investigation in Palm Beach, Florida, for allegedly luring underage girls to his seaside mansion for illicit, sexualized massages. When Epstein first faced potential federal prosecution a few years later, one of the disgraced financier's lawyers wrote to prosecutors to tout Epstein's pedigree as "part of the original group that conceived of the Clinton Global Initiative," according to a 2007 letter attached to a court filing several years later. Following Epstein's arrest for child sex trafficking in 2019, a spokesperson for Clinton, Angel Urena, said in a statement that the former president "knows nothing" about Epstein's crimes. "He's not spoken to Epstein in well over a decade," the statement added, "and has never been to Little St. James Island, Epstein's ranch in New Mexico, or his residence in Florida." Subsequent reporting after Epstein's death has revealed that Epstein and Maxwell attended a 1993 reception for donors to the non-profit White House Historical Association. The smiling pair are seen greeting the president at the White House in photos unearthed from the archives of the Clinton Presidential Library in Arkansas. PHOTO: In this Sept. 20, 2013 file photo, Ghislaine Maxwell attends day one of the 4th Annual WIE Symposium at Center 548 in New York. (Laura Cavanaugh/Getty Images, FILE) Giuffre, now a 40-year-old mother living in Australia, filed the action against Maxwell in September 2015, alleging that the former British socialite defamed her when her publicist issued a statement referring to Giuffre's allegations as "obvious lies." A substantial portion of the filings in the case were originally placed under seal or with heavy redactions under sweeping court orders intended to shield the identities of alleged victims, people not accused of wrongdoing, and "absent third-parties" facing allegations that could "implicate and potentially irreparably intrude on the privacy of individuals not present" before the court. MORE: JPMorgan to pay $75 million in settlement involving Jeffrey Epstein The morning after the first set of documents was unsealed by a federal appeals court in 2019, Epstein died by hanging in his jail cell in Manhattan, where he was being held pending trial on charges of child sex-trafficking and conspiracy. The New York Medical Examiner ruled the death a suicide and a Justice Department Inspector General report concurred with that determination. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 on five of six counts related to the abuse and trafficking of underage girls. After the verdict, Maxwell's attorneys cited her connection to former President Clinton's charitable work as part of her effort for a reduced sentence, including a claim of "helping develop the Clinton Global Initiative," according to a sentencing memo filed with the court. Maxwell was sentenced to a 20-year prison term. She is appealing her conviction. Court documents naming Jeffrey Epstein's associates to be unsealed: What to know originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The 135th Rose Parade airs New Years Day on Channel 2 and Georgians may notice some familiar faces on one of the floats. Critter Fixers: Country Vets stars Dr. Terrence Ferguson and Dr. Vernard Hodges will participate in the parade this year. The veterinarians from the Bonaire, Georgia clinic will appear on the Hills Pet Nutritions Feed the Love float. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The 55-ft floats theme is to encourage pet ownership and shelter adoptions. It also will highlight efforts to grow diversity within the veterinary community. As Black men working in a field in which roughly 90% of U.S. veterinarians identify as white and just 2% as Black the importance of representation and mentorship has been an incredibly important part of our careers and how we want to give back to the future generations to ensure a more diverse and sustainable future for our profession and the pets we care for, Ferguson said. TRENDING STORIES: Ferguson and Hodges both grew up in rural Georgia and attended Tuskegee. They opened the first Critter Fixer Veterinary Hospital back in 1999 and recently opened up a clinic in Smyrna last summer. For the parade on Monday, the Critter Fixers will be joined by Tuskegee students, Hills student representatives and those involved with Pasadena Humane and the Hills Food Shelter & Love program. We began our relationship with Hills when we were vet students at Tuskegee and have continued to feed and recommend Hills throughout our careers and in our clinics, Hodges said. We are excited to form an official collaboration, combining efforts around our joint missions to help pets and diversify the face of veterinary medicine to ensure a healthier and happier future for pets. The Rose Parade will air from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on New Years Day on Channel 2. The new season of Critter Fixers: Country Vets premieres in April. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: From the Wanderland on The Dispatch New Years Eve and New Years Day together constitute a very strange holiday: Mardi Gras, Lent, and Easter all crammed into one stretch of about 12 hours, from around 8 p.m. on December 31 to around 8 a.m. on January 1, depending on how hard you like to party, with the Lenten part extending as long as your resolutions do. Whereas Thanksgiving is a Christian holiday disguised as a secular one, New Years remains true to its pagan rootsalongside Halloween, which has turned into something of a heathen cultural juggernaut, it is our most obviously pagan festival. We owe the date itself to Julius Caesars calendar reforms, which moved the date of the new year from the Ides of March to January 1 and the patron of the celebration from the war god Mars to the two-faced Janus, the much more ancient personification of beginnings and endings. Knowing the calendar adds a little richness to the story of Caesars assassination on the Ides of March, the most political day of the Roman year, the day on which new consuls began their terms, with the Romans counting their years from one consulship to the next in roughly the same way later Europeans counted their years from the coronations of their kings. Assassinating Caesar on the Ides of March was profoundly conservative in its symbolism: Caesars tyranny was of a piece with his contempt for Roman mores and tradition. (Mores? O, mores! As Cicero observed about another would-be tyrant in the lines immediately following that famous exclamation: The senate knows very well what is going on, and the consul sees, too, yet that man continues to live among us. He even comes to the senate and participates in public affairs, marking each one of us with his eyes for future retaliation. But we men of fortitude seem to believe that we do enough for the republic if we just avoid his attacks and escape his fury. Nothing to see here, reader!) Janus, who lends his name to the first month, is not one of those fancy Greek gods repurposed by the Romans. Janus is an old local, probably borrowed by the Romans from the Etruscans, an adaptation of their two-faced god, Culsans. And while there is much about the classical Greco-Roman world that is very strange to usZeus and Athena and all those charactersthat which lies on the far side of it in history is positively alien: the old weirdness. Janus is not the only two-faced entity from the era: You can also see Castor and Pollux depicted in a similar way, distinguishable from Janus by their lack of beards. Castor and Pollux are twins (but only half-brothers, and there is your invitation to read about heteropaternal superfecundation), and it is easy to see how twins and Janus would come to be linked. There is something uncanny about twins (or triplets!), just as there is something ambiguous about doorways, which were Janus special domain: He was depicted above them or beside them, and his name is derived from the same root word. (Claude ianuam is how you tell someone close the door in Latin.) Beginnings that are also endings, doorways, points of departure, liminal spaces: These have always been magical locations. It is not for nothing that Robert Johnson goes down to the crossroads to sell his soul. You might meet Old Nick down at the crossroads, but you might very well meet Janus, or his distant relation Hecate (three-bodied where Janus is two-faced), or Hermes (known by the epithet doorkeeper), or Odin (who is the Germanic answer to Hermes), or another ancient deity who was honored at such places. New Years is the crossroads on the calendar. Which way will you go? That is the point of making resolutions at the moment of transition: You can resolve to stop drinking or get in shape or stop spending so much money on any day of the year you likeand the churches are always open for those who feel the need for a special place to make a vowbut there is a very old and generally unspoken belief that resolving to take a new course in life has a special meaning when it happens at New Years or on a birthday or on some other similar occasion. I once worked for a newspaper publisher who kept a full-time astrologer on staff, not to write horoscopes but to advise the boss on business matters, with the result being that we could only launch major projects on dates with certain numbers in them. (I think these were 5, 14, and 23, but I may be mistaken.) Most cultures have a magical idea of auspicious times or occasions for certain undertakings, and it apparently is going to take more than two millennia of Christianity to snuff out such superstitionindeed, as with so much else in the Christian conquest of the pagan world, the old ways were simply incorporated into the new faith, with kings and conquerors beginning ambitious projects on Pentecost or on the feast day of the national saint. (More twins? Henry V was happy to fight his most famous battle on the feast days of Sts. Crispin and Crispinian, twins and martyrs. The day proved less auspicious for the English centuries later at the Battle of Balaclava and those two great sartorial innovators, Baron Raglan and Lord Cardigan.) We seem to need something to structure our thinking when it comes to these matters, and, once the structures have been in place long enough, they become magical totems, religious observances, or civic holidays. I mentioned Halloween above as a pagan holiday on the rise. It is not difficult to understand its popularity: If the baby boomers and Generation X both followed the predictable path of turning toward social conservatism (in practice if not necessarily in politics) after aging out of the Dionysian ecstasies, the hard-used millennials and their heirs turned to hysterical moral puritanism and ruthlessly enforced conformity without ever really doing the fun stuff first, producing a generation of people who are afraid of everything: strangers, shop clerks, sex, telephone calls, being apart from their parents, etc. Putting on a mask and ingesting intoxicants, particularly around the time of autumn fertility rites, is an ancient means of encouraging the propagation of the species. But, in spite of the COVID-era uptick in alcohol consumption, booze seems to have been going out of fashion for the smart set for years nowbut not on Halloween. Young people are less inclined than their elders to binge drink on New Years Eve, which is, in my view, a good thing: New Years Eve is the most tedious kind of self-conscious bacchanalia, and there is nothing sadder than the sight of hundreds or thousands of people desperately trying to convince themselves that they are having a good time. There is a reason Janus has two faces. New Years is a reminder that the ecstatic experience and the drive toward self-improvement and social reform often go hand-in-hand: As Harold Bloom notes in The American Religion, that famous revival meeting at Cane Ridge, Kentucky, in 1801, part of the Second Great Awakening, was a little bit of a hootenanny: The drunk, sexually aroused communicants at Cane Ridge, like their drugged and aroused Woodstockian descendants a century and a half later, participated in a kind of orgiastic individualism, in which all the holy rolling was the outward mark of an inward grace that traumatically put away frontier loneliness and instead put on the doctrine of experience that exalted such loneliness into being-alone-with-Jesus. By the time of Woodstock, Americans were back to a more frank form of youth worship, and so those communicants only needed to be alone with themselvesthe thing that now terrifies young people most. The United States is a religion factoryMormonism, Methodism, Christian Science, Pentecostalism, Seventh-Day Adventism, Jehovahs Witnesses, and many others, all born from the same soil and many born within a few years and a few miles of one anotherbut Bloom would argue that what weve really done is continue reinventing the same religion with the same object of worship: ourselves. But, you know, nothing new under the sun and all that. Janus has the advantage of being able to look at these things from more than one point of view. Two-faced is another way of saying duplicitous or hypocritical, but an extra set of eyes is sometimes just the thing that is needed to take in the whole scene. Let him who has eyesor lots of themsee. The other two-faced icon looking over our shoulders is from the theater (which is only what remains of the oldest temples), the paired masks of tragedy and comedy. To look at the facts of the human casethe tragic, comic facts of the casefrom more than one angle does not make one godlike: It makes one more human and, maybe, more inclined to cut ones fellow scoundrels some slack. As New Years resolutions go, that isnt the worst one. Of course, change is possible, both for individuals (my own life today is radically different from what it was only a few years ago, though this has relatively little to do with any resolve of which I can boast) and for peoples. As a matter of geometry, one crossroads is very much like another, and whether any particular turn is the right one or the wrong one may be impossible to know until one has gone some ways down the road. (With apologies to Bugs Bunny, any turn at Albuquerque will dojust stand on the gas and get out of there.) As old gods go, Janus was a good fit for the Romans, but not for us Americanswe dont know what to do with a two-faced god, having, as we do, a profound national disinclination for looking backward. We are an ahistorical people who think this all just fell out of the sky, blessed and cursed to wake up every morning in a new world where every day is New Years Day. Somewhere, Janus is no doubt laughing with both mouths. In Other News Sore muscles are the new hangover, says the advertisement for something in my local gym. But, taking into the account the possibility that some of you will have shorter attention spans this morning, Ill try to keep the rest brief. Economics for English Majors Boy, am I annoyed with NPR. Im often annoyed with NPR, of course, which does things like publish breathless reports about the new criminal prevalence of exploding bullets that do not actually exist. (Ive been on them to retract that fake report for years. No progress.) In fact, I used to be on NPR pretty often, but NPR does not tolerate criticism very wellI am sure that many other conservatives who have been in the token-conservative slot on various left-leaning outlets have had the same experience. But beyond the normal annoying NPR stuff, this report on generic pharmaceuticals was just astoundingly dumb and irritating. A great problem with the U.S. pharmaceutical industry, according to NPR pharmaceutical correspondent Sydney Lupkin, is that generic drugs do not cost enough. Reallythats the claim: We are suffering from a market failure that has produced generic drugs that are too cheap. If you think I am oversimplifying the report, please check it out for yourself. The idea is that low prices keep firms from investing in facilities to produce generic drugs and leave patients vulnerable to unexpected interruptions in supply when the sole producer of a drug goes out of business. About that, a few thoughts: Lupkin confuses low consumer prices with low profit margins. Some things are relatively cheap for buyers and, at the same time, wildly profitable for sellers. A fountain soda that costs $1.99 at a convenience store is pretty cheap to buy, but it is a whole lot cheaper to makejust a few cents by some estimatesand is, therefore, very profitable to sell. At the same time, some things are very expensive to buy while producing very little profit for providers. The U.S. government spends damn near $2 trillion a year on Medicare and Medicaid, but two-thirds of hospitals lose money on serving those patients. Some luxury-goods retailers sell very expensive pieces at a relatively low margin while making up the money on high-margin/lower-price items such as designer sunglasses or T-shirts. Food at McDonalds doesnt cost very muchbut McDonalds makes a whole lot of money selling it. Price isnt profit. Beyond that, Lupkin never bothers to ask the most obvious question: If there is only one provider of a particular drug in the marketplaceif there is, in effect, a monopolythen why is profitability so low? Are we really expected to believe that the great problem with the prescription-drug market is that soulless pharmaceutical corporations do not know how to properly exploit a monopoly? Typically, it is competition rather than the lack of it that drives prices down. If, as Lupkin claims, the market is not competitive, then what is stopping monopoly or near-monopoly providers from raising prices? When a generics manufacturer goes out of business, another firm may enter the market. But getting the factory up and running again is tricky because the water, air and mechanical systems had been shut down for so long, Lupkin writes. Is that really whats keeping new players out of the generics marketfiguring out how to switch the A/C back on? Might there be other hurdles? For example, federal regulations seeking to enforce maximum fair prices on certain pharmaceuticals? Or 30 years worth of public policy ideas designed to interfere with normal market pricing for pharmaceuticals? Maddening stuff. And its not the work of some unlettered internits the gd pharmaceuticals correspondent. Words About Words If you know a little about words, then you can figure out words and phrases you dont know, e.g., the abovementioned heteropaternal superfecundation, which is what you get on those very rare occasions when a woman (pardon me: an ovulating person) produces two eggs in a single menstrual cycle and each egg is fertilized by a different man (pardon me: ejaculating person), producing fraternal twins with different fathers. Presumably, this is called heteropaternal superfecundation because there wasnt a Latin word for gangbang. (The Greeks probably had a whole extensive vocabulary for that, like the apocryphal tale of the Inuit having 400 words for snow.) This is not to be confused with a dicavitary pregnancy resulting from uterus didelphys, in which a woman who has two uteruses becomes pregnant in both of them at the same time. Elsewhere You can buy my most recent book, Big White Ghetto, here. You can buy my other books here. You can see my New York Post columns here. Please subscribe to The Dispatch if you havent. In Closing Please spare a thought for the ongoing crime against humanity that is the Russian war against Ukraineand for the contemptible American legislators who are doing Vladimir Putins bidding while pretending to be engaged in fiscal restraint, of all implausible things. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Police said the Chinese foreign exchange student who went missing last week was a victim of cyber kidnapping after he was found just days after being reported missing. But what is cyber kidnapping and how can you protect yourself from becoming a victim? What is Cyber Kidnapping? According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Cyber or virtual kidnapping takes on many forms but it is always an extortion scheme. Unlike traditional abductions, virtual kidnappers have not actually kidnapped anyone. Instead, through deceptions and threats, they coerce victims to pay a quick ransom before the scheme falls apart, FBI officials explained. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now ABC4 Breaking News Alerts The scheme works by calling or contacting family members and saying their loved one is being held captive. Family members are coerced into paying a ransom to ensure the loved ones quick release. In most cases, the loved one is never in actual physical danger. Typically, victims have reported getting calls and hearing screams in the background. In another version of the fraud, victims are told their family member is injured and wont be allowed to go to the hospital until damages are paid. In the case of Kai Zhang, the teen who was reported missing from Utah in late December, Riverdale police said it was a little bit different. Riverdale police explained that virtual kidnappers have been known to target foreign exchange students. The kidnappers contact both the student and their families abroad, telling each that the other is in danger. They demand a ransom from the family while telling students to isolate themselves and monitor them through a cell phone, including the use of Facetime or Skype sessions. The victims are also convinced to take photos of themselves that make it appear as though theyve been taken captive. BACKGROUND: Missing Riverdale foreign exchange student found near Brigham City in case of cyber kidnapping The victims comply out of fear that their families will be harmed if they dont comply with the cyber kidnappers, said Riverdale Police in a press release. The cyber kidnappers continue to extort the family by using fear tactics, photos and voice recordings of the victim, leading the family to believe the kidnappers are with the victim, causing them harm. How to protect yourself from cyber kidnapping Riverdale Police said that anyone approached by cyber kidnappers should not give any money and should contact the authorities immediately while stopping all communication with the criminals. I want foreign exchange students to know they can trust the police to protect them and to work with police to ensure their safety as well as their familys safety abroad, said Riverdale Police Chief Casey Warren. The FBI said the best course of action is to hang up and not engage with the caller, including mentioning your loved ones name on the phone. If you do engage with the caller, attempt to reach the alleged kidnap victim through social media or on another phone to ensure their safety. Try to slow the situation down. Request to speak to your family member directly and ask, How do I know my loved one is okay?' suggested the FBI. Ask questions only the alleged kidnap victim would know, such as the name of a pet. Avoid sharing information about yourself or your family. Both the FBI and the National Institutes of Health said calls typically do not come from the alleged kidnapped victims phones and callers will go to great lengths to keep you on the phone and prevent you from reaching out to your family member. They will also try to work quickly to get you to send them money. If you suspect youve been the victim of cyber kidnapping or a real kidnapping is taking place, call 911 immediately and ask that the FBI be notified. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. An Alabama man was arrested in the death of his infant daughter, deputies said. Shannon Lee Stewart, 33, of Double Springs was charged Saturday, Dec. 30 with capital murder, Winston County Sheriff Caleb Snoddy said in a Dec. 31 news release. Stewarts daughter, 2-month-old Amasia Faith Stewart, was taken to a hospital in nearby Haleyville where she died, AL.com reported, citing county Coroner Tracey Holley. She was the perfect baby, Amasias mom, Brittany Scoggins, told the outlet. She was so happy, always smiling. Authorities didnt release additional details but said more charges are pending. In Alabama, capital offenses carry a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty, according to Justia Law. This is a sensitive and ongoing investigation, Snoddy said in the release. Please pray for (the) family, S.O. Staff and others involved at this time, thank you. Double Springs is about 60 miles northwest of downtown Birmingham. Girls body found in dumpster on Christmas Eve, Arizona cops say. Mom arrested Family friend arrested after twin toddlers are found abused, boy dies, Utah cops say Parents and brother beat boy because he became a Christian, Tennessee cops say Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen sees a new chapter opening for her country after Queen Margrethe announced her abdication. "We will miss Queen Margrethe, whom we love so much," said Frederiksen in her New Year's address on Monday evening. She said that it was largely thanks to the 83-year-old queen that the royal house still exists as an institution. "I am sure that the crown prince will be a good and strong king for Denmark and the entire kingdom," the Social Democrat prime minister added. The Kingdom of Denmark also includes Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Margrethe II's abdication announcement in her annual New Year's address on Sunday evening came as a complete surprise. She said she had made the decision because of her back operation last year, which she had recovered from well, but which had made her think. "I have decided that now is the right time," she said and announced that she would soon be handing over the sceptre to her son Crown Prince Frederik. Head of government Mette Frederiksen then decided to completely change her own speech and instead of focussing on reforms to the social and healthcare system, she concentrated on the legacy of the outgoing queen. SNYDER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A Perry County man was killed in an early morning DUI crash on New Years Day in Snyder County, Pennsylvania State Police report. Brock Kerstetter, 27, of Millerstown, was driving a 1999 Volkswagen Beetle south on SR 104 in Washington Township around 2:30 a.m., according to a crash report. The driver didnt make a right-hand turn and ended up going off the road, and hit an embankment, the crash report states. Over 90 dogs recovered from home in Bedford County He was thrown from his car and was pronounced dead at the crash scene by the county coroner. According to the report, Kerstetter was DUI during the crash. The car continued moving after Kerstetter was thrown and hit a utility pole before it came to a stop in a grassy area. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter The crash caused a partial closure of SR 104 for about three hours for an investigation. Freemont Fire Department and Middleburg Ambulance assisted the State Police at the scene. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. In Kyiv, the number of dead as a result of the Russian attack has increased to 28 people The death toll in Kyiv as a result of a missile attack on Dec. 29, has risen, with 28 people now confirmed to have died, Kyiv authorities said on the morning of Jan. 1. The bodies of those killed in the missile strike are still being recovered, reported the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, Serhiy Popko. Read also: Kyiv death toll rises to two as air defenses down over 30 targets in massive Russian attack Rescuers earlier found four bodies in rubble. A total of 30 people have been declared dead or missing following the Russian attack. The search and rescue operation continues. A Day of Mourning was officially declared in Kyiv on Jan. 1. This is the largest number of civilian casualties as a result of a single attack in Kyiv since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. Read also: Photo report shows the aftermath of Russias largest missile and drone attack of the war Russia attacked Ukraine with a large number of kamikaze drones in the evening of Dec. 28, and then with missiles in the early hours of Dec. 29. During the attack, residential buildings were damaged in the Shevchenkivskyi district of Kyiv, and a fire broke out in garages, a business center, and warehouses. Eight people were rescued from the rubble. As of Jan. 1, 28 people have been confirmed dead and their bodies have been recovered from the rubble. During the massive Russian attack, air defense forces shot down 87 cruise missiles and 27 Shahed drones, Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi said. 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 ROY, Utah (ABC4) Both Weber County Sheriffs Deputies and a suspect were injured after a small pursuit led to an officer-involved shooting in the Roy-Riverdale area on Sunday night, Dec. 31. In a press release, Sgt. Terence Lavely said deputies responded to a possible DUI call on New Years Eve in the lower Uintah region. Deputies with the Weber County Sheriffs Office found the suspect vehicle near Riverdale Road and 1900 West in Roy. Missing Riverdale foreign exchange student found near Brigham City in case of cyber kidnapping Deputies attempted to pull the suspect over, but the suspect, later identified by Lavely as Carter Edelman, 19, allegedly fled the scene. Multiple agencies responded to help the Weber County Sheriffs Office in a pursuit that stretched through both Roy and Riverdale. During the pursuit, the suspect deliberately collided with two police vehicles, said Lavely. Law enforcement officers discharged shots at the vehicle. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now ABC4 Breaking News Alerts Lavely said law enforcement officers and Edelman sustained minor injuries, though did not clarify what the injuries were. Everyone was medically cleared and released. Edelman was safely taken into custody and Lavely said there is no threat to the public. Edelman faces charges related to DUI, evading law enforcement and aggravated assault on a police officer. The Weber County Attorneys Office Critical Incident Team is leading an investigation into the incident. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as more information becomes available. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Russia has completely destroyed the Roman Shukhevych Museum in Lviv Ten kamikaze drones launched by Russia overnight caused widespread damage to civilian infrastructure in Lviv Oblast, but nobody was hurt in the attack, Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said on Jan. 1. Shock waves from one blast smashed more than 60 windows in dormitories, a hospital, a chapel, and houses in Dubliany. Read also: Dead & injured in Lviv 1,000+ km from the front as Russia attacks sleeping civilians and schools More than 600 square meters of roofs and ceilings were destroyed in the educational buildings of Lviv Agrarian University, where Ukrainian nationalist Stepan Bandera studied 100 years ago. Russian forces struck on the 115th anniversary of his birth. Andriy Sadovyi/Telegram Andriy Sadovyi/Telegram Andriy Sadovyi/Telegram The museum of Roman Shukhevych, commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), was completely destroyed in Lvivs Bilohorshcha district. Windows and doors of several nearby private houses were blown out. Andriy Sadovyi/Telegram Andriy Sadovyi/Telegram Andriy Sadovyi/Telegram The Russian military began launching groups of drones in the evening of Dec. 31. The air raid alert in some regions lasted intermittently until the morning of Jan. 1. In total, air defense forces shot down 87 of the 90 drones. The Russians also targeted residential areas in Odesa with drones. A 15-year-old teenager was killed and seven people were injured in that attack. A child was injured in a drone attack in Khmelnytskyi Oblast. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Unidentified terrorists on Thursday (Dec. 28) killed eight Christians in Taraba state, Nigeria, after 13 others were slain the previous week, sources said. The assailants attacked four predominantly Christian villages in Ussa County at about at about 4 p.m., residents said. While we are still celebrating Christmas, an event which reminds us of the birth of our messiah, Jesus Christ, Muslim terrorists attacked the villages of Kpambo, Fikyu, Kpambo-Yashe and Kpambo-Kuri, Lami John told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News in a text message. Eight Christians were killed during these attacks, and most of the houses belonging to Christians were destroyed by the terrorists. John, a victim of the attacks, fled her village as the assailants were shooting anyone in sight and setting homes on fire, she said. Another area resident, Bulus Andeyake, said the eight Christians slain were farmers. Most Christian farmers are unable to go to their farms to harvest their crops because these terrorists lurk in bushes killing Christians they spot working on farms, Andeyake said in a text message. Its risky for us to go to our farms. In Ussa Local Government Area, many Christians have been killed by Muslim terrorists. The previous week, 13 Christian farmers were killed in Jenuwagida village in Ussa County, he said. Rikupki Urenyang Joshua, a representative in the Taraba State House of Assembly, said in a press statement on Friday (Dec. 29) that continuous attacks have resulted in the death of more than 500 Christians in Ussa County in the past few years. The murderers come in from Cameroon via the border communities and have continued to launch attacks on our vulnerable communities, he said. The Nigerian government and security agencies have failed to take proactive measures to prevent the attacks by terrorists, he said. Nigerias federal government is being called upon to deploy troops to the affected communities in order to curtail the activities of the terrorists. David Jimkuta, a senator from the area in Nigerias parliament, the National Assembly, on Friday (Dec. 29) also said hundreds of people have been killed and more than 50 villages destroyed in Ussa and Takum counties over a three-month period. Its rather sad that a total of 50 villages in Ussa and Takum Local Government Areas are in ruins because of attacks carried out by terrorists against Christians, Jimkuta said. Unfortunately, our security agencies seem to feign ignorance as to where these terrorists are to be found. Truth is, security agencies know where these terrorists are; let them flush out these terrorists from their enclave. A state of emergency should be declared in the Takum and Ussa areas, he said. Such a declaration would pave the way for essential measures to be taken, enabling Christians who have survived the carnage to return to their farmlands and begin rebuilding their lives, Jimkuta said. Two Christians were reported to have been kidnapped by terrorists on Dec. 24. Area resident Lynn Adda identified them as Ishaya Dimas Dila, a former council official, and the other only as Begwa. Nigeria led the world in Christians killed for their faith in 2022, with 5,014, according to Open Doors 2023 World Watch List (WWL) report. It also led the world in Christians abducted (4,726), sexually assaulted or harassed, forcibly married or physically or mentally abused, and it had the most homes and businesses attacked for faith-based reasons. As in the previous year, Nigeria had the second most church attacks and internally displaced people. In the 2023 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria jumped to sixth place, its highest ranking ever, from No. 7 the previous year. Militants from the Fulani, Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and others conduct raids on Christian communities, killing, maiming, raping and kidnapping for ransom or sexual slavery, the WWL report noted. This year has also seen this violence spill over into the Christian-majority south of the nation Nigerias government continues to deny this is religious persecution, so violations of Christians rights are carried out with impunity. Numbering in the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel, predominantly Muslim Fulani comprise hundreds of clans of many different lineages who do not hold extremist views, but some Fulani do adhere to radical Islamist ideology, the United Kingdoms All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted in a 2020 report. They adopt a comparable strategy to Boko Haram and ISWAP and demonstrate a clear intent to target Christians and potent symbols of Christian identity, the APPG report states. Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in the Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians lands and impose Islam as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds. As of the evening of 31 December, several dozen Russian attack drones are in Ukrainian airspace. Source: Ukraine's Air Force Quotes: "The Shahed attack is ongoing! Several dozen enemy attack drones are in Ukrainian airspace! The air defence is responding!" Details: The Air Force warns that the air-raid warning may be issued in areas where it is not currently issued. The air-raid warning has now been issued in more than ten oblasts. Support UP or become our patron! Falling debris from a Russian drone in Lviv on Jan. 1 left a local museum dedicated to historical figure Roman Shukhevych on fire, local officials said. Authorities in the Lviv region said air defenses were operational and urged residents to seek shelter as Russian UAVs were reportedly detected in the area. No casualties were recorded. The New Years Day attack in Lviv follows an overnight UAV strike in Odesa which left one dead and several wounded. Authorities said wreckage from downed drones hit buildings throughout the city of Odesa, causing fires in several residential areas. Russia launched devastating airstrike overnight on Dec. 31 targeting Kharkiv, leaving significant damage to a landmark hotel and administrative buildings. Ukraine says 28 people were injured in the barrage. Moscow has claimed the strikes were retaliation for the attack on the Russian city of Belgorod near Ukraine that reportedly left dozens wounded. Read also: 1 dead, multiple wounded after Russian strike on Odesa Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. FILE PHOTO: U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hosts bill enrollment ceremony for the CHIPS and Science Act on Capitol Hill in Washington FILE PHOTO: U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hosts bill enrollment ceremony for the CHIPS and Science Act on Capitol Hill in Washington WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Former U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, a Democrat who retired from the House of Representatives after 30 years in office, died at 88, her family said on social media on Sunday. Johnson, who represented a district in Texas that includes downtown Dallas, was the first person of color to serve as Chair of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology and was the oldest member of the House when she left office in January 2023. "She was a remarkable and loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great grandmother, as well as a trailblazer and public servant," her son, Kirk Johnson, wrote on Facebook. President Joe Biden said Johnson had "unwavering" dedication to the people of North Texas, adding that he was grateful for their "friendship and partnership" from working together throughout her 30 years in Congress. House of Representatives Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries in a statement said that in 1992 Johnson became the first registered nurse elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and the first African American to serve in Congress from North Texas. "Congresswoman Johnson was a trailblazing icon, transformational public servant and legendary member of the Congressional Black Caucus," Jeffries said. Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said in a statement that as representative, Eddie Bernice Johnson authored and co-authored more than 177 bills that became law as she fought for her communities and residents. "She was the single most effective legislator Dallas has ever had," the mayor wrote in the statement posted on social media platform X, previously known as Twitter. (Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) Editor's note: A number of readers took us up on our call for letters to the editor on what you wish for Wisconsin in 2024. What I wish Wisconsin to be like in 2024: My first priority is for the whole Legislature, Senate and Assembly, and the Democrats and GOP, to grow up. Quit playing childrens games and do your jobs. Actually talk to each other. Remember, compromise is not an evil thing. The power grabs and ego trips theyre on would make one think that they think compromise is an evil thing. I wish Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and the rest of the Republicans dont impeach newly elected Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz because her views arent all like theirs. To quote former justice David Prosser: Impeachment is so serious, severe, and rare that it should not be considered unless the subject has committed a crime, or the subject has committed indisputable corrupt conduct while in office. Next, I wish the Supreme Court overturns the unconstitutional and grossly gerrymandered district voting maps. I want to pick which legislator will be my representative, not the other way around. I want my vote to count. More Wisconsin Wishes for 2024: End gerrymandering: Draw fair election maps, strengthen our democracy Cherish our natural wonders: Revive the consensus to conserve the environment Stop villainizing public school teachers Try imaging a world without educators. A return to civility in politics: Rational debate guided by science, research is possible My last wish is for the hard working citizens of Wisconsin who had the rug pulled from underneath them in 2012 - repeal Act 10. Dick Pryse, Neenah Put an end to gerrymandering, support teachers who bring sheer joy "What do I want for Wisconsin in 2024," you ask? Let me count the ways we could have a better state. The first thing I would wish for this year is a new, completely independent map, followed by a law that makes gerrymandering illegal in this state forever and ever, for both parties, no matter what. Then, a new election cycle to clean house in our legislature and give every voter in Wisconsin a fair voice. The second thing I would like to see would probably take care of a lot of other issues. I read with sheer joy the article by Michael H. Carriere on Dec. 10 (Meet the teenagers who are defying stereotypes about political apathy). I was aware of this program at Wauwatosa West, but not of how very amazing it really is. My wish is for every high school in Wisconsin to have at least one teacher who would bring this type of education to the students in his or her school. I was stunned to learn that civics is no longer a requirement. This sort of program would stamp out a lot of ignorance. If there really is a Santa Claus, this is what I would ask of him. Karin L. White, Milwaukee Send a letter to the editor The Journal Sentinel and USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin welcome readers' letters. Timely, well-written, provocative opinions on topics of interest in Milwaukee and Wisconsin are given first preference. All letters are subject to editing. Guidelines Generally, we limit letters to 200 words. Name, street address and daytime phone are required. We cannot acknowledge receipt of submissions. We don't publish poetry, anonymous or open letters. Each writer is limited to one published letter every two months. Write: Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 330 E. Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 500, Milwaukee, WI, 53202Fax: (414)-223-5444E-mail:jsedit@jrn.com or submit the form that can be found on the bottom of this page. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: GOP should not impeach Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice in 2024 The Cebr has reported that the UK economy was set to retain its sixth-placed global ranking, closing in on Germany and putting a gap between itself and France. Comparing the UK with the sluggish economies of Western Europe may help disguise the overall stagnant condition of the British economy. But we should not forget that GDP per capita figures show the UK which is trapped in a doom-loop of high taxes and low growth is trending in the wrong direction. In order to reverse this decline and cement the difference between the UK and other European nations, we must leave behind the stagnancy-inducing, anti-competitive regulation that Western Europe appears so fond of. But this affliction is not unique to Europe: the US is also moving in an anti-competitive direction just at the time when the countrys economic growth is so urgently needed in the world. There are some examples of European regulations as well as enforcement activities that have been recently promulgated or that are in the pipeline which it would be important that the UK does not automatically follow. These regulations and actions imperil all economic activity, but what is most troubling is their effect on our most potentially dynamic and important sectors. Consider, for instance, the European Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). It imposes significant trade barriers between the EU and its trading partners. Already introduced but with much more (and worse) to come, the CBAM will apply a tariff to carbon-intensive products. This will result in a decline in trade openness for the EU and any other countries that follow suit. The Growth Commission has recently modelled the GDP per capita impact of measures that increase or decrease trade openness, competition and property right protection. A reduction of the trade openness of the UK by 15pc leads to a 7.6pc reduction in GDP per capita over a period reflecting how long it takes for the decline in trade openness to go into effect. CBAM will likely go into effect over five years, meaning it is reasonable to attribute a 1.6pc reduction in GDP per capita year on year for that period. To put this into perspective, the Growth Commissions proposed budget for the UK, which included a mix of targeted tax benefits and regulatory reform, generated a 23.8pc GDP per capita increase over a 20-year period about a 1pc year-on-year increase. If the UK were to follow the EU CBAM, we could see all of those gains wiped out, and still be going into reverse economically. CBAM is by no means the only way to deal with the problem of climate change or carbon leakage. If the issue is ensuring that UK producers are not damaged by unfair competition from countries that deliberately flout their climate commitments for trade advantage, the Trade and Agriculture Commission has suggested a treatment with which all its members (critically including all the NFU devolved nation bodies) agreed. The mechanism works by assuming that any country that deliberately flouts its climate commitments is guilty of a market distortion. If that distortion was found to negatively affect competition in a relevant market, the harmed country could tarifficate the distortion. This way, only distorters that actually have market effects are punished and smaller producer countries which do not have such effects are not. One of the most promising areas for economic development is the digital sector. But this is precisely the sector where the EUs activities will forestall development. In particular, the Digital Markets Act and the approach to competition in digital markets threatens to limit innovation. EU competition enforcement is applying a big is bad philosophy designed to target the largest tech companies which happen to be all American. Unfortunately, this policy is being followed by the UKs CMA and also by the US FTC under Chairman Lina Khan. It is not difficult to convince a politician that competition on the merits is a good thing and should be a nations organising economic principle. It is much more difficult to explain what competition means. Too often politicians see it as a tool to break up large companies through the lens of big is bad economics. Over 50 years ago, the idea that a market composed of lots of small players was preferred to a market of fewer, larger players was comprehensively debunked by economist, Harold Demsetz. At the Growth Commission, we can now say that anti-competitive regulations have a significant impact on GDP per capita. If the UK were to decline by one point in the Growth Commissions competition pillar, this would lead to a reduction in GDP per capita of between 11.1 and 13.3pc GDP per capita over the time it takes to implement the change. Yet the EU, UK and US are all moving to an interpretation of competition policy which follows precisely the approaches taken in the 1950s and 1960s that have resoundingly failed in the past and will damage their own economies. Brexit allows the UK to adopt different policies to those adopted by the EU. Leaving the bloc has come at a price by requiring more process and restrictions for trade between the UK and our European trading partners. It would be absurd to pay that price, and then not take full advantage of the potential gains and benefits. The gains from regulatory reform outstrip the losses from increasing trade barriers, but only if we seize them fully. The UKs future is in its hands it should not meekly collapse back into the European regulatory orbit if it is to put itself on a different growth trajectory. 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. Officials in Japan have urged residents in certain coastal regions to seek higher ground and avoid returning to their homes due to the threat of a tsunami after a massive earthquake struck on Monday. The New Years Day quake, whose preliminary magnitude was respectively measured at 7.5 by the U.S. Geological Survey and at 7.6 by Japanese agencies, was followed by multiple powerful aftershocks. At least three deaths were reported by CNN, Financial Times and NBC. HuffPost did not independently confirm those reports. The Japan Meteorological Agency initially issued a major tsunami warning for portions of Ishikawa prefecture, where the quake was centered, saying waves could reach roughly 16 feet. That warning was later downgraded, saying waves could potentially reach 10 feet. Early Tuesday morning, the agency downgraded the alert again, to a tsunami advisory, but still advised residents that deadly waves could occur, according to the Associated Press. The agency also advised residents to watch for additional potential quakes over the next few days. On Monday, TV broadcasts urged immediate evacuation, with residents told to seek higher ground or move to the top floors of taller buildings. Authorities issued warnings for Niigata, Toyama, Yamagata, Fukui and Hyogo prefectures. Much of the rest of the coast along the Sea of Japan was placed under a tsunami advisory, where smaller waves may be expected. Multiple rail lines including Shinkansen routes have been suspended, and some highways near the quakes epicenter have been closed, according to NHK, Japans public broadcaster. There are also reports of fires, building collapses and landslides. No abnormalities have been detected at the nations nuclear power plants, the government said. North Korea and South Korea issued tsunami warnings to residents after the quake in Japan. South Koreas meteorological agency reported a small tsunami on the countrys eastern coast Monday morning, and said that there was the potential for larger waves to come. Officials of Ishikawa Prefecture's Suzu City say they have confirmed several houses and power poles have collapsed following a magnitude 7.4 quake Monday afternoon. https://t.co/IhqLpATlRE NHK WORLD News (@NHKWORLD_News) January 1, 2024 One of Japans worst natural disasters came in 2011, when a magnitude 9.0 quake triggered a tsunami, which in turn led to a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. More than 18,000 people were killed in that disaster. Paige Lavender contributed to this report. Tens of thousands of revellers started 2024 with a bang as fireworks and drones lit up the sky over London and told the world the city is A Place for Everyone. After the bongs of Big Ben sounded midnight, London: A Place for Everyone was written high above the crowds as the unity-themed display welcomed the new year. In a display that lasted almost 15 minutes, 100,000 people cast their eyes to the sky to take in the firework, laser, and drone spectacular. Fireworks illuminated Big Ben and the London Eye - GETTY IMAGES The Mayor beamed a message into the sky - EPA Thousands lined the Thames to welcome the new year - EPA As hits by the Spice Girls, Calvin Harris, Dua Lupa and others rang out across the city, revellers were invited to look back on 2023. The celebration referenced the Kings coronation and also used Charles quote to mark the 75th anniversary of the Windrush crossing in which he said the new arrivals collectively enrich the fabric of our national life. The display - which included more than 12,000 fireworks, 600 drones and 430 lights - also paid homage to the NHS, which celebrated 75 years in 2023. There were repeated references to Londons diversity and inclusivity, with the capital telling the world everyone is welcome in a city where people can be themselves. Further messages throughout the pyrotechnic show were heard from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Dame Helen Mirren, Bella Ramsey, Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley, George the Poet, and Baroness Floella Benjamin, who read a poem by the late Benjamin Zephaniah. The show was organised by the Mayor of London who said it was Londons best and biggest ever New Year celebration. Paris celebrated the arrival of 2024 in style - REUTERS Mr Khan added: Our unique combination of fireworks, drones, lighting and music have put on a fabulous show for the millions watching around the globe, sending a message of unity and showing why London is the greatest city in the world. 2023 was filled with so many special moments, and as we move into 2024, I feel more inspired than ever to continue our work towards building a better, greener and more prosperous city for everyone. Dazzling fireworks lit up the sky above Bangkok - GETTY IMAGES Revellers in Edinburgh enjoyed a stunning Hogmanay firework display. Thousands of people were at the sold-out Princes Garden Street Party and Concert in the Gardens in what marks the festivals 30th anniversary. The event, organised by UniqueAssembly and City of Edinburgh Council, was headlined by Pulp, who have not played in the city in 20 years. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. In a divisive and polarising turn of events, the Janjati Suraksha Manch (JSM), closely aligned with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), launched a targeted campaign against Christian tribal communities, strategically timed during the Christmas season. This calculated move unfolded through precisely timed rallies in Jharkhand and Tripura on December 24 and 26, shedding light on the JSM's underlying agenda. Notably, a substantial segment of the tribal population in both states adheres to Christianity. The core objective of the JSM is the exclusion of Christian tribals from the Scheduled Tribes list. As the JSM harbours ambitions to propel this demand to a national scale, the repercussions extend beyond the borders of these immediate states, triggering concerns regarding constitutional rights, religious freedom, and the overall security of Christian tribal communities. JSMs delisting rally in Jharkhand on Christmas eve The JSM orchestrated a controversial rally on Christmas Eve at the Morabadi Ground in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, with nearly 50,000 attendees and focused its demand on delisting tribal individuals who have converted to religions such as Christianity or Islam. Dubbed the Ulgulan de-Listing maha rally, the event spotlighted the exclusion of converted individuals from reservation facilities designated for Scheduled Tribes. Participants, clothed in traditional attire and wielding weapons like bows, arrows, swords and sickles, hailed from various parts of the state. Several Hindu right-wing public figures were present in the rally including the Padma Vibhushan awardee and former Union Minister Kariya Munda, BJP's Lok Sabha MP Sudarshan Bhagat and Rajya Sabha member Samir Oraon, along with JSM national convener and ex-Chhattisgarh minister Ganesh Ram Bhagat. The speakers fervently called for a cessation of conversions and advocated for stringent laws, coupled with the denial of reservation benefits to those altering their religious affiliations. As per Bhagats statement to the media, their objective was to advocate for the exclusion of converted tribals from reservation benefits meant for Scheduled Tribes. Bhagat argued that these individuals should not be entitled to benefits designed for real tribals. Similarly, Samir Oraon expressed concern that those who have embraced Christianity or Islam, constituting a minority of the population, are allegedly availing a disproportionate share of benefits intended for the original tribals. Oraon emphasised the cultural and religious identity of tribals as worshipers of nature and suggested that benefits should not be extended to those practising different religions. However, viewed from the perspective of the minority Christian community, this rally raises great concern. Staged on a day of religious significance to the Christian community, it appears to be a deliberate attempt to create polarisation and specifically target the community in Jharkhand. The explicit demand to delist tribal Christians raises alarms regarding potential threats to their security and fundamental rights. Targeting of Christian tribals and political machinations in Tripura In Tripura, tensions escalated as the JSM went ahead with the rally on December 26, at Astabal Ground, Agartala. The rally was originally scheduled for December 25, but was postponed a day. Political analysts contend that the rise of the JSM is widely interpreted as a strategic response aimed at curtailing the escalating influence of the Tipra Motha. Led by Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, the head of the former ruling dynasty of Tripura, this tribal-centric party has been steadily gaining ground in the political arena. According to a report by Scroll.in, the primary focus of Tipra Motha on thansa, emphasising unity among the states tribal communities, has proven pivotal in consolidating tribal voters across religious lines in recent state elections. This unifying plank has strategically positioned the party as a formidable force, transcending religious divisions within Tripura's diverse tribal populace. The JSM's demand is seen as a calculated move to disrupt the tribal vote bank of Tipra Motha, which secured an impressive 20 MLA seats in the last election. Scroll quoted a Agartala-based political scientist who opted for anonymity, They want to divide the vote bank of Tipra Motha in the tribal areas, where there are 20 MLA seats and where Motha did exceptionally well in the last election. In Tripura, where approximately one in three individuals belongs to communities officially recognized as Scheduled Tribes, the clash of ideologies and political manoeuvring has become a focal point of concern. The tribal communities in Tripura refer to themselves as Tipra or Tiprasa. Kartik Tripura, the convenor of JSM in the state, argues that the culture and indigenous practices of Tripura's tribal people are under threat due to Christianity. In a conversation with Scroll.in, he emphasised that converted tribals no longer follow age-old traditions and indigenous beliefs, amplifying the urgency of their removal from the Scheduled Tribes list. Once they convert to other religions, they dont follow our age-old tradition and indigenous belief anymore. These people should be removed from the ST benefits and status as they dont practise tribal culture anymore. He spoke. Christianity in Tripura has a centuries-old history, with roots tracing back to Fr. Ignatius Gomes' mention of Christians in Mariam Nagar in 1683. By 1937, priests established permanent residence, marking a pivotal era. Simultaneously, the Tripura Baptist Christian Union and the Baptist Mission Compound at Arundhuti Nagar were founded in 1938 by the New Zealand Baptist Mission with the support of Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya. Missionaries worked sacrificially among Tripura's tribal communities, constructing over 100 primary schools by 1967. The JSM's rally faced rebuke from multiple sources, with the Joint Action Committee of Civil Society branding it as serious propaganda to divide the indigenous people of Tipra through religion. Pradyot Kishore, the founder of Tipra Motha, condemned the rally, labelling it an attempt and a conspiracy to break the unity of tribal people. In an audio message to his followers, Kishore expressed concern about religion being wielded as a divisive tool, stating, People are trying to make Tiprasas fight each other in the name of religion. Nationwide campaign and RSS' strategic agenda The rallies at Jharkhand and Tripura are merely a chapter in a broader nationwide anti-minority campaign, fervently supported by the RSS and other Hindu right-wing groups. The JSM alleges that converted tribals exploit foreign funds, reservation perks, and government resources, thereby creating disparities within the tribal community. This demand for delisting has gained substantial momentum, with similar rallies being held previously in Jharkhand, Assam and in other parts of the country. The JSM's campaign also sheds light on the overarching agenda of the RSS, which has been pushing aggressively for the delisting of converted tribals from the Scheduled Tribes list. Established in 2006, the JSM, under the leadership of national convenor Ganesh Ram Bhagat, echoes the RSS's standpoint with slogans like "converted tribals are outcasts." Opposition regional considerations and political moderation Opposition to these rallies emanated from various quarters. In Tripura, the Joint Action Committee of Civil Society expressed concerns about religious divisions, while in Jharkhand, the Isai Adivasi Mahasabha, a Christian body, penned a letter demanding a ban on the rally. The letter, citing Christmas preparations and constitutional rights, underscored the right to fully profess, practice, and propagate one's religion, as enshrined in Article 25 of the Indian Constitution. The RSS on the other hand has demonstrated regional moderation, recognizing the complexity of the delisting issue. In states of the Northeast, where Christian tribals constitute a majority, the RSS has adopted a nuanced stance, aligning with the BJP's strategy and do not raise the demand for the delisting of Christian Tribals. Similar considerations exist in Kerala, where the BJP seeks electoral gains by forging a Hindu-Christian coalition. As the JSM prepares for a massive gathering in Delhi sometime in February 2024, the coming weeks are poised to witness further developments in this polarising and complex issue. The demand of Hindu bodies for delisting Christian tribals from the Scheduled Tribes list raises many questions about the constitutional framework, reservation benefits, and the broader implications for India's diverse tribal communities in the face of growing majoritarianism. Originally published by Christian Today India Revelers counted down to midnight on New Years Eve across the Middle East, Africa and Europe, where fireworks and festive lights offered a hopeful start to 2024 for some, even as the globes ongoing conflicts have subdued celebrations and raised security concerns. In Australia, more than 1 million people watched a pyrotechnic display centered around Sydneys famous Opera House and harbor bridge a number of spectators equivalent to one in five of the citys residents. Its total madness, said German tourist Janna Thomas, who waited in line since 7:30 a.m. to secure a prime waterfront location. People also lined up early in New York City to nab a spot in Times Square for the midnight ball drop. Officials and party organizers said theyre prepared to keep tens of thousands of revelers safe in heart of Manhattan, as the city has seen near-daily protests sparked by the Israel-Hamas war. Stunning fireworks displays bloomed at iconic locations like the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, the sleek glass walls of the worlds tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, in the United Arab Emirates, and accompanied a collective cheer filling the air in Nairobi, Kenya. China celebrated relatively quietly, with most major cities banning fireworks over safety and pollution concerns. Still, people gathered and performers danced in colorful costumes in Beijing, while a crowd released wish balloons in Chongqing. During his New Year address, Chinese President Xi Jinping said the country would focus on building momentum for economic recovery in 2024 and pledged China would surely be reunified with Taiwan. In Taipei, Taiwans capital, the mood appeared upbeat as revelers gathered for a fireworks show at the bamboo-shaped Taipei 101 skyscraper, as well as at concerts and other events held throughout the city. For India, thousands of revelers from the financial hub of Mumbai watched the sun set over the Arabian Sea. In New Delhi, fireworks raised concerns that the capital already infamous for its poor air quality would be blanketed by a toxic haze on the first morning of the new year. Across Japan, people gathered at temples, such as the Tsukiji Temple in Tokyo, where visitors were given free hot milk and corn soup as they stood in line to strike a massive bell. At the Vatican, Pope Francis recalled 2023 as a year marked by wartime suffering. During his traditional Sunday blessing from a window overlooking St. Peters Square, he offered prayers for the tormented Ukrainian people and the Palestinian and Israeli populations, the Sudanese people and many others. At the end of the year, we will have the courage to ask ourselves how many human lives have been shattered by armed conflict, how many dead and how much destruction, how much suffering, how much poverty, the pontiff said. In Russia, the countrys military actions in Ukraine have overshadowed end-of-year celebrations, with the usual fireworks and concert on Moscows Red Square canceled, as they were last year. Even without the festivities, people gathered in the square and some cheered and pointed their phones at a clock counting down the years final seconds. After shelling in the Russian border city of Belgorod on Saturday killed 24 people, some local authorities across Russia also canceled their usual firework displays, including in Vladivostok. Millions were expected to tune in to Russian President Vladimir Putins New Years prerecorded address, where he asserted no force that could divide Russians and stop the countrys development. Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip have killed at least 35 people Sunday, hospital officials said, as fighting raged across the tiny enclave a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war will continue for many more months, resisting international calls for a cease-fire. Skyscrapers in Tel Aviv were lit up in yellow to call for the release of hostages held by Palestinian militants in Gaza for more than 80 days. While you are counting down until the new year, our time and our lives stopped, said Moran Betzer Tayar, the aunt of Yagev Buchshtab, a 34-year-old hostage. In the Gaza Strip, displaced Palestinians huddled around fires in a makeshift refugee camp. From the intensity of the pain we live, we do not feel that there is a new year, said Kamal al-Zeinaty, who has lost multiple family members in the conflict. All the days are the same. In Iraq, a Christmas tree was decorated with Palestinian flags and symbolic bodies in funeral shrouds, placed beside a liberty monument in central Baghdad. Many Christians in Iraq have cancelled this years festivities in solidarity with Gaza, and have chosen to limit their celebrations to prayers and rituals. We hope that the new year, 2024 will be a year of goodness, prosperity, and joy, said Ahmed Ali, a Baghdad resident. In Muslim-majority Pakistan, the government has banned all New Years Eve celebrations in solidarity with the Palestinians. New York Mayor Eric Adams said there were no specific threats to his citys annual New Years Eve bash. Police said they would expand the security perimeter around the party, creating a buffer zone that would allow them to head off potential demonstrations. During last years party, a machete-wielding man attacked three police officers a few blocks from Times Square. Security was also heightened across European cities on Sunday. German authorities said they had detained three more people in connection with a reported threat of a New Years Eve attack by Islamic extremists on the world-famous Cologne Cathedral. In Berlin, some 4,500 police officers are expected to keep order and avoid riots like a year ago. Police in the German capital issued a ban on the traditional use of fire crackers for several streets across the city. They also banned a pro-Palestinian protest in the Neukoelln neighborhood of the city, which has seen several pro-Palestinian riots. In Paris, over 1.5 million people are expected to attend celebrations on the Champs-Elysees, with around 90,000 law enforcement officers would be deployed nationwide, top officials said. Celebrations in the French capital will center on the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, including DJ sets, fireworks and video projections on the Arc de Triomphe. In a New Years message, French President Emmanuel Macron predicted that the 2024 European Parliament elections will be crucial to Ukraines future and the fate of democracy across Europe. Maddie Scherr tracked down a blocked shot by Ajae Petty, then Brooklynn Miles found Saniah Tyler for a fast-break layup with 6:07 to go and the UK faithful gathered at Transylvania Universitys Clive M. Beck Center erupted as the Wildcats extended their lead to 12 in what turned out to be a 72-59 Kentucky victory against Samford on New Years Eve. It was the fourth consecutive basket for UK in what would be a 12-0 scoring run that began with two made free throws by Scherr in exchange for a technical foul assessed to the Samford bench early in the fourth quarter. During that run, which resulted in a 62-46 lead with 4:17 to play and effectively put away the Bulldogs (7-7), the Kentucky womens basketball team played its most aggressive basketball of the afternoon and looked to be in sync ahead of Thursdays SEC opener against Arkansas. The run highlighted exactly what worked so well for Kentucky (7-7) in the second half after managing just a 32-30 lead at the break: Kyra Elzys Wildcats are at their most confident offensively when they handle their business on defense. Our defensive intensity, thats what does it usually every time when we go on those runs like that, Miles said. Defense turns into offense, I say it all the time. And, just as she often has done throughout UKs 14 nonconference games, Miles led the charge defensively. What was different in Sundays game, however, was the increase in offensive production from Miles, a former Franklin County High School standout who began her college career at Tennessee before transferring to UK. After a Dec. 6 loss to Minnesota, Miles mentioned in the postgame news conference that its not really in (her) personality to go take all the shots, and that shed rather set (her) teammates up and take what (she gets). Though Miles role as a regular point guard for the Wildcats requires her to find her teammates in positions to make big plays, Elzy had since mentioned thats only part of what she wants to see from the sophomore. All season, Miles has been a factor in setting the tone on defense and seeking opportunities for her teammates to score (averaging 3.6 assists per game). But, in the win against Samford, Miles added a career-high 13 points to go with a team-leading six assists and three steals. And Elzy was quite happy with the shift. I thought her intensity defensively is exactly what we need, Elzy said. Her vocal leadership. Shes just a pest on the ball. But also I thought she adjusted to how they were playing her. Where, early in the season, when they werent guarding her she would just stand. Today we talked to her about cutting, and weve been talking to her all nonconference. And so to see her cut, make layups, make plays and be aggressive, and thats what were gonna need from her. Miles, who has started in all 14 games for UK, didnt turn up the heat offensively until the second half. And she wasnt alone. Out of the three Wildcats who finished in double figures in scoring on Sunday Miles, Scherr and Petty only Petty found her rhythm early on. And did she ever, ending the first half already with a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. She finished the game with 22 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals. Petty was the only Wildcat with more than five points at the half, and she was the main reason Kentucky earned and maintained its slim lead. Pettys success in the paint is well-documented, and Elzy said her first-half performance went as planned. Ajae Petty (13) led Kentucky with 22 points, 13 rebounds and two blocked shots in Sundays win and also contributed two assists. We pounded the ball in to her, Elzy said. I told her, One on one, you gotta shoot the ball. Youre shooting 60% from the field. You dont need to be a point guard, I dont need you looking for anyone. One on one, turn and score. If you miss the shot, go back and get it. You have the green light. I huddled up the team, I was like, Petty needs to shoot the ball and score inside in order for us to be our best, and she did that today. It wasnt until the second half, when the Wildcats adjusted to the flow of Samfords offense focused on intentional ball movement and killing the opposition on open shots that Kentucky turned the tide. Miles explained that in practice the team has focused all season, and specifically this week in preparation for Samford, on off-ball defensive strategy. She cited a moment mid-third quarter, where Emma King took advantage of Samfords 6-5 center Emily Bowman attempting to post up Miles in the paint. Being in the right spot at the right time because those things matter, Miles said. As you could see, I was getting posted up by a big and Emma King ran over and got the steal. Thats what we work on. Thats what were supposed to do. So its paying off. Moments like that resulted in seven second-half steals for the Wildcats, an improvement from a first half that only yielded three. The team also held Samford to 38% shooting from the field in the second half, after the Bulldogs hit 48% of their first-half shots. And as UK found its footing defensively in the third and fourth quarters, its offense emerged. Scherr, the teams leading scorer, had just three points in the first half. Elzy said once Scherr developed a feel for the floor, she was able to be more aggressive. I thought Maddie passed up some shots early, Elzy said. Just trying to feel her way off the ball screen. I thought she was open, but you know, I want her to have a feel on the floor. Take it when she feels good. Scherr finished with 14 points the seventh straight game shes scored in double figures. She also contributed a season-high eight rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. Guard Masyn Marchbanks led the Bulldogs in scoring with 19 points, including making 5 of 7 3-point attempts. Guard Carly Heidger added 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Bowman finished with seven points and a team-high 10 rebounds. Brooklynn Miles scored a career-high 13 points in Kentuckys 72-59 victory over Samford on New Years Eve. Next game Arkansas at Kentucky When: 7 p.m. Thursday Where: Rupp Arena TV: SEC Network+ (online only) Radio: WLAP-AM 630 Records: Minnesota 7-1, Kentucky 4-5 Series: Kentucky leads 26-15 Last meeting: Arkansas won 71-50 on Jan. 1, 2023, at Memorial Coliseum A 53-year-old man and his 10-year-old son were arrested Saturday in Sacramento County after the boy fatally shot another child using a stolen gun he had found in his father's car, law enforcement officials said. Sacramento County sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a shooting in the 4700 block of Greenholm Drive in Foothill Farms, an unincorporated community about 20 minutes outside downtown Sacramento, just after 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Deputies found a 10-year-old boy who was unresponsive lying in the middle of a parking lot bleeding from his head and neck. The boy, whom police did not publicly identify, later died at a hospital, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office. Witnesses identified those involved in the shooting and directed deputies to a nearby apartment, where they found Arkete Davis and two children, one of whom was his son. Authorities said the boy, whom they did not identify by name, had grabbed the gun from his dad's car while he was retrieving his father's cigarettes from the vehicle. The boy had "bragged that his father had a gun" before he shot the other child, the sheriff's office wrote in a news release. It is not clear whether the two children knew each other. Detectives found a firearm that had been reported stolen in 2017 in a nearby trash can where authorities allege Davis attempted to dispose of it. The boy was arrested on suspicion of murder and taken to the Sacramento County Youth Detention Facility, authorities said. Davis was arrested on suspicion of carrying a stolen loaded firearm in a vehicle, endangering the life of a child, illegally possessing a firearm as a felon, accessory after the fact and criminal storage of a firearm, all felonies, according to law enforcement and jail records. He is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail and is expected to appear in court Wednesday, according to jail records. 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. A mother who gave birth to two babies from different mothers and then had to give them up has won a payout from the clinic in California that mixed up the embryos. The Asian-American couple who were only ever identified by their initials have settled for an undisclosed sum with the Cha Fertility Clinic in Southern California, according to reports. In 2018, the couple, identified as YZ and AP, from Flushing, New York, travelled to California and paid $100,000 (78,8100) for fertility treatment. It resulted in eight embryos and a pregnancy for AP, who was told she was having twin girls. When she gave birth, she did so to two Caucasian boys rather than two girls with Asian features. Subsequent investigations revealed that in an unimaginable mishap the clinic had implanted two male embryos from two different families into AP, according to a lawsuit they filed. A few weeks later, the couple were forced to give up the baby boys. Their lawsuit said they had suffered permanent emotional injuries from which they will not recover. The couple have now reportedly settled their case with the clinic, which has since been taken over by the Tree of Life Fertility Clinic. Its been a long road for them, said the couples lawyer Dae Lee. Its still a very touchy subject for them. The New York couple were obliged to give up the two boys to their genetic parents. One of the couples, Anni Manukyan and her husband Ashot, also sued the clinic over the mishap. Anni and Ashot Manukyan also sued the clinic over the mishap Ms Manukyan and the other boys genetic mother had all been at the clinic on the same day in August 2018 when AP was implanted with their embryos. In a further twist, Ms Manukyan was mistakenly implanted with the embryo of a fourth couple, which resulted in a pregnancy that failed. The Manukyans only learned they had become parents when they received a call from the clinic asking them to come in and take a DNA test in March 2019. Ms Manukyan would later describe the flood of emotions when she and her husband collected her little boy from YZ and AP. Anni Manukyan with her son Alec who was carried to full term by another mother We were hysterically crying, all four of us, she later told the media. They were saying, Were sorry, were so sorry. The couple presented a series of gifts for the Manukyans, including gold bracelets, one that celebrated the Year of the Pig and another with a crown and a ring emblazoned with tiny baby shoes. Neither Mr Lee, or lawyers for the fertility clinic responded to inquiries on Monday from The Telegraph. The Manukyans sought damages to cover their emotional loss and the $100,000 they spent on their care and travel. They settled for an undisclosed amount in December 2019. Ms Manukyan said she prayed every day for the woman who gave birth to her son. She carried my child for nine months, she fed him, she took care of him, she changed his diapers. It could have ended up differently, she later said. I pray for her every day, she was a victim of this as much as I am. Shes a lovely lady. She raised my baby inside of her and after he was born. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. By Dan Williams, Nidal al-Mughrabi and Arafat Barbakh JERUSALEM/CAIRO/GAZA (Reuters) - Israel pulled tanks out of some Gaza City districts on Monday, residents said, as it announced plans to shift tactics and cut back on troop numbers, but fighting raged elsewhere in the Palestinian enclave along with intense bombardment. Israel says the war in Gaza, which has reduced much of the territory to rubble, killing thousands and plunging its 2.3 million people into a humanitarian disaster, has many months to go. But it also signaled a new phase in its offensive, with an official saying on Monday the military would draw down forces inside Gaza this month and shift to a months-long phase of more localised "mopping up" operations. A U.S. official said the decision appeared to indicate the start of a shift to lower-intensity operations in the north of the Palestinian enclave. The hints at a lowered tempo in Gaza came as the U.S. Navy announced that the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier was returning to its home port in Virginia after being to deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean following the outbreak of hostilities. The Israeli official said the troop reduction would allow some reservists to return to civilian life, shoring up Israel's war-battered economy, and free up units in case of a wider conflict in the north with Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah. Artillery fire between Hezbollah and Israel has rattled the border since the start of the Gaza conflict, with Israel's military saying it carried out an air strike on Monday. Residents and security sources said Israeli raids targeted houses in the Lebanese village of Kafr Kila near the border, killing three people. They identified them as rescuers, but Lebanon's Hezbollah movement later said on its Telegram account on Monday that the three were fighters with the movement. The Israeli official said the situation on the Lebanese border "will not be allowed to continue. This coming six-month period is a critical moment." Any new escalation carries risks for a wider regional war. Tehran-backed fighters in Yemen have attacked Red Sea shipping, drawing a U.S. military response, and an Iranian warship has sailed into the waterway, Iranian media reported on Monday. The Gaza war was triggered by a surprise Hamas attack on Israeli towns on Oct. 7 that Israel says killed 1,200 people. Palestinian health authorities in Hamas-run Gaza say Israel's offensive there has killed more than 21,978 people. SHELTER IN ZOO The scale of suffering in Gaza, where the bombardment has driven almost all inhabitants from their homes, has led Israel's Western allies, including the U.S., to urge it to scale down its offensive. "My wish for 2024 is not to die ... Our childhood is gone. There is no bathroom, no food and no water. Only tents," 11-year-old Layan Harara said in Gaza's Rafah. In the city's zoo, people camped out between cages holding starving animals. Residents of Sheikh Radwan district in Gaza City, in the northern part of the enclave that Israel's offensive focused on first, said tanks had withdrawn after what they described as the most intense 10 days of warfare since the conflict began. "The tanks were very near. We could see them outside the houses. We couldn't get out to fill water," said Nasser, a father of seven living in Sheikh Radwan. Tanks also pulled out of Gaza City's al-Mina district and parts of Tel al-Hawa district, while retaining some positions in the suburb controlling the enclave's main coastal road, residents said. However, tanks remained in other parts of northern Gaza and health officials said some people trying to return to their homes in a southern district of Gaza City had been killed by Israeli fire on Sunday. On Monday, Hamas' armed wing claimed to have killed 15 Israeli soldiers after triggering an explosive minefield east of the Tuffah neighborhood in Gaza city. Fighting in central parts of the enclave continued unabated, residents there said, with tanks pushing into al-Bureij and air strikes targeting al-Nusseirat, al-Maghazi and the southern city of Khan Younis. Strikes killed at least 10 people in al-Maghazi, and seven in a house in Deir Al-Balah, health officials said. Hamas showed its continued ability to target Israel after more than 12 weeks of the war, launching a barrage of rocket fire at Tel Aviv overnight. GUERRILLA AMBUSHES Israel's move to a new stage in the conflict comes after its initial bombardment and a ground invasion that began on Oct. 27. Air and artillery strikes have continued to pound the entire enclave during that time, leaving much of it in ruins. With Israeli tanks and troops having overrun most of northern Gaza, while still pushing into the centre and parts of the south, Hamas is responding with guerrilla-style ambushes from tunnels and bunkers in the enclave's narrow streets. Hamas seized 240 hostages on Oct. 7 and Israel believes 129 are still held in Gaza after some were released during a brief truce and others killed during air strikes and rescue or escape attempts. Qatar and Egypt are seeking to negotiate a new truce and hostages deal. Avi Dichter, a member of Israel's security cabinet, said on Kan Radio that hostages could only be freed by putting "massive" pressure on Hamas and allied groups. "Without Hamas' terrorist infrastructure being destroyed and its governance capabilities toppled, the war will not end," he said. On Saturday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country must retake control of Gaza's border with Egypt, an area now crammed with civilians who have fled the carnage across the rest of the enclave. Retaking the border could also constitute a de facto reversal of Israel's 2005 withdrawal from Gaza, raising new questions over the future of the enclave and prospects for a Palestinian state. Washington said Israel should allow a Palestinian government to control Gaza when the conflict is over. In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, 2023 was the deadliest year on record for Palestinians with 307 killed since the war in Gaza began on Oct. 7, the U.N. said. (Reporting by Dan Williams, Nidal al-Mughrabi and Arafat Barbakh; Writing by Angus McDowall and Andrew Heavens; Editing by Alison Williams and Diane Craft) SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) The first two babies born in Utah in 2024 were born at the same time at two completely different hospitals, according to health officials. Intermountain Health said Yasmin and Victor Valdez had their first-born son at the Intermountain Medical Center in Murray at 12:18 a.m. At exactly the same time, MountainStar Healthcare helped Arti and Fiaz welcome their daughter, Mira, into the world. Mira (Courtesy: MountainStar Healthcare) The first-born son of the Valdez family (Courtesy: Yasmin Valdez) Mira was born weighing six pounds and five ounces while the boy, whose name has not been released, weighed seven pounds and eight ounces. At least we will always remember her birthday, Miras father, Fiaz, who requested the familys surname be withheld, said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now ABC4 Breaking News Alerts Its neat everyone talks about resetting at the beginning of the new year but shell get to do that everywhere because thats when she was born, said Miras mother Arti. Thats really cool. Meanwhile, the baby boys mother, Yasmin, called her newborn son a miracle baby. He had complications with the umbilical cord and needed to be born by 37 weeks, so labor was induced, said Valdez. Valdez said she was not expecting to become pregnant and saw a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Intermountain Medical Center throughout her pregnancy. Both families praised the medical staff and their respective hospitals. Miras family said the support they received from MountainStar Healthcare helped them through labor, delivery and postpartum. The Valdez family said the they got nothing but amazing care from everyone they met at Intermountain Health. Mickey Mouse has entered the public domain. Kind of. Its a great way to welcome the New Year, said Miras family. It was unexpected, but its been nice news for our family. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. WASHINGTON From confrontations over government funding and foreign aid to Republican threats to impeach President Joe Biden despite the lack of an impeachable offense, a divided Congress is entering the new year facing a slew of big fights. And it will do so against the backdrop of an election year, with the White House and Congress up for grabs in November. One question mark hanging over these fights is the still-nascent speakership of Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., who is trying to navigate a wafer-thin majority and familiar pressures from conservative hard-liners who overthrew his predecessor. Here are five big fights that await Congress in 2024. Immigration and Ukraine funding A high-stakes clash over immigration policy caused Congress to punt Bidens national security package into next year, with Senate Republicans demanding tougher immigration laws as the price of winning their votes for additional U.S. aid to Ukraine and Israel. Senators insist theyre making progress, and Democrats have offered serious concessions on raising the standards for asylum-seekers and expanding the presidents power to quickly remove migrants who cross the border. But thorny issues remain in a debate that has bedeviled Congress for decades. And Ukraine will struggle to hold off Russia without U.S. help. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., the partys top negotiator, has said the fate of the world is at stake in the talks. He issued a Christmas Day plea to Republicans not to let Vladimir Putin conquer Ukraine. Its up to Republicans in Congress whether this is the last Christmas in a free Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/PMyupdcX7i Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) December 25, 2023 Even if the Democratic-led Senate reaches a deal, secures the requisite 60 votes and passes a bill, theres no guarantee itll get through the Republican-led House. Some of Johnsons hard-liners say he should kill a compromise that falls short of their goals to close the border. He has not revealed where hell draw the line. Preventing a government shutdown Having passed a couple of short-term bills to keep the lights on, Congress now faces a two-part deadline of Jan. 19 and Feb. 2 to prevent a government shutdown. But this time, Johnson has indicated he doesnt support another stopgap bill and hes said that if Congress fails to reach a deal, he will support a full-year continuing resolution. That has been met with heavy pushback from Democrats as well as Senate Republicans, in part because it would impose significant cuts to domestic and military funding compared to levels Congress and Biden agreed to in mid-2023, meeting the needs of prior years, not this one. They say the House GOP must stick to their agreement. You dont get to negotiate how much of your word youre going to keep. This is the very basics of lawmaking, said Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray, D-Wash. So to avoid a shutdown come Jan. 19, we need to push House Republicans to get serious about the deal they pushed for in the first place. Unlike Johnson, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said a stopgap bill is simply unacceptable for a year. When the House returns, it will have just eight legislative days before the first deadline and another four before the second. And theres still no agreement on how much to spend, much less how to allocate that funding across the federal government. That leaves a lot to resolve in little time. A Biden impeachment battle House Republicans closed out 2023 by voting unanimously to formalize their impeachment inquiry into Biden, giving them power to enforce their subpoenas. In 2024, theyll have to decide whether to actually impeach him or back off. But it continues to be an inquiry in search of an impeachable offense, as many Republicans admit they still dont have direct evidence that connects transgressions by Hunter Biden to his father. The White House and Democrats have torched the inquiry as a partisan stunt by a GOP majority that has nothing meaningful to offer voters and is seeking retribution on behalf of Donald Trump. A key group will be the vulnerable GOP lawmakers fighting to keep their seats next fall, including 17 of them who represent districts Biden won in 2020. Will they be prepared to cast a vote that could backfire politically if theyre seen as overreaching? Surveillance powers Congress temporarily extended warrantless surveillance authorities under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act until next April. But theres still a core dispute to resolve on the parameters of the governments spying power between security hawks and civil libertarians that has scrambled the partisan divide. FBI Director Christopher Wray has urged Congress to renew the powers, describing them as key to combating foreign terrorism and containing threats from Iran and China. His belief that letting the authorities lapse would amount to a form of unilateral disarmament is shared by various lawmakers in both parties. But in a case of strange bedfellows, progressive Democrats and conservative Republicans are demanding changes to the law, including new privacy protections that require law enforcement to secure a warrant to search for collected data on Americans and people in the U.S. FAA and farm bill deadlines Lawmakers punted a reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration until March 8 after failing to resolve some disagreements about a full extension before leaving for the holidays. And theyll have to pass a farm bill a collection of agriculture subsidies and nutrition programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, previously known as food stamps. The current legislation was slated to expire last fall, but Congress extended it through next September to buy more time. Both reauthorizations come up every five years and will need to be addressed in 2024. Weve got an FAA reauthorization, weve got an ag bill. Weve got a continuing resolution right now that cannot continue on, said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D. And all of this is going to come due in January. ... So weve got our work cut out for us and a limited amount of time to do it. Were gonna have to cut through the stuff and actually get some things done in fairly short order. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The World Council of Churches' recent visit to Cuba, led by General Secretary Rev. Prof. Jerry Pillay, has drawn the ire of religious freedom advocates. Critics say the visit, which included a meeting with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, overlooked the Cuban government's violations of religious freedom. Teo Babun, President and CEO of Outreach Aid to the Americas, expressed "serious concerns" about the visit in a Thursday letter to Rev. Pillay, highlighting the Cuban government's systematic violations of religious freedom and citing harassment, threats and imprisonment of faith leaders and parishioners. "It troubles me that it seems your visit, apparently closely orchestrated by the Cuban government, has failed to provide you an accurate understanding of the state of the fundamental right to freedom of religion or belief in Cuba," Babun wrote. "Worse, we are seeing that the Cuban government is using your visit, and specifically your statements celebrating religious freedom in Cuba, to bolster its absurd claim that Cubans do enjoy this fundamental freedom." Cuba is listed by the U.S. State Department as a "country of particular concern" for religious freedom. This list also includes some of the world's worst human rights abusers, including but not limited to China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea and Burma. According to a survey by OAA, 52 of 56 Cuban independent faith leaders reported regular government repression. The communist regime of Cuba, through the Office of Religious Affairs, favors compliant religious groups while punishing those critical of the regime. The Christian Post reached out to WCC for comment on Babun's letter. A response is pending. During his visit from Dec. 17 to 19, Pillay praised Cuba's religious freedom, citing meetings with the Presbyterian Church in Cuba and other churches. He noted a large statue of Christ in Havana as evidence of religious expression. Pillay also emphasized the WCC's stance against the U.S. blockade of Cuba and called for Cuba's removal from the list of countries sponsoring terrorism. "The WCC 11th Assembly called for the removal of Cuba from the list of countries that sponsor terrorism," said Pillay, according to a WCC statement. "We at the WCC will continue to accompany the churches as prophetic voices of peace, hope, cooperation, and mutual respect." WCC is an inter-church organization founded in 1948 with several international church bodies as members. In his first visit to Cuba as WCC general secretary, Pillay "expressed appreciation for religious freedom in Cuba, in particular meeting with foreign affairs minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla to talk about the positive relationships between the WCC and religious organizations in Cuba," the statement said. However, independent organizations like Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Open Doors paint a different picture. They report widespread repression, including crackdowns on the Ladies in White, a group of women advocating for imprisoned family members. Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo and Yoruba leader Loreto Hernandez Garcia, both imprisoned for participating in protests, are cited as examples of religious leaders facing mistreatment. The Cuban Observatory on Human Rights reported over 1,000 repressive actions against religious practice in 2022. A survey by the observation found that 68% of Cubans have experienced or know someone who has faced harassment or repression in practicing their faith. In addition to placement on the U.S. State Department's religious freedom violators list in 2022, the European Parliament condemned Cuba's human rights abuses against religious leaders. Open Doors, a Christian watchdog group that monitors persecution in over 60 countries, notes that Cuba's government targets Christian activists and church leaders, often labeling them as "counter-revolutionaries." Churches face difficulties in registration, forcing many to operate illegally. The state's control extends to social issues, with churches forced to comply with new legislation or face threats and monitoring. In his letter, Babun detailed the Cuban Communist Party's tactics, including physical attacks, detention, property confiscation and restrictions on movement. Babun's organization found that Cuba's laws fail to meet most freedom of religion indicators set by the United Nations. Pillay's visit and subsequent statements amounted to an endorsement of the Cuban government's narrative on religious freedom, critics say, arguing that these visits, when not accompanied by a critical assessment of the host country's human rights record, can inadvertently lend legitimacy to governments accused of serious violations. Originally published by The Christian Post OXFORD, Miss. Allen Flanigan scored 20 points, Matthew Murrell had 18 and the duo combined for 31 second-half points to help No. 24 Mississippi remain unbeaten with a 95-78 victory over Bryant. The 13-0 Rebels head into Southeastern Conference play having matched the 2007-08 team for the best start in program history, which also equals the schools longest overall winning streak. Sherif Gross-Bullocks led Bryant with 24 points and made four 3-pointers. The Bulldogs had pulled off an upset of No. 7 Florida Atlantic earlier this season. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. A 65-year-old man who became stranded after driving around a locked gate in Los Padres National Forest has a flashlight to thank for his rescue, California officials said. A deputy and dispatcher were searching the remote area for vehicles on Tuesday, Dec. 26, when they spotted a faint light, the Ventura County Sheriffs Office said in a Dec. 29 news release. Following the light, they discovered a Phoenix, Arizona, man who was malnourished and in wet clothing, deputies said. He had been stranded for four days after his vehicle became stuck. 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, the release said. The deputy and dispatcher took the man to safety, officials said. He returned with deputies two days later to retrieve his vehicle. The U.S. Forest Service closes service roads in the national forest to the public during the winter for safety, since many areas do not have cell service, sheriffs officials said. The deputy and dispatcher earlier opened a gate to let another stranded motorist out, officials said. The driver told them other vehicles were also behind the gate, leading them to search the area. Los Padres National Forest, which covers 1.75 million acres, is about 165 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Injured hiker and rescuer spend stormy night stuck below cliff, California officials say Shark kills 39-year-old surfer off Maui, Hawaii officials say. Beaches closed Mom swam after dog swept under ice in Alaska river and died a hero on anniversary The Maryland bar counsel is currently pursuing the suspension of the law license of Baltimore Citys former chief prosecutor, ex-State Attorney Marilyn Mosby. This action follows her conviction on two federal perjury charges in November. If the petition goes through she might never have the credentials to serve as a lawyer again. The Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland filed its 28-page petition on Friday, Dec. 22, and hopes a decision to suspend her law license comes swiftly. The document detailed the many ways that Mosby violated the Attorneys Rules of Professional Conduct. Baltimore State Attorney Marilyn Mosby is scheduled to go trial on Sept. 19 after a federal judge denied her motion on April 14 to dismiss federal perjury and other fraud charges against her. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for BET) There is no doubt that at some point this proceeding was going to take place, it was just a question of when, Baltimore attorney Adam Ruther said, according to CBS News. Thomas M. DeGonia, the states recently appointed bar counsel, and Assistant Bar Counsel Leonard H. Addison IV said because she was convicted of a serious crime under the states Rules of Professional Conduct for attorneys, Mosby qualified for discipline from the states high court, according to the Baltimore Sun. The petition submits that Mosby committed one or more criminal acts that reflected adversely on the attorneys honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as an attorney in other respects. It also added that she engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation and in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. This was supported by her November 2023 conviction. In her recent trial, jurors found that Mosby had made false statements regarding her Mahogany Elite travel business, asserting that the company experienced numerous COVID-19 related hardships that resulted in substantial loss so that she could withdraw funds from her retirement account on two separate occasions. Previously, she told the public not to be fooled by her indictment, however, the prosecution was able to prove their case against her. The jury noted how, despite her saying she took a loss, the top lawyer made more money in 2020 than she did in 2019. It was also discovered that she used the withdrawals to purchase two vacation homes in Florida. Mosby is accused of doing more improper business related to the vacation properties. In an ongoing federal case, she is tasked with defending herself against two charges accusing her of submitting false mortgage applications related to the purchase of two vacation homes in Florida. Federal prosecutors assert that Mosby neglected to disclose a $45,000 federal tax lien on her Baltimore home when acquiring the two Florida properties. Additionally, prosecutors accuse the former Baltimore City States Attorney of improperly indicating that the homes in Florida would serve as primary residences. The jury selection for this trial is set to begin on Jan. 16. The trial is predicted to start on Jan. 18. The courts have decided that Mosby will not be sentenced until after the conclusion of her second federal trial. As she prepares for the new trial, she has 15 days from the date the commission filed to submit a written appeal. Should she not enter an appeal, her license will be suspended. The news of the possible suspension came just days after she celebrated her 17th anniversary of being admitted to the bar. Legal experts believe that this will cause her to permanently lose her license to practice law. Mosbys chief counsel has not responded publicly to the petition. DALLAS - Former longtime Dallas Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, a political icon in North Texas who represented the 30th Congressional District for 30 years, has died. She was 88 and celebrated her birthday on December 3. Johnson, who was known as EBJ, was a trailblazer. Before retiring late last year, she was honored with an official portrait on Capitol Hill after becoming the first African American, and woman, to serve as Chair of the House Science, Safety, and Technology Committee. During the ceremony, she said, "I cannot tell you what this day has been to me." Johnson was a legislative pioneer in Texas and Washington, DC. She was the first nurse to be elected not only to Congress but also to the Texas House in 1972 and Texas Senate in 1986. In an interview before last year's ceremony, she looked back on her career. "I want to tell you something, I am proud of my record. I am proud of the things I've been able to help our entire area and our entire state achieve." Among her proudest accomplishments, helping both UT Arlington and UT Dallas become Tier One Research facilities. She was recognized for advocating for education in science, technology, engineering and math -- particularly for women and girls. Then Speaker of the U.S. House, Nancy Pelosi said, "I love bragging about Eddie Bernice because she has been so devoted to science, to education for science, STEM, for all of that." Johnson helped pass the law to end the flight restrictions at Dallas Love Field, known as the Wright Amendment. She also helped Dallas Area Rapid Transit or DART win a $700 million federal grant to build the green line that extends from southeast Dallas to DFW International Airport. The city of Dallas honored the Congresswoman in 2019 by renaming Union Station downtown as the Eddie Bernice Johnson Union Station. "I send my condolences to her family," said DART Board of Directors Chair Gary A. Slagel on Sunday. "Congresswoman Johnson was an invaluable advocate for and partner to DART since her time as a Texas State Representative in 1972. We will be forever grateful for her service to our community and DART." In addition, Johnson co-sponsored the House bill that led to the creation of 988, the national suicide prevention hotline. The Waco native didn't intend to become a politician. After studying nursing in Indiana, Johnson was hired at the Dallas VA Hospital, where she worked to become Chief Psychiatric Nurse. Another part of EBJ's legacy was her ability to inspire women to run for office. Helen Giddings represented Dallas County in the Texas House for 26 years and credited Johnson. "Absolutely, she inspired me because she did it and I could see her and I felt like I could do it as well." After Johnson announced in November 2021 that she would retire, she endorsed then-State Representative Jasmine Crockett of Dallas to succeed her -- and was there with her when she was elected one year later. Johnson said she preferred a woman to represent the district after her. "I feel that if I don't advocate for a woman, who will?" The Congresswoman though was quick to point out that working hard to pass legislation and bring federal dollars and projects to North Texas was most important to her. "Your gender has nothing to do with your achievements and your interest. If you put your mind to it and give it some time, it's achievable. And when you achieve it, people benefit." Ron Reynolds, the chairman of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, lauded EBJ as a champion for equal rights. "Her unwavering dedication to public service, advocacy for equality, and commitment to uplifting marginalized voices have left an indelible mark on Texas and the nation," Reynolds wrote. "Congresswoman Johnson was a trailblazer and a beacon of hope for countless individuals. Her legacy of resilience and determination in breaking barriers and fighting for social justice will continue to inspire generations to come. Those who knew and admired EBJ said North Texans certainly benefitted from her decades of public service. State Senator Royce West, D-Dallas, once described her as a fixture of North Texas politics. "You name it, Eddie Bernice Johnson has quietly, quietly done the work she was elected to do. You're looking at an institution, an icon, the matriarch of the Democratic Party here." Members of the Texas U.S. House Democratic Delegation sent the following joint statement: "Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson was one of the most influential members of the Texas delegation since she arrived in Congress in 1993. She made history and she delivered for our great state in ways that will be felt for generations to come from her role on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to her leadership chairing the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. Every one of us at some point sought her invaluable counsel, her perspective and her wisdom on legislation and matters shaping our state. Congresswoman Johnson will be missed, and we all send our deepest condolences to her family and friends." "Eddie Bernice Johnson was a dedicated nurse, state legislator, and longtime U.S. congresswoman with immense courage and a commitment to the promise of America. She had unwavering dedication to the people of North Texas," said President Joe Biden. "She and I worked together throughout her 30 years in Congress, and I've always been grateful for her friendship and partnership ... Throughout her life, and as the former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, she was an icon and mentor to generations of public servants, through whom her legacy of resilience and purpose will endure." Vice President Kamala Harris also served alongside EBJ in Congress. "Throughout her long career in public service, she was always clear-eyed about what she was fighting for: the right of every person in Dallas and across the country to live free from discrimination and to have the opportunity to live up to their full potential," said Harris. "I had the privilege to serve alongside her in the Congressional Black Caucus and know that so many have benefited from her tireless work, myself included. Her legacy and leadership will be felt for generations to come." Meet Taylor Tomlinson, late-night comedy's newest host How artificial intelligence is revamping customer call centers Reporter's notebook: Can the U.S. balance security risk with staying a nation of immigrants? Galit Distel Atbaryan, a parliament member who previously served in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus Cabinet, apologized Sunday for contributing to the internal strife in Israel that preceded the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip. Distel Atbaryan statement marks a rare admission of responsibility from a member of Netanyahus Likud Party for sowing division ahead of the attack, according to The Associated Press. The former public diplomacy minister told Channel 13 TV that she sinned against the democratic, secular public and, as a result, caused pain for Israelis as well as fear. And I am sorry for this, she said. The Hamas assault, which led to an estimated 1,200 deaths and 240 kidnappings, has triggered a devastating war that has raged for nearly three months. An estimated 21,600 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip have been killed since Oct. 7, with nearly 2 million survivors forced from their homes, according to The Guardian. Read more at The Associated Press. Related... Several people had to be rushed to the hospital after a serious crash in New Hampshire on New Years Eve. The crash occurred on I-93 in Meredith and only involved one vehicle, according to New Hampshire State Police. There were four people inside the vehicle when it crashed and four of the occupants had to be rushed to the hospital, a state police spokesperson says. State police say more information will be released in the near future. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW A 16-year-old was supposed to fly from Tampa to Ohio on December 22. But he ended up in Puerto Rico after Frontier Airlines didn't scan his boarding pass, he says. Spirit Airlines also put an unaccompanied 6-year-old on the wrong flight just days before Christmas. A 16-year-old intending to fly from Florida to Ohio before Christmas ended up alone in Puerto Rico. Logan was set to fly from Tampa to Cleveland on December 22 to visit his mother for the holidays, as his father, Ryan Lose, told Business Insider. But Logan flew to San Juan, Puerto Rico, instead of Cleveland alone just days before Christmas. Frontier Airlines said in a statement shared with BI that a 16-year-old "mistakenly boarded" a flight to San Juan. "Both the San Juan and Cleveland flights departed from the same gate, with the San Juan flight departing first," the statement said. "Frontier has extended its sincere apologies to the family for the error." The teen says no one checked his boarding pass at the gate, according to his father Lose told Business Insider that his son had flown out of Tampa International Airport several times with his family, but the December 22 flight marked his first time flying alone. Lose said his family selected Frontier for the journey because it had direct flights from Tampa to Cleveland, so Logan wouldn't have to navigate multiple airports, which was particularly comforting because Logan has anxiety about flying. According to Lose, Logan reached the gate from where the Cleveland-bound flight was scheduled to depart. But when he arrived, he noticed people boarding a plane, though it was early for his flight. A photo shows two Frontier Airlines parked at an airport. Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Lose said his son approached a gate agent to ask if the plane was boarding, and the gate agent confirmed it was. He told BI that the gate agent then checked to see if Logan's bag would fit on the plane and told him to board after looking at his boarding pass without scanning it. Once Logan was on board, Lose said he called his mother to tell her he was on the flight, and he then put his headphones in to listen to music to help him stay calm during takeoff. The music blocked out the sound of the flight attendants announcing the flight was going to Puerto Rico, so Logan had no idea he was on the wrong plane. The teen's family figured out he was on the wrong flight before the airline did The flight to Cleveland was not supposed to take off until 10:15 p.m., so when Logan's mom called his stepmother at 8:30 p.m. to say he was on the plane, she knew something was amiss. Lose said his 9-year-old then looked up his brother's flight information and discovered that the Puerto Rico-bound plane had just taken off from the gate Logan's plane was scheduled to depart from later that night. Lose said he tried calling Logan to see if he was on the wrong plane, but his phone went straight to voicemail. "If you know 16-year-old boys, they're not going to turn the phone off unless they absolutely have to," Lose said. "So that's when we immediately were like, 'He's on this Puerto Rico flight somehow, and we don't know how he got on it.'" Lose said his family tried contacting the Tampa airport and Frontier Airlines to get confirmation that Logan was on the flight, but he said Frontier didn't seem to take his concerns seriously. Despite contacting them several times, Frontier didn't verify Logan was on the plane until close to 10 p.m., after he didn't show up to board the Cleveland-bound flight, Lose told BI. Logan was flown back to Tampa, but his family fears what would have happened if they didn't advocate for him Once Frontier confirmed Logan was on the flight, it arranged for him to stay on the plane when it landed, as both Lose and Frontier Airlines confirmed to BI. "He was immediately flown back to Tampa on the same aircraft and accommodated on a flight to Cleveland the following day," Frontier said in its statement. Though Logan eventually made it to Tampa and Cleveland, Lose said he still feels frustrated and fearful about what else could have gone wrong. Tampa International Airport Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images "Had we just believed Frontier that everything was fine, they would have never called us saying that Logan didn't make his flight," he said, adding that Logan could have ended up lost in the Puerto Rico airport. The teen's experience comes on the heels of news that Spirit Airlines put an unaccompanied 6-year-old on the wrong flight, sending him to Orlando instead of Fort Meyers on December 23. "The child was always under the care and supervision of a Spirit Team Member, and as soon as we discovered the error, we took immediate steps to communicate with the family and reconnect them," a representative for Spirit Airlines previously told BI in a statement about the incident. "We take the safety and responsibility of transporting all of our Guests seriously and are conducting an internal investigation. We apologize to the family for this experience." According to ABC News, Spirit also fired the gate agent who took the child to the wrong flight. Frontier Airlines doesn't have an unaccompanied minor program, though children aged 15 and older can fly Frontier by themselves. Read the original article on Business Insider Iran, Britain discuss Red Sea tension Xinhua) 09:39, January 01, 2024 TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his British counterpart David Cameron on Sunday exchanged views on the rising tension in the Red Sea as well as the conflict in Gaza. In a phone conversation, Amir-Abdollahian accused the United States and certain Western countries of applying double standards, according to a statement from the Iranian foreign ministry. He said it was wrong to let Israel "kill women and children in Gaza" and "set the region on fire," but "view the stoppage of an Israeli ship in the Red Sea as jeopardizing the security of the economic waterway." The Iranian diplomat also condemned the silence of some Western governments over Israel's attacks on Gaza in the past 80 days. Amir-Abdollahian also urged Britain to adopt a "realistic and constructive" approach toward regional developments and bilateral ties. Cameron, meanwhile, expressed his country's views on the developments in Palestine and the Red Sea, and urged Iran to help prevent the escalation of the Israeli-Hamas conflict and ensure maritime security in the region, the Iranian statement said. In a post on social media platform X, Cameron said he spoke to Amir-Abdollahian about the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, which he said had threatened innocent lives and the global economy. Cameron said he had made it clear that Iran shared responsibility for preventing these attacks given its long-standing support for the Houthis. The Yemen-based Houthi group has claimed responsibility for several attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea in recent weeks, saying they were in solidarity with the Palestinian people. The U.S. and British officials have accused Iran of "being behind the attacks," which was strongly rejected by Iran. Israel has been fighting a large-scale conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, after the group launched a surprise attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures. Israel has killed 21,822 Palestinians in Gaza, the Ministry of Health in Gaza said on Sunday. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) The Methodist Church in Great Britain released an "Inclusive Language Guide" this month advising Methodists to avoid using gendered terms such as "husband" and "wife" because such allegedly assumes what is not "the reality for many people." "As Christians, we need to have the courage for conversations that can sometimes be difficult, to recognize that we sometimes exclude people, to listen with humility, to repent of any hurtful language and to take care with how we listen and what we say or write, in the Spirit of Christ," says the guidance, which will be updated every six months. The guidance offered as a general principle the idea that there is "infinite variety in the way that Gods creation is expressed in human life," and offered "husband" and "wife" as examples of terminology that "may sound inoffensive but it makes assumptions about a family or personal life that is not the reality for many people." The guidance offered the words "parent," "partner," "child," and "carer" as suitable alternatives. The guide goes on to list extensive categories of people with whom Methodists are advised to use "sensitive and inclusive" language when addressing minorities that have been "marginalized and/or demonized by common culture." The guide urges steering clear of "ageism" by avoiding terms like "old people," to embrace "anti-racist language" by encouraging use of "ethnicity" instead of "race," and to avoid language that negatively emphasizes a person's immigration status or English skills. Antisemitic and Islamophobic rhetoric are also discouraged, and the guidance also encourages Methodists to tread carefully with their terminology when addressing "disabled and neurodiverse people" and those with mental illness. The guide emphasized why its important that the U.K.-based Methodist Church "uses language that is inclusive of LGBT+ people," and advised using the language an individual prefers, including the pronouns by which they choose to identify. The denomination passed resolutions in 2021 to approve the blessing of same-sex unions and recognize cohabitating couples. "Using the language that individuals use for themselves shows that we care as a Church and that we affirm them as a child of God," the guidance says. The guidance concludes by pointing readers to nonprofits that include the left-wing Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and Stonewall, an LGBT charity in the U.K. whose guidance found its way into schools throughout the country. We are proud of our Inclusive Language Guide," a spokesperson for the denomination told The Christian Post. "It helps the Church hold conversations without making assumptions or inadvertently causing upset. Some find this especially useful when talking with those who may have had a different life experience to their own." Regarding whether gendered language would still be used in Methodist marriage ceremonies, the spokesperson said: "Couples getting married in a Methodist Church will discuss with the minister how they wish to be referred to during their service. This ensures that the ceremony reflects who they are." Father Calvin Robinson, who has been outspoken in fighting progressivism in the Church of England, blasted the U.K.-based Methodist Church for its guidance and suggested it's symptomatic of a neo-Marxist attempt to effectively destroy it. "This is not Christianity," Robinson wrote on X. "It is Critical Theories: 'smash heteronormativity.' It is no longer enough to acknowledge disordered lifestyles. Everything normative and ordered must be demolished for fear of causing offense." "Critical Theories is neo-Marxism. It is a communist ideology, antithetical to the Christian faith. It is not possible to be a communist *and* a Christian. One must make a choice. Embrace the ways of this trendy yet toxic ideology, or embrace Gods order," he continued, and urged the Methodist Church to "pick one." .@MethodistGB brands terms 'husband' and 'wife' offensive. This is not Christianity. It is Critical Theories: smash heteronormativity. It is no longer enough to acknowledge disordered lifestyles. Everything normative and ordered must be demolished for fear of causing offence. pic.twitter.com/8OaUgMH6Nc Fr Calvin Robinson (@calvinrobinson) December 28, 2023 Originally published by The Christian Post More Generation Z candidates are lining up to run for office this year amid frustration over the countrys aging political class. Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) became Congresss first member belonging to Gen Z the age bracket considered to begin with people born in 1997 or later after 2022s midterms. Now, at least two fellow Gen Z Democrats are vying to join Frost this year as they look to broaden their generations presence in the House, where the median age of voting members is around 58 years. Young people, as weve gotten more and more involved, are frankly devastated that this is the state of government that we are inheriting and that we have to really pick up this work and try to put the pieces back together, said Cheyenne Hunt, a 26-year-old Democrat and attorney running in Californias 45th District. Hunt cited concerns about the climate crisis, democracy and womens rights as existential threats that older generations in power arent addressing with the urgency younger Americans feel. Young people are keenly aware of this situation and are jumping in at unprecedented rates because we know we cant afford to wait, she said. Hunt will likely go up this year against incumbent Republican Rep. Michelle Steel (R), who won reelection in 2022 by just a few points. If she wins, Hunt would become the first female Gen Z member of Congress. And after hitting a myriad of barriers to young women in politics as she campaigns, Hunt says shes not surprised that more women in her age bracket arent jumping into the arena. Trying to be the first and being the only of anything is always a really difficult experience. And its been really frustrating, frankly, Hunt said, citing gender bias shes seen along the campaign trail thats been exacerbated by her youth. I have seen folks really hesitate to support me and had conversations after the fact that exposed that a big part of that is internalized sexism. Hunt, who boasts more than 93,000 followers on the video-sharing app TikTok, said shes also trying to break apart assumptions about young people as some resist taking the demographic seriously in politics. You can be a young woman, and have social media, and be more than just an influencer, Hunt said. Across the country, in Maryland, state Del. Joe Vogel (D) is running to become the first openly LGBTQ member of Gen Z elected to Congress. Vogel said he initially got into politics after the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, frustrated by the inaction on issues such as gun violence, which has directly impacted many young Americans experience at school in recent years. I think our entire generation is having this moment where were channeling that energy and channeling that urgency into having more political representation in terms of the issues, said Vogel, who is also 26 years old. Vogel made headlines when he was elected to his states General Assembly as one of the first Gen Z members in the Legislature. Now, hes attempting to jump into the House to succeed Rep. David Trone (D-Md.), who is running instead for the Senate. If elected, Vogel would be just the 14th openly LGBTQ person to serve in either chamber. Arguing for the importance of younger perspectives in elected office, Vogel pointed to projections of the catastrophic climate consequences that could hit by around 2050. By 2050, Im still going to be younger than your average member of Congress, he said. So that is a perspective that I think is desperately needed in the halls of Congress. Hunt and Vogel both just barely make the constitutional age cutoff for the House, which requires representatives to be at least 25 years old. The House has gotten slightly younger across the last few sessions of Congress, according to Pew Research, but baby boomers and members of the Silent Generation together, people born in 1964 or earlier still make up roughly half the body. In the Senate, where the minimum age is 30 years old, boomers and members of the Silent Generation make up nearly three-quarters of the chamber. Millennials make up just around 12 percent of the House, according to the Pew data, with Frost as the only Gen Z member. But although theres a minimum age to work in Congress, theres no upper limit a fact thats come under heightened scrutiny amid discourse about the age and health of lawmakers and other leaders. That issue took center stage in recent months due to growing concerns about the 81-year-old Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and the recent death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) at age 90 after three decades in the Senate. Polling suggests most Americans support the idea of a mental competency test for politicians over 75, as well as an age cap for presidential candidates. Americas government is run as a gerontocracy, and young people are wildly underrepresented, said Juan Ramiro Sarmiento, national press secretary at Run For Something, a progressive group focused on recruiting progressive candidates up and down the ballot. Under current economic and social strains, young people are experiencing a vastly different America than their older counterparts, Sarmiento said. We need people that are closer to the problem, Sarmiento said. And theyre closer to the solutions. President Bidens 2024 reelection bid has been plagued by concerns about his age as he tries for four more years in the White House. At 81, Biden is the oldest sitting president in history while 77-year-old former President Trump, the top GOP contender, is not far behind him. But Vogel swung to Bidens defense, arguing the incumbent is the best option on the table to represent younger voters values in 2024. President Bidens experience and his record of delivering for young people Im excited to see him reelected. Because the alternative is one that is really a doomsday scenario for our generation: reelecting Donald Trump, Vogel said. Frost said at the White House back in September that Biden wants to be and is a president that understands the power of young people. The politically active demographic has been seen as a linchpin for Democrats in recent cycles, and younger voters helped usher Biden to victory in 2020, when roughly 6 in 10 of the under-30 voter group cast their ballots for him, according to AP VoteCast. But in addition to pushing for people in power to take action on the issues that matter to young Americans, many are putting themselves in the ring to represent their generation. We have seen some growing interest from young people in running for office, said Alberto Medina, spokesperson for Tufts Universitys Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. Economic and social barriers to entry may be more impactful on Gen Z and millennials thinking about a campaign than on an older candidate, though, Medina noted and there are racial and gender inequities that may be compounding reluctance to run. But issues such as climate change and abortion are really the driving force for young Americans engagement in politics, Medina said. A 2022 Tufts study found that the rate of young people seeking elected office had gone up in the previous decade to more than 20 percent of youth who said theyd consider running for office. Thats why even as some data suggests younger Americans are trending away from party affiliation, 57 percent of Americans aged 18-34 say theyre extremely likely to vote this year, according to Tufts research from late November. Among those extremely likely to cast a ballot, 51 percent say theyll back the Democratic candidate. There is an appetite. Theres a hunger from folks of all generations for a new generation of leaders, not just because were younger, but because we offer a new style of politics, Vogel said. At the end of the day, it doesnt matter how old you are. The status quo is holding everyone back, he added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Major retailers in California are now required to have gender-neutral toy aisles under a new state law. The law, which went into effect Monday, stems from a 2021 bill in the California legislature requiring toy retailers with a physical location in the state and at least 500 employees to maintain a gender-neutral section or area to be labeled at the discretion of the retailer. California Assemblymember Evan Low said he was inspired to introduce this bill by an 8-year-old girl who asked, Why should a store tell me what a girls shirt or toy is? Her bill will help children express themselves freely and without bias. We need to let kids be kids, Low said. Stores failing to comply with the new law could be subjected to a $250 penalty for the first violation, and up to $500 for subsequent infractions, the bill text outlined. We should all have compassion for individuals experiencing gender dysphoria, said California Family Council President Jonathan Keller at the time. But activists and state legislators have no right to force retailers to espouse government-approved messages about sexuality and gender. Its a violation of free speech and its just plain wrong. The bill passed in a 49-16 vote in September 2021 and was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom the following month. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Disgraced former congressman George Santos has vowed to drive his critics insane, following the results of a self-posted online New Years poll. Mr Santos, who was ousted from the House last month, had posted the poll the previous day asking his 120,000 followers whether or not he should remain in the Republican party. On Monday he revealed that 26,000 people had responded to the poll, and that an overwhelming majority had said he should leave. The final split showed 67.3 per cent voting in favour of his departure. Its official! 26K people voted and an overwhelming majority wants me out of the Republican Party, Mr Santos wrote. So I will now double down and stay in the party just to drive you all insane! Happy new year! Its official! 26K people voted and an overwhelming majority wants me out of the Republican Party. So I will now double down and stay in the party just to drive you all insane! Happy new year! https://t.co/mpkg0dPx1V George Santos (@MrSantosNY) January 1, 2024 Mr Santos dramatic exit from Congress came at the beginning of December after he was federally indicted and accused of participating in a campaign finance fraud scheme as well as wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and more. More than a hundred Republicans joined almost all Democrats in voting to remove him from the chamber. Since then he has become more vocal on social media, having taken part in a highly anticipated interview with talk show host Ziwe, which was released on YouTube. During the interview Mr Santos lashed out at other alleged fraudsters in Congress. He also said he would not rule out running for office again in future, either as a member of the Republican party or as an independent candidate. Mr Santos has also seen great success on celebrity video messaging site Cameo, reportedly earning more than his annual congressional salary in just three days on the platform. (Reuters) - Police on Sunday detained three further suspects in an alleged Islamist plot to attack Germany's famed Cologne Cathedral on New Year's Eve, authorities said. The alleged attackers had planned to use a car to attack the 800-year-old Gothic edifice by the Rhine river, Cologne police director Frank Wissbaum told a news conference. The method of the planned attack was unclear, but an underground car park below the cathedral had been searched with explosives sniffer dogs overnight, he told reporters. "The three people are now securely in custody, which we are very glad about since they can no longer communicate with each other," he said. Wissbaum said investigators had found evidence late on Saturday that linked the three to a 30-year-old Tajik man with alleged ties to the Islamic State militant movement, who has been in custody since Dec. 24. Federal authorities were continuing their investigation into what he termed a "network of individuals" from Central Asia with links to several German states and European countries. No details were given on the identity or background of the people now in custody. The suspects were detained in the western cities of Duisburg, Herne and Noervenich, police said, and communications devices were seized during searches of their apartments. Security has been stepped up in and around the cathedral ahead of a New Year's Eve service. Police warned the public not to be concerned if they saw officers carrying machine guns and body armour. Thousands of extra police are also patrolling in Berlin, where celebrations last year were overshadowed by violent clashes, with revelers barracking first responders attempting to reach the sick. Police in the capital are also on guard after a pro-Palestinian solidarity demonstration scheduled for midnight was banned. Many Muslims in Germany are unhappy with the support shown for Tel Aviv in its war against Hamas. (Reporting by Thomas Escritt; Editing by David Holmes) (WHTM) The 1963 comedy sketch Dinner for One was born in Britain and all the dialogue is usually shown in English, but almost no one in the English-speaking community has ever heard of it. Dinner for One, which is also known as The 90th Birthday, or Der 90. Geburtstag, in German, depicts the annual dinner party of a woman named Miss Sophie, played by English actress and comedian Mary Warden. In the film Miss Sophie is celebrating her 90th birthday with her four closest friends: Admiral von Schneider, Mr. Pomeroy, Sir Toby and Mr. Winterbottom. The only problem is that she has outlived all of them. Refusing to let the physical absence of her friends spoil her fun, Miss Sophie has her butler James, played by actor and comedian Freddie Frinton, impersonate the four men over multiple hilarious courses. The film is also often shown with a brief introduction narrated in German by actor Heinz Piper. The 18-minute film is a cult classic in Germany, where millions of people tune in to watch the film as it is broadcast every New Years Eve. In fact, according to a 2016 German survey from the YouGov institute, 93% of respondents said they were familiar with the film and about 1 out of 3 said they watched it that year. Google Trends data from 2004 to the present, shows that the film was most searched for in European countries, with the top search areas being Norway, Germany, Denmark Luxembourg and Austria. This year, just after the films 60th anniversary in 2023, it is also starting to reach a new audience through TikTok. Some clips of the film have gone viral on the platform, reaching hundreds of thousands of views. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. The vast majority of Germans do not expect Russia's war against Ukraine to end in 2024. Source: results of a survey held by the YouGov sociological institute at the request of the dpa news agency, as reported by European Pravda, citing DW Details: As many as 70% of Germans believe it is unlikely that the war in Ukraine will end by the end of 2024. Only 15% of respondents share the opposite opinion. Germans are somewhat more hopeful that the conflict in Gaza will end, although the majority (52%) do not expect it to end in 2024. Some 32% think peace is likely, while 16% are unsure. The survey was conducted online on 15-19 December among 2,092 respondents. It is considered representative of German adults. Background: Earlier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that Germany should be prepared to increase its support for Ukraine amid weakening support from others. Support UP or become our patron! Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) will enter 2024 facing fresh questions about his future atop the GOP conference after a roller coaster year. Over the past year he contended with health troubles, a challenge from the right and former President Trump becoming the favorite to be the GOP presidential nominee again. McConnell has long faced queries about when his record-setting tenure as party leader will come to an end, but never more so than over the past year. He easily swatted away an attempt by conservatives to oust him from the post, but the mere presence of the first challenge to his leadership signaled trouble and dovetailed with a rightward turn and increasing dissatisfaction from that group of lawmakers. Perhaps more worrisome were the questions about his health. McConnell was sidelined last year with a concussion and a broken rib, prompting speculation about his future that only intensified after he noticeably froze twice in front of reporters over the summer. Both the questions about his health and his ability to remain in his post if he chooses to have dissipated as McConnell has rebounded, several Senate Republicans and sources have told The Hill in recent months, helping him keep a strong hold on the conference. He is the recognized leader. He is still the strategist that sees the long game, and he is the guy who is putting the strategy out in front of us right now. That has not changed, said Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.). What Im seeing has been a leader who has been on top of it. One Senate Republican predicted that if leadership elections had been held last month, McConnells support would be at a similar level to what it was last year when 11 members backed Sen. Rick Scotts (R-Fla.) challenge. But what McConnell chooses to do next remains a major question, and colleagues predictions are mixed. The Senate Republican told The Hill on the condition of anonymity that they believe it is baked that 2024 will be McConnells last year in charge. I think its just more a function of how many sunrises and sunsets hes observed and how long hes been in politics, the member said. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) said he would be surprised if McConnell ran again and pointed to past conversations theyve had about how he wants to leave [the] conference. I personally would be surprised if he ran again for leader, Mullin said. But I will tell you, I dont think anybody challenges him or beats him if he decided to run. Others believe McConnells plans could depend on who wins the presidency in November, given the bad blood between him and Trump and his long-standing relationship with President Biden. Whos the president? Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said in November when a reporter asked if McConnell seeks another term as leader. McConnell and his team are well known for playing their cards close to the vest, and this situation is no different. He has maintained that he will serve out the next year as leader and the remainder of his Senate term, which runs through 2026, but has declined to delve any deeper. Anybody who tells you they know is kidding themselves, one senior Senate GOP aide said. The will he or wont he chatter comes as the Senate stares down what will be an arduous start to the year. Lawmakers will try to nail down a border deal in order to unlock Bidens $111 billion supplemental and aid for Ukraine in their war against Russia, and race to fund the government. While he has been one of the Senates foremost Ukraine advocates, McConnell has received some plaudits in the conference, including from some conservatives, for stepping back from that push once funds didnt make it into the stopgap spending bill in September and he realized a border deal would be the only solution. I think it suggests that Mitch heard the conference pretty loud and clear, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) said. The push to pass a border deal will likely come during the beginning of the GOP presidential primaries, where Trump is the overwhelming favorite to become the partys choice for a third time, potentially creating issues for McConnell as there is no love lost between the two. That sore spot cropped up just as the Senate left town when McConnell took a shot at the former president after Trump told supporters that immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country. Some lawmakers have indicated that the possibility of Trump winning the White House again coupled with Senate Republicans staying in the minority could be more than enough to convince McConnell to call it quits in leadership. It seems to me spending your last couple of [years] taking on someone whos going to be an adversary Cramer said, cutting himself off before finishing his thought. I just dont know what Mitchs tolerance for misery is. But some members believe McConnells approach to the ex-president will remain unchanged. According to the anonymous Senate Republican, McConnell is not the least bit worried about Trump and remains unfazed by the barbs thrown his way by the former president. However, Trumps influence is creating headaches in other ways for the leader, especially as the composition of the conference has shifted away from those of McConnells ilk to those with views more similar and sympathetic to the former president. Vance, an ardent Trump backer, is a prime example as he replaced former Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), who was part of McConnells leadership team before he departed. Despite the questions surrounding McConnells future, there is little jockeying underway to replace him. Senators said that while there is some taking place at the conference level and on the 2024 political scene among the Three Johns Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.), Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) it has by no means burst into the open. All three are considered McConnell allies, but each has their strong suits if they were to seek the top spot. No ones jockeying for it openly No ones aiming at it. No ones trying to undercut him, Mullin said, comparing the situation with the years-long simmering battle in the House as former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and his team were always wary of maneuvers by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.). There was always a little bit of a contest between McCarthy and Scalise. Theres none of that between McConnell and Thune, said Mullin, a friend of McCarthy who also serves as the freshman classs representative on Thunes whip team. But for the next year at least, the conference is solidly with the Kentucky Republican, just as it has been since the mid-2000s. I dont think he had any problems in the first place, said Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the only senator who has served for longer than McConnell. And I havent seen any difference in the 17 years hes been in that position. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A plan by the French government to beautify and improve ugly spaces sparked debate. A Redditor started the conversation by sharing four renderings from a proposal to transform commercial areas, which was presented by minister of commerce Olivia Gregoire and minister of ecological transition Christophe Bechu. Photo Credit: Reddit Photo Credit: Reddit The images were published in Le Figaro, Frances oldest newspaper, in an article headlined What could the commercial zones of ugly France look like in the future? These areas on the outskirts of cities often have the same appearance: main roads lined with advertising billboards, stores shaped like shoe boxes surrounded by huge parking lots, Julien Da Sois wrote. For the executive, this model is obsolete, both environmentally, economically and urbanistically. Much of the idea revolves around parking lots: shrinking them, replacing them, or covering them with photovoltaic panels. Other project pros include more vegetation, new housing, and businesses of multiple stories that take up less surface area. Le Figaro noted the undertaking would span several decades. Some Redditors were thrilled, while others pointed out pitfalls, including a lack of non-car transportation, the difficulty in fixing car-centric commercial areas, and a fear that the mockups were impractical. A countrywide initiative would be astounding, but smaller renovations have been successful all over the world. Another post in the r/f***cars thread showed the second life of a parking lot in Bydgoszcz, Poland, which became a thriving community space. On TikTok, a user shared the makeover of an Edmonton, Alberta, lot that now features a bakery and gathering area. To make these changes happen, cities and towns need reliable public transportation, which could be another massive endeavor. But greenspace transformations are worth it, with benefits including stress reduction, cognitive restoration, higher levels of physical activity, enhanced social interactions, and decreased exposure to air and noise pollution, according to an April study published in Environmental Science and Health. Is the idea to put a park and dense apartment complex in between an Ikea and large dealership? one commenter asked. Whats the point? Another said: Man, Ugly France looks a hell of a lot like Just America. Can we do ours next? Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Debris from intercepted Russian drones damaged four homes and four cars in Kyiv Oblast on Jan. 1, regional governor Ruslan Kravchenko reported. The air raid alarm in Kyiv Oblast has sounded three times on New Year's Day thus far, the most recent of which lasted for nearly 2.5 hours, according to Kravchenko. Drone debris reportedly fell in two of the oblast's districts, causing a fire that has since been extinguished. No casualties were reported. Local authorities reported earlier on Jan. 1 that air defense intercepted drones in Kyiv and the surrounding region. "Thanks to the effective work of our defenders on enemy targets, there were no critical and residential targets," Kravchenko said. "Together with the (relevant) communities, we are already collecting information about the needs of residents with damaged homes. They will be given all the necessary assistance." Russia launched 90 Shahed drones against Ukraine overnight on Jan. 1, 87 of which were reportedly shot down by Ukrainian forces. The drones, sent in four waves from the direction of the Black Sea and Crimea, targeted port infrastructure and residential neighborhoods. Russia's attack struck Ukraine as it celebrated New Year's Eve. Air raid alerts were activated in multiple regions. Read also: Zelensky delivers new years address thanking Ukrainian troops, civil society Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. 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. Originally published by Christian Today GREENSBORO, N.C. (WNCN/WGHP) A 22-year veteran Greensboro police sergeant was killed in a broad-daylight shooting Saturday after he spotted someone stealing beer from a Sheetz gas station near Colfax, officials said. Greensboro Police Sgt. Philip Dale Nix was shot around 4 p.m. Saturday at a Sheetz gas station at 3202 Sandy Ridge Road, just west of Greensboro, according to Greensboro officials. RELATED: Slain Greensboro officer identified | 3 charged after officers death An 18-year-old was later captured and charged with first-degree murder in the killing of Nix, who was shot after he spotted the teen stealing $83.45 worth of beer from the Sheetz, arrest warrants said. Sgt. Nix confronted the teen, Jamere Justice Foster of Winston-Salem, who then shot Nix at least once, warrants said. Nix, who was off duty at the time, was taken to a nearby hospital where he died, Greensboro police said. Greensboro Police Sgt. Philip Dale Nix. Photo from Greensboro Police Dept. A Blue Alert was issued across North Carolina for a black Chevrolet Equinox and two suspects inside who fled west on nearby Interstate 40. At least two suspects were later captured in Winston-Salem Saturday night, according to the North Wilkesboro Police Department. RELATED: Slain Greensboro officer identified | 3 charged after officers death In addition to Foster, two others are charged in connection with the police killing. John Walter Morrison, 28, of Winston-Salem, is being charged with misdemeanor larceny, conspiracy and felony accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, according to police. Zquriah Lepearce Blackwell, 18, of Winston-Salem, is being charged with felony accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. Warrants accuse Blackwell of knowingly assisting in Fosters attempting to escape. The warrant also said that Blackwell told Foster that they needed to get out of there because he just killed a cop and that Blackwell joined Foster to sell stolen merchandise and talked about destroying evidence including the alleged firearm used in the killing and a registration plate of the suspect vehicle. Greensboro police were devastated by the killing of a fellow officer. He was a loving husband, father, son and brother with 22 years of service to the department and this community, Greensboro Police Chief John Thompson said. We ask for prayers for the family of the fallen officer and our Greensboro PD family. Police say that Nix had many roles during his time with Greensboro police. Those roles included Criminal Investigations Division Detective, Patrol Corporal, Patrol Sergeant, and his most current assignment was as Supervisor of the Family Victims Unit. He was also a Team Leader for the Peer Support Team for over 12 years and was the current Assistant Team Leader of the Greensboro Police Department Honor Guard. Mayor Nancy Vaughan told reporters, I am angry, and I am sad. I think those are feelings that are felt throughout this department and throughout this city. She called the attack a senseless act of violence. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com. Hundreds of asylum seekers will be ringing in the new year in Chicago after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) flew a group of migrants to the Windy City for the second time in two weeks. About 350 asylum seekers reportedly boarded the private chartered flight from San Antonio, which arrived in the far-flung exurb of Rockford early Sunday morning. In an interview on CBS hours later, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson castigated Abbott as afraid and mad about the state of his own border, warning that the conservative governor is determined to sow the seeds of chaos by turning a human crisis into a national security threat. What we have is clearly an international and federal crisis that local governments are being asked to subsidize, and this is unsustainable, Johnson told Face The Nation host Martha Raddatz. Chicago, like many cities with Democratic leadership, has been absorbing a steady stream of asylum seekers without coordination with the Texas governmenta move that Johnson said puts undue strain on local governments who lack the resources available in border regions. In an effort to stem the influx, Chicago recently cracked down on rogue bus operatorsleading Abbott to send planes instead, vowing that more will be coming. Currently, nearly 600 migrants are waiting to be processed in Chicagos 27 shelters, CBS reported, with a total of 26,000 people now seeking asylum in the city. Local officials said they expect 14 more buses on New Years Eve, nine of them from the Rockford flight. Read it at CBS News Read more at The Daily Beast. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A woman was taken to the hospital after being hit by celebratory gunfire in Grand Rapids early Monday morning, according to the Grand Rapids Police Department. Officers responded to a report of a person being hit by gun fire near Prince Street SE and Henry Avenue SE at 12:07 a.m. GRPD said a woman received a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the arm following celebratory gunfire. The woman was taken to the hospital and treated. Theres no word on any suspects. This embedded content is not available in your region. The incident remains under investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. New Mexico State Police announced Thursday gun buyback events in four cities are planned for Jan. 6. State Police invited the public in Las Cruces, Farmington, Albuquerque and Espanola to anonymously hand in unwanted firearms in exchange for gift cards. This is the second round of such events following an amended public health order by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to tackle what she called a surge in gun violence following the shooting deaths of several children in Albuquerque. In November, 87 guns (31 handguns and 56 rifles) were turned in during a buyback event in Las Cruces, one of three that month in the state. Statewide 279 firearms were collected. In an Oct. 23 op-ed, New Mexico's Secretary of Public Health Patrick Allen wrote that gun violence was a "public health emergency." "We cannot afford to stand idly by while our fellow New Mexicans suffer from the consequences of this epidemic," Allen wrote. While gun buy back events were held previously in Albuquerque, Espanola and Las Cruces, this would be the first in Farmington where a buyback event planned for early December was cancelled by city officials amid public backlash. That event was organized by Farmington Police Department and Santa Fe-based nonprofit New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence. Miranda Viscoli, the copresident of New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence, said at the time the organization had organized numerous other buy backs independent of the State Police and collected more than 2,000 guns. Read more: Gun buyback event planned for Las Cruces, though studies question effectiveness. "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 in a Dec. 28 news release. Weapons collected at these events are either destroyed or recycled into other products. More: Governor wants NM legislators to debate new approach to regulating assault-style weapons In exchange for firearms, persons will receive $100 Visa gift cards for handguns and $200 gift cards for rifles and shotguns. Guns do not have to be functional to be turned in. The gun buy backs will take place between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the following locations: Expo New Mexico, 300 San Pedro, Gate 8 off Louisiana Blvd. in Albuquerque Harriet B. Simmons Office, 101 W. Animas in Farmington First Baptist Church, 4201 N. Sonoma ranch Blvd. in Las Cruces Espanola Annex Building, 1101 Industrial Park Road in Espanola Jessica Onsurez can be reached at jonsurez@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Gun buyback events planned in four New Mexico cities in 2024 ST. LOUIS Happy New Years Eve and welcome to a special edition of Hancock and Kelley on FOX 2. Political analysts John Hancock and Michael Kelley discuss the following topics in this weeks episode: Our 2023 political winners and losers, from St. Louis to Washington. Well peer into the crystal ball for the big year ahead and the 2024 elections. John and Michael make their new years resolutions; not for themselves, but for each other! For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. Puebloans had to adjust in 2023 when grocery stores began to charge for single-use plastic bags and may have to take it a step further in 2024. As of Jan. 1, Colorado retail stores and food establishments are prohibited from providing single-use plastic carryout bags to customers. Its the next step in a state law that Gov. Jared Polis signed in 2021 that seeks to reduce the harmful effects on the states resources and natural environment. There are exceptions, however. The law does not apply to eateries and small stores that have three or fewer locations in Colorado or to people who participate in a federal or state food assistance program. It also doesnt apply if a plastic carryout bag is used to package pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, dietary supplements, or any similar equipment or material used to manufacture those items. Stores, according to the bills language, include supermarkets, clothing shops, and convenience, liquor and grocery stores. They also include farmers and roadside markets, and other temporary vendors such as stands at festivals or events. Also as of Monday, restaurants and other retail food establishments cant provide polystyrene or Styrofoam products that are typically used as take-out containers. However, they can use them until their supply is exhausted if they purchased them before that date. Abaddon Romero loads plastic bags filled with groceries into a customer's vehicle at the Northside Walmart in Pueblo on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022. Can customers still pay 10 cents for a carryout bag next year? Not if its a plastic carryout bag. However, stores can offer paper carryout bags to customers who request them, but they will need to pay 10 cents per bag. Stores at the start of this year continued to offer plastic carryout bags but charged 10 cents apiece to use them. The law, in part, sought to encourage people to bring reusable bags when visiting a grocery store. Some stores sold their own versions of reusable bags when the law went into effect. In 2021, Fort Collins implemented its own ordinance that charged a fee for paper bags. The city saw a significant reduction in their use several months after stores began to charge the fee. Denver also adopted a plastic bag fee that went into effect in 2021. Pueblo to start collecting carryout bag fee revenue in April 2024 The city of Pueblo last year adopted an ordinance that allows the city to enforce, collect and remit the bag fees. The ordinance also required stores to maintain records of how many plastic or recycled carryout bags are provided to customers, which is similar to how Fort Collins tracked customers' month-to-month usage. Beginning April 1, 2024, stores on a quarterly basis must pay 60% of the fee revenues to the municipality in which the store is located but can keep the rest. Fees that Pueblo stores collected during 2023 must be paid to the city no later than April 20, 2024. Cities can use the bag fee revenue to pay for administrative and enforcement costs and any waste-diversion programs. Pueblo City Council approved an ordinance in a unanimous vote on Dec. 26 that establishes a special revenue fund and allows the city to budget and appropriate the revenue. The city isnt yet sure how it will disburse the funds because it doesnt know the amount of revenue it will receive when payments are due, said Haley Sue Robinson, the citys director of public affairs. There have been discussions, however, about allocating the funds to the city's RecycleWorks service, she said. Pueblo city councilors will have the option to introduce an ordinance that is stricter than the states plastic bag ban. Municipalities can do so starting July 1, 2024. More: Man and woman shot while attempting to recover stolen vehicle in Pueblo Chieftain reporter Josue Perez can be reached at JHPerez@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @josuepwrites. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com. This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Colorado plastic bag ban to be stricter in 2024. Here's what to know Before the Cayuga County, New York sheriff's deputies finally left his house, Republican Rep. Brandon Williams of New York handed them small bags filled with holiday shortbread cookies, chocolate-dipped peanut butter balls and double-chocolate cookies covered in powdered sugar after the unexpected, brief Christmas Day drama had ended. Williams, a first-term Republican who represents Central New York, said he was the victim of a "swatting" call early in the afternoon on Dec. 25. Williams said someone placed a hoax phone call to police in Auburn, New York, to trigger a massive police response at his rural home. Law enforcement officials, recognizing his address, called in advance to alert Williams they had received an emergency alert claiming there was a crisis at his home. He said deputies quickly realized the call was a hoax, but only after the swatting incident had disrupted his family holiday. Williams suspects it could be the work of critics of some of his political stances or recent statements denouncing Hamas. At least three members of Congress reported being the victims of "swatting incidents" over the holiday week, according to a review by CBS News. Other members of Congress, from both parties, have also experienced some form of disruption by such phony and harassing swatting calls over the past several weeks. Rep. Brandon Williams, R-New York, speaks during a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol on March 7, 2023, in Washington, D.C. / Credit: Drew Angerer / Getty Images Swatting is an increasingly common, dangerous and illegal scheme. The callers attempt to prompt police to dispatch SWAT teams to the homes of public figures, celebrities or enemies, in an effort to harass the victims. In just the past week, other members of Congress also reported being targeted. Hours before the response to Williams's home, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia announced she was also the victim of Christmas Day swatting. In a social media post, Greene said, "I was just swatted. This is like the 8th time. On Christmas with my family here." Greene had also publicly revealed being the victim of a swatting incident in August 2022. In that case, according to a police incident report, a local police department in Georgia received a 911 call "about a male possibly shooting his family members and himself at the home of Marjorie Greene." On Thursday, Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida also revealed he had been the victim of a holiday week hoax call. In a social media post, Sen. Scott wrote, "Last night, while at dinner with my wife, cowards 'swatted' my home in Naples. These criminals wasted the time & resources of our law enforcement in a sick attempt to terrorize my family." A Naples police spokesman told CBS News the person who made the deceptive phone call falsely told Naples police dispatch that a man had "shot his wife with an AR-15 three times while she was sleeping." The police spokesman said, "Within 15 minutes, we were able to confirm that the events did not occur and the incident was a swatting event. This is very much an active and ongoing investigation." Arrests have not been announced in the cases. In September, Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., was forced to evacuate because of a hoax call made to a California synagogue near her home, according to multiple reports and a staffer familiar with the episode. Local police agencies often take the lead in responding to swatting incidents, but also get support from federal authorities. A U.S. Capitol Police spokesman told CBS News that they are"helping but laying low so that we don't increase the likelihood of a copycat." A spokesperson for the FBI told CBS News, "The FBI takes all threats very seriously and will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to gather, share, and act upon threat information as it comes to our attention. We urge the public to remain vigilant, and report any and all suspicious activity and/or individuals to law enforcement immediately." In a public alert about swatting in 2022, the FBI described the impact and targeting of the crime. "The individuals who engage in this activity use technology, such as caller ID spoofing, social engineering, TTY, and prank calls to make it appear that the emergency call is coming from the victim's phone," the alert said. "Traditionally, law enforcement has seen swatters directing their actions toward individuals and residences. Increasingly, the FBI sees swatters targeting public places such as airports, schools, and businesses. Another recent trend is so-called celebrity swatting, where the targeted victims are well-known personalities." Williams said he suspects public officials are being increasingly targeted, amid a time of heightened police tensions and as agitators seek to disrupt the lives of elected leaders. "There are so many things going on in our society that are disrupting our systems," Williams said. "Swatters are disrupting police, getting them out on these fake calls. This could be targeted at judges, state officials and law enforcement too." When police began to arrive at his home on Christmas afternoon, Williams said he prepped his relatives on how to conduct themselves. "I organized my family in the kitchen and told them to hang out and keep their hands visible," he added. Then, after the police came inside to confirm the call was a hoax, Williams began packing the deputies bags with his holiday cookies. Police bodycams roll as man describes what happened before girlfriend stops breathing What to expect from the New Hampshire GOP primary next week Johnson, Schumer optimistic after Biden foreign aid meeting Indianapolis ended another year with a decline in homicides, but this time, to a rate not seen since before the Covid-19 pandemic. As of Dec. 31, the city had 171 criminal homicides. That's an encouraging decrease from 2022, when 207 people died in criminal homicides, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. The number also marks the first time since 2019 that criminal homicides have dropped below 200. Shootings and violent crime spiked to the highest levels during the Covid-19 pandemic and in 2021. The stats do not include killings ruled self-defense or people killed by police. When those are factored in, the number of homicides sits at 216 for the year. Indianapolis' departing police chief, Randal Taylor, said he's pleased with the lower rate as he prepares to leave his post, but feels the number is still too high. "There's people who have been killed for no good reason," he said. "That's something I will continue to be concerned about." Cited as part of the reason for the city's decline in killings are newer crime-fighting initiatives such as the continuing work of the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force. As of Dec. 12, the force has seized 369 firearms and made 266 arrests. Non-fatal shootings have also seen a decline. As of Dec. 18, the latest data available by Indianapolis police, the city has seen 47 fewer shooting victims. The number of juvenile victims and perpetrators behind those shootings, however, is on the rise. Taylor said youth violence remains a concerning problem. He said the public tends to place blame for the outbreak of criminal acts among young people on their parents, but said the issue is more complex and requires the help of agencies outside of police. "We're trying to figure out what is the police department's role in that and how do we come alongside those who may be better equipped to deal with those issues?" he said. Whoever becomes the new chief will inherit a rising youth violence rate, Taylor said, along with other problems facing the police department. Despite having the highest budget for officers in years, a steep staffing shortage to the tune of about 233 officers remains. Taylor said the shortage not only impacts his overworked officers, but for the community who could see better response times if they were fully staffed. The next chief will also grapple with the spike in police shootings. Indianapolis officers shot 18 people in separate cases this year. In a series that began in August, police shot more people in seven weeks than in the entirety of 2022. Taylor and police leadership pledged to bring on an outside consultant to review the shootings. Taylor said he's confident the consultant review will go on despite his leaving. Contact reporter Sarah Nelson at 317-503-7514 or sarah.nelson@indystar.com This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis homicides reach lowest rate since 2019 Germany's celebration of the turn of the year was largely peaceful compared to similar occasions in the past, although there were isolated deaths, injuries and revellers in some places threw fireworks at police officers and firefighters. Addiitonal police were on duty in many places with concerns about rowdiness in several cities, including Berlin. Police in the capital were swiftly deployed on several occasions to disperse crowds or handle burgeoning aggression. They also detained suspects mostly for dangerous misuse of fireworks. In Germany, fireworks are only sold during the New Year's period but Misuse of fireworks led to serious accidents, some of which ended fatally, such as in Bavaria, where an 18-year-old died from injuries caused by a firework. A 22-year-old man was killed in Boxberg in eastern Saxony when a banned ball bomb was detonated, dying at the scene of the accident despite rescue attempts, a Gorlitz police spokesman said on Monday. An 18-year-old also died on New Year's Eve in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, when a firecracker was set off. Earlier, police said a man had lost his hand in a fireworks accident on Saturday. More than two dozen people were treated for serious firework injuries received during New Year's Eve celebrations, including some requiring amputations, Berlin's Unfallkrankenhaus (UKB), a hospital specializing in accident injuries, said on Monday. Some 27 patients with serious eye injuries, burns and blast injuries to the hands and face have been treated, the hospital said on the online platform X. The UKB spoke of "dramatic amputation injuries" in some cases. Overall, despite incidents including rioting and attacks on police officers and members of the emergency services nationwide but particularly n Berlin, the police were pleased with operations during the night. "We are satisfied with our deployment, we successfully protected the fire brigade," said a Berlin police spokesperson at around 3 am (0200 GMT) on New Year's morning. A spokesman for the fire brigade described the night as a "normal New Year's Eve." During the night, the Berlin police initially gave the figure of 15 injured police officers. There were 300 provisional arrests, many for offences against the Explosives Act, with the figures likely to rise. A record of nearly 5,000 police officers were on duty in the capital to prevent riots as occurred last year. Ahead of the night, the capital's governing mayor Kai Wegner said the police would take tough action in the case of riots. The city also hosted a fireworks display, allowing tens of thousands of people to celebrate the New Year at the traditional party at the Brandenburg Gate, a first since the pandemic. A sold out capacity crowd of 65,000 visitors attended the ZDF New Year's Eve party despite intermittent rain, the organizers said. The party took place along the festival mile between the Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column and was dubbed "Celebrate at the Gate." There were also fears of possible incidents in the state of North Rhine Westphalia but police said celebrations were largely without incident in several of the state's major cities. High security measures were introduced after a warning of the possibility of a terror attack at Cologne Cathedral, but the situation there was also largely peaceful, police said. Police officers stand near Kottbuser Damm. Paul Zinken/dpa Now that it has been a few weeks since Black Hollywood exploded, weve had time to breathe and to stop jumping to conclusions. A previous opinion piece in The Root suggested that Keyes allowed the public to throw several innocent men under the bus by not revealing his abuser. While we dont know who was the billionnaire Keyes said sexually assaulted him, we wonder could one of the people the actor and writer threw under the bus, intentionally or not, be Tyler Perry? None of us really know the truth but Keyes and the powerful man he wont name. However, lets take a look back to see if Keyes provided any clues to who was innocent. Read more Throughout the video, which included a prayer, Keyes went into detail about his experiences with the three people, none of whom he mentions by name. One of the people is a woman, he said. As for the billionaire, Keyes said they were gay with a distinctive voice and was allegedly honored with a documentary on Prime Video, is leaving social mediaspecially Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube split on both sides. Heres why: Keyes liked a post on X, formerly Twitter, in support of Tyler Perry not being the powerful man behind those sexual assault allegations. Perry is the producer of All the Queens Men, a show based off a novel Keyes wrote, so social media users have been trying to pin the allegations on anyone close to Keyes. But other social media users think everyone is jumping to conclusions too soon. Watching Christian Keyes & can tell he is clearly a victim...only $3 grand to his name & violated by a gay billionaire & no I dont believe it was TP...I wish Christian would have taken action...that man will still have his money & good name & Christian will remain broken, wrote one social media user. Watching Christian Keyes & can tell he is clearly a victim...only $3 grand to his name & violated by a gay billionaire & no I don't believe it was TP...I wish Christian would have taken action...that man will still have his money & good name & Christian will remain broken pic.twitter.com/FLLpxfIX1l It Tis What it Tis (@DaGoddess100) December 16, 2023 But then, during an episode of Tea-GIF hosted by Claudia Jordan, a friend of Keyes who said that the actor had discussed his experiences with her over 15 years ago, she said, Yeah a lot of yall said the name, and Ill just leave it at that. Whose name, Claudia? Jordan was one of the first people to support Keyes when he posted his video, and a live she posted herself, urging people to stop shaming victimsespecially male victims. Seeing how quickly Diddy settled a $30 million-lawsuit filed by Cassie has many social media users wondering if Keyes is seeking a potential settlement of the same nature. Cassie has not disclosed the amount of the settlement, but, but popular vlogger Tisa Tells seems to think that Keyes is using the video as a negotiating tactic. As of today, there is no solid evidence to suggest Keyes was referring to Perry, and the mogul has not released a statement in response to fan and social media allegations. More from The Root Sign up for The Root's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. An Israeli armoured personnel carrier (APC) driving along the southern border of Israel and Gaza as fighting between Israeli troops and Islamist Hamas militants continues. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Months into the war on Gaza, Israel's military is adjusting its troop deployment in anticipation of even longer-lasting fighting, while the death toll continues to rise in the embattled coastal strip. The armed branch of the Islamist Hamas, the Qassam Brigades, said it launched rocket attacks on the greater Tel Aviv area, while Israeli media reported more than 20 rockets fired from Gaza into Israel on Monday. The attack was a "reaction to the Zionist massacres of civilians" in the Gaza Strip, the Qassam Brigades said in a statement. They published a video announcing they had used M90 rockets. Most of the rockets were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system. According to the emergency services, no casualties were initially reported as a result of the shelling. Anticipating fighting will continue for some time, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said it was allowing some reservists to temporarily return to civilian life. "The goals of the war require a prolonged battle, and we are preparing accordingly," IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said on Sunday evening. According to the Times of Israel, the military believes it is likely that the Gaza war will continue throughout 2024. "We are wisely planning the management of the forces operating in the field, looking at the reserve system, the economy, refreshing forces, and continuing the combat training processes in the IDF." Some of the reservists will "return to their families and employment" this week, Hagari continued. He said this will relieve Israel's economy and allow the reservists to "gather strength for the upcoming activities" in the New Year. The war between Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Israel broke out after the worst massacre in Israel's history on October 7, in which militants from Hamas and other extremist groups killed around 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped around 240 others to the Gaza Strip. Israel responded with massive airstrikes and a ground offensive. The government says its goal is the complete destruction of Hamas. The Hamas-controlled health authority in Gaza said the number of Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war has risen to 21,822. It is not possible to independently verify the figures but various UN bodies, in the past, have said that figures from the Gaza health authorities are credible. In the past 24 hours, 156 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, according to the health authority which is controlled by Hamas. Since the war began almost three months ago, a total of 21,978 people have been killed and around 57,700 others injured, a spokesman said on Monday. The figures cannot be confirmed, but the UN and other observers point out that the authority's figures have been credible in the past. Some 70% of those killed are said to be women and minors. The health authority also said 326 health workers had been killed during the war and more than 100 ambulances destroyed or severely damaged. Among those killed were a former minister of the Palestinian Authority and his wife, who were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, according to a report. Sheikh Yussef Salama, former minister of religious affairs and an imam at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, was killed on Sunday in an attack on his home in the refugee neighbourhood of Al-Maghasi, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported. His wife also died later of her injuries, according to the Gaza health authority. An Israeli army spokesman said on Monday that he could not comment without the exact coordinates of the incident. The IDF also released figures on deaths, stating one in six Israeli soldiers killed since the start of the ground offensive in the Gaza Strip has been either accidentally killed or killed by their own comrades. The total amounts to 29 soldiers, 18 of whom were killed by friendly fire. Two others were killed by an accidental shot and nine more by accidents, for example with ammunition, the IDF said. According to military figures, a total of 172 soldiers have been killed since the start of the Israeli ground offensive in the Gaza Strip at the end of October. More than 900 have been injured. Since the start of the war, 506 servicemen and women have been killed. An Israeli armoured personnel carrier (APC) driving along the southern border of Israel and Gaza as fighting between Israeli troops and Islamist Hamas militants continues. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Israel's military is adjusting its troop deployment in anticipation of a prolonged war in the Gaza Strip and is allowing some reservists to temporarily return to civilian life. "The objectives of the war require prolonged fighting, and we are preparing accordingly," Israel Defence Forces (IDG) spokesman Daniel Hagari said on Sunday evening. "We are wisely planning the management of the forces operating in the field, looking at the reserve system, the economy, refreshing forces, and continuing the combat training processes in the IDF." Some of the reservists will "return to their families and employment" this week, Hagari continued. He said this will relieve Israel's economy and allow the reservists to "gather strength for the upcoming activities" in the new year. The fighting would continue and the reservists would still be needed. In addition, officer training will continue. Following their experiences in the battle in the Gaza Strip, they will receive further training in order to strengthen the ranks of the commanders, said Hagari. Israeli soldiers and tanks on operations in Gaza on Monday An Iranian war ship has passed through the Houthi-plagued Bab Al-Mandab strait into the Red Sea, Irans Tasnim news agency has reported. It did not disclose the Alborz frigates mission but said Iranian naval vessels had been operating in the region to secure shipping lanes since 2009. The strait has been the setting of a spate of attacks on container ships by Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebel groups in recent weeks. The group has said it will only stop if aid into Gaza is significantly increased. Britain and the United States are drawing up plans to launch air strikes on the Houthis to deter further attacks. The US Navys Fifth Fleet, which operates in the region, declined to comment on the vessels movements. 03:14 PM GMT That's all for today Thank you for following The Telegraphs coverage of the war in Gaza. 03:13 PM GMT Today's headlines Hamas launched a salvo of more than 20 rockets on Israel as the clock struck midnight for the new year. US officials fear strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen could benefit Iran, it was reported. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) suggested the war in Gaza will continue throughout 2024. IDF data showed almost a fifth of the 170 Israeli soldiers who have died in Gaza since the war began were killed by friendly fire or in other accidents. Hamas denied all allegations of rape and sexual assault as lies and slanders. An Iranian war ship passed through the Bab Al-Mandab strait and entered the Red Sea after a spate of Houthi attacks on container ships. Ilan Weiss, an Israeli thought to have been taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, was confirmed dead. The IDF will withdraw some of its soldiers from Gaza as it shifts to more targeted operations against Hamas in a third phase of the war, an official told Reuters. 02:41 PM GMT In pictures: Gaza today Injured Palestinians are brought to Deir al Balah's Aksa hospital from the Al-Maghazi refugee camp after an Israeli strike - Ali Jadallah A child photographed at a refugee camp in Gaza - Xinhua 01:56 PM GMT Israel withdraws some troops from Gaza The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will withdraw some of its soldiers from Gaza as it shifts to more targeted operations against Hamas in a third phase of the war. This will take six months at least, and involve intense mopping-up missions against the terrorists, an official told Reuters. They added that those pulled out of the strip will be predominantly reservists. Some will be redeployed to the northern border with Lebanon as attacks by the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group continue. Others will return to civilian life to re-energise the Israeli economy, the official said. 01:39 PM GMT Gaza death toll reaches 21,978 The number of Palestinians killed in Gaza by Israeli operations since October 7 now stands at 21,978, the strips Hamas-run health ministry has said. It added that 56,697 Palestinians have injured during the same period. 01:09 PM GMT IDF strikes Hezbollah drone site in Lebanon The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has conducted an air strike on a site in southern Lebanon which it said Hezbollah was using to launch a drone. It said the Iran-backed terror group was preparing to launch the drone near the village of Maroun al-Ras. " , . >> pic.twitter.com/33hB9X1gSS (@idfonline) January 1, 2024 12:42 PM GMT In pictures: Grief and destruction An Israeli tank manoeuvres along the Israel-Gaza border - Abir Sultan Friends and family mourn Israeli reservist Master Sergeant Constantine Sushko at his funeral in Tel Aviv - Clodagh Kilcoyne Israeli soldiers fire mortars into Gaza from southern Israel - Abir Sultan 12:18 PM GMT Man thought taken hostage is dead An Israeli who was believed to have been kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 was actually killed in the terror groups attacks. Ilan Weiss, 56, has been missing since October 7 when he joined the defence of Kibbutz Beeri. His wife Shiri, 53, and daughter Noga, 18, were both taken hostage and were released on November 25. A number of Israelis who were thought to have been abducted by Hamas were later found to have been killed on October 7. Some of their bodies are still being held in Gaza. 12:01 PM GMT Iranian war ship enters Red Sea after Houthi attacks An Iranian war ship has passed through the Bab Al-Mandab strait and entered the Red Sea, Irans Tasnim news agency has reported. The Alborz frigates movement comes after a spate of attacks on container ships passing through the strait by Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebel group. Iranian warships have been operating in the region to secure shipping lanes since 2009, Tasnim said. Britain and the United States are drawing up plans to launch air strikes on the Houthis to deter further attacks. A file image of the Alborz frigate - Mahdi Marizad 11:53 AM GMT Child vaccines enter Gaza Thousands of child vaccines have been taken into Gaza, the Palestinian health ministry in the West Bank has said. The ministry said the vaccines against childhood diseases including polio, measles, mumps and rubella will be given to those aged between eight and 14 months. Yasser Bouzia, a ministry official, said 60,000 newborn babies in the strip have been largely cut off from medical care since the war began. 11:39 AM GMT In pictures: IDF operations today Israeli soldiers observe the ruins of Gaza City - Menahem Kahana IDF soldiers clear a building - IDF Tanks flying the Israeli flag line up after returning from operations inside Gaza - Amir Levy 11:07 AM GMT Hamas denies rape Hamas has denied all allegations of rape and sexual assault as lies and slanders in a response to a New York Times article detailing evidence of such war crimes. Basem Naim, a member of the terror groups politburo, said there was no conclusive evidence of sexual crimes on and after October 7. The New York Times allegations contradict the very testimonies that Israeli women themselves said of the good treatment they had experienced from the Palestinian fighters on October 7, he said. He added: Moreover, all Israeli female captives who were released from Gaza could only say well treatment they have received and the fighters (captors) keenness to provide them all they needed despite the difficult situation in Gaza. First responders to the massacre saw raped and abused bodies, writes Nataliya Vasilyeva, our Middle East Correspondent, in this investigation of Hamass sex crimes on and after October 7. 10:34 AM GMT Hamas launches New Year rocket salvo on Israel Hamas launched a salvo of more than 20 rockets on Israel as the clock struck midnight for the new year. Air alert sirens sounded across the country and the Iron Dome anti-air defences intercepted missiles flying over Tel Aviv. I was terrified, like it was the first time I saw missiles, its terrifying, Gabriel Zemelman said outside a Tel Aviv bar where he had gone to celebrate with friends. The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, claimed responsibility for the attack in a video published on social media. They said they fired M90 rockets in response to the massacres of civilians carried out by Israel. There have been no official reports of deaths or damage. The Iron Dome missile defence system intercepts rockets fired by Hamas after new year - Amir Cohen 10:06 AM GMT Friendly fire kills fifth of IDF soldiers dead in Gaza Almost a fifth of the 170 Israeli soldiers who have died in Gaza since the war began were killed by friendly fire or in other accidents. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said 18 were killed by friendly fire, two by stray bullets and nine when they were run over, their weapons accidentally fired or by shrapnel from controlled demolitions. The total of 29 inadvertent deaths represents 17 per cent of all IDF deaths in Gaza. 09:44 AM GMT War will continue all year, IDF suggests The war in Gaza will continue throughout 2024, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has suggested. Rear Adm Daniel Hagari, its spokesperson, said in a new year briefing that the Israeli armed force would be required for warfare throughout this year. Tonight, the year of 2024 begins, he said. The objectives of the war require prolonged fighting, and we are preparing accordingly. He added: These adaptations are designed to ensure planning and preparation for the continuation of 2024, as the IDF must plan ahead, understanding that we will be required for additional tasks and warfare throughout this year. 09:22 AM GMT US Houthi strikes could benefit Iran, officials fear Pentagon officials fear air strikes on Houthi rebels could inadvertently benefit Iran, it has been reported. Senior defence officials told the New York Times that Tehran, which backs the Yemen rebel group, stands to gain from any escalation of the conflict. Adam Clements, a former US Army attache in Yemen, said: The Iran-Houthi relationship greatly benefits from conflict, so why create more? Other officials and retired military officers told the newspaper that strikes on Houthi missiles, drones and boat sites are necessary to stop further attacks on Red Sea shipping. Britain and the US are preparing a joint statement that could be issued as early as today giving the rebels a final warning to stop their attacks. The US Navy destroyed three Houthi boats and killed at least 10 rebels as they attempted to board a container ship in the Red Sea on Sunday. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. By Dan Williams JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel is withdrawing some forces from Gaza to shift to more targeted operations against Hamas, and is partially returning reservists to civilian life to help the economy as the war looks set to last well into the new year, an Israeli official said. The official said toppling the Islamist faction remained an objective of the offensive in the Palestinian enclave, and that some of the five brigades withdrawn will prepare for a possible flare-up of a second front against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Asked by reporters about a troop reduction, Israel's military spokesperson said two reservist brigades would be released this week. Since launching the war in retaliation for the cross-border Hamas rampage of Oct. 7, Israeli officials have said they would wage it in three main stages. The first was intense shelling to clear access routes for ground forces and encourage civilians to evacuate. The second was the invasion that began on Oct. 27. With tanks and troops having now overrun much of the Gaza Strip, largely asserting control despite Palestinian gunmen continuing their ambushes from hidden tunnels and bunkers, the military is moving to the third stage, said the official, who could not be named in print given the sensitivity of the issue. "This will take six months at least, and involve intense mopping-up missions against the terrorists. No one is talking about doves of peace being flown from Shajaia," the official told Reuters, referring to a Gaza district ravaged by fighting. In addition to the 1,200 people killed on Oct. 7, Hamas took some 240 hostage. Israel is also determined to recover the 129 still held in Gaza. Qatari- and Egyptian-mediated truce efforts have raised the prospect of some of them being freed. The shift appeared to correspond to pressure from Israel's top ally, the United States, to review tactics and do more to protect non-combatants. BOLSTERING ECONOMY Israel initially drafted 300,000 reservists - some 10% to 15% of its workforce - for what looks set to be its longest-ever war. Government sources have said between 200,000 and 250,000 reservists were still mobilised and absent from jobs or studies. Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the deployment of reservists would be crafted "in a way that it can be refreshed, the Israeli economy can function, families who are waiting for their loved ones can return to their routines." Local media have reported that several military divisions were deployed throughout Gaza. The official added that some of the troops pulled out of Gaza in the south would be prepared for rotation to the northern border with Lebanon, where Hezbollah has been exchanging fire with Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians. Israel has warned that, if Hezbollah does not back down, a full-on Lebanon war looms. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are backed by Iran, whose militant allies in Syria, Iraq and Yemen have also been carrying out longer-range attacks against Israel. "The situation on the Lebanese front will not be allowed to continue. This coming six-month period is a critical moment," the official said, adding that Israel would convey a similar message to a U.S. envoy conducting shuttle missions to Beirut. In Gaza, the Israel-Hamas war has inflicted unprecedented devastation, with the health ministry reporting almost 22,000 fatalities, many of them civilian. Israel says it has killed more than 8,000 Palestinian fighters - suggesting that, by its own accounting, Hamas retains core personnel. Pre-war Israeli assessment were that the group had around 30,000 fighters. The Israeli military announced on Saturday it was sending some reservists home as part of what top commander Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevi has deemed a "reconfiguration" of forces. "From the first moments of this war, we said it would take long," Halevi told troops on Tuesday. "Will we ultimately be able to say there are no more foes around the State of Israel? I think that is overly ambitious. But we will deliver a different security situation - safe and, as much as possible, stable too." Israel has listed 174 soldiers - many of them reservists - as killed in Gaza fighting and nine on the Lebanese border. (Writing by Dan Williams; editing by Louise Heavens and Jason Neely) Displaced Palestinians take refuge at the European Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza, on Sunday as attacks by Israeli forces continued. Israel said it is removing five brigades from the Gaza Strip but will remain in Khan Yunis. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI Jan. 1 (UPI) -- The Israeli military says it is withdrawing five brigades from fighting in the Gaza Strip, marking a new phase in the war against Hamas, but cautioned fighting will likely go on for several more months. The Israel Defense Forces said Sunday the move is part of their third phase of operations in Gaza, in which they expect fighting to continue during the new year. The IDF said overall, there are seven brigades still fighting in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza. Officials said they are keeping maximum forces fighting in southern Gaza, maintaining its forces to deal with central Gaza. The 162nd Division continued its activity in Daraj and Tuffah, which are parts of Gaza City, on Sunday while the 36th Division battled Hamas in central Gaza's al-Bureij. The 98th, 99th and Gaza divisions are set up in the Khan Younis, in Gaza's south. In the third phase, the IDF said it will only need enough forces to keep Hamas from reconstituting in areas it once dominated. Once Phase 3 has fully transitioned into place, the military expects fighting to continue from three to nine months. "The objectives of the war require prolonged fighting, and we are preparing accordingly," Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told reporters on Monday, pointing out that the withdrawal simply means a shift in tactics and not a decrease in the intensity of fighting. The announcement comes after Hamas launched a fresh rocket attack on Tel Aviv overnight on New Year's Day. IDF's Iron Dome anti-missile system, however, intercepted most of the rockets and no injuries were reported. Despite the attack, the IDF said they are cautiously optimistic with the consistent decrease in the number of missile launches from Gaza in the last month -- including to the area surrounding Gaza. Tel Aviv Israel's military has begun moving thousands of troops out of the Gaza Strip, but officials stress that the Israel Defense Forces are set to continue waging a long war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The announcement of a redeployment came after Israel's prime minister said he saw the conflict continuing well into the new year. Thousands of Israeli soldiers were being shifted out of Gaza, however, military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told reporters on Monday, in the first significant drawdown since the war was sparked by Hamas' unprecedented Oct. 7 terror attack on southern Israel. In a statement, the IDF said five brigades, or several thousand troops, would be moved out of Gaza over the coming weeks for training and rest. In a briefing Sunday when he first announced the troop withdrawal, without specifying how many forces were leaving, Hagari did not say whether the decision meant Israel was launching a new phase of the war. A photo taken from the Israeli border with the central Gaza Strip shows an Israeli tank crossing a fence to leave Gaza and roll into Israel, Jan. 1, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the militant Hamas group. / Credit: MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP/Getty Israel has vowed to crush Hamas' military and governing capabilities in Gaza, a small Palestinian territory which the group long designated a terror organization by Israel and the U.S. has ruled for almost two decades. Hamas' attack on Israel left about 1,200 people dead and saw the militants take some 240 people hostage. The troop movement could indicate a scaling back of Israel's war effort in some parts of densely populated Gaza, most likely in the northern half of the enclave where the IDF focused the initial phase of its offensive. Israel, a close U.S. ally in the heart of the tumultuous Middle East, has been under mounting pressure from the Biden administration to switch to lower-intensity fighting amid escalating death toll reports from Gaza, where Hamas officials say more than 20,000 people have been killed. But Hagari made it clear that Israel's war with Hamas was not yet over. "The objectives of the war require prolonged fighting, and we are preparing accordingly," he said. Nor is it over for Hamas, and as the clock struck midnight local time, it was sirens that rang in the new year across Israel on Monday morning. Hamas fired a barrage of rockets, lighting up the sky for revelers in Tel Aviv as Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted most of them. No injuries were reported. In Gaza, there was no happy new year. Thousands of Palestinians have spent weeks crammed into tents in the southern city of Rafah, huddling close to stay warm. Many in the camps lost a mother, father, husband, wife, brother, sister, child or grandchild in 2023, and they fear the new year will only bring more of the same. "My tragedy lives inside me," said Kamal al-Zeinaty, one of the many displaced. "The outside world does not feel it at all. Let them have their celebrations and leave me to live in tragedy." Anderson Cooper on freeing yourself from the burden of grief "Hail and farewell": A tribute to those we lost in 2023 New York City police officers on high alert ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations The Israeli Supreme Court struck down a key piece of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus judicial overhaul Monday, after divisions over the reform were largely put on hold while the country focused on its war with Hamas. The controversial judicial reforms were passed over the summer by the Knesset, Israels parliament. The measure would prevent judges from overturning government decisions on the basis that they are unreasonable. The law meant the government could overrule Supreme Court decisions and give the executive branch more power to appoint justices, The Hill previously reported. The legislation sparked controversy and protests across the country, as critics labeled it a threat to democratic values. The Supreme Court ruled 8-7 to overturn the law because of the severe and unprecedented harm to the core character of the State of Israel as a democratic country. It voted 12-3 that it had the authority to overturn the Basic Laws, major pieces of legislation that serve Israel similarly to the Constitution for the United States, The Associated Press (AP) reported. Opponents of the law argued that Netanyahus effort removes the standard of reasonability and opens the door to corruption and wrongful appointments of unqualified justices, the AP reported. The overhaul was placed on hold when Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and kidnapped more than 200 hostages in an Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israel and prompted the war that is nearing the three-month mark. Netanyahu has not commented on the decision but said in July that the claims that the overhaul will signal the end of democracy in Israel are silly. Since the moves were announced early last year, hundreds of thousands of Israelis protested in the streets against them. Military leaders have criticized the reforms and said their unpopularity could discourage citizens from serving in the military. Some said at the time that they would not serve if called upon because of the changes. The U.S. had previously urged Netanyahu to put the plans on hold and seek a broader consensus across the political spectrum. The Supreme Court issued its decision Monday because the outgoing Supreme Court President Esther Hayut is retiring, and her last day was Monday, per the AP. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Israels supreme court has struck down a law meant to limit its powers, in a ruling favored by a majority of eight judges to seven. The law was passed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus right-wing government, after Bibi claimed that the Supreme Court had overreached its authority and undermined the will of the voters and the country. The law for judicial reform was initially passed by parliament in July. It was part of a larger overhaul plan, which generated mass protests that brought the country close to an impasse. The courts decision to strike down the law could lead to a battle for authority between the governing coalition and Israels judicial authority, and pit the government against the courts in a power struggle fierce enough to cause a constitutional crisis. Without a written constitution and only one house of Parliament, some members of Israels liberal democracy view the courts decision as a roadblock toward total government power. Read it at The New York Times Read more at The Daily Beast. Israels Supreme Court on Monday struck down a controversial government plan to limit the powers of the judiciary, in an unprecedented move that reignited fierce tensions in the country as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wages war against Hamas in Gaza. The court ruled, by eight votes to seven, that a government amendment to the so-called reasonableness law should not stand. The bill had stripped the Supreme Court of the power to declare government decisions unreasonable, and was the first major piece of a multipronged effort to weaken the judiciary to be passed by the Knesset, Israels parliament, last year. The verdict reopened an emotional and heated debate that had raged in Israel throughout 2023 but was sidelined following Hamas attacks on October 7. And it could cause splits within Israels war cabinet, made up of Netanyahu and two prominent critics of his efforts to overhaul the courts. Netanyahus next moves will be watched closely by all sides, with the threat of a constitutional crisis looming should he attempt to push ahead with the controversial change. In its ruling, the court said it rejected the amendment because it would deal a severe and unprecedented blow to the core characteristics of the State of Israel as a democratic state. The law, which came into effect after it was passed in July, took away the courts power to veto government decisions based on them being unreasonable. Vast swathes of Israels population opposed the change, according to opinion polls, which critics said would erode the independence of the courts and harm Israels democracy. Its passage caused huge protests a regular sight in Israels cities since Netanyahu unveiled his judiciary agenda and prompted thousands of army reservists to threaten not to show up to work. Among those opposing the plans were the two fellow members of Netanyahus war cabinet. Yoav Gallant, the minister of defense, became the first member of Netanyahus pre-war cabinet to publicly oppose his plans in March, leading to his temporary dismissal before he was reinstated. And Benny Gantz, the leader of Israels opposition National Unity party, led protests against the efforts earlier in the year. Following the verdict Monday, Gantz said the courts decision must be respected. These are not days for political arguments, there are no winners and losers today. Today we have only one common goal to win the war together, he said. After the war, we will be required to regulate the relationship between the authorities and enact a basic law that will also anchor the status of the basic laws. Israels allies, including the United States, have previously expressed concern about the overhaul. US President Joe Biden told the New York Times in July that Netanyahu was risking the US-Israeli relationship should the overhaul pass without broad consensus. The amendment was passed in the Knesset without a single vote from the opposition, which boycotted the vote. Netanyahus allies criticized the courts decision Monday. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the ruling illegal, saying it was harming Israeli forces fighting in Gaza. This is a dangerous, anti-democratic event and at this time, above all, a ruling that harms Israels war effort against its enemies, Ben-Gvir said. Minister of Justice Yariv Levin, the architect of the judicial overhaul plans, called it the opposite of the spirit of unity required these days for the success of our fighters on the front. The Israeli prime ministers Likud party said the ruling was unfortunate as it is against the will of the people for unity, especially during wartime. Opposition leader Yair Lapid said in a post on X that the Supreme Court had his full backing as it faithfully fulfilled its role in protecting the citizens of Israel. If the Israeli government again starts the quarrel over the Supreme Court then they have learned nothing, he said. They didnt learn anything on October 7, they didnt learn anything from 87 days of war for our home. Reasonableness doctrine The reasonableness doctrine is not unique to Israels judiciary. The principle is used in a number of countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. The standard is commonly used by courts there to determine the constitutionality or lawfulness of a given piece of legislation, and allows judges to make sure that decisions made by public officials are reasonable. The prime minister and his supporters have argued that the Supreme Court has become an insular, elitist group that does not represent the Israeli people. They say it has overstepped its role, getting into issues it should not rule on, and the proposed changes would correct that trend. But critics say Netanyahu pushed the overhaul forward to protect himself from his own corruption trial, where he faces charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust. He denies any wrongdoing. The government bill amended one of Israels Basic Laws, which, in the absence of a formal constitution, act as an informal one. Until Mondays ruling, the Supreme Court had never before struck down a Basic Law or an amendment to one. In their ruling, 12 out of the 15 judges agreed that the court had the authority to nullify a Basic Law in extreme cases. Only eight of the 12 thought this was an extreme case. The debates over Netanyahus efforts were paused on October 7, with Hamas attacks on Israel prompting the formation of a war cabinet and seemingly suspending the back-and-forth of Israels sharply divided politics. But on December 29, a leak of a draft document that pointed to Mondays ruling caused the issue to reemerge. Reacting to the leak, Minister of Justice Levin claimed that citizens of Israel expect the Supreme Court not to publish during a war a ruling that is controversial even among its judges. The speaker of the Knesset, Amir Ohana, added that a time of war is certainly not the time to establish a first precedent of its kind in the history of the country. But the Supreme Court was required to release its ruling by January 12, as two justices hearing the case have retired and are required by law to submit their final rulings within three months of stepping down. This story has been updated with additional reaction to the ruling. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Andrea Shalal CHRISTIANSTED, St. Croix (Reuters) -Israel's decision to withdraw some troops from Gaza appears to signal the start of a shift to lower-intensity operations in the north of the Palestinian enclave, although there was still fighting going on there, a U.S. official said on Monday. Israel pulled tanks out of some Gaza City districts on Monday, residents said, as it announced plans to shift tactics and cut back on troop numbers. Still, fighting raged elsewhere in the Palestinian enclave along with intense bombardment. The White House said President Joe Biden, currently vacationing in St. Croix, and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with national security officials on Monday by secure phone about the latest developments in the Middle East. "This appears to be the start of the gradual shift to lower-intensity operations in the north that we have been encouraging," the official said, noting the change reflected the success of the Israeli military in dismantling Hamas military capabilities there. Fighting continued in the north, however, and the revised Israeli tactics did not "reflect any changes in the south," the official told Reuters. Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Israel's objectives and the phasing of its military operations in Gaza on Dec. 23, while underscoring the need to protect civilians and secure the release of hostages being held by the Hamas Islamist militant group, the White House said. The U.S., Israel's main ally, has kept up its support for Israel while expressing concern over the growing casualty toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. U.S. officials have urged Israel to shift its military operations in Gaza to a lower-intensity phase that would include more targeted operations focused on the Hamas leadership and its infrastructure. The Gaza war was triggered by a surprise Hamas attack on Israeli towns on Oct. 7 that Israel says killed 1,200 people. Palestinian health authorities in Hamas-run Gaza say Israel's offensive there has killed more than 21,978 people and wounded many thousands more. An Israeli official said the new phase of the war could last for months and would include more localized "mopping up" operations. The change will also free up military units in case of a wider conflict along in the north with Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal in Christiansted, St. Croix; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Marguerita Choy) Israel withdrew tanks from parts of Gaza City on Monday, part of a previously announced plan to respond to changing military needs in Gaza, and to safeguard the Israeli economy. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are expected to continue operations in Gaza for months, focusing on mopping up Hamas militants, rather than a full-scale invasion, reported Reuters. The Hamas attack on Oct. 7 detonated the months-long war between Israel and the terrorist group, resulting in an Israeli invasion, a 20,000-plus death toll and a humanitarian crisis for the rest of the territorys population. The scale of the destruction in Gaza has set off U.S.-based pushback against Israel and its supporters often laced with or grounded in antisemitism thats highlighted political rifts among Democrats. Israel itself entered the war deeply divided, amid corruption allegations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a slate of judicial reforms proposed by Netanyahu that proponents labeled a threat to democracy. A key piece of that reform package was struck down by the Israeli Supreme Court on Monday, turning attention at least momentarily back to the countrys deeply divided politics. The partial withdrawal also comes as Israels economy has taken a hit, at one point losing 300,000 civilian workers who were reservists activated to fight in Gaza. There are currently around 200,000 reservists still reporting absent from their civilian roles, according to several reports. And the withdrawal coincides with the return home of the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier group, after the U.S. Navys newest and largest carrier was deployed to the eastern Mediterranean as war between Israel and Hamas intensified. The reduced intensity is a sign that some IDF objectives against Hamas have been met, though Netanyahus government has repeatedly said it will not stop short of a full destruction of the terrorist group, which has governed Gaza since 2007. The scale-down also allows Israel to potentially deploy more troops to its northern border, where Lebanon-based terrorist group Hezbollah and the IDF have regularly exchanged artillery fire since the war in Gaza began. In Gaza, where civilian infrastructure has in many places been reduced to rubble, the violence is expected to continue, with the IDF on its mission to destroy Hamas, and militants running guerilla-style operations against the IDF. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Israeli military is expecting its war with the militant group Hamas to continue through all of 2024. Israel is approaching the three-month mark of its war in Gaza with Hamas, which launched an unprecedented, deadly attack on the country on Oct. 7. Since the war began, thousands of Palestinians have been killed and millions have been displaced due to Israels attacks targeting Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas and has indicated that the war is far from over. He said over the weekend that there would be many more months of fighting as Israel expands its offensive in Gaza. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari said in a statement that the Israel-Hamas war would last all of 2024. He said that the objectives of the war require prolonged fighting, adding that Israel is preparing accordingly. We adapt our way of warfare and the forces required for each area in the Gaza Strip to carry out the mission in the best way, as each area has different characteristics and different operational needs, he said. These adaptations are designed to ensure planning and preparation for the continuation of 2024, as the IDF must plan ahead, understanding that we will be required for additional tasks and warfare throughout this year, he added. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry has reported that more than 20,000 Palestinians have died since the onset of the war. The ministry does not distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths. The war has prompted tensions to rise in the Middle East. U.S. military forces have engaged with Yemens Houthi rebels in the Red Sea numerous times as they continue to target merchant ships. U.S. Central Command said Navy helicopters sank three small Houthi boats in the Red Sea early Sunday after the rebels launched an attack on a container ship. Miranda Nazzaro contributed reporting. Updated at 11:02 a.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Israeli head of the opposition Yair Lapid speaks during a protest against the right-wing government. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Israeli opposition leader Jair Lapid has expressed his support for the Supreme Court after it overturned a key element of the government's controversial judicial reform. "The Supreme Court's decision closes a difficult year of strife that has torn us apart from within and led to the worst catastrophe in our history," Lapid wrote on Monday on the social media platform X. "We give the Supreme Court our full backing" after it fulfilled its mission to protect the citizens of Israel, Lapid said. Lapid, who leads the centrist Future Party, said that if the Israeli government restarted the dispute over the Supreme Court, it would show that they have "learned nothing from October 7 and from 87 days of fighting for our home." Months of fierce disputes and nationwide demonstrations over the judicial reform were seen by many government critics as one reason why Israel was so surprised by the devastating attack led by Hamas on October 7. In a dramatic decision earlier on Monday, the judges in Jerusalem had overturned a core element of the controversial judicial reform that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government had been pushing ahead with for a year despite mass protests. The Supreme Court ruled that the amendment to the Basic Law, passed in parliament in July, had removed the possibility for the court to take action against "inappropriate" decisions by the government, the prime minister or individual ministers. Critics had warned that this could encourage corruption and the arbitrary appointment of important posts. Jacksonville City Council members will have some tough questions for the citys General Counsel regarding last weeks removal of the Confederate monument in Springfield Park. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< General Counsel Michael Facklers appearance before the Council Rules Committee was requested by Council President Ron Salem (R-Group 2 At-Large). [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] This 17-page opinion circulated by the mayors office was used as the legal rationale and justification for Mayor Donna Deegans decision to use $187,000 of private money to remove the citys last prominent Confederate monument. So, I asked the General Counsel, if I have private funds would I have the executive authority to do this? He researched it and said you absolutely do. Its a separation of powers issue. Youre not asking the council for the funds. Youre privately funding it and so you can do it, said Deegan in an interview with Action News Jax last Wednesday. The opinion however immediately generated questions from President Salem. One of those questions concerns who exactly wrote it, as the opinion is labeled a draft, has no signatory and no date. My debate here is on policy, not on the Confederate monuments, said Salem Friday. Salem said he wants clarity on what kind of limits there are on the mayor and other elected officials ability to leverage private funds to do work on public property. How about a councilman raising private dollars to do work on a park in his district for example, said Salem. Additionally, he wants to make sure the removal last week was actually allowed. One outstanding question is whether the monument had special protections due to the fact its located within a historical district. According to the opinion, a strong argument could be made that it did not, but Salem isnt so sure. There were a couple of instances in the past where a building on that property as well as the fencing on that property had work done on it and it went to the Historical Society for approval prior to the work being completed. So, theres precedence there for any work done in that park go through the historical society, said Salem. The opinion did contemplate what might happen if the monument did in fact have special protections. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] According to the opinion, the administration could face daily fines of at least $100 a day, but the author argued the likelihood of that happening seems low. 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. TOKYO Japan was struck by a series of powerful earthquakes on New Year's Day that killed at least 48 people, reduced hundreds of buildings to rubble, and forced tens of thousands to flee to higher ground. Dozens of survivors were being treated at hospitals across the Ishikawa prefecture and the emergency rooms were expected to become even more crowded as rescue crews free people believed to be still trapped in the ruins of homes and buildings. The Japanese public broadcaster NHK TV summed-up the situation with a grim headline: "Homes have collapsed, there are people unconscious." Potentially complicating the rescue efforts was a forecast that could include snow Tuesday in this region some 325 miles west of Tokyo, and the fact that so many roads have been damaged that manpower and supplies may have to be delivered by boat. Meanwhile, firefighters were battling blazes that devoured some 50 buildings in a market area within the city of Wajima, NHK reported, citing Ishikawa officials. Those buildings were believed to be largely unoccupied when, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quakes hit off the Ishikawa coast a little after 4 p.m. local time (2 a.m. ET), with one reaching a magnitude of 7.6. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters he would personally lead the nation's disaster response and has already been in touch with the mayors of Wajima and Suzu, which is another city on the Noto Peninsula hit hard by the quakes. Not long after, the White House issued a statement pledging to help Japan if needed. "My administration is in touch with Japanese officials, and the United States stands ready to provide any necessary assistance for the Japanese people," President Joe Biden said. So far, three of the reported deaths two in Nanao City and one in Shika Town were due to building collapses, Japanese broadcaster NTV reported, citing information from local police. Eight people were confirmed dead and seven people were seriously injured in Wajima city, according to NHK. The two other deaths were reported in unspecified locations. Cracks are seen on the ground in Wajima in Japan's Ishikawa prefecture on Jan. 1, 2024, following an earthquake. (Kyodo News via AP) Kishida said search-and-rescue teams have been dispatched to the stricken cities, but manpower and supplies might have to be brought in by boat because many roads in the area are damaged. Also, large swaths of the area were without power, water or cellphone service as a result of the quakes, Kishida said. As the casualties are starting to become apparent, it is now a race against time," Kishida said at a news conference. "We must work on rescuing everyone, especially those buried under collapsed buildings. I call on all to utilize all available methods, including deploying the Self-Defense Force, and to do everything possible to expedite the recovery and repair of damaged infrastructure as soon as possible. Tsunami warnings had been issued in the wake of the quakes in Ishikawa as well as the coastal prefectures of Niigata and Toyama, where 33,000 buildings had lost power as of 6 p.m. (4 a.m. ET), according to the Hokuriku Electric Power company. The Japanese public broadcaster NHK TV warned the quakes could churn-up 17-foot tall waves and urged people on the entire west coast to evacuate. Those tsunami warnings were lifted later Monday and, thus far, the tallest wave reported was around 4 feet tall and detected at the port in the city of Wajima, the broadcaster reported. An aerial photo shows a fire due to a massive earthquake in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture on Jan. 1, 2024. (Takehito Kobayashi / The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP) The quakes were so powerful they were felt on the other side of the country in Tokyo, according to the broadcaster. A video posted to X showed a train station in Kanazawa, the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, shaking and losing power during an earthquake. Another showed a family clinging on to whatever they could as their apartment in Kanazawa rocked wildly. Other videos posted to social media showed houses in some areas with roofs caved in and door frames falling off while surrounding trees fall to the ground. In some supermarkets, goods were scattered as the ground shook. In Wajima, the quake flattened a lacquerware company and at least 30 homes in the city, trapping dozens of people under the rubble, NHK reported, citing the local fire department and a statement from the local government. Several people with minor head or other injuries from falling objects were treated at Wajima Municipal Hospital, officials there said. In Nanao City, which is located on the same peninsula, landslides, cracked roads, and collapsed homes were also reported, local police said. Collapsed houses after an earthquake in Anamizu Town in Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture on Jan. 1, 2024. (Noboru Hosono / The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP) In Suzu, the collapse of a two-story house was caught on camera by an NHK crew. Other footage showed one large isolated wave crashing off the coast of the city. Earlier, Japanese officials announced it was sending military assistance to the hardest-hit areas but none of the nuclear reactors operating in the region had been damaged. Train service in and out of the area was suspended and the airport that serves the cities on the Noto Peninsula was shut down. Arata Yamamoto reported from Tokyo, Larissa Gao reported from Hong Kong, and Corky Siemaszko from New York City. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Japan has issued a major tsunami warning for its northern coastal regions after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the Ishikawa province on Monday. The tsunami warning has been issued for the coastal regions of Ishikawa, Niigata and Toyama prefectures, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. People living in coastal areas have been urged to quickly evacuate as waves of up to 5 metres are expected to slam the shoreline, public broadcaster NHK said, and to remain in place until all warnings are lifted. Follow our live blog for the latest updates on the earthquake here. The earthquake that struck on New Years Day was felt by residents across Tokyo and in the Kanto area. Japan issued a major tsunami warning on Monday morning after it was hit by a 7.5-magnitude earthquake (Datawrapper/The Independent) Several strong aftershocks have already hit the Sea of Japan in the hour after the initial earthquake, and the government has warned there could be more to come. Waves with a height of more than 5 metres may have reached Noto in Ishikawa prefecture already, while waves of at least 1 metre have already hit the coast of Wajima city in Ishikawa, the broadcaster said. Ishikawa was place under a major tsunami warning, while lower-level warnings or advisories have been issued for the rest of the northwestern coast of the island of Honshu. A tsunami warning is shown on TV in Yokohama, near Tokyo Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. Japan issued tsunami alerts Monday (AP) Neighbouring South Korea, North Korea and Russia also issued tsunami warnings for their Sea of Japan coasts, with South Korean authorities ordering people in some regions to evacuate to higher ground. Images on social media showed panicked people hiding under rocking tables as the earthquake hit and some visuals showed damaged houses in the aftermath of the tremblor. WATCH: 7.6-magnitude earthquake hits western Japan. Reports of damage coming in pic.twitter.com/g2C1Fxetb4 BNO News (@BNONews) January 1, 2024 First pictures emerge of damaged houses after 7.4 magnitude earthquake hits #Japan. pic.twitter.com/mpX0jpK2GU Ahmer Khan (@ahmermkhan) January 1, 2024 Japanese media showed a gathering of individuals, among them a woman with a baby on her back, standing beside extensive cracks that had torn through the pavement. During a nationally broadcast news conference, the Japanese Meteorological Agency warned that the region might experience additional significant earthquakes in the coming week, with heightened risk particularly in the next two or three days. It said Mondays major tsunami warning for Ishikawa was the first time this level of alert had been issued since March 2011, when a massive earthquake measuring over 9 on the richter scale devastated towns and triggered meltdowns in Fukushima nuclear power plant. It was one of the strongest earthquakes in the history of Japan that killed more than 15,000 people and left more than 450,000 people homeless. Prime minister Fumio Kishidas office urged authorities to take thorough measures to prevent damage, such as the evacuation of residents and prioritise human life above all else. Government spokesperson Hayashi Yoshimasa said in an emergency press conference that authorities were still checking the extent of the damage and warned residents to prepare for possible further quakes. Expressing the need for urgency with regards to evacuations, Mr Yoshimasa said: Every minute counts. Please evacuate to a safe area immediately. Japans Hokuriku Electric Power Company said more than more than 36,000 houses were experiencing power outages following the earthquakes. Hokuriku Electric Power said it is checking for any irregularities at its nuclear power plants, NHK reported.Located closest to the epicentre of the earthquake, the plant had already halted operations at its reactors for a regular inspection before the quake struck. South Koreas meteorological agency said the seal level could rise in some parts of Gangwon province on the east coast after the massive earthquake in Japan. Residents have been urged to evacuate to higher grounds as tsunami waves are expected to reach the coast off the eastern city of Gangneung by 6.29pm local time. Russia has issued tsunami warnings for parts Sakhalin islands western coast and the mainland cities of Vladivostok and Nakhodka, state news agency TASS reported on Monday, citing officials. Cracks in the ground in the city of Wajima in Ishikawa, northern Japan - Kyodo News More than 50,000 people were forced to flee their homes in Japan after a series of powerful earthquakes triggered the countrys first major tsunami warning since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Thirty people were reported by Japanese authorities to have died and many others were buried alive under rubble in what was the countrys strongest earthquake in nearly a decade. The largest 7.6 magnitude tremor brought one-metre high waves crashing on to the western coast of Honshu, the east Asian countrys main island, shortly after 4pm local time (7am GMT). It was followed by aftershocks and fears of larger tsunamis to come. Warnings were also issued on the eastern coasts of North and South Korea and in Russias far east. The quakes struck the country on New Years Day, one of Japans most auspicious public holidays. Japan remains haunted by the memory of the 9.0 magnitude Tohoku earthquake in March 2011 which triggered a tsunami that left nearly 20,000 people dead or missing and led to a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear plant. South Koreas Gangwon province, North Koreas entire east coast and the far-eastern Russian regions of Sakhalin, Khabarovsk and Primorsky also issued tsunami warnings. The waves expected to make landfall in those countries were predicted to be smaller and pose a less significant threat to life than in Japan. At the tremors epicentre on Honshus Noto peninsula, buildings were filmed falling down in the city of Suzu and roads were splintered in Wajima, a city 27 miles to the west, where at least 30 buildings collapsed. Buildings burn in the city of Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, following the powerful earthquakes - STR/AFP One elderly man was pronounced dead at the scene of a building collapse in the town of Shika, broadcaster NTV reported police as saying. In Kanazawa, the regional capital, video footage showed frightened shoppers watching on as products fell off shelves. To the north in the coastal town of Uchinada, roads lay mangled from the force of the quakes and 90 miles east, in Nagano, tremors shook snow from the roofs of houses. Temperatures were expected to drop to just above freezing overnight and 36,000 homes were cut off from power. Fumio Kishida, Japans prime minister, urged authorities to prioritise human life above all else and spare no effort in our emergency disaster responses. The search and rescue of those impacted by the quake is a battle against time, Mr Kishida said during an emergency disaster meeting on Tuesday. Mr Kishida said rescuers were finding it very difficult to reach the northern tip of the Noto peninsula due to wrecked roads, and that helicopter surveys had discovered many fires and widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure. Rishi Sunak said Britain stands ready to support Japan. The Prime Minister said: My thoughts are with all those affected by the earthquakes in Japan which have caused such terrible damage. Prime minister Fumio Kishida is a great friend of the UK and we stand ready to support Japan and are monitoring developments closely. The initial major tsunami warning, which warns of five-metre waves, was later downgraded to a standard tsunami warning meaning three-metre waves could occur and then to a tsunami advisory, which forecasts one-metre waves. These remain in place for the entire 1,650-mile length of Japans western coast, from Kyushu in the south to Wakkanai in the far north of Hokkaido. Evacuated locals have been urged by authorities not to return as aftershocks and smaller tsunamis are expected to continue for several days. High risk of buildings collapsing There is a very high risk of buildings collapsing and other damages caused by the tremors, a spokesman for the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. The series of tremors on the Noto peninsula started shortly after 3pm local time (6am GMT). The strongest of more than 150 quakes that followed was at a magnitude of 7.6 and struck at 4.10pm local time (7.10am GMT), the JMA said. Books scattered the floor of a bookstore in Niigata following a tremor - Kyodo News Flights to the region were cancelled by Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines and 40 train lines were suspended as passengers filmed their carriages shaking in the tremors. Shocks triggered by the earthquake were felt as far away as Tokyo, nearly 200 miles away. Mobile phone and internet services were also disrupted in the Ishikawa and Niigata regions, but all nuclear power plants along the Sea of Japan were unaffected. Tsunami waves more than one metre high hit the port city of Wajima on the peninsula shortly after and aftershocks and smaller tsunamis have continued ever since. Tsunamis can take several days to dissipate Professor Kenji Satake, of the University of Tokyo, told NHK that tsunamis in the region bounce back off the coastline, meaning the energy within them can take several days to dissipate. Ishikawa prefecture, the worst-affected region, is a relatively rural part of Japan with a total population of 1.1 million. Beyond the historic city of Kanazawa, its capital, coastal communities are typically small and rely on fishing and tourism. New year is the most important public holiday in Japan and most businesses close for the first three days of the year. A historic gate gate collapsed at Onohiyoshi Shrine in Kanazawa - Kyodo Families gather to spend time together, send new year cards and visit Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples. Sundays quake was Japans strongest since May 2015 when the 7.8 magnitude Ogasawara earthquake struck more than 500 miles south of the mainland. There are hundreds of earthquakes in the country every year and most cause little or no damage. 04:54 PM GMT That's all for today Our live coverage is now concluding. Thank you for following. 04:53 PM GMT Pictured: Evacuees spend night in government office Evacuees are spending the night in a government office in Ishikawa They followed advice to leave their homes and head for high ground 04:42 PM GMT All tsunami warnings downgraded Every tsunami warning has been downgraded to an advisory, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has said. The 1,650-mile length of Japans western coast from Kyushu in the south to Wakkanai in the far north of Hokkaido was previously under a tsunami warning, meaning there was a risk of three-metre waves. That has now been downgraded to a tsunami advisory, meaning waves are expected to reach a height of one metre. 04:12 PM GMT Watch: Landslide in Kanazawa city Video footage has emerged from the city of Kanazawa, the capital of the worst-affected Ishikawa prefecture, showing a landslide that has carried away cars and large portions of a road. Here is another video of the damage inflicted by today's earthquake in Japan. The uploader labeled it as a video of Kanazawa: pic.twitter.com/beCcqJiuHH Jeffrey J. Hall (@mrjeffu) January 1, 2024 03:58 PM GMT Quakes came on Japan's most important public holiday New years day is Japans most important and auspicious public holiday. Most businesses close for the first three days of the year and on January 1 families gather to spend time together, send new year cards and visit Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples. What happens on new years day is also believed to set the tone for the rest of ones year, meaning the timing of Sundays earthquakes was particularly unfortunate. 03:49 PM GMT Map: The areas affected 03:27 PM GMT Airport cancels all flights An airport on the Noto peninsula in Ishikawa where the earthquakes have struck has cancelled all flights that were due to take off on Monday. In a statement on X, Noto Airport said: It has been decided that all flights from Noto Airport tomorrow will be cancelled. Everyone living in Noto, please stay safe. 03:14 PM GMT Watch: Ski lifts shake in Japan as earthquakes strike 03:01 PM GMT Pictured: Road severed in Nanao, Ishikawa Cars stranded on a damaged road in the city of Nanao, Ishikawa - The Asahi Shimbun 02:35 PM GMT More than 80 earthquakes today There have been more than 80 earthquakes recorded by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JPA today). The quakes have been near-continuous and range in magnitude from 3 to 7.6. 01:55 PM GMT Do not return home, authorities warn Japans Meteorological Agency (JPA) has warned residents not to return home because tsunamis are still being recorded off the western coast of the countrys main Honshu island. Evacuation orders remain in place. 01:27 PM GMT Two confirmed dead Two people have been confirmed dead in Japan after the earthquakes, state broadcaster NHK has reported. The circumstances of their deaths were not disclosed. A number of others remain trapped under collapsed buildings. 12:57 PM GMT 'Very high' risk of building collapse for three days Buildings in affected areas of Japan will remain at a very high risk of collapsing for a further two to three days, a spokesman for the Japan Meteorological Agency has said. There is a very high risk of buildings collapsing and other damages caused by the tremors, he said. History tells us that the similar scale of earthquakes can reoccur within two to three days. 12:25 PM GMT More than 50,000 Japanese told to leave homes More than 50,000 Japanese people have been told to leave their homes, national broadcaster NHK has reported. The 51,000 civilians are spread across five different prefectures. A road in the city of Wajima in Ishikawa has collapsed in the earthquakes - Yusuke Fukuhara 12:12 PM GMT At least 30 buildings collapse in one city At least 30 buildings have collapsed in the city of Wajima in Ishikawa, the citys fire department has said. Ishikawa is the prefecture which has been most affected by the earthquakes. 12:01 PM GMT Tsunami waves could take days to abate, says expert A Japanese ysunami expert has warned that it may take as long as several days before the waves triggered by the earthquake abate as the tremor occurred within the relatively constrained waters of the Sea of Japan, Julian Ryall reports. Professor Kenji Satake, of the University of Tokyo, told national broadcaster NHK that historically, tsunami in the Sea of Japan can bounce back off a coastline and go in a different direction. The energy within the waves can therefore take several days to dissipate, he explained. The Sea of Japan is encircled by the landmasses of Japan, the Korean peninsula and Russia. There are relatively narrow outlets into the Pacific Ocean to the far north and south. 11:47 AM GMT Japan downgrades tsunami warning for Noto peninsula The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has downgraded the major tsunami warning for the Noto peninsula in Ishikawa prefecture to a tsunami warning. That means waves of three metres are now expected, down from the five metres previously forecast. Seven other tsunami warnings of three-metre waves remain in place for the rest of the Sea of Japan coast. 11:35 AM GMT Six people trapped under rubble and fire extinguished at nuclear plant Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japans chief cabinet secretary, has given his second emergency press conference of the evening, telling reporters that many buildings collapsed in the earthquake, reports Julian Ryall. Mr Hayashi said that emergency services are responding to six reports of people trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings, adding that the government is continuing to gather information on the scale of the disaster. That may be complicated by nightfall and plunging temperatures. Mr Hayashi confirmed that sections of five motorways have been closed and Noto Airport has been shut. He called on the public to pay attention to emergency information and heed instructions. He also confirmed that a fire had broken out in a transformer at the Shika nuclear power plant in Ishikawa, although the blaze was quickly extinguished and had no impact on the functions of the plant. He reiterated that no abnormalities have been detected at any of Japans nuclear facilities. 11:22 AM GMT Customers rush to shops for supplies as temperatures set to plummet Customers have rushed to shops in Japan to stock up on bottled water, bread and rice balls. We have customers at three times the level of usual, said Takashi Wakabayashi, a worker at a convenience store in Ishikawa. There are 36,000 homes without power and temperatures are forecast to plummet to 1C overnight. It is currently 8.22pm in Japan. 11:11 AM GMT Pictured: Building ablaze and bridge collapsed A building on fire in the city of Wajima in Ishikawa following the earthquake - Kyodo News Buildings were severely damaged in the city of Kaga, Ishikawa - Kyodo News 10:57 AM GMT Watch: Tsunami hits after series of powerful earthquakes 10:42 AM GMT North Korea issues tsunami warning North Korea has joined South Korea, Russia and Japan in issuing a tsunami warning. It said two metre waves could make landfall on its eastern coast, the South Korean Yonhap news agency reported citing North Korean state radio. 10:40 AM GMT First waves hit South Korea The first tsunami waves have hit South Koreas east coast at a height of 45cm, the countrys meteorological agency has said. It added that The tsunami can grow after the initial waves and may continue for more than 24 hours. 10:38 AM GMT Watch: Damage in Uchinada Major damage to roads has been filmed in the coastal town of Uchinada in the Ishikawa prefecture. Video: the uploader of this video says they are in the coastal town of Uchinada in Ishikawa, Japan. It looks like the earthquake dealt major damage. pic.twitter.com/k9DGHybWKW Jeffrey J. Hall (@mrjeffu) January 1, 2024 10:33 AM GMT Do not be complacent, authorities insist The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned residents of the affected regions to not be complacent. A large tsunami has been observed and there is a risk of severe damage, it cautioned. People in coastal areas or along rivers should immediately evacuate to a safe location such as higher ground or an evacuation building. Tsunami strike repeatedly. Do not leave your safe area until the warning has been lifted. In areas where the shaking was strong, there is an increased risk of house collapses and landslides, so please pay close attention to future seismic activity and rainfall conditions, and take precautions such as not entering dangerous areas unless there are unavoidable circumstances. 10:19 AM GMT South Korea province urges citizens to evacuate South Koreas Gangwon province has urged residents to evacuate to higher ground and stay away from coastal areas. The countrys meteorological agency said waves up to 30cm high could reach its eastern shore after the series of earthquakes off Japans northern coast. The city of Samcheok advised residents to move to areas higher than a three-storey building, the South Korean interior ministry said. 10:06 AM GMT Tsunami warnings issued in Russia's far east Tsunami warnings have been issued in the far eastern Russian island of Sakhalin and the city of Vladivostok. Sakhalins authorities said the waves expected height of 50cm means they do not pose a life threat to the population but warned those living on its western coast to be alert. Fishermen and everyone who plans to go out to sea, has to urgently come back to shore, Vladivostok city authorities added on social media. Sakhalin is an elongated island just north of Japan and Vladivostok is Russias main Pacific city. 09:55 AM GMT Hospitals fill up but no reports of deaths Hospitals across the affected prefectures are treating people injured in the quake, including a woman in her 80s in Ishikawa who fell and sustained a head injury, Julian Ryall reports. There are reports that hospital staff are encountering problems reaching hospitals as roads have been damaged. Some facilities have also had to switch to back-up generators as power has been cut. Medical staff at a hospital in the city of Wajima are treating patients in a car park as aftershocks continue to shake the area and could collapse the hospital. There are no reported deaths as things stand. People sit on the floor of a shop as an earthquake hits Kanazawa, Ishikawa - @HSU.TW 09:52 AM GMT In pictures: Damaged road and shrine A road in Wajima, Ishikawa, has been severed by the earthquakes - Kyodo People stand near a collapsed torii gate at a shrine in Kanazawa, the capital of Ishikawa - Kyodo 09:49 AM GMT Flights cancelled and 36,000 without power Scores of flights have been cancelled after the earthquakes and 36,000 homes were left without power. Nippon Airways has cancelled 15 flights to airports in the affected regions and Japan Airlines has called off nine. More than 36,000 households lost power in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures, utilities provider Hokuriku Electric Power said. Japans Nuclear Regulation Authority said nuclear power plants along the Sea of Japan were unaffected. Services on local railways, including high-speed bullet train services, have been suspended. There are also reports of landslides and several roads have been badly damaged and are impassable. 09:46 AM GMT Earthquake struck at 4pm local time The main 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck shortly after 4pm local time (7am GMT) just off the northern tip of the Noto peninsula, reports Julian Ryall. A tsunami alert and orders to evacuate were issued shortly after. The first tsunami to come ashore were relatively small, from around 11 inches to 45 inches. But the Japan Meteorological Agency has cautioned that there have already been at least six aftershocks and there is a strong possibility of another tremor of magnitude seven or more in the next 48 hours. 09:43 AM GMT In pictures: Earthquake damage The tsunami warning is issued live on television after the 7.6 magnitude quake - Rodrigo Reyes Marin A collapsed house in the city of Wajima in the Ishikawa prefecture - Kyodo via Reuters 09:41 AM GMT Roads torn apart and buildings collapse Residents of seven Japanese regions have been urged to flee an oncoming tsunami after a series of powerful earthquakes struck the east Asian country. A one-metre tsunami wave has already struck parts of the west coast along the Sea of Japan after a series of more than 20 earthquakes with a magnitude of four or stronger started shortly after 3pm local time (6am GMT). A large tsunami has been observed and there is a risk of severe damage, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. A larger second tsunami is expected and the JMA has warned that waves as high as five metres could strike Ishikawa, one of the affected regions. Tsunami warnings are in place for the entire length of Japans northern coast, running some 1,650 miles from Wakkanai in the far north of Hokkaido to Kyushu in the south. Warnings have also been issued in Russias far eastern island of Sakhalin and city of Vladivostok, as well as South Koreas Gangwon province. The tsunami waves there are not expected to be large enough to endanger life. People living in coastal areas of seven Japanese prefectures were instructed to evacuate to higher ground or to seek refuge on higher floors of sturdy buildings. Fumio Kishida, Japans prime minister, has urged authorities to prioritise human life above all else and spare no effort in our emergency disaster responses. Tremors shook buildings in Tokyo and buildings in Ishikawa were shown collapsing in the quake as roads in the city of Wajima were torn apart. Ishikawa Prefecture, the worst-affected region, is a relatively rural part of Japan with a total population of 1.1 million. Beyond the historic city of Kanazawa, the prefectural capital, coastal communities are typically small and rely on fishing and tourism. 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. Avengers star Jeremy Renner has reflected on the serious snowplough accident that nearly claimed his life a year ago. On 1 January 2023, Renner was crushed by the seven-tonne vehicle outside his home in rural Nevada. He broke over 30 bones, and required multiple surgeries after being rushed to hospital. Renner, who is best known for playing Clint Hawkeye Barton in the popular Marvel film franchise, reflected on the incident to mark the one-year anniversary. Speaking to CNN, he said: Im just so blessed I had so many things to live for, I have a giant family, a 10-year-old daughter. I would have disappointed and really messed up a lot of peoples lives if I would have passed. Im also pretty stubborn, theres a lot for me to fight for and recovery was just a one-way road in my mind and my recovery. The accident occured when Renner used the plough to rescue his nephew, who had got stuck in a car during a bad storm. After successfully towing his nephews vehicle, Renner exited the plough, which then rolled towards him, crushing him. Jeremy Renner pictured in September 2023 (Getty Images for Level 8) Renner told CNN that his poor nephew had had to react in the aftermath, with the actor being airlifted to hospital in Reno, Nevada. I gave him you know, images that he can never unsee, Renner continued, adding that he knew my healing would be healing for him. I had never thought about my own physical ailments or my own pain or my own anguish - so the one-way road to recovery was like a mental attitude, he added. And that attitude was always to get better. And theres no option other than that. Renner also shared a post on Instagram paying tribute to his sweet nephew who helped save his life. The actor, who is also known for his Oscar-nominated turn in the war drama The Hurt Locker, has spent much of the year recovering from his injuries. Renner in Hawkeye (Disney Plus) However, he explained to CNN that he will shortly be returning to acting work, filming the third season of the Paramount+ series The Mayor Of Kingstown . I think Im strong enough, he said. Well see. I mean, I literally go back in a week. But Ill be doing my best, trying my hardest. In October, Renner, who is also a musician, announced that he would be releasing a new album inspired by his brush with death. Postin on Instagram , the actor teased a new collection of songs titled Love and Titanium, explaining that creating the tracks had been a cathartic way of dealing with his near-death experience. A collection of music we wrote about different milestones in my journey of recovery since Jan 1st this year, he wrote. Love and Titanium has been painful, deeply healing, and ultimately cathartic for me to create. I hope I get the courage to share with you all. It's a new year, a time for new and hopeful beginnings when people make resolutions to better themselves in the next 12 months. According to PlayStar, an online casino licensed in New Jersey, 64% of Americans plan to have a New Years resolution next year, which is down from 71% the year before. The data comes from a survey conducted by PlayStar that analyzed findings from more than 2,000 American adults. The survey broke down the results by state. 61%, of New Jersey residents making resolutions say they want to "go to the gym in order to get either fitter or stronger." That was also the most common resolution in New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware. It's also the most popular resolution in the United States. However, 27% of New Jerseyans said they gave up on their New Years resolutions after just one week in January 2023. That put New Jersey in the top 10 states most likely to fold. About a quarter of New Jersey residents, 27%, they wont make any resolutions for 2024. Only 49% of New Jersey residents are planning on a resolution, one of the lowest figures of all states. Hawaii residents are the most likely to have a New Years resolution in 2024. But of these New Jersey folks who make resolutions, they will make an average of 1.8 resolutions for 2024, putting them in the top 10 states of promises. A recent YouGov survery found the most common resolution among Americans this year is saving more money, with 23% setting that goal. Around one in five U.S. adults is resolving to start doing one of the following in 2024: be happy (22%), exercise more (21%), improve their physical health (21%), eat healthier (20%), improve mental health (19%) or lose weight (19%). Fewer adults are resolving to move (7%), pursue a new hobby (8%), or get a new job (9%). The YouGov survey found among Americans making New Years resolutions, 36% think its very likely theyll keep their resolution through 2024. Another 53% think its somewhat likely. Reelatively few say its not very likely (6%) or not likely at all (1%) . Men (40%) are more likely than women (31%) to say its very likely they will keep their resolutions. This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: These are New Jerseyans' most popular New Year's resolutions Despite objections from the NAACP, a federal judge is allowing Mississippi to create a state-run court in Jackson the state capital where the majority of residents are Black. Attorneys from the NAACP filed a lawsuit against Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) and state officials last year, arguing that a new state-run court unfairly targets Jackson residents and would undermine democracy since the state would appoint the new judges. The judge of the Capitol Complex Improvement District Court would be appointed by the state Supreme Court chief justice, and the prosecutors would be appointed by the state attorney general. Critics have argued that this system would not represent the citys majority-Black community. U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate dismissed the requests to block the new court in a filing Sunday night just one day before the new law setting up the court went into effect. Wingate said the court was not persuaded by the plaintiffs motion to halt the creation of the new court. None of the Plaintiffs has alleged that he or she is in actual or imminent danger of experiencing any concrete and particularized injury resulting from the establishment of the [Capitol Complex Improvement District] Court or the challenged appointment of a judge or prosecutors for that court, Wingate wrote. Reeves signed two bills last year that are at the center of the NAACP lawsuit. House Bill 1020 created the separate legal system for the Capital Complex Improvement District, which is the 17.5-square-mile area surrounding the Capitol building in Jackson. Senate Bill 2343 required those protesting at the state Capitol to get permits with the Capitol Police, which is controlled by the state. The NAACP argued in its lawsuit that the two laws violate the 14th Amendment by discriminating against the citizens of Jackson. In violation of the Fourteenth Amendment, these laws target Jacksons majority-Black residents on the basis of race for a separate and unequal policing structure and criminal justice system to which no other residents of the State are subjected, stated the suit, which was filed in April. A spokesperson for the NAACP said the organization has already appealed the judges ruling in the 5th Circuit, which granted an administrative stay on the provisions on House Bill 1020 that would establish the court. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Following Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence from Serbia, car number plates became a point of contention over their display of national symbols that the former warring foes both object to. Until now, vehicles from either Kosovo or Serbia could cross the border only if they placed stickers on their plates to hide the respective symbols. The Serbian Government's Ministry of Internal Affairs posted disclaimers on their website stating that allowing vehicles with Republic of Kosovo plates to enter the Republic of Serbia does not mean recognition of Kosovo's statehood. An EU Commission spokesperson told media that the EU welcomed Serbias decision to formally recognise the Kosovo-issued license plates, describing it as a positive step towards improving and normalising Serbia-Kosovo relations. Serbia has, however, made it clear that recognition of Kosovo licence plates is not a step towards recognising its independence from Serbia. On Kosovo's side, Prime Minister Albin Kurti said while he has personally always advocated for a reciprocal relationship between his country and Serbia, Kosovo would only abolish stickers from Serbian licence plates when its independence was respected. Visa-free travel in the EU for Kosova citizens Meanwhile, Kosovo citizens can now freely travel to the EU without mandatory Schengen visas for periods of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Under the previous agreement, Kosovar passport holders could travel without a visa only to 14 countries all over the world. This is a part of the EU-Kosovo deal which is meant to ease travel restrictions for Kosovars to EU countries. According to the European Commission, Kosovo by 2018 had already met all the criteria for the visa-free regime, including border and migration management. However, the approval has been held up by France and the Netherlands, which were concerned about the possibility of new migration waves as well as by five other EU members; Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Spain. Serbia-Kosovo history is long and complex. In 2008, representatives of the people of Kosovo unilaterally declared Kosovo's independence, following centuries of dispute. Dictatorial control, from Covid to climate By Paul Driessen web posted January 1, 2024 I choked on my coffee when I read the headline: "Democrats raise specter of Trump dictatorship to boost Biden." What a textbook example of "projection," I laughed, referring to the psychology term for deflecting attention away from one's own blatant behavior by claiming someone else is doing it. Partisan media and politicos parroted the accusation, and the Biden campaign doubled down. In the interest of fairness and accuracy, it's appropriate then to revisit ways the Biden Administration, Democrats and their allies have battled wannabe dictators and defended freedom, democracy and viewpoint diversity in recent years. (Or not.) For example: * Incessant Antifa rage, riots, rampaging and legal warfare against "Russia-colluding" President Trump, from his election and inauguration throughout and after his term in office. * School, park and restaurant lockdowns, "social distancing" and mask "advisories," mandates for "safe and effective" inoculations with vaccines approved with minimal study under "emergency use authorizations," and endless misrepresentation and censorship by Biden officials, Democrat governors and "journalists" in the name of preventing Covid. * Opening our southern border to untold millions of "undocumented noncitizens" mostly Latin Americans but also Chinese agents, drug smugglers, sex traffickers, terrorists and disease carriers. * Billions in "student debt forgiveness," forcing taxpayers to pay off huge loans to graduates who struggle to get six-figure jobs despite prestigious degrees in gender studies or community organizing. * Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Environment Social Governance (ESG) programs, from K-12, college to law school, and into government and corporate arenas to ensure that every component of society reflects racial, ethnic and gender proportionality, but never viewpoint or political diversity. These and many other authoritarian actions impacted American society, freedoms, health and prosperity in countless negative ways. Far worse, many progressives and leftists hope they will pave the way for obeisance to even more dictatorial mandates promulgated in the name of saving our planet from supposed cataclysms inflicted by fossil-fuel-driven climate change. Few will quibble that President Biden directed federal employees to take public transportation, ride bikes or rent electric vehicles for work travel, and hold virtual meetings instead of in-person gatherings. These rules certainly won't apply to private-jet globe-trotters like Climate Czar John Kerry, and EV's mostly transfer emissions from tailpipes to distant countries where toxic pollution and child labor accompany the mining and processing of raw materials to make EV batteries. But at least some federal workers will now suffer the inconveniences they're imposing on us commoners. However, Team Biden's endless torrent of dictatorial executive orders, regulatory mandates and twisted legal reinterpretations for electricity generation, vehicles, appliances, agriculture, housing and other matters are already impacting our industries, livelihoods, living standards and basic rights and freedoms. These diktats are designed to force us to convert everything we now operate with coal, gasoline, diesel or natural gas to electric models. The United States will soon need 3-4 times more electricity than today and still more to power the AI revolution. But the same bureaucrats are shutting down coal, gas, nuclear and hydroelectric generators ensuring that electricity will be in short supply, generated primarily by weather-dependent wind turbines and solar panels, backed up by massive grid-scale battery systems, and thus unavailable or unaffordable during the coldest and hottest days, when electric heat or air conditioning becomes a matter of life or death. In fact, just the batteries to back up nationwide electricity would cost up to $290 trillion (13 times US 2021 GDP)! Add that to wind, solar and transmission costs, and the juice to run your all-electric home, business, hospital, school or transportation will likely cost 30-40 cents per kilowatt-hour, instead of the 12-15 cents the average American is paying now. It's a prescription for repeated blackouts, economic disaster and unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats micromanaging every aspect of our lives: what size home we can have; how warm or cool we can keep it; what cars we can drive and how far, or whether we too will be forced to walk, bike or take a bus; how many trips we can take in jetliners, in our lifetime; what foods we can eat (hint: not beef); maybe even how many new clothing items we will be "allowed" to purchase each year! Earlier this month, every House Republican voted to block President Biden's electric vehicle mandates. They were joined by just five Democrats. That means 197 Democrats say Team Biden should be able to dictate what kind of car or truck you can drive. And Donald Trump has dictatorial proclivities? The US and global ecological impacts will be equally harmful and widespread. Here are just a few. Wind and solar installations, transmission lines and enormous battery complexes would sprawl across millions of acres of now scenic, wildlife habitat and agricultural land. A single solar facility proposed in Virginia would involve 3,000 acres of panels on 21,000 acres (over half the land area of Washington, DC). It's just one of dozens of Virginia solar plans on top of onshore and offshore wind turbine projects. The installations "will power millions of homes," supporters insist. Perhaps but only when the wind is blowing and sun is shining at optimal intensities ... maybe 15-30% of the year in northern latitudes, considering winter snow and sunlight, clouds, nighttime, zero wind and other factors. Many local residents and other citizens don't want these massive installations in their backyards; the habitat and scenic vista destruction, bird and bat killings, health problems, and electricity costs and disruptions that go with them; or being turned into energy colonies for progressive urban centers. They've already blocked more than 500 wind and solar projects, on environmental and other grounds. That's why Michigan, California, New York and Illinois have already enacted laws that give state bureaucrats authority over land use the ability to exercise eminent domain and other powers over local governments that want to slow or stop the onrush of enormous, heavily subsidized industrial wind, solar, transmission line and other "green" projects. More are likely to follow depriving rural communities of their rights, property values and autonomy to serve corporate interests that bankroll Democrat pols. The federal "deep state" is likely to seek similar legislative authority or simply assert authority to implement President Biden's national net-zero "renewable" energy transformation agenda. UN and Biden "30x30" plans to "conserve" (make off limits to development) 30% of US and global lands and waters by 2030 will massively increase all these impacts and usurpations of power. Any areas not made off limits by 30x30, wilderness, park, refuge and other actions will be developed and desecrated to the hilt by wind, solar, transmission line, mining, biofuel and other "green energy" projects. Meanwhile, international climate alarmists and bureaucrats are telling African and other impoverished nations how much they will be "permitted" to develop and improve their health and living standards using only "sustainable, renewable" wind and solar power. It's dictatorial colonialism at its worst. And amid all that, China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and other rapidly developing countries are burning more coal, oil and gas and emitting more greenhouse gases than most developed nations combined. That means US and EU economic suicide on the climate altar won't make an iota of difference. What we need is a president who will roll back or cancel these dictatorial decrees. Stop fast-tracking wind and solar projects. End abusive environmental justice, DEI and ESG programs. Return America to energy independence and affordable energy. Build the wall and control immigration. Stop weaponizing the Department of Justice. Above all, follow the law and Constitution. How revolutionary, "dictatorial" ... and refreshing ... that would be! Paul Driessen is senior policy advisor to the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow (www.CFACT.org) and author of books and articles on energy, climate, environmental and human rights issues. Home Air defenses engaged drones in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast on Jan. 1, according to the Air Force and the Kyiv City Military Administration. Earlier notices reported that Russian drones were in Kyiv's Vasylkiv district, while another group was headed for Kyiv from the southeast. At least one distant explosion could be heard from the center of the capital. A missile was reported to be headed for Dnipro. The regional military administration warned that Russian "tactical aviation" is highly active near the Sea of Azov, elevating the threat of airstrikes. Russia has stepped up attacks against Ukraine's infrastructure and residential areas in the past 24 hours. Overnight, Russian forces attacked Ukrainian cities with 90 drones, 87 of which were brought down. Shelling in Kherson and Kharkiv Oblasts led to some fatalities and hospitalizations, local authorities reported. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Looking forward into 2024, it is tempting to utterly despair at the countrys prospects. A failure to control the borders threatens to plunge British liberal democracy into a fresh existential crisis and cleave the country once more into warring tribes. The country is set to slide further into an economic ice age. Neglected elephants in the room are evolving into dangerous woolly mammoths, from the potentially underestimated costs of net zero to the ruling classs colossal perhaps irremediable botching of Brexit. When Britons go to the polls this year, it risks replacing a government that is not fit to govern with one that is not ready to rule. Still, if politics has become a broken record, there is one area in which we could see a breakthrough: that is NHS reform. As junior doctors prepare to strike over pay this week, it is quite something that the Labour party is likely to pass up the opportunity to bewail the chronic underfunding of the NHS. In fact, in recent weeks, the shadow health secretary Wes Streeting has insisted that Labour would not meet junior doctors wage increase demands. More broadly he has denounced the health service as complacent, wasteful, and even mendacious, using the so-called winter crisis as an excuse to demand more cash. Perhaps even more controversially, Labour has called for funding to be directed from hospitals to prevention programs. At a time when it is easy to be cynical about politics, it is genuinely encouraging that both major parties agree that the NHS is imploding and merely throwing money at the behemoth isnt going to solve it. This is something that the Tory party has, for a long time, whispered, but been afraid to shout about, as it has scrabbled to fund anti-obesity campaigns alongside hospital building bonanzas and, in the back benches at least, called for a sober debate on the merits of a social insurance model. At last, Labour is willing to not only match but surpass the Tories in its calls for change. For the best part of 40 years, such a consensus has proved elusive; with the rise of Thatcherism in the 1980s, Left-wing activists crafted a vision of the NHS as a sacred institution. Coinciding with a Saatchi age of slick political branding, the new NHS religion was reinforced in daily life by badges, and window posters symbols now more common in public spaces than the Christian cross. True, New Labour heretically pursued reforms to introduce choice into the system, but Ed Miliband wrenched Labour back to its comfort zone as the anointed protector of the untouchable NHS. Yet, in a fascinating turn of events, the Left having masterminded the cult of the NHS is now desperate to tear it down. This is for the simple reason that it has no choice; the NHS has reached a crunch point. Recruitment from overseas is no longer plugging the gap, as burnt-out healthcare workers leave the NHS in droves. Hospitals are doing less with more: NHS funding has risen 20 per cent since 2019 and yet there has been a 5 per cent fall in treatments and operations undertaken. Just as developing countries are virtually forced into corruption when injected with more aid cash than they have the structures to put to good use, so the NHS is almost by design compelled to burn money on snake oil management consultants and HR gimmicks. With NHS spending now more than that for education, transport, the Home Office and defence put together, Britain is arguably now merely a health service with a state attached. Still, if Labour is to make headway when eventually takes office, it must show an even greater appetite for challenging NHS taboos. The stakes couldnt be higher. Should Labour fail to bring about an axial shift in the public debate in the coming months, it will likely find itself bogged down in everyday fire-fighting from day one. While Streetings bid to desacralise the NHS is welcome, what Labour has not been honest about is that taming the cult of the NHS will demand one final, colossal sacrifice by the people. Because the brutal truth is that reforming the NHS will either carry a death-premium or a tax premium. If Britain is to put more resources into health prevention, as Labour has quite argued it should, it will either have to find additional funding for this on top of the cash that is being thrown at hospitals to prevent A&Es collapsing. This may demand the introduction of new NHS supertax. Alternatively, as the party has hinted, it could merely divert significant funds away from hospitals. This risks a further hemorrhaging of frontline hospital staff and a spike in excess deaths. A further complication is that it will take time for the country to crack the secrets to successful preventative healthcare. The NHSs track record in the arena is dire, with stop smoking schemes and cervical cancer screenings and weight management programs yielding disappointing results, mostly due to poor uptake. In truth, nobody yet knows how to best do preventative health in the free West, where the individual must ultimately retain responsibility and agency over their own body. In truth then, even once Britain has ultimately embarked on what is the right course, we face another generation of frustrating trial and error, and waste. While this fleshing out of scenarios is not particularly palatable, politicians on both sides need to be frank that the alternative which is to do nothing until the system finally collapses is infinitely more dangerous. Labour needs to be no less bold at confronting other major NHS taboos. The party remains worryingly ambiguous about the role of the private sector. True the opposition has vowed to make more use of the commercial firms to whittle down waiting lists. But Streeting has also played to the Left-wing gallery, insisting that privatisation could not be further from [his] aims. And while the shadow health secretary must be commended for insisting on the need to shift resources from prevention, he needs to stop pussyfooting around the fact that fat Britain needs to lose weight. With two thirds of adults overweight and obesity costing the country 100bn a year, a bill that is rising exponentially, the problem is becoming cataclysmic. Unlike the much maligned Tory nasty party, Labour has the power to alter the debate by making the moral case against the UKs engagement in neocolonial practices of plundering the healthcare labour of developing countries to plug its own shortages. In truth then though there is a rare window for a revolution in Britain after all this year the question, whether aptly or ironically, is whether the Left is brave enough to seize it. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Labour has launched a tax calculator to tell working people if they are worse off under Government proposals. The party said that, even with a National Insurance contribution (NIC) cut coming into force on Jan 6, families in Britain are still likely to be 1,200 a year worse off under Tory taxation plans. Using the domain ToryTaxCalculator.com, Labour said the online tool will allow voters to select their salary band and find out how much extra tax they may be paying, even after the NIC reduction. The calculator will be placed in social media adverts and be targeted at people who search online about their taxes, party officials said. The tax burden is at its highest level on record. According to Labour analysis, since the 2019 election, when former prime minister Boris Johnson won a landslide victory on a manifesto containing a pledge not to increase taxes, there have been 25 tax rises. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has said the NI cut wont be enough to prevent this from being the biggest tax-raising parliament in modern times. Paul Johnson, director of the independent research body, said tax revenue for the Exchequer will continue to rise as ongoing freezes to income tax thresholds mean more people with growing earnings are pushed into paying tax. Threshold freeze From Jan 6, the main rate of National Insurance will be cut by two percentage points to 10 per cent. But Labour, citing workings by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), said that for every 10 the Tories are taking in tax because of the threshold freeze, they are only giving 2 back. Labour calculates that, as a result, British families will still be 1,200 a year worse off. James Murray, the shadow Treasury minister, said: After 14 years of economic failure under the Conservatives, working people are worse off, with wages flatlining and taxes up. The tax burden is now set to be the highest on record, with 25 Tory tax rises since the last election alone. Never before have working people been asked to pay so much and get so little back. It is time for change. We need an election now to give the British public the chance to vote for a changed Labour Party that will change Britain for the better. In what will almost certainly be an election year, the Conservatives have countered by claiming that families face a 2,200-a-year tax bombshell if Sir Keir Starmer seizes power for Labour. They will be hit with the rise needed to pay for Labours 28 billion green jobs plan, Conservative party chairman Richard Holden has claimed. Mr Holden said it would be impossible to invest billions without the equivalent of the basic rate of income tax going from 20 to 25 per cent. The 2,200 figure is based on the average two-income household. It comes as the Conservatives prepare for a tax-cutting budget in March, with speculation that inheritance tax could be axed or halved, the income tax base rate cut by 2p, higher rate thresholds raised and stamp duty reduced or abolished. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Officer has been arrested and faces stalking and home invasion charges. Officer Jake Freeman was arrested on Dec. 31 and charged with three felonies which include aggravated stalking, attempted home invasion, and destroy or injure personal property of another, according to LVMPD. Freeman has been employed with the Las Vegas Metro police since 2017 and is assigned to the West Community Policing Division, Summerlin Area Command. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Officer Jake Freeman was arrested on Dec. 31, 2023 and charged with aggravated stalking, attempted home invasion, and destroy or injure real personal property of another. (LVMPD) He was taken to the Henderson Detention Center and will be suspended from police powers with pay pending further investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. A new California law widely restricting where concealed weapons may be carried in the state went into effect Monday after a federal appeals court paused an earlier federal judges ruling against portions of the law issued in December. The administrative stay, issued Saturday by the United States Court of Appeals, means that for now, holders of concealed carry permits in California are prohibited from carrying concealed firearms in places that include state and local government buildings, courts, schools and school grounds including parking lots. airports and passenger terminals, churches and places of worship, public parks, bars and any place serving alcohol or selling alcohol. The appeals court did not issue any timetable for the length of the stay. On Dec. 20, Judge Cormac J. Carney, of the US District Court for the Central District of California, ruled against portions of Senate Bill 2 that banned firearms in such sensitive places. In doing so, Carney cited the Supreme Court ruling in the 2022 Bruen decision, which liberalized the issuance of concealed carry licenses in New York State. The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees law-abiding, responsible citizens the right to keep and bear arms for self-defense in case of confrontation, Carney wrote in his decision. SB-2 was authored by California State Senator Anthony J Portantino, D-Burbank, after the Bruen decision. Days after Lauren Boebert made the announcement that she is switching from Colorado's 3rd Congressional District to run in Colorado's 4th Congressional District in the upcoming 2024 elections, she made an appearance on former Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannons podcast where she discussed what prompted her to make this bold change. During their chat, Bannon made mention of how Democrats raised $10m against her since her 2022 race, mostly from the ski town of Aspen, and she expressed a belief that the switch will better the odds for a conservative candidate such as herself, adding that even celebrities have it out for her. They do not have policies that they are running on, they're simply running against Lauren Boebert, she said. And it's not just Aspen that the money is coming from. It's coming from Hollywood when you have Barbra Streisand coming in and donating to the Democrat. When you have Ryan Reynolds coming in and donating to the Democrat, it shows you that Hollywood is trying to buy their way into Congress. Watch here: Boebert says Barbara Streisand and Ryan Reynolds caused her to abandon her congressional district. pic.twitter.com/YUTvMjnoHH Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) January 1, 2024 Lauren Boebert's decision to run for reelection in a more conservative district carries some risks. Boebert's move could create an environment where Democrats win Colorado's 3rd district in 2024. But her decision could also lead to a less controversial center-right Republican holding the seat. After Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert in November 2022 narrowly won reelection to a second term representing Colorado's conservative-leaning 3rd Congressional district, her political vulnerability immediately became a leading storyline in itself. Boebert's district which includes the state's Western slope and cities like Aspen and Pueblo backed former President Donald Trump by eight points in the 2020 election. It's generally not a place where GOP candidates find themselves barely outpacing Democrats. But Boebert, a conservative, pro-Trump lawmaker known for her firebrand political persona, has been a polarizing figure even before her 2020 election. And the congresswoman's bombshell announcement last Wednesday that she'd switch districts and instead run in the more conservative 4th Congressional district now creates uncertainty not only for herself, but also for the Colorado GOP and Democrats looking to win the 3rd district. What are the political implications of Boebert's district switch? The 3rd district could flip Democratic Former Aspen city councilman Adam Frisch, who lost to Boebert by 546 votes out of roughly 327,000 ballots in 2022, has so far raised over $7.7 million for the race per the Federal Election Commission in what was expected to be a closely watched rematch. But Boebert's departure from the 3rd district race threatens GOP control of the district, despite its conservative lean. Why? Frisch is running as a moderate Democrat in a district where he's already won over a swath of voters who were uneasy with Boebert's brand of conservatism. Should Frisch win his party's nomination over Grand Junction Mayor Anna Stout, he'd have a huge war chest and political name recognition from his earlier run. After Boebert announced her district switch, Frisch slammed the congresswoman on X, writing that she "was never committed to the communities of CO03" and is "only in politics for herself." For the crop of GOP candidates now in the 3rd district primary which include Grand Junction attorney Jeff Hurd, financial advisor Russ Andrews, and real estate broker Curtis McCrackin they'll have to clean up any lingering intraparty frustrations over Boebert's departure. Boebert is wildly popular with base conservatives and the next nominee may not have a similar level of support with this bloc. Boebert is now running to succeed Rep. Ken Buck, center, who is retiring after the 2024 elections. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Given the orientation of the district, Republicans can clearly win the race, especially with a more mainstream Republican as their nominee, but Democrats have only become stronger in Colorado in recent years. As for Boebert, she could also lose the 4th district GOP primary and find herself out of a job, as she's now running in an Eastern Plains-anchored district where she has few local ties. Colorado state Rep. Richard Holtorf, one of the candidates in the primary, immediately accused Boebert of "seat shopping" after her announcement. or Boebert's decision may actually boost the GOP Boebert's departure from the 3rd district could also potentially help Republicans retain the seat, as they no longer have to contend with running a candidate who's often embroiled in controversies, such as the Beetlejuice scandal that made national headlines and caused her to apologize for the matter and recalibrate her campaign strategy. With Boebert gone, a more "normal" Republican who runs a solid campaign would be in a good position to win in the 3rd district. Holding Boebert's district would be a relief to Republicans, as they are currently defending a razor-thin 220-213 US House majority. With Democrats working fervently to retake control of the chamber, the congresswoman's candidacy in a safe Republican district (should she win the 4th district GOP nomination) would almost certainly free up fundraising dollars for other GOP candidates. Andrews, who's running in the 3rd district GOP primary, told The Durango Herald that Boebert's decision is a "brilliant maneuver." "I think Lauren understood that she simply can't beat Adam Frisch," he told the newspaper. But Boebert now faces a slew of fellow GOP contenders in the 4th district primary, where Rep. Ken Buck has chosen not to run for reelection in November 2024. The primary won't be an easy race for Boebert, but Republicans are virtually guaranteed a general election win regardless of whether or not the congresswoman loses her primary, as the 4th district backed Trump by roughly 19 points in 2020. Read the original article on Business Insider North Carolina health leaders are cracking down on bars that serve food. A new law went into effect today requiring these establishments to get permits from the health department and regular inspections, like restaurants. Mecklenburg County said bars are no longer allowed to serve food unless they have this special permit. ALSO READ: Trans woman says bouncer at NoDa bar attacked her, used homophobic slur An estimated 268 bars in Mecklenburg County will be impacted. The only exception is nonprofit county clubs, because state lawmakers exempted them from the new law. VIDEO: Trans woman says bouncer at NoDa bar attacked her, used homophobic slur States across the country will ring in the new year with laws set to take effect throughout 2024 about issues like gun violence, book bans and gender-neutral toy sections. A growing number of states will require financial literacy courses in high schools, while a handful of others will add access to contraceptives by eliminating the need for physician prescriptions. As state legislatures brace for another year of proposals broaching the countrys most divisive issues, here are some of the laws that will make it into reality in 2024: Gender-neutral toy aisles Starting in January, California will require major retailers in the state to include gender-neutral toy sections in their stores. The new sections won't be allowed to be marketed to just boys or girls but rather must include a reasonable selection of toys that could be marketed to children of either sex. The law won't require the stores to eliminate their boy- or girl-focused toy sections but rather add to the toy sections to include ones that would reasonably apply to children of any gender. The law, passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021, is aimed specifically at retailers with at least 500 employees across their state locations, which excludes smaller stores. Retailers will be fined $250 for not following the law, followed by $500 fines for repeat offenses. Assembly member Evan Low, a key sponsor of the bill, said in a statement that the measure would make it easier to compare similar items for sale at large retailers without reinforcing gender stereotypes that harm vulnerable children. Illinois' anti-book ban law Illinois will become the first state to enforce a law to outlaw book bans. The law requires the state librarian and library staff members to adopt the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights statewide. The document states that reading materials "should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or personal disapproval." Public libraries that don't adopt the association's language or develop similarly worded prohibitions will be ineligible for state grants. An increasing number of books have been banned in several states, with the nonprofit free speech advocacy group PEN America finding 3,362 instances of individual books being banned in the 2022-23 school year, affecting 1,557 unique titles a 33% increase from the previous academic year. The group's report lists Texas, Florida, Missouri, Utah and South Carolina as the states where the bans were most prevalent. PEN America's report said 30% of the banned titles during the first half of the 2022-23 school year were books about race or racism or books that featured characters of color. Another 26% of the banned books had LGBTQ characters or themes. In addition, a wider array of titles have been affected by bans this year 44% of them portray violence and abuse, 38% discuss topics of health and well-being, and 30% cover death and grief the result of school districts responding to "vague legislation by removing large numbers of books prior to any formal review," the report said. "The concept of banning books contradicts the very essence of what our country stands for," said Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who initiated the legislation and serves as the state librarian. "It also defies what education is all about: teaching our children to think for themselves." New York cracks down on 'puppy mills' New York state will ban pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits this year to protect the animals from poor treatment and conditions in some commercial breeding operations that critics call "puppy mills." The law doesn't bar the shops from showcasing animals derived from shelters for purposes of adoption, however. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the legislation in December 2022, saying in a statement, "I'm proud to sign this legislation, which will make meaningful steps to cut down on harsh treatment and protect the welfare of animals across the state." Kevin ONeill, the vice president of state affairs for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said New York has among the highest concentrations of pet stores that sell cats, dogs and rabbits, making the new law important for animal rights. The stores prioritize profit over actually caring for the animals, ONeill said, adding that he believes public opinion has shifted and prospective pet owners want to know where their animals are coming from and whether they are being treated humanely. The ASPCA released a poll in April 2022 that found that 77% of Americans support federal legislation that would end puppy mills. Jessica Selmer, the president of People United to Protect Pet Integrity, a New York coalition of pet store owners, said after the legislation passed that the law was careless and counterproductive, adding that she hopes the governor will consider legislative remedies to some of the pitfalls of the bill. Michigan to get new gun laws Michigans Legislature passed a package of legislation to reduce gun violence that's set to go into effect early this year. The package, passed in the Democratic-controlled Legislature largely along party lines, includes red flag laws, stricter background checks, safe gun storage requirements and a ban on those convicted of domestic violence from buying, owning or transporting firearms for eight years. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, said the passage of the new laws honored "those we have lost with commonsense gun violence prevention legislation supported by a majority of Michiganders." Monisha Henley, the senior vice president of government affairs at the gun violence prevention group Everytown for Gun Safety, said Democrats were able to act swiftly to get the package passed and signed after they secured the majority in the Legislature in the 2022 midterm elections. The sense of urgency followed the mass shootings at Oxford High School in November 2021 and Michigan State University in February. Henley said she believes Michigan's new laws can serve as an example for other states, given that the state has "everything from a large city to a rural population to high gun ownership." Financial literacy coming to more high school students Four more states will begin requiring financial literacy courses in high schools in 2024 Georgia, Indiana, Minnesota and West Virginia. They join a growing list of others that have already instituted such requirements or will begin mandating such courses in coming years. Financial literacy courses, or personal finance courses, seek to educate students about how to earn, spend, save, borrow and protect their money as adults. In Georgia and West Virginia, all juniors and seniors will be required to take at least a half-credit financial literacy course to graduate. Meanwhile, all students at public, charter or state-accredited nonpublic schools in Indiana will be required to successfully complete a personal financial responsibility course before they graduate. Minnesota students entering high school in 2024 or later will have to pass a personal finance course during grades 10, 11 or 12. While legislators are joining the trend in putting more emphasis on personal finance education in high schools, advocates are still pushing for more involved requirements on the topic. Vince Shorb, the CEO of the National Financial Educators Council, said financial literacy should be taught like the main courses, such as math or science, arguing that one semester of learning isn't enough. Students "are all going to need to manage their money in some way," Shorb said. "Financial literacy needs to be taken more seriously." Over-the-counter contraceptives The Food and Drug Administrations decision in July to approve the first nonprescription oral contraceptive is expected to allow access to birth control to expand widely in 2024 once the new drug, Opill, hits shelves. Meanwhile, states are also expanding access to prescription hormonal birth control by allowing pharmacists to prescribe such contraceptives, rather than doctors. Since 2016, at least 29 states have passed legislation to allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal birth control options without doctors, with measures in Rhode Island and New Jersey set to go into effect in 2024 allowing people to seek hormonal birth control without making doctors appointments. New laws in Montana and Nevada, meanwhile, will allow people to access an extended supply of contraceptives. In Montana, the law will ensure that insurance coverage allows people to receive 12-month prescriptions for contraceptives. In Nevada, which has already made contraceptive prescriptions available through pharmacists and allows 12-month supplies, it will become illegal for the government to put limits or requirements in place that would block people's access to birth control or reproductive health services. The new laws come amid heightened concerns over whether the most commonly used drug for medication abortions will continue to be easily available and whether access to abortion procedures will be more generally available in the wake of the Supreme Court's June 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade. In December, the Supreme Court agreed to consider Biden administration and drugmaker appeals defending FDA decisions that made it easier to access the mifepristone pill. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The left's successful lawfare strategy forces Rudy Giuliani to bankruptcy with defamation lawsuit By Rachel Alexander web posted January 1, 2024 The left continues its growing trend of destroying the right through lawfare; prosecution on the criminal side and sanctions and defamation lawsuits on the civil side. Most people know the lawfare is groundless, but with the left now dominating the legal system, including the judiciary and state bars, it's become easy to destroy the lives of vocal conservatives on the right, holding them up as warning examples to any other principled conservative who next dares to go against the fascism of progressivism. Anyone who bravely defends those targeted with defamation suits risks being sued for defamation themselves. It's a perfect way to chill conservative speech, especially attempts to expose illegal election activity. The latest victim is Rudy Giuliani, who lost a $148 million defamation case, forcing him to file for bankruptcy. He was sued over telling a Missouri House committee that a video posted on The Gateway Pundit "shows demonstrably the theft of about 40,000 ballots right in front of your eyes." The site accused Ruby Freeman and Wandrea "Shaye" Moss, a mother and daughter who counted ballots at State Farm Arena, of producing and counting ballots from suitcases. The video showed election workers grabbing rectangular black boxes that looked like suitcases from underneath tables they even had pull-up handles to haul them around like suitcases after workers had told poll watchers to go home for the evening due to a burst pipe. Election officials claimed later that they did not count ballots from the containers, but merely put ballots away in them which was routine. Giuliani tried to back out of his statements once he saw how bad his chances were in the lawsuit, saying three years later that he'd made false statements. However, he did not admit that his statements had damaged the two plaintiffs, an element required to prove defamation. D.C. District Court Judge Beryl A. Howell, who was appointed to the bench by President Barack Obama, didn't care that Giuliani said he was unable to adequately defend himself in responses because federal agents had seized many of his documents, and was buried with "seven or eight cases that had pending requests for discovery" including "not just civil but criminal investigations." Howell entered a default judgment against him in August, concluding the proceedings in December as to the amount, which prompted Giuliani to file for bankruptcy. By entering a default judgment against him, she ducked having to rule on the merits or have a jury decide the merits (granted, in Washington D.C., it would be almost impossible to find a fair jury). The elements of defamation include proving that the defendant made a false statement and engaged in at least negligence. Based on recent defamation law regarding private figures like the two women, it wasn't a slam dunk case against Giuliani. A landmark ruling in 2022 by the Arizona Supreme Court held that there was no defamation committed against a modeling agency owner by State Sen. Wendy Rogers when she referred to her primary race opponent as "a slimy character whose modeling agency specializes in underage girls and advertises on websites linked to sex trafficking." Writing for the majority, Arizona Supreme Court Justice Clint Bolick said, "[T]he First Amendment necessarily protects both the profound and the profane, not only conscientious candidates and civil discourse but unscrupulous politicians and negative campaigns as well." He concluded citing U.S. Supreme Court decisions, which found that "in public debate [we] must tolerate insulting, and even outrageous, speech in order to provide `adequate breathing space to the freedoms protected by the First Amendment."" Many of the election workers who were accused of wrongdoing in 2020 or 2022 fit a pattern of realizing monkey business was going on but preferred to pretend not to notice it, since they were lower level employees who did not want to lose their jobs. Georgia election officials have repeatedly fought attempts to further investigate the occurrences on election night. Howell rules in favor of free speech when it benefits progressives. When an activist stood outside the U.S. Supreme Court wearing a sign that protested the government's treatment of black and Hispanic people, violating a criminal law, Howell struck down the law and was overturned by the D.C. Court of Appeals. In 2019, she ruled against Trump administration officials and in favor of House Democrats, requiring the administration to turn over grand jury materials from the Mueller investigation to aid in their impeachment attempts. When she received an award in November for advancing opportunities for women in the white collar field, she referred to those protesting election fraud as "the big lie." Despite statements like this, she is still allowed to decide cases like Giuliani's. Rep. Elise Stefanik filed a judicial complaint against her. The plaintiffs claimed that their lives had been turned upside down by the publicity. However, there are thousands of people who investigated the concerns of election fraud, both officials and private citizens, whose lives were turned upside down, receiving death threats and canceled, yet that's treated as routine. The plaintiffs are represented by the Media Freedom and Information Access Clinic MFIA at Yale Law School, known for taking on progressive causes, the progressive law firm Dowd Bennett and the progressive United to Protect Democracy. United to Protect Democracy is part of The Democracy Project, which was started to stop Donald Trump from becoming president, exposed in a viral TIME article called "The Secret History of the Shadow Campaign That Saved the 2020 Election." Dowd Bennett is run by trial lawyers, who are one of the biggest contributors to the Democratic Party, and boasts politicians like former Democratic Governor Jay Nixon and John Danforth, former RINO U.S. Senator from Missouri who has become active in election fraud denying work in recent years. There has been little pushback defending Giuliani, even on the right. If more people don't start exposing the circumstances behind this lawfare, instead allowing the left to pile up victory after victory, election fraud will never be stopped. Rachel Alexander and her brother Andrew are co-Editors of Intellectual Conservative. She has been published in the American Spectator, Townhall.com, Fox News, NewsMax, Accuracy in Media, The Americano, ParcBench, Enter Stage Right and other publications. Home A new year means new laws. There are several new laws that will go into effect staring on Jan. 1 in Georgia. Most laws typically take effect July 1 from the legislative year they were signed, but some laws have provisions that delay their effective date until the beginning of the next year. Gov. Brian Kemp signed more than 300 pieces of legislation last year. You can browse the other laws already in effect by clicking here, but here is a closer look at some of the new laws that began on Monday. Senate Bill 20 The Consumer Access to Contracted Healthcare Act, also known as the CATCH Act, ensures consumer access to quality healthcare by setting adequacy standards for network plans offered by an insurer. It is an amendment to the previous Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act. Under the law, insurers must have a sufficient number of primary care, specialty care, pharmacies, clinical labs and facilities in their plans service area to ensure covered persons have access to the full scope of benefits and services covered under such plan. The law includes protections for telehealth services and prohibits an insurer from requiring prior authorization, medical review, or administrative clearance for a telehealth service that would not be required if such service were provided in person. You can read the full law here. Senate Bill 107 Izzys Law was introduced in memory of Israel Scott, a 4-year-old boy who drowned in 2022 during a swim lesson outside of Augusta. The new law states that the Georgia Department of Public Health must come up with aquatic safety guidelines for swim instructors no later than Jan. 1st, 2024. Every private swim instructor in Georgia will have to a safety plan in place no later than April 1, 2024. The department shall review the model aquatic safety plan at least every five years and make any necessary revisions based on changes to national standards for private swim instructors. The department may partner with an external organization recognized as an authority in aquatic safety to assist in the development, review, and any necessary revision of the model aquatic safety plan and other tasks as may be appropriate to the development of the model, including the provision of the necessary data, information, and resources to ensure successful development of the model as required by this Code section, the law states. You can read the full law here. TRENDING STORIES House Bill 175 There are new special license plates in Georgia under House Bill 175. The specialty plates can be requested by state constitutional officers, members of the Public Service Commission and retired members of the active reserve and the Georgia National Guard. The law also creates specialty plates honoring Kappa Alpha Psi and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternities. You can read the full law here. House Bill 528 The Georgia Online Automatic Renewal Transparency Act and Georgia Online Third-Party Delivery Service Transparency Act look to protect consumers in Georgia who use subscription services and third-party food delivery services. The first part of the bill stops unnecessary barriers for Georgians who want to cancel an automatic renewal or continuous service subscriptions offered online. The second part of the bill stops third-party delivery services, such as Uber Eats, Grubhub and DoorDash, from arranging for delivery orders with restaurants they dont have a previously written agreement with. You can read the full law here. What about the income tax cuts? Georgians could soon see their income tax rates drop faster than expected. Gov. Brian Kemp announced in December that he wants to accelerate the largest income tax cut in state history. Kemp signed those big tax cuts two years ago, which cut income tax every year in steps until 2029. Accelerating the tax cuts will be introduced in legislation this upcoming session that would amend House Bill 1437. The governors office said by accelerating the reduction, the 2024 tax rate will be 5.39%, rather than the 5.49% set by HB 1437. The Atlanta-Journal Constitutions Legislative Navigator contributed to this article. IN OTHER NEWS NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) As we begin 2024, a number of laws passed by the Tennessee General Assembly in the last few years now take effect. Generally speaking, laws in Tennessee have effective dates of January 1 or July 1, depending on when theyre passed and what they affect in the Volunteer State. Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Here are some of the laws that are now in effect in Tennessee. This bill requires the Tennessee Department of Safety to waive the knowledge test and accept alternative requirements for certain service members applying for temporary commercial learners permits. The bill applies to members of the National Guard or armed forces reserves as eligible applicants, as well as those who were, for the immediately preceding their application, certain drivers, fuelers, vehicle operators, pavement and construction equipment operators and more in the armed forces. This bill enacts the Money Transmission Modernization Act, which seeks to more effectively utilize regulator resources, protect the public from financial crime, standardize which activities are subject to licensing and modernize how protected customers funds are in ways that also support innovative and competitive business practices. MORE: New crime, public safety laws that take effect in Tennessee Jan. 1, 2024 According to discussion from lawmakers, the bill replaces a 1994 money transfer-related law in such a way that more accurately reflects how money is transferred between agencies and institutions, such as over the internet and across multiple states. Lawmakers said in February 2023 that multiple other states were considering similar, if not the same, legislation. This bill authorizes the Tennessee Department of Safety to create a voucher program to offset the costs of taking handgun safety courses for the first time. It also requires the department to report the number of courses taken using the vouchers to the Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Criminal Justice Committee. The bill would reimburse those taking part in the voucher program up to $30 for their first course. Named the Kevin Clauson Drug Donation Act, this bill makes changes to the prescription drug donation repository program operated by the Tennessee Department of Health. Some of the changes include limitations on the participating repositories to only pharmacies in good standing with the state pharmacy board, limiting which drugs can be donated through the program, requiring secure storage and donor information redaction, and requiring depositories to destroy or return prescription drugs or supplies that are no longer suitable for dispensing. As of Jan. 1, there will now be a permit for farmers market food units. Previously, state law prohibited someone from operating a food service establishment if they did not hold a valid permit issued by the Commissioner of Health. This bill requires the health department to issue a farmers market food unit permit to qualified applicants who pay the $300 permit fee and successfully complete a pre-operational inspection. Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom Some other aspects of the bill stipulate that there are no limits on the number of days the permit holder may operate during the period that the permit is valid; and the operator of a farmers market food unit is not required to tear down or remove equipment used from the premises of a farmers market at the conclusion of an operational day, though the farmers market itself may set rules for equipment removal. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Gavin Newsom, then the governor-elect of California, greets then-President Trump at Beale Air Force Base near Sacramento on Nov. 17, 2018. (Saul Loeb / AFP/Getty Images) To the editor: Nothing in Mark Z. Barabak's column relates to the question of whether Donald Trump has a right to run for president in 2024. Barabak focuses solely on political issues, which are irrelevant, and ignores the legal ones, which are relevant and controlling here. ("Newsom loves Trump? Not at all. But he made the right call on ballot access," Dec. 28) The issue isn't about voter choice; its about whether a candidate meets specific constitutional requirements for running for president. Candidates who don't satisfy constitutional eligibility requirements must not appear on the ballot. Barabak takes a cheap shot at Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, who supports Trumps disqualification, as if the basis of her thinking can only be attributed to political opportunism rather than sound legal reasoning. And he conveniently ignores rigorous legal analysis by conservatives, including former federal judge J. Michael Luttig and attorney George Conway, not to mention Laurence Tribe, a preeminent constitutional scholar. If someone wanted to run for president who's younger than 35, which also doesn't satisfy constitutional requirements, would Barabak say that candidate should be included on the ballot, so as to let voters decide? Of course not. Then how can he and Gov. Gavin Newsom credibly argue that Trump belongs on the ballot? The proper democratic outcome is that Trump be excluded from the ballot, because that's what the 14th Amendment requires for those who swore an oath to defend the Constitution but engaged in insurrection. Todd Piccus, Venice .. To the editor: Former President Trump has not been convicted of insurrection. He has not even been charged with insurrection. He was impeached by the House for his actions on Jan. 6, 2021, but he was not convicted by the Senate. Yet, in Maine there is one partisan Democratic official, the secretary of state, acting as judge and jury in deciding to remove the former president from that state's ballot. Democrats assert that Trump is a threat to democracy. Yet, its just fine to allow one partisan Democrat to limit the choices of hundreds of thousands of voters. Talk about rigging an election. The country is nearing a breaking point, and there is only one way to stop this madness in its tracks: a quick, 9-0 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court deeming the Colorado and Maine actions unlawful. William R. Fado, Pacific Palisades .. To the editor: There is a history of wrong calls being made in holding Trump accountable for breaking the law. First, Congress made the wrong call by not removing him in early 2020 for attempted election interference, then it chickened out by not removing him for trying to overturn the election in early 2021. Keeping Trump on the ballot would be the wrong call by Newsom if there was even a sliver of a chance that Trump could win California. The judicial system cannot chicken out by kicking the can down the road or shrug off his criminal acts with, "So what? He's going to lose anyway." All eight of the Colorado judges (including the trial judge) who heard the case on ballot disqualification agreed that Trump is an insurrectionist; they just did not all agree on who could remove him from the ballot. Now, they are getting death threats. The courts must protect our voters and public servants by barring Trump from the ballot and convicting him where necessary. Fiona Carroll, Mission Viejo .. To the editor: Congress could put an end to all the controversy over Trump's status to run for the presidency by simply taking a vote to make him eligible again. It only takes a two-thirds majority. June Thompson, Los Angeles This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. If Ukraine liberates the Russian-occupied Crimea and southern territories it will protect Kherson, Mykolaiv and Odesa from direct attacks by the Russian military, while the threat to Melitopol will be significantly reduced. Thats according to the latest report by the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War published on Dec. 31. Ukraine's defense spending and challenges will also change dramatically if Ukrainian troops manage to de-occupy Crimea, the ISW experts said. Mariupol currently remains the only major frontline city in the south, which complicates the defense of the region and requires a high level of training and partially or fully mobilized Ukrainian Defense Forces, the analysts noted. Read also: Ukraine has already destroyed 20% of Russias famed Black Sea Fleet in effort to liberate Crimea The liberation of Crimea would largely eliminate the threat of Russian landing operations on Ukraine's southwestern coast, as well as the Russian missile threat to ships trying to pass through the western part of the Black Sea. Ukraines spy chief Kyrylo Budanov said on Sept. 30 that the Ukrainian Armed Forces would enter Crimea by the end of spring. However, U.S. news website Politico reported on Feb. 2, citing four senior U.S. Defense Department officials, that the Pentagon does not believe that Ukraine has or will soon have the ability to push Russian troops out of Crimea. Ukraine has already carried out commando raids on the peninsula, however. An air battle took place in Crimea on Aug. 24. Explosions were heard near the village of Mayak on Cape Tarkhankut. This is the location of Russian radar stations, where air defense positions have been installed along the perimeter. Media reports suggested that units of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine landed on the territory of Russian-occupied Crimea. This was a special operation in cooperation with the Navy. Read also: Historical achievement: Russian Black Sea Fleet flees occupied Crimea Zelenskyy President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the special operation, saying that it was too early to talk about the liberation of the peninsula. Ukrainian intelligence said in December that the forecast that Ukrainian troops would enter occupied Crimea in the summer of 2023 had come true, as the Defense Forces did indeed conduct a raid on the peninsula. 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 cargo vessel, pictured above by the US Coast Guard, was docked 2 miles off the Alaskan coast as responders attended to the fire (AP) The crew of a cargo ship off the coast of Alaska is safe after responders extinguished a lithium-ion battery fire on Sunday that burned for several days. On Thursday morning, a cargo ship carrying lithium-ion batteries from Vietnam to San Diego, California alerted the US Coast Guard of a fire in their hold, the Associated Press reports. To prevent an explosion, the crew pumped carbon dioxide into the hold and sealed it. The Coast Guard diverted the ship to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, where the crew docked two miles off the coast to ensure the fire and any toxic gases did not affect the nearby community, the AP reports. The ships owners told the AP there fire did not cause any oil leaks. No one is injured and technicians from the Salvage and Marine Firefighting team are remaining onboard to ensure another fire does not break out. This protected anchorage ... will allow the vessel toaremain stable, minimizing risk of any re-flash of the fireaas we continue our response, Captain Chris Culpepper said in the press release, per the AP. Capt Culpepper also said an investigation into the cause of the fire was being launched. January is Blood Donor Awareness Month, and one local blood center is celebrating accordingly. >>RELATED: Local blood center opens doors on New Years Eve, in urgent need of blood On Jan. 4, the Solvita Dayton Center, on 349 S. Main St., is hosting an event to celebrate National and Ohio Blood Donor Awareness Month, according to a spokesperson from the center. Solvita honors the support of donors over the past 60 years under our original name Community Blood Center and we are grateful for their continued support to Solvita Blood Center. Our shared mission, and the mission of January Blood Donor Awareness Month, is stronger than ever. Together we are saving lives, Solvita Vice President for Donor Services Tracy Morgan said. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. and Dayton Mayor Jeffrey Mims will be in attendance to help kick off the event. >>RELATED: Community Blood Center announces new name During the event, Xenia donor Larry Turner will be inducted into the Fresenius Kabi National Donor Hall of Fame class of 2023, the spokesperson said. Turner is Solvitas second-ranked donor with 805 lifetime donations. Anyone who registers to donate at any Solvita blood drive from Jan. 2 to March 2 will receive the Donor Love hoodie, while supplies last. To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call (937) 461-3220, or visit www.donortime.com. Tyre Nichols, 29, died after being brutally assaulted by police officers during a traffic stop last year. Tyre Nichols, 29, died after being brutally assaulted by police officers during a traffic stop last year. Tyre Nichols was about two minutes from his home on the night of Jan. 7, 2023, when Memphis police stopped him. Police vehicles surrounded him, and officers shouted threats and demanded he get out of his car. In the next moments, all caught on body-worn cameras, officers pulled the 29-year-old from his vehicle, then took turns punching, beating, kicking, pepper-spraying and hitting him with a stun gun as he called out for his mother. Nichols died in the hospital three days later. Demonstrations broke out across the country following Nichols death. The five officers, who were all Black, were swiftly fired from the police force; the elite tactical unit they belonged to, which specialized in street crime, was disbanded. One officer, Desmond Mills Jr., pleaded guilty to civil rights and conspiracy charges in November. The other four officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Justin Smith are still awaiting trial on murder charges and federal civil rights violations. Nearly a year after Nichols death, Memphis finds itself at a crossroads and at the center of a national debate about what police reform can or should look like. The city has a new mayor, progressive district attorney and ordinance meant to put an end to the kinds of traffic stops that preceded Nichols death. But many question whether Memphis has made, or can make, real progress. Exact Same Culture In April, the Memphis City Council passed the Driver Equality Act locals often call it the Tyre Nichols ordinance which was meant to keep police from stopping drivers for minor traffic infractions. Officers initially claimed they had pulled over Nichols for reckless driving. Under it, Memphis police are also required to make public their data about pulling over civilians and what happens when they do. Memphis police published a database before the ordinance passed, but it doesnt include all of the details required under the new mandate, such as the type of stop, type of vehicle and if some use of force was used during the encounter. But residents and activists say one ordinance alone can only change so much, especially if its not clearly enforced. We still have the exact same training, the exact same culture so why would you expect that anything would have fundamentally changed? Hunter Demster, an activist with the police reform group Decarcerate Memphis, told HuffPost. The city and the country were in such shocking dismay after Nichols was killed, he added. The fact that you cannot put any finger on any type of real change is deafening. Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis speaks during an interview on Jan. 27, 2023, in advance of the release of police bodycam video showing Nichols being beaten by Memphis Police officers. Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis speaks during an interview on Jan. 27, 2023, in advance of the release of police bodycam video showing Nichols being beaten by Memphis Police officers. Demster alleges that he personally has been pulled over multiple times for a broken taillight since the passage of the Driving Equality Act. He said he has reported traffic stops in Memphis, including his own, to the Department of Justices Civil Rights Division. And hes concerned for the drivers from marginalized communities who have historically been targeted at traffic stops. Black drivers in Memphis were disproportionately stopped between 2017 and 2021, according to Shelby County court records obtained by Decarcerate Memphis, and were twice as likely to receive multiple citations on one ticket as white drivers. Chase Madkins, a Black father in Memphis, told HuffPost he doesnt believe the new ordinance has changed policing in the city. Madkins said he was falsely arrested during a traffic stop in May. He said officers accused him of driving a stolen vehicle, which Madkins had recently purchased from an auction. Madkins alleges that an officer attempted to pull him out of the car, wrapping her arms around his neck and abdomen while he still had his seatbelt on. Madkins 2-year-old son was in the vehicle with him. I told them, You know what yall was doing is illegal. The Tyre Nichols ordinance doesnt allow for yall to do these types of stops, he told HuffPost. The officer saidhe would look into it, but he was trying to sweep it to the side. They literally detained me and were attempting to detain my son, he said. I was livid to even see them physically touching my child. Madkins case was dismissed three months later because he hadnt been driving a stolen vehicle. A Lot Of Political Chess Part of the responsibility to enforce the Driving Equality Act will fall on newly elected Memphis Mayor Paul Young. Young has publicly supported the traffic-stop ordinance. Nevertheless, activists are concerned over the mayor-elects decision to keep Cerelyn Davis, who was already a controversial figure in the city before Nichols death, in her role as police chief. Davis previously led the Red Dog unit at the Atlanta Police Department, which had a reputation for terrorizing the citys residents. She established a similar unit as leader of the Memphis Police Department: the SCORPION Unit, which stands for Street Crimes Operation to Restore Peace in Our Neighborhoods and soon gained a similar reputation. All five officers who pulled over Nichols were members of the unit, and Davis disbanded it after his death. Attorney Paul McAdoo, right, discusses with a judge the rights of media organizations to receive video and documents tied to the investigation of five officers charged Nichols' death on May 19, 2023. Attorney Paul McAdoo, right, discusses with a judge the rights of media organizations to receive video and documents tied to the investigation of five officers charged Nichols' death on May 19, 2023. These are all various different types of really aggressive police units that are hyperaggressive and over-police Black folks in urban neighborhoods, Kareem Ali, a Memphis activist who works closely with Nichols family, told HuffPost. With Tyre, it has opened up a conversation and policy change and enforced accountability in these types of police units that profile Black people while driving. Residents are also skeptical of Young for selecting Tony Armstrong, a former Memphis Police director, to handle policing issues on his transition team. In July, Armstrong chastised Black Lives Matter supporters and activists for not being concerned about Black-on-Black crime, telling a local television station, There should not be an asterisk (that) Black lives matter only when they are taken by law enforcement official. Police oversight will also fall to the office of Steve Mulroy, who became the Shelby County district attorney in September 2022. Many Memphis residents were cautiously optimistic that his election would serve as a turning point for the city after the long tenure of Amy Weirich. The DAs office immediately made some changes, includingestablishing the citys first-ever unit tasked with handling wrongful convictions something Weirich had long been against. Most recently, the unit reviewed the case of Gershun Freeman, a Black man who died in custody of the Shelby County Sheriffs Department in 2022. Nine Shelby County deputies were charged in Freemans death in September, Mulroys office announced. He has done tenfold better than past district attorneys, and I cant imagine navigating that field with the state legislator coming after you, right-wing people coming after you, left-wing people coming after you, Demster said. I think in his first year in office he has a good start, but he has a long way to go. There is a lot of political chess going on. If he does not pursue certain cases, prosecute certain cases, the state can remove him, he added, noting that Tennessees Republican governor has the right to remove a district attorney. It Should Not Be This Way Memphis had seen other high-profile shootings of citizens by police over the years, but the officers involved saw minimal repercussions. During her tenure as district attorney from 2011 to 2022, Weirich did not file charges against any officer in a case involving a civilian dying due to lethal force used by police. In 2015, then-Memphis Police Officer Connor Schilling fatally shot Darrius Stewart, a 19-year-old Black man, during a traffic stop. A grand jury did not indict Schilling; after Nichols death, Stewarts family demanded that a new grand jury be convened. Mulroys office said in February that it would review information on Stewarts case, but no movement has been made. In 2018, Martavious Banks, a Black man who was 24 at the time,was critically injured when then-Memphis Police Officer Jamarcus Jeames shot him as he ran toward his mothers home during a traffic stop. Jeames violated policy by not having his body camera operating during the shooting, and he resigned. But none of these cases caught national attention as Nichols did. The Department of Justice opened a pattern and practice investigation into the Memphis Police Department in July, which is ongoing and may take up to a year to conduct. The DOJ is investigating whetherMemphis police exhibited bias during traffic stops and participated in discriminatory policing, and could impose new guidance on officers if it determines they did. Tennessee state Rep. Justin Pearson (D) told HuffPost that Nichols shouldnt have had to die for local reform to start taking place. Mourners leave after the funeral service for Nichols at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, Feb. 1, 2023, in Memphis. Mourners leave after the funeral service for Nichols at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, Feb. 1, 2023, in Memphis. We have to remember, as we remember Tyre and so many lives lost to police brutality and racism, that was the same situation as the loss of Emmett Till. It shook the nation, he said. It should not be this way. It should not require the death of more Black people for our country to have consciousness. We do not have to wait for a tragedy to happen in order to do that work. But Memphis residents and people nationwide are still waiting for police reform at the federal level. Nichols death prompted lawmakers to discuss once again trying to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. The legislation is focused on bringing an end to tactics such as no-knock warrants and would make it easier for officers to be prosecuted for crimes against civilians; Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) said during Nichols funeral that the bill should include a Tyre Nichols duty to intervene amendment, which would require an officer or officers to intervene in a situation deemed as excessive force by one of their partners on a civilian. The original bill passed the House and has been sent to the Senate, but has not moved since March 2021. When we talk about policies and the duty to intervene, and training of officers, and all of that since George Floyd and that picked up steam after, we know those things have an impact, said Tracie Keesee, the co-founder of the Center for Policing Equity. But what you are really trying to do is disrupt a culture that turns a blind eye to those things. New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman said former President Trump is worried the Supreme Court may rule against him on recent decisions in Colorado and Maine that booted him from the 2024 ballot in those states. Haberman said during an appearance on CNN last week that while Trump largely believes the Supreme Court will rule in his favor, he is also worried that it may not. If the Supreme Court holds up the Colorado ruling, it could lead to other states removing Trump from the ballot under the Constitutions insurrection clause. They believe, generally speaking, he and his advisors, that they will have success at the Supreme Court, but he has also voiced some concern that a court that has he appointed three of the justices at the Supreme Court and gave the conservatives a supermajority he is concerned that they are going to look as if theyre trying not to rule in his favor and might rule against him, Haberman said. Related coverage from The Hill Colorado and Maine removed Trump from their 2024 ballots last month after concluding he was ineligible to run for president under the 14th Amendments insurrection clause. Both decisions are expected to be challenged by Trump and will likely end up before the Supreme Court. Its not yet clear how the high court may rule on the matter, since it has not issued a decision on the 14th Amendments insurrection clause since it was ratified in 1868. Haberman also noted that some of Trumps political advisers believe there is a political advantage to the recent decisions. We will see, but right now, this is crowding out final days of the primaries when [Trumps] rivals, who are trailing him, need to get attention, she said. And to that end, his team sees some advantage, and also, to the points made before, there are a lot of people, including some Democrats, who are criticizing these decisions, and they are amplifying that as much as they can. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. On the 25th anniversary of the initial release of The Matrix (1999) By Mark Wegierski web posted January 1, 2024 The Matrix (1999), directed by the Wachowski siblings, is possibly one of the most audacious and brilliantly rendered science fiction movies ever made. The master-premise of the movie is in some ways reminiscent of Plato's Simile of the Cave, cleverly projected into a technological setting. In a highly dystopian future, human beings are artificially grown in massive numbers to provide electric power from their bodies to a race of Artificial Intelligence entities (AIs). The Matrix is the virtual reality construct they are tranquilized with, as their bodies "feed" the machines. Ironically, the virtual reality in which the human minds dwell, is a re-creation of the world as it was in 1999. Seeing the movie for the first time is a truly mind-blowing experience, because it begins in the virtual reality setting which the first-time viewer may initially think is just a cinematic portrayal of the current-day world. The first time viewing of the movie is thus initially quite bewildering. It is also a movie of the type that greatly benefits from being seen at a movie theatre. The story centers on Neo (played by Keanu Reeves), who is said to be the One who will save humanity from their enslavement by the machines. His body and mind are disconnected from the Matrix, by the handful of human resistance fighters led by Morpheus (played by Laurence Fishburne) who live in the actual reality of the future, but continue to re-enter (or "hack into") the Matrix in order to bring more persons out of its bondage. This is clearly strongly reminiscent of Plato's writing about the Simile of the Cave, where the philosopher who apprehends the true light of wisdom must eventually return to the Cave to teach and guide the other prisoners, even if they deride him for his efforts. The Matrix is defended by the Agent programs that are virtually unkillable within the VR setting but which Neo must finally find a way to dispatch. Much of the fighting within the Matrix is done through martial arts, hand-to-hand combat, combined with "gravity-defying" flourishes. Agent Smith (played by Hugo Weaving) is one of the main villains of the movie. The movie has an incredible aesthetic of "hyper-coolness" -- Neo dressed in a black trench coat with dark sunglasses, floating ballet-like through the air, and spraying machine-gun fire at the soldier-minions of the Matrix from an Uzi-like snub-nosed SMG. What some have criticized as the "fascist" (or at least, "fascistic") aesthetic of the movie probably made it necessary for the directors to show the forces of the human resistance as highly multicultural and rather "counter-cultural", while the minions of the Matrix are all white males and "conservative"-looking. This may admittedly be somewhat annoying to some more conservative-minded viewers of the movie. The main heroine of the movie is Trinity (played by Carrie-Anne Moss), who is a highly capable fighter in her own right, and adds a certain aesthetic appeal in her black leather get-up. There is also a traitor within the group of embattled human fighters, Cypher (played by Joe Pantoliano), who is sick of the dreary real world of the future (for example, the awful food), and longs to get plugged back into the Matrix, where he can, among other things, enjoy "real steak". All that remains of humanity in the actual future lives in a geo-thermally-powered underground city near the core of the Earth, called "Zion" as well as in the hovercraft ships that course through the vast old sewer systems below the surface of the planet. The Sun has been "scorched" by humanity itself in an attempt to deprive the AIs of their earlier main energy-source. One of the main bases of the appeal of the movie has been how it combined elements from various types of earlier movies such as so-called kung-fu fighting, and incredible computer-generated special effects, into a new, seamlessly blended whole. The scene where Neo is jolted from his suspended animation, and beholds the seemingly unending black towers of the physical structure of the Matrix, is truly amazing. The scene where the crops of human embryos are growing under the supervision of the machines is truly Boschean a classic of science fiction/horror imagery. The scenes of the AI Sentinels (huge, spider-like mechanical monsters) attacking the hovercraft ship are also suitably chilling. The sequences of the hand-to-hand martial arts fighting are amazing in their inventiveness and ingenuity and clearly required extensive and laborious choreography. Also, the movie's dialogue was exceptionally well-written, which, along with the actors' superb delivery, breathed life into statements that might have otherwise sounded rather sententious. There is some question whether the movie fits rather easily into a quasi-Marxist typology of describing our contemporary world referencing, of course, to the concept of "false consciousness". The prevalence of this so-called "false consciousness" is said to explain why most people continue to believe in capitalism, despite the obvious rationality of Marxist thought. Some critics also suggested that the movie was animated by quasi-Gnostic concepts, that is, denouncing the "falseness" of the physical world, and pointing to salvation purely by mystical insight beyond the so-called "false reality". It may be remembered that orthodox Christianity, while to some extent renouncing the world, did not in fact entirely curse the physical world. The soundtrack of the movie, which consists largely of the music of groups of well-known left-radical provenance such as the (particularly aptly titled) Rage Against the Machine might point to the movie's easy identification with quasi-Marxist ideas. Certainly, some of the critiques voiced by Morpheus about the nature of the Matrix have a Marxist tinge. Some critics have also noted that a movie that albeit at a very superficial level appears to glorify "terrorist" activity, could be seen as rather inappropriate in a post-9/11 world. Nevertheless, there was also extensive comment drawn to the fact that the logo of Silver Pictures (the main producer of the movie) which appears after the credits, was a stylized cross. The movie can certainly be considered more genuinely trans-ideological, than, for example, V for Vendetta (2006), based on the comic book by Alan Moore and David Lloyd, for which the Wachowski siblings wrote the script. The Matrix movie can also be well contextualized by reference to various current-day subcultures, such as so-called "computer geeks" who partially overlap with "computer hackers" some of whom call themselves "cyberpunks" after the well-known science fiction subgenre of which this movie itself has become a paradigmatic example. "Cyberpunk" is also the name of a current-day popular musical subgenre, which emphasizes so-called industrial and electronic effects. One item often cited as symbolizing today's cyberpunk culture is a black leather, metal-studded, pencil protector! Among the initial defining works of cyberpunk in written form was William Gibson's Neuromancer (1984) where the term "cyberspace" was first coined. It is said that one of the biggest appeals of cyberpunk was to make "computer geeks" finally feel "cool". It may also be remembered that 1999 was probably the height of the so-called high-tech boom, when people sometimes termed as "computer geeks" were lauded as virtual Masters of the Universe. The writer of this review would like to suggest a less-overtly Marxist, somewhat more "trans-ideological" way to interpret what the movie may be trying to say about the contemporary world. Various critics whether nominally of the Left or Right have pointed to an all-pervasive mass media as one of the defining characteristics of life today. The mass media today typically upholds both the commodity-consumption society and "political-correctness" which together can be characterized as constituting "the managerial-therapeutic regime". This could be viewed as a systemic "matrix" or grid from which genuine community is excluded. Those who go on today about the "white, patriarchal power structure" are, it could be argued, hopelessly trapped in nineteenth-century perspectives. The threat of the current-day system to true human flourishing is clearly of a different sort, which can be approximately suggested by a careful reading of Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. Those who write with thoughtfulness and clarity about the current-day system can be seen as the real cutting-edge of resistance to so-called "late modernity". Probably for the first time in history, ideas can, at least in theory, be widely circulated (through the Internet) without regard to any so-called "gate-keepers". However, the extent of conditioning by mass media and mass education would tend to prevent the possible appeal of many worthwhile arguments. Ironically, it could also be argued that various imaginative movies, insofar as they inspire virtual cults of fans that increasingly obsess inwardly about a given movie or series of movies, actually have an effect of "de-politicizing" people. In some senses therefore, The Matrix movie could itself be considered as part of the current-day mass media "matrix". Apart from those in the general movie-going public who saw The Matrix as two hours of sci-fi fun, the movie can serve either as just another obsessive attachment for some of the more intelligent parts of the populace, or the beginning of a more genuine resistance to the current day world by persons who are intelligent but also more reflective. The Matrix, of course, became part of a trilogy of movies, Matrix Reloaded (2003), and Matrix Revolutions (2003). The two successive installments have been considered as somewhat weaker than the first, most highly inspired movie. The long-awaited fourth installment Matrix Resurrections appeared in 2021. Mark Wegierski is a Toronto-based writer and historical researcher, as well as science fiction and film aficionado. Home WILLARD, Ohio (WJW) A man is behind bars after a shooting and police standoff in Willard on New Years Day. The shooting happened around 7:50 a.m. Monday on the 600 block of Fink Street, according to a press release from the Willard Police Department. First Powerball Jackpot of 2024 nears record highs A woman told police she was shot in the leg. She was taken to Mercy Health Willard Hospital by Willard Fire and EMS. Her condition is unknown at this time, according to the release. According to the release, the suspect fled from the scene but was still armed at the time. Police were told the suspect was at a relatives home on the 200 block of South West Avenue fust after 8:20 a.m. That is when Willard police, the Huron County Sheriffs Officer and the Ohio State Highway Patrol set up a perimeter around the home. Ohio Turnpike: Toll rate increases start today According to the release, several family members left the home but the suspect stayed inside. At 10:50 a.m., the suspect surrendered to police and was taken to the Huron County Jail. This shooting and standoff situation is still under investigation For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. FOREST CITY, SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A man is facing multiple charges after police seized multiple marijuana plants. On December 31, The Forest City Police Department said they began an investigation into an alleged marijuana growing operation at a home on the 700 block of Delaware Street. Man facing charges after alleged shooting in Monroe County A search of the house by police found two specialized marijuana grow tents containing 27 live marijuana plants which were then seized by police. Police say 44-year-old Forest City resident Christopher Walter Sklanka is facing multiple charges, including manufacturing controlled substances and other offenses. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. A man was found dead in South Kansas City from apparent gunshot wounds Sunday night, police said. Kansas City Police were called to the intersection of 107th Street and Oakland Avenue around 9 p.m. on New Years Eve after passerby saw the man on the ground with unknown injuries. Police located the victim, described as an adult man. He was declared dead on the scene and, police said, investigation indicated that he appeared to have been shot. As of Sunday night police were processing the scene. They did not provide any information about suspects or possible circumstances surrounding the shooting. The mans death marked the 185th homicide in Kansas City in 2023 according to data kept by The Star. The year was Kansas Citys deadliest on record. Police are asking anyone with information to call detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477. A man was taken to the hospital after being shot at a Louisville Waffle House on New Year's Day. Louisville Metro Police officers were called to the Waffle House in the 10500 block of Dixie Highway Monday around 12:25 p.m. where they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds, according to a release from LMPD. The man, who was alert and conscious, was taken to University Hospital with what appear to be non-life threatening injuries. A person at the scene was detained and there is no threat to the public, according to LMPD. More: LMPD launches death investigation after finding man dead in Park Hill home "Detectives are working to determine the relationship between the parties involved and what led up to this incident," the release stated. The departments non-fatal shooting unit is investigating the incident, the unit's third investigation of the day. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Man shot at Dixie Highway Waffle House on New Year's Day A man was shot in the early hours of New Year's Day near several businesses in the Highlands neighborhood. Louisville Metro Police officers responded to the 900 block of Baxter Ave. at about 1:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 1. When officers arrived, they found a man who had been shot in the foot. He was taken to University Hospital with what appears to be non-life threatening injuries, according to a release from LMPD. More: LMPD: Suspect in custody after striking police vehicles near Outer Loop Walmart Officers later responded to the 3200 block of Utah Ave. at about 7 a.m. after a woman was shot. She was also taken to University Hospital with what appear to be non-life threatening injuries. Both cases are being investigated by the department's non-fatal shooting unit. There were no known suspects at the time of the department's releases. Anyone with information is asked to call LMPD's anonymous tip line at 502-574-LMPD. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Man shot in the Highlands early New Year's Day PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) Police in Prince Georges County are investigating after a man was shot and killed in the early hours of 2024. Officers said they responded to reports of a shooting in the 2900 block of Brinkley Rd. at around 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 1. Police investigate fatal shooting in Prince Georges County At the scene, they found a man suffering apparent gunshot wounds outside a building. The man was taken to hospital where he later died. Detectives said they were working to establish suspects and a motive in this case. Police asked anyone with information regarding this case to submit a tip using the P3 Tips app. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. A man suspected of shooting and killing his brother over the weekend was arrested after running away from an urgent care center in Fontana, authorities said Monday. Fontana police officers and deputies responded to Dignity Health Urgent Care on Sierra Lakes Parkway in Fontana at about 4:30 p.m. Saturday to investigate an assault with a deadly weapon report. Upon arriving, authorities found 20-year-old Tyler Monfort of Jurupa Valley seated inside a parked vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound. Monfort, who investigators believe was shot by his brother Christian Monfort, was pronounced dead at the scene, the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department stated in a news release. The brothers and a friend had been sitting in a vehicle at an off-road trail in the Lytle Creek area within San Bernardino County when for unknown reasons Christian Monfort, 21, fired a gun and struck Tyler. The friend drove the brothers to the care center to get medical aid for Tyler but Christian fled the vehicle on foot when they arrived, the Sheriffs Department stated. He was located at a nearby business with the gun still in his possession, the news release stated. While on the run, he allegedly threatened an employee of a nearby business with the firearm. New Years party shooting leaves 2 dead, 8 injured in downtown Los Angeles Christian Monfort was arrested and booked on suspicion of murder. Anyone with further information was asked to call Detective Michael Roth, Specialized Investigations Division at 909-890-4904. Callers can remain anonymous and contact We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. There are a number of flights under $100 out of San Antonio International Airport in January. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News If you made a New Years resolution to do more traveling in 2024, you have several cheap flight options to choose from out of San Antonio International Airport. The flights listed below are one-way and cost under $100. They are either nonstop or require one stop. Travelers should always double-check prices in case there are additional fees for checked bags or specific seats. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone feeling sick or experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness should wear a mask while traveling or, even better, delay a trip. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cheapest choices Some of the least expensive ticket offerings out of San Antonio this month are to Florida. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Travelers itching to visit the beach can get to Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 17 for $30. The Spirit Airlines flight is nonstop. Spirit also has a nonstop flight to Miami the same day for $30. Frontier has a nonstop option to Orlando for $50 on Jan. 11. Anyone who wants to visit the beach on the West Coast can hop on a nonstop Spirit flight to Los Angeles on Jan. 10 for $54. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Additional options Those who dont care for the a sandy vacation can jet away to New York on a Spirit flight for $67 on Jan. 24. The flight includes a stopover in Florida. American Airlines also has a Jan. 24 option for $79, travelers can get to Seattle. The flight includes is a stop in Phoenix. Spirit has a $58 flight to Chicago on Jan. 24. There is one stop in Florida. Travelers looking to see a snow-capped mountain can get to Denver on a nonstop Frontier flight on Jan. 28 for $50. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For those who think their new year is coming with good luck, Frontier has a nonstop flight to Las Vegas on Jan. 28 for $60. A man in Marion County is in critical condition after being shot by deputies, the Marion County Sheriffs Office said. Deputies responded to the 2200 block of SW 19th Avenue Road just after noon Sunday, in reference to an adult male firing a gun both inside and outside his home. Read: Orlando police investigate after unidentified remains found in pond in Osceola County According to MCSO, a long standoff followed as negotiators worked on a peaceful resolution. Then the man exited the home firing more rounds into the air according to MCSO. Read: Person in vehicle shoots 3 people inside another vehicle in Orlando, police say The man pointed his firearm towards deputies and thats when he was shot, MCSO said. The man was taken to a local hospital in serious condition. Read: Tour helicopter collides with drone in Daytona Beach As standard practice, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has been called in to investigate. MCSO said all deputies involved in the shooting will be on paid, administrative leave while the investigation is underway. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Republican firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene has called for a tax revolt in California, following the announcement of ambitious plans to expand health-care for low-income immigrants in the state. The Georgia congresswoman blasted the plans as treason and suggested that such a revolt was necessary to solve the problem. As of Monday, more than 700,000 immigrants living illegally in California will gain access to free health care through the states Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal, after legislation was approved in May. Ms Greene is one of many Republicans who would rather see funding channelled into security at the US-Mexico border. Writing on X/Twitter several days before the expansion came into effect, Ms Greene said: A tax revolt would solve this problem in California. From her professional account, she later added: Its treason. No other way to say it. And now California is going to give illegals free healthcare, but nothing is free, the California taxpayers have to pay for it. Its treason. No other way to say it. And now California is going to give illegals free healthcare, but nothing is free, the California taxpayers have to pay for it. The border crisis is the top issue and I want to impeach but cant get the votes. Would a tax revolt stop it? https://t.co/aVdAMCHxQI Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) December 30, 2023 The border crisis is the top issue and I want to impeach but cant get the votes. Would a tax revolt stop it? It is estimated that the effort will eventually cost California about $3.1bn per year and inches the state closer to Democrats goal of providing universal health care to its roughly 39 million residents. The new update will be Californias largest health care expansion since the 2014 implementation of former President Barack Obamas Affordable Care Act, which allowed states to include adults who fall below 138% of the federal poverty level in their Medicaid programs. The state first extended health care benefits to low-income children without legal status in 2015 and later added the benefits for young adults and people over the age of 50. Mondays expansion will see the last remaining group, adults ages 26 to 49, eligible also. State officials said more than 700,000 people will gain full health coverage allowing them to access preventative care and other treatment. Weve had this asterisk based on immigration status, said Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California, a consumer advocacy group. Just from the numbers point of view, this is a big deal. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) The Disney icon Mickey Mouse has waltzed on into the public domain or at least, a version of him has. On Jan. 1, 2024, thousands of copyrighted works from 1928 became public domain in the United States, meaning they are free for everyone to copy, share or use to build upon. Among those works is the first iteration of Mickey Mouse, otherwise known as Steamboat Willie. What do snow plow drivers do when there is no snow? The black-and-white classic animation is the first feature showing what would become the iconic Mickey and Minnie Mouse. There are still caveats to using the Steamboat Willie and associated characters of course. Duke University Center for the Study of the Public Domain Director Jennifer Jenkins, who writes an annual Jan. 1 column for Public Domain Day, explained that Disney still owns Mickey Mouses copyright as well as the trademarks for Mickey as a brand identifier. So long as you dont use the mouse in a way that makes people think your work is made or sponsored by Disney and you dont use any newer versions of Mickey, youre in the clear. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now ABC4 Breaking News Alerts Ever since Mickey Mouses first appearance in the 1928 short film Steamboat Willie, people have associated the character with Disneys stories, experiences, and authentic products, a Disney spokesperson said in a statement to the Associated Press. That will not change when the copyright in the Steamboat Willie film expires. Current artists and creators will be able to make use of Mickey but with major limits. It is only the more mischievous, rat-like, non-speaking 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, Disneys statement said. 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 isnt the only iconic character that now belongs to the public for free use either. According to Jenkins, A.A. Milnes House at Pooh Corner entered the public domain, which introduced Winnie the Poohs loveable bouncy, trouncy, flouncy and pouncy friend Tigger. The Pooh Bear himself entered public domain in 2022, and has since starred in an R-rated horror slasher film. A sequel to Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey is reportedly in the works and set to be released later in 2024, with the cast including a role for Tigger. 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. Jenkins said the public domain should be celebrated as a wellspring for creativity In the United States. Copyright culture only reaches the public domain after a long wait in the case of Steamboat Willie, for example, it took 95 years. When works go into the public domain, they can be legally shared, without permission or fee, Jenkins said. Community theaters can screen the films. Youth orchestras can perform the music publicly, without paying licensing fees. Jenkins said the whole point of copyright is to promote creativity and the public domain plays a central role in that. As more work enters the public domain, other creatives can reimagine previous works creating new movies, cartoons, books, plays, video games and music based on those works. The Associated Press contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. NEW YORK After New York City moved last week to slow the pace of migrant-filled charter buses from Southern states, roughly a dozen buses have arrived outside the city in New Jersey since Saturday, according to officials. The wave of buses west of New York City, which continued Monday morning, appears to represent a response by Republican-led Texas to an executive order implemented by Mayor Eric Adams barring migrant buses from the city except during 210-minute windows on weekday mornings. Over the weekend, about 10 migrant buses that originated in Texas and one bus that came from Louisiana arrived in New Jersey municipalities including Edison, Fanwood, Secaucus and Trenton, according to the government of Jersey City. About 400 people arrived on those buses, said Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop. Its the first time that buses have arrived in New Jersey. The buses are looking to circumvent that rule, Fulop, a Democrat, said by phone, referring to New York Citys executive order. The Secaucus Junction Train Station, which is located less than four miles from Midtown Manhattan, has served as a primary drop-off point for the migrant buses. Four buses arrived at the station on Saturday, according to the Town of Secaucus. Two more arrived early Monday, said Town Administrator Gary Jeffas. Migrants who arrived at the station then traveled to New York City by train, according to Secaucus officials. Mayor Michael Gonnelli said in a statement that it seems quite clear the bus operators are finding a way to thwart the requirements of the Executive Order by dropping migrants at the train station in Secaucus and having them continue to their final destination. The bus arrivals seemed to generally be centered on New Jersey Transit stations. A spokesman for Gov. Phil Murphy, Tyler Jones, said in a statement Monday that New Jersey is primarily being used as a transit point for these families all or nearly all of them continued with their travels en route to their final destination of New York City. Jones added that New Jersey is coordinating with New York on the arrivals. At least one town said it would not cooperate with transfers. The Edison Township mayor, Sam Joshi, said in a Sunday statement that if any bus, train or plane of illegal migrants come to Edison, I have instructed our law enforcement and emergency management departments to charter a bus to transport the illegal migrants right back to the southern Texas/Mexican border. Texas, strained by a surge in migrant border crossings in recent years, claims to have sent more than 33,000 migrants to New York City since mid-2022. The effort has made Texas one of the drivers of the citys migrant crisis. Overall, more than 160,000 migrants have arrived in New York City since spring 2022, according to Adams office. Many of the migrants, fleeing poverty and political upheaval in South America, have voluntarily headed to New York, apparently aware that the city has a unique rule promising shelter for anyone who asks for it. Still, Texas appears to be intensifying its busing effort: the states tally of migrants shipped to New York jumped by about 8,000 last month. Adams, a Democrat, has repeatedly laced into Texas Republican governor, Greg Abbott, accusing Texas of mistreating the migrants and failing to communicate on its busing efforts with New York. The mayor has described Abbott as an anti-American governor and a global embarrassment. Adams spokeswoman Kayla Mamelak said in a statement Monday that the new executive order is intended to ensure the safety and well-being of both migrants and city staff receiving them. But instead of joining us in treating human beings humanely, Texas Governor Greg Abbott continues to treat asylum seekers like political pawns, and is instead now dropping families off in surrounding cities and states in the cold, dark of night with train tickets to travel to New York City, said the statement. Abbotts office did not not immediately respond to requests for comment on New Jersey-bound migrant buses. The office said last week that it had also sent more than 28,000 migrants to Chicago and more than 12,000 to Washington, D.C., since summer 2022. Louisiana is led by a Democrat, Gov. John Bel Edwards. His office did not immediately reply to a request for comment for this story. The New Jersey busing move appears to mirror a similar workaround Texas has used in Chicago, where officials have also limited when asylum seeker-filled charter buses can arrive. Chicagos Democratic mayor, Brandon Johnson, said in a news conference with Adams last week that some rogue buses have arrived in neighborhoods as far reaching as an hour and a half outside of the City of Chicago buses sent by the governor of Texas literally dropping families off in the middle of nowhere. Chicago has a broader window for when migrant buses are allowed to arrive in the city: from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. New York Citys window lasts from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Both Adams and Johnson have maintained that their rules are intended to create a more orderly system for receiving migrants not to prevent asylum seekers from coming to their cities altogether. New York Citys new rules also require migrant buses to arrive at city-approved locations, and to provide 32 hours notice before arriving in the city. _______ After New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) restricted bus arrivals last week in an effort to curb a surge of migrants, bus operators appear to have found a loophole by dropping migrants off at a New Jersey train station from which they can continue on into the city. Under an executive order announced last week, Adams is requiring bus operators who are aware they are transporting migrants with fares paid for by a third party to provide the city with notice at least 32 hours ahead of their anticipated arrival. However, New Jersey officials say bus drivers have found a way around the new restrictions by dropping off the migrants at Secaucus Junction Train Station about a 15-minute ride from New York City. Tyler Jones, a spokesperson from New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphys (D) office, said bus operators are also dropping off migrants at train stations throughout the state. Our Administration has tracked the recent arrival of a handful buses of migrant families at various NJ TRANSIT train stations, Jones said in a statement to The Hill. New Jersey is primarily being used as a transit point for these families all or nearly all of them continued with their travels en route to their final destination of New York City. We are closely coordinating with our federal and local partners on this matter, including our colleagues across the Hudson, he added. New York City has been inundated by arrivals of migrants over the last year, with the mayors office saying the city has taken in more than 160,000 asylum-seekers so far. Adams has repeatedly called on the federal government to assist the city, saying that the influx is too much for it to handle. Republican-led states have been busing migrants to Democratic-led cities over the past year as the country grapples with how to deal with the migrant crisis. Adamss executive order last week aimed to limit the number of bus arrivals in the city from states such as Texas and Florida. Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli suggested that the restrictions placed by Adams may be too strict. It seems quite clear the bus operators are finding a way to thwart the requirements of the Executive Order by dropping migrants at the train station in Secaucus and having them continue to their final destination, Gonnelli said in a statement. Perhaps the requirements Mayor Adams put in place are too stringent and are resulting in unexpected consequences as it seems the bus operators have figured out a loophole in the system in order to ensure the migrants reach their final destination, which is New York City, Gonnelli added. A spokesperson for New York City Hall blasted Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) for continuing to bus migrants to the city in a statement to The Hill. The spokesperson said New York City is also encouraging other cities in the nearby area to take similar executive action like Adams did. But instead of joining us in treating human beings humanely, Texas Governor Greg Abbott continues to treat asylum seekers like political pawns, and is instead now dropping families off in surrounding cities and states in the cold, dark of night with train tickets to travel to New York City, just like he has been doing in Chicago in response to their similar executive order, the spokesperson said. This is exactly why we have been coordinating with surrounding cities and counties since before issuing our order to encourage them to take similar executive action to protect migrants against this cruelty, the spokesperson added. The Hill has reached out to Abbotts office for comment. Updated at 2:31 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. For some time, holds on military confirmations appeared destined to send the services into the new year without confirmed chiefs. Last fall, as four of the five Defense Department services and the Joint Chiefs of Staff prepared to welcome new leaders, a Republican senator from Alabama, Tommy Tuberville, was six months into his hold on senior military confirmations in protest of a Pentagon policy that allows paid leave and covers travel for reproductive health care access for service members. It took until Nov. 2 for all four services and the Joint Chiefs to have new leadership confirmed, all of whom have been vice chiefs performing the role of two four-stars for weeks to months. For the Army, Gen. Randy George was confirmed as the services chief of staff. The Army is doing a great job meeting all of our requirements globally, George told Military Times in September. I want us to continually look at how we get better at managing home station training, [operational tempo], and transformation so units have the appropriate time to meet their requirements and get the time they need to rest, refit, and stay connected with their families. On the Navy side, Adm. Lisa Franchettis confirmation made her the first woman to serve as chief of naval operations. The work of our Navy continues undisrupted and unabated, she wrote in a message to the fleet as she awaited confirmation. During this leadership transition, our core identity as sailors remains unchanged. We are forged by the sea and connected to each other through our core values of honor, courage, and commitment. Air Force Gen. David Allvin, meanwhile, took over the services chief of staff post from Gen. CQ Brown, who was named the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. My wife, Gina, and I are humbled by this opportunity, and we are eager to continue to serve our Air Force, our airmen and their families, Allvin said in a statement after his promotion. Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith spent more than two months as his services acting commandant, receiving his official promotion in late September. Another month would elapse before his vice commandant was confirmed, a time during which Smith suffered a heart attack. Nobody should feel bad for me, he told reporters Sept. 6. I make plenty of money, and nobody usually yells at me, so thats good. But it is not a sustainable thing when the last thing you do is flip your computer off at 11:30 at night and youre getting up at 5 oclock in the morning. A teenage Chinese exchange student who authorities say was the victim of an international online kidnapping scheme has been rescued after nearly freezing to death in a tent outside Salt Lake City. Authorities say Kai Zhuang, 17, ran away from his host home Dec. 28 after cybercriminals convinced him his family in China was being threatened. His family told police they had paid a $80,000 ransom after Zhuang sent them a photo indicating he was being held against his will. Investigators announced Sunday that they had found him alone and "very cold and scared" in a snowy canyon northeast of the city and released helicopter and drone video showing them evacuating Zhuang and taking down his tent. Temperatures while he was gone had dipped below freezing. This photograph of Chinese exchange student Kai Zhuang, 17, was released by police after he disappeared from his host family's house near Salt Lake City, Utah. Zhuang's disappearance drew international headlines, but authorities now say it appears someone tricked him into running away to force his family to pay ransom. "We believed the victim was isolating himself at the direction of the cyberkidnappers in a tent," police said. Investigators said they're working with the FBI and Chinese Embassy to find the kidnappers. "The victim had no heat source inside the tent, only a heat blanket, a sleeping bag, limited food and water, and several phones that were presumed to be used to carry out the cyberkidnapping," the Riverdale Police Department said in a statement Sunday. "The victim only wanted to speak to his family to ensure they were safe and requested a warm cheeseburger, both of which were accomplished on the way back to Riverdale Police Department." Missing foreign exchange student Kai Zhuang was found alive and returned to family, Riverdale, Utah, police announced Dec.31, 2023. Police in a different Utah city said they had found Zhuang with camping gear on Dec. 20, got concerned because the weather was cold and took him back to his host family. He didn't tell them he was already being controlled by the online kidnappers, police said. When his family in China contacted his school in Utah last Thursday, police quickly discovered his camping gear was missing from his host home and tracked his cellphone to the Brigham Canyon area. They then launched an extensive search using helicopters and drones while an investigator hiked up the canyon. "Riverdale Police Det. Sgt. (Derek) Engstrom hiked on foot up the mountainside, and came across the victim's tent in a wooded area," Riverdale police said. "Sergeant Engstrom contacted the victim inside the tent found he was alive, but very cold, and scared. The victim was relieved to see police." Missing foreign exchange student Kai Zhuang was found alive and returned to family, Riverdale, Utah, police announced Dec. 31, 2023. Investigators said Zhuang's case represents a growing type of scam in which cybercriminals targeting exchange students, particularly Chinese exchange students, contact the student and their family separately, persuade the student that their family is being threatened, and force them to take photos indicating they have been kidnapped. The cybercriminals then use those photos to trick the family into paying ransom, police said. "The cyberkidnappers continue to extort the family by using fear, tactics, photos, and voice recordings of the victim, leading the family to believe the kidnappers are with the victim causing them harm," Riverdale police said. This kind of online kidnapping is a more sophisticated form of virtual kidnapping pioneered in part by Mexican prison inmates who trick wealthy Americans into paying ransoms. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Exchange student found in Utah while police look for cyber kidnappers Chris Alderete, owner of The Rose Boutique, is pictured at her business Friday. Alderete, a veteran of politics, end-of-life arrangements and religious media, encourages people to open their eyes to new possibilities. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Imelda Ornelas adds the finishing touches on an arrangement Friday at The Rose Boutique in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Colorful carnations are seen in buckets ready to be used Friday at The Rose Boutique. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Imelda Ornelas, left, and Selene Guillen, right, work on orders Friday at The Rose Boutique. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Selene Guillen carries buckets of flowers to trim out of the refrigerator Friday at The Rose Boutique. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Imelda Ornelas performs a self-described a magic trick, turning white flowers lavender, on Friday at The Rose Boutique. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Imelda Ornelas adds the finishing touches on an arrangement Friday at The Rose Boutique. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Selene Guillen adjusts the petals on flowers as she trims stems on Friday at The Rose Boutique. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News In the spring of 1968, Chris Alderete was a senior ready to graduate from Incarnate Word High School when she had an eye-opening experience. A priest tasked the class with an eye-opening assignment visit churches of different denominations and write what they saw and felt at each place of worship. Alderete had never been to another church. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She was shocked to hear joyous, from-the-heart singing in the Baptist church, unlike her quiet Catholic Masses. At the Jewish temple, she found a kinship among congregants who welcomed her. The pastor at the Protestant church shared his view of world events in his homily, unlike her priests sermons. At the dawn of a new year, Alderete still remembers the experience that taught her to open her eyes and always look at things from the other side. Every day is a new beginning, she said. You want to live your life like its meaningful and make the most of each day. About the author A 22-year veteran of the Air Force, Vincent T. Davis embarked on a second career as a journalist and found his calling. Observing and listening across San Antonio, he finds intriguing tales to tell about everyday people. He shares his stories with Express-News subscribers every Monday morning. Among blooms, blossoms and bouquets, Alderete shared the impact of that life lesson at The Rose Boutique, her floral shop near Woodlawn Lake. She works with her team: Gloria Villagran, Angelica Lopez, Imelda Ornales, Millie Leal and manager Joseph Leal. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Some customers call the shop a place of peace. The title resonates during a time of year when 60% of the work is preparing arrangements for funerals. Its a time when Alderete relies on all shes learned to help those grieving the loss of friends and loved ones. Alderete and her team fill orders at the building in sight of a tranquil place the lakes casting pond, where the water reflects light and shadows. Anglers of all ages cast fishing lines in the larger body of water rounded by joggers, walkers and cyclists. That wasnt always the case. Her husband, Joe Alderete Jr., who served as District 7 councilman from 1977 to 1985, worked with the City Council to clean the lake and its park. Residents are drawn to the scenic 62 acres each day. Its our community, she said. I learned from my husband how that lake has made a difference. The San Antonio native entered the world of palliative care at Christus Santa Rosa Hospital. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While working in the accounting office, her boss reassigned her to manage the emergency rooms. From the early 1970s to 1981, she learned much about life and not taking a day for granted. For close to two decades, Alderete served as a hospice administrator and home health care professional. You have to be there for people in their time of need, she said. You have to be almost Christ-like. For 4 years, Alderete and senior advocate Doris Griffin hosted Live Longer and Love It, an informational television show on Catholic Television of San Antonio for older residents. She really cares about people, Griffin said. Weve been friends for years. I love her and her husband. She loves people and has spent most of her life helping others. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While serving as president of the San Antonio Metropolitan Ministries (SAMMinistries) board of directors, the nonprofit faced a controversial city issue: Neighbors protested against building transitional housing on Blanco Road near Oblate Drive. She recalled that the Sunday before the zoning change request to the city took place, local churches banded together and faxed letters of support to the City Council. The measure passed, offering families without homes a chance to change their lives with dignity. For three consecutive years, Alderete was chair of the Port San Antonio board of directors, part of a 14-year-appointment. Their mission is to look to the future. She said their work resulted in robotics, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence jobs and building the Boeing Center, a $74 million facility on the Southwest Side. In 2022, the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce honored her contributions to the city with the Legacy Award in a tribute to women business leaders. There have been ups and downs in the Alderetes' lives. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Their daughter Clarissa died at 18 months old. Each year, Alderete buys angel figurines for family members to place on their Christmas trees in memory of her daughter. A park on the West Side bears Clarissas name. You never want your loved one to be forgotten, Alderete said. When you lose a child, you dont heal. You cope. And what helps you cope are those memories. Politics has played a part in her life. Her daughter Marina Alderete Gavito is councilwoman of District 7, the district once led by her husband. Alderete often meets with a group she fondly calls the Political Divas." She said the members are professional women in the prime of their lives who advocate for change and a better future for San Antonio. She seeks guidance from a higher power, especially in a politically divided nation. As the new year begins, Alderete believes there are ways to bring opposing sides together without judgment. One way is something shes clung to from her last high school assignment learning from other people. BRIGHAM CITY, Utah (ABC4) A missing and endangered 17-year-old Chinese foreign exchange student has been located and returned to his family, according to Riverdale City Police. Kai Zhuang had been reported as kidnapped on Dec. 28 after his parents in China received a ransom demand for his safe return. The parents contacted school officials in his host city of Riverdale, where police said even the family he had been staying with did not know he was missing. READ NEXT What is cyber kidnapping and how to stay safe Tonight, Riverdale Police say that after a hunt that included multiple counties and even the FBI, Zhuang was found in a tent on a mountainside near Brigham City. Police said Zhuang was very cold and scared, and relived to see police. Theyre calling his disappearance a cyber kidnapping. Cyber Kidnapping Zhuangs host family in Riverdale told police he had been home the night prior to his disappearance, and they hadnt noticed anything out of the ordinary. While they had heard him moving in the early morning hours on Dec. 28, theyd had no reason for concern. While original police reports stated that it was possible Zhuang had been forcefully kidnapped, they stated in tonights press release that this had not been the case. In fact, Zhuang left the house on his own. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now ABC4 Breaking News Alerts Meanwhile, Riverdale Police were teaming up with the FBI and the U.S. and Chinese embassies to find out more information. Investigators learned that Zhuangs family had transferred around $80,000 to bank accounts in China after receiving threats from the kidnappers. The family had also received a photo of Zhuang, and it appeared he was being held captive and was in danger, according to Riverdale Police. The FBI briefed investigators on several other recent similar cases they were referring to as cyber kidnappings, in which kidnappers target foreign exchange students. Chinese exchange students have been a specific target in these cases. The kidnappers threaten both the family back in China and the student in their host country by telling each that the other is in danger. They demand ransom from the family while telling the student to isolate themselves, monitoring them via cell phone, including Facetime and/or Skype sessions. They convince the victim to take actions such as taking a photograph that makes it look like theyve been held captive. The victims comply out of fear that their families will be harmed if they dont comply with the cyber kidnappers, said the Riverdale Police press release. The cyber kidnappers continue to extort the family by using fear tactics, photos and voice recordings of the victim, leading the family to believe the kidnappers are with the victim, causing them harm. The search and rescue Riverdale Police said their investigation started with warrants for phone records, bank accounts, and transportation companies. Police looked at neighborhood surveillance footage to try to establish a timeline. On Dec. 20, Provo Police reported they had met Zhuang attempting to go camping nearby, but they were worried for his safety and arranged to have him taken back to Riverdale. Though Zhuang did not tell Provo Police at the time, investigators say he was already being manipulated by the cyber kidnappers. However, when Riverdale Police began their investigation on Dec. 28, they searched his host familys home and could not locate the camping gear Zhuang had with him when he was found by Provo officers. Police later tracked Zhuang to the Brigham City area after analyzing purchases, looking at phone records and by pinging his phone. We believed the victim was isolating himself at the direction of the cyber kidnappers in a tent, stated Riverdale Police. Due to the cold weather in Utah at this time of year, we became additionally concerned for the victims safety in that he may freeze to death overnight. In fact, Zhuang had no heat source in the tent when he was found. He was located as drones from Weber County and the Utah DPS Aero Bureau began searching for his campsite. A Riverdale Police detective eventually found Zhuang in his tent in a wooded area in Brigham City canyon. Zhuang was cleared of any potential medical dangers, including hypothermia. He only wanted to speak to his family to make sure they were safe and requested a warm cheeseburger. What should you do? Riverdale Police say that if you are approached by cyber kidnappers, you should not give them any money and you should contact authorities immediately while stopping all communication with the criminals. I want foreign exchange students to know they can trust police to protect them and to work with police to ensure their safety as well as their familys safety abroad, said Riverdale Police Chief Casey Warren. Investigators are continuing their search for the cyber kidnappers. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. UPDATE Jan. 1, 6 p.m.: The Sacramento County Sheriffs Office said that the teenager was located safe and sound. (FOX40.COM) The Sacramento and El Dorado County Sheriffs Offices are searching for a teen reported missing on Saturday. According to the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office, Rachaelle Bollinger is considered to be at risk. Bollinger, 16, is 55, weighs about 120 pounds, and has brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a hoodie, a cheetah print bonnet and grey sweatpants. The sheriffs office said Bollinger was last seen in El Dorado County but is believed to be in the Sacramento area. The sheriffs office asks anyone who sees her to call the El Dorado Sheriffs Office at 530-621-5655 or the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office at 916-874-5115. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. Hall County deputies are looking for suspects accused of stealing more than $7,000 in designer items from a hotel earlier this month. Deputies said it happened at the Holiday Inn Expres on Bristol Industrial Way in Buford early in the morning of Dec. 10. A hotel guest reported a number of items were stolen from his room, including a designer bag and clothing. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The items stolen were listed as being worth more than $7,000 in total, according to deputies. At least one suspect was seen wearing an orange hoodie. Anyone with information on this case can contact Investigator Rodrigues at enrodriguez@hallcounty.org or 770-531-6953. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Fireworks light up the London skyline over Big Ben and the London Eye just after midnight on Jan. 1, 2023. (Dan Kitwood / Getty Images) As we start a new year after a particularly brutal, troubling 12 months, we're looking for a bit of hope. Here's a list of resolutions mostly for other people that might make 2024 better than the year we just ended. For Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta: Keep up the pressure on NIMBY cities, such as Huntington Beach and La Canada Flintridge, that try to skirt state housing laws and refuse to make room for more homes at all income levels. California has a crippling housing shortage that is worsening poverty and homelessness because for so long, communities made it too hard and too expensive to build enough housing to keep up with the state's population growth. Read more: Editorial: No, wealthy La Canada Flintridge shouldn't be allowed to block affordable housing For the Los Angeles City Council: Don't dally on major governance reforms, including strengthening the Ethics Commission and expanding the City Council. After high-profile and embarrassing City Hall scandals, this is a rare moment when there is broad public support for changing L.A.'s outdated governance system, improving community representation and empowering the political watchdog agency. Read more: Editorial: Finally, Hollywood is back to work. Ending the strikes is good for L.A. For the Hollywood studios and labor leaders: Do everything possible to avoid another strike. Contracts expire this year with two unions, the Teamsters and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, that represent crew members who work behind the scenes. Many of those workers were sidelined by the writers' and actors' strikes last year, which shut down production for months. Another strike would be extremely painful for people in the industry and for the individuals and businesses that depend on the Hollywood machine. Read more: Editorial: Trump wants to be the U.S.' first dictator For U.S. voters: Treat the 2024 election as a referendum on democracy, and vote accordingly. That means defeating Donald Trump, who has made it clear that he wants to be the nation's first dictator. It also means rejecting all other candidates who have attacked Americas democratic institutions including the 147 Republicans in Congress who voted to overturn the 2020 election results and would allow our country to slide into authoritarian rule. For Ken, er Ryan Gosling: Come back with another hilarious send-up of macho culture and a dance as full of fun as "I'm Just Ken." America needs the laughs. For voters in nearly half the states: Make like Ohio and take back your states by voting for measures to ensure that pregnant women have a choice about whether to proceed with or terminate their pregnancies, and by casting ballots for the opponents of legislators who have voted to send women back to the 1960s. Read more: Editorial: The science of reading works. California should require it For parents: Read to your kids. Reading is a disappearing pastime, with only 17% of middle-schoolers reading frequently for pleasure. That's less than half the number in 1984. Develop their love of stories, and of fascinating information found in nonfiction, early and keep it going with regular "family reading times" in the evenings. Reading for school isn't the same as reading for pleasure, when kids decide for themselves which books appeal to them. Palestinians mourn their relatives killed in the Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip in Deir al Balah on Dec. 28. (Adel Hana / Associated Press) For Israel and Hamas, or whoever steps forward to justly and legitimately represent the Palestinian people: Stop shooting, start talking and begin to envision and accept a future in which the state of Israel and an independent and sovereign Palestinian state are neighbors within mutually agreed-upon borders. Read more: Editorial: U.S. should join the world's nations in demanding a Gaza cease-fire For L.A. Mayor Karen Bass: You got a lot of homeless people into temporary housing last year. This year, concentrate on getting them (and others still sleeping on sidewalks) into permanent housing. A homeless person in temporary housing is still homeless. For Californians: Become water-tight, by which we mean: Continue taking meaningful steps to eliminate waste of our precious liquid assets on unused lawns. Read more: Editorial: After COP28, let's make this the 'beginning of the end' of fossil fuels For pundits who hold forth on California: Chill. This place is neither hellscape nor Eden. Never has been. It's a blessed and repeatedly tested chunk of America that is taking on challenges that will probably reach you in about five years. Pay attention. For all humans: Stop sticking your head in the sand about climate change and start taking real action to dump fossil fuels. (And, no, raising the A/C to 70 degrees from 68 does not count.) Ignoring the dangerous effects of overheating our planet only ensures calamity. If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) The New Year is almost upon us, and for this New Years resolution, you can visit these most buzzed-about eateries that are coming to Tampa next year. Not sure what will be new in the Tampa Bay area? WFLA has complied a list of the restaurants coming to the area. All the locations can be found below: Dutch Bros Coffee Dutch Bros is a West Coast coffee shop that originated in Grants Pass, Oregon. With locations all over the Southwest and Northwest region, the chain is finally making its way to the Tampa Bay area. There are already two Florida locations: Davenport and Clermont. But coffee lovers wont have to go as far to experience this new shop soon. According to the City of Tampas building permits, the coffee shop will be located at 3616 West Ballast Point Boulevard, off of South Dale Mabry Highway. The documents were uploaded in July 2023 but it is still unclear when the opening date will be. (Dutch Bros) Alter Ego A music-focused cocktail lounge is set to open in Spring 2024 at 1050 Water Street in downtown Tampa. Alter Ego represents a distinct design contrast to our adjacent sibling concept Ash. Boasting a curated musical experience alongside a monochromatic design that includes intimate seating as well as social spaces, Ferrell Alvarez, the chef-partner and co-owner of Proper House Group said. Courtesy: Catalyst Communications Group Ash Ash is an Italian-inspired cuisine that will be located at 420 South Nebraska Avenue in Water Street in Downtown Tampa. This restaurant is under the same ownership as Alter Ego, which is also opening in 2024 in Water Street. Ash will be open for lunch and dinner, with plans to eventually serve brunch in the future. It is set to open in early Spring 2024. LARA LARA is a bar and market concept with a beverage program influenced by Pharmakeia- aiming to deliver an apothecary drinking experience. The market will also have locally grown foods, a selection of beer and wine, and culinary supplies for cooks and mixologists. LARA is set to open in early 2024 in Tampa Heights. Greenlane Greenlane is a drive-thru salad shop that offers convenient and affordable meals that are flavorful, filling, and healthy. Yes, were a salad brand. But were not your average rabbit food, the company said on its website. While there is a location open already on West Gandy Boulevard in Tampa, two more locations will be opening on North Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa and on 4th Street North in St. Petersburg. Courtesy: Greenlane Courtesy: Greenlane Courtesy: Greenlane Courtesy: Greenlane Cheeseology Cheeseology is opening a new location at 1527 East 7th Avenue in Tampa, aiming to bring people together through cheese-making. Thirteen classes are being offered, including making a variety of cheeses, pizza, lasagna, charcuterie, and cannoli. Each class will range between 90 and 120 minutes According to Cheeseologys website, an opening date has not yet been posted, but its coming soon. Cheekys Cheekys is a fish and chicken bar restaurant that will be opening sometime in 2024 in St. Pete, the restaurant said on Instagram. The restaurant is famous for its fish and chicken, but will also offer oysters, shrimp, sandwiches, and a selection of cold beer, cocktails, and wine. It will be located at 2823 Central Avenue, according to Creative Loafing. Know of a restaurant opening soon that we missed? Email online@wfla.com. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. People walk towards the colorfully illuminated Brandenburg Gate while police cars drive past during an event marking the New Year's Eve. Annette Riedl/dpa All over Germany, people welcomed in the New Year, and while millions celebrated peacefully, there were some serious incidents on New Year's Eve. In the western city of Koblenz, an 18-year-old died when a firework exploded. Despite resuscitation attempts, the young man died as a result of the explosion. Investigations into the man's death are continuing. The police initially did not want to give any further details about the incident. In Berlin, the police were called out to numerous incidents before midnight, with the emergency services looking forward to the New Year in a particularly tense mood. Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner had announced before festivities that he would take tough action against rioters. "Tonight is the night, if necessary, the night of repression, when the rule of law will try to assert itself," said Wegner during a visit to a city police station. On New Year's Eve a year ago, there were riots and attacks on police officers and emergency services throughout Germany, with Berlin being particularly affected. Hours before midnight, there was an incident near Alexanderplatz in Berlin. According to the police, firecrackers were thrown from a group of around 500 people. The police dispersed the group and checked for fireworks, the police announced on the online platform X. "From a group of around 200 people who were at the Rathauspassagen, our officers were shot at with pyrotechnics," the police said, referring to a passageway in the open air shopping plaza. In Berlin's Neukolln district, police caught people making Molotov cocktails out of petrol and glass bottles. A total of nine suspects were detained. Shortly before midnight, more than 100 people had been detained throughout the city for dangerous fireworks or other offences, a police spokeswoman said. Tens of thousands celebrated the New Year at the traditional New Year's Eve party in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate for the first fireworks display since the coronavirus pandemic. Around 45,000 visitors attended public broadcaster ZDF's New Year's Eve party despite intermittent rain and high security measures. The security forces there were particularly vigilant due to the suspected planned terrorist attack at Cologne Cathedral. The police chief said at a press conference on Sunday that the suspected planned attack was to be carried out with a car. It had emerged that the suspect, who had already been taken into custody on Christmas Eve, was part of a larger network. North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister Herbert Reul said that the 1,000 or so police officers deployed around the cathedral on New Year's Eve were doing everything they could to ensure the safety of the revellers. Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki celebrated the well-attended New Year's Eve mass in the evening under heavy police protection. Police said it initially remained calm around the cathedral in the evening. Tens of thousands also started the new year 2024 in Hamburg with fireworks and partying, with crowds of people watching the New Year's Eve fireworks display in the harbour. Around 8,000 visitors watched the show, according to police. There were also peaceful celebrations in Frankfurt city centre according to the police. While firecrackers and some fireworks were fired into crowds, police officers took action against this, according to a police spokesman on Monday morning. Fireworks illuminates the sky in front of the television tower on New Year's Eve. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa Visitors celebrate during the New Year's Eve at the Brandenburg Gate party. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa A Colorado mother suspected of killing two of her children and attempting to kill a third has been arrested in the United Kingdom, according to local police. Authorities issued an arrest warrant for Kimberlee Singler on murder and attempted murder charges after her 7-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter were found dead in a home and her 11-year-old daughter was sent to the hospital, CNN has reported. Singler was arrested without incident at an unidentified location in the UK on Saturday, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department. Detectives with the Colorado Springs Police Departments homicide unit continue to work closely with multiple law enforcement agencies in pursuing the ongoing investigation, the release says. The department said more information would be released about the arrest at a news conference at a later date. Police originally responded to Singlers home on December 19th after receiving a 911 call about a burglary. When they arrived, they found her 7-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter dead, authorities said. They also found Singler and her surviving 11-year-old daughter, who were both taken to a hospital. Singler was originally considered a victim, based on the initial burglary report, but she became a suspect as the investigation unfolded, Colorado police previously told CNN. She was initially cooperative with police but then stopped cooperating and police were unable to get in contact with her. Until we had probable cause we werent able to hold her for any reason, Ira Cronin, public information officer at the Colorado Springs Police Department, previously told CNN. 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 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 being under the age of 12, according to a news release. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A crash in Southeast Portland Sunday afternoon left a motorcyclist dead and the passenger critically hurt. The crash between the motorcycle and a car near SE 122nd and Stark happened around 2:50 p.m., Portland Fire & Rescue told KOIN 6 News. The passenger was rushed to an area hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries, officials said. KOIN 6 News will have more information as it develops. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) The first babies of the New Year in central Ohio all arrived within 70 minutes of each other. The first baby of the year was born at midnight at OhioHealths Grant Medical Center to the Stiles family of Pickaway County. The baby girl measured 19 inches long and weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces. The babys mother said the girl was about four weeks early and that everyone was doing good. The girl has an older sibling. The first baby of 2024 born at OhioHealths Grant Medical Center was a girl born to the Stiles family of Pickaway County. (PHOTO COURTESY OF GRANT MEDICAL CENTER) A baby girl was born at 12:57 a.m. at OSU Wexner Medical Center. The child was the first of several born on New Years Day. The child weighs 7 pounds, 2 ounces and is 20 1/4 inches long. First baby born at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center for 2024. A girl born at 12:57 a.m. and weighing in at 7 pounds, 2 ounces and measuring 20 1/4 inches in length. (PHOTO COURTESY OSU WEXNER MEDICAL CENTER) First baby born at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center for 2024. A girl born at 12:57 a.m. and weighing in at 7 pounds, 2 ounces and measuring 20 1/4 inches in length. (PHOTO COURTESY OSU WEXNER MEDICAL CENTER) First baby born at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center for 2024. A girl born at 12:57 a.m. and weighing in at 7 pounds, 2 ounces and measuring 20 1/4 inches in length. (PHOTO COURTESY OSU WEXNER MEDICAL CENTER) Three generations of the family of the first baby born at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center for 2024. A girl born at 12:57 a.m. and weighing in at 7 pounds, 2 ounces and measuring 20 1/4 inches in length. (PHOTO COURTESY OSU WEXNER MEDICAL CENTER) Mount Carmel welcomed Govanni Cherfils at 1:09 a.m. on New Years Day, weighing in at six pounds and reaching 20 inches tall. Cherfils marks the health systems first baby born in 2024. (Courtesy Photo/Mount Carmel East) The hospital said the parents and Cherfils are doing great. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. China, U.S. should implement consensus between heads of state and promote healthy, stable, sustainable development of bilateral ties 09:52, January 01, 2024 By Zhong Sheng ( People's Daily China and the U.S. should faithfully implement the consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden in San Francisco, and promote the healthy, stable and sustainable development of their bilateral ties with a sense of responsibility for history, for the people and for the world. In December 1978, China and the U.S. issued the Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, announcing both countries' decision to recognize each other and to establish diplomatic relations as of January 1, 1979. 2024 will mark the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. At this key juncture linking the past and future, it's important that the two countries look back on their history of bilateral relations over the past decades to seek inspiration and guidance, which is of great significance for improving and developing their relations. In the 1970s, the leaders of China and the U.S., with the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples at heart, made a historic decision with farsighted strategic vision and extraordinary political wisdom to break the ice that caused mutual isolation between China and the U.S. After that, they continued to normalize the China-U.S. relations through unremitting efforts, opening a new chapter in the development of China-U.S. relations. Over the past decades, China-U.S. relations have made historic progress despite twists and turns, bringing tremendous benefits to the two peoples and making important contributions to world peace, stability and prosperity. History has fully proven that for two large countries like China and the U.S., turning their back on each other is not an option, it is unrealistic for one side to remodel the other, and conflict and confrontation have unbearable consequences for both sides. The two countries must recognize the irrefutable truth that China and the U.S. both gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. Mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation are the lessons learned from 50 years of China-U.S. relations and the conflicts between major countries in history, which should be the direction of joint efforts between the two countries. About a month ago, Xi and Biden held a historic meeting in San Francisco to explore the right way for the two major countries to get along in the new era, establishing the "San Francisco vision" oriented toward the future. From an overall and strategic perspective, Xi pointed out at the meeting that China and the U.S. should jointly develop a right perception, jointly manage disagreements effectively, jointly advance mutually beneficial cooperation, jointly shoulder responsibilities as major countries and jointly promote people-to-people exchanges. These are the five pillars that have laid out a roadmap for the sound, steady and sustained growth of China-US relations. The Xi-Biden meeting has consolidated the momentum of stabilizing China-U.S. relations and injected much-needed certainty and stability into the world of changes and chaos, therefore receiving widespread applause in both countries and the international community. In recent years, China-U.S. relations have encountered serious difficulties. The root cause of that is the serious misperceptions some people in the U.S. have regarding China and the China-U.S. relations. China and the U.S. are two major countries with different histories, cultures, social systems and development paths, and there have been and will continue to be differences between the two countries. However, such differences should not become an obstacle to growing China-U.S. relations. The two sides should look for ways to build bridges to help them walk toward each other. The two sides must appreciate each other's principles and red lines, and refrain from flip-flopping, being provocative, and crossing the lines. They should have more communication, more dialogues and more consultations, and calmly handle their differences as well as accidents. Win-win cooperation is the trend of the times and should also be an inherent property of China-U.S. relations. China maintains that the common interests of the two countries far outweigh their differences, and the respective success of China and the U.S. is an opportunity, rather than a challenge, to each other. The economic and trade ties between China and the U.S., as an important part of China-U.S. relations, have delivered many tangible benefits to the two peoples. Over the past 45 years since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and the U.S., the annual bilateral trade between the two countries has grown to $760 billion and the two countries' two-way investment reached a cumulative total of over $260 billion. China and the U.S. share broad common interests across many areas. They should work together to make the list of cooperation longer and the "cake" of cooperation bigger. The foundation of China-U.S. relations is in the societies of the two countries, its hope lies in the two peoples, its future depends on the youth, and its vitality comes from exchanges at subnational levels. During his visit to the U.S. in November 2023, Xi fondly recounted his friendship with the American people at a welcome dinner hosted by friendly organizations in the U.S. In his speech delivered at the dinner, Xi emphasized that the foundation of China-U.S. relations was laid by the two peoples, the door of China-U.S. relations was opened by the two peoples, the stories of China-U.S. relations are written by the two peoples, and the future of China-U.S. relations will be created by the two peoples. His remarks deeply resonated with both Chinese and Americans. The China-U.S. relations are steeped in history and built on solid popular support. It is the reaching out to each other by the two peoples that has time and again brought China-U.S. relations from a low ebb back onto the right track. The two sides should build more bridges and pave more roads for people-to-people exchanges, promote people-to-people bonds, and jointly write new stories of friendship in the new era. China-U.S. relations are the most important bilateral relations in the world today. Whether China and the U.S. can work hand in hand to meet challenges together concerns the interests of the two peoples and the future of humanity. The only right choice that serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples and meets the common expectation of the international community is to faithfully implement the consensus reached by their heads of state in San Francisco and promote the healthy, stable and sustainable growth of the China-U.S. relations. (Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People's Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Sabian Hernandez, half-brother of Matthew Guerra, hugs their mother Karen Hernandez during a vigil for Matthew Guerra on Monday at Woodlawn Lake Party in San Antonio. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Friends and family gather for a vigil for Matthew Guerra on Monday at Woodlawn Lake Party in San Antonio. Guerra, 22, and his pregnant girlfriend Savanah Soto, 18, were found dead last week, each with a gunshot wound to the head. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Eli Palos and Briana Guerra, 15, become emotional during a vigil for Matthew Guerra on Monday at Woodlawn Lake Party in San Antonio. Guerra, 22, and his pregnant girlfriend Savanah Soto, 18, were found shot to death last week. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Eli Palos, stepbrother of Matthew Guerra, embraces Rosemarie Mancha a vigil for Guerra on Monday at Woodlawn Lake Party in San Antonio. Guerra, 22, and his pregnant girlfriend Savanah Soto, 18, were found shot to death last week. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Pink and blue balloons are released during a vigil for Matthew Guerra on Monday at Woodlawn Lake Party in San Antonio. Guerra, 22, and his pregnant girlfriend Savanah Soto, 18, were found dead last week, each with a gunshot wound to the head. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Raquel Guerra, stepmother of Matthew Guerra, listens as her husband Gabriel Guerra answers questions during a vigil for Matthew Guerra on Monday at Woodlawn Lake Party in San Antonio. Guerra, 22, and his pregnant girlfriend Savanah Soto, 18, were found dead last week, each with a gunshot wound to the head. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Jesse Gallegos embraces nephew Sabian Hernandez during a vigil for Matthew Guerra on Monday at Woodlawn Lake Party in San Antonio. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Raquel Guerra, stepmother of Matthew Guerra, embraces Gloria Cordova, mother of Savanah Soto, during a vigil for Matthew Guerra on Monday at Woodlawn Lake Party in San Antonio. Guerra, 22, and Soto, 18, were found shot to death last week. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Raquel Guerra, stepmother of Matthew Guerra, center, talks with Gloria Cordova, right, mother of Savanah Soto, and Laura Cordova, Sotos aunt, during a vigil for Matthew Guerra on Monday at Woodlawn Lake Party in San Antonio. Guerra, 22, and Soto, 18, were found shot to death last week. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Alexis Blanco hugs GAnna Marie Perez during a vigil for Matthew Guerra on Monday at Woodlawn Lake Party in San Antonio. Guerra, 22, and his pregnant girlfriend Savanah Soto, 18, were found shot to death last week. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News From left: Savanah Soto's aunt Laura Cordova and mother Gloria Cordova stand with Gabriel Guerra, father of Matthew Guerra, during a vigil for Matthew Guerra on Monday at Woodlawn Lake Party in San Antonio. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Attendees hold candles as the sun sets on a vigil for Matthew Guerra on Monday at Woodlawn Lake Party in San Antonio. Guerra, 22, and his pregnant girlfriend Savanah Soto, 18, were found shot to death last week. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Sabian Hernandez, left, and Lorenzo Martinez, 9, right, share a smile as they hold candles for their brother Matthew Guerra during a vigil for Guerra on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 at Woodlawn Lake Party in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Sabian Hernandez, left, and Lorenzo Martinez, 9, center, take part in a vigil for Matthew Guerra on Monday at Woodlawn Lake Party in San Antonio. Guerra, 22, and his pregnant girlfriend Savanah Soto, 18, were found shot to death last week. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News An attendee places a lit candle among others as Briana Guerra, 15, sister of Matthew Guerra, shrouded in a blanket during a vigil held for Matthew Guerra on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 at Woodlawn Lake Party in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Savanah Soto, 18, and her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra, 22, were found shot to death in a car on San Antonio's Northwest Side. Courtesy Matthew Guerras family and friends shed lots of tears Monday evening as they remembered the 22-year-old at a prayer vigil in Woodlawn Lake Park, but some of the hardest sobs came as the group released dozens of blue and pink balloons. GAnna Marie Perez, one of Guerras cousins, led the group of almost 100 people in a countdown before breaking down in tears. Guerra, 22, and his pregnant girlfriend, Savanah Soto, 18, were found dead Dec. 26, each with a gunshot wound to the head. The two were in Guerras gray 2013 Kia Optima at a Northwest Side apartment complex about 3 miles from their Leon Valley apartment. They had last been seen alive on Dec. 22, the day before Soto was scheduled to have labor induced to deliver her first child, who was going to be named Fabian. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Bexar County Medical Examiners Office has ruled both deaths homicides. Police officials say the investigation is ongoing. No arrests have been made in the case. Perez said she was close to Guerra growing up and she has fond memories of playing in Woodlawn Lake Park together. We were always here as kids we would run this park as kids, Perez recalled as she set up candles and signs for the vigil. I know hes watching over us right now. There will be a public viewing for Guerra at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South on Southeast Military Drive from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Monday. Sabian Hernandez, 27, one of Guerras half-brothers, choked up several times throughout the night as he thanked community members, family and friends for attending the ceremony. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He was ready to be a father, Hernandez said. He was excited. Karen Hernandez, Guerras mother, said she is still processing the situation and is saddened that she wont be able to meet the grandchild she had been looking forward to. He was always joking around, she said. Thats all we ever did was joke around. And now we cant do that anymore. Half-brother Steven Hernandez, 28, said Guerra was always happy. Guerras cousin, Karis Guerra, said she remembers the fun they had at Woodlawn Lake Park. Hed get in tons of trouble there, she recalled, always climbing onto the roofs and jumping off things. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He was just one of those people where you could tell him one thing and he would even tell you, Yeah, I understand, and then hed go and do his thing instead, she said with a laugh. Karis Guerra said a lot of the problems in her cousins life were the result of him getting into a lot of drugs, but that he started changing his life for the better when he found out Soto was pregnant. Matthew Guerras stepmother, Raquel Guerra, said she never could have guessed that her family would be starting 2024 without him. I possibly thought that I would be babysitting Fabian (their unborn child) for New Years, Raquel Guerra said through tears. Me and Savanah talked about so many things we had planned for Fabian. Sotos family held a vigil for Savanah Soto and her unborn son in Kenwood Park last week. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The families of the slain couple have been divided in the days following the tragedy, but some of Sotos relatives joined the Monday vigil, including her mother, Gloria Cordova, and aunt Laura Cordova. The two declined an interview request. In past interviews, Sotos family members made reference to Guerras lifestyle. Guerra had several run-ins with the law, and he had pleaded guilty to assaulting Soto in late 2022. Gerald Corona, Sotos older brother, said recently: Were not saying he killed her, but it still has to do with his actions and his lifestyle. Gabriel Guerra has said his son didnt hang out with the best crowd but said Matthew Guerra and Soto were excited about their baby. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gabriel Guerra said his son was in welding school and worked in landscaping. He was a beautiful soul, and an energetic soul, his father said. People were drawn to him. Stepbrother Eli Palos, 24, shared a room with Matthew Guerra and slept on a bunk bed beneath him growing up. The two would often stay up all night laughing, Palos said. He described Guerra as hilarious, fearless and full of life. Now, he said he looks on social media and sees people posting his brothers photos calling him just another thug off the street. He said he wants people to know Guerra was a victim, too, and that his criminal record is not indicative of his whole character. Getting arrested two, three times might not change you but sometimes when you have the birth of a child it gives you something to live for, it gives you something to change for and he was one day away from that, we were one day away from Fabian, Palos said, choking back tears. Matthew deserved a chance to change. He deserved a chance to live a life outside the life that he fell into. San Antonio police released a video that they said shows two people investigators wanted to question about the slayings of Matthew Guerra, Savanah Soto and their unborn baby. The video shows a dark-colored Chevrolet Silverado with a bed cover pulling up next to Guerras silver Kia Optima. The drivers speak briefly before heading in different directions. A fire broke out on the morning of 1 January in the Roman Shukhevych Memorial Museum in the settlement of Bilohorshcha on the outskirts of Lviv due to the falling of Shahed drone wreckage. Source: Maksym Kozytskyi, Head of Lviv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Details: Kozytskyi said preliminary reports indicate that the fire was caused by wreckage falling from a Russian drone. Personnel from the State Emergency Service have arrived at the scene. Updated at 05:37: Kozytskyi added that early reports indicate that there were no casualties in Bilohorshcha. Firefighters are still extinguishing the fire. Air defence systems were still responding in Lviv, so he asked people to stay in shelters as the threat level was still high. Updated at 05:52: The head of Lviv Oblast Military Administration added that Shahed drone wreckage was recorded falling in the city of Dubliany, near Lviv. The roof of a student accommodation building is on fire. Firefighters have been working at the scene. At around 07:00, Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi announced that the Russians had completely destroyed the museum dedicated to Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) Corporal Roman Shukhevych in Lviv. The museum building burned down due to a drone attack. [The UPA was a Ukrainian nationalist paramilitary and partisan formation, active between 14 October 1942 and 14 April 1960 and fighting to liberate the country from occupying powers and set up an independent government - ed.] Reference: The UPA Corporal General Roman Shukhevych Museum is a branch of the Lviv Historical Museum in the village of Bilohorshcha (now part of Lvivs Zaliznychnyi District). This is a memorial-type museum, located in the building where Shukhevych died. Wikipedia says the last headquarters of the UPA commander-in-chief was located in the museum building. It has one floor. There are five themed halls on the ground floor. The first floor recreates the life of the UPA commander-in-chief during his stay in this underground apartment (spring 19481950). An important historical part of the building is the kryivka [a military defence and economic structure of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, located underground] that was located at the entrance to the attic, actually a partition that separated the attic from the room with a double board wall. Background: As of the evening of 31 December, several dozen Russian attack drones were flying in Ukrainian airspace. On the night of 31 December-1 January, a high-rise building caught fire in Odesa during a drone attack, killing one person. On the night of 31 December-1 January, air defence systems were responding to a Russian drone attack in Lviv Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! YOSEMITE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) Yosemite National Park will be offering free admission to the park on specific days this year. On Yosemites website, it says the fees that are being waived include the fees associated with the entrance to the park only. All other fees associated with camping, lodging, or activities within the park will not be waived. The fee waiver will only be good on a free day. The website says that if the visits during a free day extend beyond the free day(s) and you re-enter the park after the free day, you will be required to pay the regular entrance fees. Here are the days Yosemite National Park will offer free admission: Jan. 16, 2024 The Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. April 22, 2024 First Day of National Park Week Aug. 4, 2024 Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act Sep. 23, 2024 National Public Lands Day Nov. 11, 2024 Veterans Day For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, answers questions at NATO headquarters during an interview with the German Press Agency. Federico Gambarini/dpa NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expects that the defence alliance will finalize the long-planned accession of Sweden in 2024. He is confident that the country will be included as the 32nd member of the alliance at the NATO summit by July at the latest, he told dpa in an interview at the turn of the year. Sweden had fulfilled its promises to Turkey, he said. Talks are currently underway between the United States and Turkey on the F-16 fighter jet deal that was a further demand made by the government in Ankara. Sweden applied to join NATO in May 2022, a decision affected by the Kremlin's war on Ukraine, and hoped to join later that summer. However, Turkey accused Sweden of lacking commitment in dealing with "terrorist organizations" such as the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) and refused to give its consent. New members of the alliance must be unanimously approved by current members. After Sweden made concessions, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently announced that he would allow ratification by the Turkish parliament. At the same time, however, he wants the US Congress to give its approval for the delivery of US F-16 fighter jets to Turkey. Diplomats say Erdogan's call came in response to the fact that allies such as the United States and Germany restricted arms exports to Turkey in recent years, citing Turkish arms purchases in Russia and rule of law concerns. Stoltenberg underlined the importance of Turkey to security in Europe. "Its strategic geographic location at the Black Sea demonstrates that, but also the fact that they're bordering Iraq and Syria," he said. Turkey "is playing a key role" in the fight against Islamic State, Stoltenberg added, noting that NATO uses Turkish infrastructure to defeat the terror organization. Asked about differences with Turkey, Stoltenberg said, "there are concerns expressed by NATO allies regarding the working condition for journalists and other issues related to the rule of law." But, he said, that is what NATO is for, to also be a platform for allies to express concerns and raise issues. The next regular NATO summit will be organized in Washington from July 9 to 11, and the alliance is also set to celebrate its 75th anniversary. For Sweden to participate as a full member, all current members of the alliance must ratify the so-called accession protocol. Aside from Turkey, Hungary has also not yet done so. However, the government in Budapest has repeatedly emphasized that Hungary will not be the last country to take this step. Nasa and private space companies failed to consult with tribal nations over plans to bring human remains to the moon as part of a January lunar launch mission, according to the Navajo Nation. In a letter to Nasa, Navajo Nation president Buu Nygren asked officials to delay the planned 8 January launch of private space company Astrobotics Peregrine lunar lander, which is set to carry payloads from Celestis and Elysium Space, which conduct burials in space. It is crucial to emphasize that the moon holds a sacred position in many Indigenous cultures, including ours, President Nygren wrote in a letter to officials, Native News Online reports. We view it as a part of our spiritual heritage, an object of reverence and respect. The act of depositing human remains and other materials, which could be perceived as discards in any other location, on the Moon is tantamount to desecration of this sacred space. In 1998, Nasa deposited the remains planetary scientist Eugene Shoemaker on the moon, prompting criticism from the tribe. The moon is revered, and it regulates life cycles, according to Navajo traditions and stories, Navajo Nation president Albert wrote to Nasa at the time. To send something like that over there is sacrilege. After the incident, the space agency said it would consult with tribes in the future over such decisions. In the letter from President Nygren, he said continued plans to bring human remains to the moon violate multiple executive orders on tribal consultation, including one signed by the Biden administration. The Independent has contacted Nasa, Celestis, Elysium, and Astrobotic for comment. The Peregrine lunar lander will blast off on 8 January and is set in February to attempt what could be the first lunar landing by a private company. "If youve been following the lunar industry, you understand landing on the Moons surface is incredibly difficult. With that said, our team has continuously surpassed expectations and demonstrated incredible ingenuity during flight reviews, spacecraft testing, and major hardware integrations," Astrobotic CEO John Thornton said in a statement from the company ahead of the launch. We are ready for launch and for landing.a A North Carolina woman won the $1 million Powerball prize on national television early New Years Day and absolutely could not contain her excitement, falling to the floor in a sea of confetti and enveloping host Ryan Seacrest in a massive hug. Pamela Bradshaw of Clinton was one of five people chosen from around the country for a chance to win the million dollars. She had one in five odds of winning the big prize. Shortly after midnight, Seacrest held the drawing on Dick Clarks New Years Rockin Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2024 on ABC. As the No. 1 ball rose to the top and Seacrest shouted Number 1! Pamela, youre a millionaire, Bradshaw flung her numbered paddle to the ceiling and collapsed on the studio floor as confetti fell, video showed. Seacrest and Bradshaws daughter, Joanna Hinson, reached down to help pull her back up. Bradshaw could only jump up and down and scream Oh my God repeatedly as she hugged Seacrest and her daughter. Pamela ... first time here in New York City and youre walking away in the new year a millionaire, Seacrest said to Bradshaw. The Powerball first millionaire of the year. Can you speak any sentences of excitement? Bradshaw, still overcome with emotion, responded, wrapping her arm around Seacrest, Thank you God. Im so blessed. Im so blessed. The time is finally here... Our Powerball First Millionaire of the Year is... Pamela Bradshaw from North Carolina! #PowerballRockinEve #RockinEve pic.twitter.com/2FcQXhWr0A New Years Rockin Eve (@RockinEve) January 1, 2024 Its the second year in a row someone from North Carolina has won the New Years Eve prize, a promotion that involves the North Carolina Education Lottery and lotteries from 22 other states. Bradshaws trip to New York came after winning a second-chance drawing held by the N.C. Education Lottery. It was her first time flying on a plane, according to a release from the N.C. Education Lottery. According to a news release, she said she would like to use her winnings to buy a new house. She told Seacrest she might give her daughter a little of her winnings. Her exuberant reaction caught social medias attention with many noting Seacrests stunned face as Bradshaw hugged him. Watching the lady just win the powerball was a million times better than when the ball dropped, one user posted on X, formerly Twitter. I thought Green Days performance was the best we had on this years #RockinEve , I was wrong. The BEST and the ACTUAL MOMENT was when that lady won the powerball, another wrote. The New Years Day Powerball drawing is at $810 million. The odds of winning are 1 in 292 million, according to a news release. The winner would receive an annuity of $408.9 million if taken as cash. Up until recently, the consensus was that Neanderthals and Homo sapiens were separate species. But most humans carry about 2% of Neanderthal DNA, challenging the view that we are different. Other studies suggest Neanderthals weren't inferior to Homo sapiens and should be considered human. Neanderthals have long been portrayed as dim-witted, brutish monsters who were genetically inferior to our direct ancestors, early modern humans. These ape-like creatures spoke in grunts, were beset with illnesses, and died out 40,000 years ago after losing the evolutionary battle against Homo sapiens. Or at least, that's what we've been told. Recent discoveries, however, are upending that view and reigniting a debate among scientists about whether Neanderthals should be considered to be the same species as early modern humans. If Neanderthals belonged to our species, it could reshape the history of human evolution and challenge how we define what makes us human. Most of us have some Neanderthal DNA The first fossils of Neanderthals were identified almost 200 years ago. By now, you would think scientists would have made up their minds about whether they should be defined as a separate species from Homo sapiens. But it turns out this is a matter of fierce debate, as Antoine Balzeau, a paleontologist from the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle in France, told Business Insider. "When we were at first discussing the fossils in the 19th century, there was no real debate about specific species or not, simply because at the time, humans were seen as a species but by default," he said. A cast of a Neanderthal skull in the State Museum of Archaeology Chemnitz in Germany. Hendrik Schmidt/picture alliance via Getty Images As more fossils emerged, scientists started questioning the strict separation between the species. Still, up to recently, the consensus was mostly that Neanderthals should be seen as separate. The hominins, who roamed Europe as early as 430,000 years ago, only briefly interacted with Homo sapiens emerging from Africa, who reached Europe about 50,000 years ago. The lineages separated about 500,000 years ago relatively recently in the story of human evolution, but long enough ago that they looked significantly different. For many, that evidence was enough to close the debate: Neanderthals and Homo sapiens were separate species. That view started to change in 2008 when the Swedish geneticist Svante Paabo achieved something that was thought to be impossible: he sequenced the genome of a Neanderthal by extracting DNA from ancient bones. Through his research, Paabo was able to show that there was a little Neanderthal in most of us. In fact, he showed most living humans carried about 2% of Neanderthal DNA . The evidence also suggested that human ancestors and Neanderthals probably had children together when they cohabitated about 50,000 years ago. This news created a dogmatic rift, opening up the possibility, once again, that Neanderthals and humans should be considered to be the same species. After all, according to the strict biological definition of species, animals from different species shouldn't be able to produce fertile offspring. "It definitely was a big game changer at that point," Laura Buck, an evolutionary anthropologist studying hybridization between hominin species, told BI. "I think it has sort of brought that discussion to the forefront again," she said. Were Neanderthals more than just our distant cousins? Buck said the idea that species can't reproduce was "intuitively attractive because it's sort of clear cut, but biology isn't clear cut." She pointed to several examples of mammals that are known to interbreed and have fertile offspring, such as wolves and dogs, despite being clearly defined as separate species. For her, a better definition of Neanderthals, the most scientifically tried and tested, is the first one: The characteristics of their bones separate them from modern humans and their direct ancestors. A hyperrealistic model of the face of a Neanderthal male in a cave in the new Neanderthal museum in the northern Croatian town of Krapina. REUTERS/Nikola Solic "I know there are various different papers saying if you shaved a Neanderthal, put him in a suit, and put him on the tube or the subway in New York, no one would notice; I don't think that's true," she said. "I think we'd definitely think they looked a bit weird," she said. Balzeau agreed. "There may be some discussion between specialists about how we define the different groups, but from a paleontological point of view, Homo neanderthalensis and almost Homo sapiens are very clear anatomical differences," Balzeau said. For others, however, the genomic information should be another argument to liberate the Neanderthal from its knuckle-dragging stereotype. That's the case for Paul Pettitt, an archaeologist at Durham University in the UK who specializes in the Paleolithic era. "It would be guesswork to use that evolutionary divergence to assume that there are different species," he told BI. Can culture define a species? Over the past two decades, digs started emerging that showed Neanderthals might have been much more sophisticated than had been previously thought. Pettitt counts himself among those who, until recently, were skeptical that Neanderthals could have any sense of sophistication. "Until, say, 20 years ago, Neanderthal behavior was looked on as fairly stupid, or at least fairly limited, and Homo sapiens were, by contrast, seen as quoting Shakespeare, as they dance across Europe," he joked. "Which is, of course, nonsense, but it's a very entrenched view," he said. A set of what is thought to be Neanderthal jewelry created using eagle talons 130,000 years ago. AFP Pettitt said that, relative to their size, some studies suggested Neanderthals had a brain at least the same size, if not bigger, than our ancestors, indicating that they might have been very cerebral. "You don't buy a top-of-the-range computer simply to use it as an alarm clock. There's got to be an evolutionary reason why Neanderthals had selected for this remarkably metabolically expensive tissue," he said. Studies have suggested that Neanderthals were skilled hunters and hide workers, created rudimentary jewelry, had a complex lithic industry, and even worked with pigment. Some scientists even say they may have had some form of spiritualism and would bury their dead, revere lions, and create cave paintings though that evidence is still a matter of debate. For Pettitt, this suggests that as Neanderthals and humans lived alongside each other in Europe, there's a good chance they shared a culture or learned from observing each other. If they spoke, he said, "we can assume they probably spoke different languages. But that similarity suggests there was, in fact, a shared meaning, however simple." Could Neanderthals be called human? There's a bigger picture question at stake here: Should Neanderthals be considered humans? "What humanity is very much depends on which group of people you're talking to," Buck said. "It's something that is culturally defined, but it's also something that has sort of value judgments. We talk about inhumanity. We talked about humanity. It's not something that just refers to different types of organisms," she said. With the sheer number of people who are alive today, there is arguably more Neanderthal DNA on Earth than there ever was before. Angela Saini, the author of "Superior: the Return of Race Science," argues that there is a real risk of getting this wrong. Those who are thought to have more Neanderthal DNA today could be wrongly thought of as inferior. Early studies have linked these Neanderthal genes to modern health effects such as autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and some cancer though how these genes exactly affect the health of the person who carries them is still mostly unclear. Neanderthal genes have also notably been associated with catching COVID-19. Because East Asian populations have been found to carry slightly more Neanderthal DNA on average, there is a real danger that this information will be used for discrimination. The flip side is that our interpretation of Neanderthal culture has changed dramatically in recent years. Saini notes that the Neanderthal image was rehabilitated just as people started to draw them closer to populations in Europe, and genetic information started suggesting they were fairer skinned with red hair. "That's what I find particularly galling. Is that only, you know, a hundred or so years ago, the supposed similarity between Neanderthals and Aboriginal Australians was used as a justification to draw living modern humans out of the circle of humanity," she told WNYC. "Now, because we see that Neanderthals have some relationship to modern-day Europeans, Neanderthals themselves, an extinct species, has been drawn into that circle of humanity." Rewriting our history We're still understanding Neanderthals and our relationship with them. As we begin to unpick the history of human and Neanderthal evolution, new scrutiny is being placed on the decision of scholars to separate the two and depict one as superior. When he disclosed his research, Paabo reflected on how humans living on the Earth today were rather exceptional not necessarily because Homo sapiens are intrinsically better, but because there is very little time in the history of human evolution when Homo sapiens were the only hominin or human on the planet. "Had Neanderthals and Denisovans survived, how would we deal with that today?" Paabo said. "Would we experience even worse racism against them than what we experience among us today because they were in some respects really different or could we think differently and say if we had them here today, we would not just have one type of humans?" he added. "I think both things are possible, and it sort of reflects our view of humans and how we speculate about that." Read the original article on Business Insider Nearly 200 names connected to the Jeffrey Epstein-Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking conspiracy could be released by a New York judge as soon as Tuesday, exposing or confirming the identities of dozens of associates of the disgraced financier that until now have only been known as John and Jane Does in court papers. A deadline for objections to the unsealing of the names passes at midnight on Monday, nearly nine years after victim Virginia Giuffre filed a single defamation claim against Maxwell, daughter of the late British press baron Robert Maxwell, in 2015, that in turn produced the names in legal depositions. A year later, in 2016, US district court judge Robert Sweet rejected Maxwells motion to dismiss the case, finding that the veracity of a contextual world of facts more broad than the allegedly defamatory statements and that Giuffre was a victim of sustained underage sexual abuse between 1999 and 2002. The parties settled out of court in 2017. From that wellspring came not only the names now set to be released, but a series of civil lawsuits including Giuffres action against Britains Prince Andrew for sexual assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress that was settled out of court without admission of liability for a reported $12m. The prince has always strenuously denied any wrongdoing. The defamation suit also set the stage for a federal sex trafficking case against Maxwell, who was found guilty on five of six charges, and sentenced to a 20-year prison sentence in December 2021. But expectations that the release of the names from the ageing defamation suit could transfer to criminal charges are probably overblown. Epstein killed himself while awaiting trial in 2019, and after Maxwells conviction federal prosecutors made it clear that they considered their work done. Still, US district judge Loretta Preskas 51-page order explaining her reasoning on whether to unseal or continue to redact the names of about 180 John and Jane Does offers will probably be a serious embarrassment to many high-profile figures . Many on the list will already be publicly known as associates, employees of Epstein and Maxwell, or people who had flown on his planes. It may also name Epsteins alleged victims who had been taken to homes, including a mansion in New York, a Palm Beach villa, a private island in the US Virgin Islands and a ranch outside Santa Fe. It is the names of the John Does that will be mostly scrutinized, and is almost certain to include a former US president, actors, academics and, notoriously, the now reclusive British prince. According to ABC News on Monday, Jane Doe 162 is a witness who testified she was 17 when she was with Andrew, Maxwell and Giuffre at Epsteins home in New York mansion. Former US president Bill Clinton was identified by ANC News as Doe 36 and is mentioned in more than 50 of the redacted filings, according to court records. Giuffre made no allegations of wrongdoing by Clinton, but maintains she met him on the island which Clinton has said he never visited. But personal flight logs kept by one of Epsteins pilots showed that Clinton flew extensively on Epsteins plane, including on trips to Paris, Bangkok and Brunei in the years after he left office in 2001. According to ABC, Giuffres lawyers contacted Clintons legal representatives about a deposition but they responded that his testimony would not be helpful. Maxwells lawyers also rejected the idea, calling it a transparent ploy by Giuffre to increase media exposure for her sensational stories through deposition side-show. But Clintons name repeatedly came up in connection with Epstein, including in a New York magazine article in 2002 in which he said through a spokesman that Epstein was both a highly successful financier and a committed philanthropist with a keen sense of global markets and an in-depth knowledge of 21st-century science. Clinton has said he cut ties with Epstein in 2005 after Epstein was accused of bringing underage girls to his Palm Beach home for sexualized massages. A federal investigation was dropped, and Epstein pleaded guilty to state charges of procurement of a minor and solicitation of prostitution, given a light sentence and required to register as a sex offender. After Epstein was arrested in 2019, Clinton again issued a statement, saying he had not spoken to Epstein in well over a decade and has never been to Little St James Island, Epsteins ranch in New Mexico, or his residence in Florida and knows nothing about Epsteins crimes. While the depositions may offer a closer reading of Epstein and Maxwells interactions before Epsteins solicitation conviction, much of the focus is now on the financiers behavior after he was released from detention in Florida and returned to New York to rebuild his reputation. Epsteins scheduling diaries that found their way to the Wall Street Journal this year during Epstein-related lawsuits between the US Virgin Islands and two US banks, revealed the extent that the financier continued to build his network. The boldface names that emerged included the director of the CIA, William Burns, and Kathryn Ruemmler, White House counsel under Barack Obama, alongside lesser figures including the leftwing professor and activist Noam Chomsky, billionaire venture capitalist Reid Hoffman and Lawrence Summers, former Harvard president and director of the National Economic Council under Obama. Others included Woody Allen, Bill Gates, Thorbjrn Jagland, a former Norwegian prime minister, former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak and former Barclays chairman Jes Staley. An acquaintance of Maxwell and Epstein told the Guardian last year that Epsteins patterns of behavior were not significantly different pre-and-post convictions. He was not a changed man, they said. But you need to understand that in his mind he thought hed done nothing wrong and he was entitled to behave anyway he wanted to if he had the money to pull it off. Ilona Cabudsan, a teacher from the Philippines visiting Texas through a cultural exchange program, teaches English language arts and English as a second language at Aldine Independent School District's Hambrick Middle School. Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribune Like many Texas school districts, the Aldine Independent School District near Houston has struggled to find teachers to fill its open positions, with local, state and nationwide searches yielding limited success. So the district expanded its search parameters. Since last year, Aldine ISD has recruited 76 teachers from Colombia, the Philippines and more than a dozen other countries through Teach USA, a cultural exchange program that connects teachers worldwide with Texas public schools. As Texas continues to grapple with chronic teacher shortages and with little help from the state districts like Aldine have had to look for creative solutions, like leaning on programs like these to address their staffing needs. Muzo Unlu, vice president of Global Education Concepts, the company that runs Teach USA, said more schools and districts in Texas have reached out recently asking about bringing international teachers to their campuses. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Scott Dubberke, Aldine ISDs human resources director, said the 58,000-student district had between 400 and 500 teacher vacancies last year. For the 2022-23 school year, Aldine ISDs first year hosting international teachers, Teach USA helped the district fill positions for special education classes, bilingual elementary school courses and English and literature classes at the middle and high school levels. The district still has about 150 teacher vacancies. This approach is not just filling vacancies, but it also supports our kids, Dubberke said. Our kids are not only learning but theyre learning from the culture from where these people are coming from. Texas teacher shortage has affected schools for years and was made worse during and after the coronavirus pandemic. There were the obvious health concerns when COVID-19 infections soared, prompting frequent school closures. But as infection rates fell, the stress of keeping classrooms up and running only compounded existing problems within the teaching field: low pay, long hours, bad benefits and more debates about how race and sex are taught in schools putting teachers in the middle of the states culture wars. The Texas Education Agency says there is no statewide definition for what constitutes a teacher shortage but it acknowledges that teacher vacancies, which have been hard to fill across the state, point to one. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The agency collects data every year about how many teachers get certified, how many are employed and how many leave their jobs. The states attrition rate, which tracks the number of teachers who have left the field in any given year, suggests that retaining teachers has become difficult and schools are having to refill positions each year. The attrition rate hovered at around 10% between 2011 and 2020. The rate is at about 13% this year, according to state data. Gov. Greg Abbott created a task force to explore solutions to the shortage, but despite its recommendations, lawmakers passed only one of several bills filed this year to address the problem. Teacher pay raises were among the casualties of the bitter fight over school vouchers and many schools have dipped into their savings to bump their staffs salaries. Cultural exchanges have long helped international teachers immerse themselves in the U.S. and take that experience back home. American teachers also travel abroad through these programs, exposing them to new perspectives. Teach USA lets teachers from around the world visit Texas schools for up to five years through the TEAs J-1 Visa Exchange Program. Visiting international teachers are encouraged to return to their home country after the program, though they can apply for an extension of their visa through a different program or apply for permanent residency. Advertisement Article continues below this ad These programs offer teachers from abroad the opportunity to live and work in the U.S., learning about the countrys culture, values and more, said Joseph Sam, a spokesperson with Houston ISD, which has been participating in these kinds of programs for over 20 years. It also provides students, peer educators and administrators the opportunity to learn about other cultures. While visiting teachers can teach most subjects, Sam said they are highly qualified and gravitate toward critical shortage areas such as bilingual, special education, math and science teaching positions at all grade levels. Ilona Cabudsan, a teacher visiting from the Philippines, teaches English language arts and English as a second language at Hambrick Middle School in Aldine ISD. She said she relates with her ESL students from Central and South America who are adapting to U.S. culture. The biggest difference for Cabudsan is how time-bound and rigid the American school system is compared to the Philippines. For example, she and her students in Aldine have a 30-minute lunch break each day; in the Philippines, school lunches typically last nearly two hours. Access to classroom supplies is another big difference, Cabudsan said. While teachers in Texas are often responsible for purchasing any organizational tools or decor they use in their classroom, Cabudsan said she was grateful she and her students received computers, textbooks and a state-required curriculum at the beginning of the school year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Everything is given, whereas in my country, the teachers provide everything that we need to use in the classroom, she said. Here, at the start of the school year, its like shopping in the mall. We get everything that we need from the office, and its all free. Cabudsan said the transition was not easy in the beginning, as she adjusted to her new surroundings and found herself without a car. Janie Ruiz, a former Aldine ISD principal, said the first semester can be challenging for international teachers. Ruiz serves as a sort of cultural guide for international teachers in the district. Each international teacher is matched with a main point of contact who provides mentoring to help them succeed in the classroom and secure necessities like their Social Security card and a cellphone. After she left Aldine ISD in 2015, Ruiz joined Houston ISDs HR department, where she said the district was struggling with a shortage of bilingual teachers, leading them to specifically recruit from Spain. The experience showed her the potential of cultural exchange programs as a way to alleviate the districts staffing problems. I definitely see this being a growing norm for districts, especially bigger districts, because they struggle more to (find) staff than smaller districts, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad However, Sam said Houston ISD doesnt view visiting teachers as a staffing solution. Because the U.S. Department of State has certain requirements for those employing international teachers, it should not be seen as a quick fix for teacher shortages, said Eddie Conger, superintendent and founder of International Leadership of Texas, a public K-12 charter school system. Students who attend International Leaderships more than two dozen campuses in Texas receive academic instruction in English, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese, something international teachers help them achieve. The system hosted 206 teachers with J-1 visas this year. Despite the increased demand for international teachers, Conger said his schools cannot exceed the visa quota assigned to them by the U.S. State Department, which is 135. Aldine ISD is only able to host 40 new teachers each calendar year through Teach USA, Dubberke said. If (school districts) look at it like, Oh, this is just another jobs program, theyre gonna get themselves crossways with the intent of the program and with the State Department, Conger said. If they look at it as just another pipeline to fill an HR requirement, theyre gonna have some very serious challenges. Israels supreme court has struck down a controversial law passed by Benjamin Netanyahus Right-wing coalition government that had rolled back some of the high courts power and prompted nationwide protests last year. In a statement, the supreme court said a majority of its judges had voted to invalidate an amendment to one of Israels quasi-constitutional basic laws. The change had caused severe and unprecedented harm to the core characteristics of Israel as a democratic state, the statement said. The legislation, passed last summer, removed one, but not all, of the supreme courts tools for quashing government and ministerial decisions. It took away the courts ability to void such decisions if it deemed them unreasonable. The amendment had completely revoked the possibility of carrying out judicial review of the reasonableness of decisions made by the government, the prime minister and ministers, the court statement added. Checks and balance The amendment was part of judicial reforms proposed by Israels justice minister and the head of the Israeli parliaments constitution, law and justice committee last year. Many lawyers, businesspeople and opposition politicians saw the package as an attempt to dismantle the system of checks and balances on power within Israels democracy. The courts decision was welcomed by civil rights organisations, whose members had been among the tens of thousands of Israelis who took to the streets to protest at the judicial reforms last year. Today, the high court of justice stands resolute against the attempt to infringe upon the human rights of every Israeli citizen and thwart judicial oversight of government decisions by governmental bodies and ministers, said Gil Gan-Mor, a lawyer and director at the Association for Civil Rights in Israel. The amendment was the only part of the judicial reforms that lawmakers had enacted. The rest of the package is on hold as Israel focuses on its war against Hamas after the terrorist groups deadly attacks on southern Israel on Oct 7. 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. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday pushed back against claims that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, calling such accusations false after South Africa filed a case against Israel at the U.N.s top court. I would like to say a word about South Africas false accusation that Israel is committing genocide. No, South Africa, it is not we who have come to perpetrate genocide, it is Hamas, Netanyahu said during a Cabinet meeting in Tel Aviv, according to an English translation reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP). Hamas would kill us all if it only could, Netanyahu added, referring to the Palestinian militant group that Israel has vowed to eliminate following its Oct. 7 surprise attack. Netanyahus remarks were in response to South Africas launching a case at the U.N.s International Court of Justice last week that accuses Israel of carrying out genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Netanyahu argued that Israels military is acting as morally as possible and doing everything to avoid harming civilians as it wages an offensive against Hamas in Gaza. More than 21,500 Palestinians, including many women and children, have been killed since October, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. The Biden administration has strongly supported Israel following Hamass Oct. 7 attacks, but in recent weeks U.S. officials have upped their calls for Israel to be more mindful of protecting civilian lives in the coastal enclave. Several White House officials, including national security adviser Jake Sullivan, Defense Secretary Llyod Austin and Gen. CQ Brown Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited Israel earlier this month, where they encouraged the country to transition to a lower-intensity phase of the war. We also have some great thoughts about how to transition from high-intensity operations to lower-intensity and more surgical operations, Austin said earlier this month in Tel Aviv. President Biden earlier this month indicated a shift in tone while publicly criticizing Israels bombing campaign in Gaza as indiscriminate, and later suggested he doesnt agree with some of Netanyahus viewpoints. Leaders of the two allied countries have also shared disagreement over the potential role of the Palestinian Authority in governing a post-war Gaza, with Netanyahu largely rejecting the leadership prospect. Israels bombardment of Gaza is part of a campaign to eliminate Hamas following the militant groups attack that killed about 1,200 people in Israel. Hamas does everything to get [civilians] harmed, using them as a human shield, Netanyahu said in his remarks Sunday. Israeli military leaders have long argued Hamas is using civilians as shields against Israels fire, including by positioning themselves in and around civilian sites such as hospitals, refugee camps and places of worship. In its submission to the International Court of Justice last week, South Africa asked The Hague-based court to issue an interim order for Israel to stop its attacks in Gaza. South Africa alleges the acts and omissions by Israel are genocidal in character with the intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnic group, The Associated Press reported. Netanyahu dug into South Africa on Sunday, dismissing claims of genocide as nonsense, lies and evil spirit. He reiterated Israels plan to move forward with its offensive, telling Cabinet members, We will continue our war of defense, which is the most just and moral. Netanyahu a day earlier indicated he is not letting up on Israels pledge to destroy Hamas, warning of many more months of war ahead during a press conference. Israel has largely rejected international calls for a cease-fire from other global leaders, arguing a truce in fighting would help Hamas. Updated: 6:54 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Piedmont Healthcare celebrated the first babies born in 2024 with a post on their Facebook page. Photos featured three happy families with their newborns, surrounded by family members and hospital staff. Piedmont Healthcare is a system of 23 hospitals across Georgia. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Welcoming the first bundles of joy of 2024! Meet the newest members of our Piedmont familythe first babies of the year.... Posted by Piedmont on Monday, January 1, 2024 TRENDING STORIES: Northside Hospital Forsyth also welcomed some New Years babies! HAPPY NEW YEAR! A girl born to Shikha Goel and Dhruv Goyal of the Atlanta area, and formerly of Delhi, was the first... Posted by Northside Hospital Healthcare System on Monday, January 1, 2024 Weston Ford was born at 12:12 a.m. on his due date, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, at Northside Hospital Forsyth. He is the... Posted by Northside Hospital Healthcare System on Monday, January 1, 2024 [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Newly released DNA results provide potentially incriminating evidence in the decades-old mystery surrounding one of Charlottes most infamous unsolved murders: DNA consistent with a 61-year-old career criminal named Marion Gales was found at the 1990 crime scene where Kim Thomas was killed. Defense attorney David Rudolf contends the new information released late Sunday exonerates Dr. Ed Friedland, his client. Friedland, Thomas husband, was charged with his wifes death four years after she was found handcuffed and slashed to death inside her Charlotte home. The charge against Friedland was later dropped and never refiled. Nonetheless, Rudolf says, Friedland has been living under this cloud for 34 years. Gales, who had done odd jobs for Thomas in the weeks before her death, has long been linked to her murder but never charged. He was later imprisoned for killing another woman. The new DNA results, Rudolf maintains, confirm that Gales was the one who murdered Thomas, too. The murder is solved, Rudolf told The Charlotte Observer on Monday. We now know who killed Kim Thomas. Kim Thomas with her son, Elliott. Thomas was killed not long after this photo was taken. DNA test results The test results, released by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department late on New Years Eve by court order, found that DNA from a comb authorities used to collect pubic hair on Thomas body was consistent with Gales DNA, according to an October 2021 test report. A January 2022 test also found DNA on a rug near the crime scene that was consistent with Gales. And test results conducted in 2009 found DNA on a stain on a mattress cover at the crime scene was consistent with both Gales and Friedlands. On a rug stain near the spot where Thomas body was discovered, the test also found DNA that was consistent with Gales. The test results were made public in response to a court order by a Mecklenburg County judge who said that police had to release all completed DNA testing in the case on Dec. 31. In an email to The Observer Tuesday, CMPD spokesman Mike Allinger said the department is not providing any comments on the case at this time. In 2022, however, CMPD told The Observer that their cold case unit continues to utilize new technology to test evidence collected from the scene. In a press release issued Monday, Rudolf said the public deserves to know why Marion Gales was permitted by the CMPD to avoid responsibility for the crime, which allowed him to commit additional crimes. Dr. Ed Friedland and his wife, Lisa, leave the civil courts building in Charlotte after a jury found Marion Gales liable for Kim Thomas death on Oct. 03, 1997. Friedland was awarded $8.6 million in damages. Will new charges follow? As the Observer previously reported, Rudolf said an unnamed Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police detective told him in 2022 that investigators had obtained DNA that matched Gales at the murder scene. After learning of the new test results, Rudolf asked CMPD attorney Jessica Battle to release the findings to Friedland and Thomas family, according to emails shared with the Observer. Battle refused, saying that a cold case investigation into Thomas death remained active and ongoing, emails show. At a court hearing in February, Battle claimed that a release of DNA results could compromise investigative leads and undermine a future prosecution if a new arrest is made. Despite CMPDs objections, Superior Court Judge George Bell ordered the release of the test results. Rudolf sharply criticized CMPD for refusing to release the results earlier. The failure to publicly exonerate Dr. Friedland despite having the evidence to do so since at least 2010 is inexcusable, Rudolf said in his news release. ... Dr. Friedland has suffered enormously because of CMPD misconduct and their continued cover up. The saga began on July 27, 1990 when Thomas, a 32-year-old activist, was found dead inside her Cotswold home. Her throat had been repeatedly slashed, and her 10-month-old son was in his crib nearby. Her death and CMPDs failure to find her killer has reverberated through the city for decades. Rudolf contends police ignored or concealed evidence that pointed to Gales: That he had a history of attacks on women; that he lived a five-minute walk away from Thomas home and had done odd jobs for her before her death; that he had burglarized homes in the area to steal jewelry that he sold to buy cocaine; that he owned a pair of handcuffs identical to the ones found on Thomas body; and that he was seen on the street where Thomas lived on the morning of her death. In 1997, a Mecklenburg County jury awarded Friedland $8.6 million in his wrongful-death lawsuit against Gales. Friedland now lives in Florida, where he moved to in 1998. Gales, meanwhile, is scheduled to be released from prison in March of 2025. Whats next, I hope, is an indictment of Gales, Rudolf said. Thats up to the police and the DAs office. I have expectations and hopes they will take this seriously. This embedded content is not available in your region. Ron DeSantis keeps saying the US would "flatten" the Bahamas if it attacked Fort Lauderdale. DeSantis' comments on the campaign trail were making a comparison to the Israel-Hamas war. The US Embassy in Nassau said the US had a "strong mutual security relationship" with the Bahamas. Ron DeSantis keeps saying it would be easy to blow up the Bahamas, prompting the US Embassy in Nassau to clarify that his comments do not reflect official policy. DeSantis, a 2024 presidential candidate, took a campaign trip to New Hampshire on Saturday, where he has trailed in the polls behind Chris Christie, Nikki Haley, and former President Donald Trump, WMUR , a local ABC affiliate, reported. The Florida governor once again said during the stop that the US would "flatten" the Bahamas if anyone were to ever fire missiles from there into his state not that there is any indication anyone would do that Florida Politics reported. "If someone was firing missiles from the Bahamas into, like, Fort Lauderdale, we would never accept that," DeSantis said during a speech to supporters, according to Florida Politics. "We would flatten. Anything that happened, it would be done like literally within 12 hours, it would be done." DeSantis' office did not immediately return a request for comment from Business Insider on Sunday. He has made this claim a talking point in several of his campaign stops since early November, comparing the war between Israel and Hamas to his hypothetical situation, The Miami Times reported. On November 13, the US Embassy in Nassau told The Nassau Guardian that it "regrets" if DeSantis' comments portrayed "anything other than a close alliance" between the Bahamas and the US. "The Bahamas and the United States enjoy an enduring and unique partnership," the embassy said in a statement. "The USS Leyte Gulf, a US Navy cruiser currently in the Nassau Harbour, illustrates our strong mutual security relationship," the statement added. "We have been allies and friends for 50 years and are looking forward to the next 50." Read the original article on Business Insider By Ruma Paul DHAKA (Reuters) -A court in Bangladesh on Monday sentenced Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to six months in prison for labour law violations, prosecutors said, for what he said was a crime he did not commit. Yunus, 83, and his Grameen Bank won the 2006 peace prize for their work to lift millions out of poverty by granting tiny loans of under $100 to the rural poor of Bangladesh, pioneering a global movement now known as microcredit. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, however, accused him of "sucking blood from the poor". His supporters say the government is attempting to discredit him because he once considered setting up a political party to rival Hasina's Awami League. Yunus, an economist, and three employees from Grameen Telecom, a company he founded, were convicted on Monday of failing to create a welfare fund for its employees. "This verdict against me is contrary to all legal precedent and logic. I call for the Bangladeshi people to speak in one voice against injustice and in favour of democracy and human rights for each and every one of our citizens," he said in a statement after the verdict. Responding to petitions submitted by the accused, the court granted them bail pending a possible appeal. "The court granted their bail, giving them one month to file an appeal against the verdict of the court," prosecutor Khurshid Alam Khan said. Abdullah Al Mamun, a lawyer for Yunus, said the accused would appeal against the verdict, describing the case as politically motivated and aimed at harassing Yunus. Yunus is facing more than 100 other charges over labour law violations and alleged corruption. Human rights groups have accused the government of Hasina of targeting political dissent. Hasina is seeking a fifth term - and her fourth consecutive one - in an election on Jan. 7 which the main opposition party has boycotted. (Additional reporting by Nilutpal Timsina in Bengaluru: editing by Neil Fullick and Jason Neely) Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus has been convicted of violating labor laws in Bangladesh after he and his microfinance bank, Grameen, were charged with embezzlement and corruption. The countrys prime minister, Sheik Hasina, accused Yunus of sucking blood from impoverished citizens, while the laureates supporters condemned the charges as politically motivated. Hasinas administration has been increasingly vigilant in its repression of political dissent, and former Amnesty chief Irene Khan has called the charges frivolous and a travesty of justice. Amnesty International has accused the Bangladesh government of weaponizing labor laws for their gain, while fellow laureates and notable Yunus advocates like Barack Obama and ex-United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon maintain their support of the convicted Nobel winner. Yunus and three other Grameen employees were found guilty and sentenced to six months in jail, but immediately granted bail pending appeals. I have been punished for a crime that I havent committed, Yunus told reporters. If you want to call it justice, you can. Read it at The Guardian Read more at The Daily Beast. Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland is calling on Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to recuse himself from the case of former United States President Donald Trump's ballot disqualification. The Democratic lawmaker said that his reason for this is because Thomas' wife, Ginni Thomas, was involved in "the big lie." Raskin also spoke about the controversial issue on Sunday during an interview. Raskin Asks Thomas To Recuse Himself The Supreme Court justice's wife sent dozens of text messages following the 2020 election that were addressed to former chief of staff Mark Meadows. She urged him to fight the results, where the former president lost the race to Joe Biden. In late September 2022, Ginni told a congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol Hill riot that she regretted those texts. She argued that the messages were sent at an "emotional time" and would take them back if she could. Raskin was previously a House committee member responsible for investigating what led to the Capitol siege. He also suggested that Thomas could not objectively evaluate whether or not Trump should be disqualified from the 2024 ballot, as per USA Today. In a statement, the Democratic Maryland lawmaker said that having a wife who was involved in the big lie and claiming that Trump won the 2020 election should force them to not participate in the case. The situation comes as the states of Colorado and Maine have decided to disqualify the former president from the 2024 ballot. Officials have cited the 14th Amendment, which says Trump is barred from holding office because he engaged in an insurrection. The former president is expected to appeal the two states' decisions to remove his name from their 2024 ballots. Similar efforts are underway in other areas, including Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Texas. Read Also: Joe Biden Impeachment Inquiry: Republicans Seek POTUS Involvement in Hunter's Refusal to Testify Before Investigators Donald Trump's Ballot Disqualification Case Following Colorado and Maine's decision, Republican backlash and some criticism from Democrats have been swift and fierce. According to Politico, the heated debate over the controversial issue is expected to come soon to the nation's highest court. During the interview on Sunday, Raskin noted that the American government has several disqualifications in the Constitution for serving as president. He cited age as an example with a colleague he considers a great young politician. Maxwell Frost, who is 26 years old, cannot run for president due to the minimum requirement being 35. Following Maine's decision to remove Trump from its 2024 ballot, the area's secretary of state, Shenna Bellows, was "swatted." The term describes calling a SWAT team to a person's location and falsely claiming that a crime has happened or is ongoing in the area. The incident happened on Friday evening, and Maine State Police responded after an unidentified man lied about having broken into Bellows's home. The secretary of state decided to disqualify the former president from the ballot under the 14th Amendment's section 3 regarding insurrection, said Fox News. Related Article: Pennsylvania Man Sentenced in Secret for His Role in U.S. Capitol Riot Taxpayers in and around Coeur dAlene have been taken for one hell of a ride. The board of North Idaho College, dominated by far-right members since a takeover beginning in 2020 and coming to full fruition in 2022, has been wasting taxpayer funds at a truly mind-boggling rate for such a tiny government agency. According to numbers compiled by Kaye Thornbrugh of the Coeur dAlene Press, heres how the board has recently used taxpayer money: $511,404 to a variety of attorneys who represented it, most of whose sole qualification seems to be that they are part of North Idahos far-right political clique. $151,316 to wrongfully-fired-then-forcibly-rehired President Nick Swayne for attorney fees and costs that those expensive lawyers failed to challenge. $368,250 to briefly hire President Greg South, who worked a grand total of 75 days before the court ordered Swaynes rehiring a rate of just under $5,000 per day. $62,622 to pay officials from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities to make trips to NIC to review its worthiness for accreditation, which was called into question primarily by the boards poor governance. $69,031 to pay for training so the board could stop being so bad at governance. $18,979 to the Coeur dAlene Press for court costs stemming from wrongfully denying a lawful public records request. So this fiscally conservative board cost North Idaho College taxpayers about $1.2 million in what might be termed incompetence tax. Tales of government waste are often overblown. Having watched scores of newcomers campaign for local office promising to run government like a business or cut out the fat, Ive seen a consistent pattern across years, states and municipalities: They usually get into office, realize there isnt that much fat, and have to either cut essential services or, more often, go back on their promises. But this situation isnt like most. This wasteful spending could have been avoided by not having an incompetent board. Taxpayer funds were either spent by the board in the process of breaking something or trying to fix something it broke (usually after a judge ordered it). It truly has been remarkable. The way heat, time and pressure convert coal into a diamond, their far-right fever dreams of socialist indoctrination and fiscal profligacy turned a ho-hum community college board into pure, crystalline government waste. A dollar-bill incinerator would be less efficient at turning money into nothing; it would at least leave ash. But the good news for actual fiscal conservatives in the North Idaho College tax district is this: They have a rare chance to eliminate government waste and inefficiency easily and painlessly. The $1.2 million incompetence tax amounts to about 6.6% of the $17.8 million in property tax the college expects to collect in fiscal year 2024. You can rarely chop that kind of waste out of your budget and simultaneously improve the level of service of a public agency. But if voters throw the bums out of NIC at the next available opportunity, theyll do just that. Bryan Clark is an opinion writer with the Idaho Statesman. In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, second right, with his daughter and his wife Ri Sol Ju, left, attends a performance to celebrate the New Year in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his military should thoroughly annihilate the United States and South Korea if provoked, state media reported Monday, after he vowed to boost national defense to cope with what he called an unprecedented U.S.-led confrontation. North Korea has increased its warlike rhetoric in recent months in response to an expansion of U.S.-South Korean military drills. Experts expect Kim will continue to escalate his rhetoric and weapons tests because he likely believes he can use heightened tensions to wrest U.S. concessions if former President Donald Trump wins the U.S. presidential election in November. In a five-day major ruling party meeting last week, Kim said he will launch three more military spy satellites, produce more nuclear materials and develop attack drones this year in what observers say is an attempt to increase his leverage in future diplomacy with the U.S. In a meeting Sunday with commanding army officers, Kim said it is urgent to sharpen the treasured sword to safeguard national security, an apparent reference to his countrys nuclear weapons program. He cited the U.S. and other hostile forces military confrontation moves, according to the official Korean Central News Agency. Kim stressed that our army should deal a deadly blow to thoroughly annihilate them by mobilizing all the toughest means and potentialities without moments hesitation if they opt for military confrontation and provocations against North Korea, KCNA said. In his New Years Day address Monday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said he will strengthen his military's preemptive strike, missile defense and retaliatory capabilities in response to the North Korean nuclear threat. The Republic of Korea is building genuine, lasting peace through strength, not a submissive peace that is dependent on the goodwill of the adversary, Yoon said, using South Korea's official name. At the party meeting, Kim called South Korea a hemiplegic malformation and colonial subordinate state whose society is tainted by Yankee culture. He said his military must use all available means including nuclear weapons to suppress the whole territory of South Korea in the event of a conflict. South Koreas Defense Ministry warned in response Sunday that if North Korea attempts to use nuclear weapons, South Korean and U.S. forces will punish it overwhelmingly, resulting in the end of the Kim government. KCNA said North Korean officials held talks on Monday to implement an order by Kim to disband or reform organizations handling relations with South Korea to fundamentally change the principle and direction of the North's struggle against the South. There was no immediate explanation of how that might alter inter-Korean relations, which have been stalled for an extended period. Experts say small-scale military clashes between North and South Korea could happen this year along their heavily armed border. They say North Korea is also expected to test-launch intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the mainland U.S. and other major new weapons. In 2018-19, Kim met Trump in three rounds of talks on North Koreas expanding nuclear arsenal. The diplomacy fell apart after the U.S. rejected Kim's offer to dismantle his main nuclear complex, a limited step, in exchange for extensive reductions in U.S.-led sanctions. Since 2022, North Korea has conducted more than 100 missile tests, prompting the U.S. and South Korea to expand their joint military exercises. North Korea has also tried to strengthen its relationships with China and Russia, which blocked efforts by the U.S. and its partners in the U.N. Security Council to toughen U.N. sanctions on North Korea over its weapons tests. KCNA said Kim and Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged New Year's Day messages on Monday on bolstering bilateral ties. North Korea faces suspicions that it has supplied conventional arms for Russia's war in Ukraine in return for sophisticated Russian technologies to enhance the North's military programs. Estimates of the size of North Koreas nuclear arsenal vary, ranging from about 20-30 bombs to more than 100. Many foreign experts say North Korea still has some technological hurdles to overcome to produce functioning nuclear-armed ICBMs, though its shorter-range nuclear-capable missiles can reach South Korea and Japan. The Norwegian government has decided to authorise direct sales of arms and defence products from its defence industry to Ukraine. Source: Norwegian government website Details: The report says this change in the Norwegian government's policy came into force on 1 January 2024. Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide believes supporting Ukraine is crucial for Norwegian and European security. "In the extraordinary security situation resulting from Russia's war of aggression, it is crucial that we continue to support Ukraine. Support for Ukraine is important for Norwegian and European security. We must plan for the possibility that the illegal war of aggression may be prolonged. The Government has therefore decided to permit direct sales of weapons and defence-related products from the Norwegian defence industry to Ukraine," he said. The statement adds that provided that the exports meet the requirements for verified needs and end-user control, the government has decided to allow direct sales of Norway's arms and defence products to Ukraine. "This change means that we are safeguarding fundamental defence and security policy interests for Norway together with our allies. The Government employs a number of instruments to facilitate the important role of the defence industry in the current security policy situation," said Norwegian Defence Minister Bjrn Arild Gram. The Norwegian Foreign Ministry stressed that export licences for direct sales will be granted only on a case-by-case basis and will be thoroughly assessed. Monitoring will continue to take place within a strict and responsible framework in accordance with Norwegian export control regulations. Earlier, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre announced plans to provide Ukraine with additional assistance to strengthen its air defence, financial support for healthcare and education, and finance the increase in ammunition production. Norway and the UK plan to help Ukraine strategically strengthen its Naval Forces. Support UP or become our patron! Norwegian companies will now be able to directly sell weapons and defense equipment to Ukrainian authorities following a decision from Oslo, Norways Defense Ministry announced on Jan. 1. The Norwegian government previously provided fiscal and military support for Ukraine but noted that donations are no longer sufficient as Russia's war against Ukraine bleeds into 2024. As such, Norwegian defense companies can now apply for an export license from Norways Foreign Affairs Ministry to directly sell defense products to Ukraine. The government is concerned that Norway should provide long-term and effective weapons support for Ukraine's legitimate defense struggle, based on Ukrainian needs, the Defense Ministry said. Strict conditions will be imposed on the sales in line with Norwegian arms export policy. This means that direct sales can only be made to Ukrainian authorities and that there is documentation and official assurances about end use and end user, as well as a re-export clause. The Nordic state will continue military support for Ukraine this year. In total, the country provided over $1 billion in military support to Ukraine in 2023. Last month, Norway unveiled new aid for Ukraine as part of a previously announced $6.8 billion multi-year support plan, including air defense equipment, humanitarian assistance, and increased munition production. Oslo and London also launched a Maritime Capability Coalition on Dec. 11 to support the Ukrainian Navy. The coalition's goal is to deliver "ships and vehicles to strengthen Ukraine's ability to operate at sea" and provide "training, equipment, and infrastructure to bolster security in the Black Sea." Read also: Zelensky arrives in Norway for unannounced visit Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. An Israeli armoured personnel carrier (APC) driving along the southern border of Israel and Gaza as fighting between Israeli troops and Islamist Hamas militants continues. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa One in six Israeli soldiers killed since the start of the ground offensive in the Gaza Strip has been either accidentally killed or killed by their own comrades, the Israeli army said on Monday, confirming media reports. The total amounts to 29 soldiers, 18 of whom were killed by friendly fire. Two others were killed by an accidental shot and nine more by accidents, for example with ammunition. According to military figures, a total of 172 soldiers have been killed since the start of the Israeli ground offensive in the Gaza Strip at the end of October. More than 900 have been injured. Since the start of the war on October 7, when Hamas carried out the worst massacre in Israeli history, 506 servicemen and women have been killed. Canada may seem like a nearby refuge, but to relocate, you'd have to deal with a lot of bureaucracy. (Mark Thiessen / Associated Press) In 2000, Eddie Vedder, the Pearl Jam baritone and outspoken proponent of abortion rights , threatened to move to a different country if George W. Bush were elected president. With three Supreme Court positions opening in the next administration, I'm frightened to think of a Republican in office, he said. The same year, Alec Baldwin reportedly said hed leave if Bush won. So did the late director Robert Altman. Bush won. Vedder stayed. Baldwin stayed. Altman stayed. The right-wing joke about huffy posturing by celebrities was born. Read more: The wealthiest Californians are fleeing the state. Why that's very bad news for the economy Indeed, the threat to leave the United States if X or Y is elected or B or T is usually both bombastic and empty. The common wisdom is that its better not to make the threat at all. Its like divorce. Youre not supposed to mention it unless youre ready to follow through. But with pollsters telling us that dread tops the list of Americans feelings about the 2024 election, and with Donald Trump hoping for an explicitly dictatorial White House comeback , the prospect of decamping for more democratic shores has fresh appeal. Hollow threats are foolish. But its worth remembering a fundamental freedom: to move. Ive hardly ever thought about leaving the U.S. in political protest. Even after the elections of Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, whose politics diverged steeply from my own, expatriating didnt cross my mind. Those two were democratically elected by an American majority. Yes, being forced to accept presidents who were opposed by the majority of the American electorate George W. Bush in 2000 and Donald Trump in 2016 was demoralizing. Presidents who slide into the Oval Office courtesy of gerrymandering and the ever-more-imbalanced electoral college, with flagrant assists from the Supreme Court (Bush) or the Kremlin (Trump) are terrible for morale in a democracy. Read more: Column: The year America burned, literally and figuratively Still, I havent yet fired up listings for rentals in Auckland, New Zealand, or Vancouver. But accepting a leader who installs himself in the White House with a violent insurrection, as Trump tried to do just three years ago? Thats where the expatriation fantasy kicks in in earnest. In last years sweeping history of human civilization, "The Dawn of Everything," the authors David Graeber and David Wengrow propose that human society requires three priceless freedoms: the freedom to disobey, the freedom to reimagine society and the freedom to move away. To remember that we can indeed escape this country if the American experiment is hijacked is to send a signal to the nervous system that were still free in all three ways. Until all the borders and harbors and highways close, until every single plane is grounded and martial law instituted, were not stuck here. Its a deeply worthwhile practice of citizenship to visit the question of whether America has finally failed. After all, the origin story of many American families is escape. Consider it a thought experiment: What would it take for you to leave? Read more: Column: 2023 was the year I started believing in the horseshoe theory of politics A ccording to Gallup , record numbers of Americans seriously considered leaving the United States during Trumps term. Sixteen percent said they wanted to split for good. This was considerably higher than during the administrations of George W. Bush (11%) and Barack Obama (10%). Most notably, 40% of women under 30 told Gallup in 2019 that theyd like to leave. According to data collected last year by the Washington Post, the desire to get out spiked again after Roe vs. Wade was overturned in June 2022. When I asked ChatGPT about emigrating to Canada I didnt exactly get the kindly Come on in! message Id hoped for. Instead, it told me to try my luck with the Canadian bureaucracy visas and family sponsorship, Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program. At the same time, if you can find a foothold abroad, its easier than ever to support yourself in foreign lands. Pandemic-era workforces remain far-flung. Last year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that around 28% of private-sector establishments had employees teleworking some or all the time, and other research indicates that that percentage may be too low. You might be able to leave the U.S. and take your job with you. Read more: The most-read Los Angeles Times stories of 2023 And plenty of people do leave. In 2020, a prominent American legal journalist took her family to Canada, where she grew up. Shes content no longer to live in the long shadow of our sold-out, far-right Supreme Court . A 26-year-old gay American, who presciently fled stateside political instability for Norway in 2019, convened a Reddit group called r/AmerExit to help others considering a move. One member, Richard Altfeld, headed to the Netherlands with his wife, Tiana Esperanza. A biracial couple, Altfeld and Esperanza were among other things fed up with American racism. The urge to escape, of course, isnt only felt by liberals. Another Gallup poll finds that pride in being American is at near-record lows for Republicans. If theyre casting around for new homelands, Republicans might look to Trump for inspiration. On the stump hes been lavishing praise on the dictatorships in Hungary, China, Russia and North Korea. His followers have at least four solid options for expatriation if President Biden wins reelection. But, of course, actually leaving isnt easy. The hitch in moving to Canada may be bureaucracy. But the hitch in moving to the autocracies that are richest in Trumpian values is that they also tend to be hostile to immigrants. Virginia Heffernan is a regular contributor to Wired and writes a newsletter, Magic and Loss, at virginiaheffernan.substack.com. If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A person is dead after a crash in Preble County Monday morning. Nicholas Emrick, 20, of New Lebanon, was identified as the driver killed in the crash on Preble County Line Road, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP). >> PHOTOS: 1 dead after New Years Day crash in Preble County Troopers and Preble County Sheriffs deputies were dispatched just after 7:30 a.m. to the 70 block of Preble County Line Road on initial reports of a vehicle crashing into a pole. Emrick was heading north when he lost control of his 2015 Ford sedan. >>1 hospitalized after being struck by vehicle in Dayton Troopers said he failed to yield for a stop sign at the intersection of US 35, went airborne, and hit an electric pole and a tree. Emrick died at the scene. The crash remains under investigation. Editor's note: This report was published on Jan. 1. In early January, data was released further confirming that 2023 was Earth's hottest year on record. It's a moment scientists have warned about for months: Earth has just ended its warmest year since people began keeping records, and scientists say it may have been the warmest in 125,000 years. Even though the December data isn't yet official, the results were already "locked in" by mid-December, Gavin Schmidt, a scientist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, told USA TODAY. Given the six consecutive months of extremely warm temperatures, it was virtually impossible for December to be cold enough to alter the final results. "We are already beyond the point that any normal process would be able to keep 2023 from being the hottest year," Robert Rohde of Berkeley Earth, said in mid-December. Official reports from organizations such as the Copernicus Climate Change Service in Europe, and U.S. agencies such as NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are set to make their "warmest year on record" announcements over the next couple of weeks. What's especially concerning, experts say, is that "the rate of warming over the past century has no precedent as far back as we are able to look, not only hundreds or thousands, but many millions of years," according to University of Pennsylvania meteorologist Michael Mann's book "Our Fragile Moment." "We are engaged in an unprecedented experiment with our planet," Mann told USA TODAY. "There is still time to prevent devastating climate consequences, but the window of opportunity is shrinking." 2023 set to be the hottest year on record Each year since 2014 stands among the top 10 warmest years since people began keeping track, based on increases in global average temperatures above the previous century, according to NASA and NOAA. The year 2016, which included the influence of a strong El Nino, was the warmest year on record. Then 2020 matched it. Once a series of marine heat waves and another developing El Nino began influencing Earth's temperatures in 2023, it became increasingly clear to the world's scientists that the year was likely to see the biggest increases in average temperatures compared to last century. By November, NOAA reported the January-November global surface temperature was 2.07 degrees Fahrenheit above the 1901-2000 average of 57.2 degrees, blowing past the 2016 average for the same period by more than a tenth of a degree. The only question remaining is how much warmer 2023 will wind up being when the world's agencies complete their final analyses over the next two weeks. Experts on the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and at institutions around the world have warned the long-term global average temperature increase should be kept below 1.5 - 2.0 degrees Celsius to avoid catastrophic consequences, such as higher sea levels and an even greater number of intense heat waves that claim lives, devastate crops, kill wildlife and drive warmer temperatures. Most records are measured in 'temperature anomalies.' What's that? Calculating the global average temperature and how it's changing over time is challenging and complex. To do it with confidence, climate scientists use a combination of strategies to estimate the change. For example, they use weather stations and ocean temperature readings and track how much warmer or colder those temperatures are compared to a set reference period in the past, Schmidt said. The resulting anomalies are then averaged over the globe. In a second method, satellite data that is close to surface air temperature is averaged together, then adjusted for gaps in resolution or data. The anomalies also are the most robust way to look at this data, he said. A third method reanalyzes by plugging satellite and other data into a weather model that calculates an average. The best analyses use all three methods to examine the data, Schmidt said. Global temperatures keep trending upwards. What next? A host of international scientists have warned in one report after another that they expect global temperatures to continue on an upward trend. They say a combination of heat-trapping fossil fuel emissions (such as carbon dioxide), natural cycles and human development will fuel the trend. Reports from the intergovernmental panel and others say the temperature increases can be reversed, but not without more significant effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the levels of harmful gasses in the atmosphere. Until then, scientists say more years will look like 2023. And 2024 could be even warmer. Many climate scientists expect a strong El Nino to fuel an even hotter year globally, perhaps temporarily hitting the 1.5 degree Celsius threshold even more often. "We expect two new temperature record-breaking years in succession," stated Nick Dunstone, with the Met Office, the national meteorological service for the United Kingdom. The World Meteorological Organization estimates the five-year period 2023-2027 will almost certainly be the warmest five-year period ever recorded. Month after month in 2023 broke records Since June, every month has comfortably set an all-time temperature record and Earth has seen 547 consecutive months with temperatures above the 20th century average. In May, carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere reached a record high, the fourth-largest annual increase on record. Among the other milestones: During Earths single hottest month on record (July 2023), 81% of people on the planet experienced heat made more likely by human-caused climate change, according to Climate Central. Heat waves driven by climate change affected parts of Europe, China, the U.S., northern Africa, South America, South Asia, and Madagascar. In the U.S., through November, four states on the southern coast had sweltered through their warmest year on record: Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The planet hit a global average temperature of 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures on Nov. 17. Air temperatures were hot in 2023. Water temps were even hotter. Daily air temperatures 6.5 feet (2 meters) above the surface by years since 1979: Ocean temperatures set new record highs for months in a row, causing widespread coral bleaching in the Florida Keys. At one point in July, the temperature of the ocean in the Keys surpassed 100 degrees, which may have been a world record. Daily sea-surface temperatures by year since 1982: Climate scientists say the world's oceans are hotter because they've absorbed the majority of the excess warming caused by an increase in greenhouse gas emissions over decades. Additionally this year, ocean heat was fueled in part by the June return of El Nino, a pattern of warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures along the equator in the tropical Pacific Ocean, which affects weather around the world. Scientists also are studying whether the warming was driven in part by the effects of shipping regulations that reduced the sulfur in shipping fuels and the temporary massive shot of water vapor to the Earth's stratosphere from the eruption of the Hunga Tonga - Hunga Ha'apai volcano in January 2022. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2023 was Earth's hottest year, experts say. Charts show what happened. Serbian students and activists have initiated a sit-in protest in downtown Belgrade, marking a strong challenge to the results of recent local and national elections held on December 17. The demonstrators, setting up tents and makeshift camps near government headquarters, aim to blockade the streets ahead of a planned opposition rally this weekend, contesting the prolonged grip on power by President Aleksandar Vucic and his Serbian Progressive Party. Protests Erupt Amid Alleged Election Fraud in Serbia The student-led actions have caused significant traffic disruptions in the capital, amplifying political tensions that have escalated since the controversial December 17 ballot. Vucic's party declared victory in both parliamentary and local elections, but the main opposition alliance, Serbia Against Violence, alleges widespread fraud, particularly in Belgrade. The upcoming rally on Saturday is anticipated to draw thousands, reflecting the heightened discontent over the election outcomes and subsequent incidents, including the arrest of opposition supporters during a protest last weekend. In a recent statement, President Vucic, a prominent populist leader, has made serious allegations against the opposition. According to Vucic, the opposition is being accused of inciting violence with the ultimate goal of overthrowing the government, allegedly under foreign influence. Opposition leaders, on the other hand, have vehemently denied these allegations. The Serbian Progressive Party's recent victory has sparked skepticism among the public, leading to daily protests organized by Serbia Against Violence. In a display of defiance against what they perceive as fraudulent elections, certain opposition politicians have turned to hunger strikes as a means of protest. The international community has also raised concerns about the electoral process, with representatives from various rights watchdogs reporting irregularities, including vote-buying and ballot box stuffing. They have pointed out biased mainstream media coverage and the alleged abuse of public resources by the ruling party, further undermining the credibility of the elections, according to ABC News. Read Also: US Military's Myterious X-37B Robot Spaceplane Launched on Higher-Orbit Mission Students Arrested Amid Rising Tensions Tensions reached a boiling point on Sunday evening when protesters attempted to enter Belgrade city hall, resulting in clashes with riot police. Subsequent arrests, including at least 38 students, have intensified the unrest. Despite allegations of opposition plans to incite incidents during the upcoming rally, opposition leader Dragan Djilas has firmly denied any intent for violence. Instead, he emphasizes the commitment to democratic methods in their fight against what they perceive as unjust election results. As Serbia navigates these turbulent political waters, there is a growing international call for an impartial investigation into the vote. Western observers, including the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, have criticized the ruling party's control over media sources and intimidation tactics leading up to the election. While Serbia formally seeks EU membership, its close ties with Moscow have added complexity to the situation. Russian officials have supported Vucic's crackdown on protesters, echoing claims of a Western-backed ploy to destabilize Serbia. As the political landscape remains fraught with tension, the international community closely watches how Serbia's leaders and citizens navigate this critical juncture, balancing the pursuit of democratic processes with the need for transparency and respect for the will of the people, The Times of India reported. Related Article: China's Military Escalates Tension with the US After Breakthrough Talks The Russians launched more than 60 Shahed attack drones at Ukraines south on the night of 31 December-1 January, and air defence units managed to destroy more than 50 of them. Source: Nataliia Humeniuk, spokesperson for Operational Command Pivden (South), on air during the 24/7 national joint newscast Quote: "More than 60 drones were observed flying in our area of responsibility, over 50 of which were destroyed" Details: She added that the aftermath of the attack is still being summed up and the final data will be available later. Humeniuk said the attack began at 23:30. One of the port infrastructure facilities in Odesa Oblast was hit. A fire broke out, but it was quickly extinguished. No people were injured. She said that the air defence systems operated in the south for almost 11 hours during the night. The drones were shot down in Odesa, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad and Vinnytsia oblasts. Most of the drones were shot down in Odesa Oblast about 30 of them. Humeniuk explained that even a downed Shahed drone remains very dangerous. When it falls, it creates a powerful blast wave that destroys facilities around it. Background: On the evening of 31 December, several dozen Russian attack drones were spotted in Ukrainian airspace. During the night, several of them flew to the west of the country to Lviv. Explosions were heard overnight in Odesa and Dnipro. In Odesa, a high-rise building caught fire, killing one person. There were also strikes in Mykolaiv Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! PAROWAN, Utah (ABC4) A Parowan woman has been pronounced dead after being found unresponsive Saturday morning, according to Parowan Police. On Dec. 30, shortly before 6:50 a.m., authorities responded to a medical call at the 400 West block of Old Highway 91 in Parowan. Man, 51, killed while walking on Northbound I-15 in South Salt Lake Upon arrival, officers found an unresponsive woman with unknown injuries. She was then taken to a local hospital in critical condition. Parowan Police said that she has since passed away. An investigation into the nature of the circumstances surrounding her death is ongoing. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now ABC4 Daily News Parowan City Police Department offers our sincere condolences and asks that the community respects the familys privacy at this time, a release states. No further information is available at this time. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. A workplace conflict allegedly ended in assault and the arrest of a High Point, North Carolina, pastor, according to police records. A manager-in-training at a McDonald's complained to her husband on Thursday that employees were disrespecting her, according to a police report, and he came to his wife's workplace. There, 57-year-old Dwayne Waden allegedly pushed a cook's head toward the deep fryer and punched him in the face, according to a police report of the incident. Several employees had to pull Waden off the victim, according to the report, who "suffered a large contusion to the forehead and right eye, along with scratches on his neck." Officers were able to see footage from a surveillance video of the altercation. Waden, whose Facebook profile identifies him as pastor of Elevated Life International Ministries and a semitruck driver, was arrested on a charge of assault, according to a police report, and released on a $1,000 bond. The McDonald's local franchise confirmed to CBS News that the wife was no longer with the organization and said, "the safety and security of our employees and customers is our top priority." Anderson Cooper on freeing yourself from the burden of grief "Hail and farewell": A tribute to those we lost in 2023 New York City police officers on high alert ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations A North Carolina pastor was arrested and charged after being accused of assaulting his wifes co-worker at McDonalds, police say. High Point police said the mans wife was training to be a manager at McDonalds when she called her husband for assistance after her employees were disrespecting her. Witnesses told officers that the man entered the restaurant, walked around the counter and placed his hands around the neck of an employee, according to a Dec. 28 police report. The man then pushed the employees head toward the deep fryer. The man punched the worker several times in the face, witnesses told police. Several employees had to pull him off the employee. After viewing video footage of the incident, police said they arrested the man for assault. He was charged with one count of assault and battery or simple assault, according to the arrest report. The mans Facebook page says he is a pastor in High Point. The employee suffered a large contusion to the forehead and right eye, along with scratches on his neck, police said. First responders arrived, but he opted to let his family take him to the hospital. McDonalds did not immediately respond to McClatchy News request for comment on Jan. 1. Dad tracks down and shoots man accused of attacking daughter, Illinois police say Driver fatally hits woman she accused of stealing packages, California cops say Man angry over parked car fatally shoots woman within feet of kids, Arizona cops say New laws are set to go into effect in California in 2024. One will protect doctors who mail abortion pills to patients in states where abortion is illegal. Another law will prevent workplaces from firing employees for smoking weed outside work. Doctors in California who mail abortion pills to patients in other states will be protected from prosecution. Workers will receive more paid sick leave on the heels of a big year for labor. And companies can't fire employees for using marijuana outside work. These are among the hundreds of laws that take effect January 1 in the nation's most populous state. Each year, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs hundreds of laws passed by the state Legislature. Most take effect on January 1 of the following year. But sometimes lawmakers delay a law's effective date for various reasons, including giving people more time to prepare for the new rules. Some of the highest-profile bills passed by the Legislature in 2023 will not take effect until later. Fast food workers will get a minimum wage of $20 per hour on April 1. Health care workers are scheduled to see the first minimum wage increase on June 1. Laws requiring businesses to report their emissions and financial risks from climate change won't take effect until 2026. A law banning people from carrying guns in most public places was blocked by a federal judge just days before it was set to take effect. In 2023, the California Legislature passed 1,046 bills. Newsom signed 890 of those bills into law. He vetoed 156 bills, or 14.9%, according to statistics compiled by veteran lobbyist Chris Micheli. Here is a look at some of the new laws Californians face: A new law, set to be enacted in 2024, will protect workers who fail drug tests and use cannabis outside work. AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli YOU CAN'T GET FIRED FOR SMOKING POT AT HOME Some drug tests don't determine if a person is high, but only if that person has used marijuana at all in recent days. California lawmakers thought it wasn't fair for companies to punish workers for failing these drug tests, especially since recreational marijuana has been legal in the state since 2016. A new law passed in 2022 but takes effect this year says companies can't punish workers for failing these types of drug tests. There are exceptions for construction workers and companies that must conduct drug tests as part of federal contracts. A TAX INCREASE FOR HIGHER WAGE EARNERS California has a short-term disability program that pays people who cannot work because of a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. A 1.1% tax on wages funds the program. In the past, this tax only applied to wages below a certain amount, about $153,000 in 2023. But starting January 1, a new law, passed in 2022 but takes effect this year, eliminates the wage cap. People who make over $153,000 annually will pay a 1.1% tax on those wages. PROTECTIONS FOR ABORTION PILLS Abortion is now illegal in 14 states after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. But doctors and pharmacists in California who mail abortion pills to patients in those states will be shielded from prosecution or fines. The law bans bounty hunters or bail agents from apprehending California doctors and taking them to another state to stand trial. It even prohibits state-based social media companies, such as Facebook, from complying with out-of-state subpoenas, warrants, or other requests for records to discover the identity of patients seeking abortion pills. MORE SICK LEAVE Workers in California will receive a minimum of five days of sick leave annually instead of three, which they will accrue once they have been employed for 200 days. Labor advocates say the increase will curb the spread of disease by preventing employees from working when they are sick. But opponents say the law will be another financial burden for employers and claim some workers request sick leave when they are not ill. COMMUNITY COLLEGE TUITION Low-income Mexican residents who live within 45 miles (72 kilometers) of the California-Mexico border will be eligible for in-state tuition rates at participating Southern California community colleges under a new law signed by Newsom. Advocates say the measure will lower the burden for students to receive education and training to help prepare them for the workforce. It resembles another program in the state allowing up to 200 Nevada residents who live in certain areas near the California-Nevada border to receive in-state tuition rates at Lake Tahoe Community College. LGBTQ+ FOSTER YOUTH Foster families will be required to demonstrate their ability to meet the health and safety needs of children regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. It was one of several bills the Legislature passed this year to expand protections for LGBTQ+ youth. Newsom vetoed another high-profile bill that would have required courts to consider whether a parent affirms their child's gender identity in custody and visitation proceedings. LOW-INCOME HOUSING ON CHURCH LAND Religious institutions and nonprofit colleges in California can now turn their parking lots and other properties into affordable housing. The new law, which helps these institutions bypass most local permitting and environmental review rules, was among several initiatives attempting to address the homelessness crisis in California. Supporters of the law said it will serve as another tool to build much-needed housing in the state, but opponents said the law takes away local control over housing developments. HARSHER PENALTIES FOR FENTANYL DEALERS California lawmakers introduced a slew of bills last year aimed at addressing fentanyl overdoses, which are killing roughly 110 Californians each week. Only one measure cracking down on dealers reached Newsom's desk. The new law increases penalties for dealers who possess more than 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of fentanyl. Newsom also signed bills requiring stadiums and amusement parks to stock overdose reversal drugs and community colleges and California State University campuses to provide fentanyl test strips. Read the original article on Business Insider Editors note: A previous version of the story incorrectly stated the age of the victim. This story has been updated (January 1, 2024). SAN FRANCISCO (KRON/BCN) A man died after suffering firework-related injuries in San Francisco, barely an hour after the New Year arrived, police said. The San Francisco Police Department said that at approximately 12:40 a.m. Monday, officers responded to a report of someone injured by fireworks in the 1200 block of Exposition Drive in Treasure Island neighborhood. Upon arrival, they found a man suffering life-threatening injuries, police said. (AIO Filmz) The victim was given first aid, but when paramedics arrived, the man was pronounced dead. San Francisco police ask anyone with relevant information to contact them at (415) 575-4444 or text TIP411. Bay City News contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Police are investigating the first murder of 2024 after a man was shot to death in Boston early New Years Day. Officers responding to a report of a shooting in the area of High Street in the citys Dorchester section around 5:30 a.m. found a man outside the address suffering from a gunshot wound, according to the Boston Police Department. The man, whose name hasnt been released, was pronounced dead at the scene. Video from the scene showed a Boston police K9 and firefighters assisting officers. The area was also roped off with crime tape. The Boston Police Departments homicide detectives are leading an investigation into the shooting. There was no word on if any arrests had been made. Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to contact the Boston Police Homicide Unit at 617-343-4470. Community members wishing to assist in this investigation anonymously can do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting the word TIP to CRIME. UPDATE: police confirm this is a fatal shooting. https://t.co/FHYH9SmloG Kelly Sullivan (@ksullivannews) January 1, 2024 This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Veteran photojournalist doctor Peter Magubane at the funeral of Albertina Sisulu, in Johannesburg Veteran photojournalist doctor Peter Magubane at the funeral of Albertina Sisulu, in Johannesburg By Bhargav Acharya JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Peter Magubane, the renowned artist-photographer who shed light on the everyday struggles of Black South Africans for decades under apartheid, died on Monday. He was 91. After joining Drum magazine in 1955, Magubane gained prominence as one of the few Black photographers covering the repressive era. One of his landmark images, taken a year later in a wealthy Johannesburg suburb, showed a white girl sitting on a bench with a sign reading "Europeans Only" while a Black worker sat behind her combing her hair. In the 1960s, amid a surge in anti-apartheid activism, he covered Nelson Mandela's arrest and the banning of the now-ruling African National Congress (ANC) party. A decade on, he was winning international accolades with his coverage of the Soweto student uprising. He was regularly harassed, assaulted, arrested and, starting in 1969, locked up for 586 days of solitary confinement. But Magubane kept taking photos and, in the 1990s, was appointed as newly-released Mandela's official photographer. He was "someone who made very big sacrifices for the freedom that we enjoy today," his granddaughter Ulungile Magubane told Reuters. "Luckily he was alive to see the country change for the better," she said. Born in 1932 in the Johannesburg suburb of Vrededorp - now Pageview - Magubane grew up in Sophiatown, once a hub to famous Black artists that was eventually destroyed under apartheid. He died peacefully around midday, his daughter Fikile Magubane said. He would have turned 92 on Jan. 18. (Reporting by Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Andrew Heavens) Anyone who has driven on Phoenix-area freeways recently has seen the need for more lanes, better interchanges, new bridges and new surfacing in some key areas as a growing population brings even more freeway traffic to the state. Look for some new projects in the new year on the Loop 101 to add to major work already under way on interstates 10 and 17. The Arizona Department of Transportation recently revealed several of its maintenance and construction project plans for Phoenix area freeways throughout 2024. Commuters will see improvement projects slated for: The Broadway Curve on Interstate 10 in Chandler Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive/Pima Road in Scottsdale Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) between Interstate 17 and 75th Avenue in the northwest Phoenix area I-17 between Anthem Way and Sunset Point north of Phoenix The I-10 Gila River Bridge crossing southeast of Riggs Road I-17 between Happy Valley Road and State Route 74 Construction: 4 Tempe high rises slated to start construction in 2024, bring 1,700 new apartment units Among the improvements that are planned are: the installation and upgrades to signage, traffic signals, freeway lighting, sidewalks, drainage systems and ramp meters, according to ADOT. Doug Nintzel, a spokesperson for ADOT, said Phoenix-area drivers can expect weekend and overnight road closures over the next several months while improvements are underway. "Those are the times when contractors are able to get a lot of the major work for our improvement projects done," Nintzel said. Nintzel went on to say that ADOT will continue to inform Arizona drivers about major restrictions on freeways so they "can plan to steer clear of them by using alternate routes." "As we often say, the farther you stay away from where a freeway is closed, the more time you'll save by using another freeway or alternate local route," Nintzel said. Most Phoenix-area freeway projects are funded in part by Prop 400, a regional half-cent sales tax approved by area voters in 2004, he said. The Maricopa Association of Governments, the Phoenix region's metropolitan planning organization, manages both the funding and overall scheduling of freeway construction projects in the Regional Freeway Program, Nintzel added. According to ADOT's website, the Loop 101 Improvement Project will cost $108 million, whereas the I-10 improvements will cost $171 million. What freeways will be affected? The Loop 101 in Scottsdale and the northwest Valley, the I-10 in Chandler and on the way out to Tucson, and the I-17 in north Phoenix and on the way to Black Canyon City are all planned to have ongoing construction underway during 2024, Nintzel says. What are the improvements? According to ADOT, Loop 101 is scheduled to have two major widening projects in different zones of the freeway, with additional lanes to be constructed in each direction for both sections, ADOT says. Crews will also convert the Loop 101 interchange at Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard into a diamond configuration to improve traffic flow, according to the department. The I-10 and I-17 freeways are currently undergoing continuous projects that began in previous years, and in 2024, that work will include finishing elevated ramps, reconstructing outdated bridges, forming additional lanes, and improving pavement conditions, as well as providing direct connections between the I-10 and State Route 143, ADOT says. Crews will also complete the lanes carrying local traffic in areas between Baseline Road and 40th Street. The Broadway Curve Improvement Project on I-10 will improve travel on 11 miles of highway one of the Phoenix area's busiest stretches, according to ADOT. Where will construction take place? The first improvement project for Loop 101 will take place between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive/Pima Road in Scottsdale within a 4.5-mile work zone, according to ADOT. The second widening project for Loop 101 will occur between the I-17 and75th Avenue in the northwest Valley, ADOT said. Improvement projects on the I-10 will include parts of Loop 202 in Chandler, the Hohokam Expressway, and areas between Baseline Road and 40th Street, according to the ADOT website. Bridgework will take place over the Gila River southeast of Riggs Road. For I-17, ongoing construction will take place between Anthem Way and Sunset Point north of Phoenix, Black Canyon City, and in between Happy Valley Road and State Route 74 in north Phoenix, ADOT said. When will construction start and end? Construction on the first widening project for Loop 101 is scheduled to start on Jan 5, 2024, while the second widening project will begin in the fall of that year. Both projects will take approximately two years to complete, ADOT said. The Broadway Curve Improvement Project on the I-10 began in the fall of 2021 and is slated for completion at the end of 2024. The Gila River Bridges Project on the same freeway will start in the spring of 2024 and will take an estimated two years to complete. Advancements on I-17 between Anthem Way and Sunset Point began in the fall of 2022 and are scheduled for completion in 2025. Resurfacing projects on the same freeway, between Happy Valley Road and State Route 74, will start in the spring of next year and will take approximately seven months to finish. For free updates and information regarding Phoenix-area freeway projects, drivers are encouraged to subscribe on ADOT's website at https://azdot.gov/home, Nintzel said. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Improvements slated for Loop 101, I-17 and I-10 in 2024 (Photo : Ole Jensen/Getty Images) Danish Queen Margrethe II announced her surprised abdication 52 years after taking over the throne from her father King Frederik IX. Danish Queen Margrethe II made a surprise announcement on Live TV, unveiling her abdication of the throne 52 years after her father's death, King Frederick IX. The queen of Denmark is Europe's longest-serving monarch and her abdication will take effect on Jan. 14. Her son, Crown Prince Frederik, will then succeed the 83-year-old. Queen Margrethe II ascended the throne in 1972, and her latest announcement was viewed on TV by many in the country, which has a population of roughly 5.9 million. Danish Queen Announces Abdication Queen Margrethe II referred to a successful back operation that she underwent in February, adding that the surgery naturally gave rise to thinking about the future. This was on whether or not the time has come to leave the responsibility to the next generation of leaders. She then said that she had decided that now was the right time to step down as Denmark's Queen, more than five decades after succeeding her father. Queen Margrethe became the longest-serving monarch in Europe following the death of British Queen Elizabeth II in September last year, as per Reuters. In July last year, the royal also became the longest-sitting monarch in the history of Denmark. Within the country, formal power resides with the elected parliament and its government. On the other hand, the monarch is expected to stay above partisan politics and represent the nation with traditional duties that range from state visits to national day celebrations. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen thanked Queen Margrethe II for her life-long dedication to duty. He noted that it is difficult to understand that the time has come for a change on the throne. He noted that many of the country's people have never known another monarch. Frederiksen said that the queen is the epitome of Denmark and noted that throughout the years, the royal has put words and feelings into who the country is as a people and nation. Queen Margrethe was born in 1940 to King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid. Read Also: Former European Commission President Jacques Delors Dies at 98 During His Sleep Taking Over the Throne This month, the Danish Prime Minister's office said that Crown Prince Frederik will take over the throne as His Majesty King Frederik X. After Frederiksen attends a meeting in the Council of State, she will proclaim the change of throne at Christiansborg Castle, according to CNN. In the early 1990s, Denmark's people viewed the crown prince as a party prince. However, their perception changed after he graduated from Aarhus University in 1995 with a master's in political science. He became the first Danish royal to complete a university education. During the crown prince's studies, he studied at Harvard in the United States, where he enrolled under the pseudonym Frederik Henriksen. He later served in the Danish Navy and got the nickname "Pingo." The nickname was given to him after his wetsuit filled up with water during a scuba diving course and he was forced to waddle like a penguin. According to BBC, the 55-year-old royal also earned his name as a daredevil after participating in a four-month ski expedition across Greenland in 2000. Related Article: Bulgaria, Romania To Partially Join Schengen Area by Air, Sea After Striking Deal With Austria WYOMING, Mich. (WOOD) Two people were injured in a shooting at a Walmart in Wyoming on New Years Eve, police say. Around 6 p.m. Sunday, Wyoming police received several calls reporting shots fired at the Walmart on 54th Street SW near US-131. Officers responded to find a woman who had been shot. She was unrelated to the situation, according to police. She was just in the background of the shooting and unfortunately, was shot with a round, said Lt. Andrew Koeller with The Wyoming Police Department. Investigation found that two other people had gotten into some sort of interaction with a man police called a targeted individual inside the store near the check-out lines at the front, said Koeller. At least 10 rounds were fired. That man showed up to a local hospital with a gunshot wound. Both people who were shot are being treated at the hospital for injuries that are not life-threatening, Koeller said. Meanwhile, police are looking for two suspects. One had a handgun and was wearing a black parka style winter coat with fur around the collar, a red sweatshirt and dark pants. The other was wearing light colored pants and a black sweatshirt with white lettering across the front. They were both wearing masks, Koeller said, which is why police do not have photos of their faces to release. This is a brazen public attack. This is not something that we would tolerate, this is not something that should occur. And we encourage the public to give any information in help solving this brazen crime and like I mentioned, unfortunately, an innocent bystander was struck. Two people were struck and thats completely unfortunate, Koeller said. Its unclear what the interaction was that led up to the shooting or if the suspects knew each other. Anyone with information is asked to call the Wyoming Department of Public Safety at 616.530.7300 or Silent Observer at 616.774.2345. Walmart was evacuated and closed for the night, police said. The scene of a shooting at Walmart in Wyoming on 54th Street. (Dec. 31, 2023) The scene of a shooting at Walmart in Wyoming on 54th Street. (Dec. 31, 2023) The scene of a shooting at Walmart in Wyoming on 54th Street. (Dec. 31, 2023) The scene of a shooting at Walmart in Wyoming on 54th Street. (Dec. 31, 2023) This embedded content is not available in your region. Wyoming Police Investigative Division and Forensic Science Unit are investigating the shooting. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) Police in Prince Georges County said they were investigating after a fatal shooting just hours before the new year. Officers said they responded to reports of a shooting at around 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 31, in the 1400 block of Dunbar Oaks Dr. Two people stabbed in Northeast DC At the scene, officers said they found a man suffering apparent gunshot wounds. They took the man to hospital where he later died. Detectives said they were working to establish suspects and a motive in this case. Police asked anyone with information regarding this case to submit a tip using the P3 Tips app. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as more information becomes available. NAPLES, Utah (ABC4) Authorities are investigating the deaths of two people in Uintah County after two separate incidents in different cities that are believed to be connected on Sunday, Dec. 31. Missing Riverdale foreign exchange student found near Brigham City in case of cyber kidnapping The Naples Police Department said first responders were first dispatched to a residential fire in Vernal City. Upon arrival, police said there was active fire activity inside the residence. As crews from the Vernal Fire Department worked to extinguish the blaze, they found a man who had died. Police later identified the man as Mark Ryan Bingham, 42, of Vernal. As investigators were looking into the fire, Naples City Law Enforcement and medical staff were dispatched to a medical event at a residential care facility in Naples. First responders said when they arrived, Patricia Bingham, 72, was beyond life-saving efforts. Through their initial investigation, police determined Patricia Bingham had died of a gunshot wound. Further details about each incident were not made available, however, Naples Police Department confirmed with ABC4 investigators believe the incidents are connected. It is unclear what the relationship is between the two victims. Naples Police Department said a suspect has been identified and law enforcement is certain there is no active threat to the community. Both Naples and Vernal City Police Departments are actively investigating each incident. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said it was looking for a person who shot two teenage boys on Sunday morning. Police said that at about 2:35 p.m., officers responded to the 300 block of 37th Street in Southeast for the report of a shooting. The two teenage boys were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Woman shot, killed in DC hotel room on New Years Day The suspect vehicle was captured by surveillance cameras. MPD released those photos on Monday. Credit: The Metropolitan Police Department Anyone with information should call MPD at (202) 727-9099 or text 50411. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Cologne Cathedral, which has been heavily guarded following a terror alert, will be protected by police officers until further notice, even after the New Year celebrations passed without incident. "There will continue to be security checks at the cathedral," a police spokesman said on Monday. "How long this measure will be maintained is currently under review." Police officers will continue to be seen at the cathedral for the time being, the spokesman said. Shortly before Christmas, the police received information about a possible Islamist plan to attack Cologne Cathedral on New Year's Eve, leading to increased security measures in and around the building. On Christmas Eve, a 30-year-old Tajik was taken into custody "to avert danger." The police then announced on New Year's Eve that they had arrested three more suspects. Police believe that the Tajik was part of a larger network that also extended to other German states and other European countries. Despite the security concerns New Year's Eve at Cologne Cathedral remained without any major incidents. The Cardinal of Cologne, Rainer Maria Woelki, celebrated an end-of-year mass with the faithful under heavy police protection. Police officers check people ahead of the end-of-year pontifical mass in Cologne Cathedral. Thomas Banneyer/dpa Two men from Randolph and Quincy are facing murder charges in connection with the shooting death of a Boston man on Geneva Avenue on Saturday, police said Sunday night. Tyreese Robinson, 19, of Randolph, and Dasahn Crowder, 21, of Quincy were arrested by members of the Boston Police Departments Fugitive Unit around 12:30 p.m. Sunday in the area of 380 Talbot Ave., police said in a statement. At the time of the arrests, Robinson and Crowder were wanted on warrants for murder issued out of Dorchester District Court for the shooting death of Curtis Effee, 41, of Boston, police said. At about 12:52 a.m. Saturday, officers responded to the area of 417 Geneva Ave. for a report of a person shot. When officers arrived, they found Effee suffering from gunshot wounds, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Boston Police Departments Homicide Unit is investigating. Anyone with information is strongly urged to contact the Homicide Unit ay 617-343-4470. Community members wishing to assist in this investigation anonymously can do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463). Police said they will protect the identities of anyone who assists investigators in an anonymous manner. Local residents who need emotional support or who need to talk to someone about this fatal shooting or distressing events in the community may also call the Boston Neighborhood Trauma Team, which provides free, private support 24/7 at 617-431-0125. Both Robinson and Crowder are expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Turkish security forces have apprehended 32 individuals suspected of having connections to the extremist group Islamic State, the country's state-run news agency reported. These suspects were allegedly planning to carry out attacks on synagogues, churches, and the Iraqi Embassy in Turkey. Islamic State Operatives Arrested in Turkey In a recent development reported by the Anadolu Agency, a series of arrests were carried out in nine provinces during early morning raids on Friday. Arrangement between the nation's intelligence agency and the police, a successful operation has led to the apprehension of three individuals believed to be high-ranking militants associated with the Islamic State. The recent arrests follow a larger operation carried out a week ago, during which 304 suspected Islamic State militants were apprehended in simultaneous raids across Turkey. This security sweep was believed to be aimed at ensuring safety during the New Year festivities. The Islamic State has been responsible for numerous deadly attacks within Turkey, including the shooting at an Istanbul nightclub on January 1, 2017, which claimed the lives of 39 people during New Year celebrations. In addition, a suicide bombing in Istanbul in March 2016 resulted in the deaths of three Israelis and injuries to 11 others. Turkish Jewish institutions have once again fallen victim to acts of terrorism, marking a recurring pattern in response to geopolitical matters. In 2003, a string of bombings took place in Istanbul, orchestrated by Al-Qaeda. The targets of these attacks included symbolic Western landmarks, such as the British consulate and local offices of the British HSBC bank, as well as two Turkish synagogues. In a tragic turn of incidents, a number of attacks have claimed the lives of 28 individuals and left hundreds injured, according to ABC News. Read Also: Javier Milei Introduces Wide-Ranging Economic Reforms to Argentinian Congress ISIS Suspects Arrested Amid US State Department Earlier this year, 15 suspects linked to the Islamic State were arrested by Istanbul police, allegedly planning to attack synagogues and churches in Turkey. As a result, the US State Department issued a warning to American citizens residing in Turkey of potential imminent terrorist attacks targeting diplomatic institutions and places where Westerners typically gather, specifically mentioning churches and synagogues. In a span of two years, the Israeli spy agency, Mossad, has allegedly emerged as a key player in thwarting multiple terrorist attacks targeting Israelis in Turkey. The success has been credited to the strong relationship between Mossad and Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT). Most of the foiled plots have been associated with the Islamic State and targeted Israeli businesspeople and other individuals within Turkey. Given the rising levels of antisemitism worldwide, particularly as Israel combats the Hamas terror group in Gaza, the National Security Council recently restated its recommendation for Israelis to reconsider traveling abroad. For those who must travel, the council advised avoiding outward displays of Jewish or Israeli identity. The Turkish government's commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its citizens and visitors is evident in their actions to apprehend suspected Islamic State militants. Specifically, they have focused on individuals planning attacks on religious institutions and diplomatic entities, Times of Israel reported. Related Article: Pennsylvania Man Sentenced in Secret for His Role in U.S. Capitol Riot By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Monday denounced a growing crackdown on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua by the government of President Daniel Ortega. Twelve priests and a bishop have been detained in recent days in the Central American country, where Ortega began repressing the Church after national demonstrations in 2018. "I am following with concern what is happening in Nicaragua, where bishops and priests have been deprived of their freedom," Francis said in his weekly Sunday message and blessing in St. Peter's Square. "I express my closeness in prayer to them, their families and the entire church in Nicaragua ... I hope the path of dialogue can be followed to overcome difficulties." Since the 2018 protests, Ortega has accused priests of organising themselves and orchestrating a coup. The bishops had asked the president for justice for those who died during the protests, and early elections. In 2023, after the government closed a Jesuit-run university in Managua, the worldwide leader of the religious order accused Ortega of attempting to "suffocate" the Catholic Church and civic institutions. Last February, Bishop Rolando Alvarez, an Ortega critic, was convicted of treason, stripped of his citizenship and sentenced to 26 years in prison without a trial. The Vatican embassy in Nicaragua was ordered closed in last March. The Vatican nuncio, or ambassador, was effectively expelled in 2022. Vatican officials have told Reuters privately that they see the conflict in Nicaragua as one of the worst since the Cold War, when many communist countries in Eastern Europe persecuted the Church. Ortega's administration has been increasingly isolated internationally since he began cracking down heavily on dissent following street protests in 2018. (Reporting by Philip Pullella; editing by Jason Neely) The person who shot and killed a Port of the Islands hotel employee New Year's Eve was found dead in one of the hotel's offices, the Collier County Sheriff's Office announced Monday. The suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot. The suspected shooter was identified only as a former Port of the Islands employee; authorities are waiting until they have notified the suspect's next of kin to release their identity. The person entered the Naples-area hotel around 3:25 p.m. Sunday, and shot a hotel employee, per a release from the Sheriff's Office. The employee died from their injuries. Responding deputies evacuated the hotel, and began to search the facility and surrounding area, according to the release. After an undetermined period of time, they located the shooting suspect dead in a hotel office, the release said. More: Before woman called LCSO, man charged in officer-involved shooting said he'd 'kill them too' The Sheriff's Office declined to comment or answer questions on the shooting and its response, citing an ongoing investigation. CCSO's SWAT, Aviation and Drone units, as well as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Greater Naples Fire Rescue District and Collier County EMS all responded to the scene. Port of the Islands is a hotel and resort located at 2500 Tamiami Trail in Collier County, southeast of Naples. It is known for its proximity to Everglades National Park, as well as its guided tours and daylong fishing trips. Hotel staff did not respond to requests for comment by press time. Kate Cimini is the Florida Investigative Reporter for the USA TODAY-Network Florida, based at The News-Press and The Naples Daily News. Contact her at 239-207-9369 or kcimini@news-press.com. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Port of Islands shooter dead after shooting, killing employee PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Minutes after Portland welcomed in the new year, a Portland family welcomed its first child. At 12:12 a.m., parents Pooja Kotadia and Rounak Ron Gandhi celebrated the birth of a 6-pound, 8-ounce baby girl. The yet-to-be-named girl, who was born at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital, is Portlands first official baby of 2024. Portlands first baby of 2024. The proud parents of Portlands first baby born in 2024, Rounak Ron Gandhi (left) and Pooja Kotadia (right). (Photos Courtesy of Gandhi and Kotadia). The newborns parents both work in the medical field, OHSU spokesperson Franny White told KOIN 6 News. Kotadia, a medical doctor, is the medical director of the hospitalist service at Hillsboro Medical Center. Gandhi is a clinic manager for AFC Urgent Care. These new Oregon laws take effect in January 2024 Other early babies of 2024 in the Portland area include a baby born at Providence Newberg at 2:15 a.m., one born at 7:52 a.m. at Providence St. Vincent and one born at Providence Portland at 9:25 a.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. HUDSON, Fla. (WFLA) The president of a local animal rescue has been charged with animal neglect, according to a Florida Fish and Wildlife incident report. On June 23, 2023, an anonymous tip led to an investigation of Brenda Hoch, the President of Florida Skunk Rescue. The rescue was established with the goal of caring for and rehoming domesticated skunks whos owners could not care for them. The complaint, detailed in the report, read: The skunks are living in unsanitary conditions; In small cages 24 hours; Inadequate food or water; Cages are rarely cleaned, if ever; Skunks are living in their feces and urine; Some skunks have wounds on their noses from rubbing its face against the cage over and over as a sign of anxiety; Some skunks are exposed to maggots in their cages and others are known to have parasites/roundworms. According to the report, Hochs home, which served as the headquarters for the rescue and was described as deplorable living conditions by an FWC investigator, was inspected on August 15, 2023, after multiple attempted inspections. Hoch was found to be in possession of at least 18 skunks. The report said some of the skunks in Hochs care were kept in small cages and forced to stand in their own feces and urine. It also claimed Hoch was unable and unwilling to provide proper food, water, or care. The report also says the smell inside the home was nauseating. Hoch was charged with eight misdemeanors for violating Florida Statute regarding the confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or exercise. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Ukrainians must adhere to the rule "you either work or you fight" to defeat Russian aggression, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his New Year's address on national television on Dec. 31. "I want to thank all our people, our strong nation, the president said. Read also: Russia threatens airstrikes on New Year's Eve as second consecutive air raid is declared across Ukraine Everyone who is here today. Everyone whom I want to tell: I am proud of all of you. Every Ukrainian citizen. Every strong person." The president acknowledged the challenges people are facing today: some have put their lives on hold, and some have postponed everything for later, after victory. Read also: Why trust in the government is declining It is just how Ukrainians think "Everyone who says: I am working, and this is not a feat, but a duty. I am donating, and this is not a feat, but a norm. Zelenskyy said. Everyone who works and fights every day because they know that wars do not end by themselves they are ended. And victory is not received or granted it is gained." "Because we have the world's largest terrorist organization against us. And it is obvious how much more we have to do, how much more active we have to be, how much stronger our unity and struggle have to be." 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 Town of Apple Valley is expected to see several pending projects possibly take shape in 2024. One of the many significant projects, that has garnered the attention of many residents, is the planned construction of the new Sprouts Farmers Market and Raising Canes Chicken Fingers. Both businesses will be included in a 40,000-square-foot shopping center on the south side of Bear Valley Road, and directly across from El Pollo Loco and Sonic Drive-In in the Apple Valley Town Center. Sprouts Farmers Market and Raising Canes Chicken Fingers are included in a list of pending projects possibly taking shape in 2024 in Apple Valley. The retail property, with two or three additional pads, is located adjacent and east of a possible second development site, which includes a vacant, and soon-to-be-demolished, 1,307-square-foot home built in 1965. The free-standing Sprouts will be the second to be built in the High Desert. The Daily Press reported in January 2023 that Sprouts was taking over the 18,600-square-foot building that formerly housed Toys R Us on Amargosa Road in Victorville. The building is located in a retail center, anchored by stores such as 99 Cents Only, Party City, Get Air and Hobby Lobby. An Alcohol Beverage Control notice, posted on the building names the Victorville Sprouts Farmers Markets #469 as the tenant. The Sprouts grocery chain boasts that it appeals to everyday shoppers interested in fresh, natural and organic products at affordable prices. Stores offer The Butcher Shop and Fish Market and the fresh Market Corner Deli where entrees and sides are prepared. Sprouts also sells a variety of vitamins, supplements, bulk foods, dairy and bakery items. They also offer gluten-free options. Headquartered in Phoenix, Sprouts is one of the largest and fastest-growing specialty retailers of fresh, natural and organic food in the U.S. Sprouts employs approximately 31,000 team members and operates approximately 380 stores in 23 states nationwide. Raising Canes first introduction to the High Desert came in May 2021, when the Louisiana-based company opened a restaurant at 2620 Fisher Boulevard near the Outlets at Barstow. In December 2021, Raising Canes opened a quick-service restaurant on the corner of Main Street and Escondido Avenue in Hesperia. The Louisiana-based restaurant serves chicken finger meal combos, chicken sandwiches, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, Texas toast, and tangy Canes sauce. Customers can order inside the restaurant, at the drive-thru, or on the companys mobile app. Founded in 1996 by Todd Graves, Raising Canes has more than 600 restaurants in the U.S. and the Middle East. Brightline officials in December said a nearly $3 billion boost in funding by the federal government was a critical final step toward the start of construction of the nearly $12 billion project, which could break ground in early 2024. The Rancho Cucamonga to Las Vegas rail project includes stops in Hesperia and Apple Valley. Brightline West train Every year since 2020, Brightline West officials have stated that a groundbreaking was expected by years end for the companys high-speed rail project between Rancho Cucamonga and Las Vegas, with stops in Hesperia and Apple Valley. Brightline officials in December said a nearly $3 billion boost in funding by the federal government was a critical final step toward the start of construction of the nearly $12 billion project, which could break ground in early 2024. In December, President Joe Biden joined elected officials from Nevada and California to announce the infusion of funding for the Brightline West project. Biden said the Nevada Department of Transportation has received the funds from the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program. With speeds reaching up to 200 mph, the Las Vegas to Southern California project will be the nations first true high-speed rail system, company officials said. The project will also be the first to be built with American union labor. The fully-electric, zero-emission system will become one of the greenest forms of transportation in the U.S. The 218-mile passenger rail service will have no grade crossings and the alignment is within the median of the Interstate 15. The project is expected to generate housing in north Apple Valley and provide nearly 10,000 construction jobs and 500 permanent jobs, town officials said. Bell Mountain Commerce Center Billed by town officials as Apple Valleys largest project ever, a 2.5 million-square-foot logistics center will be constructed at Stoddard Wells Road and I-15. The Bell Mountain Commerce Center project represents Covington Development Partners first investment and development in Apple Valley. The project is also a direct result of a 978-acre industrial overlay the town approved in early 2022. The new center will consist of three buildings: one 615,000 square feet, one 682,500, and one 1.22 million square feet, on 143 acres. A Loves Travel Center at the corner of Stoddard Wells Road and Interstate 15 is included in a list of pending projects possibly taking shape in 2024 in Apple Valley. Loves Travel Center Town officials said a Loves Travel Center will be constructed at the corner of Stoddard Wells Road and Interstate 15. The center includes a fuel station, a convenience store, a fast-food restaurant, a maintenance building, and an RV park. The Loves project represents Apple Valleys first retail presence along I-15, which will allow out-of-area travelers to inject sales, transient occupancy tax, and gas tax revenues into the Apple Valley economy, according to town officials. Distribution center Apple Valley will get a 1.2 million square foot distribution center on 77 acres in the north Apple Valley industrial-specific plan, just west of the Big Lots distribution center. The building is expected to be developed and operated by the soon-to-be-named owner-tenant. Deep Creek Estates In 2023, the Town Council approved Deep Creek Estates, a 99-lot residential subdivision on 120 acres at the northeast corner of Deep Creek and Del Oro roads south of Bear Valley Road On Nov. 14, council members voted 4-0 to approve the project bordered on the north by Gupan Road, the south by Del Oro Road, the east by Savage Lane, and the west by Deep Creek Road. Deep Creek Estates project has been described as a single-family residential unit gated community on property, which was formerly zoned residential agriculture. Owner Mark Maida and Tom Steeno of Steeno Design Studio were the Deep Creek Estates project applicants. The duo initially sought a change of the parcels designation to estate residential to permit lot sizes of .75 acres and larger. Mister Car Wash, on the northeast corner of Dale Evans Parkway and Outer Highway 18 in Apple Valley, is expected to open sometime in 2024. Mister Car Wash Two days after Christmas, crews were seen working on the new 5,400 square-foot Mister Car Wash on the northeast corner of Dale Evans Parkway and Outer Highway 18 in Apple Valley. In July, crews began demolishing the former Apple Valley Ranchos Development Company building for the new automatic express car wash. At Mister Car Wash, the state-of-the-art tunnel experience with the companys proprietary cleaning systems includes a water filtration and reclamation system, according to the company. Unlimited Wash Club members can also access all Mister Car Wash locations across the Victor Valley using the dedicated Member Only lanes. Mister Car Wash opened its 400th location on April 15 in Orlando, Florida nine months after the company went public through the New York Stock Exchange. Generating jobs, tax revenue In general, the Towns target markets are industrial, but also hospitality and commercial retail, town officials said. These product types not only generate jobs and tax revenues, but they also pave the way for more development opportunities through the extension of much needed infrastructure The town has previously sought ways to partner with private sector partners through various development agreements to help offset a projects off-site costs, officials stated. The Town is also committed to reviewing our land use and zoning standards to ensure our local policies are reflective of the markets demands both in terms of site selection standards and supply chain efficiencies, officials said. For example, in 2022 we approved a 978-acre industrial overlay district in a regional commercial zoned area along the I-15 freeway to attract industrial tenants who require last-mile proximity. The town is also preparing an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District to generate tax increment revenues to bond for infrastructure investment, and will continue to enhance its entitlement process to be as efficient and development-friendly as possible, officials said. All of this meets the goals of our community and Council to attract job growth and corporate investment in our community, the town said. These processes and policies have effectively opened the floodgates of millions of square feet of industrial projects currently making their way through our entitlement pipeline. Looking back Apple Valley has experienced strong retail growth over the past year and continues to attract new development opportunities and tenants, town officials stated. Some recent tenants have included: Bath and Body Works. Coldstone Creamery Crumbl Cookie Old Navy, Tomahawk Axe Throwing The Mint Facial Bar Freedom Fitness Gym The Gym Barstow Country Butchering AV Bicycles relocation and expansion Towns End Stillhouse in the Village. Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @DP_ReneDeLaCruz. This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Apple Valley getting Sprouts, Raising Cane's, Brightline West project Protesters gathered in Downtown Pittsburgh in support of Palestine on New Years Eve. The protest took place behind the Westin Hotel on Penn Avenue and 11th Street, where First Night festivities were taking place. Organizers told Channel 11 they want the United States to stop selling weapons to Israel. They also want the United States to use its power to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. The infrastructure has been destroyed, the third-oldest Christian church has been destroyed, many historic mosques. This needs to end, and it needs to end now, and the U.S. could do it, Dan Kovalik said. Kovalik said more than 1% of Gazas population has been killed, including 11,000 children. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Man dies after shooting in Carrick Heres a look at the Steelers path to the playoffs after beating the Seahawks Woman dies after crashing on Parkway near Robinson VIDEO: Community supports families impacted by deadly fire with fundraiser at skate rink in Donora DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KFOR) According to records, State Question 832, a push to raise the Oklahoma minimum wage to $15 will have its day in court for a second time on January 31st. Leading the way for the effort itself is Raise the Wage Oklahoma who have argued that with the cost of groceries, gas, and housing going up wages should keep up as well. | MORE LOCAL NEWS > New year, new laws: An overview of new state laws going into effect on Jan. 1 > We just think its time for people to decide this issue for themselves, said Amber England spokesperson for Raise the Wage Oklahoma. I have a lot of hope and faith in the voters of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Supreme Court is expected to hold a hearing at the end of January that could end up deciding what happens with the State Question. A major reason why its going before the court is due to a challenge from the Oklahoma Farm Bureau and the Oklahoma State Chamber who filed briefs to stop the circulation of the petition that would get it on the ballot. We have this ballot initiative process, its in our constitution and Oklahoma voters like to decide things for themselves, said England. Supporters of the proposal filed documents with the secretary of states office on Oct. 27. What is a major concern to us is the automatic, open-ended increase being linked to a federal government-produced index that is based upon cost-of-living rates in cities like New York or San Francisco, said State Chamber President Chad Warmington in a November news release. Those areas are not reflective of the actual cost of living in Oklahoma. This ill-conceived plan would give Oklahomans no opportunity to adjust or halt these automatic increases. | MORE LOCAL NEWS > Former associate kids minister hired in Moore despite sexual assault allegations in Arkansas > The current minimum wage throughout the state is $7.25. If the State Question gets on the ballot and if voters approve it, then the wage will gradually rise to $15 by the year 2029. I understand the money interest behind the people who are opposed to this, said England. They want politicians to control so that they can slice and dice policy and corporations from having to do the right thing. To give folks the correct minimum wage. England and others within Raise the Wage Oklahoma are confident that the petition would survive the court challenge. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. A Michigan home exploded over the weekend, killing four people and injuring two others as the sounds of the incident could be heard by residents from miles away. Aerial video footage of the scene of the incident showed a wide swath of ground surrounding the home's hollowed-out basement covered with splintered wood debris. There was also a charred husk of a car that was seen near where the outside walls of the building once stood in Whitmore Lake. Michigan Home Explosion The deadly incident in the rural community that is located about 12 miles north of Ann Arbor occurred at around 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Police said that the initial sounds of the explosion were heard up to nine miles away. Debris from the blast was also found to have spread to a nearby highway, which led to a resident in the area reporting the blast to authorities. Officials later found three people who lost their lives at the scene of the explosion, as per USA Today. Another three victims were transferred to the hospital to be treated, one of whom later died after succumbing to his injuries. The surviving victims are said to be in critical condition. Police have not revealed the names of the four people who died or the two who were injured by the blast. Law enforcement authorities also said that the cause of the explosion remains under investigation. Additionally, Michigan State police responded to the blast and fire and hazardous materials crews were expected to work on the scene. Neighbors and other witnesses said debris was launched into the air, which later fell into their yards and on both sides of U.S.-23. Fortunately, no other homes were damaged by the explosion. The general manager at Polly Market in Whitmore Lake, 38-year-old Trevor Alicea, was working on Saturday when she heard the explosion sounds. She said that it made her think that there was an incident near the store, according to the Detroit Free Press. Read Also: Miami Father Dead After Helicopter Crashes Into Creek, Daughter Safely Survived Investigating the Deadly Incident In a statement, Alicea said she heard a "super loud boom, it shook the whole store." She added that when she first heard it, someone may have run into the side of the building with their vehicle. The store's general manager added that the shelves of bottled alcohol along the wall lightly rattled from the shockwaves of the blast. She and several other establishment employees were dumbfounded when they heard the explosion. In a statement released by Northfield Township on Sunday, officials said that police and fire personnel who arrived at the scene first discovered six occupants in the residence. They then searched the area as fire personnel worked on extinguishing the remaining fire. A responder told dispatch that the "house is completely gone" and that five residents were inside. He initially said that two of them were alert and another two were unconscious. A supervisor said he was setting up a triage area, said the Detroit News. Related Article: Michigan Dad Shoots Ex's New Boyfriend After Dropping Off Gifts to His Children on Christmas Day Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia would never back down in his annual year-end speech, which was set to be broadcast in each time zone shortly before midnight ahead of the new year. Putin stressed national unity in the prerecorded address, which lasted just under four minutes, according to The Associated Press (AP), citing Russian state media. The address was significantly shorter than the previous years. We have repeatedly proven that we can solve the most difficult problems and will never back down because there is no force that can separate us, Putin said in his remarks, according to the AFP news agency. Putin did not mention Ukraine by name in his remarks, though the nearly two-year-long war in the country was a central theme of his comments. What united us and unites us is the fate of the Fatherland, a deep understanding of the highest significance of the historical stage through which Russia is passing, Putin said, praising Russian citizens solidarity, mercy and fortitude. He praised the soldiers fighting on the front line for Russia, saying, We are proud of you, you are heroes, you feel the support of the entire people. The AFP news agency reported that Putin did not mention the deadly shelling in Belgorod on Saturday, which killed 24 people and injured 108 people. Among the deceased were three children. Many festivities were subdued this year in Moscow, the AP reported, with the customary fireworks and concert on Red Square canceled this year, as they were last year. Some other cities canceled their fireworks after the Belgorod attack, the news wire reported. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Russians are planning to create a media conglomerate called New Regions in the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, with the support of the Russian federal government. They had already appointed Sergei Kiriyenko, First Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Administration, as the chief of this conglomerate. Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW) Details: Kiriyenko led the efforts to "consolidate sociocultural control of occupied areas of Ukraine via the information space". ISW stated that Yevhen Balytskyi, the occupying governor of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, stated that he met with Kiriyenko on 31 December during a meeting with workers of the cultural sphere in occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Kiriyenko and Balytskyi reportedly discussed the development of cultural programmes of the Russian leadership in occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast for 2024, including the creation of the New Regions media conglomerate, which will work on media projects in occupied Ukraine with the support of the Russian federal government. The Russian media outlets already reported in June that the Russian occupation authorities had begun attempts to reformat the information space with the help of unified and centralised media agencies. To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 31 December: Russian President Vladimir Putin used his annual New Year's address on 31 December to concretise Russian ideological priorities for 2024, notably omitting any mentions of the war in Ukraine and instead focusing on setting ideological conditions for the upcoming year. Russian forces conducted another series of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine on the night of 29-30 December and on 31 December, underscoring a notable recent increase in the percentage of Russian Shahed-136/131 drones penetrating or avoiding Ukrainian air defenses. Russian forces, particularly Russian airborne (VDV) Forces, are reportedly suffering heavy losses in simultaneous infantry-heavy Russian offensive operations on multiple fronts. A prominent Kremlin-affiliated Russian military blogger argued that ethnic Russians do not have enough domestic power in Russia while reiterating a common Russian information operation aimed at erasing Ukrainian identity. Russian and Ukrainian forces conducted positional engagements along the entire line of contact, but there were no confirmed map changes on 31 December. Russian Presidential Administration First Deputy Head Sergei Kiriyenko is spearheading efforts to consolidate sociocultural control of occupied areas of Ukraine via the information space. Support UP or become our patron! Denmarks Queen Margrethe II announced she will step down from the throne on Jan. 14 in a surprise New Years abdication address. Margrethe II, Europes longest-reigning living monarch, will hand the throne to her son, Crown Prince Frederik, after 52 years in service, The Associated Press reported. I will leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik, she said, in a live television address. The 83-year-old queen said she began to think about the future after undergoing surgery on her back in early 2023. The surgery naturally gave rise to thinking about the future whether the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation, she said. I have decided that now is the right time. Margrethe offered thanks to the Danish public for their support, while Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen thanked her for her service, while also looking ahead to 2024. In the new year, Crown Prince Frederik will be proclaimed king. Crown Princess Mary will become queen. The kingdom will have a new regent and a new royal couple, he said in his statement. We can look forward to all of this in the knowledge that they are ready for the responsibility and the task. Margrethe II will abdicate the throne on the same day she ascended to the role following the death of her father, King Frederick IX, at the age of 31 on Jan. 14, 1972. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Republican presidential primary field is barnstorming Iowa with just weeks to go ahead of the states presidential caucuses. With former President Trump leading the polls in Iowa and beyond, the state could play an early role in determining the 2024 Republican nominee. However, the caucus process itself is largely foreign to voters outside of Iowa and other caucus states and even varies from state party to state party. Here is everything you need to know about the Iowa Republican Party caucus process. What is a caucus? Mariam Webster defines a caucus as a closed meeting of a group of persons belonging to the same political party or faction usually to select candidates or to decide on policy. Most Americans are likely more familiar with a primary, which resembles most elections where voters have the option of casting their ballots early, voting at a polling center early in person, or showing up on election day to vote in person. Caucusing is arguably less convenient. In a caucus, attendees must attend a caucus location, such as a church, school, or community center in person to participate. Additionally, caucusgoers are required to arrive on time and stay until the caucus is over. It is a bigger commitment to caucus than to vote in a primary. You have to show up at a specific place at a specific time and spend a couple of hours there, said Ann Selzer, a veteran Iowa pollster. Its not so easy that you drive by your regular voting place, stop by, cast your ballot and walk out. To take part in Iowas Republican or Democratic caucuses, a participant must be a registered member of the partys caucus that they are attending. It is possible to switch party registration on the day of or before the caucus. Theres also some leeway when it comes to the age of participants. To participate, someone must be 18 years old by Nov. 5, 2024, which is Election Day, meaning 17-year-olds who will be 18 years old by Nov. 5 can take part in the caucuses. The 2024 Iowa Republican Caucuses will take place on Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. Central Standard Time. What happens in the room at a caucus? There is less privacy in a caucus compared with a primary. In a primary, voters normally cast their ballot in a voting booth or at a table where it is difficult for others to see what someone is writing on the ballot. A caucus on the other hand is more of a public affair. Theres politicking in the room as people are getting organized, a chance to talk to your neighbors and try to convince them one-on-one about supporting the candidate that you like if they dont already, Selzer said. At a Republican caucus precinct in Iowa, the meeting will be called to order and participants will be invited to speak in support of the candidate they are supporting. Once the speeches are wrapped up, participants will fill out a secret ballot. The ballots will be counted and announced before the precincts of a county are collected by local party leadership and given directly to the Iowa Republican Party, and the state results will be tabulated. Thats usually the part that media folks care the most about, and thats why it gets taken care of very quickly, Hagel said. For the Republican side, a lot of people are done in like an hour, so its not taking up your whole evening. And even though the Republican caucus in Iowa is conducted through a secret ballot, the process leading up to the ballot itself is public. People are going to ask you who youre going to vote for, and even though the Republicans do have a secret ballot, youre going to feel some pressure to let people know so that they can try to persuade you, Selzer said. If that isnt your cup of tea, you could easily say, I prefer not to talk. You can make yourself a little sign saying, Dont talk to me, she said. Theres lots of ways to handle that. Much of what happens on caucus night can also hinge on a campaigns strategy. Selzer pointed out that this was a prime factor for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) in his 2016 Iowa caucus victory. Its expected once you get in the room and things do change in the room, which in my observation, my opinion is how Ted Cruz won the caucuses in 2016, because he was very well organized and his people knew what to do in the room on caucus night, Selzer said. Whats the difference between the Republican and Democratic caucuses in Iowa? The primary difference between the Republican and Democratic caucuses in Iowa this cycle is the date. The Democratic National Committee changed its primary calendar to allow more racially diverse states such as South Carolina and Nevada to go first in the partys primary. In October, Iowas Democratic Party announced that it would still be holding an in-person caucus on Jan. 15, but that event would be reserved for specific party business. There will not be an in-person option for the presidential preference contest. The window for registering for the state partys mail-in caucus opened on Nov. 1 and will run until Feb. 19. The results will be announced on March 5, which is Super Tuesday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Behold, its election year, that hallowed time when aspiring leaders come together, in celebration of democracy, to thoughtfully and respectfully debate Oh, who am I kidding? 2024 is going to be a total mudbath. And Arizona, with consequential elections up and down the ballot that could well determine the direction not only of the state but the country? We stand a pretty good chance of being at the epicenter of the cesspool. Here are a few of the races Ill be watching. President Having spent three years insisting that he really won Arizona in 2020, you can expect a full-court press by Donald Trump to win back the state that helped put him on the map in July 2015, when thousands flocked to a downtown Phoenix campaign rally to see the reality TV star who had just announced he was running for president. Biden, meanwhile, will fight to reclaim the state he won by just 0.3% in 2020, but the border chaos he seems incapable of addressing will likely be his undoing with even Democratic mayors across the country pleading for relief, saying the current asylum system is unsustainable. My prediction: Assuming hes not a convicted felon by then, Trump will take Arizona. U.S. Senate U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., and his ex-wife, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, tour an affordable housing development in Phoenix along with their 6-year-old son, Michael Gallego, on March 19, 2023. Will Democrat-turned-independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema run for reelection? If she does, polls suggest shell siphon more votes from Republican Kari Lake than from Democrat Ruben Gallego. But polls also suggest that she doesnt stand a chance, which just goes to show you. We may say we want centrist leaders who can get stuff done, but we really dont. Gallegos liberal voting record should make it tough for him, which is likely why hes now talking tougher about the border of late and now using words like crisis. Meanwhile, McCain-minded voters have long memories and Lakes celebrated stake remains wedged in their hearts. Thats a problem for her, as are the scores of motivated young voters likely to hit the polls, hoping to protect abortion. Imagine whatll happen when they learn of her support last year for both Texas heartbeat law and Arizonas great abortion law that 1864 ban that criminalizes abortion even in the case of rape and incest. My prediction: Sinema takes a high-dollar gig with a venture capital firm and Gallego takes the Senate seat. Congress District 1. Rep. David Schweikert is one of 18 Republicans nationally who represent districts that supported Biden for president in 2020. In 2022, the northeast Valley returned him to Congress with just 50.4% of the vote. In 2024, he is a tantalizing target, with a collection of Democrats lining up to knock him off, including former Democratic Party Chairman Andrei Cherny, former TV anchor Marlene Galan-Woods, state Rep. Amish Shah and Conor OCallaghan. OCallaghan, a business executive making his first run for public office, was the last of the six Democrats to enter the race. Since then, hes raised more money than any other candidate, including Schweikert. My prediction: Itll be Schweikert vs. OCallaghan come November. District 6. As with CD 1, Democrats are itching to snag this southern Arizona seat after Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani won it in 2022 with just 50.7% of the vote. Hes a rising star in Republican ranks, but former state Democratic Sen. Kirsten Engel is preparing for a rematch. My prediction: Ciscomani wins, barely. District 8. This heavily Republican northwest Valley race promises to be Arizonas version of the Hunger Games, featuring a pair of carpetbaggers (Abe Hamadeh and Blake Masters), a fake elector (Anthony Kern), an ex-congressman who asked female staffers to carry his baby (Trent Franks) and House Speaker Ben Toma, who really needs a nickname of his own. Toma has a conservative record of accomplishment and the endorsement of retiring Rep. Debbie Lesko and former Sen. Jon Kyl. What he doesnt have is the golden ticket. Trump endorsed Hamadeh, who lives in Scottsdale. My prediction: Hamadeh wins, to the disappointment of both the eventual Democratic nominee and the QAnon Shaman, who is running as a Libertarian. Arizona Legislature A view of the house floor at the Arizona House of Representatives in Phoenix on April 7, 2022. With Republicans holding an oh-so-slim one-vote edge in each chamber and in open warfare with Gov. Katie Hobbs, look for Democrats to push hard to grab control of a chamber something they curiously didnt even try to do in 2022. "The possibility of Democrats taking control of the Legislature is far and away the biggest game in town in 2024," one longtime Republican campaign consultant told me. "Democrats will effectively have an unlimited budget and Republicans are struggling to even be marginally competitive financially." Keep your eyes on: Legislative District 2. Republican Sen. Shawnna Bolick, who was appointed to the seat when Sen. Steve Kaiser resigned last summer, and Democratic Rep. Judy Schwiebert in this northwest Valley district. LD 13. Chandler has the states most competitive district, and both parties will come hard here. Democratic Rep. Jennifer Pawlik, the highest vote-getter in the 2022 House race, is not running for reelection, which is great news for Republicans. GOP Rep. Julie Willoughby, who was appointed after Rep. Liz Harris was expelled, will likely team up with former Rep. Jeff Weninger, who left in 2022 to run for state treasurer. A pair of Democrats have also expressed interest. But curiously, no one has yet popped up to try to knock off Republican Sen. J.D. Mesnard. LD 17. This Tucson-area district shouldnt be competitive, given the Republicans nearly 10-point registration advantage. Yet the areas three hard-right representatives, Sen. Justine Wadsack and Reps. Rachel Jones and Cory McGarr, didnt win their 2022 races by much. Wadsack, whose family home is in a different part of town, rented a room in the district and knocked off incumbent Sen. Vince Leach in the 2022 GOP primary. But she beat her Democratic opponent with just 51.2% of the vote. Leach is expected to come looking to retake his old seat, which presumably would improve the Republicans chances of holding onto the Senate. Democrats, meanwhile, will be coming after Jones and McGarr. LD 23. This Yuma district is heavily Democratic, so its a mystery (to me, at least) how GOP Rep. Michelle Pena won here in 2022 a surprise development that allowed Republicans to hang onto control of the House. Im guessing Pena wont get much help from the Republican Party. She was one of 18 Republicans who voted to expel Rep. Harris, prompting her own districts grassroots activists to censure her, declaring her unfit to serve. My prediction: Democrats will land a seat at the power table in 2024. Election reform The Make Arizona Elections Fair Act is a proposed ballot initiative that would eliminate partisan primaries, a welcome change for any voter who has looked at their November ballot and wished None of the Above was an option. My prediction: The parties hate it, so it should pass. But then, that could be wishful thinking. Abortion The Arizona Abortion Access Act, a proposal to enshrine abortion as a constitutional right, is likely to land on the ballot. Voters in seven states have thus far moved to protect abortion in some manner since the demise of Roe v. Wade. My prediction: Having this on the ballot will impact every legislative and congressional race as abortion becomes a major focus of 2024. And if the Arizona Supreme Court declares that an 1864 law now applies and doctors who perform abortions on rape victims must now go to prison? Well, buckle up, Arizona. Its going to be a buuuumpy year. Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @LaurieRoberts or on Threads at @laurierobertsaz. Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 2024 election could change Arizona. Here's how it could shake out AUSTIN (KXAN) The Austin Fire Department told KXAN it had a busy weekend responding to nearly a dozen structure fires, which AFD Battalion Chief Mark Bridges said is more than usual. PREVIOUS: AFD investigating series of suspicious fires in SE Austin Many of those are just due to normal accidental circumstances. Several of those are being investigated as suspicious, Bridges said. So were still working to investigate the cause of those are investigators are working hard to figure out what started those fires and who may have been responsible if anyone was. AFD: 10 people narrowly escape east Austin house fire AFD said one of those accidental fires was at a home on Adina Street in east Austin. Family escaped from house fire on Dec. 31 in east Austin. (AFD photo) Family escaped from house fire on Dec. 31 in east Austin. (Photo: KXAN) Family escaped from house fire on Dec. 31 in east Austin. (Photo: KXAN) Family escaped from house fire on Dec. 31 in east Austin. (Photo: KXAN) Family escaped from house fire on Dec. 31 in east Austin. (Photo: KXAN) I was really scared James Woods lives next to the home where AFD said it responded to a fire Sunday morning. I heard all that, boom, boom, boom, Woods said. I opened the door and looked out, flames was everywhere. The lady of the house, I heard her tell her grandson call 911. AFD said a 10-person family narrowly escaped the home. When I see those trees catching on fire, I was really scared. James Woods The department said it did not have working smoke detectors. Luckily, the family that was there was able to wake up and they were able to get out of the house, Bridges said. Crews showed up and there was lots of fire and the house was heavily damaged but our crews were able to put a stop on the fire. According to AFD, the fire started from a cigarette that wasnt put out properly. Bridges said the Austin Police Departments Victim Services and the Central Texas Red Cross are helping the family. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. A view of the devastation caused by Islamist Hamas militants on the kibbutz Nir Oz. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Israel is investigating the massacre by Hamas and affiliated groups on October 7, which, according to a media report, could lead to one of the most important court cases of the post-war period. Israeli investigators are currently reconstructing the events on the basis of around 200,000 photos and videos as well as 2,000 witness statements with the intention of initiating legal proceedings against those responsible, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday. Israel has so far identified around 800 civilians murdered on October 7, including 37 minors under the age of 17, six of whom were under the age of five, the newspaper continued. According to the head of the forensic centre, computer tomography images showed signs of torture and executions. Forensic evidence provided to the newspaper by Israeli officials showed, among others, that some victims were burnt alive. Photos showed mutilations on the bodies of the victims, including the genitals of men and women. The bodies of women and girls also showed various signs of sexual violence. Roi Sheindorf, former deputy attorney general told the paper that Israel had never seen such criminal offences or dealt with an investigation of this scale. Hamas has denied that its fighters killed children and raped women, the story said. The newspaper said it investigated some of the evidence and also conducted interviews with first responders, survivors, victims' families and forensic experts to document an attack that the Israeli police chief described as unprecedented in its cruelty and systematic. The paper said it is likely to be the most important trial in the country since the trial of Nazi criminal Adolf Eichmann in 1961, who was hanged for his role in the Holocaust, Israel's only judicial execution. A view of the devastation caused by Islamist Hamas militants on the kibbutz Nir Oz. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Blood marks can be seen on a wall of a destroyed property after the deadly attack by Islamist Hamas militants in the kibbutz Nir Oz. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Congo re-elects President Felix Tshisekedi as the leader of the nation as many in the country are claiming that there was electoral fraud in the race. Tshisekedi won the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) election with more than 70% of the total vote and the country's election commission declared the victory. The preliminary results of the Dec. 20 election were announced in the capital, Kinshasa on Sunday. Congo Re-Elects President Felix Tshisekedi It was made amid demands from the opposition and several civil society groups for the vote to be rerun. They claimed that there were massive logistical problems that put the validity of Tshisekedi's win into question. Finishing behind Tshisekedi was businessman Moise Katumbi who got 18% of the total vote in the country's latest election. A former oil company executive, Martin Fayulu, received 5% of the total vote. On the other hand, Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege got less than 1% of the vote. Congo's election had over 40% turnout out of its roughly 18 million people who are eligible to vote. Election chief Denis Kadima said that the results of the race will be sent to the constitutional court for confirmation, as per Aljazeera. Opposition candidates who do not agree with Tshisekedi's victory in the elections have two days to submit their claims while the constitutional court has seven days to decide. The final results of the election are expected to be released on Jan. 10, and the president is scheduled to be sworn in at the end of the month. Read Also: Argentina Announces Halting Plan To Join BRICS Alliance in President Javier Milei's Latest Policy Shift The DRC has a long history of disputed elections that can sometimes turn into violent encounters. Many of the country's citizens harbor little trust in the nation's institutions. Before the results of the latest race were announced on Saturday, opposition candidates said they rejected them and called on the population to mobilize. The logistical problems that opposition lawmakers claim include many polling stations either opening late or not opening at all. Furthermore, they said that materials were sometimes lacking and many voter cards were rendered illegible due to smudged ink. Opposing the Results of the Election Logistical setbacks, an election day over-run, and an opaque vote count fueled a dispute that risks the country's destabilization. The DRC is the size of Western Europe and is the world's top producer of cobalt and other important industrial commodities, according to CNN. Five opposition leaders on Dec. 23 accused the country's electoral commission of "massive fraud." They called on the head of the commission to resign and argued that the entire vote should be annulled. On Sunday, Kadima said that the unfortunate competitors must accept the "democratic game" following the announcement of Tshisekedi's win. He added that the country must keep in mind the existence and stability of the DRC matters more than an elected position. President Tshisekedi on the other hand insisted that the election he won was fair and good enough despite the challenges that officials faced. The extension of the election to a second day drew criticism from the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches. These enjoy broad public support across Congolese society and are responsible for running a network of electoral observers. The churches added that the decision violated the nation's electoral laws and that it was unconstitutional, said the New York Times. Related Article: Serbia Protests Intensify Over Election Fraud by Governing Party as Serbians Demand Annulment Singapore is known for its kopitiams, or traditional coffee shops. Killiney Kopitiam is one of the most successful chains in the city-state. Founder Woon Tek Seng said catering to the tastes of Gen Zs and millennials is key to growing his business. Woon Tek Seng grew up in the 1950s and remembers spending mornings at a quaint coffee shop on Killiney Road in central Singapore. As an immigrant, Woon felt a special connection to the coffee shop. He had moved over from Hainan an island in southeastern China at age 3 and felt this was where some of his homeland's culture could be found. He would go on to visit the coffee shop every day for some 40 years. In 1992, Woon learned that the owner of the coffee shop Kheng Hoe Heng was closing the business. Woon was heartbroken. The traditional hand-pulled coffee had served as a comfort to him over the years. At the time, Woon had just retired from banking and was looking for a new venture. He figured this was it. He decided to buy the business and revive it. Today, some 30 years later, the coffee shop now named Killiney Kopitiam has become one of Singapore's most successful chains. But while old-school coffee shops are an integral part of Singapore's culture, not all of them are thriving. In fact, there are fewer than ever before. In the 1950s, over 2,000 traditional coffee shops could be found across the city-state. Today, only 776 remain, according to Singapore's Housing Development Board. "We try to maintain the standard of the coffee so people can come back all the time," Woon, now 75, told me on my visit to one of his shops. Woon Tek Seng, the founder of Killiney, one of the first kopitiams in Singapore. Marielle Descalsota/Business Insider A visit to the original location I met Woon on a weekday morning at the original Killiney Kopitiam shop. The store at 67 Killiney Road is one of the oldest coffee shops in Singapore. It's located in the heart of Orchard, Singapore's shopping district. Orchard Road is busy, bustling, and vibrant. It's where you can find luxury hotels, sprawling malls, and quaint shophouses just like the one the store is located in. From the outside, the store looks modest, especially when compared to the fancy cafes nearby. There's a distinctive brown canopy at the entrance of the store, faded from the many decades of use. And inside, it has the same old-school feel, with rusty wall fans, tiny, wooden stools, and a well-stocked kitchen. 67 Killiney Kopitiam is the oldest Hainanese kopitiam in Singapore. Courtesy of Killiney Kopitiam Woon owns the property. Henry Oh, the general manager at Killiney, declined to share how much Woon paid to purchase the old store, but it is likely worth millions today. A similar shop on Killiney Road was listed on December 11 for 9.3 million Singapore dollars, or $7 million, according to the property listing site Commerical Guru. Singapore's unpretentious kopi culture Kopitiam, the term used for Singapore's traditional coffee shops, is a combination of the words "kopi," which means coffee in Malay, and "tiam," which means shop in Hokkien, a Chinese language. One of the things that make Singapore's kopi distinctive is the preparation method: Kopi is made by straining coffee through a sock to make it smoother and more aromatic. Traditional kopi at Killiney is made from Robusta and Arabica beans that are roasted with butter and sugar and then roasted with sweetened condensed milk. A cup of kopi alone costs SG$2 at Killiney which is on the high side, as the average kopitiam charges SG$1.20. Toast is put on the grill before being served up with spreads like kaya. Marielle Descalsota/Business Insider Kopitiams are perhaps best known for their traditional breakfast, and Killiney is no exception. The breakfast typically includes three components: coffee or tea, which can be prepared in over 15 different ways; two slices of white toast smothered with kaya, a coconut jam; and two brown eggs, served in the shell. The runny, soft-boiled eggs come in a bowl where they can be cracked, drizzled with soy sauce, and topped off with white pepper. It's a perfect mix of sweet and salty when the crunchy toast is dipped in the salty egg. At the outlet in Orchard, the breakfast costs SG$8. A typical traditional breakfast at Killiney. Marielle Descalsota/Business Insider A bustling atmosphere I joined Woon and Oh at an alfresco table outside the shop. Diners were mostly dressed in flip-flops and shorts, so Woon stood out in his blue button-up shirt and black slacks. He was sipping on a kopi c kosong the local coffee lingo for coffee with evaporated milk and no sugar from a white, Killiney-branded mug. On an average weekend, the 67 Killiney Road outlet sells some 1,000 beverages a day mostly traditional coffee and tea, Oh said. He declined to share the company's revenue. Many of their customers, he added, are in their 20s and 30s. The key to younger palettes? Ice, Oh said and fusion flavors like matcha and milk tea. "It's merging tradition and trends," Oh said, adding that kopi is regarded as a local comfort food. Customers of all ages dining at Killiney Kopitiam. Marielle Descalsota/Business Insider Back inside, locals and tourists were placing orders in the local coffee lingo after perusing the menus plastered on the tiled walls. The scent of roasted coffee beans wafted through the air. Yutes, a 27-year-old Singaporean visiting from Australia, had on a multicolor wig and bold pink lipstick. She was a sharp contrast to what many might imagine a typical kopitiam's clientele might be. "It's bloody good, try it," Yutes told her two friends. She told me it's difficult to find authentic Singaporean kopi in Australia, so it's the first thing she has whenever she's home for a visit. Min, a 21-year-old Australian of Vietnamese descent, told me she enjoys kopi more than the Western-style coffee in Australia. "It's really strong, and it's similar to Vietnamese iced coffee," Min said. The kitchen at Killiney Kopitiam. Marielle Descalsota/Business Insider A disappearing trade As chunks of Singapore's traditional coffee shop scene fade away into history, they're being replaced by the same big-name stores you'll find across the globe. Glossy chains like Starbucks and The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf are popular in Singapore; Luckin, a major Chinese coffee chain, has started popping up in the city. Killiney is one of the rare, small outliers that has managed to cement a spot for itself. It has expanded to 35 outlets across Singapore most of them in shopping malls and several overseas, including one in Palo Alto, California. The chain plans to open a second store in the US early next year, Oh said. But that still doesn't mean it's easy. As Woon put it, "Coffee shops are a dying trade." The 67 Killiney Road in Orchard Road. Courtesy of Killiney Kopitiam Woon's nephew, Tien Yuan, has taken over the reins as the company's director. He said his goal is to keep growing the business while staying true to kopi culture. "Killiney has always prided itself as a truly homegrown heritage brand that many Singaporeans are proud of," Tien Yuan, 36, told me in an email. The shop in Orchard maintains its old-school style. Tien Yuan said it's how he'll continue to keep a piece of history alive. "We kept the old-school look of 67 Killiney Rd outlet to maintain the traditional Hainanese heritage. We think people still look for authenticity," Tien Yuan said. As Woon prepares for retirement, he hopes Killiney will leave a lasting legacy. "It's really difficult, but we've built a name for Singapore kopi and made kopitiams popular again," Woon said. Read the original article on Business Insider Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts raised concerns about the increasing presence of artificial intelligence in the US judicial system in an annual report released Sunday, warning that the emerging technology could risk dehumanizing the law and imperiling fair treatment in the justice system. AI obviously has great potential to dramatically increase access to key information for lawyers and non-lawyers alike. But just as obviously it risks invading privacy interests and dehumanizing the law, Roberts wrote. The chief justice spent much of his 13-page year-end report laying out how new technology has brought about positive change to the federal court system over the years. But he avoided addressing how the court has recently been pushed into two major disputes involving former President Donald Trump, as well as issues involving ethics and transparency that plagued the court for much of the year, leading the nine justices to announce a new code of conduct last month. Instead, he presented AI as the major issue relevant to the whole federal court system. The technology, Roberts wrote, requires caution and humility. Roberts acknowledged that AI could assist with making courts more accessible, especially for people who may not have the resources to hire an attorney. These tools have the welcome potential to smooth out any mismatch between available resources and urgent needs in our court system, he wrote. But he appeared wary toward a wholesale adoption of the technology in courts, noting that studies show a persistent public perception of a human-AI fairness gap, reflecting the view that human adjudications, for all of their flaws, are fairer than whatever the machine spits out. Roberts also pointed to a flaw in one prominent AI tool that he said caused lawyers using the application to submit briefs with citations to non-existent cases. (Always a bad idea.). The chief justice said he welcomed coming efforts by the Judicial Conference the policy-making body for the federal courts to examine AIs proper uses in litigation. I predict that human judges will be around for a while, Roberts wrote. But with equal confidence I predict that judicial work particularly at the trial level will be significantly affected by AI. The year-end report also highlighted key statistics on the caseload handled by the Supreme Court during its previous term. The number of cases filed to the high court fell by 15% compared with its 2021 term, while 68 cases were argued before the justices last term two fewer than the 2021 term. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Three of the six most expensive property sales in the Rock Hill region in 2023 happened in Fort Mill, in a year that twice set a new high mark for purchase price. More than 250 property sales in York, Lancaster and Chester counties hit the $1 million or more mark in 2023, a Herald review of local records showed. Of that total, 16 sales exceeded $10 million. Then there were the top six each at more than $50 million. Those six sales combine manufacturing, distribution and plenty of apartments. Two of them surpassed any sales price listed in online records for York, Lancaster or Chester counties. Online records date back decades. They dont contain every sale in the counties, but are progressively more accurate as records have shifted online. Heres a look at the biggest property moves of 2023: These massive Rock Hill area land sales brought in nearly $1 billion in 2022 Carowinds area industrial park adds Silfab Solar Three Fort Mill industrial park properties sold in October for the highest price of any deal listed in online land records. The $106 million Stateline 77 sale at 7107, 7145 and 7149 Logistics Lane includes two warehouse buildings on almost 80 acres. The larger of the two buildings, at 7149 Logistics Lane, has the Silfab Solar site. York County completed a tax incentive deal with the solar panel manufacturer that aims to bring 800 jobs and $150 million of investment. Element Designs and Motion Industries occupy the smaller building, at 7107 Logistics Lane. Both industrial park sites were built last year. They combine for more than 1 million square feet of space. Stateline 77 is part of a $106 million property sale between Rockefeller Group and EQT Exeter. Logistics Lane is between Interstate 77 and U.S. 21 Bypass, across from Regent Parkway and north of Gold Hill Road. Its south of the Carowinds Boulevard corridor near the North Carolina border with Charlotte. Its also just beside property the Fort Mill School District plans to use for a new elementary and middle school. Real estate developer Rockefeller Group sold the Logistics Lane property to Pennsylvania-based EQT Exeter. Rockefeller Group previously developed and sold the nearby Lakemont 77, a similar but smaller industrial project at 370,000 square feet. York County to vote on deal that would bring 800 new jobs to Fort Mill. Here are details Rock Hill distribution sites hit high-dollar mark Before the Logistics Lane deal, a sale in Rock Hill briefly held the high-dollar title. An Atlanta company bought two warehouse distribution sites at 2501 David Hutchison Road in March for $93.3 million. That figure topped the 2017 LPL Financial headquarters sale in Fort Mill at $88.4 million and three more sales in the $80-million range the past two years in Indian Land, Rock Hill and Chester County. Randolph Yarns Park sold the property in March. Randolph Yarns Land Investor Holdings sold it three years ago for almost $3.8 million. Plans were announced in 2020 to convert the former Randolph Yarns textile mill into Rock Hill Commerce Center. Strategic Capital Partners announced groundbreaking for the 80-acre, $55 million commerce center in March. The sale includes two distribution buildings on more than 58 acres between Paragon Way and Cel-River Road. The buildings combine for almost 800,000 square feet. The property has easy access both to Interstate 77 and downtown Rock Hill. Its not far from the Catawba River, and its near what once was intended for the Carolina Panthers headquarters site. The city of Rock Hill took ownership of that property after the team headquarters and practice site deal fell through during construction. Rock Hill Commerce Center had property sell for more than $90 million in 2023. Indian Land apartments sold to Florida company An Indian Land apartment complex sale capped the busiest month for the biggest sales. Two May sales hit $70 million. Another topped $40 million. The largest was a $76-million deal for the Indigo at Cross Creek apartments. A Tampa, Florida, company bought two parcels at more than 28 acres. The 2001 and 2080 Cramer Circle addresses include 375,000 square feet of apartments. They were built in 2017 along Collins Road off U.S. 521. The apartments are near where U.S. 521 or Charlotte Highway crosses Dobys Bridge Road, behind the Publix shopping center. Apartment complexes in Indian Land, Rock Hill, Fort Mill and throughout the region have been among the biggest property sales in recent years. Indigo at Cross Creek is the most expensive of several eight-figure apartment sales in 2023. Brayden apartments sold in Fort Mill The Brayden apartments in Fort Mill werent far behind Indigo at Cross Creek. The 35-acre site with 17 apartment buildings sold in May for $70 million. Brayden is on S.C. 160 west, not far from Tega Cay. A company out of Dallas, Texas, bought the 1217 Jocelyn Dr. property. Brayden builder Standard Pacific Homes sold the site for almost $4 million in 2014. A developer then built up the property before selling it in 2018 for more than $51 million to the company that sold it in May. The 2016-built apartments are two- to four-stories. Along with the apartments, Brayden has hundreds of homes along with new restaurants the past few years, like Super Chix, Naf Naf, Capriottis, Duck Donuts and Inizio pizzeria. Homes are across S.C. 160 from the Earth Fare shopping center. More new Indian Land apartments sold The Mason at Six Mile Creek apartment building in Lancaster County was constructed in 2020 and 2021. The Graybul Mason company from Greenville bought the Indian Land complex in October for almost $69.3 million. The seven-building site combines for almost 300,000 square feet of space. Mason at Six Mile is on Charlotte Highway, or U.S. 521, south of S.C. 160. Its between the RedStone shopping center with a movie theater and restaurants to the north, and the Dobys Bridge Road area, Sun City and Promenade at Carolina Reserve to the south. Sunbelt buys former Lash Group office in Fort Mill Sunbelt Rentals bought former Lash Group office space in Fort Mill for $61 million. The September sale at 1799 Innovation Point in Kingsley involves an 11-acre lot. The sale came as York County agreed to transfer economic incentive options for Lash, to Sunbelt as the new owner. The three-story, 175,000-square-foot building already had Sunbelt working in it after previous expansions in Fort Mill. Sunbelt is one of the largest equipment rental companies in the country. Sunbelt Rentals would gain tax breaks under pending property deal with Lash Group Lash Group opened a 1,600-worker building in Kingsley in 2016 and another for 1,300 workers in 2018. A 2015 tax incentive deal with the county committed Lash to 2,200 new jobs and $80 million of investment. Lash announced plans to open in Kingsley the same day LPL Financial did in 2014, marking the biggest job announcement day ever in York County at a combined 5,400 positions. In late 2022 Lash asked York County to reduce its hiring requirement to 1,000 jobs citing remote work and the COVID pandemic. Lash had hired more than 1,600 people at the time. The county agreed to the change, noting Lash more than doubled its investment commitment. Many companies in the Rock Hill region got incentives, but have they kept their promises? Annual job growth for York County more than quadrupled the national average this spring, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Former Fort Mill Mayor Danny Funderburk, left, signed the final beam in 2015 to go atop the new Lash Group headquarters in Kingsley North. Seven more York, Lancaster county deals hit $10 million These other deals in the Rock Hill region topped $10 million. They include: A Birmingham, Alabama, company bought the Britax building on 53 acres in Fort Mill, near Carowinds, in May for $42.5 million. The 50-acre Promenade at Carolina Reserve shopping center at 7822 Charlotte Hwy. in Indian Land was sold to a Raleigh, North Carolina, company in June for more than $34 million. A Maryland company bought an Indian Land assisted living facility at 8154 English Clover Lane in November for $23.5 million. A four-story Home2 Suites hotel near the Galleria Mall in Rock Hill sold in February for $15.8 million. A Texas company bought the Wheel Pros site at 7780 Park Place Road in York in January for $15.7 million. A Pineville, North Carolina, company bought 80 acres of vacant property on Collins Road in Indian Land for $13.4 million in January. Stanley Martin Homes of Charlotte bought more than 25 acres off Pleasant Road in Fort Mill for $12 million in August. A Greenville company bought 17 acres of apartment buildings on Pardue Circle in Lancaster for $11.7 million in December. Kansas-based QTS Data Centers bought more than $11 million worth of Lake Wylie property on Hands Mill Highway in July for a data center project that aims to invest $1 billion, according to tax incentive agreements with York County. Lennar Carolinas sold more than 1,300 acres between Charlotte Highway and Old Hickory Road in Lancaster County to an Arizona company in November for $11 million. ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) Round Rock police are asking for help identifying an armed robbery suspect, the department said Sunday. The robbery happened Saturday at Mi Pueblito at 900 E. Palm Valley Blvd. in Round Rock. RRPD said officers responded at 7:45 p.m. and were told a Spanish-speaking man entered the business with a firearm and demanded money. (Round Rock Police Department) The suspect left with an unknown amount of money in a black backpack with red stripes, RRPD said. Police said people with information can contact Detective Bernie Villegas at 512-844-9568 or bvillegas@roundrocktexas.gov. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said he regrets not taking a city pension now that he's facing a $148m civil court payout for defaming a pair of Georgia election workers. The former mayor has since filed for bankruptcy, according to the New York Post. Empire Centre for Public Policy, a taxpayer watchdog group in New York, found no evidence of Mr Giuliani ever filing to receive a pension. Had he applied, he would have been eligible for approximately $26,000 per year once he turned 62. The former mayor would have an extra $442,000 in his coffers if he had applied for a pension. When The New York Post asked him why he never took a pension, he suggested he was "giving back to the city I love." "Although I would like to take it now," he added. The former mayor then admitted that he also didn't "know how to go about it." He also is not receiving a federal pension for the time he spent working as Manhattan's US Attorney and for other government work he performed. When Mr Giuliani left office in 2001, it was with a reputation for cleaning up the city and for shepherding New Yorkers through the 9/11 terror attacks. He was known as "America's Mayor" and had multiple multi-million dollar book deals. In an example of at least one act of foresight by Mr Giuliani, the former mayor paid into the city's deferred compensation plan, which he estimates as representing between $50,000 to $100,000, according to a campaign disclosure from 2007, when he was planning an ultimately doomed presidential bid. Most former mayors have taken pensions, with the notable exception being Michael Bloomberg, who did not accept a salary or a pension because he was already a billionaire. While he may not have a pension, Mr Giuliani does have an X/Twitter account, and it appears he intends to juice it for cash in the new year. "Do yourself and me a big favor and join our premier program Americas Mayor Confidential so we become a close knit team for 2024. Go to @RudyWGiuliani on X and subscribe for $10 per month so we can be an army by mid-next year," the former mayor wrote on X/Twitter on Monday. "Only for those who accept the responsibility to re-establish our constitutional rights and pass on to future generations an even greater America than we were given. Russian troops launched 122 Shahed-136/131 attack drones at Ukraine over 31 December and on New Years Eve night. Air defence systems shot down 87 of them. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 06:00 on 1 January Quote: "The Russian occupiers once again attacked Ukraine yesterday using 96 Shahed-136/131 UAVs. Air defence assets and personnel destroyed 66 attack UAVs. Also, the invaders conducted another airstrike using 26 Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs on the night of 31 December-1 January. Our defenders destroyed 21 enemy drones." Details: The settlements of Ivanivka (Kharkiv Oblast), Serebrianka Forest (Luhansk Oblast), Hryhorivka, Riznykivka, Zvanivka, Spirne, Pivnichne and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk Oblast), Robotyne and Novodanylivka (Zaporizhzhia Oblast), and Kachkarivka, Chervonyi Maiak, Zmiivka and Virivka (Kherson Oblast) were subjected to airstrikes. Over the course of the past day, 55 combat engagements took place. In total, the Russians carried out 13 missile strikes, 127 airstrikes and 181 attacks from multiple-launch rocket systems on the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian terrorist attacks have resulted in killed and injured civilians. Private residential and apartment buildings, as well as other civilian and industrial infrastructure facilities, were destroyed and damaged. About 150 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and Mykolaiv oblasts came under Russian artillery fire. On the Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna fronts, the Russians are maintaining a military presence in the border areas, conducting active sabotage activities to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to vulnerable areas and increasing the density of minefields along the state border in Russias Belgorod Oblast. In the area of responsibility of the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group on the Kupiansk front, Ukrainian defenders repelled 11 Russian attacks near Synkivka and Petropavlivka (Kharkiv Oblast), where the Russians unsuccessfully tried to break through Ukrainian troops defences. On the Lyman front, the Russians conducted assault operations near Makiivka (Luhansk Oblast). On the Bakhmut front, Ukrainian soldiers repelled 10 attacks by the Russians near Bohdanivka and Andriivka (Donetsk Oblast). On the Avdiivka front, Ukrainian defenders continue to restrain the Russian forces, who keep trying to encircle Avdiivka. Ukrainian soldiers are steadfastly holding the line, inflicting significant losses on the Russians. Ukrainian defenders repelled four Russian attacks near Stepove and Avdiivka, and 14 more near Pervomaiske and Nevelske (Donetsk Oblast). On the Marinka front, Ukrainian Defence Forces continue to hold back the Russians near Novomykhailivka (Donetsk Oblast), repelling four attacks in the area. On the Shakhtarsk front, Ukrainian soldiers repelled a Russian attack near Urozhaine (Donetsk Oblast). On the Zaporizhzhia front, Ukraine's Defence Forces repelled five attacks by Russian forces near Robotyne and south of Novodarivka (Zaporizhzhia Oblast). 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 drive Ukrainian units from their positions. During the past day, the Russian forces made 13 unsuccessful assault actions targeting the positions of Ukraine's Defence Forces. During the past 24 hours, Ukraine's Air Force struck 11 clusters of Russian military personnel, weapons and equipment. Ukraines Rocket Forces and Artillery units hit nine clusters of Russian military personnel, weapons and equipment, three ammunition storage points and a command post belonging to the Russians. Background: The Roman Shukhevych Museum in Lviv was completely destroyed by a night drone attack. The university in Dubliany, where Stepan Bandera studied, was also hit. [Stepan Bandera was a Ukrainian far-right leader of the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists (Banderites) - ed.] Support UP or become our patron! Stalin centres such as this one in Barnaul, Altai, aim to inspire visitors with photos, speeches, busts and other trinkets - TWITTER Stalin centres are popping up across Russia as Vladimir Putin tries to rehabilitate the reputation of the Soviet dictator. The centres are being built in Russias biggest cities to reposition Joseph Stalin as a great man of history and boost support for Putins war in Ukraine. In mid-December, at the opening of Russias second Stalin Centre in the city of Barnaul in Altai, Sergei Matasov, the regional Communist Party leader, credited Stalin with modernising the world during his 1924-53 rule over the Soviet Union. Stalins economy, Stalins politics, Stalins culture gave the whole world an impetus forward. Such a sharp, qualitative leap, he said. The Communist Party, an opposition party that works within parameters set by the Kremlin, opened its first Stalin Centre in 2023, near Nizhny Novgorod. Like the Barnaul project, it aims to inspire visitors with its collection of Stalin photos, speeches, busts and other trinkets. The Kremlin is welcoming the renewed praise of Stalin. Stalin centres have opened in Altai to rehabilitate the reputation of the dictator as a great man - TWITTER Analysts said that Putin has always pushed for the glorification of Stalin and his victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War, which Russians call the Great Patriotic War, but it has never been as important. They say that they are fighting Nazis now in Ukraine, the Great Patriotic War 2.0, as it were. So Stalin being the man who defeated Nazism is a good image for the regime, said Dr Stephen Hall, an associate professor of Russian politics at Bath University. Putin praised Stalin as a great man in a speech to mark Russian nationhood in 2022 and in 2016 Vladimir Medinsky, then the culture minister but now a presidential adviser, travelled to the Tver region, north of Moscow, for the unveiling of a monument to Stalin. According to an analysis carried out by the Tochka website, of the 110 monuments to Stalin currently in Russia, 37 were erected after Putin became president on New Years Eve 1999. Children are a key target for this pro-Stalin propaganda drive and this year the Kremlin plans to stage a mass gymnastics parade by Russian teenagers through Red Square, the first since Stalin died in 1953. The Barnaul Stalin Centre also organised an online flash mob of Russian schoolchildren to celebrate Stalins birthday in December, posting photographs of them holding handwritten posters which said: Happy birthday Comrade Stalin! and Hello the Great Stalin! Pro-Ukraine invasion narrative Tochka said that since Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, around half a dozen Stalin monuments have been erected with each new statue accompanied by a repetition of Z-propaganda, a reference to the pro-Ukraine invasion narrative pumped out by the Kremlin. One erected in Pskov in western Russia was consecrated by a priest, even though religion was banned under Stalin. Another was installed at a private school outside Kazan, central Russia, on a bench. Historians have estimated that six million people were sent to death camps under Stalin and activists have accused local authorities of ripping off plaques to victims and destroying 22 monuments. The campaign to disappear monuments is going on throughout the country, and, in most cases, the perpetrators of vandalism are not caught, and the police are inactive, said Alexandra Polivanova, a researcher at the Memorial human rights group. Mr Matasov considers Russians with even a hint of fondness for the West to be traitors. At the opening of the new Stalin Centre at Barnaul, he said that supporters of Yeltsin and Navalny, enemies of Russia, foreign agents are writing slander, but we will deal with them the Stalin way, referencing Boris Yeltsin, Russias pro-capitalist president between 1991 and 1999, and Alexei Navalny, Russias most high-profile imprisoned opposition leader. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Russia kicked off the new year with a record-breaking exploding drone attack on Ukraine and threats of more to come Russia launched a record-breaking attack on Ukraine on New Year's Day, reports said. The attack came after a hit on Russia on Saturday that was preceded by a heavy barrage of Ukraine. Exploding drones have played a significant part in the ongoing war. Russian forces launched a record number of explosive-laden one-way attack drones at targets across Ukraine on New Year's Day, the Associated Press reported . The attack involving 90 Shahed-style drones followed an attack on Russian territory Saturday that killed at least 25 people, according to Russian officials. It was one of the deadliest attacks on Russian soil since the country invaded Ukraine 22 months ago. And that attack was preceded by a massive barrage of Ukraine involving more than a hundred missiles and dozens of drones that is said to have killed at least 30 people and injured at least 140 others. During a hospital visit on New Year's Day, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country would "intensify" its attacks against Ukraine and that more strikes will come. The Ukrainian air force claimed that 87 of the drones launched in Russia's New Year's Day attack were shot downed by its air defenses, per Reuters. Still, there were casualties. Drones have played a significant role in the war between Russia and Ukraine. The latest attack and Putin's warning appear to hint at what experts have said was likely to come: a ramping up of drone strikes. "The Russians will likely intensify the current level of drone strikes that they're doing against Ukraine in the winter," George Barros, a Russia analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, previously told Insider in September. During the previous winter, Russia repeatedly targeted Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure with missiles and drones, the country's key energy infrastructure in particular. Read the original article on Business Insider A federal judge in Iowa, Stephen Locher, has issued a preliminary injunction blocking the enforcement of a law set to take effect on January 1, that prohibited certain books in public school libraries. The law, backed by Republicans and approved by GOP Governor Kim Reynolds, sought to ban books depicting sex acts from school libraries and classrooms, as per The New York Times. Judge Blocks Iowa Book Ban Additionally, it prohibited teachers from discussing gender identity and sexual orientation issues with students through the sixth grade. Judge Locher's injunction specifically blocks the enforcement of these two provisions. The judge expressed concern over the broad scope of the book ban, stating that it has led to the removal of history volumes, classics, award-winning novels, and even books designed to help students avoid sexual assault. Locher suggested that this aspect of the law is unlikely to meet constitutional requirements for free speech. Similarly, he found the provision restricting any discussion of "gender identity" and "sexual orientation" in elementary school to be overly broad. Governor Reynolds voiced her disappointment with the ruling, emphasizing her belief that instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation has no place in kindergarten through sixth-grade classrooms. She also argued that books containing sexually explicit content, as defined by Iowa law, should not be available in school libraries for children. Educators have expressed their approval of the decision. Mike Beranek, president of the Iowa State Education Association, has welcomed the move, emphasizing that it will allow professionals to prioritize the well-being of their students without any concerns about facing consequences, according to Associated Press. Read Also: Joe Biden Impeachment Inquiry: Republicans Seek POTUS Involvement in Hunter's Refusal to Testify Before Investigators Iowa Court Allows Parental Notification for Name Changes In a recent court ruling, the judge has permitted a requirement for school administrators to notify parents if their child expresses a desire to change pronouns or names. This decision was made on the grounds that the plaintiffs who were challenging this provision did not have standing in the case. Iowa's legislation, like many others across the country, aligns with a broader pattern of similar laws. These measures are commonly supported by Republican lawmakers. In an attempt to control discussions related to gender and sexual orientation matters, enactments have been introduced that seek to curtail such discussions. Additionally, these laws prohibit specific treatments for transgender minors and impose restrictions on restroom utilization within educational institutions. Several of these laws have been met with legal challenges. Opponents of Iowa's law filed two lawsuits challenging its constitutionality. One lawsuit, on behalf of Iowa Safe Schools and seven students, argued that the law violates free speech and equal protection rights. The second lawsuit, filed by the Iowa State Education Association, publisher Penguin Random House, and four authors, focused more narrowly on the book bans, contending that the law infringes on the First and 14th Amendments. During a December 22 hearing, attorneys from the Iowa attorney general's office acknowledged that school officials might have applied the book ban too broadly. They suggested that educators should focus on identifying text or images meeting Iowa's definition of a sex act, rather than dwelling on the concept of a sex act itself, CBS News reported. Related Article: California Coastline Hit by Heavy Waves, Flooding; 8 Reportedly Sent to Hospital Russia launched a record 90 drones over Ukraine during the early hours of the new year, and Russian President Vladimir Putin said the country would intensify its attacks. The Ukrainian Air Force said it destroyed 87 of the 90 drones, and the attack was carried out in waves that came from four different directions. The military shared the message online and said, Lets keep the sky! Together to victory. Putin spoke at a New Years Day visit to a military hospital after Ukraine struck the Russian border city of Belgorod, killing more than two dozen people and wounding 100 others, The Associated Press (AP) reported. It was one of the deadliest Ukrainian attacks on Russian soil since the start of the war nearly two years ago. Putin called the attack a terrorist attack and said, They want to intimidate us and create uncertainty within our country. We will intensify strikes. Not a single crime against our civilian population will go unpunished, Putin said, per the AP. In his year-end address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky promised an increase in domestically produced weapons in the coming year for the countrys war against Russia. Putin also gave a New Years address. He did not mention Ukraine by name in his speech, but the war was a central theme in his remarks; he said Russia would never back down. Both Russia and Ukraine have relied on explosive drones throughout the war, the AP reported. Russias recent attack killed a 15-year-old boy and wounded seven people after one of the downed drones hit a residential building in Odesa, Ukraine, said Oleh Kiper, the head of the countrys military administration, per the AP. The AP said drone strikes and artillery fire killed three people in the Kharkiv and Sumy regions in Ukraine. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Firefighters tackle a blaze at the Roman Shukhevych Museum after a drone attack on the outskirts of Lviv - State Emergency Service of Ukraine/AFP/Getty Images Russia launched a record 90 Shahed-type drones over Ukraine during the early hours of the new year, the Ukrainian air force said on Monday, while Russia also reported attacks. A 15-year-old boy was killed and seven people wounded after falling debris from one of 87 downed drones hit a residential building in the city of Odesa, the head of the regions military administration, Oleh Kiper, said. Debris also caused a number of small fires, including at the citys port. In the western city of Lviv, Russian attacks struck a museum dedicated to Roman Shukhevych, a Ukrainian nationalist and military commander who fought for independence during the Second World War. University buildings in the town of Dubliany were also damaged, although no casualties were reported. Andriy Sadovyi, the Lviv mayor, described the strike as symbolic and cynical in a post on social media, adding: This is a war for our history. The aftemath of Ukrainian shelling on Russian-occupied areas of Donetsk - ALEXANDER ERMOCHENKO/REUTERS Meanwhile, four were killed and 13 more wounded following Ukrainian shelling on Russian-occupied areas of Donetsk, according to Denis Pushilin, the areas Moscow-installed leader. State media reported that a journalist was among the victims, but provided no further details. One person was also killed and another wounded in shelling on the Russian border town of Shebekino, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the regional governor, said. The aerial strikes follow bombardments that began on Friday, when Russia unleashed an 18-hour attack that one air force official described as the biggest aerial barrage of the war. At least 49 people were killed in the raids, with rescuers in Kyiv reporting on Monday that they had recovered at least eight more bodies from underneath the rubble. Shelling blamed on Ukraine in the centre of the Russian border city of Belgorod on Saturday killed 21 people, including three children, local officials reported. 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. At least two civilians died of injuries after a Russian Shahed drone hit a two-story residential building in Sumy Oblast on Jan. 1, according to the regional military administration and the regional police. The military administration reported that three people have been pulled from the rubble so far. According to the statement by the regional prosecutor's office, a female resident of the building was heavily injured from the drone's impact and died in the hospital. A pre-trial investigation into the death has begun. Russia conducted a massive drone strike across Ukraine on New Years Eve, continuing well into the late afternoon on New Years Day. The Russians also fired missiles, shells and unguided rockets at multiple cities and villages, including in Kherson and Kharkiv Oblasts in the past 24 hours. The attacks follow a Dec. 29 missile and drone strike across the country. By number of weapons it was the largest single massive attack of its kind since the beginning of the full-scale war. At least 39 people are known to have died. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Air defense forces destroyed five UAVs in the Dniprovskyi, Synelnykovskyi, Novomoskovskyi and Kamianske districts Russia attacked Dnipro and Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with Iranian Shahed kamikaze drones overnight, the regional governor, Serhiy Lysak, said on Telegram on Jan. 1. "We are dealing with terrorists, Lysak said. Read also: Russia threatens airstrikes on New Year's Eve as second consecutive air raid is declared across Ukraine This New Year's night proves that once again. Instead of giving people peace, the Russians sent drones to peaceful cities and villages in the whole country, and Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in particular." Ukraines air defenses took down five Shaheds in the oblasts Dniprovskyi, Synelnykovskyi, Novomoskovskyi and Kamianske districts, Lysak said. A fire broke out in Dnipro after Russian drones targeted an enterprise, but firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze within an hour. Read also: Ukrainian air defense downs Russian Kh-59 missile targeting Dnipro One Russian drone became entangled in a power line, leaving 1,500 families in the Pyatyhatska community of Kamianske district without electricity. Electricity engineers quickly arrived, restoring power to the homes. Lysak reported no casualties or injuries. Russia attacked several Ukrainian regions with Shahed kamikaze drones at night on Jan. 1. The Russians started deploying drone groups in the evening, and the air raids continued intermittently until morning. The main targets were the south and west of Ukraine. Fragments from the drones hit residential buildings in Odesa one person was killed, and nine injured. The Russians hit two national landmarks in Lviv: they destroyed the museum dedicated to the Ukrainian Insurgent Army General Roman Shukhevych, and damaged the Lviv Polytechnic University branch in Dubliany, where the Ukrainian nationalist leader Stepan Bandera studied. The Ukrainian Air Force reported shooting down a record number of Russian strike drones 87 out of 90 on New Year's night. Read also: Focus of Russias New Years Eve drone attacks has shifted to frontline zones, says Air Force Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Russia targeted Lviv Oblast with Shahed kamikaze drones overnight, resulting in the destruction of a museum dedicated to Ukrainian Insurgent Army General Roman Shukhevych, regional governor Maksym Kozytskyi said on Telegram on Jan. 1. The museum, located in the Bilohorshcha District, Lviv, was reduced to rubble, said Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi. Read also: Teenager dies in Odesa during Russian drone attack on New Year's Eve "Fire at the Shukhevych Museum, Kozytskyi wrote. Preliminary cause: debris from a hostile drone. The State Emergency Service representatives are on-site. No casualties reported in Bilohorshcha. Firefighters are still battling the blaze. There was another loud noise in Lviv just now. Stay in shelters. The danger is still high." Russian Shahed drone debris also hit Dubliany. The roof of a Lviv National Agrarian University dormitory was on fire, and firefighters tackled the blaze. Read also: Russian shelling disrupts frontline thermal power plant operation, DTEK reports Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine An officer of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, Senior Lieutenant Mikhail Konopitsyn, was killed when a series of explosions hit the Russian city of Belgorod on Dec. 30, Russian media and Ukraines Defense Intelligence reported. Konopitsyn was sent to Belgorod to work as part of the military investigation department of the Investigative Committee of Russia in November 2023. Before that, Konopitsyn fought against Ukraine as an anti-tank missile platoon commander. Explosions rocked the Russian border city of Belgorod on Dec. 30. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said that the regional center had come under fire from the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Ukrainian media, citing a source in the special services, reported that the Ukrainian Security and Defense Forces had launched a missile attack on military facilities in Belgorod, but that due to "unprofessional actions of Russian air defense" and "planned provocations, debris from downed missiles fell in the city center. The Russian authorities claimed 24 people had been killed. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Russian forces shelled Kharkiv Oblast's Kupiansk district with artillery and rockets on Jan. 1, killing at least one civilian, according to the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration and the regional prosecutor's office. One man was reported killed by fragments. Artillery and Uragan rockets struck residential areas, including a five-story building. Authorities also posted images of what looked like damaged private homes. Russian forces also hit the village of Kucherivka in Kupiansk district with an airstrike, damaging homes and auxiliary structures. The shelling was part of a pattern of attacks timed to the New Year holiday. Multiple front line areas got shelled or hit with missiles or airstrikes, with sporadic casualties reported. Russia attacked at least half a dozen regions with drones overnight on Jan. 1, continuing throughout the day. On Dec. 29, Russia hit Ukraine with the largest mass attack of missiles and drones since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Russian military attacked the village of Veletenske near Kherson, killing one person and injuring another one. Source: Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson blast Military Administration Quote: "The Russian army attacked a residential building in Veletenske. Two people were trapped under the rubble. A 73-year-old woman was fatally injured. Her body was taken out from under the destroyed private building by employees of the State Emergency Service." Details: According to Oleksandr Prokudin, another local resident, aged 50, was rescued. She was hospitalised with a leg and back injury. The woman is being treated. Support UP or become our patron! As New York City gears up for the iconic New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square, security has been significantly heightened to ensure the safety of attendees and mitigate potential risks. While there are currently no specific credible threats associated with the event, authorities are taking precautions to safeguard the celebration. NYPD Bolsters Security for New Year's Eve The New York Police Department (NYPD) is orchestrating a comprehensive security plan for the annual ball drop, expecting hundreds of thousands of people to gather in the heart of Manhattan. During a press conference, Jeffrey Maddrey, the police's chief of department, disclosed that thousands of officers, including 631 recent Police Academy graduates, will be deployed for the event. In an attempt to improve law enforcement efforts, an expanded area in Manhattan will now be covered by a range of resources. These include the deployment of canine units, officers on horseback, helicopters, and boats. Drones are set to be deployed along the outer perimeter of the security zone in order to closely monitor potential protests as they unfold in real-time. The NYPD has been vigilant in monitoring protests since October 7, particularly in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict. While the majority of demonstrations have remained peaceful, there have been isolated incidents of disruption by a small number of protesters. Mayor Eric Adams emphasized a zero-tolerance approach to any attempts to cause disruption during the New Year's Eve celebration. Pro-Palestinian activists are planning a march and rally at Columbus Circle on Sunday afternoon, called "Shut It Down! For Palestine." Authorities anticipate potential demonstrations and have expanded the security zone to respond promptly to emergencies while keeping protesters away from Times Square, according to The New York Times. Read Also: Pennsylvania Man Sentenced in Secret for His Role in U.S. Capitol Riot Road Closures in Place for Safety During the New Year's Eve celebrations, a considerable portion of streets below Central Park will undergo road closures and restricted access due to the distinct security challenges that arise during this time. The measure has been implemented with the goal of guaranteeing the safety of all attendees and facilitating a prompt response from law enforcement in the event of any emergencies. The concerns extend beyond the local context, with authorities across the United States on high alert. A joint threat assessment involving multiple law enforcement agencies highlights a heightened threat environment due to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Intelligence Community expresses concerns about potential lone offenders expressing threats online and committing simple, unsophisticated attacks. Law enforcement officials are emphasizing the heightened threat environment but want to assure the public that there is currently no specific and credible threat to the Times Square New Year's Eve celebration. In a move to bolster emergency response capabilities, the security perimeter surrounding Times Square has been expanded. This strategic decision comes as a result of valuable lessons learned from past incidents. As millions worldwide await the iconic ball drop, law enforcement remains vigilant, utilizing a range of tools and technology, including cameras, helicopters, drones, and bomb detection dogs. The eyes of the world are indeed on Times Square, and authorities are committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable celebration as the city bids farewell to 2022, KCRA reported. Related Article: [TIMELINE] Gypsy Rose Blanchard's Murder Case-The Woman Fooled by Her Mother to Believe She's Sick Russian troops once again launched attack drones on Ukrainian territory on the evening of 1 January. Source: Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Details: At 21:43, the Air Force warned the public of the threat of attack drones in the east. Quote: "Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts are under threat of attack UAVs!" Updated: At 21:54, a warning about the threat of drone attacks was also issued in Kharkiv Oblast. Background: The Russians launched a record number of Shahed attack UAVs on Ukraine on the night of 31 December-1 January. Ukrainian air defence forces managed to down 87 out of 90 of them. Ukrainian air defence forces shot down 9 out of 10 Russian drones during the afternoon attack on Monday, 1 January. Support UP or become our patron! A missing 16-year-old girl sought by Sacramento County and El Dorado County sheriffs officials has been found safe. The teen, who was considered at risk, was reported missing Saturday in El Dorado County but was believed to have gone to the Sacramento area, the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office said Monday morning in a social media post. She was located safe and sound, the Sheriffs Office said in a social media update Monday evening. KANSAS CITY, Mo. SEA LIFE Kansas City is ringing in the New Year with a new arrival at one of its exhibits. SEA LIFE welcomed more than 20 rare Weedy Seadragon babies. Chiefs fans celebrating New Years Eve at Power & Light In a press release, the aquarium said that for the past eight weeks, the Weedy Seadragon exhibit has been transformed into a Dragon Paternity Suite for the arrival of the seadragons. Weedy seadragons are an endangered species found exclusively on Australias southern coast. The male dragon is responsible for carrying the eggs on his tail until they are ready to hatch. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android A pair of seadragons will mirror one anothers movements in a courtship ritual before the transfer of eggs, and these intricate mating dances are what seadragons are famous for. The juvenile dragons will join the exhibit in a few months once they are old enough, but for now, you can visit the adult seadragons at SEA LIFE. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Seattle police are investigating after reports of gunshots in Greenwood. When officers arrived at the 100 block of Northwest 85th Street they found a single shell casing. No suspects have been located, said a spokesperson. No property damage or victim at this time. Police are investigating a shots call in the 100 block of Northwest 85th Street. A single shell casing was recovered. No suspects have been located. No property damage or victim at this time. Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) December 31, 2023 WASHINGTON A second Donald Trump presidency could be more unbound thanks to the changing face of the Republican Party, where traditional GOP stalwarts are gradually being replaced with hard-charging MAGA loyalists eager to defend and amplify his tactics. During his first term in office, Trump squared off with the likes of John McCain, Bob Corker, and Mitt Romney, establishment Republican senators who were often a thorn in his side. Now, many of the lawmakers most likely to push back against his worst instincts are either gone or heading for the exits, and a favorable electoral landscape for the GOP next year could install even more dutiful Trump allies in the upper chamber, who will be more eager to help his promised campaign of revenge than hinder it. Its an open question as to how long 81-year-old Mitch McConnell the Senate GOP leader who Trump loathes will stick around after battling ailments this year. There is growing evidence that his once-dominant influence within the conference is waning amid numerous challenges from a wing of conservative and MAGA-allied senators who are eager to flex their muscles and forge closer ties to the de facto leader of their party. Trumps campaign already has the backing of over 100 Republicans in Congress including 17 of 49 sitting GOP senators despite him facing historic criminal charges in four separate cases and his being impeached twice, including for trying to overturn his loss in the 2020 election. That number is only expected to grow as Trump continues his march toward the GOP presidential nomination. With just a few weeks until voters begin to cast their ballots, he dominates in polls of the 2024 race by a wide margin. The field has yet to consolidate behind an alternative; it may be too late by the time it even does. A resounding win in the Iowa caucuses could help seal the deal early for Trump, making the following primaries in New Hampshire and South Carolina less relevant and setting him up for a glide path to victory. Trumps allies believe its only a matter of time until the rest of the party gets behind the program and that this time, if he wins, his agenda, which could include massive camps to hold immigrants awaiting deportation, further corporate tax cuts and an economically disruptive 10% tariff, would be much easier to enact. A lot of people are politically cautious, they dont want to get involved in the primary while its going on, but my view is the primary is effectively over, and Ive encouraged my colleagues to get on board, said Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), a top MAGA supporter in Congress. The more populist or America First side of [the GOP] will have more of an upper hand the second time around than it did in the first, he predicted. But its going to be a work in progress. These things take time. Trump has been open about seeking vengeance in his second term, vowing to weaponize the government against his opponents if he returns to power. He has suggested that he would direct the Department of Justice to open investigations into President Joe Biden, his family and others. His allies have also described sweeping plans to expand the presidency and give Trump more power than ever if he is elected to the White House again. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), a top MAGA supporter in Congress, says the GOP presidential primary is already over. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), a top MAGA supporter in Congress, says the GOP presidential primary is already over. Many of those plans will hinge on support from his party in Congress. Some Republicans have expressed uneasewith the idea of restructuring federal agencies or the civil service, but theres no telling what Trump could accomplish by pushing the bounds of executive power on his own, especially with a conservative 6-3 majority on the Supreme Court. The Senate will, at least, have a say in approving who leads Trumps executive agencies if he wins again. An extreme choice for attorney general like Stephen Miller, who is known for his anti-immigration views, for example, would face difficulty with the current GOP leadership, but the math gets better for such a scenario with each year more Trump loyalists fill the Senate. In 2022, Trump gained several new allies in the Senate who are now enthusiastically backing his 2024 bid. Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) replaced Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), who was one of a handful of Republicans who voted to impeach Trump for inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, Vance replaced Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), a former George W. Bush administration official, and Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) replaced veteran dealmaker Roy Blunt. Trump stands to gain even more allies next year, with West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice almost certain to replace Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and several other Trump acolytes vying for seats, including businessman Bernie Moreno in Ohio and veteran Tim Sheehy in Montana, both in states represented by vulnerable Senate Democrats facing reelection. Meanwhile, GOP resistance to Trump in the Senate is fleeting, and there are even signs of fatigue among some anti-Trump senators. If he wins the nomination, Trump will once again dominate questions to GOP lawmakers about his many rants, incendiary threats against opponents, or his racist comments. Some lawmakers have already taken to refusing to answer questions about the 2024 campaign entirely. Romney, Trumps loudest critic who voted to convict him in both his impeachment trials, is retiring next year and the odds seem low that Utahns will elect someone as committed to battling the former president as he did. Even he seems a bit worn out from denouncing Trump all the time. Donald Trump says so many absurd things, Romney said recently in response to a Trump interview in which he said he would only be a dictator on day one of his presidency. I sort of laugh at what hes saying, he added. The other day, he was saying, Were going to get rid of Obamacare. Its like, really, what have you got? You said that when you were president, did you ever introduce a plan to replace Obamacare? No. So at some point, you realize you dont have to take him literally, and you dont have to take him seriously either. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) isn't jazzed about the prospect of his party nominating Donald Trump for president again. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) isn't jazzed about the prospect of his party nominating Donald Trump for president again. Asked about Trumps much-criticized comments that migrants are poisoning the blood of the country, Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) replied sarcastically: Looks like Im looking forward to another year of answering these questions. Earlier this year, the Indiana Republican vowed not to support Trump in the 2024 GOP race, saying that conservatives would not be well served by electing someone whose core competency seems to be owning someone on Twitter. Now he, too, seems to be dreading the odds that Trump wins the nomination again. Horse race? Is it a horse race? No, Young said earlier this month when a reporter tried to ask him about another Trump 2024 campaign-related question. Of course, Republicans could have avoided this scenario had more of them voted to convict Trump after Jan. 6, 2021, which would have disqualified him from holding future elected office. But a second Trump presidency, if it comes to pass, wouldnt be entirely free of GOP detractors. Republican senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska arent expected to leave Congress any time soon, and theyve both shown a willingness to criticize the former president and join Democrats in voting against his priorities in Congress. Murkowski, for example, recently condemned Trump for making hateful comments about immigrants, saying that it is his rhetoric that is poisoning our country. The Alaska Republican won reelection to another six-year term last year and is more insulated from political pressure than most of her colleagues. Which Republican eventually succeeds McConnell in the Senate as leader could also help determine the fate of a possible second Trump presidency. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the minority whip and No. 2 Republican in the Senate, is considered a possible successor in the mold of McConnell. Thune backed Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) in the 2024 race and has made positive comments about former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. Another possible successor, Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), on the other hand, has backed Trump and is more aligned with the MAGA wing of the party. Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, a rising star at age 41 who had been mentioned as a possible face of the GOP post-Trump, recently endorsed his 2024 bid. Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, a rising star at age 41 who had been mentioned as a possible face of the GOP post-Trump, recently endorsed his 2024 bid. Its not hard to tell which way the wind is blowing, however. The McConnell-backed freshman Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, a rising star at age 41 who had been mentioned as a possible face of the GOP post-Trump, recently endorsed the former presidents 2024 bid. In an op-ed, Britt framed the choice as between Trump and Biden, even though there are several other (and younger) choices in the GOP race. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), who once called Flordia Gov. Ron DeSantis the leader of the Republican Party, acknowledged that the GOP is in transition right now. I do think that what I would call the neocon part of the Republican Party is all but gone, and so there is more pragmatic thought on matters that involve not only the Department of Defense but the U.S. role in foreign conflicts, Lummis said. I do think in that regard President Trump has influenced some of the thinking. Its healthy. And Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), another Trump-skeptical Republican who had endorsed Scotts failed 2024 bid, pointed out that the Republican base doesnt see an alternative to Trump right now, even with other GOP candidates in the race. Youve got 16 or 17 senators whove committed to the former president, which means a supermajority has not, Rounds said with a vaguely hopeful note. He added that there is still time for them to coalesce around someone else. With less than three weeks to go until the Iowa caucuses, time is running very short. A senior Israeli official from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus right-wing government admitted on Saturday that the Gaza Strip is a ghetto and that Israel must reduce the enclaves Palestinian population the latest example of Israeli authorities plainly stating their goals for the future of Gaza and Palestinians. In an interview with Israeli Army Radio, ultranationalist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that his demand was for Gaza to stop being a hotbed where 2 million people grow up on hatred and aspire to destroy the State of Israel. He did not specify why Palestinian civilians in Gaza would aspire to destroy Israel. According to a translation by Haaretz, the Religious Zionism party chairman also said that Israel must occupy and resettle Gaza in order to regain security. If we act strategically, they will emigrate and we will live there. We wont let 2 million stay. With 100,000 or 200,000 Arabs in Gaza, the day after debate will be different, Smotrich said, as translated by an Israel analyst with the nonprofit Crisis Group. They want to leave, theyve been living in a ghetto for 75 years. Smotrich agrees with @mashagessen that Gaza is a ghetto: "If we act strategically they will emigrate and we will live there. We won't let 2 million stay. With 100-200K in Gaza, the 'day after' debate will be diff. They want to leave, they've been living in a ghetto for 75 years." https://t.co/jbUaFBClMF Mairav Zonszein (@MairavZ) December 31, 2023 Comparing the plight of Palestinians to the suffering of European Jews during the Nazi regime has been a taboo subject, though human rights organizations and scholars have drawn similaritiesbetween the two struggles, particularly after Oct. 7. Just days ago, South Africa launched a case at the top United Nations court accusing Israel of carrying out the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Earlier this month, prominent Russian American journalist and writer Masha Gessen was almost not awarded the prestigious Hannah Arendt prize in Germany after they published an essay in The New Yorker comparing Gaza to the Jewish ghettos of Nazi-occupied Europe. For the last seventeen years, Gaza has been a hyperdensely populated, impoverished, walled-in compound where only a small fraction of the population had the right to leave for even a short amount of time in other words, a ghetto, they wrote in their Dec. 9 essay. Not like the Jewish ghetto in Venice or an inner-city ghetto in America but like a Jewish ghetto in an Eastern European country occupied by Nazi Germany. Presumably, the more fitting term ghetto would have drawn fire for comparing the predicament of besieged Gazans to that of ghettoized Jews, they continued. It also would have given us the language to describe what is happening in Gaza now. The ghetto is being liquidated. In this April 19, 1943, photo, Jews are forced from the Warsaw Ghetto by German soldiers. In this April 19, 1943, photo, Jews are forced from the Warsaw Ghetto by German soldiers. This is not the first time Smotrich has spoken offensively of Palestinians. In March, the minister delivered a speech in Paris claiming that there is no Palestinian nation, history or language. In February, he called for a Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank to be erased after Jewish settlers rampaged through it in response to a shooting attack that killed two Israelis. Immediately after the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, he reportedly told fellow Cabinet members that its time to be cruel, even if it means killing hostages in Gaza in the process. But Smotrich is not the only Israeli official saying the quiet part out loud about Gaza. Several of the countrys lawmakers have made comments appearing to support a second Nakba (when Palestinians were expelled from their homes and land en masse 75 years ago) in Gaza in order to feel a sense of security after the war. Last week, lawmaker Danny Danon told Kan Bet radio that it would be humane for Israel to make it easier for Gazans to leave for other countries. Intelligence Minister Gila Gamiliel published an op-ed in The Jerusalem Post last month suggesting that Western nations should take in Palestinians from Gaza as an act of voluntary resettlement. Netanyahu himself has made similar comments, telling members of his right-wing Likud coalition at a meeting last week that the mass expulsion of Palestinians out of Gaza would be a positive outcome of the bombardment. Nihad Awad, the national executive director for the Muslim rights group CAIR, released a statement on Sunday demanding that the Biden administration condemn the latest open call for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza. Our nations leaders must finally acknowledge what has long been known and demonstrated daily by Israels genocidal actions, Awad said. That Israels racist government seeks to ethnically cleanse Gaza by slaughtering tens of thousands of civilians and making it unlivable for those it does not kill. Related... Newest Restaurant Report Card | If you want the latest Shelby County restaurant scores sent directly to your inbox, sign up for it today on WREGs Newsletter here. Each week WREG is rounding up the highest and lowest scores from Shelby County restaurant inspections. Find more restaurant scores from Shelby County and other Tennessee counties here. Lowest Scores: Hyderabad Biryani and More 3675 Southwind Park Cove STE 105 Memphis, TN 38125 Score: 68 Violations include: Person in charge did not demonstrate knowledge; employees touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands; cutting boards need replacing; no date marking system for foods held in refrigerator over 24 hours; missing thermometers in coolers; unlabeled food containers; several food items stored on the floor storage room; wiping cloths improperly stored on table; clean utensils improperly stored; mixer, microwave, and grills need cleaning; dirty shelving no hot water at front hand washing sink; walls and ceiling very soiled; dirty equipment and exterior of coolers; vents over fryers need cleaning. See report. Los Comales 345 Madison Ave Memphis, TN 38103 Score: 79 Violations include: (The following violations were not corrected following last weeks Restaurant Report Card) No consumer advisory on menus; spray bottles not labeled; foods not held at proper temperature; foods not covered in storage in coolers; counters, work stations, and broiler dirty; drawers underneath grill have a foul odor; shelves in walk-in cooler not clean; floors wet near walk-in coolers. See report. Forest Hill Grill-Kitchen 9102 Poplar Pike Germantown, TN 38138 Score: 84 Violations include: Cutting boards are deeply grooved and stained; can opener needs cleaning; unlabeled food containers; uncovered foods in prep cooler; wiping cloths improperly stored on cutting boards; clean utensils improperly stored; employee not changing gloves when doing tasks; no lid on trash bin in ladies restrooml dumpster lids open. See report. Grisantis To Go 1940 Exeter Rd Germantown, TN 38138 Score: 85 Violations include: Hand-washing sink does not have soap; nozzles on drink machine are not clean; cutting boards stained and grooved; date marking system is missing discard dates; foods are not labeled correctly; foods are not covered in storage; reach-in equipment is not clean. See report. 100s American House, 3345 Kirby Whitten Memphis, TN 38134 Crave 4 Gourmet Popcorn, 2546 Mt. Moriah Ste 101 MEMPHIS, Tennessee 38115 Lets Fiesta Bar & Grill, 5992 Knight Arnold Rd Memphis, TN 38115 For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. China, Middle Eastern countries strive to expand business cooperation 11:09, January 01, 2024 By Zhang Zhiwen, Ren Haoyu ( People's Daily A business representative from the Textile Merchants Group experience Chinese textile products. (By Ren Haoyu/People's Daily) The 15th China Trade Fair Dubai 2023 recently concluded in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Lasting three days, the trade fair covered an exhibition area of 70,000 square meters and was joined by nearly 2,500 Chinese foreign trade companies. The event focused on eight major areas including building materials and home furnishings, textiles and clothing, household appliances and consumer electronics, industrial equipment and components, and power and new energy. Business representatives from various countries gathered at the event, which reflected the continuous warming of China's economic and trade relations with Middle Eastern countries. In recent years, Middle Eastern countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been vigorously developing renewable energy. At the trade fair, energy-saving and environmentally friendly products and technologies showcased by Chinese companies were highly welcomed. For instance, in the power and new energy exhibition area, Chinese products such as electric vehicle charging poles, outdoor portable power sources, and solar charging devices attracted numerous buyers. "Middle Eastern countries are actively promoting the development of the electric vehicle industry, and charging stations are essential supporting facilities," said Li Xiaoping, general manager of Chargeland, a new energy tech firm based in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province. The company has brought AC charging stations, integrated DC charging stations, and supercharging stations to the trade fair, providing clients with personalized and customized charging stations and multilingual charging platforms that meet various demands in different scenarios. At the booth of Guangdong O'DAS Household Technology Co., Ltd., visitors experienced the energy-saving and environmentally friendly doors and windows produced by the Chinese firm. "They have a strong will to cooperate. We have received many inquiries every day," said Tu Yaxiang, who's in charge of the company's overseas business. Lyrasom, a battery energy storage company located in Huizhou, Guangdong province, showcased lithium-ion batteries, home energy storage systems, and integrated power solutions at the exhibition. "By participating in the trade show, we have exchanged contact information with many buyers, and some have even placed orders. We look forward to contributing to the green and low-carbon development in the region," said He Chunmei, head of the company. At the home textile exhibition area, gel pillows and mattresses exhibited by Chinese companies attracted the attention of many buyers, who eagerly learned about the raw materials and performance of these products and expressed their willingness to cooperate with their Chinese counterparts. "My factory uses a lot of Chinese equipment and raw materials," said a buyer from Egypt. He hoped to find more high-quality raw materials at the trade show and discover new business opportunities in the baby products industry. He noted, "In the Middle East, many products, from daily necessities to industrial production, come from China. China's reliable supply channels have made significant contributions to maintaining the stability of the global industrial and supply chains." "From smart homes to children's toys, and to textile products, Chinese companies have brought more new products and technologies that meet the demands of each market," said Sachu Manwani, general secretary of the Textile Merchants Group, the apex body of Dubai-based wholesale textile merchants." Through the exhibition, many companies have engaged in in-depth discussions and negotiations, leading to the continuous expansion of business opportunities between Middle Eastern countries and China, he added. Bahri, a buyer from Oman, told People's Daily that China's manufacturing industry has a solid foundation, and many products have been advancing technology-wise. When doing business with the Middle East, Chinese companies would optimize their products according to customers' needs, resulting in continuously improving market acceptance, Bahri said. Another buyer from the UAE noted that in recent years, Chinese foreign trade companies have grown rapidly. They have not only improved the quality of their products and diversified the styles, but also strengthened their capabilities in communicating with foreign partners, the buyer added. Pan Jianjun, chairman of Meorient , the organizer of the event, noted that after years of development, the China Trade Fair Dubai has become an effective platform for deepening economic and trade cooperation between China and Middle Eastern countries. "China plays a crucial role in global trade," said Sadiq, a researcher at Saudi Arabia's Center for Research and Intercommunication Knowledge. He emphasized that China attaches great importance to technological innovation, leading to the continuous emergence of new products and technologies. This not only drives the country's own economic development but also provides assistance to the global economic recovery, the researcher added. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared that his country will no longer pursue reconciliation and reunification with South Korea. This decision comes as North Korea sets its sights on launching three new military spy satellites into orbit by the year 2024. According to the state-run news agency KCNA, Kim described inter-Korean relations as "a relationship between two hostile countries and two belligerents at war." North Korea Will Not Seek Reunification With South Korea Since the conclusion of the Korean War in 1953, North and South Korea have remained separated from each other, with no direct communication or interaction. The war ended with an armistice agreement, which effectively halted the fighting but did not result in a formal peace treaty. Despite the ongoing state of war between the two sides, it is important to note that both governments have consistently expressed their aspirations for eventual reunification. Over the course of several decades, relations between nations have experienced fluctuations. However, in recent years, tensions have remained notably elevated due to the actions of Kim Jong Un, who has intensified North Korea's nuclear weapons program in direct opposition to international sanctions. According to a recent report by KCNA, Kim has given instructions to various sectors of the country, including the army, munitions industry, nuclear weapons, and civil defense, to expedite war preparations in response to what they perceive as "confrontation moves" by the US. The political and military situation on the Korean Peninsula was described as "grave" and had reached a "extreme" point due to Washington. In a significant development, Kim's latest comments on reunification have caught the attention of Hoo Chiew-Ping, a senior fellow at the East Asian International Relations CAUCUS (EAIR) and member of the Asia Pacific Nuclear Advisory Panel (APNAP). According to Hoo, the North Korean leader's stance on "inter-Korean relations" has been gradually shifting away in recent years In a statement to CNN, Hoo emphasized that this event will represent a significant turning point on the Korean Peninsula. He further highlighted that any future attempts by South Korean administrations to extend an olive branch will face strong opposition from North Korea. Pyongyang expressed a greater interest in strengthening its relations with existing allies such as "China and Russia, as well as a specific group of nations worldwide that will support its proliferation efforts and financial outreach." Read Also: South China Sea Dispute: Philippines Denies China's 'Provoking Claims,' Condemns Beijing's Behavior Kim Jong Un Orders Annihilation of Enemies, Including US Moreover, Kim Jong Un expressed his belief that his military should take decisive action against the United States and South Korea if provoked. Kim emphasized the need to "thoroughly annihilate" these nations, following his commitment to strengthening national defense in response to what he perceived as an unparalleled confrontation led by the United States. In anticipation of the upcoming US presidential election in November, it is anticipated that Kim will intensify weapons testing in 2024. According to numerous experts, it is widely believed that he holds the view that by bolstering his nuclear arsenal, he could potentially secure concessions from the United States in the event of former President Donald Trump's reelection. During a five-day major ruling party meeting last week, Kim made a significant announcement. He stated his intention to launch three additional military spy satellites, increase the production of nuclear materials, and develop attack drones this year. Observers believe that these actions are aimed at bolstering his bargaining power in future diplomatic negotiations with the United States.During a meeting held on Sunday with commanding army officers, Kim emphasized the urgent need to enhance the strength of "the treasured sword" in order to protect national security. This statement seemingly alluded to his country's nuclear weapons program. According to the official Korean Central News Agency, he referenced "the US and other hostile forces' military confrontation moves."In a recent statement, Kim emphasized the importance of the North Korean army taking decisive action to eliminate any potential threats. Kim stated that if faced with military confrontation or provocations, it is crucial for the army to utilize all available resources and capabilities without delay in order to deliver a devastating blow to the enemy. In his New Year's Day address on Monday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced his plans to bolster the country's military capabilities in order to counter the nuclear threat posed by North Korea. President Yoon emphasized his intention to enhance preemptive strike, missile defense, and retaliatory measures. In a statement, Yoon, referring to South Korea by its official name, emphasized that the Republic of Korea is actively constructing a robust and enduring peace. This approach is characterized by strength, rather than relying on the benevolence of the adversary, as Yoon highlighted. During the party meeting, Kim made remarks referring to South Korea as "a hemiplegic malformation and colonial subordinate state," while also stating that its society is "tainted by Yankee culture." In a recent statement, he emphasized that his military would employ every possible resource, including nuclear weapons, to "subdue the entire territory of South Korea" should a conflict arise. South Korea's Defense Ministry has issued a warning to North Korea regarding the potential use of nuclear weapons. According to the ministry, any such attempt by North Korea will be met with a decisive and overwhelming response from South Korean and US forces. The consequences of such action, as stated by the ministry, would be the downfall of the Kim government. According to experts, the possibility of small-scale military clashes occurring this year between North and South Korea along their heavily armed border has been raised. According to reports, North Korea is anticipated to conduct test-launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles that possess the capability to reach the mainland United States, along with other significant new weaponry. Related Article: North Korea Warns of Further Escalation Amid Rising Tensions with the US Russian shelling of the village of Pivdenne in Donetsk Oblast killed one 65-year-old man on Jan. 1, according to the regional military administration. This was part of a wide pattern of attacks against large and small population centers in multiple other regions within the same few days, seemingly timed for the New Year holidays. On Dec. 30, Russian forces struck the village of Selidove in Donetsk Oblast, killing one man and injuring six people. Russians conducted similar attacks around the turn of 2023. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin, makes a statement on New Year's Eve in front of the Rotes Rathaus. Annette Riedl/dpa Around 390 people were detained during festivities on the streets of the German capital Berlin on New Year's Eve, many due to dangerous use of fireworks that injured several police officers, the city's police said on Monday in what officials deemed a success. A total of 54 police officers were injured, 30 of them by pyrotechnics. Eight of the injured police officers were unable to continue their duties, police spokeswoman Anja Dierschke said. However both the mayor and police said that despite widespread arrests and numerous injuries to police and civilians, the night was an overall success for a city where the freedom to buy and set off fireworks on New Year's Eve often turns dangerous. The police union (GdP) was pleased on New Year's Day that "the trend towards more and more violence on New Year's Eve" had been stopped. The use of fireworks had become a point of heated debate in 2023 after last year's revelry saw numerous firefighters and emergency service workers attacked with pyrotechnics. Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner hailed the police operation on this year's New Year's Eve as a success. "A strong presence, consistent action and full backing for our police help to keep such situations under control," Wegner said on Monday on social media platform X. "Berlin had the situation under control," Wegner said. The mayor had previously announced that the police would take tough action in the event of rioting. In all, 720 investigations have been launched had been opened into incidents throughout the city between 6 pm on New Year's Eve and 6 am on New Year's Day, Dierschke said. However, overall, the police were satisfied with how they handled the evening after the banning of fireworks in certain streets and identifying areas of potential trouble proved effective, she said. A significantly increased police presence in the city also led to more arrests, she said, noting more than 3,200 additional police officers were deployed on New Year's Eve, alongside 1,000 police officers in patrol cars. On New Year's Day, the police in the capital said that the concept with firework ban zones and pre-defined hotspot areas had worked. A spokeswoman said that "consistent and low-threshold intervention" had succeeded in avoiding flashpoints. The significantly increased police presence in the city had also led to more arrests. More than 3,200 additional police officers were deployed in addition to the 1,000 or so police officers in patrol cars and otherwise deployed on the streets. According to the police, firecrackers and rockets were repeatedly fired at police officers and firefighters throughout Berlin. There was no particular localized focus. Many very loud explosions also pointed to illegal firecrackers. New Year's Eve also ended in hospital for numerous revellers. Twenty eight people were treated for serious injuries caused by firecrackers in one Berlin hospital. The hospital spoke of "dramatic amputation injuries" in some cases. Blast injuries to the hands and face, serious eye injuries and burns were diagnosed, the hospital announced this morning on social media platform X. Around 65,000 people celebrated peacefully at the traditional New Year's Eve party at the Brandenburg Gate. According to a spokesperson for the organisers, the party on the festival mile between the Berlin landmark and the Victory Column was sold out. For the first time since the coronavirus pandemic, there was also an organized firework display. The New Year's Eve party was broadcast live on German TV. Elsewhere in Germany the turn of the year was calmer than last year, despite many police operations, numerous injuries and even several deaths across the country. In the most populous federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, it was also quieter this year than last, but New Year's Eve was once again overshadowed by numerous attacks against the emergency services. Twenty one police officers were injured during operations in the state, significantly fewer than a year ago, when 43 officers were injured. In Bavaria, an 18-year-old died from head injuries caused by a firecracker. In the western city of Koblenz, an 18-year-old also died on New Year's Eve after setting off a firecracker. According to police reports, a 22-year-old man died in Boxberg in eastern Germany when a banned ball bomb was set off. Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin, makes a statement on New Year's Eve in front of the Rotes Rathaus. Annette Riedl/dpa The new footbridge at Theale station is more than 10 years overdue - NETWORK RAIL One is a 102-storey giant regarded in its heyday as the eighth wonder of the world, the other a prefabricated footbridge at the Princess of Waless local railway station. Yet the Empire State Building in New York took less time to build than Network Rail is taking to complete a small pedestrian walkway on the London to Cornwall line. Passengers have been left fuming at the interminably slow pace of work on the bridge at Theale station near Reading in Berkshire, where the Princesss parents and siblings are often seen boarding trains to London. Construction was already 10 years overdue when it began in January 2023 and it is not expected to open until spring 2024. In contrast, the Empire State Building, which was for decades the tallest building in the world, took just one year and 45 days to complete. Sir Alok Sharma, Theales MP, described the footbridge saga as a case study in British bureaucracy and inefficiency. When the new bridge does finally open, it will be the first time wheelchair users will be able to catch trains from the station since it opened in 1847. Funding for the upgrade to Theale station, which is the nearest station to Carole and Michael Middletons home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, was first announced in December 2011, with the budget set at 1.25 million. A new ticket office was built in 2014 but is yet to open because of delays to the footbridge. In the meantime, the budget has rocketed to 9.5 million coincidentally the same amount the Empire State Building cost to build. The 13 years it will have taken for the village station to undergo its refresh assuming there are no further delays is the same length of time it took to build Big Ben or, according to the Bible, King Solomons Palace. In the meantime, passengers access the platforms via steps down from a road bridge, which means there is no disabled access. Sir Alok told The Telegraph: The redevelopment of Theale station is a classic case study in just how slowly even relatively small infrastructure projects are delivered in our country, with resultant cost increases having to be picked up by the taxpayer. We have to get much better at untangling the stifling bureaucracy and red tape in our system which holds back the time-efficient and cost effective delivery of infrastructure. David Sidebottom, director at the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: Investment in accessibility improvements at Theale station is a welcome move to help passengers with disabilities travel with greater confidence, however the delays have been frustrating and disappointing. Passengers will want assurances that there will be no further delays and for the station to have step-free access as soon as possible. Caroline Stickland, chief executive of Transport for All, said any improvements to disabled access were welcome but the pace of change must increase. She said the latest research found that almost half of disabled people report issues with lifts and a lack of step-free access at railway stations. A Network Rail spokesman said: Plans to build a new footbridge with lifts at Theale station, part of the Department for Transports Access for All programme, were approved in January 2013 alongside a range of improvements including a new ticket office and expanded car park. At this time, funding was only provided for the ticket office and to progress design work for the footbridge. A new ticket office was built by Great Western Railway. In 2021, 9.5 million funding was awarded for Network Rail to build a footbridge and lifts. The new facilities are set to open to the public in spring 2024. Great Western Railway will then begin work to expand the car park. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Liz Lloyd says Humza Yousaf has the opportunity to 'put the SNP back on the front foot' by setting out his agenda - ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images Nicola Sturgeons former chief of staff has said the SNP faces its biggest challenge in 20 years in 2024 as it tries to get its act together. Liz Lloyd said the party still has some way to go to convince people it has recovered from Ms Sturgeons resignation as leader last March. The following month police raided the home she shares with husband Peter Murrell, the partys former chief executive. With a general election almost certain to happen this year, Ms Lloyd said the SNP faced the problem of Labour being seen by voters as a credible UK government and an opportunity for change. She also admitted there were small rumblings within the party about Humza Yousafs leadership but insisted he had the opportunity to put the SNP back on the front foot by setting out his agenda. But Joanna Cherry, a senior SNP MP, dismissed Ms Lloyds comments. Quoting Clement Atlee, she tweeted: I can assure you there is widespread resentment in the party at your activities and a period of silence on your part would be welcome. The divisions in the SNP were again exposed as a senior Scottish Tory MSP argued Scots have a date with destiny in the 2024 general election to weaken the Nationalists grip on power. Stephen Kerr said there was an opportunity in the election to create a political shockwave that will change the equilibrium of Scottish politics by ousting SNP MPs across the country. Writing in The Telegraph, he argued this would deny the Nationalists their pulpit from which they can preach the nationalist liturgy of division, grievance, separatism and disunity. Although he said the defeat of nationalism beckons, he warned that to finish it off forever Unionists must also get serious about overhauling the Scottish Parliament. Mr Kerr said there was an opportunity in the next general election to 'create a political shockwave that will change the equilibrium of Scottish politics' The MSP said it was failing to hold Mr Yousafs government to account thanks to its heavily controlled system and reform was required so it can get to grips with the real problems of Scotland. He cited the scandal over Michael Mathesons 11,000 roaming charges bill, uncovered by The Telegraph, accusing Holyroods authorities of blithely waving through the extraordinary bill as a legitimate expense. Mr Kerr argued the affair demonstrated just how entitled and untouchable many establishment politicians in Scotland believe they are and Holyrood lacks the structures to hold ministers like Mr Matheson to account. The interventions by Ms Lloyd and Mr Kerr came after a new poll found the SNP is on course to lose up to 33 of the 48 seats it won at the 2019 general election in this years contest. Bookmakers have also said Mr Yousaf is odds-on to be replaced as first minister this year. SNP needs to switch the narrative Ms Lloyd told the BBCs World at One programme: This is probably the hardest year the party has faced since maybe 2004/2005. It needs to switch the narrative in Scotland from one of Labour gaining to one of the SNP fighting back and being seen to credibly fight back. It is very much struggling to get its own message across. It has an opportunity. There is time ahead of a general election to do that but it needs to do that really quickly. Mr Yousaf narrowly won the SNP leadership contest to succeed Ms Sturgeon and his first months as party leader and First Minister were dominated by the fallout from the police investigation into the partys finances. Ms Sturgeon, Mr Murrell and Colin Beattie, the SNPs former treasurer, were also arrested and released without charge pending further investigations. The former first minister has denied any wrongdoing. Yousaf has had nine months to deliver Although the investigation has yet to conclude, Ms Lloyd argued that Mr Yousaf has had nine months to clear the decks of policies that were left over from the Nicola Sturgeon time issues which were causing him difficulty. She said: He now has, ahead of the election, an opportunity to say this is my agenda, this is what Im about and deliver on it so that people can make a judgment on it. Ms Lloyd added: I think they need to look at making some changes maybe a small reshuffle things that put the SNP back on the front foot which it very much hasnt been for the last nine months. Although support for the Tories has declined from 25 per cent to around 16 per cent since the 2019 election, party strategists are hopeful of making gains by targeting a series of marginal SNP seats. Mr Kerr, who is the Tory candidate in Angus & Perthshire Glens, wrote: So we have a date with destiny in 2024. We can break this mould but it will take the resolve of every voter to vote for a better future for Scotland. Of course, we wont change the Scottish Government at a UK general election, but we can and must create a political shockwave that will change the equilibrium of Scottish politics and end the constitutional obsession which has played out at the expense of improving lives and life-chances. Arguing that Holyrood urgently needs reform, Mr Kerr said the public would be aghast if they noticed the hours of meaningless debate, all of which he said was highly scripted and controlled. Richard Thomson, an SNP MP, said: After decades and decades of failing Westminster governments, ignoring Scotlands interests and driving down living standards, people will have a chance to reject broken Brexit Britain at the next general election by voting SNP. A Scottish Parliament spokesman said: Any member of the Scottish Parliament is able to raise any issues they have with how the Parliament operates by discussing the matter with the presiding officer, approaching the Parliaments standards and procedures committee, or working to raise issues through their partys representatives on the parliamentary bureau. Scotland has a date with destiny in 2024 by Stephen Kerr We have an opportunity in 2024 to begin to end the last decade of wasted effort, energy and debate on an issue that has dogged Scottish politics for far too long; independence. Only by removing the SNP from public office can we begin to effect the change so desperately needed in Scottish politics. When an SNP MP is removed, so is the pulpit from which they can preach the Nationalist liturgy of division, grievance, separatism and disunity. I have spent a lot of hours speaking to people on their doorsteps over the past six months, worried about failed services, about schools, the creaking NHS, anti-social behaviour, the lack of police in their communities and about the complete absence of boundaries or consequences when people break the law. So we have a date with destiny in 2024. We can break this mould but it will take the resolve of every voter to vote for a better future for Scotland. Of course, we wont change the Scottish Government at a UK general election, but we can and must create a political shockwave that will change the equilibrium of Scottish politics and end the constitutional obsession which has played out at the expense of improving lives and life-chances. The voters will do their part, but Scotlands parliamentarians need to do theirs. We urgently need reform of the Scottish Parliament. The lesson of 2023 must surely be that there can never again be a scandal as damaging to public trust in politicians as the Matheson iPad debacle. The 11,000 data charge, blithely waved through as a legitimate expense, showed us just how entitled and untouchable many establishment politicians in Scotland believe they are. The Scottish Parliament turns 25 in 2024. It needs to act with maturity and make itself fit for purpose. The people of Scotland need to ask, when it meets for about 10 hours each week, what are they debating? And how effectively are MSPs scrutinising the work of the Scottish executive? If more people saw what is happening in our Parliament, they would be aghast. Hours of meaningless debates on student debating-style motions, all highly scripted and controlled and a group of MSPs totally out of touch with the real priorities of Scottish people. The Parliament desperately needs free-thinking MSPs. People capable of forming their own opinions and articulating them. There are already several members fighting against a heavily controlled system to speak out about issues they feel strongly about for their constituents. But more are needed. And we need more MSPs to pay heed to principle over party. The dissenting opinion, the maverick point of view or the inciteful analysis is sacrificed on an altar of consensus. The fact that many in positions of influence in Parliament seem to be so proud of this fact is wrong. The consensus around education puts children and young people at a disadvantage by promoting inclusiveness at the expense of knowledge. The consensus around health has packed waiting lists and led to a logjam in the ambulance service. The consensus around justice has led to communities turning a blind eye to drug dealers and criminals to avoid having to call out criminality. Consensus politics has robbed us of a successful Scotland. The Parliament lacks the structures to deal with this and the time and the skills for proper debate. It attracts people more interested in the cheap sound bite for social media than public service failure. The amount of time given over to debating matters outside the remit of the Scottish Parliament is significant and utterly pointless for the governance of Scotland. At the hearing of the economy and fair work committee in December where evidence was heard from Petroineos, which had announced the end of fuel refining at Grangemouth, some members of the committee read out questions that had been pre-prepared for them and then went back to checking their emails. I was a member of the business select committee of the House of Commons during the Carillion scandal during which, over many hours, the executives were hauled over the coals by interested and prepared MPs. The contrast is deeply worrying. I would urge the public to watch this and decide if their elected representatives are doing a good job. Some believe Nationalists want the Parliament to fail. If solutions cannot be found in the Scottish Parliament, then surely independence is the answer. The Lib Dems and Labour believe in the Scottish Parliament, with the Scottish Conservatives as later converts, many exhibiting the converts zeal. Unionists must get serious about reform of the Scottish Parliament. As we go into the New Year, the defeat of nationalism beckons and must be the first priority of Unionists. To finish it off forever we must reform the Parliament to ensure that it can get to grips with the real problems of Scotland. Stephen Kerr is a Scottish Conservative MSP and the partys UK general election candidate for Angus & Perthshire Glens. 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. Looking for an incredible meal close to home? You wont have to go far, according to Mattlan Ladner, a food critic who reviews New Orleans-area restaurants on TikTok and Instagram as Big Eatsy. In a list of his Best Bites of 2023, Ladner chose the filet and stuffed potato he had at Evergreen in Ocean Springs and the Hot Honey Katsu Buns he sampled at Kaiteki in Long Beach. Ladner, who has more than 30,000 followers across his social media platforms, didnt just stick close to home with his selections. While his list was heavy on New Orleans restaurants, it also included meals from Chicago and San Gimignano in Italy, along with his Mississippi Coast choices. During his trip to Evergreen in December, Ladner said the filet mignon stole the show, adding that the twice baked potato served on the side made me smile. Additionally, he said the ribeye, seemingly cooked medium rare and served over a risotto, was one of the best weve ever had. Evergreen opened in September and adds to the growing food scene in Ocean Springs. The restaurant, which is located in the former home of Charred, is also known for craft cocktails, unique appetizers and weekend brunch. The softshell crab sandwich at Evergreen, a new restaurant concept replacing Charred, in Ocean Springs on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. In a food review in September, the Sun Heralds Scott Watkins said Evergreen provides a unique vibe no matter which table you sit at. He added For a restaurant bringing the class, the burger off the grill came stocked with a surprisingly thick patty. This is where Evergreen flexed its ability to combine a charming atmosphere with a Mississippi Coast menu. During his trip to Kaiteki, Ladner and his guests enjoyed the cocktails, the rangoon nachos with a sweet sauce and the flavorful broths in the ramen dishes. His crew tried the shrimp ramen in addition to the red curry with chicken. I cant wait to come back and try more flavors, Ladner said in the video. The shio bowl at Kaiteki Noodle Bar in Long Beach, Mississippi. Kaiteki opened in the spring in the building once occupied by On A Roll Sushi. When Watkins visited in November for a Sun Herald food review, he said This was a step up from Cajun seasoning and eggs off the stove. We clinked our broth bowls together as a toast and soaked our noodles. I had the shoyu and the wife had the shio. Her bowl was empty in moments. The shio bowl was stuffed with braised beef and house kimchi. She downed the shio broth in a flash. Big Eatsys Best Bites of 2023 MEMPHIS, Tenn. A man is in critical condition after a shooting in southeast Memphis Sunday evening, Memphis Police say. According to reports, officers responded to the shooting in the 3300 block of River Valley Lane at the Riverdale Apartments around 5:14 p.m. Man accused of stabbing man in neck with butcher knife Police say a man was located on the scene suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to St. Francis in critical condition. Detectives discovered an AR-style rifle near the scene. Richard Larrimore has lived in the complex for over a decade. I heard the gunshots last night, but I wasnt sure I thought it was celebratory. A witness told police the victim was in pain, pleading Dont let me die right here. As he was being rushed away the gunman witnesses described was speeding away. 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. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) Thousands of people watched the KRON4 New Years Live fireworks show in San Francisco. They were anticipating seeing an exhilarating fireworks show with a breathtaking view of the Bay Bridge in the background. However, a few large signs were projected onto the Ferry Building that may have caught some by surprise. The messages, which took aim at Mayor London Breed and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, came from an unknown projector that was planted somewhere nearby. The messages from the projector showed up shortly before the clock struck midnight. Photos of the signs were captured by KRON4 cameras (see below). SF business owner claims NAACP leader made threats after music video critical of mayor KRON4 reached out to Breeds office, the Ferry Building and the San Francisco Police Department to comment on the signs projected on the building. We are waiting to hear back. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. US helicopters successfully thwarted an assault carried out by Iran-backed Houthi militants on a Maersk container vessel in the Red Sea. Multiple sources, including American, Maersk, and Houthi officials, have confirmed the details of this event, which occurred on Sunday. As a result of the counterattack, three boats were sunk, and sadly, 10 militants lost their lives. US Sinks Houthi Boats The attackers aimed to board the Maersk Hangzhou, a vessel flying the Singapore flag. This information was confirmed by both Maersk and the US Central Command (CENTCOM). According to CENTCOM, helicopters hailing from the USS Eisenhower and USS Gravely have joined forces with the ship's security team to fend off attackers. The partnership was initiated in response to a distress call received by the aforementioned vessels. In response to the attack, Maersk has announced a temporary suspension of all sailing activities through the Red Sea for a period of 48 hours. According to a spokesman representing the Houthis, the group has claimed responsibility for the attack, citing the ship's crew's alleged refusal to comply with warning calls. According to reports, a statement was made by an individual stating that a total of 10 Houthi naval personnel were declared "dead and missing" following an alleged attack on their boats in the Red Sea, reportedly carried out by US forces. In a recent naval battle, the potential for a regional escalation in fighting has been highlighted. Israel, in response to a surprise cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in a devastating loss of 1,200 lives and the capture of 240 hostages, has been carrying out a relentless bombing campaign. According to Gazan health authorities, the death toll from Israel's air and artillery bombardment has surpassed 21,800 people. In a display of solidarity with Hamas, Yemen's Houthis have been deliberately targeting vessels in the Red Sea since November. This has led to significant repercussions for major shipping companies, who are now opting for the longer and more expensive route around Africa's Cape of Good Hope instead of utilizing the Suez Canal. The Red Sea serves as a crucial gateway for ships utilizing the Suez Canal, a vital waterway responsible for approximately 12% of worldwide trade. This strategic route plays a pivotal role in facilitating the movement of goods between the continents of Asia and Europe. The United States has initiated Operation Prosperity Guardian on December 19. The operation aims to ensure the safety of ships navigating the Red Sea waters in close proximity to Yemen. Notably, over 20 countries have reportedly joined forces to partake in this crucial endeavor. Read Also: North Korea Will No Longer Seek Reunification With South; Kim Jong Un Orders Military To Annihilate Enemies Including US If Provoked Houthi Red Sea Attack In a recent announcement on December 24, Maersk, a prominent global cargo shipping company, revealed its plans to recommence sailing operations in the Red Sea. Despite ongoing attacks, the commitment of US allies to the coalition remains uncertain, as nearly half of them have chosen not to publicly declare their presence. The Maersk Hangzhou vessel has fallen victim to a second attack by the Houthi group, resulting in a botched boarding operation. This incident comes just a day after the ship was targeted in a previous assault. A ship transporting a staggering 14,000 containers from Singapore has been struck by a missile. The unfortunate event took place approximately 55 nautical miles southwest of Al Hodeidah, Yemen, on Saturday. According to the shipping company, the crew of the Maersk Hangzhou has been confirmed to be safe. Additionally, there have been no signs of fire detected on the vessel. Despite this incident, the ship is reported to be continuing its journey northward towards the Suez Canal. During an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America," White House national security spokesperson John Kirby refrained from disclosing the potential courses of action that the United States is contemplating. When specifically questioned about the possibility of a preemptive strike on the Houthis, Kirby declined to provide any details. The statement was made by an unidentified individual who emphasized the clear and public communication directed towards the Houthis. Additionally, it was stated that similar messages were conveyed privately to allies and partners in the region. The seriousness with which these threats are being regarded was underscored. In an article published in the Daily Telegraph, British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps made a strong statement regarding the country's stance on safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. Shapps emphasized that the United Kingdom is prepared to take decisive measures and will not shy away from additional actions aimed at deterring any potential threats to this fundamental principle. In a firm statement, the speaker emphasized that the Houthis must not misinterpret the situation. They made it clear that their commitment lies in ensuring that those responsible for illegal seizures and attacks are held accountable. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron has reportedly conveyed a message to Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian during a phone call. Cameron urged Iran to play a role in putting an end to the ongoing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. The BIMCO shipping association strongly condemned the attacks and expressed gratitude towards the states that played a crucial role in repelling them. According to Jakob Larsen, the head of maritime safety and security at BIMCO, there is gratitude towards the efforts made by the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. Larsen expressed hope that additional states will join the coalition by providing naval assets or other impactful measures, such as diplomatic pressure on the Houthis and those supporting them, as per Reuters. Related Article: Iraq Condemns US Airstrike of Iran-Backed Militias that Killed Kataib Hezbollah Fighter, Injured 18 Others PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) The hustle and bustle of the holidays is making way for the coughing and fevers of the new year. The spread of influenza is currently high in Virginia, and doctors predict it will only get worse as kids head back to school this week. Waiting rooms are full at Urgent Care centers, where patients are presenting with post-holiday coughing, sneezing, headaches and fevers. This week has been much higher in terms of influenza this week than last week, said Dr. Trissana Emdadi with Patient First in Virginia Beach. I think its just were hitting flu season. Patient First reported a 25% increase in upper respiratory illnesses such as COVID, RSV and Flu over the last week. Sadly, state officials also reported last week that a child in the Eastern region died from complications of the flu. We are incredibly saddened to reach this milestone, but it is a reminder that flu is still influenza infection can be very severe, Dr. Melissa Virah of VDH told our sister station WRIC. Due to privacy laws, VDH would only say the child was between 5-years-old and 12-years-old. They would not say whether he or she had received the flu vaccine, but according to VDH only 27% of people in the Commonwealth have rolled up their sleeves this season, which worries some about the possibility that more people will be at risk for death or severe illness. School kids go to daycare, go to preschool (and) you can see them get sick pretty frequently, but its not to be ignored. Viray said. As kids head back to school later this week, doctors recommend these tips to help stop the spread: Keep them home if they have a fever Teach them to cough and sneeze into a tissue or their arm Wash hands frequently Get vaccinated Emdadi also stressed the importance of parents being good role models. Making sure youre washing your hands before you eat and drink, Emdadi said. If you are using a tissue, then going and washing your hands. Its much more likely for them to mimic your behavior. Its also important to pay attention to the signs of serious illness. If you child has trouble breathing, is not eating or drinking, or has a persistent high fever seek medical help right away. Doctors at CHKD define high fever as 104 degrees or higher in any age child or for infants 3 months or less, a fever of 100.4 or higher is of concern. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts discussed AI and its possible impact on the judicial system in a year-end report published over the weekend. Mr Roberts acknowledged that the emerging tech was likely to play an increased role in the work of attorneys and judges, but he did not expect to be fully replaced anytime soon. Legal determinations often involve gray areas that still require application of human judgment. I predict that human judges will be around for a while," Mr Roberts wrote, according to Reuters. "But with equal confidence I predict that judicial work particularly at the trial level will be significantly affected by AI." He said there may come a time when legal research will be "unimaginable" without the assistance of AI, for example, and noted that the tech could provide access to legal resources to Americans who may otherwise have been unable to afford them. These tools have the welcome potential to smooth out any mismatch between available resources and urgent needs in our court system, he wrote. The chief justice noted that the benefits of AI wouldn't come without some risks and drawbacks. AI obviously has great potential to dramatically increase access to key information for lawyers and non-lawyers alike. But just as obviously it risks invading privacy interests and dehumanizing the law, he said. In addition to those risks, popular LLM chatbots like ChatGPT and Google's Bard can produce false information referred to as "hallucinations" rather than "mistakes" which means users are rolling the dice anytime they take trust the bots without checking their work first. Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former lawyer and fixer, admitted that he had used an AI to look up court case records, which he then gave as a list of citations to his legal team. Unfortunately for Mr Cohen, the cases he cited didn't exist they were an AI's dream. Mr Roberts suggested it was "always a bad idea" to cite non-existent court cases in your legal filings. Due to the potential pitfalls of AI reliance, Mr Roberts urged legal workers to exercise "caution and humility" when relying on the chatbots for their work. The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans seems to agree with Mr Roberts' view that AI-assisted lawyering may produce some less-than-satisfactory work. The court has proposed a rule that would require lawyers to either certify that that did not rely on AI software to draft briefs, or that a human fact-checked and edited any text generated by a chatbot. I limited my meat consumption for environmental reasons. Dubai hosted this year's UN climate summit, where two-thirds of meals were vegetarian or vegan. The city also has many Mediterranean and Asian restaurants with meat-free options. As a sustainability reporter, I often think about how my life choices help or harm the planet. This was top of mind when I traveled to Dubai last month for work to cover the UN Climate summit known as COP28. I was conscious of the high carbon footprint of my travel, so I made eating sustainably a top priority. It's been well-reported that limiting meat consumption, especially beef, is one of the easiest ways to reduce carbon footprints. Earlier this year, I reported how America's obsession with burgers and steaks is a big contributor to the climate crisis because cattle produce methane emissions and are a leading cause of deforestation. While in Dubai, I skipped eating beef but ate some chicken. My diet was mostly seafood, vegetables, and noodles. I was pleased that the UAE made sustainable foods readily available during COP28 two-thirds of menu options were plant-based. There was a lot of variety, from Arabic street food to Japanese sweets and Vietnamese noodles. Prices were comparable to the US, ranging from $12 to $35 for lunch. I appreciated plant-based innovators like Switch Foods, a UAE-based startup, but their kebab sandwiches weren't very filling. I preferred restaurants that weren't totally plant-based but had a lot of meatless options. During my personal time, I had no issues eating vegetarian either: Dubai has many Mediterranean, Indian, Chinese, and Thai restaurants where vegetarian dishes are plentiful. Dinner can be on the expensive side. My Indian takeout came to $31 and many well-known restaurants are in upscale hotels and can cost at least $100 per person. Here are my five favorite dishes from my visit to Dubai, and why: Ceviche from Mama Zonia Classic ceviche. Catherine Boudreau/Business Insider Mama Zonia is a Latin-inspired restaurant with an Asian twist, located in Dubai Marina. The menu has a mix of Latin American favorites like ceviche and grilled Picanha, a cut of beef popular in Brazil, plus Japanese staples like sushi and udon noodles. There is also a special vegan menu. The classic ceviche is made with raw sea bass in a citrus marinade, roasted sweet potato, coriander, and roasted corn kernels known as cancha in countries like Peru. It was fresh, flavorful, and nearly as delicious as the ceviche I tried in Peru. It cost nearly $19. I also loved the mixed mushroom cazuela, a dish popular in Chile named for the clay pot it's served in. Mama Zonia gave it an Asian flair, with Korean BBQ sauce, congee rice, and lots of ginger, garlic, and sesame oil. The price was nearly $26. Come for the food, stay for the views. Mama Zonia has a terrace overlooking Dubai Marina and colorful, jungle-themed decor. Falafel salad from Habib Beirut Catherine Boudreau/Business Insider Habib Beruit is a Lebanese restaurant, located in Dubai Marina and Expo City, where the UN climate conference took place. I enjoyed the falafel salad, especially because the falafel was covered in sesame seeds something I hadn't tried before. I was skeptical of the pickled vegetables, but they paired well with tahini-lemon dressing. The falafel I ate in Amman, Jordan was tastier, but I still recommend Habib Beruit while in Dubai. The salad cost $12. Pad Thai with prawns and tofu from Vietnamese Foodies Catherine Boudreau/Business Insider I live in Washington, DC, and there are many authentic Vietnamese restaurants in the suburbs. So the bar was high. I tasted several dishes from Vietnamese Foodies, which has seven locations throughout Dubai, including in Expo City. I found myself craving their Vietnamese-style Pad Thai for its rich umami flavors, a combination of sweet, sour, and nutty. I loved the combo of shrimp with fried tofu, my go-to meat alternatives. Their peach mint tea with fresh peaches and lime was so refreshing. Add in a shrimp spring roll and the cost came to $35. Palak Paneer Makki from Gazebo Gazebo is a well-known Indian restaurant chain with 31 locations across the UAE. Several locals and visitors in town for the UN climate summit told me it was a must-try. They were right. I ordered takeout twice but decided to spare you the dimly lit photos from my hotel room. They didn't do the Palak Paneer Makki justice. The creamy spinach is slightly spicy, but balanced by the mild paneer cheese. Gazebo added corn to the dish, which I hadn't seen before and really enjoyed. The dish alone was about $9. I also ordered a mango lassi, roti, and chicken in a spicy masala sauce. The total came to $31, including delivery fees and a tip. Mango ice cream pressed into liquid nitrogen from Maiden Shanghai Mango ice cream pressed with liquid nitrogen a must-see and try at Maiden Shanghai in Dubai. pic.twitter.com/UgbFeh2igU Catherine Boudreau (@ceboudreau) December 28, 2023 Maiden Shanghai is known for its Chinese food, but I would go again just to watch servers make this mango dessert. I've never seen or tasted anything like it. Mango ice cream is pressed with liquid nitrogen through a ricer and turned into icy noodles. The mango noodles are then topped with goji berry foam and sesame crumble. The dish stimulates all your senses. We felt the chill of the liquid nitrogen and smelled the mango. But the sesame and goji berries added herby flavor, so the dessert wasn't too sweet. The texture is crunchy at first, then melts in your mouth. It wasn't the most delicious, but it was worth the novelty. The price: $16. Read the original article on Business Insider CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Two suspects are still at large after a pursuit stretching across three counties, according to the Rowan County Sheriffs Office. Around 9:30 p.m. on Friday, December 29, officials say the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) announced that they were chasing a black Dodge Ram truck on I-85 northbound into Rowan County. Pilot dies after crashing into abandoned house site in Mooresville: NCSHP Rowan County deputies say they joined the group of several law enforcement agencies chasing the truck, which later crashed near the 1800 block of Lentz Road in China Grove. Officials say the suspects jumped out of the truck and ran on foot. One suspect was quickly arrested; however, two other suspects could not be found despite a detailed search using drones, K-9s and a helicopter. Queen City News has reached out to CMPD for more information. This is a developing story ; check back for updates For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. TILDEN TOWNSHIP, BERKS COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Pennsylvania State Police have identified and charged a suspect for the stabbing of a state trooper on Saturday. According to PSP, troopers were serving a 302 warrant on Saturday, December 30, 2023, around 8:42 a.m. in the 200 block of Backmoll Road in Tilden Township, Berks County, on a 27-year-old man identified as Bradley Odenath, of Pine Hill, New Jersey. According to state police, during the altercation, Odenath reportedly stabbed one of the troopers in the leg several times. PSP says Odenath was taken into custody and transported to Penn State St. Josephs Hospital for a 302 evaluation also known as an involuntary psychiatric evaluation. Fatal crash overturns car in Monroe County State police say the trooper was taken to a nearby medical facility where he was treated for his wounds, which were not life-threatening. The trooper was later released from the hospital. According to court documents, Odenath was charged with two counts for each of the following charges: aggravated assault resisting arrest recklessly endangering another person, simple assault harassment Troopers say Odenath was remanded to the Berks County Prison unable to post bail set at $100,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday, January 8, at 9:00 a.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. Greensboro Police Sgt. Philip Dale Nix was killed Saturday afternoon after approaching two men who had stolen 10 cases of beer at a Sheetz gas station, according to arrest warrants. James Justice Foster, 18, and John Walter Morrison, 28, both from Winston-Salem, took multiple cases of Modelo beer from the store with a total value of $232.90, according to warrants obtained by The News & Observer. Nix, who was off-duty at the time, approached the suspects, Greensboro Police Chief John Thompson said at a Saturday night news conference but didnt detail how Nix may have intervened. Foster is accused of shooting him, warrants show. The gas station is in the unincorporated community of Colfax, just west of Greensboro. Another off-duty Greensboro police officer and a Guilford County paramedic were on scene and gave aid to Nix, a 23-veteran of the Greensboro Police Department. Nix succumbed to his injuries at a hospital, Thompson said. The shooting prompted the department to request a Blue Alert, a mass message notifying the public that a law enforcement agent had been either killed or seriously injured and that a suspect poses a danger to the public. The alert said two men driving a Black Chevrolet Equinox, last seen heading west on Interstate 40, were associated with the crime. The Greensboro Police Department announced the arrests and charges on Sunday. Foster has been charged with first-degree murder, misdemeanor larceny and misdemeanor conspiracy to commit larceny and is being held with no bond. His first court appearance is on Tuesday. Morrison is charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, as well as misdemeanor larceny and misdemeanor conspiracy to commit larceny. The arrest warrant said Morrison assisted in Fosters escape after the shooting. He accompanied Foster to sell the stolen beer and purchase drugs. Later, he urged Foster to remove the registration plate from the suspects vehicle because they are hot now. Morrison had a pending charge for failing to appear in court. He is also being held with no bond. A third suspect, 18-year-old Winston-Salem resident Zquriah LePearce Blackwell, is charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. According to her arrest warrant, Blackwell helped Foster evade arrest after knowing he had committed felony murder. Blackwell allegedly told Foster that they needed to get out of there because he just killed a cop, warrants said. Blackwell then joined Foster to sell the beer and buy narcotics, warrants show. She is being held with a $500,000 bond. The Blue Alert was the first ever sent in North Carolina since the system was implemented in 2017, the Center for Missing Persons archives show. It was issued at 6:10 p.m. and canceled at 7:52 p.m. Police have not said how or where the suspects were captured but that the Winston-Salem Police Department assisted in making the arrests. Greensboro Police Sgt. Philip Dale Nix was killed while he was off-duty Dec. 20, 2023. He served with the department for 23 years. Nix remembered as victim advocate Nix held multiple assignments during his 23-year career with the Greensboro Police Department, most recently as the supervisor of the Family Victims Unit. The unit investigates sexual assault, domestic violence, and crimes against youth. The division works with the Guilford County Family Justice Center, which this weekend heralded Nix and the work he had done in the city. His passion and dedication to serving victims of crime and his commitment to the mission of the FJC were like none other, the organization said in a Facebook post. He often referenced our FJC partnership as family. Dale did whatever it took daily to promote the FJC and impact the lives of those in our community. Saturday night, an emotional Thompson fought back tears and wiped his eyes several times as he slowly said: He was a loving husband, father, son and brother with 22 years of service to the department in this community. Nix was the current assistant team leader of the GPD Honor Guard. He served in several departments in his tenure, including Criminal Investigations Division (CID) detective, patrol corporal and patrol sergeant, the department said. The Greensboro Fire Department expressed its condolences for his death and noted strong family ties between Nix and the fire department. Nixs father, Eddie Nix, retired as a captain, while his brother, Dan Nix, is currently a firefighter with the department. Nixs uncle is a retired assistant chief while his cousin is a current captain. During this challenging time, the Greensboro Fire Department stands in unwavering solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the Greensboro Police Department, according to the departments Facebook statement. The loss of Sergeant Nix resonates not only within his immediate family but also reverberates throughout our entire community. Condolences, support for Greensboro Police Department On the platform X, formerly Twitter, Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan wrote, Today we lost one of own in a senseless act of violence. Heartfelt condolences to his family & the extended GPD family. This will be felt for a long time. The impact that he has had in our community cant be overstated. Thank you to the agencies assisting in this investigation. Vaughan joined the Greensboro police chief at Saturday nights press conference. Gov. Roy Cooper posted on X that he had spoken with Thompson Saturday night to offer all available state resources to catch those who killed a Greensboro police officer. Our prayers are with the Greensboro police and family and loved ones. Every effort must be made to apprehend those responsible and bring justice in this tragic situation. Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who is from Greensboro, wrote on X: Yolanda and I offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this fallen officer, and the entire Greensboro Police Department. We honor this brave officer for making the ultimate sacrifice in protecting our city. I ask all of North Carolina to join us in lifting the officers loved ones and the Greensboro PD up in prayer. Let us recommit to supporting law enforcement in this heartbreaking moment. Attorney General Josh Stein said on X: My heart goes out to the family and colleagues of the Greensboro police officer who was murdered this afternoon. Please join me in praying for them and for the immediate capture of the killers. We owe so much to law enforcement who put their lives on the line to keep us safe. Jessica Banov contributed to this report. On Monday, a 7.6 magnitude preliminary earthquake struck central Japan, issuing tsunami advisories and evacuation warnings for local inhabitants. A tsunami measuring approximately one meter in height struck portions of the Sea of Japan coastline, with NHK, a public broadcaster, predicting a larger surge. Japan Issues Tsunami Alert After Strong Earthquake The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued warnings of tsunamis for the coastal prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama. NHK reported that Hokuriku Electric Power (9505.T) stated it is inspecting its nuclear power facilities for any anomalies. A representative of Kansai Electric Power (9503.T) stated that at this time, no unusual events were detected at the company's nuclear power facilities; however, the situation was being closely monitored. Residents in coastal areas have received urgent advisories to promptly evacuate as waves reaching heights of up to 5 meters are anticipated to strike the shoreline forcefully. Authorities have emphasized the importance of staying in designated safe areas until all warnings have been lifted. Residents across Tokyo and the Kanto area reported feeling the earthquake's impact on New Year's Day. In the wake of the initial earthquake, the Sea of Japan experienced a series of powerful aftershocks within the span of an hour. Authorities have issued a cautionary statement, alerting the public to the possibility of additional tremors in the near future. According to the broadcaster, waves exceeding 5 meters in height may have already reached Noto in Ishikawa prefecture. Additionally, the coast of Wajima city in Ishikawa has already experienced waves measuring at least 1 meter in height. Ishikawa has been placed under a major tsunami warning, while lower-level warnings or advisories have been issued for the remaining northwestern coast of Honshu Island. According to South Korea's meteorological agency, neighboring areas may experience an increase in sea levels in certain parts of Gangwon province on the east coast following the significant earthquake in Japan. Read Also: US Sinks Houthi Boats After Red Sea Attack, 10 Rebels Reportedly Killed Japan PM Urges Authorities to Prioritize Citizens In gripping images shared on social media, individuals could be seen seeking shelter beneath unstable tables as the earthquake struck, capturing the raw panic that ensued. Furthermore, visual evidence emerged revealing the extent of destruction inflicted upon residences in the aftermath of the tremor. In a statement issued by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's office, authorities have been urged to prioritize human life above all else and take thorough measures to prevent damage, including the evacuation of residents. In an emergency press conference, government spokesperson Hayashi Yoshimasa informed the public that authorities are currently assessing the extent of the damage caused by the recent earthquake. Yoshimasa also issued a warning to residents, urging them to be prepared for potential additional seismic activity. In the aftermath of the earthquakes, Japan's Hokuriku Electric Power Company has reported that over 36,000 households are currently grappling with power outages. According to NHK, Hokuriku Electric Power has announced that it is currently conducting inspections to detect any potential irregularities at its nuclear power plants.In close proximity to the earthquake's epicenter, the plant had already ceased operations at its reactors for a routine inspection before the seismic event. In 2011, a catastrophic earthquake with a magnitude exceeding 9 on the Richter scale struck, causing widespread destruction in towns and leading to meltdowns at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Japan experienced one of the most powerful earthquakes in its history in a devastating event. Tragically, over 15,000 lives were lost, and the aftermath left a staggering 450,000 individuals without homes, The Independent reported. Related Article: Japan Minister Reiterates Strong Ties Between Washington, Tokyo Amid US Steel Scrutiny CLEVELAND (WJW) The FOX 8 I-Team has learned a Cleveland police officer died on duty New Years Day after suffering an apparent medical emergency. It happened at the departments Fifth District headquarters. Bigger paychecks in 2024 for some workers in Ohio This embedded content is not available in your region. The office of Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb released a statement Monday that said, My prayers are with Sergeant Victor Claudio, his family, and the members of the Cleveland Division of Police. The entire city thanks him for his service and dedication to protecting the residents of the City of Cleveland for the past 23 years. Former union president Jeff Follmer said, He was a great guy. He was loved by everyone. Prayers for his family. Cleveland City Council Public Safety Chairman Michael Polensek said, All members of the City Council are saddened to hear of the passing of an officer in the Fifth District. One of Clevelands finest. We pray for him and his family. Baby formula recalled over contamination concerns Were told Claudio had served in the Cleveland Police Department for a long time. Officer Victor Claudio was a 23-year veteran who loved the patrolling aspect of policing, was a great person, and an exceptional officer. He will be greatly missed, said police union President Andy Gasiewski. Claudio received the Distinguished Service Medal in 2014 after helping to save a mans life on Jan. 29, 2014. Read more about his award here. Claudio also received a Commander Commendation medal in August of 2023. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. MURRAY, Utah (ABC4) The Murray City Police Department has taken a 19-year-old man into custody, suspected of being involved in a deadly shooting at a Murray apartment complex over the weekend. Sobeth Noge Koki, 19, faces charges of first-degree felony aggravated murder, third-degree felony discharge of a firearm, and misdemeanor reckless endangerment and obstruction of justice. Missing Riverdale foreign exchange student found near Brigham City in case of cyber kidnapping According to court documents, Koki was part of an argument between two groups over a car parked in one victims assigned parking spot around 1 am. on Saturday, Dec. 30. Surveillance video allegedly shows Koki carrying a small semiautomatic handgun, while a man he was with had a semiautomatic rifle. Police say during the argument, both Koki and the other man operated the action to chamber a round in their guns. The argument began to turn physical as members of the other group began to struggle for control of the guns. During the struggle, gunfire erupted and Kokis friend as well as a victim in the other group were fatally wounded. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now ABC4 Breaking News Alerts Murray police said one victim was pronounced dead at the scene while the other was taken to a local hospital and later pronounced deceased. The identities of both victims have been withheld due to privacy and safety concerns for the surviving families involved. Detectives later located Koki at his parents home and he was taken into custody for questioning, according to court documents. Koki allegedly admitted to being present for the shooting though denied having a gun and shooting anyone. Police allegedly confronted Koki with evidence from surveillance footage at the parking lot and Koki reportedly claimed he was under the influence of alcohol, mushroom and marijuana. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. According to the head of Odesa Oblast Military Administration, Russia deliberately targeted drones at residential areas A 15-year-old teenager was killed in Odesa as a result of a massive attack on the southern Ukrainian city by Russian kamikaze drones in the early hours of Jan. 1, head of Odesa Oblast Military Administration Oleh Kiper has reported. Seven other people were injured in the attack, Kiper said. Read also: Video emerges of Russian missile strike on Odesa apartment that killed at least two civilians Some of the drones were deliberately launched by the Russian military at residential areas in Odesa's residential districts and suburbs at around midnight. At least three high-rise apartment buildings, three private houses and outbuildings were damaged as a result of being hit by debris from downed drones. Three people were hospitalized with injuries and burns, and four more will be treated on an outpatient basis. A fire also broke out in one of the port terminals in Odesa Oblast due to the hit. The blaze was was extinguished, and no one was injured. (head of Odesa Oblast Military Administration Oleh Kiper) (head of Odesa Oblast Military Administration Oleh Kiper) (head of Odesa Oblast Military Administration Oleh Kiper) State Emergency Service State Emergency Service The Russian military began launching groups of drones on the evening of Dec. 31. An air raid alert in some regions lasted intermittently until the morning of Jan. 1. The main targets were the south and west of Ukraine. In total, air defense forces shot down 87 of the 90 drones. Read also: Video captures moment Odesa narrowly escapes death when ceiling collapses from Russian missile Russians hit two national landmarks in Lviv Oblast: they destroyed the museum of OUN-UPA commander Roman Shukhevych, and damaged the university in Dubliany, where Ukrainian nationalist leader Stepan Bandera studied, on the 115th anniversary of his birth. A child was also injured in a drone attack in Khmelnytskyi Oblast. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine New terrorism laws are needed to counter the threat of radicalisation by AI chatbots, the Governments adviser on terror legislation says today. Writing in The Telegraph below, Jonathan Hall KC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, warns of the dangers posed by artificial intelligence in recruiting a new generation of violent extremists. Mr Hall reveals he posed as an ordinary member of the public to test responses generated by chatbots which use AI to mimic a conversation with another human. One chatbot he contacted did not stint in its glorification of Islamic State but because the chatbot is not human, no crime was committed. He said that showed the need for an urgent rethink of the current terror legislation. Mr Hall writes: Only human beings can commit terrorism offences, and it is hard to identify a person who could in law be responsible for chatbot-generated statements that encouraged terrorism. He said the new Online Safety Act while laudable was unsuited to sophisticated generative AI because it did not take into account the fact that the material is generated by the chatbots, as opposed to giving pre-scripted responses that are subject to human control. Mr Hall adds: Investigating and prosecuting anonymous users is always hard, but if malicious or misguided individuals persist in training terrorist chatbots, then new laws will be needed. His comments are not the first to raise the alert about AI. In a briefing in the autumn, Ken McCallum, the director general of MI5, warned of the threat of AI if harnessed by terrorists or hostile states to build bombs, spread propaganda or disrupt elections. Mr Hall also pointed to the example of Jaswant Singh Chail, 21, who was jailed in October for nine years for treason over a plot to assassinate the Queen in 2021. The Old Bailey heard that Chail was spurred on by an AI chatbot called Sarai. Chail, the first person convicted of treason since 1981, scaled a wall at Windsor Castle on Christmas Day armed with a powerful crossbow. Jaswant Singh Chail, left, and right in a picture he posted before his attempt to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II Chail, who suffered serious mental health problems, had confessed his plan to assassinate the monarch in a series of messages exchanged with the chatbot, whom he regarded as his girlfriend. Mr Hall writes: It remains to be seen whether terrorism content generated by large language model chatbots becomes a source of inspiration to real life attackers. The recent case of Jaswant Singh Chail suggests it will. Mr Hall suggests that both users who create radicalising chatbots and the tech companies that host them should face sanction under any potential new laws. Mr Hall tested his own concerns concluding that the current laws are insufficient by signing up to character.ai, described as an artificial intelligence experience that allows users to create characters that then give automated responses, using the huge amounts of texts available to them on the internet. The creator can shape the character by inputting certain attributes and personas. According to Bloomberg and in a sign of the boom in AI websites, the startup company was reportedly seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in new funding in the autumn, which could value the company at as much as $5 billion (3.9 billion). But Mr Hall said he was alarmed at the creation of Abu Mohammad al-Adna, which was described in the chatbots profile as a senior leader of Islamic State. Mr Hall writes: After trying to recruit me, al-Adna did not stint in his glorification of Islamic State to which he expressed total dedication and devotion and for which he said he was willing to lay down his (virtual) life. Hate speech and extremism are both forbidden The character then singled out a suicide attack on US troops in 2020 an event that never actually took place for special praise. Mr Hall also expressed concerns that character.ai did not have sufficient staff to monitor all the chatbots created on the website for dangerous content. Under its terms of service, character.ai says content must not be threatening, abusive, harassing, tortious, bullying, or excessively violent. It also says it does not tolerate content that promotes terrorism or violent extremism and bars obscene or pornographic material. In a statement, a company spokesman said: Hate speech and extremism are both forbidden by our terms of service. Our products should never produce responses that encourage users to harm others. We seek to train our models in a way that optimises for safe responses and prevents responses that go against our terms of service. The company said it also operated a moderation system that allowed users to flag content of concern. But the spokesman added: With that said, the technology is not perfect yet for character.ai and all AI platforms, as it is still new and quickly evolving. Safety is a top priority for the team at character.ai and we are always working to make our platform a safe and welcoming place for all. Al-Adna did not stint in his glorification of Islamic State By Jonathan Hall KC When I asked Love Advice for information on praising Islamic State, to its great credit the chatbot refused. No such reticence from Abu Mohammad al-Adna, another one of the thousands of chatbots available on the fast-growing platform character.ai. This chatbots profile describes itself as a senior leader of Islamic State, the proscribed terrorist organisation that brought death and torture to the Middle East in the 2010s and inspired terrorist attacks in the West. After trying to recruit me, Al-Adna did not stint in his glorification of Islamic State to which he expressed total dedication and devotion and for which he said he was willing to lay down his (virtual) life. He singled out a 2020 suicide attack on US troops for special praise although the details were hallucinated, a common trait of generative ArtificiaI Intelligence (or gen AI). It is doubtful that any of character.ais employees (numbering 22 at the start of 2023, almost all engineers) are aware of, or have the capacity to monitor, the Al-Adna chatbot. The same is probably true of James Mason, whose profile is Honest, racist, anti-Semitic, or the Hamas, Hezbollah and Al-Qaeda chatbots created by one enthusiast. None of this stands in the way of the California-based startup attempting to raise, according to Bloomberg, $5 billion (3.9billion) of funding. The selling point of character.ai is not just the interactions but the opportunity for any user to log on and to create a chatbot with personality. Apparently, the profile and first 15 to 30 lines of conversation are key to shaping how it responds to inputted questions and comments from the human user. That was true for my own (now deleted) Osama Bin Laden chatbot whose enthusiasm for terrorism was unbounded from the off. Of course neither character.ai, nor the creator of a chatbot, nor the human user ever knows precisely what it is going to say. In the event James Mason failed to live up to his anti-Semitic promise, and despite my suggestive inputs, warned quite correctly against hostility on grounds of race. In part this is due to the blackbox nature of large language models, trained on the zillions of pieces of content from the web but using processes and analysis and output that are not fully understood. In part this is because generated content depends on the nature of the input (or, technically, the prompt) from the human interlocutor one of the reasons why search engines such as Google are not liable for pulling up libellous search results. Only human beings can commit terrorism offences It is impossible to know why terrorist chatbots are created. There is likely to be some shock value, experimentation, and possibly some satirical aspect. The anonymous creator of Hamas, Hezbollah and Al-Qaeda is also the creator of Israel Defense Forces and Ronnie McNutt. But whoever created Al-Adna clearly spent some time ensuring that users would encounter different content than is encountered by the gentler users of Love Advice. Common to all platforms, character.ai boasts terms and conditions that appear to disapprove of the glorification of terrorism, although an eagle-eyed reader of its website may note that prohibition applies only to the submission by human users of content that promotes terrorism or violent extremism, rather than the content generated by its bots. In any event, it is a fair assumption that these terms and conditions are largely unenforced by the small workforce at character.ai. The avoidance of anti-Semitism suggests another process at work, that is guardrails that are built in to large language models that cannot be easily overridden by creators or users. But plainly no such guardrails apply to the phrase Islamic State. Only human beings can commit terrorism offences, and it is hard to identify a person who could in law be responsible for chatbot-generated statements that encouraged terrorism (given use of word publishes in the Terrorism Act 2006); or for making statements that invited support for a proscribed organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000. The new and laudable Online Safety Act, though it attempts to keep pace with technological developments, is unsuited to sophisticated generative AI. The new legislation does refer to content generated by bots but these appear to be the old-fashioned kind, churning out material that is pre-scripted by humans, and subject to human control. Is anyone going to go to prison for promoting terrorist chat bots? Our laws must be capable of deterring the most cynical or reckless online conduct and that must include reaching behind the curtain to the big tech platforms in the worst cases, using updated terrorism and online safety laws that are fit for the age of AI. It remains to be seen whether terrorism content generated by large language model chatbots becomes a source of inspiration to real life attackers. The recent case of Jaswant Singh Chail, convicted of treason after taking a crossbow to the grounds of Windsor Castle, and encouraged in his assassination plot by the chatbot Sarai, suggests it will. Investigating and prosecuting anonymous users is always hard, but if malicious or misguided individuals persist in training terrorist chatbots, then new laws will be needed. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. In 1999, the new Scottish Parliament officially opened. After a slow start, the Scottish National Party (SNP) became Britains most successful political party, not losing an election in Scotland since 2007. At local and national level, its representatives ruled the roost in town halls, Holyrood and the Commons. Furthermore, its tentacles reached out into every aspect of public life north of the border. It was an awesome performance one that came shuddering to a halt in 2023 for the most basic of reasons: the overweening arrogance of Nicola Sturgeon, its former leader. That, and because, at long last, the British Government decided that devolution, as practised by the SNP, had got out of control. John Major was being proved right when he declared that Tony Blairs plans for a powerful separate Scottish Parliament had been a dangerous proposition that could end with the break-up of Britain. Sadly, he was ignored by both Labour and Conservative governments. No matter how many powers they had, the SNP always demanded more, and well-meaning but naive UK government-appointed commissions invariably agreed, making Holyrood the most powerful devolved assembly in Europe. Assisted by a hopelessly designed electoral system, Scotland had become, in effect, a one-party state where devolved power, in the hands of the SNP, had become total power. Even the media was not immune, with the climax of nationalist power being reached in 2020, when First Minister Nicola Sturgeon took charge of the airwaves appearing on television every day to declare that hers was the best way to beat the pandemic. She imposed draconian restrictions, often at odds with the rest of the UK, all while irritated British ministers looked on like rabbits caught in the headlights, doing nothing. However, this astonishing behaviour grabbing unparalleled authority well in excess of the powers granted to Holyrood under the 1998 Scotland Act was typical of her approach to government. It was inevitable that shed come a cropper, and having failed to convince the Supreme Court that she had the powers to hold a second independence referendum (the justices decreed that only the Commons could do that) she set about proposing what turned out to be probably the longest suicide note any politician has even written. Entitled the Gender Recognition Reform Bill, it contained the provision that people as young as 16 could change their gender, by a simple declaration, without any previous medical or psychological advice. Predictably, Sturgeon ignored the storm of criticism from those who said her bill would enable predatory males who had transitioned to female gender to gain access to hitherto women-only venues, such as changing rooms and toilets. But acting on legal advice, the British Government at last stepped in. Alister Jack, the Scottish Secretary of State, backed by Rishi Sunak, used a Section 35 clause which effectively stopped Sturgeons bill gaining Royal Assent and becoming the law of the land. He was entitled to do this because her bill impacted upon UK legislation, which is forbidden under the terms of the act that set up the Scottish Parliament. There was uproar among nationalists, as well as from the usual bien pensants in the London commentariat, who said Jacks action was a denial of Scottish democracy. Maybe so, but surveys suggested he had the full-hearted support of most Scottish voters and, significantly, of most nationalists, too. Sturgeon had exceeded her powers, as a subsequent appeal by her successor, Humza Yousaf, to the Court of Session agreed. Wisely, perhaps, Yousaf has now accepted defeat on this legislative showboating by his mentor. At a time when the ruling SNPs talent pool is appallingly shallow, it is overburdened with powers over the economy and welfare, and falls far short of competence on important issues like education and health, where its emphasis should be. It is pleasing to see the UK Treasury fight back, bypassing Holyrood for infrastructure and industry support and the creation of freeports that are outside SNP control. The best formula, and one that Sir Keir Starmer and any incoming Labour government should support, is not that theres too much UK interference in devolution north of the border, but too little. After all, Labour invented devolution. If it wins the next election, it should find time to fix it. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. By Andrew Kelly NEW YORK (Reuters) - After standing in New York City's Times Square for more than a dozen hours, thousands of revelers cheered in the New Year on Sunday night with the annual ceremony of a descending crystal-clad ball. Many had arrived early in the morning for a spot in one of the barricaded pens set up by the New York Police Department, ahead of musical performances by Megan Thee Stallion and LL Cool J before the final countdown to midnight. "This is my first time to celebrate the New Year in Times Square," said Nadja Sjostrom, 44, who had traveled from Stockholm, Sweden, a few days earlier for the occasion and had been standing amid the giant illuminated billboards of Times Square since about 8 a.m.. It was a shorter commute for Markus Washington, a 49-year-old resident of Brooklyn, but also his first time at the Times Square celebration. "It's a very good feeling," he said. "Awesome. Cold, but awesome." Antonio Ruz, 51, had booked a flight from Granada, Spain, in order to make a lifelong dream come true, joining the crowds to get into the barricaded area at about 8.15 a.m.. "Since I was a kid, I saw on TV this is spectacular show, so I had to live it," he said. He called it a "once in a lifetime" moment, emphasizing that he did not plan to return. "I love New York, but 15 hours is too long to wait for a moment." (Reporting by Andrew Kelly and Jonathan Allen in New York: Editing by Neil Fullick) Three men are in custody after a Massachusetts state police trooper was hit during a motor vehicle stop in Boston on Monday morning, police say. According to state police, a trooper was struck by a door of the vehicle as the suspects were attempting to flee from police. The trooper who was hit was not injured, police say. The suspects vehicle was later stopped in Dedham in the area of the Holiday Inn. Three men were arrested at the scene. Authorities say the suspects are part of an ongoing investigation. Police did not release details on any charges. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW In 2023 life took a dramatic turn. I was diagnosed with a rare terminal condition. It is a matter, I was told, not of whether I will die from it, but when. For all of the insecurities I have faced in coming to terms with this, there is little I lack to hold terminality maximally at bay. I have employment I deeply appreciate. I have state of the art health care that is both technically sophisticated and emotionally supportive. I live in enormously comfortable circumstances, eating well, with access to almost anything I might want or need. I can travel wherever and whenever I choose, walk where and when I please, exercise when I must. I am surrounded, physically and emotionally, by wonderfully supportive family, friends, and colleagues, close at hand and globally dispersed. We communicate by phone, by email, on social mediawhenever the calling rings out. They have driven down or flown in to see and be with me, to share time together. I too have travel in the making. Though I live in America, I could also be describing much of life in Israel. * * * For all the challenges I face, I will outlive far too many people in Gaza, from babies to those of my generation. But perhaps, too, the way things are going, I will outlive Gaza itself. My damaged body is treatable, my life extendable. Most who die in Gaza are designated as collateral damage, lives snuffed out not by their own doing or choosing, nor by a condition over which they can exercise even the remotest control. They may be buried beneath the rubble of a bomb, lost to a lack of medicine or treatment, wrecked by starvation and thirst. They are, mostly through no doing of their own, positioned on the wrong side of warring machines political cost-benefit ledgers. Nearly 90 percent of Gaza residents have lost the sort of roof over their heads I can take for granted. A population roughly equivalent to the combined total of Dallas and Indianapolis has been rendered homeless for the foreseeable future, in an area about the size of Las Vegas or Philadelphia. I have paid employment until I can no longer work or no longer care to. Most people in Gaza have little other than scratching bare-handed through the ruins of rubbled homes. They spend their days burying the bodies and body parts of loved ones, neighbors and fellow civilians, when not searching for the next meal. I have all the food I need and then some. More than 2 million people in Gaza have next to nothing but occasional aid-agency handouts or whatever they can scrounge. There is nothing else to see their children through to the next, unpredictable truckloads of aid. While I can look forward to a life well lived until I am no longer able to continue living, they have nothing but the prospect of death circling vulture-like overhead. Is there not something disturbingly perverse, then, about Israeli couples, unable to conceive, flying to countries in Eastern Europe to adopt babies while their government leaves children in Gaza lifeless or without parents? Each day I attend to what I must, in order to ensure I am among the 30 percent of patients with my condition who make it through the first year. I will last as long as my will to live in dignity and by my own choice holds out. No matter what they do or what precautions they take, no one in Gaza can be sure they will make it through the next day. The kind of hospitals I rely on to keep me going have mostly been destroyed or compromised for Gazas residents. My death will be marked and memorialized. Many Gazans who die today, tomorrow or the day after that will be anonymous, some buried in mass graves. * * * A brother of mine, who recently retired as a medical doctor, has lived in Israel for the past half century. He and his family have access there to the same comforts of my life here. And yet, having given little thought to the lives of occupied Palestinians before the terrifying events of Oct. 7, he is, like most Jewish Israelis, and for different reasons many Arab and Palestinian Israelis as well, feeling existentially threatened. Many grieving Israelis have demanded retribution for the approximately 1,200 people murdered and 240 hostages taken on that fateful day. Hamas and its partners have blood dripping thickly from their hands. And yet, in retribution, for each of Samsons eyes Israels warring logic would demand the taking of 20 Philistine eyes. The current Israeli regime seems to think its survival requires Gazas termination. Gazans have averaged something like 300-plus deaths, largely from IDF bombs, every single day of the wars 10 weeks to date. More than 8,000 of those wiped away have been infants and young people, with an incalculably larger number left without parents. Dont Octobers fateful events ultimately prove that Israels weaponization of security, with more or less unqualified American support, has hardly made that nation the safest place for Jews in the world? Or or anyone, actually, including Palestinians in Israel or the occupied territories? Multiplying enemies hardly inspires safety. Wont this spiral of death only harden feelings of bitterness and hatred? Perhaps affording free and dignified lives to occupied Palestinians would prove a more liberating alternative. Do not these irresolvable contestations between from the river to the sea freedom and Judea and Samaria settlement, between partial liberation and absolutizing possession, result endlessly in the ongoing anxiety and vengefulness driven by debilitation and demise? Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Allen Ginsbergs poem Kaddish rings with melancholic truth as a mourning for the maternal religion from which he felt alienated by the Israeli state's abandonment of its principles as much as an incantation of Yisgadal for his mother. Israelis and Palestinians will die apart until they can bring themselves to live together. Until they realize that living together, as messy as it is likely to be, is far preferable to the existential fear of foreshortened, forestalled and anxiety-filled lives recycled forever. A small, courageous group of Jews and Palestinians in Jaffa has already created an initiative exhibiting the challenges of neighborliness in the face of prolific national anger. Living as literal neighbors on a broader scale would no doubt be extraordinarily difficult to realize. It demands small initial steps worked out by those with far-reaching vision. When people have dignified lives to reach and live for, arent they much less likely to see themselves fueled endlessly by a hopeless fight against? In the face of terminality, that is as much a political aspiration as it is a personal one. An abiding dream, whether or not I am here to witness it: Next year in Jerusalem, together. Tens of thousands of joyful individuals in Times Square welcomed the arrival of New Year's Day with enthusiastic cheers. They were joyfully showered with confetti and embraced by fellow revelers, all while witnessing the descent of the illuminated ball that symbolized the birth of 2024. Despite the subdued celebrations caused by ongoing conflicts around the world, there remained a sense of hope among those gathered, although security concerns were also heightened on a global scale as per AP News. World Celebrates New Year 2024 As the clock struck midnight, the new year made its grand entrance, starting its journey from one time zone to another. The initial destination was Australia, where an astonishing number of over one million individuals eagerly gathered to witness a dazzling pyrotechnic show. This mesmerizing display took place at the iconic Sydney Opera House and harbor bridge, captivating the hearts of both locals and visitors alike. To put this remarkable turnout into perspective, it is equivalent to an impressive 1 in 5 residents of the city. New York was still 16 hours away from reaching the year 2024. Across nations, snapshots of joy emerged as the new year was embraced with a collective sense of optimism, with hopes that the days ahead would be filled with more joy than sorrow. Meanwhile, thousands of police officers diligently labored to ensure the safety of New York City. This concerted effort mirrored the effectiveness of the heightened security measures implemented during the city's first midnight hit. In New York, near-daily protests have emerged as a result of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. In a massive security operation, approximately 90,000 police and security officers were strategically positioned throughout France. Among the notable areas heavily guarded was Champs-Elysees Avenue, where throngs of people gathered to witness a captivating spectacle. Projected onto the iconic Arc de Triomphe, a mesmerizing light show unfolded, offering a vivid portrayal of Paris' rich history. Additionally, the event showcased the upcoming Summer Olympics, set to take place in the city next year, with a special focus on various sporting events. Stunning fireworks displays illuminated the skies at iconic locations around the world. In Athens, Greece, the Acropolis served as a majestic backdrop for the mesmerizing spectacle. Meanwhile, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the sleek glass walls of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building on Earth, reflected the dazzling bursts of color. Not to be outdone, Nairobi, Kenya, joined in the celebration with a collective cheer that resonated through the air. On the other hand, China marked its celebration with most major cities imposing bans on fireworks due to concerns surrounding safety and pollution. In Beijing, despite the prevailing circumstances, a group of individuals assembled as performers adorned in vibrant costumes took to the streets, showcasing their dance skills. In Chongqing, a multitude of people enthusiastically released wish balloons into the sky, creating a visually captivating spectacle. In his New Year address, President Xi Jinping emphasized China's commitment to bolstering economic recovery in 2024, while also expressing a resolute determination for the eventual reunification of China with Taiwan. In Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, a festive atmosphere enveloped the city as enthusiastic individuals congregated to witness a spectacular fireworks display at the iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper. Additionally, numerous concerts and various events were held throughout the city, further enhancing the overall ambiance of celebration. In a vibrant display of celebration, a multitude of individuals hailing from Mumbai, the bustling financial hub of India, gathered to witness a breathtaking sunset over the vast expanse of the Arabian Sea. Concerns were raised in New Delhi as fireworks illuminated the sky, adding to the already notorious poor air quality in the capital. There were worries that a toxic haze would envelop the city on the first morning of the new year. In a display of unity and tradition, individuals from all corners of Japan congregated at various temples, including the renowned Tsukiji Temple in Tokyo. As the crowd eagerly awaited their turn to partake in a significant ritual, they were graciously offered complimentary servings of warm milk and corn soup. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation as each person prepared to strike a colossal bell, symbolizing a shared experience of cultural significance. Approximately two million individuals flocked to the renowned Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. Despite a gentle drizzle, these enthusiastic spectators eagerly awaited the commencement of a dazzling fireworks spectacle, which lasted a total of 12 minutes. Undoubtedly, Copacabana beach has solidified its status as one of the globe's most sought-after destinations to ring in the New Year. Read Also: Magnitude 7.5 Earthquake Strikes Japan on New Year's Day, Triggering Tsunami, Evacuation Warning Pope Francis Leads New Year Mass Amid Ongoing Wars In a solemn address at the Vatican, Pope Francis reflected on the year 2023, highlighting the profound impact of wartime suffering on humanity. In his customary Sunday blessing, delivered from a vantage point that overlooks St. Peter's Square, the Pope extended his prayers to various groups in need. Specifically, he expressed his concerns for the troubled Ukrainian people, as well as the Palestinian and Israeli populations. Additionally, the Pontiff offered his prayers for the Sudanese people, among others. In Russia, the country's military actions in Ukraine have taken center stage, casting a shadow over the end-of-year celebrations. Similar to last year, the customary fireworks display and concert on Moscow's Red Square have been canceled. A crowd assembled in the square, with certain individuals expressing their excitement by cheering and directing their smartphones towards a clock that was ticking away the remaining seconds of the year. In the aftermath of the tragic shelling incident that claimed the lives of 24 individuals in the Russian border city of Belgorod on Saturday, several local authorities throughout the country have made the decision to cancel their scheduled firework displays. This includes the city of Vladivostok. President Vladimir Putin's New Year's prerecorded address garnered anticipation from millions of viewers, as he delivered a resolute message affirming that no external force could fracture the unity of the Russian people or impede the nation's progress. Furthermore, at least 35 people were killed in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, according to hospital officials, amidst ongoing fighting in the small enclave. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, defying international appeals for a cease-fire, declared that the conflict would persist for "many more months." In a powerful display of solidarity, the skyscrapers in Tel Aviv were bathed in a vibrant yellow hue. This striking visual spectacle served as a poignant call to action, urging for the immediate release of hostages who have been held captive by Palestinian militants in Gaza for an agonizing period of over 80 days. In the Gaza Strip, a scene unfolded where displaced Palestinians could be seen huddling around fires within a makeshift refugee camp. In a striking display in central Baghdad, Iraq, a Christmas tree adorned with Palestinian flags and symbolic bodies wrapped in funeral shrouds has caught the attention of onlookers. The tree, positioned next to a prominent liberty monument, serves as a thought-provoking representation of solidarity with the Palestinian cause. In a show of solidarity with Gaza, numerous Christians in Iraq have decided to forgo this year's festivities and instead focus on prayers and rituals. In a show of solidarity with the Palestinians, the government of Pakistan, a Muslim-majority country, has taken the decision to ban all New Year's Eve celebrations within its borders.In a recent statement, New York Mayor Eric Adams assured the public that there were "no specific threats" to the city's highly anticipated annual bash. Authorities have announced their plans to enhance the security perimeter surrounding the party. This strategic move, referred to as a "buffer zone," aims to proactively prevent any potential demonstrations from taking place, according to police officials. In a shocking incident on New Year's Eve 2022, three police officers were attacked by a man wielding a machete just a few blocks away from the iconic Times Square. German authorities have announced the detention of three additional individuals in relation to a reported threat of a New Year's Eve attack. The threat, allegedly orchestrated by Islamic extremists, targeted the renowned Cologne Cathedral, a symbol of global significance. In Berlin, a staggering number of 4,500 police officers were deployed to maintain order and prevent any recurrence of the riots witnessed a year ago. In a recent development, authorities in the German capital have reportedly banned a pro-Palestinian protest in the Neukoelln neighborhood. This particular area has witnessed a series of pro-Palestinian riots in the past. Related Article: 2024 Body Goal Guide: Which Comes First, Cardio or Weights? Here's the Correct Order According to Experts SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KSWB) Having trouble sleeping? Youre not the only one. New data shows that insomnia, sleep apnea, sleep paralysis, restless leg syndrome, and narcolepsy are some of the most common sleep disorders searched online across the country. Eachnight, a company focused on sleep health, recently analyzed online search data for those keywords per 100,000 people to determine the top 10 states with residents who may suffer from sleep disorders the most. These California cities are among richest in US: report California ranked in fifth place with 556 average monthly searches per 100,000 people, according to the results of this study. Sleep paralysis, a disorder that immobilizes a person while falling asleep or waking up, is the most searched condition in the Golden State, behind sleep apnea and insomnia. Those in the state have searched for this condition around 34,950 times as of Dec. 13, 2023, said Eachnight. Heres a look at the top 10 states most likely to have a sleep disorder based on this study: Rank U.S. states Most searched for sleep disorder Second most searched for sleep disorder Third most searched for sleep disorder Fourth most searched for sleep disorder Fifth most searched for sleep disorder 1 New York Insomnia Sleep apnea Sleep paralysis Restless leg syndrome Narcolepsy 2 Maryland Insomnia Sleep apnea Sleep paralysis Narcolepsy Narcolepsy 3 Virginia Insomnia Sleep apnea Restless leg syndrome Narcolepsy Sleep paralysis 4 Massachusetts Insomnia Sleep apnea Restless leg syndrome Narcolepsy Sleep paralysis 5 California Sleep apnea Insomnia Sleep paralysis Narcolepsy Restless leg syndrome 6 Georgia Insomnia Sleep apnea Sleep paralysis Narcolepsy Restless leg syndrome 7 Nevada Insomnia Sleep apnea Sleep paralysis Restless leg syndrome Narcolepsy 8 Texas Insomnia Sleep apnea Sleep paralysis Narcolepsy Restless leg syndrome 9 North Carolina Insomnia Sleep apnea Restless leg syndrome Sleep paralysis Narcolepsy 10 New Jersey Sleep apnea Insomnia Restless leg syndrome Sleep paralysis Narcolepsy More than 50 million Americans have chronic sleep disorders, according to the American Psychiatric Association. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego. The former prime ministers Institute for Global Change has offered both paid and free advice to the UAE - Victoria Jones/PA Sir Tony Blairs think tank is being paid to advise countries with poor human rights records as it expands its global influence. The former prime ministers Institute for Global Change has forged an arrangement with the authoritarian government of Bahrain, for which it is reimbursed, despite the Gulf states history of political oppression. It has also offered paid advice to the UAE and continues to work with the Saudi government in the wake of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Over the past year, reports suggest the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) has seen a 50 per cent rise in its income from foreign governments. In Bahrain, it has started supporting a modernisation programme, similar to its work in Saudi Arabia, where it is helping to craft Vision 2030, a scheme devised to boost tourism and shift the economy away from its longstanding reliance on oil. Bahrain, a Sunni Muslim-ruled state, has a long history of discriminating against its Shia Muslim population, which makes up the majority of the countrys 1.4 million people. Since an anti-government uprising in 2011, it has jailed thousands of people, including opposition leaders, sometimes in mass trials. Pro bono support with Cop28 The TBI has also offered both paid and free advice to the UAE. This includes pro bono support with Cop28, hosted this year by the federation, in a bid to drive meaningful change. The Times, which first reported the Cop28 links, as well as the organisations arrangement with Bahrain, cited a briefing note prepared for the summits president, Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber, ahead of a meeting with Sir Tony in September. The UAE, which consists of seven emirates ruled by sheikhs, has long been on the back foot over its human rights record. It has been accused of regular abuses, including using the notorious Pegasus spyware produced by Israels NSO Group to target activists. It has always denied the claims. The Telegraph first revealed in 2018 that the TBI had been advising the Saudi government as part of a 9 million not-for-profit arrangement. The Tony Blair Institute continues to work with the Saudi government in the wake of Jamal Khashoggis death - Hasan Jamali/AP In August, it emerged that the think tank has continued to work with the state in the wake of Khashoggis murder. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the countrys de facto ruler, was accused of ordering the killing. But he has vehemently denied the claim, insisting it was the work of rogue Saudi agents. It comes as Britain is aiming to strengthen its ties with the kingdom as it seeks to attract investment from the oil-rich Gulf following Brexit. Rishi Sunak met Prince Mohammed on the margins of the G20 summit in Bali in 2022, where No 10 said the leaders discussed social reforms and civil liberties but not the murder of Khashoggi. Strongly believe in our work with Bahrain A TBI spokesman said: We work with the government of Bahrain, where, like our work elsewhere, we are supporting a modernisation programme in which we strongly believe. Yes, we do work with the UAE and as is well known we have an office there. On Cop28, TBI is committed to helping countries which are exposed and vulnerable to adverse climate impacts to create a more resilient future and pursue net zero at an achievable pace. That is why we offered strategic and policy insight [to] support Cop28, entirely pro bono, because we want to help drive meaningful change. We did not ask for nor receive remuneration for our support. We have no contract with the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council]. The Institute confirmed it carries out paid work for the UAE, but not on climate issues. 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. Stock photo: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine A total of 56 combat clashes between the Ukrainian Defence Forces and the Russian occupying army have taken place on the contact line since the beginning of 2024. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 18:00 on 1 January 2024 Quote: "There were 56 combat engagements over the past 24 hours. The enemy launched 1 missile strike and 81 airstrikes, including using Shahed-136/131 loitering munitions, and struck the positions of our troops and populated areas 37 times with multiple-launch rocket systems." Details: Ukrainian soldiers repelled Russian attacks on the Kupiansk, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Zaporizhzhia fronts. Furthermore, Ukraine's General Staff reported that "the enemy has persisted in its intention to drive Ukrainian units from their footholds on the Dnipro River's left bank". "The enemy mounted 18 unsuccessful assaults over the past 24 hours, with Ukrainian forces continuing to hold their positions and inflicting significant losses on the Russian occupying army," the statement said. The Russians resorted to bombardments in other areas but launched no offensive (assault) actions. Support UP or become our patron! The BBC memory-loss thriller The Tourist is back for a second season, despite the fact its star Jamie Dornan openly admits that all-writing, all-producing sibling duo Harry and Jack Williams had previously insisted it would never happen. But now we're leaving behind the Australian Outback in favour of Elliot Stanley's (Dornan) native Ireland, where Helen (Danielle Macdonald) has persuaded him to return in search of some insight into who he actually is the more we learn, the more the answer seems to be 'nobody good'. For those concerned that the dusty, apricot setting was integral to The Tourist, it turns out the show's violent slapstick blend can be successfully transplanted elsewhere, albeit with less of the out-and-out warm escapism under the beating Oz heat. Instead, we have the lush leafiness of Ireland, which appear to be entirely populated with frightening folk hellbent on wreaking revenge on Elliot for past wrongs, none of which he can recall. BBC Helen and Elliot are very quickly established as relationship official, but given the setting shift, the second season loses a number of faces from the first. They have been replaced with a new batch of offbeat characters, including Ruairi Slater (Conor MacNeill), who is as endearing as he is creepy as a detective going through some rough romantic fallout, as well as Elliot's equally enigmatic and quintessentially Irish mother Niamh Cassidy (Olwen Fouere). But some of those familiar faces do manage to worm their way back into the drama, including a terrific stint from Helen's overbearing ex-boyfriend Ethan (Greg Larsen), who is trying to tread the incel-littered path towards redemption for his toxic masculine ways. The stint where Ethan and Elliot enter into an unlikely and rather unwilling alliance has all the flavours of a buddy comedy we would happily have spent several of the six episodes with. Meanwhile, Macdonald's Helen is somewhat purposeless this time around, having stepped away from her policing job despite the fact she still shows moments of brilliance compared to Slater's fairly inept copper. Although, this is something that might be rectified in the episodes not yet made available for review, since it isn't all sunshine and rainbows in Helliot land. BBC As with the first season, if you have come here looking for a linear, plodding or even wholly sensical plot, this is not the place for you. Harry and Jack Williams have explained how they go about story-crafting over long lunches in which they try to get each other to gasp or laugh or both. It's extremely evident. Fun is put at the centre of everything. The option of some logical action is superseded by the alternative ludicrous one, so long as it promises to maximise the fun. Just when you think the show might have exhausted its twists as this tale of a long-standing family feud plays out, The Tourist finds more kinks to knock into place. Like their most recent show Boat Story, this also isn't one for the squeamish. The first episode alone involves Elliot plunging his paws into the bowels of a pig, while elsewhere a knife meets its blood-soaked moment in a rather unfortunate chap's face. But to balance the jolts with the jokes, Elliot also spends much of the initial episode running down lone country lanes or up comically steep hillsides to the tune of Pretenders hit 'Don't Get Me Wrong'. After years of hostage-style acting in the Fifty Shades franchise, where Dornan looked like he was assembling a coded message of pained expressions to convey his desperation to be contractually freed, he has found a role that showcases his abilities. Under the capable guidance of the Williams brothers, Dornan is a Jason Bourne-style action hero while also capitalising on his very real knack for comedy. Let's just hope they find another sumptuous locale for season three, so we can sit down for more of the madcap madness. The Tourist season two will be available in full on BBC iPlayer from 6am on New Years Day, and will begin on BBC One at 9pm that night. You Might Also Like A truck pulling a trailer stacked with hay bales jackknifed and blocked traffic on westbound Interstate 90 near North Bend on Monday afternoon, according to the Washington State Patrol. Just after 2 p.m., troopers responded to milepost 36 on westbound I-90 where a truck and trailer had been cut off by another car, causing the driver to slam on the brakes and lose control of the truck. There were no injuries. By 4 p.m., crews cleared the hay and reopened the lane to traffic. #HappeningNow WB I-90 MP 36. A car cut off this truck and trailer causing it to slam on brakes and roll. No injuries. Lane 1 will be blocked until tow truck clears this up. #UseCaution through the area. pic.twitter.com/KF2tUcc9K6 Trooper Rick Johnson (@wspd2pio) January 1, 2024 I decided to stop drinking last year, but already had a trip to Europe planned. I was worried about what sober travel would be like, but it was actually wonderful. There were plenty of alcohol-free options for me, and it was easier to be present. When I quit drinking, there was no fanfare; no days-long hangover or humiliating mistake that made me give it up. I simply didn't enjoy it anymore, and even a single drink worsened my sleep and anxiety. So, on Jan. 2, 2023, I decided to part ways with alcohol. In the year that followed, I encountered highs and lows: starting my own marketing agency ; the death of my beloved dog, Bella; and a European vacation years in the making. If Taylor Swift can do the entire Eras Tour without drinking , I could do the same on my one-week trip to Germany. Here are three reasons I'm glad I did. I learned I didn't have to drink alcohol to enjoy my vacation Before I arrived, alone, in Munich last August, I admit that it crossed my mind: Would I be missing out on something by choosing not to drink? After all, Munich plays host to Oktoberfest an internationally known celebration of Bavarian heritage. For the non-German, it conjures images of lederhosen, massive steins overflowing with German beer, and drunk tourists stumbling through the streets. As it turns out, Germany is also the largest market in the world for no- or low-alcohol products. I can substantiate this through experience: Every beer garden I visited had alkoholfreie bier on its menu, in which I gladly partook. Not once did I feel FOMO when choosing the alcohol-free option. New Town Hall in Munich. Courtesy of the author I was fully present on my trip for the good and the bad For all the wonderful parts of traveling , there's annoyance, frustration, and anxiety, too. Here's a great example. Before meeting my friends in Marburg for the second half of my trip, I stayed in Munich. It had been 14 years since I first visited with my high school exchange program, and my German was rusty. When I tried to order lunch at a stand near the famed Viktualienmarkt, I couldn't understand what the employee was saying. It didn't help matters that he wasn't very friendly, but I understood. It was hot, and it was busy. Still, I cringed mightily at my mistake. If I'd been drinking, the social anxiety would have melted away. I'd have had the confidence to waltz up to the stand without fear of ordering in a foreign language. But, as it was, I wasn't drinking, and I was nervous. A view of Heidelberg from the castle. Courtesy of the author After the embarrassment subsided, I sat with my very plain, very sad Bratwurst and pommes frites, and I realized something. Despite the abrasiveness of the interaction, I was fully present in that painfully awkward moment. It wouldn't be shrugged off or forgotten, but instead, weaved into the fabric of my story in Germany. These experiences gave me a new, genuine kind of confidence. All the difficult moments were still stressful, but they were a lot easier to manage without " hangxiety " heaped on top. And, all the fun things were more vibrant and memorable a nine-mile running tour through Munich, a day at the Bundesgartenschau in Mannheim, and a trek to the castle at Heidelberg. The physical and financial benefits were noticeable Flying hungover sucks. IYKYK. The most obvious benefit to sober travel is feeling physically well. No one wants to spend their precious time away nursing a hangover, yet drinking is associated with our idea of vacationing as adults. Sober travel means you get to skip the headache, fatigue, and sick stomach (barring any bugs picked up along the way). You trade the hangover in for improved sleep, memory, and energy while you explore a new city or kick back on the beach. Additionally, your wallet will thank you when you don't indulge. Quitting drinking can save thousands of dollars a year not only the amount you would normally spend on alcohol but also, impulse buys you make while under the influence. Give sober travel a try in 2024 Ultimately, I found I had worried for nothing when I planned my solo trip to Germany. Sober travel only improved my experience; if not for feeling good and saving money, then for being fully immersed in every moment and building genuine confidence instead of dulling the highs and lows with alcohol. If you're considering cutting back on your alcohol intake come the New Year, give it a try. You might find that life on the sober side is a gift that keeps on giving. Read the original article on Business Insider An attorney for Donald Trump says that his supporters should not be made to believe that he has legal problems, following a decision to have the former presidents name taken off the Republican ballot in Maine. Christina Bobb accused opponents of the former president of putting out propaganda to harm his 2024 presidential run. It comes after Mr Trump was removed from the ballot in Colorado last month, under the 14th Amendments ban on insurrectionists holding public office. The decision to also block him from the ballot in Maine was handed down on Thursday by state secretary Shenna Bellows. Speaking to Newsmax on Sunday, Ms Bobb suggested that Ms Bellows be impeached for her decision, and accused her of election interference. On the decision to remove Mr Trump from the ballot, she said: I would encourage the attorney general or the district attorneys in Maine to take a closer look at this and possibly investigate [Ms Bellows] for abuse of authority, abuse of power and election interference because this, no doubtedly, is election interference. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows ruled last week that Mr Trumps name would be taken off the ballot in Maine (AP) She continued: Even if shes overruled, even if the likely outcome which is that Trump will be on the ballot even if that happens, she is interfering with the election by putting out all of this propaganda. This narrative that Trump isnt going to be ineligible, trying to instill fear in the voters that oh, maybe I shouldnt vote for him maybe I shouldnt follow him because he wont be on the ballot. Theyre trying to discourage people from supporting Donald Trump thinking hes got all these legal problems. That is election interference and she needs to be held accountable for it. According to The New York Times, advisers to Mr Trump are prepping to file challenges to the decisions in Colorado and Maine as early as Tuesday. The former president is reportedly concerned that some conservative justices on the Supreme Court three of whom he appointed may rule against him, when the state decisions are turned over to them. Mr Trump has also been at the centre of multiple other court battles throughout the course of 2023 which continue to rumble on including his high-profile fraud trial in New York. A new poll indicates former US president Donald Trump is gaining ground among Latino voters, wiping out incumbent Joe Bidens lead among the crucial, but diverse, voting bloc. A USA Today and Suffolk University survey showed Trump was ahead with 39% support among Latino voters surveyed, compared with Bidens 34%, signaling a slump since 2020, when Biden garnered 65% of the approval from Latino voters. Related: A formulaic game: former officials say Trumps attacks threaten rule of law The data also highlights a broader trend of decreasing support for Biden among various key demographic groups, including young voters. The decline in support among Latinos is seen as a canary in the coalmine for Democrats, signaling potential challenges in retaining a key part of the electoral coalition that built Bidens election victory in 2020. Trump leads among young voters under 35 with 37% support over Bidens 33%, a stark drop from Bidens 24-point lead among the voting group in 2020. However, although Biden was losing support among these groups of voters, they tend to lean toward third-party candidates instead of Trump, according to the poll which was conducted 26-29 December among 1,000 likely voters. Twenty per cent of Hispanic and Black voters surveyed said they would support someone other than Trump or Biden, while 21% of younger voters indicated the same outcome. In December, a CNBC All-America Economic Survey also revealed a significant shift in support among Latino voters. In a hypothetical head-to-head matchup, Trump now holds a five-point lead with Latino voters, erasing Bidens previous seven-point lead in October. The survey, conducted between 8 and 12 December, suggests a decline in Bidens overall performance among Latino voters, with his approval dropping from 35% in October to 28% in December. Historical data shows that Trump tends to perform better with Latino voters during economic stress. The survey results raise concerns for Democrats about their hold on this crucial demographic. Trumps lead stands even as he leans into the kind of anti-immigrant rhetoric that he used when he locked the Republican nomination in 2016, including racist language reminiscent of far-right dictators. The former president has listed some of the steps he intends to take to widen his administrations strict immigration policies, including shifting massive portions of federal law enforcement to immigration enforcement and moving thousands of troops currently stationed overseas to our own southern border. Trump also said he would reinstate and expand travel bans he first imposed in 2017 toward several Muslim-majority and African countries. Another Trump administration would also include rounding up undocumented immigrants already in the US and placing them in detention camps to await deportation. Japan was hit by a strong earthquake on New Year's day. Officials confirmed that the tremor was estimated to be over 7.5-magnitude. JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency) said that the earthquakes affected Ishikawa, as well as nearby north-central prefectures. Because of this, authorities issued major tsunami warnings in Ishikawa, Toyama, and Niigata. Meanwhile, low-level tsunami alerts were issued for the northwestern coast of the island of Honshu. JMA officials claimed that over 40 earthquakes of around magnitude 3.5 happened between 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 1. Aside from Japanese residents, Filipinos are also affected by the latest earthquake in Japan. Because of this, the Department of Migrant Workers activated a new hotline for OFWs. New Helpline for Filipino OFWs Affected by Japan New Year Day Earthquake According to Rappler's latest report, the Department of Migrant Workers launched a new hotline for overseas Filipino workers. This helpline is specifically for affected Filipinos residing in Japan, as well as for their families. DMW said they can use the new helpline to seek assistance or information. If you're one of the affected Filipinos or have a relative living in the mentioned affected prefectures above, here are the DMW-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Japan help desk numbers you can call: +632-1348 (from abroad) 1348 (for local) Aside from the contact numbers above, you can also call the numbers for the DMW-Migrant Workers Office-Osaka hotline below: +81 7024474016 +81 7022756082 The latest effort of the Department of Migrant Workers is a big deal for OFWs in Japan and for their families. This is because the Philippines is considered to be the 4th largest group of foreign residents in Japan. The Philippine Embassy in Japan's latest data showed that there are around 290,000 Filipinos living in this Asian country. Read Also: 7.5 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Mindanao in Southern Philippines, Triggers Tsunami Alert Across Pacific Hotlines for Americans in Japan During Natural Disasters The U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Japan provided the emergency contact numbers that Americans and other travelers can rely on during natural disasters and other emergencies. "An emergency phone call can be made free of charge from any phone, including public pay phones in Japan," said the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Japan via its official website. If you're an American, here are the emergency numbers you can call during times of disasters: Police - Dial 110 Fire - Dial 119 Ambulance - Dial 119 Aside from these, there are also specific emergency contact numbers that Americans can call to seek assistance or information from the U.S. Embassy and consulates in Tokyo, Sapporo, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Naha: Tokyo Tel: (03) 3224-5000 / DSN 224-5000 switchboard From the U.S.: 011-81-3-3224-5000 Sapporo Tel: (011) 641-1115 From the U.S.: 011-81-11-641-1115 Nagoya Tel. (052) 581-4501 Osaka Tel: (06) 6315-5900 From the U.S.: 011-81-6-6315-5900 Fukuoka Tel: (092) 751-9331 From the U.S.: 011-81-92-751-9331 Naha Tel: (098) 876-4211 From the U.S.: 011-81-98-876-4211 Fax: (098) 876-4243 Related Article: Magnitude 7.5 Earthquake Strikes Japan on New Year's Day, Triggering Tsunami, Evacuation Warning BOURNE About two dozen families were packed onto a bus, along with their belongings, and transferred from the area after staying at the Eastern Inn for roughly three months, according to front desk clerk David Patel. The 30 rooms that were occupied remain empty, said Patel. "They were good here," he said. "We had zero problems with them. No trouble at all." Hotel staff was informed around Dec. 1 by the state that the group would be leaving Dec. 14, Patel said. Families sheltered at the Eastern Inn were comprised of migrant families and long-term Massachusetts residents. The same goes for families that are currently being housed throughout the state, according to Noah Bombard, a spokesperson for state Executive of Housing and Livable Communities. Statewide, about half the families in state shelter systems are long term Mass residents, not new arrivals, said Bombard. The Eastern Inn "will no longer serve as a supplemental shelter site," said Kevin Connor, press secretary for the state agency. Connor said 26 families were moved from the Eastern Inn. For confidentiality reasons, Connor said he couldn't share the current location of families. But the Eastern Inn, said Bourne Town Manager Marlene McCollum, will continue to operate with an inn holder's license. State officials have moved 26 migrant families and long-term state residents from the Eastern Inn in Bourne after a three-month stay. Migrant families and others housed in shelters are being moved to sites that provide more services, according to a state official. How many shelter sites remain on Cape Cod? With the departure of families from Eastern Inn in Bourne, migrant families and state residents remain housed at a Yarmouth hotel and on Joint Base Cape Cod, according to state Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Truro. Why were families moved out of the Eastern Inn? Families were to be transferred from the Eastern Inn to consolidate supplemental shelter sites, according to an email sent by Gov. Maura Healey's office to McCollum on Dec. 1. McCollum provided the email to the Times. State Sen. Susan Moran, D-Falmouth, was also notified but deferred to Healey's office when asked for comment by the Times. State Rep. Steven Xiarhos, R-Barnstable, did not return calls or emails seeking comment. In addition to people who were sheltered at Eastern Inn, other families across the state were reshuffled for the same reason, said Bombard. "We are moving families towards shelters that have providers on site," said Bombard. "The Eastern Inn didn't have an on-site provider." What is an on-site provider? On-site providers, said Bombard, are nonprofits or other organizations that provide services or facilitate services such as booking and paying for hotel rooms to shelter families. The providers are eventually reimbursed by the state, he said. In some situations, the state pays shelters for hotel and motel rooms directly, said Bombard. In most instances, shelter sites give the state as many rooms as they can spare. The demand for emergency assistance has rapidly expanded over the past year, and the state continues to set up short-term hotel shelter sites, said Emergency Assistance Director General Scott Rice in a statement provided to the Times by Bombard. "We are now in a position where we can transition some of these sites into new, larger sites to facilitate better coordination and delivery of wraparound services," said Rice. Staff is also working to ensure continuity of education, medical care and other services for families that are being sheltered, and support for impacted communities, said Rice. Are towns financially impacted by the sheltered families? In an Aug. 28 letter to Healey, Xiarhos voiced his opposition to sheltering migrants on Joint Base Cape Cod and area hotels and motels. A number of local officials, Xiarhos said in the letter, complained to him about the ongoing effects of housing migrants on the Cape. Stuart Daniels, Xiarhos' legislative aide, verified the letter and said Xiarhos "firmly stands by the letter" he sent to Healey. Towns in his area, Xiarhos said in the letter, find themselves under-prepared and inadequately equipped to deal with an influx of migrant families who need housing, food, clothing, and resources like health care and education. But the state, said Bombard, has already agreed to help towns with resources, and will reimburse municipalities for any costs associated with education for sheltered families. "That money isn't immediate, but that's happening," said Bombard. Healey signed a $3.1 billion spending bill on Dec. 4, which allotted $250 million to the emergency shelter system. Part of that funding will also be allocated to state-funded food benefits for migrants who are in the U.S. legally, but who aren't citizens. The benefits expansion will cost about $6 million, which advocates say will last seven months. Yarmouth town manager says fears didn't come to fruition On Sept. 11, Yarmouth Town Administrator Robert Whritenour said six migrant families were placed at Yarmouth Resorts for shelter. Families were later moved to Harborside Suites because of code violations at Yarmouth Resorts. There are now 21 families at Harborside Suites, and they hold 25 rooms and 35 children were entered into the Yarmouth school system. While many residents felt fear and anxiety at the arrival of the migrants, Whritenour said the almost four-month stay in Yarmouth hasn't resulted in any financial strain on the town. Issues associated with national policies on immigration, during an election year, helped to spread additional fervor and concern, he said. "The fear was about communicable diseases, education, and about crime a wide range of topics," he said. "But none of those fears ever came to fruition. There hasn't been any widespread impact on the community." It's actually the families who are being sheltered that should be concerned, said Whritenour. The facility, and the location of housing, is problematic, he said. Not only because long-term stays violate zoning bylaws, but also because a motel room "isn't a pleasant living condition for young families." The on-site provider at Harborside Suites is the Massachusetts Army National Guard, according to a Yarmouth town document. Has crime been an issue? Since families moved to Harborside Suites, Cyr said he hasn't heard of any rising crime at the shelter location. "I've spoken to Chief Kevin Lennon several times and there's been no increase in calls for service related to the facility," said Cyr. "I dont think they have had any calls for service, other than one call initially for a health-related issue." Questions about TB: 'Not one single report.' Yarmouth town leader says no active TB cases in migrant housing Brandon Esip, chief of police in Bourne, also said officers haven't noticed a significant change in service calls surrounding the Eastern Inn. "Without taking a deep dive into statistical information, I can say that there hasn't been any significant peaks or drops associated with that address," Esip said. Consolidation effort praised While Whritenour hasn't received any kind of notification from the state, he remains hopeful that families in Yarmouth will be placed in better suited living quarters soon. "That was the goal of the program all along," said Whritenour. "It's encouraging seeing the consolidation program initiated in Bourne. We hope the Yarmouth location will also be subject to similar consolidation soon." Rachael Devaney writes about community and culture. Reach her at rdevaney@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter: @RachaelDevaney. 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: 26 families head off Cape in shelter consolidation effort by state Two people died Sunday in separate car crashes in the Kansas City area, police said. A two vehicle crash at North 70th Street and Parallel Parkway in Kansas City, Kansas, before 3:30 p.m. killed one person while leaving another in critical condition and a third with life threatening injuries. KCK police did not provide detailed information on the victims or the cause of the crash. They said the incident is under investigation. Overnight a driver died when, Kansas City police said, a white Subaru WRX hit the center guard rail crash cushion while driving at a high rate of speed north on 71 Highway near Truman Road. The car overturned and the driver, the only person in the car, was declared dead at the scene. The highway was closed for more than two hours after the crash but has since reopened. Police are still investigating. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) Two Norfolk naval ships responded to a second distress call made by the MAERSK HANGZHOU container ship, according to U.S. Central Commands social media post. Previous Coverage: Norfolk naval ship shoots down two anti-ship ballistic missiles attacking foreign merchant vessel Less than 24 hours since its initial distress call, the MAERSK HANGZHOU issued a second distress call as it was under attack by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats, on Dec. 31 around 6:30 a.m., Sanaa time. The small boats, originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, fired weapons at the MAERSK HANGZHOU, getting within 20 meters of the vessel, and attempted to board the vessel. A contract embarked security team on the MAERSK HANZGHOU returned fire. U.S. helicopters from the USS EISENHOWER and USS GRAVELY responded to the distress call and in the process of issuing verbal calls to the small boats, the small boats fired upon the U.S. helicopters with crew served weapons and small arms. The U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire, and sank three of the four small boats, killing the crews. The fourth boat fled the area. There was no damage to U.S. personnel or equipment. Keep up to date with the latest news on WAVY.com. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Ukraine downed nine of the 10 Shahed drones and one Kh-59 missile launched by Russia in the afternoon of Jan. 1, the Air Force reported. The attack reportedly began at around 2 p.m. local time with 10 Shahed-135/131 drones from the north. Russian forces also launched a Kh-59 guided missile which was shot down over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Moscow launched a massive drone strike across Ukraine on New Years Eve that continued into New Years Day. Four homes and four cars were damaged in Kyiv Oblast due to debris from intercepted Russian drones. Air defenses engaged drones in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast and at least two civilians died of injuries after a Russian Shahed drone hit a two-story residential building in Sumy Oblast. The Russians also fired missiles, shells, and unguided rockets at multiple cities and villages, including in Kherson and Kharkiv Oblasts in the past 24 hours. Read also: Putin promises to intensify attacks on Ukraine in response to Belgorod strike Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraines air defense shot down a Russian Kh-59 guided missile over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, the East Air Command reported on Jan 1. Air sirens sounded as Ukraine's military warned about the movement of a Russian missile at 4:54 p.m. local time. Journalists from the Ukrainian media Suspilne reported hearing an explosion, after which the East Air Command confirmed that a missile had been shot down at 5:44 p.m. The attack followed a massive drone strike across Ukraine on New Years Eve that continued into New Years Day. Four homes and four cars were damaged in Kyiv Oblast due to debris from intercepted Russian drones. Air defenses engaged drones in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast and at least two civilians died of injuries after a Russian Shahed drone hit a two-story residential building in Sumy Oblast. The Russians also fired missiles, shells and unguided rockets at multiple cities and villages, including in Kherson and Kharkiv Oblasts in the past 24 hours. On Dec. 29, Russia conducted the largest single massive attack since the start of the full-scale invasion, killing at least 39 people. Read also: Bild: Russia may attempt to attack Europe next winter, European intelligence source says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. (Reuters) -Ukraine's shelling of the city of Donetsk on Monday killed four people, a Russian-installed official in the eastern region of Ukraine said, while Russia's air attacks on several Ukrainian regions killed at least one person, local officials said. Thirteen people were also injured in "heavy shelling" by Ukrainian forces on the centre of Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, the head of the Donetsk region, wrote on the Telegram messaging app. In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry called the shelling of Donetsk a "terrorist act" that it said was aimed at civilian infrastructure. Separately, a person was killed by shelling in the Russian border region of Belgorod, the local governor said on Telegram. On the Ukrainian side, one person was killed and nine injured in a Russian drone attack on the southern port of Odesa, Oleh Kiper, governor of the region, said on Telegram. Kiper said that falling debris from drones that were shot down caused several fires in residential buildings in different parts of the city. A social media video, posted by Odesa Mayor Henadii Trukhanov, showed him inspecting a damaged apartment building with broken windows. "They say that how you welcome the New Year is how you will live the year," Trukhanov said in a post. "Well, this year Ukraine will break this rule: we will persevere and we will win." Officials in Ukraine's western region of Lviv, which borders Poland, said that an early New Year's Day Russian air attack damaged a university building in the city of Dubliany and damaged a monument to a 1940s commander of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) on the outskirts of the city of Lviv. Ukraine's air force said that Russia's air attack also targeted the Mykolaiv and Dnipro regions. Reuters could not independently verify the Russian and Ukrainian reports. Both sides deny targeting civilians in the war that started with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. (Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; editing by Lisa Shumaker, Kim Coghill and Jason Neely) Ukrainian air defence forces shot down 9 out of 10 Russian drones during the afternoon attack on Monday, 1 January. Source: Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Quote: "At about 14:00 on 1 January 2024, Russian invaders launched 10 assault UAVs of the Shahed-136/131 type from the north. Air defence destroyed nine enemy Shahed drones. One Kh-59 guided aircraft missile was also destroyed in the eastern direction." Background: An air-raid warning was issued in the city of Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast. Reportedly, air defence forces were downing Russian drones. The Russians launched a record number of Shahed attack UAVs on Ukraine on the night of 31 December-1 January. The Ukrainian air defence forces managed to down 87 out of 90 of them. Support UP or become our patron! (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russian forces are suffering heavy losses and the notion that Moscow is winning the nearly two-year-old war is only a "feeling" not based on reality. "Thousands, thousands of killed Russian soldiers, nobody even took them away," he told The Economist magazine in an interview published on Monday, referring to fighting around the besieged eastern town of Avdiivka which he visited last week. He provided no evidence to back up his assertion but Western military analysts agree Russia is paying a heavy price in men and equipment for relatively minor gains in eastern and southern Ukraine. There was no response to a request for comment from Russian officials on Zelenskiy's remarks. Russian officials have said Western estimates of Russian death tolls are vastly exaggerated and almost always underestimate Ukrainian losses. Russian President Vladimir Putin said last month Russia's position was improving and it would not stop what he calls the "special military operation" until its objectives, including Ukraine's "denazification, demilitarisation and its neutral status", have been achieved. Russian officials have dismissed as a failure a Ukrainian counteroffensive launched in mid-2023 in the east and south. Zelenskiy acknowledged that the counteroffensive backed by advanced Western weapons may not have succeeded "as the world wanted. Maybe not everything is as fast as someone imagined." In contrast, he hailed the "huge result" of Ukrainian forces breaking through a Russian Black Sea blockade, enabling grain exports by way of a new route along its southern coast. If Ukraine lost the war, he said, Russia would be encouraged to advance against other countries because "Putin feels weakness like an animal, because he is an animal. He senses blood, he senses his strength." MOBILISING UKRAINE AND THE WORLD With support for Ukraine facing obstacles in the United States and European Union, more needed to be done to persuade the world that defending Ukraine meant defending the world, Zelenskiy said. "Maybe something is missing. Or maybe someone is missing," he told the magazine. "Someone who can talk about Ukraine as a defence of all of us." Zelenskiy acknowledged that "mobilisation of Ukrainian society and of the world" that was so strong at the start of Russia's invasion is not there anymore. Ukraine saw tens of thousands of men volunteer to fight in the first months of Russia's invasion, but that enthusiasm has waned 22 months later. "That needs to change," he said. "Mobilisation is not just a matter of soldiers going to the front. It is about all of us. It is the mobilisation of all efforts. This is the only way to protect our state and de-occupy our land." Zelenskiy has embarked on a flurry of international trips trying to shore up Western support. At home, he has repeatedly urged Ukrainians to do their duty. "Victory is not received or granted, it is gained," Zelenskiy said in his New Year message to Ukrainians. "And to this end, today we have to live by the rule: you either work or you fight." A draft law that proposed lowering the mobilisation age to 25 from 27 has sparked controversy. Russia has said it is ready for peace talks if Ukraine takes account of "new realities", suggesting an acknowledgement that Russia controls about 17.5 percent of Ukrainian territory. Zelenskiy rejected any notion that Moscow was interested in talks, pointing to its repeated waves of aerial strikes. Russia would only agree to a pause in fighting if it needed a break to replenish its army, he said. (Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Stephen Coates) Ukrainian troops recreated a classic scene from a 19th Century painting. The iconic painting and the new artwork based on it portray Ukraine's refusal to give up. Yet the painting that depicts Ukrainian identity is held in a Russian museum. Ukrainian warriors gathered round a wood table laugh as they one-up each other's insults in writing a reply to the leader of an invading empire. This is the classic scene of a 19th Century painting that a Paris-born artist recently recreated with the help of Ukrainian troops now battling the Russian troops who invaded their country. These troops, from the 112th Territorial Defense Brigade, traded the muskets and shashka sabres of Ilya Repin's painting for the tools of their war: assault rifles, extra magazine clips, slung anti-tank missiles, MOLLE vests and packs. A small drone, one of the war's marquee weapons, hovers in the smoky sky. This tableau, entitled "From far away, I hear the Cossacks' reply" (2023), is the creation of artist Emeric Lhuisset, who was reminded of Repin's masterpiece after hearing how a Ukrainian guard on Snake Island replied to a Russian ultimatum at the war's start in February 2022: "Russian warship, go fuck yourself." In fact, the guard who said this, Roman Hrybov, posed in Lhuisset's image; he's in the center of the image, a helmet-clad soldier with a beard who smirks while looking to his left as he crouches over the table. He's in the same place as the Cossack hetman who dictates the letter in Repin's painting. Lhuisset told Business Insider that the image includes real weapons and was taken along the Dnipro river. Lhuisset's artwork is a homage to "Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks" by Ilya Repin (1880-1891). Ilya Repin/The Yorck Project The Kharkiv-born Repin depicted a scene based on a legend of how Cossack warriors, in what is now southern Ukraine, replied to the surrender ultimatum from a Turkish sultan; there's some debate over whether the Cossacks really wrote a letter to the sultan around 1676. His painting, "Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks" (1880-1891), captures an essential element of Ukraine's identity: its refusal to submit. It also embodies, to Lhuisset, the cultural appropriation at the heart of Russian President Vladimir Putin's war of conquest. "Yet this painting, so important in the Ukrainian national narrative, is in the collections of the Museum of Russian Art in Saint Petersburg," Lhuisset wrote in an statement introducing the artwork. "This appropriation of Ukrainian history by Russia is essential, as demonstrated by the text of 50,000 characters written in July 2021 by Vladimir Putin, explaining that Ukraine is merely an artificial Soviet creation." Lhuisset, at right, worked with Ukrainian troops for his 2023 artwork. OLEG PALCHYK In another echo of the Repin painting, the Zaporizhia region is divided between Ukrainian and Russian forces and was one of the fulcrums of Ukraine's counter-offensive this year to break Russia's grip on the country's south. This war has come at enormous cost to both nations: Russia has suffered an estimated 315,000 troops killed and injured, while a much smaller Ukraine has experienced an estimated 170,000 casualties. And yet Ukrainians refuse to relent. "Culture," Lhuisset noted, "is a weapon in a vast battlefield, let's try not to forget it." Read the original article on Business Insider Megan Menchaca is a Houston Independent School District reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at megan.menchaca@houstonchronicle.com. Megan joined the Chronicle in 2023 after working as the higher education reporter for the Austin American-Statesman. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with degrees in journalism and government. The article describes the pivotal role of Ukraine's Bohdana Self-Propelled Howitzer in liberating Zmiinyi (Snake) Island in June 2022. Despite logistical and technological challenges, Ukrainian forces demonstrated resilience and resourcefulness in successfully carrying out a coordinated operation that rendered the Russian garrison on the island ineffective. Bohdana's victory has piqued the interest of top Ukrainian authorities, implying its possible relevance in future military endeavours. Serhii Myronov, a historian and writer from Kyiv, documented his transformative journey from cultural preservationist to frontline platoon commander. Published as a series of Instagram posts, Myronov's reflections provide a candid and intimate account of the emotional and physical toll of war. The collection captures the complexities of military life, from the camaraderie among soldiers to the impact on civilians and animals. Myronov's narrative, characterised by a blend of patriotism and raw introspection, stands as a compelling war diary, shedding light on the human side of the war and the profound personal changes experienced by those on the front lines. This heart-wrenching story delves into the aftermath of a Russian airstrike in Izium, Kharkiv Oblast, where the Perehon family loses seven members. The narrative follows Vitalii Perehon's struggles, from grappling with fragmented remains to navigating bureaucratic hurdles for a proper burial. Beyond the personal tragedy, the story emphasises the broader human cost of war and advocates for remembrance. It encapsulates the emotional journey of a grieving father, shedding light on the devastating impact on Ukrainian families entangled in the war. In this emotive piece prepared by the Memorial Memory Platform exclusively for Ukrainska Pravda, the deliberate obliteration of the Kakhovka HPP dam in Kherson Oblast by Russian military forces on 6 June 2023, takes centre stage. Through individual chronicles, the article portrays the devastating human impact of the ensuing flood, highlighting personal challenges, resilience, and premature loss of life. The stories emphasise a stark contrast with the formally declared death toll, suggesting a far-reaching tragedy beyond what has been formally recognised. These personal accounts make a poignant appeal for recognition amid broader geopolitical tensions. Dive into the heart of Kramatorsk, a resilient Ukrainian city situated on the frontline, as depicted in this gripping article. Amidst the frequent air-raid sirens and the looming presence of military operations, the residents of Kramatorsk defy adversity with an unyielding thirst for life. Meet compelling characters like Zhenia and Artur, each with their unique tales intertwined with the city's essence. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of the Ria Pizza restaurant, destroyed by a Russian missile in June 2023. Through vivid storytelling, the article captures the city's struggles and reveals the indomitable human spirit that persists, carving moments of normalcy amidst the chaos of war. Embark on an extraordinary journey with Conan, a legendary figure not only within his unit but echoing through the corridors of the Special Operations Forces. This riveting account, unveiled in an exclusive interview with Major Viktor Torkotiuk, unveils the incredible saga of Conan's 14-hour ordeal in the Black Sea, where he floated alone, vulnerable to Russian eyes. Conan's resilience, marked by self-sacrifice, the unbreakable bonds of military brotherhood, and the sheer strength of the human spirit, emerges as an inspirational lesson in unwavering determination. Explore the inspiring journey of Andrii Pilshchykov, known as "Juice," a devoted Ukrainian military pilot. This concise narrative encapsulates his passion for aviation, advocacy for F-16s, and the indomitable spirit that defined his life. Despite encountering challenges and choosing not to renew his contract, Andrii's legacy remains a testament to the bravery, resilience, and enduring heroism of the Ukrainian people. The text recounts the harrowing aftermath of a Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian village of Hroza, resulting in the loss of 52 innocent lives during a wake. As the community grapples with the tragedy, questions arise about Russia's silence and potential motives. The UN deems it the deadliest attack of the year, emphasising the pressing need for accountability amid the heartbreaking stories of families torn apart. In this narrative by Iryna Fingerova, readers are immersed in the intricate tapestry of human experience woven through the stories of Ukrainian refugees, focusing on the elderly in Germany. The text unravels the complex decisions, heart-rending struggles, and unyielding resilience of those caught between returning to a war-ravaged homeland or crafting new lives in a foreign land. Fingerova's storytelling masterfully depicts the core of these personal sagas, illustrating the human spirit's response to loss, fear, and the enduring pursuit of home. An engaging exploration of universal themes such as choice, identity, and the unwavering determination to find comfort amidst adversity. This riveting account unfolds the remarkable saga of Khokhol, a Ukrainian special unit Artan member, thrust into a life-or-death situation during a mission in Kupiansk. Separated from his comrades, Khokhol's indomitable spirit takes centre stage as he undertakes a gruelling three-day, two-night crawl through hostile territory, facing unimaginable challenges. Beyond the tale of military prowess, this narrative interweaves themes of love, survival, and the relentless human spirit. Khokhol's story, a fusion of suspense and unwavering courage, stands as a testament to the unyielding will to survive even in the bleakest moments, offering readers an intense and deeply human exploration of resilience amid adversity. Last January the US sent Ukraine more than $5 billion worth of supplies, including armoured vehicles, but a new aid package has stalled in the face of opposition from Republican politicians - JULIAN SIMMONDS FOR THE TELEGRAPH Ukraine faces the prospect of allowing its cities to be bombed by Russia this winter as missile supplies from the United States dry up. Experts warned that Ukraines air defences will be unable to repel all of Vladimir Putins winter bombing campaign, with the countrys military forced to choose which targets to defend. Joe Bidens administration has sent the last package of military aid available to the White House under a drawdown authority that allows the US to give Ukraine its own military supplies. White House officials had set a New Years Eve deadline for Congress to authorise a new package of military aid for Ukraine, but have faced opposition from Republican politicians who argue the money should be spent on domestic priorities, including border security. On Dec 27, the US sent a final shipment of military supplies worth $250 million (196 million), including air defence missiles to protect Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure from aerial bombardment by Russian forces. The Pentagon said it remains critical that Congress takes action as soon as possible in the new year to approve a $61 billion supplemental funding request to allow aid to continue, because Republicans and the White House were unable to agree a deal before Congresss Christmas break. Last January, the US sent Ukraine more than $5 billion worth of supplies, the largest donation in a single month since the war began. The package included the first supply of American armoured vehicles and air defence batteries to protect cities from Russian bombs. A second major package of $3 billion was sent in August, on Ukrainian independence day, to help boost supplies for the countrys autumn counteroffensive. Analysts have warned that European support will not be enough to allow Ukraine to defend all of its territory from Russia this winter forcing Volodymyr Zelensky to choose which civilian and military targets to save. There is particular concern about the supply of Patriot interceptor missiles, first supplied to Ukraine in April. There will be some systems where they will have to ration their ammunition even more than they are at the moment, said Jimmy Rushton, a Kyiv-based defence analyst. It could be a case that they have to just not engage some targets, because they dont have enough interceptors to go around. Thats obviously a horrible decision to have to make, but if you really believe that youre running out of missiles to engage incoming targets, youre going to have to ration them to protect the targets that you believe to be most important. Republicans have indicated they are still willing to discuss a deal on Ukraine funding with Mr Biden, but are pushing for a major investment in US border security in return for their support for the war. On Friday, the president warned that unless Congress takes urgent action in the new year, we will not be able to continue sending the weapons and vital air defence systems Ukraine needs to protect its people. Congress must step up and act without any further delay, he said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. A Colorado mother suspected of killing two of her young children and injuring a third was arrested Saturday in the United Kingdom, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department. Kimberlee Singlers 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son were found dead on Dec. 19 when police responded to a report of a burglary at their home. Police later said the report turned out to be unfounded. Singler, 35, initially cooperated with police but disappeared during the investigation, said Ira Cronin, spokesperson for the Colorado Springs Police Department. Authorities were unable to apprehend her after obtaining an arrest warrant Tuesday on charges of murder and attempted murder, among other allegations. Singler was not under surveillance and was last seen in Colorado Springs on Dec. 23, said Cronin. Authorities did not provide further details on the overseas arrest, but said they are working with multiple law enforcement agencies. Attempts to reach Singler for comment through phone numbers listed for her were unsuccessful. Cronin said he didnt know if she has an attorney. When police first responded to Singlers home, they found her with minor injuries, the two childrens bodies and Singlers 11-year-old daughter hurt. At first, Singler was treated as a burglary victim, said Cronin. The injured girl was hospitalized for a few days before being released and is recovering in Colorado Springs, said Cronin. The childrens deaths came amid an ongoing legal battle between Singler and her ex-husband over parenting time and other issues, according to court filings. Bedayn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. By Ahmed Aboulenein WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier will return to its home port, the U.S. Navy said on Monday, ending its deployment to the eastern Mediterranean, which started in support of Israel after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants. The nuclear-powered Ford, the Navy's newest carrier with over 4,000 personnel and eight squadrons of aircraft, became a powerful symbol of American support by rushing closer to Israel after the Palestinian militant group's attack. The attacks triggered a war in Gaza with Israeli forces reducing much of the territory to rubble, killing thousands and plunging its 2.3 million people into a humanitarian disaster. Israel says the Hamas attack killed 1,200 people. Palestinian health authorities in Hamas-run Gaza say Israeli forces have killed nearly 22,000 people. "Immediately following Hamas' brutal attack on Israel, the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group was ordered to the eastern Mediterranean to contribute to our regional deterrence and defense posture," the Navy said in a statement. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had extended the Ford's deployment three times in hopes that its presence would deter Iran and Iran-aligned groups, particularly Lebanon's Hezbollah, from attacking Israel. U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria have endured drone and rocket attacks by Iran-backed militia. Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen have disrupted global trade by attacking commercial tankers and container ships in the Red Sea with drones and missiles. "DoD (Department of Defense) will continue to leverage its collective force posture in the region to deter any state or non-state actor from escalating this crisis beyond Gaza," the Navy said. The Ford will return to its home base in Virginia. (Reporting by Ahmed Aboulenein; Editing by Bill Berkrot) By John Kruzel WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Artificial intelligence represents a mixed blessing for the legal field, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts said in a year-end report published on Sunday, urging "caution and humility" as the evolving technology transforms how judges and lawyers go about their work. Roberts struck an ambivalent tone in his 13-page report. He said AI had potential to increase access to justice for indigent litigants, revolutionize legal research and assist courts in resolving cases more quickly and cheaply while also pointing to privacy concerns and the current technology's inability to replicate human discretion. "I predict that human judges will be around for a while," Roberts wrote. "But with equal confidence I predict that judicial work - particularly at the trial level - will be significantly affected by AI." The chief justice's commentary is his most significant discussion to date of the influence of AI on the law, and coincides with a number of lower courts contending with how best to adapt to a new technology capable of passing the bar exam but also prone to generating fictitious content, known as "hallucinations." Roberts emphasized that "any use of AI requires caution and humility." He mentioned an instance where AI hallucinations had led lawyers to cite non-existent cases in court papers, which the chief justice said is "always a bad idea." Roberts did not elaborate beyond saying the phenomenon "made headlines this year." Last week, for instance, Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former fixer and lawyer, said in court papers unsealed last week that he mistakenly gave his attorney fake case citations generated by an AI program that made their way into an official court filing. Other instances of lawyers including AI-hallucinated cases in legal briefs have also been documented. A federal appeals court in New Orleans last moth drew headlines by unveiling what appeared to be the first proposed rule by any of the 13 U.S. appeals courts aimed at regulating the use of generative AI tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT by lawyers appearing before it. The proposed rule by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals would require lawyers to certify that they either did not rely on artificial intelligence programs to draft briefs or that humans reviewed the accuracy of any text generated by AI in their court filings. (Reporting by John Kruzel with additional reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; editing by Grant McCool) On New Years Day in 2023, Cohasset mother Ana Walshe was expected to commute to Washington, D.C., where she worked as regional general manager at the real estate firm Tishman Speyer. She never made it to the nations Capitol, where she owned a second home. The 39-year-old Walshe, a glamorous Serbian immigrant and married mother of three young boys who sought the American Dream, went missing on Jan. 1, hours after she celebrated New Years Eve with friends and family. It was the last time the petite brunette was seen alive. Her husband, Brian Walshe, is accused of dismembering his wife with a hacksaw and disposing of her remains, after using his sons iPad to Google the best ways to get rid of a body, among a slew of other incriminating searches. Her body has never been found. Ana Walshe In March, a Norfolk County grand jury indicted Brian on charges of murder, misleading a police investigation, and improper conveyance of a human body in the death of Ana. Prosecutors have alleged that Brian killed his wife in their Cohasset home on New Years Day, dismembered her body, and dumped her remains at multiple transfer stations. The couples three young boys were reportedly home at the time. 25 Investigates: Piecing together Brian Walshes alleged whereabouts the week Ana disappeared Results from DNA analysis conducted by an independent laboratory are expected to be discussed on Jan. 23 during Brian Walshes pretrial hearing. The hearing was postponed after both prosecutors and the defense team were still awaiting the new DNA results. Ana Walshes friends prepare for gruesome details in husbands murder arraignment Brian Walshe, the husband of Ana Walshe Ana Walshe, a real estate professional, shown in undated photo at a property in Baltimore, Maryland. (Instagram) Brian Walshe kisses his new bride, Ana Walshe, on their wedding day. (Facebook photo) Ana Walshe and her husband Brian Walshe Ana Walshe Ana Walshe Ana Walshe Ana Walshe and her husband Brian Walshe Ana Walshe Police investigating the area near Ana Walshe's home Police investigating the area near Ana Walshe's home Police investigating Ana Walshe's home Police investigating outside of Ana Walshe's Cohasset home Police investigating Ana Walshe's home The pool that was drained outside the Walshe home Brian Walshe spotted at juice bar day after wife disappears The dumpsters taken away from Brian Walshe's mothers apartment. Taken to Peabody for investigation Brian Walshe appears in court for allegedly misleading police Authorities search North Shore dumpster station for evidence in disappearance of Ana Walshe Investigators suspect that Anas discarded remains may have been incinerated in a trash facility. Investigators scoured a nearby dumpster transfer station, where a hacksaw and a blood-soaked rug believed to contain biological evidence were recovered. Other evidence was said to be collected from 10 trash bags that were disposed of in a dumpster at the Swampscott apartment complex of Brian Walshes mother. Some of that evidence included a piece of a necklace that Ana had been wearing, a Prada purse, a COVID vaccine card with her name, and other items containing both Brian and Anas DNA. After the alleged murder, Brian made more than a dozen disturbing Google searches on his sons iPad, including 10 ways to dispose of a dead body if you really need to and how to stop a body from decomposing, prosecutors said. 25 Investigates: Brian Walshes damaging digital footprint, according to prosecutors Brian Walshe told police Ana was supposed to take a rideshare to Logan Airport on New Years Day to fly to Washington, D.C., where she owns a home. Police said there is no evidence Ana got into a rideshare or that she boarded any flights. A Cohasset Police log indicates that Anas employer, Tishman Speyer, contacted the police before Brian Walshe. Below is a timeline of events as they unfolded last January, as the murder case continues: Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023 -- Cohasset Police Chief William Quigley reports that the Cohasset Police Department is seeking the publics assistance in locating Ana Walshe. Friday, Jan. 6, 2023 -- A State Police Special Emergency Response Team and a local regional police team begin a search of an area adjacent to Chief Justice Cushing Highway for evidence in connection with the case. Friday, Jan. 6, 2023 -- Firefighters battled fire at Anas former home at 725 Jerusalem Road. The blaze was deemed nonsuspicious. Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023 -- A ground search of the area around Walshes home concluded when 20 troopers from the MSP Special Emergency Response Team, three K9 teams, and the State Police Air Wing searched the area around Walshes home, state police said. Investigators also drained the pool at Walshes home and searched a nearby stream. Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023 -- The search for Ana shifted to the nations capital, where she works as a real estate professional and owns a second home in Washington D.C. Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023 -- Brian Walshe, 46, of Cohasset, is arrested and charged with misleading an investigation into Anas disappearance after detectives search the home he shared with her and three young children. Monday, Jan. 9, 2023 -- Brian Walshe is arraigned in Quincy District Court and prosecutors announce the discovery of a bloody knife in the basement of Anas home. He was ordered held on $500,000 bail. Monday, Jan. 9, 2023 -- A law enforcement source confirmed an active search of the Republic Services trash transfer station at 300 Forest Street in Peabody also connected to the disappearance of Ana Walshe. 25 Investigates has learned investigators have impounded two 48-foot trash trailers from Shawn Harris Enterprises of Cohasset over the weekend. Monday, Jan. 9, 2023 -- Boston 25 has learned about a recent letter Ana Walshe sent to a federal judge back in June 2022 on behalf of her husband, Brian Walshe. Ana showed support for her husband ahead of his sentencing while he had been on home confinement for federal charges dated to 2018. Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023 -- The Norfolk District Attorneys Office announced the discovery of a number of items following the search of Republic Services in Peabody. A source told Boston 25 that those items are linked to Ana Walshe. Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023 -- Multiple sources tell 25 Investigates that cutting instruments, including a hacksaw and a rug believed to contain biological evidence, were recovered by police investigating the disappearance of Ana Walshe, a mother of three from Cohasset. Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023 -- Investigators said the search and processing of the familys Cohasset home was completed in the afternoon and police have departed that scene. Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023 -- State police have collected surveillance video of Brian Walshe near a Swampscott liquor store dumpster the day of his wifes disappearance, sources told Boston 25 News. Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023 -- 25 Investigates learned the deed from the sale of a Revere condo owned by Ana Walshe was recorded by the Suffolk County Registry of Deeds on December 29. Authorities say, Walshe, a real estate agent, went missing from her Cohasset home around the 1st or 2nd of January. Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023 -- Two friends of Ana Walshe make a plea to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families about the missing mothers three sons. They said theyre worried that the children could potentially be separated on top of what theyve already been through over the last 11 days. Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023 -- Religious leaders in the Town of Cohasset hold a vigil in the town common to bring the community together to pray for Ana and her family after a difficult week. Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023 -- In a police report Boston 25 Reporter Bob Ward obtained, reveals deep relationship trouble before Ana and Brian were engaged. According to this public incident report, Ana Knipp (her maiden name), told DC Metro police that Brian Walshe, made a statement over the telephone that he was going to kill her, and her friends. Ana never cooperated with DC Metro Police, Brian Walshe was never charged, and the case was closed. Friday, Jan. 13, 2023 -- 25 Investigates has learned search warrants related to the disappearance of Ana Walshe have been returned to Quincy District Court. The warrants are impounded. Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023 -- Cohasset Police Department released Brian Walshes booking photo from last week when he was arrested for misleading police in his wifes suspicious disappearance. Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023 -- A Cohasset Police log indicates that Anas employer, Tishman Speyer, contacted the police before her husband Brian Walshe. Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023 -- Lynn police released a pair of booking photos of Brian Walshe that were taken at the Lynn Police Department after federal agents raided his home back in May 2018. Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023 -- The husband of Ana Walshe, a mother of three who vanished earlier this month, is now facing a murder charge in connection with his wifes death, according to Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023 -- Brian Walshe was arraigned on a murder charge in connection with the death of Ana. Prosecutors allege Walshe dismembered his wife and disposed of her remains. They also say Walshe used his sons iPad to go online the day of her disappearance, searching such phrases as 10 ways to dispose of a body if you really need to, How long before a body starts to smell?, and How to get blood out of a wooden floor? Ana Walshe told D.C. police Brian Walshe threatened to kill her back in 2014 It shattered our little idyllic town: Prayer vigil in Cohasset as search for Ana Walshe continues 25 Investigates: Sale of Ana Walshes Revere condo recorded days before her disappearance Ana Walshe reveals more about her husband Brian in a letter she wrote to a federal judge last June 25 Investigates: Trash trailers impounded in connection to missing Cohasset woman investigation Everything is a mystery: Concern growing for missing Cohasset mom in her home country of Serbia Missing Cohasset mother: Everything you need to know as investigation continues The Walshe children remain in DCF custody after their father is charged with mothers murder List of 21 Google searches Brian Walshe allegedly made before, after his wifes death Brian Walshe: How investigators use digital evidence to crack complicated cases This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro ordered the mobilization of more than 5,600 troops in response to the deployment of a British warship to the coast of Guyana as tensions emerged over oil-rich territory. File photo by Rayner Pena / EPA-EFE Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro ordered the mobilization of more than 5,600 troops in response to the deployment of a British warship to the coast of Guyana as tensions emerged over the oil-rich territory. The dispatch of the vessel was seen as a signal of support for the former British colony, prompting the Venezuelan ruler to put his military on high alert "in response to the provocation and threat of the UK against peace and the sovereignty of our country," Maduro said. "It is the breaking of the spirit of dialogue, diplomacy and peace of the agreements," Maduro said last week after he learned about the ship's deployment, calling it "practically a military threat from London." In a televised address, Maduro said he directed the Bolivarian national armed forces to take joint defensive actions off the coast of Essequibo, but he did not offer details about the mobilization. "We believe in diplomacy, in dialogue, in peace," Maduro said. "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 said. On Dec. 24, the British Ministry of Defense announced the deployment of the patrol vessel HMS Trent to Guyana as part of a series of engagements in the region, but did not mention the ongoing dispute between the South American neighbors. The controversy erupted after Maduro announced a plan to tap natural oil reserves in the Essequibo region, which is commonly acknowledged as land belonging to Guyana. However, Venezuela renewed its claim to the 62,000 square mile area following major discoveries of oil and gas in recent years. The dispute heated up recently after Venezuelans voted in favor of turning the Essequibo region into a new state for Venezuela, while also passing a measure to block the international court of justice from intervening. Earlier this month, Guyana and Venezuela signed an agreement to avoid a military conflict in light of the elevated tensions. Photo: Ukrainska Pravda source During the first remote maritime operation of the Defence Forces, uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) were personally operated by Vice Admiral Oleksii Neizhpapa, Commander of the Navy. Source: an article by Ukrainska Pravda (English translation to follow shortly) Details: By September 2022, the first group of drones and the team that took them to Sevastopol were ready. But due to disagreements with Elon Musk, who did not allow the use of his technology to attack Crimea, the first mission failed. The team realised that the vessel had to have several different communication channels to avoid such troubles in the future. The latest modifications of the drones now have three redundant communication systems. In the autumn of 2022, the Russians began largely firing Kalibr cruise missiles from their ships in the Black Sea. So the Defence Forces were instructed to find a way to destroy or at least damage the Russian missile launchers. On the night of 28-29 October 2022, all the prerequisites were in place: the vessels were modified, the weather was fine at sea, and the team was ready to sail to Crimea. Four vessels went directly to Sevastopol, and three vessels were sent south of the peninsula, where the newest frigate, Admiral Makarov, was on the raid. This ship became the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet after the sinking of the Moskva. One Ukrainian vessel managed to choose the right trajectory and crashed into the frigate's right side. The flagship's crew was completely unprepared for the attack and panicked and headed for Sevastopol Bay. At this point, two more vessels were chasing the ship, but due to the large waves, they could not catch up and simply accompanied it towards the shore. But the Makarov could not get away either, because after the attack, half of its engines were not working. At this time, another group of Ukrainian USVs managed to enter Striletska Bay, but was immediately attacked from the shore. The Russians were preparing, so when the USVs squeezed into the bay, a huge searchlight flashed and the vessels were fired upon. Fortunately, the Ivan Golubets trawler was right in front of the Ukrainian vessel. As soon as the operators saw it on the screen, they immediately received the command to attack, and the Ivan Golubets received 108 kilograms of explosives. At that moment, other USVs hit an oil tanker station. While this battle was going on, the damaged Admiral Makarov sailed to Striletska Bay. The Russian coastal artillery, without figuring everything out, fired at its own flagship, which retaliated too. While the Russians were shooting at each other, the rest of the USVs broke through into Sevastopol Bay. At that point, the Russians had switched on all their electronic warfare capabilities, the GPS signal had disappeared, and communication with the USVs was minimal. The only system that allowed Ukrainians to navigate everything was the direct optical channel on the vessels. "And then Vice Admiral Neizhpapa personally began to control every metre of the vessels passage. He is from Sevastopol; he grew up there, served all his life, and knows every corner of those bays. And one vessel was taken to the Southern Bay, the second to the Northern Bay, and the third to the Oil Bay," says one of the participants in that operation, who watched everything in the command bunker. One USV managed to swim between the two patrol ships, Ladny and Admiral Essen, and damage both. However, the damage was minor. "This was the first ever remote naval operation. Surface vessels received their baptism of fire. But it was then that we realised that they had to be bigger and carry more explosives to be effective," one of the members of the development team told Ukrainska Pravda. Support UP or become our patron! MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) Maryland State Police (MSP) said a man was hit and killed on I-270 early in the morning on New Years Day. MSP said the crash happened shortly before 5 a.m. on I-270 before Old Georgetown Road. Police believe that Caesar Adigwe Jr., 36, of Spotsylvania, Va., pulled his car over on the shoulder of the road and was trying to put gas into his car when a car hit him. Police: Intoxicated man stepped into traffic, hit by car in Alexandria Adigwe was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died. The driver of the Nissan stayed at the scene. Once MSP finishes its investigation, it will send its findings over to the Montgomery County States Attorneys Office, which will then decide whether or not charges should be filed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Harris County Eviction Diversion Facilitator Loreta Kovacic observes as Lone Star Legal Aid attorney Benjamin Daily and Intake Supervisor Deanna Sline provide free legal assistance to a visitor outside the court Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer When Samyia Kizzee stepped out of the elevator Dec. 20 to report for her eviction hearing, she was greeted by a smiling, mauve-haired woman. Hi! said Loreta Kovacic. She wore a necklace shaped like an anatomical heart and held a clipboard filled with resources. Im the eviction diversion facilitator. Its a brand-new position in Harris County Justice of the Peace Courts, part of a nationwide push by the National Center for State Courts to rethink how courts approach eviction. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kovacic, who quickly explained to Kizzee that she might qualify for free legal aid and job training, works in Judge Steve Duble's courthouse downtown. The former educator began the position Dec. 4. Gregory Saez, her counterpart in Judge Dolores Lozano's Pasadena courthouse, began in October. He used to work with the nonprofit Alliance, which connected tenants and landlords in eviction court to rental assistance during the pandemic. As an eviction diversion facilitator, he now works directly for the courthouse as a way to have a bigger impact, he said. Evictions, across the nation and in Houston especially, reached what many called "crisis" levels before COVID-19. But it wasn't until the pandemic shut down businesses around the world, causing a historic spike in unemployment, that courts urgently began seeking innovative strategies to respond to the predicted surge of eviction filings, said Samira Nazem, the National Center for State Court's project lead for its eviction diversion initiative grant. In Texas, the state supreme court issued a series of emergency orders mandating judges allow legal aid into their courthouses. The National Center for State Courts, a professional organization, won a $10 million grant from Wells Fargo to help local courts across the country help tenants and landlords heading toward eviction. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Duble and Lozanos courtrooms in Harris County are part of the second cohort of courts to participate. The first, which started in 2022, has already led to innovative interventions, Nazem said. She had flown into Houston in late December to observe Duble and Lozanos eviction dockets and help point them to lessons learned in other courts. The Las Vegas Justice Court began automatically pairing eligible tenants with social workers before they go to court. They added questions to a mandatory eviction process form about each tenants financial situation and family composition. Visitors wait to chat with Lone Star Legal Aid Intake Supervisor Deanna Sline as she offers free legal assistance outside the Harris County Precinct 1, Place 2 Court Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer In Alaska, the eviction process was tweaked so that landlords are required to include an explanation of the eviction process and relevant resources when they post a notice to vacate. Once an eviction is filed, the landlord must provide a phone number and email address for the tenant so that resources can reach out. And if an eviction judgment is not reached, the case is not included in the public-facing case lookup website, so its less likely to be a roadblock when the tenant submits a rental application. Gregory Saez and Loreta Kovacic, Harris County's new eviction diversion facilitators, chat with Civic Heart community services program coordinator, Kira Promise, right, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, at the county annex in Houston. Civic Heart, which can connect tenants with free job training, is an example of the type of service provider Saez and Kovacic are bringing to their courthouses. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Judge Steven M. Double, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 2, chats with visitors from the National Center for State Courts outside the court Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. The center provided two Harris County courthouses with a grant to hire eviction diversion facilitators to help rethink how they approach eviction. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Harris County Precinct 1, Place 2 Eviction Diversion Facilitator, Loreta Kovacic, observes as Lone Star Legal Aid Intake Supervisor Deanna Sline provides free legal assistance to Samyia Kizzee outside the courtroom Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Part of our model is trying to encourage intervention as far upstream as possible, said Will Walker, an attorney working with the eviction diversion program in the Alaska Court System. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It provides more time to connect with resources, he said, and finding a non-eviction resolution can be easier before a case enters the legal system, where court and attorney fees can quickly mount. Carl Gershenson, one of the authors of a recent study by Princeton's Eviction Lab, agreed. The study showed evictions have a measurable impact on people's health people who faced eviction had a higher likelihood of dying soon after compared to those who didn't, even controlling for socioeconomic factors. A filing alone was associated with a 19% increase in mortality, and an eviction judgment was associated with a 40% increase. "You could imagine getting referrals from the medical community for people who would need help with housing issues," he said. The eviction diversion facilitators hired by Harris County start by connecting people with resources in the courtroom. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lone Star Legal Aid Intake Supervisor Deanna Sline provides legal assistance to Samyia Kizzee outside the Harris County Precinct 1, Place 2 Court Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer When Kizzee arrived at her eviction hearing, Kovacic pointed her to Benjamin Daily, a lawyer providing free services with Lone Star Legal Aid. She entered the courthouse unhappy with the condition of her apartment, for which she paid $2,000 a month, and ready to move. Soon, Daily was able to help Kizzee and her property manager agree on a settlement in which she would leave by a certain date in return for the eviction case being dropped. "I feel better now," she said as she left the courtroom. The settlement gave her enough time to move and allowed her to avoid a judgment on her record. Justin Lei, her property manager, also felt positive about the settlement. He was happy the lawyer had helped find a solution that worked for both parties. But he wondered if an earlier intervention might not have been better for all involved. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Why do we have to wait until they get to the courthouse before they do this? he asked. Its good, but its last minute. Volusia County is encouraging residents to participate in different volunteering opportunities in January. These events are sponsored by Green Volusia Volunteers and Be Floridian Now. The Tomoka Landfill tour and cleanup will teach you about the importance of trash disposal and participate in roadside cleanup. Read: New Oreo flavors are coming The event will be from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday Jan.12. Volunteers can meet at Tomoka Landfill, 1990 Tomoka Farms Road, Port Orange. Nature walk and cleanup will teach volunteers about the shorebirds, mangroves, invasive species and look for manatees at Mosquito lagoon. The volunteers will also help in a trash pick-up near the shore. Read: This Central Florida city will be hosting its first New Years festival The event will be at 10 a.m to noon on Friday Jan.16 Volunteers can meet at Riverbreeze Park, 250 H.H. Burch Road, Oak Hill. Read: New Japanese restaurant coming to Orlandos Mills 50 District Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A young soldier, one of our military escorts in Chasiv Yar, looking out into the destroyed theater in his hometown. David Graham and Allan Mestel stopped for a break on the side of the road near Donetsk, Ukraine, last summer when Graham pointed out a faded green piece of plastic remnants of an exploded land mine. It looks like a toy, Graham told Mestel, his colleague in the journalistic endeavor Portrait Ukraine 2023, which can be seen on the Spotlight Ukraine website. It looks like a toy; I was like 'Allan thats one, right here, Graham recalled. It was safe, it had already exploded but just this little piece of green plastic would take your foot off. Mestel added, I think that was one of the most dangerous aspects of what we were doing the whole time we were in Donetsk: there were signs up, Watch out for mines. Graham, 56, and Mestel, 61, both photographers from Sarasota, Florida, were in the midst of a three-week journey through Ukraine, as freelance journalists and documenting the war's impact. David Graham and Allan Mestel, local photographers based in the Sarasota-Bradenton area, have traveled to Ukraine several times since the Russian invasion. Both are rendering some aid to the Ukrainian people and documenting the ravages of war. They also sent regular dispatches to Spotlight Ukraine, a passion project website operated by Christine Mariconda, a marketing professional now based in Sarasota. At least 17 journalists have been killed in Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in February 2022, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Mestel and Graham have taken on the risk more than once. Their trip in late August and early September was Mestels third and Grahams second. Along the way, soldiers they traveled with were constantly urging the two men to stay on the paved areas. There were unexploded mines all over the place, Graham told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, part of the USA TODAY Network, adding, Somebody lobs a shell and all of a sudden, there's 200 more unexploded mines around. One of the more sobering instructions the two men received from their military escort was on the importance of having a tourniquet kit attached to their clothing. 'Make sure theyre somewhere you can reach them one-handed, with either hand,' they were told. A journey of 2,287 miles from Warsaw through Ukraine Mestel and Graham met through the Sarasota photographic community. Originally from Canada, Mestel started in advertising as a director and editor of TV commercials in Toronto. He frequently pursues documentary projects about the plight of refugees and immigration and co-founded the Sarasota-based nonprofit Streets of Paradise in 2018 along with his wife Robyn Richardson and community activist Greg Cruz. Graham, a computer specialist with the Sarasota County School District, is a popular wedding photographer and photography instructor Prior to their late summer trip, the two were talking and Mestel expressed an interest in getting closer to the conflict. He had this passion to go back, I was looking for a contract or something to go back or an excuse to go back, Graham said. This map illustrates the 2,287-mile journey local photographers David Graham and Allan Mestel took from Warsaw, Poland, through Ukraine last summer to document the impact of the war. In turn, Mestel said Grahams experience gave his wife Robyn a little more comfort that they would return home unharmed. While the trip was Mestels third to Ukraine after Russian troops invaded the country in February 2022, it was Mestels first time venturing close to the front lines of a conflict. Graham, who worked as a contractor for a number of federal agencies and commercial businesses, had previous exposure to a wartime environment in the Middle East. He also went to Ukraine in March 2023 to help the Ukrainian military with training. The concept was to go there and capture portrait-style images of people that were representative of the war in multiple situations civilians, military, first-responders, Mestel said. Anyone we ran into who was impacted significantly by the war I wanted to shoot portraits. Graham recorded the trip through roughly 100 hours of video and interviews that he plans to turn into a 60-minute documentary. Between Aug. 28 and Sept. 9, 2023, the two traveled 2,287 miles from Warsaw Poland, as far east as Kramatorsk, near the combat zone, and back to Warsaw. Mestels first trip to Ukraine in March 2022 and second trip that summer were both spent documenting the humanitarian efforts, mostly in western Ukraine. Salad, in the school he attended that was destroyed in a tank battle during the Battle of Kharkiv. Mariconda saw photos from Mestels July 2022 trip in a local magazine and reached out to him about working together. Mariconda wanted to do something for Ukraine, to keep the story in the public eye as the conflict receded from breaking news. That was the seed for Spotlight Ukraine, to share personal stories that would connect with people, Mariconda said. Ensuring awareness of the Ukraine war does not fade From Maricondas perspective, the stories Graham and Mestel can share help keep the victims in the public's consciousness. We would continue to share personal stories that would connect with people that as time goes on and the main news outlets lose focus and interest we would continue to share stories that would keep people engaged, she added. The website serves as a link to nonprofits funding the relief efforts in Ukraine. Mariconda saw a synergy between her goal and the work Mestel produced last year now known as Portrait Ukraine 2022. When Im shooting photo journalistically, Mestel said, I like to capture images that allow people to have an emotional connection with individuals. On Mestels first two trips, in March and July 2022, he was documenting the living conditions of refugees from fighting in the eastern portion of Ukraine, though the whole country was on a war footing. Horse farm outside of Mykolaiv where they run a therapy program for soldiers with PTSD. Capturing three events a day It takes about two days to get from Sarasota to Ukraine, including a drive to Miami, flight to Warsaw and then an 18-hour train ride from Warsaw to Kyiv that includes a six-hour stop at a facility near the border, where the undercarriage of the train cars could be swapped out to travel on tracks in Ukraine that still match the gauge of the Soviet rail system. For this trip, they rented a white Renault SUV that bore signs with both the Canadian and U.S flags and the word press spelled out in English and Ukrainian, and hired fixer/guide Denis Rumiancev to help them. Neither Graham nor Mestel speak Ukrainian. In Kyiv, people they encountered could speak English and Polish but the farther east they traveled, they relied more on Google Translate to communicate with they encountered. It works, Graham said. Not only do you get your point across but they get the gist of what youre trying to do. Both men had applied to the Ukrainian army to receive press credentials and checked in with local press offices at every major city where they stopped. David Graham shared this map on social media, with the big blue dot and This is us, noting when he and Allan Mestel were close to the front lines this summer, as the two men documented the impact of the war in Ukraine as part of the project Portrait Ukraine 2023. Rumiancev who can communicate in four different languages worked his connections to find different aspects of daily life that they could document. It was absolutely incredible the amount of contacts he had, Graham said. We were doing about three things a day. One morning we had a school opening and then we had the gay pride parade and then we went to a place that rescued 15,000 animals and we got it all done in one day. Mestel added that they had little down time during the three-week trip. I think we did actually go from rescuing puppies right to the front line, he added. Boom, Boom, BOOM! Graham recalled that on their first night, at 5 a.m. in Kyiv, they experienced a barrage of rockets one of which blew up a big building. We got rocketed in every city, Mestel added Every city, every night there were rockets impacting. People living near the front lines getting food delivered by the military and volunteers. Near Bakhmut Ukraine September 3, 2023. While Mestel had been in some potentially dangerous situations documenting the plight of refugees in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, the trip to Ukraine marked the first time he worked close to active gunfire. The entire time we were there, we never stopped hearing Russian shellfire some of it distant, some of it much closer, Mestel said. Every night, Mestel said, they heard big booms. There was one time when it sounded like they were walking the shells towards us that got my attention when you heard Boom, Boom, BOOM!' Chasiv Yar, one village over from Bakhmut was one of several places where Mestel and Graham shadowed the nonprofit Ukrainian Patriot a last-mile organization founded by dancer Lana Nicole Niland that delivers both military and humanitarian aid. Ukrainian Patriot volunteers dug a new well, so residents could have access to running water for the first time in a year-and-a-half. A Drone unit relocates after launching and recovering an armed drone. A road race in combat Mestel drove their white Renault SUV between destinations, with members of their military escort urging them to keep up at an 80- to 100-mph pace. We were literally doing rally-style combat driving from one place to another, Graham said. Mestels fast-paced driving continued even when they werent with military escorts. One time Graham noted, he beat the GPS-suggested travel time by 45 minutes. In one small town, they were pulled over for speeding by local police. Few people are left in the front-line cities and towns and signs like this highlight the effect the war has had on the people living in the area. Kramatorsk, Ukraine September 3, 2023. Mestel gave the officer all of his papers, including his driver's license, Canadian passport and Ukrainian driving permit. The officer looked at his paperwork and then consulted his supervisor. I think they didnt know what to do with me so he came back and said, Have a nice day. One country, two fronts The Russians have been systematically shelling civilian locations in Ukraine. Completely destroyed historic opera house in Chasiv Yar, Ukraine. September 4, 2023. In Kharkiv, Mestel said, only one elderly woman still occupied her apartment in an otherwise empty block of apartment buildings. Theres a hardcore group of people mostly elderly who wont leave, Mestel said. In contrast, Mestel added, The west is operating basically as normal except for the rocket fire every night it's literally a lottery as to whether your building is going to be hit. Graham noted that a large rocket may damage one structure but not the next, creating a situation where theres a bombed-out school and right next door, a store was open. Soldier undergoing PTSD animal support therapy in Kharkiv Oblast using horses. September 2, 2023. There are other contrasts that still haunt both men. Near Izyum, they saw the bodies exhumed from a mass grave site of roughly 455 people that Ukrainian officials are trying to identify, People who were executed and buried by the Russians in unmarked graves inside the forest, Mestel said. Meanwhile in Lviv, roughly 44 miles from the border with Poland, they visited a military cemetery, and they cant build graves fast enough, Graham added. Building in Izyum where most of the residents were killed during an evening artillery attack Izyum, Ukraine Aug 31, 2023. While their press credentials helped, Graham said it did take some time to build up a level of trust with the people they talked with. Graham noted that everyone was kind and expressed a fear that the Russians wanted nothing less than to exterminate them. The main thing we heard when we were there, he said, was they were so happy that we were there to tell their story, because they were afraid people were going to forget them. A military cemetery in the city of Lviv, located in western Ukraine. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: A trip to Ukraine allows Florida photographers to capture war images The Most Rev Justin Welby, talking to personnel at RAF Brize Norton where he will deliver his annual start-of-the-year address - BBC/Lambeth Palace/Jason Bye The Archbishop of Canterbury has said that wars seem everywhere at the moment in his New Year plea for peace. The Most Rev Justin Welby made the statement as he delivered his annual start-of-the-year address. Speaking from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, he prayed for a peaceful 2024 in his New Year message, saying: Wars seem everywhere at the moment. Wars we know about, wars forgotten. Ive seen for myself the ongoing human cost of war. In Ukraine, I went to Bucha where evidence of atrocities was found. Ive met Ukrainian refugees, most recently in Georgia and Romania: families having to start again in a new country. Ive met refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh (a territory disputed between Azerbaijan and Armenia) after they left their homes because of conflict. And in Jerusalem last October, I sat and listened to some of those traumatised by war, Palestinian and Israeli. Jesus Christ tells us to stand with those suffering because of war, and to seek to make peace. The Archbishop in Irpin, northwest of Kyiv, on December 2, 2022 - DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images His comments came after Russia launched a fresh drone assault on Ukraine on Saturday night, hitting the capital, Kyiv, and border city Kharkiv after promising that strikes on the Russian border city of Belgorod hours earlier, which killed 24 people, would not go unpunished. Meanwhile, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said on Saturday that another 165 people were killed in the previous 24 hours. In his address, the Archbishop also praised the Armed Forces, saying that they embody the theme of the Kings coronation last year. He said soldiers were at the centre of the celebrations not just because the world marvelled at their displays of pageantry but because they, like many, many others in the country, embodied service. He added: Here at RAF Brize Norton, almost 6,000 service personnel are living out that oath every day, working to keep us safe and the country secure, delivering humanitarian aid following natural disasters, like the earthquake in Turkey last year, or supporting civilians in the midst of conflict in places like the Middle East. Were learning more and more how the horrors and traumas of war impact service personnel, sometimes long after. But there are also traumas for their loved ones. Families across the country feel the absence of relatives and those they love who are serving their country abroad. We fear for those of our fellow citizens who risk their lives defending and protecting the vulnerable and ensuring security. Caring for people is very much my job The Archbishop of Canterburys New Year Message will be broadcast on BBC1 and iPlayer at 12.55pm on Monday, January 1. This is not the first time that the Archbishop has waded into matters of politics and war, having repeatedly drawn criticism for his many interventions on issues such as the Illegal Migration Bill and the UKs controversial Rwanda policy, tax and social care, universities protecting minority students, as well as changes to visa rules to curb migration. In January, the Most Rev Justin Welby also dismissed criticism that intervening in political issues is not his job, saying: I would say caring for people is very much my job and is very much the role of the church. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. (AP/WJW) Revelers across the world have begun to ring in the new year, including here in Cleveland, as Noon Years Eve festivities brought out families and friends to Tower City (as seen in the video below). Asia celebrated the countdown to midnight on New Years Eve with fireworks and brightly lit signs offering a hopeful start to 2024 for some, even as the globes ongoing conflicts raised security concerns and let to muted or even cancelled festivities. Warning from CPD: Celebratory gunfire kills As the clock struck midnight in Australia, more than 1 million people a number equivalent to one in five of the citys residents watched a 12-minute firework display focused on the Sydney Harbor Bridge from the shore and from boats in the harbor. Its total madness, said German tourist Janna Thomas, who had waited in line since 7:30 a.m. to secure a prime waterfront location in the Sydney Botanic Garden. Organizers worldwide have readied for large-scale celebrations despite the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine. In New York City, where there have been near-daily protests sparked by the Israel-Hamas war, officials and party organizers said they were prepared to ensure the safety of tens of thousands of revelers who will flood Times Square in the heart of midtown Manhattan. China celebrated the new calendar year relatively quietly, with most major cities banning fireworks over safety and pollution concerns. Chinese President Xi Jinping said during his New Year address that the country would focus on building momentum for economic recovery in 2024 and pledged China would surely be reunified with Taiwan. In Taipei, Taiwans capital, the mood appeared upbeat as revelers gathered for a fireworks show at the bamboo-shaped Taipei 101 skyscraper, as well as at concerts and other events held throughout the city. Revelers ring in the new year after a countdown to 2024 in Beijing, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Fireworks explode over the Chao Phraya River during New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) Revelers prepare for a countdown to the new year in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Fireworks explode over the Sydney Opera House and on the Harbour Bridge as part if New Years Eve celebrations in Sydney, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP Image via AP) WJW photo People celebrate New Years at a promenade in Mumbai, India, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) Fireworks light-up the sky over the London Eye in central London to celebrate the New Year on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) Fireworks explode over the ancient Parthenon temple at the Acropolis hill during New Years celebrations in Athens, Greece, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) In India, thousands of revelers from the financial hub of Mumbai flocked to a bustling promenade to watch the sun set over the Arabian Sea. In New Delhi, fireworks raised concerns that the capital already infamous for its poor air quality would be blanketed by a toxic haze on the first morning of the new year. Temple bells rang out across Japan as people gathered at shrines and temples. At the Tsukiji Temple in Tokyo, visitors were given free hot milk and corn soup as they stood in line to strike a big bell, and a pipe-organ concert was held before a majestic altar. At the Vatican, Pope Francis recalled 2023 as a year marked by wartime suffering. During his traditional Sunday blessing from a window overlooking St. Peters Square, he offered prayers for the tormented Ukrainian people and the Palestinian and Israeli populations, the Sudanese people and many others. At the end of the year, we will have the courage to ask ourselves how many human lives have been shattered by armed conflict, how many dead and how much destruction, how much suffering, how much poverty, the pontiff said. In Russia, the countrys military actions in Ukraine have overshadowed end-of-year celebrations, with the usual fireworks and concert on Moscows Red Square canceled, as last year. Epic date caps off 2023: what it means and when it happens next After shelling in the center of the Russian border city of Belgorod Saturday killed 24 people, some local authorities across Russia also canceled their usual firework displays, including in Vladivostok. Millions throughout Russia were expected to have tuned into Russian President Vladimir Putins New Years prerecorded address, where he asserted there was no force that could divide Russians and stop the countrys development. Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip killed at least 35 people Sunday, hospital officials said, as fighting raged across the tiny enclave a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war will continue for many more months, resisting international calls for a cease-fire. In Muslim-majority Pakistan, the government has banned all New Years Eve celebrations as an act of solidarity with the Palestinians. In an overnight televised message, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar urged Pakistanis to show solidarity with the oppressed people of Gaza by beginning the new year with simplicity. New York Mayor Eric Adams said there were no specific threats to his citys annual New Years Eve bash, which was set to feature live performances from Flo Rida, Megan Thee Stallion and LL Cool J, as well as televised appearances from Cardi B and others. Organizers said in-person attendance was expected to return to pre-COVID levels, even as foot traffic around Times Square remains down slightly since the pandemic. New York City police said they would expand the security perimeter around the party, creating a buffer zone that would allow them to head off potential demonstrations. Officials also planned to monitor any protests with drones, the mayor said. During last years New Years Eve party, a machete-wielding man attacked three police officers a few blocks from Times Square. Security was also be heightened across European cities on Sunday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) As West Michigan counted down the hours until the new year started at midnight, people celebrated with music, fireworks and ball drops. In Grand Haven, a DJ and a local band provided hits from the 90s and 2000s to lead up to the countdown until midnight and ball drop downtown. There was also a social district. LIST: West Michigan New Years events to ring in 2024 Kalamazoo, Muskegon and Cedar Springs were among the towns dropping a ball to ring in 2024. The largest New Years Eve Ball drop in West Michigan happened in Ludington. Festivities started at 9 p.m., featuring music, a beer tent and a fireworks display over downtown. Allegan boasts the largest New Years Eve ball drop in the state the ball measured 10 feet, 6 inches and has 30,000 synchronized lights. South Haven dropped a thousand beach balls on people celebrating downtown as fireworks rang in the New Year. Muskegon preparing for citys first NYE ball drop In Grand Rapids, people gathered at the Amway Grand and JW Mariott for New Years Eve Ballroom Bashes starting at 8 p.m. News 8 was there to count down to the New Year as it arrived in West Michigan. Earlier in the day, families celebrated Countdown to Happy Noon Year at Kent District Library locations and New Years Early Eve at the Grand Rapids Childrens Museum. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Butler County MetroParks is accepting bids for an 1875 farmhouse in Four Mile Creek Park. What we reported: Butler County MetroParks had planned to demolish a farmhouse connected to the famous Hueston family in Hamilton. Susan Antenen, a conservationist and daughter of former Hamilton Mayor Ann Antenen, led an effort to consider other options for the house. At their meeting in April, parks commissioners discussed doing a structural engineering assessment to help determine the next steps. About the historic farmhouse The house is at the entrance of Antenen Nature Preserve in Four Mile Creek Park. It was built in 1875 by Robert Hueston, nephew of Matthew Hueston. Matthew Hueston was a Butler County commissioner in the 1820s and a justice of the peace in Fairfield and Hanover townships. He served in the Army in the 1790s and was a purchasing agent for the Army of the Northwest during the War of 1812. Susan Antenen's family bought the house in 1960 and rented it out for decades. MetroParks acquired the Antenen Nature Preserve property in 1997 and the building was boarded up in approximately 2017, MetroParks spokesperson Katie Ely-Wood said. Antenen asked the parks board to consider options other than demolition. Ely-Wood said MetroParks has delayed plans for salvage and demolition to accommodate the wishes of those trying to find an alternative. What's happened since MetroParks did a structural assessment of the house in the spring and the engineer said it should be condemned, Ely-Wood said. An architect who examined the house estimated it would cost about $500,000 to restore it. Ely-Wood said the architect found the house could likely be relocated as an alternative to demolition. Can you move a house? There is some precedent for moving historic properties to preserve them. In 2022, the city of Hamilton relocated a historic Hamilton train depot to city-owned property. Antenen said it would be wonderful for someone to relocate the house. "It's not fancy, but with love it could be a wonderful house for somebody in the New Miami or Seven Mile area," she said. What happens next MetroParks is now accepting bids for the property, with bidding open until 2 p.m. on Jan. 31. "The boards decision to sell and relocate the house will give interested parties the opportunity to preserve, restore or salvage the building as they see fit. It will also mitigate the liability and eyesore that the house has become," Ely-Wood said. Those interested can attend a pre-bid meeting at 10 a.m. on Jan. 17 at the house's location at 2385 Treiber Road in Hamilton and walk around the building's exterior. Ely-Wood said MetroParks is giving the public more time than is required under Ohio law to submit bids, but if the organization does not receive any acceptable bids, the board will move forward with plans to salvage the house's materials and demolish the structure in 2024. Erin Glynn is the watchdog reporter for Butler, Warren and Clermont counties through the Report For America program. The Enquirer needs local donors to help fund her grant-funded position. If you want to support Glynn's work, you can donate to her Report For America position at this website or email her editor Carl Weiser at cweiser@enquirer.com to find out how you can help fund her work. Do you know something she should know? Send her a note at eglynn@enquirer.com and follow her on X at @ee_glynn. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Butler County MetroParks is accepting bids for a historic farmhouse The White House said Sunday it is not seeking a wider conflict in the Middle East after US helicopters sank three Houthi boats in the Red Sea after coming under fire. The helicopters sank the boats and killed those aboard, marking the first time since tensions broke out earlier this year that the US has killed members of the Iranian-backed Houthi rebel group, which has been targeting commercial and merchant vessels in the Red Sea. The US has avoided directly striking the group inside Yemen as it seeks to avoid escalating the crisis further. But a National Security Council spokesman said Sunday that the US would continue acting in self-defense. We dont seek a conflict wider in the region and were not looking for a conflict with the Houthis. The best outcome here would be for the Houthis to stop these attacks, as we have made clear over and over again, John Kirby said on ABC News. Four small boats originating from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen attacked the Maersk Hangzhou on Saturday with small arms and attempted to board the merchant vessel, according to a statement from US Central Command, which added that a security team on board had returned fire. CENTCOM said helicopters from the USS Eisenhower and Gravely responded to the Maersk Hangzhous distress call, the second in less than 24 hours, and were fired on by the Houthi boats. The U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire in self-defense, sinking three of the four small boats, and killing the crews. The fourth boat fled the area, the statement said, adding that there was no damage to U.S. personnel or equipment. CNN has reached out to Maersk for comment on the incident. The Houthis have launched dozens of attacks on commercial vessels since October 7, saying they are acting in solidarity with Hamas amid the groups war with Israel. The US has deployed warships to the Red Sea and last month launched Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational maritime coalition, to beef up security in the critical global shipping lane. While President Joe Biden has authorized strikes on other Iranian proxy groups that have attacked American troops in Iraq and Syria, he has stopped short of striking the Houthis in Yemen. Weve got significant national security interests in the region just on our own and were going to put the kind of forces we need in the region to protect those interests and were going to act in self-defense going forward, Kirby said. Asked about the prospect of a preemptive strike in the region, Kirby reiterated the White House stance. Were not ruling anything in or out, but we have made it clear publicly to the Houthis and privately to our allies and partners in the region we take these threats seriously, and were going to make the right decisions going forward, he said. CNNs Lucas Lilieholm contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Former President Donald Trump prepares to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference held at the Hilton Anatole on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, in Dallas. Brandon Bell/TNS Trump off the ballot Regarding "Trump is blocked from the GOP primary ballot in two states. Can he still run for president?" (Dec. 29): All of the emphasis on letting the voters decide Donald Trump's future rather than the courts fails to face the reality of our presidential voting system. Our national presidential elections do not reflect the voters' selection as our system does for most all other voting. Americas presidential election is about winning electoral votes, not the majority of votes at the booths or write-ins. That is why, in recent United States elections, the elected president did not win the popular vote. For a voter, its not really known if their vote will be counted in the final electoral college choice. Given that Texas is a red state, all that is needed is to collect the required number of votes so that the electoral college tally fits the red state objectives. And thats where voter districting and gerrymandering play a role. The result is that politicians pick their voters rather than voters picking the politicians they want to elect. It's also why some Texans bypass voting, knowing it wont really count because Texas voting is rigged by design. Cries to let the voters decide are a charade. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Allan Berger, Houston Regarding "Trump accountability," (Dec. 22): The letter writer, full of angst over the rule of law and Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution as it applies to Trump, seems to have forgotten the Fifth Amendment and the right of due process. While four of seven judges in Colorado may think or believe Trump committed an insurrection, what they think or believe is irrelevant. In this land of the rule of law, one must first be indicted by grand jury and convicted of said crime before one can be deprived of life, liberty or property. None of which has happened to Trump. An act of rebellion or insurrection is clearly defined in 18 U.S. Code section 2383 of our federal laws, yet in the two separate federal cases brought against former President Trump, the prosecution failed to levy such charges against Trump. We are all innocent until proven guilty. Hundreds of protesters-turned-rioters have been charged with a plethora of crimes for their actions on Jan. 6, yet not a single one of them has been charged with insurrection. Calling a protest-turned-riot an insurrection doesnt make it so simply because thats what the media or four judges in Colorado call it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tim Graney, Katy Regarding "Trump ballot ban appealed to US Supreme Court by Colorado Republican Party," (Dec. 27): Once again we find the hypocrisy of the Democratic Party front and center in the public eye. The party that claims to be the protector of democracy exposes itself again as the true threat to democracy. Four partisan state judges find against a presidential candidate frontrunner that he committed a crime that he hasnt even been charged with in any jurisdiction, by using an obscure Civil War-era constitutional amendment that is clearly being misapplied. Sure to be shot down by the Supreme Court, to what end was it done? Election interference; any means to block a leading candidate. It will not work. Jim Gayle, Haleiwa, Hawai'i Regarding Donald Trump banned from Colorado ballot in historic ruling by state's Supreme Court," (Dec. 19): Can the Supreme Court justices objectively consider the Fourteenth Amendment case when a vote to leave Trump off the ballot could jeopardize their future lavish vacations? Most companies have rules on excessive gifts to make sure outsiders dont improperly influence business decisions, so its disturbing that the highest court in the land seems to think its justices wont be impacted by wealthy influencers. Theres little incentive for the court to police itself since they have lifetime appointments. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rick Abegg, Conroe Abandoning Ukraine Regarding Congress gives up on deal for Ukraine aid this year, (Dec. 20, page A4): Congress seems to be focused on providing U.S. aid to Israel, (which, by the way, I support), but abandoning Ukraine. I fear if Vladimir Putin is successful in winning his war on Ukraine, he will then proceed to invade Poland and other bordering countries. Have we forgotten that Adolf Hitler conquered one European country after another in his quest for world dominance, while at the same time exterminating millions of Jews? Does Congress not see the similarities between Putin and Donald Trump? Trump's latest rants calling his political opponents vermin and saying immigration is poisoning the blood of the U.S. is right out of Hitler's playbook. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I find this whole situation very, very frightening. Wake up, America! Please dont allow Putin to win this horrible and totally unfounded war on Ukraine. ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) The Williamson County Sheriffs Office said Monday officials are investigating a suspicious death in Round Rock. The Williamson County Sheriffs Office said Monday officials are investigating a suspicious death in Round Rock. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) The Williamson County Sheriffs Office said Monday officials are investigating a suspicious death in Round Rock. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) The Williamson County Sheriffs Office said Monday officials are investigating a suspicious death in Round Rock. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) The department shared on Facebook Monday afternoon there is a significant law enforcement presence within the 8000 block of Arezzo Drive. Thats north of U.S. Hwy. 79 and near Kerley Elementary School. This embedded content is not available in your region. WCSOs criminal investigations division is working at the scene, with officials adding theres no immediate threat to the public. They added residents should avoid the area as the investigation is ongoing. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Access to near-infinite knowledge comes at a cost. Thats because processing all the online data that we rely on daily accounts for up to 1.5% of the worlds electricity use, according to the International Energy Agency. Do you want a giant wind farm in your state? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind But, a project in Germany is building data centers inside wind turbines as part of a plan to power our search engines with renewable energy, a direct solution for electricity-hungry computers. If you look at the sustainability pyramid, the highest form of sustainability is using things that already exist, windCORES managing director Fiete Dubberke told CNN. The company was founded in 2018, though CNN reported that planning for the project began about 10 years ago at a wind park in the city of Paderborn. The data centers are connected to the internet via fiber optic cables. The company says the connection is professional and fast. Its a concept that originated from an unlikely problem: too much power. The wind turbines were producing more than the grid could handle during peak gusty hours. As a result, the wind farm was powered down, as CNN reported. So, windCORES officials decided to bypass the grid a plan that Dubberke told CNN became a no-brainer, as it uses what was just empty space in the structure. Energizing powerful computers is a problem being tackled elsewhere, as well. Google is experimenting with geothermal tech, using Earths heat to create electricity for data centers. In Texas, utility officials have paid Bitcoin miner Riot to power down during peak electricity usage hours, as the computer energy needed to process the cryptocurrency data is considerable. Diversifying our energy sources and how we use them is important for the planet and our pocketbooks. Simply switching to LED lightbulbs can save you thousands of dollars, for example. In the long run, society is to be changed to green and sustainable one day you will get green electricity directly from anywhere, Dubberke said to CNN. The turbines, which can potentially hold server racks that are more than 492 feet tall, can provide up to 92% of the energy needed for the data centers with wind on average. But when the breeze is calm, CNN reported that the processors are powered by other renewables, including solar and hydro projects, from the grid. The company notes that each rack can save about 15.4 tons of air pollution per year. The turbine-fueled data racks are serving 150 clients of all sizes. One example is a Swiss TV streaming business, Zattoo, which has several million monthly users, per CNN. The main reason why we decided to kick off this project, and spend the time making it work, was because they were green, Zattoo official Viliyana Ivanova told the news agency. Green Software Foundation Chairperson Asim Hussain, while not involved in the project, sees it as a way to connect cyberspace with the natural world. In the engineering space, were so disconnected from nature, he said to CNN. Whereas with this project, youre connected with wind fully, and youre trying to engineer solutions that are aligned with nature and work with nature. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet. A small fire re-ignited with hand sanitizer as an accelerate warms Conta Prices feet on a recent 28 degree morning in Macon. Price said depending on who you talk to on the street, you will hear maybe Macons Salvation Army shelter is open to single adults, or maybe it isnt. A homeless person starting a fire to keep warm is thought to be the likely cause of a fire that destroyed a vacant warehouse in the industrial district near downtown in early December. The warehouse, at 720 Fifth St., was ablaze at sunrise Dec. 7, days before the county opened emergency warming shelters for the first time this winter. Macon-Bibb County Fire Departments lead arson investigator Lt. Kyle Murray said the building was not connected to power, so it is highly probable that some vagrants had went in that night trying to stay warm and it got out of control. Warming shelters have opened, but the Macon-Bibb County Homeless Coalition, a consortium of nonprofits tasked with addressing the countys homelessness issue, struggled to ensure enough beds were available and accessible to those who most needed them. Macon-Bibb County Emergency Management Agency Director Spencer Hawkins said the emergency warming shelters are opened only if it looks like the temp is going to drop below 32 degrees for more than two hours. The EMAs notice about shelters opening reached few beyond the homeless coalition, which Hawkins said is best positioned to inform those who need it. The population that were trying to reach, who are the most vulnerable, arent watching the 11 oclock news broadcasts, Hawkins said. What were doing is trying to make those one-to-one connections with the social services partners that interact with these people every single day. In years past, and as recently as 2016, the county made announcements about EMA alerts on its website and social media, detailing shelter availability during extreme weather events. Hawkins said EMA is in constant communication with the homeless coalition as winter weather becomes less predictable. The issue of homeless in Bibb County is not one local government tackles directly, though it devotes resources and tax dollars to nonprofits it charges with the task. Instead, the county relies heavily on the coalition, a network of local nonprofits and government agencies that offer food, housing, health and social services to the unhoused. A work in progress Although the coalition has been around for years there are still plenty of kinks to work out logistically. For example, there is no formal plan for offering transportation to the shelters. The countys largest shelter, the Brookdale Resource Center, is four miles from downtown and, for many, unreachable by foot and/or unaffordable by public transit. Elsewhere in Georgia, local governments handle warming and cooling shelters directly. For example, ahead of Mondays extreme weather conditions, Augusta used social media to notify the public about the coming cold, share the locations of county-operated warming shelters and inform it of a no-cost ride on public transit to get there, according to the Augusta governments Facebook page. At Depaul USAs Daybreak Resource Center downtown on Walnut Street on a recent Monday afternoon, John Brown, seated with his back against the wall, said that if it werent for Sister Theresa Sullivan, who leads Daybreak, he wouldnt know where to go to get out of the cold. Daybreak helped me a lot, said Brown, who has been homeless for half a year and uses a walker to get around. Earlier this year, Brown lost his job as a carnival worker when his arthritis pain became too unbearable for him to handle heavy equipment. The cold makes his joint pain even worse. Usually, he pitches a tent in the woods by the Ocmulgee River. But Monday night, Brown said he planned to land a bed at the Salvation Army on Broadway. It was either that or the hospital, Brown said. After the county EMA gives notice to the coalition, its the coalitions role to collaborate to ensure enough beds are available for hundreds of people like Brown who are among Macons most vulnerable. The coalition includes entities such as Daybreak, the Mentors Project and the United Way of Central Georgia, which operates the Brookdale Resource Center on the countys behalf. Jake Hall, executive director of United Ways Unite to End Homelessness initiative and head of the homeless coalition, said a total capacity of about 265 beds has been sufficient in the past. Most of them were located at the Brookdale Resource Center and the remainder at Salvation Army. However, Hall said a recent mission shift for Salvation Army resulted in a net loss of probably 80 beds for a specific demographic of single men and women. Salvation Armys role In the not-so-distant past, the Salvation Army of Central Georgia was at the helm of the countys shelter situation. Once a key provider to the countys efforts to reduce homelessness, the Salvation Army, by all accounts, has taken a back seat when it comes to providing shelter and services to the countys unhoused population in recent years. Its shelter on Broadway has less capacity than Brookdale but is only a 2-mile walk from Daybreak. Recently, officials and coalition members were unable to say with certainty how many beds the Salvation Army had available. At a county commission meeting in October, Salvation Army Sergeant Austin Sturdivant toldMayor Les Miller that as of June, the shelter started serving exclusively veterans or adults with children. The mayor told the Sturdivant that Brookdale has been full many times and that he heard Salvation Army was no longer taking the ones they dont get paid for, that youre only taking veterans that you get a check for. Sturdivant told the mayor the shelter would open to single adults only during extreme weather events. Sturdivant confirmed that the Salvation Army receives a federal subsidy for each bed occupied by a veteran. The Broadway shelters capacity is 108 for veterans and families with children plus 40 more 25 men and 15 women for single adults. We werent really collaborating like we should, said Sturdivant, who took the job as Salvation Armys sergeant in Macon a year ago in January. I guess we hadnt really been at the table with what the biggest needs in the community were. Sturdivant said the Salvation Army is working to align its mission and help the county shelter homeless population. To contact Civic Journalism Fellow Laura Corley, call 478-301-5777 or email Corley_le@mercer.edu. A woman died after she was hit by a car and knocked off an overpass in an early morning crash on Interstate 20 in Georgia, police told news outlets. The crash occurred at about 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 1 on I-20 eastbound near the Fulton Industrial Boulevard exit, WSB-TV reported, citing the City of South Fulton police. Investigators said the woman was waiting for her car to be loaded onto a tow truck when she was struck, WAGA and WANF reported. The impact sent her off of the overpass, police told WSB-TV. Authorities havent released the womans name. The crash closed multiple lanes on the interstate, but they have since reopened, WANF reported, citing the Georgia Department of Transportation. Two people in the car that hit the woman were taken to a hospital with injuries, police told WSB-TV. McClatchy News reached out to the City of South Fulton Police Department for an update Jan. 1 and was awaiting a response. Authorities didnt release additional details but said the crash is under investigation. Crash victim is run over by passing vehicle and dragged 3 miles, Wisconsin cops say 2 dead after being thrown over side of bridge in motorcycle crash, Virginia cops say Hit-and-run kills woman as she tries dislodging traffic cone stuck in car, NC cops say Russian forces shelled a residential building in the village of Veletenske, Kherson Oblast on Jan. 1, killing a woman, regional governer Oleksandr Prokudin has reported on Telegram. Two people were trapped under the rubble following the artillery strike. One was a 73-year-old woman who sustained fatal injuries. Workers from Ukraines State Emergency Service retrieved her body from under the destroyed house, Prokudin said. Read also: Liberation of Crimea could shield Kherson, Mykolaiv, Odesa from Russian attacks ISW Another 50-year-old resident was rescued and hospitalized with leg and back injuries. The victim is receiving all necessary assistance, said the governor. A teenager was killed in Kherson by Russian shelling on Dec. 31. Another child was injured. Read also: Focus of Russias New Years Eve drone attacks has shifted to frontline zones, says Air Force Russia shelled the residential neighborhoods in Khersons Korabelny District, city governor Roman Mrochko reported earlier. Seven people were injured in the attack. 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 WASHINGTON (DC News Now) D.C. police said that a woman was found shot and killed in a hotel room overnight on New Years Day. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said that officers responded to the 4300 block of Military Rd. NW shortly before 1:20 a.m. for a shooting. Police: Body found on Metro tracks near Reston Town Center MPD identified the woman as 18-year-old Ashlei Hinds, of Clinton, Md. In a statement posted to the platform X on Monday, D.C. Councilmember Matt Frumin said that the shooting happened during a gathering among a group of friends at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Friendship Heights. Frumin said that one person in the party shot and killed a young woman who was there. DC News Now spoke to bystanders Monday who said that they heard bangs in the neighborhood, only to find out in the morning that the noises may not have been caused by firecrackers or fireworks. Hypothermia alert issued for DC My heart goes out to her family and friends, who instead of celebrating the New Year are now mourning the loss of a loved one. My office was in communication with MPD shortly after the shooting and continues to receive updates. I have confidence that MPD is doing everything the department can to apprehend the shooter. We face an epidemic of gun violence our city that impacts every resident regardless of age, income, or Ward, and we must work together across government to empower public safety agencies to stem the tide of violence, Frumin said, in part, in his statement. Anyone with information is asked to call (202) 727-9099. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered to anyone with information that leads to an arrest and conviction of those involved. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Pope Francis presides over the traditional end of the year celebration of First Vespers on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God at St. Peter's Basilica. Evandro Inetti/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Pope Francis underlined the important role of women and mothers in the Church, society and for world peace in a mass on New Year's Day. "The world needs to look to mothers and women to find peace, to break out of the spirals of violence and hatred and to regain a human gaze and a seeing heart," said the head of the Catholic Church in his homily on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, on New Year's Day in St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. The Catholic Church also traditionally celebrates the World Day of Peace on January 1. The head of the Catholic Church celebrated Mass and gave his homily starting from 10 am (0900 GMT). In view of the wars and conflicts in the world, the 87-year-old pontiff told around 7,000 faithful gathered in St Peter's Basilica, "Our peaceless times need a mother who unites the human family once again." The faithful should entrust the new year to Our Lady and hope for God's consolation, he said. Furthermore, every society must respect and protect women and allow them to come into their own, Francis said at the New Year's Mass. "Anyone who harms even one woman is blaspheming God, who was born of a woman." The Church also needs women and mothers in order to recognize its feminine face and become a Church of care and service as well as patience and maternal courage, he said. On New Year's Eve, the Pontiff called for gratitude and hope. At the solemn thanksgiving vespers in St Peter's Basilica with the traditional hymn of praise "Te Deum," ahead of the turn of the year. The traditional Angelus prayer is due to follow New Year's Mass at 12 noon. Francis is expected to address the faithful in St Peter's Square from the window of the Apostolic Palace. Thousands of people are expected to be present for the prayer. Cambridge University is reportedly considering severing its 200-year history with Barclays due to the banks refusal to stop financing new oil and gas projects. Instead, the university is looking to find a financial institution with robust climate policies to manage several hundred million pounds in cash and money market funds. The move would be in line with what the university has called a net zero engagement strategy with the banking sector. Cambridge is not the only university in the United Kingdom to distance itself from financial institutions that back dirty energy. Leeds University switched to Lloyds in September 2023, saying it has the lowest investments in dirty energy among major UK banks. Meanwhile, more and more financial institutions are looking to go greener. In late 2022, HSBC one of the banks that Cambridge is reportedly in talks with announced that it would no longer fund new oil and gas projects. Previously, the bank had been one of the biggest lenders to dirty energy companies. According to the Guardian, students and staff have demanded that Cambridge switch to a greener lender, and the university already pledged a major pullout from direct and indirect investments in dirty energy by 2030. Still, Cambridge was recently outed as one of 44 UK universities that collectively accepted more than $51 million from oil, coal, and gas companies since 2022. The move away from funding dirty energy is significant for global health. Thats because burning coal, oil, and gas causes pollution that can trigger health problems like cardiovascular disease and respiratory ailments. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the adverse effects caused by these planet-warming pollutants are costing Americans alone more than $820 billion in health costs each year. Plus, burning dirty energy is the primary driver of a warming planet, the effects of which include more frequent catastrophic weather and the disappearance of species. A college bursar at Cambridge told The Financial Times, Were dealing with people who are likely going to be leaders of tomorrow. And the biggest of their concerns is climate change. A number of social media users were optimistic about the news. People & Planet, a student network fighting for climate, worker, and migrant justice at UK universities, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, saying, The University of Cambridge is under pressure from staff and students to ditch banking with Barclays! This would move the management of several hundred million pounds away from Europes dirtiest bank! Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks at a voter rally, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Phoenix. Matt York/AP No matter how Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s presidential campaign will factor into the outcome of the 2024 election, one thing is clear: Kennedys political following is built on a movement that seeks to legitimize conspiracy theories. His claims decrying vaccines have roiled scientists and medical experts and stoked anger over whether his work harms children. He has made suggestions about the cause of COVID-19 that he acknowledges sound racist and antisemitic. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bolstered by his famous name and familys legacy, his campaign of conspiracy theories has gained an electoral and financial foothold. He is running as an independent having abandoned his pursuit of the Democratic Party nomination and raised more than $15 million. A political action committee pledged to spend between $10 million and $15 million to get his name on the ballot in 10 states. Even though he spent the past two decades as a prominent leader of the anti-vaccine movement, Kennedy rejects a blanket "anti-vax" label that he told Fox News in July makes him "look crazy, like a conspiracy theorist." ABOUT POLITIFACT PolitiFact is a fact-checking project to help you sort out fact from fiction in politics. Truth-O-Meter ratings are determined by a panel of three editors. The burden of proof is on the speaker, and PolitiFact rates statements based on the information known at the time the statement is made. But Kennedy draws bogus conclusions from scientific work. He employs "circumstantial evidence" as if it is proof. In TV, podcast and political appearances for his campaign in 2023, Kennedy steadfastly maintained: Vaccines cause autism. No childhood vaccines "have ever been tested in a safety study pre-licensing." There is "tremendous circumstantial evidence" that psychiatric drugs cause mass shootings, and the National Institutes of Health refuses to research the link out of deference to pharmaceutical companies. Ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine were discredited as COVID-19 treatments so COVID-19 vaccines could be granted emergency use authorization, a win for Big Pharma. Exposure to the pesticide atrazine contributes to gender dysphoria in children. COVID-19 is "targeted to attack Caucasians and black people. The people who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese." Advertisement Article continues below this ad For Kennedy, the conspiracies arent limited to public health. He claims "members of the CIA" were involved in the assassination of his uncle, John F. Kennedy. He doesnt "believe that (Sirhan) Sirhans bullets ever hit my father," Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, D-N.Y. He insists the 2004 presidential election was stolen from Democratic candidate John Kerry. News organizations, including PolitiFact, have documented why those claims, and many others, are false, speculative or conspiracy-minded. Kennedy has sat for numerous interviews and dismissed the critics, not with the grievance and bluster of former President Donald Trump, but with a calm demeanor. He amplifies the alleged plot and repeats dubious scientific evidence and historical detail. Will his approach translate to votes? According to polls since November of a three-way matchup between President Joe Biden, Trump and Kennedy, Kennedy pulled 16% to 22% of respondents. Kennedys movement exemplifies the resonance of conspiratorial views. Misinformers with organized efforts are rewarded with money and loyalty. But that doesnt make the claims true. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s campaign based on false claims is PolitiFacts 2023 Lie of the Year. When hes asked about his views, Kennedy calmly searches his rhetorical laboratory for recycled talking points, selective research findings, the impression of voluminous valid studies, speculation, and inarguable authority from his experience. He refers to institutions, researchers and reports, by name, in quick succession, shifting points before interviewers can note what was misleading or cherry-picked. There is power in repetition. Take his persistent claim that vaccines are not safety tested. In July, he told "Fox & Friends," "Vaccines are the only medical product that is not safety tested prior to licensure." On Nov. 7 on "PBS NewsHour," Kennedy said vaccines are "the only medical product or medical device that is allowed to get a license without engaging in safety tests." On Dec. 15, he told CNNs Kasie Hunt that no childhood vaccines have "ever been tested in a safety study pre-licensing." This is false. Vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccines, are tested for safety and effectiveness before they are licensed. Researchers gather initial safety data and information about side effects during phase one clinical trials on groups of 20 to 100 people. If no safety concerns are identified, subsequent phases rely on studies of larger numbers of volunteers to evaluate a vaccines effectiveness and monitor side effects. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kennedy sometimes says that some vaccines werent tested against inactive injections or placebos. That has an element of truth: If using a placebo would disadvantage or potentially endanger a patient, researchers might test new vaccines against older versions with known side effects. But vaccines are among "the most tested and vetted" pharmaceutical products given to children, said Patricia Stinchfield, a pediatric nurse practitioner and the president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. Kennedy encourages parents to research questions on their own, because doctors and other experts are invariably compromised. "They are taking as gospel what the CDC tells them," Kennedy said on Bari Weiss "Honestly" podcast in June. Public health agencies have been "serving the mercantile interests of the pharmaceutical companies, and you cannot believe anything that they say," Kennedy said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Experts fret that the Kennedy name carries weight. Fireworks light up the sky over the London Eye in central London during the New Year celebrations. Victoria Jones/PA Wire/dpa The Americas have started their journey into the new year. New York City took the the United States into 2024 with the traditional "ball drop" in Times Square in temperatures just above freezing. Thick confetti rain fell on hundreds of thousands in the crowd as the songs "Auld Lang Syne" and "New York, New York" rang out. As in many other US cities, the celebrations in Times Square were accompanied by increased security measures. The security authorities in the US feared incidents due to the international tensions caused by the war in Gaza. Some journalists reported isolated pro-Palestinian demonstrators near Times Square. Hundreds of thousands of people welcomed the New Year with fireworks and music in the Brazilian metropolis of Rio de Janeiro as the clock struck midnight Monday morning. A traditional 12-minute fireworks display began at midnight, fired from 10 rafts in front of the world-famous Copacabana beach. The celebration was also accompanied by an orchestra and a drone show. The city took great measures to prevent potential violence and crime during the celebrations, as about 3,000 more police officers patrolled the streets as compared to the previous year, and more security cameras were placed in several locations that can recognize car license plates and people's faces. London rang in the new year with the chimes of Big Ben and a spectacular fireworks display on the London Eye Ferris wheel. It was an anniversary for the clock tower of the British Parliament, as the BBC first broadcast the ringing of the bells live at the turn of the year 100 years ago. With the help of light drones, the inclusive message "London is a place for everyone" was written in the sky above the River Thames, with tens of thousands of people gathered on its banks. Africa, Oceania, and Asia also changed their calendars at the strike of midnight. In Sydney, a mega light show lit up the sky against the world-famous backdrop of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. According to the organizers, more than 13,500 fireworks were set off in the harbour district alone. There were also light projections generated by artificial intelligence as crowds hit the streets like in many other cities, with coronavirus restrictions a thing of the past across the world. The landmarks of New Zealand's largest city Auckland were also illuminated, with fireworks lighting up the Sky Tower, while viewers enjoyed a laser light and animation show synchronized with other landmarks, including Auckland's Harbour Bridge. The Pacific country's capital Wellington also organized fireworks and music at an inner city lagoon. At the same time, two separate fireworks displays in Samoa, one in the capital Apia, and the other in Savai'i, signalled the start of the new year. The displays were synchronized by New Zealand pyrotechnic experts and fired simultaneously from both islands. The Chatham Islands, part of New Zealand's territory, were first in the country to ring in the year. The islands, about 800 kilometres east of New Zealand's South Island, are home to some 700 people. Later, people in Asia enjoyed massive light shows, including in Singapore, where onlookers watched firework displays at Marina Bay. In Bangkok, celebrations centred on the Chao Phraya River which reflects the lights of the fireworks display each year. Thailand, which follows the Buddhist calendar, is welcoming the year 2567. In Taiwan, about 16,000 fireworks were set off at the country's landmark Taipei 101 building, which is 509 metres tall. In the South Korean capital Seoul, the start of 2024 was marked with the giant Bosingak bell being struck exactly 33 times, like every year. Tens of thousands of people gathered for the event. China also welcomed in the New Year - albeit much more quietly than other parts of the world. New Year's Eve is not a top priority for the Chinese given that their traditional lunar year does not begin until February 10. Only then do people celebrate extensively. However, in the Chinese special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, New Year's Eve has a higher significance due to their British and Portuguese heritage. In Hong Kong, tens of thousands gathered by Victoria Harbour to marvel at the huge fireworks display. There will though be little to cheer in Israel and the Gaza Strip or Ukraine, where conflicts continue unabated. American Samoa, 220 kilometres to the east of Samoa on the other side of the International Date Line, will be the last to ring in 2024. People crowd at Times Square during the New Year's Eve celebrations. Niyi Fote/TheNEWS2 via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Confetti falls over Times Square during the 2024 New Years Eve celebrations. Niyi Fote/TheNEWS2 via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) To underscore how much Iowa means to Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor was unwilling to put his campaigning there on hold even in the waning hours of 2023. At a New Years Eve event in a Sheraton Hotel ballroom in West Des Moines, jeans and cowboy boots outnumbered tuxedos and cocktail dresses, and Miller Lite seemed more popular than champagne. But the modesty of the affair, where roughly 200 people turned out for the last campaign event of the busy year in Iowa, belied its importance to the host, who has wagered the future of his Republican bid for president on the leadoff Iowa caucuses, just two weeks away. Are you ready to work hard over these next two weeks and win the Iowa caucuses?" DeSantis asked supporters who turned out at the suburban hotel Sunday evening. While Donald Trump prepares to return this week for a series of rallies, DeSantis did not leave Iowa alone during the week between Christmas and New Years. He campaigned in the suburbs of Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Davenport, revisiting spots he had gone to in 2023 as part of his drive to touch all 99 of Iowas counties as a gesture of commitment to the leadoff nominating contests. But Trump holds a large advantage in Iowa polls as well as a sophisticated campaign organization in the state, threatening to deny DeSantis the win he needs to justify his claim to be the leading alternative to the former president. Appearing Sunday night with his wife, Casey, and their young children, DeSantis urged his audience to defy the odds. I think we have an opportunity to just make a statement that in this country it's we the people that ultimately decide these things, he said. Because I think you have a lot of media, they don't think you even matter. DeSantis wasn't alone in Iowa between Christmas and New Year's, a period typically free from politics. The Jan. 15 caucuses' earlier-than-usual spot on the election-year calendar lured former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley to eastern Iowa stops Friday and Saturday, as she competes with DeSantis as a Trump alternative. Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy also stormed the state, trying to remain part of the conversation despite curtailing his advertising spending. Ramaswamy held more than two dozen Iowa events last week and over the weekend. No one has more riding on Iowa than DeSantis, who reshuffled a campaign viewed early as national in scope after summer staff shakeups prompted by overspending and internal disagreements. He stood onstage Sunday evening in West Des Moines with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and evangelical Christian leader Bob Vander Plaats, who have risked their own influence by backing DeSantis. DeSantis and his supporters asked the audience Sunday to ignore polls that show him trailing Trump appreciably. Everywhere I go the polls do not match up with reality, Vander Plaats told the crowd. Going up in northwest Iowa heavy Trump country they all say the same thing to me. They like what he did, but its time to turn the page. DeSantis has an unrelenting Iowa schedule ahead of him beginning early this week. Trump, who has drawn hundreds even thousands more to fewer events, plans his own blitz over the final two weeks, including in deeply conservative northwest Iowa. New Years Day, the twenty-four-hour period where resolutions are born and usually perish by the second of January. What would be a simple, but worthwhile goal to set for 2024? The seed for my resolution started on a chance trip I took in early December visiting cities and towns along the Rhine River from Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. I was a late addition to the group, having only a couple of days to prepare. I was determined to pack light, a carry-on bag, a small shoulder bag. My travel motto has always been You are what you lug. The hardest packing decisions were not what clothes or shoes to bring, but what cameras to carry? Departure day arrived and I had a three-tiered camera platform that all fit in a coat pocket, cell phone camera, tiny GoPro and a small point and shoot. School children chase a parade of bubbles giving color to a gray day across the Place Gutenberg in Strasbourg, France, which honors the inventor of the printing press. On a damp day in Strasbourg, France, an early stop on the trip, the citys cathedral was surrounded by visitors with cell phones aimed high into the gray skies capturing its grandeur. Advanced image makers with selfie sticks filmed their own documentaries. I hung back to take in a statue. Place Gutenberg honors the inventor of the printing press with a statue of him standing astride his creation. But what caught my eye was a steady stream of bubbles floating across the square. A nearby school had let out for the day and kids were chasing the rainbow tinted spheres. I joined the cell phone shutterbugs on our daily outings and, yes, it was the main tool for my image making. Arriving in Amsterdam on our last day there was one must-visit destination, the Van Gogh Museum. Tickets are timed so that the crowds arent overwhelming. Working through his lifes work of paintings I was amazed to see how many of the visitors approached the art. Walk up, snap a cell photo and then move on to the next, a pixel collection of Van Goghs. The trips last night finished with a boat ride along the citys many canals decorated for their Holiday of Lights. This years theme was artificial intelligence, with illuminated sculptures by a variety of artists. The first one came into view, translucent human figures standing in the water, hunched over, all looking at their cell phones, glowing into the night. Our captain, Tony Gould was asked to explain it. Most people see the world through their phones today, he replied. Indeed, so for 2024, the goal is simple. See more with my own eyes and make fewer photographs and hopefully better ones. The Cape Cod Times mobile app gets you to the heart of the matter fast. Whether breaking news, sports, entertainment or weather get succinct, personalized coverage along with award-winning videos, captivating photography, and interactive user features. Download the app. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: A photographer's New Year's resolution Happy New Year! And thank you for supporting The News Leader. We have more special content coming your way in 2024, including more regular weekly features and watchdog and investigative work. Please let us know what's important to you for 2024... Waynesboro Y names interim CEO Jay Parker has been named interim CEO of the Waynesboro YMCA, replacing Jeff Fife who resigned effective the end of the year. WAYNESBORO YMCA Board Chair Dave Mirra recently announced that Jay Parker has agreed to serve as the Interim CEO of the Waynesboro YMCA. Parker will follow Jeff Fife who resigned from the position effective at the end of the calendar year. The YMCAs Board of Directors and I are extremely excited about the prospect of working with Jay Parker, said Dave Mirra, chief volunteer officer for the Waynesboro YMCAs board of directors. I am confident that volunteers and staff will benefit from the experience and skills acquired over Jays nearly 30-year Y career. Fife's resignation was announced in October following his 19 years as executive director. Fife cited "personal business pursuits" as one reason for his decision to resign. Parker is a veteran YMCA leader, with experience in a broad cross-section of Y staff and leadership roles, per a press release. He served most recently as the CEO of the YMCA of Central Virginia, a Y association serving the greater Lynchburg community. I am looking forward to helping the volunteers and staff of the Waynesboro Y realize their aspirations to be a catalyst for change, collaboration and broad community impact, said Parker. Jeff Fife has long been a respected colleague of mine. I am excited about the chance to advance the good work he has done in Waynesboro. The decision to enlist interim leadership was made in anticipation of the YMCA reengaging in the strategic visioning and planning work begun in early 2023. The Y plans to take advantage of the added insight and perspective Parker will bring to the process. Market research and an extensive internal performance assessment have already been done. The YMCA has also issued a survey and held small focus group sessions, seeking insight and direction from community leaders, people of influence and potential collaborative partners. Staunton Democratic Committee to elect new Officers The Clocktower Eats and Sweet on West Beverley Street in downtown Staunton. STAUNTON On Jan. 8 the Staunton Democratic Committee will reorganize and elect new Officers for the 2024-2025 term. (This meeting replaces the SDC meeting that would normally be held on Jan. 9.) Nominations are now open for the following Staunton Democratic Committee positions: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. You must be registered to vote in Staunton to participate. The election will be held Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Clocktower, 27 W. Beverly St. in Staunton. More information: https://www.staunton-democrats.org/ Shenandoah National Park's new backcountry camping permit system Photos of land on Tanners Ridge acquired by the Shenandoah National Park Trust. Of note, there were a number of large, healthy hemlocks near the creek (Naked Creek) and also a waterfall. LURAY Beginning Jan. 11 at 10 a.m., visitors who wish to overnight in Shenandoahs backcountry must purchase a permit through Recreation.gov. The previous system of obtaining a paper permit through the parks website or at designated locations in the park will be eliminated effective Jan. 10. Shenandoahs Superintendent Pat Kenney explained that the new system will increase protection of both the visitor and the resources. Shenandoah is one of the National Park Services top ten backcountry camping destinations," Kenney said. "We have conducted several studies, consulted with other parks who have similar amenities, and reviewed and reacted to public comment to arrive at a system that we feel will improve the visitor experience and better protect the resources. Backcountry campers with a start date of Jan. 11 or after will be required to purchase permits online: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675336. There is a $6 permit fee, plus a $9 recreation fee per person. For example, the total permit cost for a group of two campers will be $24. The fee is not dependent on the number of nights. The usual entrance fee also applies. Those planning trips beginning prior to January 11 will use the existing free permit system which can be accessed on the parks website: www.nps.gov/shen The implementation of an online system will allow us to better track backcountry use and locate campers in an emergency," Kenney said. "The fees cover the administrative costs of the system, but the majority will fund backcountry management including trail and facility maintenance, resource protection and rehabilitation, and backcountry staff." For more information about the change including details about how to obtain the new permit, visit https://go.nps.gov/BCPermit Mozart's birthday celebration by Three Notch'd Road: The Virginia Baroque Ensemble STAUNTON Celebrating Mozarts Birthday weekend, Three Notchd Road will feature one of his great masterpieces: the Clarinet Quintet, K.581 (1789) Friday, Jan. 26, 7:30 p.m. at Staunton's Trinity Episcopal Church located at 214 W. Beverley St. Clarinet Quintet features historical clarinetist Dominic Giardino and violinist Aisslinn Nosky. The program will also include other works of Viennese origin and a string quartet by Josef Haydn, played on Classical period instruments with gut strings and transitional bows of a design just prior to modern instruments. In addition to Staunton, Three Notch'd Road's performance will also take place Saturday, Jan. 27 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 7599 Rockfish Gap (Rt. 250 West) in Greenwood at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 28 at Grace Episcopal Church, 5607 Gordonsville Rd. in Keswick at 4 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.tnrbaroque.org and at the door, $30 general admission; youth/students free. For more information email info@tnrbaroque.org or call (434) 409-3424. Three Notchd Road: The Virginia Baroque Ensemble specializes in the performance of historical repertoires from both sides of the Atlantic. The musicianship is founded on a vigorous historical approach, offering little-known music of the baroque as well as incisive performances of well-known favorites. Waynesboro Holiday Trash Collection Delay WAYNESBORO - Public Works will be closed on Monday, Jan. 1, in observance of New Year's Day. Public Works will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Trash collection will run on a one-day delay for the week of Jan. 1 through Jan. 5. Traffic Alerts include shoulder closures on Afton Mountain, Lyndhurst Road STAUNTON The following is a list of highway work that may affect traffic in our area in the coming week. Scheduled work is subject to change due to inclement weather and material supplies. Motorists are advised to watch for slow-moving tractors during mowing operations. When traveling through a work zone, be alert to periodic changes in traffic patterns and lane closures. INTERSTATE 64*UPDATE* Mile marker 95 to 98, eastbound and westbound Overnight right shoulder closures for utility work, 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. January 2 January 3 nights. SECONDARY ROADSRoute 612 (Laurel Hill Road) Westbound right lane closures between Route 1906 (Lodge Lane) and Route 11 (Lee Highway) for pedestrian access improvements, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through February 2024.Route 624 (South Delphine Avenue, Waynesboro) Shoulder closures between South Oak Lane and Chinquapin Drive for work related to construction of Waynesboro Southern Corridor, through May 30, 2025. Route 635 (Barterbrook Road) Closed between interstate frontage roads (FR-217 and FR-218) for replacement of bridge over I-81. Follow posted detour. Closure is needed to construct I-81 southbound auxiliary lane. Expected completion summer 2025. Route 664 (Mount Torrey Road) Shoulder closures and occasional flagger traffic control between Route 624 (Lyndhurst Road) and Route 894 (Mount Torrey Road) for water line installation, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through December 31. Estimated completion summer 2024.Route 664 (Lyndhurst Road, Waynesboro) Shoulder closures between Miami Avenue and Purdue Street for work related to construction of Waynesboro Southern Corridor, through June 30, 2025. Various roads Mobile traffic control for mowing operations. Flagger traffic control for drainage work, tree removal, shoulder repairs, pavement patching and brush cutting, 7:30 to 3 p.m. on weekdays. This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: New YMCA director and Mozart's Birthday: THE DIGEST (Photo : Pixabay/janeb13) Former President Obama has taken on a new role as a TV presenter for a documentary series on Netflix after leaving the White House, where he explores the daily lives of workers across different roles to understand the reality of working in America today. In a recent episode of #ThisIsWorking, President Obama talks with LinkedIn editor-in-chief Daniel Roth about work-related matters. They delve into topics like finding meaning in work, the impact of AI on jobs, and career advice for workers globally. Despite his extensive education and authorship, Obama's top career advice, shared in a recent interview, is surprisingly straightforward- just three simple words. "Get Stuff Done" "I've seen at every level people who are very good at describing problems, people who are very sophisticated in explaining why something went wrong or why something can't get fixed, but what I'm always looking for is, no matter how small the problem or how big it is, somebody who says, 'Let me take care of that.' If you project an attitude of, whatever it is that's needed, I can handle it and I can do it, then whoever is running that organization will notice. I promise." Obama replies to Roth's question on career advice. Address Specific Issues According to Obama, focusing on problem-solving rather than showcasing intelligence has significant advantages. This approach is accessible to everyone, regardless of their job. Whether you're a physicist, a janitor, or a cafe owner, you can frame your work as making someone's life easier by addressing their specific needs or issues. Don't be Impatient Effectiveness can distinguish anyone, and you can begin right away. Obama advises young people not to be impatient about getting prestigious assignments. You don't need fancy tasks to impress; you must deliver results consistently. READ ALSO: Career Advice from Working Moms Who Make It Work Focus on What You Want to Do Obama adds another piece of advice, which is an elaboration of his first essential point: "Worry more about what you want to do than what you want to be." by focusing on solving problems and getting things done rather than being overly concerned about job titles or status. Worry Less About Status and Salary Instead of pursuing impressive titles or high salaries, young people should prioritize their genuine interests, according to Obama. He suggests that the most successful individuals express a sincere passion for a specific area, such as computing, leading to achievements like Bill Gates, who attributes his success to following his passion, making him a world-class professional. Focus on Interest and Impact Obama advises young individuals to focus on their interests, which involves solving problems and puzzles. Individuals can achieve success without directly obsessing over climbing the career ladder by concentrating on interest and impact. The key is to get things done, and success will naturally follow. Obama highlights the enjoyment that comes from being interested in your work. By focusing on what fascinates you, you naturally engage in problem-solving. Instead of worrying about impressive job titles, the focus is on questions like how to achieve specific goals or improve processes. This approach enhances the journey through your career, making it more fulfilling and impactful. RELATED ARTICLE: Career Related New Year's Resolution That May Change the Way You Work 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that in 2024, Crimea and the related battle in the Black Sea will become the wars centre of gravity. Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with The Economist Details: Zelenskyy says little about what Ukraine might achieve in 2024, noting that leaks before last summer's counteroffensive helped Russia prepare its defences. But if he has anything to say, it is that Crimea and the related battle in the Black Sea will be the wars centre of gravity. As Zelenskyy noted, isolating occupied Crimea and weakening Russian military capabilities there "is extremely important for us because it is the way for us to reduce the number of attacks from that region." The president is convinced that a successful operation would be "an example to the world" and would also have a major effect inside Russia the loss of a central element of Kremlin propaganda would show that "thousands of Russian officers died only because of Putin's ambitions". But Zelenskyy says the speed of any success will depend on the military assistance Ukraine receives from its Western partners. He has asked for the Taurus, a German-made long-range cruise missile with the ability to explode deep inside a target. This could allow Ukraine to destroy the Kerch bridge, effectively isolating the Crimean peninsula from Russia, the newspaper writes. "Russia has to know that for us, this is a military object," Zelenskyy stressed. As the president said, his immediate task in the land war will be "to defend the east, to save these very important cities of Ukraine, east and south, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Mykolaiv," as well as to protect Ukraine's critical infrastructure. Support UP or become our patron! President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had his first international conversation of 2024 with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Source: European Pravda, citing Zelenskyy on Twitter (X) Details: The Ukrainian president said they primarily discussed security issues, where he informed the Canadian prime minister about Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities and villages. Zelenskyy noted that the parties discussed work on security guarantees and agreed that their teams would intensify bilateral dialogue soon to reach a relevant agreement. "I am grateful to Prime Minister Trudeau for his willingness to assist us in protecting the Ukrainian sky, particularly by providing additional NASAMS systems and missiles," the Ukrainian leader said. He added that they also talked about preparing the fourth meeting of advisers working to implement the Peace Formula: it will take place in mid-January in Davos. "I appreciate Justin and Canada assisting our relevant efforts on a global scale. I am also grateful for the reassurance that Canadas support for Ukraine will continue this year, both in terms of military and financial assistance," Zelenskyy concluded. Background: Earlier, Canada announced sanctions against 30 Russian citizens for their involvement in the sham elections held on 8-10 September 2023 in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Before that, it became known that Canada would donate more than 11,000 assault rifles and ammunition to Ukraine. Prior to that, the Canadian government launched an investigation into the possible sale of its anti-drone system to Russia. Support UP or become our patron! Nelson County Sheriff Mark Embrey stood in front of Nelson Circuit Court Judge Michael R. Doucette on Dec. 20 in what was his final requirement before officially stepping into office. With his right hand raised and more than 50 current and former law enforcement, family, friends and other county officials present in the district courtroom in Lovingston, Embrey swore that he will serve the people of Nelson County to the best of his ability. Following the ceremony, Embrey told the Nelson County Times that it was a good day, putting an emphasis on the individuals who will work in the department. We got some good folks coming in, a lot of seasoned veterans, tenured folks; so today was about them and their families, he said. Glenn Phillips, who also was sworn in to be the countys chief deputy, said it was nice to see a good friend get sworn in as sheriff. It was pretty emotional, actually, Phillips said. Phillips, who has served in law enforcement for 37 years, said Embrey came to him around this time last year about the possibility of joining Embreys bid to become sheriff. Phillips, retired at the time, jokingly said Embrey gave him a good sales pitch but his vision and the people of Nelson County inspired him to leave retirement and serve. He said it was worth coming out of retirement. Im excited to see how much of his vision hes able to get done in these four years, Phillips said. Embrey won the race for the countys highest law officer in November against Sheriff David Hill, receiving close to 3,400 votes. Hill served as the countys sheriff since 2016. During Embreys campaign, one of his goals was to fully staff the department. He said the department is not quite there yet in terms of staffing but hes working toward it. I firmly believe by late January, early February, well be there, he said. A Nelsonian from Shipman, Embrey graduated from Nelson County High School in 1995. From high school, Embrey went on to receive an associates degree from Piedmont Virginia Community College in 1997 and a bachelors degree in December 1999 from Radford University. This would lead to a 20-year career in law enforcement, working his last few years in the Nelson County Sheriffs Office. He then left to pursue an opportunity in the private sector after meeting the minimum retirement requirements. Embrey said law enforcement was always a calling for him, adding that public service and inspiration by his father led him to the profession. My father was employed with the Virginia Department of Forestry, he was a fire chief and I always looked up to him and I wanted to be in public service the way he was. I just wanted to take a little bit of a different route, so law enforcement was the direction that I chose and Im better for it, he said. Looking ahead to January, Embrey said staffing is a top priority. He also added he wants to tackle the drug epidemic and get D.A.R.E taught in the countys elementary schools. Embrey also wants to have a visible presence on the corridors, such as Virginia 151, Virginia 6 and Virginia 29. I really want to focus on those and I want to be visible in the community. I really do. I want the community to see our presence feel it and I want to be transparent with the community about what were doing, he said. In terms of added transparency, Embrey said he wants to have quarterly town halls and added they should be the first Thursday of every four months. At the town halls, Embrey said he wants to report on the departments enforcement initiatives, where the department is on criminal investigations as far as the number, and the sheriff plans to bring a different deputy with him each meeting. Im going to travel throughout the county to a different venue to host that, to give people the opportunity to see me, hear me and take questions as long as it takes. I feel thats what the public in the county has lacked, he said. Daniel Rutherford, commonwealths attorney for Nelson County, told the Nelson County Times that his office is looking forward to a positive relationship with Embrey and his staff, adding he has a good team. My office will always be here pursuing justice, he said. Embrey said the residents of Nelson County can expect enforcement, transparency and accountability from him as sheriff, but he emphasized that the agency is not only about him, its about the deputies and staff in the department. The future is bright for us, he said. Ishikawa, Jan 03 ( News On Japan ) - At least 55 deaths have been reported as of Wednesday morning following the magnitude 7.6 earthquake that struck at around 4:10 PM Monday in Shika Town, Ishikawa Prefecture, with the Mayor of Suzu City revealing that in the heavily affected areas, about 90% of the buildings are either completely or nearly destroyed. The town of Shika observed a seismic intensity of 7 on the Japanese scale, while areas like Suzu City and Wajima City experienced strong level 6 tremors, and Noto Town felt weaker level 6 tremors. According to Ishikawa Prefecture, 20 deaths were confirmed in Suzu City, 19 in Wajima City, totaling 48 deaths within the prefecture. In Wajima City, a popular tourist spot known as "Asaichi Street" and its surroundings experienced a large-scale fire. It is believed that approximately 200 buildings, including homes, were burned. In Shika Town, which recorded a seismic intensity of 7, some families had to evacuate to shelters due to damage to their homes. The Meteorological Agency has issued a warning that earthquakes with a maximum intensity of 7 could occur over the next week and is urging caution. The Japan Meteorological Agency has lifted tsunami advisories for the Sea of Japan, but cautions that strong aftershocks are likely, particularly in the next few days. Tsunami waves over 120 centimeters were reported in Wajima, with Kanazawa recording 90 centimeters. While there are several nuclear facilities in the area, no major irregularities have been reported. The Hokuriku Electric Power Company has shut down two generators at its Nanao Ota thermal power plant in the prefecture. Bullet train operations are gradually resuming, with the Hokuriku Shinkansen and Joetsu Shinkansen partially operational. A frigate of the Royal Navy intercepted, on Sunday, December 31, 2023, a suspicious vessel approximately 345 km southwest of Dakhla, 85 km off the coastline. The vessel, carrying five individuals, refused to comply and attempted to evade capture and flee towards open waters. The intercepted ship was found to be carrying four Venezuelan nationals and one individual of Mauritanian-Peruvian nationality. Despite warnings to comply, the vessel refused to oblige, prompting the naval intervention. After a meticulous control operation conducted by the frigates maritime interception team, it was revealed that the vessel lacked proper documentation and flew no flag. The vessel was rerouted to the port of Dakhla for further inspection and administrative processing. An official statement from the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces outlined the sequence of events, indicating that the vessel is now under the jurisdiction of the Royal Gendarmerie for standard administrative procedures. Earlier this month, local government agencies partnered with the United Way of Lee County to provide free winter coats to those in need. The UWLC, in its partnership with the Lee County Sheriffs Office and Lee County District Attorneys Office, held the first ever Bundle Up Boutique in early December. The boutique was a free event where residents and families could shop for free winter coats. The inaugural event was an instant success as all 653 coats were given away to families in need. Its always a fantastic feeling seeing how generously the Lee County community responds to calls for donations to help their fellow community members. We were glad that the word got out to people who needed the coats and that those people were able to come get them, said Jessica Henderson, the media and community relations specialist for the sheriffs office. The shop was scheduled to be open over the course of three days. But when the boutique gave out 506 coats on Dec. 5, plans changed. The remaining 147 coats were distributed on Dec. 6, bringing the event to a close one day earlier than originally planned. It was definitely a happy surprise that so many coats were given out on the first day, Henderson said. The Bundle Up Boutique was held at the United Way of Lee County Office at 2133 Executive Park Drive in Opelika. It was staffed by Henderson, members of United Way of Lee County and Amanda Amat and Lekeisha Presley from the Lee County District Attorneys Offices Helping Families Initiative. Henderson said the planning of the Bundle Up Boutique began when a deputy with the LCSO was cleaning out his closet and realized that a lot of the clothes he was getting rid of were winter coats. The deputy then came up with the idea for the coat drive and Henderson said he mentioned it to her and the Helping Families Initiative, and that United Way was brought in to make it happen. We didnt have a particular number in mind, just a goal of helping as many people as we could, Henderson said. The event involved a donation drive in November that brought together various Auburn-Opelika organizations. The follow locations served as donation stations: Auburn Bank (Gay Street location), East Alabama Health (inside the chapel), Lee County Justice Center, Lee County Sheriffs Office, Opelika Police Department, United Way of Lee County, Lee County District Attorneys Office and Auburn Public SafetyPolice & Fire (Police Department). The UWLC also partnered with Harvest Thrift Store, which donated the clothing racks and hangers for the boutique, and 4 Seasons Cleaners, which donated dry cleaning services. In a November UWLC press release announcing the event, UWLC Community Initiatives Specialist Gabby Thabes highlighted why a free event like this was so important during this time. Even though its disheartening to think that there are individuals in our community in need of something often seen as so simple, you never know in what way someone might be struggling, Thabes said. In that November news release, Thabes mentioned the importance of removing the stigma from accepting free items and how the Bundle Up Boutique created an environment without judgement. That is something that Henderson highlighted as well, as the event did donate all 653 coats, but there was no tracking on the amount of families or individuals that received them. There was no identification or proof of residency required at the boutique. Henderson said that was meant to ensure that no one who was in need could be intimidated or deterred by that. With this being the first year of the Boutique, Henderson said discussions have already begun to find ways to improve the event in 2024. With it being the first year, there of course are lots of little lessons that we learned, Henderson said. The biggest change that were looking at is to have a longer donation period, and possibly more donation points, to allow for a larger amount of donations. We are hoping to have more childrens sizes donated next year as those were the first sizes to run out this year. Henderson added that next year, the goal will be to surpass the 2023 number. See United Way volunteers pack meals at the 2024 Campaign Kickoff Happy NYE, ONTD. If you're like me and having a low-key NYE, perhaps you should join me in watching 1951's, starring Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, and Oscar Levant.It's not on an available streamer. Sorry for not double checking last night.As usual, we will be using Teleparty to watch and chat and will start around 9pm Eastern. How to use Teleparty (Click onto read the directions. You will need to have Google Chrome installed to use the Teleparty extension)Join the party HERE 11:09 Eastern: watch Jumanji on Max with us: https://redirect.teleparty.com/join/646e18bdc9eccfee World must work together to strengthen AI governance 11:16, January 01, 2024 By Huan Yuping ( People's Daily Many international media, in their year-end reviews or next-year forecasts, listed artificial intelligence (AI) as a keyword. They said AI has transformed from a synonym for science fiction to a tool used by millions of people, seeping into people's daily lives and driving industries toward the future. They believe that as 2024 approaches, AI innovations that break traditional boundaries will grow in strength. However, along with the immense application and commercial value AI has brought, there were also unpredictable risks and challenges in 2023. At this critical juncture of AI's rapid development, strengthening AI governance becomes an urgent task that the international community must tackle together. U.S. leading reference books publisher Merriam-Webster announced that the word "authentic" has been chosen as its Word of the Year for 2023. This decision was made due to the significant increase in the demand for authenticity caused by the rapid advancement of AI technology. The global community has been paying unprecedented attention to preventing AI from spreading false information, infringing on personal rights and interests, posing security risks, and widening the technological divide. It is widely recognized that there is a risk of misuse and abuse of AI due to the lack of effective safeguards. With the accelerating AI application around the world, it is necessary for governments and organizations to consider how to leverage this technology for the benefit of humanity and the planet, said John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA Ltd. He emphasized the need to jointly establish a trustworthy environment for AI. Good governance is essential for the healthy development of AI. The impact of AI on human society depends on whether the international community can seek benefits and avoid harm through effective governance. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pointed out the need to approach this technology with a sense of urgency, a global lens, and a learner's mindset. Countries should engage in coordination, set boundaries, and work tirelessly to ensure that AI benefits humanity. China has released an interim regulation on the management of generative AI services; the UN has established the High-level Advisory Body on AI; the AI Safety Summit has issued the Bletchley Declaration; the EU has reached an agreement on the Artificial Intelligence Act. Over the past year, there has been a deepening understanding of the urgency of AI governance, and related actions have been accelerating. However, in the face of such a disruptive technology that may profoundly impact the trajectory of human civilization, governance challenges still exist widely. It is crucial to enhance global coordination and cooperation. As a responsible AI powerhouse, China has always attached great importance to AI governance. While gradually establishing and improving relevant laws, regulations, and institutional systems at home, China actively contributes its wisdom to strengthening global AI governance. China has put forward the Global AI Governance Initiative, which systematically elaborates on China's approach to AI governance in terms of development, security, and governance. The initiative adheres to the systematic thinking that puts equal emphasis on development and security, upholds a people-centered approach in developing AI, adheres to the principle of developing AI for good, and upholds the principles of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit in AI development. It provides constructive solutions to the development and governance of AI that are of common concern to all parties, and serves as a blueprint for international discussions and rule-making in this field. China has also actively engaged in communication, exchanges, and pragmatic cooperation with all parties on global AI governance. During the meeting between the Chinese and U.S. heads of state in San Francisco, both sides agreed to promote government talks on AI, injecting new impetus into strengthening global AI governance and inspiring the international community. AI marks a new field of human development, and effective governance is essential for its healthy development and for the benefit of humanity. Facing diverse challenges to world peace and development, countries must uphold a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. They should pay equal importance to development and security, consolidate consensus through dialogue and cooperation, and build an open, fair, and effective governance mechanism. Only by doing so can they jointly promote the healthy, orderly, and secure development of AI, and ensure that AI always progresses in a direction that is conducive to the advancement of human civilization. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) North Korean space rocket launches violate U.N. Security Council resolutions, a State Department spokesperson said Sunday, after Pyongyang announced a goal of launching three more military spy satellites in 2024. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un put forward the goal among others as the five-day Central Committee gathering of the ruling Workers' Party concluded on Saturday, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). "Space launch vehicles (SLVs) incorporate technologies that are identical to, and interchangeable with, those used in ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs)," the spokesperson told Yonhap News Agency via email. "Any DPRK launch that uses ballistic missile technology, which would include SLVs used to launch a satellite into space, violates multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions," the official added, referring to the North by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. In November, the North claimed to have successfully put a military spy satellite, named Malligyong-1, into orbit after two failed attempts in May and August, respectively. During the ruling party session, Kim outlined key defense tasks for 2024, including stepping up efforts to build more nuclear weapons, according to KCNA. He also called for a "fundamental change" in his regime's handling of relations with the South, saying cross-border ties have become those of "two hostile countries" or "countries engaged in state of combat." The State Department spokesperson reiterated Washington's pursuit of diplomacy with Pyongyang. "The United States has been very clear we seek dialogue with Pyongyang without preconditions. We remain committed to diplomacy, even as the DPRK launches an unprecedented number of ballistic missiles," the spokesperson said. "We have also been clear that we will seek to cooperate on humanitarian issues, regardless of the status of WMD and missile-related discussions," the official added. WMD stands for weapons of mass destruction. The spokesperson also reiterated that coordinated efforts with South Korea and Japan will continue to address challenges from the North. "We continue to consult closely with the Republic of Korea, Japan, and other allies and partners about how to best engage the DPRK, deter aggression, and coordinate international responses to the DPRK's violations of multiple UN Security Council resolutions," the official said. (Yonhap) HASLET, Texas Worried about his mothers health, Jacob Mabil tried for months to persuade her to let him start the process that would take her from a sprawling refugee camp where she had spent almost a decade after fleeing violence in South Sudan. He wanted her to come live with him and his young family in the U.S. But before she would agree, she asked for a promise: that he would one day also bring the granddaughters she had raised since they were babies. Mabil, now 44, said he would do everything he could. But it turned out that he was allowed to petition only for immediate family members. Though his mom joined him in suburban Fort Worth, Texas, in 2020, his nieces remained in Africa. That always killed me," said Mabil, whose own childhood was ripped apart by civil war in Sudan. As the U.S. government transforms the way refugees are being resettled, Mabil and his family now have hope that they will be reunited with two of his nieces, who soon turn 18 and 19. The Biden administration opened the application process this month that lets Americans who have formed groups to privately sponsor refugees request the specific person they want to bring to the U.S. When he was just 8, Mabil was forced to run for his life as soldiers came into his village in what is now South Sudan, setting it on fire as they killed people. He became part of the group of children known as the lost boys, who spent years on their own and walked hundreds of miles to flee violence. Mabil, who didn't even know his mother was alive until shortly after he arrived in the U.S. in his early 20s, said he wants his sister's daughters to have the same opportunities that he has had. Traditionally, resettlement agencies have placed refugees in communities, but the push to add private sponsorship as well has come as President Joe Biden works to restore a program that was decimated under former President Donald Trump. The launch at the start of 2023 of the State Departments Welcome Corps program, which allows everyday Americans the chance to form their own groups to privately sponsor refugees, came after a similar endeavor that let U.S. citizens sponsor Afghans or Ukrainians. In many ways it is, I think, one of the most important things that the U.S. resettlement program has ever done, said Sasha Chanoff, founder and CEO of RefugePoint, a Boston-based nonprofit that helps refugees. It will allow families who are in desperate need to reunite to do so. With the U.S. hoping to bring in 125,000 refugees this fiscal year, the use of private sponsors expands the capacity of the existing system, said Welcome Corps spokeswoman Monna Kashfi said. She added that the opportunity to apply to sponsor a specific refugee has been greatly anticipated. We have heard all throughout the year from people who wanted to know ... when they could submit an application to sponsor someone that they know, she said. Mabil, his wife and his mother have already joined two family friends to form their own sponsor group to start the process to bring over his two nieces, who were placed in a boarding school when their grandmother left Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya for the U.S. One is set to graduate soon and the other has returned to the camp after graduating. Chanoff said that unaccompanied girls are often in extraordinary danger at the camp and regularly kidnapped and sold into marriage. Mabils wife, Akuot Leek, 33, is also from South Sudan and spent her childhood traveling from place to place with her family to try to escape violence. She wants the young women to have the same freedom that she had to choose what to do with their lives. Leek and Mabil began dating after meeting at a wedding in the U.S. and both are college graduates who now work in finance. Mabil was one of about 20,000 youths who joined an odyssey that took them first to Ethiopia, where they spent about three years before a war there forced them to flee again. The survivors eventually made it to Kakuma, where Mabil spent almost a decade before coming to the U.S. They had survived bullets and bombs and wild animal attacks and things that you and I cant imagine to get to Kakuma camp, said Chanoff, who met Mabil at the camp. Leek and Mabil say that once his nieces are settled in Texas, they may work to bring over other family members. Mabil's mother, Adeng Ajang, said living with her son and daughter-in-law and four grandchildren in their comfortable home has made her very happy. Now, the only stress she has in her life is worrying about her granddaughters. It was difficult to leave them," said Ajang as her daughter-in-law translated from the Dinka language. It was hard. Ajang said talks to her granddaughters on the phone often. Sometimes we talk and then we will start to cry, she said. For Mabil, he's excited and nervous to start the process. This is my last chance, he said. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip Israeli strikes in central Gaza killed at least 35 people Sunday, hospital officials said, as fighting raged across the tiny enclave a day after Israels prime minister said the war will continue for many more months, resisting international calls for a cease-fire. The military said Israeli forces were operating in Gazas second-largest city, Khan Younis, and residents reported strikes in the central region, the latest focus of the nearly three-month air and ground war that has raised fears of a regional conflagration. Israel says it wants to destroy Hamas governing and military capabilities in Gaza, from where it launched its Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. The militants killed some 1,200 people after breaking through Israel's extensive border defenses, shattering its sense of security. They also captured around 240 hostages, nearly half of whom were released during a temporary cease-fire agreement in November. Israel's unprecedented air and ground offensive has killed more than 21,800 Palestinians and wounded more than 56,000 others, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza, which does not distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths. The war has sparked a humanitarian crisis, with a quarter of Gaza residents facing starvation, according to the United Nations. Israels bombardments have leveled vast swaths of the territory, displacing about 85% of Gazas 2.3 million residents. Israel expanded its offensive to central Gaza this week, targeting a belt of densely built-up communities that house refugees from the 1948 war surrounding Israels creation and their descendants. In the area of Zweida in central Gaza, an Israeli airstrike killed at least 13 people and wounded dozens of others, according to witnesses. The bodies were draped in white plastic and laid out in front of a hospital, where prayers were held before burial. They were innocent people, said Hussein Siam, whose relatives were among the dead. Israeli warplanes bombarded the whole family. Israeli Raids Hit Central Gazan Camp This footage was filmed and produced 31 December 2023. Israeli troops raid central Gaza's Al-Maghazi refugee camp. Officials from Al-Aqsa Hospital in central Deir al-Balah said the 13 were among 35 bodies received on Sunday. The Israeli military said it was battling militants in Khan Younis, where Israel believes Hamas leaders are hiding. It also said its forces operating in the urban Shati refugee camp, in northern Gaza, found a bomb in a kindergarten and defused it. Hamas continued to launch rockets toward southern Israel. Israel has faced stiff resistance from Hamas since it began its ground offensive in late October, and the military says 172 soldiers have been killed during that time. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesman, said late Sunday that Israel was withdrawing some forces from Gaza as part of its smart management of the war. He did not say how many, and held out the possibility they would return at a later point in the war. Israeli media said up to five brigades, numbering thousands of soldiers, would be withdrawn, but it was not immediately clear if it represented a normal troop rotation or a new phase in the fighting. Hagari also said some reservists would return to civilian life to bolster Israels wartime economy. The fighting has pushed much of Gaza's population south, where people have flooded shelters and tent camps near the border with Egypt. Hundreds of thousands have sought shelter in the central town of Deir al-Balah. Israel has continued to carry out strikes in both areas. Eman al-Masri, who gave birth to quadruplets a week ago at a hospital in Deir al-Balah, is now sheltering with them in a room with 50 other people at a school-turned-shelter. There is a shortage of diapers, they are not available, and no milk, she said. The scale of the destruction and the exodus to the south has raised fears among Palestinians and Arab countries that Israel plans to drive Gaza's population out and prevent it from returning. On Sunday, Israel's far-right finance minister said it should encourage migration from Gaza and re-establish Jewish settlements in the territory, where it withdrew settlers and soldiers in 2005. If in Gaza there were only 100,000 or 200,000 Arabs and not 2 million, the entire discussion about the day after would be completely different," Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told Army Radio. Smotrich has been largely sidelined by a War Cabinet that does not include him. But his comments risked worsening tensions with neighboring Egypt, which is deeply concerned about a possible mass influx of Palestinian refugees, along with other friendly Arab countries. Israel is also at odds with the United States, which has provided crucial military aid for the offensive, over Gaza's future. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel must maintain open-ended security control over the Gaza Strip. At a news conference Saturday, he said the war would continue for many more months" and that Israel would assume control of the Gaza side of the border with Egypt. Israel says Hamas has smuggled weapons from Egypt, but Egypt is likely to oppose any Israeli military presence there. Netanyahu has also said he won't allow the internationally backed Palestinian Authority, which administers some parts of the occupied West Bank, to expand its limited rule to Gaza, from where Hamas drove its forces out in 2007. The U.S. wants a unified Palestinian government to run both Gaza and parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank as a precursor to eventual statehood. The last Israeli-Palestinian peace talks broke down over a decade ago, and Israeli governments since then have been staunchly opposed to Palestinian statehood. The Delta State Police Command detectives on plain clothes have arrested a nurse (name withheld), and member of staff of a private hospital in Warri, Delta State, over admission racketeering into the Delta State School of Nursing. The nurse collected the sum of N400,000 to secure admission for a forthcoming male student for the March entrance examinations into the School of Nursing, Warri. It was gathered that the forthcoming student lodged a disapproval to the Director, Nursing Department of the Ministry of Health following the failure of the alleged racketeer to secure admission for him. It was learnt the matter was reported to the Health Ministry which made the nurse in the company of the complainant with the sum of N100,000 agreed as payment for the admission between the official and the racketeering nurse go to Asaba. The suspect was apprehended by plain clothes policemen after being recorded on tape. Dr. Mordi Ononye,Delta State Commissioner for Health, who confirmed the incident, warned admission seekers to be careful of racketeers who engage in collecting money from seeking students by telling fake promises of admission into the states schools of nursing. According to the commissioner, we received a complaint from a prospecting student who applied and sat for the entrance examination in March this year into the School of Nursing Warri. He couldnt make the required score and gave a nurse four N400, 000 to get admitted. He explained that the nurse worked in a private hospital in Warri, collected the said amount with a promise to assist the prospecting student who is a male get admission into the School. However, when the said nurse could not meet up with her promise, the student reported the matter to the Director of Nursing Department in the Ministry. The Coalition of United Political Parties has claimed a combined team of security agents has been approved by the Presidency to cordon off the venue of the National Judicial Council meeting scheduled for Monday. The council members are meeting to consider the answers to the queries issued to the suspended CJN Walter Onnoghen and Acting CJN Justice Tanko Mohammed. According to a statement on Sunday by the coalitions spokesman, the operatives have been handed instructions that they should do whatever is necessary to ensure the NJC indicts the CJN and set Justice Mohammed free from all allegations. Imo Ugochinyere said an Assistant Inspector-General of Police and another senior officer from the Department of State Services are to coordinate the operation. The security agents are to claim that there is intelligence of a possible breach of security which would warrant the increased security. They are to coax, coerce and show some members their unfavourable security reports to get them to do the bidding of the government. This latest decision was informed by the fact that the Federal Government is aware that the Nigerian opposition has obtained further evidence to prove that the removal of Justice Walter Onnoghen from office by President Buhari is merely for political purpose having failed in a bid to recruit the CJN to support the APC and use the exalted office of the Chief Justice to unduly favour the Party and the President in the post 2019 Supreme Court election petition appeals. Knowing that they do not have anything on the CJN, they have resorted to strong-arm tactics, intimidation and harassment. It has come to light that the Interim Investigation Report which was intercepted by the opposition was actually a report of a former investigation by the EFCC which was found to have no merit and which was discarded but was now doctored by the EFCC Chairman and submitted to the President as a purported indictment of the CJN. A copy of the statement issued by the former spokesperson of the Commission on September 6, 2017 clearly showed that the EFCC had investigated the CJN following his appointment as Acting CJN and had discarded the petitions after full investigations. The Chairman of EFCC is simply framing the CJN in a bid to help shield the Presidency from the obvious unconstitutional act of the removal of the CJN. Ugochinyere alleged that from the Interim Report submitted by Magu, it was clear that the investigation covered the period ending in 2016 just before the appointment as acting CJN and the commission did not find any merit in the petition. He added that while reproducing the same report, Magu presented it as an ongoing report and purported to make insinuations that the CJN was corrupt. The report also shows that President Muhammadu Buhari was aware of the investigation both at the EFCC and the Code of Conduct Bureau and exposed the fact that the Vice-President Pastor Yemi Osinbajo was not telling the truth to the entire nation and the world when he publicly claimed that the President was not aware of the activities of the investigating agencies concerning the CJN. Both the Vice President and the EFCC Chairman ought to tender their resignations having been exposed indubitably to have lied to the nation so as to save the government some shame and reference as a lying government. It is now categorical that the government manipulated institutions of state to frame up, blackmail and tarnish the image of persons who refuse to be recruited into their unpatriotic plot. Now that the truth has been laid bare, the Nigerian opposition declares that the unlawful and unconstitutional removal of Justice Walter Onnoghen from office by President Muhammadu Buhari was merely a political move and was completely unconnected to any fight against corruption. It is clear that the travails of the CJN is politically motivated, an afterthought, a witch-hunt and a calculated attempt to continue the unwarranted attacks and harassment of the head of the judiciary and third arm of government because he refused to yield his office for trading of judgments and judicial reprieve. The factional CJN Tanko Mohammed is now yielding the office of the CJN to the Executive to manipulate the NJC meeting for his own personal gain and to reap the fruit of the illegal forced suspension of Justice Onnoghen. Nigerians are reminded to keep vigil over the venue so that the last hope of the common man is not conquered. Also the members of the NJC are the last line of defence for the judiciary and they bear the burden of standing firm to resist this invasion by these political barbarians by sacking Justice Tanko Mohammed from the bench for conniving to breach the NJC guidelines and the 1999 Constitution. The plot to use security agents to attempt to intimidate members of the NJC is reprehensible, condemnable and repugnant and must be dismantled immediately as continuing with it will be one abuse too many in a constitutional democracy, he added. The Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) has refuted the reports going round that a Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State has granted Innoson Nigeria Limited leave to take over the banks properties over N8.8 billion indebtedness to the company. On Friday, Innoson had claimed that it obtained a writ of FiFa from the Federal High Court, Awka, Anambra State, against the GTBank affect the judgment given by the Federal High Court in Ibadan and upheld by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Writ of FiFa (Writ of Fieri Facias) is a leave of court to execute a judgment obtained by a judgment creditor in a legal action for debt or damages by levying on the property of the judgment debtor. However, the bank has moved to assure its customers of the safety of their funds, clarifying that the said judgement is applicable to the account of the Nigerian Customs Service Board domiciled with the bank, and not against GTBank as an entity. Spread the love Former Rivers Governor Peter Odili has been placed on the watch list of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC ) says the Nigeria Immigration Service, (NIS). The NIS revealed this on Wednesday in response to a suit filed by Odili challenging the seizure of his international passport by the service. When the matter was called on Wednesday, counsel to the service, Mr Jimoh Adamu informed the court that he had just filed a counter affidavit to oppose the suit of the former governor. Adamu sought a brief adjournment to enable him put his house in order. Odilis counsel, Mr Ifedayo Adedipe did not oppose the request for a short adjournment. Justice Mohammed then adjourned the matter until Sept. 28 for hearing. The former governor had dragged the NIS and its Comptroller-General to the Federal High Court challenging the seizure of his passport at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja for undisclosed reasons. In the fundamental rights enforcement suit, he claimed that the international passport with number B50031305 was seized from him on June 20 by operatives of the service. Odili prayed the court to compel the two respondents to release the passport to him. He also prayed for an order of perpetual injunction against the service from further harrassing, embarrassing, intimidating or interfering with his fundermental right to freedom of movement. The former governor also demanded a written apology for the embarrassment caused him by the service. In a counter affidavit, the service justified the seizure of Odilis passport and faulted his claims in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/965/2021. The applicants passport was seized because he is on the services (NIS) watch list as requested by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC). It is the governments policy that streamlines the security agencies present at the point of entry/exit from the country. The respondents (NIS and its Comptroller-General) are the lead agency for the above stated function. All security agencies collaborate by submitting list of any person on the watch list to the respondents By virtue of Section 31 of the Immigration Act 2015, the respondents are empowered to prevent the departure from Nigeria where there is a request to arrest such a person in the public interest as requested in the instant case by the EFCC. By the above section of the Immigration Act, the respondents are empowered to seize the applicants international passport because he was watch listed sequel to EFCC requested, it said. The NIS argued that Odilis suit was pre-mature as he allegedly failed to meet the condition precedent to the filing of such suits. This action is premature and incompetent as the applicant failed to serve pre-action notice on the service as condition precedent before filing this suit against the respondents. The failure to serve pre-action notice robs this honourable court of jurisdiction. The applicant is not entitled to the reliefs sought and the suit should be dismissed with substantial cost for failure to comply with condition precedent, the service said A foreign female tourist and three others have been killed by suspected kidnappers in Kajuru Local Governor Area of Kaduna State. Meanwhile, Kaduna State Police Command confirmed the killing of the expatriate and one other. The incident occurred around 11:30 am on Friday when the attackers stormed the area shooting sporadically and in the process shot the victims. A source close to the Local Government chairman told our Correspondent that the kidnappers abducted five other persons. According to him, Yes there was an attack at Kajuru Castle but we suspected they were kidnappers and they killed an expatriate whose origin we are still trying to find, he said. The Nation gathered that, there was a party at the castle the night before the incident. Confirming the incident, State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Yakubu Sabo said only two people were killed. He also said that only three people were abducted by the kidnappers and that a team of police officers have been deployed to the area. According to the PPRO, we received an information through DPO Kajuru that at about 2340hrs, some suspected Kidnappers armed with dangerous weapons gained entry into a recreational resort called Kajuru Castle in Kajuru Local Government Area shooting sporadically and in the process shot dead two persons including an expatriate lady and took away three others. Patrol Teams led by the DPO rushed to the scene evacuated the victims to St. Gerald Hospital. Investigation later revealed that the victims along with twelve others came from Lagos on tourism after which they organized a party at the Castle located at the Hill Top during which the incident happened, he said. He explained that the Commissioner of Police CP Ahmad Abdur-Rahman appeals to members of the public to assist the Police with useful information that would help in the arrest of the perpetrators of the heinous crime. States are to share N649 billion the final tranche of the Paris Club Refund. But debtor-states will have to settle their debts soon, Finance Minister Mrs. Zainab Ahmed said yesterday, adding that the Federal Government plans to begin the final phase of the debt refund. The minister told reporters at a news conference in Abuja yesterday that the total sum of N649.434 billion was verified by the ministry as the outstanding balance to be refunded to the state governments. She also revealed that the payments made by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CNB) as at March stood at N691.560 billion. The increase in CBN payments partly arose from exchange rate differential at the point of payment, Mrs Ahmed said. The minister, who did not divulge how much would accrue to each of the 36 states, noted that some states still have outstanding balances, which will be refunded, in due course. The minister also stated that N4.8 trillion was shared out to the three-tiers of government between September, last year and April from the Federation Account. The sum of N784.7 billion realised from Value Added Tax (VAT) for the same period was also shared. On Nigerias growing debt profile, Mrs Ahmed stated that the debt increase from N12.2 trillion to N23.0 trillion is by design. The Federal Government, she said, designed the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) to reflate the economy to take us out of recession when we came on board and we made an assessment; it was clear that our country was going into recession. When we did a research on the best way to reverse the recession, it was to reflate the economy and that means putting resources in the economy so that consumption will increase. Based on the governments findings, she said, the government designed the ERGP to borrow in the first, second and third years and in the fourth year the borrowing was supposed to start reducing. That is exactly what we have done. REad also: PMB and Paris Club consultancy fees imbroglio Defending borrowing, Mrs. Ahmed said the government made sure that we borrowed to finance capital projects. At the same time, we went into recession, there were other countries similar to Nigeria that went into recession. Some of them are still not out of recession, but because of the method we adopted; but the consequence, of course, is the increase in debt and that is why the Ministry of Finance and all its agencies are working to make sure that we increase revenues. She reiterated that at 19.09 per cent Debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio we still are the lowest compared to countries like Brazil, South Africa, that all have an average of 56 per cent debt to GDP ratio. If you look at our budget, the debt service to GDP ratio is 30%, but because revenues underperformed, it went as high as 50 per cent to 55 [per cent and in some months up to 60 per cent. So, if our revenues perform optimally we are in a good place as far as revenues are concerned. I am sure you know that we have issued promissory notes to states that constructed roads on behalf of the Federal Government; we have issued promissory notes to marketers and we are currently preparing promissory notes for businesses. However, the government is addressing the issue of the high debt service burden by a combination of substitution strategies, which include refinancing our shorter term, higher cost debts to longer term, lower cost debt. The emphasis on increasing and diversifying non-oil revenues from taxes, import duties is already yielding results, the ministry, in close collaboration with the Debt Management Office (DMO), is working on moving from high cost short term borrowings to long term low cost borrowings. On revenue, Mrs Ahmed lamented that generating revenue was a problem for the government. To address this challenge, she said since revenue growth is a strategic priority for the Ministry of Finance, the Strategic Revenue Growth Initiative (SRGI), a key aspect of the governments strategy to improve non-oil revenue through fiscal buffers, and ultimately improve our Revenue to Debt Service Ratio (RDSR) and to improve the ratio of non-oil revenue to non-oil GDP, was initiated. One of the SRGI initiatives is the VAT expansion programme, which is ongoing and is designed to ensure that we improve collection efficiency whilst ensuring there is automation of VAT collection at source in some key sectors. The minister noted that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) had already begun the VAT automation programme for banks and other large industries. The target is to improve the VAT collection, which was N148.92 billion as against the budgeted figure of N207.51 billion in 2018. Such digitalisation and transformation initiatives are an integral part of these revenue collection efforts, she said. Mrs Ahmed added: Independent revenues are a critical part of the revenue mix of this country. We have not seen optimal performance yet of independent revenue, but I must say that there has been some improvement. The independent revenue that was generated in 2018 was N454.34 billion; this is against a budgeted figure of N847.95 billion, representing 54 per cent performance. External Reserves grew from $28.3 billion in 2015 to US $44.69 billion as at May 13, 2019. This represents a significant improvement that has helped to stabilise the economy, including stabilizing our exchange rates, the minister said. The Foreign Exchange (FX) market, she said, remains relatively stable because from 2017 to now there is a significant convergence of the NIFEX and NAFEX windows and they have, in fact, merged by the end of November 2018. On funding the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) that manages the nations Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), the government hopes to work with the National Economic Council chaired by the Vice President, with all the states as members, to be able to save on a regular routine basis into the NSIA. The minister explained: Right now, what is provided is the small savings into the stabilisation fund. It takes a lot of time; there is N5.9 billion that has accrued that we will transfer to the NSIA, but we want the savings to be more aggressive There is a provision in the NSIA Act that requires that savings is made from the Excess Crude Account (ECA), but we have not been able to attain that but the Ministry of Finance is working to address that, but unfortunately its not something that the Federal Government alone can decide because the ECA is an account for the whole federation. So, we have to get the understanding and concurrence of the states to be able to start that routine savings to the NSIA. On the national minimum wage, Mrs. Ahmed said: The financial implications have been worked out by the presidential committee that was set up and they have submitted their report to the President and the President has directed the report to us. We have looked at the report and what we are working on now is how we can finance the new minimum wage. Apart from the increase of the minimum wage from N18, 000 to N30,000, there is also consequential adjustment that we have to negotiate with the labour unions. The total financial implications will be determined after negotiations. The negotiation will determine what every other staff that is above the minimum wage will get. It could be a flat amount or a progression. The other aspect that should be clear is that there is an increase for the NYSC as well because NYSC, by its Act, is designed that they earn the minimum wage. So, NYSC allowance also has to increase to N30, 000. So, I cannot give you projections right now because the negotiations are not yet concluded. On the 2019 Budget, Mrs Ahmed admitted that the document had been sent by the National Assembly to the President. It is currently being reviewed to enable the President decide about assenting to the bill. We expect this to happen as soon as possible. I believe the assessment will be concluded this week, the minister said. Three vandals have been arrested by operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command. The suspects were apprehended with electricity aluminium cables in Saminaka town in Lere Local Government Area of the state. Spokesperson of the command, ASP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this to NAN on Sunday, December 31. Hassan said that at about 0400hrs on Sunday, the command received information concerning the theft from a low-cost housing area on Kafanchan Road, Saminaka town, that some unknown persons were seen with some electricity cables. Our patrol team was drafted to the area, and the three suspects who hail from the Ungwan Bawa Area of the town were promptly arrested, he said. The PPRO explained that the suspects were found to be in possession of some aluminium cables and cutlasses at the time of their arrest. According to him, they confessed to cutting the cables from electricity poles erected along the Saminaka-Kafanchan road. Hassan, who disclosed that Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company was promptly informed of the incident, said the investigation was still ongoing. He added that the suspects would be charged in court upon the completion of an investigation. The head of the Roman Catholic church, Pope Francis has condemned the killing of over 200 persons in Plateau state by Fulani militia. He condoled with families of victims of the Christmas Eve attack. Suspected Nigerian Fulani militia attacked 21 Christian villages in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Mangu Local Government Areas of Plateau State on Christmas Eve, killing nearly 200 villagers according to government officials and humanitarian groups. The number of deceased is expected to rise as families continue to search for missing loved ones. The Popes condolence were sent on Sunday, December 31 to the Secretary-General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Fr. Mike Umoh He prayed God to free Nigeria from these atrocities.. He said, Unfortunately, the celebration of Christmas in Nigeria was marked by serious violence in the State of Plateau, with many victims. I am praying for them and their families. May God free Nigeria from these atrocities! The Pope also remembered those who lost their lives in the explosion of the tanker truck in Liberia, victims of war in Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Sudan and many other countries. He said, At the end of a year, let us have the courage to ask ourselves: How many human lives have been broken by armed conflict? How many dead? And how much destruction, suffering, poverty? May those who have interests in these conflicts listen to the voice of their conscience. And let us not forget the suffering Rohingya! North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called for perfecting the military's readiness posture, saying the Korean Peninsula is "inching closer to the brink of armed conflict" and a clash could happen at any time, state media said Monday. Kim made the remark during a meeting with major commanding officers of the Korean People's Army at the office building of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party on Sunday, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). During the meeting, Kim analyzed in detail "the critical security environment on the Korean Peninsula inching closer to the brink of armed conflict as the days go by and the nature of the U.S. and other hostile forces' military confrontation moves," the KCNA said. "He said that the situation indicates the urgency to further sharpen the treasured sword for safeguarding the security and peace of the DPRK and perfect the army's regular military response posture," the KCNA said, referring to the acronym for the North's official name. Kim also said it is a fait accompli that an "armed conflict may occur any time." "The more dynamically the Korean revolution advances, the more desperately the U.S. imperialists and the ROK clan try to stop it," he was quoted as saying, stressing that "Our army should frustrate any forms of provocations of the enemy without fail with firm hostility toward the enemy." ROK is short for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. "If the enemy opt for military confrontation and provocation against the DPRK, our army should deal a deadly blow to thoroughly annihilate them by mobilizing all the toughest means and potentialities without moment's hesitation," he said. (Yonhap) Nigerias President Bola Tinubu has revealed that since he assumed office, the nations security challenge has improved. He made the claim during his New Year broadcast on Monday. Mr Tinubu assumed office on 29 May 2023, about seven months ago. The president said his administration has been working silently to free captives from abductors. He said though it may not have solved all the security problems confronting the country, it is working hard to ensure that Nigerians have peace of mind in their homes. Since our administration took over the mantle of office, security has improved. Silently, we have worked to free captives from abductors. He said though it may not have solved all the security problems confronting the country, it is working hard to ensure that Nigerians have peace of mind in their homes. Since our administration took over the mantle of office, security has improved. Silently, we have worked to free captives from abductors. While we cant beat our chest yet that we had solved all the security problems, we are working hard to ensure that we all have peace of mind in our homes, places of work and on the roads, he said. President Tinubus broadcast is coming about one week after armed men slaughtered over 100 people in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State. Port Harcourt Refinery is not fully operational, the NNPC has revealed. According to NNPC, it is still test-running the refinery to ensure operational readiness before the commencement of commercial operations. Recall that the Refinery was expected to resume refining after a Turn Around Maintenance, TAM in December 2023. However, checks on Sunday indicated that the exercise, to be followed by crude supply is still ongoing. Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd., Olufemi Oladapo Soneye, who confirmed the development, said: We have said that the Port Harcourt Refinery has been completed. Test running is ongoing. It is targeted at ensuring that everything, including the lines, is in perfect condition. It is when everything is confirmed to be fine that supply of crude for refining can start. Previously, NNPC Ltd. had said it achieved the mechanical completion of rehabilitation work on the Area 5 Plant of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC). According to NNPC Ltd., Rehabilitation work has been ongoing at the Refinery for over two years and the NNPC Ltd. had pledged to complete Phase One of the project (mechanical completion and flare start-up) of Old Port Harcourt Refinery (Area 5) by 31st December 2023. Speaking during an inspection tour of the rehabilitation project, which also coincided with the 15th Refineries Rehabilitation Steering Committee Meeting, the Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd., Mr. Mele Kyari, had said as of December 15th, 2023, 84.4% of Area 5 Plant, a key component of the Refinery, and 77.4% of the entire rehabilitation project have been completed. He said: In our quest to ensure that this refinery is re-streamed to continue to deliver value to Nigerians, we made a promise that we will reach a mechanical completion of phase one of the rehabilitation project by the end of December and get the other plants running in 2024. Today, we have kept those commitments. Similarly, the Chairman of the NNPC Ltd Board, Chief Pius Akinyelure described the milestone as historic, stressing that the board was proud of the staff and management of the refinery. We are just starting. We want to be at the highest level of production so that we will keep the prices of petroleum prices in the country stable to give comfort to our people and generate more revenue for our country,] Akinyelure noted. Also speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, said the milestone is another landmark of the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He thanked Nigerians for their patience and the trust they have in NNPC Ltd.s ability to deliver on this huge project. On his part, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo said re-streaming the Refinery will herald a good omen for the nations Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) industry, as LPG, also known as cooking gas, is a major by-product of the Refinery. BY RAYMOND OZOJI, Awka Amb. Dr. John Chukwudi Metchie, the President-General of Umueri community in Anambra-East Local Government Area of Anambra State, who also doubles as the Prime Minister of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) has defined stewardship for Nigerian leaders. This definition of a transparent and accountable stewardship was the crux of the matter as Metchie presented his scorecard to the people of Umueri; accounting for every penny that was spent from his pockets and those gotten from freewill donations. Although the trouble with public office in Nigeria hinges on accountability due to the immunity that comes with such position whether as an appointed or elected official, most public office holders wallow in diversions, embezzlements as well as misappropriations of public funds inimical to the general wellbeing of the people. Accountability in public office could be likened to a Camel trying to force itself through the needles eye because it is almost an impossibility to have a culture of transparency, probity and accountability in the Nigerian situation judging from the culture of impunity and corrupt practices that have eaten deep into the fabrics of the public and private sectors of the nations economy. Reports have it that many a person who have been either appointed or elected public officials either absconded or disgraced out of office over their inabilities to render accounts of stewardship to the people who entrusted the offices they occupied in their care. The internet is equally awash with plethora of stories of how elected and appointed government functionaries siphoned monies meant for infrastructural cum community development purposes while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) have been on their trail and some corrupt public officials have been jailed for lack of accountability while in service. Johnny Metchie who defied the temptations and attractions of public office as the President-General of Umueri community, decided to display an impeccable character coupled with an uncommon integrity to uphold his pledge upon inception of duty as PG to render quarterly account of his stewardship to the people of Umueri community with visible, concrete projects in tandem with their most pressing needs on ground. Metchie whose achievements as PG cuts across security, education, infrastructure, healthcare, local economy, rehabilitation of flood victims, conflict resolutions, power supply, to mention a few, noted that the milestones wouldnt have been possible without supports and teamwork from his Executives in Umueri General Assembly. He told this journalist that the support from his Executives and the people of Umueri have been very massive and encouraging. In security, Metchie outlined a number of very laudable projects his regime executed to ward off criminal elements and to ensure watertight security in Umueri and her neighbouring communities. He said, We set up a state-of-the-art surveillance control room in Anambra-East to track and trail criminal elements. Recall that I am also the Deputy Commander General (Technical Services) of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS). So I received an SOS call on 15th December, 2023 that one Mrs. Ugochukwu Chikelue, a mother of four children and an indigene of Umueri was kidnapped. I immediately mobilised a combined security team comprising operatives of the Nigerian Hunters, officers of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police and other security agents and they swung into action and before long the lady was rescued from her abductors in the bush. Another great milestone achievement by my regime was the construction of fully equipped Multi-million naira ultramodern joint security post. I singlehandedly built the security post from my personal resources and it was commissioned by Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo on 13th October, 2023, he said. Again the United Nations Peace Ambassador revealed that in the realm of conflict resolutions, he waded into the boundary crisis between Nneyi Umueri and Enugwu-Nsugbe. He said he drew the attention of the state government to the crisis and equally expressed great satisfaction in the way and manner the Deputy Governor Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim handled the matter. On infrastructure, Amb. Dr. Metchie embarked on rural electrification tagged Light Up Umueri Campaign. In this project, emphasis was the less privilege, widows and widowers including those who completely had to access to electricity supply, adding that his government installed the identification signage at Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport now Chinua Achebe International Airport Umueri even as he profoundly thanked the government of Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo for the full sponsorship of the new signage at the airport. Metchie who also thanked Governor Soludo; the Local Government Commissioner Mr. Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne and the Chairman of Anambra-East council area Mr. Anslem Onuorah, for the ongoing construction works on Patrick Metchie Street, said the road has been neglected and abandoned by previous administrations thereby causing havoc for residents in the area. Again, the maintenance and repair works at Ngene Okwuazu Bridge in Umueri was another monumental achievement of his regime even as he commended the local government chairman Dr. Anslem Onuorah for his timely intervention on the bridge when he was notified of the bad portions of the bridge. Still on infrastructural development, the PG disclosed that Umueri Civic Center was massively renovated and giving a befitting facelift while thanking an Umueri son in the diaspora who donated a whopping N2 million for the renovation and refurbishment of the civic center. On educational sector, the Johnny Metchie Foundation founded by Amb. Dr. Metchie has distributed over 300 back to school packs to young students in Umueri community. Moreso, Metchie undertook the payment of WAEC fees for 93 students last year and recently donated the sum of N1 million for the renovation of Government Technical College Umueri, just as he informed too that the founder and pro-chancellor of Greenfield University Kaduna, Engr. Chief Simon Nwakacha is extending full scholarships to Umueri indigenes willing to school in the university. The PG who commended the Anambra State Government through the Commissioner for Health Dr. Ben Afam Obidike for the renovation of Umueri General Hospital and making it very functional again, also extended heartfelt appreciations to the Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Mr. Julius Chukwuemeka for improved power supply in the area. He however extended his heartfelt appreciations to his Executives and Umueri community in general, saying that it is time public office holders began to be really accountable to the people who elected or appointed them into office. Related The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has issued a warning to the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government to release its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. According to IPOB, Kanu is battling internal bleeding resulting from alleged torture in the detention of the Department of State Services (DSS). Recall that Nnamdi Kanu has been in DSS detention since 2021, following his arrest in Kenya and repatriation to Nigeria. The Supreme Court, on December 15, dismissed the ruling of the Appeal Court and okayed his trial on the charges of terrorism filed against him by the Federal Government. In a statement on Sunday, IPOBs spokesman, Emma Powerful, said Kanu needs urgent and specialized medical emergency treatment to avert serious outcomes. IPOB said reports reaching it indicate that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is having medical complications in the DSS solitary confinement. The report said that Kanu may be having internal bleeding caused by torture. This current medical situation may have risen from ruptured veins and internal bleeding disorders arising from the beating and torture he was subjected to by the Nigeria secret agents who kidnapped him in Kenya in 2021. Moreso, the drug overuse and abuse that DSS has subjected Kanu to may also be part of the problem. Our Leader requires medical emergency treatment outside the DSS facility to undergo surgery for his survival. Even the DSS medical director agrees that Kanu requires urgent and serious medical attention to handle his case. The Federal Government and the British government should release Kanu on medical grounds for independent medical professionals to attend to him and carry out the surgery if necessary to save the unforeseen situation. The Federal Government should be careful that nothing happens to Kanu during and after his illegal detention in DSS solidarity confinement. Kanu is a precious jewel that Biafrans have given their lives to protect, and many are ready to give their lives for him. Kanu is a trigger of the gun that is capable of sinking Nigeria if mishandled, the group added. A Nigerian man, Samuel Sayo, has sent a warning message to rich simps in the habit of snatching women from other men in a relationship. He warned them that such a woman may fall for them because of their money but will not love them. Dear rich simp, If you see a boy and a girl who have been dating for long, and you are thinking that because you have money, you are capable to win the ladys heart. She may marry you, but her heart will forever be with that boy, he wrote in a Facebook post on Saturday, December 31. The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki said his administration will not avail the federal government land for the contentious Ruga settlement in Edo State. The Governor spoke while giving a lecture on the topic Challenges of Pastoralism and International Migration for Sustainable Peace and Development: Edo State Experience at the Department of State Services Institute of Security Studies (Executive Intelligent Management Course 12), in Abuja. He said the narrative that the pastoral movement and farmer/headers clashes are not related to the security challenges in Nigeria is not true. His words: In Edo State, we have found so-called herdsmen with maps in the forests, they clearly cannot be herdsmen who are dependent on their livelihood from their animal assets; that cannot be. I think it is important in the context of this discourse to make that distinction between conflict as a result of economic activities, separate from deliberate conflict that is related to other issues like insurgency and terrorism. The Governor said over the years the state has had issues of pastoralists or herdsmen who have come to parts of the South, Edo State using grazing routes and mixing with locals. Our approach is, animal husbandry is a business just like we have poultry, piggery or what have you, so from that perspective, we want to now upgrade agricultural practices as it relates to livestock. During the era of General Babangida, he set up ranches in Edo; we have one in Igarra and several parts of the state. They are either privatized or left fallow, so we are talking to people who purchased them to see how they can be re-activated. For us, because it is business like any other private business, the state should not really have much to except we create an enabling environment for those people we want to invest in livestock business. So, the issue of giving state land for livestock, it wont happen in Edo State. However, for individuals who have land and they want to go into livestock business like we are supporting people who are doing cassava and others, we as government will support them. On how to resolve the incessant herders/farmers conflict, he said: The Sambisa Grazing Reserve (4800 ha) is an ideal and symbolic place to take-off by establishing a ranch run by the military. It would significantly improve the security situation in the zone and encourage cooperation between pastoralists and the military. ALSO READ:Read this exposed hidden secret of how they created bandits; RUGA, e-registration of illegal migrants cover ups In the North West, the military should also be encouraged to create ranches in the Gidan Jaja Grazing Reserve (565,000 ha) for the same purpose of improving security and cooperation with pastoralists, the Governor said. Obaseki said violent extremism, recurrent herder-farmer conflicts, cattle rustling, armed banditry, violent cross-border crimes, insurgency, illegal migration and other forms of crimes have threaten the fabric of our country. According to him, national cohesion is seriously threatened by the conflict as many farmers and pastoralists have lost their lives and property in several orgies of violence. As we gather here for this lecture, so many Nigerians are living in fear of attack or reprisal attacks due to the growing herders-farmers conflict, he said. Post Views: 81 Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Saturday disclosed that over 5,000 jobs have been lost in Lagos as a result of the recent xenophobic reprisal attacks in Lagos. Angered by the recent wave of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living and doing business in South Africa by the citizens of that country, some Nigerian youths on Tuesday and Wednesday, launched an offensive on businesses suspected to be owned and operated by South Africans in Lagos, leading to the closure of the premises of such businesses, including MTN and Shoprite. Governor Sanwo-Olu, who visited some of the shopping malls that were attacked in Ajah and Surulere, described the incidents as enormous. He assured business owners of safety and ordered security personnel to step up protection of all facilities so as to prevent them from further attacks. Sanwo-Olu noted that although this xenophobic act took place in South Africa, Nigerians were the ones feeling the hardship and should move to stop such occurrence, while stating that thousands of workers from these businesses had suffered losses as a result of these attacks. These are jobs where Nigerians are the ones that have been affected. So, we need to be able to take the lessons out of this, be stronger together and be able to take corrective measures to ensure that things like these should certainly not repeat itself in our community, the governor said. We have seen the amount of enormous destruction in both plazas and the first thing is to condemn in strong terms, whatever could have led to this, it is an extensive destruction of peoples property. As a government we have come out to condemn this and to assure business community that ease of doing business is paramount to us and security of lives and property is part of the to-do list for us. We are charging our security operatives to stop at nothing, to ensure that they keep all of these facilities safe and secure. Nigeria Consul General in Johannesburg, Godwin Adama, says no Nigerian was arrested in the cause of evacuation of those voluntarily wish to leave South Africa following xenophobic attacks on them. Adama told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) through telephone in Abuja that no returnee was detained or refused to board flight on Wednesday by South African Authorities. He said, though some had immigration problems, they were quickly fixed. The consul general added that what happened was that many of the returnees missed the flights because of their uncoordinated attitudes. He said the delay in the evacuation process was caused by misplacement of travel documents as required by South Africa immigration laws. Some will still tell you that they put their documents inside bags that had been checked into the plane; some even said that they had theirs stolen and all that. Then others have issues of expired passports, he said. Adama said the evacuation process was difficult, adding that the second batch flight had to be rescheduled to enable those who had issues with their documents resolve it. We did not transport anybody on Thursday. We are waiting to prepare properly because we lost some spaces in the aircraft on Wednesday due to the attitudes of some of our people. If you give instructions, they will not follow; calling them, they will not pick; even when they hear their names, they will not respond. So, because of documentation, a lot of people missed the flight but nobody was detained. Everybody that had issue with immigration was resolved and we ensured they all travelled. Adama, however, admitted that there were obstacles in the process and that there were hitches at one point or the other, but that the mission solved every problem and everybody travelled. The envoy explained that some of the returnees were interrogated by the immigration but the mission secured their release. He said that there was a case of a woman, who wanted to travel with children that were not her own, adding that the case was treated as that of human trafficking. We equally resolved that too as the father of the children came to the airport for identification, he said. He said that mission was working to ensure that all seats in the expected aircraft were occupied and that the manifest would be ready before the plane comes again. We want to ensure that we have more than enough passengers as we do not want more seats to be empty. We are liaising with the South African authorities too; we are putting up a joint meeting with the host immigration service and other protocols. We are all on the same page before the next exercise. The next batch of passengers will not be Friday because we are not prepared for that but we want to finalise and send them the manifest. He said that the mission had not given any time, but once it finish, it would intimate the airline within 24 hours. PV: 0 The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has condemned the attack on him, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Chancellor of the Edo University, Iyahmo, Dr. Aderemi Makanjuola and other guests at the residence of former Governor of the State and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. Speaking to journalists after the incident, the governor took exception to the resort to violence, noting that it was shameful for such an attack to take place at the residence of the National Chairman of the ruling party in the state and at the national level. Describing the attack as an unfortunate incident, he said, It is very unfortunate that we cant feel safe in the house of our National Chairman. I am not sure that if I visit the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party that they will attack me the way they did in the house of the APC National Chairman. It is unfortunate that things have degenerated to this extent. But we will continue to sue for peace. We cannot afford to lose the gains of the last three years. We will continue to pursue peace, he added. We Hanks will be tested, observed, and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires, said Hanks in a statement posted on Twitter. LOS ANGELES, March 11 (Xinhua) Oscar winner Tom Hanks announced on Wednesday that he and his wife Rita Wilson both have tested positive for the COVID-19. In a statement posted on Twitter, the American actor wrote Hello, folks. Rita and I are down here in Australia. We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches. Rita had some chills that came and went. Slight fevers too. To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the Coronavirus, and were found to be positive. Well, now. What to do next? The Medical Officials have protocols that must be followed. We Hanks will be tested, observed, and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires, he added. Well keep the world posted and updated. Take care of yourselves! the actor wrote. Hanks is the first Hollywood celebrity to publicly confirm a COVID-19 diagnosis. He is one of the most popular Hollywood stars and has been honored with two consecutive Oscars for 1993s Philadelphia and 1994s Forrest Gump. Hanks has been in the Gold Coast, Australia for the pre-production of Baz Luhrmanns untitled Elvis Presley film from Warner Bros, according to online news site Deadline Hollywood. North Korea began discussions on dismantling agencies in charge of inter-Korean relations, state media reported Monday, after leader Kim Jong-un said there is no point in seeking reconciliation and unification with South Korea. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui led the discussions with related officials, including Ri Son-gwon, head of the North's United Front Department (UFD) in charge of relations with South Korea, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Choe "held a consultative meeting with officials concerned on Jan. 1 to thoroughly carry out the tasks ... to dismantle and reform the bodies in charge of the affairs related to the South and the struggle against enemy and change the fundamental principle and orientation of the struggle," the KCNA said. At the end of a key Workers' Party meeting last week, Kim stressed the need to take measures for "readjusting and reforming" the organizations in charge of inter-Korean affairs, including the UFD, and to "fundamentally change the principle and orientation of the struggle." Kim also defined inter-Korean ties as those of "two states hostile to each other" and called for stepped-up preparations to "suppress the whole territory of South Korea," saying it is a mistake to regard the South as the partner of reconciliation and reunification. (Yonhap) The Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has sentenced Joan Uruvbu (alias Jay Jay) to two years imprisonment for internet fraud following her arraignment by the Benin zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Joan Uruvbu, who among those declared wanted by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for internet fraud, was dragged to court by the EFCC on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and intent to defraud. One of the counts reads: That you, Joan Uruvbu (alias Jay Jay) Daniel Mercedes, Paul Tommy and Sally (all at large) between 2018 and 2019 in Benin City within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire to used attached E-mail to obtain personal identification information of others online to use same to file fraudulent tax returns with the Inland Revenue Service (IRS) of the United States of America ( USA) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section (27)(b) of the cybercrime(prohibtion prevention etc) Act ,2015 and punishable under Section 36(1) of the same Act. In view of her plea, counsel for the EFCC, L.P. Aso, prayed the court that the defendant is convicted and sentenced accordingly. However, the defence counsel, John Okhihiegbe, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendant was a first-time offender, a youth who had a future ahead of her and has shown remorse. Justice Emeka Nwite after listening to the defence and prosecution convicted and sentenced her to two years in prison commencing from the date of arrest. Also, all items recovered from her are to be forfeited and restitution made to her victims. BLOOMINGTON As Illinois adds electronic cigarettes to the list of tobacco products banned inside public places, Bloomington-Normal businesses are expecting little to no change in operations. The 15-year-old Smoke-Free Illinois Act, which makes most indoor public spaces off-limits for smoking, will now include electronic cigarettes as well, as of Jan. 1. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the bill into law along with nearly 600 other bills this past year to prevent exposure to bystanders and reduce air pollution. Illinoisans deserve to enjoy public spaces without being exposed unwillingly to secondhand vapor and other electronic cigarettes byproducts, Pritzker said in a statement. Now, e-cigarettes and vapes will qualify under existing anti-smoking laws, reducing air pollution and making a more accessible, healthy Illinois. The law bans smoking in public spaces including a "portion of any building or vehicle used by and open to the public," and will now apply to any electronic nicotine products such as e-cigarettes, e-hookahs or vape pens. Will it affect vape shops? Although the ban is new, most businesses do not see it changing anything with their operations or for their customers. "I don't feel like it's going to change too much because it will just be smoke outside rather than in a public setting," said Zion Atkins, general manager at Delta Vapes in downtown Bloomington. "I don't even think there's still any places that even let you smoke cigarettes indoors anymore so I don't know why people are smoking vapes in public spaces." Atkins said the trend sort of burned out when the Smoke-Free Illinois Act went to in effect and now it's not something you see that often, especially when a majority of smokers are stepping outside. Atkins said personally he doesn't think many people are thinking of where they can go to vape or trying to vape the whole time when they are out eating or at the bar. "If you want to hit your vape, step outside and vape it, but everybody who's smoking cigarettes is already doing that," Atkins said. Even at vape stores, customers are not vaping indoors. The most vapor one might see would be when a customer wants to test the product before walking out, Atkins said. The majority of vape shops have an "all sales are final" policy and would rather have customers test their products first to see if it works, instead of potentially leaving with a vape that isn't working correctly. "At least at Delta Vapes, it's not a vapor lounge so you're not sitting inside a public setting, just sitting there vaping the entire time you're in there," Atkins said. "I don't even know if too many of those exist anymore." E-cigarettes and vapes have become especially popular with young people for a variety of reasons, including the types flavors and the lack of stigma associated with the product. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, most e-cigarette users do not consider themselves to be smokers. While cigarette smoking has declined dramatically among Illinois high school students, between 2016 and 2018 e-cigarette use in Illinois increased from 18.4% to 26.7% among high school seniors, the IDPH reports. E-cigarettes pose a significant health risk, IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a statement. Banning indoor use of these devices sends a strong message that e-cigarettes are not a safe alternative to smoking. Atkins said he has seen an increase in store customers buying the zero-nicotine vape pen to help them ease off of the habit. The ban in bars Tyler Holloway, who owns Maggie Miley's Irish pub in uptown Normal and Fat Jacks in downtown Bloomington and is a partner at Brass Pig Smoke & Alehouse downtown, said he does not think the ban will affect his or other businesses. "I don't see (vaping) being done very often in my establishments, and I don't think the ban is going to cause a big issue to where I'll see a drop, or rise, in business for that matter," Holloway said. "I don't know of any complaints that we've had about it, so I don't really foresee an issue at all with it." Others like Luke Rokos, general manager at Pub II in uptown Normal, said they have allowed vaping indoors and had little to no issues with customers. However, Rokos said he doesn't think the new ban will affect his business, but he could see it causing problems for people who may not know it went into effect. "I think the hard part about the ban is going to be the lack of knowledge," he said. "We're going to do our best to educate our clientele and enforce it when we can." Enforcing the ban might be more difficult though, Rokos said, "because it's not like a cigarette that stays lit forever, and you can clearly see a puff of smoke going up." A puff of vapor, on the other hand, "next thing you know, it's gone, so we don't really know right away who did it," Rokos added. The Pub II manager said bars and restaurants that have been around for a while already know the ramifications for not following the law, having seen places try to sneak by the cigarette smoking ban. Anyone who is caught using an e-cigarette in a public place in violation of the Smoke-Free Illinois Act can be fined $100 for the first offense and $250 for the subsequent offenses. The owners of the place where the person violates the law could be on the hook for a $500 penalty at first and $2,500 for all subsequent violations for the next year. Rokos said he hopes everybody just follows the rules, and at Pub II, "We're going to follow the rues and do what we can." The Chicago Tribune contributed to this report. 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Pat Messinger Cheryl Magnuson, Krishna Balakrishnan, Jamie Mathy, Glenn Harbin Terry and Angie Ballantini Continue working to be the best, most dedicated local newspaper we can be. That means covering the news that matters most to our readers, from breaking news and local government to small businesses and the everyday people doing cool things. We may not be as big of a newspaper as we used to be, but we're still here, still passionate about highlighting what's happening in our community and documenting it for future generations. I know there are more people, and stories, for us to find. Email us anytime at blmnews@pantagraph.com! BLOOMINGTON In the last days of 2023, many of us set out to make improvements in the new year, making resolutions and goals. Our Bloomington-Normal and McLean County leaders are also reflecting on the last year and planning for the future. We checked in with area leaders in government, education and public safety to find out their hopes and goals for this community in 2024. Here is what they said. Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe, Bloomington: Sustain our commitment to enhancing infrastructure, focusing on vital areas like street repair, water systems and sewers. Finalize the design for our streetscape, ensuring it aligns seamlessly with our communitys vision and aesthetic. Strengthen connections to secure additional federal and state funding to our ongoing projects, leveraging valuable relationships for the benefit of our community. Collaborate closely with the Economic Development Council and other key partners to amplify the economic momentum in our region. Attracting new businesses and fostering growth will remain at the forefront of our efforts. Investigate the root causes of our housing challenges and actively seek viable solutions to address this pressing issue. Partner with local organizations to address the complexities of homelessness, working collectively to provide meaningful support and assistance. Enlist enthusiastic residents to join the Welcoming America Commission, driving the groups functionality and impact in our community. Engage with community members to promote multicultural events that celebrate the rich diversity within our region. These events will not only showcase our unique cultural tapestry, but also serve as platforms to foster unity and understanding. Mayor Chris Koos, Normal: Koos told The Pantagraph he is proud of what the town has accomplished this year and is looking forward to building on its progress in 2024. Climate change is at the top of his mind and is an issue being experienced worldwide, Koos said, noting he is hoping to look at the issue in both the short term and long term. Normal has been a progressive community for many years and has been a model for dealing with issues like this head-on, Koos said. Going into the coming year, thats going to be a more important issue and its two-pronged; what we do for remediating future events and what we do about whats already happening now. As a personal goal, Koos said he hopes to establish a better work life balance and take more personal time to reconnect with friends. Theres a world of opportunities that are waiting for us so be optimistic, Koos said. Chairman Catherine Metsker, McLean County Board: Continue to lead national and statewide efforts for countywide broadband access through the Accelerate Access McLean County initiative. Most citizens of Bloomington and Normal have multiple internet options. However, a number of McLean County municipalities have only one option for internet service provider and the price for internet may be cost prohibitive. Many rural McLean County residents lack any options or available options are unreliable and costly, at best. McLean County, as the lead government organization, is working with an organized cohort of community partners on an initiative called Accelerate Access McLean County to ensure our citizens receive their fair share of the broadband infrastructure funding, spurring better infrastructure, addressing digital inclusion and supporting effective use of technology in business, education and health care. Continue to be the convener of community behavioral health providers. The Behavioral Health Coordinating Council community member providers are collaborating together in order to strategize meaningful system changes across the continuum for all of McLean County residents. Members of McLean County Administration and McLean County Board will continue to provide organizational support and aid during this process. A strong focus in the Mental Health Action Plan is on youth with several initiatives that will serve youth in 2024, including the embedded school project (via Board of Health), early intervention efforts and a new grant award for System of Care Expansion that will provide expanded service delivery to children and youth with serious emotional disturbance. Exploration of supportive and transitional housing opportunities especially for FUSE (Frequent User System Engagement) and specialty court clients will be addressed in 2024. There is a need to grow the Behavioral Health Workforce in McLean County. McLean County plans to develop and expand partnerships with Heartland Community College, Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University and the Economic Development Council to encourage and attract students to enter the mental health care field and remain in our community. Lastly, McLean County must maintain the relationship with the National Association of Counties Familiar Faces Initiative. Place emphasis on energy efficiencies within McLean County buildings. During maintenance and updating of McLean County buildings, emphasis will be placed on conducting energy audits and improving energy efficiency. Concentration on energy efficiency will provide long-term cost savings, improve reduction in overall energy usage and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Support Bloomington Normal Water Reclamation District expansion efforts. McLean County will support continued BNWRD efforts for regional water districts in order to bring water reclamation to rural McLean County municipalities, thus expanding potential economic development throughout the county. Police Chief Jamal Simington, Bloomington: Reduce crime and the fear of crime, with a continued high priority on violent crime offenses. Maintain community engagement output and add a public safety education officer to the Community Engagement Unit to vastly increase public safety education. Increase employee and family wellness through training, employee services and the creation of a Chaplains Unit. Reduce traffic crashes by 5% through the four Es: Enforcement, Education, Engineering and Emergency Medical Services. Add an additional five police officer positions and increase department diversity. Create a Real Time Information Center and add two criminal analysts. Secure grant funding to enhance technology, public education and enforcement strategies. Increase DUI enforcement by 5%. Host a Citizens Police Academy. Build 2025-29 Strategic Plan through community collaboration. I want to continue to see our community thrive in 2024. We hope for a new year of continued safety for those who choose Bloomington as their place of worship, education, employment and home. These initiatives will ensure Bloomington continues to be a safe community for years to come. Police Chief Steve Petrilli, Normal: The Normal Police Department is looking forward to continuing community engagement efforts with residents, organizations and businesses as well as introducing a technical services division. This will help manage much of the technology the department has acquired in recent years, including surveillance cameras, automatic license plate readers and drones, and ensure these tools are used in the most effective way to serve citizens the best they can, Petrilli said. The chief also said he wants to continue recognizing officers and staff who go above and beyond and value their hard work in the community through letters of appreciation and posts to social media. It creates a culture within the organization where we value hard work so were really taking care of our employees from that appreciation standpoint and also from a wellness standpoint, Petrilli said. A big push of mine since becoming chief has really been to bring attention to officer wellness and give our folks the facilities and resources they need to be healthy, both physically and mentally. Leading up to New Years Eve, Petrilli said he hopes residents are encouraged to use alternate modes of transportation and avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or cannabis. We still want people to enjoy the holidays but to do that safely and cautiously, he said. Our hope for everybody is that they have a safe and happy holiday season. Sheriff Matt Lane, McLean County: "The MCSO is committed to our mission: the McLean County Sheriffs Office is dedicated to the highest traditions of excellence in the practice and delivery of law enforcement and corrections. We are enriched by and take pride in our purpose, values, sense of community, personal loyalty and leadership. We accomplish our mission, in part, by providing and ensuring continuous and ongoing training of our first line personnel and leadership. Priority is given to ensuring state mandated training, such as civil rights, crisis intervention, de-escalation techniques, human rights, use of force, legal updates, mental health and domestic violence to name a few, is not only met but eclipsed. We will continue to work hard to seek out, recruit, hire and retain quality personnel to fill the ranks of deputy sheriffs and correctional officers, as well as our civilian staff, to ensure the best interaction we can possibly provide to our citizens and visitors. We will continue to work with our community partners and fellow law enforcement agencies to ensure intergovernmental cooperation so criminal activity can be discovered and addressed promptly and victims can receive the justice they deserve." Interim President Aondover Tarhule, Illinois State University: I am so proud of all our Redbird community accomplished together in 2023. As we look to 2024, I am filled with eager anticipation as we strive toward fostering an increasingly student-focused, inclusive environment where Redbirds will not only succeed, but thrive. We are drafting our new strategic plan, Excellence By Design: 2024-2029, which will serve as a formal rededication to excellence, continuous improvement and the intentional creation of our universitys legacy. My resolution for Illinois State is to continue to do the important work of translating these goals into actions. When we pause to reflect on 2024 next year, I feel confident we will experience even greater pride for all we achieved." President Keith Cornille, Heartland Community College: My personal goals for the new year come from pride in the work we are doing at Heartland Community College. In 2024 at Heartland Community College, we will continue our mission to provide accessible, equitable, and innovative education for all in our community, no matter their background. Our efforts will get a new boost early this year as Heartland will see the opening of new facilities for agriculture education and advanced manufacturing. We will have new opportunities for students to get hands-on learning and find new pathways toward success. The new additions we have to our main campus have filled us with a lot of energy but also added a lot to our plates. I know that all the hard work of the dedicated folks at the college will be reflected in what we offer our students and the community. I could not be prouder of the staff and faculty at Heartland who work hard every day to transform lives through education. My personal goal is to make the most of their efforts and to continue to let our great staff and faculty know how much I appreciate their dedication. Superintendent Kristen Weikle, McLean County Unit 5: "Unit 5 remains committed to providing students with a premier education. During 2024, Unit 5 will finalize its strategic plan and use this to guide our district into the future. We will continue to recruit an exceptional staff, serve as a leading community partner, demonstrate fiscal responsibility and provide innovative opportunities in our schools. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible support from our community, and I look forward to additional partnerships in the new year, as we work together to educate each student to achieve personal excellence." Fire Chief Cory Matheny, Bloomington: Enhance the departments ability to recruit a qualified and diverse applicant pool to become the next generation of Bloomington firefighters and paramedics. The department is just completing an intense recruiting campaign that has positioned us well to increase our staffing levels to meet the needs of our community. Resolve to assess and invest in the latest medical and firefighting equipment. This includes state-of-the-art medical devices, advanced life support tools and equipment that enhances the safety and efficiency of both fire and EMS operations. Recognize the mental health challenges faced by our first responders. Commit to enhancing mental health support services within the department, including counseling resources and stress management programs for our personnel. Establish forums for community engagement to gather feedback and address concerns. This proactive approach helps build trust and ensures the department is responsive to the needs of the community it serves. Fire Chief Mick Humer, Normal: "In the coming year, the Normal Fire Department will strive to provide top notch fire and emergency medical services to the community. Our focus will be on quality training, emphasis on scene safety to protect our personnel and an overall focus on improvement in the skills necessary to exceed the expectations of our community. We will empower our community to take a proactive approach to fire safety and prevention by ensuring every home has working smoke alarms and everyone closes bedroom doors at night when sleeping to stop the spread of smoke and fire. We also look forward to the construction of our new Station 2 which will provide drastically shorter response times to the east side of the community. This project is part of a multi-year plan to improve our response times across our entire community. When looking at the big picture on how our community has grown, we want to be able to provide our services to everyone in the most efficient and timely manner possible while, at the same time, being fiscally responsible. The east side station is an important part of that process. We are constantly evaluating the needs of our community and looking for ways that we can provide the best services to all, and this project is an important step in that direction." CHICAGO On Mayor Brandon Johnsons first full day in office, he visited ground zero of the crisis that would come to define his next seven months. Striding into the 12th District Chicago police station on the Near West Side in May, the new chief executive clasped his hands before his waist as he surveyed a lobby floor cluttered with sleeping bags and families of bleary-eyed migrants. How do you like Chicago so far? Johnson asked a woman and boy, with political ally and local Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, translating in Spanish. As an aide implored TV news crews to step back, the mayor continued: As a city, were going to do everything we can to make this place, your opportunities, more comfortable. Now heading into a new year, many Chicagoans are judging the mayors performance so far based on how they think he has handled that early promise of clearing out the police stations and humanely resettling asylum-seekers, many of whom arrive impoverished from Venezuela. The singular issue has threatened to eclipse Johnsons broader agenda, though he points to recent City Council wins on labor requirements and more as evidence hes living up to his leftist bona fides. Johnson is the most progressive mayor now leading a major American city, and his victory was seen as an electoral mandate for his prescription of bold investments for the working class while leading with compassion. But the desperation of the migrant crisis that awaited him in May rose to unfathomable heights this fall, testing the limits of the mayors mantra that Chicago has enough for everyone as thousands of migrants slept on police station floors, at the citys airports and on sidewalks. Indeed, just last week Johnsons team moved to free up $95 million in COVID-19 stimulus funds to cover the ongoing costs of housing and helping feed asylum-seekers. And the mayor has acknowledged the $150 million allocated in the city budget for next years migrant services will surely fall short without help from the state and federal governments. In an interview, mayoral senior adviser Jason Lee acknowledged the challenges but said the administration has proved it can balance those dynamics while advancing one of the more progressive agendas in recent municipal history. Lee highlighted Johnsons oft-stated goal to run the city in a collaborative way that doesnt push some groups ahead while leaving others behind. The mayor has a vision for transforming the city and doing it in an inclusive way where someone winning doesnt mean someone else losing, and that remains the goal, Lee said. I think weve been able to strike the right balance of some real impactful policy that doesnt polarize. But Chicago is a notoriously divided city, with a long history of ethnic groups asserting their own power at the expense of the clout wielded by others. And all the way from Texas, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott fanned the flames further when he sent the first bus of asylum-seekers to Chicago in August 2022 as a rebuke of liberal cities that support open borders. Since then, more than 26,400 migrants have come to Chicago, with some critics upset the city hasnt done more to accommodate them and others angry at what they say is a policy that puts the new arrivals ahead of the need to address decades of disinvestment in struggling neighborhoods. Aldermen and other political leaders who spoke with the Tribune largely split along ideological lines over how they would assess the new administration. Johnsons strongest allies said he is being judged unfairly due to the chasm between the political establishment and the grassroots and labor coalition where Johnson rose up as a Chicago Teachers Union organizer. Others warned that Johnson isnt prepared to handle the decisions Chicagos mayor faces, and said the past seven months are a harbinger of more struggles. Pressure on migrant response Johnson has weathered criticism he lacks a robust plan on how to grapple with the logistics and exorbitant costs of the migrants, and that his administration has not been transparent, as promised. And he has been publicly second-guessed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other officials, further underscoring perceived problems with the citys approach. But Lee said beliefs that the city has not formed a robust migrant response plan are based on misconceptions of what is a plan when it comes to a dynamic situation like Chicagos. The administration has highlighted that the citys shelter system swelled under Johnson to 27 citywide sites and that he inherited costly contracts from predecessor Lori Lightfoot but has since negotiated rates down. By mid-December, Johnsons team also heralded that migrants werent sleeping at police stations anymore. That feat came on the heels of the citys botched proposal to house about 2,000 migrants at a tent encampment in Brighton Park, which rankled local Ald. Julia Ramirez, 12th, and others who complained the city was not communicating with them and that the former industrial land could be contaminated. Those concerns came to a head when Johnsons team announced the site was safe for temporary living, only for Pritzker to counter days later that his administration found the city contractors environmental assessment was heavily flawed and possibly missed harmful amounts of contaminants. In a striking rebuke, Pritzker refused to use state money to pay for the encampment, effectively shelving the idea. The governor would shrug off the discord two days later, instead blaming reporters for trying to stoke that conversation of differences. Johnson, meanwhile, avoided holding a press availability until the next week. Restricting media access is a natural reaction when everybody is underwater, but it is hurting the mayor, veteran Chicago political strategist Delmarie Cobb said. The administration needs to be more transparent. That is one of the hallmarks of being a progressive, Cobb said. Then you get in there, you get hit with 50 things at once and the things that you said you were going to do in terms of communicate, and transparency and all of that, suddenly youre so inundated, I believe, that people begin to retreat. Lee, however, described the Brighton Park situation as the result of different perspectives with the state. We made every good faith effort to get that site ready to go. We followed a remediation program that we still stand by, Lee said. We never made any claims about permanent residential use, because thats not what the site was ever intended for. Ald. Scott Waguespack, 32nd, said Johnsons most egregious stumbles over the migrant response boil down to that lack of transparency. He said the administration has dodged questions on matters ranging from fiscal management, including city payments to Favorite Healthcare Staffing a national employment firm hired to run migrant shelters to concerns about a shelter in Waguespacks North Side ward. Its just getting to the point where people are feeling that they are holding themselves above accountability, and above transparency, and this whole rhetoric of for the people is just a one giant charade, Waguespack said. I have never seen so many missteps, mistakes and just this dishonest lack of transparency. Building a Cabinet, and a story The Johnson administration has struggled with critical personnel hires, making it harder to run city government and put his policy goals into effect. Johnson didnt hire a corporation counsel, the citys top lawyer, until after nearly a month in office. He didnt choose a new leader for Intergovernmental Affairs until late November and relied on a Lightfoot holdover who was not part of his inner circle to hold the position working with aldermen and other officials to forward his agenda. The mayor fired Allison Arwady as public health commissioner but did not replace her with a noninterim commissioner for months. More than six months after Johnson took office, he does not have a communications director, which means the administration often struggles to project or deliver a coherent message about its plans. The lack of staffing has put an increased burden on the people Johnson relies on, and critics argue the administration has too few key figures making decisions. Eric Adelstein, a political strategist based in Chicago, said Johnson conveyed a clear message on the campaign trail. Adelstein is less sure what story Johnson wants to tell as mayor. The problem for many mayors is that perception becomes reality, and I think right now, whether its fair or unfair, the perception is that things are moving very slowly, Adelstein said. When you dont articulate a compelling vision of the future of where you want to go, it creates a certain level of uncertainty. Kennedy Bartley, executive director of the United Working Families political organization, which backed Johnsons mayoral candidacy, said that expectations are higher for Johnson because he is not a status quo mayor. Bartley noted that a decade after previous mayors closed city mental health clinics, Johnsons recently passed $16.77 billion budget calls for adding two mental health clinic pilots, yet some people ask her if thats enough. Weve been fighting against them closing, and now were in a conversation about them opening, but the rubric is different, Bartley said. Its a welcome challenge, but it is a challenge nonetheless. Bartley said she too has unfulfilled demands not yet addressed, such as canceling the citys contract with gunfire detection company ShotSpotter and divesting from the Chicago Police Department budget. But that requires organizers like her to fight to make the idea more politically possible for Johnson, she said. What we used to judge administrations on, it was the status quo, to work to keep Realtors and cops happy, Bartley said. Now we have a mayor that we judge based on his stated values. Progressive values A chuckle tumbled out of CTU President Stacy Davis Gates as she remembered her view of the fifth floor of City Hall under Lightfoot. Not only was I not invited, I was barred, she said, referencing how security stopped her from getting off the elevator outside the mayors suite of offices during the 2019 teacher strike. One election later, the scene couldnt be more different. Following Johnsons inauguration, Davis Gates returned to the fifth floor, with an invite to the signing of his executive order establishing a deputy mayor of labor relations. This time, security focused on guarding Johnson rather than hassling Davis Gates. What surrounded me were people who struggled to be heard over time for generations, smiling with the mayor of Chicago, Davis Gates said about the room of labor organizers. I remember the smiles. I remember the elation. The energy was unparalleled. Months later, Davis Gates points to the cascading wins from the City Council this fall: abolishing subminimum wage for service workers; establishing one of the most expansive paid leave requirements in the nation; passing a referendum question asking voters whether to raise taxes on certain real estate sales to combat homelessness; and putting a host of investments into addressing the root causes of violence in his budget. I aint seeing no losses, Davis Gates said. But another seasoned figure of the left, Ald. Jeanette Taylor, 20th, carries a far less rosy outlook, she revealed in a December episode of The Ben Joravsky Show podcast. Taylor pointed to allegations by aldermen that Johnsons now-former floor leader, Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, bullied and threatened them in an effort to block unfavorable legislation as evidence that progressives arent prepared to lead. The November incident, which led to the council deadlocking in a censure vote against Ramirez-Rosa and Johnson casting the tiebreaker to bail him out, suggests some progressives have become more concerned with power than organizing. We cannot say that we are the movement people, we are the left, and we do the same exact thing that the right is doing, Taylor said. We should not be on the fifth floor, and Im speaking my whole heart, Taylor said. We were not ready, because we havent been in government long enough to know how government really runs. And we look real stupid right now. Reached for comment, Ramirez-Rosa, 35th, did not react to Taylors remarks because, he said, as a rule, I try to not engage in a back-and-forth with people who are part of our progressive movement in the media. I will say that Ive always sought to push along a progressive agenda. I made mistakes. I have taken responsibility for those mistakes. But for a truly democratic movement, Davis Gates said, infighting is exactly how grassroots movements grow stronger. Progressives disagree on everything, actually. Thats kind of a feature of our movement, Davis Gates said. Brothers and sisters and siblings, we fight all the time, and sometimes you see it in the front yard, right, and sometimes its at the kitchen table. New era of City Council Johnson took office as the City Council continues to change. The body is more racially diverse and more liberal than during prior generations. But it also has more risk of becoming mired in disagreement than past rubber-stamp bodies. The councils bloc of independent aldermen grew under Emanuel, and that trend accelerated during the Lightfoot years. Our ideological divide is so wide probably as widest that Ive ever seen in my tenure and probably in the councils history, said veteran Ald. Jason Ervin, 28th, Johnsons hand-picked Budget Committee chair. We got everybody from almost Blue Dog Democrats to ultraprogressive, socialist, all under the same party banner. So I think thats where the tension primarily comes from. Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd, agreed, saying that makeup speaks to the legitimate differences of opinion regarding policy. Nobody really has a solid 26-vote majority, so everything has to be sort of cobbled together, and you do see unlikely alliances that form around a single issue, Hopkins said. To that end, the mayors early olive branch extension of some leadership appointments to supporters of his runoff opponent, Paul Vallas, and subsequent efforts to forge relationships could pay off when a more painful piece of legislation could use support outside his base. But Johnsons demeanor has not veered much from his first council meetings, either. He continues standing for the duration of the session and keeping a cool head in the face of flare-ups. And his penchant for the occasional joke or line of flattery remains strong. After a recent council meeting adjourned, the mayor presented a CD of an apparent old rap mixtape produced by his vice mayor, Ald. Walter Burnett, 27th, as someone played the audio softly from the chamber speakers to tease him. The mayors budget soared through in a 41-8 vote this fall. That easy win signals he can successfully reach across the aisle and build strong majorities for his major initiatives. But it also reflects the fact the spending plan lacked any painful choices, for better or worse. Closing a projected $538 million budget gap next year entailed Johnson taking a record sum from tax increment financing funds a tactic previous mayors have used that has been controversial because it is a one-time fix. They took the path of least resistance this year, but some of that will certainly come at the expense of next year, which is interesting, Hopkins, who voted yes for the budget, said. Theres only so many TIFs you can sweep with a broom, and that dries up too. So some of the one-off tricks that were used to balance this budget wont be available. And there are rumbles of broader philosophical concerns. Brad Tietz, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerces vice president for government relations and strategy, said the business community is miffed over how the regular cadence of weekly or biweekly calls from previous administrations has stopped. He also said the administration does not appear to share a focus on the business community and for economic development that other mayors had. Theres something missing between the business community and the administration, Tietz said, adding that previous mayors struck a balance between jobs and worker protections. What were seeing now is an administration beholden to an activist and labor base. Johnson, for his part, has dealt with the naysayers with his same laid-back, if not idealistic, message from the start. At a recent holiday party for supporters of the Democratic National Convention coming to Chicago, Johnson nodded to the concerns with a quip suggesting he plans to be the citys longest-serving mayor. Johnson told the audience hes only been in office for six months and needed their patience because he has 23 and a half years to go. He later echoed the sentiment at a holiday party with aldermen, declaring: I look forward to the next 23 years and five months as mayor! The Tribunes Gregory Royal Pratt, A.D. Quig and Dan Petrella contributed. Photos: Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2023 Brandon Johnson - 2023 Brandon Johnson - File Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Prophet Nigel Gaisie of the Prophetic Hill Chapel in Accra delivered his New Year's prophecies in the wee hours of Monday, January 1, 2024; cautioning the congregation to fervently pray against some of the unpalatable incidents God had revealed to him. Leading the congregation through the 31st December Watch Night Service at the church headquarters at Dome, he emphasized that men of God in and of themselves did not prophesy except what God had revealed to them. His list of prophecies, running into about 20 per GhanaWeb count, were largely about Ghana politics specifically the 2024 general election while a few bordered on other African countries and the world at large. I was inspired to give 30 prophecies (in 2023), about 27 of them came to pass, he declared after showing receipts of his right prophecies. As we have been ushered in to 2024, I have been inspired by prophetic inspirations, dreams and motivations, yesterday; I was before the Lord and the Lord spoke to me. It is going to be a very very good year. It shall not be like 2023 or 2022, green ripe fruits hanging in the sky. 2024 is a year of prosperity, abundance in nations of the world and life of individuals unlike last and two years ago. This is a very good year,he declared. Below is a list of his prophecies per GhanaWeb monitoring 1. Women in expectation of childbirth will be giving birth. 2. General discovery in world of medicine, cure for deadly disease. China and US in the lead 3. Greater part of New York flooded, death and casualties, lets pray for America. 4. Unexpected African country to win AFCON 5. A West African president could be poisoned after an attempt, if not careful hell be poisoned 6. Deputy Finance Minister should be careful, he will be at highest height of government, he should be careful in the next years, God will help him but theres a set up against him 7. Ants eating the flag of NPP, whiles watching, a greater part of flag was eaten and I woke up from sleep 8. Pray for Vladimir Putin, his seat had been taken 9. French West African country to experience coup, avertible by prayer 10. Mahama to win 2024 presidential elections. 11. NDC must be vigilant He said the NDC won 2020 in realm of spirit but prophetic promptings says they were not alert and watchful, Lord warns, this year 2024 is for them but if care is not taken, weakness wont take them to Jubilee House. 12. Notable Man of God of Ga ancestry leaving the world but that he is praying against it 13. Police Chief who can take care of security will likely be retained as IGP, if he will order his steps well, he will be retained. If he is careful, he will be called upon to be a running mate. 14. Running mate of a winning party will be the subject of a Eastern and Central Region battle 15. People of New Juaben will record casualties, pray for Koforidua 16. NDC won in Amasaman Constituency 17. NDC must sit up in Madina or lose the seat 18. Essikado woman win 19. NDC must keep extra focus on Greater Accra, so that it is not sold. 20. NPP will lose more seats, 170 seats in Parliament for NDC, a big majority. Elements of God will come and vote, vigilance is all that is needed. NDC declared ruling government by 9pm on day of voting. 21. There will be rights of homosexuals, so need for prayer 22. Pray for media 23. December 7 will come with artificial problems created in some constituencies. God will change the government Himself. 72 people have vowed to block Kwame Dramani. Lots of looting and infractions. Victory is of the NDC flag. 24. Election 2024 Will be bloodier than 2020 and need for vigilance 25. Traditional ruler has lost something and will reclaim it 26. Men in uniform doing everything to avert elections in a West African country 27. Offinso North, Tepa area, pray for then 28. NDC to win extra four seats in Ashanti Region, focus on Greater Accra. Check only Madina 29. Man on horse close to Walewale, eyes of horse red, blue, white but horse crippled and Lord said lets reject the rider of the horse. 30. EC will misbehave Source: Ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Presidential candidate of the NDC, John Mahama appears to be leading in terms of social media reception compared to Vice President and NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. This comes ahead of the 2024 presidential elections in which the duo are considered frontrunners so far. This information comes from IMANI Africa's Public Understanding and Literacy for Sentiment and Election. According to the Periodic Social Media Sentiment Analysis Report published in December 2023, more Ghanaians on social media express favorable opinions about Mahama compared to Dr. Bawumia. The study revealed that only 9.74% of posts mentioning Dr. Bawumia or the NPP were positive. In contrast, about 20% of social media posts mentioning John Mahama and the NDC were positive. IMANI highlighted that the number of posts mentioning the NPP and Dr. Bawumia was four times higher than those mentioning the NDC and Mahama. Source: myjoyonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video By Mabinty M. Kamara Latest data by the National Civil Registration Authority has indicated an addition to the female population in Sierra Leone out of a total of 235,373 (two hundred and thirty-five thousand, three hundred and seventy-three) live births for 2023. Of that number 120,040 (one hundred and twenty thousand and forty) are females, accounting for 51% of the data, while the rest are males. This represents a steady consistency as shown by the mid-tern census figures of 2021 which showed Sierra Leones population comprised more women than men, again with females making up 51%. The NCRA data also recorded 3,842 (three thousand eight hundred and forty-two) stillbirths out of which 2,143 (two thousand one hundred and forty-three) are males, accounting for 56%. A total of 13,186 (thirteen thousand one hundred and eighty-six) deaths were recorded in 2023 out of which the males made up a larger share of 7,252 (seven thousand two hundred and fifty-two) accounting for 55%, while 5,934 (a total of five thousand nine hundred and thirty-four) were females. Three thousand seven hundred and ninety four (3,794) 28.8% were within ages 60 and above, followed by the ages of 35-59 accounting for three thousand seven hundred and ten (3,710) 28.1% and under five with three thousand and ninety nine (23.5%) whilst the ages 5-34 accounted for the list with two thousand five hundred and eighty three (19.3%). However, the country has over the years recorded a steady decline in the number of infant mortality according to data presented by the United Nations World Population Prospect which states that the current infant mortality rate for Sierra Leone in 2023 is 70.123 deaths per 1,000 live births, a 2.95% decline from 2022, the infant mortality rate for Sierra Leone in 2022 was 72.253 deaths per 1000 live births, a 2.86% decline from 2021. The infant mortality rate for Sierra Leone in 2021 was 74.383 deaths per 1,000 live births, a 2.78% decline from 2020. The infant mortality rate for Sierra Leone in 2020 was 76.513 deaths per 1,000 live births, a 2.71% decline from 2019, it reads. Copyright 2024 Politico Online (01/01/24) North Korea's state TV on Monday used images of the leaders of South Korea, the United States and Japan holding a summit in the background while broadcasting leader Kim Jong-un delivering a recent speech. The footage of President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was shown on the North's Korean Central TV as it broadcast Kim's address at the year-end plenary meeting of the ruling Workers' Party. In the middle of Kim making remarks denouncing U.S. policy toward the North, the TV screen switched to a video clip and 10 photos of the landmark trilateral summit held at the U.S. Camp David presidential retreat in August. It is believed to be unprecedented for the North's TV to show real images of the leaders. "It is highly unusual," said Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification. "It appears to suggest that North Korea intends to intensify propaganda toward residents this year." (Yonhap) VP Sam-Sumana By Septimus Senessie in Kono Vice President Samuel Sam Sumana has come under attack by some people in his native district of Kono who openly accused him of being anti-developmental against his own district. The project coordinator of Jericho Road Ministry, Phibian Fengai Abdulai and the head teacher of Koidu School for the Blind, Tamba Mathew Gbessay said they were being supported by some residents of Koidu town, both direct and indirect beneficiaries of a hospital whose construction was said to have been stopped by the Vice President. The allegations were that the vice president had directly stopped the construction of a hospital that would provide medical facilities to over 5,000 people free of cost. Sounding overwrought and thirsty, Phibean claimed that the VP had accused her of being disrespectful to him by putting up a public structure near to his house. The VP also falsely accused me of not consulting with him on the implementation of the project. That is not true, she said, adding that even before she brought the project to the district from America, the first person she contacted was the VP and he gave her the go-ahead. Meanwhile, some angry youth said they would take to the streets in protest if the VP did not change his stance, and even threatened to set on fire the VPs house, which is some 50 metres away from the construction site. Looking and sounding livid, one of them, Sahr Mondeh of Mbriwo Motto which is one of the intended beneficiary communities, told Politico that they were prepared to face the consequence of their future actions. We are not going to allow anybody to drive away such development from our community as they did with MSF [the charity medico] in 2002. We dont want to see our women and children dying of curable diseases, he said. She also alleged that during his last visit the VP sent his senior driver, Kerinton Conteh, and his house steward, one Mr. Francis to warn her to stop the work. She claimed to have been asked by Alex Konoyima, the deputy director of housing in the ministry of lands, to stop work on the site after he received an order from the minister of lands, housing and country planning, Musa Tarawallie. Phibean said when completed the hospital, which had its presence in five communities in the district and had done surgical operations on over one hundred poor rural people through a partnership with government hospital, would target over 6,000 sick people. The senior housing officer in Kono, Kai Sumana, confirmed that Phibean had met him over three months ago with her a house plan of one-acre land bearing the signatures of the Kono District Council, Chiefdom Administration of Tankoro chiefdom and the Administration of the Koidu School for the Blind, who were the owners of the land in question. He said they had stopped the work because she couldnt produce an offer letter from the ministry of lands. Efforts to reach the Vice President bounced. The minister of state in his however, Harriett Turay declined to comment on the matter saying it was not an official matter. On Monday heavy violence broke out between some young men, who were making a daily wage from the construction work, and the Koidu metropolitan police who said they were acting on the orders of the Koidu Mayor, Saa Emerson Lamina, because the construction work had not obtained a building permit from the council. One of the policemen was injured on the forehead and the matter is now being investigated by the Tankoro police division. But Mayor Lamina denied allegations that he was acting on the orders of VP Sam Sumana to stop construction work on the site. He said: my action was to protect state land for its proper utilisation, adding that they had merely asked Phibean to produce the building permit and other related documents. (C) Politico 13/02/14 Bret Grimes is a chiropractor. He's never been an author and never planned to be. But he is a storyteller. Talking, listening, understanding that part comes easily to him, through his 20-something conversations every day with patients. In those moments, Grimes found himself getting more and more curious about local history. Then, the 32-year-old came across what he calls "the greatest story never told in our area." "It was the most tragic event to ever happen in the Quad-Cities, and yet very few people knew about it, and even fewer people knew details about it," Grimes said. "It needed to be written." "The St. Elizabeth Hospital Fire in Iowa," Grimes' 128-page debut book, released to retailers on Jan. 1. It tells the story of the fire that claimed 41 lives, all of whom were women, and all but one of whom were patients in the St. Elizabeth ward of Mercy Hospital in Davenport on January 7, 1950. The fire was started by a patient in the mental health facility, and firefighting efforts were complicated by the fact windows were locked from the outside. It is still the third deadliest hospital fire in United States history. The book goes beyond just the blaze itself, also retelling the court proceedings that followed and analyzing the hospital's relationship with the Catholic Church. Grimes said he viewed writing his book as a "philanthropic" pursuit, a way of memorializing the women that died that day. There is an entire chapter titled "More Than Just Names," with memorials for every single victim. "(There are) 41 people who mostly were forgotten,," he said. "These people were kind of thrown away to begin with. Their families kind of disowned them. "And so I did a lot of genealogy research to figure out who those people were and try and bring their name back to life." The process of putting the book together started in November 2022, when one of Grimes' three children was hospitalized at Genesis Medical Center. He walked by a wall in the hospital hallway that commemorates the history of the fire, and it piqued his interest. Grimes always had an inclination for storytelling. His father spent 26 years working in radio, and his uncle wrote a book, too, something Grimes said he thought was cool as a kid. And so he set out to write one of his own, hopeful his children would feel the same. First, he gathered information. Public records, newspaper clippings, archival photos, whatever Grimes could find. He got help from the Davenport Public Library, the Davenport Fire Museum and genealogy websites. It was mostly an after-dark project, he said. Each day at the chiropractor's office working his nine-to-five, Grimes would strike up conversations with patients about what he'd learned about the fire. He'd take that inspiration home with him, and after his wife and kids were off to bed, Grimes would go into the basement of his Bettendorf home and write. A thousand words a night was the goal, and that was the routine for a large chunk of 2023. "Was it exhausting? Yes," he said. "Did I enjoy it? Almost every second of it." Now, Grimes has a publicist and a publishing deal. It's all pretty surreal, and the book's rollout has come with a mix of emotions. Pride, knowing that he's helped cement the stories of the 40 women who died in the fire. Fulfillment, in the fact that it is done, and he accomplished his goal. And for a moment, anxiousness, when the first copy of the book landed on his doorstep. "I was flipping through it," he said. "And I thought, 'Will anybody care?'" But ultimately, Grimes took solace in the fact that, as an author, he's a storyteller. And that part feels natural for him. Like his uncle, like his father, Grimes is telling stories, just like he does every day in his chiropractor's suite. "It was just something that I thought needed to be done," he said. "And I kind of thought, 'Why not me? Why don't I do it?'" A Clinton County parolee is accused of shooting a Clinton man to death early Sunday, Clinton Police Chief Kevin Gyrion said. Marquis Denyae Winston, 33, of Clinton, is charged in Clinton County District Court with one count of first-degree murder. The charge is a Class A felony which carries a mandatory prison sentence of life without parole upon conviction. Winston also is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years. He also was wanted on a parole violation. Gyrion said that at 12:15 a.m. Sunday, Clinton police were sent to an apartment at 2715 S. 18th St. to investigate a report of a man suffering a gunshot wound. The victim was taken to MercyOne Clinton Medical Center, where he died of his injuries. Clinton police and the Major Crime Unit of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the incident and located and arrested Winston. The victims name was not released Sunday pending family notification. Winston was being held Sunday night in the Clinton County Jail on a cash-only bond of $1 million. Clinton police ask that anyone with information about this incident to call the Clinton Police Department at 563-243-1458, or the anonymous tip line at 563-242-6595, or leave an anonymous tip at www.p3tips.com. Winston is on parole in Clinton County until Sept. 18, 2027, according to the Iowa Department of Corrections website. He was given a 10-year sentence in 2017 on a burglary charge and a 10-year sentence in 2020 on a charge of possession with the intent to deliver less than 5 grams of meth. Winston was released from prison and placed on work release on March 9, 2022. He was placed on parole on Aug. 1, 2022. Key terms you should know to understand the gun control debate Key terms you should know to understand the gun control debate Gun Control Act of 1968 Second Amendment National Rifle Association March for Our Lives Assault weapon Automatic weapon Semiautomatic weapon Caliber International gun control Brady Law National Instant Criminal Background Check System Gun show loophole Strawman purchase Mass shootings Bump stocks Binary trigger Pistol grip Flash suppressor High-capacity magazine Background checks Open carry Firearm Owners Protection Act Title II, NFA weapons Assault weapons ban Gunowners of America A fire severely damaged a home in Sterling early Sunday, authorities said. Firefighters from Sterling and Rock Falls were sent to 507 15th Ave. at 6:02 a.m. Sterling police arrived first on the scene and reported all of the occupants were out of the home. Police also rescued a dog. The first engine arrived at 6:07 a.m., with firefighters reporting a fire with heavy smoke and fire pushing from the kitchen area. A Mutual Aid Box Alarm System alert was issued and firefighters from Dixon, Prophetstown, Milledgeville, Amboy, and Morrison arrived on the scene to help fight the blaze. The fire was brought under control by 6:37 a.m. Salvage and overhaul then began. Sterling fire investigators determined the fire began in the kitchen but remains under investigation. The Red Cross was called in to assist the family. No occupants were injured, but they sustained heavy losses to their contents in the house. Douglas L. Christensen, 58, of East Moline was sentenced Nov. 3, 2021, to 10 years in federal prison. He is being held in the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut. He is scheduled to be released Sept. 16, 2028. Michael Robert McKinney, 26, of Silvis was sentenced July 20, 2021, to 12 years in federal prison. He is being held in the Federal Correctional Institution in Marianna, Florida. He is scheduled to be released March 29, 2031. Douglas Michael Speer, 33, of Johnston, Iowa, was sentenced Oct. 20, 2021, to 11 years in federal prison. He is being held in the Federal Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri. He is scheduled to be released May 18, 2029. Nicholas Bryan Swank, 34, of Muscatine was sentenced Jan. 6, 2022, to 17 years in federal prison. He is being held in the U.S. Penitentiary in Marion, Illinois. He is scheduled to be released Oct. 11, 2035. Charles Walter Christopher, 45, of West Liberty was sentenced Dec. 15, 2021, to 22 years in federal prison. He is being held in the U.S. Penitentiary in Thomson, Illinois. He is scheduled to be released July 2, 2040. Joseph Allen Wilcher, 42, of Cedar Rapids was sentenced Feb. 24, 2022, to 10 years in prison. He is being held in the Federal Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas. He is scheduled to be released Nov. 2, 2029. Damien Pernell Shepherd, 39, of Moline, was sentenced Nov. 22, 2022, to seven years and three months in prison. He is being held at the Federal Correctional Institution in Milan, Michigan. He is scheduled to be released Jan. 19, 2027. The South Dakota Governors Office of Economic Development announced a $1 million investment in South Dakota Trade last week to help businesses grow their overseas sales and support high-quality jobs in state. South Dakota feeds the world, and we are constantly looking for new opportunities to market our incredible work to consumers in other countries, said Governor Kristi Noem. Over 27,000 South Dakotans are employed by jobs directly supported by exports. We will continue to invest in our people and our workforce through the work of South Dakota Trade. S.D. Trade, a public-private partnership that opened its doors in April, has already assisted South Dakota companies in securing over $3 million in direct sales, GOED said in a press release. They provided education to over 70 international trade practitioners and executed South Dakotas first trade delegation in 10 years. Our inaugural year has been incredibly productive, thanks to our partnership with Governor Noem, GOED, and over 25 other organizations across the state, said S.D. Trade President and CEO Luke J. Lindberg. Companies involved in the delegation led by Lt. Governor (Larry) Rhoden to Mexico have realized a return of over 65 times our investment in this mission. We plan on doing more trips in the future. Earlier this year, Rhoden went on a trade mission to Mexico with S.D. Trade. The early results from that trip have netted a 50-to-1 return on investment for South Dakotas economy, GOED said. In South Dakota, ag is our most important industry but there is always room to grow, said Rhoden. Mexico is our second largest trade partner, and S.D. Trade is helping that partnership expand. This investment will make continued growth a reality for South Dakota ag and every industry. This funding is through GOEDs Future Fund. It will expand the service offerings S.D. Trade is able to provide to companies in South Dakota and enable them to continue to grow South Dakotas economy. Our partnership is building resiliency into South Dakotas economy, said GOED Commissioner Chris Schilken. Foreign sales bring new money into our state and diversify our sources of revenue it is a win-win for everyone involved. S.D. Trade team members work with all industries and company sizes. They also provide focused offerings for businesses anywhere on the international trade spectrum, from new-to-export companies to those with sophisticated trade teams. To learn more, visit southdakotatrade.com. By: Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury Bangladesh, a land woven with resilience, heritage, and a drapery of culture, stands at a crucial juncture in the contemporary geopolitical landscape. At the wheel of this dynamic nation is Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, an indomitable leader, whose statesmanship has wielded an influential impact both within Bangladesh and across global forums. The significance of Sheikh Hasina's leadership transcends mere political stewardship. It embodies a nuanced amalgamation of diplomatic finesse, socio-economic empowerment, and visionary strategies that have propelled Bangladesh onto the global stage, marking its presence in discussions on regional stability, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. One of the foundations of Prime Minister Hasina's statesmanship lies in her unwavering commitment to fostering regional cooperation. Amidst a complex web of regional dynamics, she has championed initiatives fostering camaraderie, trade partnerships, and cultural exchanges. Through platforms like SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) and BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation), her efforts have been instrumental in forging stronger bonds among neighboring countries, amplifying Bangladesh's voice and influence in regional affairs. Sheikh Hasina's smart foreign policy has diversified Bangladesh's global engagements, cultivating strategic relationships beyond its borders. Strengthening ties with global powers such as China, Russia, India, and the United States, as well as the Middle Eastern nations, she has navigated diplomatic waters adeptly, leveraging these relationships to bolster Bangladesh's economic growth and security. However, Sheikh Hasina's statesmanship extends far beyond diplomatic negotiations. At the heart of her governance lies a commitment to inclusive development. Under her leadership, Bangladesh has made remarkable strides in social welfare, education, and healthcare. Initiatives like the Digital Bangladesh campaign have catapulted the nation into the digital era, fostering innovation and technological advancements that have spurred economic growth and improved access to services for citizens across the socioeconomic spectrum. Moreover, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has demonstrated unparalleled leadership in addressing climate change. Bangladesh, grappling with the repercussions of rising sea levels and extreme weather events, stands as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. Sheikh Hasina's proactive stance in advocating for climate justice on global platforms has earned her international acclaim. Her ambitious climate resilience strategies and commitment to sustainable development underscore her visionary leadership, positioning Bangladesh as a model for climate-conscious governance. The empowerment of women and the pursuit of gender equality stand as emblematic pillars of Sheikh Hasina's leadership. Bangladesh, under her statesmanship, has witnessed a transformative shift towards gender inclusivity. Through policy reforms, increased representation of women in government, and initiatives promoting women's education and economic participation, Hasina has catalyzed a societal shift, propelling Bangladesh towards a more equitable future. Challenges, however, remain prevalent. The nation grapples with issues of governance, corruption, constant threats posed by terrorism and religious extremism and socio-political complexities. While Sheikh Hasina's leadership has undoubtedly steered Bangladesh on a trajectory of progress, addressing these challenges necessitates continued commitment and concerted efforts. In reflecting on Sheikh Hasina's statesmanship, it becomes evident that her leadership embodies resilience, vision, and a deep-rooted commitment to the betterment of Bangladesh. Her ability to navigate complex geopolitical waters while prioritizing inclusive development has elevated Bangladesh's standing, transforming it into a key player in regional and global arenas. As Sheikh Hasina continues to chart the course for Bangladesh's future, her statesmanship serves as a testament to the transformative power of visionary leadership. With each strategic decision and policy initiative, she cements Bangladesh's significance on the world stage, ensuring a legacy of progress and prosperity for generations to come. Fostering relations within Global South Sheikh Hasina's role in fostering and strengthening relations among countries in the Global South is indeed significant. Her efforts have contributed substantially to enhancing cooperation, solidarity, and mutual development among nations in this region. As a leader from the Global South herself, Sheikh Hasina understands the shared challenges, aspirations, and opportunities that bind countries within this diverse and expansive geopolitical bloc. Her diplomatic initiatives have been instrumental in deepening ties and fostering collaborative frameworks among these nations. Prime Minister Hasina has actively promoted multilateralism, advocating for increased cooperation through platforms such as the D8 Organization for Economic Cooperation and the G77, which bring together developing nations to address common challenges and promote collective growth. Her commitment to South-South cooperation has been evident in initiatives that prioritize trade, technology transfer, and capacity-building among member nations. Bangladesh's engagements in various forums and partnerships within the Global South, under Sheikh Hasina's leadership, have emphasized mutual respect, shared prosperity, and sustainable development. Bilateral agreements in areas like trade, agriculture, education, and technology exchange have flourished, fostering stronger bonds and elevating the collective voice of the Global South in global discourse. Moreover, Hasina's emphasis on solidarity among Global South countries in international arenas has been commendable. She has consistently advocated for the rights of developing nations, particularly on issues of climate change, trade imbalances, and socio-economic disparities, amplifying the collective concerns of these nations on the global stage. Furthermore, her administration's support for refugees, particularly Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar, exemplifies Bangladesh's commitment to humanitarian values and solidarity with oppressed communities within the Global South. Fight against terrorism Sheikh Hasina, as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has made significant contributions to combat terrorism, recognizing its threat not only to her country but to regional and global stability. Her approach to counterterrorism has been multi-faceted, combining both proactive measures within Bangladesh and collaborative efforts on an international scale. Under her leadership, Bangladesh has enacted robust legislation targeting terrorism and extremism. The government has introduced stringent anti-terrorism laws, empowering law enforcement agencies to take decisive action against individuals or groups involved in terrorist activities. These laws have provided a legal framework to tackle terrorism effectively. Sheikh Hasina's administration has taken proactive measures to dismantle extremist networks operating within Bangladesh. Security forces have conducted operations targeting extremist elements, disrupting their networks and preventing potential threats to national security. This approach has significantly weakened the operational capacity of extremist groups. Sheikh Hasina has consistently advocated for a moderate and inclusive interpretation of Islam, emphasizing religious tolerance, coexistence, and dialogue. Her government has promoted educational and religious initiatives aimed at countering extremist narratives and fostering a culture of peace and harmony. Recognizing the global nature of terrorism, Sheikh Hasina has actively engaged in international cooperation to combat this menace. Bangladesh has collaborated with various countries and international organizations, sharing intelligence, expertise, and best practices in counterterrorism efforts. She has been vocal about the importance of global solidarity and cooperation in addressing terrorism. Prime Minister Hasina has emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of extremism, including poverty, unemployment, and lack of education. Her government has implemented socio-economic development programs aimed at providing opportunities and hope to marginalized communities, thereby reducing the vulnerability to extremist ideologies. Bangladesh has taken steps to secure its borders, enhancing border management to prevent illegal activities, including smuggling of arms and movement of extremists across borders. Sheikh Hasina's unwavering commitment to combating terrorism has been pivotal in improving the security landscape in Bangladesh. Her holistic approach, which encompasses legal, security, ideological, and socio-economic dimensions, reflects a comprehensive strategy to tackle this complex challenge. Her leadership in this realm has not only strengthened internal security but has also contributed to regional and global efforts in the fight against terrorism. Empowerment of women Sheikh Hasina, as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has been a staunch advocate for women's empowerment, instituting policies and initiatives that have significantly advanced the status of women in Bangladesh. Under her leadership, Bangladesh has seen a rise in women's political participation. Sheikh Hasina has actively promoted women's involvement in governance by introducing reserved seats for women in parliament. This proactive step has significantly increased the representation of women in decision-making roles. The government has enacted laws and introduced reforms aimed at protecting and promoting women's rights. Measures such as the Domestic Violence Prevention and Protection Act and the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act have been introduced to address gender-based violence, providing legal recourse and protection for women. Sheikh Hasina's administration has prioritized women's access to education and healthcare. Initiatives such as stipends for female students, the establishment of schools and colleges, and healthcare programs tailored to women's needs have increased educational and healthcare opportunities for women across the country. Various programs and microcredit initiatives have been launched to economically empower women. These initiatives have facilitated access to credit, training, and entrepreneurship opportunities, enabling women to become financially independent and contribute to household income. Prime Minister Hasina has been vocal in advocating for gender equality in all spheres of life. She has emphasized the importance of challenging societal norms and stereotypes that hinder women's progress, promoting a culture of equality and inclusion. Sheikh Hasina's government has undertaken campaigns to raise awareness about women's rights, gender equality, and the importance of women's contributions to society. These efforts aim to challenge traditional mindsets and societal attitudes towards women. On the international stage, Sheikh Hasina has been a vocal advocate for women's rights and empowerment, raising these issues in various global forums and underscoring their importance in achieving sustainable development. Through her leadership, policies, and advocacy, Sheikh Hasina has played a pivotal role in advancing the empowerment of women in Bangladesh. Her commitment to creating an environment conducive to women's advancement has contributed significantly to breaking barriers and creating opportunities for women to thrive in various spheres of life. Ensuring education for girls Sheikh Hasina, as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has implemented various commendable policies and initiatives to ensure and enhance the education of girls in the country. Her government has recognized the pivotal role that education plays in fostering progress and has prioritized girls' education as a fundamental aspect of Bangladesh's development. One of the hallmark policies introduced under Sheikh Hasina's leadership is the provision of stipends and incentives for girls' education. These stipends are aimed at incentivizing families to send their daughters to school and keep them enrolled. Financial incentives help alleviate economic barriers that often hinder girls' access to education. The government has actively invested in the construction and development of schools, particularly in rural and underprivileged areas. This initiative aims to ensure that girls have access to nearby educational institutions, reducing barriers related to distance and commuting. Sheikh Hasina's government has initiated community engagement programs to raise awareness about the importance of girls' education. These programs involve local leaders, educators, and parents to create a supportive environment that values and encourages girls' education. Beyond access, the government has focused on improving the quality of education provided to girls. Initiatives have been undertaken to enhance teaching standards, curriculum development, and educational resources, ensuring that girls receive a high-quality education. The education policies introduced by Sheikh Hasina's government not only focus on imparting knowledge but also emphasize empowering girls. The education system includes components that foster critical thinking, leadership skills, and empowerment, enabling girls to become agents of change in their communities. Policies have been implemented to address gender disparities in education. Efforts have been made to bridge the gap between boys' and girls' enrollment rates, ensuring equal opportunities for education. Initiatives to encourage girls to pursue higher education, such as scholarships and support programs, have been introduced to enable them to continue their education beyond primary and secondary levels. Overall, Sheikh Hasina's policies for ensuring girls' education in Bangladesh reflect a comprehensive and holistic approach. These policies not only focus on increasing access to education but also emphasize the importance of quality education and empowerment, laying a foundation for the holistic development of girls and the nation as a whole. Emphasis on relationship with neighbors Sheikh Hasina's commitment to maintaining strong and cooperative relations with neighboring countries, particularly India, has been a cornerstone of Bangladesh's foreign policy under her leadership. Her approach to fostering ties with India has been characterized by pragmatism, mutual respect, and a focus on shared interests, resulting in significant advancements in bilateral relations. Bangladesh and India share deep historical and cultural ties that form the foundation of their relationship. Sheikh Hasina has emphasized the importance of these historical connections, highlighting the cultural affinity and shared heritage between the two nations. Under her leadership, economic cooperation between Bangladesh and India has witnessed substantial growth. Both countries have focused on enhancing trade relations, easing trade barriers, and promoting investments, resulting in increased economic collaboration and mutual benefits. Efforts have been made to improve connectivity between Bangladesh and India through various infrastructure projects, including roads, railways, and waterways. Initiatives like the Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala bus service and the development of inland waterways have strengthened people-to-people connectivity and facilitated trade. Sheikh Hasina's government has prioritized security cooperation with India. Both countries have collaborated closely on counterterrorism efforts, intelligence sharing, and border security, aiming to combat common security challenges and ensure regional stability. Addressing water-related issues, particularly regarding river-sharing agreements, has been a crucial aspect of bilateral discussions. Sheikh Hasina has engaged in diplomatic dialogues with India to find equitable solutions for sharing river waters, recognizing the significance of water resources for both countries. Both nations have fostered cultural and educational exchanges, promoting greater understanding and goodwill between their peoples. Initiatives like student exchange programs, cultural festivals, and academic collaborations have contributed to strengthening people-to-people ties. Sheikh Hasina's consistent engagement with Indian leadership through diplomatic visits and high-level meetings has reinforced the commitment to maintaining open channels of communication and resolving bilateral issues through dialogue. Sheikh Hasina's approach to nurturing relations with India has been characterized by a balanced pursuit of national interests while recognizing the importance of regional cooperation and stability. Her commitment to fostering a strong and cooperative relationship with India has contributed significantly to the overall stability and development of the region. Focusing on a developed Bangladesh by 2030 Sheikh Hasina's vision to transform Bangladesh into a developed nation by 2030 reflects a comprehensive and ambitious agenda for the country's progress. Her re-election in the January 7, 2024 election is perceived by many as essential for the continuity and realization of this vision for several reasons: Continuity of policies and initiatives Sheikh Hasina's leadership has been marked by long-term development plans and strategies. Her re-election would ensure the continuation of ongoing policies and initiatives aimed at achieving sustainable development goals and transforming key sectors of the economy. Implementation of Vision 2030 Sheikh Hasina's commitment to Vision 2030 involves extensive economic, social, and infrastructural reforms. Her re-election would provide the stability and continuity needed to implement and oversee the execution of these transformative plans. International engagement and support Sheikh Hasina has built strong relationships with global partners and institutions to support Bangladesh's development agenda. Her re-election would help maintain these partnerships and secure continued support and investments from the international community. Policy consistency and stability A consistent policy framework and stable governance are crucial for long-term development plans. Her re-election would ensure policy consistency, which is vital for sustained economic growth and transformation. Leadership experience and visionary approach Sheikh Hasina's experience in governance and her visionary approach to development are seen as assets crucial for steering Bangladesh towards becoming a developed nation. Her continued leadership is believed to be instrumental in overcoming challenges and realizing the country's potential. Completion of ongoing projects Many ongoing projects and initiatives are critical for Bangladesh's development journey. Her re-election would provide the impetus to complete these projects, ensuring their intended impact on the country's progress. Building institutional capacities Sheikh Hasina's leadership has focused on building institutional capacities across various sectors. Continuation of her leadership is crucial for further strengthening these institutions to sustain the momentum towards development goals. While the re-election of Sheikh Hasina is seen as instrumental in pursuing the nation's aspirations for development, it's important to emphasize the democratic process and the voice of the electorate. The January 7, 2024 election represents an opportunity for the Bangladeshi people to express their choices and shape the future leadership that will drive the country towards its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2030. It may be mentioned here that while ensuring a peaceful and credible election on January 7, 2024 will be crucial for upholding Bangladesh's democratic values and maintaining political stability, setting the stage for continued progress, development, and stability under the leadership that emerges from this democratic process, Election Commission in Bangladesh is tirelessly working in this direction to ensure the upcoming election is free, fair and credible and held in festivity through participation of voters. Unfortunately, several undemocratic forces, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its ideological allies such as Jamaat-e-Islami (Jamaat) and other ultra-Islamist, anarchist and terrorist groups are making frantic bids in foiling the election by spreading reign of terror throughout the country. Instead of participating in the election, BNP and its allies are attempting to return to power through an undemocratic process, which not only would jeopardize Bangladesh's progress and prosperity it would eventually turn the country into a neo-Taliban state or Caliphate. Understanding this risk, the international community, particularly the nations in the Global South have vowed to stand in defense of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as it is essential for the continuation of Bangladesh's progress and prosperity. Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury is an internationally acclaimed multi-award-winning anti-militancy journalist, writer, research-scholar, and Editor, Blitz, a newspaper publishing from Bangladesh since 2003. He regularly writes for local and international newspapers. Follow him on X @Salah_Shoaib M A Hossain The Ukrainian government faces enormous challenges and risks from internal divisions and the waning support of its Western allies. It is evident that President Vladimir Putin has skillfully managed the war that erupted in February 2022. By the end of 2023, the delivery of military equipment to Ukraine will reach its lowest level since the conflict began. Kyiv has mainly depended on the weapon stockpiles of its allied countries, and the IMF has announced that the Ukrainian economy can only survive for 'a few months' without Western financial aid. Moreover, the possible return of a Republican president after 2024 would be a major setback for the US backing of Ukraine. However, the Hamas-Israel conflict has provided an opportunity for the Biden administration to deprioritize the Ukraine war. Thus, the geopolitical factors, electoral cycles, arms transfers, and the availability of ammunition have left Zelenskyy's fate hanging in delusion and illusion. For the first time, the Pentagon disclosed an exact date for the depletion of resources meant to support Kyiv. According to Bloomberg, the US Department of Defense informed Congress that the funds allocated to replenish weapons for Ukraine would run out by December 30, 2023. The US Senate Republicans have blocked a $110.5 billion aid package for their allies. The Pentagon spokesman, Patrick Ryder, stated earlier this month that Washington would have to choose between its combat readiness and the provision of weapons to Ukraine due to a shortage of financial resources. Additionally, at a summit in Brussels, EU leaders failed to agree on a four-year financial plan of 60 billion for Ukraine. The Kremlin warned the EU that any shipment containing weapons to Kyiv would be regarded as a legitimate target. Ukraine's much-hyped summer counteroffensive failed to meet the expectations of its allies. Therefore, after nearly two years of war, the Atlantic nations are beginning to focus on their national security interests rather than those of Ukraine's. The West provoked the Ukraine war on Russia, a clear display of its hegemonic global agenda. Russia has not shown any imperialist or territorial ambition in this war. Zelenskyy came to power in 2014 through a Western-supported coup. He immediately started efforts to integrate Ukraine into the EU. Since Ukraine lies within Russia's sphere of influence, Russia opposed it and this led to the conflict. The Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, inadvertently exposed a broader, dishonorable motive for the proxy war during his visit to Poland in April 2022. He said that Washington's goal was not only to help Ukraine repel Russia's invasion, but also to 'weaken Russia' to the point that it could no longer pose a threat to any other country. However, there is little regard for the impact on the suffering inhabitants of the country that serves as a battleground for the proxy war, and surprisingly little concern for the wider geopolitical implications. It is simply to harass and bleed Washington's rival, as well as boost the depleted US economy by the military-industrial complex. The nature of war is inherently unstable, marked by constant changes in circumstances. There are some possible scenarios for the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Mainly, if Donald Trump or the Republican Party wins the upcoming 2024 US presidential election, then it could lead to a significant change in the course of the Russia-Ukraine war. A Republican president would be likely to reduce assistance to Ukraine and engage in diplomatic talks to end the conflict. The US would probably shift its focus to the Indo-Pacific region. This recalibration would be a chance to strengthen Russia's control over the occupied Ukrainian territories. At the same time, such a sudden change in U.S. policy towards Ukraine would undermine its reputation as a dependable security guarantor not only for the EU but also for other parts of the world. There could be another scenario, a drastic cut in Western support for Ukraine could lead to Russia completely taking over eastern and southern Ukraine. That would totally block Ukraine's access to the Black Sea. Unlike Ukraine, Russia has enough supplies of weapons for 2024. Mr. Putin has been preparing his military for more than a year. Russia has raised its 2024 budget for military spending. Ukraine's slow advance against Russia's heavily fortified defense during the recent counteroffensive could lead to a war of attrition in the Ukrainian military. It is very doubtful that Ukraine is able to launch another counteroffensive in the near future. The right wing, populist, Eurosceptics statesmen in the EU also complicate Ukraine's future. Netherlands and Hungarian leaders, Geert Wilders and Viktor Orban, are opposed to stronger EU sanctions on Russia. Russia's upcoming 2024 presidential election has a significant influence on the Russia-Ukraine War. Mr. Putin could order his commanders to restart large-scale offensive operations with an ambition to seize new territories. New battlefield victories would enhance his popularity and legitimacy among the Russian people, who may view him as a strong leader. He can also present himself as a protector of their national interests and sovereignty against foreign interference. No doubt, the Ukraine issue will help Mr. Putin to consolidate his power within his own political system. The West never cares about Ukraine. The country is used as a pawn to 'weaken' Russia in this proxy war. The Israel-Hamas conflict has provided the opportunity to escape from this proxy war for the West. Mr. Zelenskyy, the lone man who has ruined Ukraine, and surely, he will be held accountable in the future for many lives and cities. And, the relations between Russia and the West will never improve through force and intimidation. Respectful and diplomatic postures are the only way to prevent conflict. BEIJING (AP) Chinese President Xi Jinping said China would surely be reunified with Taiwan during his televised New Years address, renewing Beijings threats to take over the self-ruled island, which it considers its own. 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 ramping up its threat to achieve that by military force if necessary. China will surely be reunified, and all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose, Xi said in his annual address, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. China has described Taiwan's Jan. 13 presidential and parliamentary elections as a choice between war and peace. Beijing considers the presidential front-runner, William Lai, who currently serves as vice president from the ruling Democratic Peoples Party, a separatist and has accused him and Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen of trying to provoke a Chinese attack on the island. On Saturday, Chen Binhua, spokesman for Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office, called Lai a destroyer of peace following a televised debate earlier that day in which Lai defended Taiwans right to rule itself as a democracy. Chen said Lais discourse at the debate was full of confrontational thinking, adding that the vice president is the instigator of a potential dangerous war in the Taiwan Strait. Lai had said during the debate that Taiwan is not subordinate to China and that he was open to communications with Beijing as long as there is equality and dignity on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. While Lai doesnt describe himself as seeking independence from Beijing, he generally maintains Taiwan is already an independent country. Korea reported small tsunamis in parts of the East Sea on Monday following a major earthquake off Japan's west coast. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said a 7.6 magnitude quake that struck Ishikawa and nearby prefectures around 4 p.m. caused minor tsunamis in waters off Korea's east coast province of Gangwon on Monday evening. According to the KMA, a wave off the east coast city of Gangneung reached 20 centimeters at 6:01 p.m., while a wave seen off another coastal town of Donghae was measured at 45 centimeters at 6:05 p.m. As of 8 p.m., a tsunami wave had hit 67 centimeters off Mukho, a district in Donghae. Earlier in the day, the KMA had estimated that the maximum vertical height of the tsunami waves in the region would stay below 50 centimeters -- a level that will prompt a tsunami warning. The KMA also said even waves at 20 to 30 centimeters can still cause damage. The KMA noted that the height of a tsunami could jump to a more dangerous level depending on the ebb and flow of the tide, and that tsunamis may affect Gangwon for more than 24 hours. The Ministry of Interior and Safety said there had been no reports of personal injury or property damage from east coastal regions of Gangwon and North Gyeongsang provinces as of 9:40 p.m. Monday. An official said the ministry will monitor the situation for at least another day and called on residents of coastal towns to stay away from the shore until further notice. Earlier in the day, Gangwon sent tsunami warnings via text messages to residents in six cities and counties by the ocean, urging people near coastal areas to evacuate to higher ground. The local maritime police forces said they were keeping close tabs on the developing situation, while noting there was no report of damage by early Monday evening. Gangwon provincial meteorological authorities issued a warning for high waves in waters off coastal towns, with the wind measured at up to 16 meters per second. They added low-lying coastal areas could remain vulnerable to high waves throughout Monday night and into the early hours of Tuesday. Following the quake, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a major tsunami warning for Ishikawa and lower-level tsunami warnings or advisories for the rest of the northwestern coast of the island of Honshu. Japanese media said torrents of water could reach 5 meters in height, though there were no immediate reports of damage. Korea's foreign ministry said it had not yet received any report of injury or damage for Korean nationals in Japan as of Monday evening. It said the Korean Consulate General in Niigata, which also oversees Ishikawa, will continue to monitor the situation and offer whatever assistance Korean people may need in the wake of the quake. The foreign ministry said an estimated 1,200 Koreans reside in Ishikawa Prefecture and another 800 in the adjacent Toyama Prefecture. (Yonhap) Richmond is getting ready to celebrate New Years Eve with a line-up of cover bands, DJs, rooftop parties and even a balloon drop. This year, the festivities are all about music, drinks and bringing back those classic New Years Eve party vibes. For the most part, this has been a difficult year for many people, and I think theyre just looking to celebrate going into 2024, Kunal Shah, managing partner at LX Group, said. Were bringing a really unique experience to Richmond with Ember, said Shah. Its a remarkable space. Ember Music Hall, is going all out for their All That Glitters New Years Eve ball with dancers, LED visuals, light shows and music from their top-of-the-line sound system. People still want to be out and in the crowds, especially for New Years Eve, Sophia Lacatell, marketing and events coordinator for the group, added. Check out more New Years Eve festivities around town: New Years Eve at Tobacco Company Restaurant Tobacco Company Restaurant is ringing in the new year with live music from cover band the Jangling Reinharts, cocktails, party favors and a balloon drop at midnight. Starts at 5 p.m. $20 door cover. Tables require separate ticket. 1201 E Cary St. Advance tickets are sold out. Standing room only tickets available at the door. (804) 782-9555 or thetobaccocompany.com. 90s NYE at Brambly Park Party like its 1999 at Brambly Park's '90s New Year's Eve celebration. Celebrate with food, drinks and covers of your favorite '90s hits from Geek RVA. Dress in your freshest '90s fit for a chance to win a $500 cash prize. Starts at 9 p.m. $30 admission. VIP options available. 1708 Belleville St. (804) 406-5611 or bramblypark.com/calendar/90s-nye-at-brambly-park. New Years Eve 1983 at Get Tight Lounge The Get Tight Lounge is taking it all the way back to 1983 for New Years Eve. Hear local musicians jam to top '80s hits from Madonna, David Bowie, Blondie, R.E.M. and more. Champagne toast at midnight. Starts at 7:30 p.m. $30. 1104 W. Main St. (804) 416-6816 or gettightrva.com/events. New Years Eve at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery Hardywood Richmond is ready to rock in 2024 with a live performance from cover band Whats Our Age Again? and a champagne toast at midnight. Starts at 7 p.m. $25. 2410 Ownby Lane. Tickets on hardywood.com/richmond-events/hardywood-new-years-eve-with-whats-our-age-again. New Years Eve Bash at Tin Pan Jam out to electric medleys from the Significant Others at the Tin Pan for its New Years Eve Bash. Tickets include performance and champagne toast at midnight. Doors open at 7 p.m. $47.50. 8982 Quioccasin Road. Tickets on Eventbrite.com. (804) 447-8189 or www.tinpanrva.com. New Years Eve bowl & band at River City Roll Boutique bowling and your favorite early 2000s hits from local cover band Sold Separately. Starts at 9 p.m. No cover charge. 939 Myers St. (804) 331-0416 or www.rivercityroll.com. All That Glitters Ball at Ember Music Hall Ember Music Hall is hosting All That Glitters, an upscale New Years Eve ball featuring an appetizer buffet, three DJs, a ball drop at midnight and party favors. Come dressed to impress in your most glamorous attire for a night of dancing and lights. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. $35. VIP options available. 309 E. Broad St. (804) 404-2327 or embermusichall.com. NYE Rooftop Bash at Sloop John B Sloop John B is hosting its second annual New Years Eve rooftop bash featuring a DJ, nacho bar, a live ball drop and more. Starts at 9 p.m. $45. VIP options available. 1420 N. Parham Road, Suite M226. Tickets on sloopjohnbrva.com/events. NYE Gatsby Gala at The Hofheimer Building A Gatsby Gala is happening at The Hofheimer Building for New Years Eve with live jazz, dancing, 1920s era hors doeuvres, photo ops and plenty of booze to go with the Prohibition theme. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. 2818 W. Broad St. $60-$200. www.hofheimerbuilding.com. PLF Decemberween The Party Liberation Front is hosting its annual Decemberween spectacular with 20 different DJs mixing throughout the night, fire performances, and live painting, swag gifts and so much more. 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. $66. 1407 Sherwood Ave. Tickets on ticketfairy.com/event/decemberween2024/. New Years Eve Party at New York Deli New York Deli is hosting a New Year's Eve Party with three DJs and champagne jell-o shots. Party indoors or on the rooftop overlooking Carytown. $10 cover. 2920 W. Cary St. ny-d.com New Years Eve Black Tie Affair at Kabana Rooftop Kabana is keeping it classy with its upscale New Years Eve Black Tie Affair featuring an appetizer buffet, DJs, two bars and a champagne toast. Starts at 9 p.m. $35. 700 E. Main St. Tickets on eventbrite.com. New Years Eve Masquerade Ball at Quirk Hotel Experience an evening of mystery at Quirk Hotels New Years Eve masquerade ball. Enjoy a champagne toast, music by DJ Ant Boogie and a balloon drop. Starts at 9 p.m. $55. 201 W. Broad St. Tickets on resy.com. Pours & Pasties New Years Bash at Strangeways Brewery Strangeways is hosting a Pours and Pasties New Years Bash with a burlesque and variety show for New Years Eve. Doors open at 9 p.m. $20 in advance. $25 at the door. $30 front row VIP. 2277A Dabney Road. Tickets on strangewaysbrewing.com/happenings/pours-pasties-new-years-bash-dabney. Intergalactic New Years Eve at the Hippodrome Countdown to a cosmic New Years Eve at the Hippodrome with a DJ, live performers, champagne toast, hors doeuvres and party favors. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $125 and up. 528 N. 2nd St. Tickets on wearrva.ticketleap.com/cosmic-countdown-nye New Years Eve Party at Kings Dominion Celebrate New Years Eve at Kings Dominion with a DJ dance party under the Eiffel Tower and a kids' countdown party with Peanuts characters. Ring in 2024 with an Eiffel Tower countdown and fireworks at midnight. Rides will be operating until midnight. Starts at 5 p.m. $32.99 and up. 16000 Theme Park Way. kingsdominion.com New Years Eve at Richmond Restaurants New Years Eve is a big night for restaurants with prix fixe dinners and special celebrations. Here are just a few: The Roosevelt in Church Hill is doing a three course prix fixe menu with amuse-bouche and gifts for $80. Lost Letter is hosting a five course menu for $150 per person. Acacia Midtown will be offering a four course prix fixe menu for $92 per person. Echelon Wine Bar will be doing a five-course menu with option wine pairings starting at $130 per person. The Mantu is having a four course menu for $150 per couple. Heritage will be offering a three course prix fixe menu with optional wine pairings. Bryants Cider in Carytown will be open, decorated, and serving $3 pours from 9 p.m.-12:30 p.m., plus buffet style heavy hors doeuvres. Well add more as they come in. Our 10 favorite houses on the Tacky Light tour 9716 Wendhurst Drive, Glen Allen A Phifer Christmas at 9604 Asbury Court 2334 Thousand Oaks Drive, West End The Live Grinch at 1411 Pennsylvania Ave. The RVA House at 3209 Hanover Ave., Museum District 3307 Kensington Ave., Museum District Hadley's Winterland at 7396 Kelshire Trace 12618 Dawnridge Court aka 'Christmas Court' 600 Coralview Terrace, Chesterfield 7519 Nicklaus Circle, Moseley Henrico County police are asking for the publics help for information about a shooting Saturday night in Highland Springs. Police were dispatched to Forest Avenue and Pine Street at 8:20 p.m. for a report of a shooting. A woman with a gunshot wound was taken to a hospital and was listed in stable condition on Sunday. Police said they dont have a description of the suspect, but theres no perceived threat to the community. Anyone with information is asked to call police at (804) 501-5000, Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000 or submit the information through the P3Tips app on their mobile device. Information submitted through Crime Stoppers and the P3Tips app can be completed anonymously. 27 photos of Cloverleaf Mall from The Times-Dispatch archives Cloverleaf Mall: Before the opening Cloverleaf Mall: Opening day, 1972 Cloverleaf Mall: Busy first week Cloverleaf Mall: Upscale Sears Cloverleaf Mall: Twin cinema Cloverleaf Mall: Piccadilly Cafeteria Cloverleaf Mall in 1975 Cloverleaf Mall Community Room Cloverleaf Mall: Christmas Tubas, 1985 Cloverleaf Mall: 1987 renovation Cloverleaf Mall: Christmas Eve, 1990 Cloverleaf Mall: 1995 fire Cloverleaf Mall: Frederick's of Hollywood Cloverleaf Mall: Christmas, 1997 Cloverleaf Mall: 1998 renovation Cloverleaf Mall: New police station, 1999 Cloverleaf Mall: Regal cinemas close, 2001 Cloverleaf Mall: Sears closes, 2003 Cloverleaf Mall: Empty food court, 2005 County buys Cloverleaf Mall, 2007 Cloverleaf Mall sold to county, 2007 Cloverleaf Mall: One last shop Cloverleaf Mall: Closing in 2008 Cloverleaf Mall: Fenced off in 2010 Cloverleaf Mall: The walls come down, 2011 Goodbye Cloverleaf, 2011 Kroger rises from rubble of Cloverleaf, 2012 After expelled U.S. Rep. George Santos came under fire last month for allegedly using campaign funds on personal items, such as beach trips and expensive spa treatments, a leader for a local advocacy organization offered an interesting take. The wildest thing about this Santos debacle is that his misuse of campaign funds would have been completely legal if he was a Virginia state legislator, Justin Jones, political director for Clean Virginia, wrote on social media. Delegate Marcus Simon quickly responded. Working on that, he wrote. Simon, D-Fairfax, has prefiled legislation for consideration in the next General Assembly session that would prohibit politicians from using campaign donations on personal expenditures. Virginia currently has some of the most lax campaign spending laws in the nation. Politicians can legally spend campaign donations on essentially anything, and theres no limit on who can donate or how much donors can give. Simon has introduced various versions of the bill for several years, but it never makes it to the governors desk. Some legislators who opposed the measure argued new rules would confuse well-meaning politicians. Others have said donors should trust the candidates they choose to support. During the last legislative session, several groups advocated on the bills behalf, including the League of Women Voters of Virginia. The league is a nonpartisan organization that works to protect democracy and voting rights. Janet Boyd, the leagues director of voter services, told the Virginian-Pilot the organization will continue supporting the measure at the upcoming legislative session. The legislature reconvenes on Jan. 10. (The league) will educate General Assembly members on the value of Delegate Simons personal use limitation bill during the 2024 Session, she wrote in a Thursday email. While we are hopeful that the General Assembly will pass the bill, we know it wont be easy. Although past efforts were unsuccessful, the General Assembly will have many new faces this year, meaning the bill could potentially find new supporters. The Statehouse is in the midst of a significant shakeup due to a recent flood of retirements and resignations. Spending on statehouse campaigns has trended upward in recent years. A 70-year-old rescue squad in Henrico is threatened. Will volunteers show? At Tuckahoe Rescue Squad, the job has gotten tougher, thanks to a flurry of nonemergency calls and long waits at emergency rooms. In the Senate, where 40 seats are up for election every four years, about $56.2 million was spent on elections in 2019, compared with $52.5 million from 2015 and $42.6 million in 2011. This years election costs had already far surpassed those figures at the halfway point with about $111 million spent for Senate elections as of June 8, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. In the House of Delegates, where 100 seats are up for grabs every two years, about $81.4 million was spent on elections in 2021, up from $68.1 million in 2019 and $47 million from 2017. VPAP reported this years House race election costs at about $93.4 million as of June 8. Candidates campaign expenditures can be viewed on VPAPs and the Virginia Department of Elections websites. But the reporting requirements are vague and its not always clear what specific items were purchased. Some commonly reported expenditures, like political consulting services, are clearly related to campaigning. But other charges like to hotels, airlines, restaurants or gas stations could more easily be for personal uses. Sen. Jennifer Boysko, one of three legislators carrying this years bill in the Senate, previously told the Virginian-Pilot the struggle to enact campaign reform really boggles the mind. This is money people give you to run your campaign, Boysko, D-Fairfax, said in April. They should know its going to be spent responsibly instead of funding somebodys long weekend in a plush hotel. Mexicana de Aviacion now connects Mexico City with Chetumal, Costa Maya, Bacalar Chetumal, Q.R. Federal-owned Mexicana de Aviacion airline began operations at the International Airport of Chetumal. The airline landed Saturday, marking the start of regular flights from Mexico City into the states capital city. Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa says the city of Chetumal will be connected to Mexico City on Saturdays and Tuesdays with Mexicana. On Saturday, the plane left the Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA), arriving in Chetumal with 120 passengers. Mara Lezama highlighted that the government alliance is firmly committed to promoting air connectivity as a cornerstone for the tourism development of Quintana Roo. Aside from job creation, the new flights strengthen the implementation of strategies to promote new routes and flights, facilitating air access to key destinations such as Costa Maya, Bacalar and Chetumal. The first flight landed at Chetumal International with 120 passengers. Photo: CGC December 30, 2023. The new Mexicana de Aviacion flight to Chetumal uses a Boeing 737 aircraft with capacity for 174 passengers. The availability of more flights to the capital will not only attract more visitors, but will also diversify the origin of tourists, strengthening the local economy and contributing to the creation of jobs in the region, Lezama explained. Nearly 200 criminal group members taken down around Quintana Roo in last six months of year Riviera Maya, Q.R. More than 192 members belonging to 18 criminal groups were arrested during the last six months of 2023. State Attorney General Raciel Lopez Salazar provided the figures since he took over in mid-year. During those six months of my administration, we have designed actions that have allowed us to achieve substantive results against criminal groups for which we have had the support of the Mexican Army, Navy, National Guard, Attorney Generals Office of the Republic, National Intelligence Center, Secretariat of Citizen Security and Municipal Police. I reiterate my gratitude and recognition for their important contribution to the construction of peace and security in Quintana Roo, Raciel Lopez Salazar said. He reported that they continue to work in coordination with the Coordination Group for the Construction of Peace and Security to eradicate extortion. He says a majority of the extortion reports around the state are aimed at the business sector. State Attorney General Raciel Lopez Salazar Photo: FGE December 2023. During the last six months, more than 90 people have been tried and sentenced for various extortions. Those jailed extorted their victims to distribute drugs by way of threats and direct attacks against businesses to pay floor rights. Lopez Salazar says two of the extortion leaders arrested in Quintana Roo have been imprisoned outside the state. He says one is currently serving time in the Cefereso de Villa Comaltitlan in Chiapas and the other in the Perote prison of Veracruz. Nearly 200 members from 18 gangs have been jailed during the last six months of 2023. Photo: FGE December 2023. With these results, I reiterate my commitment and that of the institution to work hand-in-hand with the Coordination Group for the Construction of Peace and Security of Quintana Roo, society, businessmen, civil associations, each and every one in order to maintain a constant approach for the benefit of this beautiful state, he said. On this version of Hot off the Wire: NEW YORK (AP) A new study adds to evidence that severe obesity is becoming more common in young U.S. children. There was some hope that children in a government food program might be bucking a trend in obesity rates. Earlier research found rates had dropped a little for those children. But an update published Monday in the journal Pediatrics shows the rate up a bit to 2% by 2020. The increase echoes national data, which suggests around 2.5% of all preschool-aged children are severely obese. The study involved young kids in the Women, Infants and Children program, which provides healthy foods and other services. A Swedish study has uncovered a paradox about people diagnosed with an excessive fear of serious illness: They tend to die earlier than people who arent hypervigilant about health concerns. The study was published Wednesday in JAMA Psychiatry. Researchers were curious about the condition known as hypochondria. People with it are unable to shake their fears despite normal physical exams and lab tests. The researchers found that people with the diagnosis have an increased risk of death from both natural and unnatural causes, particularly suicide. The researchers say many of these deaths are preventable through appropriate treatment. Some states that stockpiled millions of masks and other personal protective equipment during the coronavirus pandemic are now throwing the items away. An Associated Press investigation found that at least 15 states have tossed out some of the PPE items because they are expiring or have more than they need. Other states have sold extra materials at bargain prices or have tried to give away surplus masks, gowns and gloves but have had difficulty finding entities willing to take them. Public health experts say the glut of supplies shows that governments need to do a better job of planning for future emergencies. WASHINGTON (AP) In a politically polarized nation, Americans seem to agree on one issue underlying the 2024 elections a worry over the state of democracy and how the outcome of the presidential contest will affect its future. They just disagree over who poses the threat. A poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 62% of adults say democracy in the U.S. could be at risk depending on who wins. That view is held by 72% of Democrats and 55% of Republicans, but for different reasons. President Joe Biden has warned about former President Donald Trump's promises to seek retribution against opponents, while Trump says the federal charges against him show Biden has weaponized the government. WASHINGTON (AP) Relatively few Americans are excited about a potential rematch of the 2020 election between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump. But more Republicans would be happy to have Trump as their nominee than Democrats would be with Biden. That's according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Randy Johnson, a Republican from Monett, Missouri, says, I find it sad for our country that that's our best choices. That apathy from voters comes even as both Biden and Trump, at least for now, seem like they'll easily get their parties' nominations next year. To independent Andrew Collins from Windham, Maine, This is probably the most uniquely horrible choice Ive had in my life. WASHINGTON (AP) The IRS says it's going to waive penalty fees for people who failed to pay back taxes that total less than $100,000 a year for tax years 2020 or 2021. The agency says nearly 5 million people, businesses and tax-exempt organizations will be eligible for the relief, which totals about $1 billion. The federal tax collector temporarily suspended mailing automated reminders to pay overdue tax bills during the pandemic. IRS official say the pause in automated reminders is behind the decision to forgive the failure-to-pay penalties. NEW ORLEANS (AP) Nineteen-month-old Elijah Jack is unable to walk like most toddlers his age. Special needs children like him often take longer than most to become independently mobile. Elijah was one of the first to get a specially designed rolling chair built by a team of biomedical engineering students at Tulane University. He now has mastered getting around on wheels turning, stopping and steering all on his own. The chair has allowed Elijah to have a whole new level of independence. His mother now does too. She now has time to get other things done since she no longer has to carry him all day. TROY, Ohio (AP) More than five years ago, someone left a kitten with twisted back legs at a Missouri animal shelter. The cat was transferred to specialists in Iowa who amputated her left hind leg. She was soon after adopted by a woman who lost her left leg after a near-fatal car accident. Now the duo has partnered with a nonprofit that registers therapy animal volunteer teams. They visit hospitals, nursing homes and even amputee support groups to aid in therapy and other activities to improve well-being in communities. The duo is one of only an estimated 200 therapy cat teams in the United States. Hidden inside the foundation of popular artificial intelligence image-generators are thousands of images of child sexual abuse, according to a new report that urges companies to take action to address a harmful flaw in the technology they built. Those same images have made it easier for AI systems to produce realistic and explicit imagery of fake children as well as transform social media photos of fully clothed real teens into nudes, much to the alarm of schools and law enforcement around the world. The Stanford Internet Observatory found more than 3,200 images of suspected child sexual abuse in a database used to train leading AI image-makers. VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) New federal guidelines that dropped an abstinence requirement before gay men in monogamous relationships can give blood are opening a new pool of potential donors. They include Dylan Smith, an employee at Bloodworks Northwest in Vancouver, Washington, who was himself barred from donating blood until this month. Smith says being allowed to donate has made him very happy. The American Red Cross began implementing the new U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidance in August. And about half of the 16 independent blood bank organizations in the U.S. that are members of the Alliance for Community Transfusion Services also have rolled out the guidelines, with more expected next year. Rite Aid has been banned from using facial recognition technology for five years over allegations that a surveillance system it used incorrectly identified potential shoplifters, especially Black, Latino, Asian or female shoppers. The deal announced late Tuesday settles Federal Trade Commission charges that the struggling drugstore chain didnt do enough to prevent harm to its customers and implement reasonable procedures, the government agency said. Rite Aid said it disagrees with the allegations, though the company is pleased to reach an agreement to resolve the issue. It noted that any agreement will have to be approved in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The Associated Press About this program Host Terry Lipshetz is managing editor of the national newsroom for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the former producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate. Lee Enterprises produces many national, regional and sports podcasts. Learn more here. When Norman Rosenthal moved from Johannesburg to New York City for a psychiatry residency, he found the winters dark and gloomy. It wasnt until a few years later that he realized the winters might be more than just gloomy. Working in a psychobiology lab in the early 80s, he tried an observational experiment on an engineer who he knew had bipolar disorder and depression and had had mood swings from mania into sadness for many years. The engineer had kept a log of the changes in his notebooks; it was clear he was typically depressed as the days started to get shorter after the solstice, and then into fall and winter. Rosenthal and his colleagues wondered if light might be able to help, particularly with a stronger exposure than what hed been getting in office buildings. We took a rectangular ceiling fixture that had fluorescent lamps in it and rigged it up to stand horizontally, says Rosenthal. It was a highly primitive light box. Being able to get up close to the source did the trick. With the help of bright lights, the engineer came out of his winter depression, Rosenthal recalls: It was like watching a law of nature unfolding. It is practically common knowledge today that the darkness of winter can make you more depressed than you were before. But back in the 80s, Rosenthal and his colleagues had to prove it. So they put a notice in the Washington Post, seeking people who had winter mood swings. Twenty-nine fit their criteria and lived close enough to come into their lab for diagnosis and light therapy. In 1984, they published the paper that first described seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. When I spoke to Rosenthal, he was sitting in his office, two large sunlamps bathing him in light. Advertisement Who needs a sunlamp? Many, many more people than you might think, says Rosenthal. Though SAD is thought to affect a small percentage of the population, people without a clinical diagnosis often arent functioning at their full capacity in winter, either, he explains. He knows this because people come into his lamp-illuminated office and feel better. He sees the trend everywhere: A friend in Toronto built a sunroom with large windows, and now its their favorite place to hang out. When I lived in (and worked from) a room with a window that was mere feet from a brick wall, my dad mailed me a SAD lamp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I spoke to Rosenthal, he was sitting in his office, two large sunlamps bathing him in light. I turned it on in midday, for indiscriminate amounts of time, in defiance of the instructions (half an hour a day after waking up, sitting a foot away). I couldnt help it; it was as though my tiny Brooklyn room were suddenly located on a beach. That lamp was pretty large, with kind of stadium-light vibes. While Rosenthal argues for larger lights, as those are the ones that have been used most in studies, the ones in his office are a little bit smaller, a foot-by-a-foot-and-a-half. (He has two.) If you want a large lamp, try Wirecutters recommendations; its top pick is the lamp I used previously, and I found it a little less cumbersome when removed from the stand. Advertisement But Ive found that Im just more likely to keep a smaller lamp sitting out, and therefore, Im more likely to use it. The Verilux HappyLight, which is the size of an iPad, is what I use today. It sits unassumingly on my windowsill, and is 10,000 lux, which Mayo Clinic psychologist Craig Sawchuk advised me was the most important part. (Most of them are this intensity, but if you get one with a lower intensity, you just need to use it longer to get the same effects.) For me and my inconsistent, nonclinical use of the thing, this is handy. If youre dedicated to a regular routine and you travel, having an even smaller lamp might be crucial. One company in Sweden made a light therapy system thats designed around convenienceit comes as earbuds that shine light through your ear canals and, they claim, into your brain. The iPod-like setup is $200, and while theres a study that suggests they work, it lacks a control group and was funded by the company that makes them. That is also pretty expensive for a light therapy device: Lamps cost as little as $30, and even a very nice, large one can be had for a little over $100. Verilux HappyLight VT32 Therapy Lamp Time investment: Half an hour a day Value: Cheaper than a beach vacation! Effectiveness: Pleasant, at minimum Delightfulness: High Recommendation: Worth a try if you find winter gloomy $79.95 from Amazon Slate has relationships with various online retailers. If you buy something through our links, Slate may earn an affiliate commission. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. All prices were up to date at the time of publication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite all the intuitive benefits of light (shining into your eyeballs, at least), whether a sunlamp will be truly helpful for those of us without clinically diagnosed seasonal affective disorder is hard to say. In a pilot study of 54 patients hospitalized for burnout (yes, really), light therapy improved a slew of things: emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and a sense of accomplishment, as the authors write. That said, other small studies on patients with less severe burnout have been inconclusive. And while light therapy didnt affect the overall depression scores in that pilot study (people with seasonal depression were explicitly screened out) an earlier meta analysis concluded that it might have some positive effects for folks with depression nonetheless. Like so many things in this world, whether you will benefit from a sunlamp is highly individual. The side effects are minimal, limited to headaches and maybe feeling a little too awake if you use it late in the day (though if you have more than mild mood shifts, check in with a doctor before you experiment). Rosenthal points out that you can basically do your own experiment, using the lamp for a few weeks within a companys return window. Not a bad deal for having your own personal home star. A transition period for the legislation adopted in 2021 has ended. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Dog rescue centres sometimes post photos of a rescued dog with a chain stuck on its neck. That might happen when the dog is held solely by a chain without being let out for a walk regularly. Even though Slovakia has had a law stating that dogs cannot be kept permanently chained, the enforcement of the law has remained complicated. This should change after the Slovak parliament passed an amendment on June 22 with a clear ban on keeping dogs on a chain. The amendment, sponsored by a group of MPs from all four coalition parties, was supported by 96 of the 117 deputies present in the plenum during the vote. The new legislation should be effective from January 1, 2022 for newborn and young dogs. There is a transition period until 2024, and the law contains a number of exceptions. Despite big compromises, [the amendment] is a huge victory for thousands of dogs in Slovakia, Pavla Dugovicova, chair of Sloboda Zvierat (Freedom of Animals), told The Slovak Spectator. The NGO that she leads and that operates its own shelter had campaigned to change the law for years now. Dugovicova is optimistic about the better enforcement of the amended law, but said that they will try to scrap some of the exceptions remaining in the amendment for now. Dangerous and service dogs exempt The amended law poses a clear ban on keeping a dog chained with a tying tool in breeding facilities and households. For dog owners or keepers, the significant change is that if they had maintained the dog tied until now, they will not able to so anymore, unless one of the exceptions applies to them. A former Franciscan monastery, which serves as the cultural centre Klastor (Monastery) today, lies an hour's drive from Kosice. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Franciscan monks used to live in it, later used by miners. In the days of the communist regime, it served as a retirement home. Then the state wanted to use it as an archive. Finally, it ended up as surplus property of the town of Roznava, eastern Slovakia. Today, thanks to culture enthusiasts, it has been put to good use and makes for a great attraction for visitors to the Gemer region, even from outside the Slovak borders. There is increasing interest in the events taking place in the Roznava monastery, built in the latter half of the 18th century, as well as accommodation in its former monastic cells, evoking the atmosphere of ancient times. However, seven years ago it looked different. Not appealing at first sight What restaurateur Tomas Szekely saw after opening the massive doors of the national cultural monument left unused for approximately 15 years was not very motivating. He is co-founder and member of the civic association Otvor Dvor (Open a Yard). By Lee Hae-rin Foreign women who migrated to Korea to marry Korean men showed a more than twofold chance of experiencing depression compared to Korean adult women, a government study showed, Monday. According to the report on womens health published by the National Institute of Health under the direct control of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 27.4 percent of the marriage migrant women, as they are often referred to, experienced depression in 2021. The figure was more than double that of Korean womens average that stood at 14.1 percent. The depression rate refers to the percentage of people who have experienced persistent feelings of sadness and frustration for more than two weeks within a year, to the extent that it negatively affects the person's daily life. Although the rates concerning the migrant women saw a downward trend from 36.7 percent in 2015 to 27.9 percent in 2018 and to 27.4 percent in 2021, the figures remained higher compared to those of Korean women. The prevalence of depression was higher among those with lower income levels and lower Korean language proficiency, the study showed. About 40 percent of the migrant women whose households earn less than 2 million won ($1,500) per month slightly lower than the current minimum wage and the lowest among the surveyed groups have experienced depression. In contrast, the rate stood at 22.5 percent for the women whose households earn more than 5 million won. Additionally, 31.8 percent of respondents with limited Korean language skills experienced depression, higher than 23.2 percent of those with advanced Korean language abilities. By nationality, the percentage was highest among Filipino nationals at 31.5 percent, followed by Thai at 30.2 percent, Cambodian at 30.1 percent, Chinese at 27.9 percent, Vietnamese at 25.9 percent, Japanese at 23.6 percent and ethnic Korean-Chinese at 23.3 percent. Meanwhile, 77.4 percent of migrant wives assessed that they were in good physical health, far higher than 33.4 percent of Korean women who said so. However, their evaluation of their physical health deteriorated as the duration of their residence grew longer. Around 87 percent of those who lived in Korea for less than five years said they were in good physical health. The rate went down by the length of the residency period, in order of those who lived in the country for between five and nine years at 83.9 percent, 10 to 14 years at 77.7 percent and over 15 years at 68.2 percent. In her last New Year's speech, the president urged people to protect democracy and stood up for single-parent families and young people. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Dear Fellow Citizens, I wish you a lot of health, comfort and understanding on the threshold of the new year. Today we commemorate the 31st anniversary of our statehood. I wish for 2024 to bring more peace and stability. Our private wishes and expectations for the coming year may differ. But at this moment, almost all of us maintain the hope that they will be fulfilled. That even if complications and difficulties arise, we will manage to solve them and things will get better. However, in the difficult times we have been living in the last few years, even our hope is often confronted by harsh reality. We experienced too many crises, a source of uncertainty and which placed many in difficult life situations. The past year was no exception. We have experienced numerous political conflicts, three prime ministers, a fierce election campaign and early elections. It was undoubtedly a challenging year, full of changes, expectations, their fulfilment, but also disappointments. Early elections probably resulted in the biggest change. A change of government is also a part of democracy. However, elections do not change society, the democratic values on which it is based must not be changed. And if there is an effort towards fundamental changes, then it can happen only after a thorough analysis and honest discussion. Thus, we need a continuity of values when building our statehood. Not just declared, but real. Therefore, let's protect and promote our constitutional democratic values. Let's also protect the institutions whose functioning is necessary for democracy. Whether it is law enforcement agencies, free media, or non-governmental organisations. Let's continue to do so with respect and decency. So that the desire to fight does not darken anyone's mind, and so that fighting itself does not become the main meaning of our actions instead of the values we wanted to protect. Building and strengthening statehood is our common duty. We may not be able to eliminate all its shortcomings and diseases right away. But that cannot be a reason to resign ourselves. We are not responsible for the outcome, but we are fully responsible for our part in it. Dear Fellow Citizens, It would be disrespectful to the truth if we told ourselves that there is no reason to disagree and be dissatisfied with some phenomena in our society. The lists are long. But let's also talk about what we can be proud of and what we can rely on in our society. The reason for pride is certainly you, our citizens, our civil society, which has been showing its maturity and solidarity for years. Active citizens and non-governmental organisations have long fulfilled important functions in the fields of social care, education, environmental protection, and in the promotion of the rights of minorities and all people without difference. We can also rely on our local governments, which once again confirmed their viability and professionalism, and were a stabilising element of the functioning of our state in changing times. The result of your work is a concrete help, sometimes even leading to systemic changes. But it always helps us trust ourselves and trust each other a little more. Dear Fellow Citizens, Help is the basis of trust, and trust is a prerequisite for a functioning state and a cohesive community. Therefore, the primary role of the state in crisis situations must be direct assistance to those who, through no fault of their own, find themselves on the verge of survival. For a long time, poverty has not only affected people who have lost their jobs, but also working people and entire families who live without savings and in conditions that threaten their dignity. Today, incomplete, single-parent families and especially children are most at risk. At the same time, we owe the most to children and the young generation. Even experts warn us that there is a gap between us and the younger generation. According to many studies, young people feel misunderstood and lonely. We observe alarming cases of bullying, young people increasingly seeking the help of psychologists and psychiatrists, and it is no longer unusual for them to take their own lives. So we must be significantly more interested in what young people are experiencing. We need to create a safe school environment for them, leave a functioning pension system, sustainable public finances and not abandon them in uncertainty in solving the climate crisis. Our mistakes, our inattention and irresponsibility will be felt more fundamentally by the generation of today's youth than by their parents. We must be anchored in the present, but we must not forget that this does not absolve us of responsibility for the future. Dear Fellow Citizens, As president, I am addressing you for the last time at this New Year's moment. When I took up the post of president, I said that if we are to successfully manage the journey from a Slovakia as it stands now to a Slovakia as it could be, we must openly talk about what helps us and what holds us back. Five years after I took office, I am convinced that one of the biggest obstacles to our development is a lack of culture, especially in politics, and the number of conflicts in our society. For many, it is also an obstacle to staying in Slovakia, and for others an obstacle to returning home. Animosity becomes a hallmark of public life. However, it also spills over into our families, households, and relationships between people. Rudeness, vulgarity and lying are not signs of strength, but of weakness. Weak people resort to them. They are impressed by such behaviour and so they repeat it. True strength lies in calmness and perspective. And the greatest strength is the ability to control yourself. It is not by chance that one attribute of democracy is the ability to exchange opinions and communicate decently, to respect other people even with different views. These characteristics and qualities proved to be a necessary prerequisite for people to coexist and form a functioning society. They are standards created over years of development. We simply need more truth and love, as pathetic as that sounds. Finally, remembering the values and qualities proven over centuries does not have to be pathetic. That they are notorious is not a sign of their devaluation, but on the contrary, it confirms their validity and importance. And we still need them now. We all need more kindness and understanding in communication, in interactions, even when we disagree. Actually, especially then. Because there is always a person standing opposite us, because we all belong to the same human family. People must not feel threatened. They must feel a sense of security and belonging to their community, to their surroundings, so that they can combine their skills and strengths. Dear Fellow Citizens, Despite the difficult years we have experienced, we need to look to the future with hope. During the almost five years of my mandate, I met thousands of people, our citizens. They were exceptional stories, great talents, successful companies, excellent scientists, people in factories, villages, and cities. And every time the Slovak national anthem was played during a foreign visit, this experience was also there with me. I was there with these innumerable reasons to be proud of Slovakia. Of the country under the Tatras, which still has a long way to go, but which has already covered part of a successful path. I wish you a happy and successful new year! Read also: https://sputnikglobe.com/20240101/63-of-ukrainian-capitals-energy-infrastructure-damaged-destroyed-in-2023---kiev-authorities-1115924115.html 63% of Ukrainian Capital's Energy Infrastructure Damaged, Destroyed in 2023 - Kiev Authorities 63% of Ukrainian Capital's Energy Infrastructure Damaged, Destroyed in 2023 - Kiev Authorities Sputnik International Serhiy Popko, the head of Kiev City Military Administration, said Sunday that some 63% of the city's energy infrastructure was damaged or destroyed in 2023. 2024-01-01T01:53+0000 2024-01-01T01:53+0000 2024-01-01T01:59+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukraine kiev russia ukraine crisis ukrainian crisis ukrainian conflict financial aid financial assistance russian forces https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/101698/98/1016989856_0:183:5184:3099_1920x0_80_0_0_0033f585f82457fe7648ff5d50d90599.jpg "[A total of] 63% of the city's energy facilities were damaged. Throughout the warm period of the year, thousands of specialists worked 24/7 to prepare the destroyed power system for the current heating season," the city's administration quoted Popko as saying. On Friday, Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko signed a guarantee agreement with German bank KfW for a loan of 24 million euros ($26.57 million), which would be spent to reconstruct Ukraine's energy sector. Strikes against Ukrainian critical infrastructure have been carried out by Russia since October 10, 2022, two days after the first attack on the Crimean Bridge committed by the Kiev regime. Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Western countries responded by imposing comprehensive sanctions against Moscow while also ramping up their military support for Kiev. Russia and Ukraine held a few rounds of talks in the early phase of the conflict, but the Kiev regime rejected negotiations. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231126/russian-embassy-asks-uk-to-clarify-its-role-in-disrupting-peace-talks-with-ukraine-1115219899.html ukraine kiev russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian forces attack, russian forces assault, russian attack, russian assault, russian advance, russian offensive, russia wins, ukraine loses, ukrainian crisis, failed counteroffensive, ukrainian infrastructure, energy infrastructure https://sputnikglobe.com/20240101/capabilities-of-russian-armed-forces-constantly-increasing---putin-1115930527.html Capabilities of Russian Armed Forces Constantly Increasing - Putin Capabilities of Russian Armed Forces Constantly Increasing - Putin Sputnik International The capabilities and capacities of the Russian Armed Forces are constantly and multiply increasing, Russian President Vladimir Putin said. 2024-01-01T13:29+0000 2024-01-01T13:29+0000 2024-01-01T13:29+0000 russia ukraine vladimir putin russia russian armed forces attack https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/14/1115698737_0:54:3166:1835_1920x0_80_0_0_e69c6894ca5359ef304f0bdea1c0893d.jpg The capabilities of the Russian Armed Forces are constantly increasing, President Vladimir Putin said. Ukraine is running out of military equipment, while Russia will increase production, Putin said. The Russian leader added that only some 400 tanks have been delivered to Ukraine, "while we produce and overhaul 1,600 in a year." Putin stressed that Kiev wants to intimidate the Russian people and sow uncertainty across the country, but Russia's response would be to step up strikes on Ukrainian military facilities. He noted that the Russian military, using high-precision weapons, strikes places where decisions are made, places where military personnel, mercenaries, and others gather, first of all in military facilities. "And they are quite sensitive, these strikes," the president added.Russia could respond to Ukraine like they hit Belgorod, but Russia only strikes military targets, Vladimir Putin said.According to him, Russia also wants to end the conflict in Ukraine, but on its own terms.The Ukrainian Armed Forces launched a counteroffensive on June 4, but were unable to overcome even Russia's tactical defense zone, despite suffering huge losses in the Zaporozhye direction. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Kiev's push had failed. According to Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, Ukraine lost about 160,000 troops and more than 3,000 armored vehicles in all directions during the six-month counteroffensive. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231231/scott-ritter-belgorod-attack-meant-to-provoke-russian-overreaction-prevent-west-from-dumping-kiev-1115918481.html ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian armed forces, russian president vladimir putin https://sputnikglobe.com/20240101/court-documents-unveiling-150-associates-of-sex-offender-jeffrey-epstein-to-be-made-public--1115923928.html Court Documents Unveiling 150 Associates of Sex Offender Jeffrey Epstein to be Made Public Court Documents Unveiling 150 Associates of Sex Offender Jeffrey Epstein to be Made Public Sputnik International Hundreds of court documents surrounding the late sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein will be made public on Monday. More than 150 names of those close to the child predatorincluding the British monarchys Prince Andrew and former US President Bill Clintonwill be revealed in the documents, according to reports. 2024-01-01T02:22+0000 2024-01-01T02:22+0000 2024-01-01T02:28+0000 world jeffrey epstein child sexual abuse sexual abuse legal action https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/01/1115924371_0:226:3025:1927_1920x0_80_0_0_5bc243efc012055e37f8e00d53b22f48.jpg Hundreds of court documents surrounding the late sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein will be made public on Monday. More than 150 names of those close to the child predatorincluding the British monarchys Prince Andrew and former US President Bill Clintonwill be revealed in the documents, according to reports.Theres going to be a lot of nervous ppl over Christmas and New Years, Virginia Giuffre, an accuser of Epstein, wrote December 20 on X. Whos on the naughty list?Earlier this month, US District Judge Loretta Preska ruled that there was no longer any legal justification for continuing to conceal the names of those who were mentioned in the legal filings. According to Preskas order, the unsealing should begin after January 1st. She first issued her ruling on December 18, giving those in the unsealed document just two weeks to appeal.The document stems from a 2015 civil lawsuit centered on Ghislaine Maxwell, a British socialite who became a girlfriend to Epstein as well as his procurer and confidante. The lawsuit was settled in 2017 and was brought by Giuffre, an alleged trafficking victim of Epstein. Giuffre accused Epstein and Maxwell of procuring her as a 17-year-old trafficking victim for Prince Andrew. Prince Andrew denied the allegations, but reached a settlement with Giuffre in August.Many of the names associated with Epstein have already been made public through unsealed filings, media accounts, court testimonies, and police reports. But many have yet to be made public thus far.Previously unsealed items from the case also allege that Giuffre was directed to have sex with several well-known men, including former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, the late model scout Jean Luc Brunel (who committed suicide while awaiting trial after being charged with child rape), billionaire fund manager Glenn Dubin, and others.While there have been no reports of indications of any criminal wrongdoing on the part of Clinton, the filings will reportedly be torment for Prince Andrew.Persons included in the court documents will have had some kind of association with Epstein; having worked for him, flown his planes, visited his house, or participated in wrongdoings. Preska ordered that 10 names remained sealed, including child sex abuse victims, two classic outsiders unconnected to Epstein, and a person who had been mistakenly identified by a reporter as being at fault of wrongdoing.One of those persons is a witness referred to as Jane Doe 162 who testified that she was with Prince Andrew, maxwell and then 17-year-old Giuffre at Epsteins New York mansion.Unveiled flight logs from Epsteins private plane show that former President Donald Trump had taken seven flights on his plane, Clinton took nine trips, and flights were also taken by Mitchell and Prince Andrew.Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is running in the US 2024 presidential election as an Independent, was also a reported acquaintance of Epstein. Neither Kennedy, nor Trump have been accused of any wrongdoing.Epstein was an American financier and sex offender. The 66-year-old was alleged to have paid children as young as 14 for sex, and paid and coerced those children to recruit others for the same act. A criminal indictment from July claims he exploited dozens of children beginning in 2002.Epstein faced 45 years in prison before he was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell on August 10. His death sparked controversies and wild conspiracy theories that alleged he was silenced in order to protect his more powerful associates.In 2022, Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role in procuring and enabling Epsteins sexual abuse actions. https://sputnikglobe.com/20220605/doesnt-that-seem-odd-elon-musk-trolls-doj-wonders-why-it-wont-release-epstein-client-list-1096036701.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231207/rfk-jr-acknowledges-flights-on-epsteins-plane-calls-for-release-of-flight-logs-1115456120.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg court documents, jeffrey epstein, prince andrew, bill clinton, documents to be made public, sex offender, sex trafficker, sex crimes, child molestation, trafficking ring, pedophile, child molester https://sputnikglobe.com/20240101/french-police-detained-380-people-on-new-years-night-as-hundreds-of-cars-burned-1115935099.html French Police Detained 380 People on New Year's Night as Hundreds of Cars Burned French Police Detained 380 People on New Year's Night as Hundreds of Cars Burned Sputnik International The number of people arrested in France on New Years night totaled 380, and 745 cars were set on fire, both of which is fewer than last year, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said 2024-01-01T17:10+0000 2024-01-01T17:10+0000 2024-01-01T17:10+0000 world gerald darmanin france europe https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/01/1115934941_0:257:2730:1793_1920x0_80_0_0_e5a7d265329747fde98a94ca367f75b7.jpg "Compared with last year, 10% fewer cars were set on fire," Darmanin told reporters, specifying that the number of cars set on fire across France on the night between December 31 and January 1 this year was 745. Last Friday, Darmanin said that over 90,000 police officers will be on duty on New Years night to ensure security in the country amid an escalated level of terror threat. france Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International cars burning in france, why are people burning vcars in france, french car asrons https://sputnikglobe.com/20240101/german-lawmakers-want-to-send-ukrainian-refugees-to-trenches-as-nato-proxy-war-falters-1115930063.html German Lawmakers Want to Send Ukrainian Refugees to Trenches as NATO Proxy War Falters German Lawmakers Want to Send Ukrainian Refugees to Trenches as NATO Proxy War Falters Sputnik International Germany dramatically ramped up its support for Ukraine in 2023, becoming the second-largest sponsor of the NATO proxy war against Russia amid problems in Washington over the approval of a new $61 billion aid package. Germany is also home to over a million Ukrainian refugees more than any other European country besides Russia. 2024-01-01T13:15+0000 2024-01-01T13:15+0000 2024-01-01T13:50+0000 world olaf scholz europe germany ukraine russia christian democratic union (cdu) nato european union (eu) refugees https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/01/1115929885_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_7a895c3c756d5b50230cb5e711ba76bf.jpg German opposition lawmakers and media are demanding that Berlin reverse course on its policy of not forcing Ukrainian men taking refuge in the country to return home to fight Russia.Germany pays significantly more for the living expenses of Ukrainian conscientious objectors than it does investing in the training and equipping of Ukrainian defenders against Russian aggression, FAZ correspondent Peter Carstens wrote, pointing to a campaign by the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU) to send Ukrainian men home to be drafted.Eurostat estimates that some 650,000 men of draft age have left Ukraine for the EU since 2022, with their proportion rising from seven percent of the total refugee population to nearly 30 percent by September of 2023.A large proportion of male refugees of military age live in Germany and receive citizens benefits. Some work beyond that, Carstens added.Calculating that Germany has spent some 15 billion of 24 billion in support for Ukraine on refugees, the observer pointed out that by contrast, military aid for Kiev until the end of 2023 was "only" 5.4 billion.According to the German Interior Ministry, some 222,957 Ukrainian men aged 18-60 have been registered as refugees in Germany, with up to 100,000 more estimated to be in the country without registering, and getting by partly thanks to support from their relatives.German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann announced late last month that Berlin will not force Ukrainians to go home to fight against their will.CDU lawmaker Roderich Kiesewetter, a former Bundeswehr general staff officer and member of the Atlanticist Atlantik-Brucke association and the Trilateral Commission, has called on the Olaf Scholz government to reconsider its position.Germany, the lawmaker said, could help round up the Ukrainians for military service or homeland defense duties, and even incentivize them by reducing social assistance.But judging by the Ukrainian authorities merciless recruitment tactics, which have included rounding up fighting age men in the streets, and even recruiting the mentally disabled, it remains unclear whether Kiev would honor any bilateral agreement with Berlin on alternative service.Estonia became the first EU country to express its readiness to extradite draft-age Ukrainians back home to fight Russia last month, with Interior Minister Lauri Laanemets saying Tallinn would await a formal request by Kiev on the matter. An estimated 7,000 Ukrainian men of fighting age have applied for temporary protection in the Baltic country.Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian men have been killed or gravely injured over the past 22 months in the aftermath of the escalation of the Donbass crisis into a full-blown NATO proxy war against Russia, including over 125,000 troops killed since Kiev launched its ill-fated counteroffensive in June.Amid the bloodshed, which has included Ukrainian troops being shot by "blocking battalions" manned by ultranationalist militants, millions of Ukrainian men have sought to avoid certain death fighting Russia in a pointless conflict which a growing number of Western observers has said Kiev can't win. Some have resorted to hiding inside the country, avoiding public places and not opening their doors to try to prevent being snatched up by recruiters, paying bribes to medical examiners to receive a draft deferral, or leaving the country altogether. Mixed in among the conscientious objectors are nationalists who have cheerled the conflict, but sought to avoid fighting themselves and preferring to join the ranks of keyboard warriors spreading anti-Russian propaganda online from the safety of a foreign country.Ukraines recruitment crisis, complemented by dwindling economic support for Kiev by the West as US lawmakers try to tie it to domestic priorities, also comes as Ukraine grapples with a devastating demographic crisis. With its population dropping from 52 million in 1992 to 45.5 million in 2013 and 39 million in 2022, former Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov recently estimated that the countrys population had dwindled to as little as 19 million by late 2023. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231223/economic-adviser-to-german-govt-proposes-raising-income-tax-to-help-ukraine-1115775100.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231223/estonia-ready-to-extradite-draft-age-ukrainian-men---interior-minister-1115763822.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231219/over-70-of-ukrainians-ready-to-renounce-citizenship-to-avoid-military-service---poll-1115673200.html germany ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov why don't ukrainian refugees want to go home to fight russia, why is nato waging a proxy war against russia in ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240101/israel-to-partially-demobilize-reservists-drafted-into-army---idf-1115926912.html Israel to Partially Demobilize Reservists Drafted Into Army - IDF Israel to Partially Demobilize Reservists Drafted Into Army - IDF Sputnik International The Israeli military leadership will hold a partial demobilization of the reservists called into service, the Israeli armys press service said. 2024-01-01T08:24+0000 2024-01-01T08:24+0000 2024-01-01T08:24+0000 world israel gaza strip qatar middle east israel defense forces (idf) hamas https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0b/19/1115198721_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_0fb361a60ef47d0c86e11162737683cd.jpg In October, the Israeli authorities announced a mass reservist conscription to conduct a military operation against Hamas which resulted in over 300,000 of reservists mobilized. The two units personnel will be let off home, The Times of Israel newspaper reported on Monday. On October 7, Hamas launched a barrage of rockets against Israel from the Gaza Strip while its fighters breached the border, attacking both civilian neighbourhoods and military bases. 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 started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Over 21,800 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. Over 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231231/egyptian-intelligence-delegation-visits-israel-to-discuss-gaza-truce---reports-1115911335.html israel gaza strip qatar Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International drafted into army, partial demobilization, israeli army https://sputnikglobe.com/20240101/israeli-teen-arrested-after-refusing-to-join-idf-more-say-they-will-follow-suit-1115925087.html Israeli Teen Arrested After Refusing to Join IDF, More Say They Will Follow Suit Israeli Teen Arrested After Refusing to Join IDF, More Say They Will Follow Suit Sputnik International Tal Mitnick, an 18-year-old Israeli activist was sentenced to 30 days in military prison after he refused to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. 2024-01-01T04:07+0000 2024-01-01T04:07+0000 2024-01-01T04:07+0000 military palestine-israel conflict israel defense forces (idf) israel israel-gaza conflict hamas gaza strip israeli-palestinian conflict humanitarian disaster humanitarian crisis https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0b/02/1114667692_0:0:1024:577_1920x0_80_0_0_e8f75079bde3e2d6e26bc0495e5d5ddb.jpg Tal Mitnick, an 18-year-old Israeli activist was sentenced to 30 days in military prison after he refused to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. If he continues to refuse enlistment, his prison sentence could be extended.I believe that slaughter cannot solve slaughter, Mitnick said outside the Tel HaShomer military base before he was sentenced. The criminal attack on Gaza wont solve the atrocious slaughter that Hamas executed. Violence wont solve violence. And that is why I refuse.Friends of Mitnick have sworn to follow suit in solidarity with the conscientious objector. The young Israelis are part of a group called Mesavrot, or We Refuse, one of several networks of activists and former military objectors whose goal is to support political refuseniks and to promote discourse on refusal among the Israeli public, according to their social media."Me not serving doesn't mean I'm taking a stand with Hamas. I'm not a supporter of Hamas, I consider them a terrorist group," said one 17-year-old Mesarvot member, who added that he will refuse to serve in the military when he comes of age.Mersarvot only has a few hundred members, according to one report. The 17-year-old member clarified that he receives death threats and finds it alienating to be a conscientious objector in Israel. That isolation is driven by the overwhelming support that the conflict has received by Israeli society following the Hamas attack in October.Since the state of Israel was first established in 1948, young Israelis of both genders have been required to serve in the states military. Though, some exemptions are made due to religious, physical, or mental reasons. Those who refuse service are usually sentenced to prison for up to 10 days, after which they are most often sent back if they continue to refuse. However, support for a mandatory draft first fell under 50% in Israel for the first time in 2021, and remained so in 2022.On October 7, the Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip. On October 27, Israel launched a ground incursion into the Gaza Strip with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. On Sunday, a Gaza Health Ministry spokesperson said that the death toll from Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip has now reached 21,822. The figure for those who have been injured now stands at 56,165. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231114/israels-intent-to-genocide-palestinians-in-gaza-is-very-clear---journalist-1114949285.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231231/death-toll-from-israeli-strikes-in-gaza-strip-rises-to-21822---health-ministry-1115910862.html israel gaza strip Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg idf, israel, israel-gaza conflict, military, refusenik, protests, war protests, gaza strip, humanitarian disaster, humanitarian catastrophe, humanitarian ceasefire, israel-hamas conflict, gaza strip crisis, shelling of gaza, gaza devastation, israel-palestine conflict, palestine-israel conflict, israeli-palestinian conflict, palestinian-israeli, zionist regime, zionists, hamas attack, israeli strikes, israeli forces, hostages, israeli military, hamas fighters, hamas soldiers, hamas military, killings of civilians, civilian infrastructure, civilians dead, civilians die, israel kills civilians, civilian casualties, civilian deaths https://sputnikglobe.com/20240101/machines-cannot-fully-replace-key-actors-in-court-us-chief-justice-says-1115926444.html 'Machines Cannot Fully Replace Key Actors in Court,' US Chief Justice Says 'Machines Cannot Fully Replace Key Actors in Court,' US Chief Justice Says Sputnik International The head of the US Supreme Court has emphasized that as AI tools become more widespread, they are reshaping how judges perform their roles and understand case details. However, concerns persist regarding potential misinformation and errors arising from AI-generated content. 2024-01-01T11:35+0000 2024-01-01T11:35+0000 2024-01-01T11:36+0000 americas newsfeed john roberts michael cohen donald trump supreme court https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107805/48/1078054824_0:182:3072:1910_1920x0_80_0_0_7cb72c03f83e1e5eb3b2f56d0c8afda7.jpg In his recent end-of-year report, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. addressed the increasing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) within the American judicial system. While acknowledging the advancements in AI technology, Roberts highlighted several concerns regarding its implications for the legal profession.Roberts highlighted that AI tools have become more prevalent, reshaping how judges execute their roles and comprehend case contexts.Nevertheless, he stressed that distinct human gestures and feelings, like a shaky voice or a brief moment of lost eye contact, retain their significance in legal proceedings. He stated, "Machines cannot fully replace key actors in court," underscoring the importance of human judgment in interpreting subtle cues and making informed decisions.A significant concern raised by Roberts is the potential for misinformation and errors stemming from AI-generated content. He cited instances where AI-produced legal briefs contained inaccuracies, including fictitious cases and misrepresented facts. For example, a recent court document revealed that Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former lawyer, inadvertently included fabricated cases generated by AI in a legal brief.Furthermore, Roberts expressed apprehension about the implications of AI on legal research. While recognizing its capacity to enhance access to information for both legal professionals and the public, he cautioned against the potential risks associated with AI, such as privacy breaches and the potential dehumanization of the legal process. Historically, integrating new technologies into the judicial system has posed challenges for courts. Roberts himself has maintained a traditional approach to drafting opinions, preferring handwritten notes over digital platforms.The report failed to touch on the controversies surrounding the Supreme Court report regarding ethical concerns involving Justice Clarence Thomas' disclosure lapses about gifts and trips from wealthy benefactors. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231002/us-supreme-court-declines-to-hear-case-to-ban-trump-from-running-for-president---filing-1113864068.html americas Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Chimauchem Nwosu https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/01/1113046371_0:99:1536:1635_100x100_80_0_0_9c5c627283eca931c39fe4852bbb301c.jpg Chimauchem Nwosu https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/01/1113046371_0:99:1536:1635_100x100_80_0_0_9c5c627283eca931c39fe4852bbb301c.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Chimauchem Nwosu https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/01/1113046371_0:99:1536:1635_100x100_80_0_0_9c5c627283eca931c39fe4852bbb301c.jpg chief justice roberts, ai in us courtrooms, human touch in law, misinformation risks, ai-generated legal briefs, legal research implications, privacy breaches, us legal process, supreme court controversies. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240101/putin-attack-on-belgorod-was-terrorist-act-1115929743.html Putin: Attack on Belgorod Was Terrorist Act Putin: Attack on Belgorod Was Terrorist Act Sputnik International What happened in Belgorod is a terrorist act, it was a targeted attack on the civilian population, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said. 2024-01-01T12:34+0000 2024-01-01T12:34+0000 2024-01-01T12:34+0000 russia belgorod vladimir putin ukraine russian defense ministry multiple-launch rocket systems (mlrs) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/1e/1115899392_0:33:1304:767_1920x0_80_0_0_4c6609a4b596dba915bcb4f8cbeb1e01.png What happened in Belgorod was a terrorist act, it was a targeted attack on the civilian population, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said. He said it was a "targeted attack on the civilian population." On Saturday afternoon, Ukraine shelled central Belgorod. The Russian Defense Ministry said Czech-made Vampire rockets and missiles with cluster munitions were fired at the city. Air defense systems intercepted most of them, but several projectiles and cluster fragments from downed rockets fell on Belgorod.On January 1, Ukrainian forces shelled the city of Donetsk in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR). Three people were killed in the shelling.Since the beginning of the special military operation, the Kiev regime has been attacking Russian territory with drones and missiles. In August, after a botched drone attack on Moscow, the United Nations said it did not want to see civilian infrastructure targeted. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/un-on-strike-on-belgorod-attacks-on-civilians-unacceptable-violate-international-law-1115902550.html belgorod ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International terrorist act, russian president vladimir putin, civilian population North Korea should be made to realize that provocative acts threatening South Korea will only serve as a prelude to its own destruction, Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said in a New Year's Day message Monday. Shin made the remark after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un defined inter-Korean ties as those of "two states hostile to each other" and called for stepped-up preparations to "suppress the whole territory of South Korea." Kim also said it is a mistake to regard the South as the partner of reconciliation and reunification. "We must make North Korea feel in their bones that reckless provocative behavior threatening the Republic of Korea will soon become a prelude to destruction," Shin said in the message, referring to South Korea by its official name. Shin said North Korea's provocative threats will continue in the new year, citing the results from the North's party meeting, and called for strengthened readiness. "In this grave security situation, the military needs to strengthen its readiness posture to overwhelm the enemy," he said. "Only 'powerful strength' can maintain 'real peace,' not words, paper or vain delusion. "If the enemy undertakes a provocation, let's completely crush their willingness and capabilities for additional provocations by punishing them immediately, strongly, and until the end." Later Monday, South Korea conducted live-fire artillery drills, the Army said. About 330 troops of the 3rd Infantry Division Artillery Brigade fired about 150 artillery rounds during the drills at a firing range in a central front-line region based on a scenario where the enemy first undertakes firepower provocations, the Army said. "Through the first artillery firing exercises of the new year, we once again confirmed our readiness and capability to immediately retaliate at the scene in the event of enemy provocations," Capt. Baek Jong-chan said in a statement. On Sunday, the defense ministry warned the North over its plans to build up more strategic weapons, saying the Kim regime will face its end if Pyongyang attempts to use nuclear weapons against the South. The isolated regime has continued efforts to push forward with its weapons programs, launching intercontinental ballistic missiles five times last year. (Yonhap) https://sputnikglobe.com/20240101/uk-us-preparing-direct-action-against-houthis-for-attacks-in-red-sea---reports-1115925544.html UK, US Preparing 'Direct Action' Against Houthis For Attacks in Red Sea - Reports UK, US Preparing 'Direct Action' Against Houthis For Attacks in Red Sea - Reports Sputnik International The United Kingdom and the United States are preparing a "direct action" against Yemen's Ansar Allah rebel movement, also known as the Houthis, against the background of attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, UK newspaper The Telegraph reported Sunday, citing UK Secretary of Defense Grant Shapps and source in the Pentagon. 2024-01-01T03:47+0000 2024-01-01T03:47+0000 2024-01-01T03:47+0000 military red sea crisis red sea houthis us united kingdom (uk) israel ansar allah palestine-israel conflict us hegemony https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/08/09/1099431560_0:0:3641:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_b96211c3f0c5288475dc1c5c8268ce44.jpg The newspaper cited sources as saying that London and Washington are preparing an unprecedented joint statement in the form of a "verbal final warning" to the Houthis that could be issued as early as Monday, adding that talks were underway on Sunday evening on the participation of at least two other actions in action against the movement. But the joint statement is not expected to set out any specific military action, the report said. Shapps said in an article for The Telegraph that the UK's HMS Diamond, a Type 45 destroyer, shot down a Houthi attack drone in the Red Sea in December, adding that "as HMS Diamond illustrated earlier in the month, we are willing to take direct action, and we wont hesitate to take further action to deter threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea." The newspaper also cited two senior US defense officials as saying that the White House would not "telegraph" its military plans in advance but did not rule out carrying out strikes against the Houthis in the near future. After the armed conflict between Israel and Palestinian movement Hamas escalated in October, Yemen's Ansar Allah rebel movement, also known as the Houthis, has intensified its attacks on cargo ships it believes to be linked to Israel in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, vowing to continue the attacks until Israel ends its military actions in the Gaza Strip. On December 19, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced the establishment of a multinational operation to secure the Red Sea, saying that the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain would take part in the mission, although Madrid has not officially confirmed its participation yet. The Houthis vowed to attack any ships that joined the US-led maritime coalition. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231220/us-considering-taking-military-action-against-houthis-to-protect-red-sea---reports-1115700032.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231219/us-escalation-in-the-red-sea--a-loselose-proposition--1115679933.html red sea united kingdom (uk) israel Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International houthi ship attack, yemen ship attack, us aircraft carrier yemen, houthi strikes, us sends warships against houthis, war on yemen, us hegemony, us dominance, us interference https://sputnikglobe.com/20240101/ukraine-using-blocking-units-after-deploying-too-many-untrained-soldiers-to-frontlines-1115935872.html Ukraine Using Blocking Units After Deploying Too Many Untrained Soldiers to Frontlines Ukraine Using Blocking Units After Deploying Too Many Untrained Soldiers to Frontlines Sputnik International Russian troops have provided Sputnik with footage of fighters from a Ukrainian blocking detachment shooting their own comrades in the back during a Russian advance. Sputnik asked former CIA analyst Larry Johnson why Ukraines military might be resorting to such a desperate tactic. 2024-01-01T18:52+0000 2024-01-01T18:52+0000 2024-01-02T11:10+0000 analysis larry johnson volodymyr zelensky ukraine russia russian army ukrainian armed forces tactics conflict tactics https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/01/1115936100_39:0:1074:582_1920x0_80_0_0_ca25fe9273e6acd4c5e6878daa2fcf40.png In the Western popular imagination, blocking units, also known as blocking detachments or anti-retreat forces, are probably best remembered from their use in the 2001 Hollywood film Enemy at the Gates, which depicted untrained, unarmed Red Army soldiers being forced to run toward fortified Nazi German positions in Stalingrad, and getting mowed down ruthlessly by NKVD officers after trying to retreat back to their own lines.The fictional portrayal of such unimaginable cruelty by the army which played the decisive role in liberating Europe from the Nazis was intensely criticized by Russians, and slammed by veterans and others as an unabashed piece of Hollywood propaganda which spit into vets souls.Twenty years after the film's release, after the Donbass crisis deteriorated into a full-scale NATO-Russia proxy war in Ukraine, Russian media began accusing Ukrainian military of using blocking units in real life to motivate troops not to retreat, and collecting evidence, including PoW testimony and video, to prove it.Drone footage published by Sputnik on Sunday showed Ukrainian forces using a blocking detachment to prevent mobilized troops from retreating during a Russian assault. The footage, provided to the news agency by a source familiar with the situation, showed Russian forces assaulting a Ukrainian stronghold, entering a trench, after which Ukrainian soldiers could be seen running out the other side toward positions in the rear, only to be shot at and have grenades thrown at them by their own comrades.The makeup and allegiance of the blocking unit troops remains unclear. Its unknown whether they were ordinary conscripts, officers, foreign mercenaries or members of Ukraines notorious neo-Nazi nationalist battalions who have been known to man blocking detachment posts in the rear in the past, as per the testimony of captured PoWs.They have deployed too many untrained soldiers to the frontlines who have no experience or ability to engage in combat operations. This move to create such blocking forces is reminiscent of stories told about political commissars during the Great Patriotic War, Johnson told Sputnik.President Zelensky tightened up the provisions of Ukraines martial law and general mobilization measures in November, and revealed last month that the military is planning to draft an additional 450,000-500,000 people into the military as the meat grinder conflict against Russia shows no signs of deescalating. A Ukrainian general publicly questioned whether such ambitious call-up plans were feasible. Meanwhile, the chief of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council said mobilizing that many troops could take at least a year to achieve. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231224/ukrainian-armed-forces-unable-to-mobilize-another-500000-people---reports-1115785623.html ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov is ukraine using blocking units, why is ukraine using anti-retreat formations https://sputnikglobe.com/20240101/us-pulls-back-aircraft-carrier-from-mediterranean---report-1115926634.html US Pulls Back Aircraft Carrier From Mediterranean - Report US Pulls Back Aircraft Carrier From Mediterranean - Report Sputnik International Following the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, the US military deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean in a bid to "bolster regional deterrence efforts. 2024-01-01T09:23+0000 2024-01-01T09:23+0000 2024-01-01T09:23+0000 world us uss gerald r ford aircraft carrier palestine-israel conflict hamas https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/103766/45/1037664504_0:123:1301:855_1920x0_80_0_0_c9c7a026a5978124da263b01b328780f.jpg The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group is to depart from the eastern Mediterranean Sea in the "coming days," ABC News reported, citing unnamed US officials.Together with other surface ships that comprise the strike group, the US Navys largest aircraft carrier will reportedly return to its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia, where it will prepare for future deployments. Despite the return of the aircraft carrier, the US will retain sufficient military capability in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, sources were cited as saying.The Pentagon has not offered any official comment on the decision to bring back the aircraft carrier strike group.In October, the carrier strike group was redirected to the Eastern Mediterranean to bolster in a show of force after the latest flare-up of the Palestine-Israel conflict.A day after militant group Hamas staged a surprise large-scale attack on the Jewish state from the Gaza Strip on October 7, which prompted Israel to retaliate by pounding the Palestinian enclave, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin issued a press release. He stated that aircraft carrier the USS Gerald R. Ford, Ticonderoga-class cruiser the USS Normandy, and four destroyers would be directed to the Eastern Mediterranean. Furthermore, he informed that the US Air Force would be bolstered in the region with F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 aircraft squadrons.On October 10, the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean, followed by the deployment of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group. The US Navy subsequently announced that the USS Mount Whitney, a Blue Ridge-class command and control ship from the US 6th Fleet, had been dispatched to the conflict zone.As Israel continued its war on Hamas in Gaza, Yemen's Ansar Allah rebel movement, also known as the Houthis, unleashed a campaign of attacks on cargo ships it believed to be linked to Israel in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. The movement vowed to continue the attacks until Israel ends its military actions in the Gaza Strip.US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced the establishment of a multinational operation to "secure" the Red Sea on December 19, saying that the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the Seychelles, and Spain would take part in the mission. In response, the Houthis vowed to attack any ships that joined the US-led maritime coalition. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231009/us-carrier-strike-group-will-reach-eastern-mediterranean-very-soon--1114051270.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231219/us-escalation-in-the-red-sea--a-loselose-proposition--1115679933.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko us military, united states, israel-hamas conflict, uss gerald r. ford, gerald r. ford carrier strike group https://sputnikglobe.com/20240101/us-senator-demands-transparency-in-1475-million-secret-weapons-deal-with-israel-1115911635.html US Senator Demands Transparency in $147.5 Million Secret Weapons Deal With Israel US Senator Demands Transparency in $147.5 Million Secret Weapons Deal With Israel Sputnik International On Saturday, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of the state of Virginia criticized the recent decision by the US State Department to approve a deal to sell artillery shells and related equipment to Israel for $147.5 million. 2024-01-01T04:39+0000 2024-01-01T04:39+0000 2024-01-01T04:39+0000 world tim kaine joe biden antony blinken israel gaza strip palestine hamas biden administration us congress https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/01/1112331618_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_527e2915d2662e78e51f71a780fc990f.jpg Kaine demanded a "public explanation" of why the Biden administration decided to supply weapons to Israel without congressional review.The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, part of the Pentagon, announced on Friday that the US State Department had approved the sale of M107 artillery shells for 155 mm howitzers and related equipment to Israel for approximately $147.5 million. US Secretary of state Antony Blinken claimed Israel was in an extraordinary situation, insisting that the supply of munitions was needed "immediately" and was in US national interests.Israel was taken by surprise on October 7 when the military wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement launched its Operation of Al-Aqsa Flood. After launching a barrage of rockets, militants and infiltrating southern Israel, opened fire on both military and civilian targets and took over 200 hostages. Following a downward revision of Israeli government figures, around 1,200 people were killed in Israel, including civilians, soldiers, foreign citizens and workers, with 5,000 others injured.In response, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched Operation "Swords of Iron" against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. After several days fighting to regain control of settlements around Gaza, the IDF began a bombing campaign in the strip, including against civilian targets. Israel also announced a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip, cutting off supplies of water, food, electricity, medicine and fuel.At the end of October, the ground phase of the Israeli operation in the enclave began. The city of Gaza was surrounded by Israeli ground forces, effectively dividing the enclave into southern and northern zones.According to the Palestinian enclave's Health Ministry, the death toll in Gaza since October 7 has exceeded 21,000, with more than 55,000 injured.Hamas has claimed that it held some 200 to 250 captives in Gaza. Following a brief ceasefire and exchange of prisoners, Israeli authorities said that 126 Israelis and 11 foreigners remained hostages of Hamas and that 110 of them had been released.The Russian Foreign Ministry has called on both sides to cease hostilities. According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the solution of the Middle East crisis is possible only on the basis of the "two-state" formula approved by the United Nations Security Council, which envisages the creation of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with its capital in East Jerusalem.The Palestine-Israel conflict, linked to territorial interests, has been a source of tension and conflict in the region for decades. The 1947 UN resolution, with the active role of the USSR, defined the establishment of two states Israel and Palestine, but only the Israeli state was established. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/gaza-conflict-gave-biden-admin-chance-to-extricate-itself-from-ukraine-fiasco--expert-1115895855.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231231/death-toll-from-israeli-strikes-in-gaza-strip-rises-to-21822---health-ministry-1115910862.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231229/moscow-calls-for-leveraging-all-accumulated-experience-for-solving-middle-east-crisis-1115879642.html israel gaza strip palestine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International tim kaine israel, us senator israel, will the us intervene in israel, israel vs palestine, us military aid to israel, us military aid to israel after hamas attack, us support israel https://sputnikglobe.com/20240101/watch-russian-grad-mlrs-destroy-ukrainian-manpower-1115929557.html Watch Russian Grad MLRS Destroy Ukrainian Manpower Watch Russian Grad MLRS Destroy Ukrainian Manpower Sputnik International The Russian Defense Ministry has released footage of Grad MLRS destroying Ukrainian manpower on the right bank of the Dnepr River. 2024-01-01T13:53+0000 2024-01-01T13:53+0000 2024-01-01T13:53+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine video russia ukraine russian armed forces russian defense ministry multiple-launch rocket systems (mlrs) grad https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/01/1115929400_87:0:1335:702_1920x0_80_0_0_eec14d8e43d965842f3105110fadf14b.jpg The Russian Defense Ministry has released footage of Grad MLRS destroying Ukrainian manpower on the right bank of the Dnepr River. Russian soldiers received the coordinates of a cluster of Ukrainian personnel from artillery spotters. After a few shell strikes, Grad's crew fired a full volley at the enemy.The Grad MLRS is designed to provide rapid and devastating firepower in a variety of combat situations, including infantry support, area denial, and anti-tank operations. Its high rate of fire and ability to saturate large areas with explosives make it a formidable weapon on the battlefield. russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Russian Grad MLRS destroys Ukrainian manpower Sputnik International Russian Grad MLRS destroys Ukrainian manpower 2024-01-01T13:53+0000 true PT0M58S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian grad mlrs, russian defense ministry, ukrainian manpower https://sputnikglobe.com/20240101/west-worries-ukraine-wont-have-enough-air-defense-equipment-to-outlast-winter-1115933215.html West Worries Ukraine Wont Have Enough Air Defense Equipment to Outlast Winter West Worries Ukraine Wont Have Enough Air Defense Equipment to Outlast Winter Sputnik International Last week, the Russian military launched its largest drone, ballistic and cruise missile strikes in Ukraine since 2022, targeting energy infrastructure, military airfields, ports, HQs, fuel and ammo depots, with the attack overwhelming local air defenses. Kiev responded with terror strikes against the Russian cities of Belgorod and Donetsk. 2024-01-01T16:05+0000 2024-01-01T16:05+0000 2024-01-01T16:05+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine grant shapps military & intelligence volodymyr zelensky ukraine kiev russia nato raytheon nasams https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/18/1110571925_0:0:960:540_1920x0_80_0_0_5277299bc56541cb13b5ae8dafb677e6.jpg Ukraines air defenses wont be in a condition to repel Russian drone and missile attacks this winter due to a shortage of interceptor missiles for its NATO-provided air defenses. Thats the conclusion reached by military observers cited by British media.Pointing to the expected dearth of US military support for Kiev amid the ongoing battle in Congress over President Bidens proposed $61 billion aid package, analysts warned that Ukraines air defenses may have to resort to rationing.Concerns are said to be particularly prescient in relation to the Patriot the $1 billion Raytheon-made air defense and anti-missile system which the US sent to Kiev last spring, but which has had difficulties intercepting Russian projectiles and been targeted itself. After the Russian militarys massed missile and drone assault last Friday, an advisor to the Ukrainian Armed Forces Air Force Command conceded that Ukraines NATO-sourced air defenses have never actually managed to intercept even one of the estimated 300 Kh-22 series missiles Russian warplanes had launched into Ukraine since 2022.In comments regarding the AMRAAMs deliveries Friday, UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps accused Russia of testing Western resolve in Ukraine with its campaign of precision strikes, and called on the free world to come together and redouble our efforts to get Ukraine what they need to win.These efforts are presumably on top of the estimated $200 billion Western taxpayers have already spent arming Kiev and funding its government, and the $205 billion EU countries have been forced to overpay for natural gas after unilaterally cutting off Russian energy deliveries.Western and Ukrainian intelligence officials indicated to UK media last week that Russia has spent months stockpiling missiles for winter strikes to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses, undermine Kievs war effort and force the military to focus attention away from the front.Russias Defense Ministry has said that that unlike its Ukrainian counterpart, the Russian Armed Forces strike only military facilities and infrastructure directly related to them.Kiev responded to the December 29 Russian strikes with a campaign of terror bombings, targeting Belgorod a city of 340,000 about 40 km from Kharkov with no military targets to speak of, and Donetsk, the Donbass city which has faced hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian missile, drone and artillery attacks going back to 2014. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231227/us-announces-final-250-million-ukraine-aid-package-for-2023-1115839951.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240101/63-of-ukrainian-capitals-energy-infrastructure-damaged-destroyed-in-2023---kiev-authorities-1115924115.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240101/what-is-known-about-ukraines-shelling-of-donetsk-on-new-years-eve-1115927489.html ukraine kiev russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov is ukraine running out of air defense equipment amid russian missile strikes, why is russia targeting ukraine with long-range missile strikes https://sputnikglobe.com/20240101/what-is-known-about-ukraines-shelling-of-donetsk-on-new-years-eve-1115927489.html What is Known About Ukraines Shelling of Donetsk on New Years Eve What is Known About Ukraines Shelling of Donetsk on New Years Eve Sputnik International Ukraine's military shelled the city of Donetsk in the Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) shortly after midnight on New Years Eve. 2024-01-01T09:57+0000 2024-01-01T09:57+0000 2024-01-01T09:57+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russia ukraine donetsk donetsk people's republic https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/1f/1115923204_0:0:3043:1713_1920x0_80_0_0_97e5c52e1f5c7f007548846ab2c67aed.jpg The Kiev regime has again blatantly attacked civilians. This time, it shelled the city of Donetsk in the Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) shortly after midnight on New Years Night. This is what Sputnik knows so far about the attack.The DPR representative office in the Joint Center for Control and Coordination reported on New Year's Eve that the Ukrainian military fired 15 rockets from multiple launch rocket systems at Donetsk shortly after midnight. Later, Ukrainian troops fired eight more missiles.The head of the DPR, Denis Pushilin, took to Telegram to confirm the attack, adding that "Unfortunately, there are fatalities." Medical assistance was being provided to the wounded people, he added. The DPR head urged residents to seek safety in shelters, adding that more attacks could be expected.Later, Pushilin clarified information on the victims, saying that four people were killed in Ukraines strike on Donetsk, while 13 others sustained injuries.Local DPR operational services also reported that a war correspondent was killed and another was wounded as a result of the shelling of Donetsk by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Their names have not been specified.Donetsk Mayor Alexey Kulemzin wrote on Telegram that several apartment buildings and a car were damaged in the Budennovsky district.On the night of January 1, the Armed Forces of Ukraine also shelled the Nikitovsky district of Gorlovka in the DPR. As a result of the shelling, a residential building was damaged, the mayor of the city, Ivan Prikhodko, confirmed. He called on local residents to remain in shelters.Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on the shelling of Donetsk by Ukrainian forces on New Year's Eve, saying that "Only a terrorist beast could do such a thing."The attack on New Year's Eve came after Ukraine's military shelled the Russian city of Belgorod on December 30. Over a dozen civilians were killed, and scores more injured during the daytime Ukrainian missile strike on the Russian city of 340,000, situated about 40 km from the Ukrainian border.The Russian Defense Ministry stressed that the strike on Belgorod would not go unpunished. The Russian Armed Forces launched retaliatory strikes on the territory of Ukraine in response to the attack on the center of Belgorod as a result, decision-making centers and military facilities in Kharkov were hit, the Russian Defense Ministry said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231231/ukrainian-shelling-on-donetsk-kills-3-people-leaves-7-wounded-1115923086.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/russian-un-envoy-calls-ukraines-strikes-on-belgorod-deliberate-terrorist-attacks-1115903189.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/belgorod-terror-bombing-signals-ukraines-desperation---former-us-army-colonel-1115901164.html russia ukraine donetsk Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko ukrainian troops, ukrainian losses,attack on donetsk, ukraine's shelling of donetsk, donetsk people's republic, russian forces, russian troops, russia wins, ukraine loses, ukrainian crisis, failed counteroffensive, ukrainian counteroffensive, foiled counteroffensive, counteroffensive attempt, thwarted counteroffensive, counteroffensive effort, LINCOLN Gov. Jim Pillen has set ambitious goals of cutting property taxes by more than $2 billion and reducing state spending by 6% during his second year in office. But his plans to get there remained works in progress when he sat down with The World-Herald in late December to talk about policies and priorities for the year ahead. Along with taxes and spending, the interview touched on abortion, welfare, private school scholarships and his reflections about the year past. Here are some of the highlights: Property taxes. Pillen named property taxes as a chief concern for the coming year, just as they were during his campaign for governor in 2022. He said he worked with the Nebraska Legislature to make some transformative tax changes in his first year in office. Those changes included increasing both of the states property tax credit programs, eliminating the community college property tax and boosting state support for schools. The package was worth about $3 billion over six years. But rising property valuations and increased school spending kept many property owners from seeing the intended benefit. As a result, Pillen said, Nebraskans have been crystal clear, loud, crystal clear about their unhappiness with the level of property taxes. He has been working with a group of agriculture, business and political leaders to find solutions. The group was initially created to reform property valuations but branched out after concluding that valuations were not the problem. Pillen said the group has set a goal of reducing property taxes paid by Nebraskans to $3 billion, down from the $5.023 billion paid in 2023. Counting some of the changes passed in 2023 gets the state about halfway toward that goal, he said. But Pillen and the group have not figured out how to get all of the way there yet. Having a bold, a simple, bold, courageous plan to get our property taxes in line is a high priority, Pillen said. Were working very hard on it and were getting close. As one piece of the solution, he wants to freeze the amount of property taxes collected by cities, counties and other local governments, while staying with a soft cap on school spending that allows limited increases in property taxes. He said he believes local governments can tighten their belts while still improving services. State spending. Pillen listed state spending reductions as another goal for the new year. He said he intends to operate state government for 3% less money in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, compared to the year before, and to spend 6% less the following year. Hes working on that goal with the help of Kristen Cox, founder and CEO of Epiphany Associates. She was contracted in June to find ways to reduce spending while improving outcomes and performance. The contract is for one year at $2.5 million, with the option of three annual renewals. Pillen said the effort has yielded results already, such as canceling some state contracts that he said were not producing value. He did not provide examples. His office said details would be released later. But he said the state will not reduce services to Nebraskans and will not lay off employees to achieve the spending target. Were focusing on the stuff that matters and removing a lot of things that dont create any value for the customer were trying to provide service to, he said. Its nothing innovational. Its just applying business practices. Provider rates. Pillen has not changed his mind about one spending issue. At the end of the last legislative session, he vetoed a 2% boost in Medicaid payments for hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers for the fiscal year that ends June 30, 2025, although he left in place a 3% increase for the current fiscal year. He reaffirmed that position now, saying that health care providers need to get rid of practices adopted during the pandemic that have driven up costs. The example he cited was the use of staffing agencies to fill nursing vacancies. The governor said he wanted to stimulate providers to be more efficient. Were spending too much money on our health care and every administrator needs to get after it and find ways to decrease their costs, he said. We have to uncomplicate life and get back to simpler life like it was before the pandemic. Welfare and poverty. Pillen wants to use his bully pulpit to talk about poverty in Nebraska, a problem that he said has been worsened by welfare programs. The governor drew criticism this month for saying he didnt believe in welfare as he rejected a new federal program that would have provided summer food aid for about 150,000 low-income children in Nebraska. But he expressed confidence that, once Nebraskans recognize there are children in need across the state, they will step up to help them. He said the solutions involve apprenticeships, mentoring and learning trade skills, so youngsters can get good jobs and careers and become part of a vibrant middle class. Governments not going to do that, he said. We need to lift up and help these kids, and business leaders, farmers and ranchers are going to solve it, and theres no place that can handle it better than Nebraska. Abortion. Pillen acknowledged that Nebraskas new state law banning abortion at 12 weeks gestation or later does not go as far as he wants toward ending abortion. But he called the new law, which passed in May as part of a package with a ban on transgender care for minors, a significant improvement over the previous 20-week limit and said it is keeping Nebraska from being an abortion destination state. Pillen said he doesnt plan to push for additional abortion legislation in 2024. Rather, he said the focus needs to be on fighting a petition drive that seeks to enshrine abortion rights in the state Constitution. I think that the first step, from my seat, is making sure that were able to protect the legislation that was passed, he said. It is simply about saving as many babies growing in mothers wombs as possible. Thats 100% where Im at as governor of Nebraska and thats what we keep working on every day. Private school scholarships. Pillen also vowed to fight for a new state program that provides income tax credits to people who donate to nonprofit organizations that provide scholarships to private and faith-based school students. The Opportunity Scholarship program is set to launch in 2024, but its future will be up to Nebraska voters after opponents collected enough signatures to put the issue on the November ballot. The governor said the program will help low-income children, those from military families, those in foster care and children from other designated groups afford private schools if they need an alternative to public school. He defended the $25 million allocated to the program each year as a small portion of the state budget. We have really good public education, we have awesome private education, he said. Theyre both outstanding and we need both for the state of Nebraska. Reflections. Pillen attributes the biggest lesson of his first year as governor to a Native American tribal leader. The man told Pillen to consider of the long-term effects of what he does. The leader said he learned from his grandfather that todays actions have an impact for seven generations. I did not understand that a year ago and I do now, and I think its pretty cool, Pillen said. You agree, seven generations is a long time, right? Looking back over the past year, Pillen said he has a hard time coming up with anything that he would do differently. He said he has worked to engage with Nebraskans and to be governor of all Nebraskans, whether they are Asian American, Latino, Native American or Black. As for criticism, he shrugs it off, saying: It doesnt matter how many good things people say about me or how many bad things, it doesnt change me one iota and I believe in myself. I try to focus on reality and I try to keep learning, he said. I know that I can use my past years experience and figure out how to create more value with every waking hour for Nebraska than I did year one and thats what were going to try to figure out and do. A plane crashed after attempting to land at Lake Norman Airpark shortly after noon on Sunday. The pilot, Randy Mysliviec of Mooresville, died in the crash. Percy and Daniel Gregory were standing outside of an Adrian Lane residence when they saw the single-engine aircraft clip a tree before it crashed in front of them. We were just finishing praying and getting in our cars to return to Virginia when I looked up and saw the plane coming through here and started yelling because I couldnt believe what I was seeing, Percy Gregory said. Instantly I realized he was going down because the nose was down, but I could tell he wasnt going to make it here. Daniel said a loud boom was heard as the plane crashed. The two men were joined by family members Shaila Barnes, Phillip Barnes and Amanda Gregory as they went to check on the status of the pilot. Mysliviec was transported to Lake Norman Regional Medical Center where he died from injuries sustained in the crash, Master Trooper Christopher Casey said in a news release. The plane struck trees and crashed into an abandoned home site, Casey said. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the crash at this time. According to data from FlightAware.com, the Piper Malibu Matrix left the Lake Norman Airpark at 11:52 a.m. and was near Taylorsville before it turned back toward Mooresville. The plan was less than a mile from the airpark when it crashed around 12:15 p.m. The circumstances that led to the crash are unknown at this time, but the family members who watched less than 50 yards from the crash wondered if the pilot had realized he wasnt going to make the nearby runway and looked to avoid the nearby homes. If he did that, he saved a lot of lives, Shaila Barnes said. Introduction: In the words of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, empowerment is the key to a prosperous nation. This sentiment echoes in Indias dynamic start-up ecosystem, a catalyst for economic growth and social change. ICAI Presidents Message for January 2024 delves into the transformative journey of Indian start-ups, the role of professional organizations like ICAI, and the nations vision for a self-reliant economy. Institute of Chartered Accountants of India Dear Professional Colleagues, Wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year!! Empowering the individual means empowering the nation. And empowerment is best served through rapid economic growth with rapid social change. Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Former Prime Minister of India. Indias economic growth is driven by innovative and unique approaches, transforming traditional business practices and leading the way to modern progress. Start-ups, envisioned as vital contributors to the nations future, are serving as thought incubators, fostering employment, democratizing technology, and enhancing the competence of MSMEs and industries through research and development. The growth story of Indias start-up ecosystem is inspiring, with an anticipated year-on-year growth ranging between twelve to fifteen percent. As the start-up revolution continues to unfold, it highlights Indias position in shaping the future of business, showcasing a remarkable blend of tradition and modernity in its pursuit of economic excellence. The Indian start-up ecosystem is not just a numerical representation but a narrative of resilience, creativity, and forward-thinking. These innovative ventures serve as the vanguards of change, fostering a spirit of self-sufficiency and creative problem-solving. As India strives to build a resilient and self-reliant economy, start-ups play a pivotal role in inspiring the entrepreneurial vision of youth and meeting the aspirations of the nation. It is crucial for stakeholders, including government departments, regulatory bodies, industry leaders, and professional organizations, to collaborate in fostering a conducive environment that nurtures this entrepreneurial spirit and propels India towards a sustainable and inclusive growth. The journey from being the third-largest start-up ecosystem to becoming a powerhouse of transformative ideas is one that requires collective effort, support, and strategic planning. With the exploration of the potential of Start-ups sparking an innovation-fuelled economic recovery and growth, India is actively pursuing vision of One Earth, One Family, and One Future. Through its groundbreaking initiative, the Startup-20 Engagement Group at G20, India aspires to play a pivotal role in developing an inclusive framework that strategically collaborates with G20 nations to support innovative start-ups. The ICAI and its constituents are actively contributing to building the future economy by developing business and tech-savvy talent with an entrepreneurial spirit. Initiatives aligned with the Start up India movement like ICAI Startup Yatra that includes the ICAI Startup Manthan and ICAI Startup Samvad programs, Start-Up Sphere, ICAI Start-Up Gateway aims to coordinate, synergize, and leverage excellence-driven innovation and entrepreneurship, facilitating creation of ideas and inventions for societal benefit. The accounting professions deep reach into the MSME sector positions it as a trusted business advisor, providing a conducive ecosystem for start-up development in India. Some of the important developments related to the profession are placed below: International Engagements Visit of delegation from CA Maldives A high-level delegation headed by Mr. Hussain Niyazy, Auditor General & President of Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Maldives (CA Maldives) comprising Mr. Hassan Mohamed, Vice President, CA Maldives; Mr. Ibrahim Fazeel, Council Member and Mr. Mohamed Haleem, Council Member and Chairperson of Academic Committee from CA Maldives visited ICAI on 18th December, 2023. The deliberations were held regarding empowering finance professionals in the Maldives with specialised knowledge and skills, under the aegis of the MoU entered by the ICAI with them. The delegation from CA Maldives proposed a collaborative initiative to leverage the expertise of ICAI in delivering specialised courses aimed at enhancing the professional capabilities of finance practitioners in Maldives. Annual Conferences Organised by ICAI Chapters I attended the 41st Annual International Seminar organised by the Dubai Chapter of ICAI on December 10, 2023. The event also had the presence of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance & Coexistence, UAE as Chief Guest. The seminar was on very relevant theme: Confluence Vision, Sustainability, Innovation, given the thrust on progress with responsibility and in todays world where innovation becomes the bridge to a sustainable tomorrow. The event was attended by over 1000 participants from the UAE, India and across the globe. Further, CA. Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal, Vice President, ICAI attended the 3rd Annual International Conference on the theme Expand Your Horizons-Create Adapt Reinvent Excel organised by the Kuwait Chapter of ICAI on 16th December 2023. CA Suresh Prabhu, Former Union Minister, Government of India graced the event as Guest of Honor with H.E. Dr. Adarsh Swaika, Ambassador , Embassy of India to Kuwait. The Conference provided a platform to establish a dialogue forum among renowned professionals, entrepreneurs and leaders in varied fields from India, Kuwait & Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). ICAI Vice President addressed the gathering and shared the various initiatives of ICAI. Awards and Recognition 1. SAFA Awards 2022 The ICAI hosted the prestigious South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) Best Presented Annual Report Awards, Integrated Reporting Awards and SAARC Anniversary Awards for Corporate Governance Disclosure 2022 to recognize excellence in corporate reporting & corporate governance disclosures in the South Asian region on 22nd December 2023. Nominations were received from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka for this years award ceremony under 16 categories. The event marked the presence of CA. Nihar N. Jambusaria, President, SAFA, Mr. Heshana Kuruppu, Vice President, SAFA, myself, CA. Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal, Vice President, ICAI, CA. (Dr.) Anuj Goyal, Chairman, Research Committee, ICAI, CA. Cotha S. Srinivas, Vice Chairman, Research Committee, ICAI, Ms. Anoji De Silva, Chairperson, Committee for Improvement in Transparency, Accountability and Governance, SAFA and other dignitaries. The Awards were distributed in the glittering evening wherein more than 250 professionals from the SAFA Member countries participated. Before the awards, ICAI hosted SAFA Virtual Conference on the theme Future of the Accountancy Profession which delved into the future landscape of the accountancy profession, featuring panel discussions centered around technological disruption and redefinition of leadership in accountancy. Esteemed speakers from various South Asian countries shared their insights, offering valuable perspectives on the evolving trends in the field. The event was attended by over 1200 participants from more than 10 countries. 2. Building the Next Gen Leaders CA Business Leaders -40 Under 40 Awards The Institute believes in nurturing future leaders for the progressive economic development of the nation and recognises the young talent with leadership skills to drive sustainable growth, benefitting the entire nation. Accordingly, the Institute in association with CNBC-TV18 organised 2nd edition of CA Business Leaders 40 under 40 Awards to celebrate the remarkable efforts of talented and energetic Chartered Accountants under the age of 40 who are taking on leadership roles and driving positive economic changes. The awards ceremony was held on 11th December, 2023, in Mumbai, honoured 40 young business leaders for their outstanding achievements. I am sure that these accolades will further motivate our young Chartered Accountants to continue their commendable work and bring glory to the accounting profession. 3. ICAI Women Excellence Awards 2023 We, at the Institute have always been proud of the accomplishments of our women members who have made the profession proud year after year with their unwavering commitment to professionalism. This year, through our Women and Young members Excellence Committee (WYMEC) we have undertaken conscious efforts to acknowledge, recognize, and reward the indispensable contribution of women members by organising First CA Women Excellence awards. It was an opportune occasion to not only showcase Institutes commitment to sensitise the society towards women and girls empowerment but also to advance gender equality in line with Sustainable Development Goal-5. I am happy to share that in its first year of inception, we received encouraging response from almost 100 women members from across India who were nominated in different categories. A befitting award ceremony was held in Mumbai on 20th December 2023 wherein Chief Guest Mr. Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD & CEO, National Stock Exchange presented awards to awardees in various categories. I congratulate the winners once again and am sure these awards will motivate and inspire our women members and girl students to strive harder and make their mark in diverse fields. 4. ICAI Sustainability Awards-2023 The Institute also conferred ICAI Sustainability Reporting Awards and International Sustainability Reporting Awards awards to organizations at the forefront of ESG practices held in Mumbai on 20th December, 2023. The awards recognized and applauded the organizations working towards shaping a greener, socially conscious business landscape for the contributions made by the companies towards Business Responsibility & Sustainability Reporting, Sustainability Reporting Leadership and best Sustainability Reporting practices. The Chief Guest Mr. Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD & CEO, NSE, presented the awards to various organisations. I am sure these awards going forward shall support achieving the goals of SDGs and augment the sustainability ecosystem in the country. Through these awards, ICAI fosters a culture of continuous improvement, inspiring excellence in the realms of sustainability, women empowerment, financial transparency, and dynamic leadership. ICAI-SAFA Joint CFO Meet An insightful and thought-provoking Interactive CFO Meet on 2nd December, 2023 in Mumbai was organized by the CMI&B jointly with the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA), successfully hosted by WIRC of ICAI. The event brought together finance leaders, industry experts, and strategic thinkers to explore and deliberate on the theme The Evolving Role of CFOs Rising Upward to foster a community of finance leaders who are prepared for actively shaping the future of finance in the South Asian region. I along with Central Council members from Mumbai attended the event. Chartered Accountants Benevolent Fund- Special Drive ICAI has always been working persistently for the benefit of its members and is diligently dedicated to their constant improvement and growth. Since 1962, the Chartered Accountants Benevolent Fund (CABF) is the medium through which ICAI is providing financial assistance to the dependents and families of its deceased members. CABF is a unique social security and benevolence program by the Members and for the Members and has played a very crucial role during COVID pandemic, by helping the members and their dependants. ICAI has initiated a Special Drive to strengthen CABF and recognize the contributors under different categories. CABF needs to be strengthened so that the Members in need can be provided suitable support within stipulated framework. The CA fraternity is the core strength of the profession and need to be acknowledged for the selfless service they do by contributing in CABF. With this drive, I hereby appeal all the members to contribute wholeheartedly towards this noble cause. Initiatives for Members and Students ICAI Commerce Olympiad-2023 With a view to nurture talent and help students in experiencing and developing the competitive skills in Commerce, the Institute through its Committee on Career Counselling organized ICAI Commerce Olympiad on 3rd December, 2023 for the students from class VIII until Graduation. I am happy to share that the ICAI Commerce Olympiad received an overwhelming response as more than 1,01,700 students registered for the Olympiad from various schools & colleges pan India & abroad. As an educator ICAI continuously strives to make India a Global talent hub for Commerce and Accounting. Centre of Excellence, Kolkata Foundation Laying Ceremony With an aspiration to advance industry practices, promote innovation, elevate professional standards and curate thought leadership our vision is to create Centre of Excellence that fosters continuous research and learning, drives technological integration, and enhances the overall effectiveness of accounting practices. I am delighted to inform that on 29th November 2023, we have laid the foundation for Centre of Excellence Kolkata, which shall be shaping the future of accounting through knowledge dissemination, research, and collaboration. It will be beacon of accounting and finance education in the eastern region. Regional Conferences The Institute with an endeavour to keep the members abreast with the recent changes conducts Annual Regional Conferences. These conferences are an apt platform to encapsulate the changing dynamics and important developments of the profession in various subject areas. Further it provides a unique networking opportunity for the members to collaborate and corroborate with their peers. In view of this the 37th Regional Conference of WIRC was organised on 15th & 16th December, 2023 at Mumbai; 48th Regional Conference of EIRC on 15th & 16th December, 2023 in Kolkata; NIRC Regional Conference 2023 in Delhi on 22nd & 23rd December, 2023; and 43rd Regional Conference of CIRC on 23rd & 24th December, 2023 at Raipur. Myself along with ICAI Vice-President CA. Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal attended these Conferences wherein large number of members actively participated. Inputs for Vision 2049 Envisioning a future aligned with Indias mission for holistic growth and becoming self-reliant by 2047, ICAI aims to shape the nations financial landscape significantly. ICAI Vision 2049 envisions the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India as a global leader in accountancy, fostering ethical excellence, technological innovation, and sustainable practices. As we embark on this transformative journey, insights and inputs, especially from members, students, and stakeholders, are important. Together, we can develop the inclusive vision that meets the emerging needs of our profession and aligns with the broader goals of Indias journey towards economic excellence. I would request you all to share your valuable inputs, contributing to a future where ICAI plays a pivotal role in driving positive change for stakeholders and the public interest. The announcement with links to questionnaire is published separately in the journal. ICAI Student International Conference 2023 In the emerging global paradigm, we at ICAI are working to develop professionals for the globe. With these aspirations we recently organized ICAI Student International Conference Aarohan Conquering New Horizons with Integrity and Innovation. The conference was inaugurated by Honble Governor of Gujarat Shri Acharya Devvrat. This dynamic event reflected ICAIs dedication to nurturing international collaboration in finance. It provided an exciting space for students to exchange ideas and insights, emphasizing ICAIs commitment to preparing the next generation for the everchanging global landscape. The Conference was an astounding success with 3500 students attending the conference. Conclusion On the auspicious occasion of the 75th Republic Day, let us reflect on the essence of our Constitution and honour the indomitable spirit of our nation builders. Their unwavering dedication has empowered us to act independently and shape our destiny. May this Republic Day inspire us to continue striving forward, contributing to the ongoing glory of our nation. The Constitution is not a mere lawyers document, it is a vehicle of Life, and its spirit is always the spirit of Age. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Once again, I extend my heartfelt wishes to everyone for a joyous New Year. Let the coming year be a canvas for new beginnings, where each stroke paints a picture of progress, unity, and success. As we partake in the celebrations, lets embrace the opportunities and potential that the forthcoming year brings with the famous quote of Mr. Nelson Mandela I never lose. Either I win or learn. May the New Year bring forth success, prosperity, and moments of happiness for all. Jai Hind! Jai ICAI! CA. Aniket Sunil Talati President, ICAI Ahmedabad, 29th December, 2023 By Kim Hyun-bin The Seoul Metropolitan Government revised building design regulations to expand environmentally friendly structures, dubbed "green buildings," to better curtail greenhouse gas emissions. According to city officials, Monday, the revision came as follow-up measures after Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced plans in 2022 to build up the city's climate change resilience and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Buildings in the capital contribute to 70.7 percent of the citys total greenhouse gas emissions. Revised on Dec. 14, new design regulations include strengthening standards for energy efficiency grading and introducing a mandatory installation ratio for renewable energy. The new rules also provide specific installation plans for solar power generation facilities on buildings, deleting a clause uniformly mandating the installation. The clause has faced criticism for causing indiscriminate construction of the related facilities and spoiling the landscape of the city. The citys regulations for green buildings were first introduced in August 2007 and have consistently been revised since. The last revision was made in 2019. The latest standards took effect starting the New Year for buildings applying for construction and extension permits. The target buildings are those with the total floor area of 500 square meters or more. Despite the challenging circumstances of the climate crisis and a downturn in the construction industry, we will make efforts to reduce building greenhouse gas emissions, an official from the city government said. We will actively work towards introducing environmentally friendly buildings in line with the focus on the 2050 carbon neutrality goal. Thank you to the Kelso/Longview Community, My roots run deep through the Kelso School District and this community. As 2023 comes to a close and I reflect on the past year, my heart goes directly back into the community who has stepped up in so many ways. This is the third year the Family and Community Resource Center has been in our current location and fully operational. I have been blessed by leaders of this community, school board members, supporters of the resource center, colleagues from the Kelso School District, students and their families along with everyday people reaching out to help make our program a success. Our community partners are an incredibly valuable part of what we are able to accomplish. Families come into the center to gain support and confidence and receive support. With our partners, the Family and Community Resource Center will continue to change lives, one youth or one family at a time. The resource center is just that, a family and community resource center for our students and their families; our approach is that of the whole youth whole family. At its inception, we thought of the many families we would be able to clothe and feed. And yes, we do feed and clothe our students and their families, but their needs have drastically changed over the past several years. Parents come into the center today to create resumes, search for jobs, conduct Zoom interviews, navigate the housing market, get help applying for health insurance, social and emotional support, and so much more. The Kelso School District offers people a safe place to educate their children and give them the opportunity to thrive; our mission is to support the whole youth, the whole family, and we serve students from pre-K through graduation. That being said, we realize this job is bigger than us. The Kelso School District School Board won the Washington State School Board of the Year award. The board presented the check they received at the awards ceremony at the school board meeting in November to the resource center. The Kelso School Board is instrumental in the work we do will these students, they allow us to do more than grow to grow; with their constant support, we grow to impact. The board teaches through their own words and deeds that these kids are loved, valued and not alone. The students learn their worth and are an important part of this district. The Kelso School Board knows these are our sons and daughters. These students accept that they are where they are supposed to be so, its OK to just be present, learn to take it all in before they move on. The board is our foundation, we draw our strength from them. The American Legion and Patriot Guards have made the Kelso School District a priority. On the last Sunday of every month, I participate in a drive through food bank from which we receive about 500 lbs. of fresh food items. CAP warehouse and Food Lifeline deliver to our center every Friday. Last year they provided over 19,500 pounds of fresh food to be distributed through our doors. The Refuge food bank packages approximately 479 weekend food bags through our backpack buddies program for our students every Friday afternoon. I am eternally grateful for the generosity these agencies show and I am so proud to partner with them. Bev Jones, the director of The Refuge, works tirelessly to feed and meet the needs of the Kelso School District students and their families. Rotary has continued to support us in so many ways. Last summer they brought their food truck to the Cort Carpenter concert and donated 100% of the proceeds to the resource center. The Rotarians have a special place in my heart. Jon Webb from Butler Acres organizes an annual Turkey Trot canned food drive, and the Family and Community Resource Center has been the lucky recipient of that bounty three years in a row! This was the biggest year in the history of this fundraiser: 2,500 cans! Bethany Lutheran Church sponsors a program called the ELA hunger Grant. The funds that were raised this year provide Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to our Kelso School District Families. Windermere Foundation of Kelso/Longview requested 25 tags from my giving tree again this year. These tags are filled with love and wrapped with care. They make sure each child has more than a need but a want as well. Cascadia Metals has picked 25 tags from our giving tree for a second year. They also hold food drives throughout the year. The company giving crew added a check to cover any additional needs I had over the Christmas holiday. Pastor Russ Jorgenson of KCA has created a Royal Cargo program that visits our elementary schools once a month. They invite 20 to 40 kids in to shop for new shoes and clothing with their own personal shopper. Family Promise of Cowlitz County has a new executive director, Sara Wallace. She has housed 8-10 Kelso families impacting 22 Kelso School District students. These families are housed, safe and stable. Above all else, they get to remain in the school district that has wrapped their arms around them so tightly. I look around this space of mine, cupboards full, student needs met and feel so honored to be serving this community. The agencies I partner with all truly have hearts of service. I am forever grateful for their generosity. It takes a village to raise a child and I am so blessed to be a part of this village. A special thank you to the everyday heroes that walk through my door asking for ways to get involved. I appreciate our partnerships. As a collective group, we all embrace the idea that a success for one is shared by all. Thank you for allowing me to do what I love and call it work. Nancy Baldwin Youth and Family Support Specialist, Kelso School District 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: CC0 Public Domain 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 don't 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 supportobstacles that other projects, including one being considered in Illinois, could potentially avoid. The Illinois wind farmproposed in February for Lake Michigan in a bill that notes the potential benefits of a Chicago locationwould 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 we're 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. "We're 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. "It's 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 don't 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 University's 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. "It's 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 thatdue to its sizecouldn't 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 isn't aware of an equally promising Great Lakes offshore wind project. "I think with the interest that's 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. "It's 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 hasn't 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 optionreferenced in the Illinois bill but not required by itwould 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. "We've done design studies and it doesn't appear to be an insurmountable engineering problem, but because it hasn't been done yet, there's 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. "That's 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 it's hard to know. He knows his next step, though: drumming up support for his bill. "It's all about moving the ball along," he said. 2023 Chicago Tribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Activists want to break years-long legislative deadlock of anti-discrimination law Editors note Korea is experiencing growing multiculturalism and multiracialism due to increased international exchanges. But the nation still faces challenges in fully embracing marginalized groups, leading to frequent reports of discrimination based on age, race, sex, disability, nationality, gender identity, and religion. To advance as a society and sustain growth, Korea must prioritize the elimination of discrimination and actively embrace diversity and inclusiveness, which requires comprehensive legal and systemic reforms, coupled with a shift in public perception. In 2024, The Korea Times will feature articles focusing on the theme of "Diversity, Inclusiveness, and Equality." These pieces will delve into the current state of affairs in Korea concerning these issues and offer recommendations to help the country progress toward its goals. ED By Lee Hyo-jin Jamal, a 37-year-old migrant worker from Bangladesh, likes almost everything about Korea except for one thing: racism. "Before arriving here, I heard that Koreans are kind. All Bangladeshis think that Korea is a developed country with friendly people. However, once they spend their first few days at a factory, they see the true face of Korea, he said, speaking fluent Korean. Over the past seven years, Jamal has worked in four different factories in Gyeonggi Province, helping produce fire hoses, farm equipment and furniture. Overcoming language and cultural differences was relatively easy, but grappling with racial discrimination has been, and continues to be, the hardest part. "One of my bosses swore at us every day. He may have thought we dont understand what he says, but we did. He called us animals one time. He also spoke ill of my parents even though they had done nothing wrong. It was humiliating, Jamal said. At lunch, he refused to eat together with Bangladeshis because he didnt like our skin color. Public transit is another place where Jamal feels disconnected with Koreans. "A lot of people don't sit next to me on the subway or bus even if the seat is empty. But I've gotten pretty used to that." Kim Min-jeong (not her real name) is tired of living a double life. Identifying as a bisexual, the 30-year-old has been in a relationship with her girlfriend for eight years a fact she has kept hidden from her family and colleagues at work. Kim tells her parents that she is not interested in marriage. At work, she is a quiet employee who remains discreet, sometimes overly so, about her personal life. "For me, the biggest challenge of being queer is that I cant be my true self around everyone," she told The Korea Times. Sometimes it feels like Im losing my real identity. Despite the struggle, she has no intention of disclosing her sexual orientation. In Korean culture, where family values and societal expectations hold significant weight, many sexual minorities hesitate to openly express their identity due to fears of rejection or isolation. "Just because we're unseen and unheard, it doesn't mean that there's no discrimination. In addition to social stigma and prejudice, we are not granted equal rights in government policies and the state welfare system," Kim said. "But the worst thing is an absence of any channel to speak up about this discrimination, with no legal protection," she added. These stories are emblematic of the challenges encountered by social minorities in Korea. Despite being widely recognized as a democratic country that upholds most political, civil, and socio-economic rights, widespread discrimination against socially vulnerable groups such as the LGBTQ community, racial minorities, women and the disabled, continues in Korea. Discrimination goes beyond exposure to hate speech or disapproval; it also permeates various facets of vulnerable people's lives, affecting access to justice, housing, education, health, employment and the freedom to participate in political activities. According to a 2022 social integration survey conducted by the Korea Institute of Public Administration, 56 percent of 8,300 respondents said they could not accept sexual minorities. Only 14 percent indicated that they feel comfortable having queer people as colleagues. In a survey conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in 2020, six out of 10 people with disabilities experienced discrimination and mobility challenges while using public transportation. While it takes an average of six minutes for non-disabled individuals to transfer lines in Seoul's subways, the same process could take over 30 minutes for wheelchair users, a study showed. Since December 2021, the Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination, a local advocacy organization for people with disabilities, has been organizing protests at Seoul's subway stations during morning rush hours, demanding budget increases to improve mobility services for the disabled. But their collective action has failed to stimulate change. Several activists now face lawsuits from the city government that accused them of hindering commuters during their protests. Anti-discrimination law Human rights activists emphasize the prevailing social inequality faced by minorities in Korea, highlighting the absence of legal protection. The nation lacks a comprehensive law that addresses all forms of discrimination, compounding the challenges faced by marginalized communities. A new bill aims to prevent discrimination against groups or individuals based on sex, disability, age, race, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion and political opinions, among others. Alongside Japan, Korea is the only country among OECD member nations without such a law. Since 2007, anti-discrimination bills have been proposed 11 times at the National Assembly, including the latest one submitted in 2021. However, none have passed the final stage, mainly due to a strong backlash from conservative Protestant groups who oppose the legislation largely because homosexuality goes against their religious beliefs. Over the past 15 years, only a handful of lawmakers in the 300-seat Assembly have openly supported the bills. Others remain quiet or publicly oppose them, wary of alienating Protestant voters. "Ultra-conservative groups have been framing the anti-discrimination bill as a gay support measure, leading to misconceptions and distorting public perception of the law," said Mong, co-executive chairperson of the South Korean Coalition for Anti-Discrimination Legislation, formed in 2017. "The essence of the bill is to protect the human rights of every individual living in Korea," she said. Opponents argue that Korea does not need a comprehensive anti-discrimination law, as most forms of discrimination are already prohibited within the existing legal mechanism by separate laws such as the Gender Equality in Employment Act, the Act on Prohibition of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, and the Act on Prohibition of Age Discrimination in Employment. Mong disagrees. "The Gender Equality in Employment Act, for instance, only protects those in the workforce. It fails to address gender discrimination against individuals both women and men who are unemployed. So this law often fails to address gender discrimination that occurs during the hiring stage," she said. In that regard, Mong views that the comprehensive anti-discrimination law, if enacted, would close loopholes in the existing legal framework that lacks guidance on what constitutes discrimination. Anton Scholz, a German journalist and consultant who has lived in Korea over 20 years, says an anti-discrimination law would create more awareness about the prevailing discrimination. In Germany, the General Act on Equal Treatment was enacted in 2006 to prevent discrimination on the grounds of race or ethnic origin, gender, religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation. People were initially concerned that this new law might open the door to a flood of new legal cases and people would sue for all kinds of discrimination cases, Scholz said. But that actually did not happen. He added: "The passing of a law can create more awareness of the fact that there is still way too much discrimination going on and we need to counteract it. And in Korea, I think we surely need to be more aware of this issue." But as important as it is for Korea to introduce a legal mechanism banning discrimination, he also stressed the need for a change of mindset about minorities. Scholz, who is currently a member of an advisory panel for immigration policies at the Ministry of Justice, commented that discrimination against migrants often stems from misconceptions about them. "Immigration is a very sensitive issue in any country. And of course, a certain amount of friction between immigrants and the existing population happens often in other countries, too. That is why we rather need to educate people about the positive impact immigration can have on Korea," he said. I think that many things in Korea cannot be fixed simply with new laws. We also have to educate people and make them behave correctly and not just pass laws on top of existing ones." Small steps forward Although the anti-discrimination bill once again failed to become a law in 2023, there has been some progress. In the 21st National Assembly formed in May 2020, four such bills were proposed. One was led by the minor progressive Justice Party, and the remaining three were led by the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). "Although it has been slow, we have seen some improvements compared to the 20th Assembly," Rep. Jang Hye-young of the Justice Party, who proposed one of the bills in June 2020, told The Korea Times. "Following my proposal, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) made a similar suggestion, and a parliamentary petition supporting the passage of the bill garnered 100,000 endorsements. Also, an official public hearing (on the bill) was held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee," she said. Jang viewed that the major obstacle preventing the bill from reaching the final stage is politicians succumbing to pressure from opposing groups that harbor hatred and prejudice against minorities. "But I believe the growing public voices calling for change will eventually lead to the enactment of the anti-discrimination law," the lawmaker said. Mong echoed that sentiment. "Following the proposal by Rep. Jang, the first such move in seven years, media coverage of the anti-discrimination bill between 2020 to 2022 reached the highest level since the agenda was first floated in the early 2000s," the activist said. "I would say this is a small improvement from the 20th Assembly when no such bills were submitted at all," she added, expressing hopes for the bill to become a prominent campaign issue in the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for April. How do you view the animal nutrition industrys prospects in 2024? Vietnams livestock market is resilient and highly entrepreneurial. As one of the first companies to introduce additives and complete livestock animal nutrition products to the market nearly three decades ago, we helped local farmers transition from traditional, backyard livestock farming to safer, nutritionally complete products, holistic solutions and modern farming practices. Market dynamics and the impacts of the African Swine Fever have led to structural changes to animal protein trade flows, integration and consolidation of farm production in the past few years and this trend continues today. Going forward, consumers increasing demands and preferences should spur the industry to increase output using more advanced production techniques and feeding programs. Modernization and professionalization, including in livestock breeds, farming, feeding, disease control, transportation and harvesting, are rapidly accelerating that trend and we will see commercial farms gaining more market shares. The rapid development of Vietnams animal farming industry and sophisticated demands from customers have led Cargill to open a new Provimi Premix plant in southern Vietnam with increased capacity and modern capabilities, fueling the next phase of growth for the industry. This new plant will drastically improve access to world class feed additives and specialty solutions for Vietnamese livestock (swine, poultry and dairy) and aquaculture farmers, as well as the nations feed mills. What are the challenges that the animal nutrition industry could face in 2024? While the livestock industry is currently facing headwinds due to a confluence of rapidly evolving factors, we are confident that these challenges are temporary. Cargill remains bullish on Vietnam and its rapidly growing animal farming and agriculture sector. Global headwinds aside, the country has a large population that has a rapidly increasing and rapidly urbanizing middle class, and ultimately that increased market sophistication is reflected in food choices. Vietnamese people are more and more discerning about the quality of the proteins they demand, and farmers in turn need to service that market. They do that by providing better nutrition for their animals in their farms and we facilitate this with the highest quality offerings for those stocks, and technologies that will help them push beyond their productivity boundaries. What does Cargill see as Vietnam's advantages? Building upon our longstanding collaboration with Vietnamese farmers, we recognize their inherent adaptability and willingness to embrace advancements. Cargill is dedicated to empowering them to meet the evolving demands of the market, encompassing product quality, consumer preferences, and production efficiency, serving both the open livestock market and commercial farms, as well as large-scale enterprises. Our focus is to assist farmers in maximizing the potential of their herds by enhancing animal absorption of daily intake, improving gut health, fertility, livability and immunity fortification. At the same time, we provide digital tools that facilitate optimal utilization of feed and feeding strategies, matching animals at distinct growth stages with the appropriate nutrients for their well-being, and accelerating the formulation process by aligning current needs with ingredient availability. Ultimately, these initiatives empower farmers to achieve exceptional animal performance, enhance their farm output, and boost overall profitability. Vietnam continues to offer solid potential in the short, medium and long terms for the animal nutrition market and we are committed to the success of our customers, including farmers and feed millers. The first day of the new year also marks the anniversary of several milestone moments in history. See how many of these firsts on the First events you know with this short, fun quiz. 1. What year was the first to be welcomed with a ball dropped in New Yorks Times Square on New Years Eve? A: 1901 B: 1908 C: 1928 D: 1931 Answer: B The first giant ball was made of iron and wood and contained 100 25-watt light bulbs. Jacob Starr, a young immigrant metalworker, built it. His company created most of the ceremonial balls for the rest of the 20th century. 2. Ellis Island opened its doors to immigrants on Jan. 1, 1892. The very first immigrant processed there was from what country? A: Germany B: Italy C: Ireland D: Russia Answer: C Seventeen-year-old Annie Moore and her two younger brothers had just arrived from County Cork. When Ellis Island closed in 1952, approximately 12 million immigrants had followed in their footsteps. 3. This landmark officially became a federal penitentiary on January 1, 1934. Where was it located? A: Atlanta, Georgia B: Fort Leavenworth, Kansas C: Alcatraz Island, California D: Ossining, New York Answer: C Nicknamed The Rock, its famous inmates included Al Capone and George Machine Gun Kelly. Located on a small island in San Francisco Bay, it closed in 1963. 4. Already a monarch, Britains Queen Victoria got a new royal title on January 1, 1877, when she was officially proclaimed what? A. Defender of the Faith B: Queen of Canada C: Empress of India D: Sovereign of Ireland Answer: C India had been under British government control for nearly two decades. Parliament had passed a measure eight months earlier, creating the title to cement the nation to the British Empire. While Victoria spent a quiet New Year's Day at Windsor Castle, thousands of Indians participated in a lavish ceremony in Delhi. 5. In a major public health first in the United States, what took effect on January 1, 1971? A: Minors could not buy beer B: Marijuana was declared an illegal substance C: Childhood vaccinations became mandatory D: Cigarette commercials were banned on TV and radio Answer: D Legislation authorizing the ban had been signed into law on April 1, 1970, by President Richard Nixon, who occasionally smoked a cigar with White House guests. 6. On January 1, 1902, a New Years Day tradition commenced that continues to this day. What was it? A: The Polar Plunge B: Chicagos New Years Day Parade C: The Winter Olympic Games D: The Rose Bowl Answer: D Originally called the Tournament East-West Game, some 8,500 people showed up to watch Michigan shut out Stanford 49-0. MEXICO CITY Once nearly impenetrable for migrants heading north from Latin America, the jungle between Colombia and Panama this past year became a speedy but still treacherous highway for hundreds of thousands of people from around the world. Driven by economic crises, government repression and violence, migrants from China to Haiti decided to risk three days of deep mud, rushing rivers and bandits. Enterprising locals offered guides and porters, set up campsites and sold supplies to migrants, using color-coded wristbands to track who had paid for what. Enabled by social media and Colombian organized crime, more than 506,000 migrants nearly two-thirds Venezuelans had crossed the Darien jungle by mid-December, double the 248,000 who set a record the previous year. Before last year, the record was barely 30,000 in 2016. Dana Graber Ladek, the Mexico chief for the United Nation's International Organization for Migration, said migration flows through the region this year were "historic numbers that we have never seen." It wasn't only in Latin America. The number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean or the Atlantic on small boats to reach Europe this year has surged. More than 250,000 irregular arrivals were registered in 2023, according to the European Commission. A significant increase from recent years, the number remains well below levels seen in the 2015 refugee crisis, when more than 1 million people landed in Europe, most fleeing wars in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere. Still, the rise has fed anti-migrant sentiment and laid the groundwork for tougher legislation. In December, the British government announced tough new immigration rules aimed at reducing the number of people able to move to the U.K. each year by hundreds of thousands. Authorized immigration to the U.K. set a record in 2022 with nearly 750,000. A week later, French opposition lawmakers rejected an immigration bill from President Emmanuel Macron without even debating it. It had been intended to make it easier for France to expel foreigners considered undesirable. Far-right politicians alleged the bill would have increased the number of migrants coming to the country, while migrant advocates said it threatened the rights of asylum-seekers. In Washington, the debate has shifted from efforts early in the year to open new legal pathways largely toward measures to keep migrants out as Republicans try to take advantage of the Biden administration's push for more aid to Ukraine to tighten the U.S. southern border. The U.S. started the year opening limited spaces to Venezuelans as well as Cubans, Nicaraguans and Haitians in January to enter legally for two years with a sponsor, while expelling those who didn't qualify to Mexico. Their numbers dropped somewhat for a time before climbing again with renewed vigor. Venezuelan Alexander Mercado had only been back in his country for a month after losing his job in Peru before he and his partner decided to set off for the United States with their infant son. Venezuela's minimum wage was the equivalent of about $4 a month then, while 2.2 pounds of beef was about $5, said Angelis Flores, his 28-year-old wife. "Imagine how someone with a salary of $4 a month survives," she said. Mercado, 27, and Flores were already on their way when in September the U.S. announced it was granting temporary legal status to more than 470,000 Venezuelans already in the country. Weeks later, the Biden administration said it was resuming deportation flights to the South American nation. Mercado and Flores hiked the well-trod trail through the jungle, managing to push through in three days. Flores and their son, in particular, got very sick. She believes they were infected by the contaminated water they drank along the way. "There was a body in the middle of river and the 'zamuros', those black birds, were eating it and picking it apart all of that was running in the river," she said. For Mercado and Flores, the journey accelerated once they left the jungle. In October, Panama and Costa Rica announced a deal to speed migrants across their countries. Panama bused migrants to a center in Costa Rica where they were held until they could buy a bus ticket to Nicaragua. Nicaragua also seemed to opt for speeding migrants through its territory. Mercado said they crossed on buses in a day. After discovering that Nicaragua had lax visa requirements, Cubans and Haitians poured into Nicaragua on charter flights, purchasing roundtrip tickets they never intended. Citizens of African nations made circuitous series of connecting flights through Africa, Europe and Latin America to arrive in Managua to start travelling overland toward the United States, avoiding the Darien. In Honduras, Mercado and Flores were given a pass from authorities allowing them five days to transit the country. Adam Isacson, an analyst tracking migration at the Washington Office on Latin America, said that Panama, Costa Rica and Honduras grant migrants legal status while they're transiting the countries, which have limited resources, and by letting migrants pass legally the countries make them less vulnerable to extortion from authorities and smugglers. Then there are Guatemala and Mexico, which Isacson called the "we're-going-to-make-a-show-of-blocking-you countries" attempting to score points with the U.S. government. For many that has meant spending money to hire smugglers to cross Guatemala and Mexico, or exposing themselves to repeated extortion attempts. Mercado didn't hire a smuggler and paid the price. It was "very difficult to get through Guatemala," he said. "The police kept taking money." But that was just a taste of what was to come. Standing outside a Mexico City shelter with their son on a recent afternoon, Flores recounted all of the countries they had traversed. "But they don't rob you as much, extort you as much, send you back like when you arrive here to Mexico," she said. "Here the real nightmare starts, because as soon as you enter they start taking a lot of your money." Mexico's immigration system was thrown into chaos on March 27, when migrants held in a detention center in the border city Juarez, across from El Paso, Texas, set mattresses on fire inside their cell in apparent protest. The highly flammable foam mattresses filled the cell with thick smoke in an instant. Guards did not open the cell and 40 migrants died. The immigration agency's director was among several officials charged with crimes ranging from negligence to homicide. The agency closed 33 of its smaller detention centers while it conducted a review. Unable to detain many migrants, Mexico instead circulated them around the country, using brief, repeat detentions, each an opportunity for extortion, said Gretchen Kuhner, director of IMUMI, a nongovernmental legal services organization. Advocates called it the "politica de desgaste" or wearing down policy. Mercado and Flores made it all the way to Matamoros, across the border from Brownsville, Texas, where they were detained, held for a night in an immigration facility in the border city of Reynosa and then flown the next morning 650 miles south to Villahermosa. There they were released, but without their cell phones, shoelaces and money. Mercado had to wait for his brother to send $100 so they could start trying to make their way back to Mexico City through an indirect route that required them to travel by truck, motorbike and even horse. In late November, they had just made it back to Mexico City again. This time Mercado was unequivocal: They would not leave Mexico City until the U.S. government gave them an appointment to request asylum at a border port of entry. "It is really hard to make it back here again," he said. "If they manage to send me back again I don't know what I would do." 2023 in photos: Europes year of upheaval, transformation President Yoon Suk Yeol said Monday that South Korea and the United States will complete a strengthened "extended deterrence" regime in the first half of 2024 to seal off North Korea's nuclear and missile threats at their source. Yoon made the remark in a New Year's Day address as he stressed his commitment to building a "genuine and lasting peace" through strength. "By the first half of this year, we will complete the enhanced South Korea-U.S. extended deterrence system to fundamentally deter any North Korean nuclear and missile threats," he said from the presidential office. "Strong security will underpin free economic activities. It will allow the people to carry out their daily lives without fear." Extended deterrence refers to the U.S. commitment to defending an ally with all of its military capabilities, including nuclear weapons. Under the Yoon administration, Seoul and Washington have stepped up cooperation on nuclear planning and operations to better counter North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats. During the second meeting of the allies' Nuclear Consultative Group in December 2023, the two sides agreed to complete a set of guidelines for a shared nuclear strategy by the middle of 2024. North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile days later, with leader Kim Jong-un saying the launch showed what option he would take "when Washington makes a wrong decision." Yoon devoted a large portion of his address to economic issues, saying the past year was difficult for many people as high interest rates, high inflation and high oil prices hampered the nation's economic recovery. "We will make this year one that energizes your daily lives," he said. "The warmth of economic achievement and recovery will reach every corner of our society." In particular, Yoon promised to increase the supply of urban housing so that people will not have to move to city outskirts in search of new homes. "We will expedite redevelopment and reconstruction projects by reviewing their procedures from scratch," he said. "We will also expand the supply of small units suitable for one- or two-person households." Yoon also vowed to continue his push for deregulation to spur more investment by businesses and thoroughly support cutting-edge industries to encourage business creativity and innovation. He reaffirmed his commitment to driving out "cartels with vested interests," a reference to corruption among public officials and various interest groups, and delivering results in the top three reform areas of labor, education and pensions. "Labor reforms start with the rule of law in labor-management relations," he said. "Law abiding labor movements will be fully guaranteed. However, illegal activities whether arising from labor unions or management will be sternly dealt with." Yoon also noted the urgency of tackling the country's low birth rate. "There is not much time left," he said. "We need a completely different approach as we look for the causes and find solutions to the problem." (Yonhap) Wyomings state Code of the West says Be tough, but fair. Using falsehoods to try to pass legislation violates that code. Here are facts about the $5 billion wind project in Carbon County that was unreasonably cited in a legislators Dec. 22 opinion column about eminent domain reform. No part of this wind power project, and no part of the interregional transmission line that it will use, relied on eminent domain in Wyoming. No part of either project has been subsidized by any Wyoming state taxpayer. All development to date has been funded with private capital. The Wyoming Legislature passed legislation in 2004 that called for development of new electric generation and transmission projects to diversify and expand the Wyoming economy and found that doing so is in the public interest of the citizens of this state. To that point, the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources conducted an economic study called Measuring the Economic Impacts of Wind Projects in Wyoming, published in June 2022. According to the study, one 500 MW Wyoming wind project: can contribute over $7M annually in sales tax, generation tax, and property tax. Taken together, this tax revenue will benefit local schools, health systems, senior citizens, and many other aspects of Wyoming counties and communities. Further, wind power plants pay land leases and fees for the use of federal, state, and private land. Income received by private landowners creates ripple effects in the economy (and) Fees from leases of state land contribute to Wyomings fiscal revenue. we note that they create economic benefits to the region beyond what is discussed in the report. Our wind project is seven times the size of the project modeled by UW. Applying the same model, our wind project thus would contribute seven times these annual benefits. For decades, Wyomings agricultural and energy businesses have exported the vast majority of their products to out-state markets, creating in-state prosperity. We ride for the brand and aim to help Wyoming further its reputation as the best source of affordable, reliable mineral and non-mineral energy resources including the resource of wind-generated electricity. Sincerely, ENERGY Minister Stuart Young has taken umbrage at comments made by Ronald Harford, former chairman of Republic Financial Holdings Ltd, as he boasted about the success of the energy sector. Young said whenever somebody becomes a former, their mouth gets big, as he quoted from an article in Fridays Express report where Harford made critical comments. A new camera system is being installed along this countrys roadways with the aim of tackling traffic congestion and reducing the countrys crime. This was said yesterday by Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan, who spoke with the media at the intersection of the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway and Golden Grove Road in Piarco. With ten people murdered between Thursday and Saturday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley took to Facebook yesterday to assure citizens that State agencies will not give up the fight to rid our streets and other places of the evil that is now widespread as a gun culture in Trinidad and Tobago. And in a voice note to the media, Commissioner of Police Erla Christopher said, We are determined to dismantle criminal gangs and make a difference in transforming impacted communities. A 26-year-old man died after being stabbed during a domestic violence-related fight, Tucson police say. Randy Allen was stabbed during a fight with a 24-year-old woman about 2:30 a.m. Saturday in the 5400 block of East William Boulevard, Tucson police said in a news release. The area is near East Broadway and South Craycroft Road. Details about the fight were not released by police. However, the pair were arguing when the the verbal altercation turned physical, and during the physical altercation, Mr. Allen sustained a fatal injury, the release said. Allen died at the hospital soon after the stabbing, the release said. Police say that while the investigation continues, the unidentified woman has not been accused of a crime. The Arizona Daily Star published this column on April 2, 2017. We are reprinting it now as the holiday honoring the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., the slain civil rights leader, will be observed this month, on Monday, Jan. 15. Longtime Tucsonans have shared rich but little-known memories of Martin Luther King Jr.s visits to the Old Pueblo. Kings connection to Tucson likely began in July 1956 while he was in the midst of leading the Montgomery, Alabama, bus boycott. Mary Jeffries (later Mary Jeffries Bruce), director of Tucsons then-prominent Sunday Evening Forum, is believed to have sent a telegram to King asking him to come and speak. Jeffries had begun the Sunday Evening Forum as a Sunday discussion group for young adults in 1940, at the old University Methodist Church, now Catalina United Methodist Church. Two years later, the group had become so large that it moved to the churchs auditorium and was opened to the public. Soon it began to draw individuals of national prominence, including some who wintered in Tucson. In 1947, the Sunday Evening Forum moved to the Tucson High School auditorium, and then around 1950, to the University of Arizona auditorium, now called Centennial Hall. The correspondence between Jeffries and King continued through 1957 and 1958 with Jeffries sending letters, individual programs and the 1957-58 Preview of Programs for the forum which included a visit by Sen. John F. Kennedy hoping to interest the civil rights leader into taking a trip to Tucson. By May 1958, it is believed that King had agreed to speak in Tucson on March 15 the following year. His plans soon changed, though, when on Sept. 20, 1958, while at a book signing in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City for his recently published Stride Toward Freedom, he was stabbed by a black woman named Izola Curry, very close to the heart, with a seven-inch steel letter opener. While he survived the attempted murder and the assailant was put in a mental institution, the attack would change many of his plans as he recovered and recommitted himself to his nonviolent approach to bringing social change. On Feb. 25, 1959, Jeffries announced in the newspaper that King had canceled his March 15 speaking engagement but rescheduled for later in the year. On Sept. 20, 1959, after he delivered a sermon at the Second Baptist Church in Los Angeles, King flew to Tucson and was picked up by a member of the host committee to speak at the Sunday Evening Forum. His talk was co-sponsored by the Tucson Council of Churches, the Tucson NAACP and the Tucson Council for Civic Unity and was considered quite controversial at the time because of his views on race. Robert L. Nugent, university vice president, introduced Dr. King to the capacity crowd in the auditorium, which was filled with mostly activists and members of the university community. The speech was titled A Great Time To Be Alive a fitting theme on the one-year anniversary, to the day, of the attempted assassination in Harlem. King spoke to the ideals of using nonviolent methods in creating social change. He put into words his belief that one must not use force in this struggle but match the violence of his opponents with his suffering. He warned that the U.S. faced a difficult challenge to achieve racial integration but predicted that within five years much of the mass resistance of the time would be gone and that within 15 years most legal restrictions would be taken away in the states. He emphasized to the crowd that the final period would arrive with integration, our ultimate aim. Segregation is a festering sore, a cancer, he told the UA crowd. It stifles the soul of the nation. We are not looking for an advantage, which would keep the same old problem black supremacy would be as bad as white supremacy but we seek equality of all races. We are not seeking racial equality just to combat Communism, but because such equality is right. Jacque (Barnes) Price, then a child, recalls her mother, Mrs. Freddie Barnes, taking her and her brother to see King at the auditorium. I remember attending, listening and being impressed with this black man, preacher and leader, she shared in a recent email interview with the Star. When King finished speaking, she led us to the front to meet this man and to request his autograph. She saw what potential and promise in him that we, as children, may not have realized. Rev. Casper Glenn, now 95 years old, was pastor of Tucsons Southside Presbyterian Church at the time of Kings visit. He attended the speech and was introduced to King by Jeffries at a reception afterward, in which Jeffries mentioned that Glenn was the pastor of a multiracial church. King became keenly interested in this church and made arrangements to visit it. The following day, in the morning, Glenn picked up King, in his 1958 Plymouth station wagon, in front of the Pioneer Hotel on Stone Avenue. Brother Glenn, as King referred to him during their time together, drove King to Southside Presbyterian, on West 23rd Street, where he showed him photos he had taken of the racially mixed congregation, whose majority at the time was Native American, especially Papago (Tohono Oodham) Indians. Glenn remembers that upon seeing the photos, King said he had never been on an Indian reservation, nor had he ever had a chance to get to know any Indians. On the spur of the moment, he asked to be taken to the nearby reservation, Glenn related in an exclusive interview last week with the Star. The two traveled on Ajo Way to Sells, on what was then called the Papago Indian Reservation. During the drive, Glenn recalls King telling him of his future plans of going into Birmingham, Alabama, to protest segregation there. Glenn expressed his distaste for the idea, calling Eugene Bull Connor, the public safety commissioner of Birmingham who was in charge of the police and fire department, a raging beast. King scolded Glenn, saying You shouldnt call him that and asked Glenn to pull over so he could pray for God to change Connors heart in regards to segregation. Several times during the trip the deeply religious King repeated the phrase, I just want to do Gods will. When the two ministers arrived at the tribal council office, the tribal leaders, including chairman Enos Francisco Sr., police chief George Norris, Henry Throssell and other people there, were surprised to see a man they knew of and felt very honored to meet. Francisco brought sodas and chuchuma (bread similar to tortillas) out for their guests to enjoy. King seemed as anxious to talk to them as they were to him. King was very careful with his questions, Glenn recalled, and seemed to not want to be embarrassed by his lack of understanding of their tribal heritage. He was fascinated by everything that they shared with him, Glenn said. The pair then visited the Presbyterian church in Sells, which had recently been built from funds provided by the national Presbyterian church, though much of the construction was done by church members. The pastor was white; Pastor Paul Townsend was his name. He was thrilled to meet King, and King asked him a few questions about his ministry, Glenn said. While on the way back from the reservation, King expressed his appreciation of getting to meet the Indians. When they arrived in Tucson they went directly to the airport, since King said he had to dictate some letters to his secretary in Alabama. According to Glenn, King left Tucson around 4 p.m. When King made his second visit to the Old Pueblo, in 1962, Cressworth Lander, a local activist, met him at the airport. Lander recalled in an interview with the Star in 2003: There was a major civil rights movement going on in Tucson. A lot of things were happening with the desegregation of all eating establishments. On March 11, 1962, King preached Pauls Letter to the American Christians at 11 a.m. at the Catalina (United) Methodist Church. David Yetman, later a Pima County supervisor and the host of the PBS shows The Desert Speaks and In the Americas with David Yetman, was a member of the choir at the church, along with his friend Bill Broyles, at the time. After the choir sang that morning, the two of them quickly went down to the front pew of the filled church auditorium to listen to Kings sermon. Yetman was a junior at the University of Arizona and familiar with Kings work, having read his book Stride Toward Freedom. He remembers King expressed his thoughts about racial injustice in the country in such a manner that it was uncomfortable for many people, because what he spoke about was so clear to many. Following Kings sermon, he attended the normal luncheon at the Fellowship Hall at the church. The minister, Dr. Hayden Sears, then asked Yetman to drive King back to the Santa Rita Hotel, where he was staying. Yetman recalls that during the drive he attempted to sound very intelligent but believes he sounded more like a babbling idiot. He remembers one question worth Kings time What would you recommend for someone of my age and skin color to do in regards to civil rights? but doesnt remember Kings exact answer, although he notes it was likely a logical response. Yetman, to this day, holds Dr. Sears in high regard for having King speak at his house of worship, at a time when King was being falsely accused of being a communist by those who disliked or wanted to discredit him. Sears faced discontent among some of his own parishioners and as well as those of other churches in town. Some local media also opposed Sears allowing King to speak there. Next in his schedule that day, King visited the Tucson Press Club Forum. That night, at 8 p.m., King was again on the stage of the UA auditorium, ready to share his topic Stride Toward Freedom. He was presented to the packed house by Francis A. Roy, UA liberal arts dean. Kings oration covered both the success and lack of success by the civil rights movement up until that time. King stated that the policy of non-violent direct action, such as the lunch counter sit-ins and freedom rides, had opened 150 eating establishments to blacks in the Deep South. But he talked about apathy among members of his race when it came to voting. We must place emphasis on voter registration, he said. There were about 5 million blacks in the South at the time, and only about 1.3 million were registered voters. King also said he was submitting a second emancipation proclamation, aimed at abolishing discrimination in housing, education and employment, to President Kennedy. He declared that its issuance would be a great step forward on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the first Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Following the forum, King was honored with a reception at the Student Union Building hosted by the local chapter of the NAACP. He left the next day and is not known to have returned to Tucson. Two days later, Jeffries sent King a check for $1,000 for his speaking engagement. King sent a thank-you letter saying the money would help in his work in the South. On Jan. 18, 2016, Tucson celebrated Kings birthday by renaming a street at the UA Tech Park at The Bridges, south of 36th Street near Kino Parkway, as M L King Jr. Way. YUMA Cristina Yanez was filled with hope as she drove to Mexicali, Mexico, on a hot summer day to make her dream of having a family a reality. Yanez and her husband, Alex, spent eight years trying to conceive a child, but they were always met with disappointment. After a series of tests were completed, they learned Alex had issues with his sperm. Cristina, a full-time registered nurse, looked into her medical plan and quickly realized that fertility treatments of any type would not be covered. And she learned that fertility treatment in the United States could cost anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000. I was not about to go into debt not knowing that we were not going to be guaranteed a family or children, because its a scary journey, she said. In 2019, a family member told Cristina about a clinic in Mexicali called Dr. Ciguena, which means doctor stork. Yuma, where the couple lives, is about an hours drive from Mexicali, and the Dr. Ciguena clinic there is walking distance from the U.S.-Mexico border. Cristinas parents were born in Mexico, and crossing the border was routine for her. And she never felt skeptical about exploring fertility treatment options in Mexicali because she was ready to have a baby. I was just ready to start. After waiting for so many years I was not hesitant at all, she said. My husband, on the other hand, was very skeptical. He was almost pessimistic about the whole thing and the whole procedure. After so many negative pregnancy tests, he had lost all hope, he felt the procedure would likely fail and they would lose the money they put down, Cristina said. But she kept praying. She scheduled a consultation with Dr. Francisco Javier Estrada Garwood, the director at Dr. Ciguena. The low cost of the consultation less than $50 surprised her. During her visit, Cristina saw other women who were coming to Dr. Ciguena for the same reasons she had made the drive for a chance to have a family. I was able to witness other couples who were going there that were from different cultures: American, white, African Americans that were also there and they were getting services, she said, noting how the staff cared for the patients that are having these issues and problems. After her consultation, Estrada Garwood told Cristina her best chance at having a family would be in vitro fertilization. IVF consists of collecting mature eggs from the ovaries, then fertilizing them with sperm in a laboratory and returning them to the uterus as embryos. While millions of Americans travel to other countries every year for health care, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cautions that people should be careful with medical tourism and do their research. But Cristina, who spent years working as a recovery nurse, said she relied on her medical expertise and asked Estrada Garwood detailed questions about medication and her care. He had really good bedside manners. He knew about his medication. I asked him about the medication, and he was very educated on it, she said. So I knew at that point he knows what hes doing. Cristina was told the procedure, which on average needs about three rounds before it is successful, each round would cost anywhere from $4,000 to $6,000 depending on her medication needs a fraction of what it would cost in the U.S. When Cristina heard the price, she felt it was almost too good to be true. Even though she considered this her last option, she wasnt about to give up hope. I was telling myself, This is going to work, this is going to work, and were going to be more than blessed, she said. One round of IVF costs around $23,474 in the U.S., according to FertilityIQ data. But a 2007 article in the Journal of Health Economics said that, Nationwide, only 25% of health care plans cover fertility treatment, and coverage varies significantly by state. Due to the high out-of-pocket costs needed to cover the treatment, the article said, fertility treatments are often only affordable for a certain demographic: women and couples who are white, college-educated and affluent. For Cristina and Alex, getting the procedure done in the U.S. was not an option financially. But that doesnt mean care in Mexicali was without drawbacks. Each visit took Cristina about six hours driving back and forth from Yuma to Mexicali to prepare her body for the procedure, which can take up to several weeks. At times she felt lonely making the drive by herself because Alex wasnt always able to go.. Every other day Im going back and forth to the clinic. And every day I give myself injections, usually at night in my stomach, she said. Its very stressful because the male just provides his sample and then the rest is the womans part Its not easy. Cristina began treatment in July 2019. Her embryo transfer was completed by Estrada Garwood on Aug. 27. Even then, Cristina said Alex felt it was unlikely the procedure would work. But by Sept. 11, a little over two months into the treatment, Cristina had a positive pregnancy test. I cried. I hadnt seen a positive pregnancy test ever, she said. I felt happy that whole day, just kind of like it was unreal almost, but still happy. She prepared a gift box for Alexs upcoming birthday, with her positive pregnancy test, her injection syringes and baby socks in the box. She said Alex cried tears of happiness when he opened the box. One week later, Cristina and Alex learned she was pregnant with twins. We got lucky and that one embryo split into twins without us knowing or trying anything different. Its just what happened at the hands of God, she said. Estrada Garwood has practiced reproductive medicine for 15 years. With most of Baja Californias fertility clinics in Tijuana, more than two hours away, he saw the need for a clinic in Mexicali. Dr. Ciguena opened in 2014, one of several fertility clinics in the border city. One in six couples has fertility problems. It is something super common, this happens all over the world, everywhere. We have to help the people of this whole area, Estrada Garwood said, referring to the border region of both countries. He said couples come to his clinic from all over the United States, some from as far away as Georgia and Washington, but most from Arizona and California. The Mexicali clinic serves approximately 1,000 families and couples a year, and about 40% of his patients are American, he said. The treatments cost can vary within the U.S.. In Arizona it is twice as expensive as here (in Mexicali). California is three times or even four times more expensive, Estrada Garwood said. About 70% of the women who come to see him are 35 and older, which is when fertility rates decline. Estrada Garwood said infertility has always existed, but his practice continues to grow because womens roles in society have changed. Today women are no longer like our grandmothers, who got pregnant at 16 or 18 years old or our mothers who started to get pregnant at 23 or 24, he said. Now women start to get pregnant at 28 or 30. The new generations are already thinking about getting pregnant at 33 or 34 so they can achieve economic or professional stability or some kind of postgraduate degree. A U.S. Census Bureau analysis of National Center for Health Statistics data between 1990 and 2019 found that while fertility rates fell for women between ages 20 and 29, they increased by more than 67% for women between 35 and 39, and by more than 132% for women between 40 and 44. Estrada Garwood said American patients tell him they have to visit multiple providers and clinics when they are seen by U.S. providers. He said he tries to set his clinic apart from American clinics with the attentive care they provide patients. Estrada Garwood said and his staff, who are bilingual in Spanish and English, have to fight the misperception that Mexico is an unsafe place to visit or get treatment, which he blames on the medias portrayal of Mexico. Our facilities are first-class. All our personnel work with precision and are trained both here in Mexico and abroad, he said. We are highly committed people to our patients in helping them achieve a baby. Cristna gave birth to healthy twin boys in April 2020. The total cost of her care and treatment was around $6,000. She was so pleased with the care she received that she went back to Dr. Ciguena a second time. I felt very comfortable and almost more confident in what I was doing and what was happening. I felt no doubts about anything at all, she said of her second time. She gave birth to her third son in December 2022. They did miracles for us. Our first set of twins was a miracle, she said. Today, Cristina finds joy in being the mother of three young boys. As a nurse, she sees the pitfalls of the health care system every day. I feel like health care should be more accessible and affordable. Although we have the Affordable Care Act, its not affordable and working in health care I see so many patients struggle. Medicine is so expensive, she said. Xi says China ready to join DPRK for greater development in ties Xinhua) 11:24, January 01, 2024 BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday Beijing is ready to work with Pyongyang to ensure that bilateral ties move forward with the times for greater development so as to better benefit the two peoples, and continuously make new contributions to safeguarding regional peace and stability. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Eyes on how many would follow ex-chiefs footsteps By Jun Ji-hye The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is now on the verge of splitting in two ahead of the general elections slated for April, as its current and former leaders headed in their own separate directions from the first day of the New Year after failing to solve an internal feud during their surprise meeting two days ago. On Monday, DPK Chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung visited the grave of late former President Kim Dae-jung at the Seoul National Cemetery and then the grave of former President Roh Moo-hyun at Bongha Village in South Gyeongsang Province. The visit to the graves of the two liberal presidents was seen as Lees apparent attempt to strengthen unity within the party. We will win general elections for sure for this country and the people, Lee said in his New Year message. The DPK will become one that is larger than anything. Former DPK chief Lee Nak-yon, for his part, held a gathering with about 500 people mostly his supporters at Haengju Fortress, a centuries-old fort located in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. During the gathering, Lee, who served as the prime minister during the Moon Jae-in administration, reaffirmed his will to leave the DPK and launch a new political party. I should give a new option to the people other than the existing two-party system, he said. I will change incompetent politics to competent politics, and corrupt politics to clean politics. Conflicts between Lee Jae-myung and Lee Nak-yon became irreparable after the former rejected the latters ultimatum to step down as party chairman and agree to establish a joint interim leadership committee by the end of 2023, during their meeting on Dec. 30. Lee Nak-yon suggested such an ultimatum amid a deepening feud within the main opposition party between a mainstream faction, which supports Lee Jae-myung, and fringe groups. After failing to resolve the feud during the meeting, Lee Nak-yon told reporters, Let me go on my own way then, signaling his intention to leave the party. Lee Nak-yon, according to political watchers, is expected to hold a press conference to declare the establishment of a new party by Thursday at the earliest. His departure is likely to make some DPK members follow suit and join his new party the question is how many. Four incumbent lawmakers who have opposed Lee Jae-myungs leadership, including Rep. Yoon Young-chan, are expected to be among the first to abandon the party. These four, however, are not expected to immediately join Lee Nak-yons new party right after their defection from the DPK. Regarding this, Lee Nak-yon said, Those who are in the same boat should work together, but I know that incumbent lawmakers have a lot to consider before making a decision. It is appropriate to wait for them and support what they want. The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer: Re: the Nov. 6 letter New Congress. A writer, in a recent letter to the editor in the Arizona Daily Star, wrote, I dont understand why some sensible Democrats dont change parties. The Democrats have lost its soul to Biden and the extremists. The opinion closes with Democrats in the House have become a joke . Amused, I thought, Really? I assumed the opinion piece was written as MAGA propaganda to deflect the Republican fiasco in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Republican House removed its Speaker, Kevin McCarthy, in part, due to his negotiations to keep the government funded and functional. Chaos ensued for three weeks with no legislation passed as the Republicans sought, after several tries, to elect a Speaker of the House. Since the election of Speaker Michael Johnson from Louisiana, little legislation has passed. Sensible Democrats should leave the party? Really? News organizations report memory gaffes of the MAGA lord, ex-president Trump, and his threats to transform the United States from a democratic institution into an autocracy. On Oct. 29, ex-president Trump blurted out to his audience, A very big hello to a place where weve done very well Sioux Falls! Brief confusion occurred when an official told him that he was in Sioux City, Iowa rather than Sioux Falls, South Dakota. At an Oct. 23 rally, ex-president Trump told the crowd, The world is exploding, if you take a look, the whole world is exploding, he said. I was very honored theres a man, Viktor Orban, did anyone ever hear of him? He is probably one of the strongest leaders anywhere in the world. He is the leader of Turkey. No one was there to tell him that Orban is the leader of Hungry. So much for making fun of President Biden. Sensible Democrats should leave the party? Really? Lately, in conjunction with Republican sycophants, ex-president Trump is developing policies and executive orders, as described in speeches, to change the nature of government if he is elected. The Los Angeles Times, CBS News, Washington Post, etc., report plans to weaponize the Justice Department in order to seek revenge on political opponents, initiate the use of the Insurrection Act against protesters, and strategies to gut the Civil Service and fill those positions with sycophants. Sensible Democrats should leave the party? Really? Recently, several House Republicans have announced their retirement. The most strident of them, Colorado Rep. Ken Buck, criticized his fellow Republicans as Lying to America about election denialism. Republican dysfunction. Democrats have lost their souls to Biden and the extremists. Really? I dont think so. Perhaps it is the Republican party that has lost its soul! When you gaze at an expanded map of the Middle East, from Morocco east to Pakistan, you will notice how tiny Israel is and that it is surrounded by Muslim countries. Israel is a democratic country in an anti-democratic, illiberal region. It has the Mediterranean on one side and Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt on the other three sides. Iran, Iraq, Yemen and Libya are close by. Iran's proxy, Hammas, launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7. This included hostages, unrestrained violence and the use of human shields. Israel has successfully resisted many attacks during the last 75 years. If they fail to do so in this attack, or in a future one, the Jewish people will be driven out of the Middle East and disbursed to dwellings all over the world. I can't understand why the U.S. isn't 100% on the side of Israel. KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia In a bedroom in Malaysia that has become a prison, the 14-year-old girl wipes away tears as she sits cross-legged on the concrete floor. It is here, she says, where her 35-year-old husband rapes her nearly every night. Last year, the Rohingya girl sacrificed herself to save her family, embarking on a terrifying journey from her homeland of Myanmar to a country she had never seen, to marry a man she had never met. It wasnt her choice. But her family, she says, was impoverished, hungry and terrified of Myanmars military, which attacked the countrys Rohingya Muslim minority in 2017. In desperation, a neighbor found a man in Malaysia who would pay the 18,000 ringgit ($3,800) fee for the girls passage and after she married him send money to her family for food. And so, the teenager identified along with all the girls in this story by her first initial to protect her from retaliation hugged her parents goodbye. Then M climbed into a traffickers car packed with children. Deteriorating conditions in Myanmar and in neighboring Bangladeshs refugee camps are driving scores of underage Rohingya girls to Malaysia for arranged marriages with Rohingya men who frequently abuse them, The Associated Press found in interviews with 12 young Rohingya brides who have arrived in Malaysia since 2022. The youngest was 13. All the girls interviewed by the AP said their controlling husbands rarely let them outside. Several said they were beaten and raped during the journey to Malaysia, and five said they were abused by their husbands. Half the girls are pregnant or have babies, despite most saying they were not prepared for motherhood. This was my only way out, says 16-year-old F, who in 2017 watched as Myanmars soldiers burned her house and killed her aunt. I wasnt ready to be married, but I didnt have a choice. These unwanted marriages are the latest atrocity bestowed upon Rohingya girls: from childhoods marred by violence to attacks where security forces systematically raped them to years of hunger in Bangladeshs squalid refugee camps. Global apathy toward the Rohingya crisis and strict migration policies have left these girls with almost no options. The military that attacked the Rohingya overthrew Myanmars government in 2021, making any return home a life-threatening proposition. Bangladesh has refused to grant citizenship or working rights to the million stateless Rohingya languishing in its camps. And no country is offering large-scale resettlement opportunities. And so the Rohingya are increasingly fleeing and those who are fleeing are increasingly female. During the 2015 Andaman Sea boat crisis, in which thousands of Rohingya refugees were stranded at sea, the vast majority of passengers were men. This year, more than 60% of the Rohingya who have survived the Andaman crossing have been women and children, according to the United Nations refugee agency. In Bangladesh, Save the Children says child marriage is one of the agencys most reported worries among camp residents. We are seeing a rise in cases of child trafficking, says Shaheen Chughtai, Save the Childrens Regional Advocacy and Campaigns Director for Asia. Girls are more vulnerable to this, and often this is linked to being married off in different territories. Accurate statistics on how many Rohingya child brides live in Malaysia dont exist. But advocates who work with the girls say they have seen a spike in arrivals over the past two years. There are really a lot of Rohingyas coming in to get married, says Nasha Nik, executive director of the Rohingya Women Development Network, which has worked with hundreds of child brides in recent years. Malaysia is not a signatory to the United Nations refugee convention, so the girls who enter the country without permission are less likely to report their assaults to authorities. Doing so could put them at risk of being thrown into one of Malaysias detention centers, which have long been plagued by reports of abuse. M didnt even know her future husbands name when she climbed into the traffickers car alongside several other girls headed to Malaysia for marriage. For a week, they traveled through Myanmar and Thailand. After crossing into Malaysia, they stopped at a house. Four of the traffickers friends arrived and each selected a girl. The man who chose M who looked to be around 50 drove her to another house. When they got inside, she says, he raped her. In the morning, he locked her in the bedroom and left her there all day with no water or food. The next night, he returned and raped her again. She was terrified he would kill her. M was then handed over to another man who drove her to her fiances apartment. She didnt dare tell her fiance shed been raped, because then he would reject her. Her fiance insisted they get married that day. She learned he was already married with two children. She had no power to object to the situation, or to the beatings, cruel taunts and rapes she regularly endures. She said nothing about the abuse to her parents, lest her husband stop sending them 300 ringgit ($64) a month. She sits now in her bedroom, her thin frame cloaked in teddy bear pajamas. Dangling from the ceiling is a rope designed to hold a hammock for any babies her husband forces her to bear. She once dreamed of going to school and becoming a teacher or a doctor. But she has stopped thinking of her future. For now, she just tries to survive her present. I want to go back home, but I cant, she says. I feel trapped. What's behind the 62% jump in human trafficking offenses? What's behind the 62% jump in human trafficking offenses? Referrals, prosecutions, and convictions Prior conviction status of offenders State prison admissions Local businesses and administrative officials recently convened to address escalating concerns about the substantial accumulation of plastic waste on beaches in south-central Vietnam, posing a threat to the local tourism industry. On December 27, the Peoples Committee of Phu Yen met with enterprises and investors to discuss post-pandemic economic recovery in the south-central Vietnamese province. Amongst the topics discussed, the issue of plastic pollution on the coast stood out as a top concern. During the meeting, foreign-invested tourism enterprises, in particular, seized the opportunity to underscore the widespread dissatisfaction among tourists in Phu Yen due to the significant volume of plastic waste in local waters. According to a representative from Zannier Hotels Bai San Ho, a luxury resort in Phu Yens Song Cau Town, the provinces strategic policy to promote sustainable and green tourism development false short of local needs, particularly during the peak tourism season between March and August when pollution issues are exacerbated. A representative from Zannier Hotels Bai San Ho raises the issue of waste in the sea causing negative effects on tourists in Phu Yen Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Hoang / Tuoi Tre The representative cited a specific instance in which a foreign tourist, while swimming near a local beach, lodged a complaint about the water being inundated with household plastic waste. Tran Van Huy, the chairman of the People's Committee of Song Cau Town, clarified that Zannier Hotels Bai San Ho is located in an isolated area bordering the East Vietnam Sea, rather than within a residential community. Therefore, it is probable that a significant portion of the waste in the area was discarded by boats and ships. Huy noted that the Song Cau authority has proposed a project to collect plastic waste from the sea, especially in Xuan Dai Bay and Cu Mong Lagoon, where farmers raise aquatic products in floating fish cages. The Phu Yen Department of Natural Resources and Environment is awaiting approval for the project from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Le Tan Ho, permanent vice-chairman of the Phu Yen People's Committee, acknowledged that sea pollution is an urgent problem, posing a challenge not only to Phu Yen but also to the entire nation. He stressed the urgency of finding solutions, particularly in anticipation of the peak tourism season and windy periods, as these factors have a detrimental impact on the overall experience for tourists. Ta Anh Tuan, chairman of the Phu Yen Peoples Committee, was committed to creating favorable conditions for enterprises to operate in the province. He shared that the success of enterprises and investors is also the success of Phu Yen. The provincial Peoples Committee ensures a smooth and convenient environment for enterprises and investors involved in investment, production, and businesses, said Tuan. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Bamboo Airways and Pacific Airlines began their ground handling partnership after flight QH202 operated on the Ho Chi Minh City-Hanoi route on Monday became the first Bamboo flight to use ground services provided by Pacific Airlines. Bamboo Airways general director Luong Hoai Nam and Pacific Airlines acting general director Nguyen Anh Dung were present at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City at 5:00 am on Monday to check on the operations of the flight, which carried hundreds of passengers. Pacific Airlines has replaced Saigon Ground Services JSC (SAGS) as the new provider of ground services for Bamboo. Pacific Airlines is one of the few Vietnamese carriers that are allowed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam to concurrently operate flights and offer ground handling services. It operates three ground handling centers at three major Vietnamese international airports, including Noi Bai in Hanoi, Da Nang in the namesake city, and Tan Son Nhat. Bamboo Airways general director Luong Hoai Nam inspects ground services provided by Pacific Airlines. Photo: Cong Trung / Tuoi Tre Nam explained that the partnership between Bamboo and Pacific was an inevitable development, given the shared similarities between both carriers in the process of restructuring their fleets. He told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the partnership is likely to endure for an extended period. Meanwhile, Dung emphasized that the collaboration was anticipated to optimize resources on both sides and provide Pacific with an opportunity to showcase its proficiency in delivering ground handling services. The five-year business partnership between Bamboo Airways and SAGS was scheduled to come to an end on Monday, due to issues possibly linked to overdue debts. SAGS, a subsidiary of the Airports Corporation of Vietnam, began providing all ground services to Bamboo at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang International Airport in Da Nang City, and Cam Ranh International Airport in south-central Khanh Hoa Province when Bamboo launched its maiden commercial flight in January 2019. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The world welcomed 2024 with a mix of celebration and somber reflection. Sydney sparkled under a shower of silver and gold fireworks commemorating the 50th anniversary of its iconic Opera House, while the mood in Gaza remained bleak, with residents more concerned with survival. In Europe, Denmark's Queen Margrethe II announced her abdication after over half a century on the throne. Here's how places and people around the world bid farewell to 2023 and welcomed the New Year. AUSTRALIA - Sydney hailed 2024 with a dazzling fireworks display featuring silver and gold pyrotechnics to mark the 50th anniversary of its famous Opera House. DENMARK - Denmark's Queen Margrethe II used her annual New Year's speech on Sunday to announce that she will abdicate on January 14 after 52 years on the throne and will be succeeded by her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik. RUSSIA - Russian President Vladimir Putin, facing an election in March, made only passing reference in his New Year address on Sunday to Russia's attack on Ukraine, hailing his soldiers as heroes but mostly emphasising unity and shared determination. CHINA - China President Xi Jinping, speaking on Sunday in a televised speech to mark the New Year, said the country will consolidate and enhance the positive trend of its economic recovery in 2024, and sustain long-term economic development with deeper reforms. NORTH KOREA - 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 Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed to further develop relationship of cooperation between the two countries in New Year messages exchanged on Monday, South Korea's Yonhap news reported, citing North Korea's state radio. THE VATICAN - At his Sunday prayers, Pope Francis said: "I wish everyone a peaceful end of the year, and please do not forget to pray for me". FRANCE - French President Emmanuel Macron in a televised address ahead of New Year celebrations said 2024 would be "the year of our French pride" marked by the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games and the reopening of Notre-Dame cathedral after a devastating fire. GERMANY - Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in his traditional year-end address that 2023 held "so much suffering and bloodshed," but promised "we in Germany will get through this." Police on Sunday detained three more suspects in an alleged Islamist plot to attack Germany's famed Cologne Cathedral on New Year's Eve. The alleged attackers had planned to use a car to attack the 800-year-old Gothic cathedral, Cologne police said. BRITAIN - London ushered in the New Year with the bongs of Westminster tower's Big Ben bell, fireworks and a display of news highlights that featured King Charles' coronation. UNITED STATES - In New York, tens of thousands of revelers are gathered in Manhattan's Times Square to wait for the lighted ball to drop at midnight, after scheduled performances by musicians including Megan Thee Stallion and LL Cool J. Fireworks explode over the Central Park during the New Year's Eve celebrations in Nairobi, Kenya, December 31, 2023. Photo: Reuters Fireworks explode over the Belgrade Waterfront project during the New Year celebrations in Belgrade, Serbia, January 1, 2024. Photo: Reuters Fireworks light up the sky over Edinburgh Castle and the Balmoral Clock to mark the New Year, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain January 1, 2024. Photo: Reuters An image is projected onto the Arc de Triomphe to celebrate the entry into the Olympic year, during the New Year's celebrations on the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris, France, December 31, 2023. Photo: Reuters Fireworks illuminate Quadriga sculpture atop the Brandenburg Gate, during New Year's Eve celebrations in Berlin, Germany January 1, 2024. Photo: Reuters Fireworks explode over the ancient Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill during New Year's Day celebrations, in Athens, Greece, January 1, 2024. Photo: Reuters People take part in the New Year's Eve celebrations in Palace Square in Saint Petersburg, Russia January 1, 2024. Photo: Reuters A girl holds pigeons in front of the Bolshoi Theatre during the New Year's Eve celebrations in Moscow, Russia December 31, 2023. Photo: Reuters People stroll at the main shopping and pedestrian street of Istiklal on New Year's eve in central Istanbul, Turkey December 31, 2023. Photo: Reuters People celebrate New Year's Eve in Palu, Central Sulawesi province, Indonesia, January 1, 2024. Photo: Reuters Children blow horns during New Year celebrations in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines, December 31, 2023. Photo: Reuters People celebrate New Year's Eve at the Bundaran Hotel Indonesia roundabout in Jakarta, Indonesia, December 31, 2023. Photo: Reuters Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour to celebrate the New Year in Hong Kong. Photo: Reuters Taiwan celebrates the arrival of 2024 with fireworks at Taipei 101 Tower in Taipei, Taiwan. Photo: Reuters Artists perform during the New Year's countdown event at the Shougang Park in Beijing, China December 31, 2023. Photo: Reuters People attend a ceremony to celebrate the new year in Seoul, South Korea, December 31, 2023. Photo: Reuters Fireworks are seen over the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge during New Year's Eve celebrations in Sydney, Australia. Photo: Reuters People look at the first sunrise of the year on the beach in Miura, south of Tokyo, January 1, 2024. Photo: Reuters Read what is in the news in Vietnam today: Society -- Newborns brought joy and excitement to their parents at the transitional moment between the old and new years, landing them among the first babies born in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in 2024. -- On the final day of 2023, numerous tourist destinations throughout Vietnam, such as Ha Giang Province, Hoi An City in central Quang Nam Province, Nha Trang City in south-central Khanh Hoa Province, Vung Tau City in southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, and Ho Chi Minh City, experienced overcrowding as visitors flocked to these popular spots. -- A passenger on the North-South train had a fortunate turn of events when their bag, which held over VND60 million (US$2,472) in cash, a cellphone, and personal documents, was returned to them after accidentally being left in their compartment on Sunday. -- Police in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday said that they urgently arrested three individuals for their leading roles at two restaurants in Binh Tan District, which employed about 150 women for activities involving nudity and the sale of sex. -- Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday said that they broke up a prostitution brokerage racket implicating actresses and beauty queens, one of whom sold sex for up to VND50 million ($2,060) per session. -- The operator of Ho Chi Minh Citys first metro line has been given an extra VND254 billion ($10.4 million) to run the project, the Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways announced on Sunday afternoon. Lifestyle -- Bui Thi Xuan Hanh from northern Ninh Binh Province was crowned Miss Cosmo Vietnam 2023 during the finale held in Da Lat City of the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong on Sunday evening. -- On Sunday, two cruise ships, transporting a total of 3,755 foreign tourists and accompanied by 1,593 crew members, docked at Ha Long International Port in northern Quang Ninh Province, bringing a significant influx of visitors to Ha Long City. -- The Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Council and Peoples Committee headquarters welcomed over 1,000 visitors on Sunday, maintaining their status as the citys most sought-after tourist destination. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Newborns brought joy and excitement to their parents at the transitional moment between the old and new years, landing them among the first babies born in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in 2024. At exactly midnight of the 2024 New Year's Eve, the three babies came into the world through the vaginal delivery at Tu Du Hospital. Phan Xuan Phu, residing in Thu Duc City, under Ho Chi Minh City, said his wife went into labor one hour before New Years Eve and was rushed to the hospital. "My family has been blessed with two daughters, and I am overjoyed to welcome a son as my third child. The safety and health of both my wife and child touched my heart," Phu confided. "I never imagined that our child would be born at such a special time. We now have a new member in our family as we step into the new year." A baby cries at birth on New Years Eve in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre Doan Thi Thanh, a midwife at Tu Du Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, shares the joy of a mother on New Year's Eve. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre Duong Thi Dieu, a midwife at Tu Du Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, says she works on both New Years Eve and Lunar New Years Eve this year. New Years Eve is a special moment to welcome newborns to this world. Therefore, Tu Du Hospital prepared gifts to welcome these special citizens. Le Phi Lam, residing in Thu Duc City, had witnessed his wifes pain for two days before his child made her entrance into the world at exactly 0:00 on Monday. My daughter was born at exactly 0:00, the transition moment between the old year and the new year. This is a big gift for my family," Lam said. I name my daughter Linh Dan. She was born safely in the arms of doctors, so I want to give a big thank you to medical workers at Tu Du for wholeheartedly taking care of my wife and daughter. Linh Dan, who was born at exactly 0:00 on January 1, 2024 in Ho Chi Minh City A newborn who came into the world on New Years Eve in Ho Chi Minh City Phan Xuan Phuc, who was born safely and healthily at midnight on New Years Eve in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre Duong Thi Dieu, a midwife with 20 years of experience at the hospital, emphasized the uniqueness of a baby's birth, especially when they are born at midnight on New Year's Eve. She highlighted that such births are a bit more special, as they occur at the transitional moment between the old and new years. "No matter how many years pass, I firmly believe that every time I hear a baby crying in delivery and operating rooms, it will evoke the emotions of happiness and hope," Dieu said. Tu Du Hospital staff give presents to the families that welcomed new members on New Years Eve in Ho Chi Minh City. Medical workers pose at Tu Du Hospital on their special working day. At the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Hanoi, a newborn named Tran Huu Nghi also made his arrival in the wee hours of Monday. At the time, doctors clapped their hands to congratulate his family. The boy was born naturally and weighed 3.1 kilograms upon delivery. In Hanoi, the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology welcomes some 80 newborns a day, according to Dinh Anh Tuan, head of the maternal and child health department under the Ministry of Health. It welcomed three babies through the vaginal delivery on the 2024 New Years Eve. Dinh Anh Tuan (R), head of the maternal and child health department under the Ministry of Health, gives a present to the family of Tran Huu Nghi, who was born on the 2024 New Years Eve in Hanoi. Photo: Hong Ha / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Many foreign travelers have returned to Vietnam, with some bringing their family members and friends, to explore the country and promote its landscapes and people one more time. Vietnams friendly people and stunning landscapes have brought them back during summer and winter vacations. Hello Vietnam! We are back with our friends, Luc Coene from Belgium said during his second trip to the Southeast Asian country. He paid his first trip to Vietnams Mekong Delta in February 2018, when he explored the land by bicycle. "When I first visited Vietnam, I felt a strong connection to the people, landscapes, and the pristine environment, particularly the warmth and friendliness exhibited by the Vietnamese people in every place I visited," Coene recounted. I had persuaded my friends to explore the north of Vietnam in 2023. We will return to Vietnam to experience other roads by bicycle in 2024. Vietnamese peoples friendliness helps attract Australian tourists back. Peter Malone, a 73-year-old Australian tourist, also visited Vietnam for the second time in 2023. He first came to the country in 2020 and cycled through the Mekong Delta during the trip. In October 2023, he undertook a nearly-800-kilometer journey along the coastal road from Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa Province, located in south-central Vietnam, to central Thua Thien-Hue Province, all on a bicycle. He plans to get back to Vietnam with his family and friends in June this year. After a tour to the Mekong Delta, Katarzyna, a traveler from Poland, shared, I will definitely return to Vietnam in summer 2024 to experience the life of locals and admire the mighty landscapes. A resident of Hoa Binh Province in northern Vietnam welcomes Luc Coene, a Belgian tourist, during his return to Vietnam. Peter Malone (in fourth row), a 73-year-old Australian tourist, has visited Vietnam for the second time with his friends. They conquered a nearly-800-kilometer coastal road in south-central Vietnam by bicycle. Foreign tourists join an artistic program with people in the Thai ethnic group in Thanh Hoa Province, north-central Vietnam. Australian tourists return to Vietnam to explore Hoi An Ancient Town in the namesake city in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam by bicycle. Foreign travelers express excitement as they witness farmers guiding buffaloes into rice fields. A traditional market gathering of people from the Thai ethnic group in Hoa Binh Province, northern Vietnam The captivating landscapes of Vietnam have left a lasting impression on Australian tourists. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Denmarks Queen Margrethe II announced Sunday that she plans to abdicate after 52 years and hand over the throne to her son, Crown Prince Frederik. The queen, who is Europe's longest-reigning living monarch , announced during her New Year's speech that she would step down on Jan. 14, which is the anniversary of her own accession to the throne at age 31 following the death of her father, King Frederik IX. Margrethe, 83, said the back surgery she underwent in early 2023 led to thoughts about the future and when to pass on the responsibilities of the crown to her son. I have decided that now is the right time, she said in her speech. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen paid tribute to her in a statement, offering a heartfelt thank you to Her Majesty the Queen for her lifelong dedication and tireless efforts for the Kingdom. Margrethe is the epitome of Denmark Frederiksens statement read, and throughout the years has put words and feelings into who we are as a people and as a nation. The 6-foot-tall (1.82-meters-tall), chain-smoking Margrethe has been one of the most popular public figures in Denmark, where the monarch's role is largely ceremonial. She often walked the streets of Copenhagen virtually unescorted and won the admiration of Danes for her warm manners and for her talents as a linguist and designer. A keen skier, she was a member of a Danish womens air force unit as a princess, taking part in judo courses and endurance tests in the snow. Margrethe remained tough even as she grew older. In 2011, at age 70, she visited Danish troops in southern Afghanistan wearing a military jumpsuit. As monarch, she crisscrossed the country and regularly visited Greenland and the Faeroe Islands, the two semi-independent territories which are part of the Danish Realm, and was met everywhere by cheering crowds. Denmark has Europes oldest ruling monarchy, which traces its line back to the Viking king Gorm the Old, who died in 958. Although Magrethe is head of state, the Danish Constitution strictly ruled out her involvement in party politics. Yet the queen was clearly well-versed in law and knew the contents of the legislation she was called upon to sign. She received training in French and English from her earliest years, as well as Swedish from her mother. In addition to archaeology, she studied philosophy, political science and economics at universities in Copenhagen, Aarhus and Cambridge along with the London School of Economics and the Sorbonne in Paris. Ever since his birth on May 26, 1968, Frederik Andre Henrik Christian has been the heir to the Danish throne. He is the oldest son of Queen Margrethe and her late French-born husband, Prince Henrik, who died February 2018. Frederik, 55, has a younger brother, Prince Joachim. Since the age of 18, he has served as regent whenever his mother was outside the kingdom and carried out official duties , shaking hands with thousands and receiving foreign dignitaries. The queens announcement made up only a few sentences at the end of her wide-ranging New Years speech which reflected on the turbulence and upheaval in the world amid the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, and the climate crisis. But she also thanked her nation's people for the warmth and hospitality I meet with everywhere in Denmark. While lavishing accolades on the queen, the prime minister also looked to the future. In the new year, Crown Prince Frederik will be proclaimed king. Crown Princess Mary will become queen. The kingdom will have a new regent and a new royal couple," he said in his statement. "We can look forward to all of this in the knowledge that they are ready for the responsibility and the task. (AP) Two European cruise ships with a total of 3,755 international passengers aboard docked at the Ha Long international passenger port in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam on the last day of 2023 to welcome New Years Eve and start their voyage in the country. One of the luxury cruise ships was the Portuguese-flagged cruise liner Vasco Da Gama, which carried 711 travelers, most of them Germans, and 410 crew members to the Ha Long port for the first time on Sunday morning, according to the port authority. The passengers aboard the Vasco De Gama were scheduled to visit the capital city of Hanoi and Hai Phongs Cat Ba Island before returning to Quang Ninh to visit Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The second cruise ship was the Celebrity Solstice from Malta, an island country in the Mediterranean Sea, which hosted 3,044 tourists from different countries, including the UK, the U.S., Canada, China, and others, as well as a crew of 1,183 members. This was the fifth time that this cruise ship had brought international visitors to Ha Long in 2023. Passengers outside the Celebrity Solstice, which brought international travelers for the fifth time to Ha Long City in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam, December 31, 2023. Photo: T. Duong / Tuoi Tre Travelers aboard the Celebrity Solstice were scheduled to tour Ha Long City, enjoy Ha Long Bay from above by hydroplane, and spend nights on tourist boats in the bay. Their itinerary includes a sightseeing trip to Hanoi. VTV News cited Anna De La Torre, an American tourist, as saying that she was happy to visit Ha Long City and experience the bustling atmosphere of the New Year. Menachee, a traveler from Mexico, said he was really impressed with the beauty of Ha Long City, where there are friendly residents and an excellent gastronomy scene. The Quang Ninh Province Department of Tourism held an official welcome ceremony on Monday morning for both ships and offered flowers to the first international visitors to the province on the first day of 2024. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Hoi An City, an internationally famous tourist city in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam, has peerless cultural and ecological landscapes, said Pham Thi Thanh Huong, acting head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Vietnam. During a ceremony on Sunday to announce Hoi An's inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2023, Huong remarked that Hoi An is globally renowned for its heritage complex. She also noted that the citys incomparable cultural and ecological landscapes, along with its cultural resources specifically crafts and folk art handed down through many generations have contributed to making Hoi An an unmissable destination in Vietnam. Hoi An should improve its access to crafts and folk art in order to achieve sustainable socio-economic development targets, while cementing its brand and international reputation, Huong emphasized. A UNESCO representative (C) hands over a decision to recognize Hoi An City in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam as a global creative city to a local official, December 31, 2023. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre UNESCO honored Hoi An as a global creative city of crafts and folk art on Sunday after recognizing the city as a world cultural heritage site in 1999. Hoi An City chairman Nguyen Van Son affirmed that the citys inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network was the recognition of the tremendous efforts of local authorities and residents. Son emphasized that Hoi An values this opportunity and will implement action plans and initiatives aimed at enhancing the living conditions of locals while promoting the city's image on the global stage. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The time-honored Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Council and Peoples Committee headquarters welcomed over 1,000 visitors on Sunday, cementing their status as the citys most sought-after tourist destination. This marks the highest number of visitors to enter the building in a single day since it opened to the public in 2023. In the final two days of 2023, the tour at the headquarters of the Peoples Council and Peoples Committee of Ho Chi Minh City stayed open without a lunch break and extended its hours by an additional 60 minutes in the afternoons to accommodate around 2,500 visitors. After successfully piloting the tour during Reunification Day (April 30) and International Workers Day (May 1) last year, the citys tourism authorities developed tours of the building into a periodic event, establishing it as a unique inner-city tourism attraction. During its eight openings in 2023, the 114-year-old edifice hosted nearly 11,000 visitors completely free of charge, displaying its well-maintained architecture, which boasts a distinct southern French influence. Voted as one of the 100 interesting things to do in Ho Chi Minh City in 2023 by both experts and tourists, the tour has contributed to the vibrancy of inner-city tourism, especially during the New Year holiday. Designed by French architect Femand Gardes, the edifice, considered one of the citys classic architectural structures, was built in 1898 and completed in 1909. During the French colonial period, the building was called Dinh Xa Tay. Before 1975, the year when Vietnam was reunified, it was named Saigon City Hall and hosted the offices of government officials and high-level meetings. On April 30, 1975, the building became the workplace of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee and Peoples Council. Located at 86 Le Thanh Ton Street in District 1, the building faces Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street and overlooks the Saigon River. In 2020, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism recognized the building as a national architectural relic site. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Home and Away spoilers follow for UK audiences. Home and Away's Zara Campbell will leave Summer Bay after being rejected by Mali Hudson. Zara arrived in the coastal town earlier this year to drop in on her old friend. The pair then revealed that they were once in a relationship. Mali has since been coupled up with Rose Delaney, but Zara returned to fulfil her longstanding role as his "promised wife", an Aboriginal tradition that he explained wasn't followed in his community. Channel 5 Related: Home and Away's Justin Morgan devastates Leah Patterson over wedding plans Zara has since been staying at Mali's despite attempting to scupper his relationship with Rose. Upcoming scenes see the pair return from their temporary honeymoon. Mali's roommate Mackenzie gets a shock when she sees Zara in the kitchen, and later goes to Mali to demand an explanation as to why she wasn't told that his old flame would be staying. He attempts to calm Mackenzie down by explaining his past with Zara, but she's adamant that it's not her problem, leaving Mali no choice but to return home, which Rose isn't happy about. Mali subsequently speaks to Zara and says it is time for her to go home, but she explains how difficult that would be for her. Channel 5 Related: Home and Away spoilers - aftermath of Irene Roberts' arrest He sympathises with her and understands her concerns. The encourages her to face her problems for her own good this advice strikes a chord. As Zara bids a farewell to Summer Bay, Rose makes a cheeky jibe at Mali's expense, joking that she hopes no more promised wives make an appearance Elsewhere on the Australian soap, there could be trouble ahead for Felicity Newman as her deception of her husband Tane Parata is soon to be discovered. Home and Away returns in January 2024 on Channel 5 in the UK. Selected classic episodes are available via Prime Video in the UK. Read more Home and Away spoilers on our dedicated homepage You Might Also Like Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Science & Technology ISRO celebrates 2024 New Year launching mission to study black holes ISRO XpoSat Mission to study black holes is second after US space agency NASA. NASA IXPE is on mission to study black holes since 2021. Read More Monday January 1, 2024 11:04 AM , ummid.com News Network Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh): Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Monday January 01, 2024 celebrated the beginning of the 2024 New Year launching XPoSat or the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite from SDSC-SHAR launch pad in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. 2024 lifted off majestically. XPoSat health is normal. Power generation has commenced, ISRO announced on social media platform X at 09:57 am Monday January 01, 2024. The XpoSat liftoff was at 09:32 am today. "PSLV-C58 vehicle placed the satellite precisely into the intended orbit of 650 km with 6-degree inclination. The POEM-3 is being scripted," ISRO posted in X. About XpoSat XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) is Indias first dedicated polarimetry mission to study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions, according to ISRO. The spacecraft carries two scientific payloads in a low earth orbit. The primary payload POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) has been designed to measure the polarimetry parameters (degree and angle of polarization) in medium X-ray energy range of 8-30 keV photons of astronomical origin. The XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) payload will give spectroscopic information in the energy range of 0.8-15 keV. What is black hole? A black hole, believed to be among the oldest mysteries of our solar system, is a region of spacetime where gravity is so strong that nothing, including light and other electromagnetic waves, has enough energy to escape it. The XPoSat mission aims to conduct long-term studies to find out the structure and geometry of the cosmic X-ray sources, develop an understanding of galactic black hole binary sources, and study and confirm the production of X-rays. Also Read Smallest super massive black hole ever detected ISRO XpoSat Mission to study black holes is second after US space agency NASA . NASA IXPE is on mission to study black holes since 2021. The ISRO's XpoSat launch Monday also marked the 60th flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), a third generation launch vehicle of India, is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages. After its first successful launch in October 1994, PSLV emerged as a reliable and versatile workhorse launch vehicle of India. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Middle East We dont rape: Hamas rejects New York Times report about sexual violence Dr Basem in one of the harshest statement since Oct 7 accused The New York Times of being complicit in what he described Zionist propaganda to spread lies and demonise Palestinian struggle to justify war crimes. Read More Monday January 1, 2024 1:05 PM , ummid.com News Network Gaza Strip: The Hamas rejected a report by US daily The New York Times which accused the Resistance Fighters of raping Israeli women and resorting to sexual violence on Oct 7 when they stormed the occupied Palestinian territories as part of their Operation Al Aqsa Flood on Oct 07, 2023. Hamas political bureau member Dr. Basem Naim in a statement Sunday December 31, 2023 termed the Operation Al Aqsa Flood holy that was launched to protect the Palestinians and force the Zionists to end their occupation. Dr Basem Naim also described the Palestinian militants as freedom fighters and dignified who strictly adhere to the Islamic principles in the war against the occupation. Our fighters are freedom fighters and dignified, and cannot commit such shameful acts. Our Islamic religion, national values, and societal culture do not accept such disgraceful acts, Dr Basem said. According to the statistics approved by the Supreme Judicial Council in Gaza, not a single case of rape has been registered before the courts, he added. Dr Basems statement was in response to The New York Times report titled "'Screams Without Words': How Hamas Used Sexual Violence as a Weapon on October 7". Also Read Are Israeli Hostages in Love with Palestinian Fighters? Buzz after incredible videos Dr Basem said for the report, the authors Jeffrey Gettleman and others relied solely on statements from Zionist government officials who only speak in the context of official Zionist propaganda and what serves the demonization of the Palestinian people. The allegations of The New York Times contradict the testimonies given by many "Israeli" women, who spoke about the good treatment they received from Palestinian fighters on October 7th, Dr Basem said. Anyone professional and objective can easily access these testimonies on social media platforms. These women spoke to "Israeli" media without mentioning any of the claims made by The New York Times, the Hamas political bureau member said. Dr Basem also cited the testimonies of the hostages released by Hamas and other Palestinian Resistance groups who while speaking to the Israeli and international media lauded their treatment in Gaza during the difficult days in captivity. Testimonies of all women who were detained in the Gaza Strip and later released mentioned only the good treatment they received from their captors, affirming the fighters' commitment to protecting them and providing whatever they could to alleviate the difficult circumstances they experienced, and spoke of the high humanitarian values they observed in the fighters throughout the time, Dr Basem said. Dr Basem said Operation Al Aqsa Storm on Oct 7 lasted for few hours and had only one mission to defend the Palestinians against the occupation. The Al-Aqsa Flood operation did not last more than a few hours, after which most of the fighters withdrew from the "Israeli" military sites and returned to Gaza to continue their mission of defending their people against the fascist Zionist aggression, Dr Basem said. On October 7th, our Palestinian fighters had one main mission: to defend our people against an unjust occupation and break the suffocating siege on our people in Gaza, represented by the Gaza Division of the Zionist army. This is what they successfully accomplished with manhood and honor, the Hamas political bureau member said. Also Read Palestinians being killed with active support of many governments: Angelina Jolie Dr Basem in one of the harshest statement since Oct 7 accused The New York Times of being complicit in what he described Zionist propaganda to spread lies and demonise Palestinian struggle to justify war crimes. We regret to say that most of the mainstream Western media and press agencies have moved from the idea of bias towards Zionist propaganda to complicity in spreading lies and slander against the Palestinians and their resistance, Dr Basem said. We categorically deny these allegations and consider them part of the Zionist attempt to demonize the resistance and justify the war crimes and crimes of genocide committed by the Zionist enemy against our Palestinian people everywhere, he added. The far right Zionist government in Israel has been on a number of times since Oct 7 and before accused of fabrication and spreading fake reports and making false claims about the Palestinian Resistance Group to justify its military offensive in Gaza and other occupied Palestinian territories which the world leaders and scholars have termed a textbook case of genocide . Soon after Operation al Aqsa Storm on Oct 7, it was claimed that the Resistance Fighters slaughtered and butchered babies ". The claim was however refuted by the Israeli army itself. During more than 80 days of war, the Israeli Occupation Forces claimed about hospitals and mosques being used as military bases to justify the bombardment of these places. The fact checkers however rejected all these claims as fake and fabricated lacking evidence. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. HA NOI - The diplomatic sector will continue to focus on strongly developing the identity of the Vietnamese 'bamboo diplomacy' in 2024 by concentrating on a number of focal points, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son told the media on the occasion of the New Year. Firstly, the sector will continue to strengthen the renovation of mindsets on external relations, the FM said, stressing the need to boldly go beyond old-fashioned thinking and find new methods for the benefit of the nation. It is necessary to strengthen strategic research, consultation and forecast on external relations, discovering new issues and identifying the strategic position of the country, and making full use of international trend to design proper policies and take suitable steps, he said. Secondly, the sector will promote its pioneer role and coordinate with Party diplomacy, people-to-people diplomacy as well as other sectors to concertedly deploy foreign relations and diplomatic forces, firmly consolidating a peaceful and stable environment, protecting the Fatherland early and from afar, and mobilising new external resources for economic development and enhancement of the countrys position and prestige, the official underlined. Thirdly, the diplomatic sector will focus on creating new breakthroughs in building and developing itself in a strong, comprehensive and modern manner, he said. Noting that 'bamboo diplomacy' was first mentioned by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in 2016, he said that contents of the policy were highlighted by the leader during the National Conference on Foreign Affairs in December 2021. The policy is built and developed on the foundation of inheriting and creatively applying the Ho Chi Minh Thought and diplomatic art as well as the cultural and diplomatic identity of the nation, using the image of the Vietnamese bamboo with strong roots, solid stems, and flexible branches. Directions by the Party leader has served as a guiding light for Vietnamese diplomacy to implement tasks in the current tenure, said the FM. Looking back on external relations activities in 2023, Son said the activities have been bustled with 22 visits abroad by key national leaders and 28 visits to Viet Nam by leaders of other countries, contributing to expanding the countrys external relations in both bilateral and multilateral aspects. Particularly, economic diplomatic activities have made significant contributions to promoting the national economic growth, enabling the country to secure an import-export turnover of nearly US$700 billion and an increase of 14.8 per cent in foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction, he stated. Regarding major orientations to turn economic diplomacy into an important motivation for fast and sustainable national development in 2024, FM Son said that economic diplomacy will be extensively associated with all external- relation activities, especially those at the high level, in close combination with political and cultural diplomacy as well as diplomatic areas. Economic cooperation has become a key pillar in all external relations, especially with important partners, he said. The official noted that along with effectively implementing the already signed free trade agreements (FTA), this year Viet Nam has signed an FTA with Israel and is negotiating for FTAs with other partners, while ministries and sectors have inked more than 70 deals, localities reached nearly 100 agreements, and businesses signed hundreds of deals. In 2024, amid many difficulties and risks as well as opportunities and headwinds, economic diplomacy will continue to focus on concretizing the newly upgraded relationship frameworks into practical and effective economic cooperation programmes and projects, especially in expanding markets and accessing new sources of capital for promotion of infrastructure development, high technology, digital transformation, green growth, tourism attraction, and labour export. The sector will work with other sectors and localities to remove obstacles in economic cooperation with partners, especially important ones, enhancing the efficiency of support to industries, localities and business following the motto of taking the people, localities and business as the centre of its services, stated FM Son. VNS Last years total insurance premium revenue was estimated at $9.6 billion, while Ministry of Finance data reveals an 8.1 per cent decrease in total insurance premium revenue. Non-life segment leads the pack in insurance gains A substantial portion of this downturn emanates from the life insurance sector, still reeling from an early-year crisis of confidence. The decline in the life insurance sector has been stark and unexpected, explained Dr. Nguyen Huu Huan, a lecturer at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City. It reflects a deeper issue of consumer trust and market stability. In the first nine months of 2023, as per the General Statistics Office, there was a 6.9 per cent year-over-year decrease in total insurance premium revenue, translating to approximately $6.96 billion. Within this, the non-life insurance sector bucked the trend with a 2.6 per cent rise to about $2.2 billion, while life insurance suffered a 10.7 per cent contraction to roughly $4.78 billion. Bancassurance, a vital growth driver in the life insurance domain, also witnessed a downturn. From contributing 46 per cent to new insurance sales in 2022, bancassurance has seen diminishing returns in 2023. Reports from eight prominent banks show a 26.1 per cent year-over-year drop in bancassurance income, totalling around $396 million. Some institutions like SeABank have seen a plunge of nearly 80 per cent. Nguyen Hong Son, CEO of Chubb Life Vietnam, said that it has not been directly affected by the crisis of confidence in bancassurance, but its traditional distribution channels experienced indirect impacts. Our decrease in new business sales was substantially lower than the markets average decline of around 38 per cent, Son observed. Throughout the years, despite engaging with numerous banks, we recognised that while the bancassurance channel offers vast potential, it also carries significant inherent risks. In the shadow of the life insurance sectors challenges, the domestic non-life insurance industry has emerged as a robust success story. Excluding the influence of Bao Viet Group, non-life insurers listed on the stock market reported a 59 per cent surge in after-tax profits for the first nine months of the year. This performance is not just confined to insurance activities; financial operations have seen significant growth, 15 and 47 per cent, respectively, over the same period last year. Last year marked a distinct shift in investor sentiment towards the non-life segment. In a notable move, Pyn Elite Fund increased its stake in Military Insurance (MIC) in November, acquiring an additional 2.55 million shares to hold 8.08 per cent of the company. This follows a series of investments by the Finnish fund into MIC, reflective of the sectors growing appeal. Another significant foreign entry is South Koreas DB Insurance, which expanded its foothold in Vietnam by acquiring 75 per cent stakes in Aviation Insurance and Saigon-Hanoi Insurance. Despite current and near-term challenges, the Vietnamese insurance market remains ripe for development. The insurance penetration rate in Vietnam, which measures premiums against GDP, stood at a modest 2.6 per cent in 2022, with projections to increase to 3.5 per cent by 2025. When compared to developed markets like the US and the UK, where penetration rates hover around 12 per cent, Vietnams market has significant room to grow, shared Ngo Trung Dung, deputy secretary-general of the Insurance Association of Vietnam. Only about 12 per cent of the Vietnamese population is currently enrolled in life insurance. With an average annual insurance spending of just over $105 per person in 2022, the markets potential is palpable. Do The Vinh, CEO of insurtech firm IBAOHIEM, stated that the rapid tech evolution is setting the stage for exponential growth in Vietnams insurtech market. While Vietnams insurance market in 2023 estimated a modest growth of about 2 per cent, preliminary data from insurtech companies indicates a potential 30 per cent revenue growth from online channels, Vinh said. This trend suggests a gradual revenue shift from traditional insurance practices to tech-driven solutions. Once a legal framework is fully established, digital insurance is poised for rapid growth. Non-life insurance sees rosy first-half performance The non-life insurance segment recaptured momentum, reaching double-digit growth in premium revenue in the first half of this year, with the indemnity rate also being forecast for an upsurge. Denmark's popular Queen Margrethe II, Europe's longest-serving monarch and last reigning queen after the death of Britain's Elizabeth II, is hailed for modernizing Danish royalty in her half-century on the throne. The chain-smoking 83-year-old an accomplished artist in her own right acceded to the throne at the age of 31 in January 1972, on the death of her father, Frederik IX. She announced on Sunday that she would abdicate on Jan. 14 and pass the baton to her son Crown Prince Frederik, citing her age and health issues. She underwent major back surgery in February 2023. She took the name Margrethe II in recognition of Margrethe I, who ruled Denmark from 1375 to 1412 but never formally held the title of queen. When she was crowned almost 52 years ago, only 45 percent of Danes were in favor of the monarchy, most believing it had no place in a modern democracy. But the cultured Margrethe has managed to stay away from scandal and modernize the institution allowing her two sons to marry commoners. The Danish monarchy is now one of the most popular in the world, enjoying the support of more than 80 percent of Danes. Margrethe is also Europe's only reigning queen, although four countries Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden have crown princesses. Resentful husband Nicknamed "Daisy" by her family and subjects, she repeatedly insisted that she would never step down from her duties. "I will stay on the throne until I drop," she often said. Aged 82, she rode a rollercoaster at Copenhagen's famed Tivoli amusement park, her hat fastened securely on her head. But it has not always been plain sailing for Margrethe. Her French-born husband, Prince Consort Henrik, was known for his flamboyant style and frequent outbursts of anger. He repeatedly expressed disappointment that his title was never changed to king when his wife became queen in 1972. In 2002, he made headlines when he fled to his chateau in southern France, complaining he didn't receive enough respect in Denmark. He later said he did not want to be buried next to his wife because he was never made her equal in life. Henrik died in February 2018, five months after being diagnosed with dementia. Margrethe displayed the same steeliness in her recent very public quarrel with her youngest son, Prince Joachim, after she stripped his four children of their princely titles in 2022 to slim down the monarchy. Uniting force The queen was born in Copenhagen on April 16, 1940, just one week after Nazi Germany invaded her homeland. The eldest of three sisters, Denmark's law of succession then barred women from inheriting the throne. It was changed in 1953 following a referendum, under pressure from successive Danish governments mindful of a need to modernize society. "She has managed to be a queen who has united the Danish nation in a time of large changes: globalization, the appearance of the multicultural state, economic crises in the 1970s, 1980s and again in 2008 to 2015, and the pandemic," historian Lars Hovebakke Sorensen told AFP. "The basis of her popularity is that the queen is absolutely non-political," he said. Margrethe marked the 50th anniversary of her accession in January 2022 with a scaled-down celebration due to Covid. The full festivities were postponed until September 2022, but had to again be downsized considerably after the death of her third cousin Queen Elizabeth. Margrethe's eldest son, 55-year-old Crown Prince Frederik, is due to succeed his mother. Queen of arts With sparkling blue eyes and a broad smile, Margrethe is known for her relaxed and playful side, as well as for her involvement in Denmark's cultural scene. A painter as well as a costume and set designer, she has worked with the Royal Danish Ballet and Royal Danish Theatre on numerous occasions. She studied at Cambridge and the Sorbonne in Paris, and is fluent in English, French, German and Swedish. She has also translated plays, including Simone de Beauvoir's "All Men Are Mortal" with her French-born husband under a pseudonym. But it is primarily her paintings and drawings that have caught the public's eye. She has illustrated several books, including a Danish 2002 edition of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings", and her paintings have been exhibited in museums and galleries in Denmark and abroad. (AFP) Last weekend, Quang Ngai Peoples Committee held a ceremony to announce the provinces planning towards 2030 and with a vision to 2050, with the participation of leaders of ministries, branches, central agencies, and localities. Now the province will move full steam ahead with its long-term plans At the planning announcement ceremony, Bui Thi Quynh Van, Secretary of Quang Ngai Party Committee, said that in recent times, the locality has been concerned about finding a path to development, identifying ruts in thinking, and changing the way of thinking and working within the system. The planning has a particularly important role and significance for the development of the province, Van said. It is a step to institutionalise and generalise the vision, viewpoints, goals, and development orientations for the entire province and each industry, field, and locality in the province. At the same time, the planning creates the most important legal basis for arranging space, allocating resources, and opening the door to entice investment to exploit and maximise the provinces potential and strengths. It will help enhance Quang Ngais position and realise the goal of developing rapidly and sustainably to become a well-developed province for the whole country. According to the published content, Quang Ngais planning is based on sustainable development and balancing the three factors of the economy, society, and environment. Based on analysis and discussion at all levels, Quang Ngai province proposed three strategic visions: to develop based on its unique advantages, moving towards a sustainable development model; to become a new and specialised destination on the key economic arc of the Central region; and promote its unique advantages to become a seaport logistics centre and sea-island economy. The province aims to become one of the most developed for the region, and even beyond Accurate orientations Dang Van Minh, Chairman of Quang Ngai Peoples Committee, acknowledged that while the plan is of great significance, approval is only the initial result. To realise this plan, Quang Ngai requires greater efforts and greater determination to act, Minh said. Minh has assigned the Department of Planning and Investment to urgently develop a strategy to implement the planning and clearly define the roadmap and resources to do so. It will determine investment options for projects that are well-connected in order to complete the infrastructure system, as well as expand and shape the development space. Speaking at the planning announcement ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha mentioned the potential, advantages, and rich cultural traditions of Quang Ngais land. Quang Ngai belongs to the central key economic region, has an vital strategic location, and a synchronous transport system connecting all directions with the Central Highlands and southern provinces of Laos, Ha said. Ha emphasised that planning for the province is a positive step and, with a strategic vision, territorial space ensures synchronous connectivity. Such vision will maximise the provinces potential and advantages, and is expected to create new impetus for Quang Ngai to accelerate development in the new period, Ha added. The DPM proposed that Quang Ngai needs to develop sustainable urban areas in the direction of green urban areas; pay attention to modern rural development in the direction of commodity production and high technology; and focus on developing tourism services based on the advantages of cultural values and the localitys unique heritage of the sea, islands, and diverse natural ecosystems. In the coming period, Quang Ngai needs to attract foreign investment of higher quality, it must move towards mastering the chain in that commodity product, especially in terms of design, research, implementation, production, and manufacturing to the commercial system, focusing on large value chains, the green economy, and the digital economy, explained DPM Ha. Closer links At the same time as the planning announcement, Quang Ngai also organised the groundbreaking ceremony of the Hoang Sa-Doc Soi road project and issued investment policy decisions and approved investors for a number of projects, such as the Bau Giang urban area, coastal Quang Ngai ecological urban area, and the Messer-Quang Ngai industrial gas project. Hoang Sa-Doc So is the largest road traffic project ever in Quang Ngai, with a total length of 26.8km and investment of $148 million. The project was identified by the Party Standing Committee as a key project of the province. Also, NHSLAND Real Estate Investment and Business was approved as investor to implement the coastal Quang Ngai ecological urban area project at a cost of approximately $300 million and covering around 94 hectares. The project objective is to invest in the construction of a new urban area combining ecotourism with full socio-technical infrastructure closely linked to the surrounding landscape. It aims to gradually solve the housing needs of people in the area, combining the provision of ecotourism and accommodation services for domestic and foreign tourists. It will also contribute to the development of urban tourism services for the province, creating state budget revenues. Along with that, Thang Long Real Estate and Trading Investment was approved as investor of the Bau Giang urban area. The project has the registered investment capital of $140 million, covering nearly 50ha in Tu Nghia district and Chanh Lo ward of Quang Ngai city. The projects goal is to build a civilised, modern, and synchronous urban area with technical and social infrastructure closely linked to the surrounding landscapes, in accordance with the planning orientation of Quang Ngai city and Tu Nghia district. Furthermore, Messer Quang Ngai Industrial Gas was given the green light for its industrial gas production plant in Dung Quat Economic Zone. The project has the total registered investment capital of $133.3 million. This is a foreign venture from Germany, with the goal of producing industrial gas and liquid basic chemicals for industrial production. The number of digital tech enterprises increased by 30 per cent, industry revenue rose by 32 per cent, and the Vietnamese-made proportion of related industrial products increased from 21 per cent to 29 per cent. Nguyen Manh Hung, minister of Information and Communications Software production for foreign countries climbed by 43 per cent. We currently have over 1,400 businesses of this type, with revenue approaching the $10 billion mark. In 2019, we established the Vietnamese digital technology business community, with the mission to focus on doing research, creating, and making in Vietnam, contributing to helping it escape the middle-income trap. The national forum on development of such businesses, held every December, is also an occasion to celebrate a special day of the digital technology business community. December 12 is Vietnam Digital Technology Enterprise Day. Outstanding products designed, created, and produced in Vietnam have made a great impact and influence on individuals, businesses, and governments, bringing them to the digital environment, contributing to the development of digital government, economy, and society. The most important area for this development is in digital applications and transformation applications. So who will do this? It must be network operators and digital technology businesses. We have the infrastructure, we have the technology, we have human resources, and we have knowledge about this transformation. So, we must be the creators of applications for industries and sell to them. Over the past few years, we have left this task to industries to do on their own, and transformation has been very slow. Developing digital applications for industries is also product creation. Network operators and digital tech businesses must consider this as research and development activities. Chinas China Mobile spends up to $4 billion a year to develop applications. They have created over 30,000 industrial 5G applications, and China Mobiles annual revenue has increased by over 10 per cent. The 5G applications market will reach $670 billion by 2025, which will help network operators revenue increase by up to 50 per cent compared to 2020. Thus, tens of thousands of Vietnamese related enterprises should target industries and sectors to create digital applications, help them in their digital transformation, and digital economy development. Building digital industries is also a way to increase labour productivity. For many years, Vietnam has not achieved the goal of increasing labour productivity. Now, our solution to this difficult problem is to create applications to develop digital economy. Meanwhile, 2024 will be the year of commercialisation of 5G nationwide to create infrastructure for relevant applications. It is also the year of developing AI, especially creating AI applications for each sector, and industrial AI applications. AI can work when humans give it a purpose and certain rules. Without these, AI will stand still. People can specify different purposes and create new rules to solve problems. Humans decide what data to give AI, what algorithms and how we teach it. One day, each person will have their own virtual assistant. This virtual assistant will represent human knowledge and have each persons individual identity. Applying narrow and industrial AI will bring quick results, help increase labour productivity, smarten human resources, and pose little risk. So lets start first and quickly from narrow AI applications. This is also the first year we will implement the national strategy on semiconductor development. The semiconductor industry will be a key one over the next 30-50 years. As long as humanity continues to evolve based on information and data as an input factor in production, data processing, semiconductor chips will continue to be important. The need for data processing will be no different from the need for electricity and water. Some countries have introduced the concept of Computing Utility, or computing infrastructure. From human resources will come other advantages. From the global centre of semiconductors, human resources will lead to the global centre of the semiconductor industry. As we develop it, we should look at it in a larger context. The semiconductor chip design market is worth $60 billion. If we discuss the entire industry, it is worth $600 billion, but the electronics industry is over $3 trillion, and the digital transformation industry is over $20 trillion. Developing semiconductor technology is also an opportunity for Vietnam to rebuild its electronics industry, especially when it is entering the transition phase to AI electronics and Internet of Things devices. The semiconductor industry is also the core of digital transformation. It is the largest market for semiconductor chips. Vietnam is a large market, and is in a stage of rapid development, industrialisation, digital transformation, and electronic consumption. This is all favourable for the semiconductor industry, but Vietnam still has to move towards a complete national supply chain, not just a few stages. Digital technology is changing very fast, and only a complete national supply chain can it meet fast speeds and low prices. Without Vietnamese-made products, the country cannot become a developed one, and go global. Nor can we be self-reliant, strong, and prosperous. Vietnamese digital technology businesses desire to conquer the world with Vietnamese products and technology. They expect the government, ministries, and localities to give them bigger tasks to transform the country, to industrialise and modernise. Only big dreams and aspirations can help create great Vietnamese businesses. According to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Vietnam cumulatively has attracted approximately $469 billion in registered foreign direct investment (with more than $287 billion executed) as of December 20, making the country a top investment destination in ASEAN. Huong Vu, general director, EY Consulting Vietnam The red carpet approach, which emphasises tax incentives, infrastructure support, post-investment assistance, and other policies to reduce investment costs, however, is encountering challenges. The first hurdle is the global common rules that Vietnam must adhere to, such as the global minimum tax, which diminishes the appeal and attractiveness of Vietnams current tax incentives, necessitating Vietnam to implement far-reaching changes. Another challenge results from internal economic changes, such as the waning advantages of a young workforce and affordable labour costs. Vietnam is also shifting its focus towards attracting higher-quality foreign investment to climb up the global supply chain. Moreover, the impacts of climate change and increasing consumer concerns over environmental issues are gradually altering their consuming behaviours. The EY Future Consumer Index, released in November 2023 and involving over 22,000 participants from 28 countries, including Vietnam, shows that 46 per cent of consumers extremely concerned about climate change. The percentage of consumers that have already started to buy products that protect them from the climate impact is also high, at 25 per cent. These shifts compel manufacturers in Vietnam and globally to integrate sustainable development to meet these green consumer demands. Being heavily impacted by climate change, Vietnam has implemented substantial policy reforms to attract investments and actively participates in global initiatives to promote and pursue sustainable development strategy. Additionally, Vietnam has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. With that, the green carpet approach is one that aims to promote sustainable policies and solutions to draw in high-quality investments, enabling Vietnam to maintain and enhance its investment attraction status while preparing for new investment opportunities. This approach prioritises innovative and knowledge-based industries over traditional ones like manufacturing or resource extraction. The countrys foreign investment cooperation strategy for this decade emphasises the attraction of high-tech, modern management projects with significant value-addition and positive impacts on the global supply chain. To achieve this goal, Vietnam must implement specific solutions to meet investors urgent needs and align with sustainable development goals, in addition to general solutions such as macroeconomic stability, infrastructure improvement, and human resource quality. Electricity supply is a major concern for investors, with stability and integration of renewable energy sources being critical factors. To achieve a carbon-neutral power grid by 2040, many major investors have joined RE100 and committed to using 100 per cent renewable energy in their production activities. Several prominent foreign investors in Vietnam are part of this list and have established specific implementation timelines. Vietnam must quickly finalise regulations to support investors in meeting their renewable energy commitments. Implementation of the direct power purchase agreement, which allows customers to purchase electricity directly from renewable energy projects, is strongly recommended. This will enable investors to access and consume green energy, rather than solely relying on purchasing emission reduction certificates to fulfill their commitments. Furthermore, Vietnam should encourage the development of green industrial parks (IPs). The government has taken steps towards new models of IPs through a 2022 decree that includes provisions pertaining to new models, contributing to policy enhancement and fostering investor confidence in constructing eco-IPs, thereby promoting sustainable development. Additionally, it encourages the conversion of existing parks into eco-IPs. To enact the policy, it is recommended that local authorities actively attract reputable investors who can help develop successful green IP models in Vietnam. Such development should prioritise connecting and enhancing social responsibility towards workers and surrounding communities. In addition, the government should continue to coordinate with domestic and international professional organisations to promote, build, and recommend or issue a comprehensive set of environmental, social, and governance standards, as well as mandatory reporting requirements for diverse types of businesses. The presence of multiple standards, each with their own set of criteria from various organisations, has posed challenges and confusion for businesses when it comes to selecting and implementing them. Latest trends and robust transformations of the global economy exert significant pressure on the shift of Vietnams economy and foreign investment attraction policy. Therefore, the Vietnamese government should be flexible and adaptive in their policies to stay competitive in the new game. *The views reflected in this article are the views of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the global EY organisation or its member firms. Incentives abound for minimum tax adoption Vietnam has been urged to create more incentives for foreign investors following the countrys decision to apply a new international corporate income tax top-up. Fitch Ratings forecasts Vietnams favourable medium-term growth Credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has forecast Vietnams growth in the medium term at around 7 per cent, with many favourable signs. ViGPT, tailored for the local community, is described as a "Vietnamese version of ChatGPT for end-users." It features an extensive knowledge base capable of content creation, information retrieval, and answering general queries, with a focus on Vietnam's unique legal, historical, and cultural landscapes. "ViGPT encompasses over 600GB of refined Vietnamese data, covering a wide array of fields," the company said, highlighting its comprehensive approach to local data incorporation. VinBigdata is already deploying this technology in products like a legal virtual assistant for state agencies and the forthcoming AI-integrated ViVi assistant in VinFast electric vehicles. The company plans to integrate ViGPT into various sectors, including transportation, banking, finance, and insurance, enhancing the speed and simplicity of information processing for users. VinBigdata's Science director, Prof Vu Ha Van said,"Launching ViGPT is a testament to Vietnam's capacity to not only master but also safeguard technological advancements, especially in data security and national intellectual property. It's a step towards reducing dependency on international products and improving the accuracy and authenticity of information reflective of Vietnamese heritage." DALLAS Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, a trailblazing Black woman who spent decades as North Texas most powerful Democrat, allowing her to leave a generational impact on the regions development, died Sunday. She was 89. Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson posted about her death on social media, and a source close to the family confirmed it with the Dallas Morning News. Johnsons son, Dawrence Kirk Johnson Sr., called his mother a champion for the people of Texas. She gave her life to this community, he said. She gave Dallas all she had to give. U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who Johnson endorsed as her successor after she announced her retirement, called Johnson a quiet storm, who prided herself in getting things done to better the lives of the people that she served. The Chairwoman didnt take passing the torch on lightly, and likewise, Ive not taken it lightly that she entrusted me to honor her work and legacy, Crockett said in a statement. Every day that passes is a day that I dedicate to continuing her work and attempting to fill her shoes. The work has never been easy, but it has and always will be noble. As I conclude this statement, fighting back tears, I say rest easy to the Gentle Lady from Texas and just know that I will always fight to preserve the foundation that you laid over your 50 years of service to Texas and the United States. News of Johnsons death sparked an outpouring of tribute from friends and public servants she mentored. She was a leader who took care of Dallas and Texas above everything else, said former U.S. trade representative and former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk. Shes been a friend and mentor. Dallas and the country has lost a great leader. State Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, replaced Johnson in the Texas Senate. He called her a mentor. Were all forever indebted to her and her work and her legacy will live on forever, West said. Throughout the 30 years that she served, we confided in one another and strategized together on issues. That counsel will be missed, but the lessons taught will remain and be passed on for future generations. Former state Rep. Helen Giddings, a DeSoto Democrat, who was one of the first Black women elected to the Texas Legislature said, there is no question that I and other women and people of color serving today stand on her shoulders. She and I shared a passion for working to empower women. Giddings said. Her guidance made a difference in this and other areas in my legislative career. Our state and our country and for that matter the world are better because of Eddie Bernice Johnson. Her colleagues in Washington remembered her as a trailblazer and inimitable public servant. U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Johnson personally mentored him with love wisdom and her powerful intellect. He praised Johnsons investment in manufacturing jobs and providing communities of color and under-resourced areas with science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills. I stand with great humility on her broad shoulders, Jeffries said. Unrivaled in her ability to deliver for Dallas and for Texas, she always put Texans first and fought every day for her constituents, said Rep. Colin Allred, a Dallas Democrat, who is leaving his House seat to run for the Senate. Everywhere you look, Texans can see the mark she made on our state. ... Texas lost a giant. Born in Waco in the segregated South, Johnson shattered barriers at nearly every stage of her political and professional career, paving the way for more women and African Americans to obtain leadership roles in politics, nursing and other fields in Texas and beyond. She was the first African American to serve as chief psychiatric nurse at Dallas VA hospital; the first African American from Dallas to serve in the Texas Senate since Reconstruction; the first registered nurse elected to Congress; and the first Black woman to chair the House Science, Space and Technology Committee. Johnsons district, anchored in southern Dallas County, ebbed and flowed many times during her 30-year tenure as the Legislature and federal courts adjusted the lines in response to census counts and lawsuits. Designed to favor non-white voters, it initially snaked into Collin County and spilled into Tarrant County, cobbling minority neighborhoods to yield a population that was half Black and 17% Hispanic. She represented downtown Dallas for much of her tenure but routinely used her clout to tend to regional needs, aiding with Dallas Love Field expansions and major highway projects. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Johnson a visionary pioneer when her portrait was unveiled in November 2022 to hang alongside those of other previous science committee chairs. At 87, Johnson was the oldest member of the House when she left office in January 2023. At the portrait ceremony, Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. chair of the Senate commerce and science panel called Johnson a champion and a person we need to put on a pedestal. Johnson used her gavel to push back on Republican attempts to block action on climate change and advance support for scientific research and STEM education. She shepherded major funding for science and technology, including NASA, and played a key role in securing tens of billions of dollars to revive the U.S. semiconductor chip industry. Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., spoke of the near miraculous achievements Johnson oversaw despite leading the science panel in an era of bitter partisanship none of which, he said, would have been feasible without EBJs style, skill, subtlety, understanding, patience and persistence. When she announced her retirement in 2021, Johnson said: Ive worked hard. Its not just a title its a job. Its been some rugged times, but I have not acknowledged it. I was determined that I wouldnt just be a title. I wanted to deliver. I thought about the district and all the needs that it had. A lasting testament to that history is Dallas Union Station, a once racially segregated facility that in 2019 was renamed after Johnson. Youve heard that this station was segregated, but now, it fits me, she said at the time, tearing up at the ceremony unveiling the new name. Its open to all, regardless of religion, regardless of the origin of birth, regardless of party, regardless of gender. Thats what I love. The intermodal station on the southwestern edge of downtown connects passengers to DART light rail, TRE commuter trains, local buses and Amtrak. Then-Mayor Mike Rawlings lauded her ability to make connections. She has worked across the aisle for the betterment of her constituents on aviation, flood control, homelessness, homeland security, law enforcement, science and, of course, transportation, Rawlings said. I couldnt think of a more fitting person to rename our Union Station after. The National Science Foundation named a program aimed at improving diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics for Johnson. The program, launched in 2016, connects students and educators with STEM professionals and issues grants. Influential panels Johnsons resume wasnt merely defined by firsts. Her status as a senior Democrat, one who served on influential panels like the House transportation committee, stood out in a state dominated by Republicans, and it provided her significant power, particularly during years in which her party controlled the House. Republicans knew they needed to work with Johnson, who nurtured bipartisan alliances even as she remained a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat who often chided the GOP. She leveraged those partnerships and her position to secure a seemingly endless list of projects for North Texas, covering everything from massive roadworks to flood control improvements along the Trinity River. She will go down in history as being the single most effective legislator in the history of the state of Texas for bringing home infrastructure and resources to North Texas. Shes just been uber effective, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said at her portrait ceremony. Johnsons career wasnt without criticism or controversy. Challengers in the second half of her congressional career accused her of hanging onto her seat too long, while also arguing that her district continued to suffer from issues like poverty and underinvestment. Her election to the U.S. House in 1992 was marred by accusations that she, as the leader of a Texas Senate redistricting panel, drew a seat for herself. Texas Monthly twice included her on its list of worst state legislators in Austin. The congresswomans biggest career flap came in 2010, when the Morning News revealed she had improperly awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to four relatives and a top aides two children. She ultimately paid back the money, saying she had unknowingly violated the rules. But those missteps never dimmed her popularity in southern Dallas, where she never really endured a substantive election challenge. Nor did they affect her standing in Washington, where she enjoyed respect across generations of lawmakers and praise from leaders in both parties. A pioneering African American woman who has been instrumental in making one of Americas most diverse cities into a growing hub for research and innovation that inspires the world, Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer, then the House majority leader, said of Johnson in 2019. A path to leadership roles Johnson was born Dec. 3, 1934, the second of Edward and Lillie Mae Johnsons four children. Raised in Waco and graduating from Waco's A.J. Moore High School, she moved to Dallas in her 20s. Johnsons son said that though his mothers birth date has been listed as Dec. 3, 1935 including in her official congressional biography she was actually born the year prior. Her birth year is listed as 1934 on both her drivers license and Texas voter registration, according to public records. She was close to her mother. But she described her father as probably the best friend I ever had, calling him my real hero. When her dad ran a trucking business, she would sneak out of bed at night to sit on the front steps and wait for him to come home. I remember having him grab me and hug me, and I remember my face feeling his whiskers because he hadnt shaved that day driving in, she said in 1987 in a wide-ranging interview with the Dallas Morning News. According to remarks read into the Congressional Record in 2007, Johnson and her family attended Toliver Chapel Baptist Church in Waco. Johnsons parents exposed her and her siblings to arts and culture at an early age, taking advantage of the perks of living in a college town. Baylor University had a Black day or night for its theater productions and her family was almost always there, she recalled. Wed go to see all the plays, which were not that common at that time in the Black community, she said. She maintained a lifelong love of theater and music, saying in 2001 that if she wasnt a lawmaker, she would be a volunteer in the arts. Her parents, who dabbled in community politics, werent surprised she ended up running for office. She always wanted to be boss of all the children, her mother told the Morning News in 1987. Johnson left Texas in the early 1950s to get a nursing certificate at St. Marys College in Indiana. Most of the students were white, making it the first time in my life that I was really into sort of an all-white world, she said. Her classmates, none from Texas, called her Tex. There were signs of a political awakening there, too. President Dwight D. Eisenhower once came to town, also home to the University of Notre Dame, Johnson recalled, and the future congresswoman got to shake his hand. She was so impressed she became a Republican, until President John F. Kennedy, a Democrat, came along. Johnson would later earn a bachelors degree from Texas Christian University and then a masters degree from Southern Methodist University. Overt racism She first returned to Texas for work, getting hired sight unseen at Dallas VA hospital an experience she would never forget. Johnson had been told she could live in a dorm on campus. But when officials saw she was Black, they were just shocked, she said. The nurses quarters were no longer open to her. Officials would go into patients rooms ahead of her to say that I was qualified, she said. That was really the most blatant, overt racism that I ever experienced in my life, she recalled. Johnson nearly quit. But the chief nurse urged her to stay, telling her, You need to do this for your people, Johnson recounted. She did stay, eventually working her way up to chief psychiatric nurse. It was very challenging, she said in 2020. But any job where youre an African American woman entering for the first time would be a challenge. They had not hired one before I got there. Yes, it was a challenge, but it was a successful venture. Those sort of inequities spurred her to political activism. Friends and community leaders encouraged her to run for the Texas House, finally convincing her in 1972. In a stark sign of the times, the Morning News un-bylined story about her candidacy was titled Woman Seeks Seat in House. It made a point to describe Johnson, whose marriage had recently ended, as a late 30s divorcee with a 14-year-old son. The political novice won, fueled by a scrappy family effort that saw her teenager, Kirk, take cooking classes so mom could spend more time campaigning. Rising Democratic star Johnson faced bigoted attacks from those who said a spot in the state House was a mans job, a lawyers job and a job for a family person, the Morning News noted during her 1972 run. Her victory made her the first Black woman in Dallas elected to public office, and made her a rising Democratic star. She became the first woman in the Texas House to chair a major committee the Labor Committee in the late 70s. She earned a plum role in the state Democratic Party. She captured the attention of President Jimmy Carter, who named her to a leadership post within the U.S. Health, Education and Welfare Department. Carters loss in 1980 sent Johnson into the political wilderness for a time. She took a job with a national nursing advocacy group. Then a state Senate seat came open in southern Dallas in 1986. She ran and won. With the higher profile came added scrutiny. Texas Monthly in 1989 skewered Johnsons temper, saying her primary legislative tool is anger and that when things dont go her way, look out. The magazine, citing her work on improving minority representation, also noted that she could be effective and even eloquent. When Johnson turned her sights to Congress in 1992, she revealed her intent in a startlingly unusual way: while leading a meeting of the Senate redistricting subcommittee that was drawing boundaries for the newly created seat. Rivals jabbed at her over accusations that she crafted a district to her liking. Johnson batted away the criticism and became the second Black woman elected to Congress from Texas, after former Houston Rep. Barbara Jordan. Johnson soon became a force in Washington, focusing on issues ranging from voting rights to education, health care to transportation. Congressional Black Caucus chairwoman In 2001, she was elected chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, vaulting her to the national stage. Ebony magazine named her one of the 10 Most Powerful African American Women. Her relationship with President George W. Bush, a fellow Texan, spotlighted her approach in D.C. We dont agree on a lot, but were friendly about it, she told the Morning News in 2001, saying in another interview that year that if he walked in here right now, Id probably greet him with a hug, as he would me. Johnsons growing seniority positioned her to secure significant funding and projects for North Texas. For many years, she formed half of a formidable duo with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, a Dallas Republican likewise legendary for her ability to deliver for the region. Its difficult to name an aspect of North Texas development in the last three decades, particularly infrastructure, that didnt have Johnsons imprint. Johnson was supportive of DART way before it became popular, Gary Thomas, the former president and chief executive of Dallas Area Rapid Transit, said in 2011, hailing Johnson as a visionary. Republicans in Texas often looked to Johnson for help securing federal aid, especially during periods of Democratic rule. Johnson, for years the only Democrat in Congress from North Texas, sometimes shouldered that burden alone. In 2009, for instance, no other lawmaker from the Dallas area voted for President Barack Obamas stimulus package. Though I stood alone in this area in voting for it and I was called a spendthrift Ill take it, she said in 2013 at the ribbon-cutting for the DFW Connector, a $1 billion expansion of interchanges on the north side of the airport. The project received the largest stimulus award of any transportation project in the country. Johnsons status as the first registered nurse elected to Congress gave her gravitas on issues such as health care and scientific research, as well, helping her ascend to a coveted chairwoman spot atop the House Science, Space and Technology Committee. Yet, when her influence didnt sway her colleagues, she could be a bulldog. She spent years unsuccessfully trying to get a posthumous Medal of Honor for World War II icon Doris Dorie Miller, a Black mess attendant from Waco who heroically manned a machine gun during the attack on Pearl Harbor. I have lobbied the Department of the Navy about as much as I know how to lobby them, Johnson said at one point, though she would eventually at least be able to celebrate the Navys decision to name an aircraft carrier after her hometown hero. As Johnsons number of terms in Congress went into double digits, questions began to arise about how long she would stay in office. Adversaries and allies Critics noted that for all shed done for North Texas, her southern Dallas County district hadnt fully shared in the regions prosperity. Her sometimes-brusque style irritated adversaries and alienated would-be allies. She maintained deep-seated rivalries with some other heavyweight North Texas Democrats, such as Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price. The friction points came to a head in 2010, when the Morning News revealed that Johnson had broken anti-nepotism rules by awarding scholarships from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation to four relatives, including two grandchildren, and to a top aides two children. Johnson offered shifting explanations for the obvious conflict of interest, which was roundly criticized by experts on philanthropy and ethics, and by the Congressional Black Caucus leaders. She ultimately said she had made a mistake without knowing I made a mistake. The scandal led to her toughest primary in 2012, though she ended up crushing former state Rep. Barbara Mallory Caraway and Dallas attorney Taj Clayton in the primary with more than 70% of the vote. It was Johnsons last serious challenge, as she repeatedly postponed retirement. I fully intended to retire after my current term, but with much pressure and encouragement, I have agreed to one more term, Johnson told district residents in 2019 in campaign robocalls. I plan to continue to work hard to serve District 30. After announcing her retirement in November 2021, Johnson endorsed Crockett 45 years her junior as her successor. In her statement Sunday following the news of Johnsons death, Crockett said she was bewildered when Johnson called and asked her to run for her seat. But that is the thing about (Johnson): she never slept, Crockett said. She was always working. She kept her finger on the pulse of what was going on in the Texas House, and while I didnt fully understand what I was getting myself into, I trusted her, her judgment and her mentorship. With Johnsons backing, Crockett became only the second representative from District 30, created after the 1990 census. I really cant imagine the challenges she went through, Crockett said after winning the nomination in a runoff. She created the pathway for me. _____ (Washington Bureau chief Todd J. Gillman and staff writer Joseph Morton contributed to this report.) _____ WATERLOO Attorneys for Waterloo man who was shot in the head during an August robbery attempt are seeking a competency exam. Prosecutors said 28-year-old Aundaris Desean Reed was shot in the head and almost died when he and others tried to rob a teen who was selling a stolen pistol in Mohawk Street. On Thursday, Reed sat in a wheelchair and quietly listened as defense attorney James Metcalf recounted how Reed no longer recognizes him despite the fact he had represented him on prior occasions. Its pretty obvious he has some medical issues related to the gunshot wound, Metcalf told the court in making his request that Reed be sent for an evaluation. Jared Knapp, another defense attorney for Reed, recounted a Dec. 21 visit where Reed only responded to some of his questions. He doesnt appear to understand the nature of the offenses, Knapp said. Assistant County Attorney Ryan Tang, who is prosecuting the case, challenged the request. Mr. Reed is not suffering from a mental disability or diagnosis as he would have us believe, Tang said. He said after the robbery, Reed was supposed to be arrested when he was discharged from University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. But Reed escaped from the hospital likely without the use of a wheelchair and disappeared, prompting authorities to speculate that he had died for lack of further medical care, Tang said. That changed, he said, in late August when Reed apparently placed a phone call to another man who had been charged in the robbery. The jails phone system recorded the call, and Tang said Reed and the inmate discussed events. He sounds pretty lucid, Tang said. Reed even talked in a coded or masked manner about what had happened, careful not to make any criminal admissions while getting his point across to the person on the other line, Tang said. In addition to the Aug. 1 robbery, Reed is charged with July 4, 2021, incident where he shot an acquaintance in the leg and a September 2022 police chase. Judge Kellyann Lekar will rule on the evaluation request in the near future. Violent crime is up and also down, according to new federal data Violent crime is up and also down, according to new federal data Federal reports show similar long-term trends in violent crime, but diverge significantly on year-over-year changes Despite the long-term trends, the two reports differ more than ever before on the year-over-year change in violent crime. Property crime went up in 2022 One undeniable trend: Violent crimes against young people doubled Still, most crimes are not reported to the police WATERLOO Police are investigating a hit-and-run crash into a home during the early morning hours of New Years Day. Officers found a damaged silver 2013 Kia Optima at about 2:30 a.m. Monday outside 307 Oneida St. where it seemingly ripped through a fence and bashed into the front of the tan single-family home, causing significant damage to the cinder-block exterior. No injuries were reported nor were any arrests immediately made. Police said the driver was not found on scene and the registered owner of the vehicle was uncooperative. An officer said the Kia, with damage to its front, looked to have taken a turn too fast and also hit a parked, white semi-truck and silver BMW during the course of the events. Waterloo Fire Rescue also assisted on the call. The single-story home, sitting at the corner of North Barclay and Oneida streets adjacent to Antioch Baptist Church, is owned by R Family LLC, according to property records. The church had sold the home, built in 1927, to the current owner in March, the records state. PHOTOS: Waterloo Black Hawks vs. Dubuque Fightng Saints on New Year's Eve 123123-spt-black hawks-1.JPG 123123-spt-black hawks-10.JPG 123123-spt-black hawks-2.JPG 123123-spt-black hawks-4.JPG 123123-spt-black hawks-5.JPG 123123-spt-black hawks-6.JPG 123123-spt-black hawks-7.JPG 123123-spt-black hawks-8.JPG 123123-spt-black hawks-dubuque-1.JPG 123123-spt-black hawks-dubuque-3.JPG EAGLE PASS, Texas Before settling in New York City like thousands of other migrants this year, Abdoul, a 32-year-old from West Africa, took an unexpected detour: Weeks in a remote Texas jail on local trespassing charges after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. "I spent a lot of hours without sleeping, sitting on the floor," said Abdoul, a political activist who fled Mauritania, fearing persecution. He spoke on the condition that his last name not be published for fear of jeopardizing his request for asylum. Starting in March, Texas will allow police to arrest migrants who enter the state illegally and give local judges the authority to order them out of the country. The new law comes two years after Texas launched a smaller-scale operation to arrest migrants for trespassing. But although that operation was also intended to stem illegal crossings, there is little indication that it has done so. The results raise questions about the impact arrests have on deterring immigration as Texas readies to give police even broader powers to apprehend migrants on charges of illegal entry. Civil rights organizations have already sued to stop the new law signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, calling it an unconstitutional overreach that encroaches on the U.S. government's immigration authority. The Justice Department recently told Abbott that it will also bring a lawsuit unless Texas reverses course on the new law, according to a letter that was first obtained by Hearst Newspapers. Since 2021, Texas authorities have arrested nearly 10,000 migrants on misdemeanor trespassing charges under what Abbott has called a arrest and jail" operation: Border landowners enter agreements with the state authorizing trespassing arrests, clearing the way for law enforcement to apprehend migrants who enter the U.S. through those properties. The arrests have drawn constitutional challenges in courts, including claims of due process violations. More recently, one landowner asked officials to stop the trespassing arrests on their property, claiming authorities never had permission in the first place. Abbott predicted the trespassing arrests would produce swift results. When people start learning about this, theyre going to stop coming across the Texas border, he told Fox News in July 2021, when Texas-Mexico border crossings reached 1.2 million that fiscal year. That number has ticked up even higher over the past fiscal year, topping 1.5 million. Theyre still coming through here, said Sheriff Tom Schmerber of Maverick County, where Abdoul crossed the border and was quickly arrested in July. Abbott suggested this month Texas may soon phase out the trespassing arrests as it moves forward with illegal entry charges that can be enforced most anywhere in the state, including hundreds of miles from the border. The trespassing arrests have been a cornerstone of Abbotts nearly $10 billion border mission known as Operation Lone Star that has tested the federal governments authority over immigration. Abbott has also sent an estimated 80,000 migrants on buses to Democratic-led cities, strung up razor wire on the border and installed buoy barriers on the Rio Grande. Abbott also recently sent a flight of 120 migrants to Chicago in an escalation of his busing operation. The mission is visible in Maverick County, where many of the arrests have taken place. Patrol cars are parked every few miles along the two-lane roads leading to the border city of Eagle Pass. Along the Rio Grande, state troopers from Florida, one of several GOP-led states that have sent National Guard members and law enforcement to the border, work in tandem with Texas officials. Abdoul was arrested in the citys Shelby Park, a small piece of greenery touching the river with a ramp for boaters. It was the Fourth of July when Abdoul set foot on American soil for the first time. Officers standing nearby asked him a few questions and quickly took him into custody. He said that he was given small food portions in jail and was so miserable he would say anything to get out. He pleaded guilty to trespassing, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of a year in jail. Its unknown how many of those arrested on the border for trespassing remain in the U.S., were deported, were allowed to stay to seek asylum, or had their cases dismissed. But Kristen Etter, an attorney who said her legal organization has represented more than 3,000 migrants on the trespassing charges, said the majority of their clients were allowed to stay and seek asylum. She said many migrants seek out law enforcement at the border because they want to surrender. If anything, rather than being a deterrent, it is attracting more people, she said. The trespassing arrests are spearheaded by the Texas Department of Public Safety, which said the state's border operation has resulted in more than 37,000 total criminal arrests. Spokesperson Ericka Miller said officers have stopped gang members, human traffickers, sex offenders and others from entering the country. Had we not been there, all of it likely would have crossed into the country unimpeded," Miller said in an email. "The state of Texas is working to send a message to those considering crossing into the country illegally to think again. Israel's war in Gaza will continue throughout 2024, a military spokesman said, insisting that the country was preparing for "prolonged fighting" against Hamas militants. "The IDF (Israeli army) must plan ahead, understanding that we will be required for additional tasks and warfare throughout this year," Daniel Hagari told reporters late on Sunday. "The objectives of the war require prolonged fighting and we are preparing accordingly." The war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group, which rules the Gaza Strip, erupted after Hamas fighters carried out a deadly attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7. The attack left around 1,140 people dead in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures. Some 250 people were also taken hostage by militants. The Israeli army says 129 people still remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Israel's retaliatory land, sea and air assault on Gaza has so far killed at least 21,828 people, most of them women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. Hagari said the army was currently "planning the management of the forces operating in the field" in the months ahead. Hagari said some of the 300,000 army reservists would get a break from the conflict, with Israel seeking to boost its war-hit economy. "Some of the reservists will return to their families and employment this week," he said. "This will significantly ease the burden on the economy and allow them to gather strength for the upcoming activities in the next year, as the fighting will continue and they will still be required." Since the ground operation began on Oct. 27 in Gaza, the army has lost 172 soldiers inside the Palestinian coastal territory, including some in friendly fire incidents. (AFP) Another year has come to a close, but in San Francisco and Oakland, the past is never past. Feel like spending an evening in the swinging, pre-war jazz era of the 1940s? Weve got that. Wanna escape back to the 90s nostalgia of your childhood? Yup, weve got that too. Find an escape from the chaos of the modern era at eight bars and restaurants where immersive design and throwback menus are all you need to travel through time. 1920s: Bourbon & Branch (Courtesy of @bourbonandbranchsf) Nowhere in the Bay Area is as good at recalling the Prohibition era as Bourbon & Branch, the Tenderloins legendary speakeasy. With a password for entry, secret passages, and a historical pedigree that dates back a hundred years, the brick-walled 1920s-style hideaway is a vintage-inspired gem. Youll need a reservation to visit the main bar or the adjacent hard-boiled detective agency Wilson & Wilson, but the Library is open to anyone who can figure out the secret code to get in. // 501 Jones St. (Tenderloin), bourbonandbranch.com 1930s: Stookeys Club Moderne (Courtesy of @stookeysclubmoderne) Painstakingly designed with the verve of a 1930s cocktail joint, Stookeys Club Moderne feels like it was snatched out of an earlier era and plopped, whole-hog, right in the heart of Lower Nob Hill. With its streamlined Dashiell Hammett style, tinted primary-colored lights and bartenders in crisp white coats, Stookeys is one of the most transportative bars in town, especially when live jazz musicians are providing the soundtrack. The fantastically extensive drink list travels through time too, with a list that includes historical gems like the Pendennis Club (made with gin and apricot brandy), longstanding classics like the mai tai, and modern concoctions like the Winchesters Mystery (made with bourbon and raspberry syrup). // 895 Bush St. (Lower Nob Hill), stookeysclubmoderne.com 1940s: The Dawn Club (Courtesy of @dawnclubsf) Once the epicenter of San Franciscos Great Revival, the Dawn Club was lovingly restored to its pre-World War II glory back in May. Part jazz club, part cocktail lounge, the Art Deco vibe here is straight out of a black-and-white photo. It took the Dawn Club 15 years to amass its world-class whiskey collection, which they pour alongside lively cocktails that include gone-but-not-forgotten classics like the Clover Leaf (a fruity recipe made with gin and egg whites) and the Boothby (a whiskey and Champagne concoction invented pre-Prohibition). Live music gets toes tapping every night after 8pm. // 10 Annie St. (SoMa), dawnclub.com 1950s: Lions Den Bar & Lounge (Courtesy of @lionsdensf) Travel to the Chinatown of yesteryear, when the enclave drew glamorous patrons from around the city for good music, stiff drinks, and fashionable company. At the cocktail bar and club the Lions Den, they bring the decade alive with vintage Chinese style, historical snapshots, and a piano lounge. Signature drinks nod to the neighborhoods nightlife history with names like Forbidden City and the Skyroom martini, and apps like fried wontons and garlic noodles are perennial Chinese American favorites. // 57 Wentworth Pl. (Chinatown), lionsdenbarandlounge.com 1960s: Bardo Lounge & Supper Club (Courtesy of @bardo_oakland) Decorated with authentic mid-century modern furniture scoured from around the country, the Bardo Lounge & Supper Club has an authentically swanky, vintage design mag vibe that brings the 60s back to life. On its menu, Bardo reaches back in time, pairing modern takes on old-school dinner party eats (think deviled eggs with braised beef cheeks and chicken liver mousse with confit citrus) with era-evoking cocktails both shaken and stirred. While theres no official bowl to throw your keys in, if you get swept away by the mood and want to get one going, we imagine youll get more than a few takers. // 3343 Lakeshore Ave. (Oakland), bardooakland.com 1970s: For the Record (@jmatty.photo, via facebook.com/fortherecordsf) With its wood paneling, patterned butterscotch yellow wall treatments and a collection of groovy lava lamps, For the Record leans hard into 1970s style. But its not just its design that embraces the decade; theres soul, funk, and disco on the hifi and potluck-style eats like French onion dip and deviled eggs on the menu. Named for hit 70s songs, cocktails are nonetheless ultra-modern in their recipes with flavors like ube, blue spirulina, and crawfish boil bitters taking center stage. // 2120 Greenwich St. (Marina), fortherecordsf.com 1990s: Ninth Life (Ninth Life/Nicola Parisi) Run it back to the 90s at Oaklands new bar, Ninth Life. Dressed up in colorful swirling lights, electricity-crackling plasma globes, and vintage ephemera from the mall era, this pocket-sized cocktail bar manages to evoke the nostalgia of adolescence. With upbeat jams on the sound system and drinks inspired by the eras pop culturethink El Duderino (an homage to The Dudes white Russian habit) and Purple Rain (a bell-pepper and red wine ode to Prince)Ninth Life is just like that one time you partied your ass off when Jennys parents were out of town back in 94minus the grounding you got for breaking curfew. // 1911 San Pablo Ave. (Oakland), ninthlifebar.com Radio Ad Volumes during Apr-Jun23 and Jul-Sept23 witnessed growth of 4% and 6%, respectively, compared to Jan-Mar23, as per TAM AdExs quarterly report on Radio Advertising in Jul-Sept23. Also, Jul-Sept23 observed growth in ad volumes by 7% on Radio Advertising compared to Jul-Sept22. The Services Sector retained its 1st position with 34% share of the ad volumes during Jul-Sept23 over Apr-Jun23 on Radio Advertising. The Top 10 sectors collectively added 89% share of the ad volumes in Jul-Sept23. Education Sector descended to 6th position with 6% share of ad volumes compared to 2nd position in Apr-Jun23. Properties/ Real Estates and Hospital/ Clinics retained their 1st and 2nd positions during Jul-Sept23 over Apr-Jun23 on Radio Advertising. Life Insurance and Ret Cars were new entrants in the Top 10 list of categories in Jul-Sept23 compared to Apr-Jun23. The Top 10 categories together accounted for 53% share of ad volumes on Radio Advertising during Jul-Sept23. Kedia Homes was the leading advertiser during Jul-Sept23, retaining its 1st position. During Jul-Sept23, the Top 10 advertisers together covered 15% share of ad volumes on Radio Advertising. LIC of India ascended to the 2nd position in Jul-Sept23 compared to its 6th position in Apr-Jun23. Union Bank of India, Patanjali Ayurved and Tata Motors entered the Top 10 list of advertisers in Jul-Sept23 over Apr-Jun23. Over 2.9k+ exclusive advertisers were present during Jul-Sept23 compared to Apr-Jun23. Kedia Sezasthan was the leading brand in Jul-Sept23. Kedia Sezasthan and Vimal Pan Masala retained their 1st and 2nd positions in Jul-Sept23 over Apr-Jun23 on Radio Advertising. Out of the Top 10 brands present in Jul-Sept23, two of them belonged to Life Insurance Corporation of India. Magics Hair Care was an exclusive brand that entered the Top 10 brand list and secured 7th position in Jul-Sept23 over Apr-Jun23. Over 160+ Categories registered positive growth. Properties/ Real Estates among categories witnessed highest increase in Ad secondages with growth of 25%, followed by Cars with 55% growth during Jul-Sept23 compared to Apr-Jun23. In terms of growth %, Computer Printers category witnessed highest growth % among the Top 10, that is, 180x in Jul-Sept23. Compared to Apr-Jun23, Gujarat and Maharashtra retained their 1st and 2nd positions with 20% and 17% share of ad volumes, respectively, in Jul-Sept23. The Top 5 States together contributed 67% share of ad volumes in Jul-Sept23. Jaipur retained its 1st position with 11% share of ad volumes in Jul-Sept23 compared to Apr-Jun23. Also, the Top 10 cities together covered 70% share of ad volumes in Jul-Sept23. Evening was the most preferred time-band on Radio, followed by Morning and Afternoon time-bands on Radio Advertising. Evening & Morning time bands together added 69% share of ad volumes. Ad Commercials with 20-40 seconds was most preferred for advertising on Radio during both the periods Jul-Sept23 and Jul-Sept22. Together, 20-40 seconds and <20 seconds ad size added 94% share of the ad volumes on Radio Advertising. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that Moscow will intensify strikes on military targets in Ukraine after an unprecedented attack over the weekend on the Russian city of Belgorod. The attack killed 24 people and left over 100 wounded in Belgorod on Saturday. It came after Moscow launched a large-scale attack on Ukrainian cities. "We're going to intensify the strikes, no crime against civilians will rest unpunished, that's for certain," Putin said Monday during a visit to a military hospital. He said Russia will press on with hitting what he called "military installations." "We are doing that today, and tomorrow we will continue doing it," Putin said, almost two years into Moscow's offensive. He spoke as Ukraine said Russia had hit it with a "record" number of drones on New Year's Day. Putin called the Belgorod hit a "terrorist attack" and accused Ukrainian forces of targeting "right in the city center, where people were walking, before New Year's Eve." He repeated a claim that Ukraine is being used by the West to "settle its problems" with Russia. The Russian leader said he believed the "strategic initiative" in the dragging conflict was on the Russian side. "In any case that is how I am being briefed and I always insist: any offensive operations should be done after a defeat of the enemy," he said, according to the Interfax news agency. (AFP) A BJP MLA from Thane, Sanjay Kelkar, has appealed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to facilitate the settlement of the dues of rubber company workers before initiating a cluster development project on a plot where the firm was located. Kelkar, whose party is an ally of the Shiv Sena led by Shinde, said in a statement on Sunday that he was hopeful that the chief minister will empathise with the workers of the company, which is now closed, and take positive action in the matter. Shinde performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the cluster development scheme in the Wagle Estate area of Thane on Saturday. The CM said that following the deaths of 18 people in the Sairaj building crash in 1998, he decided that the city needed cluster redevelopment of old and dilapidated buildings. Representative Image Mumbai Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) arrested a man along with 250 grams of Mephedrone (MD) drugs in the Mahim area on New Years Eve, officials said. The estimated value of seized drugs is Rs 50 lakh, they said. According to officials, a team from the Worli unit of the ANC was patrolling late at night. While patrolling near Mahim Railway Station, they noticed a man standing on the footpath near platform number one. The man appeared suspicious, prompting ANC officials to stop and search him. During the search, they found a white powder in a plastic bag, identified as MD drugs, leading to the arrest of the person. Upon interrogation, he identified himself as Benedict Francis Godgift Cyprian alias Dinku (37). The police registered a case under the NDPS Act and arrested him. The ANC seized 250 grams of MD drugs from Dinku, valued at Rs 50 million in the international market. Dinku resides in Nalasopara, and the police are investigating the source of the MD drugs, they said. The ANC presented Dinku in court, where he was remanded in police custody until January 3, officials added. The third suspect in the shooting death of a man who was found gravely injured while he was seeking help in a Birmingham neighborhood is now in custody. Brittany Patterson, 33, was taken into custody Saturday, Birmingham police announced on Sunday. She has addresses listed in Kimberly and Mt. Olive. Previously arrested were Dustin Harry Stanfield, 43, of Hoover, and Joshua Corey Guthrie, 33, of Fairfield. All three are charged with capital murder and kidnapping in connection with the slaying of 43-year-old David Wayne Nicholas two days before Christmas. Nicholass girlfriend was abducted when he was killed. She was found with one of the suspects the following day, having been stripped and beaten. The family of Nicholas has launched a GoFundMe to help with his burial. Donations can be made here. Charging documents stated Nicholas was killed when the suspects did knowingly attempt to abduct or injure or sexually violate the victim, as well as a female victim who survived. East Precinct officers were dispatched just before midnight that Saturday to a report of a person shot in the 1400 block of Lake Lane N.E. Officers arrived to find Nicholas wounded. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service pronounced Nicholas dead on the scene at 12:53 a.m. David Wayne Nicholas(Contributed) Police said Nicholas was assaulted at a home in that neighborhood. He was then able to leave the house and seek help from nearby residents. It wasnt immediately clear where Stanfield was taken into custody. Guthrie, however, was captured the following day by Leeds police officers at the Walmart Supercenter on Whitfield Avenue in Leeds. Leeds Chief Paul Irwin said the homicide victims significant other was taken when Nicholas was killed. Police recovered her from Guthries vehicle when he was arrested. The victim was nude and beaten, and was hospitalized with a concussion, she told AL.com. Birminghams East Precinct officers took Patterson into custody Saturday in Woodlawn. Authorities said those involved knew each other. One of the suspects is the ex-boyfriend of the woman kidnapped. All three remain held without bond. Gypsy Rose Blanchard has returned to Louisiana following her release from a Missouri prison Thursday after serving eight years for her role in her abusive mothers murder. While it was rumored that Blanchard planned to attend the Chiefs game on New Years Eve after her release from Chillicothe Correctional Center, she posted a TikTok Sunday morning, confirming that she was home in Louisiana, where her husband and his family live. The New York Daily News reported Blanchard was asked by her parole officer to leave Missouri. Sources told TMZ that law enforcement officials expressed concerns she was a security risk in the Kansas City area. She also posted a selfie to Instagram earlier in the day, sporting a New Orleans Saints jersey. In the video, Blanchard also thanked her supporters on social media, many of whom had rooted for her after learning that her mother Clauddine Dee Dee Blanchard had reportedly medically abused her for years before she was killed. TMZ reported Gypsy Rose wanted to attend the Chiefs game in hopes of meeting Taylor Swift, who has become a regular at Arrowhead Stadium since she and tight-end Travis Kelce made their relationship public. She reportedly told TMZ that Swifts music, specifically her single Eyes Open, helped her cope with trauma from her childhood. Gypsy Rose also reportedly told the outlet that she would use commissary money in prison to purchase all of Swifts albums. Growing up, Gypsy Roses mom allegedly lied to doctors, friends, family and her daughter, saying her daughter had muscular dystrophy and leukemia, among other illnesses. Dee Dee forced Gypsy Rose to use a wheelchair, eat through a feeding tube and endure painful and unnecessary surgeries, including the removal of her salivary glands. The ruse had financial rewards for Dee Dee Blanchard. She and Gypsy Rose met Miranda Lambert, were sent on paid trips to Disney World and received an accessible home near Springfield through Habitat for Humanity. As her mothers abuse escalated and became more physical, Gypsy Rose plotted with her then-boyfriend Nicholas Godejohn to kill Dee Dee. In June 2015, he entered their home and stabbed Dee Dee 17 times, while Gypsy Rose hid in the bathroom, covering her ears. The couple fled to Godejohns home in Big Bend, Wisconsin, but were arrested in a police raid that month. Godejohn continues to serve a life sentence after he was convicted of first-degree murder. Since then, Gypsy Rose met and married Ryan Anderson, a Louisiana teacher, while she was in prison. She shared a photo of the pair kissing after her release. 2023 The Kansas City Star. Visit kansascity.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The suspect in the shooting death of a 77-year-old man on Birminghams Parkway East has been formally charged. Anthony Dubose Jr., 25, is charged with capital murder and discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle. Killed was Stephen A. Keith Jr., who was shot while he was driving. Dubose is also charged with attempted murder in the wounding of another man in a separate incident. 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 was in front of Arbys. When first responders arrived on the scene of the wreck, they found Keith injured in a small car that had crashed into a large pickup truck. Keith was rushed to UAB Hospital where doctors determined he had been shot. He was pronounced dead at the hospital late Saturday night. An elderly man was critically injured Dec. 30, 2023, when he was caught in crossfire on Parkway East in Birmingham.Carol Robinson 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. 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 non-life-threatening injuries. 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. East Precinct officers, the departments Crime Reduction Team, Jefferson County sheriffs deputies and Trussville police all worked to make the arrest. Police initially said Keith was caught in crossfire, but later determined he had been targeted. Why he was targeted, and if they even knew each other, has not been made clear. Keith is Birminghams 135th homicide this year. Of those, one included an officer-involved shooting by an outside law enforcement agency and nine others have been ruled justified. Dubose will be held without bond in the Jefferson County Jail.. Two people were taken to the hospital after an apparent accidental shooting in northern Birmingham. Birmingham police and firefighters responded at 9:40 p.m. Sunday to a report of a double shooting at an apartment building in the 1600 block of Sixth Street North. They arrived to find a male and a female wounded. They were taken to UAB Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police said the shooting appears to be accidental. Fire engulfed a Decatur church early this morning, causing extensive damage, the pastor announced on Facebook. Sean DeMars, the pastor of Sixth Avenue Community Church, said he received a call about 4:30 a.m. about the fire. Unfortunately, the fire was not small, DeMars said in a Facebook post. The entire meeting hall was consumed, and the rest of the building incurred significant smoke and water damage. Dear beloved members of 6th Avenue, What happened? At 4:30am on January 1, I (Sean) was woken up by a call informing... Posted by Sixth Avenue Community Church on Monday, January 1, 2024 Decatur Fire and Rescue continues to investigate after responding at about 2:37 a.m. and extinguishing the fire, WHNT reported. The investigator on the scene said that the fire was caused by a wall heater in the foyer at the main meeting hall entrance, DeMars said. The church announced an impromptu gathering in the church parking lot this morning. This year we saw some major wins in reproductive justice: Ohio voted to enshrine reproductive protection into their state constitution, Virginians blocked Gov. Youngkins hopes for a 15-week abortion ban and abortion coverage expanded or resumed in states like Wisconsin. But it was far from a fairytale ending for 2023. The type of reproductive care one can and cannot access continues to be impacted by state laws and the people who make them. The fall of Roe v. Wade exacerbated long-standing issues like pregnancy criminalization, and forced even more pregnant people to travel significant distances to receive healthcare and abortion. From pushing for harsher abortion restrictions to taking legal action against FDA-approved medication thats used for more than just abortion these are 5 people who sucked in 2023: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Kate Cox has become the face of the reproductive rights ban showdown in Texas, forced to flee the state to receive an abortion for a life-threatening pregnancy even though legislation claims there are exceptions to the law for people in this situation. After a lower court approved her exception, Attorney General Ken Paxton ran this case to the Texas Supreme Court, then sent a letter to local hospitals threatening the civil and legal liability of anyone involved in Coxs abortion process. In February, Paxton filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration to prevent pharmacies in Texas from prescribing abortion-inducing drugs. Paxton has a strong history of chiming in on anti-abortion legislation around the country, which he boasts about on his website. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Currently on his bid for the White House, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said during a Republican presidential debate in October, that he would support a federal 15-week abortion ban, implying that he would continue pushing pro-life initiatives that hes supported in his state. This April, DeSantis signed the Heartbeat Protection Act, a bill approving a six-week abortion ban in Florida, though he publicly went against the language penned in this law he pushed during an interview with CBS Evening News, stating that he does not support criminalizing women who get abortions. We have no criminal penalty. The penalties are for the physician, he said. The law itself broadly states that any person who willfully performs or actively participates in a termination of pregnancy is committing a third-degree felony. According to Advancing New Standards in Health, one in three people find out that theyre pregnant past the six week mark. This is frequently the case for young people, people of color and people facing food insecurity meaning that restrictive abortion policies like this impact these communities the most. Floridas Supreme Court will decide on the states current 15-week ban and, if its upheld, the six-week ban would be triggered about a month after. According to the Independent Florida Alligator, there is currently no date set for the courts decision. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds also signed a heartbeat law this year, as fetal personhood laws granting fetuses the same or more rights than a pregnant person was a major theme in pro-life legislation this year. In July, Reynolds called for a special legislative session specifically to pass reproductive restrictions. I believe the pro-life movement is the most important human rights cause of our time. Not only will I continue to fight against the inhumanity of abortion, but I will also remain committed to supporting women in planning for motherhood, promoting fatherhood and parenting and continuing policies that encourage strong families. These are the most essential building blocks of our society and they are what will keep the foundation of our state and country strong for generations to come, Reynolds said in a press release. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine Misinformation infiltrated Ohios road to implementing constitutional protection over abortion and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was accused of playing a major role in this. With a track record of supporting anti-abortion legislation, Issue 1 the constitutional amendment on Ohios Nov. 7 ballot to protect reproductive freedom became a major talking point for the Republican. Issue 1 is just not right for Ohio, DeWine said in a political ad in which he sits alongside his wife, Fran. His statements prompted responses from multiple local political commentators, who accused him of gaslighting and making false claims. Clevelands local NBC-affiliate news station also published fact-checking segments on the ads. In a follow-up interview with WKYC, he claimed Issue 1 would override parental consent laws and allow an abortion at any time during pregnancy. In October, DeWine told reporters, For many years, in Ohio and in this country, weve had a law that said a partial-birth abortion where the child is partially delivered and then killed and then finally delivered was illegal in Ohio. This constitutional amendment would override that. This statement was also false, according to constitutional scholars interviewed by the AP. Alliance Defending Freedom If you havent heard this name, get familiar. Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is a conservative legal group behind some major lawsuits challenging abortion laws and access to contraception around the country. According to the New Yorker, the group has 14 wins over the past few decades under its belt, including overturning Roe and allowing employers health insurance policies to deny birth control coverage. Their latest venture is challenging medication abortion. ADF represents four doctors and medical organizations questioning the validity of mifepristones FDA approval in the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA, a case that will be heard by the Supreme Court later this year. With more than half of abortions done using pills, this threat to remove access to one of the two drugs considered the standard in medication abortions could shift the status quo of medication abortion and early pregnancy loss management, according to The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Though it would not be an end all be all, as misoprostol alone has also proven to be a safe way to induce a pregnancy termination, ADF, or other groups like it, presumably wouldnt stop there. According to a Dec. 20 Reproductive Rights Today newsletter, ADF is also behind several ongoing abortion and contraception cases, including one that would impose penalties on Idaho doctors who perform abortions in emergency settings. One of the ways in which our liberal friends advertise their virtue is their support of the global "decolonization" movement. And their students have learned their lessons well. Read what "Dr. Ijeoma Opara a double-board certified Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at WSUSOM, Associate Program Director of the Internal Medicine-Pediatrics residency, and attending physician with Wayne State University Physician Group" has to say about the "global health space" in "Its Time to Decolonize the Decolonization Movement." The voices of indigenous and (neo) colonized decolonial and anti-colonial liberation movement scholars, thinkers, strategists, and activists must be centered in all decolonial efforts Intentionality should be performed towards ensuring that Majority World decolonial, anti-colonial, and liberation leaders who are women, LGBTQIA+, and disabled occupy the forefront of the movement. Do you not see, Dr. Opara of Wayne State University, that there is nothing more colonialist than staffing a decolonialist movement with woke-certified "women, LGBTQIA+, and disabled?" Do you not see, Dr. Opara, that there is nothing more colonialist than a professor at an American university warbling on about a "liberation movement"? Do you not see, Dr. Opara, that writing about "global health" in an article of Woking Class word salad is about as imperialist and colonialist as the archimperialist Cecil Rhodes himself? Do you not see, Dr. Opara, that calling Frantz Fanon, author of The Wretched of the Earth, a "giant" in the decolonization movement is as fake as calling Joseph Stalin a liberator of the workers? Fanon was born middle-class in Martinique, fought for the Free French in World War II, and became a psychiatrist in France before joining the Algerian liberation movement. He was first, last, and completely a lefty, a believer in a political-religious movement that is the most imperialist and colonialist and hegemonic and murderous movement ever seen on this Earth. The story of the last two hundred years is not the story of cruel "power-hoarding" and "structures of oppression." It is quite simply the Great Enrichment that has increased real per-capita income of ordinary people by 30 times in 200 years. (For you climate-change enthusiasts all worked up about CO2 and 400 parts per million, that is 30,000,000 parts per million. OMG). And it arose from the enterprise of ordinary people that were allowed to "have a go:" the men and women that developed mechanized textile production, oil production, steam railways, oil-powered cars and trucks, airplanes, computers, the internet. You could call it the greatest liberation of ordinary people in all history. Is there a downside? Has human society been colonized? You betcha. Politicians have ginned up two world wars. Socialists have enslaved hundreds of millions of people. Governments have grown from taxing about one tenth of the economy to one third and more. Vast administrative structures staffed by educated people -- with university professors in the forefront -- have imposed their educated will on billions of ordinary people on everything from health care to education. Some people, unbelievers in the religion of the Woking Class, have given a name to this new social colonization. Michael McConkey calls it managerial wokeism, the perpetual pursuit by the administrative state of an infinitely receding set of zero-stasis goals: zero-racism, zero-covid, zero-carbon. Wokeism becomes the excuse for the relentless management of all human life by the authoritatively designated technical experts. In other words, colonization. But I think this imperial project is best understood as the evolution of liberalism, the Code of the Educated: Liberalism. The moral code of the educated elite that shoved the kings and nobility out of power, because freedom and human rights. Socialism. The moral code of the educated elite that proposes to run everything, including the economy. Liberal Democracy. The moral code of the educated elite that is doing it all for the working class, to be paid for by the rich and the middle class. Civil-rights Democracy. The moral code of the educated elite that is doing it all for the civil rights of Blacks, to be paid for with the jobs and opportunities of middle-class and working-class whites. Our Democracy. The moral code of the educated elite that says it is doing it all for our communities -- various ethnic and gender minorities -- but in fact lives off the fat of the land and generous contributions from the special interests while the middle class struggles and our communities descend into social and moral chaos. You can see that this world-wide politico-religious colonization project is nothing if not totalitarian. As for me, I Have a Dream: Populist Nationalism. The moral code of the ordinary middle class that lives for a decent job or career, marriage and children, a house in the suburbs, and a gas-powered SUV in the garage, to be paid for by a much smaller government, a much less powerful educated class, and protected by a wall of separation between government and business. "Wall of Separation" is not, absolutely not, plagiarized. Christopher Chantrill @chrischantrill runs the go-to site on US government finances, usgovernmentspending.com. Also get his American Manifesto and his Road to the Middle Class. Image: Rijksmusuem A popular saying is that those that dont believe in God will believe in anything. Global warming provides and excellent reason for making an effort to believe in God, or at least in Judeo-Christian ideology that is the basis of our civilization. Global warming religion originates in well-financed scientific organizations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The scientific basis of the catastrophe theory is junk science made to seem authoritative by dressing it up with lengthy reports based on dubious computer models. These organizations and scientists greatly benefit from rivers of government money and bask in the prestige that comes from being credible-seeming prophets. The junk science is bad, but the camp followers in the media and environmental non-profits are far worse. They amplify the junk science claims into hysterical predictions of imminent doom. The climate science establishment mostly sits on the sidelines, the members abdicating their responsibility as public servants and apparently happy with ignorant exaggerations of their scientific conclusions. In 2005, when I retired, I took up the study of global warming. I joined the American Geophysical Union and the American Meteorological Society. I went to their annual meetings of both organizations. I exhibited posters and went to the AGU annual climate change banquet in San Francisco Chinatown. I attended Gordon Research Conferences that related to climate change. These conferences encourage open discussion by requiring attendees not to quote other attendees. I made every effort to build relationships with climate scientists. At one Gordon Conference a former insider at the National Science Foundation stood up and said that the NSF was corrupt in various ways, for example directing grants to their friends. You could have heard a pin drop. Nobody defended the NSF and nobody agreed with the critic. They all pretended to be turtles. Presumably most of them had pending grant applications or plans to submit applications. As President Eisenhower said in his 1961 farewell address about government support of science: the power of money is ever present and is gravely to be regarded. Although I was deeply invested in studying the science, the friendships with climate scientists were the most helpful aspect of my study. Very few establishment climate scientists openly depart from orthodoxy. But plenty of climate scientists doubt the orthodoxy but are afraid to speak up. The orthodoxy is that the atmospheric climate models can predict the future and that we face a catastrophe caused by burning fossil fuels. This is obviously a leap of faith. There are many models from different science groups and they disagree with each other. According to a well-known climate scientist, their outputs do not correspond even remotely to the current observed climate. Models are evaluated by simulating past climate to see how well the model can track it. This is analogous to creating a mathematical model of the stock market that tracks past ups and downs and then applying the model to try to predict the future. This doesnt work well as evidenced by the fact that there are not hordes of stock market forecasters that are billionaires. The problem is that fitting the past with a model is often an exercise in curve fitting that has no predictive power about the future. Academic life is in varying degrees oppressive. Scientists go through a long apprenticeship starting as graduate students. Although climate science strives to be like physics with well-defined rules and principles it doesnt work out that way due to the complicated nature of the Earths climate. Climate science is more like medicine than physics. The senior authorities or high priests of climate science have converged on the doomsday view. Doomsday works for them. Contradicting high priests is not a good way to get ahead. A consequence of the intellectual oppression in climate science is that there are no early career mainstream climate scientists that are public critics of the orthodoxy. If one should emerge, he would be looking for a new line of work very quickly. As exhaustively documented by the websites realclimatescience.com and wattsupwiththat.com there is nothing new about climate doomsday predictions. Whats worse the official climate records of the government are both unreliable and tampered with. Global warming orthodoxy emphasizes CO2 as the main driver of climate. But other well-known factors such as solar cycles, cosmic rays, and the overturning circulation of the oceans are capable of influencing climate. The Danish scientist Hendrik Svensmark has built a convincing climate theory based on changes in the suns magnetic field that influence cosmic ray bombardment of the Earth and subsequently the formation of clouds. Svensmark is attacked or ignored by the establishment faith. Once after the AGU climate banquet in San Francisco I was walking through Chinatown with a prominent senior scientist that had dissented to an extent from orthodoxy. We encountered another scientist, and my friend introduced me as his favorite skeptic. The other scientist became angry, and my friend became obviously upset if not fearful. My friend was making the mistake of associating with me, a subversive. Climate scientists that associate with the wrong people can lose their jobs. I dont want to exaggerate. American universities and research institutions are not North Korea. I think casual skepticism is tolerated. Skepticism becomes a problem when the orthodoxy is criticized in scientific or public forums. Richard Lindzen is a climate scientist that speaks his mind and cannot be fired because he has made too many important discoveries. He wrote an exemplary insiders article. Somehow the use of wind and solar energy for generating electricity has become official government policy. The idea is that wind and solar dont generate CO2 and thus will thus reduce CO2 emissions from burning coal and natural gas to make electricity. Important climate scientists have attacked their followers for promoting wind and solar technologies that are highly impractical and very expensive. The companies that build these billion-dollar installations are of course engaged in promotion of their defective technology. The generation of electricity is well understood engineering. Wind and solar cost too much and must be backed up by traditional generating plants. Wind and solar only work when the weather is favorable. Solar does not work at night or if it is cloudy. Wind works when the wind is blowing strong enough but not too strong. The only scalable method of generating electricity without CO2 is nuclear and the environmental left hates nuclear even though they claim to be terrified of global warming. You can read my book, Dumb Energy, if you want the details. Corruption of science is not new. Examples include Lysenkoism, Pathological Science, and Cold Fusion. Wrong science may be driven by individual and organizational self-interest but it can also be the consequence of wishful thinking, confirmation bias, or honest mistakes. Norm Rogers educated as a physicist was a cofounder of Rabbit Semiconductor. He has written many articles concerning global warming and green energy. He has a website. He is a member of the board of directors of the CO2 Coalition and was formerly on the board of the National Association of Scholars. Image: US Navy Israel winning its war against Irans proxies in the Gaza Strip is an opportunity to implement reforms necessary for reconciliation and long-term peace. Israel, the United States and other western powers lack legitimacy in the Muslim world, and their taking the lead would undermine the project from the outset. Israel will not empower the UN, UNRWA, or like international institutions that have so amply demonstrated their hostility. There are few good options, but Saudi Arabia is influential and motivated to deprive Iran of its Mediterranean colony. It also has a growing desire to be part of the modern world order, and is at least amenable to peace with Israel. Perhaps most important, the Arab states are more suited to the sort of generational planning necessary to deradicalize an entire society. Rebooting an Oslo-style peace process is doomed to fail. The Iranian, rejectionist faction (Hamas, Islamic Jihad, etc.) has only strengthened in the post-Oslo era, and the Palestinian Authority no longer even pays lip service to the idea of coexistence with Israel. Hamas intends to destroy Israel and kill every Jew, and it enjoys overwhelming support both in Gaza and the West Bank. Every peace offer has been met with violence, and the attempt to unilaterally disengage culminated in the worst anti-Jewish attack since the Holocaust. Israel is laying the groundwork for the generational changes needed for peace by defeating Hamas. Hamas had three goals for the 10/7 attack: breach the Israeli border and kill as many Jews as possible; lure the Israel Defense Forces into a bloody quagmire in Gaza and expose the Israeli north to an invasion by Hezballah; and scuttle the then-imminent normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia. While Hamas achieved an initial tactical victory, it squandered whatever military advantage it had by perpetrating atrocities against civilians, and once word of the invasion spread, Hamas forces were forestalled by ad hoc Israeli forces even before the IDF routed the invaders. Despite achieving surprise, Hamas casualties from the 10/7 attack approached in number the total Israeli casualties. Hamas may have terrorized the population, but showed itself essentially irrelevant as a military force. Nor has the vaunted Gaza trap panned out. Prior to the ceasefire in November, Israel showed willingness to rely on air power and other standoff weaponry, which disrupted Hamas operations and kept Israeli casualties relatively low. By systematically severing the Hamas network of tunnels, Israel may have turned a Hamas trap into a trap for Hamas, requiring fewer ground forces than might have been expected and mitigating the risk of popup attacks from concealed positions. Since the end of the ceasefire, Hamas preparation and foreign pressure on Israel to decrease use of ordinance has resulted in an accelerated Israeli casualty rate, but Israel has shown little sign of modifying its ground war and its forces continue to push forward more or less at will. Israels success, together with strong early U.S. messaging, has prevented Hezballah from opening a second front in the north. Israel has been able to commit a significant deterrent force in the north even while conducting its Gaza operations. The United States reenforced the message by deploying two aircraft carrier groups to the region. While Israel has killed over one hundred Hezballah members and suffered relatively minimal casualties in consistent, low-level exchanges of fire since 10/7, Hezballah has not attempted any concerted attack. Critically, Israel continues preventive targeting of Iranian assets in Syria, including the recent killing of Irans seniormost IRGC leader in the country. Israel can maintain this level of contact indefinitely. Neither has Irans Houthi proxy in Yemen risen to a strategic threat requiring Israeli response. Saudi, U.S., and Israeli forces have intercepted dozens of Houthi drone and missile attacks on Israel, including the worlds first-ever extra-atmospheric missile intercept achieved by Israels Arrow system. Houthi drones and missiles have struck several commercial tankers in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, causing delays and expenses as shippers temporarily diverted around the Cape of Good Hope. However, a U.S.-led coalition is now patrolling shipping lanes and shipping is returning to normal. The Houthis are effectively inducing a coalition in defense of Israel and global stability, rather than opening a second front threatening Israels war effort. Militarily, then, Hamas has failed. Hamas one lasting victory from 10/7 is Saudi Arabias suspension of normalization talks with Israel. Normalization began with the 1979 peace agreement between Israel and Egypt, which ended the wars of Israels birth. The peace with Jordan in 1994 was not militarily significant, but represented progress toward regional integration in conjunction with the prior years Oslo Accords. Likewise, the 2020 Abraham Accords between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Morocco, and Bahrain reflect a significant diplomatic rather than military breakthrough. For Israel, normalization with Saudi Arabia would be the most significant diplomatic breakthrough since the 1979 Israeli-Egyptian accord. Saudi Arabia holds immense symbolic importance and influence as Protector of the Two Holy Cities, as well as practical influence through financial sponsorship of religious and civic institutions in the Muslim world. The explosion of mass anti-Israel and anti-Semitic violence and protests around the world suggests that any negotiated peace between Israel and the Palestinians is distinct from acceptance by the Arab Street and Muslim Street. The Saudi government is well positioned to influence mass opinion. Whether popular sentiment is driving Palestinian rejectionism or vice-versa is debatable, but either way the Saudi government is better able to shift global Muslim and Arab perception of Israel than any other institution in the world. Normalization with Saudi Arabia would be a leap forward for Israel. For Saudi Arabia, normalization with Israel and midwifing Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation would accelerate its own integration into the modern order, while dislodging its greatest rivals outpost. The Sunni Saudis and Shiite ayatollahs in Iran are champions of competing Islamic factions that have been waging war against each other since the early days of Islam. Notwithstanding the very real and concerning ties between the Saudis and radical extremists, in recent years the Saudis have sought to modernize and join the western order. By contrast, exporting Islamist, revolutionary violence is the very purpose of the ayatollahs 1979 Revolution, and they have never been as powerful as they are today in the wake of the U.S. flight from Iraq. Israel and the Saudis thus face a common enemy, and the Saudis cannot afford for Israel to lose. If Israel were to fall, Jordan would quickly follow, and Iran would have hegemony over a broad swath from the Arabian Sea to the eastern shore of the Mediterranean. Iran would control most of Saudi Arabias northern border (Iraq and Jordan), have proxies to its east (Qatar) and south (Yemen), and would threaten its shipping lanes. The Saudis should recognize that an Israeli defeat poses an existential threat. Saudi Arabia nevertheless needs pressure to restart negotiations. The Saudis have suggested they will renew discussions from where they left off at some point in the future. The terms of Israeli-Saudi normalization need not change from the pre 10/7 status, but the negotiations should be augmented with specific responsibilities and expectations for deradicalizing and rebuilding Gaza and the West Bank. In particular, Saudi Arabia would receive a leadership role in rebuilding Palestinian institutions with normalization embedded into the structure of society, but would also be obligated to comprehensive removal of anti-Semitic indoctrination in its enormous sphere of influence. The United States and other willing powers would promise financial support. The U.S. and others should argue to the Saudis that normalization with Israel could secure a brighter future for the Palestinians, but it needs to happen now, before the war is over, so reconstruction efforts are planned and ready to begin immediately. While the 30 years since Oslo show there is no sure path to peace, the Saudis have unique advantages. There are increasing signs that Gazans are fed up with Hamas leaders living in luxury abroad while ordinary Gazans suffer terrible consequences for 10/7. The Saudis can present themselves as stepping in to aid their Arab, Sunni compatriots after decades of Shiite Irans malign influence led to unprecedented death and destruction. The Saudis can also plan on a time-horizon impossible for a democratic nation. Israel is well on its way to defeating Hamas in the field and removing direct Iranian influence in Gaza, one prerequisite for long-term peace. But that alone is not enough. The Palestinian people as a whole do not accept that Israel is a permanent and legitimate member of the community of nations, and there is nothing Israel can do to convince them otherwise. However, with Irans influence ebbing, a long-term plan and resources to rebuild with peace a primary requirement, maybe the Saudis can change the narrative enough to make peace possible. A normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia that gives the Saudis a mandate to rebuild Gaza is the best option available for securing both Israels and the Palestinians future well-being. Image: Amos Ben Gershom They say the generals are always fighting the last war, and sometimes theres truth to that. But in 2024, our ability to mount a wartime footing against our most likely enemy is most severely hampered, not by the readiness of our armed forces, but by our most likely enemys deep infiltration into not just our military, but the entirety of our civil life. Consider our response when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, and then, again, when they escalated with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. We imposed economic sanctions on Russia and Belarus, banning many imports and exports. This was manageable because we have traditionally exported relatively little to them, and imported relatively little from them as well. While these sanctions have certainly been enough to be felt (such sanctions tend to hurt us more than the other party, unfortunately), they could be imposed relatively easily, only because there was relatively little commerce to interrupt. If we were to maintain a neutral position on the war, we would not have needed to do this at all. It is a critical step, however, if there is a chance of joining the conflict. You cannot continue to trade with a country with which you are at war. Imagine if we had been dependent on Germany and Japan for either finished goods or manufacturing components, on the day that Japan attacked Pearl Harbor? We obviously lost all commerce in both directions from that day until the end of the war; all pending orders were stopped; any of our dies or molds or manufacturing processes essentially became unavailable enemy property until the wars end. Luckily, our dependence on these countries was minimal in 1941; our manufacturing sector could become independent of any countries on the other side of the wars dividing lines, and we could ramp up domestic production to a wartime footing relatively quickly. Could we do so today? As much as we may try to avoid thinking about it, we all know that the next country with which we are likely to go to war is the Peoples Republic of China, a communist military dictatorship. This isnt an idle fear; China has been threatening our friends for years, recently ramping up not only the rhetoric but physical sea incursions as well. Long known for funding and encouraging North Koreas saber-rattling against South Korea, Japan, and the United States, Red China is now making actual moves on the Philippines and other South China Sea neighbors, as well as Taiwan. As Americas leadership grows more impotent, China gets bolder and bolder, and understandably so. Beijing knows that 2024 is likely their best opportunity ever to invade and annex at least one neighbor. Such an invasion will surely create a larger war, and even if the U.S. doesnt step in, there is no question but that all U.S.-China trade would necessarily come to an immediate halt. We know from any random shopping trip that a majority of the finished goods that we buy in the store -- small appliances, electronics, clothing, shoes, toys, gifts -- are now made in China. Even most of the electrical products that we manufacture right here in the United States are made here of a wide array of components imported from China. We might manufacture a refrigerator or oven in the USA, using American steel and American glass, but if the printed circuit board, power cord, heating elements or cooling condenser had to be imported from China, our domestic production even of those American-made products will stop cold the day the war starts. When the inevitable war with China comes, consider what our current interdependence with China will mean to the American way of life: Many of our companies depend on exporting to China for their profit margin. Such exports will of course end immediately. But thats the least disruptive issue, compared to the rest: We buy countless finished goods from China. Goodbye to that, for the duration. American factories buy countless components everything from off-the-shelf standard products to customized parts. Dont assume we can just buy them from another country. For millions of globally-sourced parts, China is the only current source. Its not a matter of ramping up production; its a matter of relearning how to make things. Countless American businesses own factories in China, where not only Chinese people work, but American and other foreigners do as well, often living there with their families. Goodbye to those plants, and their output, and the U.S.-owned equipment, dies and molds, and personnel. Similarly, countless Chinese nationals are in the USA, working at American companies. Some are doubtless honorable immigrants; many are undoubtedly plants, foreign agents ready to be activated upon the breakout of hostilities. How do we know which to deport, which to detain, which to welcome as immigrants? How many of our colleges depend on the billions of dollars per year in Chinese tuition and joint research grants (which also serve as a cover for stealing our technology?). Once hostilities are joined, the drying-up of this funding will cripple many of our colleges, as will the presence of a veritable army of likely foreign agents. How much of our transportation, logistics, and retail economies are dependent on trade with China. Millions of jobs? Goodbye to much of that. Consider American-made cars dependent on China for the printed circuit boards that run their dashboards. Consider American pharmaceutical companies who have many of their drugs made in China. Consider the computer networks that power your business, your home internet, your phone service, often local utilities too, most of which depend on Chinese equipment, Chinese parts, Chinese remote control. To how much of that must we say goodbye? This is just a starting point. Theres much more. America has moved from traditional AC plug-in technology (which could be made anywhere) to cordless technology (which depends on lithium ion batteries almost entirely sourced in China). Almost everything we do, everything we use, everything we depend on, is either partially or wholly dependent on trade with the most malevolent, militant, and expansion-minded country on earth. Remember how destructive the supply chain crisis of 2021-2022 was? That was when we werent at war. That was when we just couldnt get parts for a couple months longer than usual. Now imagine it being five years, or ten, or twenty. President Trump tried to awaken us to this threat, and even implemented expensive punitive tariffs on Chinese goods, to shake some sense into the American business community. As soon as it started to have an effect, and some American manufacturers started home-shoring again, our nations enemies installed Joe Biden in the office of the presidency to put a halt to that corrective process. China plays the long game. We dont know for sure if this will be the year it all happens. But if China wants to do it at all, then its hard to imagine that there will ever be a better year for it than this one. The sooner America wakes up, the better. John F. Di Leo is a Chicagoland-based international transportation professional and trade compliance consultant. A one-time Milwaukee County Republican Party chairman, he has been writing a regular column for Illinois Review since 2009. Read his book on vote fraud (The Tales of Little Pavel) and his political satires on the current administration (Evening Soup with Basement Joe, Volumes I and II, and the brand new Volume Three). Image: Dept. of Agriculture It has long been known there is a two-tiered system of justice in the Mummified Meat Puppet Administrations America, tiers extended to the canine justice system. Ive taken an interest because in my police days, my division commanding duties once included animal control. In that pursuit, I learned dogs take on the personalities of their owners: President Joe Biden is ending his third term [isnt that Obama s third term? Ed] without his family dogs, both German Shepherds Major and Commander in the White House with him. That is because his dogs have bitten people more than one dozen times since moving in, prompting officials to formally kick them out after dealing with it for months on end. Image: Joe Biden petting Champ and Major in Oval Office, wikimedia commons.org., public domain. Biting dogs are normally, by law, euthanized. Biden has, in the past, defended his dog. You turn a corner, and theres two people you dont know at all. And [Major] moves to protect, Biden said, describing him as a sweet dog. Eighty-five percent of the people there love him, Biden told ABC News. He just all he does is lick them and wag his tail. But I realize some people, understandably, are afraid of dogs to begin with. Yes, particularly vicious German Shepherds known to bite. Joe is so understanding. Here are just a few of the attacks: 1. The first reported incident occurred in March 2021. It was described as a serious biting incident with White House security. The dog was described as having aggressive behavior. At the time, CNN reported that the dog had displayed agitated behavior on multiple occasions, including jumping, barking, and charging at staff and security. The Secret Service agent whom Major bit had to be treated by the White House Medical Unit (WHMU). At the time, former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki attributed the incident to the dog getting acclimated. He acclimated to ruthlessly attacking Secret Service Agents: 3-12. In December 2021, the Bidens were given a new German Shepard puppy Commander. This dog also had issues with attacking members of the Secret Service. In the summer of 2023, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) records requested by the conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch from the Department of Homeland Security revealed that Commander had attacked Secret Service agents at least ten times in the span of a few months, from October 2022 to January 2023. A November 2022 email from a Secret Service official, for example, revealed that Commander bit an officer two times: on the upper right arm and thigh, according to the Associated Press. Staff from the White House Medical Unit treated the officer and decided to have the individual taken to a hospital, the outlet added: A note the following day added details about the attack, including that the officer who was bitten used a steel cart to protect himself from another attack. The officer later was placed on several days of restricted duty based on doctors advice. Kicked out. Commander was formally removed from the White House campus in October 2023 while officials evaluated the next steps for the family pet, who had at least 11 biting incidents during his short time in the White House. The president and first lady care deeply about the safety of those who work at the White House and those who protect them every day, Jill Bidens communications director, Elizabeth Alexander, said at the time. So much so they waited until the dogs perforated a bunch of them, just to be sure. Surely this is the only way in which the Bidens have improperly treated Secret Service Agents while caring so deeply for them? Consider this from 2014: A new book is baring all on Vice President Joe Bidens love for stripping down in the pool. In The First Family Detail: Secret Service Agents Reveal Hidden Lives of the Presidents, written by former Wall Street Journal reporter Ronald Kessler, readers get a look inside the private lives of politicians, told by the Secret Service agents assigned to protect them. Agents say that, whether at the vice presidents residence or at his home in Delaware, Biden has a habit of swimming in his pool nude, Kessler wrote, according to the New York Daily News. Female Secret Service agents found his skinny dipping to be offensive. One can only imagine. Actually, one would probably rather not. Across America, whenever a dog bites, breaking skin, theyre quarantined. Rabies. In some jurisdictions, one bite is enough to mandate euthanasia. In others, two or more. Whats clear is Joe Biden takes the same casual approach to the sensibilities, and personal safety, of Secret Service agents as he does to the personal safety of Americans and national security. More proof we suffer under a post-constitutional, two-tiered system of justice. 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. With Enlightenment came secularism, with secularism came relativism, with relativism came leftism, and with leftism comes judicial activism. No longer are Western courts viewed as a place of arbitration based upon absolute Judeo-Christian morality and standards of justice, but a vehicle to enact revolutionary change, where fairness and righteousness are in the eye of the executor. According to a new report published by Fox News today, Americas judiciary has been quietly receiving climate change arbitration training from a little-known judicial advocacy organization financed by left-wing nonprofits. Here are the details, from the article itself: The Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Law Institute (ELI) created the Climate Judiciary Project (CJP) in 2018, establishing a first-of-its-kind resource to provide reliable, up-to-date information about climate change litigation, according to the group. The projects reach has extended to various state and federal courts, including powerful appellate courts. When you have a group of people who dont believe in the foundational values of America, this is what you geta covert operation to transform what ought to be an unbiased and nonpartisan apparatus into a biased and partisan one. When the courts become an instrument to advance an agenda, it is a serious infringement on the right of a person or party to an impartial arbiter and the development is, naturally, alarming. When judicial minds receive quiet training in pseudo-science to ensure climate justice and equity are taken into consideration the threat of prejudiced decisions increases, and unconstitutional laws, and bureaucratic rules and mandates become legal despite any fact, reason, or authority to support their implementation. Image generated by AI with prompt from author. Fox also reports that in just five years, the CJP has crafted 13 curriculum modules and hosted dozens of eventsall in all, more than 1,700 judges have participated in CJPs training scheme. From ELIs website on its CJP, we find this: As the body of climate litigation grows, judges must consider complex scientific and legal questions, many of which are developing rapidly. To address these issues, the Climate Judiciary Project of the Environmental Law Institute is collaborating with leading national judicial education institutions to meet judges need for basic familiarity with climate science methods and concepts. Now this isnt a great analogy because certain sciences are settledembryology establishes that life begins at conception, ultrasounds unequivocally determine that babies in the womb are actually living human beings, and biological reality aligns with the real reality of two sexes (everything else is mental illness), etc.but how would the left handle a pro-life nonprofit being a very real presence in law schools, presenting its curriculum as objective (even though it actually would be) and the institution requiring its students to take the course? Or, a Christian outfit, asserting that humans are not gendered but sexed? Obviously, the useful idiots would lose their collective mind. I wonder how we can expect those gas stove rulings to go? What about when the tyrannical government imposes a carbon emissions limit on all American subjects? And when the federal bureaucracy takes away the heating and cooling elements in our home? What happens if legislators dictate that grocery store chains can only sell a limited amount of beefor, none at all? Will these illegal actions be upheld? Well, presumably yes, because a trained judiciary will be right there to rule the right way. "But, but," a typical American might wonder after listening to the Congressional testimony regarding anti Jewish-bigotry on campuses from the esteemed Dr. Claudine Gay , president of Harvard University; the esteemed Liz Magill , (now former) president of the University of Pennsylvania, whose official motto is "Laws without morals are useless;" and the esteemed Sally Kornbluth , president of M.I.T., "how could these esteemed administrators of the esteemed ivy league -- and other supposedly esteemed colleges and universities in that 'league' condone such blatant bigotry, such racism, such ... uhhmmmm ... ignorance ... on their respective campuses?" And the long one. Oh! Oooh! Money shrieks even more loudly, more deafeningly, more shrilly at these esteemed institutions as this analysis by the Gatestone Institute , "a non-partisan, not-for-profit international policy council and think tank is dedicated to educating the public about what the mainstream media fails to report" proves "At least 100 American colleges and universities illegally withheld information on approximately $13 billion in undocumented contributions from foreign governments, many of which are authoritarian.... Speech intolerancemanifesting as campaigns to investigate, censor, demote, suspend, or terminate speakers and scholarswas higher at institutions that received undocumented money from foreign regimes." ISGAP report, "The Corruption of the American Mind," November 2023. Qatar makes it possible for Ivy League universities to claim that they receive no funds from the Qatari state, because the donations are funneled through the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, a not-for-profit organization established in 1995 by the Emir of Qatar. This ensures that the foundation can identify itself as a private organization, which enables Qatar to conceal its state funding as private donations. "At the time of writing, the State of Qatar contributes more funds to universities in the United States than any other country in the world, and raw donation totals omit critical, concerning details about the nature of Qatar's academic funding." ISGAP report, "Networks of Hate," December 2023. "We would pay them [journalists]... Some of them have become MPs now. Others have become patriots.... We would pay [journalists] in many countries. We would pay them every year. Some of them received salaries. All the Arab countries were doing this. If not all, then most of them." Former Qatari Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim, February 2022. With their loo-o-ng history of bigotry against Jews, e.g., an admitted policy of limiting enrollment of more-than-qualified Jews, beginning with the esteemed Lawrence Lowell continuing and expanded with an Asian quota as well, these universities will need oil money even more as Jewish money (perhaps) walks away But then again, these esteemed universities also rely -- heavily -- on taxpayer dollars. Public, private. Hey, open-mindedness is all is equal, even if ... because ... you attended an ivy league university. Or something. Show me the money. Since Germany opened the floodgates and a deluge of third world dependents poured into the small European nation, there has been (expectedly) a major uptick in crime, from petty theft to violent assaults and murder. When a supermarket manager recently complained about the lawlessness, pointing out that the culprits are usually migrants, federal legislator Ferat Kocak threw all brains and intellect to the wind, showing how utterly corrupted the ideology and political opinions of leftists really are. From a report by Paul Joseph Watson at Modernity News: A shop owner in Germany was denounced as a racist for complaining about migrants mass looting his store, while a left-wing politician sided with the criminals, saying they were entitled to steal. Siding with the criminals, Kocak suggested that the migrants were entitled to steal because the government wasnt giving them enough free money in welfare payments. I would say that people get back what they are entitled to, Kocak posted on X. One of the central problems is that the authorities are overloaded and many refugees are not even paid what they need to live, he added. The leftist demanded that more migrants immediately be given work permits so that they can lead their lives independently. First of all, in one instance, the thieves were caught stealing alcohol, and since no one needs alcohol to live, right there, the narrative goes out the window. Secondly, as Mr. Gatzke the shop owner noted, the migrants stealing the liquor were Muslimsand, the narrative collapses a second time. (Gatzke alleges that around a third of the looters tend to be from Tunisia.) Were told these migrants are refugees and asylees, civil people fleeing domestic unrest and tyrannical regimes in search of a better lifewhich makes sense when they largely (if not entirely) hail from countries run by Muslim governments. (For context, Islam is the official state religion in Tunisia where a Muslim president is required and according to the U.S. State Department, more than 99% of Tunisias population is Sunni Muslim.) However, perhaps these people are plagued by domestic unrest and tyranny because thats what Islam is, and a third world Muslim mentality ushers in third world dynamicsI mean, are they raping because their welfare benefits are lacking too? Is that why they stab German women and children while screaming allahu akbar? Because they simply didnt get enough food stamps and free housing? Perhaps Germany could hold these mobs to Sharia law standardsthat way, they dont have to learn the ins and outs of Western Judeo-Christian justiceand simply lop off the hands of those who steal. Just an idea of course, to make the feral cultural enrichers feel more at home. I can only hope that support for the AfD just got another boost in the polls. Image from X. There is something eerie about January 1 for Cubans of my generation. My brother, sister, and I always find a minute to hear another story of that fateful January 1, 1959, when our lives were turned upside-down. We ended up in the U.S. and are super grateful to this wonderful land that embraced and adopted us. Nevertheless, we remember those conversations with our late parents and wonder how it all happened. The events of that day were not as depicted in The Godfather II. People did not rush to their boats. You didnt have suicide bombers among the anti-Batista rebels. Most Cubans spent the early hours on the phone or following the news on radio and TV. My specific memory is watching my father on the phone and my mom listening to his conversations when we were having breakfast. Cuba became an independent country in 1902. You can divide the islands history into two periods: the pre-Castro years and the current regimes period in power since 1959. I was born in the last decade of pre-Castro Cuba. My story is so typical of the other kids born in the 1950s. We were the grandchildren of immigrants from Spain or elsewhere. In my fathers case, his family came from Spain in the 1840s and settled in Sagua La Grande, a town in the central part of the island. On my mothers side, they came from Asturias, Spain and settled around the island. They got off the boat with no money and became successful entrepreneurs, from owning a hardware store to managing several coastal restaurants. All that was nationalized in the name of the revolution. Our ancestors came to Cuba because it was a prosperous island, an attractive place for Spaniards seeking a better life, for Jewish refugees from Europe, hardworking Asians, and others. It was a young and vibrant country with hope and a future. In other words, the island of Cuba attracted people rather than drove its citizens away looking for a future. They came rather than leave. It is really sad to watch Cuba today. The young escape and look for a better life, preferably in the U.S. The old get stuck and left behind. As I saw recently, Cuba is on track to have the oldest population in Latin America. Too many free abortions and young couples who literally do not want to bring a new life into this misery. It wasn't that way before. It is even more painful when you realize that pre-Castro Cuba attracted thousands of immigrants from all over the world, as our friend Dr. Carlos Eire wrote: Between 1900 and 1930, the first three decades of Cuban independence, about one million immigrants flooded into the island, mostly European, and mostly northern Spaniards. This population tsunami also included Asians, Levantines, and Jews. These immigrants doubled the population of the island and changed its complexion, literally. Tens of thousands of immigrants continued to flow into Cuba every year after that, up to 1958. Immigration from the U.S. was comparatively slight, but in 1958 there were more Americans living in Cuba than Cubans in the [USA]. Emigration from Cuba was minimal during this half[-]century. Rates of immigration as high as this and of emigration as low require a robust and growing economy, and a considerable degree of political stability. The regime is still in power, but it is dying minute by minute. The young look for a raft to get out. The old just die off. To wither is to shrivel, fade, decay, or lose the freshness of youth. Cuba is indeed withering today but the communists still have the guns and the tanks to keep everybody in line. P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. Image: Arnoud Joris Maaswinkel This is another piece of idiotic trash in The Washington Post to destroy President Trump, in the minds of the public, as they have tried to do for seven years: Led by Trump, GOP candidates take polarizing stances on race and history Comments from the Republican Partys three leading presidential candidates have stoked outrage among many Americans and risk alienating wide swaths of voters, including independents and moderates, strategists in both parties say. First off, everyone should agree that Nikki Haley gave a pathetic responseshe is after all, a RINO. As for polarization though? It is the Democrats that cannot help themselves, constantly siccing corrupt bureaucracies and prosecutors on Trump and his alliesDavid Axelrod even expressed his outrage over the obvious political persecution, lamenting it was making the president even more popular. The Democrats constantly assert that the U.S. is (and has always been) a racist country. They call Trump supporters xenophobes and white supremacists simply because they believe in borders and legal immigration processes. Why are so many people of all ethnicities seeking to come in illegally and legally if we are such virulent racists? It is the Democrats that use the racist term white privilege to gin up racial hate and division. It is the Democrats that judge all white people (based on the color of their skin), promoting the narrative that whites are racist from birth, and oppression is an inherent trait. On racism and all other policies, the media reflexively supports Democrat agendas while opposing Republican policies, routinely labeling America first initiatives as controversial. For example, establishment operatives acted like Trumps policies of enforcing the border laws, which was his constitutional duty, was immoral and questionablethey relentlessly attacked his character, calling him a xenophobe and racist, for simply fulfilling the duties of his job. Meanwhile, they act like Joe Bidens disastrous dereliction of duty regarding the border and the invited invasion, is somehow not his fault. The clear reason the media is so biased in the way they report is that, according to polls, only 3.4% are Republicans. Facts clearly havent mattered for a long time, only power for Democrats to infect America with radical policies to remake, destroy, the greatest country that has ever existed. From a report out at Fox News: A recent study found that a small fraction of American journalists are Republicans. The study from Syracuse Universitys Newhouse School of Public Communications found that just 3.4% of American journalists identify as Republicans, with another 36.4% identifying as Democrats. Based on an online survey of 1,600 U.S. journalists conducted in early 2022, the study is part of a series of research from over the years that examines journalists perspective on the work, professional attitudes, and ethics, according to the study. The media should also stop lying to the public that Adolf Hitler and other socialists are far right. They are and have always been, far left. And they should stop with the lying propaganda that Trump was or would be a dictator. A dictator does not want to reduce government, power, regulations, and taxes. The dictators are the Democrats who want to control most aspects of our life and take away more of the money we earn. It is truly a shame that people of both parties call Democrats progressives. That implies that they want to move forward. Their policies move the country intentionally backwards towards government control. The founding fathers would be turning over in their graves. They sought to move away from a powerful government to a government for the peopleexactly what Trump envisions. Image generated by AI. Manchester City star Jack Grealish has spoken of his devastation and the traumatic experience of burglars targeting his home. Raiders struck at the England midfielders Cheshire mansion during Citys Premier League clash against Everton on Wednesday. Members of Grealishs family and his fiancee Sasha Atwood were watching the televised match at the property when they heard a disturbance, The Sun newspaper reported. An alarm was raised and an emergency response was launched with a helicopter, police dogs and a number of officers sent to the property near Knutsford, but no suspects were detected. The newspaper said the thieves made off with 1 million worth of jewellery and watches. Writing on Instagram, Grealish said: I cant begin to explain how devastated I am over the burglary that took place at my home a few days ago. My family mean the world to me and nothing is more important than ensuring their safety. This has been a traumatic experience for all of us, I am just so grateful that nobody was hurt. I have had so many amazing experiences and achievements over the last 12 months, but to be honest the best year of my life in football now doesnt feel like something I can celebrate. The people that commit these terrible crimes have no idea of the damage they cause to peoples lives. I hope they are found and brought to justice so no other family has to go through what we have. I appreciate the messages from everyone and the support from my friends, team-mates and the club. On a more positive note, Id like to thank everyone for their support throughout this past year, I wish you and your family a happy 2024. James Maddison (right) has offered his support to Jack Grealish (Nick Potts/PA) Grealishs England team-mate James Maddison was one of the first to reply to the post with: Love ya brother. A spokeswoman for Cheshire Constabulary said on Friday: At around 9.50pm on Wednesday 27 December police were called to reports of a burglary. The caller reported that a number of items had been stolen. Officers, supported by the police dogs and NPAS (National Police Air Service), were deployed and searches were conducted in the local area, but there was no trace of the suspects. No arrests have been made at this time and inquiries are ongoing. Labour has pledged to ensure British produce makes up at least half of food in schools, hospitals and prisons as it set out its new deal for UK farmers. The party said it would use government buying power to back agricultural businesses as it seeks to woo rural voters before a general election next year. A quota-driven approach across parts of the public sector at home would run alongside Sir Keir Starmers plan to pursue a new veterinary agreement with the European Union, which Labour hopes would boost exports. Labour said it would make sure British food comprises at least half of produce in prisons, schools and hospitals (PA) A Cobra-style flood resilience taskforce would also be created to reduce the flood risk of Britains farms by delivering drainage systems, flood defences and natural flood management schemes, the party said. The package of measures comes as Labour claimed the Tories are presiding over destruction of agricultural-related businesses, with party analysis of Office for National Statistics data suggesting more than 6,300 have been terminated since 2017. The party hopes its plan for GB Energy, a new publicly owned company to invest in clean, homegrown power and make Britain energy secure, will deliver cheaper bills for farmers. It has promised to rewire Britain in a way that allows farmers to rapidly plug their renewable energy into the grid. Shadow environment secretary Steve Reed said: This Conservative Government has wrecked our farmers. It is time we turned the page and embraced a decade of national renewal with the countryside at its heart. Labour will give British farmers their future back. We will deliver lower energy bills for farmers by switching on GB Energy, lower red tape at our borders to get our great food exports flowing again and use the governments own purchasing power to back British produce. Food minister Mark Spencer said Labour has failed to support farmers in the past and would continue to do so. Labour are incapable of supporting British farming in government they failed to provide the connectivity, jobs and investment rural communities needed, and years later they still have no plan to support the countryside, he said. Meanwhile, the Conservatives have delivered better targeted funding for farmers, protecting our best farmland and speeding up our grid connections for those who need it most. Aside from this copy-and-paste pledge to farmers, the only plan Labour have is a 28 billion a year spending splurge unfunded spending that would mean higher taxes. Irelands deputy premier Micheal Martin has said it is not feasible to ban children from using social media, but said the government could be stronger in warning of its hazards. The Tanaiste was asked about whether Ireland would give consideration to social media restrictions for young people following reports that the UK Government was considering a similar move. The UKs science minister has publicly said the reports of plans requiring teenagers to get their parents permission before setting up an account on sites such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok is just speculation. Speaking as part of an end-of-year interview, Mr Martin said he wanted to see more examples of schools agreeing a social media contract on how to use social media, but said that telling people what to do doesnt always work. There is merit in restricting the use of mobile phones within the school day and within schools themselves, the Cork South-Central TD said. Ive referenced before a very good example of how in a school in a particular school in Rochestown in Cork, the parents, the pupils and the teachers, facilitated by an educational psychologist, agreed a contract in terms of how to use to social media. I would like to see models like that rolled out more, because thats a more informed, educated approach in the sense that youre engaging young children in the challenges and opportunities of social media, but in a way that enables them to be decision-makers as well and and also articulate their concerns, to hear their voices. Policy on children has evolved over 30 years. When I was a minister for health, we developed the first childrens office and people looked at me askance when we actually started surveying children or talking to children, and asking children to give their opinion. And we had a childrens Dail na nOg, the childrens parliament, all of that has become normal now, whereas 30 years ago, or 20 years ago, sorry, it wasnt seen as a normal thing to do. So I think we need to be careful about just banning outright access to social media. I do believe in terms of concentration and focus, theres a lot of merit in saying to children in particular, when youre in school you dont need a mobile phone, and you dont need to be accessing social media, and enjoy the school day with your colleagues. Again, I dont see any feasible route to banning children or young people from social media in the modern era, I think there have to be proper checks and balances and over sites and so on, to restrict access to those, yes certainly. I think we need to work carefully and sensibly on that agenda. A child holding a mobile telephone (David Cheskin/AP) Asked whether children should be a certain age before mobile phones are bought for them, Mr Martin said he would not be prescriptive to the different situations families are in. Im not going to make decisions for parents in that specific, precise way at all. Every situation is different, families are different too in terms of childrens development and so forth, but I think we could, in terms of broad guidelines to the public, those are areas where we can help parents to make decisions and take informed decisions. We drew up guidelines in the past on bullying, for example, so we need to be stronger in the messaging and communications as to the hazards that can occur, just as we do in terms of food and in other areas. But again, very often being overly prescriptive, or directing people or saying to people this is what you should or shouldnt do, doesnt necessarily work. A 22-year-old pianist whose genre-bending blend of classical and Irish traditional influences has topped charts across the world says his life was turned upside down by the success. Jamie Duffy, from Glaslough in Co Monaghan, was studying politics at university in Belfast when he released his first single, Solas. Solas was the most successful debut song on streaming from an Irish artist since Take Me To Church by Hozier, with more than 60 million plays on Spotify. He now has nearly one million monthly listeners on Spotify alone, and has been number one in the classical charts in the Netherlands and Kazakhstan. When he was 17 years old, Duffy began working as a pianist at Castle Leslie, carrying on a musical tradition, as his grandmother was a DJ at Castle Leslie in one of rural Irelands first ever nightclubs in the late 1960s. So that was always there in the background and then started to do piano and do the grades, that was where the more serious elements of it came in and then through school as well, he said. All in the meantime, doing my own thing whilst learning and teaching myself, knowing how to create music myself. Duffys unique sound comes from a blend of classical and Irish traditional music, both genres he experimented with modernising. He said: Id say tin whistle is probably one of my main instruments, and its such a traditional instrument, but the songs I would have been playing on them really wouldnt have been too traditional, it would have been more folk. And just songs Id be playing with the family and I think thats how the genre clash that I have now as a musician has came to be. Its like playing these traditional instruments with different genres that might not have always been the case with other musicians. As well as chart success, his songs have inspired the creativity of others. Alongside the millions of views Duffy has racked up on his own videos, more than 50,000 TikToks have been made with his audio as the soundtrack. Duffy said it was really strange to see his music doing so well in so many areas of the world. The music is so Irish and traditional and neo-classical, its a really strange feeling to see that actually correlate to doing well in charts and on Spotify, he said. Its so weird because going on to Spotify, the biggest listeners, its pretty balanced between Turkey and America, and France, which are all three very different countries in the world. Jamie Duffys classical music song Solas went to number one in Kazakhstan and the Netherlands (Liam McBurney/PA) But I think the good thing about what type of music Im making is theres not really any words to this moment, so it sort of speaks to everyone in a way, so its really nice to see. Duffy described his music as a neo-classical, neo-traditional sound. Its like taking these other genres of music and making them sort of more modern and doing my own thing with them, he said. I never thought you could really do that until I started just doing it and making that type of music, and it seems to connect with people and its really nice to see the reaction being so good. Despite his musical career beginning to take off, this year Duffy graduated from Queens University Belfast with a degree in International Relations and Politics. I sort of went to uni thinking I would be a journalist or a something in that field, and then this sort of happens, that was was the plan until like overnight, he said. Because I never really thought that music could be a job or a career for me, and then overnight, this crazy change and that sort of throws your life upside down, what are you supposed to do? But Im pretty confident that Ive made the right choice of following the music though. Definitely. In 2023, Duffy has worked with Limerick band Kingfishr on an acoustic rendition of their song Flower-Fire. Jamie Duffy at Castle Leslie in Monaghan (Liam McBurney/PA) His most recent release is Eyrie, which he worked on with Swedish composer Peter Sandberg. Duffy said it felt crazy that Sandberg, who can be heard in the soundtrack to Netflixs Stranger Things, would want to collaborate with him. To have somebody like that support you and to actually make a song with you and feature on it, was really, really lovely and getting to know these people, its been a really, really exciting and humbling, but really, really fun process, he said. Looking forward to the new year, Duffy said he is working on his debut album and hopes to travel to some of the many parts of the world where his audience has grown. As someone whose career path now looks unrecognisable as to what he envisioned just a few years ago, Duffy said his advice to other young people wanting to follow their passion is just do it. Dont be afraid to put yourself out there because the power as well in social media, if youre somebody who is just starting out or making their own music, I find when youre making music in your home theres nobody around to give you feedback its easy to say OK, this maybe isnt great, or overthink it and not do anything with it, he said. But if you just take a video of what youre doing and put it up there, the doors that that could open. Its just a really powerful tool, for feedback and to actually develop. I mean, social media has so many flaws and I have a love hate relationship with it, but in that sense, its so useful and helpful just to actually get your music in front of people, because its the easiest way to do it, especially if youre not playing shows and stuff like that. I mean, your phone is like a window into somebody, so really, why not use it and put something into it? Six days of strikes by junior doctors in England later this month will put patients at serious risk, NHS leaders have said. The NHS Confederation issued the warning as it reiterated its call for the walkouts to be called off and said trust bosses should not be forced into this position again. It said the industrial action will leave hospitals, GP surgeries and other services skating on very thin ice and in a highly vulnerable position because it coincides with what is traditionally the busiest week of year for the NHS. Flu and winter illnesses, combined with rising staff absences due to coronavirus, are set to add more pressure to services that will already be stretched by the strike. The Government and British Medical Association (BMA) union must resume talks so a lasting compromise can be found for the sake of the patients, the confederation added. Junior doctors and members of the British Medical Association on the picket line outside Leicester Royal Infirmary during their continuing dispute over pay (PA) Junior doctors are set to walk out from 7am on January 3 until 7am on January 9. The strike amounts to 144 consecutive hours of industrial action the longest in the 75-year history of the health service. The union wants junior doctors to get a 35% pay rise, which it says would restore their real earnings to 2008 levels, but the Government says this is unaffordable. An agreement allows striking junior doctors to be recalled for major incidents and in extreme circumstances. The confederation is urging the BMA to respond quickly to requests for junior doctors to be recalled and for the judgement of senior medics to be trusted when they say they need cover from those on strike. NHS Confederation chief executive Matthew Taylor said: Many NHS trusts will have thin rotas and will be in a highly vulnerable position as they enter what is widely regarded as the busiest week of the year for local NHS services. Parts of the NHS will be skating on very thin ice, and they will need the BMA to back any recall requests for junior doctors when services find themselves under extreme pressure. With the chances of the strikes being called off all but over, the focus of every NHS leader and their staff is now on mitigating as many of the considerable risks that they face as possible. But they shouldnt have to be forced into this position again, especially at such a busy time for local services. To face almost 150 hours of continuous stoppages is a serious and unprecedented risk and one that NHS leaders and their staff have never experienced before. The good news is that the NHS has again prepared extensively and has had to become adept at planning for strikes. While they will again do all they can to mitigate the risks, especially for patients needing emergency care, they have again been left with no choice but to schedule in less activity in anticipation of the strikes. That means more delays for patients who have faced lengthy waits for routine treatment. The NHS is bracing for a difficult few days (PA) Figures released last month showed more than 1.2 million appointments have had to be postponed because of industrial action in the NHS since it began in December 2022. Strikes by junior doctors last month caused around 86,000 appointments to be put back. Both strikes are expected to add to a growing post-pandemic backlog and make it harder for key waiting time targets to be hit. Almost a quarter of Britons tried and failed to see their GP face to face in 2023, the Liberal Democrats have claimed. Some 23% could not get an appointment in their local area, while three in 10 gave up on booking one altogether, according to a poll commissioned by the party. Many turned to DIY medical help or went to A&E instead, with one in seven treating themselves or asking someone else to do so and the same number seeking emergency care, the Lib Dems said. Sir Ed Davey said the figures are utterly depressing and should serve as an urgent wake-up call for ministers asleep on the job. The poll was carried out by Savanta, which interviewed 2,226 UK adults in December about their experience with GP services over the last 12 months, with data then extrapolated to Britain at large. One in five people bought medication online or at a pharmacy without advice from a GP and one in three delayed seeing a doctor despite being in pain, it suggests. The Lib Dems have called for a new legal right to see a GP within seven days in an early version of their manifesto, which they say will be fully costed at a later date. Its focus is on local health services and the environment, which the party believes are crucial to woo traditionally Conservative voters in places like southern England as Britain enters an election year. Sir Ed said: This is scandalous and must act as an urgent wake-up call for ministers asleep on the job. People pay their fair share in tax and expect basic local health services, yet it is utterly depressing to see Brits turning to DIY medical treatment. The record of this Conservative government on the NHS is shameful. Face-to-face GP appointments have become almost extinct in some areas of the country. Patients are left suffering in pain after years of neglect under the Conservative Government, who have repeatedly broken their promise to recruit more GPs. Liberal Democrats would guarantee people a right to a GP appointment within one week so people can get the care they deserve. This would reduce pressure on our hospitals and paramedics, saving crucial time and money elsewhere in the NHS. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: We are making it easier for patients to see and contact their GP. There are now 44 more appointments on average per working day in every GP practice compared to October 2019 and the Government has met its manifesto commitment to deliver 50 million more appointments a year. We are improving access to GP services by cutting bureaucracy, expanding community pharmacy and funding new digital systems for practices under our primary care recovery plan. Our NHS long term workforce plan includes a plan to train hundreds of thousands more staff including GPs over the next 15 years. A powerful earthquake has struck central Japans western coastline, triggering waves over a metre high and prompting tsunami alerts and warnings for people to evacuate. The quake, which is estimated to have been magnitude 7.6, struck the Noto peninsula in Ishikawa prefecture on the main central island of Honshu at about 4.10pm local time (07.10 GMT). It knocked out power to tens of thousands of homes and disrupted flights and rail services. Officials in Ishikawa prefecture confirmed four fatalities early Tuesday, according to the Kyodo news agency. In Wajima city, close to the epicentre, people were reported to have been buried beneath the rubble of houses that collapsed. A large fire in the city engulfed a row of houses, with people being evacuated in the dark. Local hospitals reported a number of injured people arriving for treatment, though damaged roads were hampering the transport of patients. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said dozens of quakes of at least magnitude 3.5 hit the region between between 4pm and 7.30pm. The JMA initially issued a major tsunami warning for Ishikawa and lower-level tsunami warnings or advisories for the rest of Honshu, as well as the northernmost of Japans main islands, Hokkaido. The warning was downgraded to a regular tsunami several hours later, meaning the waters could still reach up to 3 metres (10 feet). The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, which had warned of possible tsunamis along 190 miles of coast, said about four hours after the 7.6-magnitude quake that the tsunami danger had largely passed. Authorities in Japan were still assessing the extent of the damage and people needed to prepare for more tremors, the Japanese prime minister, Fumio Kishida, said. Residents need to stay on alert for further possible quakes and I urge people in areas where tsunamis are expected to evacuate as soon as possible, he said. Buildings shook 190 miles (300km) away in Tokyo. The NHK broadcaster had issued warnings urging people to evacuate quickly to higher ground and to beware of aftershocks and further tsunamis. A Tokyo resident visiting her hometown of Takaoka, a city directly south of the worst-affected Noto peninsula, for the new year holiday, said: Were not that close to the coast so tsunamis are not a worry but the aftershocks just keep coming and shaking the whole house, its terrifying. A government spokesperson, Hayashi Yoshimasa, said people should prepare for possible further quakes and that the Japan Self-Defense Forces were being readied for deployment to help with rescue and recovery efforts. Footage broadcast by NHK appeared to show buildings collapsing in Ishikawa. More than 36,000 households lost power in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures, according to the utilities provider Hokuriku Electric Power. High-speed rail services to Ishikawa have been suspended while the telecoms operators SoftBank and KDDI reported phone and internet service disruptions in Ishikawa and Niigata prefectures, according to their websites. The Japanese airline ANA turned back planes headed to airports in Toyama and Ishikawa, while Japan Airlines cancelled most of its services to Niigata and Ishikawa regions. Authorities said one of Ishikawas airports was closed. Japan has strict construction regulations intended to ensure buildings can withstand strong earthquakes and routinely holds emergency drills to prepare for a major jolt. Earthquakes that strike off the Sea of Japan coast are known to cause tsunamis that can reach the shore in less than 10 minutes, faster than those on the Pacific coast. The magnitude 9 quake of 2011 triggered a tsunami that took approximately 30 minutes before it hit the coastline. Japans Nuclear Regulation Authority said no irregularities had been reported at nuclear power plants along the Sea of Japan, including five active reactors at Kansai Electric Powers Ohi and Takahama plants in Fukui prefecture. There are 22 reactors at six facilities spread across the affected coastline. Hokurikus Shika plant in Ishikawa, which was the closest to the quakes location, had already halted its two reactors for a regular inspection before the quake and experienced no impact from it, the agency said. Japan is one of the most quake-prone country on the planet. A huge earthquake and tsunami that struck the north-east of the country on 11 March 2011 killed 18,000 people. The disaster devastated towns and triggered nuclear meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. Nearly all of Japans nuclear power plants have been mothballed since the disaster. Reuters and Agence France-Presse contributed to this report MPs started the year with a show of cross-party support, giving a rare standing ovation to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in February after he provided the House of Commons with an update on his countrys war with Russia. MPs giving a rare standing ovation after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the Commons via videolink (House of Commons/PA) Later in the month, Nicola Sturgeon fought back tears as she announced her resignation as First Minister of Scotland and leader of the SNP after eight years in the role. Nicola Sturgeon speaking during a press conference at Bute House in Edinburgh where she announced she will stand down as First Minister of Scotland. Picture date: Wednesday February 15, 2023. Jeremy Hunt delivered his first full Budget since becoming Chancellor, which included a hike in corporation tax, in March. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt leaves 11 Downing Street with his ministerial box and members of his ministerial team before delivering his Budget in Parliament (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Meanwhile, Humza Yousaf fended off competition from Kate Forbes and Ash Regan to become the SNPs new leader and First Minister of Scotland. From left, Ash Regan, Humza Yousaf and Kate Forbes after the winner of the SNPs leadership contest was announced (Andrew Milligan/PA) The Conservatives suffered significant losses in Mays local elections while Labour and the Lib Dems gained control of a number of councils. The Green Party also made record gains. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey celebrates with campaigners after his party won control of Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council from the Conservatives in the local elections (Andrew Matthews/PA) Former prime minister Boris Johnson resigned as an MP with immediate effect in June after receiving the Commons Select Committee of Privileges report into the Partygate scandal. The report concluded that Mr Johnson deliberately misled the Commons over lockdown parties at 10 Downing Street, and would be suspended for 90 days if still an MP. Three parilamentary by-elections were triggered by Mr Johnsons decision to quit, including in his own constituency, after loyalists Nadine Dorries and Nigel Adams also announced their resignations. Boris Johnson leaving his home in Oxford following his resignation as an MP (Beresford Hodge/PA) Labour and the Liberal Democrats overturned Tory majorities of around 20,000 votes in July after by-elections in the constituencies of Selby and Ainsty and Somerset and Frome respectively. The Conservatives held onto Mr Johnsons former seat with a reduced majority of 495 votes in a third by-election influenced by the proposed expansion of Londons Ultra Low Emission Zone. Labours Keir Mather delivering his victory speech after overturning a majority of more than 20,000 votes in the Selby and Ainsty by-election (Danny Lawson/PA) One year on from the only budget of her brief tenure as prime minister, Liz Truss defended her policies. During a speech at the Institute for Government think tank in September, the ex-PM said the political and economic establishment prevented her from enacting her economic plans. Liz Truss gives a speech on the economy at the Institute for Government in London (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Education Secretary Gillian Keegan was left teary eyed by Rishi Sunaks speech at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester. The Prime Minister used his speech at the start of October to announce his plan to stub out smoking and confirm that the Birmingham to Manchester leg of the High Speed 2 rail link would be scrapped. An emotional Education Secretary Gillian Keegan watches Prime Minister Rishi Sunak deliver his speech during the Conservative Party conference (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Despite having glitter thrown over him by a protester near the beginning of his speech at Labours conference, Sir Keir Starmer celebrated two more by-election wins for his party later in October as Alistair Strathern and Sarah Edwards overturned big Conservative majorities in Mid Bedfordshire and Tamworth respectively. A protester throws glitter over Sir Keir Starmer during his keynote speech at the Labour Party Conference (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Sir Keir Starmer and the Parliamentary Labour Party welcome newly-elected MPs Alistair Strathern and Sarah Edwards to Parliament (Jordan Pettitt/PA) US vice president Kamala Harris and Tesla co-founder Elon Musk were among the guests at the AI Safety Summit hosted at Bletchley Park in November, during which the Government announced a world first agreement between 28 countries on how to manage the riskiest forms of artificial intelligence. Rishi Sunak and Elon Musk in conversation at the AI Safety Summit (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA) Mr Sunak put law and order at the centre of the first Kings speech in more than 70 years. The King delivers his speech beside the Queen during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords (Leon Neal/PA) Later in the month Suella Braverman was sacked as home secretary after coming under heavy criticism for writing an opinion piece in The Times newspaper in which she questioned the impartiality of police over the way they handle demonstrations. Suella Braverman outside her home in, Bushey, Hertfordshire, after her sacking by the Prime Minister (Andrew Matthews/PA) Her position was filled by James Cleverly who, in turn, was replaced as foreign secretary by former prime minister Lord David Cameron who received a surprise peerage which enabled him to return to the Cabinet. (Left to right) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron and Home Secretary James Cleverly at the ceremonial welcome for President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, at Horse Guards Parade in central London (Victoria Jones/PA) The Governments plan to deport migrants to Rwanda was ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court. This prompted Mr Cleverly to travel to Rwanda to sign a new immigration treaty, which he says addresses the concerns of the court. Mr Sunaks new plan was not enough to satisfy Robert Jenrick, however, who resigned as immigration minister, arguing the legislation does not go far enough. But, despite much hand-wringing by MPs on the right of the Tory party, the Safety of Rwanda Bill passed second reading in the Commons by 313 votes to 269. A Lutheran pastor who led a service at a church in London attended by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark for her golden jubilee has hailed her as a beacon after she announced her surprise abdication. Flemming Kloster Poulsen said she was a perfect mix of royal and at the same time down to earth when, in December 2022, she attended the Danish Church of St Katharines in Camden, north London, for a service to honour 50 years since her accession to the throne on January 14, 1972. His words of praise come after the 83-year-old queen on Sunday announced during her New Years address that she would abdicate on January 14, paving the way for her son Crown Prince Frederik to accede to the throne. She was said to be close to the late Queen and is a distant relative of the King. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark during her visit to the Danish Church of St Katharines in Camden (Michael Harrit/The Danish Church London/PA) Mr Poulsen, 66, who was pastor at St Katherines for seven years before stepping down in October, told the PA news agency: Her parents, King Frederik (IX) and Queen Ingrid, they were guests of honour when the Danish Church was inaugurated in 1952 in London. So her relationship with the church started with her parents and ever since shes visited the church on several occasions, and in 2020 she designed a chasuble, the garment a priest is wearing during service, designed by the queen and she herself embroidered parts of this chasuble. Yeah, thats really wow. And it was sent to church during the pandemic and two years later when the pandemic was over and she was able to travel she visited the church, that was December 2022, and she attended a service and I, during the service, was wearing this chasuble designed by her. So that was, for me, a very special occasion because I was wearing a chasuble designed by the Danish queen and she was attending the service. It was a great thing. The queen created a red chasuble with a large cross-shaped embroidery in bright colours on the back that symbolises the Danish flag. She also embroidered the Luther rose in the middle of the cross, a common symbol in the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Mr Poulsen said that after the service they invited her to their kitchen in the vicarage adjacent to the church and she came and a had a drink and a chat and it was very, very nice. He added: She was obviously the queen but at the same time it was kind of down to earth, she was visiting church, the priests and the vicarage and saying hello to people. I would say she was a perfect mix of royal, queen, and at the same down to earth. She said hello, we shook our hands and she asked How are you getting on here at the Danish Church in London? and asking relevant questions, so that was really an experience. On her surprise abdication, Mr Poulsen, who now lives in Randers, Denmark, added: I saw it on television when she announced she was retiring and surprise thats one thing, and at the same time, really, really a feeling of gratefulness. Shes been a fantastic queen of Denmark and in many ways shes been a beacon, I mean the way she had conducted herself, her service as queen, shes been a beacon. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen confirmed the Queen was stepping down on Sunday, offering a heartfelt thank you to Her Majesty the Queen for her lifelong dedication and tireless efforts for the Kingdom. In February 2022, the then Duchess of Cambridge was the outgoing Danish queens guest during a two-day visit to the northern European country. The then Duchess of Cambridge is welcomed by Queen Margrethe II (centre) and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark during a visit in 2022 (Owen Humphreys/PA) Kates trip was in part to honour the historic ties Britain shares with Denmark and celebrate the countries joint jubilees that year the late Queens Platinum Jubilee and the Golden Jubilee of Queen Margrethe, both of which fell in 2022. The late Queen was said to be close to Queen Margrethe and sent her a private message of condolence after her husband Prince Henrik of Denmark died in his sleep at the age of 83 in 2018. In 2012, Queen Margrethe revealed how she had always admired her British counterpart and that she has helped influence herself as a queen after watching how dedicated she was to her nation. Rachel Riley has said that New Years Eve feels sombre and hopes 2024 will bring a change amid the conflict in Gaza and Israel. The Countdown star, 37, said the highlight for her this year was being made an MBE at Windsor Castle for her work in raising awareness of the Holocaust and combating antisemitism. In an Instagram post on Sunday, Riley wrote that Holocaust education feels present and urgent since the attack by Hamas on October 7. She said the group, a proscribed terrorist organisation by the UK government, were brutal against men, women, children, Holocaust survivors, foreign workers, Israeli Arabs, and anyone else who was unlucky enough to have been in the vicinity of Hamas during their attacks. Rachel Riley after she was made an MBE for services to Holocaust education in July (Andrew Matthews/PA) Riley added: As a result, incidents of anti-Jewish hate are surging around the world and of course this New Years Eve feels sombre. She also wrote: I hope, as every decent person does, for the remaining 139 hostages in Gaza to return home to their families, and for an end to the violence in Gaza and the region as soon as possible that allows for stable and safe home for everyone there to be able to live in peace. Riley also said she is grateful to be in the relative safety of Britain and hopes for a miracle next year in the region. Since the conflict, she has spoken at protests against antisemitism and has in recent years been a vocal critic of Labours handling of alleged antisemitism within the party. Efforts to find Madeleine McCann continue with the same determination, commitment and vigour and will eventually yield results, her parents have said. In a message on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page on Sunday, Kate and Gerry McCann said there was no new significant news to share in the search for their daughter, but vowed to persevere. The McCanns post read: Another year comes to a close. Im sure theyre getting shorter! Whilst there is no new significant news to share in the search for Madeleine, efforts continue with the same determination, commitment and vigour. We believe such perseverance will eventually yield results. Thank you again for your support, Christmas wishes and shared hope. Despite our own personal circumstances, it is impossible to be unaffected by the awful events happening around the world this year with so many wars, immeasurable pain and suffering, children abducted, killed and orphaned. Lets hope that 2024 brings a greater love for mankind, hope and peace to us all. Madeleine McCann (Family handout) It comes after Portuguese police reportedly apologised for the way detectives investigated the case and treated the family. Madeleine vanished in May 2007 while on holiday with her parents in Praia da Luz, after they left the then three-year-old and her younger twin siblings asleep in their apartment while they went out to dinner with friends. During questioning of Madeleines parents in September 2007, detectives made them both arguidos or suspects in their daughters disappearance. That status was eventually lifted and the investigation was shelved in 2008, but the couple remained under suspicion in Portugal for years. Months after Scotland Yard launched its own investigation, Operation Grange, into Madeleines disappearance in 2013, Portuguese police confirmed that a review of their original inquiry had uncovered new lines of inquiry, and they reopened the case. The officers also gave their support to the German authorities who believe their prime suspect, 46-year-old German national Christian Brueckner, a convicted sex offender, kidnapped and murdered the youngster. Brueckner is in prison in Germany for the rape of a woman in Praia da Luz in 2005, and is suspected of further rapes and child sexual abuse committed in the area between 2000 and 2017. He has reportedly denied any involvement in Madeleines disappearance. Earlier this year, a reservoir in Portugal was searched and items were seized after German prosecutors received certain tips about the case. The Taoiseach has vowed not change his lifestyle despite being warned of a heightened risk to his safety from far-right extremists. Leo Varadkar said he would not give in to those who seek to intimidate politicians as he ruled out entering some form of security bubble. Last year saw several events that raised concerns around the safety of elected representatives in Ireland. There were a number of arrests outside the Oireachtas parliament in Dublin in September as far-right protesters heckled and threatened TDs, senators and staff members and tried to blockade an entrance. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has warned the Taoiseach of a heightened risk to his personal safety (PA) A mocked-up hanging gallows adorned with pictures of prominent politicians, including Mr Varadkar, was brought to the gates of the national parliament. Demonstrators have also protested outside some politicians homes, with Mr Varadkar again a target. The scenes of violence on the streets of Dublin on November 23 during a far right-influenced riot have further intensified safety concerns for elected representatives. At his end-of-year media briefing, Mr Varadkar was asked about the risk to politicians and whether recent events have forced him to change his routine or habits. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaks to the media at his end of year briefing (Niall Carson/PA) To be honest, Ive kind of refused to change my life, he said. And, you know, I have been advised by the Garda Commissioner (Drew Harris) that the threat is higher and the risk to my personal safety is real. And that is the case for other ministers too. Youll know the Garda Commissioner has taken the decision to extend Garda protection to all members of cabinet, including the chief whip (Hildegarde Naughton) and Minister (Pippa) Hackett and Minister (Jack) Chambers, and thats based on security assessments that the risk to politicians in terms of our safety is heightened. But I havent changed the way I live my life, nor will I. First of all, Im not going to give in to it and, secondly, you know, I see how other countries operate where politicians, ministers, prime ministers live in a security bubble and really forget what its like just to do normal things and live a normal life. And I dont want to stop doing that, just for my own personal sense of being who I am. But, secondly, I dont think itd be a good thing for the country. You know, so Ill keep on going to the cinema, Ill keep on going to restaurants and bars, Ill keep going to the gym and Im not willing to have that changed. The number of migrants crossing the Channel has fallen year-on-year for the first time since current records began, with the total arrivals in 2023 down more than a third on 2022, Government figures show. The last crossings of the year took place on December 16, when 55 people made the journey from France in one boat. The Home Office recorded no further crossings for the remaining 15 days of 2023 amid bad weather conditions. That is the longest consecutive period of the year without any arrivals. For the first time in five years, since current records began in 2018, no Channel crossings took place on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or Boxing Day. The provisional annual total for the year, 29,437, is 36% lower than the record 45,774 crossings for the whole of 2022. But it is still the second highest annual total on record, above the figure for 2021 (28,526). (PA Graphics) Ministers will likely argue the figures show the UKs 480 million agreement with France to beef up efforts to stop migrants making the journey is starting to pay off, and may also suggest this points to the effectiveness of a fast-track returns deal struck with Albania. But the Immigration Services Union, which represents border staff, said the drop in arrivals last year was likely to be a glitch, with higher numbers of Channel crossings expected in 2024. Last month, Rishi Sunak said there was no firm date for meeting his pledge to stop the boats when facing questions from MPs. The promise was one of the five priorities the Prime Minister set out at the start of 2023 when he said he would pass new laws to make sure people deemed to be arriving in the country illegally would be detained and swiftly removed as political pressure to grip the migrant crisis intensified. The Governments sweeping asylum reforms under the Illegal Migration Act became law in July but it is unclear when the rules will come into force. Home Secretary James Cleverly said: While illegal entries across Europe are going up, the number of people coming into the UK illegally is going down. This is a significant achievement, but the job is far from over. I will continue to do everything possible to stop the boats. No people smuggler will be safe, we will work with law enforcement partners and governments across the world who want to tackle this threat and ensure that British taxpayer money is not wasted on people trying to abuse our generosity. The UK reduction in small boat arrivals bucks the trend across Europe, with sea crossings into the continent surging by 80% in 2023. Meanwhile, the Home Office said Mr Sunaks target of clearing the backlog of so-called legacy asylum applications by the end of 2023 had been met, despite thousands of complex cases still awaiting a final decision. Sacked home secretary Suella Braverman never got to see her dream of sending migrants to Rwanda succeed as the policy stalled amid legal action and was then ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court. January will see fresh legislation back before Parliament in a bid to get flights off the ground after Mr Cleverly signed a treaty with the east African nation in a bid to firm up the agreement and satisfy concerns raised by the court. But the Prime Minister faces threats of rebellion over the legislation from within his own party, with some MPs calling for tougher laws and others cautioning against harsher terms. The number of migrants who have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel since the Rwanda deal was signed in April 2022 by then home secretary Priti Patel is approaching 70,000. (PA Graphics) Almost 40,000 people have made the journey since Mr Sunak became Prime Minister six months later. He vowed to bring forward legislation in 2023 to make it unambiguously clear that if you enter the UK illegally, you should not be able to remain here. The Illegal Migration Bill became an Act of Parliament after being given royal assent almost six months ago. At the time, officials were still working on when the Act would come into force and it was anticipated elements of the new laws would be implemented in stages over the coming months. Among the series of measures announced last year to curb Channel crossings and tackle the backlog of asylum claims, Mr Sunak vowed to stop housing asylum seekers in hotels, with the Government instead hunting for accommodation in empty holiday parks, former student halls and surplus military sites. Meanwhile, the use of giant barge the Bibby Stockholm to house migrants off the coast of Portland in Dorset has been beset by problems, delays and disputes, with an inquest ongoing into the death of one asylum seeker thought to have taken his own life while living on board. The number of migrants crossing the Channel has steadily increased since 299 people were detected in 2018. There were 1,843 crossings recorded in 2019 and 8,466 in 2020, according to the Home Office. August 2022 was the highest month on record for crossings when 8,574 people arrived in the UK after making the journey. August 22 that year also saw a record 1,295 migrants crossing in a single day on 27 boats. The number of arrivals per month began to fall towards the end of 2023, which could reflect seasonal changes in the amount of crossings being attempted as a result of the weather. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has vowed to stop the boats (James Manning/PA) In December 1,077 people made the journey compared to the 1,744 arrivals recorded in the last month of 2022. Lucy Moreton, professional officer for the Immigration Services Union, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: The planning assumption for 2024 is that 2023 has been unusually low. There have been other confounding factors we have had particularly high winds, we have had a larger number of days where it is less likely that we are going to get migrants in boats. But we have also had much larger boats, much more seaworthy boats, so the planning assumption is that this is a glitch. Border Force needs to continue to resource itself and the country needs to continue to resource itself to deal with higher numbers. Will we see the peak that we saw in 2022? Maybe not, but certainly more than we have seen in the last year. Analysis of asylum decisions in 2023 by charity the Refugee Council suggested three in every four migrants (76%) who cross the Channel could be recognised as refugees if the Government had already processed their applications. The council also estimated around 15,000 asylum seekers were in limbo, as under the Governments Illegal Migration Act they are at risk of being deported to Rwanda. Refugee Council chief executive Enver Solomon said: Instead of slamming our door in their face and extinguishing the right to asylum, we should be upholding the great British values of fairness and compassion, ensuring they are given a fair hearing on UK soil and welcoming those who need our protection. Closing down the asylum system will simply result in vast cost, chaos and human misery with tens of thousands of people stuck in permanent limbo. Britain is reportedly considering air strikes on Houthi rebels after the US said its navy sank three boats that had been targeting a container ship in the Red Sea. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said the Government would not hesitate to take direct action to prevent further attacks amid reports the UK and US are preparing a joint statement to issue a final warning to the Yemeni group. It comes after the US military said four boats from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen fired at the Maersk Hangzhou and got within metres of the vessel as US helicopters fired back. Several of the armed boat crews were killed, the US Central Command (Centcom) said. No-one was injured on the ship. This mornings atrocious attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis were an unacceptable and outrageous act designed to destabilise global trade. The Houthis must end their illegal campaign against merchant shipping and stop all violent attacks immediately. https://t.co/cYqGnNJkmd Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) December 31, 2023 Writing in the Telegraph newspaper, Mr Shapps said the UK wont hesitate to take further action to deter threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. The Houthis should be under no misunderstanding: We are committed to holding malign actors accountable for unlawful seizures and attacks, he said. A Royal Navy destroyer earlier this month joined international efforts to deter attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea. HMS Diamond joined American and French warships in an US-led task force dubbed Operation Prosperity Guardian. The Sun and the Telegraph have reported the UK is weighing up the possibility of an armed response as the Iran-backed Houthis claim attacks on ships in the Red Sea that they say are either linked to Israel or heading to Israeli ports. They say their attacks aim to end Israels air and ground offensive targeting the Gaza Strip following the attack by Hamas on October 7. UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said he had spoken to Irans foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, on Sunday. I spoke to @Amirabdolahian today about Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, which threaten innocent lives and the global economy. I made clear that Iran shares responsibility for preventing these attacks given their long-standing support to the Houthis, he said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Mr Shapps condemned what he described as an outrageous bid to disrupt global trade. A UK Government spokesperson said: The situation in the Red Sea is incredibly serious, and the Houthi attacks are unacceptable and destabilising. As you would expect, while planning is underway for a range of scenarios, no decisions have yet been made and we continue to pursue all diplomatic routes. We call for the Iranian-backed Houthi to cease these illegal attacks and we are working with allies and partners to protect freedom of navigation. The Singapore-flagged Maersk Hangzhou reported that it had already been hit by a missile on Saturday night while transiting the Southern Red Sea and requested assistance, Centcom said in a statement. I spoke to @Amirabdolahian today about Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, which threaten innocent lives and the global economy. I made clear that Iran shares responsibility for preventing these attacks given their long-standing support to the Houthis. David Cameron (@David_Cameron) December 31, 2023 In another statement, Centcom said the same ship issued an additional distress call about a second attack by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats. The attackers fired small arms weapons at the Maersk Hangzhou, getting to within about 65ft (20m) of the vessel, and a contract-embarked security team on the ship returned fire, Centcom said. US helicopters responded to the distress call and returned fire after the small boats crews opened fire on the helicopters using small arms, the statement said. The helicopters sank three of the four boats, killing the crews, while the fourth boat fled the area, Centcom said. No damage to US personnel or equipment was reported. On Saturday, the top commander of US naval forces in the Middle East said Houthi rebels have shown no signs of ending their reckless attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, even as more nations join the international maritime mission to protect vessels in the vital waterway and trade traffic begins to pick up. A woman accused of murdering two of her children in the United States has appeared in a British court. Kimberlee Singlers nine-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son were found dead in a residential property in Colorado, along with her 11-year-old daughter who was injured but alive, police in Colorado Springs said. The force said it responded to a 911 call reporting a burglary at their family home at 12.29am on December 19, a claim later discovered to be unfounded. Singler, 35, and her 11-year-old daughter are said to have been treated for injuries at the scene in the 5300 block of Palomino Ranch Point before being taken to hospital. Despite initially co-operating with the investigation, Singler reportedly disappeared on December 23 and a warrant was issued for her arrest on December 26 on murder charges. Kimberlee Singler appeared in court in the UK on Monday (Colorado Springs Police Department/PA) Colorado Springs Police Departments violent offender fugitive task force worked to locate Singler. She was arrested by the National Crime Agencys national extradition unit in Kensington, west London, on December 30 and appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday facing extradition to the United States. She has been charged with two counts of first degree murder, one count of attempted murder, three counts of child abuse and one count of assault. A spokesperson for Colorado Springs Police Department said: Kimberlee Singler was taken into custody in the United Kingdom without incident. Detectives with the Colorado Springs Police Departments homicide unit continue to work closely with multiple law enforcement agencies in pursuing the ongoing investigation. A woman accused of murdering two of her children in the US has been remanded in custody in the UK. Kimberlee Singlers nine-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son were found dead in a residential property in Colorado, along with her 11-year-old daughter who was injured but alive, police in Colorado Springs said. The force said it responded to a 911 call reporting a burglary at their family home at 12.29am on December 19, a claim later discovered to be unfounded. Singler, 35, and her 11-year-old daughter are said to have been treated for injuries at the scene in the 5300 block of Palomino Ranch Point before being taken to hospital. Despite initially co-operating with the investigation, Singler reportedly disappeared on December 23 and a warrant was issued for her arrest on December 26 on murder charges. Police tape around the home in Colorado where two children were found dead (Parker Seibold/The Gazette/AP) Colorado Springs Police Departments violent offender fugitive task force worked to locate Singler. She was arrested by the National Crime Agencys national extradition unit in Kensington, west London, on December 30. She was remanded into custody after appearing at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday morning and faces extradition to the United States. The mother, who has been charged in the US with two counts of first degree murder, one count of attempted murder, three counts of child abuse and one count of assault, will next appear at the same court on January 29. A spokesperson for Colorado Springs Police Department said: Kimberlee Singler was taken into custody in the United Kingdom without incident. Detectives with the Colorado Springs Police Departments homicide unit continue to work closely with multiple law enforcement agencies in pursuing the ongoing investigation. The Democratic mayors of Chicago and Denver gave a joint interview Sunday in which they acknowledged the crisis on the southern border but placed much of the blame on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) for creating more chaos in his approach to migration. In an interview on CBS Newss Face the Nation, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston stressed their frustration with the surprise arrivals of buses and airplanes in theirs and other cities. Johnston said he has not considered turning away buses as some other cities mayors have but asked that city officials be notified that the buses were coming before they arrived and that the buses arrive during regular working hours and at regular bus stops. All we want is a system that is humanitarian for both the new folks that are arriving and for our cities and our city employees. And so, we understand there will be an inflow, we have already had 35,000 migrants arrive to Denver, weve successfully helped them integrate into the country here, Johnston said. What we dont want is people arriving at 2:00 in the morning at a city and county building with women and children outside in 10-degree weather and no support. We want buses here to do what every other bus does, which is land at a bus station and a bus stop at hours when we can have staff there to receive them and to direct them towards services, he continued. And so we understand the flow is coming. We just want it to be coordinated, and in a humanitarian way, which we think makes it effective for the city and for those newcomers. That means things like arriving 8:00 to 5:00, Monday to Friday, with notice. More coverage from The Hill Johnston further said that his city has work authorization, so it is happy to accept asylees, pointing to the successful integration of Ukrainians and Afghans who fled their countries. When people arrive, we actually have work authorization, when they get to a place like Denver, so we can put them to work, which is what they want. And we have a coordinated entry plan where its not just the governor of Texas deciding what cities to send people to, but its actually the way weve welcomed asylees in this country for years, he said. When we had asylees from Afghanistan or Ukraine, we had federal support, we had coordinated entry, we had work authorization and those efforts worked quite smoothly. America knows how to do this. We think we can do it here. Both mayors sidestepped opportunities to criticize the Biden administration, acknowledging the benefit of federal dollars but also largely referring to the White House as partners in addressing the problem. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott endorses Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump during an event at the South Texas International Airport Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Edinburg, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Texas Gov. Greg Abbott endorses Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump during an event at the South Texas International Airport Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Edinburg, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) When asked whether he got everything he needed from the White House, Johnson said he looked to Congress for action before blaming Abbott. Well look, I think theres no secret here that we need comprehensive immigration reform. This comprehensive immigration reform would certainly transform this situation. In fact, it solves this crisis, he said. What we have said repeatedly is that we need Congress to act to provide the resources that are needed in order to carry out this mission He continued: But what we cant have is a governor in the state of Texas, acting the way he is acting and quite frankly, the rogue buses that are being dropped off across this country in the middle of the night, leaving people with no real support at all, no coordination with the local municipalities. That type of chaos, he said, its certainly dividing our country, and we need better coordination between all levels of government to be able to respond to this mission. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. There are many reasons to feel hopeless when it comes to the prospect of Israeli-Palestinian peace. The sheer scale of death and devastation, first wrought by Hamas massacre and then by Israels intensive military assault on the Gaza Strip, has hardened opinions on both sides, fomenting grief, anger and desire for vengeance with no clear end point. Still, senior figures closely involved with past attempts to resolve this most intractable of impasses have told NBC News that, in this moment of tragedy, there may be opportunity and even hope. Its a big crisis and crises create opportunities, said Yossi Beilin, a veteran Israeli politician and peace negotiator whose backchannel discussions led to the Oslo Accords. This was a series of landmark agreements between the Palestinians and Israelis in the 1990s that mapped out a route to peace but ultimately failed on their promise. Palestinians inspect the damage at the Al-Maghazi refugee camp after an Israeli strike (Mahmud Hams / AFP - Getty Images) While Beilin doesnt kid himself about the scale of the challenge for those who seek a negotiated peace between the Palestinians and Israelis, he and others say one crucial thing has changed. To an extent not seen in decades, the eyes of the world are focused on Israel and the Palestinian territories a patch of land barely larger than Massachusetts. And, whatever their political inclinations, few believe that the previously tolerated status quo can be allowed to continue. The world had given up on us, Beilin said. But Oct. 7 changed everything. Before that day, the issue of Israel and the Palestinians was languishing in a stalemate: Israelis felt unsafe from attacks by rockets and lone-wolf Palestinian militants. Gazans were trapped by a 16-year Israeli land, air and sea blockade that crippled the economy and crushed their hopes for the future. And Palestinians in the occupied West Bank were left to fend off Israeli settlers encroaching on their land, in tense altercations that regularly flared up into violent clashes. But with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assembling the most far-right government in the Jewish states history, and Hamas, a banned terror group in the U.S. and Europe, controlling Gaza, the prospect of compromise and moderation had scarcely felt farther away. People said the status quo is sustainable, and the issue of Palestinian-Israeli peace can be indefinitely put on the back burner, said Omar Dajani, legal adviser to the Palestinian negotiating team at the Camp David summit of 2000. All of that has been for good and bad blown out of the water by all thats happened since Oct. 7. As gruesome as the war has been, it has spurred Western leaders to once again start talking about a two-state solution. This goal, widely considered moribund for at least a decade, is generally accepted to mean a single Palestinian state covering Gaza and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital. A two-state solution is the only way to guarantee the long-term security of both the Israeli and the Palestinian people, President Joe Biden posted on X on Nov. 28 in one of his now often-repeated calls for such an outcome. He went further, saying this was essential to make sure Israelis and Palestinians alike can live in equal measures of freedom and dignity, adding: We will not give up on working toward this goal. While the leader of Israels most important and closest ally advocated for a two-state solution to help Israel and the Palestinians emerge from decades of bloodshed, some senior Israeli officials have been increasingly vocal in their opposition to such plans. Israels ambassador to the United Kingdom told NBC News British partner, Sky News, that her country would not accept an independent Palestinian state when the war with Hamas ends. Absolutely no, she said when asked about the possibility. Netanyahu has struck a similar note. I destroyed the Oslo agreements. I thought they were a terrible mistake and I still think that, he said during a press conference Dec. 16. I am proud of the fact that I prevented the emergence of a Palestinian state. Jan Egeland, who was the lead diplomat for the Oslo Accords during his tenure as deputy foreign minister of Norway, says that a key ingredient that allowed those talks to move forward 30 years ago, was leadership. The Palestine Liberation Organization then a feared terrorist group threatening Israel by hijacking planes approached Norway seeking a way out of the stalemate. Jan Egeland in Oslo (Petter Berntsen / AFP via Getty Images file ) A new Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres had just stepped into power in 1992. They signaled that they were interested in exploring the PLOs overtures, and began the secret talks that led to the Oslo Accords. Then-President Bill Clinton presided over the signing of the accords, and the U.S. invested time and resources to implement the peace process. The problem today is that we have nothing near the same leadership on both sides as we had at that time, Egeland said. Israels ruling coalition includes what he describes as the most extremist government in Israels history. Its filled with racists and extremists. These are people who do not belong in any government in any civilized nation, he added. On the other hand, Hamas has the killings of the seventh of October on their conscience and so much other things, he said, referring to decades of rocket attacks and suicide bombings on Israeli civilian targets. I dont think Netanyahu will be at the table. I dont think Hamas will be at the table, Egeland said. Any attempt at a peace process will depend on the international community, he said, steered by the U.S., the European Union and Arab nations. The U.S. has sat on the fence now for so many years without playing the leadership role that they should, Egeland said. They must come down from the fence and lead a real peace process like the U.S. did in the 1990s. For now, the Biden White House has plenty of critics in pro-Palestinian circles for employing an ostensibly bold rhetoric while still giving Israel more than $3 billion a year, supplying weapons and munitions and offering diplomatic support. That the agreements in Oslo failed to lead to peace, according to Egeland, had to do with wider resistance to the process. The enemies to peace were so strong, he said, with extremists on both sides, including the far-right Israeli who assassinated Rabin in 1995 over his role in the talks. An Israeli army self-propelled artillery howitzer fires rounds from a position near the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel (Jack Guez / AFP - Getty Images) Today, opinion on the ground is increasingly polarized. Poll after poll suggests that Jewish Israelis overwhelmingly support the war 87% in the latest survey by the Israel Democracy Institute think tank earlier this month. And NBC News journalists interviewing hundreds of Israelis since the war began have been told, even by those mourning Palestinian casualties, that destroying or at least defanging Hamas is essential for their own national security. Some 1,200 people were killed and almost 240 kidnapped in that Hamas assault. Since then, almost 22,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ensuing Israeli bombardment and invasion, according to local health officials backed up by officials in the U.S. and the United Nations. Meanwhile, a poll conducted in the West Bank and Gaza during the 7-day truce in November, and released Dec. 13 by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, a respected polling institute based in the West Bank city of Ramallah, found that most Palestinians supported Hamas Oct. 7 attack. Just over 72% of Palestinians believe Hamas attack was correct given the Israeli response. The polls 1,231 respondents were interviewed face to face in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Many Palestinians feel that the prisoner gave back to the Israelis what the Israelis have been giving to them, Hanan Ashrawi, a veteran Palestinian politician, said in an interview with NBC News last month. I personally do not condone any violence against civilians, but I also believe that what the Palestinians have been going through has been totally disregarded by the rest of the world, she said, referring to what she and other pro-Palestinian voices see as decades of mistreatment by Israel, enabled by its international backers. The victim has to lie down and die quietly, otherwise they will be called a terrorist, Ashrawi said. Support for Hamas has tripled in the West Bank and increased slightly in Gaza. Despite this, the majority of Palestinians still do not support Hamas as a political party. In Gaza, which Hamas rules, support for the group stands at 42%, a slight uptick from 38% three months ago. Support for a two-state solution has risen slightly, from 32% before the war, to 34% within the polls margin of error. Many Palestinians interviewed by NBC News say they dont believe Israels official war goals of toppling Hamas and freeing the hostages, and think the war is instead a cover to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from Gaza. A fear that is not unfounded expelling Palestinians from their land has long been an extremist position in Israel that has gained more mainstream prominence during this war. While some see the hardening opinions as signs that a two-state solution may be beyond reach, others, such as Beilin, disagree. It is recommended not to read polls during war; people are full of hate, he said, adding that if Israeli and Palestinian leaders come back in two years time with a peace treaty, there will be huge majorities to support them. Yossi Beilin (Tsafrir Abayov / AP file ) Beilin, Dajani and other current and former Israeli and Palestinian officials interviewed by NBC News over the past two months have sketched out one possible path to peace: oust Hamas from power, hand Gaza to an international coalition perhaps led by neighboring Arab powers, rebuild Gazas infrastructure and democracy, and have a revitalized Palestinian Authority govern a unified Palestinian state covering Gaza and the West Bank. That plan is something which is worth considering, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak said in an interview with NBC News in late October. I cannot promise you that its practical. Its up to the minds of the different players. But it deserves being checked out, he said. There are countless unanswered questions: How to reassure Palestinians and Israelis that they are safe; what to do with Israeli West Bank settlements deemed illegal under international law; how to enable the Palestinian Authority to govern Gaza when it barely has a handle on the West Bank; and how to handle the millennia-old quandary of Jerusalem, a city dotted with holy sites and strife for Jews, Muslims and Christians. Theres definitely room for hope, so long as we bear in mind that hope and optimism are different things, Dajani said. For Egeland, its not so much hope but horror that could force the hand of the international community to act. He says the atrocities of Oct. 7 and the bloodletting that followed in Gaza have convinced the international community that the occupation cannot continue like this, the siege cannot continue as it has been, the warfare cannot continue. I dont think the world will let the Israelis and Palestinians kill each other every second year in this crossroads of civilizations, which is Israel and Palestine, forever, he said. Burn Pits 360 nonprofit founders Le Roy and Rosie Torres enjoy a light moment at their home in Robstown last month. The couple spent 13 years pushing a bill through Congress to extend veterans health benefits to those made ill by exposure to burn pits during service. The bill was signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2022. As a career law enforcement officer and a part-time soldier who was deployed to war, giving up without fighting back was never an option for Le Roy Torres. As the wife of a law enforcement officer and warrior who returned home from Iraq wounded and sick, protecting and supporting her husband was the only option for Rosie Torres. Even if it meant battling the U.S. government, laying bare her husband's vulnerabilities and publicly sharing her fears. For the couple from the Coastal Bend community of Robstown, their fight for veterans sickened by toxic burn pits during wartime deployments would take them from selling cupcakes and tamales in big-box store parking lots to helping underwrite the cost of maintaining the nonprofit they founded to sleeping on the steps of the nation's Capitol to draw attention to their cause. It would take them 13 years, nearly all of them with Le Roy Torres sick to the point of debilitation, to see their cause prevail. More: President Biden's signature caps Texas couple's 13-year battle for burn pit exposure help And when they finally won, the victory was not only for themselves, but also for hundreds of thousands of the nation's veterans who, like Le Roy Torres, became deathly sick from round-the-clock exposure to massive toxic burn pits the military used to dispose of battlefield waste. And it would bring nearly $2 billion in health benefits that for years had been denied to those injured, sick and dying men and women who served in uniform for the nation's defense. Burn pits and the 'Iraqi crud' Le Roy Torres was a captain in the Army Reserve in 2007 when he paused his civilian job as a trooper for the Texas Department of Public Safety and deployed with his unit to Iraq. Assigned to Joint Base Balad, one of the largest war zone U.S. installations, for a one-year hitch, Torres worked, ate, slept and exercised amid the acrid black smoke that billowed from the 10-acre burn pit fueled 24/7 by anything and everything that was disposable. The 250 tons that were reduced to ashes every day included spent munitions, broken-down gear, worn-out tires, petrochemicals, medical waste and amputated body parts. He and others assigned to the base called the gray mucus they were coughing up the "Iraqi crud." For Torres, that crud followed him home from war. And after his deployment had ended his health declined and he was ultimately diagnosed with constrictive bronchiolitis, a life-threatening and nonreversible lung disease. Le Roy Torres holds a photograph of himself from 2008 during a tour in Iraq, where he was exposed to toxic burn pits. When he was denied benefits through the Veteran Affairs Department on grounds that his illness was not service-related, he and his wife took action on their own. They started a website, BurnPits360.org, where veterans whove experienced health issues from exposure to the toxic fires and smoke could share stories and information. It turned out there were thousands of veterans who returned from overseas deployments with sicknesses similar to the ones Torres was suffering from. Many had died, leaving their families to tell their stories and to fight for the benefits that had been held out of reach. More: What are burn pits? How toxic blazes endangered Iraq, Afghanistan military veterans The Torreses met many of them, both in person and online. They shared stories and relied on one another for support and comfort. And they grieved for one another whenever another suffering veteran died. But convincing federal authorities that they were due veterans health benefits would take years. There were a lot of doors shut in our face, Rosie Torres later recalled. 'Thank you for your service' Filmmaker Kevin Flounlacker, who owns Lake View Visual of Harrisburg, Pa., said he first became aware of the fallout from burn pit exposure when he learned that the father-in-law of a friend of a friend had become sick. He went to Washington about five years ago while Congress was conducting an early hearing on what would become the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act with a yet-to-be-developed idea for a film. That's where he first met Rosie Torres, who was there to testify about Le Roy's frustrating battle with the VA. Their connection was immediate. Months later, Rosie approached Flounlacker about producing a public service announcement about the effects of burn pit exposure to help pressure Congress into action. From there sprang what would become "Thank You For Your Service: A Burn Pits Story," which now is in post-production and will help tell the story of the Torreses' fight to show the connection between exposure and illness. Flounlacker said he hopes the film shows the disconnect between the "we support our troops" mantra that erupts when the nation goes to war and the "let's move on" mentality that relegates veterans to the shadows once they are back home and needing support. "I think we all collectively stick our heads in the sand," he said. "When folks hear that service members come home and don't just receive health care, a lot of folks just assume that that's how things work and they don't." Added Sovanna Mam, the documentary's producer: "What I've learned about the Torres (couple) is that they are anything but average. They truly have the persistence of a thousand armies, and their ability to build a coalition of supporters, some of whom are national celebrities, is awe-inspiring." Building alliances, achieving victory It was not until 2022 that Congress finally put addressing burn pits at the top of its agenda, in no small measure because of the dogged determination of the Texas couple, and of others who joined the cause. In addition to veterans, along with their families or their survivors, high-profile allies emerged. Comedian and activist Jon Stewart, who earlier had used his platform on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" to advance the cause of 9/11 first responders made sick from the spewing toxins at Ground Zero, brought the same zeal to the burn pits fight. His presence with the Torreses and other veterans helped shine the national spotlight on the political gamesmanship that stalled the PACT Act in the Senate. When the measure, which formally recognized illnesses from burn pit exposure as service-related and was hailed as the largest expansion of veterans health benefits in a generation, finally passed, Stewart held a news conference outside the Capitol and singled out Le Roy Torres for his and his wife's efforts. I talked to Le Roy four years ago in my office, and I made a promise to him," Stewart said at the time. "I said, Im not going to let you go, my brother and were going to get this done. And guess what? We got it done." Le Roy and Rosie Torres sit at their kitchen table, where they began their nonprofit veterans organization, Burn Pits 360, in Robstown. Their efforts led to the passage of the PACT Act, expanding health benefits to veterans exposed to burn pits. A White House ceremony, thanks from fellow vets Rosie and Le Roy Torres were at President Joe Biden's side in the White House when the PACT Act was signed into law in August 2022. In an interview 15 months later, both said they still feel a proud sense of accomplishment, and some lingering disbelief that their nonprofit, Burn Pits 360, which they started on a shoestring in 2009 and kept going with seat-of-the-pants fundraisers, helped change and shape national veterans policy. More: Texas burn pit survivor and activist wins $2.5M judgment over DPS in reinstatement lawsuit "We have these random people just coming up and thanking us," said Rosie Torres, recalling meeting a Vietnam veteran whose wartime injuries are covered by the PACT Act. "It just is a little surreal to hear. People thank us for something that really was tugging at our hearts and impacting our family and started out at our kitchen table." Le Roy Torres, who also was denied reinstatement at DPS with scaled-back duties to accommodate his service-related illnesses, recalled suffering despair as one setback after another marked his postwar life. He said he was sustained by realizing that so many veterans with similar injuries had lost their lives. At his home office in Robstown, Le Roy Torres displays a bald eagle statue, his Texas Department of Public Safety trooper hat and a statue of Lady Justice that he purchased at the U.S. Supreme Court gift shop. He found inspiration in the story of the late Staff Sgt. Steven Ochs, who after his deployment and burn pit exposure was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and died in 2008. Ochs' sister gave Torres a photo of the soldier in his healthier days wearing the iconic chocolate-chip camouflage fatigues and maroon beret of the 82nd Airborne Division. The picture occupies a prominent place in Le Roy Torres' office. "I have his photo on my desk as a reminder when those moments would get really difficult and I felt like, not necessarily giving up, but (I'm having) a very difficult day, I would look at that photograph and say, 'Hey, sir, you are not alone. We're here with you, Torres said. State Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, who represents the Torreses and is the last Vietnam veteran still serving in the Texas Legislature, said in an interview that the couple's efforts on behalf of returning service members past, present and future cannot be overstated. "The burn pit issue was ignored by the Veterans Department and the federal government and Congress, but for the efforts of Rosie Torres and her husband," said Hinojosa, who co-sponsored legislation the couple pushed to established a burn pit registry for Texas veterans. "They are fierce advocates. They never gave up. "If one door was shut on them, they found another way to get through it and get people to listen to what was happening to veterans." U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, nominated Le Roy and Rosie Torres for the Presidential Medal of Freedom for their burn pit advocacy and is waiting to hear whether his recommendation will be approved by the White House. Their efforts, Castro said in a statement, "changed the course of history" for suffering veterans. Castro said he is awestruck by the resolve of Le Roy Torres in the face of his illnesses. "His story is a shining example of perseverance over pain, resilience, and commitment to the public good," Castro said. "Im proud to have worked closely with the Torres family and its an honor to call them my friends. They deserve this recognition and so much more. More: Retiring state Rep. Abel Herrero called the unsung hero in raising awareness of burn pits According to information on the White House website, since the PACT Act was passed, nearly 845,000 veterans or their survivors have filed claims for benefits through the VA. More than 330,000 of them have been approved, and the VA has paid out $1.85 billion on those claims. Texas veterans account for nearly 95,000 of the total claims filed and 38,400 of the approvals. A dollar figure for Texas claims was not available. In addition, more than 4.1 million veterans have received free screenings for toxic exposures from the VA under the PACT Act. The Torreses credit Biden for rallying public support for the PACT Act, which spurred Congress to finally take action. The measure, formally called the Sgt. 1st Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, pays tribute to the Ohio soldier who was exposed to burn pits and died of cancer in 2020. When plans were being made for the signing ceremony, Le Roy and Rosie Torres were surprised but pleased to receive an invitation to the White House. They were not part of the audience but were among the dignitaries and Robinson family members who stood alongside the president's desk as the legislation was formally enacted. Le Roy Torres holds a challenge coin he received from President Joe Biden for Veterans Day. Biden made clear that the new law was personal to him. His son Beau was exposed to the pits during his deployment to Iraq as an officer in the National Guard. The president has said his son's death from brain cancer at 46 in 2015 was probably caused by the toxic smoke and fumes. Rosie Torres said seeing firsthand Biden's emotions as a dad put aside any awe she might have felt about meeting the president. "For me, it was really more like shaking the hand of a father who also had lost his son, not so much our president," she said. "Here's a dad who buried his son to these toxic wounds of war. Knowing what we went through, well, (his) family went through it too." John C. Moritz covers Texas government and politics for the USA Today Network in Austin. Contact him at jmoritz@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @JohnnieMo. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Meet the Robstown, TX couple whose work for sick vets led to PACT Act Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Sunday called on the Biden administration to implement a policy modeled on the pandemic-era Title 42, which allowed border patrol agents to turn away migrants at the border without hearing asylum claims because of the public health emergency. Heres the key I think. Were asking the administration to use Title 42-type authority to tell people: Were full, Graham said in an interview on CBS Newss Face the Nation. It takes four years to get your asylum claim heard. We have 1.7 million people who are ready to be deported, but they just wont deport them. We need to send some people out of the country to stop the inflow, but Title 42 authority in the hands of any administration willing to use it would stop this. When you come to our border, we say: Im sorry, were full, Graham said. Grahams remarks come as talks on Capitol Hill have largely stalled for the time being on an aid package that would address issues at the border, including security and potentially the asylum process, as well as provide aid to Ukraine and Israel. The GOP senator said Sunday that expedited removal is on the table when asked about the status of talks. He also reiterated that parole is a sticking point for him, criticizing the Biden administrations use of humanitarian parole to address a large group of people. I dont want to do anything dramatic. I just want to enforce the law. The asylum laws are being abused, lets change them, he said. Title 42 authority needs to be reapplied here on the concept that America is full. If you have to wait four years for an asylum hearing. Lets slow down the asylum system. 1.7 million people are ready to be deported. Lets deport them before we let new people in. The Biden administration sent top officials including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to Mexico City last week to meet with the Mexican president and push Mexico to help reduce the number of migrants showing up at the U.S. southern border. Graham said hes talked to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) about what he would be willing to put on the House floor to address the flow of migrants. Republicans in the House previously passed a sweeping immigration reform bill in May widely panned by Democrats in both chambers. Asylum reform, limitations on parole, re-invoking Title 42 I think would be enough to get it through the House, Graham said. The policy changes have to be real. We have to start deporting people to slow down the inflow. If you see people leaving the country, people are less likely to show up at the border. He also said if former President Trump returns to the White House, people should expect mass deportation. When Trump gets to be president, if he does, if youre here illegally, youre going to be deported. Theres going to be mass deportation under Donald Trump of people here in violation of the law who have received a final order of deportation. Theyre going to be going, Graham said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The temporary cease-fire between Hamas and Israel ended on Dec. 1, and Israel has resumed its bombardment of Gaza. The end of the cease-fire came after Hamas freed over 100 of the more than 200 people its militants took hostage during the Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israel. In exchange, Israel released more than 200 Palestinians from Israeli prisons. Click here for updates from previous days. Latest Developments Jan 2, 3:42 PM US denounces Israeli officials' remarks on emigration from Gaza The U.S. State Department is denouncing recent comments from Israels far right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calling for the emigration of Palestinians from Gaza, calling the officials' statements "inflammatory and irresponsible." "The United States rejects recent statements from Israeli Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir advocating for the resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza," State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. "We have been told repeatedly and consistently by the Government of Israel, including by the Prime Minister, that such statements do not reflect the policy of the Israeli government. They should stop immediately." -ABC News' Shannon K. Crawford Jan 2, 2:11 PM Top Hamas leader killed in Beirut strike, official says A top Hamas leader and at least five others were killed in a strike in Beirut on Tuesday, a Hamas official said. PHOTO: Firefighters try to extinguish the fire inside an apartment following an explosion in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Jan. 2, 2024. The TV station of Lebanon's Hezbollah group says top Hamas official Saleh Arouri was killed Tuesday. (Hussein Malla/AP) The leader, identified by the official as Saleh Arouri, was second in command in Hamas and the head of Hamas in the West Bank. PHOTO: This photo released by the Hamas Media Office shows deputy Saleh Arouri upon his arrival in in Gaza City from Cairo, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018. (Mohammad Austaz/Hamas Media Office via AP, FILE) Lebanese Security Services said six people were killed in the strike, which Hamas blamed on Israel. An Israel Defense Forces spokesperson declined to comment on the incident, but told ABC News that Israel "is on high alert and prepared for any scenario." "I want to be clear we are focused on the fight against Hamas," the spokesperson, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, added. PHOTO: Emergency services pictured at the site of an explosion in the southern district of Dahiyeh, Beirut, Lebanon, Jan. 2, 2024. (Abbas Salman/EPA via Shutterstock) Jan 2, 11:54 AM Hamas says they have sent their conditions for a truce to Egypt, Qatar The head of Hamas' political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, said Tuesday the militant group has sent its conditions for a truce to Egypt and Qatar. In a statement, Haniyeh said the position "is based on a comprehensive cessation of aggression against our people." Jan 2, 11:53 AM Maersk halts all transit through Red Sea Maersk, one of the largest shipping companies in the world, has decided to pause all transit through the Red Sea "until further notice," the company said Tuesday morning. The company made the announcement in the wake of an attack on its vessel Maersk Hangzhou by small boats carrying Houthi militants on Sunday. PHOTO: Container vessel Maersk Hangzhou sails in the Wielingen channel, Westerschelde, Netherlands, July 15, 2018. (Rene Van Quekelberghe via Reuters, FILE) U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire and sank three of the four small boats, killing the crews, U.S. officials said. The fourth boat fled the area. Sunday's incident was the second time in 24 hours that the Hangzhou had issued a distress call, U.S. Navy officials said. Houthi leaders have said they will not stop the Red Sea attacks until Israel ceases its assault in Gaza. Jan 1, 1:30 PM Some Israeli communities near Gaza can return soon: Defense minister Some communities in southern Israel near the Gaza border will be able to return soon, Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant said Monday. "In accordance with the recommendations given by the IDF and the defense establishment, we will soon be able to return [displaced] communities home, in areas within a range of four to seven kilometers north of the Gaza Strip," Gallant said during an operational situation assessment held in Kibbutz Dorot. PHOTO: Smoke billows over central Gaza following Israeli strikes, Jan. 1, 2024, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the militant Hamas group. (Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images) Gallant said the "gradual return" will start with communities within seven kilometers, before moving on to the remaining communities. Earlier Monday, Gallant toured the kibbutz and discussed the security measures required for the return of its residents. -ABC News' Will Gretsky Jan 1, 10:29 AM Israel to move some troops out of Gaza, IDF announces The IDF announced Monday it is adjusting deployment plans for forces in Gaza and the reserve system. Some reservists will return to their families and employment, while others will return to scheduled training. The IDF says this is expected "to significantly alleviate economic burdens and enable them to gather strength for upcoming activities in the next year, as the fighting will persist, and their services will still be needed." "These adaptations aim to ensure effective planning and preparation for the continuation of operations in 2024" in anticipation of further warfare into the year, according to the IDF statement. Dec 31, 4:47 PM IDF says it expects war to last all of 2024 The war between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group is expected to last all of 2024, a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces said Sunday. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a statement that the Israeli military is making adjustments to its deployment of troops in the Gaza Strip as it anticipates the war lasting for the entirety of 2024. PHOTO: Israeli soldiers operating in the Gaza Strip amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, Dec. 29, 2023. (Israeli Defense Forces/AFP via Getty Image) "We are adjusting the fighting methods to each area in Gaza, as well as the necessary forces to carry out the mission in the best way possible," Hagari said. "Each area has different characteristics and different operational needs." Hagari added that as 2024 begins, "The goal of the war requires lengthy fighting, and we are prepared accordingly." The Israeli military, according to Hagari, will be carrying out "smart" management of its forces in Gaza, allowing reservists to return home to help boost the economy, and allowing standing army troops to train to become commanders. "It will result in considerable relief for the economy, and will allow them to gain strength for operations next year, and the fighting will continue and we will need them, Hagari said. He said the adjustments are necessary for the IDF to endure the long road ahead. "The IDF needs to plan ahead, out of the understanding that we will be needed for additional missions and continued fighting during the entire coming year, Hagari said. ABC News' Jordana Miller Dec 31, 1:12 PM Israeli president urges world leaders to demand hostages be released In 10 posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, in 10 different languages, Israeli President Isaac Herzog issued a New Year's call to world leaders and people around the globe to advance the immediate return of the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza. "As we enter 2024, I call on the entire family of nations, on all world leaders, to demand and work for the immediate, unconditional release of our 133 hostages," he wrote Sunday. As we enter 2024, I call on the entire family of nations, on all world leaders, to demand and work for the immediate, unconditional release of our 133 hostages. Babies, the elderly, women, men, are being held in brutal captivity by Hamas, without vital medication or visitation Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) December 31, 2023 "Their immediate release is at the core of our battle with Hamas terrorists in Gaza," he added. According to the Israeli prime minister's office, there are 129 hostages being held by Hamas -- including at least 23 people believed to be dead whose bodies are still being held in Gaza. -ABC News' Edward Szekeres Dec 30, 2:31 PM Hunger spreads in Gaza, Israel fires on UN aid convoy: UN A quarter of the population is starving because too few trucks enter with food, medicine, fuel and other supplies, according to U.N. monitors. 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 pre-war volume of 500 trucks a day. The United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees said Friday that Israeli soldiers fired on a U.N. aid convoy returning from a delivery in northern Gaza, an incident U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths condemned as "unlawful." Dec 30, 1:44 PM Refugee camps hit in Gaza amid fierce fighting Palestinians reported fierce Israeli tank fire and aerial bombing in Khan Younis in southern Gaza overnight, and strikes appear to be continuing this morning. Israel said its forces in Gaza eliminated "dozens of terror operatives" in the past day. Planes also carried out a series of air strikes on the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, according to medics and Palestinian journalists. Residents in the urban refugee camp of Bureij, a recent hot spot of combat along with Nuseirat, also reported Israeli airstrikes overnight and into Saturday. Israeli forces have been pounding Khan Younis in preparation for an anticipated further advance into the main southern city, swaths of which they captured in early December. Israel said Saturday its troops have advanced further in southern Gaza, while raiding Hamas sites in Khan Younis, including the headquarters of the terror groups intelligence division in the city. According to Israel, the intelligence HQ was responsible for all of Hamass intelligence activity in the Khan Younis area. Editor's Note: For the latest news on the Israel-Hamas conflict, please see our live updates file here. Israel's military says it is planning to pull thousands of soldiers from ground operation in the Gaza Strip, the first significant drawdown of its forces since Hamas' deadly Oct. 7 attacks that launched the war. The military decision comes amid Israels Supreme Court decison on Monday to strike down a key component of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus contentious judicial overhaul, a decision that threatens to reopen fissures in Israeli society that preceded the war. The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement Monday that five brigades would be pulling out of Gaza in the coming weeks for training and rest, while fierce fighting continued in areas of Gaza. Military leaders say armed forces are planning to continue its mission of eradicating Hamas in the new year. "The objectives of the war require prolonged fighting, and we are preparing accordingly," military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said in a briefing on Sunday, when he first announced the drawback without specifying the number of forces affected. "These adaptations are designed to ensure planning and preparation for the continuation of 2024, as the IDF must plan ahead, understanding that we will be required for additional tasks and warfare throughout this year." Hagari said bringing reservists back to their families and their jobs will "significantly ease the burden" of the war on Israel's economy. The IDF's ground offensive on Gaza was launched after the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel border communities by the militant group Hamas, which killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took about 240 people hostage. About 130 Israeli and foreign hostages remain in captivity in Gaza. Israel's military has announced the deaths of 172 of its troops. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged over the weekend that the war with Hamas will continue for "many more months," despite growing international calls for a cease fire amid concerns of a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The United States, while firmly supporting Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas and supplying its military with weapons, has urged Netanyahu to take more care to avoid civilian casualties. An estimated 1.9 million people, about 85% of the population, have been displaced across the besieged enclave, some multiple times, as they seek safety from Israeli bombardment, the U.N.'s humanitarian affairs office has said. Since the start of the war, more than 21,900 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza on Saturday. The ministry does not differentiate between the deaths of militants and civilians. About 70% of those killed were reported to be women and children. Gazas Health Ministry said Monday that an additional 156 people were killed in the past day. Israeli tanks stand on the border with the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) ORG XMIT: XOB101 Developments: The U.S. military said Sunday that its forces shot and killed several Iran-backed Houthi rebels when they tried to attack a cargo ship in the Red Sea, an escalation in a maritime conflict linked to the war in Gaza. The Biden administration approved a new emergency weapons sale to Israel on Friday, again bypassing Congress, ahead of a planned visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the region. Israels Supreme Court overturns key component of judicial overhaul The Israeli Supreme Court decision Monday to strike down Netanyahus contentious judicial overhaul could cause unrest within the nation that had been brewing before the war. Those divisions were largely put aside while the country focused on the war in Gaza. Mondays court decision could reignite those tensions, which sparked months of mass protests against the government and had rattled the cohesion of the powerful military. There was no immediate reaction from Netanyahu. In Mondays decision, the court narrowly voted to overturn a law passed in July that prevents judges from striking down government decisions they deem unreasonable. Opponents had argued that Netanyahus efforts to remove the standard of reasonability opens the door to corruption and improper appointments of unqualified cronies to important positions. The law was the first in a planned overhaul of the Israeli justice system. The overhaul was put on hold after Hamas militants carried out their Oct. 7 attack, killing some 1,200 people and kidnapping 240 others. In an 8-7 decision, the Supreme Court justices struck down the law because of the severe and unprecedented harm to the core character of the State of Israel as a democratic country. The justices also voted 12-3 that they had the authority to overturn so-called Basic Laws, major pieces of legislation that serve as a sort of constitution for Israel. It was a significant blow to Netanyahu and his hard-line allies, who claimed the national legislature, not the high court, should have the final word over the legality of legislation and other key decisions. The justices said the Knesset, or parliament, does not have omnipotent power. Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israeli court scuttles Netanyahu reform amid troop pullout: Updates By Ari Rabinovitch JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel's Supreme Court on Monday struck down a highly disputed law passed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government that rolled back some of the high court's power and sparked months of nationwide protests. The law was part of a broader judicial overhaul proposed by Netanyahu and his coalition of religious and nationalist partners which caused a deep rift in Israel and concern over the country's democratic principles among Western allies. Monday's court decision could test the cohesion of an emergency government formed to manage the war against Hamas, which includes hardline proponents like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and critics of the judicial overhaul such as centrist Benny Gantz and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Smotrich dismissed the decision as "extreme and divisive", echoing the bitter divisions that marked Israeli politics in the months before the deadly Hamas rampage through southern Israel on Oct. 7. The new legislation brought before the court had removed one, but not all, of the tools the Supreme Court has for quashing government and ministers' decisions. It took away the court's ability to void such decisions that it deemed "unreasonable". Twelve of 15 justices ruled that it was within the court's parameters to strike down quasi-constitutional "basic laws". A smaller majority of eight ruled to nullify this specific basic law, which the court said "causes severe and unprecedented harm to the core characteristics of Israel as a democratic state." Some Israeli officials have acknowledged that the internal divisions caused by the judicial overhaul - which seeped into the military and prompted Netanyahu to temporarily fire Gallant, who had called to halt the reforms - may have factored into Hamas' decision to carry out its Oct. 7 killing spree. Netanyahu's Likud party said the Supreme Court's decision was unfortunate and that it opposed "the will of the people for unity, especially during wartime". It did not discuss any possible steps it might take in its brief statement. Yair Lapid, opposition chair and a former prime minister, praised the court, whose decision he said "seals a tough year of dispute that tore us apart from the inside and led to the most terrible disaster in our history." The Supreme Court, according to its summary of the case, said the government in passing the amendment to the basic law "completely revoked the possibility of carrying out judicial review of the reasonableness of decisions made by the government, the prime minister, and the ministers." "The court held that the amendment causes severe and unprecedented harm to the core characteristics of Israel as a democratic state." (Editing by Jason Neely) TOKYO Japan was struck by a series of powerful earthquakes on New Year's Day that killed at least 48 people, reduced hundreds of buildings to rubble, and forced tens of thousands to flee to higher ground. Dozens of survivors were being treated at hospitals across the Ishikawa prefecture and the emergency rooms were expected to become even more crowded as rescue crews free people believed to be still trapped in the ruins of homes and buildings. The Japanese public broadcaster NHK TV summed-up the situation with a grim headline: "Homes have collapsed, there are people unconscious." Potentially complicating the rescue efforts was a forecast that could include snow Tuesday in this region some 325 miles west of Tokyo, and the fact that so many roads have been damaged that manpower and supplies may have to be delivered by boat. Meanwhile, firefighters were battling blazes that devoured some 50 buildings in a market area within the city of Wajima, NHK reported, citing Ishikawa officials. Those buildings were believed to be largely unoccupied when, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quakes hit off the Ishikawa coast a little after 4 p.m. local time (2 a.m. ET), with one reaching a magnitude of 7.6. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters he would personally lead the nation's disaster response and has already been in touch with the mayors of Wajima and Suzu, which is another city on the Noto Peninsula hit hard by the quakes. Not long after, the White House issued a statement pledging to help Japan if needed. "My administration is in touch with Japanese officials, and the United States stands ready to provide any necessary assistance for the Japanese people," President Joe Biden said. So far, three of the reported deaths two in Nanao City and one in Shika Town were due to building collapses, Japanese broadcaster NTV reported, citing information from local police. Eight people were confirmed dead and seven people were seriously injured in Wajima city, according to NHK. The two other deaths were reported in unspecified locations. Kishida said search-and-rescue teams have been dispatched to the stricken cities, but manpower and supplies might have to be brought in by boat because many roads in the area are damaged. Also, large swaths of the area were without power, water or cellphone service as a result of the quakes, Kishida said. As the casualties are starting to become apparent, it is now a race against time," Kishida said at a news conference. "We must work on rescuing everyone, especially those buried under collapsed buildings. I call on all to utilize all available methods, including deploying the Self-Defense Force, and to do everything possible to expedite the recovery and repair of damaged infrastructure as soon as possible. Tsunami warnings had been issued in the wake of the quakes in Ishikawa as well as the coastal prefectures of Niigata and Toyama, where 33,000 buildings had lost power as of 6 p.m. (4 a.m. ET), according to the Hokuriku Electric Power company. The Japanese public broadcaster NHK TV warned the quakes could churn-up 17-foot tall waves and urged people on the entire west coast to evacuate. Those tsunami warnings were lifted later Monday and, thus far, the tallest wave reported was around 4 feet tall and detected at the port in the city of Wajima, the broadcaster reported. An aerial photo shows a fire due to a massive earthquake in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture on Jan. 1, 2024. (Takehito Kobayashi / The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP) The quakes were so powerful they were felt on the other side of the country in Tokyo, according to the broadcaster. A video posted to X showed a train station in Kanazawa, the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, shaking and losing power during an earthquake. Another showed a family clinging on to whatever they could as their apartment in Kanazawa rocked wildly. Other videos posted to social media showed houses in some areas with roofs caved in and door frames falling off while surrounding trees fall to the ground. In some supermarkets, goods were scattered as the ground shook. In Wajima, the quake flattened a lacquerware company and at least 30 homes in the city, trapping dozens of people under the rubble, NHK reported, citing the local fire department and a statement from the local government. Several people with minor head or other injuries from falling objects were treated at Wajima Municipal Hospital, officials there said. In Nanao City, which is located on the same peninsula, landslides, cracked roads, and collapsed homes were also reported, local police said. Collapsed houses after an earthquake in Anamizu Town in Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture on Jan. 1, 2024. (Noboru Hosono / The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP) In Suzu, the collapse of a two-story house was caught on camera by an NHK crew. Other footage showed one large isolated wave crashing off the coast of the city. Earlier, Japanese officials announced it was sending military assistance to the hardest-hit areas but none of the nuclear reactors operating in the region had been damaged. Train service in and out of the area was suspended and the airport that serves the cities on the Noto Peninsula was shut down. Cracks are seen on the ground in Wajima in Japan's Ishikawa prefecture on Jan. 1, 2024, following an earthquake. (Kyodo News via AP) This is a developing story check back here for updates soon. Arata Yamamoto reported from Tokyo, Larissa Gao reported from Hong Kong, and Corky Siemaszko from New York City. At least four people died following a 7.5-magnitude New Year's Day earthquake in Japans Honshu Island, with authorities warning of continuing tsunami risk as dozens of significant aftershocks shook the area. The U.S. Geological Survey said the approximately 4 p.m. local time quake occurred about six miles below the surface, and local officials said it severed power, destroyed roads and halted train service. Authorities set up emergency shelters for people who evacuated their homes and warned against immediately returning. Authorities in Ishikawa prefecture reported that at least four people were killed and two others injured, news outlets including CNN and The Wall Street Journal reported. And the operator of bullet-train service said four trains halted for 11 hours mid-journey, stranding about 1,400 passengers, were aided and beginning to travel to stations, according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK TV. Takashi Wakabayashi, a worker at a convenience store in Ishikawa Prefecture, said some items had tumbled from the shelves, but the biggest problem was the huge crowd of people who had shown up to stock up on bottled water, rice balls and bread following the quake. We have customers at three times the level of usual, he said. Japanese media footage showed people running through the streets, and red smoke spewing from a fire in a residential neighborhood. Photos showed a crowd of people, including a woman with a baby on her back, standing by huge cracks that had ripped through the pavement. Some people sustained minor injuries when they tripped and fell while fleeing, or objects fell off shelves and hit them, according to NHK. The Japan Meteorological Agency initially issued a major tsunami warning for Ishikawa and lower-level tsunami warnings or advisories for the rest of the western coast of the island of Honshu, as well as the northernmost of its main islands, Hokkaido, but then downgraded it to a regular tsunami warning several hours later, meaning waves still reach up to 10 feet. President Joe Biden said his administration stands ready to assist Japan, citing the longtime friendship between the two countries. "Jill and I are praying for the people of Japan who have been impacted by the terrible earthquake," Biden said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with the Japanese people during this difficult time." NHK initially warned torrents of water could reach as high as 5 meters (16.5 feet). Japan is an extremely quake-prone nation. In March 2011, a major quake and tsunami caused meltdowns at a nuclear plant. The latest warning was the first time since the 2011 disaster that a tsunami warning of this magnitude was issued. A goverment spokesman told reporters that nuclear plants in the affected area had not reported any irregularities on Monday. Nuclear regulators said no rises in radiation levels were detected at the monitoring posts in the region. Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Four dead after strong quake hits Japan, sparking tsunami fears Lauren Boebert (left), Barbra Streisand (center), and Ryan Reynolds (right). Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images; Kevin Mazur via Getty Images; Noam Galai via Getty Images Lauren Boebert is pointing the finger at Hollywood for making her swap congressional districts. The Colorado Republican accused Barbra Streisand and Ryan Reynolds of backing her Democrat rival. Streisand and Reynolds each donated $1,500 to Boebert's rival, Democratic candidate Adam Frisch. Rep. Lauren Boebert is blaming Hollywood for her decision to switch congressional districts. "We have to shut down the Hollywood elites who are trying to buy my current district," Boebert told Steve Bannon on his "War Room" podcast on Saturday. "There has been close to $10 million poured into this district to buy this seat. Colorado's 3rd District is not for sale," she continued. Boebert then named the stars, who she said were backing her rivals. "When you have Barbra Streisand coming in and donating to the Democrat, when you have Ryan Reynolds coming in and donating to the Democrat, it shows you that Hollywood is trying to buy their way into Congress," Boebert told Bannon. This isn't the first time Boebert has slammed Streisand and Reynolds for backing her opponents. In November, Boebert had mentioned the two stars while soliciting donations from her supporters. "My opponent has plenty of funding from Soros dark money and even Hollywood liberals like Barbra Streisand and Ryan Reynolds," she wrote in a post on X. According to the Federal Election Commission, both Streisand and Reynolds have donated $1,500 each to Boebert's rival, Democratic candidate Adam Frisch. Boebert said on Wednesday that she was moving from Colorado's 3rd Congressional District to the 4th Congressional District, a more conservative part of the state. Her announcement comes after Frisch vastly outraised her. On Tuesday, Business Insider reported that Frisch had raised over $7.7 million, according to the FEC. That is more than triple the $2.4 million that Boebert raised, per the FEC. "I will not allow dark money that is directed at destroying me personally to steal this seat," Boebert said in a Facebook video on Wednesday. "It's not fair to the 3rd District and the conservatives there who have fought so hard for our victories," she added. Representatives for Boebert, Streisand, and Reynolds did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours. Read the original article on Business Insider By Jack Kim SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told the country's military commanders the most powerful means must be mobilized to destroy the United States and South Korea if they choose military confrontation, state media reported on Monday. Kim said the danger of an armed confrontation on the Korean peninsula is fast becoming a reality because of hostile maneuvers by the enemies including the United States, requiring the country to "sharpen the treasured sword" to protect itself. "If the enemy opt for military confrontation ... our army should deal a deadly blow to thoroughly annihilate them by mobilizing all the toughest means and potentialities without moment's hesitation," KCNA news agency quoted Kim as saying. Kim made the comments as he hosted senior military leaders on Sunday at the ruling Workers' Party (WPK) headquarters to congratulate them on the accomplishments made in 2023, the state news agency said. North Korea in 2023 tested its largest ballistic missiles and launched its first military reconnaissance satellite, which Kim has called major advances in modernizing the country's military. The call to upgrade the country's military readiness follows the pledge made at the conclusion of a five-day WPK meeting that ended on Saturday to boost its nuclear arsenal, build military drones and launch three new spy satellites in 2024. The escalation of rhetoric from Kim comes as the United States increased drills with South Korea in the past year, deploying more strategic military assets, including a nuclear missile submarine, aircraft carriers and large bombers. It also comes ahead of a year that will see pivotal elections in both South Korea and the United States, which Pyongyang likely sees as an opportunity to increase its leverage by stepping up a campaign of military pressure. On Monday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged to accelerate work to complete a missile defence system and a system using U.S. extended deterrence to "fundamentally deter any North Korean nuclear and missile threat." Extended deterrence refers to the strategy of using U.S. military assets including nuclear weapons to deter and, in the event of an attack against an ally, respond. In separate reports, KCNA said Kim hosted a reception for senior members of the ruling party and attended a late night "grand art performance" celebrating the new year at the May Day stadium in Pyongyang, where senior party members, soldiers and members of the diplomatic corps were present. The show featured ice skaters, acrobats and choirs, and fireworks lit up the sky at midnight, as the venue filled "with great happiness and boundless excitement of seeing in the New Year with the benevolent father of the great socialist family." (Reporting by Jack Kim; Editing by Diane Craft,Lisa Shumaker and Kim Coghill) The family of a Henrico County man who died while in custody last March at Central State Hospital has clapped back at the medical center that initially treated him, accusing it of deflecting blame in the death for its own inactions. In a statement released Sunday by their attorney, Irvo Noel Otienos family claimed that he was virtually ignored during his six-hour stay at HCA Parham Doctors Hospital. They say Otieno who was in the middle of a mental-health crisis at the time was seen only briefly by a doctor and given just enough medication to calm him for one hour. An HCA physician only saw Irvo briefly and appears to have disappeared when the brief effects of medication dissipated, the statement said. Even though Irvo was brought to HCA under an Emergency Custody Order for in-crisis mental-health care, Irvo never saw a psychiatrist. What did HCA do for Irvo for the other five hours when Irvo was shackled to his bed rails? Irvo Otieno Otieno was 28 years old and suffering from mental-health illness when he died March 6, 2023, in an intake unit at Central State Hospital in Dinwiddie County. An autopsy indicated cause of death as suffocation after seven Henrico County deputies and three CSH security guards pinned him to the floor for more than 11 minutes. All 10 deputies and security guards were indicted in Dinwiddie County on second-degree murder charges stemming from Otienos death. The prosecution later dropped charges against two of the security guards, and trials for the remaining defendants are scheduled to begin in June 2024. A state investigation into HCA released its findings last week stating that Parham Doctors Hospital did not provide adequate care for Otieno when Henrico Police brought him there March 3. Officers had gone to the residence to pick up Otieno on suspicion of neighborhood larcenies and found him amid a mental-health episode. Otienos mother claimed her requests to take him to a closer hospital for evaluation were ignored, and he wound up being taken across the county to PDH on Parham Road. The officers said Otieno had become violent during his time in PDH so they decided to take him to Henrico County Jail West. Three days later, Henrico deputies transferred him to Central State but claimed they had to physically suppress him after he began resisting them in the intake unit. However, surveillance video from CSH showed a shackled, shoeless and quite catatonic Otieno being led into the room by deputies and held against a cushioned chair on the floor. At one moment, Otieno appeared to flinch, and that was when the deputies and security guards rolled him over and used their bodies to pin him down. In its response to the investigation, HCA said it attempted to properly stabilize Otieno but was unable to because our care was interrupted by the intervention of Henrico County Police officers. Since that time, the company said it had developed a comprehensive plan for working with law enforcement to discharge a patient under mental duress. The familys statement released Sunday said the PDH mental-health center where he was taken appeared to be operating not by a physician and nurses, but by its security officers, who, along with hospital staff, also impeded Irvos mother from seeing her son. HCA Parham Doctors Hospital seeks to deflect blame for its own inactions. HCA chides its own security officers for their actions but fails to acknowledge the passivity and timidity of its physician in directing care, it continued. Physicians and nurses are supposed to advocate for their patients, and not take direction from security officers with little to no healthcare training. The Otieno case has received widespread media coverage for its similarities to the 2020 case in Minneapolis when video showed George Floyd, a Black man, being pinned to a city street by a police officer using his knee across Floyds neck. Floyd, whose comment of I cant breathe became a theme of nationwide protests against what demonstrators called racial inequality in the U.S. justice system. Otienos advocates say his death also depicts inequality in mental-health treatments for Blacks and other minorities in the U.S. Among those backing the family are civil-rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton who eulogized Otieno at a March 29 funeral service in Chesterfield County and acclaimed civil-rights attorney Ben Crump. Crump and Virginia-based lawyer Mark Krudys are representing Otienos mother and brother. Shortly after the state Department of Health released the findings of the HCA investigation, Florida-based Crump released his own statement. It is heartbreaking that in one of Irvos lowest moments, he was abandoned and left unstable by medical staff ... who are required by regulation to provide care and support to those who need it, Crumps statement read. The case also is a cornerstone of legislation proposed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin for the 2024 Virginia General Assembly that starts Jan. 10. That legislation would allow for a family caregiver to be with a patient in medical crisis while they receive emergency care. Otienos mother said she was repeatedly denied access to her son even though he was calling for her. Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI. This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Otieno family: Henrico hospital covers up 'inactions' leading to death A police officer in Milton, George helped save an owl who had been hit by a car on December 22. An owl in Georgia may owe its life to a compassionate police officer who quickly took action after spotting him sitting in the middle of the road. Sergeant Chad West of the Milton Police Department was driving up Highway 9 when he spotted "Owen the Owl" sitting in the road on Dec. 22. West turned his car around and rescued the owl to prevent further harm. Luckily for the owl, one of West's colleagues, Officer Charles Fannon, was on duty. Fannon had some experience with owls and quickly determined that Owen was likely hit by a car. A police officer in Milton, George helped save an owl who had been hit by a car on December 22. The officers reached out to the local Veterinary Emergency Group which took him in for the night and made sure he was OK. Owen was then taken in by the wildlife rehabilitation group, HawkTalk, Inc., who continued to care for him. Less than a week later and Owen was all better and ready to go home. "We love a happy ending!" Milton Police said in a Facebook post. West and Fannon joined HawkTalk's Monteen McCord to release him back to his home along Highway 9 near Stonecreek Church. A video of Owen's release showed a group of very excited kids rushing up and asking to pet the owl before the creature was freed. The kids, amazed at how "soft" Owen's feathers were, got a little lesson on why that is. One of the officers can be heard telling them the bird is so soft because owls have to be "silent" when they fly. Owls in the U.S. face several threats In the U.S., there are 19 varying species of owls in all different shapes and sizes, according to the American Bird Conservancy. These creatures face several threats including habitat loss, pesticides, and vehicle collisions, which have already resulted in a decline of a third of all the owl species in the country. However, not all species of owls are in decline. In forests across the West Coast, biologists with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have said that barred owls have been crowding out spotted owls. The barred owls are not native to the region, and experts said they're concerned that the spotted owl could disappear from parts of Washington and Oregon if they don't do anything about it. So, they've recently proposed a plan to shoot hundreds of thousands of barred owls over the next 30 years, as a way to help the spotted owl population grow. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Owen the owl recovers and is rereleased after officer rescues him Express your opinion! Fill out this form to submit a Letter to the Editor. Submit YEREVAN, JANUARY 1, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has issued a congratulatory message on New Year and Christmas, the PM's Office said. The message reads as follows: "Dear people, dear citizens of the Republic of Armenia, 2023 is melting before our eyes, and 2024 will enter our homes in minutes like an eager teenager. We are closing 2023 with high economic growth and first of all I want to thank the people who worked in 2023, were creative in their work, created added value and paid the taxes stipulated by the law. Its first of all thanks to those people that we got the opportunity to double the salaries of military personnel and teachers, and today there are teachers and private military personnel in our country with a salary of 450 to 500 thousand AMD. It is thanks to the people who work, are creative in their work and pay the taxes stipulated by law that we were able to take care of the basic needs of our brothers and sisters who became refugees from Nagorno Karabakh. It is thanks to the people who work, are creative in their work and pay the taxes stipulated by law that we were able to bring the minimum pensions into line with the minimum food basket for the first time in the history of the Third Republic. It is thanks to the people who work, are creative in their work and pay the taxes stipulated by the law that for the third year in a row, from January 1, the salary of researchers will increase. It is thanks to people who are creative in their work, bring new ideas, and are not afraid of the responsibility of realising those ideas, that since 2018, 190 thousand jobs have been created in Armenia. People who work, are creative in their work and pay the taxes stipulated by law deserve words of praise and gratitude, and I hope that the eagerness brought by 2024 will give them new charge, new strength, new ideas. Dear people, dear compatriots, As the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, I address you with a New Year message for the 6th time. And the retrospect of our joint journey evokes feelings of pain, regret, but also pride. We have talked and talk much about pain and regret, but on this New Year's Eve, I want to bow and express my pride for each of you, that with unbearable burdens on our shoulders, we were able and are able to lead our state, the Republic of Armenia, through the extremely complicated path of strengthening independence and sovereignty. When I think about the path we have passed, I understand that this history is beyond the understandings of wrong and right decisions, and we are moving through the only possible path, even though extremely vicious, that will allow us to inherit a state for our generations. We have passed most of this path, but we are not safe from new trials and difficulties ahead and we need not to shake, not to waver in our determination to have an independent state and to inherit that state to our generations. I also want to apologize to each and every one of you, to all citizens of the Republic of Armenia, to all our brothers and sisters who became refugees from Nagorno Karabakh for the pain you have suffered in recent years. I apologize not because I have committed any crime before you or I have forgotten any responsibility or obligation before you even for a moment, but because I know your feelings and I have the same feeling. But this feeling cannot in any way undermine my duty as the head of the state, which means that all my decisions and actions must be based on the state interest of the Republic of Armenia. This is the reason why I consider it a priority to find formulas for the normalization and deepening of relations with our neighbors in our region, and I will continue to resolutely follow that path for the sake of the state, for the sake of the future, for the sake of generations. It is the duty of the head of the state to tirelessly and constantly repeat that we need to understand many things more and more fully, we need to look at and review many things in order to irreversibly understand that the motherland is the state. Motherland is the state. If you love your homeland, strengthen your state. Motherland is the state. If you love your motherland, pay your taxes. Motherland is the state. If you love your motherland, improve your education. Motherland is the state. If you love your motherland, build your and your country's well-being, get rich and make others rich with work. This is the state interest of the Republic of Armenia. It should be a guide for all of us, and I am sure that the year 2024, that eager teenager, will become a symbol of the state and state understanding for us. Dear people, dear compatriots, Fill the glasses and raise a toast for the Republic of Armenia. Glory to the martyrs and long live the Republic of Armenia. Long live the Republic of Armenia! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!"